"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
08-15-2016, 11:05 PM (This post was last modified: 08-15-2016, 11:41 PM by Maus.)
Dawn had come and gone. The bright rays of morning sunshine blared blindingly through the canopy of the trees as a soft breeze pulled playfully at the vibrant green leaves. They whispered softly to each other, their rustling teasing the small curved ears of the mare who stood just inside the tree line, her deep amber eyes flicking slowly along the field that sprawled outward, just beyond the trunks she sheltered behind. This was a new place for our dear Maus; and while the thrill of something unknown caused her heart to beat a little faster, the fear of exactly the same thing caused her battered hooves to stay rooted in place like the trees towering around her. She was no naive filly. At seven years of age, Maus had seen many things. She knew how the game was played. From her vantage point she could see many horses dotting the field. Some stood in groups, others wandering on their own. The majority of them were mares, though the thick musky scent of testosterone clung to the summer air. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this was a claiming ground; a place homeless mares gathered at while waiting to be swept away to someones band. Maus snorted at the thought.
Having wandered from place to place almost all her life, the silvery grey minx was no stranger to this game of chess. It's the reason she stood hidden in woods that boardered the field. It the reason her nostrils flared, breathing in all the scents that swarmed and mingled around her. It's the reason her black rimmed ears flicked consistently to pick up the nearby sounds. She wasn't afraid of being claimed, in fact, it's what she came here for. Being a loner had its perks, but after all, Maus was a horse and the need for a herd pulled at her heart strings. It was purely instinctual; and as the thought crossed her mind, Maus stepped forward, leaving the safety of the trees and entering the large field.
Maus kept a steady pace, her head bobbing slightly as her zebra striped legs carried her further away from the security of the forest. She wasn't scared, but she wasn't letting her guard down either. Maus may be small, but she is mighty. Barely standing 15.2hh, the tall grass tickled her belly. The sun, growing hotter as it climbed the brilliant blue sky, warmed her back and it was at that moment that she realized how thirsty she was. Luckily for Maus, there was water nearby, she could hear it crashing roughly off to her right. Pausing in her stride, the grey mare turns her head in the direction of the sound, her ears pricking forward. Amber eyes peer out from behind the veil of her thick black forelock. There, just below the small knoll she stood atop was a lake, a waterfall spilling into. Explains the noise she thinks to herself as she turns to head towards the body of water.
Making her way towards the lake, Maus soon discovers that the tall grass fades away too reveal a rocky shore. Her chipped and battered hooves clatter softly against the rounded pebbles as she nears the blue water, the suns rays shimmering against its rippling surface. Maus doesn't stop until her lightly feathered fetlocks are submerged in the cool liquid, her black pointed muzzle dips downward, breaching the lakes surface. Sucking up the refreshing water, the silvery grey mare allows her deep amber eyes to scan the area around, observing the horses nearest her.
Like a resting giant, the Valley slumbered. Quiet again after the thrill of the raid, they had settled into a lull that was as comfortable as it was dangerous. They were paying for their insolence, and to do nothing more than wile away the hours would not appease the angry Gods. The Gods wanted to see the sweat roll from their brow; to see them rebuild their empires, brick by slow brick. Had she known then what she knew now of the coward Tannor, she would have left his useless hide waiting on her border. But, there was no sense in dwelling on the past; the “what ifs” and “could have been’s”. Instead, she would rally her kingdom around her, and together they would regain their former grandeur.
As the sun crept over the horizon, she was already on the move. With the triplets tucked safely in the arms of the Valley, she made her way out of the kingdom. The journey she would undertake was long but necessary. For everything the Valley had and could offer, their numbers were small. While everyone there was a valuable member and she took none of them for granted, it was always nice to have the ranks filled with able-bodied individuals who were as devoted as she to their homeland. As she slipped into the forest, the sunlight became less glaring, barely able in places to filter through the heavy canopy of greenery above. This is where she was most comfortable, and a contended sigh fell heavy from her black lips. Soon though, the forest began to thin, and she knew that her destination was drawing ever nearer. The Field, a central location for those in search of a home to call their own.
As the harsh sunlight met her face she blinked rapidly, taking a moment to gather herself before proceeding forward. Here the grass was sparse, the land over burdened by the constant ebb and flow of moving horses. It was not like the lushness of the Valley. The sun baking over her mousey-colored back, she let her eyes sweep over the land. There were many horses, but most seemed otherwise engaged in one conversation or another. Moving into the masses, Topsail avoided those already being hounded by multiple stallions or kingdom horses. However, a lone mare caught her eye, one nearly identical in color to herself and heading for the watering hole. With a smile on her face Topsail followed, keeping a careful eye for wayward stallions; with breeding season looming, one could never be too careful. Not that she feared for herself; more, she feared for the poor idiot who would try to take her by force. Stepping up beside her doppleganger, she lowered her own head to sip at the water, enjoying the cool liquid sliding down her parched throat. When the grulla queen had her fill, she raised her head, eyes and smile directed at the other. “You seem to be smarter than everyone else; you’ve certainly picked the best place to linger on a day like today.” she said into the other mares mind, her eyes sparkling in a rare moment of humor. “I’m Topsail, queen of the Valley. Care to share a name?” she inquired with a tilt of her head. “As you’ve probably guessed, I’m here to offer you a home. The Valley is a small kingdom now, but we are strong, and with a rich history. I could offer you a place amongst her ranks.” She hated to be so forward, but she knew that others would arrive before long. It was best not to beat around the proverbial bush.
