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 Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:46 pm
 It had been a long day, and as the sun started to sink behind the mountains Javera could say she was glad for the day to finally be coming to an end. She'd been needing to wander further and further out to find any good food, and she worried that she wouldn't be back within her two-legger's range before nightfall as she would have preferred. There was no doubt that it was fall and the cold season was well on its way.
The shadows grew longer, and a chill wind started to blow and send cold shivers down her spine. This area was not one she was familiar with, and she couldn't help but feel as though there were eyes somewhere close by, watching her.
"It's just your imagination, 'Vera," She whispered to herself, trying to ease the fear. "There's nothing there."
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Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:07 pm
From the edge of the pine forest stood a lone stallion, his eyes sharp and wandering, until they finally came to rest on a dark figure, not too far ahead of him. They narrowed, wisps of silky cream-colored hair drifting about long, feathery eyelashes. The eyes shone ice blue in the near darkness, as they glistened with the last light of day, as they watched.
Siska perked his head a little higher, thin trails of clouded moisture floating away from his muzzle with every exhalation of breath. The nights were getting colder, longer. And he did not mind a bit--in fact, he preferred it that way. Fall and winter were beautiful, cleansing seasons. He did not fear the dark; he embraced it.
But what was a gentle soul such as that mare doing at a time such as this? She seemed distresses, easily enough, and lost. Most herdless horses did not wander this late in the evening, for they were prone to coming in contact with a predator. Was this one a fool?
Siska was aware of his situation. Lone stallions were also feared by lone mares and young horses. Others like he were dangerous, strong, overpowering. But Siska cared not for territory or mates. Perhaps he cared for naught. But he still found excitement in the moments when he came into contact with troubled emotions of others, and thus, would not let this opportunity pass.
So he abandoned his spot beneath the sheltering darkness of the trees and trailed the mare, curious to see what her reaction would be, when it came.
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Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:38 pm
She knew it wasn't the smartest idea for a lone mare without a herd to travel alone on the plains, especially at night, but dang it, even lone mares needed to eat. There was probably little else that could convince her to travel this forsaken stretch of land at any time, be it day or night. Or like now, the twilight hour when all manner of predators and crazies were out.
There was a snap of a twig somewhere nearby, proving to Javera that her paranoia wasn't completely unfounded. She stood still for a moment, her instincts warring with her common sense. Instincts said enemy, flee. Common sense said it could be anything from small game, to a predator. Perhaps if she simply stood still, it would either go away- if it were harmless- or it would attack-if it were a predator. And if she was attacked, this would be as good a place as any to defend herself.
She listened. Straining her ears seeking another breaking twig, a rustle of the underbrush stating that it- whatever it was- was either leaving or coming closer. Ears swiveled this way and that, her breath coming in shorter gasps. There. She heard a rustle, closer than the previous snapping of a twig.
Her muscles twitched, and a light sheen of sweat beaded her coat, a silent testament to the effort she was expending by just simply staying still. She nearly bolted as a dark figure peeled away from the shadows.
It was another mustang, like herself. But the question was- was it friend or foe? She pinned her ears back against her head and waited for them to come closer.
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:26 pm
Siska watched the mare tense as she spotted him, and he returned her gaze with a relaxed, nonchalant look. Eventually, as he drew closer, he let his eyes examine her in the remaining light of dusk. She was darker than he, with one white sock on her front leg. Her body was lean and graceful, and her legs were long and beautiful. Lean muscle showed from beneath her glossy coat, and her eyes were bright with nervousness, and defense. Despite her fear, he doubted that she was weak.
He came closer, slowly, not wanting to scare her off, yet not caring to reassure her. He finally came within a dozen feet of her, when he turned from his straight forward path and began to walk a leisurely circle around her. His eyes watched her, sharp, studying; but not threateningly. He had no wish to harm her, in any way.
His voice came in a deep, strong rumble. "What is a lone mare like you doing in a place like this, alone, at night? It is nearly dark, I shall say."
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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 3:04 pm
Though there was nothing overtly threatening about the stallion, just the fact that he was unfamiliar, this was an unknown place and twilight at that, made Javera uneasy. As he moved closer, though he seemed to try to appear normal-without the condescendence she would expect- there was still something that set her teeth on edge.
She eased her stance just enough that her muscles wouldn't lock in place, but kept her ears pinned back against her head as she followed his every movement with her eyes. She did not appreciate him sizing her up like she was some sort of prey or something, so she bared her teeth as she examined him in return.
