Expecting the Expected [Nandalie Herd/Open]

[aquiladorado]

Guyra also was pleased with the acknowledgment Nandalie gave her, and the large eagle took another look at the stallion before her. He seemed worried, and Guyra wondered whether he had any idea just what sort of task he would be asked of. Using her abnormal intuition, it became obvious that his worry was portrayed toward one of his herd mares rather than the complications an eagle could leave him with. 'Fear not, caring stallion. I bring no news of despair to your family.' The eagle's eyes met those of the Brumby, and Guyra began to open her curved beak to ask of him what she came for when the presence of the younger stallion finally caught up with Nandalie's senses.

As he pardoned himself for the duty he had to attend to, Guyra grew increasingly anxious. She gazed at the copse of trees where the smoky cream mare was hidden - and probably just about to take off in fear - while the White-Bellied Sea Eagle shifted her feet in impatience. The younger stallion was obviously not posing a threat; he was actually completely terrified and it amused Guyra to watch him freeze at the challenging call Nandalie sent him. Despite her amusement though, she wished that she could just get the whole situation over with. Perhaps Nandalie would realize just how much she was asking of him and would refuse her request. That would be the smart thing to do, but because Guyra knew the roan stallion more than he knew her, she hoped that would not be the case.

Guyra continued to worry about AquilaDorado, whose cries of agony at her departure Guyra could still hear ringing in her ears, and about the threat that put the beautiful mare in danger which she would have to face sooner or later. Guyra hoped that would be sooner on her part, so that she could sort out some issues with this inconvenience, but later for AquilaDorado because she still had so much to tell her about her past... Lost in her thoughts, the eagle hardly noticed the signal from Nandalie until his thoughts touched her. She shook her head and momentarily stretched her wings. It was back to business, and she hobbled over to the large roan stallion and returned her full attention to him.

The concern was still visible in his features, but he was more than willing to let his oldest roan daughter start a life of her own if she wished. Guyra could see the decision hurt him because he loved her, and as Nandalie once again fixed his gaze on the eagle while maintaining an ear on the new stallion, Guyra was overcome with pride. She spoke in a soft voice filled with compassion as she continued to address him. 'I have watched you, Nandalie. I have watched you grow in to the noble stallion you are today. I am happy to see your success, yet it is for that same reason that I must ask something of you.’ The large eagle stared at the ground beneath her talons and sighed as the tall grass swept against her body. ’This will be no easy task, I assure you. Unfortunately I am needed elsewhere and will not be able to maintain this task of which I have been doing my whole life. I can not know when I would be capable of returning, as it will depend on how things play out. It is your choice whether you believe you would be able to handle her or not...’

The wise eagle boldly raised her head to stare at Nandalie. She was being vague, and she knew it. The poor stallion would most likely have no idea what she was talking about, but it was for the better. His choice would have to be made before she provided any further details – for if he chose to deny her, then a secret would be known to those who are not ready for it. But is she even ready for it? The question would not leave Guyra’s mind, and she hoped that the answer she had in her heart was the right one.

[yaruka]

OOC: Orroroo is so cute, so much so he’s making me feel rather guilty for Amarina’s uber shyness . alas Amarina’s not that easy to convince ;P
I love Kiata too Tiggs <3

