Post by Sohtoh on Feb 8, 2010 15:23:37 GMT -5
Starring:
Venos - Male Tarantula
Huyana - Female Horse
Dandelion - Female Horse
Lootah - Male Horse
Clay - Male Horse
Dask - Male Horse
Setting:
Wind-Swept Lowlands
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NOTES: I originally wanted to seperate these into two scenes, but seeing as that one sort of flowed into the other, it's just one, hence the sort of.. double name.
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The scents on the wind this afternoon speak whispers of autumns coming and the warm air of early fall feels wonderful on Huyana's ebon grey pelt. Having decided to leave the lands she was raised in shortly after her ceremony into adulthood, the spotted mare had come across some horses in the last week, and having left them to see what lay beyond their land, has returned to the grassy lowlands to get to know the herd better.
Much like yesterday, Lootah hasn't done much wandering through the land yet at all today. Most of his time has been dedicated to grazing, filling himself up after being far too excited or as he liked to call it, 'protective' of all the mares in his so-called harem to eat very much. He hasn't been at it for too long though, and when he wasn't grazing, he was taking short strolls around the land, familiarizing himself with all the odd little quirks. Unfortunately, there weren't many quirks on this plot. Perhaps if they moved around some more, as horses do, he would have a better time. The urge to run off is there again, but not for good. He's quite contented here, he figures, but exercise was something a stallion needed. With the gust of wind comes the scent of someone he knows he's met before, but it alerts him nonetheless. The painted male's head lifts at a medium pace, ears flicking forward as he gnaws on the shoots of grass, waiting to get a view of who it was.
Cresting the hill she had climbed, back to the lands where she had found the others, Huyana surveys the area around her for any danger. Spotting the stallion looking in her direction, she quickens her pace ever so gracefully into a trot. Could this be one of the horses that had greeted her so openly when last she visited? Dark ebon ears facing forward contently, Huyana lets out a loud whinny of glee at being able to locate them again.
Hearing the mare's whinny, Lootah can't help but try to show off a bit. It was obvious that /this/ mare wanted to be noticed by him, so what harm would there be in showing off some of his muscles and whatnot. Pushing himself up onto just his hind hooves, the stallion rears up and flails his front hooves about, flexing his forearm muscles and looking oh so spectacular. As he does this, he too lets out a whinny, a welcoming one at that.
Dandelion heard the dapple grey mare's whinney as well in the distance from where she was, and gallops in, finding Lootah first and giving him a whinney and she slows to a trot ... but she knows the voice she heard was not his, and peers down the hillside toward the other mare. She offers a friendly second whinney of her own just for the other mare. "Greetings!"
Huyana stopping in front of the other horses gently taps one ebony hooves twice on the ground, she sends out the sweetest of nickers to both, and takes a deep bow, acknowledging their greetings with deep respect. When she left, she had done so expecting to find a herd in the surrounding area. After searching nearby she decided that the winds had in fact brought her to this group, she had not been able to feel any other direction from the embers of her heart. "Nice to see you again..." She begins, but doesn't quite remember the stallions name. "and you as well." Offering up another greeting to the golden mare. "I have returned to this place by the bidding of the winds, my name is Huyana, and I would like to stay with you." This is not posed as a question, but a mere statement that she is not going to leave this time, unless she is run off. Studious emerald eyes look over the two horses in front of her, while her nostrils flare from her sniffing in the scents of them committing them to memory.
After landing with a bit of a thud, the large stallion takes a few prancing steps in the direction that Huyana was coming from, wishing to meet the mare half way to express how eager he was to meet her. Again! Yes, this was the dapple mare that he'd met before, though he wouldn't by lying either if he'd stated that he'd forgotten her name. Tossing his head happily, the stallion's white mane falls back to his neck, the very fringes of his forelock being brushes into his eyes again, resulting in one more toss. His bi-colored tail flicks, and he lets out a few more happy sounding nickers, turning as he hears Dandelion. Good! The more, the better. Deep colored eyes fall on the dappled mare though, and he smiles at her respect. "It's nice to see you again too.." He trails off momentarily, then opts to just leave the name out. "I'm very glad that you've decided to stay with us. You will be most welcome here."
Smiling at the others, Huyana casually flickers her grey blue tail, standing tall once more she cocks one of her oil dipped back legs relaxing her stance a little, from her first excitement. "I am glad you have accepted me." Huyana say's to both. Nodding toward the mare she replies, "Very nice to meet you Dandelion."
Though Dandelion is in his thoughts as well, Lootah's main concern at the moment is the dappled female, as he had completely forgotten her name. A grin forms, as he reminds himself faintly of Luna's talent for forgetting names.. perhaps the old mare was rubbing off on him? A white leg and hoof is brought forward, as he looks over the grey mare, admiring her unique beauty; as he did with all mares, obviously. "We've met before.. but I regret to admit that I've forgotten your name in the time that's passed.." Standing still, he straightens up, poising himself in order to /try/ and impress her, with his tone and stature alone. "My name is Lootah, I am the stallion of our herd."
Dandelion giggles a bit and nickers to Lootah, "She just gave her name as Huyana." The palomino guesses the dappled grey isn't accustomed to breath exchange greetings, and finally withdraws her muzzle. She stands off to the side and slightly behind Lootah, flicking her own tail. "Nights are starting to get cooler," she comments. "Autumn must be here."
Observing the stallions attempts to impress her, Huyana's smile deepens and she chortles appreciatively toward him. Watching Dandelion move into position, not quite behind the stallion. "Yes Dandelion, my name is Huyana." She says and continues with, "I have traveled from a very distant land; It has taken me months to reach this beautiful valley of your's and I appreciate your letting me stay."
Venos is resting beneath a rock waiting for insects to move by so that he can ambush them. But it becomes apparent that nothing is going to come by today, not with all the vibrations the hairs on his legs are picking up. Whatever is out there is big and it's scaring away all his prey. His small beady eyes glisten in the bit of light filtering in around the edges of the rock. Venos' eight hairy legs scrabble at the dirt as he digs his way out into the open. As soon as he is beyond the rock he can see the towering forms of the horses in his compound vision. Foolish creatures, how dare they scare away all his prey! He knows better than to get near those crushing hooves but he does raise his first four legs and his mandibles to display the fangs that drip with venom. His message is a clear one, back off!