A shade just slightly lighter than her own, with light mane and tail, she cursed herself, realising she should have been able to pick him out from the shadows before he showed himself. Here was yet another reason she hated to be out near dark like this. Her senses were nowhere near their best, and she was paranoid enough to be overcautious and miss signs of potential danger until they were right in front of her.
She nearly started at his words when they came, but the only real evidence of it would be the swift tensing and relaxing of her shoulder muscles. Taking a breath and a moment to compose herself, Javera felt her hackles rise at the arrogence in his tone. Annoyance that clearly coloured her voice as she answered his query as was only polite.
"Really, I hadn't noticed," she drawled before remembering the manners she was brought up to have. "Forgive me, that was rather uncalled for. I was merely passing through on my way back to where I belong."
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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:12 pm
Siska was slightly taken aback at her sharp reply, and even more surprised when she apologized for it. What a strange mare this was! However, she wasn't weak, as most mares were. She stood her ground, and though it was clear that he unnerved her, she did not let that uneasiness take control of her whims. A strong, stubborn sort she seemed--the kind of mare that Siska could not stand. And yet, there was a part of her that intrigued him, drawing him in. Perhaps it was that spark of fire hidden under that dark coat?
"This is a strange time to be passing through. Most mares would be back with their herds by now," he murmured, almost distractedly, as he halted his circling of her. He was silent for a moment more, only his sharp eyes moving as he gazed at her, then he said, "It is not often that I extend this offer, but if you truly are lost, perhaps I could guide you. I've had many years of experience with these parts, dark and light."
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Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:19 am
Javera couldn't be offended at the stallion's latest remark, after all it was just an observation and one that she had made herself. So what if herd mares weren't condemned to travelling at all hours seeking sustenence and shelter or stability. They were weak in her eyes, leading a far more sheltered existence than she herself.
As the stallion ceased his circling, 'Vera allowed her muscles the relax ever so slightly, though she remained alert and on guard. Perhaps this was genuine, and he saw something in her that satisfied whatever he needed satisfied, or it could just be a ploy to catch her off guard so he could attack her when she wasn't prepared. Either way, at least he stopped that infernal circling so she could have an easier time keeping her eye on him, without growing dizzy.
Though she was hesitant and even a bit perplexed by his offer, 'Vera had to admit, if only to herself, that a bit of company would not be amiss, and predators would be less likely to want to attack two strong mustangs together, then a single mustang alone.
With a soft, silent sigh to herself, the dark-coated mare aquiesced as gracefully as she could. "If it's not too much of a bother, I'd welcome your assistance. I'm on my way to the edge of the land held by the two-leggers."
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:56 pm
Siska, for some strange reason, could not take his eyes off the mare; her strength, her stubbornness, her obvious intelligence at the way she spoke--they were all something that he had never seen in a mare, at least one that he addressed. It was beauty within itself, and yet he had never been one to be affected by it. It irritated him at the same time that it annoyed him, and though he wanted to drop his hard demeanor and strike a friendly conversation with the mare, all he could do was stare at her with his hard, unreadable eyes. Many years of solitude had seen to his arrogance.
He was somewhat pleased by her acceptance of his offer--at least he would not have to leave her yet.
"Hmm... that land is near. However, I do not travel there often. I prefer this solitude..." he murmured, looking back at the dark woods with a distant expression. He could not remember his days of herd life. In fact, he could barely even remember his parents, let alone were they, at the moment, might be. He brushed the thought away, telling himself that he didn't care. However, below that hard shell of his consciousness, there was a softness in his heart that yearned for what once was...
"But I will accompany you. Not many dare to get in my way," he said, then turned and began walking away, blending in with the shadows of the night.
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 3:05 pm
As much as the pride and arrogance the stallion seemed to unconciously exude irked her, Javera was not insensitive to fact that he had a right to those particular mannerisms. She hated to admit it to herself, but he was obviously strong, the well-defined muscles that rippled beneath his coat were a mute testimony to that fact, and he held some intelligence at least. Most stallions she'd come across were shallow, vapid creatures with no mind to speak of, concerned only with their appearance, the amount of territory they could lay claim to and their herds. Really, was it only mares who had any brains?
She gave her head a small shake and allowed her mind to return to the present. She really should not let her mind wander at a times such as this. She wasn't yet safe, in her own territory or among friends. She hoped, rather in vain considering just how observant the stallion appeared, that her little slip up wasn't noted.
She couldn't help but nod her agreement when he stated his preference of solitude, she also was not fond of the presence of others, per say, but the stability and comfort her two-legger offered her was one thing she would not give up for this world. It was in a sense, almost like belonging to a herd once again, but without the burdens and shackles that came with such.
