If Astri had known how Killdare thought of her, she’d laugh. One of the boys. She couldn’t blame him, of course. What kind of regular, non-gifted mare chose to get herself beaten bloody? The truth was that Astri had fought other wars her entire life - she was just used to it. It was a natural thing for her to fight. From the looks of it, Lupei had inherited that urge too, and she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t proud.
It’s not Killdare himself that interrupts her, rather Lupei’s low whine. She turns to see the winged colonel make his way through the bush, sentence still hanging off his lips. His eyes, once bold, now turn meek as they view the scene. Astri rolls her eyes.
“It’s still battle Killdare.” She huffs, vibrant tail swinging at her sides. “Just one you’re unfamiliar with.”
She turns away from her daughter with a sigh, feeling the slender, wide-eyed filly press close to her side. With a sideways look she catches Lupei’s attention. “Go on, clean yourself up and come back after you’ve slept.” She orders, and the midnight wolf looks once between the adults before slinking away into the shadows. She waits for a moment, letting the silence surround them before she speaks again. “Boys. Always sniffing out trouble.” A smirk betrays her true feelings as she turns to catch her companion's eye.
“No little child for you this season?” She questions, tilting her head curiously as the smile grows. She’s tired, but it’s good that Killdare is here. After her victory over Chezter she’d been keeping to herself and it was nice to see another familiar face. The circumstances could’ve been better, but Astri chooses to believe that he’s come to her for a reason. She waits patiently now for the flustered stallion to speak his mind.
astri