Ru would have to be cunning to catch the rabbit. Take a chance, predict its movements, and risk the reality that she might fail and dart in the wrong direction. Although, the small distracting task was one she did not practice often. And the youth had chased all manner of creatures, but the rabbit was an obvious challenge she did not commit herself to in the past. More like buzzards and pestering flocks of geese – easy quarry that; at most times appeared graceful but lumbered steadily in their flight... Frustration prickled her young heart. With growing desperation she plowed sideways to the right – missing the rabbit’s trajectory in a quick and easy second. Perhaps less, and it was embarrassing for the child as it slipped away. Her limbs relaxed into a few bouncy trots, until all momentum stopped with a longing gaze.

Why couldn’t they be friends?

Breathing hard as her brows furrowed, a voice inhabited, surrounded the air about her. Surprised, perhaps even taken off guard – she stumbled over to face the large mare.

That frown evaporated instantly. Ru tilted her head as she stared up and into those steely eyes. These eyes were missing something, and the child was finding it very difficult to listen to the mare’s words as she gazed on. Wondering what this ‘thing’ could possibly be. These eyes, they were like rock, impenetrable. And yet, she did not find her words to be any threatening. She shook her head to snap herself out of it, catching the second sentence and nodding her head in response. But it might as well have looked like she said ‘no’, then ‘yes’ right after that. Such contradicting behavior did not spark thought-like embers in her head. Instead, she seemed to have fallen prey to admiring the… the… mare- yes, she was female! She looked so incredibly strong!

The mare stepped forward, and Ru stood her ground. It was not confidence that had kept her limbs silent, or her stupidity that made her steadfast. She did not mind grazing over the well-built mare, for she was curious how two things so dissimilar could inhabit and intertwine into one being. It reminded her… it reminded her of the ‘old one’, and the ‘nasty warrior’ she so disliked in her previous herd. Sharing extreme qualities from calm and soothing like the velvet voice, and sharp and distant in those eyes.

Her eyes alighted briefly, ‘experience’ she thought. The old one and the warrior had experienced so much in their lives. Mother’s words were not always right… but when they were true, and when she spoke of things Ru wasn’t so sure was actually real – perhaps now, she could attest to her wisdom. The child’s dark lips curled into a smile, and her eyes alighted with further spark as the stranger spoke.

She dipped her head briefly, and approached the mare – December, with cautious steps. Hesitant, as she nudged her muzzle to her elbow, and withdrawing timidly. Perhaps experience made the adults act certain ways, for unknown reasons; perhaps it was not her right to judge whether the emotionless eyes meant more than it should. Perhaps this was simply the architecture of a story, the outside layer splashed with hints and clues, and time might only tell whether or not the author had created these hints to mislead us or drive us further into the story itself.

But such was this imagination of Ru’s, that it was not rooted in experience, or teachings. They were as careless as the wind itself, uprooted and going whichever way it pleased. It was at this time she finally noticed the odd creature following the mare. For a while she merely stared at it, flicking her left ear in thought. Uncertain of why it was there, and that... it looked quite cute with all that fur. And perhaps even a little funny looking - she gave a small bubbling giggle.

Another figure appeared, another mare, exotic like this December. Wonder embraced Ru’s thoughts, and saturated her mind instantly. She blinked several times and tossed her head once, before she dipped that muzzle of her’s and bit herself on a foreleg. Was this real, any of it? Those- those were feathers, wings?!

A breath escaped the filly with a rumble as she shifted her weight. December was beautifully strong and muscular, the new one was more slight and seemed to coil and walk like a snake. Or perhaps a doe with legs like that? Nonetheless, Ru fancied the lyrics that possessed the air then, rolling in such a way that made her ears tickle. She curled her maw into a half smile.

Indeed, warmth would be nice - as the new mare had mentioned moments ago. A pleasantry really, but then, perhaps a body would be bareable? Enough to last the winter. A desert was rather luxurious in the dead of winter; this thought was very tempting. The child hummed briefly; oh, but to feel the sun at last!

She watched as the feathers atop the dame’s head moved. Deviating her eyes after a brief pause to regard her. The Lady seemed rather put together, sure of herself. But her eyes seemed just as impenetrable…

The child blinked out of her daze, again – realizing that she too had welcomed her. This was an odd feeling, it almost didn’t seem right compared to how most strangers had treated her. Each, offering homes – to the child of no name. Ah, yes; another thing about adults. They partake in routines and exhibit a desire to control the things around them. Well – most, it seemed… Perhaps it was common courtesy, like mom had mentioned, to greet and give one your name. But the child could not bear such routines into voice or practice. As curious as the world was… she resorted to the mere dip of her head to Maren. And with a building confidence she breached the mare’s bubble in an attempt to nudge her elbow. Her movements becoming less cautionary, direct and bold as she nudged and wistfully leaned away with her head. Drawing her body back and regarded the two mares with a curious whicker. Resounding softly at first until it pinched the air briefly.

A forelimb strutted forward, and pawed the ground briefly. Stopping, and shifting her gaze between them.

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[Hi! Thanks and nice to meet you two! :3 I don't mind being tagged. ^^ ]