Grinning at the name, he's tempted.. so tempted to use another one of his very generalized lines, but it at least takes him a minute. Letting the two mares converse with one another, the ochre and white stallion prances around the both of them proudly, making sure that he's close enough so that they can both see how exhuberantly he was showing off. "Huyana? What a pretty name!" He says, and his grin widens, standing still and facing her. "It suits you well, then." His eyes again fall to look her over a few more times, but as he does this, he sees a .. strange, star-looking figure in the grass. Tilting his head, an odd sort of grunt comes from the male, and he lowers his muzzle in an attempt to sniff out from a distance what it was.. brows furrowing a bit.
Dandelion's eyes fixate on a set of fuzzy legs emerging from the ground as well. "What is that?" she asks, cantering near, then recognizing it. "A spider!" she shrieks a bit, backing up. "Those things are poisonous!" she screeches, having seen more than her share of them in the desert.
Her cheeks burn hot under her fur, as she thinks she herd a second meaning to the stallions admiration of her name, watching him look her over a couple of times. Hearing Dandelions question, Huyana glances in the direction of the pointing muzzles and see's the brown fuzzball showing aggression by lifting his front legs. Having a fear of spiders in general she lets out a loud high pitched whinny before trotting away off from the small hairy monster.
Venos continues to waggle his legs and uses his back ones to push himself up a bit so he looks larger. Not that his size is the most threatening thing about him since the horses are so much larger. His beady eyes gleam with satsifaction at having scared two out of the three. He can feel the vibrations as the mareas move away. It is enough to placate him, at least for the moment. Perhaps now insects will return to the area since the horses aren't stomping all around near him. Venos decides to make his point clear by scuttling forward for a few inches and lunging at the open air if he was attacking. Venos then hastily backs up towards the safety of cover since he doesn't want to be stomped on.
Lootah's ears flick back at the frightened whinnies and whatnot of the mares, and he rolls his eyes a bit. Spiders were nothing to be afraid of.. though he had to admit that he'd never seen one quite as big as this before. Though his head was low and he was walking toward it, he knew better than to get too close. Especially after the tiny thing lunged into the air. Lifting his head hastily, the stallion let out a gruff sort of laughter, and glanced down to the arachnid once again. "Huh.. what a weird little creature.." He mutters, nostrils continuing to flare as he tries to pick up /some/ kind of scent on it, but.. dirt is the only outcome. With a sigh, Lootah lifts his head proudly again, and flicks his tail a few times. "Nothing to be afraid of, ladies."
From the north, an equine figure is dipping into the lowlands. Clay can count the seasons that have gone by since he last set hoof here. Much has changed; from the scents to the sights. And still a herd here, he notes. And it seems they have a stallion among them this time. How exciting! Keeping his distance, so that he appears as nothing more than a silhouette against the sky, Clay tosses back his head. A loud, carefree neigh pours from the depths of his throat. Afterward, he points his gaze back at the horses in the distance, to survey the reaction.
Dandelion nickers to Lootah lowly, "That's a Tarantula ... they're deadly poisonous! Like a snake!" She then hears another whinney, sounding decidedly masculine, in the distance. She looks over toward the second stallion with a friendly hurrhurr, then wonders if that might have been inappropriate to do.
Coming back only slightly closer to the group, her attention is turned from the Tarantula's eight conspicuous eyes to a nearby neigh. Turning her head she observes the stallion, that has appeared from the north. Not sure if she should be the one to greet him, she quickly gets behind Lootah stating that she trust him to protect her.
Venos decides that he's had enough as the vibrations from the arriving stallion are felt through his hairy legs. The Tarantula scuttles over the ground as fast as his churning legs can carry him. Grains of sand are dislodged around him as he seeks the nearest cover. Hidden near the roots of a tree is the entrance to a small mouse burrow. Venos squeezes inside and scurries down the tunnel in order to escape the horses. So much for the big scary spider!
Watching the eight legged critter scurry back to safety, Lootah lets out a snort, and looks back to his mares with a nod of approval. "See? They might be poisonous, but we're much bigger. I don't think it'd bother us much." He says this a bit arrogantly, and then the sound of a much more masculine neigh echos through his ochre ears. Immediately, his head snaps in the direction of the other stallion, and Lootah's hooves scuff at the ground rather instinctually. Another stallion was never good news. Pinning his ears back, Lootah gets in front of both mares, and rears up once more, letting loose a more hoarse sounding neigh, practically a warning for the other male to keep himself distant.
If there was one thing Clay never learned from experience--and did he ever have experience--it was why annoying herd stallions is never a good idea. An ear tilts toward the palomino mare, and he shoots her a sly grin. The glance is only brief, for his attention fixes itself on the other male. He lets out a snort, shifting on his hooves and measuring up the terrain and the positions of the herd. "Pleased to meet you, sir." He calls, amiably. At least he's not approaching just yet, although he isn't retreating either. "Hope I'm not disturbing anything." He doesn't sound apologetic in the slightest.
Dandelion snorts a bit, flicks her tail and perks her ears. She looks between this rival stallion and Lootah to gauge the behavior of each. She gives an idle whuffle toward Huyana, but quickly returns her attention to the stallion rivals.
Now Lootah knows how all the stallions felt, when he did quite the same thing as this other male was doing now, though he had to admit, he was much more sneaky when he stole his mares. Made sure the stallion wasn't looking, perhaps got his attention in some other way, and off he went with one or two at a time. Not that he regretted it, he had learned different techniques that way.. but this one was much more up front about it. Flattening his ears, Lootah keeps himself between Dandelion, Huyana, and this newcomer, letting out a few agitated snorts and making sure to continuously scuff the ground with his hooves. "Your presence here is a disturbance." He says, rather rudely, his tone gruff and immediately full of fighting words, even though he preferred not to fight.
Huyana watches as the two stallions interact, not wanting to interrupt their shows of masculinity. Huffing softly to Dandelions whuffle she whispers, "Seems I am not the only one drawn to this place today." Facing forward again, Huyana looks back and forth between the two males.
