"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
Back and forth, back and forth. She wandered, never really knowing where she was headed or why - just that she had nothing better to do. Lacking in entertainment she craved occupation - something that she had never been deprived of as a youngster. Her parents had always ensured that her whims were brought to fruition and that her every interest, no matter how small, were fed. To be so completely without, at times it was proving to be quite unsettling. Regardless of how spoiled she seemed, she was still unwilling to surrender herself back into the trivial existence she had enjoyed. She knew when a page needed to be turned, and she remained eager to see the next chapter of her life begun.
Foolish determination replaced petty demands and unsettling pouts. Demetyr was no longer a child and she would prove herself capable in a world that had, thus far, proven itself to be simple enough - even in its vacancy of interest. True, she had met a few new faces. People that she considered to be her friends, even if she doubted that their paths would cross again. They had been helpful at the moment that she had needed them to be, and it was for that she had no intention of ever forgetting their faces.
Returning to the place where her journey had begun, she halted beneath the shelter of a tree. Winter had been unforgiving and she shivered despite her determination to remained unbothered by the frost. In her time spent in the wild, her coat had grown in thickness - though she hated the unkempt way it altered her appearance. It made her seem coarse, unrefined - like some wildling completely lacking in culture. Back home, the land had never reached temperatures desperate enough to alter her appearance. She had remained sleek and slender all year long - a beauty far surpassing the grumpkin she had been, lately, reduced to.
Huffing, she was determined to find some way to thin her coat the very same moment that the weather warmed. It would not do to have herself appearing in such a way - not when she intended to attract her true love to her. No stallion would see her as some maiden in need of a knight, but rather a creature of homelessness not worthy of their attention. Naturally, there was some small part of her that did not believe the thoughts that had formed in her pretty little head. She was still quite appealing to behold, even though she refused to trust that logical part of her mind.
Desperation would continue to pursue her as she waited, rather impatiently, to gain someone's notice.
It had been over a year since Aries life had been turned upside down. His parents ran from there own home, mother abandoning the young colt and pushing him off to Bane. It wasn't all that bad though, Bane had been the father figure he sought, and with it Bane had taught him so much. He has learned manners, so much so that he has been able to push his temptations to the side. He has even learned diplomatic ways, and dabbled a bit in the warrior life. He has fit in perfectly with the Bane and Lepis herd, even if he hasn't met Lepis yet.
He has spent so much time in Taiga, as much as he loved the equines he considered to be his family, he also missed making friends that he wasn't related to. The last time he had made friends was with the lion sisters, but that was nearly a year ago now!
His training was less and less, and so he found himself with spare time. He decided to head out to the field to see if he could find someone, maybe bring them back to Taiga even. The boy travels in his wolf form, grey with red streaks through his fur. He was a tall hound, with some room left to bulk out, his canine fur offering much better protection against the harsh winter wind.
He runs through the field with little attention to his surroundings, but he does keep his eyes out for anyone of interest. He usually would look for a meal, but the winter drives everyone into hiding and so it was barren....but his eye catches another. The hound slides to a halt sending the snow on the ground flying. He tilts his head as he watches her for a moment, she looks cold and he nearly laughs, she must be new to beqanna.
The wolf grows closer, but once he is within sight he shifts into his equine form to avoid scaring her. The hound now chestnut overo, his hooves a shiny green. Hello, he gives a greeting as he grows closer to the girl. Her pelt was like a pearl, an off white with a pink shine to it, a horn that stuck out from the middle of her head and flowers that draped her mane and tail. You look cold, he admits his analysis, the girl seemed to be getting used to the winter still. It was daring to approach a mare he hadn't known, but he felt bad looking at her shiver, he moves closer to her, stopping beside her. There pelts nearly mesh together, but he doesn't push the boundaries, still his body heat radiates onto her.
I just want to let you know: my mind refuses to let you go I want to hypnotize you so you will remember me
There’s ways to be useful and ways to be not. To Leilan, one does not exclude the other - in trying the one thing, the other one can surface, and vice versa. The only thing the gold-clad roan cares about, is if it brings him any fun.
Satisfaction has long been tossed overboard.
