the waiting game //repost

[lady shady]

Oser
Here I am, once again, I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one

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Oser stood over the bloodied mare’s body, still looking at the black mare before him with the blood beginning to dry on her face. She moved closer, slipping towards him like a shadow. She startled him as she let out a piercing whinny that seemed to be the final straw for most of the already-spooked wolves. She stood by his side, so close that he could feel the heat radiating off of her velvet body…what was he doing? She dipped her head, giving her tail another flirtatious swish before asking him what to do. Forget him, what was she doing? Flirting at a time like this? As death surrounded them? He gave up here and crawled back into that old shell he had been trying so hard to shed. His higher self vanished for the time being and his heart hardened again. Forget the mare on the ground, forget what he wanted back, forget it all. Just focus on the lovely creature before you, his mind directed him. Here he was again, as of old. Hardened inside, charming, only mares on his mind. Noble thoughts, acts of true courage, protective instincts, they all were shoved aside. If she wanted to play this game, he’d play along. He could use the distraction. A tiny voice in the back of his mind was screaming at him to stop, to wait, to consider how far backwards he’d be traveling, but he ignored it. Nothing could hurt him now, not while he was protected by this icy interior wrapped in a layer of superficial charm.

Oser stepped away from the body of the fallen mare now, worries over her melting like delicate snowflakes hitting the ground. The black mare was luring him nearer with her siren call, her body language giving him permission to approach her. He ignored what she was saying; it didn’t matter if it had to do with the mare on the ground. She was dying, and there was nothing any of them could do to save her. He silenced her as he gently and deliberately placed his whiskered muzzle of her back. He inhaled slowly, her scent, though nothing like the other mare’s, wasn’t unappealing. The coppery smell of blood, the fresh scent of the river, the faint salty smell of sweat from her chase of the wolves. ”Shhh, dearest,” he murmured into her hide, moving his muzzle up and down her back hypnotically. ”There’s not much more we can do for her…” Oh, it was so good to feel the smooth coat of another mare under his muzzle again, it had been so long. He closed his eyes, sinking into the typical shallow stag behavior that he so detested. But, he reminded himself, he didn’t care anymore. He was going to do what he wanted, and nobody was going to stop him.

However, his brief moment of relaxation was interrupted by two things that happened simultaneously. The cremello stag, Keanu, Oser recalled, burst from the brush, asking about the wolves who remained in the distance, watching, but no longer approaching the horses. He lifted his head in surprise, moving away from the raven-colored mare between them. He had almost forgotten about the others. Aria stood over Song now, murmuring at her unconscious body. As he gazed at the dying mare, he saw the faintest twitch of her eyelids. Was she beginning to come out of it? The tiny flame that had been sputtering in his chest flickered again momentarily, and he reminded himself that she would be gone soon and that he couldn’t save her. But, she might as well die comfortable and clean, he admitted to himself. Again, he ignored the tiny voice in the back of his mind that whispered that she might make it.

He walked over to her, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He told himself that it was from both from Keanu’s sudden appearance and from the thrill that touching the black mare’s hide had given him, but the possibility of the dying mare not dying after all was really what had sparked the rush of strength. Not asking help from any of the others, he bent over her, maneuvering his body so that he was in a position to help her rise. Forcing himself to stay cold, he assumed the commanding voice he had used with his warriors. ”Stay still,” he muttered to her, sizing her up and adjusting his position. It might be awkward, but the could make it. ”Now roll over onto your chest,” he directed. She did so, glaring at him all the while and muttering curses under her breath, but her eyelids still drooped from the pain, and he knew that she was desperate. ”Try to stand, but don’t try to do it all on your own,” he continued, ”lean on me.” Though his voice was gruff, his touch was gentle. Slowly, he managed to get her standing, bearing her weight with his muscles braced. Again, the world was fading as he concentrated on just the one mare. ”Walk” he directed her, ignoring her attempts to snap at his face. They progressed down the narrow trail slowly, the sound of rushing water growing louder in their ears. They reached the riverbank, and the mare collapsed into the stream, launching a kick at him on her way down. He followed her in, relieved. The current was gentle in this spot, and the water would support her weight. She would be safe for now. He stamped down the elation that was beginning to bubble up somewhere deep inside of him. That would not do, she still had only a very small chance of survival. No sense getting silly about it.

