Despite the intensity of Fledge's curiosity, he had become remarkably content with simply grazing and basking in what warmth remained in the autumn sun. Of course, even that wasn't exactly an idle task for him. Though his body was relaxed, his mind was ever racing with all kinds of fables and fascinations. He imagined all the distant lands of the islands, and what kind of unusual inhabitants he might find there. He imagined what it might be like to find a herd, to be loyal, to be involved in it all. Would he betray them? (Unlikely, but still an ever-fascinating idea to consider!) Would they betray him? Would he witness wars, romances? Be a part of them?
It had been so easy to get lost in those imaginary worlds that he hadn't noticed the stranger until she called out to him, and even then it took him a moment to realize that it hadn't just been a part of his imaginings.
Fledge's head shot up, and he quickly swallowed the cud he'd been chewing if only because he had been met with a feminine face. His dark eyes found hers quickly, and his ears flickered with curiosity. There was something about her that caught his attention, and it hadn't just been her calling out for it. Something in her eyes didn't reach her face...But he couldn't pinpoint it. Fledge was, after all, prone to wanting that to be the case.
He had moved to speak when she had started her little dance. He watched, captivated and curious, and felt the familiarity of the game rise in his chest. With eager anticipation, he picked his own hooves up and paraded on the spot. Whereas the mishief had been in her eyes, for Fledge, mischief seemed to be everywhere. The boy - how wrong it might have felt to call himself a stallion - had always been too trusting, or too bold. It depended on who one asked. In any case, he had absolutely no questions about accepting the stranger's invitation to play.
He nickered and feigned a movement towards her. Once she got moving, he'd play the game well enough: get close, then back off just enough to give her the lead. Whereas anybody else might have wanted to take the opportunity to show off their strength or prowess, Fledge was wholeheartedly involved just for the fun of it. It felt good, after all, to feel one's heart pounding, and to feel the world eaten up beneath one's hooves. He even threw in a playful kick here and there, dared to try and cut her off with a mischievous grin before he peeled away and invited her to take the lead once again. Whoever she was, and for whatever purpose she'd decided to come to him, he didn't really mind. As far as he was concerned, it was a good tale so far - two strangers beneath the autumn sky, wordless but knowing one another through such simplicity...It was a good start, he thought, to any story.