Cool and crisp, the mid-morning wind twirled playfully between the forest pines, swishing between needle leaves and stirring their lazy droop into a frenzied dance. Africa listened indolently to the steady wash of white-noise around her, but her ears were tipped forward, towards the stallion who lingered- perhaps in hesitation, between the flimsy protection of the thicket and wiry bushes surrounding him. She tilted her face, soft golden eyes still peering openly at him and her peaceable, inviting demeanour never faltered. All about her young white face, grey tendrils of long oily, brown-tipped hair swirled wildly- whipped up by the teasing wind to tangle and knot against itself. She seemed oblivious though, never being one to fuss over the appearance of her shell. In the early days she would bath and groom devotedly, but being the adventurer she was, it always resulted in the undoing of such contentious work. These days, the grey dapples cloaking her were tinged rusty desert-red, and appropriately, the dusty scent of sand clung to her unkempt form.

"Greetings?" Came the first response and although seemingly small and reserved, it was enough to rouse a pleasured grin across her thin, rough black lips. She nodded politely, encouraging his effort, given the uncertain flicker of his ears and distracted nature of his wavering eyes. She meant no harm, and the effortless tranquillity through her flaccid muscles portrayed that easily to any present to witness. She was a gentle heart, simple and tactless perhaps, but equally honest and charitable.

Still unconvinced apparently, the stallion pawed uneasily at the forest floor. "Might you be seeking company, I see?" His voice was rough, husky and utterly masculine she thought as she listened diligently. Again she nodded and apparently he was finally able to surrender to the temptation of her patient and accommodating company. He stepped forward, thrusting one white-socked leg before the next and as he approached her, Africa thought in silence that his figure as a whole looked rather striking. Once again, a thoughtful snort fluttered through her nostrils. He was shorter than she, remarkably so, though the ebony wings clutched against his glossy black barrel were much longer and larger. Their enormity reminded her instantly of her darling herd-brother Ahi, and the left corner of her mouth quirked fondly at the thought.

Her head jerked suddenly, righting itself from the previous pensive tilted posture- though not in alarm. Her eyes sparkled with proposal and she began to speak with a hushed tone, though loud enough to pierce the thrum of forest noise around them. “Why don’t you join me for lunch?” Africa glanced down, gesturing with a bob of her muzzle towards the opened leaf, and the two silver-furred roots lying snugly within it. To the unwitting eye it probably seemed only the smallest of portions, perhaps hardly enough even for a bird to enjoy. In actual fact though, Africa was still quite engorged after devouring the other fruits of her long labour; rabbit-foot fern roots were satisfying to say the least.


[Riven ooc: Just a note; I don’t know if you are meant to change the colour of your font unless you are using a table. There are free tables for us to use here if you like. Also, don’t forget the 250 word count rule ;) ]