The Warmth of Contentment (O)

[aquiladorado]

Through the progressing light of dawn, the faint silhouette of a young Brumby could be seen standing motionless at the top of a hill crest. The patterned figure wallowed in the peace of the morning, eyes closed and nostrils breathing-in the sweet scent of dew that coated the monstrous trees around him. It was the perfect time of day - early, no doubt, yet the gentle breeze that caused the foilage to whisper sheltered the land from the blazing reality of summer heat that would soon engulf anything in its path.

Atop his lookout, Wirinun gazed at the forest below him while the glowing sun began to peek through their branches. He whickered to the wind that tossled his mane and felt so connected to the scene before him that no other presence could interrupt his happiness. It had been a long night of traveling, the aches of his muslces were beginning to deteriorate after the strenuous climb, and Wirinun slowly turned away from the warmth and beauty of the morning to catch-up on some well deserved grazing. He retraced his path to a slightly un-even plain where he lowered his head and finally gave into the needs of his rumbling stomach.

To his right, the sound of snapping twigs came to his attention. Although he did not raise his head, Wirinun rotated an ear in the general direction of the sound and swished his tail. He was not worried by the fact that his unique color gave him no form of camouflage whatsoever, as his senses did not detect any danger so he merely continued to graze without paying much attention to whatever creature was lurking behind the small grove of Mountain Ash trees.

[Ehetere]

A pale shadow flickered far below the young stallion in between the rigid trunks. A flash of silver coat turned molten gold in the dawn sunshine. A whisper in the breeze. The soft brushing of a tail against the ferns. Illoura’s bounding canter slowed to a halt, her hooves making only the dullest of thuds on the damp ground. She shook herself to dislodge the moisture that had accumulated in her coat from the leaves and branches that she had brushed against, rejoicing in the cool feeling of the fresh morning air. Ah, what a joy it was to be up in the high country again.

Illoura had spent the last year wandering the lower country, and laying low in general. After being chased by man more than a few times last summer, she had felt it was time to disappear for a while, and she had not been heard of for the whole of autumn, winter and spring. It was only now, in the summer time again, that she had made her way back up to the mountains that had so captivated her before, and she saw fit that the mountains would whisper of a silver filly once more.

She looked up from the grotto where she had stopped her carefree run, to gaze up at a ridge, where the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon. What she had not expected to see there, mantled like a spirit in the morning light, was a young colt. Illoura could simply not help herself - she started to make her way up the ridge towards the figure.

She thought that she had learnt her lesson after last year, and that she was growing up. She was hardly young enough to be called a filly now, despite her light carriage and delicate features. She should no longer be running off teasing stallions. But there was something; the troublemaker within her and that wild free spirit, that compelled her towards the younger horse, and to trouble in general. She missed her friend Wilgee, and the mischief they had had together. In general she missed the company of other horses. And above all else - she was bored.

She crept up the ridge, being careful to stay downwind of the colt, and watched her feet very carefully on the steep incline; both so that she did not slip and so that she would not make a sound to alert the colt of her presence. If there was one thing she liked it was a good surprise.

She cleared the ridge, quite a bit to the side as it had been the easiest way up, so she began to move along near the edge. Up ahead she could see glimpses of the young horse and she hurried her steps; losing concentration for a moment and stumbling on a rock - breaking several small leaves and twigs in the process. In the grand scheme of things, this noise was tiny. But to Illoura’s ears it could have been louder than a whip crack. She flinched and cursed herself for being so careless - such carelessness would get her captured id she was not careful. With even more care than before she started to make her way around, so that she was on the other side of the colt, and to maintain the element of surprise.

She was rather interested, when she could get a proper look at him through the trees, to find that he appeared unconcerned about the racket she had just created. Surely he had heard her. Shouldn’t he have been more worried about man? He was certainly not making any effort to hide himself whatsoever. It was if he didn’t care at all that she was there watching him. Well, that was something that simply wouldn’t do. She chose an appropriate gap between the trees, wanting to make the biggest entrance possible, and made her way forward, driven by curiosity and a desire to be admired by others. Was she vain? Most certainly. Did Illoura care? Not in the slightest.

She stepped proudly and silently from the tree trunks and out into the bright sunshine in plain view. She shook out her mane, making it shimmer in that enchanting dawning light, arching her neck to make her silver locks cascade down like a waterfall. She was showing off in every way possible, and boy, did she love it.

[aquiladorado]

OOC: Sorry I was rushing, nothing fancy lol.

Emerging from the protective cover of the trees came a beautiful silver filly, eyes gazing curiously at the patterned stallion that stood in the middle of the clearing. Slowly, Wirinun turned away from his meal to see the golden-coated Brumby bravely approach him. His ears pricked at the sight of her - not only because of her stunning presense or the way she lightly carried herself, but simply because he had not been in contact with another horse for a number of days. Although he did not mind the lonely journey he had taken, Wirinun was longing for companionship once more.

