[PRP] A Better Stallion { Morkin x Laveda }

[techabyte]

The Flock. A somewhat large herd, filled with females whom prided themselves with power; females who took charge and didn't let anything stand in their way. These females were stunning creatures of beauty and wits; more clever than even the smartest of creatures. They ran the territory with an iron claw; and yes, claw is the proper term. Males within the boundaries were seen, usually, as little more than breeding fodder. And where they had jobs as well at times, it was a rare chance to get them to be able to be completely be owned by just one of the brilliant creatures. Harpies were devious things, and he was a male among angels.

Morkin was, to put it bluntly, tired of his same old boring routine. He woke at dawn, stretched, got himself cleaned up as best as he could without getting in the way of the Harpies, grazed, and went on to practice his dancing and singing for the remainder of the day. But so far, no female had taken notice of him. Not even the other males seemed to be able to spare a moment to speak. Most of them, it seemed, went off to go and do some job for their Mistress, or just the Flock in general. And it confused the stallion. He had heard rumors on the wind of the Artisans Guild, but never had the thought to go over there, since he wasn't sure if he would be able to do some of the things that they did. Intimidation was his weakness, and he was letting it get the better of him.

But today he wanted to go out. Morkin knew that it was risky to do things out of the ordinary for the stallions. If a Harpy so much as thought they were doing wrong, it could mean their life. But he needed something else; he needed something to make him feel complete, something to make him feel useful since his main priority of being there to breed with was falling through. If he couldn't help a mare to produce the babies they wanted, then he would do something else until that time came. He was tired of just sitting around in the safe zone for several hours. So, with a deep breath, and his ears perked up, but head lowered down, Morkin moved out of the safe zone, and started toward the Artisans Guild he had heard so much about. He was going to do this, today. Or die trying.

And the likely hood of that was a good one.  

[mindsend]

"Morkin."

The stallion was only a few steps out of the area the outsider males had dubbed 'the Safe Zone', one of the passing mares attention had snapped to him as she hopped down from the trees with a light jingle of bells, eyebrows raised as she looked at him with a quizzical, amused expression, clearly wanting him to explain himself and reason for venturing out the sizable area before it was time for their day visiting either skyview clearing or Tall tree Clearing with the other males disinterested in the artisan guild where they could take a gender neutral profession.

The mare was Laveda, one of the younger mares about Morkin's age. The two had spent part of their first year together before they had been split up by gender. It hadn't taken much longer for her talent of observation and intuition and she began training as a priestess under her mother, their oracle and spiritual leader.

Realizing he had been looking for something, the mare tilted her head, thinking of Morkin's past behavior. While males were a small part of what she observed so she could get a better feel for the spirits call, she knew that, while they had set gender roles and only traveled anywhere within the flock with an escort and were frequently guarded, she understood that they had influence and had influence over the spirits the harpies called upon, so she paid more attention than some to the actions and behaviors of the males, since they were a good indicator of the state of the flock.

Happy males meant stress was low among the flock and thus the mares were not taking it out on them in aggressive snaps of their teeth or verbal threats or soft swats for the slightest of infractions, meaning health, food, and spirits were high. It also meant there was less likely to be a rebellion.

Calling upon her memory, the clawed mares observations paint a story, Morkin -- a stallion about my age. Tends to spend his time mostly alone. Sings, Dances. Outsiders avoid him because he is harpy born and seems to show no interest. Flock born stallions were raised to be too polite to bother him and keep him away from his apparent interests. However, he seems to want to go somewhere north...Ah, perhaps...?

It only took a few moments after her calling to him from behind to come to a conclusion based on her observations, "Are you looking for an escort to the Artisans guild?"

 

[techabyte]

He was almost there, almost out and on his way toward the Artisans Guild. And then his name was called. Morkin stopped short, his ears snapping back to face toward the feminine voice. Turning his head slowly, he peered over his shoulder and toward the female. His mind moved quickly along the list of Harpy's, until finally settling on the one before him. Laveda. He remembered her from his time growing up. Though it was foggy, his memories started to form about the young filly that he used to talk with, who he used to learn with and from. Laveda was a friend when he grew up, until they got to the point where they had to be separated due to their genders. Though he could still remember the times he wandered about, heading from the nest of his mother to the learning grounds, and saw her with the other fillies, learning from their teachers.

In the few moments she analyzed, Morkin let his head drop a little lower. He wasn't going to fight that he was doing something he shouldn't. After all, he didn't expect to be caught so quickly. It seemed Laveda was always on top of her game, especially when it came to things that were Flock related. She seemed to always worry about the Flock; which in of itself was a good thing. The stallion watched her, green eyes locked, until she spoke again. His ears perked a bit, swiveled, before staying up straight, eyes locked on the bell around her neck. The respect factor was something strong within Morkin. He didn't like to test his boundaries, at least not with females he didn't know. And though he did know Laveda, it had been a while since he saw her last. So, keeping his eyes low, the stallion responded with a soft tone; more submissive than he intended it to be.

"I suppose I am, Mistress Laveda."

Well, at least now someone would take him, and he wouldn't have to sneak. He wasn't a good sneaker. What male was in the Flock? But Morkin knew that if he had to get somewhere, he would do it. Determination was one thing the stallion had. He may be soft spoken, and quiet when it comes to most things, he knew that at the same time he would never dare go against a Harpy. It was against all that he knew and learned. And where he wanted to go do things that it seemed only certain allowed males were allowed to do, at the same time, he knew that if he disobeyed, the punishment could be something he would never want to face in a million years. So, he waited for a response, his head lowered a bit, but his body standing strong. If he was to be punished, Morkin would take it willingly and without any fighting on his part.  

