//Everybody's Fool

[Black Thorns]

"I don't know," he murmured, "I don't know, Song, but I hope so." Before she could say a word, she knew he had fallen asleep. Yet she found herself wide awake, even when she fought to lose consciousness and let herself rest. She opened her eyes, staring up at the night sky. It never really changed, did it? Always the same. There was a moon, there were stars, there was the empty blackness. That was something she could trust, stars. Nighttime. It was the only thing in her life that would never change. She would always look up at the night sky and see them; the moon, the stars, the empty blackness. The same. It would always be the same. Somehow Song took comfort in this thought, her eyelids drooping as she finally feel into the relief of sleep.

It was always the same. She would run, and He would find her. What a game he played, what a sick, twisted ploy of cat and mouse. She would feel safe, free, only to have Him return. Sometimes she would go a week without Him returning; sometimes merely an hour. She never knew how long He would let her run. She could only move as quickly as possible, to try and outrun Him. Maybe someday she would run too far for Him to catch her. Someday, she would move so fast that she would fly away, higher and higher into the air where He would never catch her, never touch her again. He loved how she shuddered, how she cringed from His touch. He would only approach her more frequently, He would only demand more. He owned her. He was her master. She would do as He said, only to escape and be pulled back in. She was a whipped puppy, chained and broken, desperate for freedom and knowing it only for the brief moments when his collar was off and his master had left. He had broken her. She wouldn't be broken, couldn't be broken any longer. He waited for too long to catch her. He waited too long to tie her back up. Before He knew it, she was gone. She reveled in the fact that he wouldn't touch her again. She was free. How long would her freedom last?

A few weeks passed; what the exact number was she couldn't be sure. It was long enough that her impairing actions had healed themselves, and she had begun once more on the trot. Oser was very specific on what she needed to do in the trot. He wouldn't let her move on, no matter how tired she was of it. He wanted her to get it down. Personally, she thought he was a little empty up there, but she went along with it anyways. So came another day, another time for them to practice the same thing over and over again. She stretched, rising from the ground and prodding at the still-sleeping Oser.

"Oser. Wake up." She pushed a little harder, the stallion still and unresponsive. "Come on, Oser, I want to get this trot all over with." He grunted slightly, before Song shoved at him. "Oser! Get your lazy butt up!" She giggled a bit, oddly amused by his inability to speak in coherent sentences. "Come on!" She backed away a few paces, snorting at him. "Come on!"



--behind the post--
blehh. IDK what I wanted to accomplish.

[lady shady]

OSER

The sun, despite the crisp autumn air, was deliciously warm on his back. The gray stag sighed quietly, smiling faintly in his sleep at the sensation. It was peaceful here, like nothing had ever happened...

Something was moving. He flicked his ears just in time to catch the faint words: "Oser! Get your lazy butt up!" He chuckled softly, not bothering to open his eyes. She was being unusually feisty this morning, oddly unlike herself, but definitely in a good way. She was normally sweet, but reserved. Though they were always together, they weren't all that close...Winter was right around the corner though, and perhaps this was the reason for the sudden change in behavior. Now that there was no war, perhaps this time, they wouldn't be interrupted...Eyes still closed, he groaned playfully, blindly swinging out his muzzle to hit her lightly. Was she actually giggling? He liked this new Zoe--"Come on!"

The voice was sharper now, and he opened his eyes rapidly. This was definitely not Zoet. Song stood before him, triumph in her eyes at having awakened him, short misty breaths floating in the air around her nostrils in small puffs. Caught off guard by what had just happened and by how beautiful she looked in the weak autumn sun, Oser scrambled to cover his awkwardness with a stiff, "Good morning." Oh, lovely. It sounded all wrong. He had the sudden urge to just bury his head in his chest and go back to sleep again, pretending that this had never happened. But he was supposed to be responsible, and that was not an option.

