Lilliana tries to fill all these open Nerinian spaces with words. She tries to soothe and calm, tries to offer comfort to the roan mare beside her. It is something so commonplace for Lilli that it has become second nature, a reaction she no longer recognizes she is doing. This want to make others happy comes as naturally as breathing. It lines every feature of her face as she studies Brine, looking for any sign that she is nervous or troubled or upset by what transpired in the Field.
She tries to fill a beckoning void with kindness and conversation.
The crimson mare also has a curiosity to see Nerine. Lilli has always preferred the northern edge of the Taigan territory and it occurred to her several times how easy it would be to cross that border. She had been so close and yet there had been the issue of the current state of affairs between Nerine and its forest. Things had been peaceful enough but the pressing claim of Loess was common knowledge in Beqanna.
And if Lilliana was entirely honest, the rumors that lingered about the Khaleesi had given her pause too.
So while she seeks to offer what she can to Brine in terms of encouragement, of that hope she tries to illuminate to others, her blue eyes are dancing on the cliff edges and the stonewalls that rise around them. They regard the imperial walls of granite that line the coast ahead of them and green grasses that are caressed by a summer breeze. It seems like wild, untamed territory and the dreamer in her contemplates for a moment what the magic the land of the old Amazons might create.
As Eurwen speaks part of her history, Lilliana's attention turns to the young mare and the Taigan feels her curiosity sparking. "Your mother was a queen of Nerine?" The student finds herself walking with a piece of Nerinian history and finds herself intrigued. An ear remains trained on the spotted mare and Lilliana finds herself hoping that Eurwen might say more. "I'd love to hear it someday," she responds to the comment of long stories. She has no doubt that it is an interesting one.
Her attention returns to Brine and in response to all her trying, the roan mare thanks her. The smile that comes is a tight one. The road that she has chosen to travel, the decision she has made, is a hard one. Lilliana only wants to do what she can to ease her, if there is anything she can do at all. "Truly," she murmurs in a quiet moment between the two women, "If you have need of anything, for yourself or for Ruth, please don't hesitate to ask." The way her voice wraps around these words speaks volumes - if it is something she is able to do, she will.
As the trio follows the eastern path, as if summoned, comes a dappled mare with a knowing step. The expression on Lilliana's face is an especially warm one. The copper woman nearly glows as the other mare approaches. It has been almost a year (too long) and there are many things that the chestnut needs to say to her. Not now, of course. But the first steps in this journey have been taken (and those first ones can be especially hard to take).
As Neverwhere comes closer, Lilli slows and there is a moment where she worries that silver mare will be angry with her. Her trepidation fades as her friend reaches her muzzle towards her and the chestnut mare eagerly returns the gesture, filling the space between them with a burst of warm air. Never. Utterly unchanged and in what has felt like an always-changing world recently, there isn't a word to describe the relief that comes at the sight (and warmth, smell, solidarity) of her.
The moment passes and austere Neverwhere returns. Lilliana feels a grin tug at her features. This somewhat forbidding reserve has long been one of the favorite parts of her friend. Her head tilts playfully as it motions towards Eurwen and Brine, "We thought we'd bring the party to you." The grin hovers at almost a smirk, "I didn't think you'd want to miss out on the fun." Her blue eyes shift to Brine and the other Nerinian mare, moving the conversation towards them so they could address the newest addition to this.. party.
@[Eurwen] @[Brine] @[Neverwhere]
but it's all in the past, love
it's all gone with the wind