-- N A J Y A --
Found him! A’mal reported, though the little dragon was not yet in Najya’s line of sight.  Uncertainty bloomed in Najya’s gut, wondering if she was right to have brought the children here...to have orchestrated this entire situation. Come willingly, A’mal added, as if to somehow assuage the little mare’s worries.  Instead she stepped out from beneath the arms of the tree and turned her gaze skyward.  The children were utterly oblivious to what was about to transpire, giving Najya more time to pour over the what-ifs and potential outcomes of this little rendezvous. She let out a soft sigh as the figures appeared on the horizon and said a silent prayer for a positive outcome, even though she wasn’t particularly religious. Moments like this, however, could make her a follower of whoever could provide her with guidance.

A’mal landed in the lowest branch of the tree, so as if to offer her bonded some privacy even though she’d still be privy to the entire conversation - just in case. But Najya said nothing as Gaal approached.  She simply watched and attempted to read the expressions in his gaze.  His bewilderment, the discomfort, was like an arrow to her heart but she did understand.  So before he could say something more - something that cut her to the bone - she finally parted her lips to speak.

“I think you know,” she said, quietly.  Her voice was still patient, calm, for she understood what a shock this must be.  She hadn’t considered the possibility of a pregnancy after the night they’d spent together, but she’d had considerably longer to adjust to the idea of children resulting from their encounter. Since the moment she’d felt them moving, she couldn’t bring herself to regret anything that had transpired.  However, a flicker of irritation burst to flame as A’mal found herself upset that the large stallion was seemingly less than pleased at the situation.  Najya was willing to offer the stallion the opportunity to compose himself, but A’mal was instantly protective of the girls who she was already irrevocably attached to.  From her branch above the trees, the little dragon struggled to retain her composure.  Najya found that her ability to reassure both her bonded and Gaal drew her control very thin - but she pressed on.

She did not hesitate or allow for awkward silences as she did during their last encounter.  She delved right into the heart of the issue. “I would have come to find you sooner, but after everything that happened with the Kaos God, I was unwilling to risk them.”  Her gaze was drawn for the girls, who she knows will be drawn to Gaal soon enough simply because he is a face they do not know, “But I was unwilling to deny you the opportunity to meet your children, so here we are.” Her gaze snapped back to the the large pegasus now, and though she had to look up at him to meet his gaze, in this moment she finally felt as if she stood on equal footing with the great stallion.

“However, if you want nothing to do with them - with us - go now, before you can hurt them. Because they’re extraordinary, Gaal, and I won’t have them hurt,” she said, quietly, unwilling to be overhead by curious ears, but there was a fierceness in her words and her eyes that was undeniable.  She would do anything to protect her children from harm. Anything. But she knew Gaal deserved a chance.