"Right," he said crisply, getting to his feet,"the trot." Leading the way to the flat stretch of ground where they always practiced, he let their slow walk uncoil his muscles. When they were ready, they went through their paces as usual, but something in the back of his mind kept distracting him from the task at hand. It was frustrating too, because she was doing quite well this morning, and he sensed her growing irritated that he seemed to be paying her accomplishment no mind. It was just that with every step she took, her mane would fall across her withers in such a messy, perfect way...

"Oser." She had stopped suddenly, moving around to face him and blocking his path. "What's your problem? And don't you dare tell me I'm not doing this right, because we've gone over the steps at least a thousand times." Eyeing him mutinously, she held her ground, clearly expecting an answer. "Oh, no, it's nothing...you're doing very well," he answered lamely. "It's just, I thought we could try a canter, that's all." He didn't wait for a reply or the expression on her face, simply swung into a slow, spontaneous canter along the flat, grassy riverbank. He heard her following, hoofbeats tentative at first, then gathering speed and confidence as she caught up to him...and he didn't know why he did it, knew it went against his better judgement, but couldn't resist, had to be free...he let himself run at a gallop now, wild and joyous, running beside Song. The rushing air yanked an ecstatic bugle from his throat, and he lost all sense of time and duty in those moments of escape. Finally though, time caught up to them, and the wild gallop slowed as he transitioned into a canter, then a trot, then a slow walk. His heart was beating madly in his chest, the air pumping in and out of his lungs, and he was tired by the short run. In the end, it didn't matter though. His racing heart and fighting lungs told him that he was still alive. Part of him was free.

--behind the post--
Haha, awkwardness in the beginning xDD
I took pretty major liberties with Song, Thorny. If you don't like it, I can redo this post. I thought it might be nice for her to run again though <3
If she ends up being able to run, technically, she's healed and can leave at any time.
Oser's on the mend as well (:

[Black Thorns]

"Good morning." Oser's voice was stiff, almost awkward as he finally gave her a coherent response. She snorted at him playfully as he got to his feet.

"Right. The trot." She sighed again at the mention of his obsession with that gait. It wasn't as if she didn't know how, or couldn't- she very well could, mind you. He simply was a bit of a perfectionist. ((If that "bit" meant near entirely, then yes.)) He set off towards the practice grounds, as he called it ((This-is-not-a-challenging-enough-spot as she called it)). She watched for a moment, unable to stop herself from admiring the way the sun reflected on his coat, the rippling of his muscles beneath his skin. She watched as his walk relaxed, finally stepping in and walking behind him dutifully. She gorged herself in her guilty pleasure, sighing happily. After a moment, she began to contemplate this sudden change in emotion and affection. Fear pierced her heart as they reached the clearing. She pushed it aside as he turned to face her.

"Alright. Show me how you're doing with the trot so far..." His voice was distant somehow, distracted. She didn't move for a moment, Oser nodding his head at her to begin. She swung into an easy trot, pleased with her success as the rhythm smoothed, the beats even as she marveled at the lack of pain. ((The lack of commentary from Oser was nice, as well; she was rather tired of "No! Your beat is off! Fix your center of balance, you're going to fall over! Stop snapping your legs so high, you'll get tired too fast!")) As she finished her third circle, irritation began to creep through her. She whinnied and snorted,trying to get his attention. She was doing her best today, and he wasn't saying anything! She completed another lap, another, and still he said not a word. Her ears flicked back against her head for a moment as she stopped suddenly, facing him and blocking his path.

"Oser. What is your problem? Don't you dare tell me I'm not doing this right, because we've gone over these steps at least a thousand times." She stomped her foot, tossing her head defiantly.

He stumbled over himself awkwardly, much like a lame duck as he attempted a reply. "Oh! No, it's nothing... You're doing very well. It's just, uh, I thought we could try a canter, that's all." Without waiting for her answer, Oser swung into a canter ((far too slow for her liking, mind you.)). Song didn't hesitate for a moment as she followed him, gaining speed as her confidence grew. She reached him, soon surpassing him.

