Post by Pavane on Jun 7, 2011 23:50:38 GMT -5
Dandelion, Miel, and Nukpana, mares of Dorado Herd;
Cliantha and Taima, mares without a herd; and
Sunrise, a bachelor stallion.
Late Spring in the Grassy Plains.
---
Summer is approaching, but spring is still in full swing and the grasses are lush and plentiful. Dandelion happens to have found a field thick with her namesake flower, and she heartily grazes them, flower and leaves alike interspersed with grass and clover.
Miel is wandering along, near the periphery of the herd. She's acting as a guard, keeping an eye on the horizon - and browsing with delicate chomps at various bits of the greenery that catch her interest, as she does, slowly chewing the grass as she keeps watch.
Sunrise dislikes guards, particularly the ones who actually take such a task seriously. What is this, the turn from second to third year of his living just beyond the borders of herd territory, and what does he have to show for it? Nothing. Still, he keeps his safe distance of being visible though far enough from the territory to seem threatening in any way. The grass is just as good here anyway, so there. See if he cares.
Cliantha gives a little trot ahead, leaving Taima behind for a few minutes. She has her head crooning out, eager to near the Dorado herd. When she nears Miel, she stills her movement in curiosity over the unfamiliar horse. There isn't any fear around her only relief.
Dandelion is a bit rotund, but she is likely still a moon or two from foaling again. With the lush green grasses of spring, unfortunately, come spring showers, which create stagnate water and the unpleasant counterbalance of the usual pleasantries of spring -- insects. Her tail flicks and snaps at a swarm of pesterances. She lifts her head, thinking she heard something. Her ears perk and swivel past Miel to beyond the general area occupied by Dorado at present. She canters slowly toward the guard, pausing every few paces for a quiet listen.
Miel finds herself... unconcerned... about Sunrise's presence on the horizon. If anything, in fact, she finds it a good thing - for all the herd's stallion may disapprove, the rogue stallion is another set of hooves suited to driving off predators - and an extra early warning. Sunrise is a known quantity, at this point - and while she may not be inviting him in to visit, she's far less aggressive about chasing him off than certain other mares. An unknown quantity is approaching now, though, and Miel regards Cliantha with a level, somewhat curious gaze. She whinnies to the new mare - a greeting, not a challenge, but given loudly enough for Miel's herd to hear and be aware of.
Sunrise perks his ears at the white mare comes into view. Unfortunately for him she appears opposite of Miel from where he's standing, effectively killing his chances of moving in for a first greeting, and trying to approach now would just be met with hooves and teeth should the rest of the herd come to investigate. With an indignant snort he resumes his grazing, though his attention remains focused on the stranger and the two more familiar mares.
Cliantha takes a step closer to Miel, giving a dip of her head first to show she means no harm. Then her gaze meets Miel with a keen gentleness in her eyes. It is momentarily before she looks towards Dandelion and Sunrise. Upon seeing Sunrise, her head tilts with slight confusion. To break the silence, she says, "I am here with my half-sister. Hope you don't mind?" to Miel.
Taima is a little more cautious and has opted to walk behind while Cliantha trots on to meet the strangers. New place, new horses, she trusts Cliantha to make the good first impression they need while she brings up the distant rear and tries not to look big or too uncomfortable.
Dandelion bows her head politely. "I am Dandelion, of the Dorado herd," she says, casting a glance over toward Sunrise. The dashing rogue is kinda growing on her. She casts a friendly nicker in his direction.
Miel flicks an ear back, catching some sound behind her, and then returns her attention forward. She stands solidly, though she's shorter than even Cliantha, let alone that large half-sister of hers. Her gaze goes back to Taima, still some distance away, and then back to the silver mare, and she nods. "The grazing is good," she says. "Plenty to share. I'm Miel."
Sunrise raises his head at the unexpected nicker, his gaze going from Miel and the new mare. No wait, new mares, it would appear. With one ear towards the small group he turns his head to look at Dandelion, returning her greeting nicker. It's rare that any of the herd bother to address him, so while the guard on duty is otherwise busy he may as well take advantage of a chance to, y'know, communicate and stuff.
Cliantha nickers with excitement, "I'm Cliantha." Her head turns to look a little behind her. "That is Taima, my half-sister." She loooks to Miel and Dandelion, "Thank you. We were worried that we'd not be welcomed here. Our herd had trouble and we needed to find a new home." Her head rises slightly towards Sunrise, "Who is that?" She taps the ground with her back right hoof to signal to Taima to hurry closer.
