Nuru reached the vast forest just as the sky started to lighten and streak with bright hues. He craned his neck in an attempt to spy the tops of the trees, but gave up after a few unsuccessful minutes. He stepped closer to lean against a thick trunk. He wanted to savor this moment for a little while, knowing that for the first time in his life he had reached something new and exciting before Rochelle. In fact, he doubted she would ever get to see this forest. His mouth tightened as guilt washed over him. He hoped she would come back someday, once their father finished with the old stallion he brought back from one of these islands. Surely Jasiri would want to see what had caused all the fuss as well.

He shook his head of the thoughts and straightened away from the tree. The sun rose further in the sky as he finally entered the forest and started to poke around. Light fell and danced across his dappled body like a second coat. He slipped between the trees and stepped carefully to avoid snapping any sticks underfoot, not wanting to deal with the annoying noise. The fresh scent of a stallion drifted through the air. Nuru hesitated, wondering if he should turn around now before he was chased out or if it was worth the risk to discover whether or not the stallion was friendly. His ears flicked unconsciously at the sound of birds flitting by. He didn't want to leave the forest just yet. He wanted his day's swim and Rochelle's anger to be well worth it. And he definitely did not want his own nagging mind to call him a coward, especially after how quickly he tried to cut through the prairie.

He lifted his head higher to continue a bit more confidently, poking his muzzle around a dense patch of bushes to inspect the next clearing. His eyes immediately spied the darker stallion, tail clamping as he froze up. It took a few breaths for Nuru to calm himself and loosen his tail, but once his heart stopping beating frantically he perked his ears and moved his mostly-white body forward until he thought the stallion could see him. He nickered lightly in greeting.