Her heart bead thunderously, a wild rhythm, untamed, as her muscles cried with joy, as her lips let loose this euphoric call. She grew in speed, ever-increasing, her legs moving faster and faster, and then... then she was flying! She swore she was flying! She couldn't feel her legs beneath her, and as she turned her head, Oser was there... Oser flew with her, letting out a trumpeting noise as he moved. Time stood still; she wasn't Song. He wasn't Oser. She was a kite; and he her kitestring.

In that moment, she could swear that his heart beat with hers.

And then it was over, all over; they slowed until their pace was nothing but a slow walk. The sweat cooled, freezed to her body, to his; and his caught the light so delightfully as his chest heaved with the effort of the run.

A sudden realization hit her hard, causing her to still.

If she was able to run, she was free. She didn't need him anymore. Part of her rejoiced; and yet she could swear there was an ache in her heart at the thought. She could be free to fight again, to destroy, to kill those who threatened females... Yet weren't there exceptions? Oser... Oser was an exception. He would be safe from her blows. How many months had she been with him? And yet he had not done a thing to her, not once.

She didn't have to leave. She wanted to... but she didn't. Her eyes closed, before opening with her decision.

"I- Oser, I- I can't..." She nickered quietly, before turning from him. Terror gripped her soul as she began to run, run as she never had before. Her kitestring was severed; yet she couldn't fly. No matter how hard she drove her legs, she couldn't reach flight.

She began to go back to where they had been before- back to her new home- before suddenly turning away.

It was miles, miles before she slowed. In amazement, she found herself where they had one been- at the bank of a river; though this time, she had no wound. This time, Oser was not there, Keanu was not there, Aria, Raine... they weren't there. She was alone. Tears fell down her face as the slid down into the water, her eyes closing.

She was free of her bonds; he could go where she wanted, do as she wanted. So why did she fear it so?

--behind the post---
BLEHHHHH
she ran away.

[lady shady]

OSER

And then suddenly, he was brought crashing back to earth with her words: "I- Oser, I- I can't..."

Couldn't? Couldn't what? Confusion swept across his chiseled face and he tilted his head, not understanding. Before he could speak though, she was running, before he could react, she was gone. He could still hear her hoofbeats in the distance, could see the obvious trail she had left, but following her was out of the question. So why, for the most fleeting instant, had he wanted to? He understood now; she was free, she had proved it just now. She didn't need him any more. His delicate little bird had found that she could fly. His job was done.

Slowly, he turned, with one last look at where she had stood moments earlier. Making his way to the river, he took a long drink, all the while thinking about what to do, while his thoughts kept getting bothersomely mixed up with thoughts of Song. Though the island was on the brink of winter and the water was icy, he waded in, hoping to clear his head. Think. He must think. And yet the possibility of having empty days and nights again seemed so strange to him after spending the past three seasons with Song. For the first time in a long time, Oser, Alpha of the West, did not know what to do with himself. Completely lacked a strategy. Had he gone soft?

He made his way back out of the water as the sun began to sink in a flaming orange ball behind the ebony silhouettes of the trees. Evening was fast approaching. Oser shivered slightly despite his thickening winter coat, not meaning to miss, much less notice, the absence of the spitfire mare. Walking a little ways along the bank to stretch freezing muscles that he knew would be stiff in the morning, Oser decided on a plan: though that his responsibilities to Song had ended, he still had a duty to the rest of the west lands. He'd begin again where he had left off; he'd go back to the path he'd been traveling before he'd heard Song's screams and simply continue on his way. He would not grow too attached to anyone, would not stay in one place too long; he would keep moving, keep watching over his lands and those inhabiting them. With this settled firmly in his mind, he selected a sturdy oak and spent the night leaning against its trunk waiting for the dawn.

