it takes him longer than it should to recover his breath, when his dark hooves finally pull his body ashore. he stands panting, winded, and casts his gaze wide over the landscape. he has no expectations and so he finds himself pleasantly surprised. the amber colored stallion’s lips turn into a gentle smile and his dark eyes sparkle good-naturedly. a new future lays before him. after standing for some time, drying in the sun and catching his breath, evandr decides to make his way further inland. there is no one in particular waiting for him, he knows, but still the prospect of finding some company inspires him to move forth. his skin shivers slightly at the breeze. this winter had brought a chill that never seemed to leave him even though the sun smiled down warmly. he chalks it up to the exhaustion of his journey, as he had swum farther than he ever had, and moves more briskly to warm up. he jogs smoothly, baroque figure moving handsomely up the trail until he approaches a copse of greening trees. evandr slows, moving more gently as he senses the presence of others. he misses his family, his friends, but the time to “leave the nest” had come. he was no colt but he had lived somewhat of a sheltered life and had little worldly experience. he didn’t have it in his head or his heart to become some great king of anywhere, but if he could find some nice place to rest his body at night, and some kind mare to stand beside, he would be well and truly happy. he isn’t exactly sure what to do, at first. there are groups of other equines, milling around and chatting, but only one that seems truly alone. he regards the small painted mare carefully, only deciding to approach when it seems he could maybe be of some help. he toes toward her cautiously, issuing a gentlemanly nicker when he draws somewhat near. his voice is boyish but amicable when he speaks. ”i don’t mean to bother you, miss…. but if I could be of any help?” he doesn’t want to assume anything, or be pretentiously mannish in a way that might suggest she needs his help… but he had nothing else to do and if the mare was searching for something, perhaps he could help her find it. ”i’m Evandr…. but I won’t bother you, if you prefer.” he stands cautiously, waiting for her reply. |