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Post by { Opal } on Dec 28, 2008 23:44:43 GMT
Darel took in a sharp breath, then let it out with a huff. Streams of fog floated from his nostrils, then dissipated into the chilly air. His legs were cold, his ears were cold, and the snow smothered every inch of grass. I hate winter. However, even with all these negative thoughts, Darel didn't frown. In fact, his face remained serene, and his eyes simply scanned his surroundings. The flat sheet of snow glistened as it picked up the rays of light, and turned them into sparkles on its surface. The sky was a calm blue, and a few clouds roamed lazily through it. To his left, a pair of remaining robins settled into an evergreen tree, which still appeared alive and well, even with snow plopping off its branches. Well, maybe it isn't so bad. Darel thought, referring to the cold season.
The young stallion felt a spark of playfulness ignite as he observed the thin sheet of snow, and his long foreleg raised, then stamped into the ground. Darel snorted loudly, his neck jerking back to make his chestnut mane come alive. Suddenly he rushed forward, starting in a canter then slowing to a trot. The chestnut horse danced along the valley, his grey hooves spraying the once unscathed snow all along the ground.
But suddenly Darel rounded, his ears instinctively flattened. He thought he heard something, and a slight motion had frightened him. ...Must be my own imagination. Darel shrugged it off, but the incident had dampened his spirit. He didn't feel like running anymore. Dully he lowered his head, nipping at some leftover grass he had revealed during his play. Crunching it, Darel scanned the forest again, hoping that his first conclusion was right. He didn't like being watched...
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Post by tingara on Dec 29, 2008 13:29:22 GMT
Unlike Darel, Tingara was almost in his element in the snow although it betrayed his presence. Silently the black stallion hid himself amongst the dark cover of the trees. He was still reeling from his half-brother’s attack on him a year ago and began to grow edgy as a strange scent became clear on the wind. Silently the older stallion stalked the direction the scent took him until a chestnut stallion came into view.
With mares being close to foaling and the ever present threat of Nevada, Tingara didn’t need a new challenger. Over the past year many young and foolish stallions had sought him out, ready to take his crown but not even one had had the courage to actually stand up and fight. But there was always a chance this one could be different.
A few moments of silent contemplation passed. Tingara decided to greet the newcomer civilly but still the black couldn’t help but be wary. Slight paranoia, another thing he had Maluka to thank for. With a low greeting nicker, the ebony stallion stepped into clear view. He welcomed the sunshine, it quickly set about warming his thick body but it also betrayed the pale pink of new, hairless flesh. It made old wounds once again noticeable.
“Greetings young one, what may I ask is your business here in the valley?” Tingara asked politely, bobbing his head in greeting. Brown eyes gazed intently at the chestnut, black ears pricked forward listening for a reply and any tone of voice that may suggest malicious intentions.
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Post by { Opal } on Dec 29, 2008 17:35:51 GMT
Darel was somewhat preoccupied with snatching up grass for the moment, but his already alerted senses managed to pick up on the stallion's presence. For a few seconds Darel scanned the empty undergrowth in fear, then finally glanced in the right direction. As the animal pushed its way into the exposed valley, Darel expressed a short squeal of surprise. His ears flicked back, and his head lowered to take a posture of defense. I know about him... He could tear me apart! Dozens of fearful thoughts flew through his mind, and Darel instinctively searched for a way out of the valley. Easy enough, but... Wait, what's that? Darel, suddenly inquisitive, searched the stallion's hide. It was covered in fresh scars, which stood out boldly from the black fur.
By now the stallion was very close to him, and Darel had to notice that he didn't look the least bit threatening, in fact, he looked threatened himself. Darel's head jerked back a little as a strange voice came from the stallion. In his haste, Darel had to take a few moments to proccess the stallion's words. Attempting to draw up a little confidence, Darel finally spoke. "Just, uh, passing through... You know, eating up for winter and... such." Instead of the steady voice he had hoped for, Darel could only manage a soft, wavering tone. Who cares... maybe he'll leave me alone that way. Actually, Darel wasn't expecting a blow from this stallion. He seemed to have taken enough of that already.
As Darel's heart finally started returning back to normal pace, his hindquarters sagged. Darel fought to keep them upright, but then his forelegs seemed to weaken. Flinging his neck back to steady himself, Darel managed uncomfortably for a couple of moments, as muscles shuddered across his body. Then the weakness subsided, his muscles settled, and Darel struggled up with a gusty sigh of relief. The shock of the stallion must have triggered something... he was lucky to have not suffered more. Darel then glanced awkwardly at the black stallion; surely he wasn't going to be accustomed to Darel's strange fits. May that mean that he would just abandon him? Darel felt saddened at that thought. It's strange, but... I wouldn't mind an actual place to live.
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Post by tingara on Jan 5, 2009 1:30:17 GMT
Almost immediately Tingara relaxed, this newcomer was no threat. The black stallion thought for a moment. He hoped the chestnut stallion wasn’t alone, with the full fury of winter yet to come; being alone could be incredibly dangerous. He himself had mares and foals that kept each other warm during the harshest nights, although it was fairly dangerous to huddle together in deep snow. There was a high chance of a drift being created and then the herd would eventually die through being trapped.
The other stallion’s tremors snapped Tingara back to reality almost immediately. What was wrong with the chestnut? Did it happen often? So many questions whirled around the stallion’s head. All traces if hostility disappeared as he became more and more concerned about the other’s welfare.
“My name is Tingara and this is the valley my herd and I live in. Please, stay with us through the winter,” Tingara motioned for Darel to follow him back to where it was warm. He studied the stranger closer; the chestnut looked only to be a little older than Tingara’s eldest foals. “Can I ask? Why do your muscles tremor so violently?” Tingara couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer and the question slipped out.
