The nereid swam the edge of the islands, a patrol of the waters as much as the boundaries of their home. Eva had declared them an open land, free for others to pass through as they pleased. That suited Aquaria and her ideals about the place. Still, she had been taught small pieces of caution over the last year or two.
Open boarders would stay that way only as long as peace reigned in the island herdstead. Peace meant knowing, at least generally, who and what occupied the space within. So she patrolled the waters and the beaches daily, hoping every face she meet would. be friendly in nature.
The cool salt water washed over her back as she kicked forward, tail a graceful rudder aft. So far, none had crossed her path, equine or otherwise. A quiet day in paradise. Even the parrots seemed less chatty than usual. She didn't run across any kelpies either, which was something of a relief. They occupied one of the islets, kept mostly to themselves, and it seemed easier that way for them and the other island residents.
Over the lapping of water against her sides, a new sound rose. It was not the ardent calls of macaw, or the singing of dolphins in the bay, though the pitch was high enough. She couldn't place the noise, only determined that it seemed... wrong. Distressed, even. Her rounds put aside for the time being, she set off for the shoreline, eyes sweeping it for the source of the noise.
Her feet struck the sand with practiced grace when the water released her. White grains clung to the lengths of her legs as she emerged with curiosity, ears pricked for some sign of the noise. It had stopped minutes ago, and an uncertain anxiety pulled at her chest. Had some predator beaten her to it? For the mewling cry seemed to herald an easy meal for one who sought it.
When the little being came into sight at last, she hurried towards it. A huddled dark mass on the sand, as still as piled kelp and just as saturated with ocean scent lay so near the water's edge. There was no blood that she could see, which relieved her of the image of a torn ruin she'd been subconsciously expecting. It was whole, as far as she could tell, which lead on to a closer inspection.
Foal, was her first thought. The size was about right. But... Not foal. The proportions were wrong, the colors unlike any horse she had ever seen. And that was saying something. Her head dropped, snuffling breathes inhaling what information could be taken in. Not much at all to go on. The sea had done its work, and erased everything but the tang of salt from the damp creature's hide. A little frown hung from her lips. There was a slight rise and fall to it's chest, the feathery exertion of breathing. Life. She nudged it with her nose so very delicately, the almost-foal.
"Hey. Hey, are you okay, little one?" She glanced with little hope in all directions. "Where's your family? Your mama?" She asked, not even sure she'd be understood. At a loss, and for want of anything else to do, she began to clean the strange little thing, licking away the salt crusting it's fur into stiff spikes.
@[Halcyon]