Rio [Open]

[Cheyenne]

The first few specks of snow drifted slowly towards the cold ground where a young stallion stood, his fine head raised, ears pricked. A long low sigh blew out from his quiverring nostrils causing the cold flakes to twist and spin away from his velvety nose. Snow! Yes! he thought, strong muscular legs flailing as he leaped into the air, silver mane and tail flying in the wind.

Most brumbies would see the first signs of snow as a bad thing, the beginning of a long, harsh winter, but for Rio snow meant fun and games. He was young and reckless, still learning, adventuring out into the big world alone since he left his mother not very long ago.

Rio stood still, waiting for something, body still alert. As the snow had began to settle quickly and the grass could hardly be seen among the thin layer of a white carpet, Rio jumped suddenly into the air and shot off, galloping as fast as he could across the cold ground, a spray of white flying off his own white coat that gave him the impression of sparkling.

Then he stopped quickly, skidding for quite a way until he managed to regain his balance and reared again, letting a long, loud neigh echo across the empty land. Or was it?

OOC: Feel free to join in!

[Ehetere]

Jirrand’s ears pricked up nervously, catching the sounds of a dying echo - a stallion’s neigh. He threw up his head, snorting and then breathing in deep to catch the other’s smell. He was nervous around other stallions ever since losing his first mare Tallerk to a brute of a bay stallion, and did not wish for his current mares to be seen by another.

Karween, though lovely and tall, was possibly young enough to escape scrutiny and desire from others, though now she was becoming lovelier by the day this was not even a certainty.

Kalari on the other hand was another matter entirely. She was like a silver brumby with her creamy coat and silver mane, yet she also was patterned, making her doubly desirable. He loved with his mares deeply for who they were, not for their coats or appearances alone, and had no wish to be losing them. After hiding them away in a deep, safe hollow he moved quietly off to investigate this other stallion.

Something cold and white landed on his nose, and he threw his nose up in surprise he was so jumpy. The first snowfall of winter had arrived, and Jirrand began to hurry a little. He did not want to linger, for though they were quite low down in the high country, he wished to find better grazing somewhere more sheltered.

As the snow grew a little heavier, Jirrand found it nearly impossible to hide his tracks, so kept to the trees as much as possible so that their leaves would keep the snow off the ground. He heard the other stallion’s hoof beats before he saw the brumby himself, for he was a pale grey - almost white and did blend with the white background quite well.

Jirrand was uneasy - he had come from a herd of white horses and fine stallions, and although it was quite clear that this stallion with his rather short neck and thick muscled legs was not of their blood, it had certainly given him a turn. The question now was whether this stallion would be a threat so close to his mares.

Jirrand stepped out of the trees, his own pale creamy hide and silver mane gleaming, perhaps blending with the snow more than the grey stallion. He wanted to assess the other, and rive him off if necessary, because tracking his mares would be all too easy with this snow, and Jirrand did not want the other getting any ideas.

He snorted quietly and half reared, posturing, not necessarily indicating the promise of violence, but it was not friendly either. He stopped then, as still as a statue with his fine head held high to await the other stallion’s response to his coming. He opened his one red eye, the dark clouds overhead making his vision quite even and pleasant. This was truly his element, for he was a stallion of the night, and the snow… the silvers and the mysterious Nightrunners combined.

[KAREE]

In the distance, a lone, wild neigh echoed through the hills. A small, strawberry roan mare lifted her head, she was half way into digging up a small patch of grass when she had heard it. Her ears flicked, it had been close, meaning that the owner of the neigh would soon stumble across her... Lowering her head, Nilee quickly snatched a mouthful of the grass that she had managed to recover from the snow, than turned to walk along a path that had yet to be covered in snow.

Small white flakes fell simultaneously around her, and she quickly fought back a shiver of dread. More snow meant less forage…she sighed, dropping her head at the thought of having to scavenge for more food on her own. For a couple of seasons now, Nilee had kept herself hidden from view, not wanting the company of other horses (which was unusual for the pink hued mare) for a reason which had even escaped her. Though, with the strangeness of this new season, and the mysteriousness behind that one call had sparked a new, strange urge for attention.

She followed the path for a little while, feeling a little hopeless and confused as she travelled along it in silence. Had it been so long since she had last seen another brumby up close? She wondered, blinking her blue toned eyes. The icy wind picked up then, blowing two different scents her way. She froze, hadn’t there only been one? She was sure that she had only heard one voice…though that did not mean that there was not another horse with him either. Sighing, she felt a twinge of nervousness enter her as she felt herself get closer to the mysterious horses. What would they say? Would they reject her…to tell her to get lost…or would they be kind and gentle? Nilee was so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed when the trees around her began to thin out around her. She stepped out into a small clearing, then suddenly blinked and shot back nervously.