Amarina’s ears flattened at the sound of Nandalie’s commanding neigh, so hyped up that any noise at all brought her distress. The stallion then looked to her, nickering gently. Amarina watched him wide brown eyes, understanding it was her choice and just about to beg her mother to ask Nandalie to drive the other roan off when she caught sight of the younger stallion’s absolutely crestfallen expression. Instantly guilt surged through her, the idea that she had caused his dejection nearly unbearable. Flickering her ears uncertainly, she was so distracted that she shied violently at Kiah’s hoofbeats.
"He's not bad looking..." said her sister, inching forwards and Amarina once again looked at the stallion with new eyes. Never before had she considered how a stallion looked, but now that she did she found that his blue toned coat could hardly be considered offensive, and that his boldly splashed face actually did boast an honest look about it. At Nandalie’s gentle nicker her sister cantered back to her side, rubbing her head against Amarina’s flank so that the older filly once again shied before her mind caught up with her senses. She sighed and nosed Kiata apologetically before answering her sister’s question with an uncertain toss of her head. Her gaze flickered back and forth between the blue roan and the life she had here, the one she had known her whole life. But despite the young mate’s inner turmoil it was apparent that she was beginning to quiet slightly, trusting her sire and no longer feeling so threatened by the stallion with the sad but kind eyes and goofy nature. The colt nickered to him again, and this time, instead of shying, Amarina turned her shy gaze on him, eyes clearly still uncertain but not so afraid. Beside her Irawaddy gave her an encouraging nudge, hoping her daughter would take this chance for a life with this seemingly good-natured stallion. The contrast between her two roan daughters was remarkable, and Irawaddy feared that the eldest of the two may never find a herd to join if she didn’t quiet a little.
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Camira remained beside Corowa and her new foal, watching the interactions between Nandalie’s roan daughters and this other roan stallion out of the corner of her eye. She was no way tempted to join the blue roan, but she hoped that Amarina would. Camira was so much happier now that she was with Nandalie and she sincerely hoped the nervous bay roan would find the same happiness with this seemingly genuine pinto stallion.
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As the various scenes played out in the little clearing, Yaruka and her daughter were making their way back to the herd. The flaxen maned mare was nervous, trusting Nandalie but still fearing his reaction to a foal sired by one other than he. At least her foal had been born a filly, much less likely to offend the roan. Ukamirra followed her mother with a long stride, step certain despite her young age. The little chestnut was all legs, quite like her mother though with a copper mane and tail and no white markings other than two tall hind socks. Just as they were nearing the edge of the clearing a soft noise in the brush ahead of her startled Yaruka. Ukamirra gazed ahead curiously, ears pricked attentively as her mother cautioned her to be quiet, before slowly moving forwards, as light as air, to catch sight of a lone, pale mare. There was no way forwards with alerting the mare to their presence, but with Nandalie so close and the fact that the stranger was evidently young and alone, Yaruka cleared her throat and nickered and uncertain greeting, standing protectively in front of her daughter.

[Tiggs]

It was somewhat encouraging that the eagle knew him, though not in another. It was not his goal to be a well known stallion, only a happy one, with a happy family. The bird was certainly cryptic, and Nandalie was a little confused as to what was going on. He lowered his head further as the wise eagle spoke, his weight shifting from one hip to the other. What he could gather from the enigmatic bird was that she needed something from him that depended on his strength and success of a stallion.

This was utterly confusing. What could a bird want with his skills? He was a formidable fighter when he had to be, he loved his family, but he could not fathom any way in which this would be useful to an eagle. The stallion was obviously vexed, and he shook his head. “I’m sorry, friend, what is it that you need? Handle who?” Was there a relative that she needed minding for a while? That seemed to be the only thing he could discern from the confusion.


Kiata giggled at the painted stallion’s nicker, and she too nudged her sister along with her mother. “Go on! See what he has to say, Amarina. He seems nice. I think he likes you.” She added surreptitiously, her ears perked in encouragement.

[aquiladorado]

AquilaDorado peered through the trees, her mismatched eyes full of anger and worry. They ran across the landscape, searching for the bird that had abandoned her, but there was no success. Where had she gone? One minute Guyra had been at her side, and the next she seemed to disappear among the foreign herd of Brumbies! The pale mare was experienced in the many situations the eagle had recently been putting her through, and therefore she feared for the worst. Pacing furiously behind her sheltered wall of trees, tail swatting madly at any insect that dared approach her, AquilaDorado worked herself into quite a state. Due to the fact that she had shut out any connection she had with her senses, it came as a total surprise when a soft nicker reached her ears.

