Själ

It is bloody hot, and she cannot for the life of her remember why she decided to come to the beach.  It's not like she particularly likes the water.  She does not find the crash of waves against the shoreline peaceful and calming.  She hates the way her hooves sink into the sand.  So why, for goodness' sake, is this where she has decided to roam?  For no good reason, that's why.

Her foul mood has sent Ansgar into hiding.  The griffin's presence tugs at her mind from somewhere vaguely east, and though Sjal knows that the winged creature could find her in a few short minutes, she revels in the illusion of solitude.  This is just what she wants needs after the irritating string of defeats she has faced recently.  First there was that mountain-mare.  Though the princess had managed to leave her mark (she remembered with pleasure the way blood had spurted from the long scratch in the stranger's side), she had nonetheless walked away defeated.  Then there was Erebos, mischievous and calculating, an opponent who was clearly worthy of better than her.

An irritable sigh falls past her lips, dispersing into the hot, humid air around her.  Her hide is covered in sweat, making her feel dirty and damp.  The sun beats upon the dark hide that does little to shield the girl from the heat of the day.  Her dual horns feel too heavy, her limbs too sluggish - it is the sort of afternoon that lulls you into a hazy stupor, inviting you to find a nice tree under which you can spread out and nap, wishing that the evening will bring relief.

A harsh cry has the princess's head up and her ears pricking, her body tensing in preparation as her golden eyes scan for the opponent.  There is only one thing that follows such a cry, and that is battle.  A sudden eagerness floods the girl's veins as adrenaline begins to flow through her system, lightening the weight that had threatened to crush her mere seconds before.  Perhaps today she will redeem herself.  Perhaps today she will emerge victorious.

Her opponent is a black stallion with white markings that are surprisingly similar to hers.  He seems to be alone:  no companions appear to be present in either air or sand nearby.  He is stockier than she is, despite the traces of draft that are obvious in her lineage, and he towers over her by a good margin.  The princess twists her mouth into a frown as she hesitates.  She has never found on a beach before, and she already detests the balancing act of merely walking in the sand, much less fighting.  And he is bigger and stronger than she, a challenge even on solid ground.

Maybe I can use that against him.  The sand can't be easy for him, either.  She grins, a predatory thing, and saunters forward, releasing her own cry of anticipation.  "Well, hello," she calls, her hips swaying more than is strictly necessary.  She has to speak louder than usual to be heard above the crashing waves.  That's irritating.  "Looking for some fun, sweetheart?"  Maybe she can distract him.

She approaches slowly, a coy smile on her features as she sashays towards his left shoulder.  As she draws even with him, she hopes that he will remain stationary, for her plan relies on it.  Suddenly, she ducks her head to the right and pivots her body, kicking up simultaneously with her hind legs in an effort to connect with his left shoulder or neck.  As her hind legs return to the sand, she attempts to leap out of his range, though she doesn't flee too far, not wanting to give him the opportunity to chase her like she'd done with Erebos.

At least she's learning, right?

"Speak."
--Ansgar.--

Word Count :: 636
Attack :: 1/3

@Volterra - God I suck, I took so long omg I'm so sorry