I feel a bad moon rising; lilli & diplomats

[Aquaria]

It was a pleasant conversation, and Aquaria find herself enjoying the company of the Comtesse and her cohorts. Little Celina seemed filled with every bit of light and life that a child should be, and Lilliana struck her as a mare with a sweet mind and a good humor. 

Lepis was clearly the one in charge here, every inch of her bearing said so. Still, the pale sea mare found herself liking the older woman. There was something about her that spoke of endurance and inner strength. They were things she found herself admiring quietly as the conversation progressed. 

It all seemed very harmless. Their reason for traveling seemed purely complimentary at the outset, and she found herself wondering why they bothered with the diplomatic approach at all. It seemed silly, all the official business, when they were so clearly at ease. 

"I feel as long as those who visit don't cause any harm or trouble to the residents here, there should be no reason for a formal treaty." She stated mildly, glancing at a Eva to see what she felt on the matter. "The stallion's know they may not harass others, and the female residents, well, we're a peaceful lot. My wish is that others be able to visit these shores without fear of danger, regardless of where they call home." That was ideal Ischia for her. No war, no factions. A haven, for those who needed one. 

She smiled as she looked back toward the main island, nodding to the nearest path opening through the palms. "That way will take you to a series of pools fed by the largest fall on the island." She indicated another path further down the beach. "There will take you to a broad meadow, a good meeting place when it's needed. But the flowers are worth seeing on their own, and these little insects fill it with a starlight glow at night. Would you like us to accompany you?" She asked, meaning herself and Eva. 

The two youngsters down the beach seemed to be having a riotous good time already, pestering the colorful parrots that flocked the island. She grinned widely at them, enjoying their antics for a moment before looking back to focus on the guests and her fellow sea mare. 

Shyness had never been a note in her personality, nor had recalcitrance. Her time alone beneath the waves was now being compensated for with her bubbling personality and willingness to talk to any and everyone who would listen and talk back. It made opportunities like this all the more exciting. 

@[Lepis] @[lilliana] @[Eva]

[Eva]

your waves are pulling me under
i'm caught in your riptide

Eva listens carefully as @[Lepis] speaks about the details of the friendship that is being purposed between their two territories. The treaty is rather straightforward and simple. She finds nothing worrisome about extending a friendship to Taiga. It seemed more exciting than ever to build such a relation with others outside their own quiet little paradise. At the sound of Aquaria’s voice, the purple mare turns her attention to the fin-mare. She smiles softly when the mare glances in her direction. She waits for @[Aquaria] finish speaking before she can say what she feels on the matter. While Eva has often believed the best in others, she has found herself lately questioning the true intentions of others. Perhaps is has become more skeptical, but still hoping there is good in others. However, the changes of Ischia have left her feeling uncertain and a little uneasy about others who live outside of Ischia. If anything, Eva wanted to protect those within her home more. She still wanted to offer Ischia as a place that welcomes everyone. She nods her head in agreement with Aquaria for several of the things she mention. If only the world was simple enough to not need formal bindings and such. Eva would have loved to have a simple life and friendship with others, but she had felt the need to further ask. Her attention turns back to Lepis after Aquaria is done speaking. “It all sounds great to me,” she says without any reason to dive further into what has already been spoken. “I believe we can have a great friendship between our two homes then.” The curve of her lip curls into a warm smile as she glances from Lepis then to the chestnut mare. She was beginning to find the company of the mares to be rather enjoyable. The winged dun seemed to be someone Eva could enjoy getting to know and learning a thing or two from. There was an inner strength she saw in Lepis, and for that she admired the Comtesse. As for @[lilliana], she seemed very sweet and caring. Eva smile increases further as Lepis mentions wanting to see some of the sights of Ischia. She was always happy to hear that others were eager to see their tropical island. Ischia was a beautiful place, and everyone deserved to have an opportunity to see it for themselves. Her warm expression remained as Aquaria mentioned some of the beautiful sights of Ischia. “Perhaps you might like to catch a parrot yourself!” She adds with a soft laugh as she glances down the beach hearing the sound of laughter from Celina and her son. At the mention of accompanying their new friends, she returned her gaze back to the mares. Eva was happy either way if the two Taigans wanted their company exploring the island. It was always exciting to show others their home.

Eva

lady of ischia

[Lepis]

The dun mare glances once or twice at her chestnut companion as she lays out an offer for the Ischian mares, but she does not break away in her speech. The copper colored mare's lips purse in some troubled emotion, but she does not interrupt, and Lepis makes a note to ask her about the cause when they are alone. She assumes it must be something to do with the terms, which is not unexpected. It's pleasing, even, that Lilliana makes the effort to consider what has been said rather than accepting it.

Of course, it is more important that the Ischians accept it, and as Lepis' blue grey eyes flick from one to the other, it becomes clear that they do. Both women seem pleased with the idea of friendship between their lands, an informal treaty that benefits both of their homes. The dun mare smiles happily, bobbing her navy nose in agreement, and turns her attention to their offers - glancing briefly at Lilli as the other mare says that she, too, would enjoy seeing more of Ischia.

"I've never seen a waterfall," She admits to the trio of mares. "At least, not anything more impressive than those along the River." Lepis knows they exist, but for all her ambition she is not especially well-traveled, and most of her experience in other lands are limited to the sights visible from the borderlands where politics occur.

"I'd love to see it, if you" - here she glances between the two Ischian mares, and then at Lilli, to see if perhaps she'd been more interested in the idea of flowers, "If someone would be willing to show me the way." Lepis could fly, she knows and likely find the waterfall quickly, but none of her companions have wings and she is in no hurry to leave this peaceful place.

She glances down the beach when Eva mentions chasing parrots, and smiles fondly at the two children. She'd not been much older than Celina when she'd first come here, she realizes. The memory is not entirely pleasant, and she instead thinks of her most recent visit. No, she thinks, that too is tainted by the absence of the man who'd accompanied her here. She shakes her head - perhaps a bit of sand in her eye - and brings a bright smile back to the face that has slipped toward melancholy .

"Let's let the children keep playing," She suggests. "Celina's probably happier chasing birds than seeing the sights." It would be good for the girl to come, Lepis knows - she'd not brought her along without reason - but her daughter is smiling and laughing, and Lepis is ever reluctant to  put an end to her children's joy. She spoils them, she knows, but she does not care.

@[lilliana]
@[Eva]
@[Aquaria]