The young mare had been travelling the tunnels and caves for quite some time. She hadn’t stopped in any one place for too long, other than long enough to eat something, get something to drink, rest for just a bit. She had been wandering since her run in with the little dragon that had bit her. She of course had stepped on it and had tried to apologize and it had summarily bit her and made her leg freeze up and not work. She hadn’t wanted to stop for too long for fear of running into another tiny bitey thing. But she was getting tired and she wanted to rest for longer than a few hours. Her hooves drug tiredly along the stone floor. The heat of the tunnel beginning to get to her however short it was, her body was beginning to sweat as she moved deeper through the tunnel. The small geysers that vented heat caused her to side step every now and again to avoid them.

As she exited the tunnel and found herself in the new cavern, it was warm but not entirely bothersome. She found herself in a large area of sand. Her hooves sand in a bait and made moving harder but she continued on toward the water. Once she reached the water she walked out a bit and stood there up to her chest in the water. She was letting her muscles rest as she let her hazel eyes wander over the rocky spires that dotted the area.

@Haven

Haven was napping on a rock near the shore, her tail coiled up and her wings fanned out across two more, soaking up the warm light from above. She was living the dream, now, with a cave and a mate and the idea of children in both of their heads.

Just a lovely life.

She heard water moving in an odd way, not one she recognized as the surf advancing up the shore. She stretched and lifted her head, shifting a bit before peering over near the sand.

"Hello?", she called out, moving to stand.

She walked over, using her wings to walk, her front legs so long that her elbows were above her back. What creature was here? Prey? Gembound?

@Stormy

Stormy was panting a bit as she let the warm water wash over her body. It wasn’t cool but it felt nice, the water washing away the sweat the sweat bottom of her chest and her hind legs. It soaked her tail and she dipped her head into the water and began to drink. It was warm but that was good otherwise it would make her sick and she knew that instinctively. Lifting her head she snorted and blew the remaining water from her nose the short six inch horn pearl horn on her nose dripping water.

Alabaster colored ears shifted atop her head as she listened around her, though it would seem that the sand muffled most movements, even her own. Then a voice from behind her called out in curious greeting. The young mare felt a smile tug onto her lips. ”Hello!” She greeted warmly as she turned around. Though once she dig she let out a rather terrified shriek as she stumbled back deeper into the warm water up to her rump and away from the large creature that was nearly the same size as her and looked much like the tiny thing that had bit her. Well vaguely from the corner of her eye. It was terrifying it was easily ten times the size of the little thing. Was this its parent? Waas it here to get even with her for stepping on its baby.

Without thinking the young mare blurted out. ”I’m so sorry I stepped on your baby’s tail. Though it really shouldn’t have been left alone running through thick underbrush like that.” The girl apologized though also scolded the dangerous creature that was nearly as large as her and was with wings. They really shouldn't have left their baby alone! She would however stand up for herself. She shook her head and neck shaking the much larger foot and a half long horn on her forehead. There she said it, she would stand and await her punishment.

@Haven

Haven startled and flared her wings, the wind pushing her backwards. She landed and scrunched her neck back, startled, and stared at the thing in front of her.

"I have a baby?", she said, confused, "Um... last time I checked, I don't. It's probably alone."

She seemed discouraged at the scream, though, "... I'm sorry I startled you. I just heard you go into the water and I was napping on those rocks over there and I thought I'd say hi."

She shuffled her feet and sat down, her long tail stretching out behind her, "I'm sorry I scared you."

Man, this wasn't a good first impression- and what kind of person blamed someone else for stepping on someone's tail?

@Stormy

The young mare watched as the larger winged creature startled just as badly as she did. It would seem the two had scared each other. That really wasn’t good for a first meeting. In fact it was rather rude to run away and yell at someone when you first meet them.

The creature seemed confused when the mare mentioned a child. In fact she responded with a rather confused question of having a child, then continued to explain that she didn’t have one and that it was most likely on its own. Knowing that the mare couldn’t help but let out the breath that she had been holding. She realized that her heart was racing and she hoped the new creature wouldn’t hear it.

She realized just how rude she had been when the creature looked saddened at her startled scream, and instantly began apologizing. However scared she was, the mare stood her ground and allowed the creature to speak. The mare had after all rudely screamed at them. A small smile spread over the mares muzzle as the creature shuffled into a sitting position and she moved into shallower water still enjoying the water on her legs. ”Oh no, I’m sorry it was very rude of me to scream like that. I just…” She paused for a moment and offered a sheepish grin before continuing. I was bit by a smaller green version of you and it had this bite that made my leg go numb. I was just trying to apologize to it after stepping on their tail and they bit.” Stormy explained to the new creature as to why she had been so startled at the sight of a much larger version of the thing that had bit her.

@Haven

Haven frowned, "... But I'm not green. I'm pink- those colors aren't the same, right?"

