Stand Up and Fight

[twi]

Kaodran’s hooves kept up a steady tempo, as they had been all day long. After a brief respite in the neutral lands, to gather his bearings, Kao had made his decision; he would try to find an Alpha to warn and potentially ally with against Rama. After his escape, he had only been focused on putting distance between himself and the killer stallion, but now he was ready to take a stand against him. Last he had seen of Oser, the stallion had fled his own territory, most likely to hide out in the neutral lands or the one free territory remaining; Rasta’s. So now Kao was here and desperately searching for another soul that wandered the lands, seeking refuge here. Someone had to stand up and fight or else it would be too late. He had no idea of whether there was any organized resistance yet or whether the equines still milled about in fear, but either way he was determined to lend his aid in whatever ways he could.
He splashed through a shallow stream, chunks of ice floating haphazardly in the current. In spite of his agitation, he had to smile to himself. Only days ago, this stream must have been frozen over, but winter was now giving way to spring. Spring, glorious spring. The time when foals were born and everything was made new. He paused at the bank of the stream to stop and take a drink. He had not realized how thirsty he was until he felt the icy water trickling down his dry throat. His head hurt too, throbbing with what threatened to develop into a painful headache unless he rested. Ah well, he was in the North now. He had finally reached his destination and all that was left was to locate help.

[lady shady]

OSER

Oser moved easily along, head held high. For once, things were starting to fall into place again. He had been recruiting for the past few days, and so far, it had been a success. The gray stag paused, stopping to drink at the edge of the river. The cool northern water was sweet, but not as sweet as those of his own lands. He shuddered briefly, the thought of those same rivers running with blood under Rama's reign. He mustn't let that happen.

Oser could hear birdsong as he moved forward again, the warm sun relaxing him. Worried though he may be about Rama's warriors attempting anything, the border seemed to be pretty well-watched, and he was sure that he would have known by now if anything had happened. Seeing another horse up ahead, he called to him. Perhaps this would be another potential warrior. Then again, he mused, he wouldn't mind a mare either. A little female company would be nice.

Drawing nearer to the other equine, he introduced himself. "Greetings, stranger." Looking around amiably, he smiled. "Lovely day to be out. Oser," he added by way of supplying his name.

--behind the post--
short, but sorry I wanted to get this in. now off to homework again!

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[aPPY]

anniston

The palomino figure carefully stepped around the closely aligned trees. Her footsteps were presise, though not completely thought out. She didn't want to step in a hole, but she wasn't walking in a certain direction either. The soft sounds of running water were audiable. She perked her ears, picking up her pace a little. It had been a short while since she had quenched her thirst, and suddenly her throat seemed very dry with the promise of water just around within reach. Most of the rivers had been frozen over until recently, the seasons transitioning into a more friendly Spring. The waters had begun to defrost, the water flowing freely once again, though soon they would begin to flood with the rains that came with this time of year. She snorted softly, dipping her head as she kept a steady pace through the winding terrain. The trees grew closer together here, the roots so intermingled that it was almost impossible to get anywhere, and the ground constantly sloped up and down, making the journey much more effort than she had intended. Of course, there was probably a much less dangerous path somewhere, and she just happened to take this one. It always seemed to work that way.

Though the sound of a voice, much closer than she would like without knowing that someone was nearby, pierced the air. She stopped, almost stumbling forward as her hoof caught on a root. She turned to glare at the inanimate life form, slowly picking her way forward, ears perked for a much different reason now. Someone was introducing themselves? That's what it sounded like. So, two strangers then? She couldn't see them yet, and she paused, listening before making her presence known. She heard one of the two give a name and her eyes pulled together. Oser? Here? Had Ramaskith already invaded? She silently cursed, looking at the ground. Such blood thirsty and power hungry creatures roamed this earth. She sneered, annoyance bubbling up in her. She quickly squashed it though, turning and trotting a few strides forward. She went a little ways parallel to the river, positioning herself away from the two stags, breaking from the trees and lowering her head to drink from the river without a glance at the other two; as if she didn't know they were there. She took a long pull, her throat thanking her, before lifting her head and shaking it, stretching out her bunched and tensed muscles. As far as she knew, Oser was the "good" creature of this mindless slaughter, though she didn't really know if there was a good side to such meaningless actions. Though, if she were forced to pick a side, it would indeed be his on which she would stand.

She turned, eyes settling on the two stags for the first time. One stood taller than the other, and she didn't like the fact that they were both taller than she. If things turned bad, she would definitely not be able to handle it. They were both of a grey variety, though the taller, draftier equine was a dark, steel grey, where the other was washed out and mostly white. She could see the traces of her own breed characterisitics in the smaller, lighter creature; a Spanish descendant. She would assume that he was Oser, and no other title was given to give to the draft. She picked up a trot as she came towards them, since they had noticed her presence now, it was no use turning and leaving. If things did go bad, she most likely wouldn't have the chance to regret her decisions. "Good morning, gentlemen," she said, polite. It wouldn't do to anger them right off. And possibly some conversation would be nice. After all, not all stags were completely bad, right? She almost laughed at herself. Yes, they were dirty pigs, the lot of them, though sometimes they could be good company.

