Nausicaa

[Patch]

A lone dark colored bay mare wandered about Dekera Falls.
I wonder exactly how long it will take... she wondered.
Maybe no one's looking for a claim. But it is the season.
She gave off the odor of a mare in heat. It was the smell all mares in heat gave off all the time.

A soft warm breeze blew her mane and long tail like a banner. She felt the feeling of loneliness. It plagued her. She didn't care about the alliance of her future love. She hoped he would arrive in time for her so she could be in foal.

All she wanted was someone who wouldn't treat her like a collectible. That was all. No, not all. Someone who would love her the way she would.

[azul.]

R I K U

With you, these streets are heaven.

It had been a long time since the ghostly figure had bothered to come here. It hadn't been a personal choice; a lot had happened since the Fall of last year. And yet, I was elated. Except for the fact that my gut wrenched. I knew why it did, but I wanted to avoid those ugly thoughts. Still, Einjeru was in her first heat, and she claimed to be in love with Intrepid. That just about broke me, until I heard Xehanort piping in with his thoughts of the matter. "You forgot about Snyper." Ah, yes, my son who was in love with Intrepid's twin, Emira. I couldn't be bothered with thinking about this much, it made me hurt. Life, was ultimately a burden, in most ways.

Sought out for another companion, I strode into the Falls back entrance, where I normally went. The hazy air, clouded with such humidity to make one sweat instantly was wasted on me. If anything, it made my dappled coat glisten brighter. Inky tassels swayed with my long neck, until I reached a patch of trails, where a direct wind pushed them away, making them fly like a banner. I paused, looking towards the neglected trail that led to the waterfall's peak. I wanted so badly to go there and look down on the others, to search out the good from the bad, but I'd be wasting time. Perhaps another day. Perhaps on that day, I could show my prince, Fenrir, the falls.

Slowing my sure-footed steps, I looked into the realm, finding most mares surrounded by these musky stallions, surely because it was the Fall. I blinked my sapphire pools, then caught sight of a darkened russet female, looking puzzled. Like me. I snorted inquisitively, and flared my nostrils, like I wasn't sure about going over there, but, being the good guy that I am, I took two hesitant steps, and then bounded into a relaxed jog, closing in the distance between myself and the new one. Releasing a nicker to aware her of my being, I spoke, my words working in a tone that was nearly unreadable. Sure, I was interested, but I had been fooled into believing things, a lot. Exhaling, I looked the bay mare over one, and then started to speak calmly, a smile flickering onto my darkened mug.

"Hi.. I'm Riku, from Black Lake."

I didn't demand any words from her, like some could do, and I certainly didn't demand her to do anything physically. Instead, I rested one hind leg, swallowing back my deep thoughts, keeping a soft smile plastered onto my facade.

[Patch]

Oh, hello there, Riku. I am Nausicaa.

Her black orbs gazed softly into his, those wonderful sapphire blue. Her dark bay pelt was also moist with the humidity of the falls.

And you're a dark, I take it? I'm a neutral, but I wouldn't mind. I go back and forth anyway.

Nausicaa wondered what kind of life she would be up against. Most darks she heard about hated lights and neutrals.

What if others in the herd are that way, hating? she thought. Riku doesn't seem like it, though. I wonder who else is there.

Nausicaa was sure that if this Riku wanted her, she'd go. And she wanted a foal sired by him as soon as she got there.

[azul.]

R I K U

Now home, feels so foreign,

Radars slowly tuned in, facing this bay mare, my puzzled expression fading, until I appeared curious. The smile on my facade grew slightly, and I flipped my crown to one side, thick tresses spewing with me, following my every move. Sapphire pools remained locked with this mare's darkened pools, and I swallowed back a soft sigh, trying not to disturb this quiet mood. "Too late, Riku. You're always just a little too late." I almost scowled at Xehanort, and sighed, my lips tightening around those pearly white teeth. I inhaled silently, and then I watched as this bay mare spoke, revealing her name, which I formed on my lips quietly, trying to etch it into my mind. It worked, and I was soon thinking of a faint reply, my throat rumbling, forming soft words.

"It's a pleasure, Nausicaa."

I kept the soft smile on my facade, and thought about my home, where Nausicaa would fit into the scenery at Black Lake. Those thoughts swarmed in my head, along with the company of Xehanort- who surely seemed louder and even more annoying today, so I quickly shook my head, and looked back to Nausicaa. In appearance, she looked a lot like Jaliya; both possessed the dark bay tint, covering a thin, delicate stature. Curiosity turned to surprise when Nausicaa spoke again, questioning my status as a dark, or a neutral. How could I explain that? I sighed quietly, and for once, listened to Xehanort's advice, after he finished laughing at me hysterically. "Tell her what you want. You're some what of a dark, right? Because of me. And you live in Black Lake?" I closed my sapphire orbs for a few moments, and then replied, my voice casual.

"Ergh, sort of. I go back and forth too, in a way."

I didn't really want to explain Xehanort to this bay ess, and instead I looked past her at the surrounding scenery, and smiled faintly. I didn't have anything to ask her, nothing came to mind, and I was starting to worry. I didn't want to be known as the mute. Radars perked forward, and I took a small step forward, tresses swinging vibrantly, a breeze lifting them, playing with them. It must've given me the confidence to speak, I suppose, because the smile on my facade returned, and was bigger than before. Sapphire orbs closed, and then opened, and I chuckled to myself.I parted my mug, then stopped, taking a deep breath before speaking.

"Anything, you'd like to know, about me?"

[Patch]

Well, not much, Riku. You looking for mares? she inquired as a smile crept across her maw at the word.
She was hoping for an affirmative response.

A rare puff of wind made Nausicaa's dark locks blow gently to the side. She saw his swing too. The sapphire orbs captivated her. They told so little, yet were sparkling and just perfect.

Riku might want her. She wanted him.

Black Lake. Would I, Nausicaa, like it there? Will Riku even take me in?

Questions clouded her mind until she, with a stubborn force sent those thoughts away.
Nausicaa wouldn't need them just now. She wouldn't.