A Mornings Dance..(OPEN)

[Shay]

The morning light shone brightly across the plateau, setting the deep ruddy red pelt aflame. Muscles rippled beneath that shagged hide as long dark limbs clothed in white ending in pale hooves barely touching earth before taking flight once more. Dark and light mingled amid that banner splayed out behind. Soft brown eyes laughed as she raced the sun’s brilliant rays. How she loved the new days, a new beginning, a new adventure. The mild pangs of hungry were ignored in favor of a morning race across the smooth open lands, flinging snow with every swiftly placed step. With a pounding heart, her whinny ringing out across the plateau, echoing the joy racing through her veins. There were no visible brumbies in sight thus she gave no thought to the early hour.

But like all good runs, this one to had to come to an end. First from a full gallop to a trot then a slow stead walk to cool her muscles, still there was a bounce in that step. Eventually she would come to a stop, lingering in the shade of a pile of boulders. Ears flickered while eyes swept across the snow covered landscape. Sides expand the release on a small happy little sigh. It was peaceful; perhaps that was why she loved this time of day so much. With barely a soul stirring she was queen of all she surveyed. Oh she knew she was nothing more than a rogue at the moment, not a true leader. But for this moment she could pretend. Head lifted proudly, tail flagged, just beyond the shadows grasp beside that rocky tumbling she stood, bathed in sunlight.

[Tiggs]

The great expanse of crisp new snow was disturbed by another body. With his winter coat coming through, Omeo’s usual roan body was dark with chestnut-tawny guard hairs with only a pale hint, and his legs were a dark chocolate to match his mane and tail. Even the dorsal stripe down his spine was much darker, and he looked more like a buckskin than a bay dun roan. His muzzle was peppered with snow and beads of water where he’d been rooting under it and his legs were damp.

He’d come up here with cautious steps to explore. It was almost impossible for him to see Alinta in this weather. He could barely hide, and his tracks were impossible to cover. His lonely sigh billowed out like a cloud from his nostrils. Fira had not caught him yet, and that was the way he wanted it to stay. She might hurt Alinta again, and he would not risk that.

He had been increasingly agitated over the last months, and being unable to touch or even see Alinta was a great contribution to that. All he could think about was her soft touch, her wise voice, and her delicate company. Now winter was coming on, spring was not far off. Omeo would be turning two, and his feelings toward Alinta were taking on a different edge. He still wanted to be with her, all of the time in fact, but the need to just collect her up and take her away somewhere was becoming a persistent nag.

Omeo had been hoping to ease his mind by travelling away from where Nepelle grazed his herd – and Alinta – but she was always there in the back of his mind, she was all he could think about.

So moping across the open plains of Paddy Rush’s Bogong, the sudden sight of a dark mare above him started him. The almost-two-year-old blinked light brown eyes and peered up the slope. The odd morning light illuminated her from behind, and he could pretend for a moment it was Alinta, but he knew that it wasn’t. He found himself nickering though, the soft sound betrayed his youth but he was beginning to understand his new instincts.

The mare must have been twice his age, but as if he had been given new eyes, he could see the beauty in her. He saw the same in Alinta, and his heart ached to see more of her. The mare now before him could never rival the bay filly who was tied so close to his heart, but the pain of loneliness eased just a little upon seeing her.

Feeling just a little confident, Omeo flagged his own dark tail and tossed his head excitedly. He dipped it straight afterward, and did a little buck before he picked his way up the slope toward her. He lost sight of her as he rounded the boulder patch, but there she was again behind it. The colt whinnied, and held out his nose in a polite greeting. With the light now beside them, he could see that her coat was a rich dark brown, and her legs had curiously sharp white socks that blended with the layer of snow over the snowgrass.

His usual spunk was beginning to resurface now he was not wallowing so deeply about Alinta, and his ears perked forward. He was a polite young colt, and he looked at her reverently, soming that most colts would not think to do. He may be young and impulsive, his adolescent instincts clamouring for their first mare, but that was no reason why he shouldn’t pay her the respect she deserved. “Morning’s greetings,” he said, tilting his head curiously, “I am Omeo.”

[Shay]

Proudly she stood, a small smile gracing her lips. The peace of the moment was broken by a distant nicker, a sound barely heard. Disregarding the minimal noise, she continued to survey her momentary kingdom. Her thoughts drifting, it had been merely one season since her mother had sent her off to seek her own destiny. Of course she’d eventually return, or at least that was her plan. Who knew what could happen between now and then? After all it was difficult to survive alone, and often lonely. The first part she didn’t have a problem with. Life was difficult, but that’s what kept it so enthralling, without the struggles she imagined life would be rather dull, and dull was something she didn’t deal well with.