Taima pricks her ears as she walks but can't catch a word of the conversation and settles for trying to guess how it's going just by body stances. Her attention does wander for a moment to Sunrise curiously but then Cli signals. That she hears and she brightens a little, head raising before she breaks into a trot to quickly close the distance left between her and the other horses.
Dandelion chucklenickers loud enough for Sunrise to hear. "He calls himself Sunrise, but I think he's more appropriately named Moon, for all the orbitting he does around our herd. What sort of trouble did your herd have?" she asks. "I've heard cougars and wolves in the distance."
"Trouble?" asks Miel, her ears pricking forward. Welcoming wandering mares is one thing, but inviting in possible disaster is another. That prospect distracts her from Sunrise and Dandelion conversing behind her, as she keeps her attention on Cliantha and her sister. If Dandelion chooses to wander off to Sunrise... well, then, that's her affair, and his. "A rogue," she answers briefly, then snorts. "What sort of trouble?"
Sunrise snorts in disgust at the joke told at his expense, turning his back and moving further away to graze, though staying just within earshot when he keeps his ears turned towards the herd. Close enough to listen, far enough to show very clearly that he doesn't care.
Cliantha slight tensing is on her face but that disappears quickly when she looks to Taima for a moment. A nod is merely given, then her attention returns to the questions asked, "Our tribe had to deal with fire. It engulfed the herd's territory." No doubt there is sadness in her eyes but it won't be heard on her voice.
Taima slows to a walk as she gets closer and comes to stop beside Cliantha, a small nod of the head going back to her sister before she looks back to the other mares "Hello" greeting quietly before Cli speaks about the fire and she falls a bit silent again, ears backing a little.
Dandelion bobs her head sadly. Horrible to think about, but at least it isn't something that generally chases after refugees to threaten a new herd they might join.
Miel's nostrils flare for a moment, and then she nods. "Unfortunate," she says. But hardly something she can blame on either of the mares; a chance lightning strike or some human foolishness. "These lands are near the river; they keep their green better." So, perhaps, this will be a place of more safety for the new arrivals.
Cliantha nods in return, "It was unfortunate. In addition, we were turned away from another herd because they had little food to share with us. Our elders were accepted but we were not." When Taima nears, she nickers softly. Yet her words go to Miel. "We waited to learn if perhaps your herd would accept us in. Any chance you can show us around? Or tell us the current events?"
Taima quickly grows a little uncomfortable looming above without a word, it's something she soon tries to rectify by nudging politely into the conversation "It's been quite a long walk, I'd be happy even just to see the river"
Miel nods consideringly "We are fortunate to have good land here," she replies. "There is enough grazing to keep us well." Another reason why she isn't terribly concerned about the rogue stallions hanging around the edges of the herd... or about these new mares. She looks to Taima, and gives her a nod of greeting, then back to Cliantha. "A moment," she says, and turns to call to another of the mares hanging nearby, asking her to take her turn at guarding. When she gets an assent, she turns back to the new arrivals. "We can walk toward the river, then, and I can answer your questions."
Cliantha bobs her head, then nickers, "Thank you for showing us around, Miel. Especially, I'm sure we all need a bit to drink." She takes the first step forward yet allowing Miel to lead the way. Her head turns to Taima, "See, we should be fine here. With food to spare. Perhaps we could look for, mother in a few months until we know for sure there is no more fire in the way."
Easily distracted by her grazing, Nukpana is on the far side of the herd when she glances up to see Miel talking to two strangers. But, since they're mares, she's not too concerned and spends her own sweet time walking over. That she has to go over to begin with is a bit of an annoyance, but with Luna getting so old she has to take more of the weight of the responsibilities of lead mare on her own shoulders. Which only makes having to go over to meet visitors that much more annoying. The large blood bay nickers neutrally as she draws near before turning to Miel and asking, "Who are they?"
Taima looks grateful and follows beside Cli if a step behind "Sorry to take you from your guard duty" she looks back to her sister again and seems to be relaxing a little "It seems nice...peaceful" a fine change from searching for herds. There's a small flick of the ears for the thought of family though "I hope they're alright" Nukpana draws her attention away from worrying too much as she nods another greeting.