Topsail
Queen of the Valley
ooc - she is a mute and a telepath, so anything she says is actually in maus' head
So much has changed since the last time that she visited this place.
It’d been right after her mother’s death, back when the pain of her loss had still been sharp and fresh. She’d been trying to distract herself, trying to fill the void her mother’s loss had ripped from her life.
It hadn’t worked of course. Nothing can heal a loss like that completely - only the passage of time can dull the burn. But for a time it had at least distracted her, and on that visit she’d even brought home a new sister for the Amazons - Daena. Fruitful, if nothing else.
As she steps over the border into the field she’s suddenly struck by the realization that it’s been almost six years since that time. Six. She freezes for a moment, golden hoof paused in midair. Has it really been that long? God, it has … how strange.
She shakes her head and continues on, brown eyes scanning the territory as her mind wanders. What would Lyris think of her daughters these days? Lexa, ruling a kingdom, and Larken … what the hell is Larken doing these days? Nothing useful anyway.
She sighs, and her eyes suddenly catch upon a pair of mares standing together by the lake. Likely one of them is another recruiter likely, just like her. She pauses for a brief moment, analyzing. She cannot detect their scents from where she is standing, but the grullo appears more at home, more business like. Probably her competition.
A smile grows on her face as she trots smoothly up to the pair, and she nods to both mares in polite greeting. As she glances at the grullo a familiar scent hits her nose and her suspicion is confirmed. This mare is from the Valley. She’s never actually been to the kingdom herself, but she’s run into enough of it’s members for her to recognize the smell.
Her brown eyes turn to the mouse brown mare, her smile widening slightly. “Hello there, I’m Lexa of the Amazons. Are you on the lookout for a new home?” She assumes as much, but it’s always more polite to ask first.
Maus stayed ever watchful as she drank the cool water from the lake. She knew it would not take long for someone to approach her. From her experience places like this usually buzzed with recruiters trying to lay claim to homeless horses; but this wasn't the only reason she stayed so alert. Summer was dying off and autumn was paving the way for breeding season. While Maus was not opposed to having a foal, she would NOT stand by and let some foolish stallion hopped up on hormones force her into motherhood. The thought causes her black rimmed ears to pin back against her poll slightly. Oh have mercy on the pool soul to try that ridiculousness! She would fight to the death before that ever happened.
It's at this point that the soft clatter of hooves on the rocks catches Maus' attention causing her ears to twist in its direction. Someone approached her from the right and without lifting her lips from the lake, she watches as another mare joins her. The resemblance of this newcomer was uncanny. It was as if she were looking through a smudged mirror, the hues of their coats were nearly identical. The other mare dipped her skull downward, sharing a drink with Maus and as she lifts her head back up, Maus does the same. Small droplets fall from her black lips, plopping soundless back to their origin. She waits for mare to speak and moments later she does.
For a moment Maus stands with a confused look scrolling across her face. She heard the mares words, but she could have sworn her mouth didn't move. If the silvery grey minx had eyebrows, one surely would have be raised to express her utter confusion. Her deep Amber eyes flick from side to side, almost begging someone to tell her she wasn't losing her mind. Surely this other mare hadn't spoken to her in her mind. That would be absurd, right?
Luckily for our dear Maus, she doesn't have much time to dwell on whether she was going crazy or not as yet another mare approaches them. The newest addition to their little group wastes no time in introductions as she too offers the mouse grey minx a home. So now Maus has a choice to make. The Valley, as the first mare offered or The Amazons as proposed by the second. Hmmm...decisions decisions she thinks to herself, her eyes bouncing from one mare to the next, though they linger a little longer on Topsail for she couldn't shake the weirdness that had just transpired "Maus." she says after a few more seconds. "My name is Maus." The words flow from her mouth laced with a thick russian accent. "And what do you have to offer? What makes your homes so special?" she inquires. Choosing a band to join wasn't a task to be taken lightly; Maus wanted to make sure she was choosing wisely.
The Valley wasn’t something she could accurately describe. It was a feeling, really; it was something deep within the marrow of ones bones, a certain aching of the heart. The landscape was dark, foreboding even; but it was special. It was special in a way that only dark things were; something to be appreciated, but never tamed. One could not take the graciousness of the Valley for granted, lest the Valley become a less amicable host. But, if one were to work for the goodness of the Valley, then the Valley would protect her own. She always took care of those who were loyal to her. But- she expected hard work and diligence in return. Topsail, for her own part, thought that was an easy enough exchange. Of course there were other kingdoms, but few had the dark grandeur of her own beloved Valley.
