the sound of water rushing, soft and repetitive in her ears, is what eventually causes the petite figure to stir. slowly, beneath a tangle of silvery hair, long white lashes eventually part, revealing a soft dark eye. a gasping breath comes, the dark eyes widening and snegurochka raises her small head gently from the sand, dazed. the sensation of the surf caressing her pink hooves causes her to pull her legs closer to her body at first, having been splayed haphazardly on the beach, but it isn’t long before she has the presence of mind to scramble to her hooves. swaying with the effort, the small white mare braces each hoof carefully in the damp sand before glancing at her surroundings. her breath comes in small uneasy puffs and a soft ”oh” leaves her pink lips, a whimper almost. nothing is recognizable. though she is surrounded by moving things, the gentle waves, the whisper of sand farther up the beach as it is stirred by the wind, her limbs feel as if they might remain frozen forever. anxiety chokes her, causing fat tears to well and eventually spill down her ivory cheeks. after some time in this state the light eventually shifts and she turns stiffly to the sea behind her. it is vast and beautiful and the sun paints the sky above it in a spectacular sunset. the colors meld together, tangles of soft pinks and luscious purple. As she studies the clouds, the beauty of it all teases her mouth into a subtle smile. her heart still hammers within its bony cage, uncertain of its new trappings, but snegurochka is made simply enough. with tentative steps she turns, taking a few steps up the shore until the water no longer brushes her hooves. her smooth flesh is achingly pale, reflecting the pastel shades of the sunset and she seems more ghost for a moment than real as she stands ashore. |