"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
For day's she has traveled across many territories... Casted out of her sires herd for not conforming to his rules. She was not clay... To be molded by his idea of structure and order. Her body grew weaker as her heart and mind grew stronger...
As globes fixated on this new land she couldn't help but believe she was only another passing thru. Satellites searched for anything that made its presence known. Lingering in the shadows of the evergreens she studied cautiously... Knowing at any moment she could be targeted. She did little to draw attention to herself... Though that was easy for her. She was not much of anything special. Not the tallest nor the most feminine of features. She was not the fastest or most graceful. She was kind hearted to those weaker but defiant to those who tried to control her. She was herself and that'd all she knew how to be.
Hind pillar cocked as she settled, not seeing an immediate danger. Satellites kept vigilant as globes rested. Nares heavied as she drew in scents of others. She had been solitar for so long it was comforting to feel others were near. She would see what this land would offer her... Would she be chased out as many have before? Or would another send an invitation her way? Her dark hide shuttered as pests settled upon her still frame...
Their family was growing. Each soul they guided home to the Taiga became a daughter, a sister, a son, a brother. And he was the patriarch, an alpha of their family unit. Their pack.
Each time he'd come to the field, he'd been trailed by one of his adopted daughters. They had been so eager to learn to do this for themselves, to seek out the creatures that may fit in with them, they may come to belong with them. To escort them home with pride in their eyes and beaming smiles. But today he was alone. Often of late, he kept to himself. It was uncharacteristic of him, and he hoped it would fade in time.
Wounds at his sides caked with dried blood marked a large part of his recent self-isolation. His fall into silent brooding. Beautiful white wings had been violently torn, ripped away by the jaws of a demon. Nothing was left of them but these seeping lesions, and the painfully useless muscles still working beneath his skin. Occassionally, bright crimson would stain his pale coat, tinting his purple spots when the injuries accidentally tore open. Today he'd managed to keep that from happening and he was glad of it. It was painful to endure so often.
Glacial blue eyes settled on a figure of shimmering silver-gray. For a moment he only studied her in silence, taking her measure. To join their family was not given so freely. It required strength, resilience. A love of the forest, of a family unit. They would need to open their hearts to those among the trees, protect them as they would be equally protected. Love as they would be equally loved. It was not a life for just anyone. They were a pack. And everyone had to pull their weight.
Hello, he greeted evenly, approaching with the steady grace of a wolf. She was young, as were his adopted daughters. Perhaps his girls would enjoy that light in her eyes. Perhaps in turn she would enjoy exploring with them, protecting their family and home. Caretakers of the forest.
I am Ruan, of the Taiga. Am I right to assume you may be looking for a place to stay? he asked with a curious tilt to his head. Blue eyes peered at her calmly from a dark face.
Although, if I am correct, I must admit; the Taiga is not for everyone.
Satellites twisted forward as the winds shifted around a stationary figure... Her attention brought as globes scanned for the figure causing the disruption. Confusion overcame her as she studied the other studying her. Twas it from her breed or another... Her nares drew in scents to further the investigation.
Pillars readied as she stoodfast... At any moment a greeting could turn to conflict. The words spoken were processed in silence... She glanced about as if maybe he was speaking to another. Still unsure of the figures breeding. Nares flared as she thought of the correct answer...
" T'am looking for a residence to call home you are correct. But I am unsure yours offers what I seek"
She seeked freedom among other things. A home, a family, someone to love her for all that she is.
For a moment, she met his stare with her own and his interest peaked, dark ears tipped toward her. But there was a taughtness in her muscles, as though eager to be away or ready to flee. Contemplative caution was well and good, even necessary in some cases. Fear was not. Within the Taiga walked many species of creatures, not all were simple things interested in only grasses and berries and cuddles. A great many were predators, himself occassionally included. No, fear would not do well in his home.
