—and time sped up again. His pulse surged, vertigo rocked his world and a low roar went through his ears. For a split second everything was upside down, inside out, and when it righted itself they had nearly doubled in numbers. Two stallions and some fancy-looking deer had joined them. One seemed quiet, the other vibrating with so much life Mauja wondered why it hadn't magically turned into spring yet. Without noticing, Mauja leaned a little closer to the fancy pony.. and closer.. his eyes still on the frigid mare, something vacant draped across the clear blue.
The world had slowed again.
Then—
“I’m Sabriel.”
—and there was something sort of rough and hairy against his tongue. It made the winter wind bite a little sharper along it, sort of cold, and, and, and as his gaze flickered he realized he'd bent his head down towards Johnny's neck and—
"AH!" he yelled, and bounced back, almost sitting back on his haunches. His heart was rattling in his chest, tremors running through his lungs as his tongue stuck out for a moment; eww, hair. "SorrysorryIdidn'tmeantolickyou—"
But what the fuck, he had tasted kind of sweet in a way, and.. not at all like a horse... Mauja's 'brows drew together as his now-sharp gaze fell upon the small horse. The gears still ground slowly within his skull. Too slow. His body was awake but the mind was numb, and instead of doing the sensible thing like introducing himself, apologizing in a slightly more sane fashion, or paying attention to poor Sabriel.. he asked this, something heavily thoughtful taking over in his eyes: "Can I lick you again?"
[ Dork Alert. He pretty much licked Johnny's mane/neck. xD ]