never too careful (open)

[KAREE]

Slowly, Adoni gathered himself up. His head rising from the soft bed of leaves, and his long front legs shifted from under his body. He steadied himself before getting to his feet, shaking the rest of the debree from his golden coat.

He glanced wearily around the clearing he'd chosen, remembering back to the time he'd fallen down a short incline when a blue roan stallion ran into him. The tall ebony trees towered over Adoni, but did not hide him from the eyes of others. His coat colour stood out against the black trunks, so if anyone was hanging about, he would be noticed within minutes.

The leaves above him danced, spraying dark spotted shadows over his golden pelt, making it look almost dappled. The cool air came shortly afterwards, pushing back his flaxen mane. Adoni shifted his weight. He turned around, and moved silently through the braken. These days one could not be too careful, so Adoni had kept on the move, not resting in one place for too long.

He came to a stream after a few minutes of walking. It was small, almost a trickle due to the hot summer before. Lowering his head, he began to slurp up the water through dry lips.


OPEN.

[Tiggs]

Picking her way along the shallow creek’s edge came a dapple rose grey filly with long black-brown mane and tail. She did not seem in any hurry, nor did she seem to be paying attention to anything but her feet. Her mane was getting to be so long that it reached down past her eyes. Mayrah was in a world of her own, and she was almost upon the colt by the time she spotted him.

She shied in surprise, dark eyes widening and ears pinned back uncertainly. The male was no older than her, she guessed, but there was no telling how friendly a male was by age alone. Her nostrils flared as she took silent measure of the colt. His coat was a strange golden colour, the guard hairs glittering in the dappled sunshine. She had never seen such a strange colour, and she stepped forward cautiously for a better look.

Mayrah snorted and shied back again, crossing the creek hastily to put some distance between them. Her roaming alone had taken a toll on her, and strangers made her nervous. She tossed her head and trotted back the way she had come at double speed. She paused and glanced back, mistrustful gaze uncertain. Did she introduce herself, or flee?

[KAREE]

Adoni lifted his head, and jumped back as his eyes took in a pretty rose grey filly. He snorted, then grinned, "Oh, sorry, you startled me." He said, in a friendly tone. The filly took a step closer, as if examining him. Adoni tilted his head to the side, but didn't say anything.

When she pulled back, Adoni opened his mouth to introduce himself, but stopped when she darted across the river. Confused, Adoni watched as she trotted away. Had he done something wrong? He hesitated, then stepped over the creek, his gaze was kept on the filly as she moved further away from him. Slowly, he followed her, ears pricked, forgetting about the caution that he had just set his mind on just minutes before.

"Hey, come back!" He called as she came to a halt and glanced back at him. "Did I do something wrong?" He asked, taking a few more steps before he halted. He kept his distance, so that he would not startle the filly more. "I didn't mean to scare you..if I did." He mentioned, glancing away at his hooves. Was he really that scary? He suddenly had the urge to turn around and go back to the creek, where he would be able to look at his reflection. He resisted it though, there would be time later for him to check that.

[Tiggs]

Mayrah tossed her head, grinding her teeth in contemplation. The colt was following her, and he seemed friendly enough. Was she being over cautious? Her nostrils flared as he spoke, and she dipped her head with chagrin. Yes, the colt had worried her for a moment, but she had not meant to insinuate that he was frightening in any way.

Finally she shook her head, ears perking in a semblance of a smile. “No, I’m sorry.” She replied softly. “I thought I might have been intruding – I have not kept company for a while, I may be a little out of practice.” She twitched her tail and turned toward him, looking a little more confident now the colt had done nothing but be kind towards her. “My name is Mayrah. If you do not mind, I would like to graze with you a while; would you tell me of the High Country’s news?” She added when she thought he might be regretting following after her.

The filly was a strange one: young enough to still be with her mother, and old enough to be claimed by an unrelated stallion, yet she roamed alone. There had been a moment when she thought a handsome blue roan might claim her, but it was not to be. She wondered why this colt was alone. Many young stallions his age journeyed alone, but with such a strange golden quality to his coat, she thought there might be a train of adoring fillies after him. Perhaps that was the problem; the other colts were jealous. Mayrah knew all too well how stallions would fight, and were cruel to each other. Just last Spring, she had lost her own father in a brutal fight, to the King no less.

