Copper Specter x Daylight Reaping

Copper Specter, known as Rust-Ez, flicked his long grey tail as he was led into the pasture. It was still wrapped in a thin veil of fog when he arrived. He always liked the fog, enjoyed how he almost blended into it, except for the copper bits which gleamed like warm bronze when even the slightest hint of sun hit them.

He paused at the gate as he surveyed the unfamiliar paddock. After several days of transportation, the entire country was different. It was hot rather than snowy and the nearby barns were built in a style he didn’t recognize. But nothing unsettled him too much, after miles of exploration in the snowy mountains, years of hunting, and several championships.

Then, as the fog drifted away from the corners of the paddock, he saw her. A beautiful poppy mare with some of the most detailed tobiano markings he had ever seen. Her bright amber eyes glinted in the morning sun.

Her presence drew him, there was an effortless gravity of adventure which surrounded her. Rust-Ez inhaled sharply and began to meander her way.

This must be the mare they were talking about, he thought. 

All morning, the humans had been conversing and exchanging glances that told him today was special. Usually that happened when he was about to meet a new mare. Human intentions aside, he firmly believed that any meaningful partnership, whether sharing a stable or pasture, meant offering respect before expectation.

So as he slowly moved toward her, he lowered his head to show he came neither as a challenger nor an intruder.

The mare lifted her head, her gaze sweeping over him with curious appraisal, like a sunbeam deciding where it ought to land.

“Hello, you must be new,” she whinnied a greeting.

Rust-Ez bobbed his head, “I am. They call me Copper Specter, but I go by Rust-Ez. You?”

“I’m called Daylight Reaping, but I prefer Sola,” she answered, amusement warming her eyes.

“Sola,” he repeated with a snort. “It suits you.”

“As Rust suits you,” she laughed. “You do look like rust is growing on your shoulder. Humans are inventive if nothing else.”

He flicked his tail modestly. “I’ve heard worse, I suppose.”

A thoughtful silence settled between them as they circled each other with casual, unhurried interest. 

“So…” Sola started after a moment. “They brought you here with plans…”

“Yes,” Rust-Ez snorted. “But plans will wait. I like to know who I’m talking with.

Sola’s ears flickered with curiosity and appreciation. “Hmm, most don’t start like that. I like it.”

“They should,” he snaked his head her way. “So tell me, what do you like?”

A breeze carried across the field, tugging at their tails. He stepped in close beside her, yet still far enough away that he wasn’t assuming permission. Sola shifted slightly to meet him in the space he offered.

“Long runs,” she answered after a moment. “Adventure in open fields. Trails, hills, places where I feel more like the wind. What about you?”

“Anything with a view,” he said. “Ridges, fields, mountain peaks, cliff edges. And challenges to make the climb worth it.”

Sola tucked her head closer. “You sound like a wanderer.”

“You look like someone tried to capture a sunset and turn it into a horse.”

She snorted a laugh. “You’re very bold.”

Rust-Ez shrugged, “I simply tell the truth.

Another stretch of peaceful quiet eased between them. Just across the fencelines, other horses grazed unbothered. The fog began to lift, revealing the hints of blue sky above. Rust-Ez watched the light catch along her back, admiring the way the pink of her coat brightened.

She noticed him watching and with a teasing nip, took off for the other side of the field. He cantered after her and after catching up, they slowed together. Their shoulders brushed softly and then it was Rust-Ez’s turn to gallop off, kicking up his heels as Sola chased him, running around the field together like two foals discovering the world.