03-20-2017, 09:48 PM
Aten silently agreed with Jinju's words, as he still felt pain to this day of being separated from his older sister. Though the farthest apart in age as Aten was the youngest of his siblings (as far as he knew), which meant he hadn't had as much time with Sirana as Eiria and Nerius had, he still felt a bond with the now-grown mare who shared his blood. Every day he was apart from any member of his family, he felt the twisting ache in his heart, his instincts telling him to return and be with those he loved.
But, at the same time, it was not the way of the wild. Aten knew that, some day, he would have to leave and form a life of his own. Whether Beqanna had changed or not, or whether or not his sire had stayed around, the older stallion would've kicked both his colts through Anahi out of the herd eventually, so they could go off and form their own herds. Aten looked forward to that day, when he could have his own herd whether he had residence in a kingdom or somewhere out on the plains. The one thing that would be different was he would allow the mares of his herd to go visit their families, unlike that stallion who still kept Sirana so firmly in his grasp.
Aten's brooding allowed him to catch up to Jinju, who had stopped to wait for him. The stallion hurried along so as not to irritate her, thinking she might grow impatient if he kept dawdling much longer.
After Aten had asked about Jinju's family, he could see the darkness swimming in her beautiful red eyes. Immediately, he regretted asking the question; he needed to learn to keep his muzzle shut. What if it had led to a worse result just now, rather than the words currently spilling from her mouth? The stallion watched her silently as she described her family, and though vague, Aten understood.
Aten honestly didn't think taking in an orphan was that bad of a decision for anyone either, and was pleased that the horses who raised Jinju had taken on that responsibility. He'd been told by his dam, many moons ago, that she herself and the brindled mare Raxa had both found an orphan foal each and attempted to take it in, but said foals had chosen to go off to different homes. Not that the place of the home mattered, as long as they had one.
Aten suddenly wondered if his dam had taken in any orphan foals since she gave birth to him. He was now a fully grown stallion, a bit brash for his age but a good head on his shoulders and a fiery spirit burning in him. He desired to run free and help others in need, to lead a herd and protect those he would come to care for.
And that started with this filly, for Aten already found himself thinking of Jinju as a friend. "Time eventually divides us, but the bonds will always remain. And whether you think of me as a friend or not, I already consider you one myself, and I hope that bond stays strong for a long while.
"If it is not much trouble, I would like to meet the leaders and ask if I may call this place home. Would you be willing to help me find them?"
But, at the same time, it was not the way of the wild. Aten knew that, some day, he would have to leave and form a life of his own. Whether Beqanna had changed or not, or whether or not his sire had stayed around, the older stallion would've kicked both his colts through Anahi out of the herd eventually, so they could go off and form their own herds. Aten looked forward to that day, when he could have his own herd whether he had residence in a kingdom or somewhere out on the plains. The one thing that would be different was he would allow the mares of his herd to go visit their families, unlike that stallion who still kept Sirana so firmly in his grasp.
Aten's brooding allowed him to catch up to Jinju, who had stopped to wait for him. The stallion hurried along so as not to irritate her, thinking she might grow impatient if he kept dawdling much longer.
After Aten had asked about Jinju's family, he could see the darkness swimming in her beautiful red eyes. Immediately, he regretted asking the question; he needed to learn to keep his muzzle shut. What if it had led to a worse result just now, rather than the words currently spilling from her mouth? The stallion watched her silently as she described her family, and though vague, Aten understood.
Aten honestly didn't think taking in an orphan was that bad of a decision for anyone either, and was pleased that the horses who raised Jinju had taken on that responsibility. He'd been told by his dam, many moons ago, that she herself and the brindled mare Raxa had both found an orphan foal each and attempted to take it in, but said foals had chosen to go off to different homes. Not that the place of the home mattered, as long as they had one.
Aten suddenly wondered if his dam had taken in any orphan foals since she gave birth to him. He was now a fully grown stallion, a bit brash for his age but a good head on his shoulders and a fiery spirit burning in him. He desired to run free and help others in need, to lead a herd and protect those he would come to care for.
And that started with this filly, for Aten already found himself thinking of Jinju as a friend. "Time eventually divides us, but the bonds will always remain. And whether you think of me as a friend or not, I already consider you one myself, and I hope that bond stays strong for a long while.
"If it is not much trouble, I would like to meet the leaders and ask if I may call this place home. Would you be willing to help me find them?"