i've learned to love a little bit of blood in my wine Posted on July 22, 2024 at 00:29:08 AM by Carthage
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The dark stallion had been lingering in the jungle when he had first seen the pearl lying on the beach. Carthage had originally been busy tracking the day's old scent of a jaguar -- to make sure it was heading away from the herds -- and was immediately drawn away from the task. It had been going the opposite way after all.
It had only been after a few minutes of careful observation that the mare had risen from the sand and teetered toward the treeline. A slight smile traced along his dark lips when she drew up short just before entering the foliage; she'd noticed him, perhaps for the first time. What a beautiful treasure she was: pale as the snow he remembered from his youth. The mare was smart to be at least apprehensive of him, even in her clear exhaustion.
Dark crimson eyes watched the saltwater drip from the strands of her pale mane, which trembled in the air. He traced the upward slope of her shoulder to the span of her spine and noticed the muscles tremble occasionally. A moment passed in silence as the opposing creatures observed each other: light and dark, night and day.
Words rasped forward from the pale creature, beseeching water in painful gasps. Then, she named herself: Clio. With a rare polite nod of his head, the stallion gestured for her to follow him. "Come, Clio," he insisted, his tones firm and assuring. "Have some water first, then we'll see about introductions." The heavier stallion turned and eyed her as he first turned to escort her to make sure she was following before focusing on the path to the nearest river or pool.