He kept a protective eye on her as she lay in the water. Now, his mind drifted toward the others, particularly the black mare. A little splashing game in the stream wouldn’t be so bad now, would it? He let out a loud, masculine whinny, calling her, telling her where he was. The cloud-gray stag stood alone and alert, impatiently waiting for her slim black figure to appear through the trees.

--behind the post—
a little over 1000 words, yay!
Um, not really sure about this, but at least we have a scene change.

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[Black Thorns]

All I need is pain
Just so that I can feel you by my side

Song twitched, her dreams beginning to curl away like wisps of smoke, twisting up into the darkness and disappearing. Slowly her body began to bring her back to the real world- though, at first, she was submerged in a soundless dark filled with nothing but pain... However her body soon away to gruffly spoken words, very commanding- much like that of a leader bringing his solders to battle. "Stay still," were the first words she heard- though he didn't really need to say that. Each movement only pained her body further, causing her even greater distress. Her breathing was labored, trying to ignore the pain of the broken rib she was lying on- it was either the rib or the shoulder, and she wasn't picking that shoulder. It was useless to ignore the pain there- she knew it could only increase as it healed. So she stayed still, her eyes open just enough to shoot daggers at the stag as he spoke. "Now roll over onto your chest," he commanded. Fine. She would. She'd do it but she wouldn't like it, not at all. Heck, it hurt to move that leg at all- how she was going to be able to wash herself was a question she wasn't sure how to answer. However, dirt was getting into the wound and she needed that out, and she needed the blood off of her coat. Hissing curses at the stag for causing her more pain (even though it was necessary) as she glared at him through half-closed eyes, Song forced herself onto her chest. She whimpered in pain- she wanted to do nothing more than lash out at this too-handsome (Not handsome, just evilly charming, she told herself) stag, but she knew that chasing him away would most likely mean death for her. Right now, he was her only real hope for survival. "Try to stand, but don't try to do it all on your own- lean on me." the stag continued, the gentle touch of the stag meeting her side. Instinctively she tried to bite at him- though her efforts were weak and obviously failed. A sickening part of her actually liked that the stag was touching her. Liked it! Song pushed this tiny part of her aside, focusing on trying to rise. She leaned heavily against the stag- enough to knock him over if her wasn't strong enough- forcing her body up on shaky legs. As she forced her bad shoulder to support weight, she felt it begin to buckle with pain. Hastily she lifted it- though the movement was too quick on her torn-up muscles, and she cried out softly with pain, trying to keep from letting Oser hear her distress. It was likely she'd spoken in her sleep, but she really didn't care at the current moment. He wouldn't see her in such great pain as he told her to walk- while he supported her weight, she began her strange hobbling walk she had attempted to use on her own not too much earlier. However, with the added support of the obviously muscled stag (She could feel a lot of things, pressed up against his side. It was if he had no fat on him at all!) she moved much more easily- though not anywhere near graceful. Not that she was ever graceful. She wasn't going to start letting him see her insecurities and her pain, however. This distress caused her to bite at his face as they moved on more than one occasion. Song had lost a lot of things, but she wasn't about to let her pride leave as well. She cursed herself for her snail's pace, and attempted to move quicker- already she had felt Oser slow as they moved- bringing them back to a slightly faster hobble and a slightly greater amount of pain. The rush of water greeted her ears, the feel of sand underneath her hooves. Her body collapsed instantly at the feel of water, and she managed to add a well- meaning but feeble, weak kick at the stag on her way down- the water where she lay was shallow enough for her to lay, but deep enough to cover her body. The weak current stung at her wounds, pulling away the blood and dirt over them. Pieces of crusty body fluids flaked off in the water, floating down the stream. She sighed in the water, trying to keep herself from falling asleep. As she lay there, she heard the stag, Oser, come in after her. From here, on the ground, he seemed even larger, more intimidating. As she lay there she suddenly felt like a young filly, hardly more than a year, looking up at her father as he tended to her play-fight wounds. His watchful eye as she frolicked about in the water, snorting at the splashes from her hooves... but Oser wasn't her dad, the only good stag she had known; he certainly wouldn't feel fatherly affections towards her. He was sure to hurt her should he get the chance, which is why she should never present him with it. Just pain. She could only give him pain, only let him feel suffering beneath furiously flying hooves. She would be sure not to let him touch her... She was pulled out of her thoughts by the feeling of water being puleld into her lungs.Song fought to keep her head above the water, deciding to let it rest on the surface as water drained from her nose. Beads of water collected on the ends of the whiskers of her chin, sending out ripples with each shuddering breath she sent through the air. She glanced down, curious to see how her wound looked without the blood. She let out a quiet gasp, diverting her eyes away. Without the blood she could see the layers of skin, pulled away, the tears on her muscles, the chips on her bone- just looking at it sent pain through her body. Her attention was quickly diverted, trying to avoid looking at the numerous scratches on her body. Looking down at her flank- thank go, one patch where there was no damage- the sun seemed to hit it just right, and she saw it glisten. Glisten! Glisten, just like she always had wished it would. She let out a quiet sigh, trying to ignore the pain. She never had her coat shine, not really. It always seemed to be dirty and dull, yet here she was, shining. Shining like all of those beautiful mares she so very much envied... Oftentimes it seemed that her coat wasn't nearly as light as it truely was. Her coat seemed pure white, though she was born as a dark bay. Her body just seemed to grow grey as she grew older... Her head lifted, ears pinned as Oser let out a noisy whinny, calling out for Raine, Keanu, and Aria. Of course, here they come. All she wanted, now, was to be left alone, in quiet peace. She could heal just fine, now, on her own...

