[open] its all up in the air and we stand still

[Gale]

Gale this is going to break me clean in two -- this is going to bring me close to you It is clear that Yanhua knows who he is, but equally clear is the way his smile slips from his face like the water withdrawing from the beach. Gale nods, and finds that the ground beneath his feet has suddenly become very interesting, so he inspects the delicate fronds of the fern beside his left hoof rather than respond to the chestnut stallion. He’s never put names to the type of emotions that his brother’s reaction elicits, because he has mostly ignores their infrequent presence in his life. He might have stared at it until Yanhua walked away, but it seems that the horned stallion’s initial reaction is not going to color the entire interaction, and Gale looks up curiously at the sound of his voice and the mention of the Alliance. The brindle stallion nods his head at the concept of time getting away from them all, and then manages a smile as Yanhua finally says that it is nice to meet him. Though Gale does want to like him, he wants to be honest even more, so he doesn’t repeat the polite phrase. At least not yet. But it is hard to be unhappy with the prospect of eating in the near future, and Gale’s smile becomes less hesitant, and his nodding more enthusiastic as the coppery horse begins to lead him into Taiga. “Oh Islandres is wonderful,” Gale says, describing the clear water, black beaches, and colorful flora. “Probably the prettiest place I’ve ever Seen.” The redwoods are impressive, to be sure, but they are brown and green and Gale doubts they ever change colors, though he does ask just to be sure. “Nashua said you’re the Guardian now,” Gale continues, stepping wide around a very large mushroom, and then pausing both his walking and his talking to look underneath it. “Cool,” he says quietly more to himself than his companion. “We don't have these on Islandres.” @[Yanhua]