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Post by Rivre on Feb 27, 2010 17:50:27 GMT
Balaroo felt himself regaining the ground he had lost, hooves struck flesh with sickening thuds, and blood stained the tips of his hooves - causing both stomach and eyes to roll with nausea. Backing slowly away from the crumpled stallion, Balaroo grazed hooves across the snowgrass plain, rubbing off the remnants of his fight. It would be wrong to call those mares with pieces of their old stallion dragging along with him!
Fine neck stretched proudly, an arch of sunlight piercing through the meeker rays and catching on his sweaty dark palomino hide, made even the wounds of his battle appear less daunting as he let soft nicker escape his bloodied jaw. The chestnut was pretty also in respect to the bay, and so he welcomed her too, prancing delicately on the spot before the other sooty stallion - feeling his limbs stiffening but all the more glorious for his winning.
"Perhaps you will tell my your names now, for what it a horse without a name?"
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Post by Corowa on Feb 27, 2010 22:58:31 GMT
Willunga shook all over as Thalera was worn down and finished. The stallion went straight to them, all his splendid magnificence gone. Willunga hated the look of him, and she realised with a sudden jolt of fear, the big, dun-coloured stallion might mean to take her from Thalera. She found herself trembling all over with fury, never having been so enraged before.
The stallion called to her, and the mare took a step towards him. “You think I would tell you my name, or go with you after you have beaten my mate!” Willunga flattened her ears and with a loud squeal, struck out at him. The bush itself seemed hushed into stillness at the sight of the furious bay mare.
Willunga was unable to contain the feeling of fear, the feeling that perhaps Thalera would perish, having been so thoroughly beaten and lamed. The mare plunged out from under the snowgums, swung around and lashed out suddenly with her heels. Then she was cantering over the wide stretch of snowgrass, driven on by such a terrible urgency.
Thalera looked exhausted, and he was covered in deep gashes, some of which still bled quite heavily. Willunga extended her nose to his, feeling every hair standing on end, every part of her tingling as if something was going to happen. Surely, even now, he possessed more vitality and attraction than that other stallion.
The mare gave the softest of nickers, and then ran her nose gently over each of the deep and terrible gashes. She wondered at the sudden thrilling that stirred in her blood at his touch. Willunga had realised she would never be that beautiful creamy will o’ the wisp the stallion so desperately searched for, but she was his, and perhaps for now that would be enough.
She gave one long look at that dun-coloured stallion and then turned back to Thalera. Even though it was the way of the bush for the strongest stallion to take the place of another, Willunga had no longing to run with him.
At the sight of Thalera, something moved deep within her, and she felt again that tingling in every nerve and hair. Every part of her seemed breathless with this sudden, throbbing excitement. “He might be the stronger,” she said then, “But it is you my mate, the mopokes sing of.”
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Post by yaruka on Feb 28, 2010 16:45:42 GMT
Bindaree had watched the entire fight with undisguised fear in her eyes, understanding that Thalera was more show than might half the time. The other colt she had seen him win against had been just that,a colt, but the stallion had let himself be boosted by this past victory into foolish self-confidence. Now she hurried out of her cover, as fast as her heavily pregnant state would allow, over to the beaten stallion. Like Willunga she extended her nose to him, nickering to him anxiously. The sun stallion spoke, though not to her, and she only spared him one anguished glance before turning back to her stallion and rubbing her head gently against Thalera's crest. She was well aware that it wasn't only his body that was bruised, his ego was surely suffering equally, if not more. -------- Wyralla came out of the brush more slowly than the others, unlike her cousin and the bay mare she wasn't upset that the sun stallion had won, though she didn't like to see Thalera hurt all the same. Still, she didn't have that much sympathy for him, knowing he would have gladly done the same injuries to the other stallion.
The victorious stallion inquired of them their names, and Wyralla turned to look at him with some confusion in her eyes. Willunga beat her to replying, and the chestnut's ears flickerd back in surprise at the bay mare's words. What was it with these mares? Why were they so enraptured with Thalera? He was a bully, and now he was beaten, so why should they stay with him? Casting the other mare one more puzzled glance, Wyralla addressed the Sun Stallion herself. "You do us a favour, O Stallion of the Sun, for seeking to protect us. But of Bindaree you say nothing, and I must ask you why? Why not take her too, is she not good enough for you? She is more generous and kindhearted than I" Wyralla was more than ready to leave, but she wasn't about to leave her cousin behind with Thalera, surely the blue roan would see sense now and be more than willing to leave? ------ Qana had watched the whole fight from the cover of the trees, having enough sense not to let the other stallion see her lest Balaroo lost and he try and claim her. In that event she would have shadowed Balaroo as he left, then rejoined him somewhere out of sight of the other. Certainly she wasn't about to let herself get captured by another brute. The violence had disturbed her, though she knew it was the way of the brush, so she stepped out of her cover without fear once it was over. Quietly, she made her way to stand behind Balaroo, shyly nodding to the other mares.
