[open] save yourself, any

[Eugene]

It had never occurred to Eugene to think that there was a world beyond the islands of Ischia. Sure, he could see a big coastline but what he could see of it (Tephra) just looked like more beaches and jungles. He had not ever thought to explore past the reefs and sandbars he had come to know and love. Why would he! And now, standing with his hooves in snow and watching fluffy white flakes fall from the sky for the first time, he knows he stayed in Ischia because everywhere else sucked. The first time a snowflake had touched him, he had nearly jumped right out of his skin. Now, he was a whole 5 minutes older than that naive colt (though he still side-eyed the blurry flakes as they passed him by while he wandered). He was looking for shelter but instead found a river. Only this water looked odd and - when he reached down with his muzzle to touch it - was solid. His skin almost stuck to it, another for the list of alarming instances happening to him. Though he was vaguely aware someone else was nearby, Eugene is far too distracted. Armouring himself with the scaled coat he knows so well, he begins to test this solid water by placing one of his dark hooves on it… and when it holds, following it with another. Although the cracking did not exactly sound good, he’s not sure he would have thought it was dangerous if someone hadn’t shouted. Really, when it first started he just continued to move further out. But the shout startles him and immediately he scatters back to the shore - as the solid water continues to crack and break apart - revealing a darker, chillier version of the waters he knew. Eugene could breathe underwater, but he didn’t fancy even his scaled skin would protect him from that chill. Golden yellow eyes find the girl who called out - who looks to be about his age - and offers her an easy grin. “Hey, thanks.” He's grateful, even though he doesn't grasp just how stupid he was being and the danger of falling into the water beneath the solid surface. “What is that stuff anyway. All covering up the water and whatnot?” eugene

@[elodie]