"Is that so? I smell okay, don't I?" Clay tips his neck to one side, making an exaggerated show of checking over his appearance. And then he looks back at the painted stallion with mock indignation. "You wouldn't be implying that I leave? That would be most unfriendly." As he finishes saying thing, Clay now begins his approach. It's nothing drastic, but he takes a few light steps forward. The daring glint in his eyes disregard his pleas for civilty.
Dandelion nickers and giggles quietly to Huyana, "Now we get to see how he measures up. I'm glad to have all the herdmates I can ... but I think its nice to be desired and not just conventient."
A dangerous look flares inside of Lootah's deep brown eyes, and his ears remained pinned back as he stares threateningly at the other stallion. Tail flicking about irritably, a sort of rumble comes from the herd stallion's throat, and he lunges his head toward the other male, perhaps wishing that he had antlers like those other odd creatures in the forest. "Yes, I would be implying that. Now, run on off to where you came from before I chase you out myself." Tossing his head a few more times, the painted male takes a few more steps toward Clay as the other approaches, obviously not about to let him get any closer to either Huyana or Dandelion than he already was.
Huyana nods her head in agreement, keeping their conversation low she say's to the other mare, "These are the first males I have seen in nearly a year, they are both quite handsome in their own rugged ways, don't you think?" Feeling the aggression roll off of Lootah, Huyana almost feels sorry for the other stallion. Having been on her own for the last couple of years, Huyana is content to stay as close to Lootah and Dandelion as possible, not wanting to be separated from the forming herd.
Although the painted stallion possesses no antlers, Clay does flinch at the sudden motion. His ears lay back, a bit of his cool eaten away at being made to show fright. But that's fine, because it's fairly clear that he won't be able to talk his way into the territory. Not that he truly expected to in the first place. "Well, aren't you a jumpy one." The champagne walker turns himself around, glancing back warily. "Very well, then. I can see I'm not wanted." Clay starts back toward the north, easing into a canter. He heads straight for a moment, before he jerks around, breaking into a gallop and aiming himself right at Lootah.
Seeing the other male flinch at his sudden lunge made him grin a bit, but it fades as the other stallion puts up a bit of a 'victim' act, and wanders off in a canter, a few words spoken that Lootah didn't really pay attention to. He was glad that the other male was leaving, but didn't quite trust him to fully run off without a real fight. Many stallions didn't.. he wouldn't have, had he still been in the same rogue stallion position as Clay was. So, when the challenger begins to charge at him at a full on gallop from a distance, Lootah smirks in return, taking a few prancing steps forward in order to meet him slightly further away from the mares. He rears up and kicks his front legs at Clay in a sort of taunt, quickly, before he lands on all four hooves with a loud thud, and prepares to kick his back legs harshly at the other male, when he comes into range.
Huyana is just about to let out a soft nicker of laughter, when the dapple mare sees the incoming stallion heading right towards Lootah. Pinning her ears back at the advance, Huyana takes a few steps away from where she was standing and is now positioned a few hoof paces behind Dandelion; Not enjoying confrontation the least bit, she feels the need to gallop away, but fights it and stays close to the other mare, after all she did just join the herd didn't she?
Although this whole idea was definitely not the pinnacle of brilliancy, Clay isn't so big of a fool as to throw himself against the rear hooves of an angry stallion. Just a few strides before he's in kicking distance, the challenger skids to a stop, nostrils fuming. He swerves around to try and flank Lootah, baring his teeth.
Dandelion arches her head comfortingly over Huyana's back. "Its okay, they only aim to hurt each other, not us," she tries to assure the other mare.
The gesture was more comforting than Dandelion knew, and Huyana felt the warmth of the other horse cover her fear of the fighting stallions. Letting out a nicker of appreciation, she swishes her blue grey tail playing with the wind. Not wanting any harm to come to the herd stallion, Huyana watches now more calm than before. "That is still not a good thing, I don't want harm to befall our stallion."
Though he didn't figure the other stallion was stupid enough to run right into his hind hooves, he did expect something to come of it. When he didn't hear the cracking sound of his hooves against Clay's head, Lootah too swerves, his ears flattned back still and his nostrils flaring as well. At the sight of the other's teeth, he moves his hind end back, and rears up, swaying his hooves back in forth in order to possibly get a hit in somewhere, but the real goal here was to land on the other stallion's wither area, and bite at his ears, face, or even along the stretch of his neck.
Clay intends to tear into Lootah's side, but his plan is subverted when the other stallion rears back. Although he tries, the young stallion can't avoid the hooves. They miss his wither, but glance hard into his shoulder. Having not fought seriously once in his life, Clay is not prepares for how much it /hurts/. While he's still reeling, Clay doesn't realize the latter end of Lootah's assault until he feels teeth against the side of his face. Infuriated, Clay throws his weight to his hind legs, then lunges to the side, trying to slam into the other stallion.
Dandelion nibbles gently and comfortingly along Huyana's mane. "I don't want either of them too, but ... boys will be boys," she grunts. She keeps her ears focused on the tangling stallions. She nickers lowly to Huyana, "I won't let him hurt you," she promises. "If he comes over here with ill intent, I'll slow him a mare's hooves can hurt as much as a stallion's."
Onyx ears are now pinned on the two fighting equine, and emerald eye's watch their defender make a successful hoof hit on the other, but being the horse that she is, Huyana grimaces as the younger stallion is hit in the shoulder and then bit on the face. "Ouch, that has to hurt!" She whispers to Dandelion ever so softly, while she nudges the golden mare tenderly.
Good. Two hits on the rival so far. A hoof hit and a bite, and he was on top of the battle already. To be expected though, if the other stallion had no experience. With his past as a rogue, he'd been in plenty of fights, but with very little battle scars across his pelt, the fact that he was a good fighter should've been a bit obvious after the hindsight bias kicked in. However, he is caught a bit off guard when Clay slams his side into his own. Letting out a harsh sounding whinny, Lootah lands on his front legs and bucks back at the other stallion, a harsh kick sent towards his stomach while he was still on his hind legs, hoping to knock the wind out of him, or at least get him to back down.