--behind the post--
I missed Song, but not much to work with so... -shrug-
1200 even. o.o

[Abba]

I couldn't tell you
why she felt that way, she felt it everyday
And I couldn't help her, I just watched her make the same mistakes everyday

Raine's body twitched happily as she felt his maw against her back, his warm breath radiating against her black pelt. ”Shhh, dearest,” he said quietly into her as his muzzle ran along her spine in such a way that she completely forgot the world around her. Her tail swished and she perked her ears happily, creaking her neck so that her maw was almost able to touch his shoulder. She let out a tiny nicker of contentedness before tilting her head to the side as he spoke again. ”There’s not much more we can do for her…” Not much more we can do for her? Who was her? She twisted her body a bit before running her own maw in a circular motion against his grey, muscled shoulder. She let out a snort, closing her eyes as a chill ran down her spine. It felt so good, to be fondled like this again. To feel like she was the only thing that mattered. Her harks picked up the sound of hooves bursting through the bush and her eyes flashed open. What was disturbing this calming moment?! Now relatively annoyed with this whole scene she shifted her weight, glancing at Keanu and then over to the mare on the ground. Oh, that mare. That was the one they couldn't do much for. Letting out a tiny sigh she watched Oser as he moved away from her, back towards the mare on the ground that was slowly coming to. He was going to help her? How dare he when he had just said they couldn't help her?
She watched for a few seconds as the stag got the mare to her feet and slowly moved off towards the river. River. Water. Cleaning her wounds. That sounded so good right now. Oh so very good. Very very good. Shifting her weight she stood there for a few moments, quite tired of everything at this moment. She couldn't stand to watch this, to be around those that are dieing. You stupid little mare. Can't you see, you caused all of this, by fighting with that annoying little rat. Can't you tell that you are better than her. She is going to die anyways. And if that stag wants to coo over her then he may, but he won't have her for long. She will leave him in body and spirit and he will just be caused pain. Go win him over, and prolong his suffering... Mika told her, as the wind blew over her back sending a chill down her spine. "Mika?" she questioned with a sigh shaking it out of her mind. But, that wind had felt just like his breath running along her spine as he had spoken to her so many times before. Was he really this intent on ruining her life? Was she really that horrible of a person? Apparently, she was. And this thought caused her to back up, moving farther away from everyone else. No, she shouldn't be around them while she was such a beast. A beast that Mika was explaining to her. How was it all working that she could be such an evil thing towards others? Snorting once she dropped her head, arching at the poll and flexing her neck so that her maw touched her chest, standing square. Her harks picked up the sound of a sharp calling, a call of which only a stag could produce. Oser was calling her? But why? Shouldn't he realize that she wasn't good, as Mika kept drilling in her mind. She wanted Mika gone. Gone she said. Gone. Snorting a bit in happiness that Oser still wanted her around she began to prance through the shadows. That's it my little serpentine. Go after him and make him relax, then strike out. Strike when I tell you. Until then, you can fool yourself that someone actually cares about your disturbed little mind. They just want your body. They want to feel you. Nothing more. Not get to know you. Just touch you. Fondle you until they become tired of the same thing over and over again. Get used to it my raven-clad mare. You are simply a piece of trash flying in the wind that intrigues others until they realize what you are. A piece of trash. he hissed into her head and she stopped on the spot. She was not a piece of trash! Or, was she? Was she just a toy to the stags more than they were to her? But, she was beginning to really like this grey stag. He cared about others. He wasn't some empty hole in the wind. He cared. And that thought caused her to push forwards. She wasn't some piece of trash to him, or so she hoped. Don't fool yourself Mon Chere. For you are a piece of trash, no matter how hard you try not to be. he growled in her head, causing her to flinch before she stepped out of hte shadows and towards the river. Her delicate hooves made no sounds as she allowed her tail to trail behind her swaying hips, edging towards him. Quietly, she looked at him before arriving at his side in the water and resting her maw against his loin, her jawbone on his back and her neck resting against his flank. "Yes..." she whispered contently before gently beginning to massage his back with her maw.

