“Not how the game works,” called the low tones of a stallion through the trees. Edges of leaves and brush made way for the brown shape of the male as he stepped forward from the shadows. Saphris trembled at the sound and sight of him. Equal parts fear, exhilaration, and.. anticipation rushed through her veins, setting the young mare a little off-kilter. His face held a familiarity that nagged at the back of her mind. If they knew each other, there was only one place he could be from. This thought triggered another. Then, a look of surprise flashed across the maiden’s colorful face as finally the recognition dawned on her. So, despite herself and the inner war waging between the choices of standing her ground or running, Saphris was pleased.
“Supposed to run ‘til I catch you.” The echo of a smile curled at the edges of the girl's dark lips. It had been a few seasons since the sabino had seen Warg last. It had been longer still since they had exchanged words when he was a mud-covered two year-old bent on chasing her and she was a yearling hiding a breathless smile as the thrill of running gripped her. The champagne male closed the space between them quickly, seeming to capitalize on the opportunity her surprise at seeing him created. Her blue eyes watched the ripple of muscles in his shoulder as he did so, tracing the arch of his neck and noting the flash of his distinctly green eyes. Warg might not know it yet, but things were different now. She was to be the wolf in this story.
Determined now, Saphris eyed Warg cannily while he stood before her. "Got lost, Saphris?" His voice wormed into the girl's mismatch ears. She watched his gaze as it slid to the land south, where the Lagoon lay somewhere in the distance. The smile blossomed across the maiden's lips as she let the boy reach for her. Gingerly, Saphris touched her nose to her. Her lashes fluttered demurely as her blue eyes raised to meet his gaze. "Maybe you're the one who's lost," the sabino teased, feigning a nip at the champagne's cheek. He thought that they would be going home together. The statement would ring true soon enough, but not in the way Warg might think.
Saphris pressed forward-- attempting a new tactic, not that she knew exactly what it was-- and dared to let their skin brush as she passed by. "How about a game of chase, Warg?" The words came out with a sweet, but lazy confidence, because of course she would beat him in their game. Languidly, the black length of the mare's tail swept back and forth. Intermixed strands of black and silver brushed over the curves of hindquarter and hock as Saphris half-turned to look at him. "For old times' sake." The sabino's breath broke free of her control then, turning the seemingly easy breaths into nervous, exhilarated panting. And that was when she bolted, a flash of blue and a smile as she darted away. . . heading deeper into the Peak.