She moved a huge circle around the two horses, and came to peer through some trees at them both. The first she saw, was a young stallion, perhaps a year younger than herself, but pretty handsome, none the less. The next she spotted was older, he was incredibly handsome, but there was something off about him that she could not quite put her finger on. She felt a twinge of fear, followed by admiration as she stared at him. It was then, when he opened his eye, that she saw what was off about him. She jumped back in surprise at what she saw. A red eye? But…she thought that only those horses from the legends…nightrunners…had them…it couldn’t be possible that this brilliantly handsome stallion was a nightrunner himself…could it? Slowly, she emerged from her hidey hole as curiosity slowly over took her.

She had, unintentionally, directed herself towards the odd stallion and soon found herself standing not too far off from him. “..Y-your eye…” She murmured, frowning. Why would a nightrunner be out in the daytime? She swallowed and shook her head, “sorry.” She apologised, turning her head to look at the grey stallion. She couldn’t help but think that, against this possible nightrunner, that the grey looked rather ordinary in comparison, which made her feel rather guilty afterwards for thinking it. Lifting her head, she tried to push her thoughts back and managed to plaster a pretty smile upon her pale lips, “I’m Nilee.”

OOC|| eep xD sorry about the length..and the crapiness. >.<

[Cheyenne]

A shiver of excitement went down Rio's spine as he saw the older stallion standing only a few metres away from him. He was silver and blended into the snow just like himself but parhaps more. The white stallion shook his head causing white specks to fly off his mane. Flattened ears, a half rear and a quick snort told Rio that he was warning him off.

The stallion snorted angrily back. He wasn't going anywhere. He was here first. How dare this stranger come and see him off. His front hoof raised then struck the floor, ears pinned to the side of his head. He took a step forward, not to attack, but to send the silver stallion away. Then he stopped quickly as a pretty young filly stepped through a dark gap in the trees and approached the other brumby.

A small nicker came out of his quivering nostrils. Wow, she's nice he thought. The mare spoke to the silver one first. Listening into their conversation, Rio found out her name was Nilee. What a pretty name for a pretty filly he thought to himself again. He wondered if she belonged to the stallion already but guessed she didn't if she was introducing herself.

[Ehetere]

When the other stallion did not back down or flee, he was immediately more cautious, for this could mean the other had mares nearby. Perhaps he was defending them and they were hidden in the trees… but Jirrand doubted it. He did not want to let on that his own mares were hidden nearby, and wanted this stallion gone.
The grey pinned his ears and stamped his foot in his own defensive posture, trying to drive the pale creamy stallion off. Jirrand snorted, flexing his muscles. He felt more than ready to take the grey should it come to a fight though he hoped it did now for it may attract his mares despite his specific instructions for them to stay put.

The other’s head jerked up and Jirrand swung his own around in surprise to see a pale strawberry roan filly step out between the trunks. Now if this was the grey’s filly, Jirrand was certainly more interested than he had been before. The filly was very pretty, and lovely like the snow. She came through the snow on delicate hooves, and right up to him, which made Jirrand feel a little better about himself that was for sure.

When she mentioned his eye, he immediately tensed up on instinct. Did she fear him? Would the pretty filly flee to the grey? But he reminded himself that his heritage had instilled wonder and not fear into the hearts of mares in the past and it seemed that he may be in luck and she wouldn’t run for her life today.

Jirrand nodded his noble head in response to her greeting, flicking his ears in the direction of the grey to try and gauge his reaction. There was interest there that was for sure, though Jirrand did not see an element of protectiveness just yet. Perhaps he thought his filly was very loyal to him, and perhaps she was. Jirrand was going to find out.

“That is a very beautiful name, it suits you perfectly,” he said to the filly, nickering softly as a compliment. There was no denying that she was lovely, the question remained whether her loveliness was owned or would have to be fought for in one way or another here.

“I am Jirrand,” he said proudly, arching his silver neck and letting his ivory man cascade over it like a pale waterfall. It was very early winter just yet, and his winter coat had not grown very much yet so his coat still held some of its summer lustre. He wondered if he could woo her away from the other stallion, for he did dearly desire her for his herd…

But what would his two mares make of that? And there was a creeping sense of Déjà vu that was in the air, something whispered about losing one meant losing them all. But Jirrand was four now, and nearing his mature strength. A stallion of his age could be expected to start gathering more than one or two mares… But he was a silver stallion, and only the strongest silver stallions could hope to keep a herd of any size. His Nightrunner heritage made his life even more difficult… But he must surely try.

[KAREE]

She flicked an ear curiously at the grey stallion, turning her dante head to view him properly. She nickered in return, it was more of a polite motion than anything, though she was sure this stallion was indeed very nice. Her attention returned to the interesting cremello with the red eye. His voice whooing her heart to beat rapidly in her chest and she wondered if he would be able to hear it. “That is a very beautiful name, it suits you perfectly,” She smiled, beaming with pride from his compliment. "Why, thank you." She said in return, tossing her head, letting her pale forelock fall away to the side.

