Falls

Ayiana has so ensconced herself in her own thoughts and the beauty of the serene scene that lay before her that she almost missed the large stallion as he sauntered towards her. Small creamy gold ears perk forward amid the tangled web of her silvery white mane as the baritone nicker of the stallion breaks through the silence. Pale eyes of silver blue trail over the curves and contours of the painted stallion’s impressive figure. He was tall, taller than Balor and even taller still than father had been. Unlike the dark patches that painted the new Prairie king’s coat, this stallion with his paler color and darker mane and tail was an impressive sight, even for a girl as experienced in love and attraction as Ayiana was.

She has always been viewed as a daughter in the Prairie. Always her bright smile and inquisitive nature was met with knowing grins and the softness of eyes that viewed her still as a youth. It had never bothered her before, never even passed through her thoughts that it could be part of the reason she constantly found her mind wandering far from Luthien’s shores and why her trips continued to lead her again and again to the large main island. Though she was nearly 5 years old, the longing for affection from anyone beyond family had never burned through her as it did now. A part of her told herself that it was because of father’s absence, another part said it was because of the longing and sadness that seemed to hang like a heavy cloak even still over the prairie despite Darshan and Balor’s efforts to revitalize the herd into the bright warm freedom it had once been. Shamwari had taken the light from their world, but Ayiana was determined to rebuild it the best she could.

His words draw her gaze almost reluctantly from his own emerald eyes as Ayiana glances once again at the impressive display of water tumbling over rocks before pooling in restless motion into the base. It was a pretty sight, but more so when she was not the only one to have been captured by such beauty. Warmth draws her ash dusted lips upwards into the beginnings of a meek smile as she lifts her small head proudly. ”It is. I’ve never seen anything like it on Luthien, though, I haven't visited very many places there so I suppose it is no surprise really.” It did make her feel older… more mature.

His next words however catch the breath in her lungs and she finds herself staring at him with wide eyed confusion. For a moment, she imagines that there is another behind her that is the true captor of his attention and despite herself she glances around just to see if it was true. She did enough to look like a foolish filly without adding to the embarrassment among strangers today. Especially since she was attempting to act more mature. However seeing no others around her, Ayiana feels the heat begin to rise along her cheeks. Again a girlish grin tugs the corners of her lips as a giggle slips unbidden past her lips. ”I think you have me mistaken with someone else sir.” she muses, pale lashes blinking slowly as she gives her delicate head a toss, attempting to rid the fluttering of emotions that twisted her stomach into nervous knots.

He extends his muzzle towards her, a question in his next words as his multifaceted gaze searches hers. Almost timidly she takes a step towards him, reaching her small muzzle towards his whiskered lips to exchange a breath in the age old greeting between strangers. He smelled unfamiliar to her, his masculine scent sharp with pine and cedar and something more crisp like fresh fallen snow. It was intoxicating and curious all at once. He offers his name. Solomon. Into memory she stores it, blinking up at him through the pale veil of silver white forelock that lay across the flat of her brow like lice and webbing. ”Oh, sorry. My name is Ayiana. It is night to meet you Solomon.” she adds, her smile brightening as she tilts her proud head towards him. ”You smell…. Different. Where are you from? I am from the Prairie. It’s on Luthien.” she bubbles, excitement beginning to edge its way past the initial nervousness that wrapped her tightly in its embrace.