At sunrise, his charcoal eyelids parted and he set off immediately in the direction in which he and Song had come three seasons ago. Though his pace was initially brisk, the further he went, the slower he became, until he was meandering in a roundabout way through the trees. The west lands had been fine for three seasons without him; they could certainly survive without his help for a few more days, couldn't they? And what could he do anyway? He was only an ordinary horse at the core, just one that happened to have had extreme responsibility and a long life bestowed upon him. Thus, he passed a good three days and nights in this fashion, taking his time as he retraced his path back to the trail he had originally been following.

On the fourth morning, he came within half a mile of his destination. He nosed around the protected portion of the river where they all had washed the blood off of themselves. He thought of them all then, the first group he had come across in a long while that he had actually interacted with. Oser exhaled, remembering Raine, the slender Arabian mare, recalling her velvety touch and the way her tail had curled around his fetlocks...perhaps if she had stayed...He sighed softly, shaking his head even though he was alone. It wouldn't have been right anyway. She was beautiful, that was certain, but not in the same way as say...Song. The name floated into his head before he could stop himself, seeming to fall naturally into place. No. It wasn't like that. Perhaps, he thought stiffly, Song would be considered an attractive mare, not like he had given it any thought though. Besides, it didn't matter; they both were gone and he had a job to do. Nodding to himself, he resolved to finish the journey. Taking a breath, he lifted his head to look for the deer path and was surprised by the icy mass of tiny clumped crystal that landed on his nose. Crossing his eyes, he barely made out a snowflake, perfect and untarnished, balanced perfectly on the brink of his muzzle, before he exhaled and the flake melted into his skin at the touch of warm air. Winter had arrived in Forma Silvestris.

The flakes continued to fall softly around him as he made his way into the woods. His hooves made little sound on the pine-needle-scattered ground, and he traveled silently now. Oser relaxed a little, watching the misty puffs his breath made in the still air, thinking about nothing in particular while he approached the clearing where it had all begun and soon, would all end as he left it behind. He inhaled happily, and that was when it hit him. He stopped in his tracks, raising his lip and drawing the air in again to be sure, though he knew that he couldn't be more positive about it. It was a scent, faintly familiar, subtly sweet, but it called him unmistakably and unavoidably to its source. He took one step forward, then another. A mare was in heat, and that mare was close by.

--behind the post--
964 words
so yeah. winter is here!

did a mini time jump, so hopefully Song was still hanging out in that general area. oh the awkwardness when he finds out it's her.

[/size]

[Black Thorns]

Snow crunched beneath her hooves as she walked, the flakes falling smoothly and filling her tracks in no time. Everywhere she turned, everywhere she went, He was there. He watched her from the shadows in the night, He whispered sweet nothings into her ear as she slept. Even now, in the cold, she could feel his hot breath on her skin.

You smell so sweet- come closer- don't you know your master- get over here, you stupid bitch-

She snorted softly. She felt the snow melt as it touched her hot skin, His hot skin, the cold wetness dripping off of his neck and freezing onto her. She was so cold, so very cold.

Crunch plop snort

Who is that?

She froze in her tracks, pinning her tail tight to her body as she turned. He nosed at it... she held firm. No. Not now. Not ever. But He would, He would... and she would not be able to stop it. He was so much stronger than her!

She tried to place the sounds. Flashes of white- was it Him? Was it the snow? No, it couldn't be Him... He wouldn't taunt her, wouldn't stay away... He didn't like it when His pet ran away. She would be punished... Oh how He loved to watch her scream...

She turned away again, starting back up the trot. "There you go, Song, that's it. No! Don't snap your legs so high, you aren't showing off, you're traveling..." "Maybe I like to show off, hmm?" "You have nothing to show off if you can't do it right." "Fine..."

Crunch plop snort

"Who are you? Why are you following me!?" She shrieked, paranoia dripping from her lips.

He laughed.

Crunch plop crunch crunch snort plop

She tipped forwards into a canter, snow spraying out behind her. Can't outrun me, love... Wherever you are I will find you. It may take months, years... but you, Pet, you are my favourite. I don't let go of my favourites easily...

