[private] until the night turns

[Nashua]

Gale’s comment of ”unharmed?” elicits the start of a snarl from Nashua. If he had harmed a hair on Bolder’s body, he would make Gale regret it. He’s fighting against himself to not charge head-long at the thing that's stolen his son and brother, but the Northern King constantly reminds himself that lunging at the beast now will result in nothing but bloodshed. Before he can say more, Nash is turning his bright green eyes on Mazikeen.

The smile she wears is too much.
(Everything about this is too much for Nashua.)

There had been something slightly wilted about Maze’s expression before, but now, all Nash can see is how she shines like some proud accomplice. He remembers how she had said that before and the chestnut had overlooked her tight words because he wasn’t sure exactly how much she knew about the shared family history between him and Gale. But he thinks he sees it clearly now; Mazikeen knows all of it. ”Yes, well perhaps now you can understand my apprehension.” Nashua bites back, the sound more an accusatory rumble than his usual steady baritone, as his blazed head jerks towards Gale.

He’s seething until he can feel the warmth of Noel graze by him and the winged stallion feels the knife-edge of his anger lessen. His rigid stance loosens just a little.

His shock back to the moment comes when his mate says that if Bolder wishes to stay, she will not argue. Nashua tries to hide the shock from his face - and does so by only showing it to her when he turns to look at Noel. Leave Bolder, here? It seems like it's all beyond their control now. They swiped Bolder at an opportune age - old enough to be away from his family and yet young enough to still be impressionable. Bolder had adored Mazikeen on their last visit to Hyaline, and he imagines that they’ve both manipulated his son (more than just teaching him shapes) so much that the young pegasus wouldn’t even understand he was a captive.

At that moment, Nashua understands that his son won’t be coming back with them.

Not until something is done about Gale and Mazikeen.

That would take something more than this visit, though. It would take something far more powerful than Nash or Noel. And so while his mind thinks about what they could do, the striped horse sides with the white mare beside him and looks to the Eastern leaders with an uptight expression. ”You heard the lady.”

@ Gale feel free hoodoo bolder here if you'd like, but if not, i'll post him next round as a sloth or alligator or something