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Devina's day started off perfectly normal and calm. The rays of the early morning sunrise gently tickled her awake through the big, leaf covered branches of the tree she had slept under. Though she still lived with her family there were times when their loving, close nature was overwhelming for quiet solitary self. She liked her peace and quiet. When weather permitted she would often go off on her own into the softly treed hills surrounding the lands of the herd her family was part of. From her current vantage point she could see the pathway that lead to the large flat grassy area where the herd had their market days. There was starting to be a steady stream of traffic heading that way, even this early in the morning. As she watched the slow trickle of herd members along the path she decided it was time to move on before someone spotted and/or recognized her. She turned away from the road and trotted down the other side of the hill.

Lazuli had woken up that morning and chosen violence. At least that's what anyone who saw her as she was galloping for her life ahead of the pair of very obviously pissed off walkers would have said. It didn't help her case that she was laughing as she wove between trees and around bushes. Some time ago Lazuli had one day woken up and decided she felt like going on an adventure. So without a backward glance she had left her herd and family and set out. Up to this point it had been pretty much nothing but boring walking. She'd met a few friendly faces along her way but nothing terribly exciting had happened. She was just about to give up and head back home when her luck had finally turned that very morning. She had stumbled across this pair hunting. They'd been about to catch their prey when Lazuli just happened to burst out of the bushes startling the poor animal they'd been stalking, causing it to bound away. At that point they'd decided she would make a tasty replacement and . . . well . . . here they were.

Devina made it to the base of the hill, completely lost in thought as she squeezed between the two tall rock faces that sided the very bottom of the path before it opened up to a lightly forested area that was sparsely dotted with brush. As she popped out of the crevasse a sound lightly tickled her consciousness. Have dazed she looked to her right just in time for . . . CRASH!
The paint mare slammed into her sending them both tumbling in a tangled of limbs and startled whinnies.

Lazuli had been glancing over her shoulder to try to gauge how far back her pursuers were as she spend around the slight bend of the rock. The unexpected collision of flesh she slammed into caused her to let out a startled yelp as she tumbled a** over tea kettle. Despite the twist in her getaway plan she was keenly aware that she needed to get untangled and back moving as soon as possible. She had dragged herself top her feet and was already half a stride into a run before it registered to her that now this unfortunate individual was involved too.
"Run!!" She called gleefully with a grin at the stunned mint colored pile behind her.

She had barely figured out what direction was up before Dev found herself gaping at the other mare half-limping half-bounding away.
"What on earth?" the question had barely left her lips as the other mares warning sank in. "Run? Run from what?" Dev asked as she looked around. From the direction the paint had come she heard footsteps and as she watched to walkers burst through the bushes. Having never seen them before it took her a moment to process what she was seeing. Luckily her body was far ahead of her mind and she felt her feet scrambling to get her upright even as her brain gaped at the two very pissed off predators bearing down on her. With a squeal she took off after the paint.

They often say that in moments of peril your life flashes before your eyes. That was how Dev was feeling as she tore along through the brush following close to the paint mare's heels. And what she saw was very boring. Very safe. And she liked it that way. She had grown up with her loving family and spent her days loafing around in the woods alone. Well, as alone as one could be while surrounded by the small critters, but still. She had avoided making friends for the most part. The occasional bird or squirrel notwithstanding. She had always listened with mild interest to the stories others told of their adventures but never once had she felt the need to pursue her own. Not this mare. She had been content lurking in the background of life. So how on earth had such a slow lazy morning ended up like this?! She whimpered as a crash from behind let them know their pursuers were still close behind.

Lazuli's flicking ears just barely caught the sound of the mint mare's whimper.
"What's the matter friend?" she called over her shoulder with a laugh, "A little fresh air on a morning run is good for the head!" She would admit that she did feel a little bad for having gotten this stranger swept up in her shenanigans but who didn't love a little excitement in their life? Of course there was still the matter of them being able to get away safely but she was sure the opportunity would present itself shortly. Hopefully. It always seemed to just when she needed it.

