Panthere’s humming was a constant buzz In the gold mares ears ever since her filly had discovered they rhythm of the world around her. The weary mare sighed and wished to the heavens that she could lop off her own ears. She had them drooped her characteristic way on a lowered head to watch the painted roan girl frolicking in the slush of the dwindling summer. Winter had been very isolated during the past season her slight need to socialize with the others of her herd snuffed out with the birth of her whole world. She didn’t feel the need to chat with the roans or even to see them to be honest. The suns approaching rays ran its fingers along the mares spine with a shiver. The bald faced mare took a sidestep to the left back into the shade with a grunt. A splash nearby drew her attention back to her daughter who was nowhere in sight. A low grumble under her breath a clear indication that this was a regular occurrence for her. With a sigh Winter trotted out from under the shade towards the creek where she knew her offspring would be.

“Come one Panthere get out of the water.” She could hear her mothers exasperated sigh so she acknowledged her with a sour purse of pink lips and a scowl as she dragged her long limbs out of the running water and back onto the shore. She defiantly left one hoof in and purposefully shook the water from her hide to sprinkle the golden dam. ”Why don’t you let me swim for once, im not going to drown or anything sheesh.” she saw her mother roll her matching blue eyes at her. The paint shot her one more glare before trotting over to her and rubbing her nose against the comforting warmth of her dams long coat. The returned nuzzle against her back let her know she was forgiven. With a lopsided smile the roan took off into the trees towards the coast, for some reason unknown to her the filly always had better luck playing in the surf of the ocean rather then the shallow rivers that ran down from the mountains of the territory. “Maybe there will be crabs today or dad will be down there!”

As usual she heard her daughters voice as it was thrown back over her shoulder after her retreating form. The patient mother just rolled her eyes and followed after her. “Please be careful darling.” This sort of thing was a daily happening as the alpha made her daily rounds, checking for new horses or intruders thinking they could just wander wherever they wanted. The mare let her gold ears up so she could check for hoof beats and keep a watch out for Panthere since she would only dart away as soon as she set eyes on her. Winter chuckled and picked up her gait to give into the chase. Her hooves came to an abrupt halt as a faint familiar scent reaches her nose. It reminded her of the skinny little ghost that happened upon the shores not that long ago. She tilts her head and calls for her daughter softly, her tone not letting in room for argument. “stay close, and I mean it.” The mare hissed to Panthere as her tail enforced with a flick. Blue eyes peered around as she approached the tree line to peer down at the beach searching for something out of place. Her nose told her she wouldn’t find anything down there and showed her the way to a small thicket. The gold kept back out of sight and nodded for her daughter to do the same until she could get a look at what it was she was looking for. Then she heard it. If Winter could face palm her hoof would be imprinted on her forehead.

“hi there!” The painted roan filly trotted out of cover towards the pale skinned mare.






"Speech looks like this."