Falls

Like her new friend, Seelie had imagined much about the adventures she’d have when she grew older. But even imagination was limited by one’s experiences, and all the places she’d seen in her dreams had looked like varying interpretations of her old home. They’d certainly boasted nothing like the falling water or the mountains her eyes were drawn to be Toland’s explanation. The delight she felt was transparent in her expression, joined by a slight hint of awe when her gaze flitted back to the grullo male. How did he know so much? He looked as young as she was, and he made some awfully funny noises sometimes when he tried to talk. But he also seemed so wise, like her parents. Only he didn’t sigh and roll his eyes when she asked questions.

Speaking of questions, the spotted mare considered his with a brief seriousness that quickly yielded to a smile. “I don’t know, but I like it,” she admitted, stealing another glance of the waterfall. “The Falls. Hey, you don’t think those warrior mares might fall off their Peak too, do you?” A flicker of concern crossed her face, thinking about how awful that would be. Someone could get hurt, like the time she’d fallen and stubbed her muzzle on the cold hard ground. Just to be safe, Seelie decided she wouldn’t be visiting the Peak anytime soon. Falling once was enough for her, thank you very much.

Okay, so maybe she’d fallen a few times, but only that one really counted.

“What else can you show me?” The young girl asked abruptly, her thoughts already in another direction. The prospect of more adventures was just too exciting, now that Seelie had tasted her first. Plus she was enjoying this boy’s company, even if he did strange things like try to make a bird’s nest in his hair. It really wasn’t such a bad idea, actually, but she was secretly glad that she hadn’t thought of it first. Her ink-and-ivory strands were always a wild tangle, but it wouldn’t have been as easy to pick twigs out of her own hair.

“Can you show me where you live?” She gave Toland her best pleading look, hoping that he wasn’t about to tell her that he lived at the Peak. She still hadn’t forgotten her fear of falling off the mountain and ending up down here in the Falls with a sore muzzle or rump. Surely the gray boy lived somewhere safer, right? And with other cool new things that Seelie couldn’t wait to see.