[KAREE]

Adoni quickly shook his head, "Oh, no. Its alright. I wasn't doing that much anyway." He flicked his tail towards his flanks and took a quick step forward. Was that all she had been worried about? He smiled, his ears pushing forward. He took another hesitant step forward, then stopped, worried that he would scare her again. She had mentioned nothing about not being scared of him, even if she seemed alot more relaxed.

"Mayrah?" He asked, then nodded, "Ahh, no I do not mind." He chuckled, "I actually wouldn't mind some company, I, too, have not had any company around me for a while, so it will be good." He then turned, and beckoned her the way they had come. "Though, I'm afraid that I have not heard much news from the High Country myself." He shrugged, he would soon find out if he ran into a bush creature or something, so it did not worry him all that much. "Oops, I nearly forgot. I'm Adoni, by the way." He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. He paused for a moment to stare at her pretty rosey grey coat. It was such a pretty colour, and the black colour of her mane complemented it well.

[Tiggs]

Mayrah dipped her greyed-out head in thanks. The company would do her good, but she was surprised by his admission. “I’m sorry,” She asked when he had introduced himself, “But you said you have had not have company for a while? I thought you might have had a small herd to run with by now. No fillies? No bachelors?”

The rose grey was obviously curious, but she realised the personal nature of his questions just then and stopped in her tracks. “I’m sorry,” it was an apology this time, “This is why I shouldn’t keep company – I say the wrong things. I only meant that you’re a handsome colt, you look like you should be popular.” She flinched at her own words. “I’m sorry, I’ll go.” She turned and started back down the creek bank at a smart trot.

The poor colt probably didn’t like to be by himself, let alone being reminded of it. And here she was leaving him by himself again. Her trot faltered, and she slowed to a walk. She hadn’t really given him time to talk, but she could only guess he was not happy being alone. Mayrah had come to a full stop, looking down at the babbling water at her feet. She sighed and lowered her nose to the cool water to drink.

Once she had finished, she shook out her coat. The bush was quiet except for the occasional insect and bird song. She looked back down the creek toward where the golden colt Adoni had been. She had covered quite a distance while she trotted and berated herself about leaving the poor colt.

It had been rude to leave him, but then he might have thought it was best that she had left if she was going to be asking questions. Mayrah huffed, and cropped at the sparse grass. From the little she had of it, she enjoyed being in the company of another brumby. The bush was so lonely.

She stepped into the creek and forged across. She was following the bank back the way she had come before she realised. Maybe if she just watched him a while, that would fill her quota for socialisation. Quite selfish on her part, but she justified that the colt would probably prefer loneliness than her big mouth.

She saw him at a corner of the creek, and she ducked into the trees to sneak a little closer. She was not well hidden, but she was counting on the colt not looking her way for her to stay anonymous. She watched as he went about his business, fighting a mental war against the wrongness of it all.

[KAREE]

Adoni frowned, he opened his mouth to speak, to shake off the apology, but the filly, Mayrah was already speaking again. He snorted, annoyed that she would not let him get a word in. She was kicking up a fuss about nothing! Yes, he was alone, and yea he probably should have a small band of fillies with him by now, but Adoni just hadn't found the right fillies. He wasn't one to judge on looks or anything, but it felt...sort of nice being out on his own, with having not to worry about any mares or stallions who would look to take them from him and he hadn't found any fillies that just...pop.

He stared after her as she trotted away, his mind blank as to what to say. His 'brow' was furrowed and he did not understand what had just happened. He lowered his head, and turned around. Only pausing to look around to where the pretty rose grey filly, Mayrah who had managed to escape his grasp once more. Inside, he itched to run after her, to tell her how stupid she was being. He turned, and silently threaded his way through the ebony trees. His golden coat glittered as the sun rose higher in the sky.

He paused at a small fringe of trees, staring out at the small creek where he had first seen Mayrah. He replayed what had happened. In his mind he saw a pretty filly, shy and rather nervous. Skittish, one would say. A bit self concious perhaps?

He shook the thoughts of her out of his head. Glancing from left to right and back again before moving out into the small opening. He walked over to the running water, lowering his muzzle, he dipped it deep into the cool icy water. Savouring the taste as it trickled down his dry throat. Maybe he could wash all memories of her into this stream? He grunted, feeling rather irritated. Why hadn't he just chased after her again? But still, would she had stayed? Or even listened to him?

