• Logout
  • Beqanna

    COTY

    Assailant -- Year 226

    QOTY

    "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


    [mature]  Come And See Him For Yourself [Chemdog]
    #1
    Ever since the dark coated stallion had found his way back into her life, Sreva had been quite happy. Despite not having a territory of his own yet, the stallion and any mares in his company seemed perfectly content living near the River before later moving a bit closer to the Forest when the winter snow melted and began flowing downstream.

    Sreva wasn't normally a fan of winter, partially for the reason that, sometimes, rivers flooded with the melting snow, but this past one had changed her opinion (at least for one season at least). The mare and Chemdog had spent a fair amount of time together since their reunion, and all that time together had culminated, one winter night, in the little life growing in Sreva's belly.

    When the mare started suspecting she was carrying a foal, at first, she was quite nervous. The mare hadn't had the healthiest of upbringings and worried that she couldn't show the same care a foal should receive since she didn't have it from either of her parents. All throughout her pregnancy thousands of questions ran through her mind, which only served to stress her out more (and, of course, she didn't know that such stress could be harmful to the foal). It was only when spring arrived that the mare felt some relief, if only because now she wouldn't have to carry this growing weight anymore. It was a strange feeling to have sides bigger than she was used to, but also a happy feeling that, within a few days time, she would give birth to Chemdog's foal and finally introduce the little one to the world.

    Not that it was the best of worlds at times. The Forest held a lot of dangers in itself, whether it be in the form of a stallion who might have been on the prowl for mares, or other animals that lived in Beqanna who would prey on horses for their source of food. Sreva knew that Chemdog would do his best to protect her, her foal, and any other mares in his company, but that didn't stop her from worrying.

    Chemdog had recently left the mare to her own devices to go attend to whatever it was he wished, but since Sreva was used to being by herself, she didn't mind the alone time. It gave her time to assess her thoughts and wonder when the foal was going to be ready to be born, since she'd entered labor some time ago.

    The pains in her stomach were to the point of being almost unbearable; her body was telling her that the foal was nearly ready. The mare, knowing she would more than likely give birth in the next day or two, had found a thick cluster of trees and bush to safely give birth in, and had been living there for the past several hours. Within just two or so of finding it, her labor began, her legs now worn out from the constant pacing she'd been doing, her neck sore from turning to nip at her stomach whenever she felt another twinge of pain.

    The sun had well begun its descent to make way for the night by the time that Sreva finally felt ready. The mare paced in a circle a couple more times, lowering her head to sniff at the leaves and brush that littered the ground and made it a bit softer to lay on. Once she found a somewhat comfortable spot, the first time at least, Sreva folded her legs under her and laid down, her chest heaving rapidly as the stress took its toll on her.

    A few more times, Sreva got up and paced again, repeating the cycle of laying down for a moment to rest, getting up, sniffing the ground, and then going back down. This in itself continued for a good long while (she by now had stopped keeping track of time) until she felt something warm and wet drip down her legs and the underside of her tail where the skin was exposed. She knew now that, any time, the foal would be ready.

    A few minutes later, Sreva felt another large pain rip through her stomach. As a maiden mare and having been on her own as a foal, she at first was uncertain of what to do. However, instinct kicked in and her body seemed to take over. The mare pushed, feeling a convulsion in her stomach before stopping and taking a breather. Her instinct told her to do the same thing again, and so she did, once more repeating a cycle that seemed to stretch on forever.

    By the time that the birthing was nearly over, Sreva was exhausted and covered in a thin layer of sweat. She could feel the small bundle resting behind her, but knew the task wasn't complete yet. Using the last of her strength, the mare pushed one final time, feeling the foal's hind legs being expunged from her body and out onto the grass beneath them.

    When the whole thing was over, Sreva dropped her head for a moment, her nostrils flared and attempting to suck in huge volumes of air to try and replenish what had been lost from her lungs. Yet, despite her fatigue, the mare's instincts told her to lift her head and look back to see the little one, her motherly urge wanting to look upon the foal for the first time.

    Sreva lifted her head, hoisting herself up so that she was laying on her belly instead of her side. The mare's vision was a bit blurry from exhaustion, but when it cleared, she held in a gasp at seeing the little bundle laying next to her. The foal had already broken through the sac it had been protected by within its dam's body, its own tiny body shivering from the cold of the night air. Seeing that, Sreva's instincts motivated the mare to push herself to her hooves, ignoring the fatigue she'd been feeling since this whole process started.

