Treading Water // Warspite #1

Kaida Rayne Maris, a young man living out in a lake-side cottage on Saltwater Estates, was… not in his house. Never was, actually - only when his parents encouraged him to rest for a while. No, he was far too busy for sitting around on land. Well - most of the time, anyway. When the local herds of Teddy Cobs beckoned closer, however? That was something worth exploring.

The brunette had looked after many of the Teddies that had passed through Saltwater Bay, but he had yet to have his own. What he wants is kind of particular - something to fit his colour scheme (a low requirement, but fun), a fun and curious personality, and an enjoyment for the seaside. Which, to be fair, was kind of necessary to be around these parts anyway. 

He was just pulling his boots on when his phone buzzed, the familiar profile picture of a young man popping up in a notification.

| 🐍 • Aaditya • ☀️ (@sunwoulddoyouwell)
You up yet? 
Got your list? Food? 

| You // Kaida (@abandon.shippp)
Got three on my list to check out I think  
I’ll buy some food at the market, Ol’ John might owe me a favour I forgot about 

Kaida pocketed his phone once more and opened the front door, the burgundy wood and its painted detailing creaking slightly as it shut behind him. The golden key slipped into the lock, and he turned it until it clicked, and then he was on his way down the path. 

Saltwater Bay, the stables next to the Maris family’s house, was a short walk away, and Raichu - a little dark brown stallion of Kaida’s - whinnied at him gently, sky blue eyes watching him curiously.

‘Sorry, Rai, not today. Off to find a little friend for you.’ Kaida called, waving slightly with his keys still in his hands, clinking together. Raichu snorted, and to be fair to him, he’s only little, too - around 14.3hh, so it makes sense he’s get a bit miffed about having another little one around. 

Down by the beach, a handful of ponies were frolicking about, kicking at the water whilst the majority of their pals were up on the grasslands, closer to their natural habitat. The beach was a nice place to come to when it was hot - the breeze caught the water, cooling down the air comfortably. 

In the group of cobs at the coast, there were three that stood out to Kaida: a little red roan, a liver chestnut dun with a multitude of white markings, and a dark bay with a dappled sooty coat. 

Kaida fumbled with the bells in his bag - he had enough to try for a couple of them. Well, let’s give it a go.

The first attempt would be on the red and white dun, with sea-blue eyes and a pretty face. Compared to the rest of the herd, she was quite dainty, her mane and tail flecked with water that sparkled in the sunlight, curls lying tangled against her fur from the water she splashed in. 

This little mare was gleaming with curiosity - and little she was. The tiniest of the herd, she could only around ten hands, with tiny hooves that shuffled on the sand as she trotted away from the children that grasped at her fur. 

‘Friendly, at least. That’s a good start.’ 

Kaida began to follow her, the tiny cob pausing every metre or so to sniff at a rock-pool, before carrying on again towards the mouth of a cave. It was a small cave, and if you were anywhere over six foot, you’d struggle to get in comfortably, but for this Teddy mare, it was easy enough. She squished in and stared around, nuzzling at the rocks and licking at the little waterfall that fell through from the river above the ground that had hollowed out into the cave.

Kaida shuffled in behind her, alerting the cob. She glanced at him, before sniffing again at the rock pools. Her eyes widened slightly, interest piqued, as a little coral-coloured starfish recoiled from her accidental touch. She nudged it again, ears flicking about as she sipped at the water around it, occasionally, the water trickling down from above would splash at her muzzle, and her head would go up, as if assuming some unknown factor had miraculously appeared from above.

‘Clever pony, look at you, looking about, hey?’ Kaida murmured, crouching and petting her hesitantly. She was surprisingly friendly - the Teddy Cob as a breed naturally were, but he’d kind of expected them to be a little bit more worried about the people surrounding him. 

He quickly braided a bell into her tail, signalling his attempt to adopt her to those who would judge afterwards, before one of her herd mates poked their nose in and called for her. She snorted back, a breathy noise that was almost her questioning his turning up. He narrowed his eyes and flicked his ears back, before turning on his heel and trotting away. The tobiano mare made a small bunny-hop over the puddling water, splashing bits of her fur in it, and she cantered after him enthusiastically. 

The bell chimed behind her as she ran, and she kicked at it until she got used to the musical sound. Kaida watched as another child and its mother fastened a little bell into the mare’s mane when she next halted, and she nudged the child softly, burying her muzzle into its neck comfortably. He heard the little girl giggle, and he couldn’t help but smile. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if she went home with a littler person.

Submitted By bloodh0unds_
Submitted: 2 months ago ・ Last Updated: 2 months ago