Who walks this grass...[open]

[~Simmy~]

Tequila lifted her head from where it had been scanning the ground. Before her lay a large meadow with cliff's surrounding it.
This must be the valley that I've heard of...
Tequila swished her tail arrogantly at a fly who had been pestering her. Her tail came back sweaty.
Damn, why does it have to be so hot!
Personnally Tila didn't like the summer. It was too hot to do much running and she sweated lig a pig, which ruined her mane, tail and coat. Which wasn't good. She lifted her head gracefully, looking for another horse. The meadow was practically empty, with the few exception of a horse here or there. A whinny almost escaped her lips before she caught herself. She had no reason to call the other horses, they ought to come to her! So Tequila let down her head to graze.

[m.i r a g e]

The stallion raised his head, he had felt the presence of a horse, and he felt that if he spends one more night in solitude, he will go insane and simply walk up to the two-legged creatures the next day and demand to be caught. At least there were other horses with them.

Raising his head, Lance saw a mare standing on the lip of the valley. The handsome stallion snorted. He had thought everyone had been caught already! A small breeze blew his mane and tail back, like a banner.

Lance threw back his head and whinnied loudly before rearing back on his hind legs and pawing the air majestically.

[~Simmy~]

Tequila was munching on an especially delicious peice of grass when a sound brought her head up. The sound was one of another horse, was he calling her? Yes, it was a stallion, she could tell by the scent that was carried on the wind. And then a whinny came. Tila strained her neck to catch a glimpse of a grey creature at the other side of the meadow.

Feeling an urge to approach him she started a brisk, delicate trot, nearing the stallion. When she came into better view she stopped, paused for a second and reared, full up. Tila stayed airborne a few seconds before she gracefully landed on the green turf. Not expecting to go any further she put her head down to eat, while eyeing the stallion carefully, waiting for him to near.

[|Spinifex||]

<sub>Still agonizing over the stupid mare that had gotten herself caught, Nix plodded carelessly away from Moon Lake and into the never-ending grasslands. Though he wasn't hungry, he lowered his dark maw to the foliage and started nibbling at it, rarely actually swallowing any of it down; another habit he had picked up to pass the time. When you are the only left in a valley that once thrived with life, things like these were always handy to keep from going insane.

Nix had no idea how much ground he had covered in the hours that slowly passed, nor did he really care. Time meant nothing to him, as did most things nowadays. As his body clicked into the familiar rhythm of walking and chewing, his mind began to wander. He visited long-lost memories of his childhood: his blood mother, his foster mother, both of their deaths. He grieved quietly for the loss of everything that was once near and dear to him; his beautiful mate, Kiaf. She was an obsidian mustang, her pelt far darker then anything in the universe, in fact she put it all to shame. Her eyes glistened like the stars winking overhead when Kiaf and Aphonix used to have those forever-missed midnight gallops together. Out of everything that was lost, Nix missed those the worst.

As he continued to day-dream, he was completely absent in noticing that familiar yet un-familiar stench engulf his nacres, filling his lungs with its thick perfume. It was the scent of an equine, a mare in fact. Had she returned? Escaped from those horrid creatures that took her away only hours before? As he grasped the tiny fragments of smell that still resided in his nostrils, he quickly realized that this scent was slightly different, not the mare he had encountered earlier, but company all the same! It was absolutely astounding to think that after five years of living on his own, without ever encountering a single equine, in one day he had already come across two!

Aphonix was a courageous stallion, and it didn't take long to stoop up the will-power to walk up to the mare, greet her. Something he had not done for years! But it all clicked back in place rather quickly, which worked out nicely. One single dagger was all the trespassed out of place before he was startled at the sound of a piercing whinny, most definitely belonging to that of a brute. 'Three!?' He thought, his heart drumming in his chest with the adrenaline of this whole little reunion. Only a second dagger could reach out and kiss the flooring before the dominant instinct came rushing back and crushing his excitement like a tonne of bricks.
'One mare, two stallions. Doesn't take a genius to work out this one...' He though to himself bitterly. 'No!' He retaliated, 'This doesn't have to be a fight! If he wants that mare, he can have her. Whether or not she is willing, I've not a clue. But if I am not what she wants, then I shall... Shall...' He faltered at the thought of giving in, backing down. It wasn't something he was really accustomed to. He loved a good challenge! A fair fight!

He squeezed his eyes shut and paced a few more strides, suddenly bringing the might iron gray beast into view. 'Control yourself' he growled, hoping he wouldn't do anything stupid. After all, he was a very robust, sturdy stallion; he had many victories under his belt, against stallions far bigger than this one, so fear was present to hold him back. Then again, he had also lost to ones that even smaller than he! As humiliating as it had been. 'Books must not be judged by their covers.'

