Pearls in the Snow

Gwen sat on the fence of her pond watching the snowy landscape, the snow falling on the hem of her blue dress and barefoot feet. She’d been certain she’d seen movement in the fields, but for the moment everything seemed still. She’d considered going inside, but the falling snow was Gwen’s favorite weather. 

As she watched the snow, she once again saw a flicker of movement. This time she saw the outlines of a beautiful pearl buckskin. The spots of their leopard appaloosa coat blended so seamlessly with the falling snow it was no wonder she missed the creature the first time. 

The mare wandered up to her, their tail flicking bits of snow off their shimmering coat as they sniffed at Gwen and looked at them expectantly. 

“I don’t have anything for you. I’m sorry.” Gwen stroked the mare’s nose gently, the pearly coat soft and warm to the touch. “I didn’t know you were out there.” 

This answer didn’t seem to satisfy the pearl buckskin as they flicked their tail in annoyance, digging at the snow. They seemed impatient with the situation, like they were trying to convey something to her. 

“I don’t know what you want.” She continued to brush the mare’s nose, the unique patterning of spots along the nose fascinating to consider, and the large spot over the horse’s eye lending the look of a half mask or an eye patch. 

This time the mare turned and whapped Gwen with their long, luxurious, white colored tail. 

“What!?!” Gwen laughed as she swatted at the tail. “I don’t know where you’re supposed to be, but I’m sure you’ve someone looking for you.” 

The pearl colored horse gave the fae a distinctly annoyed look, all 15.2 hands of height quivering with annoyance at the woman not cooperating with their requests. This time the horse nudged at them harder, nearly toppling Gwen off the fence where she sat. 

Rather than risk falling, Gwen dropped down into the snow on the same side as the imperious horse. She wasn’t afraid of the horse hurting her, for all the mare seemed frustrated. 

Rather than nuzzle Gwen again, the spotted horse walked towards the gate and looked at it expectantly, and then back at the woman, and once again back to the gate. 

“All right, all right, I can take a hint. But I’m going to have to find out where you belong. Because it’s not with me.” She laughed as she opened the gate, brushing her curly reddish-brown hair back behind her ears. 

The mare wasted no time and bolted through the snow towards the food. The thick layer of snow burst, sending pieces flying as the horse’s hooves struck the ground. 

“I should have guessed.” Gwen shook her head as she watched the mare eat and then turn to play in the snow. “Well, if you were that hungry, perhaps you can stay after all.” 

The mare seemed to understand this well enough, trotting back over and brushing lightly against the woman in blue before once again turning to romp in the falling snow, occasionally returning to Gwen just for attention and affection. Gwen hadn’t been looking for a horse, but it seemed one had found her afterall. 

“What do you think of the name Boba Pearl?” Gwen asked as the spotted mare once again pranced up to her. 

The mare tossed her head in agreement, their white mane sending snow flying in the air before taking off back towards their new home. 

“Pearl then, for short,” Gwen murmured as she watched the pearl spotted mare play in the snow.