Within the deepest mind lies PAIN

[Nevvy]

The sun was high in the sky, bathing the grasses with its glow. A small stream trickled down toward a bigger river, and the grasses swayed in waves as a breeze played hide and seek between the stalks of the brown weeds. Fluffy white clouds moved across the sky, sometimes moving across the sky and throwing a shadow across the field before allowing the sun to shine its brilliance once more. Ebony orbs watched the weeds sway together from the border, night-colord tail beating slowly at her hindquarters as the flies swarmed around. They were irritating more or less. Like little pests that chew at the wood of the house, they chew at the skin and create bumps that just itch and itch and itch. She might be paranoid and there might not be any, but Azure was not taking any chances.

This was a field that looked just like many other prairies that she had seen on her travels. A sigh escaped through parted lips as the blue roan’s head went toward the ground, ripping a weed from the ground before starting to chew on it with slow chomps. Pools gazed across toward the horizon that was a deep blue before daggers started moving, pushing into the ground as locomotion started toward the center of the field. The darkness of her mind traveled to her past, toward her adoptive mother and her best friend. She missed him terribly, but she knew he was happy with his…mate. That was how it was supposed to go, but a juvenile part of her took over when it came to that, and jealousy raged throughout her as the little whore took him away from her and left her like she was a used piece of trash. But that was okay, she needed no one to take care of herself.

Standstill. Like the Earth rotating on its axis, her ears twirled, listening. But the only things she could hear were the faint twitters of birds across the sky, flying across the sky to a new destination. Beat, step. Beat, step. They went in a rhythm that had the inability of breaking until she stopped again next to the tinkling drops of water en masse. Maw dropped and her lips met the cool liquid as she sipped, the water soothing her parched throat. She returned to the grasses, where the faint aromas of other equines were attached to some of them, speaking of a story that was long gone and buried deep within the dirt, but would live on in the memories of family, friends, and most of all, themselves, even after death. Today was a slow day, and her mind had time to pause within these thoughts as she slowly grazed, this time allowing herself to delve into the deep recesses of her mind, no longer aware of anything around her.

[Serenade]

Long had he traveled, and far he had come. Sun beat down on a sweat soaked pelt, already black hued, but made darker and glistening with perspiration. Exhaustion was pushing through his mind, and he moved numb and blind through the world. He needed water, and soon. The grass tickled his limbs, but he paid it no attention. Water was the only thing on his mind and he sought it desperately. Merric had not encountered a living soul in days, and it had been at least two weeks since he had spoken at all to anyone. Not that he had a mind to. He had no need for company at the moment.

The land he was traveling through was peaceful and beautiful, though hot and arid. He paused now, black and white hide, glistening. Dark auds flicked forward, and blue eyes roved the landscape. He heard the sound of flowing water nearby, and immediately steered a course for it. Soon he caught sight of the sun glinting off the water and his pace increased. And potential danger was not thought over, so desperate was his thirst. Dagger splashed heedlessly into the shallows, the cool liquid wetting his belly as his head shot downward, lips sucking down the water gleefully.

Having drunk his fill, Merric looked up, and was immediately and acutely embarrassed. A fae stood near the stream, grazing. She was quite pretty, a soft blue hue. Though she seemed strong inwardly, despite her dainty coloring. Merric gave a bob of his head in her direction in greeting, unsure of what to say.

[Nevvy]

Azure heard the soft padding of daggers across the landscape and looked up from her meal. It was none other than another equine that threaded their way into this pretty little field. It was bound to happen, of course. The area was filled with the different scents of creatures, both four-legged and not, that found their way here. The summer sun felt like it was burning her back and she scratched at a spot on her barrel that a horsefly thought was a tasty snack. Stupid buggers, they were useless. Tendrils flipped both left and right at her hindquarters, digging at getting every nuisance that landed. It was a goal in life. She looked up again, but the creature had paid her no mind, and she would do the same. Dipping her tiara she let her maw skim the ground before finding another luscious spot to dig into. It might make her seem like a pig, but the fae did not really care. Finally, she looked back over, curiosity taking flight in her mind. She noticed him looking at her and the slight greeting, as if he were nervous or hesitant. Pish posh! No reason to be! It was not like she had fangs. What if I promised to not bite you? Would you come visit with me then? She called to him, letting her words be pushed toward him on the breeze. Her voice was full of happiness and a tiny bit of sarcasm. She had to let it slip through, it was one part of herself that she never seemed to have control over, no matter how hard (well, how little) she tried.

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[Serenade]

Ah, so she had noticed him. Though such a thing was not hard to do, considering that he had made quite an entrance. However, her words made him laugh, and relax a bit. Water dripped from his dark, splashed hide as he strode from the stream bed. Stopping a polite distance from her Merric shook the excess liquid, careful not to spray her with it. Now he did come closer, as she asked. The name is Merric, miss. He gave a pert bow, and flashed a grin at her. While Merric was as a rule, mature and the leader, there were times when he was relaxed and playful. This happened to be one of those times. Speaking with another had pushed the scenes that plagued him to the back of his mind, as it was now focused on a living, breathing creature. While not jovial, he was at least at the moment content to speak with the fae, and was happy for the relief from the past. Is it too much to ask your calling? He could at times be suave, or at least moderately charming. This was one of those times. Too bad he didn't have a home. Well, that just sucked for him, didn't it? Looked like he would have to stick it out. But, for now, Merric merely watched the mare, while keeping his senses alert for anything else that might approach.

[Nevvy]

The blue roan mare kept a steady gaze on the stranger. Although her voice was filled with friendliness, she did not know if he was. A small breeze played with her mane, twirling it around each other in what appeared to be a haphazard braid. As the stallion came closer, she noticed their major difference in height. He seemed to be almost a hand above her. But size wasn’t everything. She let her boa drop toward the ground, bowing politely back to him. She stood where she was, not allowing herself to take a step closer or a step back. Equines could act all nice and polite when really they were dastardly bastards, just looking for the next lay and not their next friend. Azure, sir Merric. A pleasure to meet you. Is it too personal to inquire as to what brings you to these parts? She hoped it did not sound like an interrogation, she was just trying to make mindless chatter to while away the time with this Merric.

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