Nothing quite dampens the season like political tension.

Fell has not strayed from the Bay since Kohelet’s return, even to follow the incessant urges of autumn hormones. There is no tamping them down, of course; the violence and wildness can’t simply be silenced, so he forces himself to find outlets other than his wanderlust and… regular lust. These outlets mostly consist of sparring with his grown children and the mares who are willing to put up with him, and running the length of the Bay’s namesake, his muscles straining against the added effort of pounding against unyielding sand.

He is lathered with sweat from one such run, huffing as he trots back into the shelter of the trees from the beach. The black stallion slows to a walk, somewhat sated, or at least tired enough that he can ignore the vibrating fury in his belly for the time being. He heaves a breath as he stops, leaning against the rough bark of a spruce tree, relieved to be able to stand still for just a moment.

It isn’t long before the quiet of the morning is gently broken by a nicker, and Fell turns to see the bright red topline and snowy white body of Mṛgaśira. He seems to have nearly stumbled upon her hiding place, which he finds impressive, considering her violent coloring. He nickers in response, curled ears flicking forward, their tips meeting above his head in a dark halo. He is cooled off at this point, but his interest is gently piqued, for he can never completely rid himself of his appetite.

Fell pushes himself off the tree, extending his muzzle toward the small painted mare. Mṛgaśira is nearly as quiet as he is, perhaps even more so; Fell moves and acts loudly to compensate for his lack of voice, while the desert mare hardly makes a sound outside of the occasional soft-spoken word. This quietness that surrounds her seems to envelop Fell, and in it he is suddenly aware of every crashing hoofbeat and each snap of his coarse tail against his scarred black flank. He attempts to rein himself in, stepping far more softly than he usually does toward her, his whiskered lips outstretched to brush against her own.

FELL

stallion. 16hh. black. marwari x. Rougaru x visurix.