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 Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:57 pm
 It'd been awhile since her run in with the palomino back towards the mountains, but Spook just couldn't get her mind off the stories he spun. A herd of decaying beasts bent on destruction and conquest? She could believe every last bit of that all except for the decay. No matter what logic told her though, the mare couldn't help but get an eerie feeling every time she happened to catch the mountains in her line of sight. Almost as if they seemed to entertain and even encourage Rowan's tale of monsterous horses. As much as Spook wished to forget the whole affair, she hadn't exactly risked traveling up to the mountains to check it out for herself. Cowardice? She couldn't remember a time when she backed away from a challenge, but this was different. This was so very different. It was as if everything was screaming. The land, the wind, the mountains, the very air she breathed carried with it an eerie sense. It was just unnatural, and that's exactly what kept Spook away from the mountains. She didn't like the fact that it coupled with Rowan's story so well.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:55 pm
By this time Spook had moved a good distance away from said mountains, but the feeling still remained. It was as if the world wasn't as sweet as it use to be. Whatever the reason for this unnatural chill to the world around her, Spook did her best to ignore it, and that was best done when she had something to occupy her time with other than grazing. Despite the nippy air and the chilly frost on the ground the mare liked to keep herself in some sort of shape no matter the season. Normally athletic and muscled, Spook had no problems galibanting around the plains in an attempt to find fun. Or at least a distraction to her rather unsettling thoughts and feelings. After all, the world hadn't been like that before, had it? It had been bright, fun, and a generally nice place to live with generally nice individuals in it. Right?
Of course. And so the young mare stopped her random frolicing long enough to take a look around her. Not much to see, but it was a clearing away from the forests, and probably close to the usual herd lands. Ick. In general she tried to avoid that place, as the young mare had had several unfortunate run-ins with a couple of young stallions tangled into the mix. It wasn't her fault they had decided it was time for them to leave their parents and start a family of their own, and it especially not her fault that they had decided to start with her. Lest, those who tangled with her in past had found that the flaxen-maned mare was no stranger to throwing her weight around- particularly a well aimed hoof to their face.
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:32 pm
It was after discovering she was alone in the clearing that Spook heaved a somewhat exasperated sigh. True the run around had winded her slightly, as gallivanting across the plains tended to do with any horse, but it stemmed more from boredom and disappointment than anything else. If she was to keep her head away from creepy thoughts such as the so-called Hell Herd, she would need to find some other way to occupy herself. Perhaps a chance to view the rapids? It has been awhile since her last visit, and she had promised to make the trip as often as possible. … She owed her sire that much at least. Stupid beast. Stupid, pathetic beast, but a promise was a promise, and Spook would keep her vow. Besides she did enjoy watching the white foam below, despite often thinking of the memory that came with it.
With a flick of her tail, equivalent to the shrugging of shoulders, the mare picked up her hooves and set off at a rocking lope. She wasn’t in any particular hurry to get there, but didn’t like moving slow or standing still for too long during the winter months. The best deterrent from the cold was to keep herself active and moving, or at least that’s what Spook liked to believe. Urk, winter, she’d be glad when the season finally let up and gave way to spring, maybe then the mountains would be less foreboding. After all she had discovered that winter tended to make things look and feel much colder than they actually were, and that was probably the reason she was having such weird feelings about the world around her. That made sense.
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:49 pm
The distance traveled in order for her to reach the rapids lasted at least half the day, and by the time Spook made it to her destination the sun was already setting in the western part of the sky. Quite a difference from when she had made the journey about midday, but the mare had to admit she did prefer a nice sunset to a sunrise any day. For some reason the colors and the tones were more subtly played for a sunset, which in comparison to the blaring rise of the great fiery ball was much more appealing. Either way she looked at it, Spook found the time of day to her liking, and it helped to relax her restless spirit slightly. Not enough to where she couldn't feel the chill in the air or be horribly aware of the breath that swirled in front of her every time she breathed, but enough to where she could keep her mind off the dizzying thoughts of the crazy palomino.
