He just couldn't keep away from the subject, could he? The man reminded her of a colt with his first loose milk-tooth, constantly prodding it with his tongue to see if it still hurt. Gazing absently at the stallion Erthë thought she could see several ways to solve his problem, but for once the girl kept quiet about them. This was Tembovu - he was a very intelligent man, a capable as a leader and one of the kindest people she'd ever had the pleasure to call friend. If she could think of those options then he likely already had, which meant that he wouldn't act upon them no matter what she said.

A flicker of anger sparked within herself as she thought of the mare that brought her Tembu into such a state. What kind of selfish bitch placed themselves before their mate? If she loved him enough to let him bed her, surely she ought to want to be together too. Wasn't that what the whole thing was about? Love, stay together, from a family, make a herd... bring others into the bond and eventually the foals would also find love, and stay together, build new families and so the herd would grow and evolve and...

She sighed. Why did it have to be so complicated? Why did blue eyes have to become dulled with sadness and worry? Why, oh why couldn't Tembovu just... give up and move on to someone who deserved him better, someone who wouldn't let him down?

"Oh, not much..." she said, gaze trailing off again as she tucked the wings closer to her sides. "Only when I really need to..."

It was dawning on her that she may have said too much. His questions were becoming a bit too specific, and the girl knew instinctively that it wouldn't be good if he was brought in on the whole picture. It really wasn't a problem, not one she couldn't handle at least... and besides, if she were to go to the Moon soon to ask for aid, then there wouldn't be a need for the poppies at all! She would be able to run and skip and jump and dance to her hearts content, no longer tied down by pain or crooked joints, unrestrained by the sympathy and pity of others...

She would be free.

Smiling at the wonderful prospect the girl started forward again, as always biting back the desire to wince whenever she put weight on the shattered bone. The mask she donned was well-rehearsed, so much so that it had become second nature, put on without a second thought to whether it was wise, or prudent... or cruel to those who cared about her.

Big girls cry when their hearts are breaking