inka

Inka chuckled in agreement at Impazienza’s quip and fell into place beside the taller mare as they made their way downhill. With her height, walking downhill was awkward; she snuck a sideways glance at Impazienza and marvelled at how easily she moved despite her even larger size. No doubt you’d get used to it, living here for years, she thought, though secretly she wondered if the prime minister’s joints had suffered for it.

Having only half-heard what Impazienza had said next, Inka glanced at her companion again with pricked ears. “Sorry? Oh, no – I’m just Inka. My name is nothing so grand as yours.” She smiled pleasantly. “Inka and Impa, though. Maybe in another life we were twins.”

This is nice, the Friesian mare mused as the sound of rushing water met her ears. She had not had a pleasant conversation in so long; it was both an alien experience and a breath of fresh air for her. Inka could tell already that she would get along with Impazienza; she had been worried that she'd be bossy and unpleasant, but it seems her fears had been unfounded.

Still painfully aware of the sheen of sweat cloying uncomfortably on her skin, she was grateful when they reached the shady banks of the river. She did not join the prime minister in wading into the shallow waters, much as she was tempted – perhaps another time, when she knew Impazienza better. Instead, she stood meekly on the bank and dipped her dark lips in, taking her fill of the cool water. She lifted her head, chin dripping, when the larger mare picked up the conversation where they had left it.

“Oh, uh, a few weeks, I guess. I sort of kept to myself for a while – I needed a little vacation after travelling, you know?” She smiled sheepishly and flicked her tail to disperse a few flies. “I’ve really only met Skylar so far. And her twins. She told me to seek you out to discuss my place here. So, I guess it’s handy that I ran into you today!”

13 – 17hh – EE aa – friesian