---Behind The Post---
.921 words
.Mika makes her sounds horrible!
.Raine hates herself now
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[lady shady]

Oser
And I'll tell myself, I don't need you
I'll tell myself enough to get me through

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She came. Floating towards him, splashing into the stream, pulling his warm brown eyes towards her with every step. She drew closer, pressing up against his side, massaging his back with tiny movements that sent little shivers of pleasure down his spine. He whickered deeply, flexing the muscles in his neck and allowing her to continue for a minute before brushing his own muzzle over her face. ”Yes…?” she was asking. He attempted to clear his head, forcing himself to listen to her. What was she asking him about? Or was she simply speaking to say something? For the sake of answering her, he responded, ”Ah, it’s nothing my dear. But I’ve realized, “ he continued with an easy charm, ” that I have been denied the pleasure of learning your name.” Oh, it felt so good, her muzzle on his back, rubbing away the tightness that had accumulated there. Why had he denied himself this sort of company for so long? He turned so that he was alongside her hindquarters, where he rested his head momentarily. Her scent began to work its way inside his brain, a little something to remember her by. Yes, why hadn’t he been doing this all along?

At that moment though, as he shifted his weight, he caught sight of the grey mare, lying there in the water in front of him, red pooling around her, mixing with the sparkling clear water. The wound on her shoulder looked serious even without the blood clinging to it; he doubted that she’d be able to walk. Maybe she could use the river for any travel for a while after she healed; it would support and cushion her weight well enough, he hoped. A sudden ray of sunlight struck her solitary figure, illuminating her grey coat and making it shine. So his baby bird was beautiful as well as fierce. Something about the sight of her made him lift his head off of Raine’s back, and he stood upright now, pretending to gaze out across the river while subtly watching the wounded mare out of the corner of his eye. Despite his attempts to push her out of his mind, he couldn’t help but hope against the odds that she would heal. He knew the chances were slim, but her spirit seemed strong. And to see it extinguished would be…no, he couldn’t care. Caring too much when he had lost some of his bravest warriors had rendered him mad, it hurt him, it was why he had stopped caring. But something about her wouldn’t let him stop caring. She had to recover. Her life seemed too vibrant to be swept away in this manner. She was too different to be caught up in death. Too strong. Too brave. And this is why he had kept himself away from mares. Because he had caused the death of their mates, their loved ones, warriors so brave like this mare was being.

