Annubis swore that boredom was making him age faster. In fact, he felt certain that if he stopped moving altogether, moss and fungus might begin to sprout behind his ears just like it did in the crevices of the old knarled oaks that protected the innermost sanctum of Paradise. That uneasy line of thought is what prompted him to keep moving, even when depression threatened to set in. Loneliness could be a real mood killer.
As it happened, the sterling beast managed to run right through a low-hanging clump of Spanish moss in his path. Despite his best attempt to rid himself of the offending glob, the gray mass manages to tangle itself into the coarse hairs of his obsidian mane Quite thoroughly.
Annubis has always seen himself as more adult than a child, even in his youth. However, that does not stop his tantrum (for lack of better words) at this very moment. As if Paradise itself was turning against him after welcoming him so lively with open arms!
Anger and frustration reach a boiling point inside him as he rears as high as the low hanging branches will allow his slight frame. Chipped hooves lash out at the dangling tendrils of moss that remain swaying in his path, tangling the tacky substance around his wildly thrusting hooves. At first, he doesn’t recognize it, not until the little creature (no doubt traumatized by the sudden change of scenery) wraps its coiling body tightly around one foreleg.
At that moment, the entire world for Annubis stands still.
He stops. Frozen in place as his sleek serpentine arches to allow his golden gaze to settle on the small green tree snake that has wrapped itself around his charcoal-dusted leg. For a moment, both creatures remain still as recognition registers in the stallion’s mind. Like a switch flipping on, a terrified squeal rips from his lungs as all hell breaks loose. If prompted, Annubis would boast of his disregard for serpents. Rougaru and Celestia both ensured that he was very familiar with which ones to be watchful for. Most lived in the decaying leaves that littered the earth floor and nourished the expansive flora collection of Atlantis. Occasionally he had come across the thickly bodied creatures slithering up the sides of trees on their way to the uppermost canopy where the congregations of monkeys and songbirds tended to spend most of their time. Those were easy to spot. This, this was something completely different and… unexpected. Yes! That was the shrill noise that came from his lips. Surprise.
Whatever the true reason, the sterling stallion bursts into motion. All four limbs begin to work at once, wishing to go in different directions as he leaps upwards kicking and bucking his heels. At some point, the equally startled snake is cast away, no doubt with a story of his own to share with whatever friends a snake might have. Annubis? Annubis is away once his limbs manage to all begin forward motion again… and he doesn't stop until he bursts free from the shadows of the forest and into the bright sunlight and warm sands of the beach.
It takes the beast a few moments to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. Embarrassment floods his veins and for once, he finds himself grateful that Paradise is mostly silent these days. If he had still been a boy under Rougaru’s rule…. He would be toast. No doubt a mare or two (if he is lucky) or some half-sibling (if he wasn’t) would have seen what transpired and teased him relentlessly for days on end.
Blessedly, as his multifacet gaze casts a roaming glance around him, he is alone. Or so he thought.
Brows furrow at the dark figure as it slides free of the surf and onto the white sands farther ahead. Paper-thin nostrils flare as the beast sifts through the salt-encrusted air but of course, he would be too far away to gather male or female.
Determined to keep his throne for himself, the beast pins his ears atop his skullcap and releases the remaining adrenaline high that coils tightly within his frame. Brows narrow as a menacing snarl plasters itself on his ashen lips. He would not lose his gods-given right so soon after obtaining it! Not to a single stranger.
The flash of pale mane catches his eye as he nears, causing his gait to slow to a walk.
Raven-tipped ears pitch forward amid the midnight curls of his moss-tangled mane. Family? Rougaru was quite proud of his extensive brood. It would not surprise Annubis at all if this unfamiliar face were some half-sibling of his. He had lost count after Loupgaru and Akela to be honest.
As he makes his cautious approach, the stranger turns towards him with wary eyes. He pauses now, letting his golden gaze roam the curves and contours of her body. A mare… an unfamiliar mare. Part of him instinctively wants to lay his claim upon the water-logged gift from Posideon and yet the pale alabaster glow of her damp tendrils causes him to halt the idea. Even if he is sure somewhere out there in the wide world it is common, the idea of attempting to court a sibling makes him queasy.
So with his mane in wild disarray, the beast clears his throat, his head tilting slightly towards her as a wolfish grin replaces the threatening expression that had graced his features only moments before. ”Have you come home for a family reunion? I’m afraid you might be a bit early.” he quips, blinking at her with carefully guarded curiosity. Smooth? Probably not. Better than his reaction to the snake at least. To the point? eh, better than some of his previous attempts anyway…