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08-30-2012, 12:29 AM
Evenly Smoke gazed back at Paladin, resisting the urge to allow her emotions to pull at her again. She wasn't going to back down from her decisions, not today. Even if he spoke harsh words against her quiet comment. "Perhaps we should save this conversation for a time when there are fewer distractions and less likelihood to misunderstand." Her voice was neutral as she struggled to take a page out of Mirage's book, hiding her reactions so as to not drive things further beyond what could be handled.
Her gaze moved to Archibald when he spoke, and an ear twitched. "I never disagreed with Paladin taking over from Gossamer. I did what I could to keep some semblance of order when others did not, and I apologize that such took away the opportunity you sought, Archibald. You're quite welcome to it now, if you still wish it." She was rather surprised out how polite she was managing to be to the stud, considering she'd never been comfortable with him within the herd. Him nor his dam.
It was with a small, sad smile that she watched Mirage and her brothers step up into the brief lull, assuring Paladin of the Qian's continued support regardless of how the herd's leader dynamics changed. Briefly she reached out to Maskan, muzzle tipping toward his side but not entirely sure she wanted to make contact. She had appreciated his earlier touch, but hadn't dare relax her grip on her control for fear her anger would overflow. But she stayed back while the brothers and Mirage approached Paladin.
When Mirage turned to leave, Smoke moved as well. But not so quickly. She lingered, offering a small smile to Maskan. He would know where to find her if he wanted. Her gaze moved to Ricochet and Kimber then, and Zaffre stirred on her back. There was much she wished to say to them, but not before the others. So the blue acted in her stead, reaching out to their young minds hesitantly. Take care of her... was murmured into the stallion's mind, accompanied by a brief image of Kimber. He needs you. Stay. Was whispered, more firmly, to Kimber. And then the blue seemed to droop a little, worn by his first experience making his thoughts known clearly to someone other than his bonded.
And Smoke walked away. She had deeper reasons than Paladin assumed, but was unwilling to involve the entire herd, or at least those who'd been drawn to this gathering, in her reasonings. Later, she would clarify things to the unicorn.
Her gaze moved to Archibald when he spoke, and an ear twitched. "I never disagreed with Paladin taking over from Gossamer. I did what I could to keep some semblance of order when others did not, and I apologize that such took away the opportunity you sought, Archibald. You're quite welcome to it now, if you still wish it." She was rather surprised out how polite she was managing to be to the stud, considering she'd never been comfortable with him within the herd. Him nor his dam.
It was with a small, sad smile that she watched Mirage and her brothers step up into the brief lull, assuring Paladin of the Qian's continued support regardless of how the herd's leader dynamics changed. Briefly she reached out to Maskan, muzzle tipping toward his side but not entirely sure she wanted to make contact. She had appreciated his earlier touch, but hadn't dare relax her grip on her control for fear her anger would overflow. But she stayed back while the brothers and Mirage approached Paladin.
When Mirage turned to leave, Smoke moved as well. But not so quickly. She lingered, offering a small smile to Maskan. He would know where to find her if he wanted. Her gaze moved to Ricochet and Kimber then, and Zaffre stirred on her back. There was much she wished to say to them, but not before the others. So the blue acted in her stead, reaching out to their young minds hesitantly. Take care of her... was murmured into the stallion's mind, accompanied by a brief image of Kimber. He needs you. Stay. Was whispered, more firmly, to Kimber. And then the blue seemed to droop a little, worn by his first experience making his thoughts known clearly to someone other than his bonded.
And Smoke walked away. She had deeper reasons than Paladin assumed, but was unwilling to involve the entire herd, or at least those who'd been drawn to this gathering, in her reasonings. Later, she would clarify things to the unicorn.