Dask approaches from a northern direction at a quick canter. His gait is smooth enough that he doesn't make all that much noise. The sound of stallions fighting in the distance has caught his attention. It has also presented him with a rare opportunity. Where there are stallions fighting it only makes sense that there are mares. A quick sniff at the air only goes to confirm that fact. If he can arrive quickly enough he might be able to steal a few away while the males are distracted with their fight. Dask restrains himself from breaking into a full gallop since that might be loud enough to alert the others to his presence. The stallion is like a raven swooping in, only from the ground rather than the sky. He is using his sense of smell to guide him towards the mares, even though they are not within his line of vision yet.
Moments later he can see silhouettes up ahead and as they grow closer he can see individual details. The mares seem to be sticking close together, and the stallions are obvious locked into a vicious battle. A small grin curves his muzzle as he notices the beauty of the mares, though he doesn't really have time to stop and admire. Dask directs himself towards the pair and slows down to a swift walk, approaching them from the side. A look is given to them, making his intent clear that he intends to herd them away if he can get close.
By nature, Clay is not a fighter. He never felt the desire to injure another horse, or any other creature apart from those that hunted him. Yet here he is; scrapping with another stallion. So how did this happen? What made him do this? The young stallion only has a second to think smugly on how he'd taken Lootah by surprise, before yet another blow lands. This time, it strikes into his ribs, and indeed throws the breath from him. Clay backpedals, wheezing and gasping for air.
Dandelion whinnies warningly toward Dask, her ears flattened. Trying to be sneaky won't win her heart ... not that she particularly cares for the getting-uglier-by-the-minute spectacle put on by Lootah's challenger. She protectively moves between Dask and Huyana. "I'll protect you," she repeats her promise, returning Huyana's tender nudging.
Huyana having fought before in her lonely travels was grateful that Dandelion had stepped between her and the stealthy dark stallion advancing on the two of them, "Thanks for your protection, but if need be I can fight, I just really don't enjoy scuffing." She had to admit though, it was rather nice to be wanted, and the stallions around her were really quite handsome. Strange that she should happen to run into /three/ stallions on this day, having not even seen one /single/ stallion for nearly an entire year. This was her first mating year and having never had the urges before, the advances of the males was quite flattering to her, blushing again she lets out a rather loud whicker.
Seeing that Clay was out for a minute brought a pleasured smirk to his face, and he charges at the male for a moment, stomping his front hooves down by him and letting out another warning winny, hoarse and gruff in it's tone.. and looking back to the mares he'd been fighting so hard to protect, he sees /another/ stallion, and a loud, furious sounding neigh expelled from his throat, almost like a roar. Tucking his head down again, the painted male charged at a full gallop toward the other newcomer, rearing up as soon as he was between him and the mares, though keeping an eye on the champagne stallion all the while as well.
Clay didn't take the hit well at all. When Lootah threatens him, the young stallion attempts to whinny in return, but all he produces is a hoarse rumble. And then, suddenly, the lead stallion is no longer before him. Clay looks about in confusion, until he spies the midnight colored stallion. A second challenger? It wouldn't be too difficult to take advantage of the chaotic situation to at least attempt to frighten and scatter the mares, something most ambitious stallions wouldn't hesitate to do. But that's not how /he/ does things. After shaking his head with irritation when the bite mark on his face begins to show blood, Clay settles down. Panting with pain and suppressed agitation, the champagne stallion saunters toward the south, away from what is sure to be another fight. And this time, he retreat for real. But is he gone for good? Not likely.
Dask lays his ears back in surprise at the unfriendly greeting from one of the mares, though he can't rightly blame her. Dask soon has more to deal with than that, for one of the other stallions suddenly comes charging out of the fight towards him. Dask backs up hastily just in case the other intends to attack with his hooves but he's relieved to see that he's just gotten between him and the mares. As annoying as that is, there may be another way to deal with it. He gives a sidelong glance towards Clay and his dark eyes glisten with cunning. The other stallion seems closer to his age than the one that his gotten between him and the mares. He considers proposing a deal only to see the other male head off. Well so much for that idea. Dask is willing to fight the other stallion for the mares, but not if they're not willing to go with him. What would be the point of winning if they were going to resist his efforts to get them to come? It would be pointless. Dask decides to follow the example of the other male and whirls off at a canter. He will come again and try to convince them some other time, but not now. One has to know when to fight their battles.
Dandelion shudders. "Lootah's gonna get hurt trying to fight them both off." She gives Dask a glaring, "No way Jose!" look, and scrapes a forehoof on the ground as though to show she wouldn't accept him and his attempt to be sly.
Huyana hears the angry whinny and is glad to see Lootah charging in to protect them. Looking over her silvery spotted shoulder she see's that the first challenging stallion is now retreating to the south. "Look, he's leaving Dandelion." She say's to the mare in front of her. Turning to watch the new fight begin, and then end so quickly in just a few hoof falls. All around her is the sound of retreating defeated stallions, Huyana is joyful for her decision to join the herd and now had a profoundly deep respect for Lootah's loyalty and protection of the mares here in the low lands.
Though the dark stallion does flee at his charging, it doesn't stop Lootah from seeing him off for at least a few more paces, chasing after him even after he'd surrendered before the fight even began. Rearing up for the final time, Lootah let out another warning whinney, his tone still raspy and gruff from all the fighting. Tossing his head aggressively, he lands with another thud, and lets out a well deserved, angry snort. His breath is a bit heavier than usual, but he's not tired out by any means. Regardless, he turns to the two mares and lets out a soft chuffle of breath, returning to them with a prance, flicking his tail proudly and giving each of them a nuzzle. "When there's one challenger, there's always another.." he mutters, but grins to both of them, and flicks his ears forward. Perhaps a quick glance around the territory was in order.. but he wouldn't leave these mares' sides. Instead, he just stood there, watching outward carefully, for other mares, or other stallions.
Dandelion watches Lootah carefully ... he had taken a couple hits, and the palomino mare finds herself hoping he's already as well as ... yes, finding him awesomely victorious. She trudges up to him and whuffles him lightly. "You came out on top. I hope you're not too sore ..." she nickers as Huyana settles to rest. Dandelion, too, catches the virus and can't help but yawn.
