The pale sea mare did her best to return to the rhythm her life had flowed with pre-Loess. The patterns of swimming and sunning, island and ocean. It was all a bit strange now that the world at large had touched her. Still, the magic of sun and saltwater began to work on her, to ease the edge of regret that had been dogging her heart.
That morning left her treading water to the north, the island on one side and the endless blue sea on the other. She floated there between land and water like a pearl between shells. Safe. Home. Was it so very terrible to want those things, even while her friend had neither? That was the question that weighed on her most as she paddled.
Deep in her own thoughts as she was, the nereid couldn't help but notice the vibrant presence of Eva and as she came about the northern tip of the isle. The violet mare seemed to be in company of another, and Aquaria welcomed the distraction. A helpful current tugged her onward, until her hooves dug into heavy sand instead of water.
"Eva!" She cried as she emerged onto the golden shore, then took note of their guest. A face she'd seen only once before, and that encounter had not gone particularly well. Her tail whipped thoughtfully behind her as she approached the pair. "Ruinam, isn't it?" She greeted the leader of the central isle. "What brings you here today?" A wary note crept into her tone, but her smile was warm enough. As ill fated as their first meeting had gone, she hoped today held fewer surprises.
She sidled besides Eva, nudging the roundness of the woman's barrel with her muzzle in silent comment on the purple mare's girth. She'd be due any time now, if Aquaria had to guess. More cheerful little faces to run amok on their shores.
@[Eva] @[Ruinam]