Wonderment and....Stuff

[Dusty's Girl]

The sun, it was certainly hot. The air, it was certainly dry. The day was certainly long and water could be scented nearby. Delicate hooves struck the ground in the cadence of a trot, a gait used mostly with the black mare that was spotted. Her short ebon coat was gleaming in the light, slight traces of sweat gleamed off in the light. Her deep eyes cast about her, waiting and watching. A familiar scent filled her lungs, but something was not clicking too well in her mind. She knew that scent and something pulled her closer to this place. Her tail swished behind her as she slowed and looked around.

Her nostrils quivered slightly as she took in the scent again, her thick forelock brushing over her soulful eyes. She let a call fly from her muzzle, sending it racing over the land. Her skin shuddered slightly, sending flies scattering as she waited for an answer if any was to come her way. A movement. Hooves delicately carried the mare in a small circle and up onto her hind legs for a moment, small nickers flowing from her mouth. She was a Dream to behold and a Dream to speak of.

[bullseye14]

Patriot was bored. That much was obvious by how much he had eaten in the past few hours. And there he stood, eating yet more grass. His dark threads whipped at the occasional fly as he lazily moved across the ground, simply waiting. Never in his life had he been this inactive, this desperate for something, anything, to do. Firedancer and Nirvana were off searching for other mares and foals to spend time with and Joker certainly didn't need his protection. A heavy sigh forced itself past his velvet lips as he raised his head to look about his terra. Earlier, he had inspected every bit of it, but found nothing interesting. No tell tale sign of where Dream had gone. What had become of her, he wondered? What about her foal? Their foal? Had it been born yet?

The ebony stallion was in the middle of lowering his dark crown back to the green grass when he heard a call. His head flew up again and his ears fixed in the direction he thought the call had come from. The voice had sounded like a mare's... a mare he knew. But surely he had imagined it? Patriot had wandered away from the old grizzled mule, so he couldn't look to him to see what his reaction was. But that was such a clear call - surely a real horse was attached to it? Surely he was not dreaming.

And then the sound of several short nickers drifted across the air. They were very light, barely enough for Patriot to catch. But he was sure that he had heard them. Extending his legs in a spirited trot, the dark stallion trotted in the direction of the sounds, keeping his eyes peeled for any indication of another horse. Wait, what was that? A shadow - a trick of the light? No, it was an equine, he was sure of it; one with a pelt as dark as his own. Did he dare to hope? The Quarter Horse scented the air, hoping to catch the smell of the other equine, but the light wind was blowing up from behind him and chasing the scent away. So Patriot had to wait until he had grown close to the other horse to find a sure answer.

"Dream?" he whispered softly.

[Dusty's Girl]

Her head flew upright as she spotted her stallion. Her sides stuck out to behold the foal still safely tucked away. She was bred late and would therefore foal late. Her time was growing close, but not just yet. She had wondered away at the most unfortunate time, only to be chased by wolves and lost. It had taken her all this time to find her way back. But she was certainly glad to be home and she was ready to relax and drop their foal. She called back to Patriot, her nostrils fluttering softly. "Patriot? Is it really you? I'm not dreaming am I?" Her voice was uncertain as she hesitantly walked towards him, awaiting his reply. Her hooves sank into the ground under her massive weight.

She tossed her pretty head, letting her tail fly behind her as he came closer slowly. Her side shuddered, the foal kicking lively. Her nostrils quivered in anticipation as he drew closer, her eyes wide and her body shivering from delight.

[bullseye14]

Now that his eyes had finally adjusted to the dark in the shadows of the trees, Patriot could clearly discern the bulge of the mare's sides. So the foal had not touched the ground yet, but that was good news. He knew it was still tucked away safely, awaiting the time when it would frolic through Apple Alley under the watchful eyes of its sire and dam.

And now his focus moved to the black mare approaching him, her heavy footfalls echoing lightly around the forest. He could just make out the twinkle of her brown orbs. A slight sliver of moonlight shown down through the canopies of the trees surrounding them, giving a romantic feel to the place. How would Nirvana react to this "new" adult addition to the herd? She'd probably make some sort of bold comment about Dream's extra-bulging sides. A slight grin crossed his features as the thought came to his mind.