The smoky cream body froze – muscles tensed under her pale coat, legs stiffened and started to shake, tail rose along with the thick neck, nostrils flared at the scent of this sneaky creature – and then AquilaDorado whipped around and shied sideways at the sight of the older chestnut mare. Sweat had already started to form on her sides from the consistent pacing and the heat, and they heaved with each short breath she took, quivering. The pale mare laid her ears flat against her skull, snorted once, and prepared to bolt when she caught sight of the small figure hiding behind this other mare’s flank. A foal... AquilaDorado had never been this close to one of those, and her ears perked forward as her interest grew. She took a couple shaky steps toward the small filly. Completely oblivious to its protective mother, the smoky cream mare extended her nose close enough to the foal to catch her scent. She remained that close to the filly only for an instant before realizing the danger she had put herself in with the foal’s mother, and then AquilaDorado took-off out of the trees. Before she could understand what she had just done, the pale mare found herself out in the open and completely visible to the herd of the roan stallion.

She skidded to a halt, tearing up the grass beneath her feet, and her eyes darted nervously in every which direction for a hiding spot. They came to rest on the large stallion, who seemed to be conversing with an eagle – Guyra. AquilaDorado found she could not move her feet as the betrayal of her friend ran into her at full blast. She did not know what the White-Bellied Sea Eagle was talking about, but chances were it was her.

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Guyra faltered, unable to come up with a reasonable explanation to Nandalie without having received the kind of answer from him she was hoping for. She took to absentmindedly pruning her feathers instead. Her eyes were narrowed in concentration as she fought a mental battle against herself, deciding whether she was wasting her time with Nandalie or if he could actually help. It wasn’t long before her answer emerged from the line of trees. Actually, it came bolting out of cover with incredible speed.

The wise eagle stared in shock as the smoky cream mare stood in plain view of the herd. What on earth was she doing? Guyra attempted to fly over to AquilaDorado and steer her out of the way, leaving all of her ideas behind to protect the mare, until she saw the hurt in the large equine eyes. The White-Bellied Sea Eagle stayed beside Nandalie, not sure what to do. Perhaps this was all a mistake that she should have avoided...

[Tiggs]

It seemed the eagle was choosing her words carefully, and he shifted his weight with a hint of impatience. The wise old bird might have all day, but he was eager to see to his mares, and the absence of Yaruka and Baramay was worrying him. He’d feel better once the two mares were back with their new foals. At least Corowa had returned, and he spared her a fond glance.

It was then that a pale brumby came bursting from the trees, and Nandalie raised his head and neighed an alert to his mares. On second glance the brumby was a soft cream, not grey, and Nandalie’s ears flicked in indecision. Perhaps this was a mare of the stallion still attempting to woo Amarina? Nandalie was on full alert, head high and ears forward. A creamy was a rare thing in the High Country, and it was impressive if the colt below them held her. Perhaps he was worthy of his daughter after all.

Nandalie’s herd was a plain affair. The stallion did not care for the additional challenge and status that holding a creamy mare would bring. That was not to say that he did not see the appeal and beauty of the mare before him now, but he had no compulsion to fight the colt for just the privilege of a creamy mare to add to his herd.

Determining the surprised mare was not a threat, he looked to the eagle. Interestingly, the bird was staring at the creamy also with an indistinguishable expression. When he looked back to the creamy mare, however, he did recognise the sadness in her posture. He noticed she was not staring at him, but the eagle.

The stallion tossed his head, trying to dispel the awkward feeling that something was going on here that he did not know about. He sighed and looked down on the eagle again. “I appreciate your wisdom, but what is the meaning of your cryptic visit ? Is it to do with her?” He asked softly, gesturing across the pasture to the creamy mare who seemed stunned to stillness by the presence of other brumbies.

Yes, something was definitely going on here, and he was determined to find out what.

OOC: Sorry guys, muscling in here. Nandalie has more foals due, so this is getting fast out of date!

[aquiladorado]

At a loss for words, for once in her life, Guyra could only nod. She looked at Nandalie with her wise eyes. What could she do? The eagle had never thought that the smoky cream mare would have left her cover in the trees, that if anything the mare might have fled in the other direction. But AquilaDorado still stood there, only a short distance from the herd. ”Please,[/b] came her voice in a mere whisper. ”Please try to talk to her.”[/b] Guyra spread her large wings and took to the skies. She circled high above the commotion of Brumbies for a short time, and then found a nice tall tree to shelter herself in. From there she kept an eye on the happenings below her, while the feeling of guilt gnawed at her insides. I had to do this though, for her own safety! she tried to convince herself. Still, the feeling would not go away.

