The brothers recognised something. Their orange, predatory eyes watched this chocolate femme as she encroached upon their borders, but there was something about her – she was kin. Though Mirage hadn’t had a chance to inform them of her, the devious little shadow had other ways of marking those of the Qian. The lingering touch of their sister was detected by the sensitive nerves within their nostrils, and they smiled as they approached. They heard the fae’s words, but paid little heed; they were essentially a part of this mare’s extended family now. For that was what the Qian was.

“We may not be in charge.”
“But we can offer you the protection of the Foothills.”
“And the reassurance that the Qian is with you.”
“Always.”

They were softly teasing tones, like that an older brother might taunt their younger sister. They domineering forms circled the maiden once, it’s not that they were trying to be intimidating, merely getting a good view of the cocoa one so that they would be able to recognise her in future. They didn’t give their names, in that respect they enjoyed playing games of words before breaching such introductions, just like their sister.

“So who is it that munches on the grasses of the Foothills today?” Maskan’ gentlemanly voice questioned, and the brother’s shared a roguish grin with each other before easing their weights onto opposite hind legs.

She spoke strangely, this mare before them. Her sentences were a bit disjointed, like she didn’t know whether her thoughts were coming or going; but they were able to grasp the playful tone she conducted, as well as the confidence she exuded. Rough smiles drew themselves along the charred lips of the brothers as they watched her, they weren’t about to deny that the mare held a physical attraction, though it usually took more than that for them to bed with anyone. Both steeds had only ever sired a small handful of foals, the mares whom they had decided to couple with were extraordinary indeed – given the strong females they were raised with, their mother and sisters, most ‘normal’ mares simply didn’t tickle their fancy. And certainly no mare, extraordinary or not, had managed to capture their hearts and souls – no, such deep feelings were reserved only for their family, who they served to protect.

“Madyrn.”
“Maskan.”

The brother obliged to give their names to the maiden, she would learn them soon enough, especially if she intended on being a part of the Qian. But what she said and did next confused the brothers, almost to the point where they didn’t know what to do. They were used to mares who were able to control their emotions, who did not allow sadness or weakness to show. That the simple mention of a homeland caused such a reaction in the femme puzzled them – they saw no benefit in remembering bad times, for then whatever feelings they had during those times would rise within them. No, it made much more sense to them to remember the good times and simply remember the lessons from the bad times, that way they were able to look forward with a clear countenance and positive mindframe.

“Focus not on what has been lost.”
“Try instead to focus on what you’ve been given.”

They were simple commands, but coming from the brute’s deep tones and rough temperaments they probably seemed unusual. The brothers didn’t really know what else to do, they only offered physical comforts to those they knew well enough to trust them. But they moved nearer to the maiden, at least showing her that they would indeed be guardians for her while she composed herself once more. Standing on either side of her, but allowing at least a foot between her flanks and their own, they stood vigilant by Shirah.