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Post by dreami on Nov 5, 2011 11:18:28 GMT
elinya- Her footfall was nearly silent on the slightly soggy lands. The faint sound was music to her ears, the fillies favourite melody actually. The muted muffled sounds of her travels were all she needed for company. Peering out at her surroundings from beneath her thick forelock she was happy to find herself “alone”. The fact was she would never truly be by herself, and while she enjoyed solitude the filly did seek comfort in the sounds of nature about her. She had heard horror stories of becoming slave to man, and decided early on in life that she would avoid the two legged like the plague, and to this day the dappled beauty had never seen the almost mythical creature – just smelled them from a distance. So to say she was careful was an understatement. She was a coy creature anyways, lingering quite often through the early morning fog and at dusk and typically on her own. Elinya didn’t seek the protection of a herd, she knew she was her most reliable resource and she was an agile equine who rarely found herself in trouble. She had a simple way about life, and over the past four years it had done her quite well. Though when it came to interactions with others Elinya was well versed, she knew how to treat a horse of any rank, it was one of the few things her mother taught her. One might blame the fillies mother for the way she turned out, though it would be a little harsh to pin it entirely on the snow white brumby. Her mother had ranked in the middle of a large herd, any attention she got was fought for. Elinya had been her dam’s fourth foal and first filly, she wasn’t anything spectacular or terribly unique – alas she wasn’t acknowledged the way some of the other foals had been. It bothered Elinya’s mother more than it did the filly who from birth was composed and naturally quiet, she liked to observe over participate.
Standing now in the dead summer heat on slightly soggy ground she was halted, eyes and ears focused on a few birds in the distance. The creatures didn’t pose a threat and were an easy scare but she was enjoying the sounds they were producing. Total silence was enough to drive anyone mad, but just the occasional sound of her own voice and with the sounds of the wild around her she was far from losing her senses. Dropping her delicate head lower to the ground she did her best to blend in with that growing around her, the light fog had burned off in the summer’s sun and it was a useless habit now. The lighter she grew the more difficult it was to blend in and fade into the backdrop, Elinya didn’t like to attract unnecessary attention. A slight breeze pushed her forelock from her face and scattered the birds she was watching, sighing lightly into the warm atmosphere she picked up a light walk again. Without real direction she was travelling the lands, not completely sure what she was looking for in life the dappled filly told herself she would know what it was when she found it but thus far it wasn’t proving as simple as she had hoped or assumed. Ears flicked at some more sounds in the distance, standing erect her muscles tensed as she drew in large gulps of the summer air though she was relieved to smell just that of equine, no human or any other funny smells were concerning or pressing at the moment.
Halting herself again Elinya snorted, relaxed with her seemingly empty surroundings she took the opportunity to reach down and grad a few bites of the grass. It was not as satisfying as some of the large fields and grazing lands throughout these parts but it would do for an equine seeking some solitude. Tossing her mane gently the filly drew in a deep breath as she continued to chew the damp grass. To say she wasn’t excited about the lands she had seemingly stumbled into would be a lie, though the term excited isn’t quite suiting. It isn’t a word she would describe herself with, assuming she was the opposite and boring would incorrect as well. Elinya was a mix of trust, loyalty, sweetness and a quick mind. While she didn’t say much she saw almost everything and rarely stopped thinking, she just didn’t let it on and rarely did she share her thoughts with anyone. Part of the solitary equine hoped she might be lucky enough to find someone of interest, though she wasn’t holding her breath. The shadow she cast with the summers warm sun was stationary and simple, it mirrored the odd breeze catching her mane and tail as she grazed silently.
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Post by Tiggs on Nov 5, 2011 12:07:13 GMT
Unlike Elinya, Quinja knew exactly what she was looking for in life; Bokara. The fire had separated them, and she’d been without him since. It was getting on for almost a full rotation of seasons without him, but she refused to give up hope. The fire would never consume her mate. He was swift and fast. He had outrun it. She knew. She knew.
