//Everybody's Fool

[Black Thorns]

When she felt him touch her she thought she might die.

No, not because Oser had touched her, because He had touched her. He was always touching her, even if only by the tendrils of hatred leaking through her brain. Soft little whispers, then, as she began to move.

You can't get away from me, lover, he whispered, voice thick, Oh, never... If you run I am faster, fight me and I am stronger. Cat-and-mouse, you see, and you play the tomcat's prey... He caressed her softly, remembered touches forcing her to quicken her pace. He caught up to her- though if it was Oser or Him she wasn't sure. Her breath stopped. Her heart skipped. Her muscles coiled.

He was here.

Her body took off at a frantic run, galloping through the trees with no intention of ever stopping. Her shoulder screamed at her, pleading her to stop. She couldn't stop! She couldn't! If she stopped He would catch up, and He made her do terrible things...

Tell me you love me, ma cher, tell me... His voice was breathy, hot on her ear. She could feel him pressing against her, feel how he slid against her skin and inched towards her backside. Tell me...

Each movement made her ever more distressed with fear and fury; each time he whispered to her she wanted to split her head and shatter each memory into a billion pieces. The pain of her shoulder brought her comfort, the pain forced her to keep a hold on this world. She didn't want to slip back to Him. She didn't want to relive those endless moments... Eventually she slowed to an uneven canter, her leg giving out underneath her with each step, slowing ever more to a trot. His voice was breathy in her ear...

You can never outrun me, love, never...

She shook her head suddenly, trying to force him off and out of her head. She didn't want him there. She didn't need him there. He shouldn't touch her. Her heart raced with fury, skin burning at the threat of Him. She spun around suddenly, her eyes boring searing holes into Oser's skull.

It was not Oser here. It was Him.

"Song?" he asked, as if he was confused to as what he had done. He knew perfectly well what he had done! Not only did he dare to speak her name, he dared set a foot towards her! Instinctively she stepped back, away from him. Oh, I always do love a good game to... whet the appetite... Her teeth gritted together in response, body flashing with a furious heat seeming to burn her to the core with its intensity.

"Don't. You. EVER." Song hissed, ears pinned and neck stretched towards him. Oh, if it weren't for the fact that her shoulder screamed at her in pain, wasn't so pained she fought to keep herself standing, he would be dead on the floor. "You try something like that again, and I'll rip you to pieces- even if it kills me." You wouldn't take away such a fun toy, now. Come, ma petite souris, let me play...You wouldn't dare refuse me my pleasure... Her lips drenched themselves in the devil's words, names and insults slipping off of her tongue like water. Now, now, watch your language...

"Song."

Man-voice was steel, cold and emotionless, no anger or love behind it, no lust or confusion powering the voice. It just was. She spun from the voice, stalking off in another direction. She didn't care where she went, as long as it was away from Oser and nowhere near Him. She felt his presence leave her, her breath calming and feeling as if an immense weight had lifted off of her. He would leave her alone for now.

Only crazy people talk to things that aren't there, Song! she chided herself, Only crazy people!

She didn't care of she was crazy. She just wanted him gone, wanted him to leave her. Yet somehow she loved it, loved to soak herself in the pain of the memories. That was why she kept him close, why she thought of Him in every moment of her lives. Oddly she wondered how he would react to her birthday. He only stayed for mating in the winter and early spring; when the snow melted to thin, clear streams he had left; never had he seen her grow older. She knew what he would want if she was with him when she aged... Fear spiked her body as she heard hoofbeats behind her. He was coming, Oser was coming after her. He said her name again, though differently. He said it with a type of tone, power, compelling her to stop moving. He said it with that power He had... She tried to fight it for a moment, before stiffening and halting in her tracks.

"Don't get any ideas. It's not because YOU told me to, Mr. Macho, but because I needed a rest." Her voice was venomous, daring him to try and defy her, to try and come closer, to try and touch her again. She was ready this time. He wouldn't hurt her again. He wouldn't do that to her anymore. He would never... He would never...

Oser snorted. "Fine. At least give me an explanation, though, as to why you suddenly seem to find my company so disagreeable."

