"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
They say that good fences make good neighbors, and well… Fart definitely had that covered. Due to his diligent daily walks around his herd land, his scent was definitely a good fence. But Seraphina, having spent so many years in the service of kingdoms, was diplomatic at heart and decided that she would venture out today and see what kinds of horses lived next door. It certainly couldn’t hurt.
At least that was her reasoning. She wasn’t really sure what was really bothering her, but since the arrival of the unicorn in her own home, she was feeling a little strange. Left out maybe? She wasn’t sure and she decided not to think about it. So this goodwill mission was perhaps just a way to keep her mind busy. Regardless of her reasons, she was here. She was sure it was a different territory when the now-familiar scent of her green companion suddenly dissipated and she could smell fresh, clean air once more.
She does not venture far into the territory as she has not been invited and does not want to seem rude. Instead the strange hawk-mare lets out a friendly whinny to let the inhabitants of this land know that she was here. While she waits she opens and refolds her tawny wings tightly by her sides and nips at a stray feather on her foreleg; hopefully the strangers won’t be too put-off by her strange appearance.
The bay and purple stallion returned home for some time out, his father Archam has vanished for almost a year and his twin brother Andras was slacking on his duties. Andras was supposed to be the lead stallion but ever since falling in 'love' the stallion has done nothing for the herd, Francois has stepped up and taken over for the herd where his father and brother couldn't, in other words, he was the new lead stallion. Rightfully, the position should have been Francois' from the start.
As he was returning from a field visit he picked up the scent of another, his attention honed in and a call was shot out. It was certainly to dainty to be a stallions voice, and so the fact that it was a mare caught his attention. He strolled over towards the sound and picked up the outline of a bay mare, he returned her call with one of his and slowed to a halt before the mare. Hello, My name is Francois his head dipped in respect for her, her body carried a scent similar to a skunk, she must be one of the neighboring herds mares. It was no secret that ever since the neighboring lands were taken the stallion had an odor that kept anyone and everyone out. How can I help you today? he asked curious to what brought her out of her herd to his. Was the opposing stallion not tending to his mares enough? Pity because this one was gentle on the eyes.
Francois
A Clever Person Solves A Problem, A Wise Person Avoids It
She is not surprised that she does not wait long for a reply, and also not surprised that the call is from a stallion. This is a herd land after all. She is unsure of herself again at the prospect of coming into contact with another stallion; she was no longer an amazonian warrior after all, and to a herd stallion she would appear to be just another mare. And as far as mares go, she isn’t a great prospect for a stallion. She had always taken more after her father so she was tall and muscular. Add the wings, the extra feathers, the talons and the hawk eyes and she is one odd creature. Certainly not ugly, but not everyone’s cup of tea.
So when he approaches she feels relief that he is not necessarily “normal” either. Not as unusual as Fart, to be sure, but far from average. Some of her unease dissipates as he speaks as well as his words and his voice are gentle. She returns his nod and smiles a little. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Seraphina. I live in the land south of here.” Her voice is soft, still unused to the lack of title or position. She feels naked without them.
At his following question she realizes that her actions could easily be misunderstood. She feels somewhat bashful at the thought (how odd to feel bashful at her age) and she forces herself to smile a little brighter. “I’m simply trying to get to know our neighbors. I’ve never lived in a herd before…” she trails off, unsure of how to put her thoughts into words. “While it’s not boring, the company is less diverse than a Kingdom.” Her golden eyes find his, hoping that he has a better grasp on her mission now.
She shifts her weight and shuffles her wings which were beginning to feel cramped from being held so tightly against her sides. Was that really her reason? She shakes her head slightly to rid her mind of such nonsense.
As the time passed in silence he took the opportunity to scan her over, he noticed that she had talons which was by far the weirdest trait he has ever seen. His own brother had a horn, but talons was something new, on top of that she had wings, but not just any wings these were the color of a bird. Although he was distracted when her gentle voice rang through his ears, his eyes shifted to view her as she spoke.