Quinja was a similar mare to Elinya in many other ways. She and the other mare could be sisters, with Quinja having the darker mane and lighter body. She made her way determinedly across the Boggy, dropping her nose to the ground occasionally to check the scents. There were no stallions, but she could smell that another mare had passed through here very recently. Throwing her greying face up, Quinja tasted the wind and picked up her pace.
The summer sun was warm on her back. It might have been comforting another time, but Quinja paid the scenery little attention now. She had travelled wide and far, seen so many sights, good and bad, yet none of it mattered without Bokara. A part of her was missing without him.
Splashing through a reed bed, the grey roan mare spotted a darker dappled mare up ahead. Not wanting to startle her, Quinja nickered to her, trotting across the damp ground to join the second mare on her grassy knoll. She greeted the mare with a bob of her head, but she seemed distracted, not entirely paying attention to the minor socialisation, “G’day, I don’t suppose you’ve seen any bay stallions around these parts?” Straight to the point. Quinja was usually not so blunt, but the less time the wasted trying to find Bokara, the better.
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Post by dreami on Nov 7, 2011 3:49:17 GMT
elinya- Going through life without real direction wasn’t proving to be easy but she wasn’t ready to give up quite yet, she didn’t think finding a herd or stallion to take her in would be difficult so it wasn’t like she didn’t have options if this whole search for something didn’t work out. Her mind did wonder often, Elinya wasn’t as simple minded as some of the other brumby’s she had the pleasure of knowing. Snorting lightly into the breeze she was careful not to be too loud as apparently her hiding was working well, she had gone undisturbed completely for some time now. She didn’t smell any other stallions or horses for that matter but she wasn’t about to let her guard down and cause herself any trouble. Large brown eyes peering from beneath the large forelock she watched the horizons with some envy, her surroundings were simple and she liked the lands. It wasn’t too open and the ground would make travel difficult for those who weren’t sure footed like herself, she didn’t see any presence of man and wasn’t concerned as their cattle was grazing in a clearing some distance away. She wasn’t going to forget about them complete but it wasn’t the main worry in her mind at the moment. Perhaps that was why she was greying so quickly, she worried a lot though it wasn’t only cause she was on her own she was the type to worry regardless of how surrounded by safety she was.
Unlike other mares she didn’t see safety in the presence of a stallion, she didn’t rely on anyone to protect her but herself. She didn’t feel the need to explain it to anyone it was a theory she had discovered that was best kept to herself. It was one of many things she kept to herself, one of many things her mama had taught her. While the mare hadn’t been the most dedicated to her fillies care she certainly was wise in a few regards and that had been passed on to the filly. She didn’t know her father well what Elinya had about the black bay stallion was mostly good, he was sensible and quick on his feet and with his words alike – all things he had passed onto not each of his foals but many of them. Flicking her tail at the flies that landed on her in the heat, they were a nuisance that drove her to move more than she liked during the warm months. Often travelling in the evening and early hours of the sunrise was one thing she had learned to do, though within proximity to such dampness the bugs were almost worse in the cool hours of the day. It was basically a situation she couldn’t win in, which was similar to many situations presented by life. She didn’t mind, the filly made her own way and didn’t let herself get to bothered by anything or anyone .At the thought of anyone she stood erect for a moment, a sound in the distance made her spin to the left slightly. She was now facing the source of the sound and with a smell of the air the species and gender. It was a horse, most likely a Brumby and a mare. Not too concerned with the presence of another mare she finished the grass in her mouth, silence didn’t last long as the grey roan mare broke into the scene.
“No, my apologies but it is only you and my own shadow I have seen for days now.”
It was the truth, the filly was enjoying her own solitude and while part of her knew the company of a herd would settle some of her burdens part of her was hoping might not find a place for a few more days. The silence was a thing of magic some mornings, it was something she hadn’t known until she was on her own. Though standing with the other mare the part of her that enjoyed socialization surfaced and made her watch the mare carefully without returning to grazing or walking away. Watching the unknown grey horse before her it was evident in her tone and direct question she was searching for someone. She spoke again, quite out of character for her actually and the question wasn’t typical of Elinya either but perhaps it was the days of solitude getting to her now.