Venos - Male Tarantula
Huyana - Female Horse
Dandelion - Female Horse
Lootah - Male Horse
Clay - Male Horse
Dask - Male Horse
Setting:
Wind-Swept Lowlands
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NOTES: I originally wanted to seperate these into two scenes, but seeing as that one sort of flowed into the other, it's just one, hence the sort of.. double name.
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The scents on the wind this afternoon speak whispers of autumns coming and the warm air of early fall feels wonderful on Huyana's ebon grey pelt. Having decided to leave the lands she was raised in shortly after her ceremony into adulthood, the spotted mare had come across some horses in the last week, and having left them to see what lay beyond their land, has returned to the grassy lowlands to get to know the herd better.
Much like yesterday, Lootah hasn't done much wandering through the land yet at all today. Most of his time has been dedicated to grazing, filling himself up after being far too excited or as he liked to call it, 'protective' of all the mares in his so-called harem to eat very much. He hasn't been at it for too long though, and when he wasn't grazing, he was taking short strolls around the land, familiarizing himself with all the odd little quirks. Unfortunately, there weren't many quirks on this plot. Perhaps if they moved around some more, as horses do, he would have a better time. The urge to run off is there again, but not for good. He's quite contented here, he figures, but exercise was something a stallion needed. With the gust of wind comes the scent of someone he knows he's met before, but it alerts him nonetheless. The painted male's head lifts at a medium pace, ears flicking forward as he gnaws on the shoots of grass, waiting to get a view of who it was.
Cresting the hill she had climbed, back to the lands where she had found the others, Huyana surveys the area around her for any danger. Spotting the stallion looking in her direction, she quickens her pace ever so gracefully into a trot. Could this be one of the horses that had greeted her so openly when last she visited? Dark ebon ears facing forward contently, Huyana lets out a loud whinny of glee at being able to locate them again.
Hearing the mare's whinny, Lootah can't help but try to show off a bit. It was obvious that /this/ mare wanted to be noticed by him, so what harm would there be in showing off some of his muscles and whatnot. Pushing himself up onto just his hind hooves, the stallion rears up and flails his front hooves about, flexing his forearm muscles and looking oh so spectacular. As he does this, he too lets out a whinny, a welcoming one at that.
Dandelion heard the dapple grey mare's whinney as well in the distance from where she was, and gallops in, finding Lootah first and giving him a whinney and she slows to a trot ... but she knows the voice she heard was not his, and peers down the hillside toward the other mare. She offers a friendly second whinney of her own just for the other mare. "Greetings!"
Huyana stopping in front of the other horses gently taps one ebony hooves twice on the ground, she sends out the sweetest of nickers to both, and takes a deep bow, acknowledging their greetings with deep respect. When she left, she had done so expecting to find a herd in the surrounding area. After searching nearby she decided that the winds had in fact brought her to this group, she had not been able to feel any other direction from the embers of her heart. "Nice to see you again..." She begins, but doesn't quite remember the stallions name. "and you as well." Offering up another greeting to the golden mare. "I have returned to this place by the bidding of the winds, my name is Huyana, and I would like to stay with you." This is not posed as a question, but a mere statement that she is not going to leave this time, unless she is run off. Studious emerald eyes look over the two horses in front of her, while her nostrils flare from her sniffing in the scents of them committing them to memory.
After landing with a bit of a thud, the large stallion takes a few prancing steps in the direction that Huyana was coming from, wishing to meet the mare half way to express how eager he was to meet her. Again! Yes, this was the dapple mare that he'd met before, though he wouldn't by lying either if he'd stated that he'd forgotten her name. Tossing his head happily, the stallion's white mane falls back to his neck, the very fringes of his forelock being brushes into his eyes again, resulting in one more toss. His bi-colored tail flicks, and he lets out a few more happy sounding nickers, turning as he hears Dandelion. Good! The more, the better. Deep colored eyes fall on the dappled mare though, and he smiles at her respect. "It's nice to see you again too.." He trails off momentarily, then opts to just leave the name out. "I'm very glad that you've decided to stay with us. You will be most welcome here."
Smiling at the others, Huyana casually flickers her grey blue tail, standing tall once more she cocks one of her oil dipped back legs relaxing her stance a little, from her first excitement. "I am glad you have accepted me." Huyana say's to both. Nodding toward the mare she replies, "Very nice to meet you Dandelion."
Though Dandelion is in his thoughts as well, Lootah's main concern at the moment is the dappled female, as he had completely forgotten her name. A grin forms, as he reminds himself faintly of Luna's talent for forgetting names.. perhaps the old mare was rubbing off on him? A white leg and hoof is brought forward, as he looks over the grey mare, admiring her unique beauty; as he did with all mares, obviously. "We've met before.. but I regret to admit that I've forgotten your name in the time that's passed.." Standing still, he straightens up, poising himself in order to /try/ and impress her, with his tone and stature alone. "My name is Lootah, I am the stallion of our herd."
Dandelion giggles a bit and nickers to Lootah, "She just gave her name as Huyana." The palomino guesses the dappled grey isn't accustomed to breath exchange greetings, and finally withdraws her muzzle. She stands off to the side and slightly behind Lootah, flicking her own tail. "Nights are starting to get cooler," she comments. "Autumn must be here."
Observing the stallions attempts to impress her, Huyana's smile deepens and she chortles appreciatively toward him. Watching Dandelion move into position, not quite behind the stallion. "Yes Dandelion, my name is Huyana." She says and continues with, "I have traveled from a very distant land; It has taken me months to reach this beautiful valley of your's and I appreciate your letting me stay."
Venos is resting beneath a rock waiting for insects to move by so that he can ambush them. But it becomes apparent that nothing is going to come by today, not with all the vibrations the hairs on his legs are picking up. Whatever is out there is big and it's scaring away all his prey. His small beady eyes glisten in the bit of light filtering in around the edges of the rock. Venos' eight hairy legs scrabble at the dirt as he digs his way out into the open. As soon as he is beyond the rock he can see the towering forms of the horses in his compound vision. Foolish creatures, how dare they scare away all his prey! He knows better than to get near those crushing hooves but he does raise his first four legs and his mandibles to display the fangs that drip with venom. His message is a clear one, back off!
