Peals of Laughter

[Tex]

A light thrumming disturbed a den of foxes, which quickly scattered into the surrounding underbrush. They were not sure what threat was coming, but knew, from years of human hunting, that it could be anything, but still be dangerous. Their bright eyes watched beadily as a perfect little white horse galloped lightly before them. They waited until it was past, and slunk back to their den, now content. Horses don't bother foxes.
The little white filly almost pranced with eager excitement across the land she was born upon, perfectly shaped hooves finding purchase on even the slippery rocks that lay on the bottom of streams. A creamy white mane flowed behind her as if through water, as did her tail, and she whinnied in small, quick notes, full of excitement. She halted for a few seconds to rear, legs flinging about and a loug neigh ringing about her ears.

[yaruka]

Waiirri was still urging Doowi and Kurrung-Jang along, trying to be careful to leave no track nor make a sound. Of course, this was easier said then done with a frivolous mare and young colt along. His ears flicked constantly, keeping alert for any sign of danger. He stopped suddenly as a young whinny rang out. Snorting suspiciously he ventured forwards slowly, muscles bunched and ready for action lest their be any hint of danger. He peered through the snowgums ahead to see a small grey filly playing alone, no sign of man. Making sure that Doowi and their young colt were close behind him he eyed the surroundings carefully oncemore. Nothing else stirred in the little clearing. Waiirri whinnied softly to the strange mare from his position in the undergrowth. Maybe she had some information on the where abouts of the men?

[{ Opal }]

A grulla mare carried herself along the small snow drifts, her legs lifting and dropping in a dull rythem. Her eyes were half closed already, but occasionally they popped open as a snowflake snagged on the eyelashes. Aruna had been walking like this for a while now, only stopping to dig for some food. She wasn't looking for anything in particular; a herd, perhaps, maybe a stallion. As Aruna's thoughts drifted off to the future, she was growing steadily closer to unknown beings.

Suddenly a strange scent flowed into her nostrils, jerking her to life. Aruna glanced around in suspicion as many different scents overlayed the cold air. All were of brumbies. What was this? A small herd, perhaps? Aruna hurried forward slightly; danger was the least of her worries. As she trotted through the chilling snow, strange figures came into sight. The first was a white mare; she blended in with the pale background, but a steady outline told Aruna that it was indeed a horse. Looking to her right, Aruna spotted a cluster of brumbies, led by a single stallion. Now this seemed a bit strange.

Aruna pushed herself into clear view, her smoky, grulla pelt shimmering from all the reflected light. Her gaze remained on the stallion for the most part, but occasionally shifted to his apparant herd. He had a bit of an urgent look on his face, which caused her ears to prick. "You need something?" Aruna asked, turning slightly toward him.

[yaruka]

OOC: I'm going to post a reply to Aruna now as I know Tex is away until Sunday I think and it can still work without messing up the order of things hope no one minds

BIC: As Waiirri waited for a response from the snow coloured brumby mare ahead of him another mare was moving steadily in his direction. Suddenly her scent caught his attention and he swung his head to watch a grulla mare approach. "You need something?" asked the mare. Taken aback by the sudden appearance of two strange mares Waiirri took a few seconds longer than usual to reply. Glancing behind him to make sure Doowi and Kurrung-Jang were indeed still safely behind him he glanced again at the grey, and then at the newcomer. "Need something? Not really, only I have heard tell that there are men about, and my mate Doowi herself saw some approaching a while back. Have either of you two fine mares come across men in your travels?" he asked, directing his question back to the both of them.

[{ Opal }]

OOC: Last post; then I'll wait for tex. ^^

As she waiting for the delayed reply, Aruna couldn't help but twist her face in a questionable expression. They look like fugatives. She thought to herself, just as the stallion began to speak. "Need something? Not really, only I have heard tell that there are men about, and my mate Doowi herself saw some approaching a while back. Have either of you two fine mares come across men in your travels?" Aruna paused to think, first running her mind over the stallion's information. The name Doowi didn't bring any recollection, so Aruna moved on. Breifly recalling the last few days, Aruna confirmed that she had not seen nor heard anything suspicious. "Not a single one." She replied, then sharply added, "But why should they pose be any danger to you? It's only the end of winter." The mare's edgy tone was shattered by a slight smile. "If not, I must be both blind and demented." Aruna snorted in a chuckle, tossing her head in the air. As her forelocks settled above her eyes, she glanced at the white mare, her gaze hard for the meanwhile.

