The young mare had made a decision to come back closer to the herd even though she wasn't in the best of moods. She'd have to deal with being within the herd so she might as well get back before her father said anything. After all she didn't want to cause him anymore stress than necessary. That's when she noticed something was off, something in her gut told her something was wrong and that's when she heard the venomous words that Biscotti spoke. She frowned, usually she'd keep her cool in this matter but how dare that bitch mutter such words about their mother. She was relieved when Adela came and ushered her brother away.

Thats when the young chestnut mare flared her nostrils and made her way to the mare that was older by a year and gave a disgusted expression on her face. She didn't care that Inessa had went to get the Deputy, she was about to say what she wanted to this mare and didn't care how she got in trouble with her father or Yvaine, Biscotti had crossed the line. No one should sink that low even in times of annoyance or distress.

"I'm pretty sure it was the juvenile nonsense that him and Reima have had going on since foalhood, mind you. So if anything him attempting to engage in witty combat with your daughter is a good thing, but I'm assuming you can't take insults well?" And she narrowed her eyes sharply as she looked down at the mare, " You need to mind your tongue Biscotti because you're sure looking like a real bitch." And she leaned in and whispered in her ear venomously, "and if you think insulting the son of the Lead Stallion and his former mate will get you on the good graces of my father, think again you little pitiful creature, you'll never be Lead Mare and if you do then you're delusional."

"What do you think they're on about?" Cadhla, who had been a small distance away, had espied the gathering of a few individuals in the herd. Beside her, Nasima had returned, picking away at a dried leaf. "Hm?" Asked the white mare, not lifting her gaze. "Look," replied Cadhla, motioning to what seemed to be Reima and her mother along with Lorcan and his small family. "What do you think happened now?" She continued, narrowing her gaze in attempt to get a better look. "Who knows. Is Biscotti there?" Replied Nasima, to which Cadhla nodded. "Well, then there's your answer as to what happened." Both mares snorted before resuming whatever they were doing before pausing.

It was Nasima who raised her head this time to inspect the scene. "Should we..?" -- "Perhaps we should. I don't see Yvaine anywhere, simply Lorcan and Morrigan and I believe Adela." The two mares stood for a moment, exchanging looks. Knowing Biscotti, something was most likely said. What about? She wasn't sure, but not many nice things escaped that mare's mouth. She had a tendency to speak whatever was on her mind, something Nasima typically admired in others, though not in Biscotti.

"Well, hurry then, before anything happens," muttered Nasima, already beginning to break off into a walk, forcing Cadhla to wobble on behind her. "My dear, I am twice my size, I can't hurry up," snapped Cadhla, in response, teeth clicking the air with annoyance. "I'm going as fast as my body allows me to. Apologies for carrying life." Continuing, she continued to hiss and snap the entire way. By the time they reached the group, Nasima's poor ears were glued to her head, eyes staring at the complaining Cadhla until words were spoken.

"How dare you speak of my mother in such a crude and defaming nature."

Nasima entered the group first, staring at Biscotti. Had she insulted Sunna? Such a low move seemed astonishing, even for a mare such as her. However, she wasn't entirely surprised. It was expected. "What has happened here?" She asked her once Morrigan had finished speaking, though from what she heard, she believed that she could piece the story together. "This is truly saddening to see," she sighed. "We're in the midst of a severe drought with no food or water, and this is how we try to remain positive? By insults?" She was speaking to everyone, however, mainly Biscotti. "And you," she spoke, turning to the younger mare herself, "we do not speak ill of the dead here. Sunna did everything for the herd that you seek refuge in, and this is how you repay her? By speaking poorly about her and her son? Both sides are in the wrong, but it doesn't dismiss such behavior from you. You're the older one, take responsibility."

Nasima made it clear that both Lorcan and Biscotti were in the wrong, however, Biscotti being the older one should have taken things up more professionally. It was clear in how she delivered her words, with intensity and sternness that showed how seriously she found the topic. Opening her mouth to speak once more, Nasima was forced to clamp it shut upon the approaching Cadhla, who wobbled her way towards Lorcan. "My dear, are you alright?!" She could hardly break out into a run due to her enlarged stomach, and her walk resembled that of a chicken's, yet Cadhla still arrived rather quickly. Eerily quickly. Seeing Adela, the mare allowed her worried gaze to deflate as she broke out into a walk alongside of her. "Do fill me in, Adela," she began, before turning to Lorcan, "you poor, poor boy." Her words quieted upon the approach of Yvaine, Cadhla's attention remaining upon Adela and Lorcan while Nasima stayed near Yvaine and Biscotti, nodding her head to the deputy mare's words.