"A dream for my Dream?" he asked, ignoring the dorkiness of the question. "I would ask the same thing if I didn't feel the breeze blowing so clearly through my mane and the grass sitting so heavily in my stomach." It was true, the vast amount of grass was starting to get to him. He felt almost as bulged as Dream looked. But what did that matter at this moment? His herd seemed to be growing again, which was a good sign. 'Wait a moment,' he thought. 'We're missing someone...'

"But my dear, where is your father? Where's the noble grey knight, Parlos?"

(OOC: Kinda crummy, but oh well.)

[Dusty's Girl]

The moonlight reflected off of her body, her black hide shimmering near blue as she made her way to him. Her heart wanted to leap and sing with joy that she had returned to her lover, a true happy ending. With the exception for her father, Parlos. Her head hung slightly, sadness filling her soft eyes, "He has went back to the canyon...He never said if he would return or not. I have a feeling that it had to do with mother." Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper as she spoke of her dear sire.

She ambled to his side, her muzzle running over him lightly, as if she could not believe that he was truly standing in front of her. She lightly groomed his withers, paying special attention to move slowly and gently, a romantic gesture as well as out of purest love. "I have missed you so, I could not wait till the day that I returned to your side. My travels were long and hard with the foal, but my mind remained on you the whole time."

[Dusty's Girl]

In the darkness that was falling, she strode to Patriot's side. It would still be some time before she foaled, but she was feeling the foal moving inside of her. She lifted her muzzle slowly and rested in on his crest, nibbling softly and gently, pouring her love for the dark stallion out through her touch. Her tail slowly flicked behind her as she sidled up against him, nuzzling him softly. Her soft eyes were still almost attached to him as if he was the only thing that she could see. She had been gone for so long and there was nothing that could separate them now. Nothing but the final breath but that would never come for many years now.

[bullseye14]

Patriot's eyes remained fixed on Dream until the point that he slowly closed them and took a deep breath of the night air surrounding the two equines. The sweet scent of apple blossoms and flourishing grass combined as he inhaled deeply, making each of his muscles relax. The black stallion nibbled at his Dream's mane and crest, returning the affection shown to him as best he could. It was a pity that Parlos was gone, but he was a stallion - independent, wild and free. Thus, he had the right to do whatever he pleased and apparently wandering was his desire. For now, at least. Maybe later the stallion would return to settle down again? Now that his enemy had been thrown down? Only time would tell.

"You have not been gone all that long and yet it seems like it has been many a winter since I last saw my Dream," he commented dreamily. "You were not hurt by the wolves, I hope?" The black stallion gently nuzzle his velvet nose over Dream's back and bulging sides, checking for any sign of an injury.

(OOC: Not very good at "fluff", but at least I managed a post, right? So sorry I kept you waiting for so long, Dusty, my friend! Thanks for your patience!)

[Dusty's Girl]

{ooc: It is alright, I do not mind waiting and you know that. Plus I am writing a book as well and I know how it can be trying to get muse for both.}

Dream relaxed into the stallion's touch, her eyes slowly closing. "No, my love, I was not injured by the wolves. The foal and myself are just fine, in fact, we are perfect now that we have returned home to you." A gentle blow quivered her nostrils as she ran her muzzle along his back and hips, showing affection as only a mare could. Her tail slowly moved against her back legs, his muzzle tickling her back and sides. The foal was safe and sound and Dream was back home, where she belonged, where her heart resided. A part of her wished that her sire could be here, that he would returned from the cold wilderness to retire here in the Alley. But he was a stallion and stallions will do what they want.

She let her side rest against him slightly, her head lifting somewhat. "Do you think that I would let those wolves take me from you? It would take a herd of rampaging horses to rip me away from you. I promise to never leave your side again though..maybe to foal but never for too long anyways." Her voice was sincere as she spoke, a solemn vow that she would try like the dickens to not break.

[bullseye14]

(OOC: I'm glad that you're so understanding. I love writing, but sometimes I just push myself too hard and completely destroy my inspiration.)

Patriot heard her words, but continue to exam her back and flanks and belly and legs, looking for any sign of any kind of pain. But to his relief, he found none. Apparently the pregnant mare had been a fair match for the carnivores who had chased her away from him. He gave a short bob of his head as a way of showing his satisfaction and turned to face her again. "I am sorry that I was not around to protect you from the savage beasts. It is I, not you, that should make a promise. I've not been the stallion I once was recently and I regret it dearly. I allowed the loss of some of my mares to blind me to the blessings of the other ones. Please forgive me, my dear, for being so negligent. I promise to be a better leader and protector from here on out," he solemnly vowed.

