beautiful day! dont let it get away! [o]

[E!]

[/i] pretty. A high pitched whinny escaped her throat as she bucked again, almost somersaulting because of her speed.

Oh, how beautiful was the day! The thought just kept on repeating in her head, and she rejoiced because of it; eyes alight with excitement and the frenzy of youth. She feared nothing! Her haunches pulled up and stopped running, rather skidding now, haunches lowered to reduce speed. At the last moment, before she hit a thicket of old mans beard, Burley leapt to the side, her white mane flying. Another whinny left her throat, musical and sweet - her innocence ringing through the range.

She had never cared for anyone in her life but herself, and the life around her - the earth! Oh the earth! Burley surged back into a wild frenzy of bucking, rearing and pivoting. She didnt have to care, nobody cared for her after all. Or if they had, she had shrugged them off for her adventures and love of the surrounding bush. Even her own dam had pronounced her useless for anything but to look at - she was unreliable, unpredictable and uncaring. Not to mention incapable of sense and logic.

But who cared? She certainly didnt, after all - It was a beautiful day!

OOC; having a U2 moment xD[/ul]

[Tiggs]

Oh is was certainly a beautiful day, and it would be a surprise to most brumbies that such a colt could see that. Omeo was getting broad in the chest, his neck thickening and legs becoming sturdy. Despite the winter, the colt was finding enough to eat to placate his rabid appetite, and was growing well. His hooves were perhaps his most prominent feature currently. They were broad and round and his legs needed a little more muscle before his feet would be in proportion.

At the end of winter, he would be two-years-old, and with the breeding season on the horizon, the colt was feeling restless. He would visit Alinta again in a few days. Perhaps he could even speak to her. It had been so long, and he missed her terribly. But Fira’s presence put a barrier between them, a barrier even in his youthful exuberance he could not leap.

The beauty of the day dragged Omeo from his mournful thoughts, and he was soon racing and kicking up snow to distract himself. The Ramsheads were empty, and the colt could run about the valleys and mountain crags with no fear of a stallion breathing down his neck. He didn’t expect to see anybody other than colts up here, so when he came to a rise and saw the playing mare before him, his heart slammed into his ribs in surprise.

Oh he had never seen a mare so beautiful. Her shape was flawless, her coat the palest amber, mane and tail as white as snow. He could only imagine how she would be to behold up close. Frozen on the ridge, he watched as she bucked and reared with such energy that he felt his own legs tingle in response. He wanted to play too!

Bobbing his head in excitement, the tawny and chocolate colt threw up his head and whinnied to her. He came racing down the hill, hooves placed carefully so every step was firm, even on the steep snow. Near the bottom he slowed, and came prancing. He knew what possessed him, and he could not deny it. This mare was beautiful, and he had to know her. He was reminded of Alinta and Cean, and he knew who he would be hunting down when the spring came, even if he would have to dodge stallions to do so.

“Greetings!” He flicked his dark-brown tail confidently, flagging it behind him. On closer inspection, his tawny coat seemed faded around his chest and rump, as if some of the colour had been leached from it. Under the darker winter coat, his downy undercoat was white like the snow, a smooth roan from neck to hind-quarters. “I am Omeo, who are you?” His dark nostrils flared, and his honey-brown eyes rested on her. Seeing her this close, Omeo knew that he must have her, and not even the niggling worry that she might not want to go with him could not deter him from at least trying!

[E!]

[/i] she said to herself, tasting the name on her tongue. With another flick of her heels she replied happily, her sweet voice tinkling "I am Burley" her grin grew eagerly "Where are you from?" Perhaps it was an odd question, but Burley had met beasts from far South, North, West - wherever, she seemed to attract animals from far away.

Perhaps it was her love of traveling, who knew? Burley was attracted in return, to those beings. Stallions or bush creatures that had lived far off, they got her heart pounding. Then again, those that loved to travel as she did made her just as excited. It was not often that she'd stayed with a herd that did not travel often - unfortunately. Still, her interest was piqued in this strange coloured Omeo, even more so because of the upcoming spring. [/ul]

OOC; erk...bad post!

