[SRP] I Took a Wrong Turn at Albuquerque (Catalyst)

[tefla]

There was some uncertainty lingering in the stallion's mind. He was not entirely sure that this had been the correct path after all. Otherwise he should have seen his favorite berry bush in the distance. The fact that he did not was really confusing. Where exactly had he deviated from his route? Was it past the stream? Or past the tree? Or was it even past those cliffs?

Catalyst mumbled under his breath. Why had he not taken an assured route instead of deviating all over the place? His sense of direction, usually so very astute, had led him astray this time. The stallion sighed and crested the hill that he'd been ascending. As he reached the peak the land opened up before him. The words escaped him before he could take them back.

"Oh s**t."  

[tefla]

Catalyst whirled around in a circle. How many sunrises had he walked through? How many days of fruitless searching? The stallion stood now with what felt like his jaw hanging several inches lower. None of the landmarks in the distance were recognizable to him and now that he was paying attention to the smaller details he realized that his hooves were killing him. It was becoming more and more obvious that he had truly walked further afoot than he first realized.

He obviously could not return to his previous destination as he'd taken little to no notice of the exact route that he had walked. The only logical option left for him it seemed was to keep on exploring this new land. With another whispered expletive the stallion began to descend carefully down the hill into this strange new land. What surprises would lie in store for him now?  

[tefla]

There was a tiny stream that Catalyst had stumbled across. The stallion checked out his reflection in the water before allowing himself a quiet moment to drink to his heart's content. His gaze narrowed at the strange after taste that lingered but he continued drinking it. There was nothing wrong it just tasted different from what he was used too. It was something that he would just have to get used to drinking. The stallion had been wandering around rather aimlessly since he had discovered that he had definitely made more than enough wrong turns in his journey. So far he had not really made an effort to talk with the locals. Something deep inside told him that the locals, whom he had seen from afar, could not be trusted to help him out with which way he should travel.  

[tefla]

At first Catalyst could not remember where he was when he woke up in the late evening. The stallion could not feel his limbs at all and that worried him. Rolling onto his side brought an understanding to why he was currently “freezing”. He had fallen asleep right in the stream. Shaking off the vestiges of sleep Catalyst moved stiffly towards the shore. There was another surprise waiting for him there. It did not look like he would be getting warmed up by the sun. During his sleep the clouds had rolled in and promised an excellent storm in the making. Shivering the stallion’s head drooped marginally as the first fat raindrops pelted his back. He needed to wake up from this nightmare.  

[tefla]

Catalyst had finally broken down. He had had enough of fruitless searching. What was the saying, home is where your heart is? If that was the case then perhaps Catalyst had been in the wrong home all this time. Once the storm had passed the stallion had been awe struck by the simplicity of the beauty around him. Everything looked more welcoming after the dark storm clouds had been banished by the return of the sun.

The stallion was not one to question decisions but perhaps he should explore this new place. He still could not remember the path that he had taken to get here so perhaps this was fate's way of telling him that he belong here. All in all there was not much hardship in believing that this new land was here just for him to enjoy. There was still no effort on his part to contact any of the current residents as he was sure that there would be mocking and jeering happening behind his back once it was turned.

It was always the way. The strong picked on the weak … and Catalyst was definitely weak.  

[tefla]

Sniffing gently at a barely opened flower bud Catalyst let his gaze traverse the small meadow that he had stumbled upon. It was ringed by trees all the way around and tiny flowering plants were just starting to either poke through the ground or open their tiny buds. It was as if they were daring the sun to caress them with its warm rays. Catalyst lay down among the fragrant blossoms and rolled to and fro in a blissful daze. He would stay here. This was his new home. He had an abundance of food and there was a brook in one of the corners of this small but open area. He could easily live in comfort without fear of being in danger.

Perhaps it was fortuitous; that taking that wrong turn had been the right move for Catalyst. The stallion laid his head on the ground and closed his eyes. He felt as if fate had guided him here.  

[tefla]

Catalyst loved his meadow. The stallion had taken the time to thoroughly explore the area. He had found many tiny little treasures among the various plants and he had even found a cave nearby where he could retire to if the weather turned inclement. All he needed he had found in truth by accident. Catalyst could not exactly remember the reasoning for his long journey anymore. Did it really matter though? He was content with this place. Each day brought another new discovery and since spring was coming he knew that deep down inside there would be more discoveries to uncover. What treasures would the arrival of spring bring? Would he finally be able to make the acquaintances of those that shared the area with him? Did he dare to try?  

[tefla]

Catalyst had always felt ridiculed by those back home. His simple view on life and his wants made him the punch line of many jokes. Although he was quite foal like in his approach to life it did not mean that he appreciated the scorn and ridicule that seemed to preside everywhere he went. Catalyst rose from his hooves and gently nosed a flower bloom right before him before nibbling on the petals thoughtfully. There was no rush to find others right now to introduce his presence in the area. The stallion sighed wistfully as the petals disappeared into his stomach. The head of the flower was the next to disappear as he began a serious grazing session. The stallion would have to be careful around this meadow lest he destroy the beauty the flowers lent to the place.  

[tefla]

At first the novelty of having a place to call his own thrilled Catalyst. Eventually though the tedium began to set in. Although he was wary of opening himself up to interaction with others the stallion was beginning to feel restless. The meadow was the perfect place to rest in but it was out of sight. Something needed to be changed about the current situation if he wanted to meet acquaintances. Pacing back and forth Catalyst began to mutter to himself, arguing about the pros and cons of maybe leaving the protection that the meadow offered to him. Would he give up the peace and serenity he had found in this place just for a chance at company? Was it a good idea?

Sighing once more Catalyst became agitated as he tramped around in a circle. Was there no easy answer?  

[tefla]

His gaze was nervous as he peeked out from the foliage that hid his little sanctuary from prying eyes. Catalyst was observing those that passed by his little utopia without even knowing what was on the other side of the bushes. It was interesting how others could simply walk by this place without a clue it existed. Taking care to emerge at a time when there was no other traffic around Catalyst slowly pushed through the bushes wincing at the small biting insects that had waited to descend on him. He shied briefly and flicked his tail in irritation before breaking into a ground-eating canter. He needed to put a bit of distance between his home before he could relax. It would throw others off if they did not know where he came from. At least that was his hope. The stallion slowed his pace after a while and looked around hopefully. Where could he start a search for a new friend?