a new world hangs outside the window
beautiful and strange
it must be I've fallen awake
I must be

A rueful smirk appeared across the filly's lips as she watched Ruger tire over time. He seemed so big and so strong back at the Falls and in the Meadow. But here, as she lept from rock to rock, he began to slow and puff away. "Keep up old man!" She hollered playfully, as she hopped circles around him and then trotted off to lead the way again. But even Wasp began to labor for breath as the air thinned the higher they climbed. The muscles in her rump, back and legs burned from the exertion. She was silently grateful when they reached a top point to rest.

Wasp was still out of breath when Ruger approached, the two of them standing silently, looking out over the island and the sea that wrapped all around them. In the distance they could see the hazy islands that connected the chain. The seawater was a brillant blue, and the summer vegetation around the island a sharp green. Despite having lived most of her life here in the Peak, the view never got old. It was certainly a thing to see.

Her amber eyes trailed over to watch Ruger's expression as he took in the remarkable sight. She extended her muzzle to bump him at the shoulder to get his attention after some time. "Pretty cool, huh." She said in a childish tone, with her tail spinning playfully across her rump. "Hate to break it to you, but the trail down is just as hard as it is going up."

Her smile widened at Ruger's response. But before she had the time to respond a shrill whinny cut through the howling breeze. Wasp froze in place, her amber eyes widening as she recognized her mother's tone. "Uh oh." She said, looking at Ruger with a defeated, fearful expression. There was no hiding her friend now. Not up here.

Macabre made it to them in record time. She barreled in so fast that even Wasp worried about losing her own footing and tumbling down the rocky ridge. "I'm fine! I'm fine!" The filly shouted nervously. She'd never really seen her mother like this before. And suddenly Wasp was overcome with guilt. "I'm sorry - I didn't mean to-" But Macabre's interest had faded from her and turned to Ruger. Wasp swallowed hard as she looked at the stallion, and her guilt only grew.

"Mom, stop! Ruger is my friend!"

W A S P