[Tiggs]

Nandalie shook his head despairingly. Wisdom was all very good and well, but the bird had to learn how to impart it properly. The roan stallion was thoroughly confused. He looked down to the mare, seeing how nervous she was. He did not believe he could talk to her in this state: she looked ready to bolt.

Sighing, the roan obliged the eagle and started slowly toward the creamy mare. The closer he got, the more apparent her fear and mistrust was. Nandalie wasn’t even sure what he was supposed to talk to her about. His natural kindness came though, though, as he lowered his head and nickered to her. It was a low sound, designed to reassure her.

“Do not fret, creamy, I will not hurt you. Why are you so troubled?” His ears flickered back and forth. The stallion was unsure. What could he say to reassure the mare? What did the eagle mean, talk to her? Words would only help if she would listen. He nickered again, soft and supportive. If he could calm her at least, he would feel his duty done.

She was a good looking mare, but a creamy would bring his mares trouble. Was he supposed to take her in? He was not getting any younger; he did not want the added fights a creamy would bring him. Nandalie breathed out slowly through his nostrils. But if the eagle was all she had, he could not very well leave her on her own. Well, he would make up his mind soon enough about what sort of help she would need if he could calm her enough to converse.

[aquiladorado]

Sending vibrations straight through her body when they were only to be absorbed by the soft ground beneath her hooves, AquilaDorado watched as the large roan stallion – whom Guyra had called Nandalie, started to approach her. The smoky cream mare was unsure what to do; her instinct told her to bolt, the knowledge of the danger she had put herself in agreed. Yet all she could do was watch as the stallion got closer and closer. White contrasted against her colored eyes, and she moved her ears backward to show that she was afraid. Whipping her eyes around the clearing, Guyra was nowhere to be found. Forgetting all her previous thoughts of hostility toward the eagle, AquilaDorado let out a desperate cry pleading for her friend to help her. But Guyra did not come. For the first time since she had been separated from her mother, the strong mare felt inescapably helpless. This other Brumby was most likely going to beat her for trespassing on his herd territory – trample her until she was nothing more than an unwanted mess on the ground. Despite the kind words the eagle had shared with her about him, no stallion would ever think of leaving a mare who had not respected the order alive.

Her thoughts rewound to the small foal she had seen under the cover of the trees. Perhaps that was his foal, AquilaDorado thought to herself. As she lingered on that statement, she found that it was likely to be true. This stallion was surrounded by foals – both new and growing, and therefore perhaps he would not be as violent as others. The image of his small herd began to ease her fright, until he spoke to her. The smoky cream mare had been trying to relax herself, but the whinny of the roan startled her and she returned to her previous stance. The sound came as a shock – not mean or implying harm in any way, which was what the mare had expected to hear. AquilaDorado lowered her gaze to meet his, swiveling only one of her ears forward to focus on him. ’Do not fret, creamy, I will not hurt you. Why are you so troubled?’ Nandalie’s words and voice came in a soothing manner. AquilaDorado attempted to position herself in a friendlier stance, but the presence of the large stallion has seemingly frozen her in place. Her legs were stiff and did not obey their commands, and the lack of a possible escape route did not please the mare. She stared at the roan, taking in the sight of him. He seemed easy enough to talk to. Her mind buzzed at a mile a minute, as if an irritating fly had lodged itself inside her head. There were so many questions she wanted to ask this stallion! Yet none of them were capable of forming into a proper sentence.

His words registered in her mind. AquilaDorado raised her head, arching her neck slightly as she curled her nose a little closer to her chest and out of reach from the stallion. ”I... I am not troubled,”[/i] she said curiously, wondering where he had thought of that. Her voice was calm and regular, completely opposite of how she felt inside. Maybe this roan had a keen intuition like herself and Guyra, and would not believe her words. Although she did mean them, considering nothing was immediately troubling her other than Nandalie himself - and that fear was slowly subsiding. Afraid, yes. But troubled? No...