Miel sets out at an easy walk, leading the two new mares and keeping an eye on them. Something about what Cliantha just said to her sister troubles her, though, and she lets it mull around in her head for a few moments, nodding absently to Taima. No more fire? Strange. The fires she's heard of are furies that rise up quickly - but flame out almost as fast as they rise. The land needs a few seasons to recover from the char, but... a few months before it's even passable? Perhaps there's something more she doesn't know - or perhaps these mares are simply being understandably nervous after their recent escape. She shakes her head, clearing it of those thoughts as she sees Nukpana approaching. "Cliantha and Taima," she reports to the boss. "A fire drove them from their old herd."
Cliantha doesn't look at all timid in the presence of Nukpana. "Our herd dispersed and in time we plan to look where the others went. I know the trek may be long and we do not have the stamina yet to handle such a trip." A little sorrow comes into her eyes, "We don't know how many survived or if our mother did." She shakes her head a few times, "But we are here now and no worries as to rest." A glance to each of the others near her.
Eyeing first one and then the other, Nukpana comments, "Fire? Well, there are worse reasons to lose a home." She experienced one of them - not a happy memory to say the least. And she seems completely unaffected by the sob story; life is tough, what else is new? "I suppose you're interested in joining the herd then?" she asks, with a questioning quirk of her ear. Her expressions are rather neutral - one might say that she's even bored. But then, this far into spring is generally a peaceful time of year around here one with Nukpana's level of energy can hardly be blamed for that.
Taima looks a little fascinated by Nukpana, she'd got that used to mostly smaller horses, to have one on eye level is a novelty. She tries not to imagine worse reasons to lose a home and doesn't ask but focuses on Nukpana's question of joining the herd instead "Um, yes, please?" she glances back to Cliantha quickly.
Unsurprised by Nukpana's reaction to the mares, Miel simply stands and waits, her tail lazily flicking at a fly that's come buzzing around. She's learned not to let Nukpana's negative attitude affect her personally - and she doesn't expect the mare will reject the newcomers. There is, as Miel said, plenty of food - and while Nukpana may not actually like anyone, she's generally accepting of mares.
Cliantha doesn't even seem concerned over Nukpana's reaction, after time with her aunt, much else seems none scary. "Yes, please. We would like to join." Her head tilts back to look at the sky, "Two friend birds came and told us there was a herd here. We were very hopeful to be joining. Miel, says there is room and food here." An excited look goes to Taima as she sees that Nukpana is the same height as her half-sister. Nothing is added though.
"Alright then," Nukpana says easily. In an area this lush there's generally enough grass to go around - the larger concern is the predators, but with predators larger numbers are an advantage. Then again, every new member of the herd makes it larger and harder to manage... Still, if she ever rejected a new herd member for that reason then she'd probably never hear the end of it from Luna. Luna's always been more the type to give anyone who wants to join the herd a chance anyway. But as much as it irritates Nukpana to have to consider Luna's opinion, it simply makes things easier. "Do you need anything else?" she asks, and it's easy to tell by her tone that she really hopes that the answer is 'no'.
Taima perks her ears up. That was easy. She looks happy and glances back down to Cliantha quickly for a second before it's back to Nukpana "Thank you, really" grateful, relaxing a little. The feeling that she should leave Nukpana alone though seeps over and she sinks into a little silence. It only lasts a few seconds though, she's curious "Are you in charge of the herd?"
Cliantha keeps her head up high, "Thank you and no. We were just heading towards the river. A little bit of a drink and a look around." Her head cants to the right. "I'd say she is the lead, Taima." Then to Nukpana, "Unless there is another we need to speak to in gaining acceptance here? No need to take up anyone's time as we settle in. Our trip hasn't been so kind to us."
All the gratitude in the world wouldn't affect Nukpana much. Some horses may live for that kind of praise, while she finds it to be just another annoying step in the conversation. "I'm lead mare alongside Luna. She makes most of the important decisions - I'm the one who makes sure everyone listens. But I know that she'd say yes, so..." she gives a dismissive flick of her tail, obviously believing that the elderly mare doesn't need to be consulted. "If you're going to the river, keep an eye out for predators - that's the edge of our herdlands, and all that that implies," she adds, though her own eyes turn back to the main body of the herd - obviously she's planning on going back to grazing there.
Taima is almost unsure asking was a good idea until Nukpana talks of Luna and she just looks back to Cliantha, as if she should be glad Taima asked. She nods gratefully to Nukpana again "Thank you, again and we will be careful"
Cliantha nickers in thanks, "I'll make sure we are kept safe." She repeats the thanks in another way, "We appreciate the acceptance into the Dorado herd." Knowing that the lead mare is far too interested in something other than them, she moves ahead towards the river. Her head turns and bobs her head to Taima. She whispers to her half-sister, "Let's go get a quick drink." with that she walks on.