“Though may I know who’s asking in the case I find one?”
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Post by Tiggs on Nov 9, 2011 15:31:11 GMT
The roan’s pricked ears saddled at the news – or lack thereof – of her stallion. She was always hoping to hear of him, but by now she was used to the let down. Sighing, she thanked the mare with a nod, “My name is Quinja; and I seek a particular stallion, he is Bokara.” Bokara; the light of her life, the only stallion she could imagine being with. Every day without him was another day lost to that feeling of emptiness.
Just looking around the Boggy, Quinja knew the area was not usually so deserted. The fire that had separated her from Bokara had also freighted away many brumbies. Quinja could still smell the ghost of that acrid scent, of smouldering grass and blazing eucalypts. The country and its inhabitants had suffered, but it was returning to its former glory, painting over the ashen fields of destruction with new growth. Soon the land would be teeming once more with bush creatures.
The mare was not so used to being alone. She had always had someone with her. She too had not seen a brumby for days, those running in the distance excluded. Quinja felt for the mare, grazing alone. Perhaps she could join her, if only for a little while, before continuing her search for Bokara. “I may ask your name too, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you for a while?”
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Post by dreami on Nov 10, 2011 21:08:47 GMT
elinya- Elinya considered others a burden sometimes, though this mare seemed harmless enough. She wasn’t trying to establish rank or push her weight around. It was a pleasant surprise actually as all her experiences with the same gender had not been so pleasant. Smiling she chewed at the grass in her mouth, mind wandering a little. Trying to imagine who it was that this mare had misplaced, a family lover, a son, a friend or a lover? To be looking for any of those things was inspiring for the horse who had none, it was an act of true commitment and compassion neither things she had any real experience with. She didn’t have issues with commitment, once she found the right place she knew it wouldn’t be hard to guarantee her presence and even if she couldn’t promise that she could confirm her loyalty no matter where she was. Looking to the roan horse she was content that she hadn’t reacted too poorly to Elinya’s lack of good news. Though she did introduce herself and give name of the horse she was looking for – both were helpful and made Elinya more at ease. It was good to put a name to a face, it helped make the stranger less of a stranger. Smiling she nodded to the mare, making note of the stallions name along with the simple bay description she had been given. Slightly envious of the fact that the mare was looking for anyone Elinya expected her to be on her way any moment now, the casual manners had been exchanged and the mare should be off again in search of this Bokara bloke though the horse stayed stationary.
“I wish you the best of luck in your search.â€
The lands were vacant as far as she could see, with the exception of the mare before her. Elinya did expect to be on her own again shortly though was surprised when the mare hadn’t left. Grabbing a few more bites of grass she chewed to occupy herself, she didn’t want to push her along her way as she was enjoying the company being a creature who lives in herds it was only natural. Looking to Quinja she smiled, hoping the mare would be okay in her search and that it was successful – though as she started to speak again Elinya found herself smiling and nodding. It was a lack of manners on her part, she hadn’t returned the introduction. If she was capable of blushing she would be in the very moment, feeling slightly embarrassed and immature she let her own tone hit the air in a slight apology.
“ Sorry I’m Elinya, and please join me for as long as you like it’s been a while since I’ve kept good company.â€
It was the truth, she had been on her own for a while now and while in some ways it was a wonderful thing she did admit that having the mare next to her grazing even in the moments of silence was settling. Chewing the grass silently she let her tail flick occasionally at the flies that gathered. The scene was serene, two mares grazing peacefully the dampness about them though not overwhelming. Quite content Elinya let a snort hit the air though her eyes were always watchful and her ears always attentive for she knew better than to relax completely, it was potentially deadly for those that did and she had watched it happen.
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Post by Tiggs on Nov 11, 2011 0:16:51 GMT
Quinja bobbed her had in reply, “Thank you, Elinya,” she said, surprised at just how much she wanted the company. “Company I can be, though I can’t promise anything about ‘good’,” she added with a wry smile. Steely tail flicking against her flank, the older mare dropped her head and began to crop at the grass. While the two were not the most talkative pair, the silence was comfortable and unpressured.
