N038 Alaya

Alaya has earned the endearing nickname "Angel" among those who know her best. Her gentle and kind nature shines through in every interaction, though this sometimes works to her detriment. She is the type who will stand patiently while smaller animals climb all over her, even if it means staying in an uncomfortable position for extended periods. This nurturing behavior extends to all creatures she encounters, making her something of a "mom friend" in any group situation.

When being handled, she has an almost excessive awareness of where others are, constantly adjusting her position to avoid even the slightest chance of stepping on someone's foot or bumping into them. This hyperawareness of others' comfort can make her seem almost hesitant in her movements at times. She will often pause mid-step if she thinks someone might walk into her path, leading to an almost comical "after you" dance when encountering others in tight spaces.

Her natural tendency to put others first manifests in peculiar ways in the paddock. If another horse is nervous about crossing water, she'll wade through first, deliberately splashing to show it's safe. However, this same trait means she's often the last to get to the feed trough, waiting until everyone else has had their fill before approaching. It takes firm encouragement from her handlers to ensure she actually gets her fair share during feeding time.

When being groomed, Alaya enters an almost meditative state, completely relaxing into the attention - until she perceives someone else might need the grooming more, at which point she'll try to nudge the brush toward them instead. She has a particular talent for sensing when someone is having a bad day, and will position herself to offer a gentle head bump or nuzzle of encouragement.

Her nervous energy manifests not in physical restlessness, but in an almost constant state of emotional vigilance. She's always scanning her environment, not out of fear, but looking for ways she might be needed or helpful. This can be exhausting for her, as she tends to take on the emotional burdens of those around her. Teaching her to accept care and attention without trying to redirect it to others is an ongoing challenge.

She has a peculiar habit of collecting soft items - leaves, feathers, bits of wool - and trying to share them with others. She seems genuinely disappointed when others don't appreciate her gifts of slightly damp leaves or muddy feathers as much as she thinks they should.

Despite her gentle nature, she becomes surprisingly animated around pumpkins. The normally serene unicorn will paw at the ground excitedly and toss her head when she spots the orange treat, though she'll still wait to make sure everyone else has had some before taking her share. The only time she shows any real assertiveness is in her absolute refusal to consume licorice - she will firmly turn her head away and give a disappointed look that can make even the most insistent handler feel guilty for offering it.

Her fear of confrontation means she often takes the long way around to avoid tense situations, even if it means extra work for herself. She has been known to take elaborate detours around puddles that other horses are arguing over, rather than assert her own right to pass through.

While she's excellent at focusing on tasks that involve helping others, she needs gentle reminders to attend to her own needs. She will diligently assist with any task she's given, but has to be encouraged to take breaks or accept care for herself. This trait makes her both invaluable as a companion and sometimes frustrating to care for, as her caretakers must be vigilant about ensuring she doesn't completely neglect her own wellbeing in favor of others.