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The water was so bitterly cold; it shocked her heat ravaged body to the core, flooding her veins with surging energy; renewing tired muscles and washing all tenderness away. The salty bath soaked through her now sleek, thinned summer coat, soothing into her desert dry skin, and ridding the murky grey dapples of the sand-dust hue which had all but stained them rusty-red. The sensation was remarkable; such a phenomenal contrast to the wrath of the desert's climate, and Africa could have stewed there for the rest of the day. The lower half of her mane floated gracefully, riding the churn of oncoming waves whenever they passed, so too did her tail glide effortlessly. To her right, the lonely wing fluttered through the water, wallowing and splashing about with avian playfulness.
With her wrinkly pinched nose turned up, and sodden whiskered lips peeled apart she, blew the dribbling water from flaring nostrils. Paddling still, where her feet could not quite find the sandy floor, Africa completed the cumbersome turn towards where she expected Aurelia to be splashing right behind, only to find the girl had slid rather hastily to a halt much further back from the breaking line of little waves. With much effort, she swam back in that direction; pausing when she was part way out to shake at length- the glittering spray of salty water spreading far from the exertion. Soggy, but satisfied Africa emerged completely from her ice-cold sanctuary, though her eyes were concerned as they traced Aurelia's hesitation- juvenile wings lifted nervously. The wall of hot air struck immediately, and the water trailing from the heavy length of her crimson and red tail evaporated frighteningly fast as she ambled through the sand towards her. A wondering smile lifted the corners of her stormy-grey mouth, still damp lips reaching to bump the small pink nose of the girl affectionately.
"Why don't you join me?" She asked quietly, her voice empathetic though unable to place reason behind such fearful reluctance. As honey eyes shifted quickly across the little figure before her, Africa was able to rapidly perceive the fear leaking through hot, open pores- an emotion that she had much experience with in the past. " Does water frighten you?" Gingerly she knelt to wipe the salt from stinging eyes against her own knobbly knee; wet white stockings already lathered with golden-red, marking the ridge of her long nose where it rubbed.
Silas who had been watching his beloved wade, swooped lower when she swept from the surf- somewhat prematurely, and trudged up the beach to the girl with pale golden dapples. He could not find in Africa's beating heart a reason to be concerned and so propped mid-air just beyond their heads, hovering in place while he waited for sign or signal from the dappled mare. The little Zephyr cared little for the scratchy residue of salt water- he much preferred the pureness which was the Throat itself, and so did not move to settle on her back.
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[O] top of the social ladder, fell hard [Open - Africa]