He turned on his forehand to face the newcomer, and by her slightly dished face and mysterious nature it was clear that this filly must have some Arabian heritage. She was elegant, graceful, and - well, by the way she shook her mane at him and made sure that the spotlight was placed on her and her alone, completely full of herself. Wirinun would not take this filly for granted as it seemed she had some clever trick running through her mind, so he cautiously played along and acknowledged the filly in an honorable fashion.

With a slight dip of his head and an extended foreleg, Wirinun gave the silver filly a welcoming bow. He called out a greeting, and with the best intentions taught to him by his mother, he addressed the Brumby whose coat glistened in the new light of the morning.

"I bid you good morning, fair creature of the shadows and descendant of the great Thowra. Excuse my lack of concern for your presence beforehand, but I did not expect to run into another Brumby in this part of the High Country at this time of day. Forgive me, also, for not properly introducing myself. I am Wirinun, named after the magic and mysteries of the sorcerer. Would you be so kind as to share what I may call you?"

[Ehetere]

Illoura was pleased to see the young stallion’s ears prick up with interest as she stood there shimmering in the golden light. The inner performer in her loved to be admired by others, or perhaps it was her vanity, but whatever it was the feeling was one that she had missed for quite some time now.

At least he was polite enough for now; not like some unmentionable rude stallions from the past. A smile played at her lips; he certainly knew how to treat someone like herself. She wondered what experience he had with others like herself, or whether he was simply a polite horse. Still, she knew all too well that stallions could be overly polite when there was a pretty mare up for grabs.

Illoura listened with a cheeky grin still upon her face as he recognised her heritage - another kudos point for him. She did realise that Thowra was a legend in the high country, a well known one too, but some stallions were simply ignorant beasts.

“I am Illoura, the Beautiful,” she replied, raising her head a little higher and tipping her nose in the air - completely full of herself, and acutely aware that she did in fact look rather beautiful in the flattering light. Her voice was high and almost childish, despite the fact that she was well and truly a mare now, and not a filly - despite her wishes to still be viewed thus. Perhaps it was an unspoken desire to be young and run the high mountains like a carefree yearling forever.

She studied the stallion; particularly his colouring. She was no stranger to coloured horses, but his coat was undoubtedly loud, to say the least. It would attract attention in these mountains, especially since he was a stallion to be. No doubt he would lead an interesting life.

“So, Wirinun, where are you heading on this fine morn?” asked Illoura, beginning to pace around him - showing off further. Clearly she had no qualms about flirting shamelessly. She had to admit that she was curious about what trouble this colt might attract - and she had already acknowledged her own loneliness. Perhaps she could travel with him for a time?

[aquiladorado]

The delicate silver Brumby was certainly beautiful - and Wirinun nodded his head in a friendly gesture at the meaning of Illoura. "A suitable name."[/i] he marveled, intrigued by the way that golden coat drew to his attention how the sparkling rays of sunlight danced merrily around the both of them. He also noticed the way she gazed at him, a look of concentration displayed on her fine features. Wirinun was used to the constant admiration of his coat from others, just as Illoura probably dealt with similiar admiration, but surely she was more interested in what he happened to be doing in the small forest sanctuary alone - just as he pondered the same questions about her.

The mare gave voice to her thoughts before he got the chance. “So, Wirinun, where are you heading on this fine morn?” The young stallion watched Illoura encircle him. He was more than aquainted with the courting of a mare and her mate, as he had watched many a time the competitions that were held among his herd with the sole purpose of winning the affection of another, yet the actions of the playful Brumby before him set off a feeling of un-easiness inside Wirinun. It was obvious that she was older than him - not by much, but that was still a factor that played against the reality of the situation.

Wirinun continued with his previous plan of proceeding with caution, although he assumed that no harm could come to either of them if he had good intentions, so he savoured the opportunity of companionship that Illoura might gift him with. With a deep sigh of contentment, he answered her. "I am headed both nowhere and everywhere at the same time, and follow no set path for what lies ahead of me. I solely travel wherever my hooves wish; accompanying only the wind who welcomes my presence and guides me safely over the land."[/i] Wirinun bent his neck to shoo a fly off his leg, and then looked Illoura directly in the eye. "I chose the path up here for a reason unknown, but I am glad I did. I am still young and restless, and it eases my soul to watch the sun rise from such a height that I feel like I am the only living thing in the world... the freedom it grants me, is something I long for constantly. I do set out to one day have a family of my own, but for now, there is no greater gift in life."[/i]