Any sentiments that might have arisen and been of a kindly nature were wiped away by the tail end of his last statment. *Not many dare to get in my way.* She couldn't help the snort that escaped her lips nor the mocking manner in which she silently repeated his words to herself. He definately had a problem with his ego, and he needed a serious reality check.
She turned and followed as he stated to walk away when she realised something. despite the interaction they'd had, she had yet to introduce herself and to find out the mysterious stallions name. If there had been a tree or something of that nature within easy distance, she would have banged her head against it.
"I seem to have neglected my manners. My name is Javera."
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:01 pm
Siska let his long stride shorten as he walked away--he noticed that the mare lagged behind for a moment, and wandered what she could possibly be thinking about. Then, before he could delve further into the matter, he stopped himself. He must not meddle in this affair! He had offered to protect her, and saw it as his good deed for the day. No need to involve himself further.
Still, whereas he knew himself to be somewhat arrogant, he could see the same sort of defiance in her eyes. Perhaps, if he was softer on the inside, he would have cared what she thought of him. In fact, he could not deny that a small part of him DID care. But, as his ego demanded, he refused to accept this fact and ceased to think of it, for the moment.
When she said her name, it became apparent to him that she had neglected the manners of a well-brought-up mare, and yet he realized that he, too, had neglected to share this information. Yet another similarity that irked his conscience.
However, he knew that it was his turn to reply. "My name is Siska," he said, quite plainly, for he was stuck between wanting to ignore her and wanting to apologize. How could this mare make him so befuddled?!
He glanced back at her, seeing her shiny coat glisten even in the moonlight, and the way the muscles moved beneath her lean legs... and promptly turned away. "No!" his mind protested, making him even more frustrated. Afraid that she had noticed his blunder, he quickly asked, "Have you been through this land many times, Miss Javera?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:29 am
Picking up her pace, now that she felt better having excercised the manners that had shaped her entire being, Javera made her way up to Siska's side, careful to maintain a distance between them. He didn't seem to want anyone in his personal space, and she didn't even really think that kindly of him anyway.
Oh, yeah? Her brain pointed out the little things she'd inadvertantly noticed, What about the strong muscles, the intelligence that glowed in his eyes along with the arrogance. His obvious need for space, when she was normally one who revelled in contact of any sort.
She shook her head trying to dispel those thoughts. There was no way she found anything about him to be even remotely attractive. Why did he have to make the offer in the first place? And why oh why did she accept?
With the almost apathic way he'd responded to her introduction,'Vera held on to the hope that they might continue on in silence for the rest of the journey, but alas that hope was shattered when he'd asked her the question.
As a well brought up mare, she simply couldn't not answer, so it seemed she'd have to make conversation whether she wanted to or not.
"No, not really. There's normally enough to forage around my two-leggers area for until we head southwards for the cold months. But this year seems to have been not as prosperous as others." She belatedly noticed his use of miss in front of her name. Now that just wouldn't do. "And my name's Javera, simply Javera. I'm still too young to need any title attached to my name."
She hesitated for a moment, torn between letting silence last or sating her curiousity. "You obviously know this place fairly well. Are you from around here?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:42 pm
Siska huffed irritably, first for his mistake of title for the mare: obviously, she wasn't that old. Why did he miss that too? Secondly, he was irritated because he never cared to talk about himself. For once, there was someone who cared, or at least seemed to, and was willing to listen. But Siska had never had that in his life, and thus did not know how to explain what he was, or where he came from, or much of anything at all except for brief, observatory conversation.
He kept his eyes trained on the land in front of them, towards the mountains that rose in the distance. "I'm not as young as you, Javera. In fact, I may be twice your age. I've seen many things, and have traveled many places, including this range of land. Perhaps I could be called wise, if I had any reason to use this knowledge of the land. But I am alone, and I do not care for starting a herd. My "wisdom" is unneeded, and better off unused, I suppose," he mumbled, realizing that he had quite sidetracked off of the question into his own personal thoughts. Could it be that he was truly bothered by this loneliness, and having recently come into company, was being weakened?
No. Never. It could not be.
"But yes, I know that land well. Well enough to avoid any who might otherwise be harmful or lingering to me."
He glanced up at the moon, now visible among the dark clouds, and without thinking, softly brushed up against the mare's side. Realizing his slip, he jerked away, angry at himself, and completely embarrassed. Why did he have to act such a fool? It would be the end of his pride, surely.
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