[Tex]

Nirrike froze in her dance, and turned her head to see a stallion, and two mares watching her. She did the horse equilavent of a blush, and trotted to a safe distance of them. The snow suited her perfectly, and she did a sort of pirouette by digging in her front hooves and swinging her back end in a half-circle to face them. The snow made it easier to slide.
She pricked her ears forward and listened to their conversation, odd as it was. She hadn't seen any humans at all, thankfully, but the conversation did show a bit of the strange horses' personalities. The strange mare that didn't go with the stallion was a bit in-your-face, and the stallion was polite. The one called Doowi just stood there, looking a bit dumb. The lipizzaner stood in the same spot, waiting for something else to be said to her.

[yaruka]

Waiirri nodded politely to acknoledge the grulla mare's response to his question. "Rest assured, it is indeed winter. But the men seem to have been behaving strangely lately, and in my mind, are always a danger no matter the season. They are too unpredictable to rely on" He turned to the grey across the river bed "Have you seen any men yourself?" he asked gently, noticing her nervousness. While honestly concerned about the men, Waiirri could not believe his good fortune in running into two, apparently alone, and very attractive mares. He was turning over in his mind just how to ask them if they'd like to join himself, Doowi and Kurrung-Jang as he waited for the grey to reply.

[{ Opal }]

"Rest assured, it is indeed winter. But the men seem to have been behaving strangely lately, and in my mind, are always a danger no matter the season. They are too unpredictable to rely on." Aruna snorted gruffly in response to his words. She got his point, but... her beliefs were not easily altered. In fact, hardly anything in Aruna could be lightly changed.

When Waiiri directed his attention to the grey mare, Aruna took the chance to study him more closely. Not bothering the glance at the grey mare again, she cast her gaze along the stallion's body. He was a pale blue roan, with hardly any cornspots. He was built solidly and neatly, but in a way that was far from stocky; which, surprisingly, reminded Aruna of her own self. Satisfied with her inspection, Aruna withdrew from his figure. But still her gaze occasionally wandered, as she thought things over.

He seems formiddable... Perhaps he'd allow me to join him? She lifted the corner of her mouth in a slang-type smile. He better. Aruna echoed in reply, before pulling herself from the depths of deep thought. The mare stepped a tad closer, her head pulled up in an inquisitive expression. "May I join your herd, good stallion?" Aruna knew she was a bit out of place asking, but her daredevil self had decided to try. Ordinarily she would keep it simple, but Aruna did really want to be accepted, so she added the "good" for extra measure.

[Tex]

Nirrike watched the conversation, now more out of good manners than curiosity. She had lost interest in the talking a small while ago, but was watching the stallion with interest. He had a creamy filly with him, which meant that he had protected her before. That always applied to horses like him, with silver mares. So he must be good at it. She watched him with more interest now, and made sure no-one else noticed her sniff at all three of them, memorizing their scents. Suddenly, the stallion asked her a question, and she started, stammering to answer.
"Um, um, I did see two humans over that way...," she said vaguely, gesturing towards the Ramshead. (OOC: she means the ones that caught Ru-shiro ^^)

[yaruka]

Waiirri was once again taken aback by the grulla mare. She was asking to join him? Cool, well that solved one problem. Waiirri quickly recovered "Most certainly," he nickered pleasantly "I would be honoured for you to join us." He glanced over his shoulder, wondering how Doowi would react to the addition of another herd member. He was just about to introduce his first mare and colt when Nirrikes stammering caught his attention. Swinging his head round again he pricked his ears politely to catch her words. "Um, um, I did see two humans over that way...," she said quietly. At her words his ears flickered uneasily "Indeed," he replied "Well thank you, we will be sure to stear clear from there. But what of yourself? Might you not be more vunerable alone? Being pale, like myself and Doowi, you are sure to stand out. Would you care to join with us, atleast until the danger has passed?" Waiirri hoped he hadn't gone too far. He didn't want to offend anyone of the mares but what else was he supposed to do if not ask? Truly, they'd all be safer in a group.