tiamat

She isn’t entirely aware of it herself (yet) but the ocean mare sticks out like a sore thumb among this particular crowd—and not because of the brilliant hues of her skin. She is the smooth warmth to their jagged, unruly edges, the satiny silk to their coarse leather hides, and the rabbit to their wolf (a prey to their hunter’s instinct). The fragile maiden had managed to recover from the little ‘virgin’ incident, and in her own mind, it had all been a misunderstanding. A fluke. If only she could predict how quickly reality can turn the tables, so to speak.

“What things do we enjoy?”

White eyes settle happily on Huldra when she continues, addressing the spotted mare’s seemingly innocent question. Initially the painted stranger mentions the men’s affinity towards a more rugged behavior, which doesn’t come as a surprise to the blue Mender (in their appearances alone, it is obvious that the two stallions are not unused to…rougher antics), but the conversation suddenly takes a hard left turn—jerking them into such vulgar territory that the whole ‘virgin’ incident abruptly seems almost harmless.

Tiamat’s discomfort (and shock) are obvious in every line of her delicate frame. Fluted ears splay to the side and tilt back in discomfort, and her entire posture seems to bow inwards, as though she can physically shield herself from their words. And it’s not like it’s just Huldra—several of their little crowd chime in, like a snowball effect, until the sheltered mare feels like she is being smothered by incredibly loutish talk of—well, you know (s-e-x).

Tiamat can feel the warmth flooding her cheeks, and if it were possible, she would be a bright, blushing red of embarrassment. She shifts uncomfortably, nearly startling herself when Ralik addresses her directly again, issuing a question that, in any other situation, she would be readily happy to answer. As it is, she hesitates, hardly able to look the stallion in the eye. Glacia mercifully comes to the rescue, offering words that give the blue maiden a foundation to ground herself. “Yes,” Tiamat stumbles, glancing appreciatively towards the spotted mare. She clears her throat before looking back to Ralik, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “I adore the ocean—” as though it isn’t purely obvious, “—but the Aurora Basin is my home. It has become as much a part of me as the great sea.” She smiles awkwardly, grappling at anything to steady herself.

Sohalia takes control of the conversation then, herding the three towards the desert sands of her home, and offering both the blue mare and Glacia a pleasant farewell. Tiamat smiles kindly at the white pegasus, inclining her horned brow, “And you as well, Sohalia.” Her doe-eyes flicker to the trio, flitting over each of them with what she hopes is warmth. “It was a pleasure meeting you,” and for the first time in her life, Tiamat finds the words slipping from her lips out of politeness rather than honesty.

Giving them all a bright—if not stiff—smile, she turns with her companion, eager for the security and comfort of home and a warm bath.


notes; Nimue reference
“Speech.”

dreaming the day away!