The faint patter of rain drops melded with the soft huffing of Maji’s breath as she stopped abruptly under the canopy of some large, fernlike leaves, damp coat bathed in shadow. Her mane and tail were still wet and streaming from her recent swim, the coarse hairs hanging in sodden ropes along her neck and haunches. She lifted her head slowly and peered out through the wet strands of her dark forelock at the palomino stud that had appeared out of no-where.
Twin blue eyes gazed out blankly from a bone-white face as Maji took in the new lead, no trace of expression marring her empty stare. Her neck was low and relaxed, a contrast to the rest of her body which was held rather rigidly, legs stiff and haunches tensed. It was a confusing combination of body language, as though she was perfectly at ease where she was but at the same time on the verge of flight - or fight, it was hard to say which.
Maji could feel the hot, thick air of the Paradise seeping into her lungs with every breath and it rejuvenated her, filling her with new life. She felt as if her head had been filled with a fog that had finally been lifted, and the world snapped into sharp focus around her. She wanted to see and feel every inch of this place again, get lost in it’s nooks and crannies, but this stud was standing in front of her with an annoyingly placed face, dull and empty, as if something had drained him - the complete opposite of Rade, who had been a hot-blooded mess on four legs. What did she care what his name was? Or that he was the new lead? No, these things were irrelevant. But still he stood there, daring to welcome her to the Paradise, as if she needed it when the jungle itself was a part of her.
With a jolt, Maji left her shadowy shelter and closed the gap between them swiftly, her head snapping up and tail flicking with a sharp crack in the muggy air. They were now uncomfortably close, Maji leaning towards Tarrant with slightly bared teeth, her intentions unclear.
”What makes you think I need your welcome?”
The words left her muzzle in a quiet tumble, coming a little too fast so they almost blurred together. She pulled her head back slightly after speaking, eyes fixed on the pale stud but her attention clearly not all on him. The mare’s ears were swiveling constantly and nostrils flaring wide as, even now, she took in the jungle.
- MAJI
But I can still read what you're thinking
Mutt | Seal brown splash (Ee Ata Splspl | 16.2hh | 8 | The Paradise | Gecko
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