It’s out of sheer boredom that he agreed to make the trip to the Field, then. He has second-guessed yanking the blue girl from her hopeless, wandering mother for the fourth time already when they arrive in the recruitment area, but the part of him that harbours rationalism and emotion is pushed away deep down somewhere. Instead, he just doesn’t bother with his history - he was once going to find his wandering children, but only the youngest truly was easy enough to find, and he’s lost that purpose since.
Now, he scans the Field with a lack of interest for most parts, until his keen eye lands on a pretty mare. He nickers to the girl who, much like him, seems to prefer watching the happenings in the Field from a distance; nods to the woman and then finds an overly keen young stallion has already approached.
The ice-marked horses both make their way over, just in time for the scaled stallion to pick up the remark the colt makes. A snort follows. ”I bet you don’t even know what cold is.” he grins, which seems to emit a very cold breath when he speaks though nothing too icy happens. Yet.
His grin grows a little wider at the sight of the emerald hooves, and he studies the boy’s conformation. Half-Andalusian. Not surprising at all.
From barely a few yards apart, the month-old snow-maned filly watches the new horses’ faces, but says nothing, and keeps her face rather straight.
When your fears are cast aside, will you remember me?
Leilan
no. 7 | ice forged in fire
@[Demetyr] @[Aries]
Two things I know I can make: pretty kids, and people mad.
Standing alone, she was not entirely hopeless or annoyed. Statuesque and beautiful, a hint of movement caught her attention. The approaching horse was young, like her. Though, unlike her, he was more plainly colored with no discerning features to draw attention to him. Smiling welcomly she nodded at his observation, a girlish chuckle escaping past her lips. The sound was unbidden, if not a bit welcome.
"Oh, just a bit," she agreed as she flipped her forelock out of her eyes, ensuring that their sparkle was on full display. "Its a bit colder here than I'm used to."
It was impressive how the cold seemed impervious to the snow that surrounded them, even more so by the friendliness with which he had approached. Could be be her prince charming? The one meant to sweep her off her feet? Looking at him, she couldn't help but hope so.
Another voice joined the fray and Demetyr jumped out of her skin as she turned in consideration of the newest stallion. He was a Roman, with maturity lining his features. Handsome in a mature kind of way, his words presented a sort of challenge. Unsure how to respond, she shifted from hoof to hoof as her gaze shifted from one stallion to the other. Suddenly a choice had presented itself to her and her heart fluttered.
"You're right," she said with a quick nod and beaming grin. "I come from a land of spring and summer - this is all new to me..."
Losing a nervous laugh, she blinked at them both - gazing up at them through her lashes.
His hazel gaze looks to the girl, her height just a tad shorter than his own as he stood beside her. The girl laughs, to his relief, she accepted the warmth of his body. She admits that she is cold, though he already knew that, he could see her body shivering from off in the distance, but still it was polite to make initial conversation.
Though he was not able to respond before another approached, and honestly he is irritated that he hadn't noticed another lingering so close. He was much older than the pair, and he stood much taller than Aries had, a stallion he had never met and honestly he couldn't detect the scent of a territory on him. But irregardless, the stallion places himself into there conversation.
He was not a humble stag, and his initial greeting offered a personality that he had not interacted with yet. His comment spiking irritation in Aries, was he belittling them? He noticed the cloud that exited his mouth, but with the cold air surrounding them he did not think anything of it. Before Aries could fit in his own snarky remark, the girl spoke, and reminded him of her presence.
She admits to the roan stag that she was not used to the snow, and that she came from a land that had no winters. This reminds him of the warmer territories in beqanna, mainly the islands, they may have gotten cold in the winter, but they never saw snowfall. His gaze flicked between the two equines, he felt uncomfortable with the adult stag lingering into there conversation, mainly because this was his first time to be 'diplomatic' without Bane around.
Interesting, we have some territories here that don't have winters, and some that only have a winter. His mind quickly flicking to the Isle where his sister resides, the land that is nothing but snow and ice all year long. I'm Aries, and you are? His gaze flicks to both equines, opening the question to both of them, rather than just one.
I just want to let you know: my mind refuses to let you go I want to hypnotize you so you will remember me
They’re upset - fear him only just a little, telling themselves that their initial scare is unjustified, for isn’t he only just an older man telling them they’re young, innocent and naive? Isn’t he only attacking them with words instead of tooth and nail? Lashing out like he always did - a trait he never got rid of.
