Meeting New Lands

[shinpachi]

Prelude

The young mare trudged through the river and made it to what horses called the eastern lands. Supposedly there was a great herd there where she was safe. Of course the mare had an eerie feeling that the horses she talked to were joking with her. She would never know now that she was here in eastern except north like she was originally. You can’t mock me river. The warm blood snorted out at the water and shook herself before moving on.

It was tough to be on her own but she had always been ever since her mother and she somehow separated from each other, it was only four years and two seasons ago. Now she was feeling weird but she could remember her mom telling the young filly, at the time, that when she felt like this it meant she would be in heat and she would attract stallions. The fiends who separated her from her mother were after that same prize and it made her feel dirty being that way now.

At least now she was out of that river and there was a nice meadow so the chestnut couldn’t complain too much. In fact the mare was feeling a bit sleepily due to the swim. So she stretched her long neck and nickered softly before dropping her head and fell in to a light sleep.

[Quill]

Wraith carried his heavy body on powerful legs as he walked along side the river. He was massive at seventeen hands tall and he was solid muscle. He was a Thoroughbred, but he simply wasn't built for speed like the norm of his breed. His black coat shimmered in the sun, the blaze on his face almost glowing in the sunlight, his hind socks were a bit muddy from walking along the river bank. But he didn't care. Being dirty was not something he was worried about.

His scared body had clearly seen many battles, and his mane was a bit lopsided from having the hairs ripped out in a more recent battle. The muscles on his shoulder twitched occasionally as flies settle on a small wound on his shoulder - a bite mark left by his previous opponent.

Then a sweet scent drifted down the wind to his nostrils. His ears pricked forward and his black eyes peered out from behind his long forelock. He caught sight of a large mare just a little way up the river from him. He felt a twitch of that natural urge that her heat scent gave him, but he pushed back. His sole interest would be to find out who she was.

He picked up his feet from a plodding walk to a steady trot, his large feet thudding loudly on the ground, muffled only a little by the slightly muddy quality of the soil beneath him. His head was lowered, but not in a submissive way. He appeared to not even be making the effort to make himself appear more intimidating. That wasn't the effect he was looking for right now.

"Time to wake up, Sleeping Beauty." he said in his deep, gruff voice as he pulled himself to stop, his muscle rippling. He hid the fact that his knee was bothering him a bit. After all, he had walked a long way. The mare was only three inches shorter than him, which was strange. He was used to mares being a lot shorter than he was.

He waited patiently for her to regain her alertness.

[shinpachi]

Prelude

Three of the mare’s long but powerful legs held her weight up as she dozed while her back right leg rested from the weight carrying. That river seemed to have taken a lot out of her then she thought. So her dozing almost caused her to dream but just before she did she was brought back to the world when someone’s voice spoke to her. Time to wake up, Sleeping Beauty. That’s what her mother always called her when she was little but this wasn’t her mother it was a gruffer voice but due to her being so out of it her mind told her it was her mother. So when the mare opened her eyes she expected her mother’s kind face instead she was looking at someone’s big black hooves and legs. The mere sight of those things caused the mare to raise her head and meet the eyes of a big black horse. It took her a moment to recognize that the scent she smelled was stag but after that moment the mare quickly turned her body around so she was facing him.

Back off Sparky. I know how to fight. The chestnut said trying to sound intimidating but you could see in the mare’s eyes that there was no truth to her words just a sacred filly as she looked at the other horse. She was not going to be some stag’s fun time. She wanted a mate so anything below that was dirt covered clovers. Of course this stag hadn’t forced himself on her while she was sleeping so that was good but that fact only made the mare more confused. If he was not here to breed then what was he here for? So the chestnut asked. What…what do you want? All the chestnut’s fake air about fighting him was gone. Now there was nothing but a sacred mare wanting to know what was going to happen to her. This stallion was three inches taller than her and probably had more weight on him then the skinny warm blood had on her. So in reality all she had was speed that was her only card and she would have to play it right or else it was probably this stag force breeding her.

[Quill]

He waited patiently for her to wake up and let out a throaty chuckle when she told him she knew how to fight. He didn't say anything. His eyes bore into her. They had that look to them that made it seem as if they'd exposed your very soul and were reading it like a book. Of course he couldn't really do that. He could only see that she was in reality a very scared mare. Luckily for her - both of them really, thanks to his knee - he didn't intend for this to be a violent meeting.

"I saw you from down the river and you peaked my interest." he explained, his eyes soaking her up. "What is your name, little mouse?" he asked calmly, shifting his weight and walking around the mare. He kept a fair distance between them, hoping to make it clear that he did not intend on breeding her. He was taking her in, like sizing up an opponent. "And who do you side with, Ramaskith...or Oser?" he asked, a dangerous hint of venom lacing the word 'Oser'. It was quite clear which side he himself was on. And depending on her answer, his ideas about this being a non-violent meeting just may change.

