Grey Skys

[Captain Stumpy]

The clouds had remained dark for days, not raining but not allowing the sun to touch the soil either. The herd hadn't finished morning. The Lead mare and Stallion's youngest daughter had got caught in the violent storm and lost her life, half the herd had also been wounded by one thing or another during the chao's. Poppy was watching out quietly for the remainder of the herd. The oldest daughter has also got wounded badly in the storm, Africa had also recived a unpleasent wound. The youngsters were still shaken up, it was a unpleasent matter that still hadn't settled.

The grass was still torn and its stalks bent, Poppy grazed apparently unfazed by the mess, maybe it was because she'd spent years under the suffering of humans that nature couldn't phase her in its attempt at misery. "You?" The spotted mare called to her adopted son. You's head raised from were he looked like he'd been sleeping, Poppy new he was still moping. He'd not gone on any adventures since the storm. The Colt paused before getting to his hooves. He walked till he was beside Poppy. "Yes?" He whispered, his voise has since returned. "Why don't you and the others head down to the lowland lake?" She sugested. "Vesper's been to busy to check the entire territory, it would be helpful if you'd go down there and check its all in order" You didn't look impressed at the sugestion, causing Poppy to persist. "Take your friends Kenya and Bangal with you, I think they need the distraction too" She persisted. You rolled his eyes. Like he'd want to go anywere with Bengal, that wimp!

You walked away towards the south of the territory, Poppy saw him go in the wrong direction to collect his friends. "Take someone with you You" She whinnyed out at him, He looked over his shoulder at her the irritation clear in his face. He didn't need them to come along, "Kenya! Bengal!" Poppy shouted over the meadow, attracting their atention. "You's going to the Lowland Lake could you go with him?" You shook his head, now Poppy made it sound like he needed them, He stomped his hoof in temper. Forced to wait for there reply the colt kept his back on them, but his ears listened out for the voises.

[Swede]

Zahrah lay quietly in the grass. The wound across his face was scabbed over, and though she was not quite as dizzy when she walked, it still gave her a bit of a headache. Her hearing was slow in returning as well, and only the loudest noises stirred much of a reaction out of her. Initially she had been terrified by it, once her head cleared enough to understand the situation, but now she was mostly listless, lounging around in frustration and impatience as she waited for sound to return to her world- and also in secret nervous fear that it would never come back. But there was one thing which was worse, something which she had no hope of ever getting back, and that was her lost little sister.

Bengal lifted his head from the tattered grass as Poppy called to them. He had no desire to go spend quality time with that runt You, but if he backtalked against Poppy, then he'd just be causing trouble, and he supposed Vesper had enough trouble to deal with right now. It was difficult to be argumentative when one of the ones you usually argued with was gone forever. "Don't worry Poppy, we'll make sure he doesn't get in any trouble," he shouted back, obedient but unable to resist the urge to prod You's temper a little. He nudged Kenya's shoulder gruffly. "Come on, Kenya, let's go."

"I don't want to," she said bluntly, taking another aggressive bite of grass, "What's so great about the lake? I'm busy, I'm staying here." Bengal sighed. Kenya had always been a hot-tempered and stubborn filly, and now that she was getting older, she was morphing into a short-fused and irritable mare as well. After Medina's death and the traumatic events of the storm, she had become a downright nightmare to try to convince to do anything.

"Well, we have to," he answered impatiently. "I don't want to hang out with little You either, but we'll get in trouble if we don't. At least he likes you, so you two can chat and have fun. Unless you want Dad to yell at us?"

Kenya flattened her ears, but reluctantly stalked after Bengal when he began to walk just as reluctantly towards You. "Right, let's make this quick, take your bath or whatever you want to do so we can get back soon," he grumbled at the other colt.

Africa's vision was slowly returning as her eye healed. She had taken to grazing near Zahrah, keeping watch over the subdued young mare while her parents grieved the loss of their other daughter. She was worried about Kenya as well; the light bay two year old had become impossible to manage, and whenever Africa tried to ask why she was irritated or to comfort her, Kenya sharply rejected her and stormed off. Africa could only hope that her turbulent mood would settle in time.

