When he appears through the cold mist, Minette is not surprised. The pale gray mare knew she could not escape his attentions forever. She has not ceased to shudder with loathing at his predatorial gaze. She is terrified of him and she is angry at her fear.
His touch elicits a soft whimper. Though every bone in her body aches to evade the white stallion's caress, Min does not move. She will not run again.
She is surprised at the soft, almost tender tone of his voice as he says her name. Minette had resigned herself to never hearing it again, as long as he had decided to call her minnow.
"Sir." Minette replies steadily. Her body betrays her, but her voice is clear.
She does not acknowledge the child aloud, but Min's pregnancy hangs in the air between the two of them. Gryffen is eager, and Minette wavers between denial and expectancy. She cannot allow herself to think too deeply of the coming foal. Part of her longs to ask Gryffen what plans he has for their little one, but the majority cannot bear to think of anything of his taking root in innocence.
She drops her head slightly, hating herself for her subservience. Though raised to politeness, courtesy has always been returned and so Minette has never dealt with someone quite like the stallion who claims her as his own.
"I-I beg a request of you, Gryffen." His name feels foreign on her tongue, but she forces herself to say it, hoping to gain whatever approval she can. Her dark eyes studiously avoid his, and those of the raven who rarely leave him. "I grow lonely with none to talk to. I have heard of the Meadow… from the voices of the other mares… perhaps, I-Would you let me find companionship with someone there for a time?"
Minette is not unintelligent. She realizes her value to him has risen with the conception of their child, but she isn't willing to press her luck or his forbearance too far. She suspects that Gryffen has a long memory and the slights of today will be rewarded with his particular brand of attention later. The memory of her punishment for attempted escape is fresher in her mind than the healing wounds.
ooc: Gryffen doesn't have to say yes. ;-) I'm enjoying leaving all of this open ended.