"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
That's what her dam had always told her. Thanata was a lover of snow; it was the quiet season. It was the time for nature to be reborn; the colder the snow months got, the longer spring would have to wait. It just meant that when spring did emerge after an extremely cold snow season, the sight would be more stunning than ever before.
Thanata thought all the seasons were wonderful, but none of them so much as the winter. The snow made her face safe, secure, at home. She'd been born in an environment that was covered in snow almost all the time, except for a few months of the year. It reminded her of better times, when she was in the snow. She enjoyed it, even if it made her cold, though her winter coat had evolved to help her survive in that type of weather. If anything, she found it humorous that it made her look like an Appaloosa, when, instead of a Friesian.
However, even with what she'd heard about this place, there wasn't snow this time of year. It was still autumn, even if it only had a few days or so left before the cold season arrived. The Friesian didn't enjoy the other seasons as much as winter. Right now, the land before her stretched on with some green, shrubs, and grasses for eating. Not far away, there was a cropping of rocks that could provide shelter from the wind depending on the direction it blew, and some trees that would shield oneself from the falling snow.
Other than that, nothing much here, until the snow started falling anyways. Something Thanata couldn't wait for. She also didn't see a lot of horses around, and briefly wondered why. Then, she realized it was because, since it was mostly stallions that lived here, they were probably off with their mares, hoping that their unions would produce foals come springtime.
Foals... Thanata had never really seen one since she'd been a filly. Most of them were nice. They were carefree, ignorant about the true struggles of living in the real world. Ignorant of what they'd face once they grew into adults. Hell, it was stuff Thanata didn't like dealing with herself; she preferred things quiet, peaceful, like death, something she was pretty much named for.
Spotting a small stream close by, the mare walked over to it. Lowering her head, her long mane falling close to her ears, her forelock in her eyes, she lapped at the freezing liquid, absently flicking her tail back and forth whenever a bug came too close for comfort despite how cold it was starting to get outside.
The Tundra was an excellent place to life for those who didn’t mind the snow. The winter lasted long and during most of the year the green field were covered with a sparkling white blanket. The spring, summer and autumn were cut short, as the winter left late in the season and came back early. Brynmor didn’t mind the cold anymore, he had grown used to it and his coat had adapted. His gray coat was fuzzy, keeping himself warm and dry, even when the temperatures would drop and the snow would continue falling for days.
Her lands were quite big and although their numbers had grown since Offspring had taken over the reign, there didn’t live that many horses in the Tundra. There were a few mares and children – mostly Offspring and Isle’s kids, and he had a son of his own – and some stallions that hadn’t faced the caves yet to earn their scars. But there were too little of them to crowd the Tundra’s territory. And Brynmor would gladly welcome anybody who loved the place just as much as he did.
To Brynmor the Tundra was home, here was where his family lived. He had earned his scars – a big black wolf claw on his right chest/shoulder – and he had been able to throw off most of his dark past. He had grown in his role of councelor and he had even started to gain ranks in the war caste. He would do anything for the Tundra to thrive. She had accepted him even though he had been blind, and he would repay her in any way he could.
He watched her silently as she dipped her head to lessen her thirst. He didn’t like it when strangers would just cross their borders like that, especially since the big ice wall wasn’t hard to miss. But neither did the gray male want to scare her away. His blue eyes took her dark form in as he approaches, offering her a small smile and a dip of the head. ”Goodday” he greets her, pausing a moment to give her a moment to greet him back or take in his presence. ”Welcome to the Tundra. I’m Brynmor.” His voice is never unkind, but it is in his nature to be direct. His ears are tipped forward and there is a small smile playing with the corners of his lips.
"Nothing is coming to rise."
OOC: Sorry for the roughness. Had to hurriedly write this in the train ^^
Thanata cursed her carelessness; she hadn't even seen him coming. She thought she'd heard something, but attributed it to the wind, or perhaps one of the woodland creatures in the area. This land was so big, she didn't think it'd take a horse only a short while to find her. A stallion, no less. Thanata thought she would've had a bit more time to relax, recover from the journey she'd just gone through and rest her weary body.
Lifting her head, her mane falling to the side of her neck as it usually was, the mare took a step back as she absorbed the appearance of the stranger. The stallion was much shorter than the Friesian mare, but with the aura he gave off, it did not make him any less imposing. His gray body was muscular, conditioned, which told her that even though he was shorter than her, he could fight if necessary. Thanata, for some reason, doubted it wouldn't get to that point, especially if this stallion didn't like strangers.
His white legs and bald face almost masked the appearance of his eyes; from this distance, she figured they were light in color, since she couldn't see them too well. Last, but not least, was the imposing claw mark she could see on his right chest. It was almost a horrible sight; who had done that to the stallion? Was there a predator up here that had hurt him, and could possibly hurt her or any others living here? The thought of mountain lions or whatever big cat didn't phase Thanata that much; she'd seen, run from, and fought a good number, but up here, in the frigid cold...