Grinning at the name, he's tempted.. so tempted to use another one of his very generalized lines, but it at least takes him a minute. Letting the two mares converse with one another, the ochre and white stallion prances around the both of them proudly, making sure that he's close enough so that they can both see how exhuberantly he was showing off. "Huyana? What a pretty name!" He says, and his grin widens, standing still and facing her. "It suits you well, then." His eyes again fall to look her over a few more times, but as he does this, he sees a .. strange, star-looking figure in the grass. Tilting his head, an odd sort of grunt comes from the male, and he lowers his muzzle in an attempt to sniff out from a distance what it was.. brows furrowing a bit.
Dandelion's eyes fixate on a set of fuzzy legs emerging from the ground as well. "What is that?" she asks, cantering near, then recognizing it. "A spider!" she shrieks a bit, backing up. "Those things are poisonous!" she screeches, having seen more than her share of them in the desert.
Her cheeks burn hot under her fur, as she thinks she herd a second meaning to the stallions admiration of her name, watching him look her over a couple of times. Hearing Dandelions question, Huyana glances in the direction of the pointing muzzles and see's the brown fuzzball showing aggression by lifting his front legs. Having a fear of spiders in general she lets out a loud high pitched whinny before trotting away off from the small hairy monster.
Venos continues to waggle his legs and uses his back ones to push himself up a bit so he looks larger. Not that his size is the most threatening thing about him since the horses are so much larger. His beady eyes gleam with satsifaction at having scared two out of the three. He can feel the vibrations as the mareas move away. It is enough to placate him, at least for the moment. Perhaps now insects will return to the area since the horses aren't stomping all around near him. Venos decides to make his point clear by scuttling forward for a few inches and lunging at the open air if he was attacking. Venos then hastily backs up towards the safety of cover since he doesn't want to be stomped on.
Lootah's ears flick back at the frightened whinnies and whatnot of the mares, and he rolls his eyes a bit. Spiders were nothing to be afraid of.. though he had to admit that he'd never seen one quite as big as this before. Though his head was low and he was walking toward it, he knew better than to get too close. Especially after the tiny thing lunged into the air. Lifting his head hastily, the stallion let out a gruff sort of laughter, and glanced down to the arachnid once again. "Huh.. what a weird little creature.." He mutters, nostrils continuing to flare as he tries to pick up /some/ kind of scent on it, but.. dirt is the only outcome. With a sigh, Lootah lifts his head proudly again, and flicks his tail a few times. "Nothing to be afraid of, ladies."
From the north, an equine figure is dipping into the lowlands. Clay can count the seasons that have gone by since he last set hoof here. Much has changed; from the scents to the sights. And still a herd here, he notes. And it seems they have a stallion among them this time. How exciting! Keeping his distance, so that he appears as nothing more than a silhouette against the sky, Clay tosses back his head. A loud, carefree neigh pours from the depths of his throat. Afterward, he points his gaze back at the horses in the distance, to survey the reaction.
Dandelion nickers to Lootah lowly, "That's a Tarantula ... they're deadly poisonous! Like a snake!" She then hears another whinney, sounding decidedly masculine, in the distance. She looks over toward the second stallion with a friendly hurrhurr, then wonders if that might have been inappropriate to do.
Coming back only slightly closer to the group, her attention is turned from the Tarantula's eight conspicuous eyes to a nearby neigh. Turning her head she observes the stallion, that has appeared from the north. Not sure if she should be the one to greet him, she quickly gets behind Lootah stating that she trust him to protect her.
Venos decides that he's had enough as the vibrations from the arriving stallion are felt through his hairy legs. The Tarantula scuttles over the ground as fast as his churning legs can carry him. Grains of sand are dislodged around him as he seeks the nearest cover. Hidden near the roots of a tree is the entrance to a small mouse burrow. Venos squeezes inside and scurries down the tunnel in order to escape the horses. So much for the big scary spider!
Watching the eight legged critter scurry back to safety, Lootah lets out a snort, and looks back to his mares with a nod of approval. "See? They might be poisonous, but we're much bigger. I don't think it'd bother us much." He says this a bit arrogantly, and then the sound of a much more masculine neigh echos through his ochre ears. Immediately, his head snaps in the direction of the other stallion, and Lootah's hooves scuff at the ground rather instinctually. Another stallion was never good news. Pinning his ears back, Lootah gets in front of both mares, and rears up once more, letting loose a more hoarse sounding neigh, practically a warning for the other male to keep himself distant.
If there was one thing Clay never learned from experience--and did he ever have experience--it was why annoying herd stallions is never a good idea. An ear tilts toward the palomino mare, and he shoots her a sly grin. The glance is only brief, for his attention fixes itself on the other male. He lets out a snort, shifting on his hooves and measuring up the terrain and the positions of the herd. "Pleased to meet you, sir." He calls, amiably. At least he's not approaching just yet, although he isn't retreating either. "Hope I'm not disturbing anything." He doesn't sound apologetic in the slightest.
Dandelion snorts a bit, flicks her tail and perks her ears. She looks between this rival stallion and Lootah to gauge the behavior of each. She gives an idle whuffle toward Huyana, but quickly returns her attention to the stallion rivals.
Now Lootah knows how all the stallions felt, when he did quite the same thing as this other male was doing now, though he had to admit, he was much more sneaky when he stole his mares. Made sure the stallion wasn't looking, perhaps got his attention in some other way, and off he went with one or two at a time. Not that he regretted it, he had learned different techniques that way.. but this one was much more up front about it. Flattening his ears, Lootah keeps himself between Dandelion, Huyana, and this newcomer, letting out a few agitated snorts and making sure to continuously scuff the ground with his hooves. "Your presence here is a disturbance." He says, rather rudely, his tone gruff and immediately full of fighting words, even though he preferred not to fight.
Huyana watches as the two stallions interact, not wanting to interrupt their shows of masculinity. Huffing softly to Dandelions whuffle she whispers, "Seems I am not the only one drawn to this place today." Facing forward again, Huyana looks back and forth between the two males.
