A timeless place {open}

[penguin]

The site was stunning. The view was perfect. The scene was picturesque. These were the thoughts that rolled around the mare's mind as she marvelled at the beauty of the lake. She had grown up near here, and remember spending many happy days playing in the shallower parts of the lake, being taught how to swim by her parents whilst they were still with her. A sense of nostalgia played with her mind as well as the feeling of excitement. It was great to be back here, and the lass wanted to make even more memories. There was something about this place that made it seem like it had no beginning and no end. She wouldn't have been the only one to grow up around here, and there would be many others after her who would grow up here also. However as she contemplated this, she couldn't help but notice that the region was really rather quiet. Her spirit dampened, the bay mare, whose name is Ffion, tried to fathom as to why this was.

Standing with her feet in the cool waters, she looked around the place with her shining brown eyes. The scent of many varieties of creatures subtly caressed the air, and every time one breathed in they could catch both strong and faded personal odours belonging to every animal that had passed through. There didn't seem to be too many equine smells, which saddened Ffion slightly, because she had many joyous occasions here. Now that better seasons had arrived the flowers were coming into bloom and there were some gorgeous displays of intricately patterned flowers that only seemed to be here, and the grasses were starting to get longer and were filled with delicious sugars that no horse could help but savour. Yet the array of flora was not enjoyed and the luscious grass was left untried. Determined not to let such melancholy notions disquiet her calm mind, the lass began to play in the water as though she were a little filly again. Splashing around in the water, she created quite a bit of disturbance as she let herself just have a moment of being a younger horse again.

[nala]

He'd made up his mind. He, Pilate, son of Caiaphas, was going to take on a herd of his own. A smile tickled his lips at the thought. His smoke colored pelt twitched in the spring sun as he continued his journey through the freelands. If he was to be king, he needed to have followers. He'd met many, yet little showed any sign of sticking around. Pilate threw up his head as he emerged at the lake front. Acele was so beautiful this time of year, calm and peaceful. That is until someone decided to make a ruckus.

He caught sight of her just as the splashing began to die down. Beautiful and brown in the sunlight; able and fit by the looks of things, and Pilate was ready to meet her. He chose a quite approach this time. Gracefully flying down to the waters edge and making a sneak attack on the water just beside her. Within moments they were both drenched, and all Pilate could do was smile, looking straight at her with a dripping forelock hanging between his ears.

ooc: Pilate loves playing!

[penguin]

With her playful antics it was not long before the bay mare's coat was completely soaked. Her mane clung to her neck, her tail to her hind legs. A magnitude of waves rolled out from her as she dived into the water repeatedly before rising to the surface only to perform what could be compared to a belly flop with her chest. Her aim was simply; make as big a splash as she could. Why? She wanted to. It was as simple as that. The mare loved to feel as liberated as she did now. Breaking the surface once more after another swim beneath the waters, she stilled herself to get breath back. Snorting noisily Ffion paused to shake out her coat. Water droplets flew in every direction, a few turning into rainbows as the gloriously golden sun shone through them. The bay lass watched the ripples in the lake for a moment, mesmerised by the blues that seemed enhanced by the beautiful weather.

Her ears flickered at the sound of hoof beats. She was about to turn when a wave of water splattered her completely, getting the tips of her ears to her exposed back. Her legs were saved from the tidal wave of water as they were below the surface, but she felt the force of momentum. As the water settled, a stallion emerged from behind the wall of liquid. He was grinning and Ffion couldn't help but smile cheerfully back. Raising a hoof she dabbed at the water with quite a bit of power, splashing him back as she laughed. It was childish, but the amusement and entertainment was still enjoyable. This was something that would never grow old with her.

ooc: So does Ffion ahaha xD

[nala]

Smiles are contagious, thought the thick muscled beast. The light feathering of his hooves drug over the water as he lifted a front leg high out of the water before dipping it back down with his head following in a playful bow. Ma'dame! He called out gleefully just before plunging his nose into the water. He wasn't under long but with a flick of his thick neck, Pilate sent a spray of water towards the bay. "My name's Pilate." His brown eyes searched hers, waiting to catch her own name. He wanted to touch her, but he kept away for the time being. She was a refreshing prospect. He hadn't smiled this much in a long time.

ooc: short post. xD

[penguin]

Ffion giggled at his bow, the motion a little more difficult to see in the water. She was giddy on her happiness but she didn't care. What was wrong with making friends? Besides, he seemed friendly enough. They hadn't met before this day and already he was frolicking in the lake with her as though they'd been doing this ll their lives. It was nice to meet someone like this. Somehow it took away the awkwardness. "Sir" she replied, lowering her head slightly in what could be described as a curtsy. Standing upright she observed his movements curiously before her head shot up as she realised what he was about to do. Another rush of water splattered her face and neck as he brought his head up, dragging his muzzle through the water in a neat arc. She glared playfully at him but she couldn't stop the corner of her velvety lips pulling up into a beaming smile. She retaliated by half rearing, bringing her forelegs up and out of the lake before letting gravity pull her back down. Ears pricked, she watched the water fly towards him in a disrupted wave formation, pleased with herself for creating such a large amount of displacement despite her light frame. His brown eyes locked onto her own after he introduced himself, and she nickered softly in greeting. "Hello Pilate. My name is Ffion" She liked the way his name rolled off of her tongue, and she perked her ears up even further before shaking out her coat again. Droplets soared through the air in Pilate's direction, a mischievous spark in her eyes momentarily as she carried out the action.

