Meadow

The sound of birds was beginning to die down as all manner of meadow creatures retired for the day. And yet Tali found herself missing the sound, even if it was incessant and shrill at times. There was so much life here on the mainland. Part of her never wanted to go back to the hills. She loved her mother, and Evrain had never been anything but kind to her, but it was too dry and cracked for her. The morning walk to water often had her snorting out dirt and grime all morning. Here, she could breathe. The smell of the flowers was pleasant and the grass was soft and sweet.

It is almost a shock when she hears another horse and her heart begins to hammer in her chest. She'd never been alone like this before, completely exposed to the elements or otherwise. Thrusting out a dark hoof, Tali pulled herself to her feet and shook lightly. A few bits of stray grass still clung to her side, a flower or two tangled in her dark mane. Curiously, she craned her head in the direction of the stranger. Her face was pale, speckled, and accented by one dark eye and one blue. She blinked softly, visibly brightening. It was not often that she had seen other draft horses, even if she was only a cross. The desert was full of lighter breeds, including her mother.

"Hello," she called, her earlier fear forgotten. She dropped her head lower, offering a whicker to the dark stranger before she approached at a loose trot. She halted a yard or two away, not wanting to completely invade his personal space no matter how eager she was to meet someone that looked a little more like her. "I'm Tali," she offered, watching him with her duo-toned eyes before she dropped her head to grab a few bites of grass.