[Tiggs]

Omeo was spellbound. He could just not stop staring! Feeling rude, he managed to tear his eyes away, and tossed his head wildly, bucking and expending some of the energy that infected him before they both calmed enough to speak. She had seemed just as excited to meet him as he was to meet her. She had such energy! How could he not appreciate that feral buzz. She affected him like a lightening storm. He could feel the electric static in the air around her.

Snorting, he bobbed his head with barley contained excitement. “I am from not far from here. This High Country is my home.” He told her, puffing his adolescent chest proudly. “What about you? I have not seen a brumby so… A brumby like you in these parts before. Shouldn’t you be in the lower country with the herds?” Omeo could not believe that a stallion did not hold her. Such beauty could cause wars!

OOC: A shorty for you XD My brain is distracted!

[tingara]

Snow and ice, as far as the pale hawk could fly. Winter was the season of much beauty but many perils. Brumbies and bush creature alike could be lost in an instant of wild furling snow never to be seen again. The more superstitious horses whispered to each other in the dead of night that it was Thowra or one of his silver sons whisking away other brumbies to join them forever in a whirlwind dance over the Cascades. The young stallion Prisma knew better; those who went missing in a blizzard simply perished from their own foolishness.

From where he stood on the edge of the North Ramshead the landscape below the rise glittered and shone. It was a funny thing, how something so visibly beautiful could be so dangerous. Still, he would never succumb to the dangers of the High Country like some common nag. On his perch Prisma felt like the King he was sure he would become; with the Cascades stretched out before him like a never ending sea of white. It wasn’t like his father, Tingara the current King, did anything anyway so really the black and white spotted stallion could be calling himself King already.

Feeling alive as well as arrogant, the young horse wheeled away sharply from his vantage point on his neat hooves and trotted up through the rocky tors of the Ramshead. Desire to see his mate Calca and to tell her of his thoughts ran through him as thick as blood but there was a longing for something else there too. A longing that burned like fire and that made his body quiver and tense in anticipation. So full of energy Prisma wanted to find other horses, to fight other colts and stallions and to collect their mares. It was a want to assert himself as the next King of the Cascade Brumbies.

Moving through the snowy range it would seem luck was on the appaloosa stallion’s side. Voices reached his white tipped ears only to make Prisma’s nostrils flare and pace quicken with excitement. From what he could hear there was a mare and stallion. Confident in his looks, charms and fighting abilities the Prince pranced straight out towards the two strangers; tail and head held high. He was fully aware of how his muscles rippled and the light shone on his coat so like the starry night sky.

The closer the Prince high stepped through the snow the more he could truly behold the mare’s beauty. A soft golden palomino, not quite silver but still a beauty to have run beside any stallion only it wouldn’t be just any stallion she ran beside. ”Greetings, just when I think there is nothing more beautiful than this fine day to behold I run into you,” the greeting was for both the strange horses but the rest was for the mare. Her stallion –or colt rather- companion was of no concern to Prisma as he was nothing more than a juvenile who could be easily beaten if he dared grow bold.

{OoC: *invades*}

[E!]

[/b]. Her birthplace, yes, but she couldnt have said it was her home. She had spent most of her days off on her own little adventures, exploring far and wide. She could not call anywhere home; she'd never stayed long enough to make it familiar. "As for a home; I have none." Her grin suddenly leapt back onto her lips, for it had disapeared as if the thought of having no home had made her solem. In a moment though, she was back to the energy filled young mare that she was, leaping to the side of Omeo and nipping his flank cheekily before prancing further behind him, eyes dancing. Burley held her dainty head high, tail flowing out behind her prettily, chocolate eyes set on the horizon. A glint of longing came and went swiftly within her expressions. Her steps were high as she started to turn back toward Omeo, head tossing energetically.