[nala]

"Ffion!" His voice was excited, but still clung to the low tones of his being. This mare had brought something out of Pilate that he'd been trying to suppress for some time. The splashing stopped as they both stood still looking and waiting. Pilate wasn't sure what he was waiting for. This stranger was not strange. It was as if they'd played together their entire life. Pilate took a step towards her, careful not to splash her now that the water had calmed. Her scent was one of damp herbs, calming and beautiful, almost tangible in the air.

"What might you be up to splashing about in this here water?" He finally brought himself to speak. Inhaling deeply and blinking in the sun so that he could she her better. Droplets of cool water clung to his coarse forelock, dripping slowly down and into the rippling water as he watched her. There was just something there, something about her.

[penguin]

A gentle nicker escaped her lips as he repeated her name, ears standing high and proud. The silence that descended as the water settled wasn't awkward or uncomfortable at all, despite the fact that there was a lingering anticipation in the air. Maybe they were waiting for the other to start the game again. Whatever it was, Ffion didn't mind. It made this meeting even more exciting, a bit like when two friends who haven't seen each other meet up. You just don't know what's going to happen exactly, but both peoples are predictable. It was somewhat similar. The bay mare felt as though she knew Pilate, but that she hadn't seen him in a long time. She knew sort of what to expect, but so much time had passed that she was also prepared for him to do something different. It kept her on her hooves to say the least! Warm, welcoming brown eyes moved up to the stallion's as he stepped closer to her, the water lapping around her body shape as he displaced the blue substance. Her nostrils quivered, his masculine scent filling the nasal passages, as her enthusiasm levels remained high. And yet although she felt this, his presence was soothing somehow. Ffion felt completely safe with him, and confident too.

His words made her smile, as she remembered the random impulse to dive headlong into the lake. "Playing, but of course. I used to come here when I was little, and I couldn't resist frolicking in the lake. What about you, Pilate?" Her melodic tone was light, full of the happiness that she was experiencing. A few droplets of water ran down his face, distracting her momentarily. Reaching up she hesitated before using her muzzle to gently brush his forelock away from his eyes. Her warm breath would doubtlessly have brushed against his damp forehead as she used her teeth to carefully guide the thick strands away from his orbs. Retreating, she tucked her muzzle close towards her chest as her ears flickered, unsure if her actions would be welcomed or not.

[nala]

Pilate stood still listening to the rise and fall of the female's voice, Ffion's voice. She had a way of making each word different from the last. She was interesting not dull. When she began to move Pilate didn't even notice. Until she had touched him he was too mesmerized to care. Her breath, warm and sweet, swept over his face as she tamed his wild forelock. He didn't balk or shy from her touch, but it was still unexpected nonetheless. He watched, slowly storing every move in his memory.

He smiled as she slowly retreated back into herself. He couldn't tell if she was regretting what she'd done or just waiting. Either way he wanted her close to him again. It was an innocent closeness now, but then again innocence was one of the things Pilate craved. His cousin, the only surviving female family he had, was far from it. Pilate recalled his family as he thought over her question. "I wasn't aloud to play in the water as a child." His voice grew slightly distant as he remembered, but it was no less warm then it had been a few moments ago. "In fact, we hardly left the mountains when I was a child."

[penguin]

He was a very attentive listener, that was for sure. Ffion watched him as she spoke, as though her words were meant for his ears only. Never once did he look bored. The mare enjoyed this innocent attention. It had been a long since someone had paid attention to her in a friendly way. When she moved his soaked forelock, he didn't shy away from her. That was a relief. As he smiled at her she returned it, her ears perked and body relaxed and content. The action was welcomed. The momentary tension that had softly tugged at her muscles was lifted and she was able to fully enjoy his companionship once again.

With his recollecting tone, the lass learnt that he was from the mountains. It saddened her that he never got to mess around in the cool lakes in the summer months, but then she had never been to the large, monumental rock formation that dominated the skyline so she could have been missing out as well. But the fact he wasn't even permitted to play in the water as a foal... Well it was such a peculiar concept! Ffion thought everyone frolicked in the shallows at some point. "Do you like the mountains though? And at least you can lark around in the lake now. That's something at least," Her tone was curious at first but the inquisitive touch soon faded to be replaced by something similar to consolation and reasoning.