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Post by Tiggs on Aug 29, 2008 14:29:03 GMT
Wintering in the valley of Cascade Creek had at least kept Nevada and his herd secluded. The white stallion had barely seen any other brumbies since the beginning of the season which had allowed him to recover with the minimum amount of stress. Of course, having Brael simply in the near vicinity was enough stress for any creature in the High Country but Nevada had managed to desensitise himself to the rabid moon filly over the last year or more. It still amazed him he had held onto her this long, but he reasoned no other stallion would be able to put up with her should he manage to take her, and would promptly bring her back, begging Nevada to keep her away.
Taworri and Jannali were a different matter, they would be a fine pair to add to any herd, not only due to Taworri's rare colour but the pair's sweet and charming personalities. Nevada would never risk either of the three, though it was tempting to lose Brael now and again, so what brought him striding into Yarraman's Valley - the home of the King - with all three following in plain sight?
Garrong.
The black stallion had taken Dilali and Baramay before the first snow, attacking at night and leaving Nevada beaten and scarred but miraculously leaving Taworri and Brael still in his possession. That fact was still a mystery, but Nevada was planning to solve it while he beat the immoral black beast into a bloody pulp. The white stallion was still more than a little bitter, even after the whole winter season to cool off.
Stopping at the bottom of the valley when the shapes of the Kings herd could be made out against the snow, Nevada called out to Tingara. But the call was not one of challenge. It was a greeting, requesting the presence of the King for nothing more violent than a conversation. As much as it pained the proud grey stallion, he needed the dark King's help.
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Post by tingara on Aug 30, 2008 2:15:35 GMT
Everything that had happened recently had put Tingara on edge. First Garrong and then Valatone's tragedy. Now every mare who went to foal put him on edge, Binda had disappeared and Crayola and Kala weren't far behind her. He had asked them to try and not wander too far from the herd but who was he to override instinct?
The only one who wasn't in foal was Myrrina, who stood beside him. Gently he started to groom her withers, trying to focus more on her than the thoughts that continuously plagued his mind.
Out of nowhere a new call echoed throughout the valley and there was no mistaking it, that was Nevada's call. Tingara sighed with relief as he realized the call was no challenge. By the sounds of it Nevada wanted to speak with him. He lifted his head and answered, silently warning him not to cross him. Tingara whinnied reassuringly to the herd before heading to the other stallion.
"Yes Nevada?" Tingara could see that he had healed quite well after the beating the black had dealt him, only a few scars were visible. He saw that Nevada's herd had a new addition, Jannali. He smiled, happy that the mare was with the stallion she wanted.
"So you find him after all," he laughed and bobbed his head in greeting, "Kala has been missing you, I know she'd like to see you before she leaves to foal.
"Any way, Nevada why have you come to seek me out?"
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Valatone
Inactive
Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!
Posts: 335
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Post by Valatone on Aug 30, 2008 9:43:24 GMT
Valatone was slowly dragging herself behind Tingara with a fake smile on her face. It wasn't because of Nevada, indeed not. She had nothing against the white stallion and hoped that Tingara and him never had to fight. They seemed like friends anyway. But Valatone was still upset after having Arika. Ever since she had left the little, lifeless filly she'd grown a thirst to be close to her. It was like a string was attached to her and the tree she had been under with Arika, constantly tugging and pulling her.
But she truthfully didn't want to go back there. It didn't scare her, but the sight of her dead daughter would make her emotions worse. Her eyes were glazed slightly, like those of her daughter's. She stopped when Tingara went closer to Nevada and his herd, and lay down on her knees in the background. She uncovered some flimsy grass with her nose and slowly chewed, not caring about the horrid taste.
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Post by Illu on Aug 30, 2008 12:32:18 GMT
Binda slowly wandered back, a little blue roan filly at her side. The general attitude of the seemed... forlorn. Even last season’s foals were strangely still. Brow furrowed, Binda nudged her little filly then slowly wandered in, opting not for theatrics. Valatone was the first one she spotted, so the blue mare made her way there first, eye warily on Nevada. ”What’s happened?
