He replied only when the voice frayed by exertion began to slow and steady- the undertone suggested to her right away that his attitude; the cloak of arrogance and cocky-confidence had not been shed to this point. It hurt; each syllable struck the brittle remnants of a gentle mind like a club swung with one intention. Accordingly, the ear which had defied her reluctance to face him hurtled backwards to join its feeble companion beneath swirling fire and oily grey tendrils of mane. Agitated, though without the wearing anger and resentment which had been instilled each other moment they had spoken during time spent in The Sanctuary, Africa’s solitary wing ruffled and drew a little closer against the damp warmth of her barrel.

But he spoke again too; she had not expected the shift in his manner- the subtle icing of care which had been genuinely presumed dead and forgotten. Naturally attentive, and not one to favour the burden of unhappiness above a sway so lightening, the dappled mare’s neck lifted, stiffening with the strain of her otherwise fair-masked surprise; soft golden eyes too rising to find what manner engulfed the unfortunately familiar sneer. Lovely black lashes fluttered apprehensively, unsure whether he was lulling her down into false security; the bulge of her dimpled, whiskery chin was tucked snugly to the side of her vertical jugular- she could not risk nearness to one so volatile- so malevolent (he could turn at any moment, right?)

Africa’s quiet, humble voice offered forth her reply after much hesitation; long deliberation. She was properly nervous, bathed in the shadow of a turncoat friend who had rebuked her honesty; and punished still further the lie then delivered for the sake of compromise. "I will run as fast as I can, Wind."
Actually, she would fly as swiftly as she could. She could not explain the magic which had swept through her soul, but there were undeniably affects she could not achieve prior to their descent into the pits of the earth. Formerly, such a blessing like flight had been a rather sensitive topic for the ebony stallion though, so thoughtfully she kept her new found talents quiet. "Yes, I was headed there."

A vague slither of smile passed fleetingly across her thinned lips.