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 Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 10:06 am
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 2:30 pm
 He lifted his white nose away from the two wicker baskets that had been crafted by the nearby two-legger which rested near his front hooves. To say he was a proud father would just be the cherry on top as he was brimming full of it. He puffed out his black painted chest at the swelling feeling nestled deep in his heart. His bi-colored eyes shifted onto the gray mare that stood nearby and he stretched his neck out to touch muzzles with her.
At first, he had been terrified that her father would be furious that the next in line had become pregnant. He still hadn't seen much of the elder protector since he knew they had their hooves full with their own offspring. Now, he was proud. He was a proud papa-to-be. He had strengthen his breed with future Winds and they would continue the tradition.
He returned his gaze to the baskets once more as they began to shift more furiously. "They seem restless to be out." He nudged the paler of the two and felt it bump back against him, bringing a smile to his maw. They'd be out in due time.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 4:53 pm
 It was a rare sight indeed to find the mare Maelstrom virtually glowing with happiness and pride. While certainly passionate and affectionate with Wild Wind when they had their seclusion, she was not without her temper. The past few days, as the two baskets seemed to be brimming with life and energy, a smile was never far from the mare's face.
The baskets smelled wonderful. Healthy. And a mix of the two of them.
"They're growing fast." She agreed with him, tail whisking back and forth. "Soon, they'll be here, and the bloodlines will pass on to a new generation." Unlike Wild Wind, Maelstrom knew that her father would be proud. She had seen his smile when she had presented Wild Wind to him, the approval when he heard the stallion's opinions. She could have found no finer of a mate, and no better father for her children.
She couldn't wait for them to emerge - to see what their blood yielded, and to show her strength to her extended family.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 6:48 pm
A faint snapping sound came from the lighter basket and then the darker one. He felt that bubbling sensation rise higher, building in anticipation. He lowered his head, the beads of his mane clicking together with the movement just as a pale and red-glowing tribal marked leg stuck out from the weakened side of the wicker.
 The top of the basket was then nudged off and a bright, purple-eyed filly peeked out at the world. Her muzzle was dark and faded up the length of her face. She looked up at someone who had weird looking eyes and pale with a black hat in his fur before craning her neck to look over at the mare with the purple-glowing etching in hers.
"Welcome to the world, little wings," he said as he stared down at his first daughter. She seemed to beam happily when she realized that it was the family she had always heard. She looked very much like her mother but had been blessed with the elder protector's red markings. He tugged on the girl's forelock before waiting to see if the other one would make a break.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 7:03 pm
It wasn't long after that the painted basket also began to splinter and pull apart. Pushing forward and kicking back, the basket fell away in pieces, leaving a long-legged foal squinting in the sunlight. Short mane and feathers ruffled, the filly blinked and tried to make it to her feet before her sight fully adjusted to the light, instinctually and trustfully leaning against her mother for support.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 8:39 am
Maelstrom felt like the joy would spill out of her and wash all over the two, perfect fillies that had tumbled out of their baskets and into the sunshine of their herd's foaling grounds.
"My perfect, perfect little daughters." Maelstrom nuzzled the two velvety foals. There really was no other word to describe them. Both of them already showed the strength of their bloodlines. She nuzzled their wings open, letting them stretch in the warm light. They were perfectly formed. They would be strong fliers.
Not only her markings and that of her mates seemed to come out in the foals, but traces of her own parents. Stormwild's bold purples painted against the black of the second, foal. Balrog's red traced the first. She didn't know much of Wild Wind's parentage, but she wondered if he might see memories of his own parents in the patterns of their children.
Maelstrom spread her wings, inviting her children in to nurse. "You will do your whole herd proud, little ones."
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 12:51 pm
Wild Wind took note that he had two daughters just like his rival, the only difference was his were of the strong bloodline and both had wings, unlike the pale horse Tawali had fathered. They had been born the proper way, into a strong Wind family as well as with a Wind herd to keep an extra set of eyes on them. He would have been the pride of his parents, for the most part, to have taken the proper steps, he thought smugly.
He watched the first kick the rest of her basket away from her, nearly toppling over the rim in her haste to get to her mother. It seemed his own mother's genes had shown with the solitary hoof that was different from the other three. Again, he reached his head over and nuzzled Maelstrom to show his pride in their children and then went about clearing the mess from the abandoned basket pieces.
He grimaced visibly when Maelstrom talked about pride to the herd. His bicolored eyes showed a trace of worry. "Your father won't be upset over what we did behind his back, will he," he asked now since he'd avoided the question during her entire pregnancy and then having his hooves full watching the baskets diligently. He didn't regret what he had done, just nervous of a protective father that might potentially see this as him knocking up a beloved daughter.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 3:30 pm
Despite Wild Wind's concern, the mare's expression didn't leave its contented bliss. Maelstrom was moving to shake her head, mane tossed about in the mountain wind when a shadow was thrown over her from above.
