Ann flicked a glance at Ortec, sensing the stallion's restlessness. For a moment, he thought about rising to see if he could calm the horse, but Ma'akéné took the opportunity to whicker at Ortec, her own tail swishing back and forth, not in irritation, but rather slowly in a monotonous motion. She tossed her head, then half-turned her body until she was able to motion outside their hiding place. It was as if she were trying to tell Ortec that he could leave the safety of this small cave, and that he would be perfectly fine tending to his own needs while his human tended to her own.
Ann smiled, nodding slowly at Ma'akéné as she pranced sideways a little, first to the left and then to the right, as if trying to encourage Ortec to follow her. When he didn't, she snorted and stamped her hoof as if with irritation, then performed her strange little dance again, until she finally took a few steps back and vanished out of the entrance, letting the stallion do whatever he wanted.
Ann's smile grew wider. "My sister thinks your brother is incredibly overprotective, and that you won't suddenly turn into a foal barely able to stand if he takes his eyes off you for five seconds."