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Post by Tiggs on Mar 8, 2010 19:15:28 GMT
Beaten and bruised, Thalera’s thoughts were few and far between. Whether because he did not want to think, or because he simply did not have the capacity was a matter for debate. He had just lost a fight to a Sun Stallion, and it would be the gossip of the gang-gangs for weeks! From three mares to none. If he was the sort to dwell on failure, he would be. All he could seem to think was that at least he had no creamies yet for the Sun Stallion to take as he stood unsteadily in the pasture away from the group.
But then Willunga was there, and the sooty stallion huffed. What was she doing? His hide twitched irritably with every brush of her muzzle. His pinned ears were slow to perk, but when he realised the bay was not with the Sun Stallion, he raised his beaten head for a good look around. Bindaree was making her way over, and only Wyralla stood with the silver-maned victor. Despite his pain, he raised his head and stood proudly while his two loyal and pregnant mares fussed and nuzzled him.
Willuna said something suitably cryptic, but Thalera hushed her with a surprisingly gentle nuzzle. “I am the right choice, mare of mine.” He nosed Bindaree, and limped to stand possessively between them and the Sun Stallion, “Take the chestnut, she is of no value to me. But these mares wish to stay with me, and you will not take them.” Yes, Thalera was stupid enough to make another challenge so soon after his loss, but he was confident in the other stallion’s bleeding heart that he would not try and take two mares who obviously did not wish to go.
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Post by Rivre on Mar 8, 2010 20:19:12 GMT
Balaroo threw his head back in surprise at the bay's fleeting comment, her hooves hitting the hard and ripped flesh of his shoulder, causing him to snort in pain and confusion. Why did she want to stay with this brute of a horse? Gaze slipped to the chestnut mare once more, brown gaze warming to her simple features - what was color when vibrancy of the heart was evident? Nodding sagely at her words, Balaroo chose to ignore the bay a while, and amuse himself with answering this mare's questions. "I ask not of Bindaree," he nickered softly nodding to the roan, "Because I can see and smell the fear of her - and in knowing and seeing I can tell that she belongs in both heart and mind to this sooty who I have beaten. I would not wish to take her from him if it is against her wish, as I would not wish to take your friend the bay."
Extending soft silver muzzle he touched quivering nose to chestnut one, blowing warm air through dilated nostrils at her touch. For some absurd reason he felt at ease here, unbeatable and yet stiffening a little in the shoulder from his wounds. The palomino seemed to want another beating though, and spoke as if he allowed Balaroo to take this mare, and no one else. "I take not those two mares beside you because they are yours in their hearts - who knows why? But they are. You will not allow me anything - I will take what is mine and you will not speak out of place. I am a kind stallion of sorts but I am also firm, punishment is given to those who try to tame or con me" his tones seemed to ring like steel menacing and lace with power, power which thrilled through his veins and stirred a wild anger in him - how dare he?
Turning on his heel he lashed out with his hooves, aiming a powerful kick at the others shoulder. That would teach him. Turning fine crest of cream and mouse brown threads back towards his newest company, he nickered softly, "Perhaps now you will tell me your name?" A flicker of brown hide emerged from the snowgums and Balaroo whinnied loudly in welcome, shivering as he disturbed the cut on his jaw, nuzzling Qana protectively whilst eyeing the other stallion with raw anger.
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Post by Corowa on Mar 13, 2010 6:22:08 GMT
Willunga reached over and gently lipped Thalera’s shoulder. He had not driven her off as he might once have, and she realised the proud young stallion, had truly claimed her as his own. Presently, something moved through the snowgums on the other side of the flat, and in one moment Bindaree was there, looking worried for her mate, and perhaps most anxious of all to be with him.
Willunga stretched out her nose to Bindaree and whickered to the blue roan mare, glad she had come back. In the snowgums, Wyralla still stood, intrigued by the sight of the dun-coloured stallion. Willunga called her softly away, though surely the mare would not come, would go with that other stallion, for to a young mare he seemed to promise all the excitement of the High Country itself.
Just then, Thalera stepped forwards, so the two mares stood only half-seen behind him. Willunga felt that same terrible sense of dread and loss as she looked on, and the mare could see the challenge visible in every proud line of his body. Thalera’s challenge rang out over the hushed stillness of the bush, and the big, dun-coloured stallion turned then, struck out swiftly, so for a moment the mare thought he meant to lame Thalera or worse.
“You are nothing but a proud and foolish stallion,” Willunga snorted. “There are as many of you as there are snowgums in the High Country! You think yourself wise as the mopoke itself, but in truth, are nothing more than one of the gang gangs, to speak of such nonsense.”
Willunga stood with head held high and ears flattened. There was no sign of that gentle bay mare in this fierce virago. Something told her she would chase the stallion off herself if he continued to menace Thalera, would chase him from this grassy flat, on through rough bush and down steep rocky spurs, chase him off so he might never return again.
