Mare | • | 5 Years | • | Lone Mare | • | Mentions:

The Valley Herd [Indirectly]

The ghostly pale mare huffed from where she stood upon the rocky and dry edge of what she assumed used to be a hill of some sort once teeming with wildlife now just another dusty mound of rock for her to stand on to get another vantage point. Not a single gust of wind came in greeting to anyone, hell, she doubted even the shadows of birds she could see from where she stood could feel any wind even as high up as they were. Pricks. And what of the predators that plagued this now barren and honestly now pitiful looking land? What once were sensible wolves, cougars, coyotes, and even bears now stood desperate husks of what they used to be launching themselves like rabid creatures at the chance of even one meal for themselves whether it be horses, loners like herself and the various other cases and bachelor's, or even old horses and foals alike who decided to seal their death sentences with a shiny ribbon and wander off even just an inch too far away from the herd to get picked off by a predator just ghosting them always lunging at the opportunity for even just a morsel of meat

Which, speaking of, Soleil was curious, despite her bad temper and her usually not caring, to what the fuss had been about when she had heard the coyotes mighty chorus throughout the night when the sky was painted the darkest black and even the stars seemed to abandon them. They had been rather loud, much to her surprise that the lone mare thought them upon her or lurking close only for her to slowly calm when it passed hours and they showed no signs of stopping or gaining nor fathering the distance from her to them. To what once was usually another silent night filled with perhaps one or two howls of the dastardly creatures always out to kill, mourning, or just howling to the moon for whatever reason, instead rose a gloriously triumphant cry stronger than any she had heard from in the past month of the drought coming from close to one of the long dried rivers. Had someone fallen by there during the cover of the night to aid the predators in killing whatever they had won?

Soleil shivered slightly at the thought of a horse passing from the fangs of a coyote pack no matter how much of a brute or how old and prickly they were, they could have been the most annoying foal ever and Soleil would still shiver at the thought of them being torn apart by coyote fangs much less a pack. With a bow of her head till her nose almost touched the horribly dry ground she stood on and stretched for miles on end, Soleil closed her eyes and pawed at the ground in front of her, wishing well to whoever had fallen at night and that they would finally be at peace free from this horrid drought that had everyone in this land in its clutches refusing to let go as it dug its heels in and kept a strong grasp as they all squirmed and fought tooth and nail for their survival and so they could live to see yet another day and endure hardships alongside those that they loved or to loners like herself, live to see the day rain fell from the sky like a sacred gift, as if it was raining gold. Never did Soleil think that she would find herself in a drought of all places, that she would one-day travel to the wrong place at the wrong time, that she would miss and beg for rain as dearly as she was these past few days as she did now, but if was to be expected at this point

With a final prayer goodbye, a silent thank you to the fallen for their work and sacrifice, she finally lifted her head once more and opened her eyes, a part of her hoping she would see green fields stretched out before her while the majority already knew she would be greeted by the barren wasteland she already knew so well. Seemed that yet again, the small sliver of hope was wrong as she could feel the dust that caked her hooves dry and how for once she was grateful to her pale coat for not only providing it so that she didn't absorb as much heat as one with a darker or longer pelt but she also had good camouflage for the most part during the day when the sun blazed it's scorching heat upon the earth that she stood. One last look across the land, to see if she might be able to catch something she might have missed in this scalding haze, before shaking herself to rid of the dust gathered in her coat and trotting down along the dry rivers path towards where she heard the cries of the wretched animals last night. It was risky, very much so but at this point did she want to be able to endure another long moment of this heat wave? She decided she didn't care, with a frustrated flare of her nostrils, as her tail lashed behind her and she found herself walking along the center of what she assumed was once a flourishing river carrying crystal water now only a hollow shell that was the riverbank of what it once was

Keanu

Colt || 3 weeks || Foal || M: Naga and Anil [ind.]

The little 'lead stallion' had strayed from the middle of the herd. His mother had told him to stay there, and he did, but now he needed to find his dad. Last night was crazy. The coyotes were going nuts! He needed to inform his lieutenant of this and was determined to find his dad. With his mother’s words momentarily forgotten, he walked off towards a group of horses but started to grow hot and itchy the farther he walked. Keanu had already forgotten their names, but that didn’t matter, he would introduce himself and maybe they would help him find his dad!

The bay colt opened his mouth to speak when he heard his mother’s voice, “Keanu,” she spoke, sounding a little tired, the foal whipped around, “I’m over here!” He whispered in a low voice, similar to how his mother had called him. He heard his mother call him again, louder this time and he took off running towards her.

