[private] its harder than you think, mazikeen

[bolder]

”I -,” the normally smooth-talking stallion pauses, feeling an unfamiliar warmth creeping up his neck and towards his cheeks. Bolder certainly wouldn’t mind if the new arrivals were as pretty as the Nereids, but certainly minds saying so in front of his Aunt. He’s enjoyed his visits to Ischia, and to Tephra as well, without ever revealing why to anyone in Hyaline.

(Though Bolder is fairly sure that Malik – even with his recent disappearances – could guess.)

So he swallows, and then as evenly as he can muster his voice, simply says: ”They are very – nice.”

And then relief nearly swallows him whole when they move the subject towards the Baltians, what they might be, what they might make of the rumors. The idea of an outing – especially one that could claim to be done for intelligence – appeals to Bolder. They are not without protection in Hyaline; she has a strong leader, they are fortified with three entities, and there is still the might of the Pack. The changes across Beqanna have affected them little, and if there is any threat posed to them because of the Sinking of the South, Bolder thinks its even less.

But as he was coming to learn, there was little harm in knowing more. 

”Is there anywhere particular you’d like me to go?” He had gone to the Ruins and discovered little (apart from the lovely Lillibet who flickers briefly across his thoughts). Soaring over what remained of Loess, the Pampas, and Sylva had revealed nothing but the murky sea below him. ”Or that you’d like to know?” Bolder asked eagerly, momentarily forgetting the Mountain and the shadows it had cast.

@Mazikeen