Up ahead the ground sloped and became more rocky, which cause Spook to slow her pace to a careful yet still eager jog forward. Closer to the shoreline she would need to pick her way with more caution than a trot would allow, but for now she was content to move along at the pace she chose. After all, it wasn't like she was barreling down the slope at full tilt to reach the bottom just in the knick of time to save a two-legger. That was absolutely poposterous, foolish, stupid, bull-headed, and any other manner of insult she could throw into the mix. Yes indeed, her sire had really done himself in that day, with no one to blame but himself and his 'love' of humans. Pathetic imbecile.
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 11:09 pm
Now for the picking, and the slowness as Spook reached a point in the slope where she could no longer trot forward. Wonderful. From here on out though Spook was able to get a fairly good view of the rapids below, and though she had no desire to get too close to the river itself, she did enjoy looking at it from her vantage point. Matter of fact, she believed she was almost to the very spot where she stood as yearling watching her sire's foolish actions. And over there? Why over there that's where he no longer had the desire to get up. The spot looked much nicer now though, seeing as how the blood had been washed away by many years of constant rainfall. Surely it had suited this place very well on that day, she was almost sad to see it gone.
"Well, I'm here", the flaxen-maned mare spoke aloud, perfectly aware that she was the only one in the area. "A promise is a promise after all, right old man?" Despite how calmly her words were spoken, an undertone of bitterness and even mockery laced her voice. Heck, he'd been the one going on about warrior-spirits, brothers in the two-leggers, and the blood bond he'd shared with the human that died here. What the hell kind of mustang made a promise to stay by such a creatures side even in death? It was insane! Absolute lack of the sanities! Why in the names of the four winds did she have to promise to visit every year? It was definately a fool-hearted thing to do, but even so Spook would not go back on her word. Surely, until the day she died she'd visit this place at least once a year, despite her strong feelings against her father's actions.
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 11:38 pm
She halted a little ways away from the shoreline, yellow eyes focused on the rolling white rapids of the river up ahead. They were beautiful, powerful, and dangerous- everything Spook wished and have striven to be. Ever since that day when she took up her vow, she liked to think that it wasn't because of her affiliation with the stallion that had died in this very spot, but her love of the rapids that kept bringing her back time and time again. It certainly made sense. "But you already know this, don't you?" she chuckled slightly, although it was an empty sound, almost uncaring in manner. Some part of her wished to believe she kept come back because of her vow to her sire, but the majority knew it was because of the rapids. Perhaps that day she had really promised the river of her annual return, not her fath-
"Talking to yourself?" She really didn't mean to easedrop, but at this point she'd take the help of an angry bull moose if it could just get those heathens off her trail long enough to make a quick departure. And to the dainty, kindly-featured mare anything was better than getting caught by those creatures, even if she had to enlist the help of the lower beings. And this one, well, it was crazy enough to be talking to itself, perhaps it would be able to help.
Hearing the voice come from behind her, Spook jolted slightly before craning her neck around to spy the chestnut mare up on toward the top of the slope. First impression? Cute, if she went for that sort of thing, luckily she didn't, and a sweet voice. For all intensive purposes, instinct told Spook this mare was friendly. "Yeah, I guess so", the chocolate mare sighed, shifting away from the rapids and starting up the slope once more, raising her brow quizzically as she studied the somewhat tense posture of the other. "Something wrong?"
Oh goody, help had arrived. "I dear say there is. I-I think I might need your help." Hopefully this one would be willing.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:49 am
Perhaps this was her lucky day, it made sense after all. Not only had she been able to distract herself with the rapids, but now this little mare comes along and totally steals her attention away. For that, Spook was very greatful, but it wasn't as if she was willing to completely overlook everything and simply declare this new mustang her best friend out of the blue. Oh that would be weird, and not particularly something she wanted to do. "Okay, well I'm listening. What do you need help with?" Finally at the top of the slope Spook discovered that this was indeed a little mare, not just because of her delicate looking body, but the fact that Spook was at least a head higher than her. That being said, there was something in the way that the other stood that piqued her interest, there was just something about it. Regal? Majestic? She couldn't quite place the word, but it made Spook's usually prideful stance look almost casual in comparision.