Wirinun fantacized about the wonderment of his freedom, and for a while there was nothing but silence in the small clearing considering he completely blocked out the presence of Illoura. Realizing his error, he apologized and directed the attention back onto the silver mare. "And where might you be headed, fair lady? No doubt to the constraints of a mate and the love of a family; for it is unlikely for a mare as valuable as yourself to be wandering these lands as free as I. Perhaps I am mistaken though, and if that be the case, then I graciously extend the option for you to relish in that freedom. You may join me, if you wish, on my aimless travels - but the new day has started and I am afraid I must be on my way in the near future..."[/i]

Wirinun was slightly fond of Illoura, the simple longing for a friend finally making itself clear, yet it was completely up to her whether she would leave with him or if it was he who had to leave her. The young stallion was not one to force a decision upon another, but he would remain the same polite being no matter of the outcome. He was pleased in meeting the beautiful mare and was sure that she would not be just another Brumby that would soon disiappear from his thoughts. Wirinun stood before Illoura, his unique coat pattern hilighted by the warmth of his happiness, and patiently awaited her reply.

[stormsnow]

OOC: Hope you don't mind if I join in. I haven't had a chance to rp in ages...

BIC: Another young brumby watched nearby from a clump of bushes nearby; fierce brown eyes gazed at the pair in longing. The body to which the eyes belonged was lustrous and black, made purely of muscle and sinew. A quick glance at this young horse would show one a handsome, well- built colt, but a second look would prove this observation wrong; this was a beautiful, hardy filly.

Pengana had been separated from Cobar, a buckskin stallion and her former herd leader, in a snowstorm during the winter. She had not set eyes on another brumby since then. As a foal, she had been rejected from her herd, and abandoned once she was able to eat grass, for her mother, her father's favorite mare, had died giving birth to her. But she was a fighter; literally and mentally.

She could fight as well as any stallion, and was wiser than many three times her age. But still, she did not want to interrupt the stallion and the mare, yet she yearned to hear another's voice talking to her. In her nervousness and excitement, she shifted around in her hiding place, and by chance stepped on a twig that broke under her hooves with a loud crack. . .

[Ehetere]

Illoura listened less than intently to Wirinun, although she was at least respectful in not displaying her distractedness. As always, a part of her brain was basking in the glory of knowing how the sun lit up the scene and made her coat shimmer like a waterfall in the pale yellow light of dawn. The fact that Wirinun was respectful and not a pompous stallion who was too big for his boots helped; it encouraged Illoura to at least give him the time of day. Besides, she needed a travelling companion, for travelling alone was boring and uneventful for the most part.

She was paying attention enough to notice the mention of a family, which automatically set off alarm bells in her mind. Illoura had never really wanted a herd life, and the freedom that she possessed would surely be threatened by a leggy youngling tagging along. And besides, she had as yet not found any stallion of whom she thought would be worthy of fathering her foals. Perhaps such a stallion did not exist; but this did not trouble Illoura. She did not long for motherhood like other mares sometimes did.

“It seems you are indeed quite mistaken Wirinun,” replied Illoura proudly, again lifting her nose high in the air. She was showing him quite a curtesy in comparison to many of her other meetings with stallions by actually using his name. “I am a free spirit - I go where I please and travel with whom I wish. No stallion shall ever hold me against my will, nor shall any man ever hold me in his yards.” She paused, deciding then and there that she would travel with this colt, for a great number of adventures and chases may arise from simply being in his presence. Oh how she loved the thrill of the unknown.

“I travel north, to where the peaks are higher than the clouds, and the snowgrass grows sweet and green. I long to run through the high mountains once more where my ancestor was once King. If you too long for the highest mountains, than I shall accompany you…”

Illoura flung her head back and flicked her ears back and fourth furiously as the distinct snap of a twig sounded through the early morning. Her muscles were tensed to spring at the slightest provocation, her thoughts immediately jumping to the thought of men and their harsh ropes. Only now did she realise her foolishness at standing on a high cliff edge - if she was surrounded there was nowhere for her to run.

“Who’s there!” she called out, nostrils flaring as she pranced on the spot. Her nervousness and caution were earned from numerous chases by men the previous spring and summer, and she had no wishes for a repeat performance.

[aquiladorado]

'It seems you are indeed quite mistaken Wirinun.' came the answer to his question, and just at that small bit of information Wirinun let out a sigh. Indeed he was shocked that Illoura did not belong to anyone, but he had already deemed her full of surprises so the news wore off quickly. To travel once again with a companion meant happiness for Wirinun, so he was also pleased by such a statement. To find another as free as himself, who longed for the simple pleasures of that freedom and basked in its glory was a rare sight - especially considering this was a mare. Illoura had the courage to defy the responsibilities of herd-life, and for that Wirinun admired her.