(OOC: Another bland one, but oh well. Let me know when you are ready for us to summon Swede to the thread. We need to let FD and Dream interact and Dream needs to meet dear Nirvana.

[Dusty's Girl]

"You are a wonderful stallion though, so nice and sweet, and loving. You own my heart and you know it. Besides, just because a few stupid wolves got on my case does not mean that you are a bad stallion. And losses are devastating and can make one wonder what is going to happen in the future." She snorted softly, running her muzzle over his back lightly. Her tail flicked slightly as she shifted her weight to rest her left hind hoof. Her eyes drooped slightly as did her ears, she could finally relax with her stallion by her side. She was almost dying to reunite with Firedancer, but she needed this time alone for the moment with Patriot, though anytime to reunite with the fiery mare would be wonderful.

((ooc: Yea, its bland right now for me too...baby taking alot out of me. And we can move to an open thread whenever so we can summon Swede. Dream would be happy to see Firedancer again.))

[Swede]

ooc: Coming, coming!

The foal fields had been empty, devoid of any equine life other than themselves. But Nirvana had gotten a chance to run off some steam, and Firedancer had quelled a bit of the restlessness that constantly resided in her soul. Now they were returning home, tired of being alone. The little chocolate filly sprinted ahead, having napped in the meadows and thus fairly refreshed. She crested a hill, expertly dodging the apple trees (she had learned from her earlier mistake, luckily, or else some severe brain damage would have followed). But the sight she saw when reaching the top stopped her in her tracks. A stranger was standing down there, talking to her father! Of course she knew other horses existed, but she had only ever laid eyes on her parents, and that funny-looking one who was sleepy and boring. With a squeak, she spun around and raced back to Firedancer, who had preferred an easy lope.

The mare blinked as her daughter returned out of the blue. She looked, well, maybe not scared, per se, but genuinely nervous. "What is it?" asked Firedancer. She slowed to a halt, allowing Nirvana to catch her breath. The little filly glanced up, wide-eyed, and sputtered, "Mama, there's a- another horse down there!" The mare sighed. If there was a fight, they would have picked up the scent of blood or the sound of screaming stallions by now, so it was undoubtedly a friend. "Well then, let's go say hello, eh?" she said cheerfully, failing to hide the smile on her face as Nirvana looked utterly aghast. It was as though she had never heard of manners.

The bright chestnut mare picked up an energetic trot, peering ahead. She traversed the knoll that Nirvana had turned back from, narrowed her eyes slightly, then began to gallop pellmell downhill. "Dream!" she shouted joyfully, laughing. "Dream, is that you?" Nirvana paused on the hill, doubtful. The other horse looked suspicious to the arrogant foal, and she found her mother quite stupid for running forward like that. What if it was a trap? What if this stranger was a cannibalistic sort, with a special liking for little dark chestnut fillies?

Firedancer pranced about, looking the black mare over, while continually spouting phrases like, "Where did you go?" and "You wouldn't believe how happy I am to see you!" Quite abruptly, she broke off and gave a stern look at the cowardly foal on the crest. "Come here, you rude little monster, and say hello." Nirvana, horrified that her mother could humiliate her like that without a single hesitation, walked down slowly and sullenly. Firedancer pointedly ignored her impolite entrance and said grandly, "Nirvana, this is Dream. She is an old friend of mine, and she'll be staying here with us." She didn't consider the thought that her friend might want to go elsewhere; the chestnut would not give her a choice. She'd tie her down if necessary, even though hooves might prove that difficult. "And Dream, this is our nasty little daughter, Nirvana- the most misleading name a horse ever bore." She nudged the foal, who gave a grouchy "How d'you do." Looking up again, Nirvana decided that this Dream wasn't so dangerous looking. She was just a fat old mare, probably as dull as the rest of them, and was quite prepared to say so. Firedancer caught on in time and cleared her throat while bumping her daughter roughly. "Foals, eh? Ill-mannered little beasties. Pay no mind to anything she says or does," she said loudly and lightly, while passing Nirvana a warning glance.