But, it was too nice to give up immediately. The raven mare didn’t have to stop this instant, did she? He leaned into her touch, determined to make it last until the last minute. This had all happened so quickly, they had met, barely spoken, and now here they were in the stream together, not seeming to be able to get enough of the other’s touch. He didn’t even know her name. It was so wrong. It was against his nature, but it went along so perfectly with his instinct. Torn, he simply stood, no longer nuzzling the mare, but leaving her to do as she wished with him. Closing his eyes, he let out a deep sigh. If he had been an ordinary stag, was this what a herd would have been like? He and his mares cooling off down by the stream? They weren’t his, he reminded himself forcefully. They weren’t his, and he wasn’t theirs.

--behind the post—
650 words
Lincoln Avenue
Oser’s totally conflicted xD

[/left]

[Abba]

I'm doing this tonight
you're probably gonna start a fight
I know this can't be right, Hey baby come on

Raine sighed, continuing to massage at his tense back. She heard him speak, and registered it as him asking her name. "I go by Raine," she said, allowing her tail to wrap around his front legs as he rested his head upon her hindquarters. She sighed, relaxing there before he turned and lifted his head, supposedly looking out over the waters. She felt him lean against her and she continued to massage his back. "Content?" she questioned with a light smirk.

---Behind The Post---
.104 words
.So small
.No muse... no muse
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[lady shady]

Oser
I'll finally show you how I should have been being with you every day
If you can wait a little more

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"Raine, is it? A fitting name for such a lovely mare," he replied, tugging playfully at her mane. The mare seemed to know all too well how much he was enjoying her touch, because she wrapped her tail around his legs, surrounding him in herself. "Content?" she questioned him with the slightest hint of a smirk. Her expression warned him not to lose himself; was he really behaving that badly? He thought about the situation: he and Raine standing knee-deep in the pool, exchanging meaningless whispers, while the wounded mare lay there before them dying. This wasn't him. Yet, her question made him pause for a minute. Was he content? He should be. Here he was, on a beautiful day, standing in a cool, clear river while an attractive mare eased away the tension from his back. But no, he realized, he was most certainly not content. The mare could be dying, and what was he doing? Standing there watching her with Raine nuzzling him. The weak state of the injured mare roused the Oser he knew, pushing aside the careless stag that had been fondling Raine. How could he, while she lay there? How could he not? the other side of his mind asked him. The wounded mare was dying like all of the others had, and Raine was healthy and whole. No, he decided firmly. No more. The mare will only end up hurt, and again, he'd be the one to blame. Hadn't he destroyed enough lives already?

Slowly, he pulled himself away from the black mare, wading over to the lighter one to see how she was doing. Her shoulder wound made him cringe internally, even though he knew that this time, for once, it wasn't his fault. He spoke softly, voice slightly gruff as he searched for words. He had seen enough of her personality to know that comfort would most likely be ineffective, but at the same time, he wasn't just going to stand there and bark at her that these things happened and that she needed to take it like a soldier. "That's one of the nastier ones I've seen, there. " He kept his voice low, so as not to jar her. "I don't blame you if you want to die. Many in your pain would. But you seem too strong for that." His voice mellowing, he swung into the familiar pep talks he had delivered to the wounded. The one thing he had done right in the fighting. But of course, that had been before he stopped caring. "If you give up, it can all end here" he told her. "I sense you'd rather be left alone. But if you choose to go on, let me tell you the one thing I can. Those recovering always do so faster when they have something to hold on to. Remember the ones you loved and who loved you. Remember what made life worth living; the stars at night, the dew on the grass, the wind in your hair, anything. Focus on it, and keep it in your mind. I will leave you now, if that is what you wish, and I can make sure that you are left in peace. The decision is yours." He stepped back, waiting for her, confused at himself. What was he doing? Why was he bothering her? However, his unsettled mind slowed and made one thing clear to him. This mare's response would free him. If she wanted them to leave, which he was sure she would, her blood would not be on his head. It didn't matter if he cared or not; for once he wouldn't be responsible for whatever happened to her. Horses die all the time, he knew, and why should this mare be any different? It was her choice, not his.

--behind the post--
no idea on the word count
Lincoln Avenue
sorry, totally weird post, but I was trying to give Thorny something to work with since Song can't really move around much

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[Black Thorns]

Please, please, don't leave me
I always say how I don't need you
But it's always going to come right back to this...

