Exhiliration [Open]

[E!]

A L K I R A;;

---

[aquiladorado]

OOC: Alkira found a buddy Rushed post though, sorry.

The chill autumn breeze blew spirit into a young painted stallion. Winter was approaching quickly. Perhaps it wasn’t the smartest idea to explore the high mountains at such a time, but the young stallion had his heart set and had let nothing come in the way of his destination. He had recovered from his previous encounter with another stallion – the only thing that remained damaged was his pride. Yet the presence of a young black filly at his side lifted the patterned stallion out of his remorse, simply her companionship acting as a medicine. Throughout the long journey to the mountains, conversation had been minimal. The young stallion felt guilty of his loss, despite the age and experience level that had set him apart from his opponent, and he feared Pengana would think of him as foolish for his actions. In truth, by voyaging north toward the mountains the painted stallion had hoped to encounter a certain mare – although chances had been slim in the first place and he had not been lucky so far. It was probably for the best considering the meeting was bound to not be a pleasant one.

With the wind urging him on and the peace he felt in the company of the black filly, Wirinun took on the rough climb of Mount. Kosciusko. The change in temperature from the base of the mountain to about half way up was immediately noticeable. Thankfully, it was still early enough in the season to avoid any blizzards or heavy snowfalls. Wirinun’s legs were sore after covering a decent portion of the mountain in a short period of time, and he gave a soft whicker to Pengana stating that they should rest. Amongst the sparse trees that covered the mountainside, the pair of Brumbies were barely detectable. The young stallion’s patterned coat of grey and white blended in well with the rocks and snow,while the dark coat of the filly shaded her from any unwelcome eyes.

Head lowered to the ground, Wirinun pushed his soft muzzle over the rough ground in search of something to eat. Food was scarce at this altitude, another reason why most horses would never dare to venture up Mount. Kosciusko at this time of year, but the young stallion relished the feeling of adventure. The freedom he shared with the wind was remarkable, and these large rocks that towered high above him were certainly intriguing. With it being his first time up in the mountains, Wirinun was not disappointed. The painted stallion raised his eyes as far as he could, and he was still unable to see the top of the mountain. As he scanned the rocky surface, something caught his attention.

A white figure, contrasting the dark shadow of the mountain. It was situated on a platform not far from where Wirinun and the black filly rested; just slightly higher and off to the side. The young stallion studied the ghostly shape until he made out the features of a delicate Brumby. What was another horse doing up here?! Wirinun contemplated approaching the figure, until memories of his last encounter flooded through his mind. He held back a moment, indecision showing in his eyes, until curiosity got the better of him. The patterned stallion raised his head, slowly placing his feet in a sturdy stance, and called out a greeting on the wind. His body shook, both from the cold and anticipation, as he waited for a reply.

[stormsnow]

Pengana followed Wirinun wordlessly up the mountain; she had been wanting to climb it all her life, to be able to say, yes, she had climbed it. Scars, patching her lower body and legs, plus a noticeable limp, were all that remained of her last fight. She respected her companion, and his presence gave her more confidence. But she was worried that he thought of her as a primitive savage, having lived on her own since she had been a small foal.

The ascent was a little challenging, especially for the small, sturdy black filly. She clambered up behind the stallion, the howling wind around them telling of the cold winter that had yet to come. After a while, her legs started to get a little stiff and sore, especially the one on which she limped, so she was grateful when Wirinun told her that the two of them should stop and rest.

Copying the painted stallion, she put her muzzle to the ground and searched, rather unsuccessfully, for grass. Giving up on her search, she looked back the way they'd come. This was not quite the top of the mountain; but it was high enough that a horse would break its neck upon falling. She trotted back from the edge of the ledge and shivered in delight. The wind blew around the black filly, inviting her to run and dance and play, reminding her of the liberty that uncaptured bush brumbies enjoyed.

What did it look like higher up, she wondered? She raised her head to take in the highest point in Australia, taking it all in. Not one craggy peak or ledge escaped the notice of Pengana's sharp eyes. Then she looked down a little. On a ledge, higher but not directly above them, was a white shape. A mare or filly? Or a troublesome stallion? The black filly itched to find out.

[E!]

A L K I R A;;

---

[aquiladorado]

Wirinun stood stock still, his visible breaths moving around him like a small cloud of mist. His ears twitched, searching for a sound from the white ghost, but he did not hear one. He relaxed slightly, and turned around to face Pengana. Perhaps he had imagined the shape of another horse, his longing to find the beautiful silver mare playing games with his sight to raise his hope. Yet the black filly had her head raised to the exact location where he had seen the white figure. The young stallion moved closer to the edge of the outcrop of rock the two Brumbies stood on, searching for a path that might lead them to the platform above, when he heard it.

Quiet at first, but it grew into what was surely the shrill whinny of another mare. The painted stallion called back and returned to Pengana's side as the pair of them waited for the strange Brumby to make her descent. The friendly wind tossled Wirinun's mane and tail, sending them streaming out behind him quite magnificently. He was, surprisingly enough, looking forward to meeting the grey mare - despite the painful memories of his last encounter. Although this Brumby seemed to be alone... Wirinun remembered she had been alone too. The patterned stallion made a mental note to play things a little more careful around this mare.

Her scent reached his nose before her presence did, and the young stallion's pink muzzle twitched as he gave an encouraging whicker to the newcomer, showing that they meant her no harm. When nothing emerged from behind the rocks but a whinny, Wirinun was confused. He gave a quick nudge to Pengana as he gazed at her with questioning eyes. The young stallion plucked up his courage and walked forward with a steady stride. He was wary of the tricks mares played, and had felt their consequences. Still, he was curious as to what a lone mare was doing climbing Mount. Kosciusko.

