dancing on fire

[« F u l é a o]

It was an innocent question, easy enough to skim over if one didn't want to elaborate on their past. Just an offhand question one might ask a new arrival without prying.

Nagisa's lack of eye contact was very deliberate now. Where she came from, folks bottled up their emotions to look tough. It wasn't the sort of place for weakness, so you shouldn't appear to be so, and treating others like they were was offensive. Exceptions were made for things such as the death of a loved one, but generally badland horses weren't the type to talk about there feelings or comfort each other.

So Nagisa was at a loss. Mist wasn't making the least attempt to gloss over her shocking history; she was just pouring her heart out to a practical stranger. It was unheard of. All this raw emotion mad her immensely uncomfortable.

And then there was the story itself. Beatings, death, love cut short...she didn't know what to say to the survivor of such atrocities. What could she say, that wasn't insensitive or an optimistic lie?

"I...wow, I'm so sorry. That things went that way," she said in a subdued voice. Finally she risked a glance at Mist, just in time to see the tears run down her face. She forgot her cultural inhibitions. Stepping closer, she gently reached over and nuzzled the mare's withers. "Hey, it's okay...it'll all work out, one day." It sounded horrible, but apparently that's what people say to someone who is grieving. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

[mistgirl29]

mist smiled she didn't talk about her past to anyone but this mare was one she felt comfort from she always hid her feelings but this time the horse she told didn't push her away she comforted her "thanks so much "mist said her smile got bigger and she shook her head "and sorry i dumped that on you i don't talk about it much and when i do it just all comes out " she looked around a little nerves someone hired what she said

[« F u l é a o]

She smiled back. "No, no, 's fine. It helps, gettin' yer feelins out." Or supposedly it did. If someone was upset, Nagisa could drop her reservations and be there for them. She wouldn't allow people to do the same for her. If anyone asked, she told them the story, but the miserable blend of emotions she felt stayed adamantly bottled up.

"I know wha's like, sorta. Losing a stallion. Had me a fella once, but he up an' left cuz he foun' himself a purdier girl." She shrugged, like it was no big deal in her case. "It mus' be worse, though, when he's ripped away like that."

Was that even appropriate? It felt like she was shifting the focus over to herself. But this was what people did, right? Empathy, if her memory served right; sharing depressing experiences so as to identify with each other. Working on the principle that misery loves company. Something like that.

If so, this was a terribly unfair trade. Mist was pouring her agonized heart out, and Nagisa had only skimmed over her past trials and tribulations.

[mistgirl29]

mist looked at the mare she was deep in taught "well i think they are both painful she shook her head and said "well lets not keep out past with us " she smiled and started to trot back down the beach

[« F u l é a o]

So far, Nagisa's small knowledge was proving sufficient. She had presenting an optimistic view, without making light of Mist's suffering. And apparently it wasn't tactless to mention her own troubles. But then, Mist seemed like a pretty forgiving mare. Maybe she had a lot to overlook at this particular moment.

The suggestion that they drop the subject was very appealing. Just because she knew now how to deal with this sort of situation now, that didn't mean she liked it. As awful as it sounds, Nagisa suspected she downright didn't want to hear about the other mare's troubles. It was all too horribly awkward, all this raw emotion. They way these things were handled back home was much better.

Nor did she like the emotions she was experiencing now. She wanted nothing more than to just stop thinking about Romulus. "Good plan," she agreed. This proved to be much easier said than done, unfortunately.

She jogged along behind the other mare, keeping to the firm, moist sand above the water's reach. It was much easier to move that way. She attempted to distract herself by watching the motion of the coruscating waves. "So, Mist, d'you think youse gonna stick around? 'S good territory round here, iffen youse lookin' for a new home" she said absently. That should be a much safer way to continue conversation.

[mistgirl29]

mist flicked her head and said "ya i think i will its nice out here and i love all the nice mares they give me someone to talk to but to be honest your the first that i think could be a very good friend of mine" she looked back at the mare and smiled then pranced in a funny way throwing her head and the kicking out

[« F u l é a o]

"Why, thank ya," she said with a grin. It was true that the land of night sky had a largely amiable population. Maybe more so than other places; any memories Nagisa had for comparison were old and stale.