The very moment he just produced the thought, he realized how true is was! When he glanced back in the direction of the mare, she was already trotting over to the stallion, like a moth to a lamp, seduced by his powerful rear, the game was over already; oh but that's where he was wrong, because there she halted, still a fair distance between herself the opposing stallion, and poised her own little rear, fore-pillars striking the air, thrashing wildly as she stood in suspension, defying gravity, and then thudded gracefully back onto all fours. This was enough to stop Nix in his track as he watched the mare return to her grazing, one ear on the stallion, the other flickering else-where, obviously not yet alerted to Aphinix's presence. It appeared she had the iron brute wrapped around her little pinky (if horses had pinkies that is...)! Well, no, that wasn't true yet, for he still stood, planted to the spot, not yet falling for her coy. Nix forgot about the tenacious mare for a moment and trained all his focus on the stallion, wondering what he would do: Fall victim to his hormones, or lie ally to his ego?

Normally Aphonix would have intervened by now, but oddly, out of all the mare's he had ever met, he had never encountered one so... Full of herself, if that was the right word. It intrigued him, and so instead, he wanted to see how the other stallion would deal with it. Perhaps most mare's were like this outside of the valley, very sure of themselves, able to play with a stallions' testosterone like play-dough. It was certainly odd, nothing like what his mate would have done. Although, Kiaf probably wouldn't have taken a single step, at least she didn't when Nix met her. She was rather frozen to the spot, she had looked petrified! Poor girl, shy as a mouse.</sub>
[/font]

[~Simmy~]

Tequila was still grazing when another scent caught her nose. Without lifting her head she shifted her other ear to the new stallion. Soo, I'm attracting them already...I'm good, soo good Both of the stallions looked handsome, or rather smelled handsome and that was good. Tila swished her tail vigorously, whipping away a stupid fly.
The sun was high and Tequila was sweating and her mane was damp with the putred stuff. She liftid her head high, and appeared to be searching beyond the stallions, though her eyes were trained steathily on them. The new one looked as if he had lived her for a while. Her gaze returned to the ground where it watched a dandylion sway in the breeze. Oh, how the breeze felt so good! Tila let out a low nicker, waiting for them to respond.

[We should wait for mirage to reply]

Spini: Of course![/color]

[m.i r a g e]

As the second stallion appeared, Lance warily shifted on his hind legs, flicking his tail, silently pondering on his next move. He wasn't particularly in the mood for a fight, but it's not like him to back down. Especially about a up-herself mare like this. He's not going to let her command him. Not a mare. No. He will not take orders from her.

He shifted on his find legs before rearing up with a loud whinny, not a chellenging one, but more of a defensive one. That sparked a flame of annoyance in his chest. He wasn't going to be defensive now, but he won't attack either. Nor will he flee.

Still rearing, he pawed the ground and landed on the ground, digging his hooves into the ground with extra force, his dark mane flying around wildly.

[~Simmy~]

Tequila lifted her head maginficantly as the grey stallion reared. He was very muscular and powerfull looking. He should be an easy catch... Tila took a few steps towards him, pretending to completely ignore the othre stallion as she walked up to the grey stallion untill she was a meter away from him. "Why hello there..." She cooed at him, obviously flirting. Tequila flicked an ear in the other stallion's direction, waiting for his response.

[|Spinifex||]

Not that this mare wasn't odd enough already, but the end of her line seemed far from sight, as she continued to surprise the sorrel stag. First it appeared that she was going to make the gray brute approach her, but after he stubbornly refused, she quickly collapsed that idea and started walked toward him herself. Whether that was her plan the whole time, or whether she was forced into it on order to let her ploy continue fluently, was beyond Aphonix. In fact this whole mare was beyond Aphonix; she just wasn't right, and oddly enough she didn't really appeal to him. Probably if he wasn't so desperate and deprived of equine contact, he have left long ago, leaving the other stallion to his funeral.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling it as a troubled sigh, he approached the duo, every inch of his body language indicating that he was not particularly after the mare, but in dire need of the contact. Though he could lightly smell it before, he was suddenly struck with the thick stench of male testosterone. He knew that he probably smelled like that to others, but it was almost disorientating, going without that powerful scent for so long, and then suddenly being kicked in the gut by it.

Sub-consciously storing his emotions behind a rather blank mask, he approached the duo. He gait was very slow, reproachful. He placed each hoof down ever-delicately, trying to save as much time as he could before having to actually face the snobby mare, of whom he knew would probably try and twist him around her finger like the other stallion, but probably in another twisted kind of way.

[m.i r a g e]

Every sense tingling, Lance stood his ground, stubbornly repeating to himself that he will not fight. He wasn't really in the mood for it anyway. And this mare was starting to irritate him more then the flies on his back. Thinks she could boss him around, hey? Won't work, he told himself, flicking his tail in annoyance.

