Oh, Carys was quite happy to be in the desert of Salem once more. As the sun disappeared behind thick clouds and the heavens opened up with enough rain to make any horse miserable, Carys only smiled. Or laughed. She was smart enough to avoid areas which may flood but as the oasis swelled with water (before the thirsty ground soaked it up) she splashed about, possibly making more of a mess than need be.

She’d always enjoyed exploring. Years ago when she’d first come to Salem, Carys had made a point to fill her days with searching every inch of the badlands, finding little hidden places among the ravines. Though she still loved to explore about, the little mare had yet to actually leave sight of the herd. Rather than seek solitude when poisonous thoughts came creeping, Carys seemed to pull herself closer to any herd mate who’d allow it. All her life she’d been running and, after having returned to see Orhan and Arcana once more, Carys realized how truly tired she was of doing so.

Milling about the muddy bank of the oasis, Carys flicked her pale tail at her haunches and twitched her ears, listening to the sounds of the desert. One may think a space as wide and open as the desert was would be empty; desolate. But no, one only had to pay attention and they’d catch the sight of life in everything they saw.

Today it was the brown stallion that captured her utmost attention. He was slender, built as a horse of the desert should likely be; taller than she was, too (though given Carys’ pony characteristics it wasn’t difficult to be). What interested her most was how he always seemed to linger on the edge. Near, but never fully a part.

Carys decided without hesitation she would see to it that she met him.

Turning from the oasis bank she rumbled a soft little nicker, hooves kicking up granules of sand as she walked. The sand had once confused her to walk in, particularly the softer bits which gave way to her thin legs, but now she moved with familiarity. “Hello.” She said, kind smile on her mouth. “I’m Carys.” And, since she’d spoken and he knew the distance which she stood, Carys stretched her neck upwards and toward him, nostrils flared, aiming to share a breath.