Alysanne recognized the pretty zephyr as soon as she came into view, a mixture of joy and anger rising within her. She did not plan on following this summons, wasn’t sure if she was ready for the conversation that was going to follow. Would she ever be? She had turned into a coward, the angry mare that had left the Falls after the invasion had little in common with the cheerful mare that Miykael once knew. Unfortunately, it became very clear that Eliana would not be leaving alone, even when Hemlock tried to chase her off. He was fond of the night-bird but did not appreciate how pushy she was being.

“Oh, you win.” She conceded, not wishing to see the companions get in a fight because of her cowardice. With a gesture of her dark head, she asked Eliana to lead the way - a task the zephyr seemed willing to do, if only because it meant she did not have to be near Alysanne any longer. Hemlock opted to perch himself upon his bonded’s head for the trip - wanting to be flying alongside Eliana but unwilling to leave the mare as she spent the walk fretting. She realized that not only was she afraid about what this was about, but she was nervous. What did they have to say to each other? Hadn’t they each caused enough pain?

And then too soon, he was there. More beautiful that she remembered.

Did she even have a right to be angry with him? She was the one that should apologize, her crime was greater than his though his was the fresher wound.

“Mi…” And she suddenly wasn’t sure how to even address him anymore. Perhaps she had intended to stand there, with righteous fury protecting her from her own terrible deeds, but now that she was here she could not pretend. Guilt took over and choked her to the point where she could not even speak his name. Was he Mikey or was he Miykael to hew now? What must he think of her? Perhaps that was why he had stayed in the Falls with the rest of the treacherous herd members.  

Her body ached to rush toward him, to feel the comforting weight of his wings as they wrapped around her. Her nights had been restless now that he no longer slept at her side.  

But she couldn’t do that, did not deserve to do that, so she stopped while there were still four full lengths between them.

She was hurting, yes, but it was her own fault. She had done this, she had made this gap between them. And now she could not even find her voice to apologize, or even to greet him. She only just had the courage to stand where she was and watch him with sad green eyes. What now?