The sound of insects as was abundant, and Quinja’s ears flickered to and fro, the occastional toss of the head, flick of the tail or stamp of the hoof kept the flies at bay, but the cicadas were a constant chorus. Birds too added the own song, the whips, shrills, cackles, whoops and caws of the High Country fliers acting together as a melody.
The lack of other brumbies was disconcerting, but the Boggy was slowly coming alive to the mare as she paid more attention. Sleepy wombats fussed under the bushes, while a dingo dog and her pups emerged to drink at one of the many pools. The roan mare stared at the group for a moment before deciding they were no thread and returned to grazing.
Quinja had grazed alone for many moons, and it was nice to share the burden of sentry duty with another mare. Brumbies were not meant to be alone most of the time, and Quinja had not realised just how much that had affected her. She felt less anxious just being in the presence of the friendly mare.
Glancing her way, the roaned mare nickered softly and grazed over to her so they might share their company in closer proximity. “Thank you again for the company; may I ask how you came to be alone on the Boggy?” The grey mare wondered if it had anything to do with the fire. The inferno had scattered many herds, Quinja being one of those many. With winter over, it was rare to see a mare alone when so many stallions should be out looking to collect them all. The fire had shaken the whole High Country, and the mare wondered how long it would take for everything to return to normal. Not everything was as quick to grow back as the trees and bush.
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Post by dreami on Nov 11, 2011 10:23:09 GMT
elinya- Nodding her dark slightly dished head she acknowledged the mare and her thanks but hoped the other equine realized it was going both ways, despite her early ideas of the situation she was happy to admit she had been wrong. Company was a funny thing, sometimes she felt that seeking it made her weak but now standing grazing silently with the mare she realized it wasn’t the case at all. Even in their silence the relief and comfort that came from another equine, they were typically herd bound creatures and wandering on your own was not usual though Elinya wasn’t exactly typical herself. The mare had always been the silent type who enjoyed good company but didn’t mind a lack of conversation, she didn’t feel the need to be the center of attention or watched all the time. Perhaps it was her mother’s complexity about being forgotten that had convinced Elinya she would not become her mother, so now she was trying to be the exact opposite. She could see how it might be hurtful if the mare was aware of Elinya’s efforts but she wasn’t – so as far as Elinya was concerned she wasn’t hurting anyone. Though the more time she spent on her own and compared it to the little time she spent in company she realized that perhaps she had it all wrong. Just because part of where she came from was dysfunctional and all about being on top and the most noticed didn’t mean everyone functioned that way. It was a refreshing sensation, it took some of her worry away but the pain of her past she didn’t like to think about was still there and it ran deeper than her mother’s interesting parenting tactics.
The fire had split her herd, though she had made no effort to look for anyone there wasn’t a single soul who interested her in the slightest which was sad and why she shook her head smiling when Quinja mentioned her company might not be good. As far as Elinya was concerned it was perfect – just the kind of company she would like to keep, not similar at all from what she came from. It was odd that she was so aware of her former herds flaws, ironic almost that there was only one equine in the bunch of them that had not managed to be blinded and take a step back to see the bigger picture and despite her many attempts to share her knowledge and ideas she was the only one who considered it’s existence. She had been shot down quicker and quicker every time until finally she had kept her opinions to herself – well mostly. The silence that passed over them as they grazed a distance apart was hardly noticeable as Elinya too was sensitive to the nature that surrounded them – the creatures and plants alike. The sights, sounds and smells kept her alert for the slightest presence of man on the somewhat cool breeze would send her heading in the direction it was not – that was one thing she would never risk. Hearing Quinja’s nicker Elinya looked up, not concerned as she didn’t hear anything to worry about in the other horses tone. Smiling to the roan mare she raised her own head, finishing the grass in her mouth she resisted the urge to take more bits as she figured a question of some sort was coming. Slightly nervous for the question to come she was relieved when it was something fairly simple, she was going to give the mare the basics as she didn’t want to waste her time with the finicky details or parts that made Elinya look like she might be crazy.