"Is that so? I smell okay, don't I?" Clay tips his neck to one side, making an exaggerated show of checking over his appearance. And then he looks back at the painted stallion with mock indignation. "You wouldn't be implying that I leave? That would be most unfriendly." As he finishes saying thing, Clay now begins his approach. It's nothing drastic, but he takes a few light steps forward. The daring glint in his eyes disregard his pleas for civilty.
Dandelion nickers and giggles quietly to Huyana, "Now we get to see how he measures up. I'm glad to have all the herdmates I can ... but I think its nice to be desired and not just conventient."
A dangerous look flares inside of Lootah's deep brown eyes, and his ears remained pinned back as he stares threateningly at the other stallion. Tail flicking about irritably, a sort of rumble comes from the herd stallion's throat, and he lunges his head toward the other male, perhaps wishing that he had antlers like those other odd creatures in the forest. "Yes, I would be implying that. Now, run on off to where you came from before I chase you out myself." Tossing his head a few more times, the painted male takes a few more steps toward Clay as the other approaches, obviously not about to let him get any closer to either Huyana or Dandelion than he already was.
Huyana nods her head in agreement, keeping their conversation low she say's to the other mare, "These are the first males I have seen in nearly a year, they are both quite handsome in their own rugged ways, don't you think?" Feeling the aggression roll off of Lootah, Huyana almost feels sorry for the other stallion. Having been on her own for the last couple of years, Huyana is content to stay as close to Lootah and Dandelion as possible, not wanting to be separated from the forming herd.
Although the painted stallion possesses no antlers, Clay does flinch at the sudden motion. His ears lay back, a bit of his cool eaten away at being made to show fright. But that's fine, because it's fairly clear that he won't be able to talk his way into the territory. Not that he truly expected to in the first place. "Well, aren't you a jumpy one." The champagne walker turns himself around, glancing back warily. "Very well, then. I can see I'm not wanted." Clay starts back toward the north, easing into a canter. He heads straight for a moment, before he jerks around, breaking into a gallop and aiming himself right at Lootah.
Seeing the other male flinch at his sudden lunge made him grin a bit, but it fades as the other stallion puts up a bit of a 'victim' act, and wanders off in a canter, a few words spoken that Lootah didn't really pay attention to. He was glad that the other male was leaving, but didn't quite trust him to fully run off without a real fight. Many stallions didn't.. he wouldn't have, had he still been in the same rogue stallion position as Clay was. So, when the challenger begins to charge at him at a full on gallop from a distance, Lootah smirks in return, taking a few prancing steps forward in order to meet him slightly further away from the mares. He rears up and kicks his front legs at Clay in a sort of taunt, quickly, before he lands on all four hooves with a loud thud, and prepares to kick his back legs harshly at the other male, when he comes into range.
Huyana is just about to let out a soft nicker of laughter, when the dapple mare sees the incoming stallion heading right towards Lootah. Pinning her ears back at the advance, Huyana takes a few steps away from where she was standing and is now positioned a few hoof paces behind Dandelion; Not enjoying confrontation the least bit, she feels the need to gallop away, but fights it and stays close to the other mare, after all she did just join the herd didn't she?
Although this whole idea was definitely not the pinnacle of brilliancy, Clay isn't so big of a fool as to throw himself against the rear hooves of an angry stallion. Just a few strides before he's in kicking distance, the challenger skids to a stop, nostrils fuming. He swerves around to try and flank Lootah, baring his teeth.
Dandelion arches her head comfortingly over Huyana's back. "Its okay, they only aim to hurt each other, not us," she tries to assure the other mare.
The gesture was more comforting than Dandelion knew, and Huyana felt the warmth of the other horse cover her fear of the fighting stallions. Letting out a nicker of appreciation, she swishes her blue grey tail playing with the wind. Not wanting any harm to come to the herd stallion, Huyana watches now more calm than before. "That is still not a good thing, I don't want harm to befall our stallion."
Though he didn't figure the other stallion was stupid enough to run right into his hind hooves, he did expect something to come of it. When he didn't hear the cracking sound of his hooves against Clay's head, Lootah too swerves, his ears flattned back still and his nostrils flaring as well. At the sight of the other's teeth, he moves his hind end back, and rears up, swaying his hooves back in forth in order to possibly get a hit in somewhere, but the real goal here was to land on the other stallion's wither area, and bite at his ears, face, or even along the stretch of his neck.
Clay intends to tear into Lootah's side, but his plan is subverted when the other stallion rears back. Although he tries, the young stallion can't avoid the hooves. They miss his wither, but glance hard into his shoulder. Having not fought seriously once in his life, Clay is not prepares for how much it /hurts/. While he's still reeling, Clay doesn't realize the latter end of Lootah's assault until he feels teeth against the side of his face. Infuriated, Clay throws his weight to his hind legs, then lunges to the side, trying to slam into the other stallion.
Dandelion nibbles gently and comfortingly along Huyana's mane. "I don't want either of them too, but ... boys will be boys," she grunts. She keeps her ears focused on the tangling stallions. She nickers lowly to Huyana, "I won't let him hurt you," she promises. "If he comes over here with ill intent, I'll slow him a mare's hooves can hurt as much as a stallion's."
Onyx ears are now pinned on the two fighting equine, and emerald eye's watch their defender make a successful hoof hit on the other, but being the horse that she is, Huyana grimaces as the younger stallion is hit in the shoulder and then bit on the face. "Ouch, that has to hurt!" She whispers to Dandelion ever so softly, while she nudges the golden mare tenderly.
Good. Two hits on the rival so far. A hoof hit and a bite, and he was on top of the battle already. To be expected though, if the other stallion had no experience. With his past as a rogue, he'd been in plenty of fights, but with very little battle scars across his pelt, the fact that he was a good fighter should've been a bit obvious after the hindsight bias kicked in. However, he is caught a bit off guard when Clay slams his side into his own. Letting out a harsh sounding whinny, Lootah lands on his front legs and bucks back at the other stallion, a harsh kick sent towards his stomach while he was still on his hind legs, hoping to knock the wind out of him, or at least get him to back down.