An ear twisted back catching the crunch of snow compacting beneath another’s heavy weight. Gaze swung round just as the colt made his appearance. A brief nervous twitch at the unexpected appearance instantly faded at the whinny paired up with an outstretched nose. Strong muscles lining that neck tensed as she extended her own muzzle for a moments greeting. That smile had yet to fade from her lips, mirrored in her voice as she spoke. “Hello Omeo, I am called Cean.” Twisting around to stare across the unbroken expanse of white that lay before them. The sun’s rays creeping ever further across the lands, greeting sleepy eyes the promise of a new day.

“A beautiful morning, do you not agree?” A fleeting thought that he might not give a damn about such small glories. But to her mind it was nice to stop an appreciate life, because you never knew when it’d be taken away.

Again that soft laughing gaze shifted to rest upon him, a young stallion, barely achieving adulthood. From the darkness trailing up his legs mingling with the pale dusted chestnut guard hairs of his winter coat. Even the dark strip down his spine, he was a handsome young stud.

“What brings you from your mares so early in the sun’s ascent?” Simply assuming that he already held his own herd, she didn’t give much thought the fact that he might yet be too young to have won himself a mare or two, let alone a herd.

[Tiggs]

Omeo was pleased with the friendly response, and he nodded his head in agreement. “I suppose it is rather beautiful. I have not seen this place without snow, so I couldn’t say which I prefer.” It was strange to have a conversation that was not with his mother, sisters or Alinta. It was refreshing and new. Not that he was bored with his family and friend.

He supposed he should be intimidated by the maturity of the mare before him, but he had never been the nervous kind, and so he addressed her with conversational ease. There was cause to be anxious. If he were to make a fool of himself, then so be it. Worrying would not help him! He nickered and shifted his weight, the frogs of his feet chilled by the cold ground.

The next topic though, that was a little sore. “Ah,” Mares. Omeo had no mares to call his own. He had only really recently left his mother, but he would have stayed for longer if he could have. “No fillies run with me, Cean. I am alone to wander as I please.” He gave a smile, but there was a sadness and depth to it. He did not wander alone out of preference. He wished Alinta were with him, or even his sisters. He missed Kaiela dearly, his twin, and his thoughts went to her as much as they did to Alinta.

To be stuck with Fira when he could not visit them? He could not even protect them when he was with them. Fira was a violent force of nature, and there was no deterring Alinta’s mother when she had it in her head to keep him out of the way. She had banished him, and would chase him off if she ever saw him.

He huffed and tossed his head, his hooves shifting the snow about and flattening it. “I should ask you the same then; What brings you from your stallion at the cusp of dawn?” From what he knew, there were not many mares who wandered alone as colts did. His mother and aunt had always talked of their stallions. First Nevada – his father – then Tingara and now Nepelle. He could only assume Cean’s herd slept nearby, sheltering from the snow that had fallen during the night.

[Shay]

The mare uttered a soft chuckle to his words. “There is beauty in all things, different kinds of beauty, but it still remains to those who would pause and look.” Weight shifted, hooves of cream packed the snow more tightly. Her attention and gaze remained on him, even while an ear twisted. First rule she had learned was always stay alert. You never know what or who would appear as if by magic to the ones to slacked in their vigilance.

His young age did not bother the older mare, for that matter it never really crossed her mind other than initial impressions, that he was younger then she by a several seasons. What mattered was his manner. He was polite, though she suspected that beneath the calm exterior, he like all stallions had a temper. In the same instant she suspected that he may have a fuse longer than most. Which was a nice change of pace for the spirited mare. Granted the stallions she had known weren’t worth a lick of salt in brain or manner.

Soldiers atop that dark chestnut encased skull flicker back in dismay at the sadness that lay beneath his smile, underlining the tones of his voice despite the light-hearted words he used. “I am sure that will change in the future.” It wasn’t long before her own question was turned towards her. Neck arched, eyes sparkled with mirth as she pranced regally in place before offering her reply, and “I have yet to meet a stallion worthy enough to have me at his side.” Arrogant she supposed but it was nothing more than the simple truth.

[Tiggs]

Her first response was cryptic, but it gave Omeo food for thought. Alinta too was wise, and he pondered the liver-chestnut’s words. Beauty in all things? He cast a glance out across the panorama, and gave the slightest not. It was not the beauty of a mare, but there was something inspiring about it. To show he understood, the colt nodded earnestly. A different beauty, but beautiful nonetheless.