Wirinun rounded the bend of the fragile rock path, to find himself almost face to face with a delicate grey mare. She was unique - her ice blue eyes the first thing he noticed about her. None of the Brumbies in his birth herd had blue eyes. Then again, not many Brumbies in his birth herd had marking that even compared to his own so he was used to being unique and the focus of attention. He lowered his gaze as he bowed his head to the mare, avoiding being rude by staring at her for too long. "Greetings, fair one. I am Wirinun, named after the magic tricks. And this is Pengana. Who, may I ask, are you?"[/i] He raised his head only to duck it back down again as he realized the error of his words. "Not to seem rude, sorry. It just seems odd to find others up here. Especially by themselves."[/i]

[stormsnow]

OOC: I'm doing a really short one 'cos I did a bigger one, but then I accadentally clicked on something else on the site. Grrr!!

Bic: Pengana heard a clattering of hooves as the mare descended, and wondered what the mare was doing up here? Maybe exploring, lke Wirinun and herself were? Or simply coming up here to see the view below?

The mare's scent soon reached her nose, and she and the painted stallion both whinnied encouragement. There was silence, and then the mare neighed, calling them to her.

The black filly rounded the bend with her companion, and as he began to speak, she took in the mare's features. She was grey, and of slight, delicate build; and her eyes were a beautiful sky bluee.

[E!]

A L K I R A;;

---

[/i] She repeated the names in her head, while still watching Wirinun speak, momentarily distracted by the arrival of the black mare before turning her gaze back to the speaker. As he finished speaking, Alkira made to give an answer to his question, but hesitated as he ducked his head again, letting his warm voice fill the cold air once again.

Alkira mused on his words - indeed, she hadnt given any thought to how it might look being up here alone, so delicate and petite as she was. Strange? Perhaps. But she had felt the urge to be here, the freedom..the exhiliration that threatened to pull her over the edge. It was a thrill to the senses...a thrill that she had needed. Her bright eyes flicked back to Wirinuns and she spoke, her voice lyrical, like the tinkling of bells "Wirinun, Pengana. I am Alkira - named for the sky."

She paused, gaze switching to Pengana Odd? I suppose so... I had a fire in my bones, and had to come." Again, her voice ceased as she struggled to find a better explanation - nothing arose, and so she stayed silent, blinking softly as she studied the two brumbies. [/ul]

[yaruka]

OOC: Hope you guys don’t mind if Ingoola and Euroa intrude? Tiggs play Euroa but probably won’t be able to reply until Friday, so this will be quite short for now

Oddly enough, there were more than just three horses near the summit of Mt. Kosciusko so late in the year. Two pale mares, nearly identical, also trotted along the winding mountain paths, seeking fun and mischief, as usual. The brisk autumn air had stirred Ingoola’s spirits beyond their usual restlessness, and she was now desperate for some fun.

As it turned out, the two mares appeared to be in luck today. Rounding the bend of the path they were following, a breeze picked up, brining with it the scent of three strange horses. Ingoola stopped suddenly, throwing up her head eagerly, before turning and nipping her half-sister excitedly on the shoulder. She turned back to the direction the scents came from, ears pricked all the way forwards. It was a nearly perfect day to play their favourite game of hide and go seek, and hopefully confuse some innocent horses with their alikeness.

[Tiggs]

Trotting along beside her sister, Euroa practiced matching their paces. The two were almost identical, with the exception of their hooves. Euroa’s were pale, and her lower legs were a more stark white. Naturally travel grime covered their lower legs, so even now it was all but impossible to tell them apart.

The mountain varied in its steepness, sometimes rising in a constant hill, and other times dropping or dipping with sheer rock. The two were making their way around one of the well travelled paths when Ingoola noticed something. Euroa lifted her head, and a similar expression of mischievousness passed her features. She grinned to her sister, and nodding her head towards two paths that led up different ways, she indicated that they should play one of their most confusing games.

They would sneak up on a brumby from different sides, and hide. Then, they would alternately show themselves, thus creating the illusion that they had teleported back and forth! Euroa could barely contain her excitement as she loped towards her chosen path, sneaking her way up until she was just about to round the rocky tor behind which the group of three were talking.

She waited, ears straining for Ingoola’s voice. Then the game would begin!

OOC: Hay Ballie, I used to lose posts a lot that way! Now I write my posts in Word first, then copy and paste them in when I'm done!

[aquiladorado]

Prancing on the spot for a moment, Wirinun tossed his head in his excitement. "It is for that same reason that we have come here,"[/i] the painted stallion said, gesturing at Pengana with his head. His voice came out in a rush, overwhelmed by the coincidence that another mare had felt his same longing for freedom. He gazed into her shining blue eyes, wondering what else he could discover about her.

The contrast between Alkira's eyes and those of the black filly at his side was immense - complete opposites, in his view. Yet something that lay in the gaze of both was alluring. He pondered about Pengana for a short time, remembering how she did not have a herd stallion. What about this ghostly grey mare? His curiosity was on the tip of his tongue, but his nerves kept him from asking such a forward question. Wirinun had been opposed to starting a herd until he was older, but so far the company of mares had been pleasant - with only one exception. Perhaps he would re-consider...

Realizing how he had been lost in his own thoughts, the young stallion gave a soft snort. "Alkira, do you plan on venturing to the summit? If so, your company is welcome among ours."[/i] Wirinun stared at Pengana, hoping she would feel the same way. He felt guilty not talking the idea over with her, but it seemed rude when there was nowhere they could really go that would be inaudible to the grey mare.