The Good Life [Nandalie Herd/Open]

[Tiggs]

Mist hung on the ground like a refreshing fog. The sun had barely risen, but its pale light filtered through the suspended water to illuminate the valley. Shadows found it hard to grasp hold, and the strawberry roan stallion marvelled in the uniqueness of it. It was as if the light was coming from all directions, denying the shadows of existence. The stallion sighed, content. His small mob still slept under the thorny wattles, Camira and Corowa blending with the mist while the rest were discernable shapes.

Nandalie had been awake for a little while, in keeping with his duty as their stallion. He liked to be aware of the day before they awoke so he could make sure they were safe. He stood now only a little ways from them, grazing on the dew-wet grass. The valley provided good grazing, and Nandalie was glad it was no longer busy. This had once been the grazing place of the King, but he had moved his herd to Dead Horse Gap, leaving the valley for smaller herds like Nandalie’s.

The roan continued to graze, russet tail swinging contently behind him, ears flickering attentively. He was a cautious but calm stallion, eager to keep his small band of mares safe rather than seeking out trouble Nonetheless, trouble always seemed to find him but he was doing well to defend himself and his mares. Aside from the brief capture by the men, no colt or stallion had bested him yet, but he was wise enough not to push his luck.

He collected mares of simple colours, priding himself on their other assets rather than rarity. Overall, Nandalie was content. The mares would wake soon and the sun would start to burn off the mist to reveal a clear and warm day. Life could not get any better for the roan chestnut stallion.

[tingara]

Through the thickets of scrub and candlebarks a liver chestnut mare picked her way. She slipped and stumbled on the steep ridge that lead into the valley. Baramay didn’t know where she was, she hadn’t for a very long time. It was like the last three years hadn’t happened; she was back to how she started. She was alone, lost and tired but still optimistic. She would find a friendly face and hopefully some good company to chatter away to. Baramay liked to chatter.

At one end of the wide valley the mare dropped to the ground and started to role in the morning dew. She kicked out and whinnied joyously, stopping for a moment to watch the droplets she’d kicked up glitter amongst the clearing mist. The chestnut mare was unaware that there were other horses close by.

It wasn’t until she had pulled herself up did Baramay notice a great red shape through the clearing morning mists. The mare jumped the composed herself. At last, some company. The thoughts that this stranger could be another Garrong never occurred to her; the memories of the fearsome black stallion had been all but forgotten. Baramay whinnied in greeting before trotting to what she could now see was a stallion.

“Greeting O stallion,” the mare said cheerily. She’d found someone to talk to at last. It wasn’t Brael or Dilali but it was someone, a very handsome someone. Absently she began to groom the strawberry roan stallion’s withers.

[Tiggs]

Nandalie had noticed the mare before she dropped to roll. He looked on in interest, wondering if she was alone. He half-smiled to himself as she kicked her legs up in the air, glancing around to check she was safe. It was second-nature for him to do so, and he found himself thinking she would not be a bad mare to claim. As she stood, she finally looked his way. He dropped his head respectfully, allowing her to approach him as he watched her with a steady gaze.

She has a sweet face, with a delightful little blaze. Her coat he could now distinguish as a dark chestnut now she was closer, and his interest piqued more so. “Greetings, O mare.” He replied ina soft voice, ears held so attentively that they could not possibly be more forward-facing. “You are alone.” It was a statement, meant to prove that he had noticed and was pleased about the fact. She came so close and he was delighted at the trusting touch of her teeth on his withers. He returned the favour, nosing her shoulder.

“My name is Nandalie, I’d very much like to know yours.” She was quite a friendly mare, and Nandalie discovered he enjoyed that about her. She was so trusting; whether or not she reserved the same treatment for all stallions was yet to be seen, but Nandalie admitted to himself that if she was inclined to stay, he would most definitely prize her among his mares. Between her, Irawaddy and Camira, he would have three sweet-tempered mares. He was yet to deal with Wyuna, but there was no doubt in his mind now that her attitude towards this mare would seal her future. He could not keep such a foul-tempered mare in the midst of such pleasant mares.

[tingara]

As Baramay groomed Nandalie she felt content at last. She wasn’t alone anymore and, even if he had not wanted her, she probably would have followed him to the ends of the earth at that moment. It was true, Baramay was foolishly trusting of most horses but never blacks, never would she would she trust their kind again. she may have pushed out of her mind what happened to her but always there would be a deep seated fear of black horses in the chestnut’s mind.

The great strawberry roan’s voice was soft and gentle and Baramay found she liked it very much. “Yes I am alone. I was with a grey stallion for awhile but now I am most certainly alone. I don’t know where he went, my other stallion. Oh well. Where ever he went I’m sure he’s happy and besides, I have you now,” the mare chattered happily, lipping at some of the stallion’s mane.

“Nandalie,” the chestnut mare repeated sweetly, “I have a name, I gave it to myself after I forgot my old one. That was such a long time ago when I was alone, like I was before but then I found you so I’m not alone again. My name is Baramay.” Baramay talked a lot. It was generally about nothing too. She hoped Nandalie wouldn’t grow bored of it, if he did and he walked away she was going to follow him. She didn’t want to be alone again, she’d had enough of that for one lifetime.

