[Breeding] 1668 x 1646

Today was the day. There would be obstacles, challenges, battles for honor - and today was the day they would all be conquered. For today, Misty Mornings in Awe of Silent Snowfall would finally be brave enough to do it. The challenge that had always evaded him - meeting a mare. Don’t get him wrong, he was a fine conversationalist, if he does say so himself. He could yap on and on about anything you wanted to talk about! Give him a subject, and he would yap. Now, whether he was correct in all his facts, that was something you should take up with whoever actually knows the subject, and could say yes or no to whether he knew what he was talking about.

But, yapping was a job that he could complete for hours, so he considered himself pretty decent a conversationalist. However much he could talk though, he never was able to actually talk to a mare yet. His throat would clog up with nerves, his hooves would thump the ground as he tried to muck up any kind of phrase, or even a sound. Yet all that would come out was air - no syllables or vowels, not even a wheeze.

So, given that bit of a problem - he was solidly convinced today would be the day. The sun was shining, the meadow he found himself in was flooded with other teddy cobs ambling about in the late winter sun. Winter coats were still visible, and he had his choice of partner - for many a mare was out and about today.

Shaking his head, and rearing up, he landed on his front hooves and was off. He cantered around a small pond, on the edge of the meadow, eyes flickering about to try and gauge who could be his target. Attention was on him, he knew. He could feel the eyes on his pretty gray pelt, his cropped mane primed for today, and his puff of a tail bouncing with his strides. He knew he looked pretty - stallions often commenting on his pelt and eyeing him with envy.

Yet was he made his way around the outer bounds of the large meadow gathering, he couldn’t quite figure out who to approach. There was a mare who was eyeing him, but the gaze was a bit intense, so he averted his own and moved along. That dappled grey? No, she was sleeping, better not disturb her. Maybe - oh NO that mare was approaching him a bit aggressively, better amp it up. He galloped away from the approaching bay, hearing her whinny at him in agitation for being avoided.

Slowing down, as he was getting tired, he trotted around in a circle, getting frustrated at himself. Why oh why was this so hard. It was JUST a conversation, there was no obligation for anything, it was just talking. He could yap all he wanted to stallions, what was the difference with mares?!

As he was so into his head, he was unaware of the approaching chocolate palomino mare. A soft “Hello” was what brought him into a jarring stop, stumbling over his front hooves and almost falling on his face. After he got himself together, steady on all four legs, he looked up into a warm gaze of hazelnut chocolate, a brown so pretty and welcoming his heart got stuck in his throat immediately. 

Giving a jerky nod, his own eyes flitting back and forth between the air beside the mare and her own amused expression, as she stayed where she was, but extended her neck, to sniff in his direction. “Your cantering was quite fast, and your poise is very pretty.” The mare spoke, her crowned face shining in the sunbeams that Misty felt came out of nowhere. He flushed, and ducked his head to bob up and down, before flicking his eyes to the side.

The mare just huffed, and shifted obviously in a way that said she would step forwards. Which she did so, with grace and allowance of the shy stallion in front of her to move away at any time. “Shy, huh? That is okay, silence is good, no one needs to fill the air with talk all the time.”

Misty jerked his head up, almost rearing up in surprise. Most mares who he tried to talk to, just got annoyed and left. But this mare was saying he could be silent, and she would still stay? Maybe? His eyes widened, and he snorted in surprise. A chuckle was heard, as the mare approached even slower, but reached out with her muzzle as the stallion stayed stock still, almost quivering in place. Their noses touched, gently and quietly, before she pulled away and gestured towards a shaded area underneath a tall tree.

“I was thinking of grazing over there, some nice grass has stayed crisp and fresh. I would love for you to join. Silence and all.” She winked, before trotting off at a slow pace, not looking back, giving him time to think and debate.

Though no time to dwell was needed, as Misty just followed a length behind, almost in a daze. He didn’t have to try and talk? Well now, this was something new. And nice, as he felt a warmth in his chest, and appreciation for her awareness and acceptance.

Yes, he thought as he settled beside her underneath the branches, and started to graze alongside the mare. Maybe yapping isn’t all that. Maybe good company is what makes for a good time. He nodded once, sharp and crisp, before settling in and enjoying the warm companionship. The mare looked over once, a smile in her eyes, and shook her tail.

As the sun continued to make its way across the sky, it seemed to shine brighter. Maybe it also knew, two hearts were beating as one in a silent acknowledgement of the other. As the moon started to rise, the two were found laying next to each other, Misty’s head on the mare’s haunches. They had decided to stay there, for the night, underneath the towering protection of the old tree above, covering them with its branches and offering a safety net for the two peaceful souls.

Though his eyes were closed, Misty had his ears pointed to the side, listening as the mare had started telling a story, a myth about the horse who stole the fire from the Gods. While the story was intriguing, it was also so smoothly told, that it began to lull him to sleep. After a few moments, his breathing evened out, his head a solid pressure against the mare’s haunches, though she didn’t mind.

She had seen this stallion before, and always noted his anxiety over talking with mares. While she disapproved of the actions of the mares, who always got upset with his inability to speak, she did admire his courage to try again and again. So, today, when she saw him approach - nerves clearly seen with his movements of agitation, she had decided to try her own approach. And it worked, for giving him the space and making sure he knew silence was okay, she had given him an opening to just get comfortable.

No words were needed from him, as they had grazed, and then settled down once the sun set. She had offered to tell a story, for which he had nodded once and then settled his head down, and she was appreciative of the fact that he was comfortable enough to do so. 

As she gazed at his sleeping form, she smiled, her eyes shining with warmth and acceptance, and laid her own head down. As she slipped into sleep, her last thought was that she was glad she had approached. For maybe, she had also made a friend today. And that was a joyous thought in itself.