The dappled grey shot the other stalliona slightly confused glance. Wasn't he supposed to attack him, or something. Try to snap his bones and paint the earth red with his blood, something along those lines? Unless he was trying to look innocent, and then he'd strike?

Lance wasn't going to take any chances. He liked life, and he wasn't about to let some stallion take it away from him. Still, his curiousity was over-powering. Stretching out his neck towards to sorrel stallion, Lance snorted and flicked his ears in a fairly brave way of saying hello to another of his kind. Maybe they could just stick together for a while until they find more horses, and then fall into seperate groups...?

Well, whatever was going to happen, Lance doubted he could live through another night in solitude and loneliness.

[|Spinifex||]

Strangely, the mare, whom had at first been the center of attention, now seemed to fade away into the background like the leaves on the trees and the foliage littering the earth. Why must we live in vain, only to become slave to our own destinies? Will we ever be free? Perhaps only death shall grant us this glorious facade.
Aphonix's mind was often filled with these trivial-type questions. An attribute he was handed by his mother's blood.

Nix averted his eyes from the mare, to the stallion. He tilted his dial, in an equine frown of sorts. His ears were pricked in alert, swiveling around atop his skull like active radars, picking up the sudden buzz of life in the valley. The quickening re-population of the valley astounded him; Can this really be happening?
His eyes questioned the stallion, spoke inaudible words to him. It was something he asked with his soul, and in return the stallion's soul would answer, all the while both were completely oblivious to the silent conversation. Without warning, Aphonix was filled with the sensation of bond, friendship, ally. He suddenly felt no reason to even consider apposing the stag, as it appeared neither of their intentions was to the elle any more so now there was nothing left to fight for but their pride.

Nix took a confident step forward, answering his subtle greeting. In case the stallion was still wary of him, which he presumed he was, he retained any more movement, allowing him to bide his time. "Greetings, mare." He called mildly, not wishing for her to feel resentful against his decision to leave her aside. He dipped his dial in her direction, giving her a quick look, and then turning back to the iron-grey brute. "It is somewhat relieving to find myself surrounded by my own kin again! You've no inkling of the days I have spent on my own, wondering if I would ever find others like myself again; alas, here you stand, right before my very eyes!"

He ducked his skull to rub his soft maw against his outly-erected fore leg, relieving an itch that had been gnawing at him for a while now. He snorted, and look both horses in the eye, not aggressively, but welcoming. In his eyes, this was his home, and they were merely guests; he must be a good host to his visitors. He had lived too long without company to start accepting that history was repeating itself, and so he didn't. He thought they must have been a herd of Renegade's, merely visiting the valley for a while before hitting the road to continue their endless pilgrimage.

[~Simmy~]

nooo! I just deleted my post.....*wailes* I'll re-do it tomorrow. I'm not in the snotty, powerfull mood right now. lol

[m.i r a g e]

The grey stallion watched the other stallion closely, but when he spoke, all the doubt left Lance's mind. With a nod of acceptance, Lance flicked his ears, no longer pressed against his skull. "I am glad to be back with my own again," he replied, his eyes dancing.

Finally, he was were he belonged! With other horses! He gave a shake of his head, dark mane flying around. They have a better chance of escaping the two-legged things if they are together. A small herd of three horses. A wave of homesickness overwhelmed Lance for several heartbeats, but he shook his head and hid his feelings as best as he could.

[~Simmy~]

Tequila flicked her ears between the stallions, smiling shyly. When she felt as if she had been ignored for long enough she took a step towards the red stallion. "Where are the herds around here?" she asked, giving her mane a shake. Re-positioning herself so that she stood almost in between the stallions. One of these stallions will be mine her mind laughed, as if making a joke. But for what she still did not know.

Tila swished her tail, it was getting hot. And sweaty, like the rest of her body. She shook out her mane, looking very elegant, she made sure of that. "You can call me Tequila" she said, directed at both stallions.

[m.i r a g e]

OoC;; I'll wait for Spini to post. I don't really know what to say, anyway.

[/size]

[|Spinifex||]

Not entirely present nor very distant, the sun-flare brown Mustang stood in suspense between the two. These kind of moments gave way to long-lost memories from many years stacked beneath his consciousness. He didn't really pay attention to the foggy images of his past that fluttered before him like a hazy mist; not blocking out his vision entirely, but making things a little more un-clear, harder to define. The events of now seemed of far more importance though, so he tried to ignore the visions of his old herd. Like seeing something in his peripheral vision, he mildly noticed that one of the hundreds of memories drowning his thoughts was of his ex-lover. One who had fled with the herds that used to dwell here many years ago when man posed their threat to the horse's well-being, leaving Aphonix behind. To him, she was dead; erased from his existence. It was time to move on.