She confirmed his thoughts, she belonged to the stallion that claimed the other herd lands that fell in the Falls. He was curious to what the stallion looked like, it couldn't be that easy on the eyes if he was anything like the stench he carried. He was about to open his mouth and ask what brought her out to his herd lands, but she beat him to the punch. She explained that she was here to meet her 'neighbors' and that she never lived in a herd before. His ears instantly perked up with interest, where exactly was this mare from? Ahh, doing diplomat tasks for the stallion of your herd? he could appreciate that, she seemed dedicated to him. He stepped closer to her, pushing his limits What kingdom do you come from? he scanned over her wings, this time was much more obvious. What is your stallions name? he did not know anything about the neighboring stallion, well except that he sent his mares to do his political tasks.
Francois
A Clever Person Solves A Problem, A Wise Person Avoids It
To say that Fart was not easy on the eyes was not a stretch. He was limey green, skinny, and had a split lip. He was constantly afraid of something (or someone?) but he never fully explained it. And he had terribly low self-esteem (probably the end result of the things listed previously). Add in the stink and his deadly gift that he kept mostly hidden and he was definitely not the typical herd stallion.
Regardless, she had agreed to live with him. Besides all of those things he was extremely kind and completely accepting of her strange appearance and her haunted past. Birds of a feather…
The hawk mare would never have agreed to form a herd with anyone less deserving. Coming from her background as an Amazonian warrior, being in a herd was quite a foreign concept. A tough pill to swallow. But Fart, and his dream of giving a home to those who had nowhere else to go, they were worth it. She would protect that and see it succeed.
He questions her motives again, but he seems to confuse them. She snorts a little and says “I suppose you could look at it that way, but really I just want to get to know some of the horses that live nearby.” She’s a little frustrated to have him spin it in such a way. And then he digs at her past and she instantly regrets saying anything about it. Her eyes fall to the ground and she shifts her weight uneasily. “I’ve lived in several. Some that don’t even exist anymore.”
It wasn’t a lie.
He steps closer to her now and looks her over. She can’t help the contempt that rises in her throat like bile. Her talons curl into the soft ground beneath them ever so slightly. She wishes she had found one of the women that lived here instead of this stallion. He is but a silly colt to her, his youth and impetuousness are nothing but faults to her. But he asks about Fart, and that calms her slightly, despite the condescending tone in his voice. “His name is Fart, which makes the smell more understandable I suppose.” Yes, she knows it stinks. “He might not seem like much, but he’s capable of protecting himself and his herd.” She pauses and her eyes find his once more, a sort of fire lit within them now. “Of course he also has me to help him with protection.”
Seraphina
I saw you just posted an away, so no rush dear. Just wanted to get a reply up! <3
The bay mare with odd wings and talons seemed to grow uncomfortable with his conversation, it was odd that such a dangerous creature grew anxious by conversation. She was lost in her own thoughts and they stood in silence but it was finally broken when she spoke, she said that she wanted to get to know her neighbors. He cocked his eye, was that the truth? Or was she looking for a way out of her herd.
Francois was a young stallion and eager to have a strong herd, he would take anyone and she seemed kind enough. She finished speaking and her body only appeared to grow more tense, with anger or discomfort he wasn't sure. But the topic was changed when she answered his question about the kingdoms she lived in. She said that she lived in several, some that didn't exist anymore, he cocked his eye and quickly thought of the desert that was no longer existent. Ahh...Well with all that dedication and expertise it must be nice to be able to relax in a herd now
As he stepped nearer he was able to detect her discomfort, her talons sprawled out and gently scraped the ground but her body quickly relaxed as she talked about her stallion, Fart . What in the world, what kind of name is that! She notes the smell that the smell in the Forest Frontiers was because of this stallion, something he did not appreciate. She talks kindly of him, and has nothing bad to say about him, a dedicated mare she was. She noted he was capable of protecting his herd, but of course he also had her to protect the herd. Well Seraphina, he sounds marvelous, and it is honorable that you are so strong for the herd he smirked as he gazed over her one last time Feel free to visit the Cobblestone whenever you please his gaze found hers and locked in.
Francois
A Clever Person Solves A Problem, A Wise Person Avoids It
