Summer, heat, and an evil sun, all of these things were what the young bay leopard was accustomed to. Her time in the desert back home had made her tough and had made her strong. She wasn’t going to let this heat get her down, even if it was worse than the heat back home. At least the heat back home was dry, this stupid heat was all humid and she could feel the sweat sticking to her like a bad cold. While she wasn’t fond of it, she wasn’t about to let it ruin her mood. She was too very young to give any sort of care to the weather and how she should be cranky. She wasn’t like some mares who felt entitled to just being cranky. The Forest was growing on our character. She had made perhaps a not so good impression on one mare but to be honest she no longer cared about that. She had come here with the intent of helping Verci out and while she might be failing on that part (it might have a thing to do with her being slightly shy despite her hyperness) she was still going to attempt to get to know those she shared this land with. So far she has met only one mare (and boy was that a disaster) but she did manage to meet one like her. She was perhaps a bit quieter but at least they were both short. She felt delighted to know that she wasn’t the only stubby one running around the forest. The heat drew our fair maiden out into the open. She knew that perhaps the wisest thing would be to hide in the shade but she had far too much energy to do that. She has been wandering about the forest for a bit of time now and was growing quite lonely. Serenity wanted to meet the others but they seemed so secretive. She had been hoping for a friendly greeting once she made herself known but apparently that’s not how they do business around here. Although to be very honest, she should be quite accustomed to it. Her own family had been the furthest thing from friendly and with that thought memories of her male friend (as short as their friendship had been) play through her mind and she can’t help but smile. He was the one who urged her to see more of the world and despite her own family’s protest she listened. While they may not have travelled together, he inspired her to think for herself instead of letting her family control her, but that’s a story for another day. As I had been saying before I got so very far off track, Serenity was wandering through the forest. Her hooves took small steps but her gait was quick. She was trying to be a bit more cautious this time around. She appeared to have a nasty habit of stumbling onto others when she was being her hyper active self. As much as she wanted to let go and just run she didn’t. She knew that would be stupid for more than one reason and the biggest one being the heat. While in the desert she had been free to do that, she hadn’t had to worry about the humidity killing her. No, just nasty little buggers. Although, despite her controlling her urge to move she does find herself becoming tired and even more importantly thirsty. She knows the ocean offers no relief for her dry throat, with the water being far far too salty. She was seeking a deliciously cool river and she had a hint as where to find one and so that brings her close to our champagne friend. She is now walking slowly. There is a scent in the air that she doesn’t quite yet know. Serenity knows that it belongs to the forest for it has always been there, but it belongs to a mare that she has yet to meet. While she is hesitant to move forward (believing that this mare might indeed take her head off as well) she takes a deep breath, steadies her racing heart and pushes on. After all, her throat is killing her and all she can think of is the coolness hitting her warm stomach. So it is with a strong determination that she moves closer. This time she makes sure to make a whinny sound to warn the other of her approach. She is quite fond of her head and isn’t ready to lose it quite yet. This way if the other mare is of the I am going to kill you type then she has clear warning she is going to be joined by one that is of the I like my head right where it is type. The sound of the brook (not a river like she had hoped) is still like heaven to her ears and as she breaks through the trees she does indeed see another. She stops a few short feet away from the brook wanting to get further in but not quite trusting the other. “Hello! I hope I am not intruding. Are you okay if I soothe my parched throat and perhaps afterwards if you do not feel like company I can disappear? I’m Serenity by the way.” Her words are soft but extremely friendly. There is also a hint of hope intermixed within. She is so very tired of being alone. If she had known the forest would have been a lonely place she might have gone elsewhere but the captain had been oh so charming and he seemed like he needed a little bit of cheer to his drab world and after being in the forest for as long (or as little as might may think) she still thinks she has made the right choice. Then again, it’s not like she actually had a choice. In her innocence she had no idea he forced claimed her, but I am not about to break the news to the sweetheart. She stands there silently. Her soft eyes are watching the other with a friendly sort of intrigue and hoping that she will at least be allowed to soothe her tired throat from its pain. While she might want more from the pretty minx, she doesn’t push the issue. From her experience, all that does is upset the others to the point they snap or lash out you. It is with a shudder she remembers her first encounter (and only encounter) Vivianna, the lady who wants to be queen of the forest. Well, she’d have to work her butt off to get Serenity’s approval that’s for sure and again, that is a story for another time…Let us instead focus on the issue that is at hand... |