My Head is an Animal

He trotted out into the light, seeing Layka. She was standing tall, her eyes closed as though in deep thought. Rex slowed his gait to a walk.

"Hello?" He said in a soft voice, not wishing to interrupt but catch the the many-hued mare's attention. Rex silently admired her, Wow.. Check out at that earring! It looks like a genuine Prada! His interest grew by the second.

As Rex was about to reply to Layka, Dutchess popped up, her pink hair swaying in the autumn breeze. He was torn; Rex wanted a chance to speak to Layka alone, but Dutch was now apart of his life. I'm not already regretting this, am I? he asked himself. No. Rex needed to be committal. He couldn't just run off with every gorgeous mare that showed up.

Rex was stunned at what the two horses were doing. Sharp tones, odd smiles.. Why are women so confusing?! He opened his mouth, about to agree that he'd take Layka around Region 2 for a few hours when Dutchess piped up, "I'll take you!" Maybe it's just me, or was her tone kind of.. harsh? Rex shook his head, baffled.

And then Layka spoke her jabbing words. Rex was now extremely weirded out by their behaviour. He opened his mouth once again, trying to call a time-out when Layka, in all her gorgeous glory, turned on the charm..

He froze. Damn! This chick was hot! No. Dutchess is the adorable one. Argh!! Rex was fighting a losing battle. Then the fashion forward arabian trotted around him, her eyes liquid-y and unbelievably large. His heart stopping, Rex shut his eyes as if to block out what was happening.

"I've never met a stallion quite as enchanting as you," he heard an alluring voice say, close to his hooped ear. Rex felt a shiver down his spine. He waited for more words to come, but only hoofbeats sounded. He opened his eyes. Dutchess was standing by his side, and Layka was trotting away, her tail, in ringlets, bouncing with every step.

Rex's eyes were following the glamorous Layka when Dutch stepped into his line of vision. What the heck?! he instantly felt remorse for his thinking, but was still pretty ticked. When she asked him what he was thinking, Rex simply stared.

Hearing the now familiar light hoof-steps of Layka, Rex craned his neck around the strawberry roan mare.

"So, are you going to show me around?"

Rex impatiently weaved his way around Dutchess, to talk to Layka again. But before he could answer her, she let loose a torrent of words; now tearing up. "Hey..," Rex said to her softly, carefully. "It's okay. Don't cry." His voice filled with care, Rex nudged Layka's head. "You're okay. Everything's gonna be fine."

"Okay," Rex said to Layka, trying to sound as comforting as possible. "And sure, I'll take you around. It'll take a few hours, soo.."

As soon as he said this, Dutchess flipped. Shrieking at them both, she ran full speed away. Rex froze. Oh no! Now what have I done?! Pangs started eating at his heart. Rex looked at Layka blankly, unsure of what to do. Of course, he should go to Dutch! But what was her problem acting that way when Layka obviously needed consolation for her sad past?!

Rex reared in confusion, his anklet glinting in the light. His hooves pounded as they made contact with the ground. Rex glanced back at the grazing horse. "Layka.. I.. I think we have something special. No, I know we have something special. What that something is, I'm not sure. But I'll be honest. You fascinate me. I need to know more about you.

"But I also need to be with Dutch. She needs me. And she won't understand what we have. So you need to be patient," Rex spoke in short sentences, trying to make sense to her and himself. "So.. please understand." And with that, Rex nudged Layka very faintly on the neck and galloped back towards the cave.

Immediately after entering the secluded, once romantic, cave, Rex was shouted at. He stood his ground, but his neck was lowered vulnerably. He could hardly believe that only a few hours earlier, right in this very spot, they were caressing each other.

"Dutchess.." Rex began timidly, attentively. "I don't deserve you or Layka. Neither of you should ever have the misfortune to be around me. I was sludge, laying eyes on her when we're together. At least, I hope we're still together." He stepped in closer, but still stayed far enough away from Dutch to give her personal space.

"And that brings me back to us. You shouldn't forgive me. But I ask you to. I love you. And I know you love me too. This could simply be a bump in the road compared to our possible future. Please forgive me."

Rex stood quietly, awaiting her verdict.

Rex breathed a sigh of relief at her words. "I'm sorry. It's just.. Layka was so..," he stopped, seeing Dutch's eyes harden. "Never mind. You're perfect. And I love you. I hope you know that." Rex kissed her back, feeling the wetness of her tear drops.

(Roxy. It was wet. LOLOL)

Rex was looking at the ground, determined not to make eye contact with either of them. He was embarrassed, and very much so. "Hello," he mumbled. Rex did not want to admit it to himself, but he still wanted to.. get to know Layka more. He raised his head; Dutchess was making a stony apology to her.

"I suppose I may have over-reacted..," Dutch finished. Rex turned his head away from her and rolled his eyes, Layka noticing. He sneaked her a small wink, trying to slip silent words into it. Oh, please, Layka, don't be discouraged, Rex thought. I still want to get to know you!!

He spoke up, "So, uh, we'll see you around I suppose, Layka?" Rex looked at Dutch. "Time to go?" His voice dripped with disappointment.