Song was brought out of her half asleep, peaceful calm by sudden splashes of water against her face as something moved over to her. Him. That stag, Oser. Song pinned her ears, bracing herself ((As much as she could without straining her shoulder)) for an injury, for harshly spoken words. He was sure to take advantage of her injury and kill her off then, shouldn't he? While she was unable to fight back? Her head was trying desperately to remain up, trying hard to still posses some dignity and some type of intimidation... though she knew the effort was futile. He could really do anything to her right now, no matter how much she protested.
However, her expectations were proven wrong as he began to speak in low, soft tones to her. "That's one of the nastier ones I've seen, there," he began, Song dropping her head and unpinning her ears. For some reason she didn't think he would hurt her, not now. If he wanted to hurt her, she had a feeling he'd want some type of fight with it. She turned her head, peering through the clearing, red-tinted water at her wounds. Her head turned, lying itself on the shoreline. The barest amount of water lapped at her cheek, sand beginning to attach to the wet fur. Her gaze went back to Oser as he continued speaking, trying to focus on his words and not her pain. God, she hurt.
"I don't blame you if you want to die. Many in your pain would, but you seem too strong for that." Strong. She certainly didn't feel strong, here without being able to move her neck, her leg, her body much without agony, each breath bringing waves of pain through her. She felt nothing other than weak. Weak and painful and oh so aching for something, but she didn't know what. Her mother? A friend? Something to comfort her and to care for her when she was like this... However Song knew it wouldn't happen. She hated them too much. Hated them all. Thus they hated her in return...
"If you give up, it can all end here." Mis voice seemed to soften more with each word, comforting in some way. The thought of giving up was so tempting... and he made it seem so nice... And the water felt so good... and she was so tired, very tired... she could give up without a problem. Her eyelids began to droop, threatening sleep.
"I sense you'd rather be left alone," he continued, Song nodding her head just the tiniest bit. "But if you choose to go on, let me tell you theone thing I can. Those recovering always do so faster when they have something to hold on to. Remember the ones you loved and who loved you. Remember what made life worth living; the stars at night, the dew on the grass, the wind in your hair, anything. Focus on it, and keep it in your mind. I will leave you now, if that is what you wish, and I can make sure that you are left in peace. The decision is yours." Oser stepped back, and Song began to panic irrationally. "Please... Wait... Don't leave me..." she whispered, her voice barely audible and choked. Imaged of her life ran through her mind, her throat closing with emotion. The feel of running freely, her muscles rippling... The sun on her face, the wind singing to her. The feel of warmth as she curled up with her herd mates, the quiet peace that surrounded them. A soft lullaby whisper-dung to her by her mother, coaxing her to sleep. Le sommeil, ma fille, dormir ... Laissez le murmure du vent à vos rêves, laissez votre esprit se reposer enfin .... Le sommeil, ma fille, dormir ...
She had never learned its meaning, only knowing he calm it gave her...
"My.. my mother..." she choked, looking up at him. "She would sing to me... And the running and the wind and.. and..." her voice stopped, unable to continue. Tears slid from her eyes, mingling with the now-clear river water.
"Please don't leave me..." she managed to mutter, her eyes shutting. She didn't know why, but she wanted someone here, with her. She wanted to listen to him. As long as he didn't touch her... as long as he didn't touch her she would be fine. Song though she should die if he touched her....

--behind the post--
760 words... SO SHORTTT Dx
Song is acting funny. o.O

[aria]

The pale mare knew she was not needed any more, the sight of the other two being all over her repulsed her. She followed them down to the river, only to wash her wounds on her flank and exit the water quickly. She started to walk away, turning to take one last glance at the wounded mare in the water and then turned away. Her long banner dragging slightly behind her as she didn’t feel like holding it up at this moment, she tucked her crown against her nape and picked up a trot, disappearing into the trees again, her banner instantly rising on its own as she picked up a canter. Maybe she would return when there wasn’t so many but she wasn’t sure what her days had in store for her, she would take it one day at a time. Aria exited the lands swiftly and silently heading into the unknown.