She began to run, run, run as if she wouldn't stop if her body was dripping and covered in wounds. Snowflakes stung her eyes, cold air scratching at her throat. He ran along with her, whispering, whispering, laughing and whispering... She pushed harder, feet threatening to slip out from under her, and yet he kept up with ease. Every turn she made, he knew where she would go. She was a bird with a broken wing; no matter how furiously she beat her wings, no matter how hard she tried, she wouldn't fly. She couldn't fly. A broken kite, broken bird; she was broken. She shrieked as he stood before her, cutting her off. He lipped at her mane as she struggled against his affections. Oh, love, don't you know how I love you?

"Lies! Lies! You only tell lies!" she whimpered, body shaking. "You don't love me. You don't..."

Oh, but Oser loves you, isn't that right? he mocked her, Oh Oser! Why did I leave you? Why did I run away? Oh I love you! Well guess what, sweetheart, he spat, running his teeth along her neck, just enough to make her freeze to the spot. He would, she knew; if she pushed him he would... You don't love him. He doesn't love you. If he loved you he would have followed. I love you! When you run I follow! If you had loved him you wouldn't have left. You're stupid! You're insufferable! But I put up with it because I love you!

She drew away from him, beginning a labored walk. He didn't love her. She knew He didn't love her. Had Oser ever loved her?

Had she ever truly loved him?

She stopped suddenly, heart beating a wild drum in her chest as she saw and caught the scent of him. Oser. It was Oser, there, following her. Part of her longed for it, reached out in a desperation and tried to grasp at him with all of her might. Yet another part of her pulled away, pulled her tail closer to herself, and wanted to get away. He was a stag. They weren't horses anymore, at this time; they turned into lust-filled beasts who stop at nothing to get what they want.

He was Oser, though! He wouldn't hurt her, would he? He could have hurt her before, but he hadn't...

Oh, he will, darling, He murmured, lips brushing against her skin and sending shivers down her spine, He will. They all do, you know they do. The other mares, they delude themselves into thinking that it's what they want. You don't want it... You, love, are the smart one. But you will never get away from me... You can scream, and they will never care. They want to hurt you, love... You're lucky that I'm the only one who has, Pet.

"Oser...?" She breathed, stepping closer and touching his shoulder. He will hurt me, I know he will... But you, Lord, Master mine... You hurt me more than anyone else.

She leaned her head against his barrel, Oser's wet coat darkening hers.

I know, Love.

My love.

[lady shady]

OSER

There was a voice, screaming something up ahead of him, just as there had been a voice those many months ago, but he was to distracted to catch the words. He made his way forward again, following the hoofbeats ahead. He must reach her...part of him said no, that he didn't deserve this, that he should just get himself right back on the trail and guard the west lands, but another part of him told him that it didn't matter anymore; Song was gone anyway. Song? What did she have to do with anything? You loved her, you fool. the voice in the back of his head whispered.

Oser was struck by the wild similarity of this day to the day last spring in this clearing--the internal struggle raging within him, for example. Be an animal, or be a gentleman. But the scent was too strong...too soothing...he made his way out of the brush into the clearing; he was close now...

"Oser?"

The whispered sound of his name made his eyes spring open in an instant. His voice escaped him, a whisper of his own.

"Song?"

The awkwardness of the situation struck him full force now, but his instincts and his mind were not exactly communicating clearly at the moment. He struggled to find his voice and to keep himself where he stood. However, she didn't help matters by approaching him, fitting her head into that familiar place on his side. "Song." His voice was low and strangled now, holding a warning. "Song. You need to leave. Please." He was pleading with her now, not trusting himself to be the one to move.

"What- I- No! NO! You can't- you don't understand- I-" she was looking up at him, pleas of her own bubbling from her lips. No, he didn't understand. All he understood is that one of them needed to move before both of them were terribly, terribly hurt. She was too young, and he would be too old...oh goodness. A sudden realization hit him, something he'd always known but never had seen in this way. Song didn't know who he was. He hadn't told anyone he'd met since the war; of course there were those who knew, but...

