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Post by yaruka on Jun 15, 2009 23:10:33 GMT
The pinto mare nodded once to the stallion as he introduced himself, though as an equal and not as a regular mare would to a stallion. The pale one went on to reply to her statement and Goondooloo flicked her ears dismisively at the stallion's open enthousiasm. In truth, she felt nearly the same way about the mountains, staying on Mount Kosciusko for the greater part of the year- only going lower when it snowed, but she'd never share that with anyone, least of all a stranger.
The pale buckskin jumped into the conversation, gushing out half of her life story. Goondooloo snorted and flicked her ears impatiently. This conversation wasn't getting her anywhere. Still, she wasn't prepared to take her leave just yet. She'd stay for a while and see what she could pick up from the others without directly inquiring. She knew it was unwise to admit weakness and ask for directions in a new place. Besides, Goondooloo was too proud for that.
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Post by KAREE on Jun 20, 2009 7:06:36 GMT
Kambigo glanced at Niribi, blinking slightly at the mares enthusiam for adventure and the mysterious. He cocked his head to the side, and narrowed his eyes for a moment, he could not work out why she did not fear him. Why she had not run. Kambigo had already come to the conclusion that Goondooloo had never seen or heard about Nightrunners, otherwise she might have been a bit more fearful of his blazing eyes. Perhaps Niribi had figured out that he was no monster, that he did not cause death out of sheer ignorance. He looked over to the duo coloured mare then back again.
He stood still watching them both, waiting for one or the other to speak. But it was silent. They did not say a word like Kambigo had expected them to do after Niribi's big speech. For some reason Kambigo had expected Goondooloo to do the same. But then again, perhaps the splashy mare did not share that same great desire for movement like he and the pale buckskin did. For a moment he looked at Goondooloo, "I have to agree with you Niribi." He looked over at her, his fearsome eyes bore into her own. "Brumbies tend to fear the unknown, it is in their nature. But it seems both of you go against your...assigned nature and have decided to explore the other world." He looked at Goondooloo again then back at Niribi. Just then the rain seemed to get heavier, bigger drops fell across his pale back, creating dark spots; he almost looked like an appaloosa. Looking up into the canopy of snow gums, Kambigo noticed that the sky had gotten a lot more darker. He shifted his weight, suddenly feeling very restless.
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Post by Ehetere on Jun 21, 2009 4:41:47 GMT
Niribi ignored the coloured mare’s dismissive behavior about her words; she got the impression that the mare was very independent and strong willed, and perhaps wise, and thought her dreams were simply a passing phase. Niribi did not think so; exploring and learning were what made her heart and soul, and there was no way that she was going to give them up any time soon.
Kambigo looked somewhat confused; and Niribi could not for the life of her work out why. He was constantly looking between her and Goondooloo, with such a perplexed expression on his face that it was almost funny. Niribi again had to resist the temptation of blurting out questions; particularly about whatever was vexing the white stallion.
"I have to agree with you Niribi. Brumbies tend to fear the unknown, it is in their nature. But it seems both of you go against your...assigned nature and have decided to explore the other world." said Kambigo, and although Niribi’s mood brightened that the Nightrunner shared the same opinions as her, she could not help but think that perhaps his words had less to do with her speech and far more to do with his personal experiences with biased brumbies ridiculing him for what he was.
Kambigo glanced up at the sky; and Niribi had been so distracted by the Nightrunner and the conversation that she hadn’t even noticed the darkening storm clouds that were now more ominous and threatening than when she had first arrived. The rain was getting heavier too; and there was a queer feeling in the pit of her stomach that she should get away from such an open place and find shelter. She wanted to run with all her might from what could only be an approaching storm; to feel that adrenaline rushing through her veins and perhaps, if she was lucky; to have the Nightrunner racing with her.
