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The gentle touch of her velvety muzzle shocked Murdock out of his thoughts, and for a moment he remained frozen in his place. He felt the smooth caress of her foggy breath against his cheek and the warm touch of her skin before she quickly pulled away from him. The air was thick with silence as both stood lost in their own thoughts; neither making any move to acknowledge the event that had passed. His emerald gaze met her dark eyes with the briefest of hesitations, a reassuring smile forming on his lips. Her eyes held a troubled look, as if some shadow of her past was haunting her, but he would not press her on this matter today.
His heart fell as her leathery voice met his ears, making mentions of returning to the Basin, but he would not let her see the disappointment in his eyes. She had considerably brightened his afternoon, and he hoped he had done the same for her. The plant had not been bad company, but certainly someone with a bit of gray matter between the ears makes a far more favourable companion. A smile met his lips, masking the seed of worry that had blossomed in his heart. He feared that their harmless interaction would be damaging to the black mare’s reputation in her herd, if anyone were to find out. It seemed like years had passed since he had known the love and protection of his own fleet and family, and he had lost it all. He didn’t want to see her meet the same fate; especially not when he would be held responsible.
He took a slow step towards her, almost forgetting about the tiny plant as it passed beneath his hooves and drooping wings. His muzzle reached out to gently rest on her neck, returning the touch she’d offered to him moments before. His lips lingered for mere seconds before he pulled away from her, a bright smile returning to his features where it looked so at home. “Worry not, for I shall find you.” He dipped his head, wings folding up against his sides as he backed over the small seedling so that it was once more between his front hooves. Now, he couldn’t decide whether to stay with the small plant, or if it would be best to leave the small shrub to its own devices and move on; surely it was sick of his pointless ramblings. Perhaps it was time for him to head south into the forests, where he could further acquaint himself with parts of the land not yet seen.
Her final words held some foreboding quality as her voice trailed off into silence, but Murdock was far too careless to take any notice of this. For now, they would part ways and continue on with their lives as they had before they had met each other. Murdock would wander where he pleased, and the black mare would return to the Basin where she belonged. He was sure they would soon meet again, to discover new lands and treasures, and explore the far reaches of the province. He could never pass up such an inviting offer, especially when the rewards were so tempting. “Farewell for now, my friend” he smiled, his head sweeping low in a bow before he set off toward the forest, casting a final loving glance to his little plant.
"Speak"
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