[shinpachi]

Prelude

The look this black horse was giving her was unsettling and mean for him to do. It felt like he was searching into her soul and pulling out everything just to read to her out load. Too bad though because she knew who she was and she showed off who she was most of time. The other times were only when she was getting to know someone or when a stag was trying to force himself onto her. Then she would either be less scared or meaner towards them. Of course she was not trying to know this black stag. So he was out of luck unless he could somehow pull something off in order for her to trust him a bit.

I saw you from down the river and you peaked my interest. That comment of his made the mare come back to now just to let some of her mother in her roll his eyes at the stag. Yeah I’m sure I really peaked your interest in more than one way. She spoke sarcastically due to the fact that she couldn’t believe him to be on anything but fun time but hey let’s see how it went. What is your name, little mouse? He asked before beginning to circle which made the sarcastic in her drop away to once again become wary and frightened as he watched his every move as she let his question drop for now. As far as she could tell he was keeping his distance which could go bad or good but only time would answer that question.

And who do you side with, Ramaskith…or Oser? The mare picked up on the venom in his voice on the name Oser so she knew who his side was. Also it narrowed his name choices by two cause she doubted a stag like him would be so lame that he would use third person while talking about himself. I may be frightened but I am not stupid. I would never say Oser to someone like you. I know you could kill me if that were to happen. You should really learn how to keep that tongue of yours from spilling venom. That fire of hers was coming back now and the chestnut couldn’t help but snort at him. But the answer to your question is that I don’t have an alliance with Ramaskith or Oser. I have been alone and just trying to find a herd and find my sunlight. Nothing more nothing less cause my mother didn’t name me Prancing Sunshine for nothing. The mare pushed out from the depths of her soul all the anger she had gathered over the years just to yell all out in front of this stag. The funny thing was that she didn’t know why? The black horse wasn’t doing anything to her to bring it out and yet here she was yelling at him when all he did was ask a simple question. Did she finally snap?

[Quill]

He snorted a raspy chuckle from his throat, his eyes closing momentarily at the humor of what she'd said. "Don't flatter yourself, mouse. It will take more than a pretty face to peak my interest in such a way." he said in his throaty voice, a hint of amusement had crept its way in. He came to a halt in front of her, facing her and cocking one of his hind legs to let it rest. There was a lot of weight for his legs to hold.

He had to admit, he wasn't expecting the mare to start ripping at him like she did. When she'd finished, he stared at her for a moment, his pricked forward and blinked, a shocked look on his face. Then he laughed. "You've got some balls, Sunshine, I'll hand you that!" he said, flicking his tail about in amusement. "Seems I owe you an apology. Looks like you do have a brain in that pretty little head of yours." he said, amusement weaved into every word. It looked like this mare was living up to her fiery coat. "You should be careful, or my interests might sway." he told her, jokingly. He was kidding, of course. She was very pretty, and he'd be lying through his teeth if he said he did at least feel an itch of an urge for her. But he was telling the truth when he said it would take more than beauty for him to want her in such a way. If he ever had any heirs, he wanted them to be from the best mares he could find. And it would take more than one conversation for him to determine that.

No one had ever stood up to him like she had, even other large stallions. He admired her courage. Even large stags didn't talk to him like that.

"The name's Wraith."

[shinpachi]

Prelude

Don’t flatter yourself, mouse. It will take more than a pretty face to peak my interest in such a way. His amusement in the way he said this was possible the reason she snapped at him of course his alliance question didn’t help either. Maybe it was due to both of those but either way he was right about one thing. It would take more than a pretty face to peak a interest today in the breeding kind of way.

Once her little outburst was done her chest heaved a bit and was feeling better knowing that she had surprised him. Ha she was more than just a pretty face, Mr. Stag. She would have to learn his name soon or else her little nickname for him would become permanent in her mind and nobody would what that. But until then her nickname would have to stay. You’ve got some balls, Sunshine, I’ll hand you that! Oh so the mare had balls ah? Well this was going to be somewhat amusing. But for now he let him speak as she only nickered out a giggle due to the comment. Seems I owe you an apology. Looks like you do have a brain in that pretty little head of yours. The mare snorted at this and nodded her head quickly. Of course you wouldn’t expect someone to be out here alone and not have that. The amusement could have been left out but hey she wasn’t going to let a complaint slide into the river if it didn’t have too. The next complaint, if it really was one, was what made the mare’s ears perk up. You should be careful, or my interests might sway. The fright came back and even though he meant it like a joke, she was not to fond of it. It was a serious matter in the mare’s eyes and to not be taken so lightly.

