’You and your babe look perfect, Alpenglow’ The painted dunskin mare grunts with amusement. “If everything was perfect I would be out of a job,” she states before explaining further, “I’m a medicine horse. I choose to live here as a nomad so I can offer my skills to whomever may need them”. She turned her blue gaze down to her son who had managed to steady himself upon his little hooves. “This little one will be trained to be my replacement one day,” she stated with a weary smile. She didn't know how many years were left on her clock but she knew that death came for everyone in time. Hopefully she could get this little one fully qualified to give aid to all the islands. Oh how she hoped he would be a quick learner. It might be considered a little cold-hearted to have a baby for the sole purpose of raising them to be a replacement. But at least he was wanted and Alpenglow would do her best to love and care for him. She’s not certain if his father would play any role in his life. She hasn't even thought about him, let alone seen him since their mating during the autumn. The practical mare was more than happy for him to be a donor and nothing more. But if Brax wanted a relationship with his son then she wasn’t going to stand between them. Unless it was going to distract the colt from his purpose. Gently Alpenglow guided the little colt to her underside where he could take his first drink of milk. She made a slightly shocked expression when he latched onto her. The sensation felt odd but at least it wasn’t uncomfortable, for now, things might change once his little teeth grow through. “He’s my first foal,” she explained with a chuckle to mask her embarrassment. “So tell me Asphara, what’s a herdmare like yourself doing here on the Crossing?” There is no bitterness or judgment in her words. Simply curiosity and willingness to partake in small talk and idle gossip. Things the lonesome mare rarely had time or patience for. |