The destination that she offered him was just as appealing. 'I travel north, to where the peaks are higher than the clouds, and the snowgrass grows sweet and green. I long to run through the high mountains once more where my ancestor was once King. If you too long for the highest mountains, than I shall accompany you…' Wirinun nodded his head and had planned on heading even farther north himself, plus having Illoura by his side would bring him many interesting experiences... the truth of that thought finally showed itself and Wirinun had to give further thought to the situation. If the two of them happened to come across another herd or even a bachelor stallion, there was a strong possibility that one might try to take Illoura. Wirinun was still technically a colt and lacking in knowledge of battle, not to mention his age would determine the ending results right off the bat, but he did not cower. The likelihood of finding another herd further north was rare, and it was plain as day that Illoura was not a fragile Brumby and could probably protect herself (as she must have to earn these years of freedom). Still, being a soon-to-be stallion and all, he decided that he would relish the opportunity to protect the mare - whether that be fighting another stallion or fleeing in another direction (as he could not be challenged and both him and Illoura were both light on their feet and could easily lose a pursuer).

Before the patterned stallion could even share his ideas with the glowing mare, a noise in the dense bush caused her to throw her head in the air and challenge whoever dared spy on them. Wirinun stood on alert and tested the air, ears twitching like radars for the slightest sound, and he too definitely noticed the scent of what was possibly another horse. He scolded himself for being so careless in the presence of Illoura, as this was something he could have easily noticed. In a quick glance thrown in the direction of the mare beside him, it looked as though she was ready to flee in an instant. He gave a soft nicker of encouragement as a sudden danger was not detectable, and took a couple steps forward towards the bushes. Wirinun did stop a good distance from the hiding spot of the intruder, making sure that there was enough of a gap to allow him an escape route in case the smell was deceiving. Shallow breaths causing his flanks to noticeably rise and fall, he waited there while never taking his eyes off of the shrubbery before him.

[stormsnow]

Nice one, Pengana thought savagely to herself. You could have shown yourself in your own good time, but you moved, you idiot! She stepped majestically out of her hiding place, her luxuriant black coat shining in the sunlight. In reply to the mare's question, she neighed, "It is only I. I have no wish to harm anyone. I am sorry for doing what may seem like spying to you, but I have not seen another soul for almost a season." Her fierce brown eyes surveyed the pair as she waited for a response.

OOC: Mega short! Sorry, I run out of muse quickly.

[Ehetere]

OOC: I really do apologise for Illoura’s behaviour here… She doesn’t tend to take well to other mare’s stealing the spotlight ><. She’s an ego-centric hypocrite, as well as being a platinum blonde of the horse world, but oh well. She’s interesting to play at least.


Illoura watched as a dark shape detached itself from the tree line and made its way out into the light. Once she’d had a good look at it, her tense posture relaxed - it was only a black filly.

Actually; to be more accurate it was a black filly who was clearly too big for her boots. The way she carried herself… it was if she thought that she owned the place. Which, of course was incorrect, since Illoura knew that this place belonged to no one. Although if they wanted to get technical, the High Country should belong to Thowra’s descendants… making it she who owned the place. It also made it within her rights to assume that she was above this little black tomboy of a filly too surely… well, Illoura was going to whether it was in her rights or not.

Before Wirinun could reply to the filly’s little apology, Illoura decided that she needed to put in her two pennies worth. Show the tomboy who was boss right from the beginning. “You do know it’s rude to eavesdrop don’t you?” she said rather primly, with just a hint of superiority in her voice that Wirinun was unlikely to be able to pick up. It was a mare thing - and Illoura was used to being the centre of attention and at the top of the pecking order. No way was she going to let a filly come and steal away her fire. She snorted quietly to herself - she doubted the filly’s ability to actually hurt anything, even if she did have the intention to.

Illoura flicked her mane back so that it would catch the light, then looked patronizingly back at the filly. “I’m Illoura, the Beautiful, what are you?” she said with a light laugh, showing off to Wirinun as well as trying to belittle the already smaller black filly. Illoura was essentially a very selfish creature - and situations like these were made all the more exciting when there was actually a competition for a stallion’s attention.

Still, the final decision about what would happen was entirely up to Wirinun. It would throw a spanner in the works if he wanted the black filly to tag along; which was only potentially understandable because the filly was his own age or there abouts. Otherwise, Illoura could see that she was clearly the better mare here. Well, the only mare here actually. But the point still stood. She was pretty, smart, swift and had she mentioned how beautiful her coat was yet? What did the black filly have that compare to she? The filly was plain, boyish and totally unfeminine, and clearly didn’t have the knowledge or intelligence to hide herself properly in the bush. It was just as well she had her dark undesirable coat, otherwise Illoura suspected that she would have been captured already.