Like a flower waiting to bloom.
Drip, drop.
Drip, drop.
The water continues to roll down her body, dripping in the water in its own mysterious and unknown rhythm. A quick shake and a downpour of more droplets later she finds herself meeting the gaze of the green mare. Circinae looked like she belonged in Ischia. As green as the jungle and dark blue like the deepest part of the sea.
And neither Father or Queen Ea were here. That realisation has Kylin glancing away, watching the water in front of her hooves. She knows she should be strong and stand on land, to meet Ischia’s Keeper properly, but she cannot get herself to move off the water. When Circinae speaks she glances up, but does not yet fully meet the mare’s gaze. That’s quickly solved once an explanation is asked of her in return.
More words follow and Kylin listens silently. Her attention is mostly focussed on the Keeper, but every so often her ears flick around, listening to the sounds of Ischia’s jungle. She can hear the parrots in the distance, the only other life on Ischia other than equine. As she listens to Circinae all she can do is watch the other mare.
And once Circinae is done, she stays silent for a short while. So much had been said, and even more to process. ”Ischia is a great family home..” she eventually offers with a small smile. It was the truth. Kylin herself had been born in Ischia, and lived happily with her family until they had disappeared one by one. Yet she doesn’t know how her own appearance had been that surprising. ”You thought nobody was left here anymore?” she silently asks. Apparently whole Beqanna knew what had happened. They all knew how everyone – almost everyone – had abandoned her. How could she have not known herself?
It was not Circinae, nor the Keeper’s arrival, that made her feel unwanted. The forest green mare had done nothing to make her feel like that. However, her arrival had caused a change Kylin had not been ready for. Still isn’t ready for, but it is not like she can pretend it did not happen. Like she had done when she had smelled Kali or other girls’ scents laced with Kharon’s.
”Ischia is my home.. It always has been..” she offers softly in return, glancing around as she relaxes a little. Realisation that she didn’t had to leave washed over her. Yes she had a place to go, but that wouldn’t make it any easier to get tossed out of your home. ”You said you wanted my help.. How?” Because there simply isn’t anything of value Kylin that has to offer.