She didn't want to think about that. Thanata gave her head a light shake back and forth, pushing her forelock out of her eyes in the process, so she could see better. The stallion was a little closer now, but far enough she didn't feel consumed by his presence near her. Her ears pricked forward as he spoke to her, his lips beginning to curve upward a small bit, almost as if he was smiling. His voice was calm, gentle, but Thanata doubted he really meant it. More than likely, it was just an act, a ruse to get her to lower her guard. Like all wild horses, Thanata knew better than that; she wouldn't lower her guard unless this stallion gave her a good reason to.
Even then, she may not lower it anyway. She didn't trust anybody that much.
She listened to the stallion introduce himself, by the name of Brynmor. Unusual name... she thought to herself, but then again, hers was too, so she kept that comment to herself. Taking another shy step back, the mare lowered her head, her eyes drifting upward to still keep an eye on the stallion.
"H-hello..." Thanata stuttered out, her ears twitching back and forth, a show of the nervousness she was trying to hide.
Her surprised state makes him stop sooner than he normally would have. He knew better than to step into the personal space of a startled equine and he also respected it that not everybody liked it to have a stranger close to you. So instead of moving closer, Brynmor steps backwards again, to increase the space between them in the hope that the black mare would feel more at ease. He wasn’t there to hurt her, neither to scare her or scare her away, so it would be the best if he could make her feel a bit more comfortable.
He doesn’t feel short compared to her, the graying stallion was already used to the fact that he wasn’t that tall. Most of those he met were taller than him and never had he felt really little. What he lacked in height he made up in different ways. Due to his linage, at least half Welsh and a quarter Friesian, he was built quite sturdy and after the trainings of the War caste he had become muscular too. Nonetheless he still was agile and fast, and Brynmor would use that in his advantage if that was necessary. But he didn’t intent on fighting this mare.
His blue eyes seek hers and without really realising it Brynmor tilts his head a bit to the side. He silent studied her and also tried to give up one as friendly as possible look. It is in the small smile upon his lips, calm greeting voice and warm gaze. Not trying to court her, but just wanting her to feel at ease.
”Is there something I can do for you? You’ve found yourself a way quite far up North. Did you have a reason for visiting our kingdom?” he asks, trying to figure out what the reason behind her appearance was. Not that he minds and she surely is welcome, but there was no way he would just let a stranger wander their grounds. Even though she was only a mare – and from the looks of it a sensitive and fearful one too – there was a chance that she would be a danger to the other habitants. And Brynmor could simply not let any potential danger walk around freely.
Thanata noticed the stallion stepping back to give her space. Her ears went forward, intrigued; was he actually showing respect for her boundaries, trying to ease her timid nerves so she did not feel so anxious anymore? The Friesian didn't know why, but her instincts were telling her it was so. This stallion, so far, acted different from the ones she'd seen before. Did that mean... he was nicer too? More courteous? Thanata couldn't help but wonder.
Thanata's posture relaxed ever so slightly, but her eyes remained trained on the stallion so as to watch his movements. For all she knew, any moment, he could come charging at her, threatening to hurt her unless she left his territory.
After he asks his question - a reasonable one, considering Thanata just showed up out of nowhere - the mare shuffled her front hoof, holding her head low and not making eye contact as she offered a response.
"I..." She coughed, "I... came up here... for quiet... peace... to escape..." It was vague, but hopefully good enough. Thanata didn't want to have to elaborate.
As she spoke, the mare's own voice took her a little by surprise. It had been so long since the last time she used it, even she'd forgotten what it sounded like. Not that it sounded feminine really; it was more of a raspy tone, broken, since she didn't talk a lot to begin with. She kept her eyes averted, preferring to not see the stallion laugh if he thought her voice was humorous.
Courteous? No, definitely not. However he was polite and friendly, caring for those who shared their homeland with him. And not only that, Brynmor tried to be friendly towards all other equine, although he had soon learned that it was quite hard sometimes. He still couldn’t say he was quite comfortable around those from the Chamber. Same was with anybody who was a severe danger for his family. So no, Brynmor wasn’t trying to court her, merely hoping that she would relax and would be able to calmly share her business in the Tundra with him. After all, the one he loved what his little Roan and he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. The blue eyed stallion was loyal to her, just as he was to the Tundra.
The more time Brynmor spends around her, the more concerned he becomes. What was it that had driven her to such fear? She never looked up to meet his eyes – although she’s much taller than him – and she positions herself quite submissive. It is almost like she’s afraid of provoking him. He cannot help but to wonder what horrible creature had caused her to be like this. ”You came to find a safe home in the Tundra?” he asks, a bit confused with her words. Oh yes, the Tundra was quiet, the territory stretched out far, but if it was up to Brynmor it wasn’t possible to live there totally on your own. If she really wanted to she could find solitude in the mountains, but he wouldn’t really advice that to her.