As if speaking his name brought him forth, a dark stallion circled above, spiraling a descent into the glade. The sun behind him made him seem even darker, his wings spread wide against the sky.
With a few strategic flaps, and angling downwards, he made a sharp, practiced landing. With a whumph, his smoldering hooves touched down in the clearing. He shook his head and flicked his tail, taking in a deep breath before folding his wings by his sides and stepping purposefully towards the little family that gathered before him.
Touching noses briefly with his daughter, Maelstrom, he faced Wild Wind, a stern mask on his face.
"Wild Wind..." He began, his voice a deep baritone rumble in his chest. "I see that this spring has brought with it new life to these lands..." His gaze fell upon the two small foals, surprised by the sudden arrival of the large stallion. The lighter of the pair was pressed close by her mother's side
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 3:45 pm
He shifted slightly from hoof to hoof, showing quite clearly that he was nervous. "It has been a fruitful spring," he stated proudly. He wasn't ashamed of his family by no means, so took several steps closer to Maelstrom and the girls. "I apologize for not asking to court your daughter, Balrog, but I could not be happier with the outcome it brought forth."
He leaned down and touched noses with both of his little ones to help Maelstrom in calming any fear they may have. He ran his muzzle along Maelstrom's long neck before looking directly into the gaze of her father. "These are your newest granddaughters just out of the baskets."
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 7:54 pm
Balrog stood solidly in front of the younger stallion for a few breaths, eyes roaming over Wild Wind, scrutinizing and judging. This was the second time that Balrog's critical eyes had roamed over the paint.
However, eventually even Balrog's demeanor softened into a genuine smile. "And I could not have chosen a better mate for my Maelstrom." He rumbled approvingly. "Your fine breeding has shown through in the form of my two new granddaughters." Balrog's eyes now roamed to the two fillies, looking them over carefully in turn.
"Your gift of strong wind-blood passes true, and I am honored to have it mingle with my line."
He moved to Maelstrom. "Congratulations, my daughter. You have born two fine children. Two fine additions to our growing, strengthening herd. You have done me proud. What are the names of my two new granddaughters?"
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 11:11 am
His entire body relaxed upon hearing Balrog's words. He didn't have to worry about having any important extremities removed for bringing displeasure to the protector. Perhaps raising children again had soften the stallion, but he smiled in return.
"We haven't blessed them with names yet and felt it was proper for you to give the gift of names," he said as he looked at his two beautiful daughters. He couldn't have been happier as he nosed the first-born, the pale filly forward.
She was still a bit unsteady on her hooves, but stared up at her grandfather with a look of complete awe. He was so BIG! She craned her neck up enough, stretching the glowing markings alongside her neck.
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 5:31 pm
"You've done well, Wild Wind." Balrog rumbled, pleased. "And you, of course, as well my Daughter."
He was honored when he was extended the privilege of granting the foals their names. He stepped forward and looked scrutinizingly down at the paler of the two foals. She carried much of her mother in her appearence, and even traits of his own.
"You are the first born, are you not?" Balrog addressed the foal.
While awed, the little filly did not shy away. The wonder shone in her eyes, awaiting to hear such an important designation. Her name.
Balrog smiled widely. "As the first born, you shall hold the honor of carrying on aspects of both of your parents. Windstorm. Carry your name proudly, for your actions will reflect back on them. Live well, learn from them, and you will bring honor to your entire herd."
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:51 pm
She bounded over to Balrog and rubbed her face against his leg before returning to her parents. She had a name, one that sounded important and promising. She turned her gaze up at Maelstrom with love, but above all, pride in the smile she flashed.
He nosed the painted filly towards her grandfather, but gave her tail a playful tug to draw her attention to his proud, happy face. It was a tact to give the girl some courage should she be scared.
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:01 pm
Balrog turned his fiery gaze upon the painted filly. Her pale eyes shone up at him, and Balrog looked over the drastic markings of purple and black splashed over her.
"Hmmm." He rumbled. "Your patterns in purple and black... you will be like the storm that our herd brings upon this land. A Vortex of fury, howling winds and a Maelstrom like your mother." He smiled approvingly.
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:22 pm
Still slightly uneasy on her feet, Vortex stared wide eye at her grandfather as her father pushed her forward. At the announcement of her name, she held her head high and smiled. With an almost bow of her head, she bounced forward and rubbed her nose against his head. Still smiling, Vortex returned to her mother's side, but not before giving Windstorm a playful n** at the tail.
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