Burley paused, forefoot raised in suprise. Yet another beast was out and about on the ranges on this fine day, another young stallion, coming toward her and Omeo. She broke out of her stature, prancing back to Omeo's side curiously, ears pricked, muscles tense with excitement. She had not expected the company of even one other brumby; and now she had two! Her pretty head tossed again, white mane frothing around her face. Her four white socks flashed as she gave a playful half rear of greeting, curiousity blazing in her eyes. Did he want to play to? Burleys innocence was still intact, the thought of stallions fighting for her was not something that crossed her mind. Ever. She was a simpleton; with a love for the earth around her and the creatures it held - she wanted to see everything. If to be placed within a category, it would be fair to say that Burley would be the human equivalent of a hippie. Fortunately, she was not human, and the term 'hippie' didnt apply to her.

The newcomer drew closer, and as he did, he spoke. How pleasant he was! At herself being called beautiful, Burleys mouth slid into a bemused smile, unsure whether to be pleased or wary. He certainly had charm; and the appeal of having such an odd colour! How interesting! Burley stepped forward in curiousity, soft nose outstretched toward his. "I am Burley, and this is Omeo" Burley stated, her voice lyrical and holding that hint of energy that seemed to have seeped into every aspect of her. Burley looked across to Omeo, ears pricked, her eyes bright as she flicked her tail. "And where are you from?" She asked, a small smile playing across her lips and into her eyes. She could feel her flank against Omeo's, the soft furs of their winter coats melding together to make a mess of colours.[/ul]

[Tiggs]

Omeo had to spin in the snow, broad hooves cutting into the ice and soft powder to keep his balance. She moved around him so fast, and he couldn’t help but watch. If another was to look on them now, they could easily say that the tawny-bay colt was besotted with the palomino mare. She seemed so full of life, and it was contagious. Omeo suddenly felt as if he had the energy to run the entire length of the Ramsheads!

As if a shadow passed over her though, Omeo’s heart could break as her sudden solemn expression. No home? Omeo might not have a herd, but at least he felt comforted by the familiar country around him. How must it be to have neither? Thankfully he was distracted from this by her returning smile, and his fears melted. She leaped forward, and he whinnied, trying to follow her as she circled him. He would almost trip with his entire being distracted by her.

And then suddenly the world came rushing back,

The approaching footfalls were almost deafening – how had he not noticed them before? He spun, ears now attentively on the dark shape coming over the snow. Oh no. Omeo knew that walk, could almost feel the tangible confidence prickling his hide. He had spent time with the King’s herd and while this black stallion was not he, the similarities were too many to mistake him for anyone but a Prince. As the stallion came closer, and Omeo could discern the white specks on his coat to be hair and not snow, Omeo knew who stood before him.

“Prisma.” He said, torn between showing the stallion respect and fleeing. He could do neither, though. Burley’s golden flank was pressed to his, and he could no easily tear himself away than he could leap the Crackenback. “He hails from the High Country. Most recently, Yarraman’s Valley.” The valley of Kings, where he had met his spotted daughter Lentara. Omeo could only stare at the prince, his voice dull with the sudden gravity of the situation. This was a prince, and Omeo stood between him and the High Country’s most beautiful mare. There would only be one outcome to this, and Omeo fully intended to enjoy the feel of his side on hers for as long as he could draw it out.

[tingara]

Prisma was almost distracted entirely from the roan stallion by the pretty palomino. Her coat glittered and shone as she moved and at that moment he knew he had to leave with her by his side. Seducing her with words would be the best way but if he had to fight the lesser deserving stallion then so be it. ”Burley, a truly wonderful and suiting name. As beautiful and graceful as its beholder,” he said silkily. The black and white spotted stallion outstretched his nose and when it met Burley’s he relished the contact. It made him want to run and jump like she had done moments before however there was the matter of the roan whose name sounded so familiar.

Omeo, Omeo, yes he knew that name. At once a look of recognition crossed Prisma’s face. ”You are a son of Nevada’s, the rival of my father, the King, who was no match for him in the end,” the Prince almost sneered, if the mare hadn’t been there his tone would have been downright derisive. ”I am from all over, I adventure far and wide over the mountains of the Cascades but I originally hale from the valley of the Kings, the valley of the great Yarraman,” Prisma answered Burley’s question, his attention turned back to her, ignoring the fact Omeo had already answered for him.

