She couldn't be sure if it was her foolish heart that convinced her Jarek would reciprocate the contact or just a gut instinct, but Phoebe felt both react to his touch. Her heart surged, leaped, expanded to encompass the whole of him, burying this moment and his memory deep inside of her to be called upon later in a quiet moment of reflection. It was a seedling of her future, a future that had come upon her so suddenly, by surprise, and yet felt clear as crystal, a glimpse into what would be as opposed to simply one possibility of many. This certainty settled, solid and strong, within her middle, any traces of doubt or uncertainty so small, so tenuous, she couldn't even recognize them. Until the end of eternity...Another step and she tucked herself against his shoulder, desperate to take more, and slid her cheek across his broad shoulder up toward his withers with a soft hum. Briefly, she felt the rough edge of something rocky but didn't recoil or shy; if anything, the roughness was grounding, reminding her this was real, this whole wondrous, awe-inspired moment. She really had found an Adonis among mortals. She really had caught his eye. And here he was, promising her a future in which she remained central to his attentions, where their blossoming attraction could grow and flourish. "I can't wait," Phoebe whispered in response, savoring every second while eagerly anticipating every one yet to come.
It became clear he wanted her to return home about as much as she wanted to now, something in his quiet voice speaking of reluctance. Or maybe it was how he didn't move an inch, still curled around her, holding in her place. A soft, airy laugh escaped her as she smiled, unable to express just how much she enjoyed knowing it wasn't just her who felt this way. And yet...he had a point. Other moments. Phoebe sighed into his pelt and slowly, slowly, drew her head back, tucking her chin regretfully as she finally tried to step back and out of his embrace. Her bright eyes tipped upward and searched his face hungrily, wanting to commit every detail of his expression to memory to tide her over until their next meeting.
She bit her lip briefly in a moment of disbelief before her dazzled, dreamy smile returned in full force. "It was nice to meet you. Jarek." Nice didn't even begin to do justice to what she felt in that moment, for him and their chance encounter. But somehow it seemed fitting, a little return to normalcy before going back to the real world outside of his magical oasis. Phoebe continued to look at him even as she began to turn away, her gaze lingering and feeling the distance already stretch out between them, but, bolstered by the knowledge they would meet again, the little sunset mare made herself turn away and begin the trek home, picking her pace up into a trot as if she could hurry into their next meeting already.
