Mussels

Hot sun beat down on their backs. The sea was calm, its waves lazily met the shore. Barely a breeze was going, but the clear, blue waters granted much relief.

Not that Scorch would have needed it. He loved the sun and its burning heat. The going theory was that his jet black coat insulated him perfectly from both sun and heat. Like a black cat lying in the warmest spot available or a double coated dog that lay on near burning stone. 

Scorchs rider Azura was faring a bit worse. She could not handle the heat well, would've much preferred to nap in the shade or sink down to the cool ocean floor. She was wearing a large hat with a thin veil and clothing of similar make. Where the fabric didn't protect her pale skin from the sun, a thin layer of white fur did. Her legs were not a humans, more that of a wolf- and dipped her paws into the waters to help her keep cool. 

Scorch meanwhile pushed through the chest high sea. They were passing through a shallow bay, towards a stoney beach. Azura was going to forage for mussels there, eat some kelp while at it. She would share with Scorch of course, whatever was edible for him.

It was the fifth day of their cross-country riding trip. They had taken a train for the first one, towards the sea, which Azura so loved. Then they had followed a stream to a river down to the shore. On day three the air had become salty, the land flatter. Then the land had fallen away and the sea had opened up, endless and blue.

Scorch was ambivalent towards swimming and water. But he recognized that Azura loved it and it was always a fun adventure with her. Sometimes she'd grab her husband's fishing rod and try to fish from horseback, only to eventually abandon it and go spearfishing instead. 

Scorch found both just fine. When perched on his back, Azura would hum and talk to him or they'd exist in comfortable silence. She’d fiddle with his mane and pet him and told him things she probably wasn't meant to ever share.

Or she would dive into the waters and disappear, darting around beneath the surface and making for quite the spectacle to view. 

 They'd reached the shore and Scorch lifted himself from the waters. He was partly drenched, salt would soon crystallize on his body. Before Azura could even hop off and clear the way, he heartily shook himself. Their gear clattered and leather creaked. Azura knew someone back home who would cringe if he really knew how she treated her leather equipment. But he wasn't here and the leather had been prepared well.

She proceeded to dismount, loosened all straps and pulled the gear and supplies from Scorch. He huffed in response and shook himself again, then followed Azura as she found a good place to leave it all. He was quite curious about what this was all going to be. Salty air filled his lungs and small stones crunched beneath his hooves. It was an unusual place. She'd taken him to the sea before, but the beaches had been soft sand and the rides there were long and in groups before returning to wherever they were staying.

Azura had relieved herself of the tack and turned to fuss over her horse. He happily nodded towards her, a low rumble emerging from his throat. It was the most sound he seemed able to produce. And only for her, a token of deep affection. He rumbled and she pet him, running her hands through his damp coat and scratching his neck. She rubbed his forehead and fed him a few treats. After some time spent cuddling, Azura went on to start her foraging. She took a basket with a leather strap and slung it over her shoulder. 

Scorch watched her with calm curiosity. He knew he was free to wander, but chose to stay around his person for now. The two found some larger rocks, which Azura overturned. Scorch had never seen humans do this, if he had, he'd been able to discern that she was much stronger than them. 

Azura squealed lowly, she’d found some. Her ears flicked and her tail swished happily. She was having a great time. Foraging was one of her favourite pastimes, especially if combined with her family or other things she loved. Such as her horses. Such as Scorch, who was standing just beside her. His head slightly lowered, jaw relaxed and a tail that occasionally batted at a fly. He didn't really understand what she was up to, but partook nevertheless. Sometimes when she foraged he'd get his share of the total, or she'd have him sniff whatever she was finding. She would close her fist around it and let him catch the scent.

But this time there was none to be had. However, he did get to investigate it. A closed fist that had something unusual inside. A new scent, reminding him of the fish she would catch and have him carry. But unusual and different. Not very appetizing, although he wasn't picky and would surely have some if offered. But no offers were given. He continued to observe, but eventually fell further behind until he meandered onto solid, grassy ground. There he stood in the sun and grazed. He wouldn't stray far, was always one of his persons calls away. 

His ears swiveled, he could hear stones being overturned, mussels broken off and his owners humming and even singing. 

Eventually, she stopped. Scorch lifted his head and saw her approach. He rumbled once more and moved to meet her half way, following Azura back to the grass. She sat down in the shade of a boulder and grabbed a mussel from the basket, broke it open and ate its contents. Scorch put his head back down and continued to graze. The grass and herbs here tasted different compared to back home. But Azura's presence made the new comfortable and fun