Sheba had been so intent on ridding herself of the awfully tacky shade of red that she was surprised to look up and see a dark head looking up at her from the waves. “Oh hi,” it called, and after her initial shock and closer inspection, she saw that the head belonged to a girl bobbing in the water with an owl upon her back.
“Hello,” the older mare replied, in a voice that was not unfriendly, but not particularly warm either. She didn’t truly believe that the girl posed any threat, but with this place…well, one never really knew. Still, it offended her sense of self to even entertain the idea that a mere child could really do her any harm, and so she resolved to converse with it--her--if only to prove a point.
“How’s the water?” Sheba asked finally, deciding it pointless after a quick scan of the otherwise-empty shoreline to ask where the filly’s parents might be. A more maternal mare than herself might have been concerned, but to Sheba, it was all a formality anyway. What did she care if the girl was out here alone? She’d been the same way at about that age, grateful for any time she could get away from her overprotective mother.