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Post by yaruka on Mar 17, 2010 23:48:08 GMT
Bindaree touched noses with Willunga gratefully, they were in this together. Her eyes remained on Wyralla though, and she cringed at Thalera's dismissal of the chestnut. Still she made no move to leave. She belonged to the sooty stallion, she had a foal of his stirring inside of her. She knew it was time she and her cousin parted-the fiery chestnut could never be content with the overbearing Thalera but she was much more laidback and loyal, perhaps to a fault. Sadly she nickered a farewell to Wyralla, knowing their paths would likely never cross again. She looked straight into the other's eyes, willing her to understand and not be offended. ----- Wyralla nodded to Bindaree and sighed resignedly. The blue roan would remain with Thalera, it would always be that way. And though Thalera was a stupid bully it could be worse she supposed, and Bindaree was well smart enough to take care of herself, and her new foal. Wyralla felt a sudden pang of regret as she realised that she'd probably never meet her cousin's foal but surpessed it quickly. She had a new chance at life and adventure here, and she was going to take it. Turning back to Balaroo she nodded to him, "I am Wyralla," she said simply, eyes studying his gaze with a shrewdness perhaps unexpected from her vibrant personality. She nodded to the bay mare that walked up behind the silver bay, noting with a warming heart the way the stallion nuzzled her. Qana nodded back, closing her eyes and stretching up to nuzzle Balaroo back before nosing gently at the worst of his sores and setting to carefully grooming the dried blood off of his coat, lips curling with displeasure at the bitter taste and associations it brought. ----------- Bindaree cringed once again as Thalera stepped forward, foolishy challenging the other stallion once again. She heard Wyralla snort with impatience but her feelings were all of concern. Stepping forward she nickered anxiously to him, "Come away my mate, there will be other fights more worthy of your energy, and you have a herd to care for." The sun stallion swung about and kicked out at Thalera and Bindaree's heart lept to her throat. Surely that was uncalled for...the sooty stallion was beaten, foolish and proud, but beaten all the same. Thalera was no threat in this state. Wyralla's ears too had flickered back in displeasure and surprise as Balaroo struck out at Thalera again. "Come," she said "He has no means to back up his threat, words would be enough. At any rate, his taunting is not worth your energy." She could see the bay mare agreed with her, Qana's eyes were troubled as she watched the two stallions.
OOC: Seems like Bindaree's inherited Jannal's penchant for extreme loyalty!
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Post by Tiggs on Mar 18, 2010 7:06:20 GMT
Ha! The stallion was such a fool! Thalera had tricked him into leaving Bindaree behind, on the pretence that she loved him! The sooty palomino could almost laugh out loud! Bindaree was obviously besotted with him, and she could tell that he was the better choice. This stallion did not take pride in building his herd. Just look at what he had! A boring bay and now an equally unimportant chestnut. Thalera scoffed, and thanked the fates of the High Country that his opponent was an idiot.
But then his self-important internal rant was interrupted by the angry squeal of the silver bay stallion, and a hard kick landed on his shoulder that made him stagger. He squealed in pain as he used his lamed leg to catch himself, and glared over at the stallion. How dare he! He was about to return the favour when Willunga was there, depreciating the stallion will well chosen words. Well, if there ever was a time when he could be glad of the ugly mare, this was it. Even his own boring bay preferred him over this stallion of the sun, and that made his ego swell.
Bindaree was calling him away, and so he first went to Willunga. He limped around her, turning her away with cajoling nips and nudges. Her sides touched his flank as he moved her back toward Bindaree, and Thalera could hope that if her foal was to be as handsome as him, then at least she was good for something.
On reaching Bindaree, Thalera gave her a soft nudge of his nose on hers. It was a more gentle touch than one he might give Willunga, but he was starting to warm to the ugly mare, even if her coat was bland. So long as she continued to fawn over him, Thalera could see no harm in keeping her around.
Without one backward glance, proving his lack of fear of the other stallion, Thalera moved his mares off in front of him, limping behind them. Bindaree was right, there were other fights more worthy of his energy. Why bother with the simpleton who was only interested in collecting ugly mares, when he had two pregnant mares of his own to care for? He spared no backward glance even for Wyralla, who he had never wanted anyway. She could start making ugly foals with her idiot stallion now. Thalera shuddered. Imagine siring a child out of something so simple as a chestnut!
When they were far enough away that the other stallion was barely discernable upstream, Thalera stopped his mares and moved stiffly between them. He snuffled at Bindaree’s stomach first, and then Willunga’s. Two foals, likely as wonderful as himself. He nosed each of their muzzles in turn, Bindaree first of course, and relaxed and allowed his muscles to stiffen. After they had rested and his knee was back to normal they would move on. He still had to find Illoura, his ultimate prize, and when he had a whole herd of creamies, he would be the jealous envy of the High Country!
OOC: That’ll do for me in here, he’ll be dozing off now XD I’ll be making a new Thalthread soon, so we can introduce the foalies after he’s chased Illoura around some more XD
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