feuerherza blows out a soft breath, eyes bright with encouragement, as she watches adelheid think through things. the gentle noise is meant to get the mare’s attention off whatever uncertain thoughts she simmers over and demonstrate that she is indeed eager to be in the splashed mare’s presence. when her companion grins and directs her to stay close herza nods seriously. her glance over the cliffside is cut short by the look that flashes over the other mare's features and her brief explanation. did that warning elude to the cause of some of the tension and pain that lurked beneath that prickly demeanor?

she doesn’t have long to search adelheid's face for answers, as she turns to the mountain path and stops off exuberantly. feuerherza feels a passionate joy light her steps as she follows the slightly shorter mare up the mountainside. she takes in each new view with dumbfounded amazement. the elegant black mare pays close attention to each path and little offshoot, knowing that this tour was not only for fun but educational as well.

when they finally reach a tall cliff, her guide halts, looking out with a nostalgic happiness over the land below them. in that moment of calm herza wonders if her new friend even realizes the softness she exudes as she admires her home. her ears train themselves to her companion’s voice, nodding gratefully as she explains her reasoning for showing each trail and place on the mountainside. she tilts her head curiously at the mention of a prime minister and the start of an exciting story. what happened after being caught by those stallions? the mare doesn’t finish that train of thought, turning instead to explain a different part of the territory. her dark eyes follow her gesture down over the land below them. she had much to learn about the place she intended to call home for a little while.

when adelheid introduces herself, she smiles. there is usually this moment, the look of surprise and confusion as her counterpart realizes she has no way to communicate her own name. luckily herza is used to this. her dark eyes twinkle and she steps forward hesitantly toward the mare beside her. something tells her that at the beginning of their little interlude, if she had tried to introduce herself this way, she would have been bitten or worse, but now she figures it is worth a try. she nods slightly, trying to indicate herself, and then reaches out with her delicate muzzle to bump-bump-bump the center of adelheid’s chest gently. to her heart. the meaning of her name is fire-heart. but as she had no way to demonstrate fire she was used to simply trying to get others to guess “heart”. would adelheid be able to understand? perhaps more importantly she had to wonder if the splashed mare would tolerate her close proximity…