// 666 words^{omg thats creepy. i did NOT do that on purpose, promise}
anni is willing to engage in small talk. :B
hahaha.

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[twi]

Kaodran did not notice the other until he had stepped towards him in a friendly sort of manner. Friendly or no, Kao was startled by his sudden words and he jerked his head up in surprise.
"Greetings, stranger. Lovely day to be out. Oser."
He had to struggle to keep his jaw from dropping. Oser? While he had intended to eventually seek him out, Kao had never dreamed he would encounter him here, in this sort of an offhand meeting.
“Ah…” He paused, wondering what he should say. Of all the scenarios he had pictured, this one was by the far the least expected. “I’m Kaodran, Kao for short. Glad to meet you.”
There, the introductions were over at least. Now all that was left was to somehow find a way to offer Oser his services. Looking at the Andalusian, a bit shorter and smaller than himself, Kao began to wonder how exactly he should go about discussing the war with this stallion. He had arrived in the North Lands not to pledge himself to another stallion whom he knew nothing of, but to warn the inhabitants of their impending danger. While he would side with Oser over Rama, despite the fact that for a short time he had been included in Rama’s army, Kao was adverse to the idea of allowing another to become his superior. If he offered the gray stallion his services, he would essentially be pledging obedience to him, a thought that Kao did not enjoy.
He stifled a sigh. As the war drew nearer to Terras Septentrionales, all equines would have to ally themselves with one side or another. The whole reason he chose to oppose the mad stallion was because Kao refused to see his beloved homeland fall under the reign of a tyrant. If there was a power struggle between the forces that opposed him, Kao knew that such an event could be the very thing Rama needed to ensure a crushing victory. No, it was better to allow Oser to take the lead as Rama’s opposition and chose to serve him, rather than potentially lose the war due to an undermining of Oser’s authority. Kao just hoped he was capable leader.
Glancing about, he noticed a palomino mare a little distance off, watching them surreptitiously. Though curious as to her motives, Kao spared her little attention, for he was too preoccupied with the matter at hand. It was only when she came trotting up, calling out a greeting, that he reluctantly turned towards her.
“Good morning to you,” he said cordially, giving her a smile as he spoke.
She seemed like a friendly enough mare, yet he sensed something hidden beneath her outwardly pleasant demeanor. Scorn perhaps? He hoped she would not prove a bother, as he had important business at hand.


...................
sorry Appy, Kao's not too into mares.

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[lady shady]

OSER

"I’m Kaodran, Kao for short. Glad to meet you," the stranger replied. "You as well," Oser murmured in response. The stag seemed to be waiting for something, and Oser resisted the urge to pause, cock his head, and study him. If the stag was curious as to his identity...

However, the sound of footfalls reached Oser's ears, distracting him momentarily. A pretty palomino mare was approaching, ears tipped forward as she moved forward. He couldn't help noticing the grace with which she moved; it was so fluid, quite enchanting...that was, under the little niggling voice in the back of his mind decided to pipe up again, asking But can she run? These were dangerous thoughts, he realized, resolving not to think any further on the matter. If pretty mares were to provide a little distraction, he mustn't spoil his enjoyment by thinking of Song.

"Good morning, gentlemen," she called sunnily, and he called back with a small whinny in response. "Good morning to you," Kao answered politely, still seeming a bit agitated. Oser turned to greet the mare properly, bowing his great head at her and--unitentionally or not--casting his long forelock into his eyes. "Welcome, madam. You've arrived just in time for the introductions! What might one such as yourself be called?

--behind the post--
mreh, short. I might edit it.
and if Kao's not into mares, Oser will gladly step into that role, though it should be interesting if Anni's a feminist XD

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[aPPY]

anniston

The taller, darker equine didn't seem too happy at her appearance. She couldn't help but wonder where the hostility came from but she brushed it aside. It wasn't like she was fond of stags in general, so she couldn't blame him. He replied to her greeting with one of his own, just a simple exchange of words and nothing else. The smaller stallion though, replied in much the opposite way, declining his head as he spoke, also polite. He seemed much more happy that she had happened upon them, so she turned her attention towards him more. She didn't want to anger the other any more if he really didn't want to talk to her. After all, she wasn't looking for a fight. He inquired her name; apparently they had just been introducing themselves. "Anniston," she said, settling on just giving the length of her name instead of some nick name. She most certainly didn't know either of them well enough for them to go shortening her name. "I'm afraid I didn't catch either of yours, though?" she said, wishing she had listened closer to their conversation so that she would have known already. Oh well, she was sure they wouldn't mind too much at repeating their given titles.
// 220 words
thats alright ^^ anni doesn't really like stags so, yeah. xD
or rather, doesn't like stags who act like she's a damsel. hahaha.
she'll quickly show them otherwise ^^