[E!]

It was almost as if some of the careless joy she had had before with Omeo was snatched away as the two stallions caught sight of each other. Rivalry filled the air, making the atmosphere tense and awkward - for Burley anyway. Her hide prickled, and she pranced sideways nervously. Despite her discomfort, she could not help being interested in this speckled beast, especially after Omeo's reaction to his presence.

As Burley moved gracefully back to her previous posistion, having been pulled back closer to the group by her curious nature, Prisma's voice slid smoothly around her. Now, Burley may have been missing a few brain cells, but she could tell when she was being charmed - not that she minded. This Prisma fellow was attractive and full of the sort of confidence that every mare wanted their stallion to have, obviously he was intelligent - and somehow superior to Omeo, judging by the way the two reacted to one another.

Burleys chocolate brown eyes moved to watch Omeo as he answered her question for Prisma, interest sparking. The Valley of Kings! Burley herself held a special place in her heart for Thowra and his noble sire Yarraman, she had been to the Valley only once before - when she had first been independant from her herd. The trip had been brief, as young stallions from the herd had eager for her attention; attention she hadnt been willing to give.

Pulling her thoughts back together, Burley watched as Prisma spoke to Omeo - and her ears flicked back slightly, both nervous and irritated at the tone of Prisma's voice. She was sure she had picked up on a tone of condescention. As for his words, Burley did not want to get caught up in some sort of family rivalry! She had no time to ponder on this as the black and white spotted stallion answered her previous question, as Omeo had before.

Her thoughts were flighty, and her previous uncertainty vanished. In particular, Burley took interest in the fact that he traveled the High Country. Certainly, he looked as if he would not be bothered by other stallions for her affections, and if they were left alone, Burley would travel the whole world by his side! Excitement made her toss her head. She gave a half rear, prancing for a few moments on two legs. "How exciting! And your sire, he comes from the Valley Of Kings as well?" Burley asked, curiousity lacing her lovely voice.

It was almost as if Omeo had vanished into the background, he remained silent, as if he was held their against his will. Burley tossed her head again, mane flying as she turned toward the roan stallion, eyes dancing, urging him to speak for his silence concerned her. Her gaze switched back to Prisma, and she started to prance again, petite frame swaying rhythmically.

[Tiggs]

Omeo had never felt anger toward another stallion before. The colt generally avoided the older males, knowing he was no match for them yet. Even in that tussle with the grey colt, he had felt nothing compared to the fury boiling in his heart. He had found Burley first! And here was Prisma, strutting in and stealing the show with his flashy coat and impressive lineage. He didn’t even have the descensy to be polite!

Omeo had barely known his father, Tingara had been the more prominent stallion in his young life, but how could a son of the King be so callous about the death of another? Nevada had been beaten by the King, but Prisma was bragging as if he himself had won the great battle! Omeo’s nostrils flared, tail flagging imperiously.

No, he would hold his tongue. He was better than that. He pressed close to Burley, but when she turned to look at him expectantly, the dun colt gave an angry snort and pawed the ground with a heavy hoof. “His father has not set foot in the Valley of Kings since he killed my father there.” He retorted, glaring at the Prince. “Others have less respect.”

Omeo tossed his head, and looked to Burley, “I am sorry, I cannot stay. I hope that he does not bother you, and that if he does, you will find me.” With that, the colt turned on his heel and bolted across the deep snow, kicking it up with his feet and drawing great furrows in the deeper drifts with his legs and chest.

He would cool down soon, but he could not stand and let the Prince blatantly insult him and his father. Omeo would never hope to win a fight against him, so it would have been foolish to stay and let his anger grow. He paused on a rise above the pair ad looked back once more. The Prince was a dark mark in the snow, and it was only by using him as a landmark that he could see the golden hide of the mare against the silver snow.

The softest of knickers left his mouth before he went plunging onward through the snow. Perhaps one day his could wipe that smug smile off the spotted stallion’s mouth, but for now he just had to bide his time, hoping to one day see Burley again.