Cliantha and Taima, mares without a herd; and
Sunrise, a bachelor stallion.
Late Spring in the Grassy Plains.
---
Summer is approaching, but spring is still in full swing and the grasses are lush and plentiful. Dandelion happens to have found a field thick with her namesake flower, and she heartily grazes them, flower and leaves alike interspersed with grass and clover.
Miel is wandering along, near the periphery of the herd. She's acting as a guard, keeping an eye on the horizon - and browsing with delicate chomps at various bits of the greenery that catch her interest, as she does, slowly chewing the grass as she keeps watch.
Sunrise dislikes guards, particularly the ones who actually take such a task seriously. What is this, the turn from second to third year of his living just beyond the borders of herd territory, and what does he have to show for it? Nothing. Still, he keeps his safe distance of being visible though far enough from the territory to seem threatening in any way. The grass is just as good here anyway, so there. See if he cares.
Cliantha gives a little trot ahead, leaving Taima behind for a few minutes. She has her head crooning out, eager to near the Dorado herd. When she nears Miel, she stills her movement in curiosity over the unfamiliar horse. There isn't any fear around her only relief.
Dandelion is a bit rotund, but she is likely still a moon or two from foaling again. With the lush green grasses of spring, unfortunately, come spring showers, which create stagnate water and the unpleasant counterbalance of the usual pleasantries of spring -- insects. Her tail flicks and snaps at a swarm of pesterances. She lifts her head, thinking she heard something. Her ears perk and swivel past Miel to beyond the general area occupied by Dorado at present. She canters slowly toward the guard, pausing every few paces for a quiet listen.
Miel finds herself... unconcerned... about Sunrise's presence on the horizon. If anything, in fact, she finds it a good thing - for all the herd's stallion may disapprove, the rogue stallion is another set of hooves suited to driving off predators - and an extra early warning. Sunrise is a known quantity, at this point - and while she may not be inviting him in to visit, she's far less aggressive about chasing him off than certain other mares. An unknown quantity is approaching now, though, and Miel regards Cliantha with a level, somewhat curious gaze. She whinnies to the new mare - a greeting, not a challenge, but given loudly enough for Miel's herd to hear and be aware of.
Sunrise perks his ears at the white mare comes into view. Unfortunately for him she appears opposite of Miel from where he's standing, effectively killing his chances of moving in for a first greeting, and trying to approach now would just be met with hooves and teeth should the rest of the herd come to investigate. With an indignant snort he resumes his grazing, though his attention remains focused on the stranger and the two more familiar mares.
Cliantha takes a step closer to Miel, giving a dip of her head first to show she means no harm. Then her gaze meets Miel with a keen gentleness in her eyes. It is momentarily before she looks towards Dandelion and Sunrise. Upon seeing Sunrise, her head tilts with slight confusion. To break the silence, she says, "I am here with my half-sister. Hope you don't mind?" to Miel.
Taima is a little more cautious and has opted to walk behind while Cliantha trots on to meet the strangers. New place, new horses, she trusts Cliantha to make the good first impression they need while she brings up the distant rear and tries not to look big or too uncomfortable.
Dandelion bows her head politely. "I am Dandelion, of the Dorado herd," she says, casting a glance over toward Sunrise. The dashing rogue is kinda growing on her. She casts a friendly nicker in his direction.
Miel flicks an ear back, catching some sound behind her, and then returns her attention forward. She stands solidly, though she's shorter than even Cliantha, let alone that large half-sister of hers. Her gaze goes back to Taima, still some distance away, and then back to the silver mare, and she nods. "The grazing is good," she says. "Plenty to share. I'm Miel."
Sunrise raises his head at the unexpected nicker, his gaze going from Miel and the new mare. No wait, new mares, it would appear. With one ear towards the small group he turns his head to look at Dandelion, returning her greeting nicker. It's rare that any of the herd bother to address him, so while the guard on duty is otherwise busy he may as well take advantage of a chance to, y'know, communicate and stuff.
Cliantha nickers with excitement, "I'm Cliantha." Her head turns to look a little behind her. "That is Taima, my half-sister." She loooks to Miel and Dandelion, "Thank you. We were worried that we'd not be welcomed here. Our herd had trouble and we needed to find a new home." Her head rises slightly towards Sunrise, "Who is that?" She taps the ground with her back right hoof to signal to Taima to hurry closer.