Reima

Filly // Yearling // Mentions: Biscotti, Lorcan, Morrigan (dir), basically everyone now (ind)

Reima's bit of peace was cut short by her mother nipping at her forelocks. She picked up the leg that was targetted in response, turning her hindquarters to further get out of the reach of her mother. I only take after you. She wanted to say but knew that'd only get another weird place on her body bitten. She wasn't the reserved type, but hell, she knew when to hold her tongue when it came to her mother. Well, sometimes. Reima made sure to keep a little distance from Biscotti's hip, just in case she did decide to punish Reima a bit more.

A small chuckle could only escape the filly as she dipped her head down to graze once more, munching on the tasteless, brittle grass beneath her. If her mom told her to eat, she was going to eat. Hell, she will be the fattest horse in the herd by the end of today, mark her words. Thats it. It's a competition with the rest of the herd- yes. Nobody shall have a bigger belly than Reima today. Reima started to eat more aggressively, plucking the grass with such passion only found when she felt as though she was in a competition. It seemed to help because the taste didn't really bother her anymore. Perhaps it was the fact that her tastebuds had become numb to the abuse they were given.

No one shall stop me- well speak of the devil. Reima picked her head up to the noise of hooves being dragged across the dead fields. Lorcan you little shit. Reima spotted the green grass in his mouth. Ah, there he was. It didn't take long for him to brag about the green patch he found, did it? Was he really going to munch that glorious bunch right in front of her? Had Reima just mistaken his sadness for a plan that was dwelling in his simple mind? No, she's overthinking it. Lorcan could never process being one step ahead of Reima. It's simply out of his level of intelligence.

Reima found herself already making a face at him as he neared, his posture remaining the same as the distance closed between them. "It's about time you decided that being a drag wasn't as fun as losing to me," Reima rolled her eyes, speaking before Lorcan could even get a word out. But, to her surprise, he dropped the grass. Eh? Was this some game he was playing? Reima perked her ears instead of keeping them in a lazy pin, one she often held whenever addressing Lorcan. Her eyes drifted down to the green grass that had fallen atop the colorless ground, then back up to Lorcan. It was obvious she was confused; as it's Reima; her expressions say it all. Where's his snide remark? She was prepared for one but instead was met by the grass's history.

So that's what they were doing. Fiddling with the last bits of green grass in the whole valley. Reima lifted a brow to his words. 'Better than nothing'. No way. Lorcan, giving away his rations to Reima and her mom? It must be poison. It's the only explanation. Or maybe his mother's death really did knock him in the head. Reima lowered her head to the grass, eyeing her mom as she was given the O K to eat it. If it was poison, she would make sure to first have someone else kill her, then kill Lorcan with her bare hooves. He wouldn't get the last laugh in this.

Before she could take a little nibble of its fresh greeness, she heard the words. Try not to choke. A sneer formed on her face, there's the little bastard. "Oh, somebody is definitely going to choke," Reima picked up her head, but Lorcan was already walking away. A huff escaped her, but it wasn't the usual exhausted one. It felt normal to get back at Lorcan. Like before all of this crap had happened. Reima dipped her head back to the grass, refusing to eat the last bits.

"The rest is for yo-" Reima was cut off by Biscotti, who seemed to take a nastier side to Lorcan's comment than her. Oh no. She wanted to tell Biscotti to lower her voice, but she couldn't find the right words to address her mom. Plus she'd probably get a swift kick to the rump if she tried to tell her what to do. Once Biscotti had said what she said, Reima knew it was too late. Wasn't that a little harsh for such a small comment Lorcan made? At least he was getting back to normal, but now her mom probably brought back all the wrong memories.

She couldn't deny it, her mom was the queen at finding just the right thing to say; it's just the timing couldn't have been worse. Everybody was upset, hungry, and brash, and it wasn't like Biscotti whispered these venomous words. All Reima could do was watch as the words hit Lorcan, she couldn't think of any comeback. Usually, she'd agree wholeheartedly with her mom, but the fact that Lorcan went out of his way to give them the grass shows that he was reflecting on his mother. Plus, Sunna wasn't that bad... well she definitely didn't exactly like Reima, but at least she never reprimanded her with a nip like all the other mares. I mean sure, she was a drag for trying to convince Lorcan not to banter with Reima, but she wasn't horrible.

' I thought she at least had some sense in that head of hers to at least raise one foal right if not all.'