"I need to get to the other side of the plains, but... you'll think its silly, but I'm pretty new to this area and don't know where I'm going. I also heard stories of a fairly aggressive wolf pack around here, and I don't want to go alone", she paused, worry now creasing her voice and her features. "Could you come with me? If you're not busy that is..." Talking to yourself, geez what a spaz. At least this flaxen-maned mare was stocky and muscled. Almost stallion'ish, which made the chestnut feel all the more superior to her.
Just hearing the other speak of what troubled her was kinda sad. She needed an escort just to cross to the other side of the plains? If this little mare wasn't a herd brat she didn't know who was. However, Spook really didn't have much else to do, and it would keep her mind off the Hell Herd and the weird feelings just thinking about them gave her. Stupid Rowan and his tall tales. "Alright, I guess I can come with you. As for the wolf pack though, I've been in this area for awhile, and I've never come across such a thing." Well, she'd never come across wolves in general, but she'd heard enough stories from mares who'd lost foals to a wolf pack to know that they weren't to be messed with.
"Splendid, um, I think its this way?" she motioned with her muzzle to the east, away from the rapids.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:12 am
"Sure." Why exactly she needed to cross the plains was something of a mystery, and Spook's curiousity would more than likely get the best of her eventually. So why hold back? As the chocolate mare moved toward the east she craned her neck back to glance at the chestnut, relaxed in both her motion and demeanor. "Mind telling me your name?" That seemed like a good place to start.
"Desmona", the chestnut replied with a flick of her silky tail. "And yours?"
"Spook." Nothing more to it. The name had served her well for the past couple of years, and though the now four-year old got a few odd looks every now and again, it was relatively well accepted in most instances. Of course every once in awhile she'd come across a curious individual, but a line like 'my mother spooked the first time she saw me' did the trick. She wasn't sure at what pace Desmona wanted to move at, so Spook picked it up to a trot, figuring the other mare would call her on it if she had wanted to go at a gallop or a walk.
"Oh. That's, uh, nice?" Truely this mare was a brute, to not even be dignified with an actual name. What kind of mother would ever name their foal with such a horrid name? She almost took pity in the other mare. Almost, but not quite.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:45 pm
Spook really wasn't one to be too judgemental, or even care how others behaved, but something about Desmona seemed to put her off a bit. Perhaps it was the obvious fact that behind her politeness and friendliness, she hid a shallower side that the flaxen-maned mare was able to pick up on. With all the subtle hints Desmona was giving off, flicking tail, rolling eyes, nose to the sky, Spook could tell just what the other felt. Body language after all was a nice little thing that tipped you off if only you decided to pay attention to it. Whatever though, Spook had worst company before, and wasn't going to make a big deal about it. Heh, it was always good to give someone the benefit of the doubt, right?
"Anything specific you want to talk about?" Might as well, she was bored half to death and didn't know how much longer she could stand keeping company with this beast.
"Not really", Spook replied, not bothering to glance over her shoulder at the other mare. Even with more disagreeable mustangs she was able to at least enjoy an interesting conversation, but she couldn't even bring herself to jest over Desmona's apparent 'manners'. Honestly, the sooner she unloaded this burden the happier she'd be. Maybe it had to do with her earlier visit to the rapid, or maybe not, but either way Spook wasn't exactly feeling too overly sociable.
So conversation was off the agenda for now? That's fine, Desmona really didn't like bringing herself down to their level anyway. Little pieces of worthless scum, meant to be used in any way higher ups saw fit. For personal gain of course. This one should feel lucky, it'd likely save her and her herd from meeting such a terrible fate. Oh well, best not to let her know, the Lowers tended to react badly to situations of self-sacrifice most of the time. Too dumb to realize the effect it would have she supposed. "We're getting closer" Desmona spoke, flicking her tail once more. How much longer was this going to take anyway?
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:05 am
Spook raised her eyebrow slightly at that. They weren't any where near crossing the plains, how on earth could they be getting close? Perhaps Desmona had exagerated a bit on the distance. Either she was in a hurry, was desperate enough to lie, or had her head too far up her arse to properly judge distance. Okay, so that last one was a bit mean, but Spook wasn't exactly enjoying herself at the moment. Truly today wasn't the day for meeting someone like Des, despite how much fun Spook would normally have fun with that kind of personality. Besides, she didn't have to be friendly all the time. As a free mustang she had the right to think what she wanted, without-
"Oh! Ow, ow, geez that hurt!" Des spoke out suddenly, feigning a spook and a sidestep as one of her forelegs shot up toward her chest.