But she was also concerned for the coloured mare; Goondooloo. She did not seem particularly interested in either her or Kambigo; as some older mares are not with younger horses. Where would she go if the meeting had to be suddenly split up? And where would she go, wondered Niribi. There was palpable tension in the air; almost like everything was charged with static. Summer storms were often more violent and deadly than winter storms; especially up here in the high mountains. Before rising panic could get the better of her, Niribi asked, “Where were you headed before you saw us Goondooloo?” Perhaps some unknown mothering instinct had been awoken in her in that moment, even if her concern was for a mare that was older, wiser and probably easily bush wise enough to look after herself. But all the same; Niribi had to be sure that this meeting would not end in disaster.
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Post by yaruka on Jun 21, 2009 16:12:39 GMT
Goondooloo had noticed the thickly massing clouds before the other two it seemed, certainly the pale mare. But as of yet she was unconcerned, they had time yet to escape the oncoming storm. The pinto mare had long had experience taking care of herself in these mountains, so much so that she was almost one with its turbelent setting.
The stallion and the other mare before her seemed fascinated with each other, and Goondooloo knew she wasn't altogether welcome here. Still, she could tell that the younger two were getting restless, that they would soon flee the rain and clouds regardless of what their companions did.
Where were you headed before you saw us Goondooloo?” came Niribi's gentle voice and Goondooloo had to catch herself before she snorted at the concern in the dun's eyes. Was the other mare concerned for her? Well, Goondooloo appreciated her kindness, but she could certainly take of herself, likely better than the other two could.
Deciding to give up the other two as a lost cause for information, Goondooloo replied, "No where in particular, but as you are well aware, I'm sure, it would be wise for us to leave this place now. Good night to you both, and good luck." And with that the mare gave one last nod to them both, before turning and striding off into the brush and disappearing into the dark undergrowth, even her wildly spotted coat camouflaged in the silent bush.
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Post by KAREE on Jun 25, 2009 6:08:39 GMT
Apparently the patched mare was feeling a little uncomfortable. The night was his territory. And in the middle of a storm on the highest mountain, she would have definately been safer with him. Not that Kambigo wanted her to run with him. Goondooloo would have just been a nusence(sp?). Kambigo nodded a goodbye to the patched mare as she disappeared into the bush around them. He then turned to Niribi, his eyes blazing and excitement flaring. "Goondooloo is right you know, we should get out of here." Not that he really wanted to, but for some reason he felt a bit responsible for the filly infront of him.
He glanced up again, realising he must look whiter than normal under the darkening sky and dark trees. He must have looked scarier. "How long have you been in the High Country for?" He asked, he hadn't been here for too long, but perhaps she knew a good hideaway where they could stay until the storm passed..then he could look for that Silver Nightrunner some more.
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Post by Ehetere on Jun 26, 2009 0:54:15 GMT
"No where in particular, but as you are well aware, I'm sure, it would be wise for us to leave this place now. Good night to you both, and good luck." replied Goondooloo, and Niribi watched as she bobbed her head and trotted off into the bush. She knew that the coloured mare was likely to know more of the senses that the more seasoned mares have about storms, and Niribi wasn’t going to ignore that advice any time soon. It seemed as though Kambigo agreed with her, and said, "Goondooloo is right you know, we should get out of here." Niribi nodded in agreement.
"How long have you been in the High Country for?” asked Kambigo, and Niribi suspected, if the legends were correct, that he was far, far from his own country. She was too, she supposed, but since she had come to know the higher mountains of the High Country, and their many secrets… “I have been here long enough… Do you like to run, Nightrunner?” inquired Niribi, joy surging through her at the thought that her wish for running may actually come true. “This mountain is quite bare, and there is no proper shelter until the Ramshead Range. Because if you do like running; we could race the storm to the Ramshead; for there are some truly magnificent caves there in which to shelter and hide. That is; if you’re game enough.” challenged Niribi, her eyes flickering with excitement and playfulness. Anything remotely dangerous or daring, she was up for. And to race a storm across the high mountains with a Nightrunner… What could be more exciting, dangerous and daring than that?
