Emerald eyes watch her from the sheltered shadows of the wide-leafed banana trees near the edge of the beach. Dark lashes blink back the splattering of rain that drove down from the heavens above. Visurix. A soft smile played upon his ashen lips as he watched her move with graceful ease through the sheets of torrential rain as though it were nothing more than a spring shower. Water slickened her already inky skin, giving her an almost glossy and ethereal appearance. It still amazed him to think that the mare from the desert lands far to the east might just happen upon his shores as a gift from the gods above. She had been heavy with child then, seeking shelter and safety in the embrace of strangers for the life that would soon come into this world. Of course, always the protector, Rougaru gladly welcomed her with open arms encouraging her to think of Paradise as her own home. Never had he imagined that she might actually take him up on the offer, or that she would actually remain here long after her child was weaned and able to travel.

The day they met, when wandering down the familiar trails of the shaded jungle, Visurix had spoken with words so filled with tenderness and love, of the desert and its arid climate. Rougaru had been familiar with the Desert of Salem from his earliest years on these islands and though he survived there, it had not been the happiest of his years. His time in Salem taught him that the desert bred hardy horses, none hardier than the mythical curling eared creatures like the beautiful darkling that danced before him now. He had assumed that she would feel the desert call and regardless of friendships and relationships built here, she would find her way to return to the sands. However she had not. Instead, she seemed to find happiness in the small patch of white sands that made up the beach of Paradise. She integrated herself into his life, and Rougaru found himself dreading the day she might ever come forward with such a request to leave from her lips even though he had told her time and time again that she would never need to ask his permission. He would never try to force her.

Thunder boomed overhead, causing his dark chocolate ears to turn backwards in an attempt to block out the worst of the sound. Wind whipped around him, tugging at the ends of his waterlogged mane. The rain was cool against his skin, causing the hairs along his body to prickle against the droplets that gather in the dip of his spine. A snort blasts from his lips as the stallion gives his muscular body a shake, ridding as much of the rain from his dark coat as possible. Visurix’s friendly voice rings above the squall, drawing a response from his own lips as he ducks beneath the green branches and slips into the storm. Rain droplets darken his mahogany skin to black, nearly matching her own as he prances to her side with a toss of his head and a hearty chuckle. A single brow raises as a playful smile curves across his whiskered lips, ”Does it answer you back?” he asks, his emerald eyes turning towards where the dark gray clouds gathered low over the distant ocean tides, ”The storm?” he murmurs, his husky tones deep as once more his multifaceted eyes turn back to meet her own.