[mindsend]

"I was heading that way myself, since its past the priestess meditation Temple Caves and the nurseries. I could lead you part of the way and act as consolation before I hand you over to one of the guards for the rest of the way... Though I suppose I could use this to do a survey of the guild and consult with Taarab..." She turned to walk with him, simply walking and expecting him to follow, staying on the ground for his own ease of following despite it being a slower, less efficient way of traveling through the thicker parts of the woods.

It was, anyway, more efficient then moving ahead and having to stop frequently for him to catch up while remaining in view. She turned her head over her shoulder, noting his drooped posture and self defeated manor, and smiled softly, "Head up, Morkin. You've been a good stallion thus far, but clearly have a lot on your mind. If you could share with me as we walk, perhaps I we could solve your problems in one go."

 

[techabyte]

Morkin's ears flicked some, hope moving into his eyes rather easily. He stared toward the female, before nodding his head quickly, lifting it just a bit higher. If she was heading that way, then of course he would accept the guidance. It would keep him out of trouble, and he wouldn't have to worry about possibly being told to go back to the safe zone. With a slight flick of his tail, he inclined his head, before following behind her slowly, his hooves beating the ground in a light manor.

He took his strides a bit slower. Morkin wasn't a large stallion, but he was taller than most mares. So, he made sure to keep his walking pace lower, so that he didn't seem to challenge her to be in the lead. His head tilting, the stallion listened to her words, before smiling slightly. Laveda was a lovely mare. Not only in looks, but in personality. Where she, of course, was a Harpy, Morkin also thought of her as more of a friend, or as much a friend as a male could have within the Flock. He tilted his head, before locking his gaze on the ground some in thought.

"If it would not bother you, Mistress Laveda, then I would like to." He paused in his words, making sure he had them settled in his head, before continuing. "You see... I... I want to do more within the Flock. I do not enjoy just lazing around within the safe zone, waiting for a Harpy to give me a task to do, on the rare chance it happens. I don't like just... waiting, there. Yes, I love to tend to any duty a Mistress could give me, but I want more. I want to be able to do things. Like..." He paused once more, his thoughts jumbled within his head.  

[mindsend]

"That is what the guild and male professions are there for, should you desire to learn one" Laveda interrupted gently with an edge of abruptness, cutting to the heart of the manor so he knew he had no need to worry or trouble himself with rambling thoughts.

They walked a bit in silence, the mare slowing slightly so they could walk side by side and allow her to observe him indirectly from the corner of her eye, the closest ear swiveled slightly towards him so she could listen to his breathing and any soft murmurs he might make. She thought over her observations of him once more -- he seemed to dance often, but it appeared more out of a need for expending energy than a true passion for it, and he grew bored of it and found wanderlust instead itching in his limbs and tickling at his mind, leading him to be rash and attempt to venture forth without asking for an escort.

Finally she spoke again, "With your desire to please and be useful, while taking on harder, more mentally and physically exercising work, I doubt the entertainers guilds would interest you, and a gentle spirit such as yourself wouldn't be at home as a harem guard, sparring stallion, or gladiator. You're love for your Mistresses is commendable, and its clear you are eager to please. Most of the farming professions are thankless and impersonal, though there is great honor in providing sustenance to the flock despite being disallowed the hunt except as an aide to a mistress, making it her kill."

She paused again, glancing over at a preening and delicate mare who was round with child, giving her a nod and chirp of acknowledgement and greeting as they passed, knowing that the female was nearing the end of a pregnancy provided to her Taarab, and thus carrying half sisters and brothers of hers. Her attention then returned to Morkin, smiling softly as a thought crossed her mind because of it, "I believe, perhaps, a good direction for you would be in Luxury items and decorations.... Perhaps even brewing, vinificating, and distilling spirits from what the Great Mother and her court of spirits provide to us into the special beverages that can help the flock in many ways -- bring joy and relaxation to festivals and daily life, help those who are injured relax and allow their healers to heal their injuries, to cleanse wounds, to allow those with the sight to open their mind... In moderation."


 

[techabyte]

Right as Morkin was about to speak again, her voice hit his ears. The stallion tilted his head toward her, watching her with those green eyes, before he nodded lightly and followed her quietly. His eyes stayed locked on the ground, watching the grass and the twigs under his hooves crack and bend under the weight. His mind moved from one thing to another. The Guild... Yes, he could go there, but considering he never wanted to bother a female with the question of taking him there, he never thought it an option. Letting his eyes flicker up, he murmured a small "Yes, you're right" under his breath, before tilting his head toward her once more.

Listening to her words with his full attention, Morkin stared some. He nodded his head in agreement, sighing some to glance away from her once more. "Yes... I dance because I must, but it is not quite my... passion. And I'm not quite a fan of violence, though if it came to it, I would fight to protect anyone within the Flock." He stated, his voice quieting some, before he glanced at Laveda. When he saw her attention go to something, Morkin tilted his head, and eyed the mare. He recognized her, as he had done a task for her not but a few days ago to retrieve some things. A slight smile shifted over his features, and he nodded toward her, slightly bowing to her at the same time, before turning his attention back forward, tail flicking.

Attention once more snagged, Morkin listened to the Harpy. He nodded his head lightly, before his ears flicked up and he stared at her rather curiously. Decorations? He never thought he could do that due to his hooves. Glancing at the ends of his feet, he blinked a few times, before looking back up toward her. The brewing... that would be easier to manage. Considering he would just have to clean his hooves, and then smash berries and fruits, sometimes herbs and spices, and add them to be brewed and made into drinks. The thought process moved through his mind easily as he walked, trying to consider all of what she was saying and how he felt. "I suppose you are right, Mistress Laveda... I could do those." He stated, letting his mind wander.

mindsend

Taaaaaaag~