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Post by KAREE on Jun 26, 2009 5:56:05 GMT
“I have been here long enough… Do you like to run, Nightrunner?” He looked at her, his firey eyes questioning her motives. Kambigo fought hard to keep the smile from his lips, his heart racing faster as he slowly caught on to what she wanted. “This mountain is quite bare, and there is no proper shelter until the Ramshead Range. Because if you do like running; we could race the storm to the Ramshead; for there are some truly magnificent caves there in which to shelter and hide. That is; if you’re game enough.” The grin burst out across his face and lightened up glowing eyes. "Is that a dare I hear Niribi?" He mused, raising his eyes. He was definately begining to enjoy her company; she seemed to know the way to his racing heart.
He was about to turn around and start the race, when he realised that he would not know where to turn or where to go. That could equal getting lost, which would not be good when a storm this dark was heading their way. "I will give you a head start," He grinned again, wider this time; his muscles where twitching and ready to roll.
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Post by Ehetere on Jun 26, 2009 6:20:13 GMT
"Is that a dare I hear Niribi?" asked Kambigo, and as he did, Niribi’s eyes lit up playfully. Her heart leapt with excitement, and as if to add to the already charged atmosphere, a roll of thunder grumbled in the distance. Time was going to be running very short indeed. A sharp wind had also picked up; ruffling and messing up Niribi’s mane. She closed her eyes and breathed deep the promise of a storm - possibly a big one too.
Kambigo looked as though he was about to run off, but then he paused and turned back to her, grinning. “I will give you a head start,” he said, and she grinned too. So Kambigo didn’t know the way? Niribi flicked her mane and bucked mischievously before charging recklessly off down the slope of the highest mountain.
Blood was drumming in her ears, along with the sound on thundering hoof beats. Niribi let herself be pulled along by the wildness that suddenly had seized her as she raced the storm. The wind was behind her, urging her faster, and she could only imagine what she and Kambigo would have looked like to a bystander. Two pale brumbies; flying down Mt. Kosciusko, dodging and avoiding obstacles as only brumbies could, the beginnings of a fierce storm on their tails.
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Post by KAREE on Jun 26, 2009 6:33:19 GMT
Kambigo didn't notice the playful look in her eye as she began to charge down the mountian. He didn't seem to notice anything when he jumped and flew after her. The wind assisting them, pushing his frail-looking body forward as he belted down over the rocks and began to dodge crooked trees. A wild, playful whinny flew from his lips to be caught up with the wind. Thunder rolled aggresively across the sky, but Kambigo barely heard it behind the whipping wind. Kambigo made sure that he kept close to Niribi, placing himself at her shoulder. The sky was beginning to lose its light and soon it would be his domain.
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Post by Ehetere on Jun 27, 2009 13:30:00 GMT
Niribi shivered as she heard Kambigo’s wild whinny behind her. It was unlike anything she had ever heard before - and it had a mysterious, magical quality about it. A deep crack of thunder followed straight after it as well, adding to the atmosphere of the run. And then Kambigo raced forward to catch up and stay at her shoulder. She was running stride for stride with a Nightrunner!
Her breath was sobbing, her blood throbbing in her ears and it felt as though her heart was in her throat. He legs pounded a steady rhythm over the ground, nimbly avoiding dangerous rocks and unknown patches. She raced around and down the ridge that surrounded Lake Coopatamba. The great lake was spread out below them; it’s grey waters reflecting the boiling grey sky above. The wind here threatened to push her towards the edge of the ridge and into those stormy waters below; but she pushed on - downwards, downwards…
Niribi’s main fear was that they would not reach the South Ramshead and its sheltering caves before the storm broke; because there would be no time for any alternative. But she personally could go no faster; especially with the leg breaking, neck breaking rocks and holes that were strewn all over the Ramshead and the surrounding ranges.
The North Ramshead was in sight now though! Those rocky tors were a welcome sight; but she knew that they would have to slow to a careful walk to scale them. Then it would be a dash across the Main Range to the South Ramshead and a hop skip and a jump down to the secluded caves… But the light was fading; especially because of the clouds, and Niribi did not know how well her eye sight would be in the dark. She wished in that moment she could have possessed the Nightrunners incredible sure-footedness in low light, and called to Kambigo, warning him that they would have to slow down drastically. At least it would give them a chance to catch their breath a little before that last desperate dash.
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