Turning to Patriot, the brilliant copper horse commented, "You should have called us! You know I would have wanted to meet her as soon as she showed up. Well, I suppose you were caught up in reunion chatter. You're forgiven." Nirvana crept beneath Patriot's belly, sticking her tongue out at Firedancer's knees when the mare wasn't looking.

[Dusty's Girl]

(ooc: Posting order? BE, Dusty, swede? Sound ok?)

[Swede]

ooc: sounds fab. And be proud of me- I had what, 630 words going there? It was a sudden muse spurt that killed me for the rest of the day.

[Dusty's Girl]

ooc: LOL, thats awesome though! I loved the post and I love how Nirvana acts! Just like her mother!

[bullseye14]

Patriot, who had started to run out of loving things to utter was spared any embarassment by Firedancer and the obnoxious foal, Nirvana. The thudding of hooves was the first sign to alert the black stallion to their presence. He was so wrapped up in his joy at seeing Dream again, that all else had faded away for just a few minutes. That could have been dangerous if a predator had been in the vicinity; in this case, however, it led to a pleasant surprise.

The lead stallion stepped out of the mares' way so as to give Firedancer access to her best friend. A horse smile spread across his face as he watched the reunion. It was because of Firedancer that Dream had joined the herd in the first place. He owed her for that, for certain.

He listened cheerfully to the chestnut mare's chatter, even when she turned and light-heartedly chastised him. Yes, he should have called them. Especially given the dark sky above. Joy had blinded him to other priorities. All were safe and sound, though and life seemed to be returning to normal.

(OOC: Sorry, that was rather short....)

[Dusty's Girl]

Dream's ears perked up as she first caught sight of Firedancer, a joyous neigh racing from her body. Her friend! And she foaled. Such a lovely...brat...She snorted softly at the behavior of the foal, but shrugged slightly. Foals change, just like mares. "Firedancer, how I missed you! And it is a pleasure to meet you, Nirvana. I am sure that we will grow to like each other as your mother and I are best friends. And I am sure that my foal will enjoy your company when it finally sets hoof in the world." She turned to Firedancer and snorted softly, "I was chased by wolves, chased away from here. Parlos followed to make sure that I was safe, but then he returned to his canyon, saying that he would be back when he could be. Stallion business, you know." She gave a loving snort in Patriot's direction.

She shifted her weight, the foal kicking slightly. Long months still would hold this foal captive, but it would be a strong foal, perhaps a colt. She sighed softly, content to be back to her herd with her stallion and best friend. And a lovely foal...although she seemed a bit aloof. Her ears wiggled a bit in thought as she lifted her head and gazed towards the stars for a moment.

[bullseye14]

(OOC: Dusty, how do we want to handle this thread now that Swede is gone for a while? Should we just put it on hold until she gets back and take Patriot and Dream elsewhere? You can PM me if you want to discuss it or just leave a note here with your decision.

[Dusty's Girl]

ooc: We can move them elsewhere and place this on hold until she comes back if you wish, I do not mind at all. I just want to keep Dream active. But I do think that we should hold this no matter what since Swede will want to keep this up with Dream and Firedancer and Patriot and snobby Nirvana, LOL.

[bullseye14]

(OOC: Definitely put it on hold. I will certainly want to continue with Swede when she returns.
Note to BM: If you come to put this in the archives, please don't because we want to continue later. It may look inactive, but we aren't finished with it yet.
Now, for the new location. You want to choose or shall I?)

[Dusty's Girl]

OOc: You can choose, Dream will follow Patriot anywhere at this rate.

[bullseye14]

(OOC: Alrighty, I'll pick a place another time. Right now I have no inspiration to spare...)

[Dusty's Girl]

ooc: Sounds like me...ive been bugging my other charries and creating more chaos around here...its my job I think...also on EE and my own site...im sooo bad sometimes.

[Swede]

ooc: posting since I have some time, not back yet but hope to be soon.

