It is not often the pale girl leaves her moon washed mother, but it is even less that she leaves her shadow-colored sister. Mae had drifted off to who knew where, but she had done that before, so Hiyori does not worry about her dam. It was Kaeja that was boring her to death. Although her older sister was older than her, that didn’t mean she had to act ancient! All she did was graze on the Peak’s last tender grasses not yet dead as the air grew colder and swish her tail at Hiyori in annoyance. It served her right that Hiyori would make a habit of biting and tugging at it!


As Hiyori was getting older herself, playing with Kaeja’s tail wasn’t as distracting or as fun as it once was. She was growing curious of their surroundings, even debating sneaking off to the Falls, if it wouldn’t cause Mae such distress. Perhaps this would be her opportunity to get some exploring in while her mother was gone and wouldn’t notice her disappearance. Kaeja would probably be relieved without Hiyori constantly pestering her too.


With one last glance towards Kaeja’s back that was facing her, Hiyori ducked her head and snuck off. Being especially careful to be quiet and not clip a rock or a stick on her way. Once she was out of eyesight and ear shot of Kaeja, Hiyori gave an excited little buck before turning herself up the mountain and begun to climb. On her first adventure alone, Hiyori would test it out within the safety of her home first. Then, if all went well, she would try to broaden her horizons.


As she drew closer to the peak of the mountain, Hiyori’s flared nose not only drug in the lungful of air she needed from the climb, but also a fresh scent. It was male, which was uncommon, but carried the Peak’s scent as strong as she did. As if she wasn’t already curious, Hiyori picked her way through the precarious rocks until she was able to spy on the colt resting along the path just ahead. He seemed content staring off at the distant island. Was that where he came from? Not one to be shy, Hiyori didn’t linger in the background. Giving a nicker, she picked her path the rest of the way to him. “Hi” she greeted friendly, offering a smile. “My name is Hiyori, what is yours?” Because why wouldn’t he want to know her name, and talk to her?