Wandering

Sunspot trudged along, pouting. His bonded had forced him to go out for awhile, even though he was perfectly fine in his home. He would much rather wait for his mate than go for a walk. He hadn't seen her in so long.... He stomped a hoof in irritation, muttering under his breath. Suddenly he saw something in the shadows. Curiosity taking over, he went to investigate. "Maybe this won't be so bad after all," he thought as he crept closer.

Frolic had kept to the shadows for a while now, refusing to admit how out of character it was for her. It suited her mood; who cared if she didn't normally lurk around dark corners? She was exploring. Again. Finally.

The anger sizzled to the surface for the moment, a quiet rage at having been held captive by her own insanity for so long. Too much of her identity had been tied into them; just because they were broken didn't mean she had to be. For that matter, she didn't even recognize names for them any more. They were just them.

But what was this? Distracting her from her lurking explorations was a strange stallion, one who was bright enough to make her blink twice as he caught sight of movement and began to inch closer.

Well, this could be interesting.

Greetings, she called, straightening up and stepping half-out of the shade of the large eucalyptus tree she had been pawing at for some of the sweet, flowing sap. It appealed to her on some level, damaging the tree in order to drink its blood; although in reality she merely wanted to sate her sweet tooth.

I am Frolic, known as Tiger Lily, bonded of Songhue and mate of none. I don't recall seeing you around before, or else if I have it's been quite a long while. What are you known by?

Sunspot inched toward the figure and found a forest green mare with sky blue stripes crossing her body. She had a gray mane and tail, long spikes under her knees, and a small spike on each hoof. She seemed to be scratching a tree and drinking the sap that came out."Sunspot, mate of Shimmer and bonded of Moon Blaze. I think our bondeds are sisters. And I don't believe we've met before. What are you doing? Can I join you? Do you come out here often? What's your favorite color?"

Huh, he thought. I guess Moon Blaze was right. I did need this.

He was bright in more ways than his coat. The sunny curiousity he peppered her with was slightly… Repelling, with her current state of mind. Even though she flicked an ear back and half-lifted a hoof, Frolic found a small smile peeking through to betray a mildly endearing aspect to the whole thing. He reminded her of someone. It was impossible to say who, exactly, as that part of her mind was still shattered, but a trickle of affection was still recognizable.

It made her want to turn around and bolt for the trees.

Whoever it was she had once known, they no longer mattered. And what was one of the things that had been in that verbal mud-slide? Their bondeds knew each other?

You must be mistaken. The chance of my bonded being related to yours is horrendously small.

Her bonded had very few remaining in her clan; indeed, other than Shine's mate and younglings, Frolic had never even met another of that species. At least to her knowledge. Yet she wasn't about to reveal these things to some stranger. Though he might concede to the possibility of them being old friends; Vineda was as good as family, when it came to her bonded, and those bound to the shifter-lass were very nearly her own bondmates in turn. Avvie was one she nearly deemed a brother, in many aspects.

Yet a sibling to her bonded, the odd little Strangeling with so much hidden history? No, he must be a fool to think as much. It was a mix up o names at the least. Surely it must be so.

The ear that had tilted back swiveled back around to consider the stallion before her. He did not look to be a fool. She paused long enough to give him a considering look before licking up one last mouthful of sweet sap and stepping aside to make room for Sunspot, in case he wanted a taste. Whatever the case, perhaps he may prove himself useful entertainment.

Have a taste, if you hold a sweet tooth. A lick or two normally suffices. It ain't quite as tasty as the salty flatrocks by the large river-waters, but it is good. And the method of retrieval is appealing.

A small smile quirked her muzzle here, her short mane tossing about gruffly as she shook her head. Frolic found, much to her surprise, that she was beginning to enjoy this. Perhaps Hybrid was onto something, when it came to this whole game of testing the patience and humor of those unfortunate enough to be around.

Do you plan on coming here often - are you hoping to see me again? Or did you have another motive for asking? And though I've no thought as to why my favorite color would be of interest, it happens to be a very particular shade of pink. The deep, rich pink of tiger lilies, to be precise. To make it fair, tell me one of your personal quirks; what is one food you simply refuse to eat?

Yes, this could wind up being more fun than she had originally thought.

Sunspot licked up a mouthful of the sweet sap. He took a moment to consider then said, "Daisies. I refuse to put those things in my mouth. And I was hoping to see you again. It's been awhile since I've had someone to have an intelligent conversation with. And the favorite color was for curiosity's sake. Maybe you could ask your bonded about the sister thing, because it's not the first time I've been mistaken," he finished with a chuckle.

He hoped he would see her again. She seemed like she would make a good friend. He licked up another mouthful, savoring the sweetness.

"Wanna play a game?" he asked excitedly, hoping she would say yes.

He was an oddity, this one. First he mentioned intelligent conversation, then he pleads for the game as if he were a foal.

She could think of a few games she could play, but none were of the sort he had in mind.

In that case, no, I haven't been here often. But that is to change. You said you were a bonded of Moon Blaze - is that merely her given name? Does she have another?

He made her curious, in some odd way. Honestly, he reminded her of Sparkle in some aspects. Perhaps that was why she was able to tolerate him so far.

If it is a game you wish, and with conversation, we could do a simple one of twenty questions. It is a good traveling game; we may walk and further explore.

She didn't say as much, but the prospect of eating daisies just seemed strange. Then again, Thorn refused to eat alfalfa. Nobody really understood why, at least not among her bondmates, but the very concept seemed to anger him.

Stallions could be so weird.