Bolder does not seem afraid, or at least not incredibly afraid, and that seems like a good sign. She watches with true delight as he alters himself, growing taller and wider. He could be their child, with that build and the colours that he wears after he confirms that he’d like more lessons. In a way, maybe he might become theirs. Young enough still to be able to influence, but old enough that a taste of freedom could be exactly what he needs. Or, the illusion of freedom - but Mazikeen herself has lost the ability to tell the difference between what is real and not-real in cases like that.
She’s pleased to get a smile and a nod out of Gale, and she cannot help her own grin when he comments on the Curse. Power is certainly accurate, and she knows well enough that Nashua is afraid. It had not been difficult to see the first and last time he had brought Bolder here, but even then she had known there was no risk for the colt.
Gale goes on to encourage the boy, in his own way, and asks questions so they can see more. Mazikeen smiles softly at Bolder as if to say ‘we would never discourage you from shifting, we would not be too busy to help you be who you want to be’. It might be too much to say these words aloud, but it is not difficult for her to be encouraging. She wants him here, though the reasons for that fluctuate. And he will be safe in Hyaline.
Besides, if she did not get to keep her own children because of the Curse, why should Nashua get to keep all five of his?
@bolder
just a lot of Thoughts this time