He is surprised that the blue mare actually continues to follow him into the water after her expression of distaste for it. Fell wonders if, like Maziel, she fears it. For this reason, he is less gentle during the swim. The black stallion drives his shoulder against her as best the waves will allow him, pressing himself deeper into the water to buoy her out of it. His chin and short black beard are nearly constantly submerged, and he keeps his lips clamped and his ears pinned tightly to keep the water out of them.

The blue mare crawls from the water in obvious distress, and Fell feels guilty for luring her into a situation she so clearly dislikes. He shakes the water from his coat, fluffing himself up as best he can against the chilly bite of Tinuvel’s spring air. As his new companion coughs, Fell watches, anxious that something is wrong — but soon she seems to drive the last of the water from her throat, and the black stallion relaxes a bit.

She seems to look to him expectantly, and he can’t find any resentment or dislike in her blue gaze yet, so perhaps she does not blame him for the unpleasant swim. He gives her a moment to rest and breathe, and then he tosses his head and takes off in a lofty trot down the beach. She hadn’t technically tagged him back yet, so it is still his turn to lead, but he thinks that makes sense anyway as this is an unknown land for her (as far as he is aware) and this way, he can show her around a bit. He glances vigilantly behind him, ready to take off across the sand if she is still interested in their game.

However, he is deeply touched that she has crossed the sea with him, so he slows, attentive to her. His gold eyes follow the slashes of white across her pelt, the scars, the lines of muscle. He appreciates her resilience more than her appearance, but he finds that he also enjoys the steel blue of her coat and the pale iciness of her eyes. Fell gives an affectionate whicker, the sound little more than his breath fluttering past his dark nostrils and coming out in a little curl of steam.

FELL

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