The near-glowing white foal stepped gently across the ground, his shaky legs fighting against him with every step. Slowly making his way through the trees, the small kin looked around in awe at the sun-soaked treetops, stopping frequently to stare at a leaf or sunbeam before looking back at the roots and gently taking a few more steps. The foal had little experience with the beauty of the swamp, and couldn't help but be amazed by nearly everything now that he was finally able to get up and explore, slow as his exploration was. Following the sun's journey across the sky, he found the trees began to spread apart, which made his travel a bit easer. Happily continuing on this path, the foal's ears perked at the sound of rushing water. Eyes wide he hurried as fast as his unsteady legs would carry him until he broke through the trees.
The river glistened in the sun, dancing and splashing before his eyes. Rocks, patterned by the rushing water twinkled in the light, and darting shapes danced beneath the surface. Finding himself frozen in awe over the sight, the foal stared, taking in the colors before him. Slowly, his eyes began to dart back and forth, to the colored rocks, the gently rushing water, and a closer look showed even the shadowed fish glistened when looked at the right way. The foals sparkling eyes showed the joy he felt, and they continued to dart along, trying to take in everything. The shadows on the other side of the bank eventually drew his attention, and an odd shine glinted across at him. Pausing for a moment, he stared, unable to see what it was. Squinting a bit the foal leaned forward, hoping to get a better sight, but to no avail.
Slowly, he stepped forward, looking for a way across the river. Luckily, it was quite shallow, though for one of his size the waters would pass his knees. Tentatively, he stepped on dark hoof in, holding for a moment as he swayed in the gentle breeze. One step turned to another as he slowly made his way across the river, till he reached the shadowed bank. He glanced around, looking up at the sun behind the trees near setting, and the strangely gloomy atmosphere. It was fascinating how different this side of the river felt, and the buck almost forgot what he'd come here for as he peered between the trunks into the nothingness. Eventually, the glint caught his eye once more and he quickly started trotting over, a curious excitement filling him, a wonder at what new things he would discover.
When he arrived, it was not what he had expected. Before the foal lay a bird, black feathers and a long yellow beak. Long dead by the looks of it, it's body was filled with wiggling larvae and beginning to falling apart. The feathers, no longer maintained by it's slender beak had taken on an odd shine, the glint he'd seen from the other side. He could see the inside of it, and found himself strangely captivated. An odd sensation began to well up within him as he continued to stare, the lifeless creature starkly contrasted by the bugs wiggling around franticly inside it, and he found himself overcome with a
Regret he could not quite identify. Sitting down, the foal continued to watch as the sun began to set beneath the trees, the changing light creating strange shadows and highlighting the few bones he could see. The foal lowered his head, resting it on the ground, eyes locked on the black bird as it blended into the night.
