I consider his question about the stars with a frown. "I’ve never really thought about it before," I say. "They’re way up there and, even the ones that fall— they’re still up in the sky, aren’t they? Just, somewhere else. I can’t touch them." It doesn’t seem overly important if I can’t interact with it. The moon is pretty, too, but I appreciate it more for the light it lays than anything else. Same with the sun. FatherSound feels much more tangible to me than anything I’ve seen in the sky. I can run through his shallows and, now that I know how to swim, his depths seem less mysterious. I look forward to traversing the ocean. If I could do the same in the sky, I think the stars would matter more to me. I nod to myself. "They are pretty, though. I think they exist to decorate the sky." This decision pleases me and I grin upwards even though everything’s still obscured by clouds. Next time the stars are visible I know I’ll have a deeper appreciation for their glimmer.
I stand quivering with excitement as my golden dancer assigns me a task. Travel! To other territories! Meet other horses, and be aware of anyone kept where they do not wish to be kept. This last, I think, will be easily recognizable. I have not enjoyed being cooped up in Paradise per the red mare’s whims and doubt I’ll be able to abide seeing others forced into a similar situation. My friend has not only given me to tools to explore beyond the water, but is actively encouraging it. My heart heaves in my chest, swelling like the tide, and I beam my appreciation at him. "Yes," I say, breathless and smiling. "Yes, I will go!" My mind races ahead as I try to imagine all the new things I’ll see, anticipation thudding in my heart as I think of all the new horses I’ll meet. I hope there are many like him.
The thought makes me smile. He seems singularly unique, for all that I’ve only ever interacted with two other horses before. "I’ll wait until morning to go," I say, then grin. "Though it’ll be hard to sleep tonight. Oh, I can’t wait!" I buck in place then lunge back into the water, splashing in the shallows around the stallion in an excited circle. Tomorrow can’t come quickly enough. |