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[twi]

Kaodran decided to resign himself to the fact that Anniston had decided to join their little conference, no matter how the fact bothered him. Maybe she would even come in handy, he told himself.
“I would be Kaodran, but call me Kao,” he said with a gracious nod of his head. It would not do to let the mare sense his previous feelings, for hostility was the last thing he needed.
Sliene appeared beside him as she was so apt to do. He sensed that it amused her to scare him like that, vanishing and appearing without any warning.
She began to weave her way through Oser’s legs, rubbing her silky head on his gray hocks. She paused long enough to cast a toothy, feline smile at Kao, for she knew it made him uncomfortable to see her so near to other equines.
Don’t worry Kao, you have my undivided loyalty, she said.
If not my undivided attention, he grumbled mentally. She only smiled.
Kao looked at Anniston, more thoroughly this time, noting her pretty palomino coloring. He also noticed the way Oser was eyeing her and for a moment allowed himself to think of Rae. She had been a pleasant enough companion for the short time he had known her and he felt a twinge of jealousy, but only for a moment. If Oser wanted to mess with the mares, he was no one to deny him his fun.

............
So Kao's a bit annoyed with himself for not liking mares more than he does. xD
Silly Kao

[lady shady]

OSER

“Aniston,” the butter-colored mare replied simply, continuing coyly, ”I’m afraid I didn’t catch either of yours though…?”

Kao introduced himself, and Oser waited as he spoke. After he had finished, he stepped forward nodding his head to her. ”And I am called Oser.” Raising his head just slightly, he looked up at her through his forelock momentarily before drawing himself back to his full height. She was a pretty mare surely, but as he caught another glimpse of the stag to his left, he felt torn. New recruit…or female company? New recruit…or…

The sudden appearance of a feline form at Kao’s feet startled him slightly, catching his attention. The patronus began to wind its way around his legs and he chuckled, murmuring, ”Looks like we’ve got a real party now.” Subconsciously, his eyes flicked to their surroundings, searching for the great ghostly bear. But no, he remembered, it rarely appeared and he was doubtful that it would choose to do so for quite a while. He glanced at Kao, sure that the feline was his, and caught him looking at the mare. Ah well, all was fair in love and war. Speaking of which, how was he ever going to recruit that stag if he didn’t have a chance to speak with him? He resolved to pay attention to the task at hand…no matter how brightly that butter-yellow coat seemed to wink at him in the pale spring sun.

--behind the post—
Oser dunno what to say. Or really, Shady dunno what to say.

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[aPPY]

anniston

Kao and Oser. The dark creature nodded once before the lighter introduced himself. So, Oser was in the North now? It surprised her a bit that he had popped up over here so early, though only a little. Ramaskith was one to fear, she knew, and though some seemed to believe to deeply that he would be defeated, she wasn't so sure. But, she wasn't going to bow down and let him have power over her either. A fight he would get. A ghostly figure appeared and Anni's eyes widened for a moment, interested in the feline creature. She had heard of the patronus apparitions. Part of the soul, really, floating as a different entity. Part of the owner, though with different thoughts and actions. She had not seen one in person yet though. The creature appeared to belong to the larger horse, Kao, though was rubbing itself across Oser's limbs, almost to ..annoy Kao? That's what it appeared to be. She suppressed a chuckle. "So, by what reason are such able bodied stallions such as yourself here today?" she asked, implying the question as to whether or not they were part of the war. Or rather, if Kao was, since she did know who Oser was, after all.
// 214 words
bleh.

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[twi]

Kao looked at Oser in surprise.
“I didn’t know anyone could see her,” he said with a little laugh. “Just goes to show how much I know about patronuses.”
Sliene, finished inspecting Oser, turned to Anniston. She did not approach her but simply sat by Kao’s side, eyeing the mare.
“So, by what reason are such able bodied stallions such as yourself here today?"
Kao glanced at Anniston with renewed interest. Her question had been deliberate, he could tell. Perhaps she merited more respect than he had originally thought. Casting her a slightly grateful look, Kao said, “Actually, I am here for a purpose. I came to seek out an Alpha and an Alpha I have found, as well as another inhabitant of these parts.” He said inhabitant, but realized that many had chosen to seek refuge here, fleeing Ramaskith’s wrath. Not that it mattered much, either way.
“Everything has fallen under Ramaskith’s rule except for the North Lands where we now stand. I have come to offer my aid, for I do not wish to see everything lost to him.”
There, he had said it. Silently, he breathed a sigh of relief.