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Post by Tiggs on Aug 31, 2008 17:06:47 GMT
Nevada kept one ear or eye on each of Tingara's mares in turn. He didn't think any of them were new, but the white-faces, grey-freckled mare nearest Tingara was quite intriguing. If only he was ready to take on Tingara, then he could challenge him for the pretty little mare. But that would be stupid to say the least, especially considering he was about to ask the King for a favour. Nevada wondered if he'd ever be able to challenge the black King.
Tingara's herd seemed to be dwindling, though Nevada imagined most of them were about ready to foal. Luckily his own pregnant mares were not quite ready yet, and he still had all three with him. He was glad of that, it was one less thing to worry about with what he intended to do now. The few mares that were present did not seem entirely happy either, perhaps something had happened to cause the dark cloud lingering over the mood. With a huff, Nevada bobbed his head in greeting, keeping his ears saddled to the side. "I must ask a favour of you," He began, flicking his tail in agitation, "I intend to fight that black who fought me at the beginning of the season." He glanced at all the mares within earshot, and gestured to Tingara that he would like to finish the conversation privately.
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Post by yaruka on Sept 2, 2008 1:37:17 GMT
Baree had been busy playing with the other yearlings when Nevada's call announced the arrival of strange horses. Standing stock still with his head up and ears pricked forward Baree gazed towards the top of the hill. He didn't even notice Binda's return with a her newborn. He did however, notice the pale shape that followed Tingara up the hill and then collapsed a little ways from the black king. Baree didn't know what had happened to Valatone, he only knew she had returned to the herd listless and without a foal by her side. In the past few days Valatone had not strayed more than a few feet from Tingara's side so Baree had kept his distance. Now, however, he walked slowly towards his foster mother, dropping his nose to nuzzle her gently on the neck as he reached her.
OOC: note- I have all my rps written on little scraps of paper butttttttttt my internet is being really annoying and is not working properly> it will probably take me about 15 minutes just to post this, but I really wanted to write *something* so ya, just so you guys know I haven't abandoned Kossy or anything!!
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Post by yaruka on Sept 2, 2008 1:40:52 GMT
Taworri followed nervously behind Nevada, wondering what he was planning to do. She knew the grey stallion was determined to get Dilali and Baramay back, and she respected and loved him for that. But walking up to a rival stallion on that's stallion's own territory, with all three mares in plain sight, was hardly considered a good idea at the best of times. Especially since it was the culmilation of the breeding season. She suspected all three of them were pregnant though, she knew she would expecting her foal fairly soon and she did not want to do it in the possesion of another stallion. Not that she thought Nevada would lose a fight, but walking into another stallion's valley was just asking for trouble. She flicked her tail worriedly but made no verbal protests. She was just going to have to trust Nevada.
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Post by yaruka on Sept 2, 2008 1:55:53 GMT
Jannali had been following Nevada with mounting excitement ever since she had begun to recognize the landmarks that dotted their journey and realized that they were heading toward's Tingara's herd and her half sister Kala. A flicker of nervousness entered her mind when she thought of what Tingara's reaction might be when he saw her with Nevada but she quickly pushed aside her doubt, what was done was done. As they crested the last rise before the valley, Jannali strained her eyes for the familiar red roan of Kala's coat. She finally spotted her sister and couldn't resist letting out a joyous half-whinny before she caught herself before she could interrupt Nevada. Tingara made his way up the hill and Jannali lowered her head in guilt, she hoped she hadn't hurt his feelings by leaving. But the black stallion was perfectly civil, he seemed genuinely happy that she had found the stallion she had been looking for, even if he was a rival. Jannali, extremely relieved, stepped forwards to touch his nose gently in gratitude, then stepped back to Nevada, looking over the grey stallion's shoulder to see if Kala would make her way up the hill.
Kala was grazing listlessly by herself when she caught a sudden barrage of new scents on the breeze and heard a strange stallion's call. Suddenly, she flung her head up, ears pricked all the way forward in eagerness. Had she caught Jannali's scent? Kala gazed towards the top of the hill, trying to make out the figures that stood in shadow. Kala whinnied in delight as she recongized Jannali among the other new horses and she lept into a canter. When she reached the base of the hill, she was forced to slow into a laboured trot, she was very close to dropping her foal, but she still made her way enthousiastically up the hill. Cresting the top, she was blowing quite heavily from a mixture of excitement and exertion but she didn't care. This time she completely ignored Nevada, (Jannali was more important and after all she was carrying another stallion's baby) and reached her quivering nose to touch Jannali's muzzle.