[aPPY]

» Keanu waited for one of the others to do something. He knew he wouldn't be much help in moving the poor mare; his movements strained already and limping. The black mare, Raine, produced an ear-shattering whinny. He pinned his ears and ducked his head, but the wolves began to retreat. She then questioned the stallion, Oser. He seemed to be in control of the situation, he supposed. Keanu watched the two, waiting for them to do something to help the mare he had wounded. The anger started to boil in him when it appeared as if they would do nothing. What the hell were they doing? "”Shhh, dearest,” the stag said, ”There’s not much more we can do for her…” Bull shit. He looked down at Song helplessly, wishing that he had just let her hurt him; kill him. At least then she wouldn't be in this pain. Pain caused by him. He heard a small laugh in the back of his head, a laugh of pleasure from the memories that haunted him. He backed a step, breathing quickly as to erase her. If she were to come alive when he was awake, out of the realm of his nightmares, he didn't know what he would do.

» The stag seemed to come back to himself, walking towards Song. Thank god, he was actually going to do something. He directed her carefully into a position he could use to move her and Keanu stood a small distance away. He wished he could do something to help, but he knew he couldn't and he knew that the mare probably didn't want him helping anyway. After all, it had all been his fault. He lowered his head to the ground, blowing at the dirt as he stared at the sandy grains. Why was he so bad? Why couldn't he change himself? No matter how hard he tried, he always did something to hurt others. It never failed. He sighed, his sides quivering and the air coming out choppily. Why couldn't he be different? He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, letting out the breath stronger this time. Other would say to just embrace it, to be who he was, but he just couldn't. He didn't like hurting others. He just couldn't stop doing it, it seemed. He shook his head, opening his eyes and stepping forward before pausing. Should he follow? Or should he just leave. Perhaps he had done enough.

» A whinny pierced the air, the stag calling for Raine, he supposed. They were certainly getting close earlier. So now that Song was at the river was he just going to leave her? Consider it not his problem anymore? Claiming that he had done all he possibly could to calm his conscious? Keanu sighed again, walking forward. He might as well stay if that is what he actually planned to do. It seemed so inhumane to just leave her there, but maybe he assumed too much of the stallion. Maybe he wasn't the leader he appeared to be, the leader he had seemed to be. He saw the ebony mare bounce forward, happily obeying to the stag's call. His ears rotated back, unhappy. Obviously he had been wrong about Raine as well. Such typical, superficial equines. It disgusted him.

» He took his time walking back to the river, reaching it quietly and seeing the two of them next to each other. Song lay in the water, completely ignored. The want to lash out was suddenly there, his anger at the surface. He quickly swallowed it though, not wanting to go down this road again. He stood silently as the stag broke away, going back to the mare in the water. He spoke to her, almost trying to convince her to give up, it seemed. What was he doing? Something to hold on to? This poor mare didn't appear as if she really had anything left to hold on to. He closed his eyes again and gently shook his head; a small fraction either way. He opened his eyes, looking at the wound that was clean now. He could see her muscle that was supposed to be underneath her skin; shiny, white bone poking through. The sight of it just saddened him more, upset with himself for even using that wound as leverage against her. Why had he done that?

» The mare seemed to respond to what the stag had said, her voice faint and cracked. She didn't want him to leave? She went on to explain about her mother and some song. So maybe she did have something after all. She ended her short speech asking him to stay again. All he had done was get her here and then ignore her, really. Why did she want him to stay? Keanu got the feeling that the white stallion didn't truly care what happened, either way. He just wanted to leave now, without the responsibility of keeping Song alive. He supposed he couldn't really blame him, he had been thinking about leaving just a few minutes ago, but now he knew he couldn't unless he knew she would be okay. If he did leave now, he knew that he would forever blame himself for her death, even if she did live, he wouldn't know. He lowered his head to the ground again, unsure what to do other than just stand there. If Oser stayed, then good for him, but he really didn't think he would. If he did leave, than at least Keanu would be here, even if Song wouldn't want him to be, it was better than being alone and helpless.