Reima's lips tightened as she immediately made eye contact with Morrigan. Is she getting closer or is it just the sun in my eyes? Well, Biscotti was right in one thing. Morrigan was nowhere near right in the head, she's a spitfire that satan kicked out of hell, for sure. Reima was about to get pummeled if she wasn't careful, now. She looked toward Biscotti, who seemed to almost bite at Lorcan, but restrained herself. Phew. So we're not dead yet. The first to arrive was his aunt, Adela, ushering him away from the scene. N-now hold on, I'm a victim here too right? Please take me. That is what Reima wanted to say but bit back the words. She watched as another one of the mares ran toward the deputy; Yvaine. Ohhh shit. We're fucked, for sure. She could practically hear the deputy's words. 'How dare you, blasphemous, bla bla, etcetera etcetera,'

Wasn't it a bit drastic to actually run over to the deputy mare? One harsh phrase was said and now everybody's running toward the higher-ups, complaining that their feelings were hurt. That's when the red devil arrived. Here it comes, the first wave of hate that they'll receive today. To her surprise, Morrigan didn't even bat an eye at Reima. Instead, she went straight for Biscotti's throat, which is basically a direct attack at Reima. She immediately pinned her ears to the back of her temple, letting Morrigan's words infuriate her. She'll have to think twice about calling Biscotti a bitch. Which she could be at times, but saying it to her face?

Reima ground her teeth before speaking, not daring to put herself between Biscotti and Morrigan, as she knew Biscotti would probably run her over to get to Morrigan. "You're just proving her right at this point, you know?" Reima let out a scoff, not willing to rise to the same level of irritation as Morrigan. "If you don't want her to get so worked up about words, you should take a note from yourself," Reima said bluntly, but it was obvious that she was upset due to her stiffened stature. Before Morrigan finished, she let a threat fly. Oh hell no. Morrigan may be bigger, but Reima would be damned if she let her get away with such words.

"You're acting like a flustered foal, Morrigan. You should really consider shutting the fuck up before taking out your tantrums on those who are obviously restraining themselves. Biscotti could've reprimanded Lorcan but she didn't. It's not her fault that he came up to us." Reima spat out, saying what she could to rile up Morrigan. The more she gave into the idea that Sunna's children were unbridled, the more she dug her own grave. Either way, Reima wins. Morrigan whispered something to Biscotti, which Reima couldn't really understand, but she just decided to let Biscotti deal with that. She had done enough, plus, the deputy was coming and she didn't want to deal with her bland ass. She snorted as Yvaine approached, basically saying the same thing as the rest of them; just in a boring manner.

Reima distanced herself between them, backing up a bit before looking for Lorcan. She felt trumped in this scenario and wanted to just be near someone who was equally helpless in this situation.

Where's the yellow bastard when you want him.

Oh, there he was. Being smothered by his aunt and the overly pregnant mare. Reima immediately looked to find the small black stallion, who was simply resting with a cocked hoof by a dark patch in the riverbed. "Really, dad? Not going to step in like the rest of them?" Reima snorted, her voice was low and somewhat muttered, but one could hear it. Wouldn't expect any less. Reima tore her eyes off of him, watching as another mare joined in on the conversing. Like moths to a flame.

Osin

Mare | 3 Years 2 Months | Herd Mare | Mentions: Mares (ind.) Yearlings (ind.)

Watching as the events unfold, Osin was standing quietly over by the fallen log. Earlier, she saw Baldr and Larcon around it, and just before Biscotti had started up a fuss, the herd mare saw that one of the yearlings had a green mouthful of grass. Yes. Green. Granted the yearlings had found it, and they needed it more than her, she couldn't pass up at least a small little nibble. It would only be a nibble-

Shifting her body, her front end pointed towards all the commotion, and her back end away from it all, the mare held her head down low, her lips scowering the ground, taking small little bits of the grass, and savoring every blade. Osin could see where the yearlings had plucked mouthfuls of grass, 3 or 4 small little circular patches of green grass were evident. Well, if you looked into the shade they were. The grass was growing more healthy than the rest of it, because it was being shielded by the sun for about 12 or so hours, and it was all because of the fallen log. And for that, Osin was thankful. No, it wasn't like the lush, delightful grass the herd once ate, but it was certainly better than the rest of this revolting crap.

Osin wanted to bud in on the argument, however, she could notice the Deputy rolling in, as long with other mares, all surrounding a few yearlings and eachother.

It seemed kind of pointless to bicker and argue during such a time, while at their most vulnerable and weakest. At the same time, she understood it a little bit. A lot of the herd mares here wouldn't back down to a simple insult or walk away ignoring it all. Most of them were fighters, those who would bite and kick back. It is good that they would stand their ground, however, at the same time, some of them didn't know when to back down. And by the looks of it, it would have just been better if they all ignored it entirely, and it would be over. Then again- this matter included Sunna.

The mare didn't know Sunna very well, she said her occasional "hellos" and "hi's" but they never really talked to one another or attempt to get to know eachother. But, Osin knew how loved she was by her family, and she was an inspiring mare, sometimes she wished she had gotten to know the mare more, and she regrets every time she walked by the mare and said nothing but a simple greeting. But the past is in the past.. and there was nothing she could do about it now. Maybe though- maybe she'd try to get to know some of the other horses in the herd a little more.

Before she realized it, after thinking to herself for so long, she glanced down to see she had eaten more than half of the green grass, and Osin winced, and groaned quietly to herself.

"Woops-"