Now that caught Spook's attention, and a bit of her guilt. Okay, well at least Des had some kind of emotion going for, which meant she wasn't totally bad. "What happened?" That came out a bit too forceful, but she really couldn't do anything about that right now. Halting her pace Spook turned to watch Des, pricking her ears in a sign of concern.
"Ow. I think I stepped on something the wrong way, my ankle hurts too much to walk around on. Oh, ow. Ow."
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:02 pm
For some reason Spook felt a bit of a laugh dangerously close to surfacing, so taking a few moments to swallow it back down, the mare studied not only Desmona's poster, but her expressions and the way she held her leg. For a horse in pain, it really didn't look like it bothered her too much. That or, as Spook was more inclined to think, she was faking for some reason. There was a slight possibility that Des was able to control her reaction to such pain, but with the way she had been acting and speaking the flaxen-maned mare highly doubted it. For one she stood tall and lithe, almost as if she were posing for a stallion's eye. There was just something beautiful about it that someone in pain wouldn't even think about doing. For another, Des' expression wasn't all that worried, not even a hint of fear pricked her eyes. Spook remembered how it felt to hurt her own leg less than a year ago, and Des certainly didn't seem to be in pain at all...
The chestnut flicked her ears back in aggitation as Spook hesitated, "Well? What are going to do about it?" Did she have to spoon-feed this stupid beast every thing?
"For starters," Spook replied, arching her neck slightly as she began to move around the much smaller mare, eerie yellow eyes now holding a bit of amusement. "Checking you over for other injuries." Which was a lie, but since Desmona wasn't all to concerned with telling the truth, why should Spook? She had put up with the chestnut mare's behavior with good faith thus far, believing that she truly did need help, but this was taking it too far. As Spook continued her circle around the other mare she got right behind her, and without hesitation snaked her head forward and sank her teeth into the other's rump. Not holding back and with no remorse over that fact.
Gods, was she incompetent?! "I already explained it was my ankle!- YEAOOOW!" The sudden bite that pinched her flesh surprised her so much that she couldn't help but yell out and leap forward, going several full strides on her foreleg without so much as a twinge of pain. After realizing what Spook had done, Desmona halted, looked back at the chocolate mare with mouth agape for a few seconds, then flattened her ears against the side of her skull. "What's your problem?! That HURT!" Oooh, she was going to get it now!
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:29 am
The flaxen-maned mare raised her head upon a high arch, flaring her nostrils in the direction of the much smaller mare. Her attitude was growing tiresome, and Spook didn't take being talked down to very lightly. Many horses, mostly herd brat stallions, had learned rather easily that they weren't going to be pushing her around without a fight. "Unlike your ankle?" the chocolate mare sneered, snorting as she took a step forward and watched in satsifaction as Desmona took a step back.
Oh drat, it wasn't suppose to turn out this way, and she seriously didn't like the show of aggression in the other mare. It was unfathomable really, for Des wasn't use to this sort of treatment. No, she was in fact a very well respected, and minded, member of her herd. "What about it?" she spat defeansivly, pawing at the ground despite taking steps back whenever Spook advanced.
Was she daft? "So why'd you lie about it? I'm getting fed up with this wild goose chase, and if you don't tell me what's going on, well, you better hope it doesn't come to that." Normally she wasn't the overly violent type, and she was even resisting the urge to strike out now, but perhaps a good threat would get Des talking. Whatever it was that had caused the chestnut to lie about her ankle being hurt had to do something with where they were going. Briefly Spook glanced up at their surroundings, and noticed that Des had been leading them toward the forest. How much further until they'd finally get there, if they got there at all at this point?
Desmona clamped her mouth shut, anger obviously flarring because of the situation; however, she remained quiet on the subject.
