Half of my heart knows just what it wants of me

His feet picked carefully through sand and seaweed, a trail of prints unwinding behind him.  The parrots were celebrating something it seemed, whistling and chattering louder than usual. He whistled back to them, muddled echoes of the surroundings bouncing back in his mind discordantly. There were too many layers, he would have to navigate by his native senses instead. 

Wandering the familiar paths of the jungle, he segued back to the beach as he always did. Cantering steadily over the strip of fine sand, he bee lined for the sound of waves splashing in. Cool water spattered his skin as he kept on his path, running until his feet no longer touched anything but the sea. Deeper still he went until the water closed over his head. All sound vanished, and his nostrils shuttered against the invading sea. 

He drifted like this for a few minutes. Not thinking, not feeling. Just being. All too soon his breath ran out, though this was many minutes after most horses would have needed to surface. With powerful kicks he broke the surface. Deep draws of air expanded his chest, a fine mist clouding his exhale. Stroking the sea like a lover, he made his way back toward Ischia, and the sea let him from her embrace once again. His saltwater soaked pelt turned charcoal with wetness, his mane hung heavy with it. A few more steps and the dry sand clung to the ebony of his hooves. A shower of droplets radiated from his body as he shook hard, making a rainbow halo about his form for just an instant. 

He was just about to drop to his knees for a good roll when a small sound caught him off guard. Damn, he hadn't been paying attention. "Krone? Kylin? Er, sorry, who's there?" He called out, smiling uncertainly. It was no secret that he enjoyed his time in the water, but it was another thing to be caught in the act of it. Pausing to catch his breath, he realized that the scent that went with the sound was not familiar. He hoped his little display hadn't scared them off. 

Half of my heart knows just what it wants of me

There was no one, and then there was someone right beside him. She was warm against his still damp skin, and seemed awfully concerned about something on his shoulder. He was bleeding? He didn't remember scraping against anything... But then she withdrew with an embarrassed laugh. Well that was one way to introduce yourself. 

He laughed as well, smiling in her direction. "I think I have a marking there, it's been mentioned before... Josie, right? I'm Hod. And you're perfectly fine exploring. Have you been to Ischia before? I dont remember your scent." He tilted his head to one side, listening to the ambient sounds. He needed to pay attention more, he'd already been caught unaware once this morning. 

The grey man offered his muzzle in introduction, a slight bow in his neck as he did. He may be scruffy and salt covered, but he could still be a gentleman. Ears flicking back and forth, he took in as much information as he could about the day. It was sunny, clear, a light breeze. The water had been calm and was beginning to warm up again. The parrots in the palm trees were calling out their spring mating sounds. And from what he could tell, he had just come upon a rather sweet hearted mare. It was shaping into a very pleasant day.