[It didn't seem like anyone was going to reply (?) since it's been a while, but I wanted to reply for plot purposes. If I stepped on your toes just beat me and I'll wait for your post!]

Before Ampere had time to think any further, the sun appeared. Not the literal sun, just his spear, but it was still fucking bright. Ampere swerved in the air, momentarily blinded and startled. Hooves skimmed across water and Ampere arced her wings back, tucking her rump for an aquatic landing, though she was close enough to the shore that she could easily stand too. Amid the chaotic light, one sound was clear, and Ampere clung to that.

CONFUTATIS.

As though wounded, Ampere's heart swelled and ached in her chest. Blinking out the remnants of brilliance, Ampere had only to twist her head against her shoulder to see the Sultana descend next to Confutatis. That was the name the filly had given her, that was why the skull-faced mare looked so familiar when she flew by. This was the missing mother.

That alone was stunning to Ampere. She didn't even need to find her after all, which was great, because lately she hadn't even had the time to whip out her navigational knife and whisper a name to it. The confused joy was quickly dissipating though, because why was this mare here, apparently trespassing, when the filly had made it seem like she was taken? Why was..."Confutatis, you are a prisoner of the Throat and will remain here until we choose to release you." What.

Wait, what. WHAT!?

Ampere was stunned into literal silence. It was likely even her mouth hung agape as she watched and listened to Megaera berate the escaping fucking prisoner. The prisoner Ampere had known nothing about, and for how long? The prisoner detained, for what purpose? The prisoner tha- Gaucho.

His name burned through her mind like the title he bore, and its ashes blew away into her heart, filling it with death. The normally energetic blue of her gaze had faded into something cold and hard as she watched him arrive in all his glory. He fit the description the filly had provided... how had she been so blond? Gaucho extended his chains in the form of two flaming eagles to corral the already defeated mother, speaking of her imprisonment so casually that Ampere swayed as she stood int he water. He acted like it was a goddamn gift.

That's when Ampere found her voice again. She opened up the present he offered, and inside she found a little ball of rage to chew on. It tasted like deceit.

"FOR HOW LONG!?" Ampere roared out over the water towards him, splashing about as she struck out with sea-stained legs towards him. Her steps were not quick, but they were purposeful as she waded over the distance set between them. She didn't clarify her question, but it was unclear if she was asking how long Confutatis had been their prisoner, or how long he intended to keep her as such. Either answer was sure to be poor for Ampere, so she continued. "Just how long do you intend to keep a mother from her children, a 'criminal' amid our family, under our watch, eating our food, drinking our water, taking our time? How long to do you fucking intend to ENSLAVE ANOTHER HORSE, GAUCHO!?" by now she should have been close to him, and it seemed as if ever step she took, whether across water or fire, had invigorated her rather than drained her. Ampere was bristling with energy; her wings were flared at her sides, and her two knives were slowly singing their way out of their sheaths.

@[Gaucho]