Firedancer tossed her mane defiantly, eyes flashing. ''Wolves?'' she snorted. ''Well, I certianly hope you gave them a piece of your mind. Wolves, indeed. Nasty little marauders. A bit like dogs, though less cowardly.'' Nirvana pricked her ears at the mention of wolves, and took a tiny step out from under Patriot. Firedancer had warned her about the grey beasts, big toothy monsters that just loved to bite little fillies like her. The word had been used as a bedtime warning- 'Behave, or daddy'll send the wolves after you'-but Nirvana had never really believed it. Daddy was much too nice; he would never leave her for the monsters. This had given rise to fanciful ideas of wolves attacking everyone, and herself being the only one brave enough to fight them off. ''Did they try to eat you?'' she asked eagerly, completely forgetting her silent vow not to think anything of this stranger. ''I'm not afraid of wolves,'' she boasted, continuing on heedlessly, ''or bears, or foxes, or panthers, or anything! Oh no... in fact, they're all afraid of me!'' Firedancerswung her head around, flattening her ears. ''Nirvana... what have I told you about making up ridiculous lies? You were most certainly shaking when we heard those wildcats screaming near the fields, remember? I told you they were just fighting among themselves, and wouldn't come near us, but you weren't so brave then.'' The filly stuck her tongue out sullenly, and trotted behind Patriot, nose in the air. ''And don't walk off when I'm talking to you!'' her mother called. She did not receive an answer. The copper mare sighed and said to Dream, ''She is a proper monster. Don't know where she gets it from.'' She looked airily at Patriot, but he was too kind, too family-directed. Nirvana idolized her father- most of the time- but she was nothing like him.

[Swede]

ooc: ok I'm back now. And I lost nirvana to the adoption board, stole her back so no worries anymore, and raring to post.

[bullseye14]

Patriot glanced at Nirvana out of the corner of his eye when his ears detected her movement. She had merely stepped forward a bit, though her alert expression told him she was probably up to something. Not worried at the moment, her turned back to the adult horses of the group. A moment later, his attention was drawn back to her as she broke the momentary silence. Her words brought on a bout of chuckles. Were this a colt who would surely go looking for one of the creatures to attack, he would be concerned, but Patriot doubted little Nirvana would leave her mother's side in search of danger. But then again, maybe he should keep an even closer eye on her, just in case.

The mention of the wildcats concerned him a bit. Fighting amongst themselves could lead to more danger for the horses. If one was driven away and in need of nourishment... If only Parlos was there to help out. He snorted in frustration and nudged Nirvana gently. "Wildcats and wolves and bears aren't something to make light of. They can be extremely dangerous for adult horses, let alone a foal like yourself." His intent was only to keep her safe, though a filly of her age was likely to take the warning bad. However, to refrain from peeving Firedancer off, as he often seemed to do nowadays, and to be sure his little princess was safe, it was necessary.

(OOC: Blah. Your turn, Dusty!

[Dusty's Girl]

Dream shifted her weight. Talking about wolves and wildcats was starting to make her uncomfortable. She knew that her sire, Parlos, had just started coming back, but was he here? And if he was, would even he be able to protect them from those vile creatures. The foal inside of her kicked fiercely as she moved. It was autumn now and in two seasons, the foal would be born.

Her tail slowly swished behind her as she snorted softly. No, wolves and wildcats were nothing to poke fun at. In fact, she had seen enough of them to last her lifetime. Especially since one of their own was taken by a wildcat even here. She lowered her muzzle to the grasses and tore at them, raking a mouthful and chewing on it thoughtfully.

A call rang out from nearby, a stallion and a strong one at that. As hoofbeats drew nearer, a dappled grey stallion trotted into view. Though older and starting to age, Parlos showed no signs of distress or of being just too old. His joints had started to bother him and surely arthritis had something to say about the days. He let out another call, tossing his head. He had missed his herd, but he was back now. And back to be with his daughter and her stallion that he called friend.

[Swede]

Nirvana's eyes widened and she darted back under Patriot again, completely forget her mighty courage that she had so recently bragged about. Standing there peering between her father's knees, she watched the sturdy grey draw closer.

Firedancer's reaction was quite different. She had never really had a good heart to heart with Parlos, but liked him all the same. She answered his call, and pricked her ears happily. The family was growing back to its normal size again, and maybe Nirvana would learn some manners from those she showed more respect for. At least, she was respectful at the moment... but that could change quite rapidly.

''Parlos!'' she shouted. Then she turned to Patriot. ''And Dream. They are back, finally! Thank goodness life is going back to normal again.'' She bucked for joy, then sighed dreamily. ''I can picture it now... the herd the way it should be, Parlos being noble, you being handsome, Dream being, well, Dream, and our daughter driving us all to insanity. And me,'' she added as an afterthought.

ooc: stinks.