What they do not know is that he’s not the same as he was before, however. Not that they knew him - only if the boy now was sent running to his mother, he might find out - and it’s likely they will never know. They only know his present appearance - the appearance the fairies denied him the ability to alter; a half-dragon, armed and capable of ridding them of a limb or two if they weren’t careful.
The newcomer may not even know about the magic of the lands yet; if Leilan’s appearance isn’t evidence enough, that is. The boy may or may not have a trait or two to defend himself with; maybe they’ll find out soon. Oh, wouldn’t that be fun? Perhaps so far his life had been something he experienced rather than lived… now seemed like as good a time as any to make a change. Boredom was something he always had wanted to avoid… but perhaps that was because he had never dared to take the actions he needed.
He remembers the icy blue roan girl not too far away, and glances in her direction only temporarily. She’s a great example of his decisions to take what he wants, he thinks - and a good inspiration to continue on that path. What does he want of the two youngsters before him? Perhaps teach them a lesson about life? Or maybe he’ll let them find out on their own.
Debating both their reactions, the girl positive yet hesitating, the boy more on the edge of hostility, the silver-and-gold maned bay roan estimates their reactions to the possibilities he could seize right now. Deciding on picking on the latter, the scaled stallion offers a pointy-toothed smile to the girl. Not meant to be menacing, not meant to be easing either. ”He’s right. Though I personally don’t think you should want to live your life in exactly the same way as you did before. Winter cold is something you can get used to easily,” he tells her. Then he turns to the younger male, ”Although some apparently prefer to live their lives sheltered and tucked away, I guess.” It’s easy to detect the Taigan scent on the young male, as Hyaline’s and Nerine’s neighbours he’d always been able to detect those. Especially since the young girl had already dared cross the mountain kingdom’s northern border.
His gaze lingers on the young man’s face, as if contemplating something - but it has naught to do with telling him his name or not. ”Or did your mother tell you something different when she sent you to the north?” he dares guess. Certainly this is a child or nephew of sorts of Mary’s - but Arthas’ daughter doesn’t live in Taiga, nor would anyone go looking for her there. This boy was hidden with a reason, no doubt. Perhaps the dragon-male should exploit it - but he rather more enjoys manipulating the young man’s feelings and make him doubt life, than actually meddling in politics; so he chooses to make both youngsters doubt about their life choices and love-affairs-to-be.
Emotions, after all, are so easily used for the worse.
When your fears are cast aside, will you remember me?
Leilan
no. 7 | ice forged in fire
@[Demetyr] @[Aries]
Two things I know I can make: pretty kids, and people mad.
09-22-2019, 10:56 AM (This post was last modified: 09-22-2019, 10:57 AM by Demetyr.)
It is almost overwhelming. To have the attention of two stallions pinned solely on herself. Blood rushed to her cheeks, coloring her complexion a slightly deeper shade of pink. Listening to the first, younger stallion speak she cannot help but marvel upon his appearance. Although upon first glance, he had appeared somewhat plain to her eyes - she is quick to grow fond towards his chestnut and white coloring. Aries, he names himself, as he speaks of lands similar to the one she had left behind. The idea that such things existed in the strange realm posed a surprising amount of excitement to the young mare. Perhaps that was what she needed, a place that reminded her of the home she had left behind. Smiling brightly, her eyes danced as she met those belonging to Aries.
"My name is Demetyr," she intones softly, careful to include the elder stallion in her introduction. She had not forgotten about him - how could she when his appearance there had been so demanding. The maturity of him is alluring and she finds herself wanting to know more about the roan. "And you?"
It was bold of her to turn the spotlight so suddenly onto another. Gladly she would have continued to stand there, an object to be admired and fought over. Trails of pleasure travel up her spine as she imagined both stallions bickering over who should be allowed to escort her to her decided upon destination. There was nothing more than them fighting over her.
