Common

Somehow, entering the Commons a second time was worse than the first. The first time she'd come ashore with her coat still soaking wet and her eyes full of stars, she'd only heard the horror stories but had not experienced them herself.

She could no longer say such a thing.

Of course, as far as horror stories went, it was relatively minor. Yes, she had been sad to see Vadimir go, and yes, she had spent an inordinate amount of time since spending all of her thoughts on him and what he'd said. But realistically, she'd only known Vadimir for the ten seconds it took for him to say hello and for that brutish stallion to come sweep him away.

Edith had departed after the two of them split off for the Lagoon, and had opted to linger in the Meadow for the months that followed. She was torn by the idea of wanting to try and help Vadimir in some way, to free him or at least make sure he was okay, and by the idea of simply wanting to move on and forget the whole sordid affair had happened. In truth, she would have likely continued being waylaid by her own indecision if it were not for the insatiable itch of the season burrowing beneath her skin and making it hard to remain quiet and hidden.

She missed belonging somewhere, and while it was likely true that she could take her pretty little rump back to the Thicket and beg the new leader to let her stay, she found no desire in such an act. She wanted to find love and family and belonging. She wanted to belong to somewhere that was just for her, a stallion who wanted her just for her. Perhaps it was too ambitious for a girl to dream so big, and yet she could not stop herself from imagining the way Mr. Right's handsome face would warm with a smile when he saw her, and the way he would dip his head and inquire after her name.

Her first trip here might have been a disaster, but as Edith squared her shoulders and danced lithely into the Commons, she was determined to not let her second venture fall to the same fate.