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Post by { Opal } on Jan 5, 2009 3:41:46 GMT
Darel was shocked speechless as the king made his offer. After the initial shock had surpassed, Darel was lifted up by pure joy. He felt as if he was floating on clouds! A goofy grin spread across his face, as all of the doubts melted away like they never exhisted. "Yes, yes of coarse!" His voice was certainly clear now; and loud. Darel couldn't even tell Tingara how much he appreciated it; for all his life he had been an outcast! The fact that he was a stallion, and his illness, had forced him to live alone. Darel would have to adjust to a social life, but that challenge was like a tiny mar on miles of ice.
As Tingara calmly started off, Darel jumped forward with an amazing bound, which brought him instantly to the king's side. In respect he slowed down, allowing the stallion to draw ahead. But Darel's spirits wouldn't be dampened; not by anything! “Can I ask? Why do your muscles tremor so violently?” The chestnut uttered a distracted "Huh?" before running his mind through the brumby's words. Darel didn't mind answering in the least; in fact, he felt relieved to be able to explain. "Oh, well... I'm not sure why. It happens randomly sometimes, while at others something triggers it." Darel paused to glance at the black stallion. "It can get really bad... but other times it's OK. Trust me, what you saw was just a light one." He shuddered as his memory recaptured the worst moments.
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Post by tingara on Jan 7, 2009 8:19:07 GMT
Tingara smiled warmly at Darel, already he was growing to like the chestnut. It was a shame he had no daughters old enough to go off with the younger stallion, although Fira’s daughter Kimba was of age. The black couldn’t help bet let slip a happy laugh at Darel’s joy. The younger one probably wasn’t use to being accepted, especially with that strange twitching condition.
Tingara wondered why a condition like that would make other horses want to avoid an otherwise friendly and healthy colt. “I’m sure there’s a filly or two that would be happy to meet you,” the older stallion laughed again and smiled, an almost mischievous sparkle in his eye. Kimba, although not of his blood, would be better suited to a young stallion then stay with him.
As the two neared the main group, Tingara half-reared and neighed both in greeting and to introduce the herd’s newest addition.
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Post by { Opal } on Jan 7, 2009 18:16:50 GMT
Darel willingly pulled himself from his slump of bad thoughts, relieved to be able to listen to Tingara's words again. “I’m sure there’s a filly or two that would be happy to meet you,” Darel actually winced. The whole make-a-herd-and-hope-you-can-protect-it-game never caught on with Darel's fancy. He knew it was embarrassing for a stallion to live under the king's rule, but he wouldn't dare strike out on his own. And stealing another stallion's mares? Nuh-uh. "Mm... maybe later," Darel mumbled, in order to reply to Tingara's statement.
Being in Tingara's herd was all Darel could ever ask for, but now it brought uncomfortable thoughts. Can I stay here forever, just tossing away my time until I turn to dust? Darel supposed not. Maybe there would be a time when he was ready to make a life all by himself. Darel smiled faintly. He still seemed to have the heart of a young colt.
Darel raised his head, his nostrils flaring excitedly as Tingara rose majestically from her earth. The stallion's call rang through the air, sending the slightest shiver down Darel's spine. As he recognized the scent of many horses, Darel pushed himself over a slight ridge. The miles of open moor stretched out before him, cradling a large herd. Darel was completely surprised by the huge number; it was beyond anything he had seen, or even imagined! Darel took a few moments to gaze at the numerous brumbies, his gaze wandering to each one before finally returning to Tingara. "Thank you." Darel's ears flattened humbly against his head. Suddenly remembering something, Darel quickly added, "Oh yes, and my name is Darel. It means blue sky."
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Post by tingara on Jan 8, 2009 13:05:41 GMT
“It is a pleasure to meet you Darel,” Tingara smiled warmly at the chestnut stallion. He had not known him more than an hour and already he liked him. Ducking his head, the black lead Darel down the ridge and into the valley. As he past each mare he bobbed his head in greeting before stopping deliberately near Kimba. Already he could see the female chestnut was eyeing the new stallion, if Fira didn’t notice that would be perfect. Speaking of Fira, somehow Tingara had managed to woo the fiery chestnut mare and she was now carrying his foal. That was an interesting turn of events.
“Darel I suggest you rest get some rest. I’m going to surprise the herd and take everyone up to Dead Horse Gap tomorrow for a few weeks,” with a final bob of his head, Tingara flicked his tail and went to walk among the mares. Ever since the hint of Nevada’s presence a few days ago he had stopped being away from the mob for so long and grazed extremely close to his herd mates.
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Post by { Opal } on Jan 8, 2009 17:31:42 GMT
Darel was very much relieved to find that the stallion took favor in him. He smiled back, looking slightly embarrased. "Thank you." Darel returned, keeping his pace at a brisk walk in order to keep up with Tingara. As they weaved through the mares and yearlings, Darel found interest in observing each one. They all seemed healthy and well taken care of, but most of all each one seemed content. Darel flicked his ears humbly at their curious glances.
Darel was so preoccupied with the other brumbies that he barely noticed when Tingara stopped. Darel jerked himself to attention and halted just in time to look as if nothing happened. “Darel I suggest you get some rest. I’m going to surprise the herd and take everyone up to Dead Horse Gap tomorrow for a few weeks.” Darel nodded in affirmative, mildly wondering why they would be going to Dead Horse Gap. Oh well, travel might help him get to know the others.
As the young stallion stood there, another chestnut caught his eye. Darel glanced sideways at her, surprised to find her already staring at him.
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