Double Trouble **YAY FIRST THREAD :D **

[yaruka]

It was a beautiful sunny day on Mt. Kosciusko. Not that you would know here, in this dense forest. But that suited the two mares travelling through it just fine, being the pearliest of whites the two stuck out like sore thumbs in the midday sun.

Trotting at an active but purpose-less pace, the two sisters matched each other stride for stride, it was almost unnatural how in sync they were. Virtually indistinguishable from each other, they were newcomers to the High Country and in search of other brumbies. But their aims were not the typical ones of brumby mares. Ingoola and Euroa were not seeking company or the safety of a mob, but rather, mischief.

It had been quite some time since the two mares had had a good game of hide and seek teasing other horses, the game had gotten old in their birth territory once the other horses had figured out their secret, that they were really two horses rather than one. But here the area was much bigger, and the brumby population larger. This new land promised endless oppertunity for fun and trouble-making. The sisters could hardly wait. Of course, there were some drawbacks.

"I wish it was snowing,"sighed Ingoola to her half-sister, "It would make this so much more fun." She looked at the dark colours about them with a morose expression, they were hardly suited to concealing themselves in such an environment.

OOC: bleck, well it's a start at any rate....

[Tiggs]

The second white mare trotted along briskly at Ingoola’s side, eyes keen for the sight of grass. “Snow covers up the food. Imagine being stuck in here when you can’t even see the ground! I just wish the sun would cool down, my nose is starting to flake.” Grumbled Euroa, peering down her face at her pink muzzle which was indeed starting to peel from too much sun exposure.

“At least it’s cool in here. But where is everyone! It’s as if they’re avoiding us.” She sighed and diverted to snatch up a tussock of grass which she readily munched. At least there was not a lack of water in here. It seemed every dip had at least one babbling brook in it. “We should try going up, maybe we can get out of these trees and find something fun to do.” She suggested, pausing briefly to scratch her rump on a nearby trunk.

Euroa was impatient for entertainment. The two of them usually had no end of enjoyment, but their fun seemed to be in a dry spell along with the weather.

[yaruka]

Ingoola nodded uncommitedly to Euroa's suggestion. It was true that the sun was hot here, though she didn't see how going higher, and closer to it, would help. But she was game for anywhere where they may be the slightest chance of amusement.

It did seem to be the case that the fillies' endless supply of fun had hit a wall. How could there be so many brumbies in this High Country and yet not one of them run into them so far? It wasn't as though the two sisters had been avoiding the other horses. Perhaps the whispered tales they had listened to so eagerly had been incorrect, perhaps this High Country was a barren place, lacking the life and spirit the birds had promised. But how could that be? The creatures of the bush were never wrong, wiser in fact than the brumbies themselves.

"Well, we may as well try going up higher," sighed Ingoola. "There's got to be someone else around." And with that the white filly took a sharp left and started winding her way through the trees, up towards the inviting peak Mt. Kosciusko.

[{ Opal }]

OOC: Don't even bother with posting the fillies. x)

Suddenly a scream ripped through the forest, sending vibrations through the rock, echoing among the trees. It was not a cry of pain, fear, or anger, merely a call of joy and power, a celebration of existence. Quickly following the clarion call came the pounding of hooves, a steady but swift beat, muffled by the soft ground underfoot. A flash of golden-tan loomed from the distant trees, and for a moment one could see a dappled buckskin hide. Then the trees obscured the figure once more, though rapid breathing gave away the horse's position.

Cobar had not intended to run into these two mares; well, in a way, perhaps. He had caught their scent a way back, and figured he might as well follow. Cobar had grown tired of his task, however, and broke loose in a wild run. He was sorely aware of his missing fillies- he had left them in a protected glade- but hoped his persistence would earn him two more mares. Of coarse, galloping through a thick forest could end in a broken leg, so Cobar hesitantly checked his pace, flinging up his head as if trying to escape from his own resistance. He did not last in a flowing lope for long, instead shifting into a jerky trot, his nostrils now blowing from excitement. He caught a flash of white up ahead.

Cobar was loosened up by his run, and so did not hesitate to release a friendly whinny, as he veered toward the pair of brumbies. They were both mares, he could tell, and from their scent they were indeed the ones he had been tracking earlier. Growing near to them, he slowed from his hasty trot, trying to not be over-bearing, though Cobar was just in a great mood and was visibly fired up.

[Tiggs]

As the pair turned upward, Euroa instantly regretting the suggestion. Climbing up the steep slopes was much more difficult than walking in line with them. She scrambled up the steep hill after her sister, careful to test the ground’s sturdiness before she put each hoof down. The roots held the soil together, but it was still looser than most ground, probably due to its dampness. The trees sheltered this area, saving the water from being evaporated too quickly by the sun.

At the sound of a stallion’s neigh, Euroa froze on the slope, casting her head around, her ears flickering in an attempt to pinpoint the direction of the call. These darn trees scattered the voice, making it impossible to trace. By the time she spotted the tan-and-black stallion just down the hill from them, it was too late to hide and play their favourite game. The creamy-white mare looked disgruntled, she found herself a stable place to stand and peered down the incline at him.

He was handsome enough, a serviceable dappled-buckskin colour, with a physique that was not unpleasant. From his confidence, he was either foolish or successful; which it was remained to be seen. He was breathing heavily, though Euroa imagined anyone trying to traverse this area had a right to be out of breath. She was a little strained herself.

The grey mare glanced to her sister, wondering what Ingoola made of him. Was it worth staying when he already knew there were two of them, or did her cunning half-sister have a better idea?

[yaruka]

Ingoola stopped just as suddenly as Euroa had, swinging her head around to try and pinpoint the noise. Stupid trees, they made looking for the stallion virtually pointless until he was practically upon them. Oh wait, there he was. Hehe, he was pale enough to show up too, though Ingoola had to bet that he was no where near as good at hide and seek as they were. Speaking of hide and seek, couldn't the stupid stallion at least of had the courtesy not to spot them before they wanted him to? Now they couldn't play their favourite game! Judging by Euroa's expression, Ingoola gathered her half-sister was thinking along the same lines.

Ugh, now what should they do? This was first horse they'd seen in the High Country, they couldn't just give up and run away. This was their maiden voyage of sorts, something had to come of it. Besides, she was bored. Well, if they couldn't play hide and seek, they could at least tease him. A sly look entered Ingoola's eyes, not visible to the poor brute below. And then she called to him, a lovely, inviting call. Prancing flirtatiously where she stood, she arched her neck and tossed her lovely cream mane, looking meaningfully at Euroa to do the same and hoping the stallion would come closer. And then she and Euroa could disappear. And reappear. And then disappear again. Oh what fun they could have! If only the stallion took the bait.