Bewildered, she listened to the wisdom offered by the elder of them. Perhaps he was right. Maybe it would be best if she explored things outside of her comfort zone. At the very thought of such a thing, she shivered. Ice and the wintry wind was not something that she was overly familiar with, nor was it something that she was eager to know more about. The roan standing before her seemed borne from the ice itself. There was almost something unattainable about him - something that inspired her to want to know more.
The mood shifted, however, as his attention turned to Aries. The jab he made was not understood by the Demi. Her olive-green eyes jolt from one stallion to the other, suddenly not liking the idea that the roan had only approached because he wanted to make some sort of point to Aries. Flipping her mane from one side of her neck to the other, she flicked her forelock out of her eyes - lashing fluttering. The two were already familiar with each other, but she was more interested in them knowing her than furthering whatever fued the two of them had.
He watches as the girls pelt turns a few shades darker, he smiles in silence to himself. His own family is known for color changing and so he knows that the younger you are the more uncontrollable the trait....then again her pelt is so pale that any added blood flow to her body could have her changing colors.
She glances at him with a smile and for a breath he finds himself mesmerized. His hazel eyes flick to the roan stag, his emotions flicking to irritation. He was still young sure, but mares were beginning to interest him, and this one was certainly one to find interest in.
She introduces herself as Demetyr, and she turns to the third equine asking for his name. The roan goes on to note she shouldnt pick a home like her old one. He agrees, mainly because he'd like her to come back to Taiga, but that certainly wasn't the roans choice.
The roan goes on to make one last statement...but this one was a strike against Aries and his fur quickly grows prickled. The roan gazes at Aries, asking about his mother and the fire that burns in his belly is clearly visible in his eyes.
The stags family had been banished from there home after betrayal, and his mother had sent the young colt off to Taiga to be raised by Wolfbane. It was for his protection....no one knew so how did this roan know?
His cold gaze finds that of the roan stag, I believe you are mistaken, I'm not sure what you mean. He snorts as the words exit his mouth, denial was his only option. He has never admitted the true reason he moved to Taiga, and he wasn't about to, to this stranger.
There’s a fine line between love and hate - a line crossed so easily in the roan stud’s opinion, and his experience as well. His eyes dart from the would-be-lover to the desperate-for-love-girl and back, wondering what it would take, for them, to cross said line. And in which direction it would be: hate to love or love to hate. But it’s not that time yet. Patience is a virtue. He wasn’t known to be very patient though.
Demetyr’s face explains well her opinion on the matter of attention - or the temporary lack thereof in her direction. See me, hear me. Isn’t that how all girls her age are, he wonders. And some boys, too, he thinks, looking to the Aries fellow. How easy would it be to upset him more. He’s already halfway. Would the red painted boy fight him, he wonders, if he started to insult the lady? Probably… but that would earn him the hate of the girl before giving her the chance to love him instead. He’d rather see if she can be swayed; after all, it would prove a point if she could.
So, he plasters a charming smile on his face, nodding to the girl. ”Ah, by the sight of you together, I thought you had been more acquainted. Forgive me for assuming - though, if I may be so bold, I don’t believe a home and a lover should by definition be in the same place - not necessarily, anyway. If you’re still looking, I’d offer you mine - the view is most excellent, and I’m sure you will appreciate its beauty once you’ve grown your winter fur.” He specifies offering her a home, though his eyes seem to linger on a curve or two a half-heartbeat longer than he should. Subtle giveaways that perhaps he could offer her both; if she’s up for it.
Turning to Aries, it is too easy to spot that his general notion about the young man’s mother, had been right. ”Forgive an old immortal his sentiment, but if you by chance happen upon a mare named Mary, tell her Leilan said hi.” he responds with a smile. A sharp remark for the boy that he knows more than Aries seems to think if his assumptions about the boy’s lineage are correct, or simply an apology in the ears of the young mare who knows nothing about the whole ordeal.
He changes the subject as if nothing happened, thought the subject itself is close enough to the previous for whoever listens well - ”So tell me, how is the misty Taiga these days? I hear it got quite populated.”
and I don’t want you to think that I care I never would, I never could again
Leilan
no. 7 | ice forged in fire
@[Demetyr] @[Aries] WOW I am SO late I am sorry. I’d like to continue this thread if you’re up for it so here is a post anyway
Two things I know I can make: pretty kids, and people mad.
| 
