Common

After the strange interaction with the two stallions in the Falls, nothing interesting had happened. Celestine had assumed that such a first impression of the Islands was a clear indication that this place had a lot going on. Instead, she ran into no one else, though she saw plenty of others from afar. No one approached her, which, if she was honest with herself, was probably a favorable sign. Celestine did not like being ignored, but neither did she appreciate being courted like she was any other homeless mare — just a nice trinket to add to a herd. After her run-in with the scarred stallion and the tawny one, Celestine suspected she might have to seek out trouble if trouble would not come to her.

It was unusual for her, to go looking for excitement. Excitement used to follow the white-haired mare wherever she went. She supposed this could be a pleasant break, some peace and quiet for her to enjoy, but instead she found herself bored. Celestine did not need attention. She did not particularly care if she was liked, or if she made enemies on her travels. She just wanted a little fun — a fling, perhaps, or a fight. Something (or someone) for her to play with for a little while.

It was early in the morning when she decided to go out and find entertainment for herself. Snow had gathered on the boughs of trees and smoothly carpeted the ground, and fat flakes still floated dreamily through the brisk morning air. Celestine felt as though she fit right in, with her snow-and-shadow coat seeming to melt into the weakly lit forest. She broke away from the little clearing where she had slept, and picked up a lazy trot toward a break in the trees. Her feathered legs carried her beyond the shadows of the woods, and into the strengthening dawn light. All sound was muffled by the blanket of snow, and she pulled to a silent halt, her dark ears peaking out of her great snowdrift of a mane. Her gaze swept over the empty stretch of field, alert for any sign of movement, like a great snow leopard. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to find, but once she found it, she was ready to pounce.

“Speech”