“My herd was scattered in the fire, my mother did not survive so I felt no need to find the herd.â€
It was simple, not totally the truth but enough for anyone who didn’t know better. The truth was Elinya didn’t know if her mother had made it through the blaze or not – she had seen her run into the blazing woods to follow what was left of the herd and Elinya had decided to keep herself safe and she headed away from the blaze. Having not heard from her dam at all she assumed the worst and moved on, just like she knew the mare would have had little problem doing had the roles been reversed. Elinya didn’t think little of her mother for wanting the attention and enjoying the spotlight though she did not admire the fact that it had become an addiction of sorts like she couldn’t be happy without the attention. Though it was not time to dwell over the past or her mother so instead Elinya spun the question on her company.
“And yourself, was it the fire that separated you from the bay stallion you are seeking?â€
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Post by Ehetere on Nov 11, 2011 13:22:44 GMT
The pale stallion picked his way through the bogs and streams, occasionally springing from the edges of one tussocky bank to the next for the sheer joy of it. Though his life may not be what he imagined, he was a stallion in his prime, and the wind did whisper to him. The sun was beating down, urging him ever faster. He felt like a coiled spring, his limbs filled with unknown power, unknown speed. Faster, faster, he ran on as though his heart might burst free from his chest, throwing all caution to the wind in favour of reckless abandon.
Splashing through a deeper hole, Piringa dragged himself out the other side and shook his mane and tail dry, coat now glistening like polished pearl under the summer sun. Normally he would have gone for a good roll, but here in the swampy plain that would only result in him turning a rather ugly shade of mud brown, and besides in weather like this the water was refreshing. He played on the bank there a little longer, bucking and cavorting like a colt just rid of his birth herd and enjoying Independence for the first time. Once he was more suitably dry, he continued on his way north.
There, on the wind, there was a scent of mares. He pricked up his ears, eyes lighting up in excitement. He thought he might have smelt Jiba there on the breeze, but he was mistaken. Two mares, no stallion. While he would always be searching for his two missing mares, being herdless was no way for a stallion in his prime to be going about. Faster yes, respectable? Far from it.
Picking up a ground covering trot, he once again made his way eagerly in their direction, well aware that there may be others looking for a herd too. He was sure he was not the only one whose previous mares had been lost - herds and families had been lost, split up and scattered across the land, fleeing to where ever they could find sanctuary from the flames. He was well aware too that they might have a stallion and he was simply otherwise engaged, but there were no signs or smells of such a beast. Piringa wondered to himself whether he might challenge their stallion for them, should he appear. He was no inexperienced colt, and running away from fights was no way to make a name for oneself.
Two grey mares appeared up ahead, standing together. Whistling a greeting at them, he once again broke into a bounding canter lifting his tail high and arching his neck in hopes of impressing them. With still no sign of other stallions, Piringa trotted over with his head held low, still scenting the area and the mares themselves in case they had any hint of an adversary on them. Deciding they did not, he came to a halt a short distance from them, not wishing to scare them off. All the horses were still finicky and a little jumpy after the fire, with emotions and bonds broken and frayed it was hard to find the trust in strangers sometimes.
“Greetings, o’ pale coated fillies,” he said brightly, almost a little put off by the pair. There was safety in numbers, and for whatever reason a pair of mares was a little intimidating whereas a mare alone was not. “What brings you both to the Boggy on this fine summer’s day?” He flicked his tail back and fourth as he spoke, keeping it raised in excitement. His legs were itching to run again, and he so longed to find a mare or two who loved to run as much as he did. Kiata had so liked his games and would chase the very wind itself at his side, but she was gone and he may never see her again.
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Post by Tiggs on Nov 11, 2011 14:03:31 GMT
The roan nodded solemnly as the other mare explained her story. As she had expected, she was not the only one to lose someone to the fire. She only hoped Bokara’s swiftness and daring had saved both him and their son. She dropped her head to graze once more, ripping up the grass from the roots in her haste to take her mind onto other things.
