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The grass here was good, he decided, chewing meditatively on the green-gold stalks. Not sweet like valley grass, but hearty and filling all the same. Still hungry from his recent journey, his body shuddered appreciatively as the young warrior tore up mouthful after mouthful, committing them to the dark recesses of his belly. Winter would be here soon, and if he had learned anything in his short travels, it was this: it paid to be opportunistic, especially when it came to food.
Rooting around for a fresh patch of foliage at the top of the hill, Jericho shifted positions and caught sight of a dark figure out of the corner of his eye. The stranger could not have been there long, for he seemed to have just seen the horned stallion as well—or at least, his friendly greeting implied such. “Hello, there,” the dark newcomer called, “How are you?”
Before he had a chance to reply, a sandy head followed by a stocky body rose suddenly from the grass. Taken aback by this abrupt appearance (and by his prior failure to notice that he had not been as alone as he’s imagined), Jericho’s head rose higher, feet firmly planted, nostrils flaring a huff of surprise. “Tired, but awake,” came the girlish voice, rendered brassy by the tinge of sarcasm. Red-tipped ears tilted towards her curiously—though unexpected, Jericho was not entirely disappointed to have interrupted her afternoon nap. She was small, he noted first, small but sturdily built with a coat perfectly matched to that of the grass in which she had made her bed. And fierce too, he assumed, based on the whisper of an accusation in her words. Good. Giddy with newfound freedom and the prospect of a pleasant interlude, the young stallion let his gaze linger on the girl perhaps a beat too long. However, good manners had been the rule all of his life, and his newest directive, exciting as it was, was only days old. In the end, old habits won out.
“Hello,” he replied, nodding to the other stallion and bobbing his head at the girl. “I must confess, I didn’t see either of you,” the bridegroom admitted with a laugh as he began an easy walk down the hill. “Jericho,” he stated by way of introduction. “Pleasure to meet both of you. I hope you can forgive us for interrupting your nap,” he added, tossing a smile at the sandy-colored mare.
OOC: Sorry for the delay!!
"speech"
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