Falls

Within the thick tendrils of grey fog the young mare had first stepped out from the salty waters to climb the hidden shores. She had been lucky in truth. Under that veil of the fallen clouds curtaining the terrain she could so easily have swim on by. She could have found herself washed up against any of the surrounding, pushed against the rocks hidden beneath the surf, or pulled out to the oceans mercy. By it was there the tides had chosen to take her, and is was not till some time had passed that she the ashen light had melted away beneath the hidden sun’s rays that she had been finally permitted to cast her gaze upon the land. In that mist one had emerged to keep her entertainment through those dull hours, though the stallion had undoubtedly not thought to become the focus of young lady’s amusement, but since then she had glimpsed few about to offer a fresh distraction. Of course Mother Nature provided its own.

Like the filly she had been not all that long ago Antiqua could not resist venturing out from her poor shelter to step through the thickening snows. But unlike that ungainly child that had virtually traversed in leaps and bounds through the largest snow banks, now her long limbs made far easier work of her journey. Where she sought to go as yet she still did not know. In the background lurked the towering shape of the Peaks she had been informed of, a shadow of a giant against the dark sky, barely indistinguishable now from the storm clouds swirling through the heavens far above. Briefly they had been highlighted as the fading sun had peeked out, bathing the snow-covered mountainsides in shades she could not even put a name to. But the Peaks would be there another day. Not worth the journey through the dark hours ahead.

Delicate ears pricked keenly to the frigid winds, forced to twitch away on occasion under the cold breeze that stole down them, but swiftly would they flick forth once again. She should be taking shelter she knew, resting under the night’s dark blanket and hiding from the spiralling flakes that filled the air. Yet the winds whispered an invite to play, and onward the speckled youngster danced compliantly, lifting her features to the chill kisses that peppered along her hide. Shivers slid down her spine but did little to dissuade her. The night was her kingdom today. To explore as she willed.

After a time upon the wind ears cupped to the sounds of tumbling waters, luring the mare deeper into the terrain. It was not long before she glimpsed the dark shape of the river stark against the moon bathed landscape, a scar across the flawless white flesh of the land. Eyes slid along its length within view from left to right before limbs veered her to the right on a whim, snow crunching under hoof as she set out in her new direction. Before her silvery eyes her breath streamed, a hot breath fogging in the air and snatched away an instant later, and it was through one such plume of air she first picked out that dark silhouette.

Curiousity burned through her chilled form, slowing her pace for a moment. Antiqua had never been one to consider caution foremost. There was too much to see and do to be forever thinking twice before acting. Upon the air a greeting sang from her vocals as the very winds seemed to bite into her haunches, urging her forwards towards the stranger. Damp, icy threads flicked across her spotted side, recognising only then the numbness that had stolen over her. A quiver travelled down her sides, but her attention was stuck fast now upon the figure she closed upon, nostrils flaring to the masculine scent hinting upon the air before dim details could be picked out about his frame. "Hello." Too many days had passed without company for the mare’s inquisitive soul. "I hope you don't mind. The night is rather cold alone." Her soft slipped through the air as a smile lit her features, dark nose extending out in greeting even as her pale gaze slid thoughtfully over the male.