Dask approaches from a northern direction at a quick canter. His gait is smooth enough that he doesn't make all that much noise. The sound of stallions fighting in the distance has caught his attention. It has also presented him with a rare opportunity. Where there are stallions fighting it only makes sense that there are mares. A quick sniff at the air only goes to confirm that fact. If he can arrive quickly enough he might be able to steal a few away while the males are distracted with their fight. Dask restrains himself from breaking into a full gallop since that might be loud enough to alert the others to his presence. The stallion is like a raven swooping in, only from the ground rather than the sky. He is using his sense of smell to guide him towards the mares, even though they are not within his line of vision yet.
Moments later he can see silhouettes up ahead and as they grow closer he can see individual details. The mares seem to be sticking close together, and the stallions are obvious locked into a vicious battle. A small grin curves his muzzle as he notices the beauty of the mares, though he doesn't really have time to stop and admire. Dask directs himself towards the pair and slows down to a swift walk, approaching them from the side. A look is given to them, making his intent clear that he intends to herd them away if he can get close.
By nature, Clay is not a fighter. He never felt the desire to injure another horse, or any other creature apart from those that hunted him. Yet here he is; scrapping with another stallion. So how did this happen? What made him do this? The young stallion only has a second to think smugly on how he'd taken Lootah by surprise, before yet another blow lands. This time, it strikes into his ribs, and indeed throws the breath from him. Clay backpedals, wheezing and gasping for air.
Dandelion whinnies warningly toward Dask, her ears flattened. Trying to be sneaky won't win her heart ... not that she particularly cares for the getting-uglier-by-the-minute spectacle put on by Lootah's challenger. She protectively moves between Dask and Huyana. "I'll protect you," she repeats her promise, returning Huyana's tender nudging.
Huyana having fought before in her lonely travels was grateful that Dandelion had stepped between her and the stealthy dark stallion advancing on the two of them, "Thanks for your protection, but if need be I can fight, I just really don't enjoy scuffing." She had to admit though, it was rather nice to be wanted, and the stallions around her were really quite handsome. Strange that she should happen to run into /three/ stallions on this day, having not even seen one /single/ stallion for nearly an entire year. This was her first mating year and having never had the urges before, the advances of the males was quite flattering to her, blushing again she lets out a rather loud whicker.
Seeing that Clay was out for a minute brought a pleasured smirk to his face, and he charges at the male for a moment, stomping his front hooves down by him and letting out another warning winny, hoarse and gruff in it's tone.. and looking back to the mares he'd been fighting so hard to protect, he sees /another/ stallion, and a loud, furious sounding neigh expelled from his throat, almost like a roar. Tucking his head down again, the painted male charged at a full gallop toward the other newcomer, rearing up as soon as he was between him and the mares, though keeping an eye on the champagne stallion all the while as well.
Clay didn't take the hit well at all. When Lootah threatens him, the young stallion attempts to whinny in return, but all he produces is a hoarse rumble. And then, suddenly, the lead stallion is no longer before him. Clay looks about in confusion, until he spies the midnight colored stallion. A second challenger? It wouldn't be too difficult to take advantage of the chaotic situation to at least attempt to frighten and scatter the mares, something most ambitious stallions wouldn't hesitate to do. But that's not how /he/ does things. After shaking his head with irritation when the bite mark on his face begins to show blood, Clay settles down. Panting with pain and suppressed agitation, the champagne stallion saunters toward the south, away from what is sure to be another fight. And this time, he retreat for real. But is he gone for good? Not likely.
Dask lays his ears back in surprise at the unfriendly greeting from one of the mares, though he can't rightly blame her. Dask soon has more to deal with than that, for one of the other stallions suddenly comes charging out of the fight towards him. Dask backs up hastily just in case the other intends to attack with his hooves but he's relieved to see that he's just gotten between him and the mares. As annoying as that is, there may be another way to deal with it. He gives a sidelong glance towards Clay and his dark eyes glisten with cunning. The other stallion seems closer to his age than the one that his gotten between him and the mares. He considers proposing a deal only to see the other male head off. Well so much for that idea. Dask is willing to fight the other stallion for the mares, but not if they're not willing to go with him. What would be the point of winning if they were going to resist his efforts to get them to come? It would be pointless. Dask decides to follow the example of the other male and whirls off at a canter. He will come again and try to convince them some other time, but not now. One has to know when to fight their battles.
Dandelion shudders. "Lootah's gonna get hurt trying to fight them both off." She gives Dask a glaring, "No way Jose!" look, and scrapes a forehoof on the ground as though to show she wouldn't accept him and his attempt to be sly.
Huyana hears the angry whinny and is glad to see Lootah charging in to protect them. Looking over her silvery spotted shoulder she see's that the first challenging stallion is now retreating to the south. "Look, he's leaving Dandelion." She say's to the mare in front of her. Turning to watch the new fight begin, and then end so quickly in just a few hoof falls. All around her is the sound of retreating defeated stallions, Huyana is joyful for her decision to join the herd and now had a profoundly deep respect for Lootah's loyalty and protection of the mares here in the low lands.
Though the dark stallion does flee at his charging, it doesn't stop Lootah from seeing him off for at least a few more paces, chasing after him even after he'd surrendered before the fight even began. Rearing up for the final time, Lootah let out another warning whinney, his tone still raspy and gruff from all the fighting. Tossing his head aggressively, he lands with another thud, and lets out a well deserved, angry snort. His breath is a bit heavier than usual, but he's not tired out by any means. Regardless, he turns to the two mares and lets out a soft chuffle of breath, returning to them with a prance, flicking his tail proudly and giving each of them a nuzzle. "When there's one challenger, there's always another.." he mutters, but grins to both of them, and flicks his ears forward. Perhaps a quick glance around the territory was in order.. but he wouldn't leave these mares' sides. Instead, he just stood there, watching outward carefully, for other mares, or other stallions.
Dandelion watches Lootah carefully ... he had taken a couple hits, and the palomino mare finds herself hoping he's already as well as ... yes, finding him awesomely victorious. She trudges up to him and whuffles him lightly. "You came out on top. I hope you're not too sore ..." she nickers as Huyana settles to rest. Dandelion, too, catches the virus and can't help but yawn.