He gave a sage nod at her next comment. He so hoped that things would change in the future. He hoped he would see Alinta by his side, well and safe. This mare had a way about her that was infectious, and the colt bounced back from his musings with vigour and humour. “Worthy? And what would a stallion have to be to be worthy of you? I would like to know what I have to aspire to.” He winked, and flicked his tail playfully.

He knew he was too young to hold a mare like Cean, but in all honesty, it would be good to know what a mare wanted in a stallion, then when it was time for him to start collecting mares, he could be the best stallion that he could be.

[Shay]

With a whicker of laughter the mare tossed her mane, sending the ebony shaded fire dancing aong that fiery brown neck. “That would be a question to ponder. Let me see, of course the obvious, he must be strong of heart as well as body. It takes more then brute strength to build a herd. Hmm..” Ears flicker, giving his question serious thought, despite her playful dance that pranced her around him pausing only when she came face to face with the young stud once more.

“Second would have to be brains, for if a stallion lacked in that area he and his herd would not last long. Stamina, for he must be able to keep pace beside me, I mean to run beside my stallion, rather in front of him.” Skull tilted atop its arched pillar. The sparkle of life lined every suble move the mare made, from the simple swish of that dark banner, to the play of her hooves against the chilly snow. The air warmed a few degrees as the sun rose higher over the platuea.

With a smirk Cean shifted the question back on him, slightly modified of course. “What do you think it takes to be a lead stallion?” She possesed a vivid curiosity, and it had been a question she had asked her father once, his response had been simple. ‘Me.’ But it had not truly answered her question, had it?

[Tiggs]

Omeo nodded, taking mental notes at each point. Strength and stamina he would grow into, and he liked to think he had brains. He did not take unnecessary risks. Strong of heart? Was that him? His heart ached currently. To be a stallion, would he have to harden his heart? He didn’t know if he could do that.

“Well you’ve just told me,” he replied jovially, “Or does it take different criteria to be a lead stallion, rather than just your stallion?” He whinnied in mirth. “Why don’t I tell you what sort of stallion I hope to be, and you can tell me if I make the grade?” He bobbed his head, and shuffled his feet.

“I want to be strong, and I want to be fast without losing my breath. I want to love my mares, rather than collect them for the sake of it. I want mares who see the beauty in all things, and you and I can.” He sighed wistfully, but collected himself before she thought he was too much of a dreamer. “I aspire to be a great stallion, strong and respected, not feared.” He arched his neck, eyes her sideways. “So, what do you think, will I make it?”

[Shay]

A merry chuckle slipped past sable lips, “You have promise, my friend, you certainly do have promise. This can’t be said for many.” This last part was spoken rather drily. Neck stretched muscles rippling beneath fiery ebony. Teeth bared to place a playful nip to his shoulder. “You can stop posing now.” Vocals held a teasing note, sleek cranium tossed to the skies nickering with laughter. A merry soul she was it seemed. Others often grew weary of her upbeat nature; some even thought she might have been kicked in the head as a foal. After all, who but the impaired would laugh while running from the scorching fingers of fire?

It wasn’t that she was crazy, no she simply preferred to look on the better side of life. That and laughter is how she dealt with panic. To her mind it was better to laugh in the face of death then show it your fear. But that’s neither here nor there, it had been some months she had been around another soul who appeared, at least seemed to appear, to enjoy her zest for life.

Long slender limbs dances in place, hooves tapping at the packed snow causing muscles to ripple beneath that shagged dark coat. Skull twisted towards the rising sun, before looking back towards him laughter alight in that dark gaze.

[Tiggs]

Omeo chucked and lowered his head with a sigh. “Oh good, that really aches after a while you know.” He lowered his head between his forelegs and gave an almighty shake. “There, de-posed.” He tossed his head, ducked it again and bucked. Cean was looking particularly amused, so he picked up his hooves, and launched into a canter.

Passing her, he kicked up his hooves, throwing snow at her face and skidded off down the slope. The sun was rising higher, and beginning to glint on the fresh snow. The reflection from the white expanse made the colt squint and pull up. Huffing and shaking his head, he turned back to Cean.

Moments like this showed his age, as this was only his second winter, and snow was still a novel thing. “How do you even see in this stuff?” He called back, rubbing his chin on his leg. “It’s slippery too, like cold mud.” He tested it with a hoof, and found that the ground was so solid under his foot that he had no purchase. His hoof did not bite into the ground as it usually did, thus the slipperiness.

Omeo huffed his displeasure at the snow, and turned to face Cean again with a slight squint. “I don’t think I much like winter, I can’t see where I put my feet!”