Licking the Wounds

[chibinezu]

"Then you have not looked recently. You come here for a drink but you leave your mare to go thirsty? Or do you fear she will draw a comparison between us and see what she is missing"

Jerome cocked his nose high in the air and neighed, laughing at Rezar before turning to Sola,

"and you. No trouble? what kind of coward are you? Stand tall and strong, you're a stallion, not a mare."

[Illu]

Wow, this colt was quite conceited. Whoever had given him those wounds had probably done it out of annoyance. ”And was it wrong of me to leave my mare safe while I made sure it was okay for her? Maybe you have conveniently forgotten I am not the one sporting fresh wounds and travelling around alone. Do me a favour, when you get your first filly, take her out into a group of other males without giving it a second thought and see how that goes for you.” To prove his point that he didn’t think Jerome was worth much, Rezar called back in Corowa’s direction that she could come out if she wanted to.

With a flick of his white tail, he trotted away from Jerome, putting Sola between them, deciding to deal with him instead while waiting to see if his grey was going to make an appearance. ”My name is Rezar, and I’m not the one you need to worry about to cause trouble,” he said calmly, keeping an eye on Jerome. ”Don't worry about him, his bark looks worse than his bite as they say. What about you? Whats your name?” Again the niggling sensation he knew this colt from somewhere.

[aya]

Sola might be naive, but he wasn't stupid and Rezar's perspective on the situation shone a new light on Jerome. And also, Sola felt that strange feeling that he wanted to have a filly too. Not that Sola had ever had any experience in that department, but it was just his instinct taking over.

"Rezar?" He said inquisitively, "Your name is familiar. But I don't know how that would be since I've been a man's horse for most of my life." He swished his white tail, bothered by the fact that Rezar also had one. Maybe they had known each other?

"My name is Sola." Sola held his head a little higher now, "I have no mares since I was only recently released."

[tingara]

Baramay stood, watching the stallions from the cover of the nearby snow gums. Earlier she had found a clearing that had the scent of horses all over it but had been disappointed to find no horses in the clearing when she'd got there. She peered at the stallion she knew as 'Sola'. She decided he liked him but had no idea how to approach him. Baramay stepped from her cover tentatively and introduced herself, "Hi there, I'm Baramay," she said shyly to Sola, "what's your name?" She already knew the answer to this question bit she was just trying to make conversation.

[aya]

Sola was visibly startled, yet again, by a horse coming out of nowhere. This time it was a lovely chestnut filly, who appeared to ignore the two other stallions gathered to pay special attention to him. This was really something else. Sola picked up his stance, standing a little more proudly this time and holding his white tail higher.
"I am Sola, nice to meet you Baramay."
He had hoped that since Baramay was interested in him, that Jerome and Rezar would leave her be.

[chibinezu]

Jerome tried to act nonchalant about the surprise appearance of a second filly, he stood proud however and flicked his mane and tail and pranced up to said mare.

She was obviously not taken so wooing her would be easier than with Rezar's mare. He puffed out his chest and held his feet high.

"Good Evening Madam, I am Jerome!"

[Illu]

Rezar was perfectly willing to leave Sola and the newcomers to themselves. The bay was nice, and it didn’t feel quite right to take a mare from another horse he had a kinship in pattern with, especially when it wasn’t him that she was interested in. Jerome was another matter though. The palomino had only just moved to the side to give them a little space when the prancing dun tried to make a move.

He aimed a quick bite on uninjured spot at his withers, designed to distract rather than cause harm. ”Hush! It’s obviously not you she wants. Leave them be.”

[aya]

Sola became self-conscious as soon as Jerome pranced over to Baramay. Well, he would probably be better at looking after her, and Sola wasn't sure if he would be able to go up against Jerome in the 'impressiveness' category. He had to try, anyway, even if he looked like a fool. He angled himself so that he was between Jerome and Baramay, feeling as if he was about to make his new 'friend' angry. It wasn't as if Jerome had been completely nice to him, anyhow.

"Baramay, are you alone?" Sola asked in a worried tone, "you shouldn't wander around at this time of day, especially so close to... Well, you know." He really couldn't bring himself to say 'breeding season'.

[tingara]

"Nice to meet you Jerome," Baramay said, glancing quickly in the Dun's direction. She had no idea how to act around stallions and didn't know her presence could cause some trouble.
"I am alone, I have been alone for awhile now," she answered Sola, "I'm glad you fear for my safety." She smiled and walked over to Sola. She began to nibble affectionately at his shoulder, forgetting completely about Rezar and Jerome. She noticed that Rezar and Sola shared the same coloured tail.
"Why is your tail different to your mane? You're not a painted horse so how can i be so?" the question was more to herself than anyone else. She didn't expect Sola to know the answer, she didn't even know why she was the colour she was!

[chibinezu]

Jerome was taken aback! How dare this coward attempt to steal his mare from him. He would not have it!

"Perhaps it is something the man did to him."

She would understand, a man's horse is a weak horse, to have been caught and tamed. It showed a great lack of spirit and will power, this was not someone who would look after her and protect her.