He didn't have the right to demand that! Her ears pinned against her head, beginning to move again.

"Well, cher, he we are again..." the stallion murmured, His muzzle running down her muscled neck. "Oh, and I'm so cold..." He pressed against her side, snow melting in the heat of the two bodies, "Mmmmm, won't you warm me..." Power. He held that power. He pressed at her, signaling her to begin. She left then, left in her mind, floating up and above the trees and away from there as her body began to caress His, as she began to offer, as He...As he...

Her shoulder screamed suddenly, forcing her to stop. Might as well tell him something, if he was going to keep bugging her. She wouldn't tell him anything important... but she would tell him something.

"I don't like stallions. I don't like stallions at my rear end especially. Even more so when they decide that they can just touch me there with no reason or permission. Suck it up."

[lady shady]

"I don't like stallions. I don't like stallions at my rear end especially. Even more so when they decide that they can just touch me there with no reason or permission. Suck it up."

Her rear end?? Really now? He shook his head in disbelief. He may be gruff at times, but he was a gentleman. Oser raised a cool eyebrow at her, saying with a smirk, "Oh, don't flatter yourself, Song. Do you really think that's what I was doing?" He bit back the desire to mention that even if it had been his intention, which it hadn't been, she was one to talk when she had spent most of last night curled against his side, not seeming to have such a problem then. His words carried an unexpected undertone of harshness, perhaps too forceful for the mare. But she could take care of herself; she was tough. You know it's just an act, his mind chided him, you know she acts the way she does for a reason. She's really just a little baby bir--Shut up, he interrupted his own thoughts. Song can figure out her own issues. And how dare she think that I would stoop to such a level! As if he just went around touching mares like he owned them. As if. Well...said the little voice in the back of his mind again, there was Raine...

But still. Raine had been different. She had returned the gesture. And so had Song last night, actually. So what was her problem now? Mares. So hard to figure out. He gave her an unimpressed stare before moving forward again. Oser figured if she moved away, at least she would be moving again. He didn't have time to sit here and argue with her over her pretended encounters with him. As if he would do that it her. As. If.

He snorted under his breath and for the umpteenth time, resisted the urge to roll his eyes in exasperation.

--behind the post--
340 words
hehe, tension between them is jam-packed with laughable moments xD

[Black Thorns]

"Oh, don't flatter yourself, Song. Do you really think that's what I was doing?" Oser replied snarkily, Song whipping around to stare at him as he snorted at her.

"Not. You. Oser. I couldn't give a damn about if you wanted me or not." Her teeth gritted together as she fought to keep from adding I don't care if I want you either. She spun around again, shoulder screaming at her to cut it out already and get over herself 'cause man it hurt! She took another step, before pausing and turning back around in a slow, furious manner.

"Maybe you didn't want it, Oser, but I damn well know too many people that did. People that- a person that- Oh! Just forget it, okay? Forget I said anything! Or don't forget! I don't know, I don't really care!" Her breathing was labored, straining with pain and the exhaustion of fury. "If you were anyone else, if my shoulder didn't stop me, you would be dead on the ground right now."

She paused, before editing her last comment. "Not that I care about you or anything. Because I don't." She nodded slightly to herself, as if trying to reassure herself that she believed it. It wasn't good, this crossing over. Affection was for nighttime and fights and working with her shoulder were for the daytime. Or for Oser going off and strutting around like an idiot all day, whatever he chose. "And...And..." she stumbled for words, before giving up on the attempt in all entirety. She turned around and began to stalk off, before tripping slightly over a root and putting pressure onto her injured shoulder- more than normal. Her beats sputtered as she moved, an erratic gait that was sure to make her fall flat on her face. She stopped, leaning against a strong oak.

"Just... Just... Just don't do that. Okay? Please?" she asked quietly, all of her anger drained and filled instead with a trembling languish that coated her eyes with tears.

"Please?"



--behind the post--
340 something words. -shrug-
I have a STUPID gym and english teacher. 'tis all.
And Oser is funny.

[lady shady]

She couldn't care less whether he wanted her or not?