    Lowering her head, Sreva inhaled the scent of the foal, committing it to memory. The little one was so perfect, so tiny, Sreva almost couldn't believe that the time was finally here. The foal was still wet from the fluid inside the sac, so Sreva proceeded to clean the little one off, using her tongue to expose the silky baby coat that was underneath.

    While Sreva cleaned the foal off, the little one turned its head to sniff her, obviously curious as to what she was. The mare moved her head for a moment so that it was by the foal's, the two sniffing each other and memorizing the other's scent. The little one let out a small nicker before trying to hoist itself to its hooves, only to fall back down onto the grass in a heap of tangled limbs.

    Sreva whickered to the foal before continuing to clean it off, surprised when she beheld the color of it's coat. Even though the was still damp, both from the sac fluid and it's dam's saliva from when she cleaned it, the coloring was clearly visible. A paint pattered coat not entirely unlike Sreva's, with larger patches of black color that clearly said he'd inherited it from his father. Although, given Sreva's appaloosa pattern and blood, it was clear to those with similar colors that the foal would probably start changing color as it got older.

    Sreva alternated between cleaning the foal and using her nose to help the little one try to get to its hooves. The foal tried several times and failed each one, sometimes falling into it's dam's in the process when it couldn't find balance. But, finally, after all the time it spent trying, the foal finally found its ground and managed to stay standing on all four hooves.

    Sreva nudged the foal's side before moving to clean behind its ears, her tongue brushing over the small strands of hair that made up the foal's stubby mane. Like the foal's coat, it was mainly two colors for now, and would probably lighten later on. Sreva's own mane and tail had done that as she aged, resulting in what she currently looked like.

    The foal was unsteady on its hooves even after finding balance, delicately lifting each one every time it tried to take a step. A couple of times, the foal did fall again when it tried to walk, but each time, it got back up and tried again. Finally, when the foal could take a few small steps without falling, Sreva moved even closer to the foal and nudged it with her muzzle in the direction of her belly. She wasn't sure if that's what she was supposed to do, but instinct just told her.

    And, clearly, the foal's instinct was helping too. Quicker than most foals of maiden mares might, the little one found its way to Sreva's teats, latching on with its milk teeth and greedily drinking up its dam's milk. Sreva winced a few times, not used to the unfamiliar feeling, having to use all her willpower to resist the urge to step away from the foal. She turned her head and sniffed the foal's body again, taking this time to assess it some more before confirming something she'd been wondering since it had been born.

    The foal, with its black and white patch patterned coat, much like its dam in her foal hood, was a young colt. His limbs were a bit lanky at this stage, but considering that his sire was taller than Sreva and boasted a different body style, it did make sense. Sreva didn't know how much of her own influence would rub off on the foal, only that she was happy that he was finally here.

    Content with her son feeding off her milk, the mare lowered her head to graze, deciding to let her instinct take over for now in case the foal needed something while she was busy eating. Other than that, the evening was relatively peaceful and quiet, much appreciated by the mare and her newborn colt.

    @[Chemdog]
    Reply
    #2

    Vessel had taken a lot of his time – her and, well, other things we won’t mention at this exact juncture. He knows Sreva is soon to give birth, though she’s so very capable of a life on her own, he’d rather not have her wandering in solitude, unprotected and heavily pregnant. He’s quite sure he’s very late – she could be dead by now, who knows. Chemdog has been searching for days, starting in the meadow and surrounding places, now finally he is in the forest and he’s found her fresh scent. The impressions left in the soil by her hooves are deep and not weather worn; she’s heavy with child and just came through not but six hours prior. He spends time sniffing, collecting a few clues here and there and following what he can manage.

    There she is. The fading sun casts only a sliver of pale yellow into the shadowed forest, lighting her and the wet child. The leaves above quake in seeming celebration and the wind whistles gently, Chemdog announces himself with a rumble of half-whickers, nostrils fluttering and he teal eyes with Sreva and then the boy. He touches his lips to her cheek first, a long hello, calm warm breath onto her sweaty cheek. His black nose moves slowly to the child, the perfect mix between the pair, and he takes in the baby’s sweet smell. Another branch of himself to wander the world, to conquer it, fuck it, burn it, love it destroy it – whatever he may want, it will be his. It is this way with any and all of his children (the ones he knows about, of course). It’s a satisfying feeling that sweeps over him now as his bright eyes tip affectionately to the mother and child, the moon positioning above them as a thin crescent; the mysterious grin of the Cheshire cat peering down at them.