She shrugged and flared her wings out, pink appearing as she took flight, just barely lifting off the sand with the ocean breeze pushing her up, "Us dragons aren't all mean, you know."

Haven flew forward and overhead, wings flapping as she turned in a circle around the bay, dipping her talons in the water and making a wake behind her as she flew. She was graceful, reading the wind masterfully, better than a lot of birds. She turned towards the wind and let her wings rest wide open, just sitting there, held up by nothing more than the ocean breeze.

"What brings you to Leo, anyway?", she finally asked.

@Stormy

Stormy watched as Haven frowned. Again she smiled sheepishly, though this time she kicked a front hoof in the water causing it to splash a bit. A soft nervous laugh left her. She felt pretty dumb. The creature had a point. ”This is true but your forms are a bit similar from the corner of an eye so I thought it might be one of the parents.” A soft groan left the young mare as she scrunched her eyes shut. She felt really dumb now. ”I am so sorry, it really was a horrible mistake and and looking closer at you, you really don’t look much alike except in silhouette.” She really hadn’t meant to freak out.

Stormy watched as the creature flared its wings and lifted from the sand. The young mare absolutely amazed that something so large could actually fly. Then she spoke explaining that she was a dragon, that she hadn’t known. And that they weren’t all mean. ”I didn’t think you were, I just don’t like things being behind me, and you’re so big, and you have the same silhouette as the little dragon? You said.” She wasn’t sure if she had the word right.

She watched as the massive dragon took flight and swooped over her and over the water. The horse followed them turning around in the water to watch her and to also still be polite in case they still wanted to speak. And they did just that, asking why she had come to Leo. That she wasn’t sure of. ”I’m not really sure. I left Eridanus a bit ago and have been wandering since. Though I have to say, Leo is absolutely beautiful.” The horse commented with a bright smile.

@Haven

Haven nodded slowly, "Leo is beautiful. I live here with my mate. Soon we'll have hatchlings and a family, here. Or at least I hope so. We're safe here, and so far nothing had gone wrong, unlike in some of the other caves."

Though they were isolated. And she was pretty lonely with only Electrum to talk to. Not that she didn't love having him all to herself.

"Do you want to race?", she asked suddenly, "You're a horse, you run, right?"

She flew to the shore and landed, pushing herself up straight and suddenly gaining a massive amount of height, "Let's race to that cliff over there! It'll be fun!!"

@Stormy

The young mare smiled as the dragon agreed that Leo was indeed beautiful. She went on to explain about her mate and her hopes. Stormy had never honestly thought about children, she never stopped in one place long enough to really make connections like that. Everyone she met ever only became an acquaintance or just a friend. It never really got more than that. And again she had never really mulled over the idea of a mate, let alone a family at all. ”Oh that sounds wonderful. I’ve never really stopped long enough to make any really close connections like that. It must be nice.” The young mare commented sweetly to the dragon.

For a moment there was a light silence between the two of them. A race? She hadn’t given herself an actual good run in quite some time. She had been mostly walking as she went, not having found many open spaces where she could safely run. But here she had to admit, would be a perfect place to stretch her legs and get a good run. ”Yeah that actually sounds pretty fun!” The young mare commented gingerly. ”Yes I am, and yes I do. I just haven’t lately. Most of these tunnels don’t have enough room for me to safely run, or at least I haven’t found any that are good for that yet.” She offered sweetly to the dragon. But she had to admit a run did sound fun and rather nice.

Stormy snorted as she watched the dragon land, and stretch up to her full height. As she did Stormy’s jaw hung open just a bit finally seeing just how large a dragon could really be. But also looking at her, she was absolutely magnificent. After a moment Stormy closed her mouth and made her way out of the water and up onto the beach. As she did water rolled off of her body and dripped from her tail onto the sand. Stormy followed the way the dragon gestured and smiled finding their target and gave a nod. ”Sounds fun no matter who wins!” Stormy commented, not entirely sure she could beat such a large winged creature.

@Haven

Haven grinned, showing rows of sharp teeth, "Excellent."

She stepped in beside the horse and crouched down again, tail and butt wiggling in excitement, "Ready? Set... GO!"

Haven took to the sky with a roar, her wings flaring out and flapping down, kicking up sand and debris as she took to the sky, her claws kicking at the air as she quickly gained altitude. She arched at her peak and swooped downwards, sand flying in her wake as she raced towards the cliff, her tail fins flaring out and catching the air, tilting and turning to slightly adjust her trajectory.

"Come on slowpoke!", she laughed, enjoying a little competition.

Electrum was much faster than her, displacing air as he went. He was a fantastic flyer... but even she knew the winds better than him, and was able to use them to gain lift and speed much faster than he could. But no offense to him, he had eyes and couldn't feel like she could.

@Stormy