Taima pricks her ears as she walks but can't catch a word of the conversation and settles for trying to guess how it's going just by body stances. Her attention does wander for a moment to Sunrise curiously but then Cli signals. That she hears and she brightens a little, head raising before she breaks into a trot to quickly close the distance left between her and the other horses.
Dandelion chucklenickers loud enough for Sunrise to hear. "He calls himself Sunrise, but I think he's more appropriately named Moon, for all the orbitting he does around our herd. What sort of trouble did your herd have?" she asks. "I've heard cougars and wolves in the distance."
"Trouble?" asks Miel, her ears pricking forward. Welcoming wandering mares is one thing, but inviting in possible disaster is another. That prospect distracts her from Sunrise and Dandelion conversing behind her, as she keeps her attention on Cliantha and her sister. If Dandelion chooses to wander off to Sunrise... well, then, that's her affair, and his. "A rogue," she answers briefly, then snorts. "What sort of trouble?"
Sunrise snorts in disgust at the joke told at his expense, turning his back and moving further away to graze, though staying just within earshot when he keeps his ears turned towards the herd. Close enough to listen, far enough to show very clearly that he doesn't care.
Cliantha slight tensing is on her face but that disappears quickly when she looks to Taima for a moment. A nod is merely given, then her attention returns to the questions asked, "Our tribe had to deal with fire. It engulfed the herd's territory." No doubt there is sadness in her eyes but it won't be heard on her voice.
Taima slows to a walk as she gets closer and comes to stop beside Cliantha, a small nod of the head going back to her sister before she looks back to the other mares "Hello" greeting quietly before Cli speaks about the fire and she falls a bit silent again, ears backing a little.
Dandelion bobs her head sadly. Horrible to think about, but at least it isn't something that generally chases after refugees to threaten a new herd they might join.
Miel's nostrils flare for a moment, and then she nods. "Unfortunate," she says. But hardly something she can blame on either of the mares; a chance lightning strike or some human foolishness. "These lands are near the river; they keep their green better." So, perhaps, this will be a place of more safety for the new arrivals.
Cliantha nods in return, "It was unfortunate. In addition, we were turned away from another herd because they had little food to share with us. Our elders were accepted but we were not." When Taima nears, she nickers softly. Yet her words go to Miel. "We waited to learn if perhaps your herd would accept us in. Any chance you can show us around? Or tell us the current events?"
Taima quickly grows a little uncomfortable looming above without a word, it's something she soon tries to rectify by nudging politely into the conversation "It's been quite a long walk, I'd be happy even just to see the river"
Miel nods consideringly "We are fortunate to have good land here," she replies. "There is enough grazing to keep us well." Another reason why she isn't terribly concerned about the rogue stallions hanging around the edges of the herd... or about these new mares. She looks to Taima, and gives her a nod of greeting, then back to Cliantha. "A moment," she says, and turns to call to another of the mares hanging nearby, asking her to take her turn at guarding. When she gets an assent, she turns back to the new arrivals. "We can walk toward the river, then, and I can answer your questions."
Cliantha bobs her head, then nickers, "Thank you for showing us around, Miel. Especially, I'm sure we all need a bit to drink." She takes the first step forward yet allowing Miel to lead the way. Her head turns to Taima, "See, we should be fine here. With food to spare. Perhaps we could look for, mother in a few months until we know for sure there is no more fire in the way."
Easily distracted by her grazing, Nukpana is on the far side of the herd when she glances up to see Miel talking to two strangers. But, since they're mares, she's not too concerned and spends her own sweet time walking over. That she has to go over to begin with is a bit of an annoyance, but with Luna getting so old she has to take more of the weight of the responsibilities of lead mare on her own shoulders. Which only makes having to go over to meet visitors that much more annoying. The large blood bay nickers neutrally as she draws near before turning to Miel and asking, "Who are they?"
Taima looks grateful and follows beside Cli if a step behind "Sorry to take you from your guard duty" she looks back to her sister again and seems to be relaxing a little "It seems nice...peaceful" a fine change from searching for herds. There's a small flick of the ears for the thought of family though "I hope they're alright" Nukpana draws her attention away from worrying too much as she nods another greeting.
Miel sets out at an easy walk, leading the two new mares and keeping an eye on them. Something about what Cliantha just said to her sister troubles her, though, and she lets it mull around in her head for a few moments, nodding absently to Taima. No more fire? Strange. The fires she's heard of are furies that rise up quickly - but flame out almost as fast as they rise. The land needs a few seasons to recover from the char, but... a few months before it's even passable? Perhaps there's something more she doesn't know - or perhaps these mares are simply being understandably nervous after their recent escape. She shakes her head, clearing it of those thoughts as she sees Nukpana approaching. "Cliantha and Taima," she reports to the boss. "A fire drove them from their old herd."