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:17 am
Apparently there was something going on, and despite logic and common sense telling her to just walk away from the situation, Spook's curiousity overpowered them both. She wanted to know why she had been disturbed at the rapids, why she was being dragged along as an 'escort' across the plains, and why Desmona was so adament about not telling her the truth. It was all very maddening you see, to know there was a secret and yet not know herself. Not to mention the fact that she had just been lied to. So Spook advanced once more, pinning her ears against the sides of her skull and feigned a charge at the other mare, pulling almost instantly so it looked like a show of aggression, and a willingness to harm the other. Of course, the best part was, with a move like that no one really got hurt, it was just great for intimidation. "Speak up, I'm growing tired of waiting."
Spook's sudden movement caused her to backpedal and quickly, with her usually gracefully carried tail somewhat tucked in submission. Oooh, she honestly did not like this mare, not at all! Frustrated Desmona stamped her hoof into the ground and sneered up at the larger mustang. "Because, I didn't want to go into the forest!" Ugh, why couldn't have Spook just played the role of the 'noble stranger' and do what had been expected?
Now that got her attention, and it showed as Spook's demeanor settled into a less threatening stance. Although her head was still held high and her muscled body was angled directly in front of Des, her ears pricked as she stared down at the smaller mare. "Why? I go in there more often than not, there's nothing to be afraid of." It was quite obvious that her curiousity was seeping out into her voice, despite how firmly she spoke. Why on earth did Des not want to go into the forest?
"Because, it scares me. I just wanted to have you check it out first before I attempted to go through it," she mumbled, frustration still laced in her voice. "That's why I pretended to hurt my ankle."
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:46 am
Oh really? That was of course the first response that popped into the flaxen-maned mare's head, but she quickly swallowed it down. She was growing tired of arguing with Desmona, and the sooner she got rid of the mare the better. "Fine. Stay here and I'll check it out." She really didn't expect to find anything, even after Des's caution of an 'agressive wolf pack' in the area. She'd never even run across wolves before in this forest, and she didn't expect to do so today. She didn't exactly know how far she'd go into the forest to in order to 'check it out', but she'd turn back when she felt the deed was done. With a flick of her tail and a shake of her head to loose herself of pent up energy, Spook turned to walk toward the forest.
Really?" Desmona had piped up in a sickeningly cheery voice, trying to sound surprised. "I won't forget this Spook, I promise!" No. No she would never forget this. Ever. But thankfully it would all be done in a matter of minutes, the further Spook went into the forest the better. It was necissary to save her herd after all.
She honestly didn't know what she was looking for, but she had already promised to help the other mare. Besides, she was bored, what could go wrong?
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:25 pm
 The journey into the wilderness had been a long one, even compared to the days spent working the cattle on the ranch. What made days like these worse than the others is the fact that it was all incredibly boring. Most of the time it was spent walking, or trotting, with the occasional gallop for whatever reason, and Enzi wasn't too keen on just doing nothing. Especially when he had a two-legger strapped onto his back. He just had to find some way to amuse himself. Either by chomping and moving the bit in his mouth, or prancing, or throwing a buck in here or there, basically anything to give his rider and partner a hard time. He was sure the human appreciated it, otherwise he wouldn't just grumble at him he'd actual do something about it. Either way, the medicine hat stallion was feeling particularly bored at this point, and decided it was time to throw something out there. And he did, a nice big, random lurge forward as he kicked his hooves out from under him- and getting a nice slap on the neck after doing so."I don't know Bill- Jeezus!"
"Watch dat der mustang boy, he's jus achin' to getcha one 'a deez days."
"Don't I know it! Anyway, about tonight. You sure ole' Joe knows what he's talking about?"
"'Course he knows! Joe ain't never steered us wrong. If he seys der's a herd a wild mustangs jus ripe for da pickin' beyond dis here forest, den der's gonna be a herd 'a mustangs!"
"Fine, fine. Jus asking."Whatever those chatty two-leggers were saying must really be riling them up, which meant action, and which meant Enzi would no longer be bored. Finally! But how close were they? Trips like this could take days, weeks even depending on how far out from the ranch they went. When ever and whatever it was, Enzi was excited about finally having something to do.
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