    He daren’t ask how it’s been without him, or if the birth was rough or not. But he’s surely got to say something, right? “I’m sorry I didn’t find you in time to be here.” He whispers with his lips against the velvet fur behind her delicate ear.



    c h e m d o g

    in absentia luci, tenebrae vincunt






    @[Sreva]
    Reply
    #3
    A short while after she'd given birth to her colt, Sreva detected another's presence approaching. She lifted her head, swallowing the small mouthful of grass she'd been munching on while her son had been taking a few more drinks of his dam's milk. At first, Sreva was a bit nervous for who approached, but when the horse stepped into the moonlight and she caught the familiar sight of his black and white-spotted coat, the mare sighed in relief and greeted the stallion's whicker with one of her own.

    Chemdog walked up to the pair, touching his cheek to Sreva's, ignoring the light sheen of sweat covering her body. Sreva twisted her head a little to press her own muzzle into the stallion's cheek, her nostrils slightly flaring as she took in his scent. After a stressful time as the birthing had been, it was a welcome smell, one that reassured her that she was okay, she was healthy and alive after it all, and that the colt beside her belly was real and standing there.

    After Chemdog finished his greeting with her his nose moved to the black and white colt. Sreva watched with a careful eye, trusting Chemdog enough to let him close enough to his son. But the protective instincts of a mother never leave, even when the father is around. The stallion seemed to understand how to be gentle with the colt just fine, which reassured the first-time mother. He'd obviously had foals before, some Sreva even remembered, for she briefly recalled being present shortly after the birth of one or two out of that other mare, Vessel. She didn't harbor a grudge against the mare, but at the time, she had been slightly jealous. Now, that raging fire had been cooled, for here she stood with a colt of her own, a proud representation of both herself and his powerful father.

    Meanwhile, the colt, who was still trying to figure out these first few hours of life, was a bit startled by the sudden appearance of another of his species. He'd been greedily suckling off his dam's milk when suddenly her belly moved away a little, making the colt follow after her so he could continue. If he'd bothered to look at the time, he would have seen that it was the other horse's arrival that had spurred his dam into movement.

    The stallion then seemed to take an interest in the colt, but not the other way around at first. Only when the stallion's nose got close enough to practically touch him; what startled the colt was the feeling of another's breath against his ribcage. He thought it was his dam, the warm horse that treated him sweetly and provided this delicious milk, but he didn't recognize the black fur that appeared in front of him.

    The colt sidestepped closer to his dam a moment, trying to shimmy his body under that of her belly. However, the mare had other ideas. She too sidestepped, taking the cover from above the colt and giving him a warm nudge with her nose. The colt turned his head and nickered at her, blowing softly against the whiskers on her muzzle. The mare nickered to the colt, nuzzling his head and neck with her own larger head, using her tongue to clean away some leftover liquid on his neck.

    Sreva smiled warmly at the colt as he returned to her side, beginning to look for the milk once again. Chemdog, meanwhile, apologized to her for being late; obviously he knew it had been a painful experience and felt bad he couldn't be here to help. Not like he could have in any way, but Sreva chose not to say that.

    Instead, she smiled up at the stallion, briefly wincing when the colt found her teat again and began suckling from her. "You have no need to apologize Chem. Whatever your business was, I will not inquire as it has not to do with me. But now, at least, you're here to see your colt. That is all I needed to make me happy after his birth," she said, smiling back at her son.

    Then, something came to her mind. She turned her brown-eyed gaze to the stallion, "I already had an idea for a name, but you are the father so you should have a say if you do not like my choice. Since it turned out to be a colt, I was thinking of naming him... Xzavier. Does that sound like a good name to you?"

    @[Chemdog]
    Reply
    #4

    She always knows what to say, she always had the most gentle reactions and understanding attitude. He’s overcome with admiration, dawning thoughtful eyes for his new son and tender touches all over the roan mother’s shoulder while she spoke. Xzavier… the title falls sweet and smooth onto his ears while he looks the nursing colt over. A grin, genuine and without deviousness, spreads across his dark lips. “Well it’s obvious that it is his name.” He chuckles to himself and reaches out to touch the boy again, sniffing and bumping him with warm breath.

    A commotion from beyond jolts his attention, he perks instantly and steps away to look around. Others lurk and travel through – the curse of Beqanna’s public domains. He snorts unhappily and some move off, others stroll by unaffected. He growls, returning to the pair, “It’s certainly time to find a more suitable home, I’d say.” His ears pin and flip back, swivel and tilt. He does not like the action surrounding them, but in reality most of it is just travelers and grazing strangers. Still. His teal eyes are peeled and his hearing alert, air drawing carefully through his nose to pick apart the details on the wind.

