Falls

And just as he had guessed, mere moments after his arrival, his solitude was interrupted. He could tell at a glance that she hadn't noticed him - so he kept his silence, regarding her cautiously and holding every muscle of his body as still as could be to avoid rippling the pool and alerting her of his whereabouts. In his youth, Asche had often acted with haste - a trait he was sure he'd inherited from his father - Array had been quick witted, but also quick tempered - the latter was a trait the son had made sure to control where he could, but one can only betray their nature to an extent. Years ago in this pool he'd fallen victim to his urges, and though he was softer than his father, more naive, time had made the man harder to the ways of the world, cynical. He no longer trusted easily - no, this time, he chose to bide his time. Linger in the dappled shadows. Wait.

It was not long until he was noticed anyway.

A short chuckle escaped his lips and his eyes moved to meet hers - they were the same as his own, mis-matched, and the asymmetry felt like a sort of comfort. They had something in common, at least - these two strangers in this small patch of sun on the islands that time forgot. He dipped his muzzle lower and let is graze along the silvery surface of the water before flicking his forelock from his eyes, ears piqued forward in a non threatening, quizzical manner. "That seems to be the way of this place." He responded gently, not wanting to provoke. "I'm sorry if I startled you."

Slowly he edged away from the pool's edge, deeper into the water until it tickled around the base of his pale stomach. "Do you wish to be alone?" His tone was matter of fact, cool like the breeze that rustled the trees and calmed the heat that the midday sun beat down. "I'm not one for finder's keepers - I can be on my way if you'd like the falls to yourself." He glanced at her, taking her in - he must look so pale next to her, he thought momentarily, glancing down at his ivory legs as they waded through the pond towards the shallows once more.

He wondered, for a moment, if she was a native here too - were the roots of her family tree tangled up around the rocky craggs of these isles like his own? Or was she a newcomer, with no idea of the secrets this place held, washed up here completely oblivious. Perhaps he'd find out.