Brothers [OPEN]

[Tex]

The silver mare, who couldn't really be caalled a filly much longer, kept an even pace alongside Waiirri, her colt walking besides her. He had grown a year now, and was already looking fine. She was proud of him, but didn't say anything when she had the chance. It would only make his head blow up into a horse-head-shaped balloon. She snuffled into his mane and lipped his ears, unconvinced. Was that possible?

While his mother pondered the conundrums of her universe, the yearling chestnut was peeking at everything about himself, bright eyes watching the other mare's filly especially. She was nice, he thought, and ran to be with her, ignoring his mother who glared at the other mare. He did not care about their adult jealousies and rivalries, but he did wonder why the strange mare waas being so mean. The thought instantly left his head when the other young horse reached out to nip him, and he danced aside, landing on the other side of his mother. Everything was quiet, and he peeked out to see what was going on.

Doowi watched over Waiirri's shoulder, eyes wide with fascination. Another horse, like her, and with aa male, too! Ooo, at least her Warri was smart enough to not try and fight to get that stranger. He already had her, a much more beautiful horse than any other... she looked over at Aruna while she continued to think to herself... mares. The fool barged into her on her way past, and Doowi nipped viciously at her hide, whipping her ears back. The clutz couldn't even match up on her coordination and grace!

The chestnut yearling shook his head to get rid of some water that had dropped from the trees; at least, he hoped it was water. The filly with the other mare walked forward, and he followed, trying to urge her into playing with him.

[yaruka]

Doowi was right, Waiirri was not fool enough to attempt to win over this mare. For one thing, claiming her would highly offend his first mare, the last thing the blue stallion wanted to do, and for another, though he needed some more mares to balance out the hostility between Aruna and Doowi, he did not wish to risk conflict now while Aruna was so close to foaling.
He was surprised when the mare answered him first, but inclined his head politely to her. The stallion seemed tense even as he replied, "Greetings O blue roan and herd. I wish for no harm to befall any of us."
"In that case there should be no need for either of us to trouble. But be warned. If you threaten my herd in any way you will suffer for it." Waiirri did not want the other to think he was so passive that he could get away with making an assault on his mares. It was just a precaution though, judging by the grullo's tense posture he wasn't about to risk his only mare. Waiirri observed his distrust with gentle amusement, clearly he had been in a recent fight and wasn't apt to relax just yet. Eyeing him with intrust he added "Of what do the creatues of the bush talk in this part of the HIgh COuntry?" With Aruna so close to foaling he wanted to make sure he knew all he could about this new area.

[{ Opal }]

OOC: On second thought, I'll make a post, as Aruna is waaaay past due for her foal. Fits in alright, though. ^^

Aruna's head suddenly went up from its resting position. Her dark ears pricked as if listening to some unheard voice, and for a moment the stocky grulla fidgeted restlessly, her instincts conflicting. She swished her tail from side to side, acting as if annoyed by a pestering fly, and she looked rather unnerved by it. But in the end Aruna simply turned and started off into the brush, her pace slow but steady, with some unclear purpose in mind. It was time for the pregnant mare to set off on the journey that every mother makes when giving birth, and though she did not want to leave Waiirri in this strange land, it was a challenge she had to face. Now Mirrin had no idea what Aruna was doing, but she thought it looked exciting, so she quickly bounded to her dam's side. But Aruna had no intention of taking her daughter with her, and when she turned she nipped Mirrin sharply on the nose. "You cannot come, Mirrin," she said harshly, but at the young filly's hurt look, she softened. "Look, when I come back, I will have a brand new foal for you to see. Do you want that?" Mirrin brightened instantly and nickered in confirmation. Aruna nuzzled her foal gently and closed her eyes, relishing the moment. She was unsettled by leaving her filly, but she could feel small kicks inside her belly, and that force was stronger. "Then stay with Waiirri, and I will return in just a few days." Mirrin looked hesitant, but bit back a word of protest, and simply bobbed her head obediently. "Okay," the little filly said, and with that Aruna melted into the snowgums, hoping dearly that her herd would be here when she came back.