But he was also unaware of the fact that one of his friends was missing this morning, it was another young colt, the one that had been killed by the coyotes he had heard. He wasn't too close with the other foal but as he raced back to his mother he noticed someone seemed to be gone. His run was a bit awkward, his legs knocking together as he stumbled as fast as he could go, the heat was already taking energy out of him and it didn’t help that he had a lack of running experience.

“Someone’s missing, do you know who?” he asked in between breaths as he reached his mother’s side, panting hard. Looking up at his mother he added, “Do you know where dad is? I gotta tell him about the noises I heard last night. It was craaazy!” He declared, carefully stepping over to stand in his mother’s shadow. The humidity was starting to get worse and the young foal was starting to grow more tired than he would admit. He thought if he said something about it, then the herd would have to stay in this dusty place longer and he wouldn’t get to explore! But his little running spurt had drawn more out of him than he realized, and Keanu leaned against his mother’s flank as he regained his breath.

After recovering, his thoughts soon strayed to traveling, and the thought of getting to run through a new land. Even if it all looked basically the same, as long as there was water or something soon he would be fine with wherever they go. The foal was starting to get thirsty and leaned his head against his mother’s side to try and get her attention, he was about to complain about his thirst but decided he could probably wait a little longer, and then they could both go find it together. If there was any in this dry place.

He hadn't always been quiet.

The drought had impacted him like it did many others. The fall of his mother only worsening his mood. Lorcan was once a carefree, spirited thing, bounding around and encouraging others to play with him, but that was then, and this was now. He no longer felt the need to smile nor waste his energy sprinting around, simply wished to be alone all the time. Lorcan currently saw life as half empty, and he feared that this outlook wouldn't change anytime soon.

The familiar figure of his sister approaching made him shift, his body tensing up. It wasn't as if he didn't want to see her, he did, only he dreaded her questions. How tired he was of everybody's condolences and being constantly checked up on as if he were a wild card. He was fine. Why did everybody feel obligated to ask him how he was all the time? Why couldn't they understand that he just wanted to be left alone.

Yes, he slept fine. No, he didn't know how Atolos was doing. Yes, he himself was doing alright. No, he didn't want any company.

It was so tiring, so when Asenath approached, he was prepared to plaster on a smile and nod his head to any questions asked. However, when she simply spoke his name before dipping her head to nibble on the dry grass, his body ultimately relaxed. A soft, appreciative look appeared in his eyes, perhaps even the slightest of a smile directed towards his sister formed. Of course Asenath would know his mood. Of course she knew just what to say and do.

That was why Lorcan appreciated his sister. She knew when not to pester him and bombard him with questions, and for that, he was grateful for. He offered her no reply when she arrived, simply lowered his head next to hers and resumed nibbling the grass, that is, when Rastus arrived.

Twisting his nose into a look of revulsion, the young stallion raised his head, watching Anil's son compliment his sister with distaste. "Disgusting," was all Lorcan managed to comment before the other stallion sauntered off towards Cadhla and Sylph. He didn't mind Rastus too much, though the stallion was best tolerated in small doses.

Shaking his head, Lorcan finally found his voice, turning to Asenath. "Have you seen Atolo- Er, father?" He was used to speaking his father's name, especially to others within the herd. "I was thinking that I should check up on him," pausing, he shifted his weight, "I dunno.. do you think that it's a silly idea? To check up on him?" Asenath knew their father more, something that Lorcan wasn't proud of. It was almost criminal the way he spoke so little to his own father. He actually had to ask his sister for advice on how to speak to Atolos. He didn't even know how to approach him for goodness sakes!

That was why Lorcan needed to speak with his father. Maybe they could.. bond? Talk? Grow close? Being alone made Lorcan think. It was a stupid idea, really, but now that Sunna was gone, Atolos was the only parent left. If anything happened to him, Lorcan would feel awful about not having the guts to swallow his fear and approach him. He wanted the chance to maybe obtain a bond with his father, just like he had with his mother.

Losing his Sunn made him realize how little time there is. He lost one parent, but he still had one left. He needed to remember that.

The yellow grass beneath her made soft crunching noises as a result of the drought, it being a constant reminder of the lack of food and water. No matter where she went, the crunching would follow, as if taunting her. Crunch, crunch, crunch. It was intolerable half the time! How Cadhla missed the soft, cushion of grass beneath her hooves, and oh! The greenery! She didn't know just how much she missed that colour until it was replaced with dull browns and yellows.

