Even though it has been weeks now since Lucifer disappeared into the sea, sulking emptyhanded back to whatever island he had manifested from. It is perhaps that knowledge alone that encourages the silver wolf to keep his patrols vigilant, worried that Lucifer would take advantage of any opportunity to steal his precious Izumi away. Chipped hooves leave deep impressions in the moon-washed sands as the stallion wanders along the shores of Paradise. Golden ooids flit between the glistening foam-capped waves and the stars that glitter in the black blanket above. Despite the looming frustrations that linger in the back of his thoughts, even the beast must admit the scene is serene enough to soften the anxiety in his mind.
A warm smile tugs at the corners of his ash dusted features as the sterling stallion pauses, lifting his face to the gently blowing breeze. The mixture of salt air and sweet hibiscus flowers is intoxicating and draw a long exhale from the stallion. For a moment longer, the sterling stallion lets the warm embrace of peace encircle him, drawing strength from the earth itself before daring to turn back to the shadowed darkness of the dense jungle.
Raven tipped ears flit back and forth amid the tangled mass of his obsidian mane, sifting through the familiar barks of monkeys and chirping of birds for anything out of the ordinary. Everything seems to be at peace and the stallion is almost ready to abandon his late night patrol for the comfort of a few hours of sleep nestled in his nest of dried palm fronds when suddenly silence permeates the darkness.
Insects stop their buzzing, birds silence their soothing coos and even the chattering monkeys grow quiet, seeming to watch the scene that unfolds below. Multifaceted eyes narrow suspiciously as Annubis halts his forward progress, body tensing. He all but expects to see Lucifer’s crimson eyes manifest from the shadows…. But that never comes.
A flash of moonlight draws his keen gaze as a timid, feminine voice breaks through the tension of rising silence. ’... who’s there?..’ the female calls, the shuffling of her hooves over brittle undergrowth allowing him to better pinpoint her location. Cautiously, the sterling stallion starts forward. Curiosity now replaces the tension that had been building beneath his flesh. ’...I’m only passing through…. I don’t want company…’ the tinge of fear in her voice is enough to draw a gentle nicker from his throat, if only to prepare her for the moment his sterling figure manifests from the dense underbrush.
”That is quite the bold request for someone who is trespassing on my territory… Don’t ya think?” he asks, his tone devoid of any threat or malice. Golden eyes glitter in the pale, silver-blue moonlight as the stallion halts, keeping a respectful distance in hopes of preventing the painted mare from charging headlong into the shadows. The last thing he wanted right now was to go chasing after the stranger long into the night when he had moments ago found himself fantasizing of his bed.
Hind hoof cocks slightly in a sign of ease as the beast cocks his head. ”Welcome to Paradise by the way. My name is Annubis. What about you little deer? What brings you into the jungle so late at night?”