[PRP] Under the Night Sky (Echo's Song and Dradneos) [FIN]

[tefla]

Echo glanced surprised at Dradneos as he awoke. She assumed that the stallion must have been caught offguard as he hadn't addressed her as "Little Mouse" but by her real name. Taken aback by this the mare was silent for a moment before her train of thought came back. How would Drad react to her fears? There was only one way to find out. Taking a deep breath Echo spoke softly.

"I think I understand your need to expand your family as much as you can but there is something that distresses me. You may have already figured out that you are not the first stallion I've been with. From previous meetings you've seen the other side of my family line. I was blessed with two children. With you I have been gifted with two sons and a daughter. Whatever comes next will be my last chance at more children. I am worried about what happens after that. Will I still have any value to you?"

The last phrase hitched in Echo's throat as she stared intently at Drad ... watching for any reactions. Had she said too much?  

[tefla]

Echo had said her piece quite bluntly. It was an emotional speech and she knew that now her world hinged on Dradneos's reply. Silence ringed the clearing as the mare watched her stallion with something almost akin to fear reflecting in her eyes. Why hadn't he said anything yet? Was her assumption right? Should she leave while she could?

Just as she was losing the rest of her composure the silence was broken as Dradneos began to speak. Echo's gaze locked onto Dradneos as the words he spoke sunk into her mind and pierced her soul. The mare understood that there was always a chance that Dradneos would feel compelled to spread his line out after her - but the thought of another mare taking her place -albeit briefly- with Dradneos caused a sharp pain to go through her. Perhaps being honest with Drad would be alright. The n** that Drad placed on her neck was that of possession and it also gave Echo the strength to speak.

"The thought of another hurts in all honesty. I am glad though to know that I am not looking at a lifetime alone after you."

Echo sighed softly as the rest of Drad's speech registered.

"I know that you give me the option of not having to see the other that you will choose or any offspring that will come from that meeting. But even though the foals will be a reminder - I think I'd like to see them at least once. It'd be hard I think. But I can do it."

With that said Echo gave Drad a long searching look and noted his expression before nuzzling him with a tenderness that she didn't know she had in her.  

[tefla]

Echo let Drad's compliment wash over her as she tried to let go of the anxiety that had gripped her earlier. Now that she knew where she stood in Dradneos's life the feeling of being wanted and cherished - even by one such as the stallion beside her made her feel complete. The future was something that she could look forward to again. She let her head rest on Drad's flank as she murmured a quiet "thank you." Her eyes closed soon after.

Time had a way of passing by unnoticed. When Echo opened her eyes again weak sunlight filtered in through the thicket's walls. The feeling of a body next to her made Echo grin mischievously before she raised her head and reached over to tug at Drad's tangled locks of his mane. Something about the night before had freed a new side for the mare. One that was slightly carefree. Leaning forward Echo spoke softly into Dradneos's ear. She didn't know if he'd be coherent enough to hear what she said but it didn't deter her decision.

"Thank you ... for everything," with that spoken Echo's voice got a little louder, "I think it time for us to rise and shine."  

[tefla]

What was this? Echo stared in confusion at the words that came from Dradneos before he glanced at her and turned away. The mare paused and silently recalled what had been said before letting a stunned look appear on her face. Apparently this was a memory from long ago that had surfaced and going from Dradneos's reaction ... he wasn't proud of it.

Letting silence fill the thicket once more Echo tried to work out just what to do about this. It was apparent that talking would probably be useless but would it be too much to try and see what was wrong? With a slow motion the mare sighed before nudging at Drad's side.

"I can't begin to fathom what that was about but if you want to talk about it ... I will listen."  

[tefla]

Shrinking back against one side of the thicket Echo watched as Dradneos lurched to his feet with an angry exclamation. What was going on? This was definitely not a good thing after having such an understanding from the night/morning earlier. The mare had no idea on what to do next. It was clear that whatever her suggestion of talking it over was not taken in the best light. Clearly she had to try and make things right. her voice was timid as she spoke.

"Dradneos. Whatever I said - I apologize. It's not my intention to pry. Please ... calm down."

It probably wasn't the wisest move but Echo moved directly into Dradneos's path. She braced her footing for any possible impact before waiting. She didn't like to see her stallion like this ... angry and upset.  

[tefla]

Echo let out a small sound as Dradneos's motion stopped right before colliding with her. The mare still couldn't fathom want was going on in Drad's mind but it was a relief that he was at least talking with her again. Still, something seemed to be troubling him. Not a Soquili to pry that much after being told that it wasn't welcome Echo moved to lean against Drad.

He would talk if he wanted, but the mare wasn't going to push him to. That would just cause conflict that would undo all that she'd managed to achieve lately. For now it was best to just be there.

"I apologize too Drad. It's not my job to pry into the life that you had lived. I have my secrets too and so I know that it's not always easy to divulge them to others. Just know that if you need to talk ... I can listen."

With that Echo's Song let her leaning contact strengthen against Drad's side in silence.  

[tefla]

Echo nodded silently to Dradneos's odd request before watching the stallion depart. Still uneasy about the exchange that had occurred the mare sighed softly before wondering when Drad would return. Mentally she went over the conversation as it happened before shaking her head. It was a futile gesture. She just didn't know enough about her stallion to figure out what was going through his mind at the moment.

Waiting at the mouth of the thicket the mare lipped at a few blades of hardy grass before retreating into the safety of the enclosure. Dradneos told her to wait ... so wait she would. With the sounds of nature outside the thicket heralding the morning Echo let her eyes drift close. Her ears swiveled back and forth with every snap of a twig or bird call. Opening her eyes again the mare sighed before raising her head. Her gaze focused on the entrance to the thicket ... and she waited. Already Echo knew that sleep would not come to her while Drad was gone. In her heart she knew that he would return.

[[FIN]]