The call of an eagle captured her attention, and AquilaDorado found the wise bird perched high in a tree above them. Guyra was watching her intently, but she was too far away for the mare to see the emotion in her eyes. It seemed as though she was waiting for something. The smoky cream mare shook her head and returned her attention to the stallion. ”My apologies for trespassing on your land, Nandalie. I shall not do it again, and can accept the consequences...”[/b] Her voice had dropped a level and was barely over a whisper. Knowing that Guyra was there and watching over her should have given her confidence, but without the eagle at her side it had done nothing. "I just - "[/i] She cut herself off before she could make any more mistakes and possibly aggravate the stallion.

OOC: I know she's a tard and doesn't know how it looks

[yaruka]

Yaruka had braced herself as the smokey mare approached with a wild eye, not predisposed to trust her based on her pinned ears. Ordinarily the chestnut would have tried to reassure the other creature but for now she had Ukamirra to worry about. Though the foal was not afraid, Yaruka wasn't taking any chances. But before she needed to react, the mare suddenly seemed to change her mind, spinning around she bolted and Yaruka snorted in surprise as the pale horse tore into the middle of the clearing. She watched her herd react to the newcomer with surprise, and when Nandalie began to talk to the other mare Yaruka silently slipped into the open herself, Ukamirra by her side, greeting Nandalie with a quiet, uncertain, nicker. There was no point hiding in the bushes now, what if the other mentioned seeing her? Nandalie woud probably think she was getting cold feet about returning to his herd.
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Not surprisingly, when the smoky cream burst from her cover Amarina just about had a fit. Shying violenty, she bolted without thinking, running as fast as she could from the direction the mare had come. In her confusion she ended up pelting straight at the young stallion. When she saw this she skidded to a sudden halt so fast that her hindquarters ended up swinging round so that she was parallel to the stallion, and only about half a foot away. Shaking, she broke out into a nervous sweat, eyes rolling with fear and glancing anxiously from the thing that had startled her, which she now saw to be another mare, and the stallion she stood beside. She was so terrified she couldn't think straight, remaining frozen in place, sides heaving from exertion and nerves.
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Irawaddy had hardly startled when the creamy mare had galloped into the clearing. When Amarina bolted she nickered after her to call her back but her daughter was too frenzied to heed her. All the same, the roan did eventually stop, next to the stallion she had been hiding from in fact, much to Irawaddy's amusement. Satisfied that her daughter was safe enough, she glanced back once at the smoky cream mare, her eyes widening with sympathy for the poor shaken up creature before nickering reassuringly to Amarina.
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Camira had gradually grazed her way closer to the middle of the herd, and was standing fairly close to Irawaddy when the strange mare suddenly appeared. The bay's calm reaction reassured the palomino, who, though startled, did not see any reason for fear once she realised what was going on. She stood with her head raised, watching curiously, though not without sympathy, as the mare spoke to Nandalie.

[Ehetere]

Orroroo started and whipped his head around nervously as a pale creamy horse burst from the trees. His breathing calmed again when he saw it was a mare, and decided that she looked rather out of place in this otherwise fairly plain coloured herd. He wondered why the stallion did not like to collect pretty fillies, but Orroroo supposed he had his reasons.

The drumming of other hooves caught his attention and he turned back to the herd to see the pretty filly he’d been trying to coax away rocketing towards him. Her eyes were wild with fear and she pulled up hard, digging in her heels. She drew level with him and stopped, and Orroroo wondered whether this was by accident or not.

Turning to head so he could better look at her face, he greeted her with a friendly nicker - trying to be reassuring. “Hello there,” he said, looking at her curiously with his large expressive eyes. He flicked an ear vaguely in the direction of the cream mare who now appeared to be talking with Nandalie. Orroroo hoped that she would distract the older stallion enough so he would not fly into a rage for him being so close to his daughter.

“I’m Orroroo,” he said, introducing himself with a friendly tone, “Who are you?” He could see that she was trembling - terrified - but hesitated. In another situation he’d have snuffled her comfortingly, but he somehow doubted the bay roan mare wanted that. She might bolt again and he certainly didn’t want that.