Neve strolled back into the valley, catching sight of her two daughters, Marut and Maharet standing a way from the tree line. She had used the excuse of visiting a friend to extract herself from Marut and Raniero, but had actually gone to see Ardia at the Village, though not for long and was suprised not to spot the stallion. When she was level with her daughters Maharet shot her mother look, tilting her head to her surprisingly morose looking sister, and shook her head before slipping away.
'Tell me..' Neve said, drawing up beside Marut and nudging her with her nose. Her daughter shook her head, teeth gnawing at bottom lip.
'Raniero had to go then?'
Nod nod.
'Why the long face then?'
Shake shake.
'You're going to have to talk to me sweetie..want me to pin you down and blow on your belly like I did when you were a filly?'
Marut shot her mother a look.
'I'm not a child mum.'
Neve sighed.
'I know you're not, and that's the problem isn't it? You're all grown up now. Being grown up has it's own set of rules. New experiences. New feelings.' she said lightly, as Marut seemed to jump visibly, as though her mother could read her thoughts.
'So just talk to me okay? I won't judge you and I might even be able to help. I was your age once you know.'
Marut gave a weak smile, not sure where to begin. And she said as much.
'Just close your eyes for a moment, breath slowly. And then tell me what you feel for Raniero. What you think about him.'
Marut did as her mother suggested and closed her eyes. Images and memories swirled around and for a moment she couldn't focus her thoughts. She inhaled slowly and then let out a long breath, opening her eyes again and speaking;
'I feel like I do when I win a race when I'm with Raniero, my heart pounds but I feel elated, a champion. I think about him alot, and I look forward to seeing him when we part. I want to listen to him speak, even if he's saying words that I don't find particularly interesting, I just like his voice. I like how he looks, and I find myself looking at him when his eyes aren't on me. And it felt..'
'Go on,' Neve said, gently pushing. She could see the realisation dawning in her daughter and didn't want her stop when clarity was just in reach.
'It really hurt when I found out that Grandfather had flirted with Raniero! It's stupid I know, he was pretending to be a mare and Grandfather is the way he is but it was like, oh I don't know, like hearing that Raniero had flirted with you.'
Marut shook her head. It really did sound foolish now that she said it out loud but she hadn't been able to help her reaction. It was almost as if Guilian had stolen something from her, but she couldn't fathom what.
'But why would care hun? Raniero is your friend, and you knew he was going to do that, umm research he called it, didn't you? He's just your friend after all.' Neve pressed on, trying to find the little nerve that might push Marut in the right direction.
'What if he isn't Mum? What if I have those romantic feelings you kept telling me about?' she almost wailed, the words bursting out suddenly, though she felt she was chasing her tail and coming no closer to a solution.
'Calm down..' Neve soothed, tugging on Marut's mane, combing it through with her teeth. Under the ministrations Marut relaxed a little, and let out another long breath.
'Think about what you just said, and think of your other friends. Do you feel the same way about those?' Neve suggested, pushing Marut's fringe out of her eyes.
Marut mutely shook her head.
'And have you ever wanted another friend to meet me?'
Marut shook her head again.
'No, though I suggested Ehren meet you because he said he didn't get out much.'
Neve smiled;
'So did you want Raniero to meet me for the same reason?'
Marut shook her head yet again.
'I wanted you to like him. Because. Because he's important to me. More than any other friend.'
Her mother made the broadest smile.
'Look at me a moment sweetie. Everything you've said, and everything you've done around Raniero is not friendship. I don't even think it's a crush because I know you, and I know you've dodged all that romantic relationship stuff since you grew into a lovely mare, and it would take the real thing to get through that stubbornness.'
Marut blinked.
'It's not friendship.' she repeated.
'It's..' she looked up, shaken at the immensity. She'd not even encouraged these feelings, she'd found them for a stallion who sometimes spoke to her as though she were still a filly (and she liked it! He made her laugh) - but there they were.
'Love Marut. You're falling for him.' Neve articulated what her daughter was unable to.
'And I do like him, I approve of him. I think that if you have started developing loving feelings than I would be happy for them to be for him. He cares for you...'
'He does?'
Shock after shock. She had feelings for Raniero, proper feelings. He liked her to, to what extent she didn't know but enough that her mother had realised.
'He knew..' Marut breathed.
'That's why he left, he said I needed space. I..I should see him.'
Neve nudged Marut.
'Go..and tell him. I'll be here if you need me.'
Neve watched her daughter's retreating figure, hoping that she wouldn't be consoling Marut through her first broken heart..instinct led her to believe she wouldn't be though.
