As the mare wandered with the stallion, she was not ignorant to the changes in the lands. She took the new information her eyes and ears (and companion) provided her with quiet, simple acceptance. It would take time to process everything that needed to be processed, time she had been spending mostly running menial tasks for the Earth Lord who claimed to be offering their salvation from the Dark one almost everyone else appeared to loathe.

The same Dark one who had brought her back.

Yes, more time was needed for the mare to process all that.

The Heart Caves proved fascinating, and the mare promised Akaith they would visit here again. The assortment of shiny things that caught the gold's attention made the trip slow - but slow was fine, for her inky companion was hardly rushing.

She found that old fondness rising up once more within her. Her time suffering within another dimension had hardened her to forming bonds with others (outside of her bond with Akaith). The rush to do as the Earth lord bid had meant she was unable to locate her daughters and niece, and her (former?) mate until it was all passed.

She hoped they were all right.

She hoped they still loved her.

Because hardened though she was to others, her heart still thrummed wildly for them. Ink had been a part of the Qian once, he had earned similar devotion from her, once. He was slowly earning it from her again. His silence was sweetened by his gentle demeanour and actions; Mirage could not help but become absorbed by all that he found, enjoying his unique way of communicating and hoping that he had forgiven her too, for whatever wrong she felt she had done to him.

It was he who left, Akaith reminded her quietly, and the mare retorted back sharply, He was taken from us, I am sure. One day we will find out. Where previously she had been happy to accept his silence as contentedness to let things lie in the past, she was also prone to a dire thirst for knowledge - as her affection for him returned, so too did her desire to protect him, to know him and ensure he was never hurt (again).

Glassy crystals, so similar to that which had constructed the wall of their former home, seemed to be the chosen item today. Take what you can, she murmured to Akaith, who obliged happily, tearing a football-sized chunk from the wall, and landing back upon her bonded's back. It would be handy to have, to melt down and fill in any gaps that might spring in this "boat" that was to be their salvation. Following the dark steed closely, she cloaked herself whenever they happened to pass by others, and clung to the shadowy darkness besides, as they made their (hopefully final) journey back to the Meadow.