Asia was at a bit of a loss as well. As Bengal grew older, he made it increasingly clear that he didn't need his mother anymore; he'd been particularly distant and studdish after the storm, grazing far away and ignoring her as much as possible. She didn't really get along well with the others in the herd, apart from Africa; but Africa was becoming more involved in the herd, doing her best to be friendly to the others and watching over Zahrah, and Asia was beginning to feel increasingly isolated.

[Captain Stumpy]

You shot Bengal dagger-eyes at his first comment. Poppy didn't notice the ulterior motive behind the words so just smiled at the maturing bay colt. "All I can smell is you" You snarled, though he still couldn't muster much more than a gruff whisper. He looked at Kenya, and lowered his eyes and temper, nothing seemed to make his friend any happier. Even being around her now seemed to be like walking on egg shells, saying anything wrong and she welt off like a bottle of pop. He shook his tail and continued ahead to remain in lead.

It wasn't a long trip, the lowlands were a little boggy. Once they arrived the first spot of rain fell, it was cold enough that it both rained and snowed at the same time. This your couldn't have gotten any worse. The lanky built colt then trod in the thickest mud then came inches from face-planting, stabilising himself just in the nick of time. He looked down at the mud which he could have been wearing a moment longer. "I'm sick of this" he grumbled from his throat. Turning round to look at the half siblings. "I'm Leaving, there isn't anything worth staying here for" his throat grumbled again. his ears flat. He wouldn't be able to inherit this land, and his youthful infatuation with Kenya had run its course.


Poppy Watched the young group leave, After that she walked over to Africa, hoping to start a conversation with the friendlier of the 2 Arab mares. "How is your eye Africa?" she said, lowering her head to take a sneaky bite of grass before the mare could answer.

[Swede]

Bengal snickered as You tripped and nearly bashed his face into the mud. It seemed that little accident was the last straw for the other colt, as You burst out that he was leaving the territory. "Going to take off, huh? Good riddance," Bengal snorted. "Almost wish I could see what happens to you, except that would mean I'd have to actually see your sorry hide... have fun, don't let the world chew you up too much."

Kenya flattened her ears. "Oh, shut up, Bengal," she snapped. "Good luck I guess, You, if you're really going to leave." Turning on her heel, she began walking back towards the herd, lashing her tail inirritation at the horrible weather. What a waste of an afternoon. Hopefully Poppy wouldn't freak out too much about You leaving... although Kenya wasn't really in the mood to tell her. Bengal could do that.

"It's much better now," Africa answered, "Should be good as new soon enough. Just needed some time to heal, that's all." She sighed, and added quietly, "I hope time is all that's needed for the rest of the herd... We do seem to be a sorry lot these days, I'm afraid.."

[○ Polaris ○]

Vesperanzo had elected to stray away from the herd for a while, back turned to his mares and children as he grazed. There was a small hollow space in his chest that Medina left behind when he stumbled across Titania and the filly's lifeless body in the storm. Since that fateful day the stallion had yet to be the same. He was a strong horse emotionally, always had been, but since finding his mare and creating a herd and new life he'd softened up considerably. Vesper winced at the thought of his lost daughter. His tail lashed about his legs.

Feeling a pang of loneliness that only his love could fill, he glanced around for any sign of Titania. He wondered how she was feeling, coping. Probably not too well considering his own state but wanted to check on her anyway. Spotting her form a fair distance away, the stallion walked over to her with his head kept low, ears forward.

"My love?" He called when he came near enough for her to hear, head lifting. "Are you up for company?" Asking after her well being would be stupid and probably irritate more than console the mare, so he opted for something else.

Vesper turned his attention to the rest of the herd but only for a moment, noticing that the young ones were having their normal spats and the other mares were going about their business. Despite his sadness, if they needed him he would be there. His duty as lead stallion did not stop for loss.