She nodded at the mare’s question, sorrow clouding her eyes. The day of the fire had been a terrifying one, and she could not stand the memory of it. She regretted asking the mare of her reasons for being alone. It only brought to light just how painful it was to be away from Bokara.
Quinja was thankfully distracted by a sound, and she threw up her head, ears perked and nostrils flaring. It was hoof beats pounding across the damp ground, and the mare strained her senses to locate the owner. Was it Bokara?! Had he finally found her?! Her excitement dimmed when she saw it was a white stallion cantering towards them, and she glanced to Elinya. The stallion might not be of interest to Quinja, but perhaps Elinya might be thankful for the company of more brumbies at last.
The roan couldn’t deny, the stallion did look the part. He was in his prime, snow-white coat marked only by a few dark marks here and there, be they battle scars or patterns in his greying pelt. His frame was light for a stallion, and he reminded her of Bokara with his strong lean legs and almost delicate face. But this stallion was not Bokara. Despite his display of strength and cordial temperament, she could not react to him like a mare should. She was Bokara’s, and his alone.
Nevertheless, the stallion was polite in his greeting and she returned it with a nicker and a bob of her head. “Greetings to you, stallion of the winter storm. Presently the grazing brings us to the Boggy. What of yourself, what do you seek?”
She glanced again to Elinya to gauge her reaction. The stallion was not an unimpressive beast, but Quinja hardly knew the grey mare, perhaps she was not interested in meeting a stallion just yet. Or maybe this charming young stud was just what she was looking for.
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Post by dreami on Nov 11, 2011 23:37:03 GMT
elinya- Many were remorseful for what they had lost in the fire, and while the mare standing before her was evidently more upset over her loss than Elinya it inspired feelings – feeling s she had shut out for a long time and feelings she was not ready to deal with now. A large exhale escaped her lungs and her face softened from the usual mask she wore. She wasn’t a fan of sharing her feelings with anyone , she was a valuable herd member or had been in the past but she wasn’t one to let herself get too attached to anyone. Grazing she looked to the pained mare and wondered for a brief moment what it would be like to feel that way, to hurt that strongly over someone. Elinya wasn’t convinced it was worth the risk she didn’t know that she ever wanted to hurt like that no matter how much love there was or had been. Forcing herself to think about other things she heard something in the distance and felt Quinja throw up her head. She was alert instantly, her own dished face was held high eyes wide and ears perked. Her frame was erect and alert, standing almost on her toes she pranced a little anticipating what was coming.
Her nostrils were flared, snorting and blowing a little her tail was flagged. Quinja’s excitement and sudden reaction had set her off past her normal standard. It was interesting how a herd effected each other even in a group as small as two Elinya fed off the mare’s excitement and curiosity. So when the dazzling grey stallion danced into the scene she felt the mood drop almost instantly. She came off the high with Quinja but not as quickly, she was still alert and untrustworthy even if she wasn’t alone. She felt the other mares disappointment but couldn’t bring herself to mirror it totally. The excited stallion before her was easy to feed off of as well. His tone seemed genuine and part of Elinya felt energized, more so than she had in days. Keeping herself grounded she nodded in response, her own tail flicked about as well as she listened to Quinja. The mare was friendly enough and Elinya whickered in agreement though didn’t feel the need to say much more, the roan mare had covered all the bases.
The scene reminded her very much of her home life, except usually the mare next to her was swooning over the stallion before them and didn’t give Elinya a chance to even batt an eye. She had grown used to blending into the background, though it didn’t mean the fleet footed filly enjoyed it. There were many times in the past she would have liked to share a conversation with anyone besides the needy mares in the herd but she always kept her mouth shut, not wanting to upset the natural order of things. Elinya’s mother had tried to encourage the delicate filly to flirt and seek attention as the mare knew her offspring had the mind to keep someone interested but she couldn’t for the life of her encourage Elinya to step up and demand to be seen. So as a result even now as she was intrigued by the snow white stallion, she kept to herself the energy in her still buzzing but doing so quietly in a mannerly fashion.
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