He lifted his golden pink muzzle from the water, letting it dribble out of his parted lips in a very unattractive fashion. An odd feeling suddenly crept over his spine and travelled down his back, as if someone was watching him. Swiftly he lifted his head higher and scanned the trees around him. His muscles where taut, and he barely moved. His ears flickered around, and for a moment he thought he saw a flash of black, or even a grey hide.

His eyes narrowed, but he quickerly took on a more relaxed stance. He pulled away from the creek and moved to graze the little vegetation there was about the Ash Forest.

[Tiggs]

She watched as he drunk, and stifled a giggle at his dribbling because she knew she would do the same if she thought nobody was watching. Watching him like this was sort of exciting. At any moment he could spot her, and she would get in trouble. Her mother had taught her it was rude to eavesdrop, but surely it wasn’t rude just to watch? He wasn’t speaking so what was there to hear?

Suddenly he moved, and Mayrah froze. She could have sworn he looked right at her, but then he relaxed and continued to graze. She let out the breath she had been holding, and once she was sure he had calmed, she backed up and moved deeper into the trees. The silvery trunks were a similar colour to her hide, and she felt comfortable amoungst them.

She moved around Adoni, drawing a large semi circle before she approached him again. The wind was changing direction, and she was trying to keep downwind. He was still grazing when she caught sight of him again, but in her foolish attempt to sneak that little bit closer, she disturbed some undergrowth.

Again, she froze, but if he’d heard, there was no way he would miss her this time. She felt the wind twist and shift, blowing her scent right to him. She ducked her head in embarrassment, and stepped fully out of the trees to face the consequences. “I’m sorry...” She started, but she just wasn’t sure how to explain herself. She gave a hopeful smile, hoping to lessen any ire he might be feeling.

[KAREE]

He didn't look up for a few minutes, but kept tearing up the grass with his incisors. Adoni was sure that he had seen the rose grey filly through the trees, watching him. He snorted, shaking his head. What did she think she would gain by watching him? He flicked his tail, but continued to graze for a couple of more minutes.

Eventually he looked up again, peering through the trees where he had thought he had seen Mayrah. His ears pricked forward and he stood stone still, watching and waiting for some sort of movement that would give her away. When there was none, Adoni turned away with a puzzled expression on his face. He had been sure he had seen her! ...Maybe he hadn't seen her? Perhaps it was just the wind playing tricks on him, and he was being paranoid. Even though these thoughts where comforting, Adoni couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He had sort of enjoyed her company, even if it had been only few a couple of minutes.

Banishing the thoughts with a flick of his head, Adoni returned to grazing. Swatting imaginary flies with his tail. It was then he heard a faint russle in the bracken. Adoni was quick to lift his head up and peer around. For a moment, he saw nothing, but the wind brought her scent to him. He froze, staring through the trees until Mayrah finally took a step out from behind where she was hiding. "I'm sorry..." His ears went back and he stood like that for a little while, anger making his ears burn. Finally, he blew out a long sigh through his nostrils and gave a weariy smile. He wanted to ask her so many questions, like why? But he held back, instead he took a step forward and said, "Why don't we start over." He cleared his throat, pulling his head to his chest as he did. Slowly he extended his muzzle to meet with hers. "I am Adoni." He grinned, supressing a small laugh at the stupidity of it all.

[Tiggs]

Mayrah let out a sigh as he did, relieved that he was taking this so well. She was half expecting him to chase her off for her insolence. Perhaps it was his age, that he saw this for the silly mistake that it was. Mayrah offered him a shy smile, coyly arching her neck. She couldn’t repress her smile, and her ears were trained solidly on him.

“Hello Adoni.” She chuckled, stretching out her neck to brush his golden muzzle with her dark one. “I am Mayrah, and it is wonderful to meet your acquaintance. Again.” She lipped his nose playfully and retracted her head. Her eyes danced with a humour that had been missing before, and she could feel herself relaxing. Why had she been so worried the first time?

Shaking her head to herself, he flicked her tail and tossed her head. “So Adoni, what brings you to the Ash Forest?” She asked cordially, playing along with the polite meet-and-greet. She was beginning to warm to Adoni. He was fun, and not to mention especially handsome up close.