This wilderness reeked of predators, and it made Mallow uneasy. Still, despite the looming danger, she knew she had to continue forward and find the scattered remnants of her herd.
Winter winds and ice slapped against her face, and she squinted against it as she pressed further into the unknown. When it became too much, she stopped her meandering to graze. Although the grass here was dry, there was an abundance of it underneath the snow, so she worked to move it around to eat a suitable meal. All the while, she kept an ear turned towards the wolfpacks and bison herd to the east of her, mindful of the commotion that could make its way toward her.
In the distance, flappy ears stood upright.
Winston's head was low, and his eyes squinting just enough on the little filly just ahead of him! He moved his neck far up, his eyes widening as he moved his head side to side to look at her!
Then, his tail wiggled.
He whispered soft, curious, quiet, gentle! "Hello?"
YAY WINSTON!
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"Hello?" a voice called out.
Mallow's grazing ceased, and she looked around until she saw a non-threatening individual who seemed to be around her age, judging by how little his horns were. She lifted her head and whinnied, delighted to have some company.
Hello,
she returned, her voice as enthusiastic as it was tired.
Do you know where theres better grass? This stuff stinks.
!!!nyehehehe
The tips of his ears were down to his neck by the time her mouth had opened. Was she going to scream? Or say words that he could not think of? They rose again as those little thoughts whisked away, and a smile pulled at his mouth.
"I know, right? It's so bad," with a feathery laugh, he shook his head and closed his eyes. His ears jiggled with it. "Yeah! I know where some better stuff is. I cant say you'll like it much though. It's all gross," he waved his hoof loosely as he made a funny 'bleck' face.
I would take anything over this,
she said, over-dramatic as usual. Even desert sand.
Eager for a decent meal, she stepped towards him with a swishing tail. Can you show me?
she asked.
"Yeah!" he chimed, waggling his tail and beginning a prance towards where he was last at. Winston wasn't a picky boy, but even he was not loving the mud blades underneath the snowfall. He'd been searching all day for a good place to eat! "Why, it's not too far," he looked up to the sky-- "well," he tried to think, "that I remember.." It wasn't! "Whats your name?" He bubbled with interest!
Mallow was desperate for anything better than this, so she wasn't too concerned when he hesitated and tried to remember where the good grass was. Instead, she answered his question with enthusiasm: I'm Mallow!
What's your name?
she asked in return.
It took him until she asked him for him to realize that he'd been so silly, and had not even told her his own. "Oh," he laughed with closed eyes in his breathy surprise, the realization striking him before he then answered! "My names Winston! It's nice to meet you, Mallow. Where did you come from? I don't think I've met a filly before!" Or a horse at all!
Winston—what a delightful name! She lowered her head some to get a better look at him as she spoke to him. I don't think I've ever talked to your kind before, either,
she and her herd tended to keep to themselves. He asked where she was from, and she frowned and brayed sadly. A place far from here called Pearldrop Canyon. It takes several days to get there,
she said. My family all got separated, and I'm looking for them ...
she trailed, looking around expectantly as though she was expecting them to materialize in front of them.
Have you seen any horses around here recently?
she asked.
He gasped and stopped soon with her. Pity found itself on him as he frowned and he scrambled to think. "Really? I lost my family too! But," he shook his head slowly at her, upset to admit next that, "I haven't seen any other horses around. I wish I did." Looking to his hooves, he swished them back and forth to move bits of snow out of the way. Below them? Much more plush, much more green grass that he'd been grazing by not too long beforehand.
He perked up next, his ears raising, his voice a bit more chipper. "But I can help you look! They've gotta be around somewhere." Backing up, he was careful not to squish her meal. "Here! It's at least something." Wasn't as good as summer grass..but better than mud slop!
They had more in common than she'd initially anticipated, and she felt for his loss, too. I'm sorry you're in the same situation,
she lamented, her mood dampened by the misfortune that'd occurred to both of them. But maybe both of our families will show up,
she couldn't stay sad for long; self-loathing wasn't something she did. I sure hope they do.
His offer to help was appreciated, and she whinnied appreciatively. And I can help you find yours, too,
she offered.
She hadn't noticed that he'd come across the grass they'd been looking for until he back up and drew attention to the ground. Oh!
she exclaimed, looking at the greenest grass she'd seen in weeks. That looks delicious,
and with that, she lowered her head and began to graze. Her tail flicked happily as she ate; it was delicious.