Sometimes exploring one’s own home was the best way to stave off boredom. Şahin, left once more to his own devices, decided to tackle the thick underbrush and trees that made up one end of his home. He tried to avoid the thick forest, preferring the wide, open plains that made up the back end of his home and to feel the sun all over his back rather than in spots. Its shadows were beginning to appeal to him, especially given his recent bout of moroseness, and so without much thought beyond That’s interesting, he set off through the dark trees.

The sun had shifted considerably by the time he popped out of the greenery and onto the beach. “Oh, sand, how I’ve missed you!” he gasped, and launched himself further down the shore. He stopped to tuck his legs and drop, rolling to work the sand into one side of his shimmering coat before he heaved himself upright and shook out his tail. “Never again,” he promised himself. “Never, ever again.” Şahin snorted and glanced to the left before doing a double take. Not more than three feet away was dark mare with highlights in her hair.

What a fine first impression he must have made. The palomino stallion flicked his ears back in embarrassment and attempted a hasty recovery using his greatest asset: words. “If you’re thinking of going in there,” he said with a jerk of his dark mouth toward the trees he had just emerged from. “I strongly advise against it. It’s hot and full of bugs and is the most unpleasant place I’ve set hoof in since the Lagoon in full summer.” His words ran out abruptly and he stood, breathing deeply, as he tried to brace himself for the negative reaction he expected from the stranger.