He was fast. But she knew this about him. She’d known the moment Akulu’s nearly grown voice sang out into the crisp morning air, the inky stallion would be summoned. He had always been attentive to the shoreline of his Bay. From chasing rogue stallions away, to taking Khoshekh on patrols, and casual strolls with Kohelet, he frequented the shoreline. It was the very heart of the Bay. There was drama, and danger… and occasionally, when the mood was right, tranquility. So it comes as no surprise to see his shadowy form barrelling down at them, moving across the sandy shore as quickly as the ravens dart from the treeline in relaxed swoops. Like them, it was as though Fell were carried not by his hooves, but by the very winds themselves.

As he came upon her, her ears would swivel back, pinning against her knotted, tattered mane. She was too tired to match his intensity, so when he threw himself up, she would lift her head as high up and far back as she could manage… But it mattered for naught. His teeth still caught her in a rough, pained pinch. She could sense he was not trying to deliberately hurt her, but she was not in the mood for games. Which could have come as a shock to Fell, for his blue mare had more often than not, always been up for a good game of chase, bitey-face, or when she was especially frisky, to throw down and wrestle him like a bachelor with something to prove. These games had also always been followed up with tender moments of bonding; grooming, drinking, eating together… Especially after rough play; a gentle reminder to the other that they were still good friends.

Today was different.

An offended squeal would have left his blue mare; this was not feigned for the game. Any semblance of play was quickly corrected when the mare would twist on unsteady, sore hooves and would present Fell with her rump. It was much too early to be intended as an invitation, and by now he knew that she resorted to her back feet when she really wanted to deliver a message. Sour notes between them had been rare, but she’d kicked him (or, at him) in the past. He knew that on occasion, she meant business.

Confused, and noting the conduct between the black stallion and her blue mother, Akulu wasn’t sure what to make of the situation, or what to do. Blue was reacting aggressively, which set the tone for Akulu. Aside she danced, ignoring the bite of the frigid waters that splashed at her heels. “ Stop! “ she cried out. She knows she’s no match for a stallion, she can barely keep up with sparring with her own mother!

Fortunately, for the lot of them, Fell’s display ended as quickly as it had begun. Sensing Fell relent, Bluechild relaxed, and had been just about to address him... But Akulu was still panicky and called out, not quite realizing that the instigated game was over. “ We don’t have the TIME for this! “

The raspy, exhausted tune of Bluechild would rumble out softly. “ Akulu.. “

“ No! She could show up at ANY time! “ Akulu rasped in desparation.

“ Akulu! “ Blue said sternly, with an equally steadfast look on her face.

It had worked, because the young Akulu fell silent and looked on with pointed ears.

Blue would exhale softly, shifting her stance, stumbling some as she did. Fortunately, she catches herself. “ Ngh..Akulu.. This.. this is your father. Just as I have always promised, he’s not going to hurt either of us. “

Akulu, who was still upset, would thrash her tail. “ But he JUST did! He attacked you! “ she exclaimed.

Bluechild then looked to Fell. Her face was tired and haunted, and the look in her eyes absolutely pleaded for help.