"Song." He kept his voice steady, talking them both through this as if they were slowly backing away from the edge of a cliff. "Stay where you are." He backed, stiff-legged steps away from her, away from the intoxicating scent.

"It's better this way."

And with that, he fled.

--behind the post--
DRAMA.
yeah, he's kinda freaked out xD

[/size]

[Black Thorns]

"Song, stay where you are."

He moved away. No!

Oh, yes.

"It's better this way." ba-dum ba-dum ba-dum He ran, ran from her as she had from him.

See, love, he doesn't love you. He won't love you- ever. I am the one who loves you. You can't forget that, ma petite...

[/b] She turned her head away from him, recoiling from his touch. He loves me, she insisted, desperate- she needed something, anything to hold on to. He couldn't touch her... Couldn't touch her... If Oser was there He wouldn't dare. Would he?

Oh, I would. You know I would, my dear. You know it has been too long; you know I will come for you. The day, the hour, it is not known- but you must remember that I will find you. And you will regret ever leaving me...[/b]

"No!" She whisper-shouted, wrenching herself from his dirty touch, "No!"

"Oser!" she cried, setting off at full gallop for the stag. "Oser! Oser, wait!" He laughed, setting off behind her at an effortless gallop. You can run, but you can't hide...[/b]

Her ears hear the euphoria of slowing steps. Stiffly, unevenly, hesitantly; but they were slowing. She soon caught up to him, breath heavy and skitterish. "Oser, you have to understand... I- You can't leave me with Him! He hurts me.." Her voice gradually grew quieter, quieter, until it was hardly a whisper.

He can't do anything, love.

"He hurts me so..."

BE QUIET, YOU LITTLE SLUT! SHUT UP![/b]

She leapt away from the pair instantly, skittering to the side and lowering her head in fear. "N-no p-please... I'm s-sorry!" she stuttered, reverting back to a little one with no knowledge of the world outside.

Oh, so now you're sorry? Going to spill our little secret, are we? Going to go tattletale on mean old Savar, are we? Well, guess what happens to people who run their mouths? I'm not too fond of mares who can't keep their stupid mouth shut![/b]

She cringed away, pressing herself against a tree and squeezing her eyes shut. "I said I was sorry!"

SHUT UP![/b]

"Oser... Please... Please don't leave me." She looked up at Oser with pleading eyes. "Please. Please. I need you." She stepped fowards, touching his shoulder. If she felt him there, she would be safe. He couldn't hurt her when Oser was there. He couldn't.[/center][/size]

[lady shady]

OSER

He heard her calling his name, pleading for him to wait. Was she insane? But he couldn't help slowing...who was the insane one now? He turned stiffly, not trusting himself to move any farther.

"What. What is it."

He was tense, too tense to be polite. It was taking all of his effort just to stand here, and yet here she was, asking him to wait. He had no time to wait. And yet...he had all the time in the world at his disposal. The seconds ticked by, feeling like eons. He closed his eyes.

Centuries from now, she'll be gone...
But she's here now.
She'll be gone and you'll be glad you didn't let her mortal soul love you...
We're really not that different.
Oh but you are. For you, the clock stands still. She won't be forever young like this, you know. At least with zoet, you knew that she would live out her days with you. This one'll be dead before you can blink.
zoet was different.
Just like Song is. Funny how the story changes...

Oser yanked himself out of his mind, forcing himself to stay in the present. Song was muttering something under her breath, eyes wild as she leaned against a tree. She was crazy...

You see, any love you might have had is doomed. You say differences don't matter, but they do...she is mortal, you're an Alpha. Look at her. She can't even control her emotion. She's everything you're not.
She completes me.
She's scared. She has secrets. Stay away.
So do I.
It won't work.
But...I love her.
You've known that for a long time now. And you know that you'd both be better off if you left her alone. Leave her--!

"Oser...Please... Please don't leave me. I need you."

