Fallow

A shining grey coat sparkles in the lakeside paddock where the young mare stood, knee-deep in the deep blue water. She drank from the lake silently, tail swishing at a couple of flies and fur warm under the sun. Her eyelashes fluttered as a butterfly attempted to land on her face, and the mare brought her head up to look at it properly. The beautiful insect landed on her nose, batted its baby blue wings twice, before flying away with a soft flapping sound, only audible to the little mare.

Deep within the pristine white manor, beyond halls and corridors of well-dressed men and women, the young lord lay in his bed, peacefully oblivious as to the goings-on of the outside world. Zhao Lingxue was often the one to be found waiting out the hot temperature of their environment, relishing in the cool rain that often followed. Unfortunately for him, everyone and their mothers had plans to disturb him.

‘Mister Zhao? Lord Lingxue, you have a guest. Dianxia, are you awake?’ A maid called from past his painted doors, knocking on the wood lightly. ‘My Lord, forgive me, but I truly must interrupt your rest. It is the royal family of Western Fera’lia.’

Western Fera’lia? Mm… Nia’orano, Linjiaqua, Simia— oh, Simia. The Vitali’s. Oh, Roan—

Interrupting his thoughts and having missed a soft murmur from the other person outside, the maid had walked away and the doors had slammed open.

‘Get up, Lingxue, your cob’s here.’ A white and ginger haired man crashed through the doors, dressed in appropriately respectful clothes - specifically, an outfit that Lingxue had bought the man, resembling Luenian attire but staying to the prince’s taste.

Lingxue rolled over in his bed, pulling a pillow across his face. ‘Get lost, Roan, I’m sleeping.’

‘Not anymore.’ Roan Vitali pulled the curtains open with crudely eloquent flair.

The sun was always bright, but more days than most, it irritated Zhao Lingxue. It was too warm, it made his already poor sight worse (for the enhanced reflections make him dizzy), and it made him look like a ghost when he never seemed to tan.

‘You said about a cob. What cob?’ He muttered as he dragged himself out of bed, slender hand running down his face as he walked towards the grand wardrobe.

‘The one you put your name in to adopt? Fellow, or whatever her name was?’ Roan raised an eyebrow, hands on his hips as he glanced at the untidy person. It was kind of comical to see the usually ever-composed Prince crumble down to this.

‘Oh, Fallow? The little grullo lady?’ Lingxue perked up slightly, pulling two white shirts out. One had musical lacing on the sleeves, whilst the other had pearls running down the front. ‘Which one?’

‘I told you to bin that pearly one.’ Roan huffed, shaking his head. ‘Just hurry up. I’ll wait outside.’

The shorter man stalked out of the room and shut it behind him, his footsteps echoing through the hallways before eventually falling silent. Lingxue let out a short sigh, dressing in light blue jodhpurs, the lace-sleeve shirt and some gloves, and then he departed.

Finally outside and blinking the sun out of his eyes, he wandered over to the foxish man with a subtle smile, standing tall despite having only just woken up.

‘And? Where is she?’ He pried, his gaze flicking over the paddocks before landing on a little grullo pony, dozing in the sunlight with a bird sitting on her withers. ‘…. You didn’t tell me she was Sleeping Beauty.’

‘Who? She’s-‘

‘Nevermind.’

The pair walked over to the painted white fence line, whistling softly. The mare glanced at them, ear flicking back to show that she heard them, before a bunny rabbit lolloped past. Fallow trotted after it with a soft squeal, ears pricked and bird grasping at the mane on her withers to hold on.

Fallow was currently being stabled here as a trial period to see whether Lingxue was fit to adopt her - the Teddy Cob’s association ran an Adoption Centre, where people who seem worthy may put their name in to adopt a Teddy and then train it themself. Primarily, they strive to help make these friendly little ponies more accessible to the people who haven’t got one, but after a while, they allow someone with other horses or Teddy’s to adopt - technically, they had to wait because both Roan and Lingxue put their names in as one entry, and Roan already has his gorgeous stallion Thalia.

Lingxue was partial to taller horses - his Ari is a stunner, and when Ezra visits, he’s beautiful - but something about this specific cob was perfect. She was small, but full of personality and curiosity, friendly beyond measure. And now, as she wandered closer to the gate inquisitively, she portrayed this well; putting her nose over the wood and nudging at Lingxue softly. She reached her head over to rest her muzzle on the young man’s shoulder, playing with his long white hair on her nose. She snorted at it, pulling her head back and standing politely beside the gate.

‘Go on, put a halter on. Let’s get to know her a bit,’ Roan murmured, gesturing at the deep blue-grey headcollar beside him.

Lingxue slid inside of the paddock, holding the halter out for Fallow to sniff. She seemed to be slightly confused, but not fearful; ears flicking back and forwards as she tried to take the firm fabric in her teeth. He chuckled softly, and stroked her neck, the long straight mane surprisingly smooth to touch.

‘It’s not for eating,’ he murmured with a subtly smile, bringing it up to her nose to put the headcollar on. ‘Like this, yeah? How’s that?’

‘You don’t need my help after all, do you?’ Roan hummed, leaning on the fence with a scoff. Lingxue hummed quietly and shook his head, grinning as Fallow shoved her muzzle in the halter, expecting to find something through it. He did up the buckle that sat over her poll and fumbled in his pocket to find a sugar cube, presenting it to the young mare with a nod.

‘This one’s food. It’s tasty, I like it too,’ He hummed, watching quietly as Fallow grasped it in her lips and chewed on it tentatively. She evidently liked sweet things, because once she tasted the sugar itself, her ears were forwards and she was looking about in his pockets for more without even finishing the first. ‘You and I are going to get along so very well, Fallow. Very well indeed.’