XOLANI

The darkness surrounded the pair, lulling Xolani into a sense of peace and warmth as she found herself closer to the stallion. It was strange, what his touch had become to her: though she was naturally inclined to offer physical affection (particularly since it was denied to her for so long), there was something... different about Ilios. Her skin tingled where his wings brushed, where his muzzle lingered, even where his eyes gazed. It was a foreign feeling, and it left the young mare bewildered and nervous. What if she did something wrong, something that would chase him away?

But he seemed appreciative of even her slightest movements. When she pressed her muzzle into his shoulder, he offered a slight smile and a reassurance, though she couldn't quite determine if it was for her benefit or for his. She sighed, and he offered his muzzle, as though to assure her that all was well, despite the difficulties of his past. Every movement that she offered to comfort him was returned in gestures that she appreciated and cherished. For the first time in her life, she felt... loved.

The thought made her pause, suddenly bashful and elated and afraid in equal measure, for what if she was wrong? Or what if this feeling wasn't love, not in that sense - what if it was merely friendship, or family, or something other than romantic? How was she supposed to know the difference, having been given nothing in her short life to compare to? Butterflies flared in her stomach, so she cast her clear blue gaze to the sands to hide her sudden insecurity. It would be better that he thought her upset about his story, at least until she could determine if what she was feeling was something to be shared.

When he thanked her, it was for her lack of adjudication, and this brought her gaze immediately to his, a spark in her eyes with anger at those who thought themselves worthy of passing judgment. She had, after all, been the subject of such unfair practices in her homeland. By the Gods, she had left her own family to escape it! At that moment, she wished that she was able to tell him that she understood - that she, too, had been bypassed for the favor of the herd (or, in her case, the court). That she, too, had been ignored, even hated, by those who were supposed to love her the most. That she had been blamed and judged for things that were far beyond her control.

But mostly, she wished that she could show him that he would not receive that sort of inane treatment from her.

He called her amazing.

She pressed against him, a feeling of complete and utter adoration and satisfaction bubbling within her breast. Her heart skipped its way into a faster rhythm, moving to match Ilios's quickened beat (though she didn't realize that their hearts were beating as one, even as her chest came to rest against his). Her neck leaned against his, her muzzle thrown across his withers. She squeezed, softly, acknowledging his praise and hoping that the simple gesture would return it. The mare closed her eyes.

"Can I stay with you tonight?"

Xolani nodded.