runnin' away to the riptide;

[Scorch]

WATCH THE FLAMES CLIMB HIGH INTO THE NIGHT

Sloene listens attentively, soaking up the information Scorch has to offer like a quiet and thoughtful sponge. Her response is short, which is fine by the rat-mare; she had covered her bases well, and agreed that she had left nothing requiring elaboration.

So, not smiling but also not unpleasant, she turns to watch and listen as the Loessian Queen gives her own spiel. She says plenty that does seem appealing, but ultimately Scorch knows that Sloene will only pick what is right for her daughter, and being that she was the only one present who knew her daughter, whatever she chooses will be acceptable.

"Whatever you choose, my friend, I think it would be fun and beneficial for us all to arrange an outing to the playground for our daughters." She smiles, a hard line, at both women in turn. Mina hadn't met many other girls her age yet, and by the way this conversation turned out, the mare suspects that their respective daughters are as well mannered as their mothers.

There is more she could say - that Nerine also has a peace and war caste, and that it too is aesthetically pleasing - but Scorch felt that redundant and frankly petty of her to say. Sloene is not new to Beqanna; she would know that the land held animals, trees, beauty, just as all the lands did; and she would also know that Nerine is well protected by its warriors, and well represented by its diplomats, as all the kingdoms are.

So instead, she utters only: "But now, I think that choice must be made."

Scorch

Once Khaleesi of the Amazon Jungle