It was becoming more and more common to see Taika wandering away from her mother’s side. In fact, it was almost rare to see the two together for any length of time that was not cloaked in the dark of night. Taika’s days had come to comprise of waking up with the sun, leaving or exploring the hills of the Peak, and returning to the comfort of Taytim’s side as the first stars started to wink at her. The young mare, and first time mother, had given up trying to keep her child contained. She had come to understand that Taika’s love for her mother ran deep, but nothing could overpower the filly’s thirst for adventure. Taytim was never one to try to restrict her daughter’s curiosity and sense of adventure so she merely asked the filly to check in with her before she left. Taika remembered to do so only about half the time.
Her morning had been much of the same as one past. Today she had told her mother where she was going, promising to stay in the meadow and falls. Occasionally she ventured to the beaches of the island, wondering where the open waters led and if she would ever cross them. Today was the first time she had slowed her pace to a walk, her stripped hooves tentatively sinking into the wet sands after waves had retreated. Down the beach her chocolate eyes witnessed another family pull themselves out of the currents. Interest piqued, she dashed into the trees of the crossing and decided to follow them on and off throughout the morning. They seemed to have spent the majority of the day together, the older colts and their mother, but the youngest one wandered away to peer at the waters of the falls and she selected her target.
Growing grayer every day, she seemed to roll in like smoke before sparks. The fire that fueled her had also started to spread and reach into her spiking mane, filling it with red and white streaks. She watched the colt closely, sneaking behind rocks and boulders that created the falls. When he landed his first attack his foe Taika’s excitement skyrocketed. The water here had always been her friend. Either it had done something to offend him, or he was needlessly attacking her innocent friend. She leapt from her hiding place behind the rocks and landed with a heavy splash yards away from the colt.
”What injustice is happening here, Slayer of Water? As she spoke her young face was alight with her spirit. Her body was as tall and as proud as she could be for such a little creature. ”Either the water did you harm, or it deserved your wrath. What happened and I will lend my hooves where it is needed!
Be careful which strangers you speak to. Her mother had told her when she started her roaming. It was advice Taika had never taken.
Taika
Filly ~ Magnus&Taytim ~ 15hh(wfg) ~ Smokey Black Varnish
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