Pretty Like the Moon

La Luna has never really gone down this path before, and she's not quite sure why. Maybe because it seems to be most frequented by stallions? Fuega has told her that it leads to some sort of training ground, mostly for warriors. So really she has no purpose going down here. But she's bored, and it looks like a nice shady place to walk...escaping the strong noon sun would be nice. With a slightly nervous toss of her head, Luna steps onto the leafy path.

She relaxes quickly. The air is indeed nice and cool, and the leaves crunch merrily underhoof. She nods her head in greeting at several familiar faces as they head back up towards the herd, and none seemed to care that she is 'intruding' in their space. Luna goes around a rocky bend in the path before pausing for a moment. There, just a few paces away, stands Caspian. She watches him curiously while pondering how to approach him without scaring the stallion. Normally she'll walk right up and smile at someone, but that wouldn't work. Mostly because she's 99% sure that Caspian is blind. How does Edmund greet and guide him? Luna wracks her brain, coming up with some small semblance of a plan. Okay. Time to put it into action!

Luna walks regularly, but makes sure to stomp her hooves harder than average. That way Caspian can hear/feel the vibrations of her approach. He pauses his undergrowth-browsing, flicking his ears in her direction. He's most likely trying to discern who she is by her walk!

"Hello?" Caspian has completely stopped eating to focus on who's coming over. "You sound too light to be Edmund."

Luna finally reaches her destination. "Goodness, I hope so! Edmund is definitely bigger than I am. And he often eats one too many apples when he thinks no one is watching." She reaches her muzzle out for him to sniff, uncertainly. It's usually a friendly greeting; a way to exchange scents quickly. Her worries melt away has he casually blows air into her nostrils in acknowledgement.

"Ah, Luna. How are you doing today?" Caspian smiles at her in a friendly manner. She can tell that he's friendly, but is masking it for some reason? This is odd to her...yet horses cope in many ways so maybe hiding himself a little helps him somehow.

"I'm doing quite well, thank you. I'm just surprised to see you here! Without Edmund even." Luna flicks her tail, trying to find a conversation topic. He's just so easy to be around! She'll enjoy this interaction for as long as it lasts.

Caspian tugs at a stubborn flower with his teeth. "I don't need Edmund around all the time you know. He just helps me with more...unpredictable locations. I've been familiar with this path for ages now. It's good to give him a break every so often." He blinks and looks in her general direction. "Besides, no one wants to be stuck around me for days on end!"

Luna giggles a little. She might actually not mind being stuck with him! But of course she wouldn't ever say that aloud. "Well, I'm glad you have a little safe haven. Everyone deserves a relaxing outing. Um...am I disturbing yours?" She shifts her weight slightly, ready to leave if she is annoying him.

"No no, not at all. It's nice to talk with someone who's judgement-free." Caspian sniffs the dirt. He lazily strolls over to another patch of green on the forest floor. "I like making new friends! It's been hard lately because some get freaked out or uncomfortable talking with someone so disabled. Or giving me ridiculous special treatment. Like I'm made of glass or something. Very annoying."

She empathetically nibbles at his mane since he cannot see her facial expression of sadness. "Really? I must admit that I've always admired you for being so strong. Strong emotionally and physically about it. Not everyone can put up with such big life changes so quickly. That makes you a hardy, adaptable horse. All while staying true to yourself." Luna pauses speaking to smooth down a strand of mane she had messed up. "You could have given up. You could have bent to everyone's words or treatment. But you're still yourself, and you still are somewhat independently-minded. I guess what I'm trying to say is I find your resilience impressive. You're definitely more than just your disability." She goes quiet. So many words all at once! This is a lot, coming from her anyway.

Caspian lifts his head to listen to her admiring words. He ponders them for a second. "Oh Luna, I'm just my silly old self. Always have been, always will be. Disability or not. No real need for praise." He can tell that she's going to debate that so he tries to change the subject. "What color are you anyway? I like to put coat colors to names."

Luna steps away from his mane. "Me? Well, I'm sorta plain compared to many of the horses here. I have a dark grey blaze down the middle of my head, a big round white snip between my nostrils, and a light grey coat color. Not much to look at but it's me." She sighs a little. At least her colors are easy to explain.

"I think you are quite pretty. From what you said, anyway." Caspian replies softly. "Coat colors directly from the gentle face of the moon..."

Luna balks a little. Someone had mentioned Caspian being poetic, but she had never expected him to weave her some lovely words! "Oh no, trust me. I'm really a plain horse compared to the other lovely mares of the herd!"

"Luna. Beauty is inside. When someone's truly beautiful, their personality bubbles over and spills into their appearance. You must be truly breathtaking to behold." Caspian stares at her seriously. Well, sort of. He's staring at a rock since he hadn't realized that she shifted places.

Luna is at a loss of what to say. She has never received compliments well at all, especially weighty ones like this. "I...umm!" She is insanely happy that he cannot see how red her cheeks are. Why doesn't anyone else fluster her like this? Not fair. It's ruining whatever shaky friendship they have right now. "If...if I'm considered beautiful then you are most definitely devastatingly handsome."

Caspian makes a face, completely doubting it.

Luna, feeling like a complete idiot, babbles on. "Because you're really handsome to begin with, and once you add personality to it you're twice as radiant?" She shuts her mouth, realizing what she just said. "Meep! I...uh...should probably go..."

"You really don't have to!" Caspian laughs. He's not sure how to take the compliment quite yet. He'll think about it later. "Here, let me escort you through the rest of this path. I know where it branches off to a lovely little creek instead of to the warrior's training area."

Luna manages to compose herself back together with some effort. This is a new feeling for sure! She too must think about it later on. "I'd like that Caspian, thank you. Really I have no clue where I'm going...would this be an example of the blind leading the blind?" His laugh makes her smile even wider than ever before. Yes, she'll think about her emotions at a different time.

But for now? She'll enjoy this interaction for as long as it lasted.