So lost in her thoughts and staring at her reflection, Alpenglow did not hear the approaching stallion until she heard his voice. Startling for a moment her blue eyes left the water’s surface and focused on the unfamiliar male. The first thing she noticed was the broad smile across his face. His teeth were in good condition. Trailing her gaze across his frame she took note of his physical appearance. His coat had a gorgeous metallic sheen that was blemished by a few scars. She couldn’t ascertain from a glance whether those battle scars were from victories or losses but it demonstrated his tenacity. His mane and tail were pure white, yet he wasn’t decorated with white markings like she was. He wasn’t a mustang like her but her choices on the islands were limited. She had to admit that he was rather easy on the eye. When she realized that she was staring at him in a rather rude manner she flicked her gaze down to a soggy pile of autumn leaves. He paid her a complement and she felt her cheeks grow warm. Turning her head away from him slightly she tried to hide beneath the strands of her dark brown forelock shyly. Others had remarked on Alpenglow’s beauty in the past but this was the first stallion to make her go giddy. What was wrong with her? He then requested her name before he introduced himself. She gathered that he wasn’t overly formal when he said that she could abbreviate his name if she wanted to. “Hello, Brax, my name is Alpenglow.” Deciding to capitalize on the situation, and hoping she won’t come to regret the decision later; the dunskin mare turned to face a small gathering of trees in the near distance. Beaconing with the flick of her tail she started to walk towards the sheltered space. “I think we should head somewhere a little less exposed,” she said in a quiet tone so as not to announce their business to the whole world. Her heart beat faster with each step she took. After tonight her life will never be the same again. |