» Keanu stepped forward, walking towards a shady tree and carefully lowering himself to the ground. The heat was starting to get to him and make him dizzy, and the shade helped some. He stretched out with a sigh, settling into the ground. He lowered his head to the ground, his eyes open and watching the river. He didn't know what Oser would do and he didn't really care either way at this time. Perhaps it would be better for him to leave; his spacy attention wasn't really needed or wanted; well except by Song, but he didn't think should noticed that he seemed rather preoccupied. Keanu shifted his weight, relaxing into a more comfortable spot and finding it easy to keep his eyes open for now. He didn't know how long that would last, but at least for now he would remain awake.

word count » 1109
if oser really wants to leave, now would be the time.
keanu feels really, really bad, but doesn't know what to do. :/

i finally replied. lol.

[lady shady]

Oser

And that was the day that I promised myself
That I'd never sing of love if it does not exist
But darling, you are the only exception[/i][/right]

Something in the little bird seemed to come alive after his short talk. He almost hadn't expected it to work, thinking that she might be too far gone to save, but it had seemed to do something. She strained to speak now, and as he heard the difficulty with which she spoke, he instinctively wanted to hush her, to make her rest her head and lie back. But the message that she was trying to get across seemed important to her, so he said nothing as she continued. She spoke of a song, of running, of the wind in her hair. And he understood all of those things. Perhaps they weren't all of the ones he would have chosen, but--what would be the things he would have chose if it had been him lying here instead of the mare? The thought seemed strange to him, foreign, since he had never been seriously wounded. But what if some day, the time came for him to take his turn? What would he hold on to then? Thoughts raced around his mind, searching for something to hang on to, to reach out and hold. But there was nothing strong there, only his quiet cold hatred of that other stag, and the shallow pleasures of mares and winning fights. This disturbed him, and he searched deeper. Here, he was met with a little more success. Traveling, exploring, poking his nose into caves and rivers, seeing the moon at night reflected in the water of a secret pond he had come across...the beauty of Forma Silvestris would stay with him. But something was missing. The warmth of a friendship, the love of a mother, all those things. He couldn't remember...he knew he'd experienced them, but the feelings seemed to be hovering just out of his reach. They wouldn't get too close. He let out a miniscule sigh at this, saddened by both his plight and the mare's. But now, she must rest, at least for a bit.

How would she rest her head though? He looked around, searching for something to help her sleep. Locating a log resting on the shallow sandy bottom, he took a step toward it, hoping he could push it to the mare. But what was she saying? Don't go? After all this, she wanted him to stay? Something liquid and warm surged momentarily through his heart, but he shoved it away almost automatically. Yes. She would need someone to look out for her until she was strong enough to be on her own. "I'll be back. You need something to support your head though." Again, he spoke gruffly, but his movements were gentle as he waded over to the log. To his pleasure, it rolled quite easily, and he nosed it along toward her, letting it settle once again on the bottom when he reached her. "Rest now," he commanded, knowing that the mare would need all of the energy she could get. He stood guard nearby, close enough so that she would know he was there, but far away enough so that he couldn't reach out and brush her neck with his muzzle. Oh, how he wanted to, but he wouldn't allow himself to behave as he had with Raine. Just the thought of the raven mare began to lure that other stag out from within him, the one who had fondled her earlier. He mustn't let those traits creep back again. Giving the mare a sidelong glance to make sure her eyes were closed, he began to hum a soft melody to himself, originally in the Ancient tongue that his father had always sung over the herd before they settled for the night. It was a strange lullaby, as fierce and piercing as it was soothing. The original spoke of fights and triumphs, victories and families, of young ones sleeping and old ones dying. But he left out the words and simply hummed to himself and the mare, if she was still awake, trying to call back the love that he knew he'd once been able to feel.

Through his lashes, he saw a pale shape moving through the trees nearby. Keanu had made his way to the edge of the trees. The cremello was wounded too, Oser remembered, and he called to him quietly. Perhaps the water would do this stag a little good as well? At least a drink; the air was growing increasingly hotter as the day went on. Besides, he felt he ought to speak to him, find out what had happened, see if he was injured. Taking a few steps closer to the shore, he stood and waited to see if the cremello would come down.

--behind the post--
804 words
The Only Exception
He's gonna stick around for a bit, appy ;)