It was uncanny really, almost as if she could hear the battle being fought between his heart and his mind.

"No, Song," he managed to choke out. "You don't know what you're asking. There are things...look, you'll be fine, you don't need me anymore."

He struggled to spit the words out, trying to push her away. Good, said his mind, you've come to your senses. But for once the dialogue didn't end there. "No," he murmured under his breath. "No. I will always love her. But I love her too much to let this happen to her." With this came a rare moment of control, and he seized it gladly. Song stepped forward, laying her muzzle on his shoulder, but her gently nudged it away.

"Go, Song. Trust me. Like I said, it's better this way."

--behind the post--
466 words
yeah, wake up buddy, you've loved her for a while now xD
no sudden moves.

[/size]

[Black Thorns]

He pushed her away.

"Go, Song. Trust me. Like I said, it's better this way."

"NO IT IS NOT!" She shouted, slamming on the ground with all of the force she could manage. Her nostrils flared, ears pinned back. "It is not better! How the hell do you know what is better for me?"

Careful, darling, don't scare away the poor thing.

[/b] Savar tsked at her mockingly. She snorted at Him, refusing to acknowledge Him at the moment. Suddenly, she turned from Oser in a fit of frustration.

"You can't possibly understand, Oser," she said quietly, swishing her tail in annoyance. She stilled for a moment, before turning back to him with a defiant gleam in her eye.

"Oh, well aren't you the boss of me?" she asked mockingly, "I must do as you say, because obviously I can't handle myself. Not like I didn't live on my own for years!" She stepped closer to him, flicking her tail with her anger. "Oh, you must know what is right for me! Obviously I must be wrong if you don't agree!"

Suddenly, she began to trot in a wide circle. Her legs snapped up high- far too high for Oser's liking, she knew- and with her tail splayed out as if a banner, shimmering and waving in the wind.

"Oh, this is wrong, isn't it, Oser?" she mocked, tossing her head, "It's too fancy, isn't it? Too im-pract-i-cal!" she enunciated each syllable, drawing out the word. "I shouldn't show off, should I? Not going to get better for showing off!"

Her trot increased in speed, nearly a rack at this time, before turning it into a canter- then a gallop. "Oh, this will hurt me too? Won't it?" She slowed, slowed, eventually reaching a walk once more.

She moved up to Oser, so close that her face nearly touched his when she spoke.

"What is so horrible about you staying, Oser?" she whispered, touching his poll with the softest of touches.

"Would you hurt me? Do you want to hurt me? If those answers are no... then why don't you want to stay?"[/size][/center]

[lady shady]

OSER

When she took off running, it was too much for him. Her scent was everywhere now, surrounding him, inescapable. He held his breath, trying not to breathe and inhale the tempting air. She was screaming at him, like the day they had first met, screaming her lungs out as she ran circles around him, daring him to contradict her. Daring him to touch her. Oh, so like the first day...

She was slowing now, approaching him and laying her soft muzzle on his hide. "What is so horrible about you staying, Oser? Would you hurt me? Do you want to hurt me? If those answers are no... then why don't you want to stay?"

However, unlike the first day, his patience was gone. Watching her flaunt her defiance in his face when he had only been trying to save them...he wouldn't stand for it any longer.

"Why won't I stay?" he exploded. "Why won't I stay, Song? Because I LOVE YOU, all right, and I don't want you to get hurt. You show up, Song, like you don't know what you're doing, and expect that you'll be safe from me? Because I have no feelings? WELL I DO. And I'm tired of your flirting with danger, tempting fate here. And I'm NOT talking about the running. But when I try to PROTECT you, what do you do? You follow me! You and I both know that you don't need me anymore. Your shoulder is healed. So GO! Go before I do something we'll both regret."

His voice broke, and he pulled her into a close embrace, wrapping his neck around hers, nuzzling at her mane. "Go, Song," he whispered. "Please. I love you."

--behind the post--
296
yeah, he kinda lost it
he has emotion deeeeep down xD

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