


Lán sè loved the ocean. The current in her mane, the different
temperatures of the water over her skin. The corals were always so
bright and beautiful. The fish danced around her legs, only caring
about whatever was in their little fish minds at the time. Every once
in a while, a small fish came up and tickled her fins or her ear and
made her giggle. The sun shining down through the water
glimmered on her hide, sending sparkles dancing around her. She
watched the motes floating through the sun beams, enjoying their
slow, seemingly random movements. She breathed deeply, feeling
the water enter her nostrils and flow through her gill-like lungs. She
couldn't imagine a better, more fulfilling life than life at the bottom
of the ocean.
In the distance, she spotted a giant blue whale peacefully gliding
through the water. Her eyes lit up as she watched his movement.
Then her attention was caught by a few jellyfish undulating through
the water near the surface. A school of yellow tangs darted by,
rushing for the outcropping of rock to her left. Suddenly, she
stopped her gaze and stared, open-mouthed, at a red shape behind
the rock. She moved closer to get a better look.
A very handsome stallion was talking to a group of yellow tangs!
She thought they were the same ones that swam by her a minute
ago. She watched him to see what he was doing. She could hear him
speaking to the fish. He was telling them where to find a
particularly tasty patch of algae. He followed them, moving behind
them like a shepherd.
Lán sè was intrigued by the other equine and followed behind him.
The stallion caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye and
turned around to face her. "Hello," he said, his voice rich and deep.
She felt a thrill run through her at the sound of it.
"Hi," she said, a bit shyly. "What are you doing with those fish?"
He glanced behind him at the yellow fish that were darting to and
fro around an algae-covered rock, picking at the green stuff.
"I showed them where to find some good food," he replied.
"Why?"
He blinked. "Well, I don't know really. I just like to help them find
what they like, I guess."
Lán sè thought about that for a moment. "That is really nice of you.
My name is Lán sè."
"I am Endymion. It is certainly a pleasure to meet you, Lán sè," the
red horse bowed his head. "Would... you like to swim with me?"
Lán sè could feel her cheeks grow hot. "I would enjoy that, I think,
Endymion."
They spent the rest of the day exploring the reefs and other areas of
the ocean floor that they called their home. They swam to the
surface to watch the sun set over the horizon. The sky flashed red
and orange as the fiery ball sank lower and finally disappeared. The
colors faded from the sky as the night drew on. The moon rose, a
brilliant white against the blue-black backdrop. The two horses sank
back down to the ocean floor and stood shyly facing each other.
"Would you like to meet with me again tomorrow, Lán sè?" Endymion
asked her.
She looked at him, knowing the answer already.