She quite nearly rushed to Tillie's side when the child crumpled to the floors but with only a few steps still between them, Delphine halted mid-step and her ears pressed defeatedly to her crown. Her head lowered and she cast an imploring gaze in the Gembound's direction. "Tillie, please. I did not mean it." Her voice trembled and frayed along the edges but when nothing came of her pleas, she could only surrender her losses.

Despairingly she made to turn away when her emerald eyes caught sight of a figure too familiar for her to simply dismiss. Meredith. All at once the walls to her heart were torn asunder and with it, her sentiments failed to uphold against the tidal wave that was her sea. It'd taken every iota of strength in her to not cry right then and there, to deny herself the utter need to bury her face within his neck. How terrifying it was to have given so much of herself to one creature; that it was in him would she find her eternal reprieve. So much so that when he neared to delicately nudge the grief-born child, her own muzzle reached forth to seek comfort in his damp warmth. And it did, with just a touch of her lips upon his cheek, the young mare felt her heart swell with relief but she could not stay. She did not think the okapi wished for it nor did she bear the stamina to tend to her mercurial needs.

She brushed her cheek along the length of Meredith's sleek neck and when her lips grazed his ear, only then did she speak in hushed dulcet tones. "Forgive me but I cannot stay, I'll see you later." She smiled sadly before adding quickly, "Her name is Tillie." At that she pulled away, bereft of the warmth of her companion but knowing no other compromise to their situation. As she made her way toward the tunnels, Delphine glanced back just once to Meredith and Tillie before turning away to find safe harbor in another place where her words could not be used as weapons.

exit delphine!