The little mare's magenta eyes glittered at the smiling response her forward question received, some part of her relieved for the positive reception but another, stronger part of her elated to know that he'd given his answer so readily. Surely it had to mean that he was enjoying her company, that he enjoyed her, and that this chance meeting was important enough that he would be happy to spend more time with her in the future, to see where it brought them next. Phoebe felt as if she stood on the precipice of something, something big, something grand, waiting to consume her--and yet she felt no fear. There was only an eager expectancy, a desire to meet this fate head-on, an anticipation of so many good and wonderful things. How could she possibly fear this unknown when, looking up into Jarek's expression of gentle stone and burning ice, she felt only magic and safety? I am sure we will meet again. I will ensure we do. She felt her heart somersault in her chest and a wide, wide grin stretch across her face. There was no withholding the giddy little laugh that bubbled up inside of her even just knowing that Jarek would put in this sort of effort to see her again. She had to be the luckiest mare in the region, the most important mare in the world, to receive this sort of attention from someone like this. A mortal who rivaled the beauty of the gods, a magnificent creature of strength, power, and ambition. He was everything from her most mesmerizing daydreams, sculpted from the most ethereal fantasy and placed solidly upon the earth--directly in her path. And he wants to see me again! Stifling another giddy laugh, Phoebe made herself clear her throat and tried to master her excitement behind a restrained nod, "I look forward to it." Vespera help her, was that an understatement.
She tried again to reassure herself that there would be more time later, more moments such at this one going forward, though all her thoughts momentarily stopped when the Day Soldier commented upon their blessed meeting. Blessed. Could...could the gods have had something to to do with this? With their meeting? Was this, like all the other happy circumstances that had surrounded her of late, be some product of Vespera watching over her and not simply inexplicable luck? It was a strange thought, but she grasped onto it quickly, hoping there was truth to it. "I think you're right," she answered with a thoughtful, assured nod, "there was definitely something...magical, about this." Whether that was Jarek's own gravitational magnetism or some otherworldly influence of the gods... Phoebe wasn't sure she cared either way.
The majority of the water was nearly gone from her sunset pelt and remained only as a cool dampness across her hide now. Her mane and tail were still wet, but with both bound the water was less of an issue--if anything they would help her stay cool during her trek back home. She glanced once in the direction of the horizon--not the mountains she needed to climb, but toward the sun, gauging how much time she had. Not enough; she doubted it would ever be enough now. With a little regret, she turned to look at Jarek again and momentarily cursed their large height difference. If she could have reached up and placed her forehead against his again, she would have. Instead, hoping he would welcome the gesture, she stepped into him to place her forehead against his shoulder, not simply her muzzle now, resting the whole of her white star and forelock upon him.
"Until next time?" Phoebe asked softly, seeking one last promise, testing boundaries, and making clear just how much this--whatever this was--meant to her.