Oh, this was too much! Because he didn't! Or did he...
NO. He did NOT. She was too young, too stubborn, everything he was not looking for, a bundle of attitude with her own problems. Again, wasn't someone a little vain here? To just assume he'd even look at her, he meant. And to have to throw in his face how popular she supposedly was with other stallions. Well, good for them, if they were stupid enough to fall for a crazy mare with a twisted personality. Idiotic enough to care about a fae that smelled of the wind and of the fresh earth...Dumb enough to love...oh, he hated them all. Or was it envy? It couldn't be.

And not that she cared? Oh please. How could she not? Look, here she was falling all over herself trying to prove to him that she didn't. She totally cared...didn't she? Didn't she?? You know what, it didn't matter, because HE didn't care even more. So there. He knew it was petty, but it was the only thing he could do to drive the terrible confusion from his head.

"Just... Just... Just don't do that. Okay? Please?"

Song's shaky voice snapped him out of his own thoughts. Not because of her words, but because of her tone. She sounded...distraught, hurt, as if she were pleading with him. He instinctively tensed, eyes scanning the area for danger. She wouldn't be hurt while he was the--what was he doing? No. What was she doing? Her poor figure sagged against an oak, clearly exhausted from emotion and effort. Irritation drained from him as he saw her struggle. Forget it. Something bad was happening, and she needed him.

"Song?"

He spoke softly, in a completely different tone from that which he had been using.

"Song...? Are you... all right?"

Approaching her, he reached out and touched her lightly on the neck in comfort. The same instant, her ears pinned. What was wrong with him? Had he forgotten who this was?

--behind the post--
362 words
ATTACK!!

[Black Thorns]

With the barest touch she felt herself snap. Forgetting entirely about her pain, her teeth snapped out at his face, before she reared high into the air and let out a scream into the heavens. She kicked out at him, pouring every ounce of herself into the attack; yet she was too weak to even break the skin. She wanted him gone! Oser... Oser... Oser wasn't here, this wasn't Oser... Her eyes swam with visions of Him, each strike little nips or nudges that only made Him laugh at her.

Don't be silly, dear, you can't hurt me!

She screamed out again, attacking with more force than before. She felt the skin break beneath her teeth, his neck bleeding onto her teeth and staining them. He whipped about in fury at her, striking her side with a hard kick to barrel. You will pay, mon cher, pay a thousand times over! How dare you! How dare you disobey your master!

She quieted after a few moment, from both her inability and his threatening words. She panted heavily, trying to focus on whoever it was in front of her. Who was this? Who was he?

Oser. It was Oser. She had hurt him. Part of her snorted and didn't care, whereas another part of her yearned to grovel for his forgiveness. He did not forgive her until she groveled, begged, for Him to forgive her...

Song pressed her eyes shut, pressing her ears further against her head and forcing herself against the tree. The bark dug into her barrel, thin scratches rising on her pelt. His breath was hot on her skin, little hairs rising on her neck as she twitched and tried to ignore Him. You don't want punishment, do you? He asked, teeth pressing against her cheek, I can hurt you more than you will ever imagine...

She pressed herself further against the tree, tears slipping down her face. Don't cry, ma cher; I can give you far more to cry about...Don't you remember...?

[lady shady]

Song spun at his touch and attacked.

Her teeth reached for his pelt, front hooves pounding into his body simultaneously. Adrenaline was giving her the strength that she needed to fight. Part of her attack roused a little piece of him buried from his battle days, he remembered the fighting, the blood on his muzzle, the flesh beneath his flint hooves, bones cracking, teeth breaking...he should fight, yes he should. But this was Song. Anger flashed in his mind like lighting--brief and electric. As she drove another stroke home, he realized that every movement would only be injuring her shoulder more, and he cursed himself for his stupidity. Why did he have to go and touch her? After she had begged him not to? He hadn't meant it; it had been an instinctive gesture of comfort, and it had all gone horribly wrong. His fault. His fault. Again, this was all his fault. Just like it had been before.

So he stood. He let her tear into him, knowing he deserved it. He felt the blood run down his neck, felt her hooves beating against his ribs. She was so angry, so scared. His heart cracked in two.

