[PRP]Routine & Monotony (Maeve x Artemis)

[`raze]

Artemis hated the winter so very, very much.

It wasn't the biting cold that bothered him or the dreary skies. Snow crunched under his hooves as he lazily walked alongside the creek, his red eyes glazing over the water that was nearly ice. It wasn't the snow or ice either.

It was how dreadfully boring the season was. Everyone had cooped themselves up, only traveling when necessary. The usual spots he lingered around to meet strangers & friends alike were empty. No one new to peak his interest, no one old to maintain it.

He continued his slow stroll, brows furrowed as he internally threw his tantrum. He didn't want to be tied down to a herd - the monotony and routine sounded terrible, but at least he would have had some company. Maybe he could join one just for the winter? Come back when it was convenient? But the routine and monotony continued to weigh down on him as he thought about it.

He started to mindlessly kick snow into the creek, watching it skate across the ice until it mixed with the tiny streams still moving across the ice.

"So. Over. This."  

[~Kiana_Nala~]

Maeve was loving the winter weather. Sure, it was bitterly cold most days and the hidden ice gave her a heart attack near daily, but it was such a welcome sight. Thanks to her recent traveling, she could experience snow for the first time in her life. Well, snow that stuck anyways. One of her favorite pastimes had been crunching the fresh powder under hooves. Admittedly though, there wasn't much to do beyond that. Foraging was harder in winter. She'd seen less soquili than usual and. . . it was a little lonely. Though, on days when she'd pranced about (like an absolute filly) and ended up further away from her den she'd managed to meet a few new faces.

Hence why she was out of her den today, this time testing to see how easily she could navigate the creek now that it too had frozen over. Admittedly it wasn't her greatest idea. But if she didn't try, what could she gain? Maybe there was an easy way to make it across the ice. If so, she could try and apply that knowledge to larger bodies of water! Er, on second thought, that might not be a great idea.

Shrugging off the foreboding sensation, Maeve picked up her pace to a light trot until she reached the area where the creek resided only to pull up short. There was snow flying onto the creek. Where--"So. Over. This." Well, that answered that question. Squinting her eyes a little, Maeve could see the form of a male standing not too far from the creek, his body blending in with the snow while his hair stood in a stark contrast to the landscape. She honestly should take a few lessons on observation. How many times had she snuck up on another and been completely unaware until they were right in front of her? Too many.

Taking a few steps closer until she was standing next to the male, Maeve watched the snow continue to pile onto the ice with fascination. "I think you'll need more snow to block the stream." She smiled, her pink eyes flashing with clear delight.  

[`raze]

Artemis had been so self-involved, so absorbed in his on tantrum he was compleely unaware of the mare that had heard him. He was unaware of her steps forward, unaware of her standing next to him as he kicked snow. He was in his own little world where kicking snow into the creek would somehow end winter across the Kawani land.

Her voice broke through his daze, startling the stallion. His small kicks at the snow turned haphazard as she stumbled forward almost into the creek. He took a few quick steps to the side, red eyes staring at the source of the voice. It all happened so quickly, yet the information realizing in his brain took much longer than he ever hoped to admit. Next to him was another Soq, and not just that another mare, and not just that but a pretty one. Artemis couldn't help the grin pulling at his lips as he straightened himself up. Her words clicked in his brain and he shot a glance to where he had been kicking snow.

"Haha! Uh yeah, right...." Definitely not the coolest or smoothest thing a mare hass caught him doing but probably not the worst. "Just showing old man winter how I really feel about him and all of," he paused gesturing with his head around him, "this. The winter sucks. There's nothing to do, it's cold, everyone's all cooped up.... which leads me to ask what brings you out here?" He flashed her what he thought was a charming smile, hoping she'd indulge him in conversation.

~Kiana_Nala~