It was a simultaneously sad and happy event, their meeting this day after the recent happenings that played with a jagged edged knife at the bond that bound them together as friends. The mare longed to grasp the stallion’s nape and shake the silliness out of him, shake the blindness that love had thrown over his eyes, shake some reason into him. She even found herself wishing the painted mare hadn’t come back, though that was for her own selfish wants – the devious shadow mare had enjoyed the undivided attention bestowed upon her by her friends, she didn’t enjoy sharing limelight with those she saw as less worthy of it. And Brooke, well… it was a dislike, a tolerance for her presence that Mirage suffered for the larger maiden, and her only reasoning to tolerate such ignorance and witlessness was for his sake.

She looked at him, openly longingly, her warm gaze embracing his claims of deep friendship and loyalty –but there was a look there, a yearning for more from him –even if she had a mate whom she loved more than she ever imagined possible. Mirage knew that, despite it all, had this palomino steed requested it of her, she would have borne his children, even now, he needed only to utter the words, to sweep her off to the Grove… But he wasn’t that stallion, and she wasn’t that mare; no, they were unmatched, incompatible when it came to love. Her façade of indifference and his of eternal happiness showed their differences. He was a gentleman, one capable of loving only one other wholly at time, where she was a wandering minx, who welcomed many under the wing of her deep and undying love.

He stroked her marking as she proffered it, and she crept closer to him, leaned into his touch, rubbing her brow against his thick nape, wiping hidden tears against him and the saline sea they were standing in. She embraced him, she loved him for everything he was and everything he wasn’t – she couldn’t help herself. He spoke of dragon’s being attracted to her, and she had to wonder if he already knew of her deep and undeniable love for the bronze steed, or if his words were simply coincidentally close to that which her heart thrummed so loudly in her chest about. “You always have been my greatest friend, Torasin.” She breathed into his mane, uncaring for the intimacy with which she was standing by him, uncaring that if his mate happened upon the beach she would probably be attacked. Vikram knew of her chaotic emotional ties to the painted palomino, though seeing such things would probably hurt him; and she did not want that.

Pulling herself away, a delicate, careful smile was upon her lips, and she felt the waters stir below her; Akaith was diving between their legs, before bursting through the surface to fly over them in an elegant loop, showering them in salty droplets. The golden mare watched her golden friend frolic with the earthly hued lizard, her expression growing all the more warmer and fonder. “Akaith and I have always enjoyed your company, she would be unbearable if I didn’t listen to her constant nagging of see the pair of you again.” Teasing tones joked, though there was a strong truth behind them. It was simple to identify that whatever Akaith wanted, Mirage invariably wanted also; Torasin would surely understand, given his fresh bond with Kiba. “He grows well in your care.” As I knew he would. The charred femme said warmly, observing the healthy young bronze with bright eyes.