The sandpipers scatter, rising in a feathery wave to coast a little farther down the beach as footsteps sound in the sand. Reef looks to where another horse approaches: a stallion, with ears that curl in elegantly to touch at the tips. Her ears twitch as she tries to bend them in a similar fashion. But, of course, she cannot. "Hello," she replies with a slow smile. She uncurls herself from where she lies beneath the tree, rolling to her feet and standing with a couple of stamps to unsettle the sand which has stuck to her barrel.
She draws in a deep, contented breath. Brine and barnacle, seaweed and gulls, and a little refreshing mist of oceanspray is what the wind carries to them. Fish, and foam. The thought bursts in her mind like a bubble, evokes from her a satisfying yawn: What do mermaids smell like? Her eyes sweep over her newfound company, taking note of the wounds ribbing his skin. Some look fresh, yet. "I've just had the most wonderful nap," she admits, blinking the last bit of sleep from her eyes. "So pardon me and my yawns; I'm still gearing up for the rest of the day. I'm Reef," she introduces herself, taking a step away from the cool hollow under the smooth tree.
Reef doesn't feel she is in any danger near this male, bloodied though he may be. It is in the nature of stallions to fight —and mares, when they must— but Reef is a staunch pacifist. Where words fail her, speed will do, and she trusts her ability to fly over this sand at the first hint of trouble. Not that she expects it— and she couldn't say why the thought even entered her head, save for the injuries on his legs look like they might ache, still, and she imagines the faintest hint of copper lining the air.
She inclines her dark head toward the waves. "Would you like to wade with me?" The tide is on its way out, and the salt might do him some good. |