The mind of the young colt does not bother to think how Blythe might be feeling about the lack-luster welcome he has offered her. He is young and, as a child, rather self-absorbed in his own thoughts and worries. But beyond that, by design, he is aloof and distant, unable to be the social butterfly that situations like these require. He does not know how to look at her and smile, encouraging her to come closer, to be friendlier. His mother taught him many things, but none of them were social skills. At least she does not seem to suffer the same severe social ineptitudes that he does.

And here, for the first time as she speaks, the half-child finds himself truly intrigued by the words of those around him. Even Tobias stops his bored gaze around the island to rest his attention on Blythe. Thoughts churn in his young mind, tendrils of thought trying to reach out and wrap themselves around the idea of free will and whether or not a path was laid out for them already. He did not know what he really thought about it and trying to figure it out on his own rapidly was proving more than difficult. In the end, he decides to allow the black mare to sort it out for him, in his own sort of way. “And where would you be if your path had been laid out and set it stone?”

But his thoughts are interrupted by coos from the Transcended and nicknames he’s not sure he is worthy or approving of. Sweet? he queries to Tobias, who grunts softly but has no real explanation for the title. Still, he listens and in the end he nods to her, thanking her for her story and wondering if his own mother will be so understanding. And he thinks she will be, because she is as beautiful and perfect as any mother could be, but it pains him to know that he will still hurt her. And will she be sad like this mare is now when she thinks of him?

Ah, the life is full of emotional turmoil for the half-child, and he is confused about it all, but his previously aloof and disinterested demeanor suddenly changes when the pretty woman mentions an academy. What rapture shows on his face and lights his bi-hued eyes. Think of it, Tobias, he demands, and the cervid sends him a series of unintelligible images in response, but the general emotion in the bond is as much excitement as Adelric himself feels. “An academy… What do you study?” His voice is brighter than they have heard thus far, and his gaze bounces contentedly now between the two mares. Oh, just think what Zunden will think!


@[Rayo]

Adelric

A storyteller makes up things to help other people;
a liar makes up things to help himself.