The name’s Wraith. Ah…his name finally came up and she could let Mr. Stag go enjoy his grass. The chestnut had another stag to see too. Well… Wraith. Her voice started to say in a tiny voice, due to fright, before clearing it with a snort. Well I thank you for the complaints. She stated as kindly as she could while she started over to him at a slow walk. But I would imagine that you would have more balls then me. Considering you have three inches on me. The chestnut added as she passed right by him. Now I’m off to find a dirt patch. Your welcomed to join me if you don’t mind getting that black coat of yours all dirty. She said stopping just to look back at him with a little bit of mischievous eyes, that usually foals got when they knew the thing they were doing was bad. The chestnut was flirting with doom but hey she wouldn’t really gain that brain complaint if she didn’t. For he looked like he could pull his own weight and who was she not to at least have some desire to mate with him. But if you do come you have to behave or my interest will most defiantly sway. Not in your favor of course. The chestnut said starting to walk again and flicking her tail for her own amusement. Hey who said that stags could have all the fun? Not her.

[Quill]

A faint smile crept over his lips as she giggled at his words. I think I could come to like this mare, he told himself silently. This was a rare occasion, as he rarely met any other equines he could actually like - other than his brother, of course. He momentarily wondered where his younger brother was. He hadn't seen him in a while.

But his attention was brought back to reality, when she voiced a response. His ears pricked curiously at the scared pitch in her voice when she first started speaking. He took note of it, but said nothing and his curiosity relaxed when her voice returned to normal. He actually felt faintly bad about scaring her again.

His ears pinned themselves habitually against his head when she approached him, but he forced them up. She's not threatening you, dumb ass. he scolded himself. "Considering the gender differences, I would hope I have more balls, too." he said, chuckling, his head shifting to watch her pass him. He ripped his attention away from admiring the view when invited him to play in the dirt with her. Was she flirting with him? Well then, she was going to play this game with him? Two can play at that game, honey. he said in his head. "Now whoever said I don't like to be dirty?" he said with a smirk, turning his mass to follow her.

His eyes followed her every move and her scent was far too enticing. He shook his head and pushed himself into a trot to walk beside her. There was no way he was going to loose his will power like that. "A roll in the dirt could do me some good. It'll keep the flies off me." he said , falling into step with her. His shoulder and side twitched of flies that were biting at his fresh wounds. His lop-sided tail flicked at his legs to swipe them away.

They must have looked like quite the pair. A pretty, lean mare walking with a mangled tank of a stallion. He could have passed for handsome if it weren't fort eh scars, or the hostile look in his eyes. He'd never really found a reason to look attractive. He only needed to look intimidating. That was all his job required. That, and the ability to fight well.

He flinched slightly at his knee as he walked. It was really hurting. Pretending it didn't bother him meant putting all of his normal weight on it so he wouldn't limp. He glanced over at her and signed, lowering his head a bit and letting himself relax, a limp creeping into his step. He hoped she would just assume he'd been injured in whatever fight had given him his wounds and not ask questions. But he also had the sneaking suspicion that that's exactly what she'd do.

[shinpachi]

Prelude


His ears pinned back made her question the stag a little as she passed but when she turned to see him she only snorted at his question. The mare could tell that the stag didn’t mind being dirty of course she didn’t mind getting dirty too. But when he turned towards her, she saw the wounds on his body and only looked away. Maybe dirt wasn’t such a good thing after all due to the wounds looking like they could be infected any moment.

When the mare heard hoofs see wondered why he was trotting before he came up beside her making her whinny in delight as he talked. A roll in the dirt could do me some good. It’ll keep he flies off me. She thought about it before looking over at him and pushed him in a gentle manner while her tail swished at the flies that he was attracting but were attacking her. Maybe you should soak your wounds in the river first. I mean they do look pretty deep. She said a little concerned because she didn’t want anyone to die and she did nothing to help. The chestnut merely looked at him before snorting out in frustration due to her not being a healer. She was concerned with him but she barely knew him and yet he still managed to get through her defenses. Too quick for her tastes but who was she to complain about. She would just merely kick him and run off if he tried anything she didn’t like.

The worried horse looked at Wraith for a little longer before putting her head down then back up to search for a dirt patch. So when she turned her head she didn’t see him lower his head nor the limp in his walk. All she did was look before spying some wild grass not growing in a spot. She stopped and flicked her ears up to see if any danger was nearby before nickering to Wraith joyfully I think I found a patch you wait here and if you hear joyful noises. You know it’s me. She said before trotting over to the patch she saw and whinnying happily before going to the middle just to start rolling once she was on the ground. The chestnut kicked up her hooves like she was a young filly again and got up only to do the other side. She loved rolling in the dirt only because it felt so good afterward. Of course after her roll was done she snorted contently and stayed down on her belly for a second before standing up just to shake off the excess dirt. The chestnut’s fiery pelt was a bit dusty now but you could still see that fire burning through the dirt as the mare looked to the big black stag that had accompanied her. You want to go or do you want a soak first? Her ears going but when she said this while she looked at him with wondering eyes