He looked back to the fae as she scattered her silky tresses around her bow, a newborn interest flickering in his eyes. Now that the shell of feminine dominance was gone, she seemed far more appealing. His eyes caught hers, riddled with long-lost secret, intriguing any horse curious enough to take the bait. He still was not completely convinced, and that showed as he had intended it to, but he was also definitely warming up to her. "You can call me Tequila"

Nix looked a little sheepish, how impolite of him to have addressed her by the simplicity of gender; later he would punish himself for it. He smiled apologetically at the young mare. "Do forgive me, Tequila. I am not usually so blunt as to address one by their sex. I am Aphonix," He sounded very gentlemanly, elegant. It was more or less the way he was. He looked back to the gray stag expectantly, hoping he too would grant them his name and so they would all then be on the same level at least.

[~Simmy~]

[I'll wait for Mirage...]

[m.i r a g e]

Lance watched Aphonix as he introduced himself to the mare. He was slightly surprised that they didn't know each other, he had thought that everyone knew each other. Except for him. The odd one out. As always.

Pushing away his cynical thoughts, Lance gave a small nod to both horses. "I am..." he trailed away, trying to decide whether he should introduce himself as just 'Lance' or his full name. "I am Per de Lance. It is good to meet both of you." 'It's good that I won't be alone now'. Loneliness... Lance used to think that we wasn't afraid. That he was fearless. He was wrong.

Silence. Solitude. The very thought of those emotions made Lance want to run and never stop.

[~Simmy~]

Tila nodded her head gracefully towards 'Aphonix' as he introduced himself, a slight twinkle in her eyes. She said nothing thought no speech was needed. Her tail twitched slightly and her posture was straight; yet not ridgid. She had a look of royalty on hre face and her eyes were demanding and soft. She let out a small, resentfull sigh. She flicked her mane and stomped her foot, as if erasing a thought passing through her head. An ear flicked to the grey stallion, hearing his voice flow through the air.

A small, sly smile crept onto her face. "Aphonix, Per de Lance," she said nodding to each stallion as their names came out of her mouth. "tell me, and be honest now! What do you think of me?" she asked, her voice like icy silk. Soft, but deadly.

This wasn't a personaly question that she was asking, she didn't really care what they thought about her. This was a question she asked all stallions, who presented themselves to her. This, she took as a challange. Only the stallions whom met her standards would survive in this world. Her world. Tequila would guide them through certain tests to judge their strength, fear, nerves and everything else that mattered to her. Without them knowing, of course. She found this highly amusing and something to do other than gossiping, giggling and flirting. Which at times was quite boring. A fly landed on Tila's neck and she shook it off, looking effortless as usual! Her soft blue eyes slid to each stallion, peircing and akward.

[Wow, my longest post yet...I think! The contense itself is about 270 words! lol]

[|Spinifex||]

Three quadrupeds; one the colour of an electric storm whose mane and tail trailed out like thick smoke, another whose body looked as though carved from delicate metal, and the final tainted with colours straight from the heart of the earth. The first seemed very intricate minded and confusing, the second seemed unsure and slightly lost, and the last was still recovering from the fact that after living in solitude for years, his homeland was suddenly becoming re-populated in a matter of days. None of the three appeared to have very clear intentions, and Aphonix was becoming more and more muddled by the ticking seconds. All too soon the blazing sun had dimmed and was sailing toward the make-shift horizon, casting the valley in a pre-mature hue of sunset. The sorrel brujo was just admiring the beautiful haze of reds and purples when the familiar numbing tug began. It was something he had picked up in the time he was alone. Rather than having his own kin to find comfort, he had been adopted by the land, taken in as its child. Every evening at around twilight, the ground, the wind, the sky, the trees, the river all called him. He was inevitably drawn away from the little gathering, sub-consciously taking baby steps in the direction of the setting sun, for it was mentally and spiritually beckoning him.



When he realized this meant leaving his two new acquaintances, his face showed a hint of desperation, but the pull was too strong to ignore. To his immediate left was a gathering of emerald pines, stretching along like a barricade until it merged in with a bordering forest. Quick as a flash, the flame-kissed bronc had taken a swift side-step into the forest, becoming one with the thick frondescence and silently navigating his way through the limbs of the grasping trees. By now his pelt was one with the atmosphere and he galloped soundlessly to the west, leaving the two horses behind.



ooc || sorry, I have to cut it so short there, my mum is hassling me off the computer. I wanted to explain in much more detail and explore more of his emotions here, but yeah... Maybe I'll come back and edit it later.
Aphonix has left the thread for now.

[~Simmy~]

{your turn Mirage!}