[Swede]

(ooc: welp guess I'll skip along with Titania then til stump gets around to posting)

Titania had never been taught about tragedy. She was a desert goddess, a worthy gift to any royal, and had been treated as such in her days among humans. Hardship was a word she had never heard before circumstances forced her into the wilderness. She had learned bitter lessons of cold, of hunger, of predators and violence and rejection. She had also learned of love, and acceptance, and that in lowering her so-called standards she could find happiness in unexpected places.

But loss was something she had never experienced, and she hardly knew how to feel about it. She had been so proud of Medina; her daughter had been perfect in every way, and reminded Titania so much of herself when she was young. Of course she loved Zahrah too, but Medina had such potential, such grace and poise, and an intelligent head on her shoulders. And then she had been nothing, barely distinguishable from the mud and debris in which she lay. Gone.

She glanced up at the sound of Vesper’s voice. “Of course, you are welcome to join me,” she said, a touch of weariness slipping into her otherwise perfectly composed tone. Titania remained silent as she waited for him to join her, lost in thoughts that went nowhere. Then she sighed, and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I don’t know what to do, Vesperanzo,” she murmured. “It is my duty to care for the herd, but my own daughter can hardly walk straight or hear me when I speak to her, and I cannot bring myself to care. I was so frightened, and I just ran… I should have turned to make sure the girls were still with me.” She closed her eyes, stifling the pressure that rose in her chest. A proper lady sheds no tears.

[○ Polaris ○]

If only time could be pushed back, and the stallion aware of the events to come, he would do so in a heartbeat if only to bring their daughter back. Nothing could be done, what happened, happened, and all they could do was try and cope with the loss in small steps. Vesper let out a quiet snort when she agreed to his company and stepped forward again, taking in her form.

Titania was always the image of beauty but he could see that she was weary. Drained. Even her voice, though it held poise, still lacked a small something that he could detect. His head wrapped around her neck as she nestled against him, eyes slipping shut.

"I..." His voice trailed away as she continued. The sadness in his eyes was evident but he did not allow himself to grieve outwardly. He'd done that on his own time, in private, so he could remain composed around his herd. "Please don't worry over the herd," he pleaded softly, nipping at her mane affectionately. "I will handle things. It's alright, really." Thinking on the storm and his own guilt, he sighed. "But...what's done is done. We were all afraid and responded in ways we probably shouldn't have."

That did not change the fact that their precious daughter was lost forever.

Vesper released his hold and nuzzled her cheek. "We'll get through this. We're strong. You're strong."

[Swede]

Titania swallowed, attempting to quell the dull sense of distress that ached in her body and mind. Vesperanzo was right, he was always right... the past couldn't be changed, no matter how much she wished it. "My strength derives from your presence," she murmured, leaning her muzzle against his cheek. "You know I was not meant for this... this life. But it is what it is. I do not think I could do it without you." She took a step away from him, straightening up her stance with steel resolve. She was a queen, the pride of the desert, and dissolving into a puddle of despair was not befitting one of her status. Medina's memory would be honored with more respect than that, even though it felt so much easier to shrink away into sadness.


Zahrah's loneliness eventually became unbearable; even company would be better than this, despite the recent events that had made interaction seem so painful. Her impaired hearing made it even more difficult, but all she could do was wait and hope that it would return. At least some sound was perceptible now; at first, not even a shout had gotten through, and that had been utterly terrifying. Sighing, she heaved herself up to her feet. Africa was sweet and had tended to her, but she was busy speaking with Poppy, and Zahrah was not so sure she really wanted to chat with either of them right now. Asia was even less appealing, and her younger siblings were just cranky and awful all the time. Turning her head to scan the surroundings, she spotted her parents in the distance. She was an adult now; but it would be nice to be a child again, to be able to seek comfort without question. She hesitated, but then shrugged and began walking forward morosely. Who cared, anyway.

Zahrah halted across from her father; her pause was only momentary, before she stepped towards him, curling her head tightly against his shoulder. She just wished everything would be normal again... the mares would be happy, her siblings would bicker like they used to instead of this new surly behavior, everything would be perfect again. The countryside was healing slowly, the grass regrowing to cover the gouges in the earth, but the herd felt like the tornado had picked it up and tossed everyone to separate corners of the earth, close in person and yet so distant from each other.