Little Jinju as a child had been insecure, nearly always tucked protectively beneath his wing, showered in love and affection. She'd been through so much in her young life, but even she had a strength within her that kept her watchful and powerful against dangers. Baby Heda as well had nestled in the shelter of his feathers, though she of all his daughters was the sunniest girl with a bright face and a ready laugh. He'd found her here in the field, in fact, and what a treasure she'd turned out to be. Neither of them would stand by idly if a threat entered their forest, even despite their young ages. And both, like all others of the Taiga, loved openly all new members welcomed into the fold.
Strength, resilience. Compassion for the family. To love and be loved. Trust and be trusted. All were required, but certainly not fear. An unstable mind entering a pack would create unbalance and turmoil. He would not risk upsetting the harmony within the Taiga. Careful choosing was necessary.
"T'am looking for a residence to call home you are correct. But I am unsure yours offers what I seek."
An almost-smile tipped a corner of his lips and his eyes reflected mild amusement. Was she prey or family? What is it that you seek? he asked patiently. Where another would take her silent question and break into a monologue of how wonderful their lands were, he only stood, watchful and probing, and challenged whether she even knew what she wanted. Whether she was looking for a solid family unit or an easy place to be coddled and eventually forgotten among the masses.
If it was a prince in shining armor she searched for, she'd not find it in his Taiga. Not if she couldn't even make it pass the borders on her own dainty feet.
For a moment she studied the figure once more... Whether he was equine or canine was not important to her. Cautioned yes but either species could target her for any reason. Being lone though she eased her flight response to fight if need be...
Globes scanned his frame... Noticing many scars from years of battles. Stories which she knew no details. A kindness in her eyes showed empathy for much pain endured. She wondered if he had someone who eased those burdens. Satellites twisted as if searching for silent answers. Ebony tassels twisted about her flanks ridding them of pests. She was independent and could take care of herself but longed to have family to care for...
Globes held his gaze, satellites inviting his words... What do I seek? She pondered the question for a moment and with ease expelled the answer from her lips...
"Unconditional love M'Lord"
Her crown slightly cocked as she extended her nape. Muzzle extended toward thee in a submissive manner. Satellites resting as tassels flagged. She wanted to be loved freely for who she was and not made to change. She was not easily conformed to an ideal image. She liked her freedoms...
She drew back her offering to him and looked to the horizon. The winds shifted and a scent entered her nares that had never been tasted before. She must explore this new taste. She shifted her weight and pillars positioned themselves under her. She glanced to the figure that had greeted her here. A thunder escaped her nares, an invitation to him to follow if he chose to.
He waited in silence as she studied him more. Her searching eyes slid over him, taking in his pale color, purple appaloosa spots, and his recent wounds marking where his wings had once rested. It grated on him when others glanced over them, made him even more aware of the lack of weight at his sides, the memory still too recent and painful. His nostrils flared slightly, but he was elsewise unmoved.
Then her gaze returned to his, holding it. Amusement played at his half-smile, glacial eyes lighting. "Unconditional love M'lord," she replied. His head tilted curiously, and he watched as she reached out toward him. His stare darkened. He held his ground and did not meet her, searching her eyes for her intentions. But it was only a moment and she was straightening again.
A subtle change in the winds brought her new scents that lit her eyes with curiosity. She turned to face them, breathing them in and analyzing for herself what they might be. For a brief glance, she looked to him again. He stared back impassively. When she wordlessly invited him to follow, he still only stood. Watching.
And then they both turned, and walked their separate ways.
Pillars picked a quick rhythmic beat, tassels danced with her movement. Muzzle held low to the turf as she investigated scents of other travelers. She halted briefly and turned her nape to fixate on the other figure lumbering away from her. A whicker escaped as if maybe he'd reconsider her invite... He had seemed so alone inside. Maybe a bad day. She then turned her globes to the horizon as it darkened she felt more at peace. Her dark hide hid her well as she danced forth along the breeze...