Closing his eyes, he let her continue, dodging only the worst of her blows. It wouldn't do if both of them were crippled. Her attack gradually slowed, and he opened his eyes to see her leaning against the rough bark of the oak again, shaky and eyes streaming with tears. How he wanted to brush them away! But he couldn't touch her, couldn't touch the beautiful long face, couldn't wipe away the silvery salty water falling from those stormy eyes.

"Song? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...I'm sorry."

The words were simply stated and soft, the best he could do without touching her. They were his white flag, a plea for peace. He would see if she could ever forgive him for scaring her so badly. He didn't know exactly what he had unleashed, but it was apparent now that Song had a secret, and she wouldn't let anyone see it. He exhaled quietly, then turned and began to walk away. Back to the stream, back to where they had woken up, back to the place where they had been at peace together. Blood dripped from his neck onto the fallen leaves, drops of crimson amongst yellows, oranges and rusty brown needles. And as the blood fell, his spirits tumbled down with it.

--behind the post--
423 words

[Black Thorns]

"Song? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...I'm sorry." His words were soft, nearly pleading for her to forgive him. She could forgive Oser, but she could never forgive Him. He watched in glee at the pair of miserable creatures, nearly laughing at them in their strained relationship. He pushed, He prodded; He didn't want her to every feel happy. She could only feel happy with Him; He should be her entire world! He should occupy her every thought, He should be the force behind her every move! Everything should be for Him... Song turned her head, pressing her face into the trunk of the tree as Oser walked away. She didn't need it, didn't need to see him leave her. There was a part of her- a part that, at one time, had been overwhelmingly large- that said good riddance, whereas another part of her ached for him not to go. He pressed closer to her, murmuring soft words into her ear. You'd best not worry about him, love; you know you belong to me alone. Forget me and I will only return to remind you. Remember, ma cher, I am never far... With those words he left her, letting her get away from the tree and stumble into where Oser had once stood. It wasn't hard to figure out where he was headed, really; the blood trail was too easy to follow.

She traced his steps, trying to let Him leave her mind. He always liked the day; it was nighttime that He feared. Not feared, exactly; more like He wasn't particularly fond of the nighttime. His- Oser's- scent was strengthened by the drops of blood, surrounding and encasing her in a scent she remembered, would remember, for all time. Everything, she remembered everything; even in the nighttime she remembered, but she didn't let them filter through, trickle into her mind and coat her with fear. She didn't need it. She didn't want it. As the sky darkened, the thoughts of Him seemed to blow further and further away, dropping behind her as she found herself reaching Oser. He stood where the morning had started, an unusual morning, a happy one that spiraled downwards. Blood dripped steadily from his wounds, plaguing her with guilt.

"Oser..." she began, steps slowing as she reached the clearing, slowing until she stopped at his side. Her voice was quiet, meek, that of someone who felt great remorse for what they had done. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to hurt you... I know what I said, and I'll be darned if I haven't meant it a great many times, but today... I didn't want to hurt you, I swear!" She stepped closer, brushing against him with her muzzle. "Please, Oser, please forgive me... I've forgiven you..." Tears slid down her face. She was tired, so tired of everything... She was tired of Him haunting her every thought, and of each problem in her way... If it wasn't for Oser, she would've let herself sleep forever on the shore of the river. Familiar. Oser was familiar, the contours of his shoulders, neck, head were so familiar she didn't need to open her eyes to tell where she was when she lipped at his cheek and nuzzled his neck. "I'm so sorry, Oser..."

She slid to the ground, curling onto her good side and looking up at him. "Oser, I'm so very tired, and I think I set us back in my recovery with my fit today. Please lie with me...? It's cold... and I'm not good with the cold..."

He came when it got cold.

He always did.

--behind the post--
uhm. 600 words.
I HATE RESEARCH
it's cute. Ish.

[lady shady]

He heard Song coming up the path slowly, and he raised his head slightly at her approach but avoided looking at her should she still be upset.

"Oser..."

