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Post by Xarae on Mar 18, 2008 1:45:03 GMT
Epitaph watched all the proceedings with a careful eye. The mare wasn't stupid - she knew a King when she saw him. It was simply the way he owned the ground he walked on. She flicked her ears forward in mild interest. The stallion was certainly her main objective of the night. The pale white was interesting - but the King? That was certainly something else. Epitaph lifted her head an inch higher and held herself better as he instantly asserted himself between her and Dilali. Inwardly, she was preening at this. His flank was gently brushing with hers with every small movement he made, but Epitaph merely smiled politely in his direction, bowing her dainty head in respect. The mare snorted softly as he nuzzled Dilali's neck - so they'd met before? Epitaph swished her tail lightly, a bit miffed that he was paying this mare special attention, but she refused to call the spotlight to herself.
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Post by tingara on Mar 18, 2008 8:56:32 GMT
Dilali nibbled playfully at Aleo's mane wondering what was going through Nevada and the other horses' minds.
"No Nevada, Aleo did not displease me," she said politely to the silver stallion, "and don't you worry Aleo I've been keeping very safe." She laughed inwardly, she'd navigated her way through the rocky Brindle Bull in the dark, yeah like that was safe.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Naima, and..." Dilali realised that the grey mare hadn't spoken a word, "anyway, my name is Dilali." Dilali smiled as she felt Aleo move in next to her, she looked over to see if she could guess what Nevada was planning.
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Post by Tiggs on Mar 18, 2008 9:58:23 GMT
The sound of Aleo's behind him made him jump as if bitted by a horse-fly. With a short squeal,he wheeled and faced Aleo, his nostrils quivering and legs shaking. He bowed his head in respect, backing away a little while always watching the King with wide eyes. He should run now, save himself the trouble, but the mysterious little grey was impossible to leave.
It stung that she seemed interested in the King rather than him, but what mare wouldn't be? Even Dilali was wavering, that little smile as Aleo stopped next to her, she would fall to him soon. He suddenly realised why being King was worth the risk. You had to fight your way there, and fight to keep it, and eventually you would lose, but any mare would follow you to the ends of the earth if you held that title. It was pure seduction. A stallion could live quite easily as King with his pick of mares and grazing. Nevada knew it would be years before he could even challenge for the position, but when he was old enough and fit enough, he would make his challenge and if he won, he'd lead his own herd of stunning mares. Only the best would do.
"Good evening, Your Majesty." He said with a quiet defeated voice. "I'm sorry, I'll leave. Good night Dilali, Naima..." He'd looked to each mare in turn, and now he looked to the dapple, not knowing her name. "Good night." He said to her, eyes lingering and ears flickering before he turned and started trotting down the path. He was hoping Aleo would stay with the mares, he didn't want to lead a headlong chase in the dark and return to Mica defeated and tired.
His mind was in turmoil. The testosterone was screaming for him to fight now for the dappled beauty, but the sense in him knew not to. Aleo was King, Nevada couldn't hope to win her. Not yet. So Nevada loped away down the rocky path and into the night, conceding defeat by Aleo of which many to come he was sure before he had the skill and ability to take on the King.
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Post by aya on Mar 18, 2008 10:49:06 GMT
Aleo didn't want to shoot Nevada down - especially when he was such a good looking horse - so he made sure he was civil to the young stallion.
"Good evening." He replied, though he held his head and tail high. As Nevada skulked away, Aleo wasn't sure if he felt elated or guilty. He knew he sure wouldn't like someone raining on his parade, but that was his job. He guessed, anyway.
He turned his head around to look at the three fillies; yes, they were still as beautiful as they were a minute or so ago. Of course, he felt most strongly about Dilali, but the other two had him intrigued. The chestnut, an elegant, mature mare - Aleo always liked chestnuts. He nodded his head towards her, pricking his ears to attention.
The younger of the other two mares - an almost surreal dapple grey - seemed to be a perfect fit to the crystal moonlight; her dappled coat reflecting shards of silver. He placed a forefoot carefully forward and half-extended his nose gently. For a moment, he might have even forgotten about Dilali a little, but he could feel the warmth from her body on his shoulder.
"I don't believe we've met." He said, "I'd remember someone like you."
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Post by Xarae on Mar 19, 2008 0:38:27 GMT
The mare raised her dished head a fraction of an inch, watching with mild interest as both stallions' gaze seemed to linger on her form. Good, good. As they well should. Epitaph was not prone to vanity, but she certainly liked it when her beauty was appreciated. She snorted softly in response to Nevada's retreating figure before turning her full attention back towards Aleo. The mare extended her nose slowly, touching his briefly. Epitaph smiled in that quiet, restrained way of hers and dipped her head slightly in respect. "You flatter me, dear King. My name is Epitaph." Her words echoed the style of which she'd spoken before - smooth and effortless, silken like moonlight. The mare's fluency was startling. She could make nearly anything sound interesting, and she liked to use this to her advantage when it suited her.
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Post by tingara on Mar 19, 2008 8:46:47 GMT
Epitaph's words were irresistible and Dilali saw how interested Aleo was in her. Maybe it wasn't herself that Aleo was after or maybe he'd forget about her. Dilali felt a pang of sadness and maybe even jealousy. She then shook her head. Why was she sad!? Why did she feel the way she did around Aleo?
"It's nice to meet you Epitaph, I hope to see you around," she said politely and then the turned to leave. Before she left she turned to Aleo, nuzzled him affectionately and whispered so only he could hear, "I'll be on the Ramshed Range again, I'll maybe see you there." Dilali hoped that he'd figure out the subliminal messages and follow her there as soon as he was finished here.
She faded back into the night from whence she came.
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Post by chibinezu on Mar 20, 2008 11:17:06 GMT
Naima watched the interactions between both stallions and mares with interest. She had not had the company of so many in just over a season.
She stayed quiet, fading a little into the background. Young mares and stallions, she remembered being this young, she missed it. The teasing of the colts so they would chase you high and low.
What she inspected between the King and his mare though was not teasing, it had gone pass that now..
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Post by aya on Mar 20, 2008 11:30:43 GMT
Aleo relished the sound of the dapple mare's voice and her unrivalled beauty, but he was distracted by Dilali's exit and felt compelled to follow her. Stay here, or chase her? Aleo knew that he would probably chase her, but he would try his luck here for a few moments first.
"I must go. My mares are with my close friend, and I cannot leave them with him for long." He explained. Aleo was usually concerned about his mares, mostly because he was always off doing things without them, which bothered him a fair bit. "But I would find it pleasing if both of you would join me."
He reached out and touched the nose of the chestnut mare as well.
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Post by Xarae on Mar 20, 2008 15:27:02 GMT
Epitaph allowed the stallion to trail his nose away from hers. They were about the same age, she noted, and almost similar in color. His white mixed with her striking dapples would created a gorgeous foal. This required thought. Give up her pride, and follow this stallion? This King? She swished her tail, bowing her head briefly. "I would love to run with you," The mare murmured quietly, her alluring voice hushed so that one had to lean in to hear it. Epitaph took a half step closer to Aleo, firmly situating herself as his.
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Post by chibinezu on Mar 21, 2008 2:00:01 GMT
Her nose touched Aleo's softly and she nodded, "I would be honoured to run with you as well. It has been quite a time since I've had such a polite invitation."
She'll step back over the rocks and look in the direction Dilali went, "Where is your herd situated? I believe we can make it there on our own. I think you might have other business to attend to."
The hint to chase after Dilali is not subtle and very deliberate.
"I will let your friend know where you are."
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