Seasons had shifted once again and the colt had decided it was time again for him to leave the shelters of the caves and trees that dotted Paradise. Since he had gained his strength he had left Monster’s side for longer periods of time, still anxious around others of the herd since he struggled to communicate with them.It had taken too long, and he had been alone too much. Now, he decided was the time for him to take a stand. Still holding the mare in his heart, he wanted to see her, if only to get her blessing and show off what he had learned to do in his time away from her.

The colt was anything impressive at this year of his life. His legs were still too long, ears a little too big, and his mane and tail tufted oddly and refused to grow at the same time, but had decided to thicken into an awkwardly wild line down his neck. Even his hooves were making coming of age harder on the boy. Still, as he trotted down the paths of Paradise, he was far more sturdy than he had been when he nearly perished on the sands on his first day. Any who looked closely at his blue and white painted body and gazed at his darker face would see eventually the boy would grow into something that that could turn heads. Though with his grin, it was likely the soon to be stallion would never know it.

Hooves strapped against the ground when he finally approached. His eyes instantly found Monster. He nickered a greeting, his tones a normal volume. The colt held his head high, proud of this accomplishment. There had been days at a time he had been making voice in a distant cave, feeling the wear on his throat and using the pain in his cords to judge the difference between a shout and a whisper. Previously overcome by his frustration, he worked hard to change the shape of his mouth in ways he had seen others do it. At last, he felt like he had been able to put the two self-taught lessons together and enter the equine community.

With a grin lighting up his young face, he trotted up to Monster, greeting her with a nudge of his nose. The youth was eager, and excited to share his progress with his caretaker. After he had bumped her, he held his nose to his own chest. Zeru. He started softly, building his confidence. I am Zeru. His nose reached again to her, eyes watching her face and her lips so he would not miss anything. You?