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It was a calm, clear morning in late spring: blue sky, warm sun, light breeze; the grass was thick and green after the recent rains, and all the ponds and streams were filled high with clean water, the joint result of rains and snowmelt. The water was cold, but for those who didn't mind a little briskness, it was a swimming and bathing experience like no other!

SPLASH!

With a great eruption of water, Ausdauer emerged from deep below the surface of a large pond where he had been happily engaged for the past hour swimming, floating, and otherwise enjoying himself. On top of the water being a pleasant diversion, he had the additional pleasure of having the experience to himself, with no somber and solemn Regelus standing nearby to remind him of the fleeting nature of pleasure, or whatever it was that the older angeni felt like discussing at that particular moment. Ausdauer would always respect Regelus; as the angeni of Fate, Reg was one of the oldest and wisest of the angeni race, and he would always be the recipient of respect. But beyond that, he was an impossible stick in the mud, and Ausdauer couldn't think of another Guardian the Spirit could have given him that would be less frustrating.

However, Regelus was no fan of the cold waters of spring, and had left Ausdauer to his own devices with the parting injunction that they meet up later in the day and a request that Ausdauer remember who he was and to acquit himself in a proper manner.

Well, Ausdauer, Angeni of Perseverance, would acquit himself in a way consistent with his determination to make the most of this precious time to himself, and with that in mind he finally climbed, dripped wet, out of the water and gave a mighty shake.

Ausdauer had been so preoccupied with his space and enjoying it that he hadn't actually realized that there was anyone else around until the other stallion was almost on top of him. Still, as the other stallion wasn't his mentor, he was more than willing to welcome the company for a time, and didn't even begrudge him his quiet ways. After all, they couldn't all make easily noticed entrances!

Finishing his shake, Ausdauer straightened up to his full, massive height and proceeded to give the other stallion a large smile as he shook out his wings. "Wet, I would say, and a touch on the cold side. Just the sort of thing to wake one up, if you're in need of that sort of thing!" Not that he'd been in need of that sort of thing himself; fortunately for both he and Regelus, they were both naturally early risers!

"Well, it would fulfill the cooling requirement too, I'd say." Ausdauer kept his expression easy and light, his vocal tone a perfect match for his facial expression and body language. Then again, he'd always been a social creature; as a spirit, as a pink pony, as an angeni, he loved the chance to get to know his fellow creatures. Granted, there were some that were more appealing than others....

At any rate, this would be a good diversion. If nothing else, he was certainly amused at the other stallion's manner! There weren't a great many that were able to fall into such a conversational and confident manner with the Angeni race! "And I am always up with the dawn. It's a time for clarity and mental peace, to say nothing of physical peace."

..Or maybe he'd jumped too early to a conclusion. Ausdauer's mouth twitched slightly as the Angeni forced himself not to laugh at the other stallion's use of a proverb as his sole response. The fact that the brown one had laughed himself was encouraging, but that he didn't follow it up with anything was odd. Perhaps he was a bit self-conscious; there were far more out there than him that found themselves tongue-tied in the presence of any appointed of the Spirits.

So he kept himself from flat-out laughing, which for him was a great undertaking, and merely kept a straight face as he responded, "If you're into worms. Personally, I prefer that my food not wiggle of it's own power."

Ausdauer amusement had increased in the face of the other Soquili's unexpectedly severe reaction to what had been a simple off-the-cuff witticism. Sure, Ausdauer was devilishly clever and had enough wit to stock the meadowlands and then some, but that had been a line to merit a chuckle at the most. The reaction he'd gotten was like opening a floodgate, and he found himself watching in borderline fascination as the lighter stallion writhed on the ground.

"Dang, are you going to be ok? Don't forget to breathe, buddy, or you're going to pass out. Don't waste my good humor that way." He was grinning as he spoke, giving Amenophis a light poke with one massive hoof. "Deep breaths, in and out."

"There we go, all better now! Lungs feeling ok, sides still intact, etcetera and so forth?" Ausdauer's expression and tone both displayed his own mirth at the other stallion's behavior. While it was all kindly meant, the facts of the matter were that Ausdauer was comfortable in himself to the point of cockiness and as such saw no shame or issue with letting his actual sentiments show. He found the other stallion's humor humorous, and he didn't care if the other stallion knew it! Obviously this cockiness could sometimes be unfortunate; there were Soquili in the world who hated being laughed at, even in the spirit of good humor. It was just as well that this fellow was a pleasant stallion!

After Amen had calmed down, Ausdauer offered him a hoof. "Can you get yourself up alright? Or are you thinking that you'll just stay down there for now? Don't get me wrong either way, the grass is very comfortable!"