Her voice was raw with emotion and her face still dripping with salty as she called his name. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to hurt you... I know what I said, and I'll be darned if I haven't meant it a great many times, but today... I didn't want to hurt you, I swear! Please, Oser, please forgive me... I've forgiven you..."

The apology came tumbling from her lips, jonnock and sincere. He could hear the truth in her voice, but he couldn't understand the sudden change of heart. Be a gentleman. Tell her you forgive her. the little voice in his head prompted him. Tell her not to worry. Be gallant. It was right. He must put her at ease, she must not trouble herself any more today; her shoulder was already strained. But as he opened his mouth to speak, she surprised him. Her warm muzzle met his hide, caressing his face, neck, and shoulders, a gesture so familiar yet unexpected that he almost stepped backwards in confusion. What was she doing?? After attacking him for touching her, she had apologized and now...was apparently fine with touching him? He instinctively wanted to wrap his head around hers, pull her close to his body and comfort her, but he stood, stiff as a board while she nuzzled him, appearing unmoved and emotionless. He wouldn't set her off again. But as the minutes passed, it became clear that her intention was not to attack again. Her velvety nose moved over his frame, inviting him to return the favor, begging him to forget and start anew. His resolve began to weaken and he stretched out his nose in an experimental brush to her withers. However, just as his whiskers grazed her hide, she lowered herself to the ground in apparent exhaustion.

Imploring him to lie down beside her, she lifted her head, saying something about the cold, how she wasn't good in the cold. He obliged, lowering himself down beside Song's outstretched frame, laying a tentative head upon her back. Goodness this was so awkward, he reminded himself of a young colt around a filly the way he was acting right now. But he couldn't be sure of how to act after what had happened. He couldn't be responsible for hurting her more. Not after hurting so many others.

--behind the post--
429 words
jonnock xD

[Black Thorns]

His breath was too hot, his body too warm, his head too heavy on her side.

Yet she didn't say a word.

She couldn't, she didn't want to make him hurt. He didn't need to know, didn't need to understand why she hated his touch this morning, why she shied away from any mention of being with him. She would close her eyes and try to forget, shut her mouth and pretend. She turned her head, nuzzling at his cheek affectionately. It wasn't that she didn't like Oser, really, she found him a decent companion; she just wasn't ready, wasn't sure, if she wanted more. She could tell that he did, however, and so she obliged with caresses and soft, loving whispers. She found herself a good actress; she could lie to him, and he thought it true.

Maybe, just maybe, it was true.

Song stretched back, trying to reach him and managing only to briefly lip at his mane. She pressed closer, sighing in apparent happiness.

"Oser?" she asked, her eyes closed, "Do you think I will be able to run again without... this happening?" She gestured to her pained shoulder, surely putting her back in her recovery. "I don't want freedom to hurt." She dropped her head to the ground again, fighting to keep from falling asleep. She couldn't sleep, not now; she would wait for him to sleep first. Oser would sleep, He would part her with a whispered good-night threat, and then Song would sleep for the night.

If Song could find Him... If they met for just a moment, He should say good-night forever. Song would be free.

But at what price?



--behind the post--
short. o.o
Song is confused. o.o

[lady shady]

As he lay his head on her back, she surprised him by responding affectionately, far more affectionately than she had before. Would this day get any stranger? Her muzzle was moving over his face, his neck, his body nuzzling him as if nothing had ever happened. He responded slowly at first, carefully and lightly, but as she continued, he noticed her growing rougher, an undertone of anger in her actions. Was she still upset with him? If she was, then why was she doing this? Confused, he stopped, and she spoke. She wanted to know if he thought she'd ever be able to run again without pain. He was tired, so tired. Why must she ask such questions? He knew what she wanted the answer to be. But he really didn't know. Of course he hoped so, but it all depended on how well it healed. "I don't know," he murmured, too fatigued to sugarcoat it for her, "I don't know, Song. But I hope so." His eyes were closing and his head was heavy on the cool earth. He said no more, for in the next instant, he was asleep.

--behind the post--
BLEH. NADA.
sorry, not anything to respond to really xP
I hate this post.
*kicks post*