Topsail registered the shock and awe that crossed her doppelgangers face, but she gave it little thought. She was far too used to the brief discomfort that she no longer felt any level of self consciousness about it. Instead, she countered the other mares hesitation with a smile of her own, a smile that she also gave to the Amazonian who had joined them. She held no ill-will for the women of the Jungle, and could only hope they shared the same beliefs. But those matters were neither here nor there; Maus was the star of the proverbial show. The grulla spoke, a thick accent of unknown origins lacing her words. It was pleasing enough, albeit completely foreign to Topsail. She noticed the mares eyes linger on her; whether in doubt or curiosity, Topsail did not know. She could have known of course, but she usually refrained from reading minds unless it was absolutely necessary or she had some other, more nefarious plan in mind. “A pleasure, Maus.” she said, inclining her head in greeting.
There was no point in beating around the bush, so she stepped smoothly into her next words. She allowed her words to reach both mares; though she wasn’t overly concerned with good manners, it seemed incredibly rude to leave Lexa completely in the dark. “It goes without saying that I’m offering you a home. But beyond that, I’m offering you a place amongst the Valley ranks. A chance to push yourself harder than perhaps you’ve ever done. The rewards are great, should you work for them. You will find companionship, and hopefully friends. But remember; they Valley gives nothing freely; it all must be worked for. Truly though, what fun would it be to just have it all handed to you? I definitely prefer to prove my mettle, as it were.” she finished, her tone light but no less serious. Now all she could do was wait for Lexa’s spiel, and then finally, Maus’ ultimate decision.
Lexa’s ears perk in curiosity as the mare speaks, revealing her thick accent. It’s one she’s definitely never heard before, indicating that the mare has come quite a long way. Curious that she came here, of all places. Lexa wonders what paths in life brought her here, but she does not pry. She does not know Maus well enough after all.
The grey asks after their kingdoms, and Lexa’s brown eyes flick to the grullo Valley mare. She was here first, only fair that she gets to make her case first. Her eyes blink when the mare’s voice rings out in her mind instead of her ears, but that is her only sign of surprise. While she has not met a telepath before she has certainly heard of them, and she’s interacted with enough magicians to know how easily some can reach into the heads of others.
She waits quietly while the mare says her piece, listening patiently. She knows little of what the Valley is up to these days - the kingdom has been more quiet in recent years, besides their participation in the raid - and she is curious. But the mare gives nothing useful away, and soon it is Lexa’s turn to make her own case. “The Amazons is a kingdom of mares, though the occasional stallion chooses to live among us. We too value hard work, and make sure to reward those that do.” Most of what she could say is very similar to the Valley mare’s speech. Save one thing. “Above all else however, we are a sisterhood. A loyal, tight-knit sisterhood. Join us, and you will have true friends for the rest of your days.” Then she falls silent. It is time for the grey to decide.
After the mousey mares voice ends she begins to think. What did she want? When it came down to it, what were the deciding factors? The make it or break its? The wheels inside her head begin to turn as she truly thinks about it. Well, first and foremost, she decides quickly, would be safety. She wanted to join a herd that would keep her safe. Maus was good at being a loner, but natural instinct told her there was safety in numbers. Secondly, she supposed, would be location. Somewhere that provided good grazing and easy access to water, maybe have some sort of protection from the elements? All of these things made for a great place to set up shop and hunker down for a while. There were other things she looked for, but they were insignificant wants rather than needs.
Suddenly Maus finds herself confused as a new voice rings inside her head. The abrupt intrusion of the other mares words startles her again. Having never encountered telepathy before, Maus decides it's something that will probably take a while to get used to. Silently clearing her throat, she listens to what Topsail has to say, nodding in understanding as she is informed that the Valley gives nothing away for free. Maus was no stranger to hard work. She was never one for laziness and was willing to put forth what ever effort was necessary.
As Topsails voices falls quiet within her head, Maus allows her deep amber eyes to flick towards the appaloosa. It was now her turn. The blanketed mare first sentence intrigues Maus. A kingdom of mares? This was a new concept for the grulla minx. During her seven years, while she had encountered many "tradional" herds, she had yet stumble across a band comprised of all mares. With her interest peaked, Maus continues to listen. Lexa goes on to tell her that, as with the Valley, hard work was valued. Again, this isn't an issue for the mousey mare and as she had done with Topsail, she nods to acknowledge her words. Lexa goes on to finish speaking and as her last word entered Maus' ears, she looks between the two mares before her. It was now her turn to speak and for a moment she stays quiet, mulling over options. "Both territories sound pleasing." she begins, her thick russian accent entwined with her words. "but I believe I will join Lexa in The Amazons." she adds, dipping her head lightly in the direction of the blanket appaloosa.
OOC: I know in her post for Lokii it says she went with Topsail, but I just got a great little self-plot idea the other night so decided to change it.