Cliantha doesn't look at all timid in the presence of Nukpana. "Our herd dispersed and in time we plan to look where the others went. I know the trek may be long and we do not have the stamina yet to handle such a trip." A little sorrow comes into her eyes, "We don't know how many survived or if our mother did." She shakes her head a few times, "But we are here now and no worries as to rest." A glance to each of the others near her.
Eyeing first one and then the other, Nukpana comments, "Fire? Well, there are worse reasons to lose a home." She experienced one of them - not a happy memory to say the least. And she seems completely unaffected by the sob story; life is tough, what else is new? "I suppose you're interested in joining the herd then?" she asks, with a questioning quirk of her ear. Her expressions are rather neutral - one might say that she's even bored. But then, this far into spring is generally a peaceful time of year around here one with Nukpana's level of energy can hardly be blamed for that.
Taima looks a little fascinated by Nukpana, she'd got that used to mostly smaller horses, to have one on eye level is a novelty. She tries not to imagine worse reasons to lose a home and doesn't ask but focuses on Nukpana's question of joining the herd instead "Um, yes, please?" she glances back to Cliantha quickly.
Unsurprised by Nukpana's reaction to the mares, Miel simply stands and waits, her tail lazily flicking at a fly that's come buzzing around. She's learned not to let Nukpana's negative attitude affect her personally - and she doesn't expect the mare will reject the newcomers. There is, as Miel said, plenty of food - and while Nukpana may not actually like anyone, she's generally accepting of mares.
Cliantha doesn't even seem concerned over Nukpana's reaction, after time with her aunt, much else seems none scary. "Yes, please. We would like to join." Her head tilts back to look at the sky, "Two friend birds came and told us there was a herd here. We were very hopeful to be joining. Miel, says there is room and food here." An excited look goes to Taima as she sees that Nukpana is the same height as her half-sister. Nothing is added though.
"Alright then," Nukpana says easily. In an area this lush there's generally enough grass to go around - the larger concern is the predators, but with predators larger numbers are an advantage. Then again, every new member of the herd makes it larger and harder to manage... Still, if she ever rejected a new herd member for that reason then she'd probably never hear the end of it from Luna. Luna's always been more the type to give anyone who wants to join the herd a chance anyway. But as much as it irritates Nukpana to have to consider Luna's opinion, it simply makes things easier. "Do you need anything else?" she asks, and it's easy to tell by her tone that she really hopes that the answer is 'no'.
Taima perks her ears up. That was easy. She looks happy and glances back down to Cliantha quickly for a second before it's back to Nukpana "Thank you, really" grateful, relaxing a little. The feeling that she should leave Nukpana alone though seeps over and she sinks into a little silence. It only lasts a few seconds though, she's curious "Are you in charge of the herd?"
Cliantha keeps her head up high, "Thank you and no. We were just heading towards the river. A little bit of a drink and a look around." Her head cants to the right. "I'd say she is the lead, Taima." Then to Nukpana, "Unless there is another we need to speak to in gaining acceptance here? No need to take up anyone's time as we settle in. Our trip hasn't been so kind to us."
All the gratitude in the world wouldn't affect Nukpana much. Some horses may live for that kind of praise, while she finds it to be just another annoying step in the conversation. "I'm lead mare alongside Luna. She makes most of the important decisions - I'm the one who makes sure everyone listens. But I know that she'd say yes, so..." she gives a dismissive flick of her tail, obviously believing that the elderly mare doesn't need to be consulted. "If you're going to the river, keep an eye out for predators - that's the edge of our herdlands, and all that that implies," she adds, though her own eyes turn back to the main body of the herd - obviously she's planning on going back to grazing there.
Taima is almost unsure asking was a good idea until Nukpana talks of Luna and she just looks back to Cliantha, as if she should be glad Taima asked. She nods gratefully to Nukpana again "Thank you, again and we will be careful"
Cliantha nickers in thanks, "I'll make sure we are kept safe." She repeats the thanks in another way, "We appreciate the acceptance into the Dorado herd." Knowing that the lead mare is far too interested in something other than them, she moves ahead towards the river. Her head turns and bobs her head to Taima. She whispers to her half-sister, "Let's go get a quick drink." with that she walks on.