the snowgrass stallion, [O]

[yaruka]

OOC: Posting really quickly because I just realised I was holding this thread up...sorry!

BIC:
Imber trembled harder at the sound of voices, though they were undoubtedly friendly. The mare nickered to her gently but still Imber hesitated, more concerned over the stallion's reaction. Having never met her sire she had lacked any contact with stallion's until she had encountered the one who had driver her from her mother and so it was not surprising that she considered them all to be brutish and cruel. This bay stallion had seemed different with the chestnut, but all the same she was concerned.
Imber winced as the stallion nipped the mare, ashamed that she had caused the mare's punishment and certain that she would receive harsher treatment from the male, but when the stallion walked forward he did not assume an aggressive pose. Nervously, Imber remained where she was, ears flickering uncertainly but keeping a cautious eye on him. The bay stopped beforte he got too close and Imber breathed out a sigh of relief, grateful for the space he was giving her.

“Come and join us,” invited the stallion kindly. “There is only my mare and I, and there surely isn’t much snowgrass for you to graze on in here!”

Imber looked beyond him at the chestnut mare, who, for all Imber's misguided conceptions of stallions, looked happy enough. The stallion's gaze was open and friendly, he did not seem dangerous, no more so than it was for her to be wandering the brush alone. Slowly the filly nodded, and stepping forwards to cautiously offer her velvety black muzzle to his in a shy greeting.

[^Firestorm^]

When Yallaban nipped her for nickering to the young new mare, Gem looked at him thoughtfully and then snorted and took a step closer to his flanks, allowing her stallion to greet the black mare. Gem looked at her kindly, and tried to relay with her eyes that it would be alright. Gem would protect her, and she knew Yallaban would too.

[Corowa]

Yallaban nickered encouragingly to the young mare, and then all of a sudden, she stepped forwards and touched her nose to his. The stallion couldn’t believe his luck! To have two new mares, and none of them daughters of that horrible grey stallion it seemed so unbelievable.

“Don’t be worried, I’ll look after you,” he promised the mare as he noticed how frightened she still looked. The two horses left the cover of the snowgums, and Yallaban was pleased to see Gem still standing there, patiently waiting for him. The stallion rushed forwards and enthusiastically nuzzled the chestnut. He was certain she would be as kind to the new mare as him.

He led the mares towards a pocket of snowgrass, one of the better grazing spots, where the snowgrass was high and rich. The stallion was mighty proud of his two new mares. The thought made him so proud in fact, Yallaban kicked up his heels a little more often and stepped a little higher than usual.

He turned to regard the mares, and decided both were equally handsome. The black was sleek with the promise of speed, but the chestnut had a proud head and that glossy coat. The two bays would definitely find their tracks, and perhaps soon start to bother the two mares. But Yallaban, feeling a sudden burst of confidence, knew he could most certainly beat them.

“This is the best grazing spot in this stretch of the ranges,” Yallaban boasted. The snowgrass here was particularly good, and it was sheltered on one side by a few large snowgums and then behind that, bush. With a snort, Yallaban told the mares he would watch over them while they grazed. They were his responsibility now, and he would let nothing happen to them.

[yaruka]

Imber was reassured by the promise of protection in the mare's kind gaze and the stallion's gentle words. Suddenly she did not distrust him any longer, it was hard to feel suspicious of him, his eyes appeared so earnest and open. Perhaps though it was simply his bald face which made him seem as though he had naught to hide. Whatever it was, Imber felt safer than she had in a long time, since she was a young foal in fact.

Quietly she followed Yallaban, noting with pleasure the affectionate way in which he greeted the chestnut mare. Shyly, she offered her nose in greeting to the mare as she had done to the stallion, and then trotted after the bay, his long strides requiring nearly double of hers.

“This is the best grazing spot in this stretch of the ranges,” boasted the stallion, and as Imber dropped her head to graze upon it she thought that it did taste far superiour to any grass she had grazed upon lately, the taste of it sweetened further by the reassurance of company and protection.

[^Firestorm^]

Gem snorts happily as she settles down to graze. For she knows now that she will always be safe under the warmth of Yallaban's protective gaze. Gem trembles in satisfaction at the new feeling of being at home, wherever that may be; for this might be the longest she has ever stayed in one place in a long time. Gem's flaming coat shines in the sun as she stands there, the happiest she could be.