She didn't have to speak, her eyes did plenty of talking for her. As expected, she seemed to want nothing to do with my presence, which wasn't exactly surprising. Abraxas had made it seem like he was protecting her by trying to free her from the Lagoon, which had led me to the obvious conclusion that she was afraid, but her demeanor now gave rise to a different, delightful possibility.

Had she simply browbeaten him into it? Grabbed him by the balls and refused to let go?

My smirk broadens, eyes glittering, as I consider the possibility. It certainly meshed better with my opinion of him as the cowardly traitor he had proven himself to be.

"Did I strike a nerve, sweet thing?" I tilted my head, intentionally peering behind her into the gloom. I assumed there was a child there somewhere - there always was - but could not actually see them. Abraxas had mentioned it when he was peddling his vote and even if he hadn't, her defensive posture and refusal to engage implied as much.

"Did he bother to ask you about it, or did he just assume that freedom was what you wanted?" I am purely spitballing here, lobbing possibilities at her to see what would stick or get the biggest reaction. I don't know Abraxas and now don't care to, but if his and Thranduil's crappy little plans play out and I get saddled with a boss that wants to curtail my adventures, I'm going to need an outlet or too for my frustration.

It wouldn't be the first time a Lagoonie had hyperfixated on a mare.

Stallion - Adult - 15.2 - Brown Overo