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Jannali watched her sister canter towards themm in excitement. When the red figure finally crested the hill she lept forwards to greet her. After they had exchanged greetings Jannali nodded towards her half-sister's swollen abdomenen, much larger than her own "You must be due anytime now," she whispered, excited for Kala's first foal. But then regret washed over her, she wouldn't be around to see the foal, she may never meet her 1/2 sister's first born. Heavy hearted she continued, "Congratulations, I'm not due until much later this month".
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Kala was enjoying herself immensely, she felt as though no time had lapsed since she and Jannali had started their journey north. But hte sad look on her friend's face brought her back to reality. Everything was different now, they both belonged to different herds and would rarely, if ever, see each other. Kala reached forward to nuzzle Jannali's cheeck gently, reminding her that no matter what, they would always be sisters. "Congratulations to you too," she whispered then jerked back suddenly as she felt a spasm of pain shoot up her spine. Panicking, she realized that it must be her time to foal. Touching Jannali's nose once more in farewell, then nodding to Tingara, Kala hurried back down the slope. For this she needed to be alone, she knew Jannali had understood by the look in her half-sister's eyes.
Sad to see her go, but knowing full well that it was necessary, Jannali watched the red roan descend the hill with a forlorn expression. "Goodbye and good luck" she callled after her, then she moved back to join Taworri, Yarran and Brael in waiting for Nevada's next decision.
OOC: wow, sorry this turned out to be so long xD
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Post by tingara on Sept 3, 2008 8:41:31 GMT
Tingara looked on thoughtfully for awhile before deciding to speak again.
"And why have you come to me? I've never fought him, not yet any way," he said. The more Tingara thought about it the more he became curious.
"How is it exactly that I can help you?"
.:OOC: Ahhh my posts are getting shorter and shorter *fails*:.
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Post by Tiggs on Sept 3, 2008 13:58:55 GMT
Nevada took a step closer to his rival, lowering his voice so Brael in particular could not overhear. "I don't want your help to fight him. I can defeat him myself. However..." He paused, glancing over his shoulder to check Brael hadn't got into any trouble yet,
"However, I need somewhere to leave my mares. I don't want them near any fight, and in the unlikelihood that I should lose again, I'd rather he didn't take my mares as well as my life."
Nevada ground his teeth, the grating noise audible, "If I don't return,I want you to keep my mares safe." Nevada was not happy about leaving his mares in Tingara's care, though he'd rather not leave his Moonfillies to the other Black's mercy. The devil you know, or the devil you don't. Tingara may be his ultimate rival, but at least he was fair and noble unlike the black who had taken Dilali and Baramay. "I will get Dilali back, but I need your alliance until I do." Proposing an alliance was like a kick in the gut for the proud grey stallion, but the safety of his mares came first. At least he didn't say please, that would be the lowest of the low.
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Leading her newly-born filly out into the Valley, Crayola let out an excited whinny and encouraged her pale filly into a trot. They hadn't travelled far, Crayola never wandered much of a distance when birthing a foal. She felt safer knowing the herd was not far, and that she and her newborn would not take long to get back to the comfort it offered. The appaloosa mare proudly trotted beside her pale golden foal, offering a steadying nudge when the little filly placed a wrong foot on the uneven ground.
They slowed before they reached Tingara, and the foal reached the pair of stallions first. With blind courage, not knowing any better, the little foal stumbled up to the black stallion and leaned against the pillar of his foreleg. Sniffing his knee, she tried and experimental suckle and when it yielded no results, she waddled over to the white stallion. Nevada gave a nicker to the young foal, glancing helplessly at the parents. The filly foal sniffed at his knees and before Nevada could back away to show he would offer no harm, the palomino foal trotted back over to her mother to suckle. Crayola groomed the white splodge over her foal's rump, apparently not worried about the presence of an unknown stallion.
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