Meeting You

There was barely any snow left across the wide spread Wetlands. Pools of water forming between damp patches of Moss and clay. Tiny ice particles still desperately clinging onto the tips of the occasional grass blade turning them muted and grey rather than their saturated green. Tiernan’s fur was sticking to his ankles, soaking wet from the vegetation he was wading through. Like a cat, he’d occasionally lift his front hooves and shake them vehemently to get rid of the dampness and the discomfort that came with it, but it was to no avail. Far in the distance he could already see who he came to meet. 

Her long white hair was messily tied back in a bun, resting low on her neck and she was anxiously looking around. Her white fur and the white fog lingering across the landscape made her appear almost as if she was but a ghost haunting the Swamps. His movements stalled for a bit when a sudden rush of Nervousness overcame him and he had to actively will himself further into her direction. Maybe she wouldn’t like him? Maybe he’d mess this up and ruin their little outing ? He wouldn’t call it a date as neither of them had agreed to make it one, but it didn’t reduce the expectations he set for himself. But he was pulled from his whirlpool of thoughts when she appeared to have noticed his arrival and waved him over. Her movements seemed a little awkward and a nervous smile crossed his lips. Maybe it would be ok… She seemed to be just as nervous as him after all.

Just a bit further and he arrived at her side, letting another smile cross his lips in greeting and she quickly returned the gesture. Both of their hands were busy and far from resting. Grabbing the other hand, twirling a bit of fur from their shoulders, tugging at another bit from their own back, the fingertips brushing across the nails. Everything but staying still. But neither of them seemed to really notice the other doing it, too focused on calming their Nerves. “So…”, Azalea started, her voice shaky like the leaf of a poplar tree,” should we get on our way?” “Uh sure” Tiernan smiled. And immediately it went back to silence, though both of them wore a slight red flush on their cheeks as they turned away their heads slightly and smiled. Tiernan was the first to take a step towards the lake that he had promised to show to Azalea when he had asked her for this meeting.  He had found this gorgeous lake the last time he was travelling around the lands and just before he had met Azalea just a few more kilometres further down the road. Slowly the two trotted along a tiny path that snaked it’s way inbetween the large puddles and damp moss patches. Tiernan leading and Azalea following just a step behind. Occasionally she’d sneak glances towards him and quickly averting her gaze back to the surrounding landscape or the path ahead. But Tiernan noticed them even out of the corner of his eyes and his blush only grew darker. It felt nice and filled him with a warm feeling of pride to have such a beautiful centaur lady seemingly admire him. Their walk continued on quietly, the sun setting slowly behind the horizons and the colorful sky reflecting in the fewer and fewer puddles that surrounded their path. Tall trees were starting to take shape in front of them, signaling to Tiernan that it wasn’t long before they’d reach their destination and that they by the time they’d reach the lakeside, the sun would have completely disappeared leaving just the moon and stars to decorate the nightsky.

He glanced next to him where the beautiful albino was still keeping up with his swift stride.

Her shorter legs making it so that her gait was slightly faster than his, the thumping of her hooves against the hard soil providing a rhythm that mixed with his own.

The sandy soil of their path started to make way for a path covered in vegetation and brightly colored autumn leaves. Red, Yellow, Copper and Brown covering the ground they were walking on.

The trees were now fully surrounding them and their dense foliage shut out the little bit of sunlight still lingering in the sky above them. Just a few more minutes until they’d arrive.

Not thinking too much about it and worried they’d get lost in the ever increasing darkness, Tiernan weaved his fingers into Azalea's and finished the gesture with a soft squeeze. 

The Nervousness hit him with a slight delay, but deep inside he was glad the delay allowed him this gesture.

Hand in hand they walked the last few meters towards the peaceful waters, calm slowly overcoming them again. The long walk had made them just a bit more adjusted to each other’s company.

And as they approached the wide clearing surrounding the lake, it would have not mattered anymore. The trees around them, anything but them and the lake seemed to disappear into a blur. Time seemed to halt for just a moment.

Only a slight breeze consisted and calmly moved the surface of the water against the thick roots of a giant cypress tree towering above the middle section of the lake. The stars were glittering and dancing across the surface, their soft light caught in the calm movements and making the ground of the lake even harder to make out in the dim light.

It was a magical sight to see, truly breathtaking.

If Azaleas company hadn’t been rewarding enough, Tiernan thought that revisiting this place would have made the trip worth it. He had been entranced by the sight the first time around as well, but sharing it with her made it just a little more magical…