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Serenity was out with her chosen, waiting for Txopu to join them for a picnic. Serenity was humming happily to herself, her blue eyes scanning the area for her beloved mate.

"Are you sure you want me here? I mean, you and Txopu really don't need me hovering,"Dea pointed out to her Azrein.

"I know that, but I thought it would be nice to have you around, just in case we need something,"Serenity answered, pausing in her humming. Once she had spoken, she started to sing her in her gentle voice. They were out by the lake, Serenity thinking it would be a wonderful place for a picnic.

Txopu trotted along, head held high, a certain joy in his step as he wend his way towards the spot chosen for their picnic, Mira perched atop his back, and basket of goodies held tight in her arms. He could feel her worry about the future, but for now all he wanted was his love. He'd missed her, and because he felt their time together shortening (he feared what measures the Six might be taking to find him, their hate for him having grown near to the point it rivaled their hate of Valdien), he wanted nothing more than to get in what he could. He wanted...happy memories for her. Mentally, he sent Mira a mental tickle which sent her giggling, and made his heart lighter.

He was surprised out of his reverie when a filly rose from the ground. She looked to be thin and weak, somewhat unsteady on her hooves almost like one who'd just shed their blanket, but clearly she was older. And bigger. "Child...are you well? Where are your parents?" came the stallion's gentle voice, as he looked around. "Are you lost...?"

"Oh Txopu, she's frightened! Oh little one..." Mira fairly purred, her eyes sad to see a little one in such a state. Carefully, she slid off the blue-striped stallions back and set the basket on the ground. Rifling through it, she produced 2 carrots and and apple. "Come here, sweetheart...I won't hurt you..."

Mira held the carrot out steady to let her nibble, reaching out with the other to scratch the filly between the ears. "You're so pretty!" she declared, running her eyes over the filly's body, assessing her health visually as she was afraid of scaring her off too quickly, was satisfied that she saw nothing overtly wrong, other than her being on the thin side. Murmuring gentle things to the little filly, Mira and Txopu shared a quick mental conversation.

She's been out here all alone, you think her parents are really lost?

Maybe...lost in the sense of their physical selves...

Dead, you mean.

Yes.

Thoughtful about this, Mira set down the other carrot and apple in easy reach of the filly, and walked back long enough to fetch a few more carrots, apples, and the brush she'd packed earlier. Setting them down before the filly, Mira showed her the brush. "Is it okay if I get some of the dirt off of you? This is a brush, I use it to brush off Txopu when he gets dirty...there's some days he's pure mud!" She ran the brush gently down the filly's neck to show her how good it felt. "I'd like to see what your true coat color looks like..."

She worked swiftly and gently, working out burrs and such in the filly's mane, keeping up a steady banter of conversation. "What is your name? I'm Mira, and this is my Bonded, Txopu Kawtu. His name means 'fear no one' in his language, and he's a strong warrior." She told the filly some of Txopu's adventures as the stallion lay down, an amused look on his face as he munched a little of the grass. They were more minor adventures, her favorite being the one where he met Serenity, his mate.

"We're on our way to meet Serenity and her Chosen," Txopu finally interrupted at the end of the story, reminding Mira that they were late to the picnic already. Standing up, he gave a bow to the filly and nosed her lightly. "We would be glad to have you along. There is plenty for all. If anything, Mira always over packs the snacks." He waited for Mira to finish, grab the basket and vault once more onto his back before trotting a little, occasionally looking over his shoulder to see if the filly was following.

About 20 minutes later, they finally arrived at the clearing, Txopu whinnying a greeting to his mate, his steps a little more hurried as he couldn't wait to be near her again. "Look what followed me...," he said with a chuckle, looking back towards the little draft filly.

She did enjoy Mira's relaxing brushing. It felt like it loosened her coat and gave her more freedom. On the walk, she went over the stories of the one called Txopu and knew that he was a stallion that she could look up to.

As they approached their final destination, she saw two others, one having the shape of Txopu and another the shape of Mira. Those who must have been Dea and Serenity. She stopped once again, this time to watch as the two mates nuzzled one another. She giggled, for it reminded her so much of her mommy and daddy. Realizing that she still did not answer Mira's question, she caught Serenity's glance and looked up, blinking.

"I'm Thramachat." As she spoke her name, the bands of leaves on her legs lightly blew in the soft winds.

Dea's eyes seemed to light up as her close friend mentioned sweet bread. She returned the hug and gave her friend a bright smile, help her to unpack the basket.

"You know, ever since I became pregnant, I have had more cravings for that sweet bread. I mean, I have always loved it, but lately, it is almost like I can't seem to get enough. Azzy has had to make sure we have a big stock in the castle and Al makes sure we have plenty at home when we go there,"Dea laughed. She looked over to where the Azrein was and wondered what Serenity would do.

"Thramachat, that is a very lovely name,"Serenity spoke sweetly to the filly. She caught her mate's look when he said the word lost and knew he feared the girl's parents were gone. Her heart was moved with pity for the small filly, knowing how that was, since her own parents were killed before she could even walk. Dea had taken her in and cared for her, so she was determined to do the same for this little one.

"How would you like to come over and get some food?"Serenity asked the little one. She looked up to Txopu, her eyes practically asking him if they should adopt her.

Txopu watched his mate carefully, the last look she gave was practically her begging him about adopting her. On the walk over, the thought had crossed his mind as well. Nuzzling the little one, he pointed her towards the pile of carrots and apples near the humans. "Mira put some more carrots over there. Have you ever had an apple before? Either one will cut you a piece if you would like to try..."

Moving off to stand closer to his mate, he nibbled lightly at her mane, easing out a burr that had gotten stuck there. "There, now you're absolutely beautiful, my love," he said, nuzzling the side of her face. Looking towards the filly, he watched her with a sad expression. "So young...we can't leave her to fend for herself. She'll be dead before the week is out, there is too much going on, that I don't trust her safety to mere chance....and a filly needs a mother." He nuzzled Serenity again, as if to emphasis his point of whom he thought the mother should be. "Dea was my first thought, but she's near to bursting with her own child..I fear that leaves you, my love," he added teasingly.

To go and get food now, or to wait for one for walk her over, that was the question. She chose the food and left the two to talk about whatever they were talking about. Her mind told her to get a carrot, but following the offer, she went up to the human that they called Dea.

Without giving any warning, she nuzzled the human's arm, not quite sure if she make a wrong move or not. "Ahhpull?" Her eyes flashed eagerly from Dea to the apples, wanting to know the taste of something new.

Dea reached over and stroked the filly's nose, before she took the apple and the knife Mira handed her. She smiled softly as she began to cut slices of the apple, before placing them gently in front of the little Azrein.

"Yes, it would seem you are right, Mira. She is quite precious and as for spoiling her, it cannot be helped,"Dea laughed.


"I hope I can shape her into a lovely mare, my dear. Hopefully she will be as blessed as I was with a wonderful stallion to be her lifemate in the future. I see what you mean about apples and carrots though, it seems are chosen are spoiling her a little,"Serenity laughed lightly, leaning her head against his.