Strikes in the rain(Open)

[Valatone]

"Alright, on the count of 3..." He jeered on, flexing to start. "Oneee....twoTHREE!" Speeding up at the end, he cheated for a playful head-start, beginning the race down the mountain side, hooves tearing up dirt and leaf litter all around in the flurry as Yalkara hurried. He could see the bottom, some length away, and slowed to look over his shoulder and not bash into a tree at the same time.

Once Eira was closer, he'd race off again like some silly colt, occasionally running between trees then coming back to the straight line, so glad to feel the wind and rain whistiling through his golden mane, and the clash as his hooves thundered the ground in rhythmic beats. "Nearly there!" He cheered, soon approuching a small creek.

[stormsnow]

Eira flew after the stallion. Catching up to him, she neighed as they ran. "You cheater! You gave yourself a head start!" She teased. Her mane and tail were streaming out behind her as she pounded the ground in an effort not to lose this race.

[Valatone]

Heading into the creek, the water flushed over his hooves, passing lowly up his leg. He dipped his head to drink, but heard the sounds heralding towards him. Yalkara reared playfully, shaking his head and tail to flick away the flies. "Hehehehe," He chimed, drinking a few mouthfuls from the creek before looking up slightly into the water.

He could see the sun in the reflection, wavering constantly with the ripples from their splashing arrival. Time had passed very fast- the storm was gone, and nightfall would come soon. With a gentle toss of his nose he disarrayed the reflection, then tossed water in the silver mare's direction with a kick of his back legs.

[stormsnow]

Eira gasped in shock as cold creek water splashed over her. The sun shone brightly, signalling that the storm had passed. Quietly moving to stand next to Yalkara, she dipped her head and drank from the river. Washing her mouth out thourroughly, she let the water drip from her mouth. Gathering up a huge mouthful, she turned her head, and squirted it at the stallion.

[Valatone]

"Blffffffffff!" The stallion spluttered, a spray of water blooming across his face. Grinning with cheek he moved backwards, closing his eyes and thoroughly shaking out his mane with vicious tosses of his head. He thrashed his legs out playfully, intending to create small waves in the wide creek. He walked a bit up-stream, towards a clump of snowgums on the bank.

There he shook himself off, cool in the afternoon sun, and lay down again. Occasionally taking a bite of the grass before him, Yalkara looked up at Eira. "So, Eira, do you have a home? A family..?"

[stormsnow]

Eria, her coat wet and shining, pursued Yalkara upstream, and stood there, next to him, as he lay down. "Well, my father is out there, somewhere, I guess, and my mother is back where she always belonged. With man. "Until now, I've traveled alone." The filly gave a great sigh and flopped down beside the stallion, nibbling at a tough clump of grass.

[Valatone]

"Aye, I have no idea where my parents are," Yalkara replied to the mare, biting at stiff strands. "I had a family...a big herd, but it was stolen away," He explained with regret. The stallion didn't mention the fact that it had been taken away fair and square in a fight, which he had lost. "No herd...?"

[stormsnow]

Eria lay still, digesting (along with the grass) what Yalkara had just said. "A big herd, eh? I've never been part of one of those. I've always traveled alone. Met a few other brumbies along the way, but mostly keeping to my own company. Why do you ask?" She enquired, a little curious.

[Valatone]

"Well...to tell the truth, I was wondering if you'd like to come with me?" He did not fear the question, he just didn't want to rush her, and so had left it for later. Flicking his mane to rid the flies from his face, Yalkara continued on in the cool air, a light drizzle around them from the storm. "A herd, I suppose. I miss having one, and I find your company very....," Pausing for the word, he then continued again. "...Likeable,"

[stormsnow]

Eira listened intently. "I'd love to come with you," the filly whickered softly. "Truth to tell, I get lonely, being on my own most of the time, and I also find being in your company enjoyable." She met his eyes for a moment, then shyly looked away. Boldness was not one of the silver filly's strong points.