She was grateful to be speaking with Sylph. It was a small distraction from what the herd was going through.

Bobbing her head in a nod, Cadhla agreed with her companion's words on how all could be doing better. There was no argument there. However, when asked how she was in return, she simply shook her head, offering a smile. "Doing as well as anyone, I suppose." She wouldn't burden Sylph with her intruding worries. Not when she was sure the entire herd had some of their very own.

A singular hoof slammed against the ground as they broke off into a conversation about the night, Cadhla's own eyes glowing with revulsion. "Sleep? I don't believe I know of such a thing. Not with those.. Heathens yipping about." It was a disturbing night, that much was known. "The sooner we leave this area, the better. I don't want to spend any longer near those vermin." She couldn't even bear to mention the foal, noticing Sylph doing the same.

Her tail lashed behind her bitterly as she gazed past the herd and towards the direction of where the sounds had come from during the night. It was when Sylph spoke again did Cadhla snap her gaze away, turning back to the smaller mare. Her ears raised slightly at the news. "I wonder where we'll be headed next.." Turning her head up to the sky as if expecting there to be storm clouds, she dropped her gaze with disappointment. What the land needed was a good rainstorm. They had needed it weeks ago.

"What we need are mountains." Pity she couldn't see any but some in the far, far distance. Much too far to venture off towards. "With their waterfalls and rivers, we'd have enough water for a lifetime." Releasing a sigh, she shook her head. "I bet we'll depart opposite of where the coyote's were last night, that's for certain. And we won't be returning to where we came from." Turning, Cadhla glanced at the remaining directions. "That leaves us with those remaining." Pointing her nose in each remaining direction, she shook her head once more, a common habit she picked up.

She would have pondered more about it had Anil's son not run up, complimenting her and Sylph. "Thank you, Rastus," was all Cadhla said, not one to be amused by comments such as those. Had they come from a stallion who didn't make it a personality trait to flirt with everyone, maybe then she could find some kindness within her. For now, however, she couldn't muster much up.

"Anyways, as I was saying.." Disliking being interrupted, she turned back to Sylph, "I take it we'll be headed in any of those directions. Perhaps follow the river? Head to the mountains after all? It could be anything." She felt rather guilty that she couldn't provide her friend with a proper answer, but hopefully it would be enough to strike up some hope.

The stallion stopped dead in his tacks.

Not from fear, not from danger being near, not from anger, but from something that Asenath had both said and done. Having registered what the clicking noise was, as the meaning of her comment towards him, Rastus had forgotten about all the other mares or finding his father, his utmost attention focusing upon the dark mare. Standing, the male gyrated, tail whipping behind him as he spun.

Having complimented her, he would have expected a kind thank you, or maybe a compliment back, but instead, he received a nip and a small comment. Now, if Rastus weren't a petty individual, nor one that didn't mind what others thought about him, he would have carried on, but instead, he began to retrace his steps, approaching Asenath once more.

This time, he kept his distance, not wanting her next nip to meet his skin.

"Distaste?" He quipped, stomping a singular hood in defense. "At least the son of a lieutenant doesn't raise his nose in disgust whenever a gesture of goodwill is offered. One would expect the daughter of the leads to at least show some kindness when complimented." Releasing a huff of agitation, Rastus paused, replaying his words in his mind before taking a singular step back. "The herd needs individuals such as myself to rule out the negative ones." It didn't take a genius to know who Rastus was referring to, given the way he was motioning to Asenath.

Asenath.

His words registered, as did the name of who he was speaking to in such a matter. Pausing, his look of annoyance vanished, replaced with one filled with.. Worry? Fear? Shock? "Well, you see, I.. worded that badly," he began, stumbling over his words. Anybody knew that arguing with Asenath was useless. She was able to shut them down swiftly. Rastus was a fool to think that he could win. "I didn't mean that you were negative." Pausing, Rastus had dropped anything he was going to say, instead, offering Asenath a small, gentle smile instead, taking another approach.

"Aw, Asenath, you know I'm only teasing when I say these things. I mean nothing by it. I'm just trying to lighten the mood during this.. given time." He spoke the truth, figuring it would be better than arguing. He knew that Asenath could be cold and venomous, and he didn't need an enemy. Not now. "You know how I am." He didn't apologize for his words, simply explained himself. He wouldn't apologize for being who he was. That didn't sit proper with him.

Since he was a foal, Rastus was one to be overly.. extroverted in a sense, hopping around and trying to lighten the mood. Many times it was considered annoying, but he never stopped. If he could manage to ease at least one individual's day, so be it.