He quickly announced his name, arching his neck proudly; making Nilee smile quietly to herself as she watched in delight as he showed off his beautiful colouring and thick muscles. She wanted to ask him questions...many, many questions. Especially the, most common, one about his eye. Why was it like that? Was he a full Nightrunner? She had to bite her lip from asking them though, glancing wearily over at the grey stallion. She had almost forgotten about him and quickly smiled politely in his direction, "I haven't caught your name yet." She said, trying desperately to keep her voice nice and even, so as to not give away her inner feelings. She suceeded, even after a couple of months of not socialising.

She hoped that she did not confuse the cremello stallion named Jirrand, she had no intentions of trying to flirt or lead either of them on...though, deep down she would have loved to lead both on a merry dance. Especially Jirrand. She sighed contently, not noticing the tension in the air that her arrival had probably arroused.

[Cheyenne]

Rio arched his thick, muscley neck proudly as the mare asked for his name. "My name is Rio," he said, dipping his head a little towards the mare as though bowing to her. "I can't understand how one can be so beautiful." He gave her a small smile, trying to charm the pretty mare before turning his head and giving a quick glare at the other stallion. If he had to fight him for this mare then he would.

The white stallion obviously hadn't realised that the pretty filly was more interested in the other stallion but he wanted to start his own herd and when he made up his mind, there was no stopping him. He didn't care that the other stallion was older and probably stronger than himself. He was still young and still learning the ways of the brumbies.

[Ehetere]

Jirrand watched both the beautiful filly and the grey stallion, evaluating the situation as he went. The filly seemed of a kind nature, and when she greeted the grey Jirrand wondered whether she was owned.

But she soon returned her attentions back to him and he smiled kindly as she seemed to take well to his compliment. If she was indeed they greys, surely this would anger the other horse into action.

She turned to the grey again. Jirrand wondered why this was… could she not make up her mind with whom she was going to run? Perhaps she had no wish to run with either of them and was simply being polite. His imagination may have run away with him… seeing things that were not truly there.

She then asked the grey his name, making it obvious to Jirrand that she was indeed not owned. Which made her fair game. No guilt or conscience would make him falter or pause now. He did not truly think himself the stealing type anyways - he’d tried that once before which had brought his world crashing down around him. Wooing mares was something he liked to think was within his abilities.

So Rio was the stallions name… Jirrand had never heard such a name before, perhaps this stallion was from a very different sort of country indeed. The grey was very clearly showing off for Nilee, and Jirrand didn’t like it one bit. The glare the grey threw to him was full of malice - if looks could kill. There was challenge in his gaze also, and Jirrand returned it evenly, having faced many such a challenge in his young life. He was not unused to the ill feelings of others being directed at him.

“Ah, so Rio is the name bestowed upon you,” began Jirrand in a philosophical voice, which although could have sounded charming or hypothetical out of context, was actually designed to taunt the other. “I have not heard such a name before - it is rather usual. Pray tell, where do you come from? I myself am rather well travelled and have seen many a mysterious sight, so perhaps I will know it. I know too, that mysterious places and unknown lands can be perilous - are you a fighter young stallion?”

This was perhaps a little rich coming from a horse that was little more, maybe even less than a year older than the other, but the point of Jirrand’s little speech had not been accuracy. Instead it was aimed at sniffing out the other stallion’s skills as well as his intentions.

“And where do you also roam, Beautiful Filly? The high country has many a tale of beautiful horses, and surely you may be one of them - I am curious as to where you run. Perhaps with a herd of beautiful silver horses?”

[KAREE]

The grey introduced himself as Rio and Nilee smiled and nodded politely, and giggled at his comment. "Thank you Rio. It is a pleasure to meet you both." She smiled, looking at Jirrand as he addressed Rio. She could feel the tension grow between them both and she quickly glanced from one to the other.

Both where glaring at each other, something had brought them even closer to a fight...and immediatly Nilee knew what it was. She took a light step back from them both, giving them space incase they where to suddenly lunge dangerously at each other. It was a tough life being a mare, and probably an even tougher life for stallions.

After addressing the other, Jirrand turned to her. She immediately pricked her ears in response, trying not to seem too spaced out. She smiled at his flattering comment. "Ah...unfortunately no." She admitted, shuffling her hooves a bit, "and I don't have a particular roaming place, if thats what you mean." She added, and shrugged, "I don't like staying in one place for too long...you know?" It almost felt as if she was talking to herself, she spoke quietly and when she had finished gazed up at Jirrand, silently wondering how one could get so big. She was small for a brumby, so it seemed quite obvious that Jirrand would look large to her, but it never ceased to startle her when other horses started towering over herself.

[Cheyenne]

Rio shook his white mane free of the fresh snow that had settled there while the other stallion spoke. "I came from a place far away from here," he answered trying to avoid his other question about being a fighter. He would fight if the other brumby started as he was more fight than flight - he wasn't very fast.

The young mare spoke. Rio smiled to himself for he also liked to roam the whole land. He shook his mane again, freeing himself of the fresh blanket of snow that had quickly covered his already white body.