    When is he strong enough to make a journey?” He says this quietly and without urgency, no need to rush a mother and her newborn, even Chemdog knows such a thing. It is important though, he ponders, to get them somewhere more…private. With that in mind, Vessel should go too (wherever they’re going). His eyes stay with the distant sounds and shadows, one ear to mother and child and the other a satellite for disturbance.



    c h e m d o g

    in absentia luci, tenebrae vincunt






    @[Sreva] <3
    Reply
    #5
    Sreva smiled as Chemdog, somewhat, approved of the newborn colt's name before he reached out with his muzzle to once again touch his son. Sreva's watchful eyes followed him of course, even though she knew the stallion wouldn't do anything to harm their son. It was just the protective instincts of a mother, something that surprised even Sreva considering she didn't think her instincts would've kicked in this strong as she had no idea what she was even doing.

    The colt continued to nurse as Chemdog reached out for him, and for a moment, everything was peaceful. Until a loud sound echoed in the trees surrounding the trio of horses, and Sreva was immediately on the alert. She turned her body so that she was directly facing the noise, gaining an upset whinny from her son as she'd taken away his food. Sreva turned to look at her colt and nickered to hush him, her eyes glancing back and forth between Xzavier and Chemdog. The stallion had gone to investigate what the noise could've been; more than likely, other horses in the area, since this was the Forest they were in after all.

    After Chemdog seemed to be certain that there was no immediate threat in the area, he returned to Sreva and Xzavier, his ears pinned against his skull a moment before they turned up and swiveled around to listen for more noise. He commented that it was time to find a better home, better suited to care for not only Sreva and her foal, but also any other mares from his herd that were also due to drop their foals. Sreva did know for a fact that Chemdog had been spending a lot of time with Vessel lately, but did not know if the mare was going to drop a foal this season. If she was, then finding a new home would serve a purpose for her as well as Sreva and Xzavier.

    Sreva turned her head back to inspect the colt by her side, noticing he was once again nursing. He was taking in quite a lot of milk, but he was a growing colt and more than likely wanted to ingest all he could before taking his first nap. Chemdog caught the mares attention again when he questioned about Xzavier, when the colt would be strong enough to make the journey. Sreva did not have much knowledge about the raising of foals, and had to take a moment to think of a good answer.

    After some tense moments passed by in silence, Sreva had an answer for the stallion. She looked back at Chemdog, her eyes gentle but alert, "Two days at most, to let him build up his strength." It was a rough estimate, but since one thing Sreva did know about foals was that even at this age they could keep up with their dams in the event of a stampede, two days should be enough for Xzavier to get strong enough.

    "Where are you thinking would make a suitable place for your herd?" she asked inquisitively, briefly taking note that Xzavier was done suckling and standing at her shoulder now, his nose stretched out to investigate the taller stallion.

    @[Chemdog]
    Reply
    #6


    His eyes brighten when she asks him her last question. A grin pulls at his coal-black lips and his gaze finds her. “Hyaline.” He says this smoothly and with confidence before tilting his eyes down to his son. “We’ll go north when he’s ready – it is beautiful there.” He draws a deep breath into his lungs, he can taste the season changing, the coolness pressing in the air. “I’ve agreed to pass my knowledge on of combat and espionage, to teach others to earn our place there. It is protected, rich and spacious.” His teal eyes are back on Sreva now, watching her for a reaction of some sort. Had she been there? He wonders, but he does not ask.

    It is upon them to wait then. Two days she says, but he will not push her. He will graze and pick happily along beside or behind the pair. No one is allowed close to mare or foal; they’re warned and then rushed at if they do not move along quick enough. For however long Sreva wanted to wait for Xzavier’s strength, Chem waits. He stays close to her until she gives him a sign to move along, a sign that the boy is strong enough to travel north.

    When the day comes he will say, “Follow me, we will take the coastline. It’s easy travel along the shores and then in the thin forests when high-tide has the beaches. We can stay off the main paths and move safely to Hyaline. ” He always prefers moving secretly and he’s had plenty of time to know the fastest or easiest routes any which way across all of Beqanna. He will lead them safely to their new home when the time comes.



    chemdog
    astra inclinant, sed non obligant.



    @[Sreva] you can post in Hyaline for him (as if he led them there) or i can post first, whoever gets to it first =p
    <33
    Reply
    #7
    I went ahead and threw up a post in Hyaline. See you there Smile
    Reply




    Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)