[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/images/thy/parrothead_uncert.png[/imgleft]The sun was hot today, just as Parrot Head liked it. The tribe was busy with visitors and foals, and as lovely and lively as it was, there was an undeniable stress associated with it. The colorful doe decided she needed a quiet, lonely nap to reset her thoughts. She made her way to her favorite private beach, with Pop Top, her little hermit crab, resting on her back. He deserved some peace and quiet too. With so many hooves to dodge, she imagined he was just as stressed.

She dug out a medium sleeping spot in the sand, and then with one hoof, tamped a small spot for her pet. After cozying up in the hot sand, it did not take long for the doe to fall into a heavy sleep. She was too tired, and the sound of waves lulled her just as good as a lullaby. Parrot Head slept soundly, her legs and neck stretched weirdly, her mouth agape and drooling on the hot sand.

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgright]She had not paid attention to the tides, and as such found herself taking rest too close to shore during low tide. The waves rolling in failed to rouse her from her heavy sleep. Pop Top was alert and taking shelter on her stomach, scratching uselessly in an attempt to warn her.

@Gl!tch~

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright] He was wandering, as he always did. The kiokote heart always wanted to run, to race, a freeing feeling. He always felt listless. It was an unusual thing, and not something his brethren understood. But his restless hooves had taken him far beyond the plains, and even the swamp. He wasn't sure most others even knew what to make of this land. Rolling water, deep sand... It was something different. New. A distraction.

As he passed the many strange things washed up on the shore, he noticed something colorful in the distance. He creeped ever closer, in awe of the blues and the yellows. The tide crashing over her, she appeared like she was another piece of driftwood.

Spectral Escape first checked to see if she was still living, watching her flanks press up and down. Good thing, because she definitely looked dead.

And with the water crashing in higher and higher...

He prodded at her side with a hoof. What a dumb way to die.

[imgleft]https://i.imgur.com/PdjFbaQ.png[/imgleft]Parrot Head stirred groggily, blinking at the figure that had nudged her out of her nap. The culprit was either an unfamiliar buck, or perhaps a large and strange bird. In her dreamy state she wasn't quite sure. The light hurt too much for her to open her eyes all the way. Perhaps he was simply a figment of her imagination, anyhow.

"Ten more minutes..." she complained, closing her eyes and nuzzling her face back into the sand. She didn't seem to show any reaction to the waves lapping at her legs.

[imgleft]https://i.imgur.com/lYqyReQ.png[/imgleft] "Ten more minutes and you'll be swimming," he chuckled. From what he knew about acha, they were pretty loose, but looking like a dead bird about to drown was a bit much. Spectral moved his forehoof over and pushed some of the sand away from Parrot Head's face. The buck chuckled again. "It'd be a shame if the moving water took away such a pretty doe."

[imgleft]https://i.imgur.com/PdjFbaQ.png[/imgleft]"Mmmm..." Parrot Head pulled herself up by her knees, blinking awake. Though she still squinted a bit from the bright light, she understood now that this was a buck that was waking her. A crane could never flirt like that, not even in one of her dreams.

"Maybe I'd like to go for a swim," she joked. She moved to stand, stretching her limbs for a good moment first. Turning her attention to the water, Parrot Head took a few steps in before looking back at the buck.

"A cold dunk can be a good remedy for a nap," she explained, then recklessly ran into the waves, hoping to splash the kiokote and ruin his too-perfect pelt.

[imgleft]https://i.imgur.com/lYqyReQ.png[/imgleft]
"Ah!" He took a little jump back as water sprayed towards him. He could feel it on his pelt, cold and crisp. Spectral Escape shook it off, then laughed. "You desert folk are weird as they sing! Do your bones ache for water like mine do for a good chase?"

Before he would let Parrot Head answer, he playfully tilted his head and galloped after her.

Surprised by the buck’s question, Parrot Head paused to think. She glanced back at the buck and laughed softly. “That’s awful poetic of you, stranger,” She teased, tilting her head, “but I’ll warn you, this water’s nothing like the kind in the desert. For one, it’s terrible for drinkin’.”

As she spoke, a wave crested behind her, crashing into her skinny frame and sending her stumbling. She recovered not gracefully, but gleefully. “And it’s much more lively,” she added, laughing as if the water was getting her back for the insult.

[imgleft]https://i.imgur.com/lYqyReQ.png[/imgleft] As the water creeped in more, the stronger it seemed to get. He could see that when it hit the acha. Or maybe she was just that delicate? Amazing that even though she wasn't prepared for attacking water you couldn't even drink, Parrot Head enjoyed it so much.

He wasn't sure how he felt about the water's smell, himself.

But, honestly, Spectral Escape didn't really care about the ins and outs of the surf so much.

"Am I going to have to fight with it for you?" he teased.

The doe threw back her head in laughter. She shook her head, exhaling the last giggles before glancing back at the buck.

“Now as much as I’d like to see you try, I don’t think you’d have a fightin’ chance,” she explained.

She stepped toward the buck, and ran the side of her face against the kiokote’s neck. She was drying herself off, but she imagined he wouldn’t mind.

“Thankfully for you, well... Me and the sea, we ain’t nothin’ exclusive...” She whispered, close to Spectral’s ear.

[imgleft]https://i.imgur.com/lYqyReQ.png[/imgleft] The doe made it so easy to switch tactics, so he didn't have to set himself up to look ridiculous trying to stomp down endless tide.

"So it won't mind if I take you away from it for a bit?" he asked, tilting his jaw so her head would rest under it. "I did mention that I love me a good chase, didn't I...?"

She seemed so energetic, and he wanted to see how far those thin legs could take her in a gallop. Probably not enough to outrun him, and if he was reading her right, she wouldn't want to anyway.

With a little hum, Parrot Head considered the kiokote’s proposal. She wasn’t much of a runner, but the idea did sound fun. She knew she wouldn’t win, but she never cared much about that to begin with.

“Ok, I’ll bite!” She took a step back, sizing up her competition. She smiled, just a little bit devious.

“Only if I get a head start!” She said, then splashed the kiokote one more time in an attempt to disorient him. Racing fast, she took off in the direction of the beach, giggling as she went.