❀

The ache in Visurix’s limbs was growing insistent despite her attempts to ignore it, and she was grateful to accept Rougaru’s offer of a walk. She was growing to enjoy their conversation, and as she grew used to his shocking (to her, anyway) appearance, she began to relax a bit. The tension never left her body entirely, however, and she did continue to squirm beneath his intense gaze, but it was not entirely unpleasant. She shivered at his direct attention, aware of the power behind his verdant eyes and in the muscles that coiled under the coffee-colored skin.

As she followed behind him, her head bobbing close to his shoulder when she caught up, she though on his comment about the weather she must be used to. It made her recall the desert lands of her home, and the dry heat of the open sky. ”There was no shade where I’m from,” she confirmed. ”There was nothing in the way of the sun, or the moon. Even at night, there was no darkness.” She nosed her dark muzzle against a heavy leaf as she passed it, the texture and scent unfamiliar to her. ”One of the most frightening things about this new world is the darkness. It’s not all bad, of course - the air is quiet, and doesn’t blow sand at you all day long. And the nights are not as cold.” She shuddered as she ducked beneath wide leaves and low-hanging vines, their deep green fingers brushing her jet coat. She was not used to such crowded spaces; the Common had been dense enough, but this was nearly suffocating. The jungle seemed to close in on her, to swallow her as she followed Rougaru into its depths.

It was frightening. Visurix clung close to the tall stallion as he lead her to fresh water. Though the sun fell through the canopy in dappled clusters, it was hard not to feel as though the shadows were trying to wrap snake-like around her. The anxiety of the unfamiliar closeness of the environment pressed around her throat. Her curled ears twisted about uncertainly, listening for the sound of running water. When she finally picked up the musical rushing of a stream, she struggled not to audibly sigh in relief. There was more open air around a water source, and it felt more like the oases at home, where some vegetation did provide shade and protection from the wind.

”Thank you for helping me,” she said, letting her front hooves dip into the cool, clean water as she bent to drink. The chilly water rushed through her, cooling her throat. It was blissful. She closed her eyes, and for a few minutes, she could almost believe she was back in the land of her birth.

But it was not true. When she opened her copper eyes once again, the deep shadows of the jungle greeted her again. Mixed feelings of sorrow and relief filled her, and she turned back to Rougaru. Her gaze was shy but no longer fearful as she waited for him to take her back into the shadows.

Visurix