”The Tundra can offer you a home, a place to stay, to belong and to be safe at. But you have to know that she’s a bachelor kingdom. Men rule these lands and although we welcome in mares, you won’t be hold any position. Mares are mostly there for company and to birth our children and although we won’t force you to do anything you don’t want, we would appreciate it. But foremost and all, you’ll be safe here. We protect everybody that genuinely wants to consider the Tundra as their home.” His voice is soft and warm as he speaks, although he cannot really help but to sound a bit diplomatic. After all, she should know what she would get herself into.
"Yeah... I did... it's... quiet, calm... places like this... I feel safe..." Thanata was surprised she'd gotten so many words out without wavering. She supposed that the way this stallion was behaving did make her feel slightly more comfortable, considering he was giving her space. He wasn't trying to do anything yet. He wasn't acting rude.
"I don't care... it's bound to... be better... than before..." Thanata didn't understand why this was only a bachelor kingdom, and why the mares didn't hold rank. Clearly, things worked different here. But, if at least half the stallions living here were as nice as Brynmor, she'd be comfortable living here. It offered sanctity for the very quiet mare. She could run and hide from the stallions if she didn't want to be around them. She was good at finding hiding places, given she practically lived in the shadows.
Without looking up, Thanata spoke up again, "Can I... stay here?... Please?"
He watches her, studies her, as his words sink in. There is a smile upon his lips, in an attempt to convince her he means good and won’t hurt her. Yet at the same time he worries that she doesn’t really know what she was admitting herself too. She could, of course, leave is she would ever want too, but Brynmor wasn’t really sure if she understood what living in a kingdom meant. And especially in the Tundra. Not that those things really mattered, but he would hate it when things didn’t meet up with her expectations.
But instead of voicing out his worries he nods, still smiling at her. ”Yes, you can” he tells her without hesitating. He might not be the king, but he was sure that Offspring wouldn’t ever turn down anybody who was looking for a home. To Brynmor there was nothing more important than to feel at home. The Tundra took him in when nobody else would and he wanted to offer everybody who needed a place to stay such a home. ”You are welcome to stay, I’m already glad that you even consider it. So please, please feel comfortable and at home.”
He steps backwards again, turning himself a little to the side to open up the view for her. Soon the lands would be white again, covered with a sparkling blanket and they would stay like that for quite a while. No other kingdom had as much snow as they had, neither as long. ”May I ask for your name? It’s easier to introduce you and show you around if I knew.” He wanted to introduce Offspring to her, he genuinely hoped that meeting the king would make her more comfortable and at ease. Although the black ice king was different from him, he was friendly and caring too. And if she trusted the king, then maybe, maybe it would make it easier for the Friesian mare to soon feel at home.
Thanata felt relief when the stallion said that she was welcome to stay here. At least she'd found a place to be safe from him, if he ever tried to find her again. It was bad enough he still haunted her dreams at night; she didn't want to have to face him in person again. She didn't know if she could take it.
The Friesian mare snapped to attention when Brynmor moved, showing she was alert to his movement in case he tried anything. He had merely moved aside so she could see the view, and it was absolutely wonderful what she saw past him. The sight filled her with wonder and amazement' she could only imagine how beautiful it would look in the winter time.
When Brynmor asked for her name, the mare hesitated. She didn't know if it was the safest move, giving out her name, but for some reason, this stallion seemed truthful, like he wouldn't try anything. So, somewhat turning to face him, but keeping her eyes away, the mare answered him.
"It's... it's Thanata..." she mumbled, hiding her face behind her long mane.
He cannot help but to look at her worriedly, but only when he’s sure that she isn’t looking at him. It worries the gray male that she seemed so afraid, held back too. And somehow she gave him the feeling that she was afraid. Not just of him, but of life. The tall black mare gave him the feeling that she wanted to spend her life in solitude, instead of in the company of others. Brynmor himself preferred that company, from both male and female, another reason for him to welcome her into the Tundra. He knew Offspring didn’t think otherwise in that matter. The Tundra would be the home of whoever wanted it to be.
Although he wanted nothing more than to touch and console her, he knew she wasn’t ready for that. So he made sure to keep out her space, a comfortable distance between them. Yet he did want to show her around. Their kingdom was big and spacious, but there were some particular spots she had to know more about, for example their caves. Those wouldn’t be safe for her, so Brynmor wanted her to know which caves she could enter safely and which she could not.
Her hesitance surprised him, after all, he had welcomed her into her new home. So it would only be normal to know her name, right? He would have to introduce her to the others. She didn’t have to be around him when he did, but he would have to tell the brothers of their newest addition to the kingdom.
Hearing her mumble her name he lowers his head too, worried, but not reaching out to her nor stepping closer. ”Thanata?” he repeats her name, the sound rolling of his tongue. ”That’s a beautiful name, Thanata.” As he lifts his head again he offers her a small smile, his blue eyes searching hers. He wanted to see every expression on her face as he would suggest her to meet his king. ”Would you like to meet our king, Offspring? I assure you he won’t harm you.” It was important for Brynmor that she would meet him. Offspring was one of the few he really considered a friend and he had liked the other stallion already before he had become the Tundra’s ice king.
