These two foals, looking at each other, is like looking in the mirror. They are not identical, but they could be, they look so much alike. All they know is each other, and their mother, and Paradise. Nattergal and Havelle were only a few days old when their mother was stolen by a rival stallion. Memories of their father are fading. Rougaru has not been cruel. Their mother seems not to like him, but young minds don't know why. They don't hate him, or anything else. Their upbringing so far has been comfortable, and as they learn and grow, comfortable becomes boring.
The twins are growing fast, and moving well on strong and steady legs. They're eating grass more than mother's milk. They've reached an age less tender and gained a measure of independence, so Zjeena has become more willing to let them stray from her side. But leave two foals alone, plagued by boredom, and something like this is bound to happen.
"I dare you to cross the water!" Havelle shouts at Nattergal. "You won't do it!" She taunts, poking her tongue out and wrinkling up her little nose.
Nattergal pins his ears and returns the jab. "Watch me!" He turns tail and plunges into the sea.
There is a moment of stunned silence where Havelle does nothing but stare after her brother. She really didn't think he'd do it. Mom is going to be furious! Havelle leaps into action, crashing into the waves after her brother. "Wait! Come back!"
But he can't hear her over his own panting and the swirling of water around him. Havelle trails Nattergal all the way to a different shore. She eventually loses the breath to continue shouting. Nattergal heaves himself ashore, shakes the water from his mane and turns to face his sister. At first he puffs out his chest and looks down his nose in a stance that says "I told you so!", but before either of them say anything the realization of what he's just done sinks in. He rapidly deflates and his eyes dart around the unfamiliar territory.
Where are they?
Havelle was too busy chasing Nattergal to remember which direction they came from, so she has no idea either. She returns her brother's panic-stricken look.
"What do we do now?" Nattergal half-whines.
Havelle casts a few worried glances around, then squares her shoulders. "Let's ask for directions back. I'm sure someone will help us." She marches forth into the meadow.
The first face they see is another foal. Havelle breaks into a smile. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to play a little before they go home. Havelle trots up to the other foal and greets her with a cheerful "Hello!" Nattergal follows his sister with a huff, but it's all for show. His eyes alight at the sight of someone new their own age. He won't turn down the chance to make a new friend.