Gnome continued to look, bemused, at the pale draft who seemed strange and familiar all at once. As he struggled to place how he knew the stallion, the rain relentlessly spattered on them both. His dun and white sides twitched; he was so tired of being wet. At least these summer showers were usually short lived. It would be only a matter of time before it started to let up.

The perlino face broke into a wide smile, confusing Gnome for just a moment. Then, the word “dam” jogged his memory: a strong, lovely cream-colored mare and her delightful son, frolicking about the Prairie with Gnome, Lilika, and their daughters. The fun they’d had! He remembered the time the boy was jealous of his color, and they rolled in mud together. The colt hadn’t liked the end result; to be honest, Gnome didn’t much care for a muddy hide either, but he’d certainly had fun. The memory brought a matching grin to his face. He’d often wondered what the fate of the pale mare and colt had been. Here was half the answer.

He laughed at the joy of it. Finally, he’d found a familiar face! ”Kendry! How could I forget? Of course, you’re the taller one now.” He glanced up at the sky; there was still no sign of sunshine yet. ”I don’t suppose you’d remember my name,” he said kindly. ”You were still quite young last I saw you. I’m Gnome. Should we find somewhere a little more sheltered? The trees are a bit thicker this way.” He gestured with his muzzle to a larger grove of palms a bit further from the shore, where the wide fronds overlapped each other and offered respite from the deluge.

Gnome turned toward it, glancing back once to see if Kendry would follow. Once beneath the canopy, it was only minor drips of precipitation that filtered through. Under here, the light was dim and green, but it was still easier to see than when one had to blink through raindrops. He shook his entire body, ridding himself of the excess moisture, before looking up to address Kendry again, if the other stallion had joined him. ”Well, I’d ask you how Marlena is but you said that’s who you’re looking for…when did you last see her?”

Gnome