tiamat

The Mender’s ears briefly tilt backwards when she sees the painted mare scamper backwards, settling comfortably in between the two larger stallions with no small amount of indignation. Naturally Tiamat lowers her head slightly, white eyes shining beneath the snowy light, trying to put the stranger at ease and assure her that she is no threat to any of them. However, the unfamiliar mare (Huldra, as she soon introduces herself) seems to quickly recover from whatever had unsettled her. She addresses the small crowd with confidence, and the ocean mare smiles. “It’s Helovia, actually,” she corrects Huldra kindly, not even considering the fact that the other mare might just be messing with them.

Listening as the main part of their conversation continues, Tiamat happens to overhear what the two stallions are whispering to one another. They speak of a place called Valhalla, which piques the mare’s curiosity, though her interest wilts when the term ‘virgins’ is thrown between the men. Unlike the white pegasus and spotted mare, Tiamat does not fight to hold her initial expression. Her head tilts slightly and her brow knits together, doe-eyes swimming with something between confusion, surprise, and embarrassment.

Tiamat is a virgin—in every sense of the word. Not only is her body chaste from any stallion’s touch, but her mind has also been largely sheltered from the world’s cruel shadows. And with a mind as pure and naïve as her own, the Mender can only look for the best in those around her, and does not think to hold these strangers in judgement. (After all, perhaps she misunderstood?). Noticing that one of the brothers steps towards her, Tiamat smiles gently. “Hello, Ralik,” she offers the rugged man a nod of her horned brow.

“No, I am from the Aurora Basin—in the North,” she responds to his inquiry with laughter in her voice. Cupping the others’ words with a dainty ear, the ocean mare continues soon after, deciding that she is expected to give a description of her own homeland (and she does so happily). “It’s a beautiful valley nestled in the mountains, with extraordinary sights like the aurora borealis, or our unfreezing lake; it’s truly a little piece of heaven. Although, given our location, it can get quite cold; but just like the Dragon’s Throat’s desert—” a sparkling glance is cast towards Sohalia “—don’t let that deter you. There are numerous ways to keep warm, such as build fires or bathe in the hot springs.”

The Mender’s voice lilts with affection, noticeably fond of the place that she calls home. Unquestionably biased, she considers the Basin the finest of the lands, but she doesn’t doubt that the other three are just as beloved by their own populations. “Of course, like my fellow ladies here,” again she smiles to the other mares, this time broadening her attention to all of them, before turning back Ralik and the others, “an invitation is open for you to join us, should you wish.” She dips are head kindly, “Either way, I’d be happy to help you.” If only to help them find the belonging that she has found.


notes; Nimue reference
“Speech.”

dreaming the day away!