The tender waves lapped at the shore. The waxing and waning tides, following the whims of the moon, erased even the deepest hoof prints pressed into the constantly refreshed shore. The blue closed her eyes, exhaling softly. If only she could be like the sandy beach, with waves crashing over her, erasing everything. Everything that had piled up in her mind, weighing on her shoulders like a yoke that kept her captive, made her sedentary. If only she could be freed from her shackles, be allowed to run and breathe and find release from whatever it was that held her back. Emotions were something that had been beat from her at an early age. They interrupted what was important, and kept her from ascending into the throne she had been urged to covet by a battle-crazed father. But somehow, being a queen of war, a haunt made of stars and night and death, seemed like a clouded memory, a far off feat that would never be obtained. Is that even what she wanted anymore? She was a corporal, but she didn't know those who ranked among her soldiers. She had no respect, though certainly no respect was due for a strange mare who had sauntered in and done nothing remarkable. She was nothing remarkable. She was an emotional being, and no matter the way she attempted to quell the flames, the embers always built up again.

Stormy eyes blinked open lazily at the call of her name. Turning her head, she watched the figure approach. He was tall, sturdy, pressed starkly against the fading Orangemoon sky in its vivid shades. As he came closer, she realized he had a face she didn't recognize. How did he know her? He was young, like she, carved from a blue slab into a muscled buck, though from him oozed a certain air of friendliness that she couldn't quite believe. She moved delicately to face him, with a certain sway in her hips, her eyes glittering beneath a raised brow. A companion trailed him, though she had never seen such a fox in her few years. "I'd be happy to practice with you, darling," she mused, looking up to blue eyes nestled an a sculpted and crowned head. He was much larger than she, and therefore most likely slower. But he looked strong. Perhaps what she needed was a good beating to pay for past transgressions, or a triumphant victory to shake her from her funk. "Though, I don't believe we've ever met. My apologies if your acquaintance has slipped my mind." Either way, she would learn him today.

She dipped her head in respect, lacking her usual sweeping bow to initiate their spar. She trotted off, circling around him to place distance between them. Her hooves sank into the uneven sand and she scowled, knowing there would be no sureness in her footing. At least it was a disadvantage they would both share. Eyes passed over his form, evaluating him. He showed no obvious weaknesses. All she could find were strengths he had against her. Oh well.

She paused, facing him yet again. Her velvet-lined nostrils flared, dragging in a deep gulp of the salty air. Her haunches coiled and she sprang, each step acclimating her to the unusual turf as she heaved herself forward. Her neck arched then stretched, jaws opening then snapping shut, aiming to capture a bite of his dark tresses, or catch a harsh taste of his sleek neck. She braced her shoulder for impact as well, unsure of how she would meet him in their first passionate encounter. She had no doubts he would take her attack well - his sheer size and rigid muscles were armor for him, protecting him from her delicate physique. But even the smallest fly could be bothersome, and her intent was to pick away at him until weakness shone through.

She tried to harness her momentum into an escape, attempting to slip away before he returned her attack. She lashed out, kicking a haphazard buck towards the stallion. She typically preferred close combat, but she needed to see how the bearded beast moved before she hovered close.

The corporal waited for him. She had no time to think. She only had time to attack and react. Attack and react. She buried everything else deep down as she let the spar take over her world. And as she allowed her true nature to take over, the sounds of everything else faded. The ache in her heart, the one that burned and stabbed and bled, suddenly let go. Her regrets had nothing to do but disappear.

The white noise faded, and for the first time in weeks, everything was clear. For the moment, she was free.

1/3 || WC 799 || Summary:: Ki'irha circles around him, trying to create some distance, before coming to a stop in front of him, facing him. She then runs towards him. She runs parallel to him, against his left side, and tries to bite anything she can grab ahold of including his mane or neck. She then kicks out at him while trying to put space between them.