|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:56 pm
 Off in the distance, the sound of playing children occupied the stallion's attention. Slowly they were fading as his steady pace put more and more of a distance between them, but their presence nonetheless brought a soothed smile to his face. Their mother was around and about, though admittingly both parents were slowly growing restless. Neither were used to staying stationary for so long, but their new family required it. Not for much longer though, he thought, they're growing up so fast.
The swell of fatherly pride, although keeping his head light and airy, was not enough to fully distract him from where his dark hooves were leading him. The frozen landscape, green only where pines and a few scraggly bushes thrived, was not yet covered in snow though still held the bitter cold most associated with it. Not so terrible in the daytime, but once the sun set in a few hours... the mere thought had his muscles shake beneath the thick furry layers his coat had morphed into during the Autumn. Thick enough to keep him warm, but his offspring still weren't old enough to fend for themselves in means of body heat during the long nights.
Steady and eased, Jaci moved between the skeletal trees like a phantom, mindful of various roots and rocks that might trip him up. Although he wouldn't wander far, the act still brought back the years of travels suddenly abandoned with the introduction of that mystifying earth-toned mare. How brash he had once been, where now he took his wisdom in silent confidence; how stubborn he had once been, where now stood an open minded male after too many meetings to count.
He smirked, shaking his head. Just like every other "stead-fast" stud, really. How many grew out of it though, he wondered.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:28 pm
 Red on white on black. Blood on snow on coal. Both were adequate ways to describe the young stallion who lay on the frost bitten ground. His eyes remained open and his mind alert. His body was resting though, conserving precious heat. A short times trip would have brought him to a place most would consider warm. Right now, though, he would much rather freeze then suffer to be with his family.
He let out a huff of hot air before lowering his head to rest on the ground. A shiver ran down his spine at the added chill and he raised his head. He half wondered if perhaps he should try to sleep now before the temperature dropped more. It was dark already anyway. It was always dark here. He let out a sound somewhat like a sigh before lowering his head again.
Before it hit the ground he went stiff. Charcoal ears twitched and he glared out into the trees. Something was coming his way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:10 pm
The sun continued to drift closer and closer to the horizon, causing the shadows cast by the trees to elongate and twist the forest floor into a mosaic of darkness and flaming red atop the earth scene. It was perhaps the only reason he noticed the mass of darkness and white nestled into the ground from such a great distance, the figure's wild mane and tail highlighting it against the shade and still life.
Slowly the stallion approached, muscles tense as his ears pressed closer to his head. Although growing more versed in his "neighbors" in the area, such colorings were foreign to his memories. Not the best placement seeing as his offspring and mate remained not far from his current location. The Kalona blood, unseen in his otherwise plane appearances, boiled and hissed in instinctive defense.
Shoulders lost their raised pose though as he drew near, noting the bloody irises glaring out towards him. Not the friendliest of greetings, but his own approach hadn't been the warmest of welcomes either, now had it? It was slightly unnerving though, to see the youth curled upon the ground as he was. Surely he was frozen there. Why not take shelter, perhaps travel to the two-legger's encampment?
Voice light, though edged with mistrust, he called out to the other. "This is a strange place to rest for the night, considering the season." Tilting his head to the side, he motioned back towards were the humans resided. "Why not go where it is warmer? Unless you prefer to go in solitude." How many times had Jaci himself turned away possible company in his youth? Growled and threatened those that might otherwise refuse to take a hint? Still though, he'd never meant harm to those he came across. It was only for the safety of his family that he now stood rooted to the ground, waiting to receive the responses that would help him pass a personal judgment on the newcomer.
How strange - gain a family, and gain a reason to be judgmental and possibly rude, apparently.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:27 am
Within a heart beat he brought himself to his feet leaving a frost-less patch behind him. 'Intruder' was the word that rang out in his head. As always, any strange was automatically an intruder and all intruders were dangerous. This was especially true if they happened to know his 'father' or even his mother he imagined. He continued to stare angrily at the other as though his eyes alone could pierce the skin and kill him where her stood.
He did not respond to the statement except to harshen his stare. It did not seem to be doing any good as he just kept talking. His eyes widened with shock at the stallions suggestion. His eyes flicked in the same direction the other had gestured. "Who do you know?" He snarled suspiciously. Was it a coincidence that he suggested a warm place in the same direction where his family lived?
He took a step back his mind racing with dilemmas and possibilities. The ones screaming at him the loudest were the ones of his untrusting mind. 'Run' 'fight' 'keep him away'... He pushed the thoughts away needing his senses about him. This was spelling trouble for him and it was never a good thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:44 pm
Was there a battle on the horizon?
The defensive mannerisms of the youth certainly hinted so, though only vaguely so long as the elder stallion kept his distance. Which, of course, he did. No need bringing on needless violence, after all. As the other stood, Jaci himself grew still, expression light yet eyes hard as he watched on in silence. Waiting, really. He gave his suggestion, now all there was was to wait and see how things would progress.
Who knows... perhaps he'd get lucky and the youngster will either move on or mean no harm?
...or... not...
Inwardly he sighed, though towards the youth he kept a stony expression when he jumped to some strange assumption. Really, Jaci knew no one in connection to the dark boy, or at last as far as he was aware. Surely though he would recognize those markings or jewelry of a similar style to the one around his neck.
He shook his head gently, still playing peacekeeper. "I'm afraid you've mistaken me for another. Anyone I know has no connection to you or these lands beyond that which is home to my family." A patronizing smile formed, brow raising in skeptical question. "So unless you are a long-lost sibling or cousin of mine, your hostility is unfounded." Not to mention rude, but eh, best to leave it at that.
Shrugging, he turned slightly towards a more round-about way back home. Not enough to show the newcomer exactly where his home lay, or enough to expose his backside unguarded to the other... but at least enough to show indifference to his presence. "My apologies for any intrusion, I simply meant to keep guard for the safety of my family, you see. I'd rather not have to deal with a hostile force with my mate and foals around, after all." Gentle, his words were still edged with light warnings - soft promises to harden and threaten should he decide to become the "hostile force" of which Jaci spoke.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:01 am
He studied the stallion for a long moment at his words. Could he trust this to not be a lie? He wasn't sure. At the smile on his face Deidren quickly determined that even if he could trust this stallion, he didn't like him. His eyes narrowed further finding it quite tempting to knock that look right off his face. His 'hostility' was perfectly reasonable.
He kept an eye on the other as he turned a bit. He wasn't entirely sure what to expect from him. He seemed more or less harmless but then looks were the most deceptive things around. A gentle smile could quickly lead to your death, after all the rules of nature seemed to hold true everywhere. The brighter the creature the stronger the poison.
"And I keep guard for myself." His said not bothering to try to hide the bite from his voice. So, he had a family. That would explain a lot. It wasn't like Deidren went out of his way to attack random people. His family was safe assuming that they didn't come anywhere near Deidren.
What good was a family anyway? The price for a place to sleep and company, friendly or otherwise, that came along with it was much too high for his taste. His eyes darkened slightly thinking of his own and the price he paid for nothing, just a shot at having something and failing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