[yaruka]

The sound of a stranger's voice roused Camira from her contented sleep. Blinking sleepily, she opened her eyes and glanced in the direction from whence came the voices. There was Nandalie, and beside him a liver chestnut mare, the likes of whom she had most definately never seen before. Giving herself a brief shake to dispel the remainder of her drowsiness, she made her way shyly over to her stallion and the newcomer. Nickering quietly, she nuzzled Nandalie's shoulder once, then extended her nose inquisitvely to the stranger.
----------------------------
Wyuna had been awake for some time, though feigning sleep to avoid conversation with that cursed chestnut roan. Out of the corner of her eye she had noticed the new liver coloured mare drop to the ground, completely unawares of the herd's prescense. Stupid mare. Finally, as her daughter awoke, Wyuna decided it was time to make her prescense known to the world, and yawning hugely, wandered out into the valley, picking at the grass here and there. For now she was ignoring the new horse, well everybody really. But just let that frivolous chestnut come over to her, then she would let her know how she felt about her foolishness. The relish Wyuna gave this bitter thought would suggest the chestnut had done her some personal injury. As it was, she hadn't, and Wyuna's foul tempered musings were not unique to the one mare. She was just a sour natured horse.
--------------------
Irawaddy awoke peacefully, she liked this valley, it was quiet and good for grazing. She noticed a new horse by Nandalie and watched their interaction curiously. The liver chestnut was so comfortable one would think she had known Nandalie for a long time. But Irawaddy was quite sure she had never seen the chestnut before, and she had been with Nandalie for the last three years, save for their seperation that one winter. But Irawaddy was not bothered by the stranger's forwardness. She was not one to feel threatened by other mares. Gently she nosed her sleeping daughter awake, the sun was well risen and it was time to start the day.
--------------
Despite her dam's faultlessly gentle touch, Amarina jumped at the touch. Looking around, immediately wide awake with huge eyes, she saw the strange mare and shook. The bay mare nickered reassuringly to her, encouraging her to go over andn introduce herself, but Amarina was not going any closer. With a soft sigh, Irawaddy stepped around her daughter, intending to lead the way to Nandalie and the chestnut, being careful to approach slowly so that the chestnut had plenty of warning about their approach. She did not want to overwhelm this new mare. Her daughter followed cautiously behind her.

[Tiggs]

Nandalie chuckled and rubbed his teeth over her back. She was certainly a little strange; she seemed to talk like half of the conversation was happening in her head. But she was kind and gentle, and Nandalie warmed to her. Talk of a grey stallion made the roan wonder. Had she lost him in the Brumby Run? The winter? Or was he the grey the gang-gangs squawked about who had fought the King and lost? Nandalie dismissed the thought, her previous stallion was of no consequence unless he came looking for her, and she was a fine enough mare that Nandalie would fight for her.

She spoke frequently of being alone, and Nandalie wondered what could have happened to her. He filed that little detail away, resolving to ask her about it when they were better acquainted. Nandalie was not a great talker himself, so he enjoyed listening to her soft voice fill the dawn silence. The occasional bird would interrupt, but Nandalie could not help but listen intently to her. He nuzzled and reassured her. “Do not worry; you will not be alone again.” He said, resting his head on her withers.

His ears flickered at the sound of his mares waking, and he nickered softly to them as the majority of them – save Wyuna, typically – approached. He stayed close to Baramay’s side, nudging each of his mares and daughter in turn. “This is Baramay,” he told them, “She will be joining us.” He nuzzled the liver chestnut proudly and returned to grooming her back.

[tingara]

Baramay shivered at Nandalie’s touch, he was so gentle and his voice was so soft and kind. At last she had found the stallion that would be hers forever and ever, or so she hoped. She’d had a bad run of luck with stallions and herds in the past and that wasn’t including Garrong because she’d totally forgotten about him. Affectionately she nuzzled the roan stallion back, running her teeth over his spine; Nevada had always liked that when she’d been able to get to him when all the other mares hadn’t been crowding him.

What Nandalie said made the liver chestnut mare whinny in absolute happiness. She’d never be alone again, to her it was a promise and she would hold it to him. Baramay got even more excited when she saw the other mares come over. Instantly she rushed forward to greet them, chattering her hellos over and over to each one. She snuffled and snorted, nibbled and nipped happily amongst the little throng of mares. “Hello I’m Baramay,” she said cheerily, not noticing the fact that Nandalie had already introduced her. She snorted in pleasure at the feeling of Nandalie grooming her back.

“Oh you’re all so pretty, are there any foals? Oh there they are, they’re so cute. I wish I had a foal, I’ve always wanted one but wasn’t with a stallion long enough to have one,” Baramay rambled happily, snuffling at everyone again. She returned to Nandalie’s side and rested her head on his withers like he had done to her.

[yaruka]

OOC: do you want me to post a reply to this seeing as a new thread will be up shortly? I can if you guys want me too, just let me know