Still, she didn't have anyone she really considered a friend, just yet. Besides Gypsum, but he wasn't always around much. There wasn't anything wrong with the other mares of the fields; Nagisa just hadn't connected with them on a deep level. For one thing, she'd avoided their company at first, slowly getting over her anxiety of relationships. Now she could enjoy gossiping and goofing around with them, she just hadn't reached the level of closeness that she once shared with Persephone. It didn't help that she didn't feel she could open up to her herd mates.

Her familiarity with Mist wasn't what she‘d consider a special connection, it just happened faster than with the other mares. The potential was definitely there, though. Nagisa couldn't stay guarded forever; one day, she'd learn to be open with those who would befriend her.

[mistgirl29]

mist flipped her head and looked at the mare "are you ok "she asked the mare was deep in taught mist laughed a loud high but cute laugh and jumped into the air landing only to kick out again she had a lot of energy but she knew how to control it sometimes.

[« F u l é a o]

"Hm?" She stared at Mist for a moment, disoriented. "Oh! Yeah, 'M fine, jus' fine." She really needed to stop her mind from drifting off. There was just so much about the current situation that was feeding her muddle of private thoughts and emotions.
The mustang let loose a rather amusing sound of delight, and Nagisa couldn't help but laugh along with her. Again she felt old. Her companion looked to be about three winters, two or three less than Nagisa herself. Given the relative age span, one could say than the quarab was old compared to Mist. Not enough to be an old hag, just that she was looking back on a carefree age that she had left behind.

One couldn't really call Mist carefree, though, could they?

Which was exactly why Nagisa felt she should take a page from the young mare's book. Mist had quickly moved on from their previous subject and returned to their former frisking. Watching her, one might think she really was an innocent youngster.

Snorting, Nagisa reared up, pawing the air as she let forth a clear, elated call. She leapt forward into a relaxed canter, shaking her silvery mane. Craning back her head, she nickered to the horse whose energy had infected her.

[mistgirl29]

mist turned to look at the mare cantering to her she slowed matching her almost perfect she giggled and flipped her mane she boobed her head then she tucked it she looked like a show horse now moving beside the mare trying to match the way she mover it was hard to meet the perfect stride of the mare beside her but she wouldn't give up

[« F u l é a o]

Muffled hoof beats soon followed. Nagisa glanced behind to find Mist on her like a shadow. Giddy, she giggled at the mare's flashy movement and form. Her feet quickened, and the rabicano was surprised to find she could edge ahead. She'd been caught while fleeing in the water, but she seemed to be able to outpace Mist on land, if not by much.

She flashed a taunting grin at Mist. "Nice, but ya ain' gonna be able t'catch me wi' fancy moves like that!" Muscles bunching, she broke into a full-blown gallop. Water and clumps of wet sand flew from beneath her hooves as she tore along the beach, just within range of the tide. Blood and epinephrine surging, she tossed her head to the sky and trumpeted.

[mistgirl29]

mist laughed and threw her head and body forward in one motion her muscled tensed and she took off she bucked a few times and the pushed her neck forward again now she looked like a race horse she ran faster and faster as she slowly came up beside the mare she smiled and puled in front of her a little

[« F u l é a o]

Her victory was short-lived. Again the pursuing hoof beats drew closer, and this time the mustang crept ahead. In response, Nagisa also lowered her head, ears back, slender legs taking strides that were more like leaps. Try as she might, there was no more speed in her. "Okay, I was wrong. Looks like you c'n still whoop me."

She eased up a little, and Mist only got further ahead. That was alright. There wasn't anything really banking on this little contest, and the outcome wasn't all that unexpected. Nagisa had never been one to outdo others with fleet feet. She could run fast enough to put distance between predators and herself, and that was good enough.

The run itself was enough to make up for any hurt pride. Her gait became more interspersed with kicks and leaps, now that she wasn't focused on running as fast as she could manage. Legs stretched, muscles rippled, every inch of her contributed power to pound the yielding ground underfoot. The salty breeze resisted her, stinging her dilated nostrils as it was greedily sucked in. But it felt pleasant as it rushed along her body and played through her mane. It all made her feel so alive.

It wasn't uncommon for her to take a gallop just for fun, but she still wasn‘t jaded. Adrenaline made her feel like a foal, and Nagisa wasn't afraid to participate in a little undignified frolicking.