Sleepy Fox Hollow [M] The Ballad of Lonely Bear

colosseum watched her with that heavy, hooded gaze—half-lidded, but never unaware.

she cut her circle sharp, mane tossing, fire in her stride. he followed like tide to shore, each hooffall deliberate, but not eager. no rush. no claim.

she slowed.
pretended disinterest.

tested him.

he huffed, the sound low and amused, shaking dust from his shoulders as he curved toward her grazing shape. she didn’t look, but the flick of her ear said more than any glance ever could.

fine, he thought. she wanted a dance.

he pivoted on a forehoof, stepped wide around her with the casual grace of a stallion who knew what mares like fancy required—patience wrapped in pride, power that didn’t need to beg.

he dropped his head low, pawed once at the earth as if inspecting it, then snapped his neck with a toss, tail flagging behind him in a wide arc.

a quiet show.