As they ran the trees started to thin and the ground beneath became less loam and more rock. A fresh scent tickled Lazuli's nostrils. Was that water? A river maybe. That could be a problem. She focused her attention keenly forward in the hope that she could see and assess the upcoming situation before it became a problem. The ground started to slope upward. Then, just ahead, she spotted their salvation. The body of water had cut a deep gulley into the land. It looked to be pretty wide but with some effort she was pretty sure it could be cleared. Hopefully more effort than the predators behind were willing to make. "Get ready to jump friend!" She shouted over her shoulder and powered for the gap. Controlling her strides she counted down till she planted her feet and with a heave of effort flung herself into space. Airborn. She hung for what felt like and eternity but it couldn't have been more than seconds. Then there was the ground again rushing up to meet her hooves. The force of her landing caused her to stumble slightly but she quickly righted herself and turned to watch and see if the other mare would make it.

It didn't take Devina long to realize just what direction they were heading in. She normally avoided this area specifically for the fact that it could be hazardous. She was about to shout a warning to the other mare when to her horror she watched the wheels in the paint's head tangibly turning before she headed right for the place she avoided like the plague. Her ears heard the shout about jumping and her brain barely processed it before the other mare flung herself, mostly gracefully, across the gap. NOPE. Her brain rebelled. As she neared the edge herself she felt her legs lock up and her feet start to slide. Terror froze her limbs as she slid right up to the edge and teetered on the very knife edge of the cliff. Her mind was raging at her to do something. Danger behind, fear ahead and if she didn't make a decision she would fall far into the water below. As her weight started leaning out into space she had a sudden moment of clarity. Jump. That was the only choice she had. With a massive effort she forced her body to react and gathered herself to spring into space.

Her feet left the ground and for a moment she felt a thrill like had never experienced before in her life. She had fought through the paralyzing fear and was weightless as she flew through the air. The moment was short lived. IT quickly became apparent that her momentum was slowing and the other side of the gap was still too far away. She reached hard with her front feet and they just barely contacted the earth. It wasn't enough. Her hind feet swung down and hit the side of the bank. However no matter how hard she struggled it wasn't enough. She slowly slipped back and then she was falling. Down, down until she hit the water with a splash and the current swept her away as it closed over her head.

Lazuli watched with wide eyes as the other mare struggled. Then the moment when she didn't make the jump and fell into the water below.
"Well, hell." Minty had landed well and there was a good chance she would be okay if she could swim but Laz still felt responsible. She stuck her tongue out at the walkers as she watched them, still on the other side, turn away in search of easier prey. With a sigh she turned and headed downstream in search of places the other mare had possibly been able to pull herself out.

After the initial shock of her fall and disbelief as the river carried her away, Devina realized that if she didn't pull herself together she was going to be in trouble. She had taken the time to learn how to swim so she knew she could do this. She picked the direction she hoped was up and started kicking her legs. Luckily it was only a matter of moments before her head broke the surface and she took in a sweet lungful of air. The river was starting to slow and with a little effort she was able to make her way over to the bank and drag herself out of the water. She lay for a moment breathing hard. The scrabbling of stones overhead made her heartrate speed up but when she saw that it was just the paint making her way down to where she was she relaxed again. She was too warn out from all the excitement to even be mad at the stranger who had turned her morning upside down.

"Are you alright?" Lazuli asked. "Sorry about dragging you into that. I'm Lazuli by the way."

Devina laughed because she couldn't think of anything else to do in this situation. Introductions after such a harrowing experience together felt silly. "I think this has been the most exciting day I've had in my life. I'm Devina." She heaved herself to her feet. "Please tell me they aren't still following us." she joked.

"No, they gave up. Do you want to go find something to eat?"

Dev blinked at Laz in confusion. She acted like this was just a normal day for her. Then again, maybe it was. Who was this mare? She supposed it couldn't hurt to find out. "Ummm sure?"

Lazuli shot her a smile and led the way back up the bank. Devina just shook her head and smiled before following. She couldn't help but be amazed at herself. She had never had any idea that she would ever have been able to do something like she had just experienced and still walk away smiling.