a new year

[fORTE]

Sping had come, finally. In fact it had arrived several weeks ago, and during that time Cathedral had sheltered near the lake at the edge of his territory. His first winter in his new territory had been harsh, and looking back it had been his ignorance of the severeness of winters on the mountain that had caused him to choose to shelter at such a high altitude. They had been stuck there once winter had really gotten underway. But now Cath knew better, and he and his one mare had gotten by alright; shelter had been always readily available in the form of a small cave, and there being so few of them in the herd there had been enough grass to go around, but not much extra. This had been troubling at first. If he wanted to grow his herd he would have to find somewhere that there would be more food. But in the early spring when the thaw was just beginning he had led Bella down the slope, all the way across his territory to where he knew there was a lake. It was much further down the mountain and already bare gray patches had begun to form on its pebbled shore.

He had eagerly explored widely around the lake, and found another cave in the imposing cliff near it. It was large and labyrinthine; he had almost gotten lost in it once when he had tried to explore it, and after that he had never gone so far into the cave as to lose sight of That seemed to solve both the problem of food and shelter in winter. There was much more grass near the lake than on the steep shale slopes further west.

Now it was late spring, early morning. All the flowering trees were in bloom and the sun shone light gold on Cath as he grazed serenely near the lake.

Breeding season had already begun. Many young ones would be leaving the herds of their birth around this time, so now would be a good time to go search for them, but Cath would put his own Bella before them all. He would not search for new mares until he had bred her, and he would not do so until she agreed to, if she even wanted a foal this year. He wanted to take his life slow. He wanted all of his mares to feel cherished, and if his very first mare needed all his attention for that then he would give it to her until she was no longer in doubt of his gratefulness for her company.

Cathedral heard a scream above him, and he looked up. An eagle of some kind flew over him. It meant nothing but it caused him to notice how bright and cloudless the sky was. It was already upwards of 50 degrees. It seemed that this day was going to be one of the hotter ones he had seen so far this year.

[Kailolu]

Bella was bathing in the sun, letting her black pelt soak in the light. She was breathing deeply and slowly, her eyes closed. She loved this place. She Truly did. Everything here was beautiful and peaceful, yet it seemed lonely. She felt alone. The dark mare opened her eyes and searched. She raised her head slowly, and she smiled. She watched Cathedral grazing quietly along side the lake. With a flick of her tail, Bella made her way toward him, snatching a bite of grass as she walked. Her auds perked forward and she bowed her head to him as she neared. She stopped next to him and touching his neck softly with her muzzle. Bella smiled and turned to look at the lake.

“It’s beautiful,” She whispered. It was true, the lake was gorgeous. It was a still sheet of glass, untouched, unmoving. It was an eerie beauty, and she drank in the sight. Bella shook her head slowly and lowered it, nibbling on the grass and stepping toward the water. She almost didn’t want to touch it, fearing that she would shatter it’s beauty. But she hadn’t been the one to break the mirror. A fish leapt from the murky depths, taking a gasping moment in the air. The wake was small, and Bella watched it ripple across the surface. She could stare at this lake in particular for hours. It was incredible.

[racechick]

Instant Romance

Here she was, in his land, after she had been nothing but rude to him; Though he had alienated her when he paid little attention to the threat before him, the mare that had escaped, or was freed by, the two-legged. Pallid garnet fae snorted heavily, it took everything in her mass to do this, but she was here to apologize and to ask for a herd. Stepping through solid, proud timbers of oak and red wood, rounded ivory plates marked hoof prints in the emerald grove around the lake, a smile curving on her plush kissers. She had to admit, he did possess a lovely terra, large enough for a good sized her and flourishing with food and protection from the elements. Soldiers swiveled, listening for the enemy, if there was one here, narrow airways devouring each scent within the land. Cath's was one of them, the other belonged to a mare, the lead she assumed by the heavy conveyance that lingered with her aroma.

A low whinny emitted her chest, boa craned and deep amber pools gazing at Cath. He hadn't changed much at all, motley and a sleek silver, though his muscle toned had condensed in his haunches and shoulders. Letting her pools wander curiously, she spotted the mare, a small charcoal thing; pretty too. Romance halted her pillars, not wanting to intrude anymore than she already had, waiting for Cath to approach her; So she could offer her apology, if he accepted it, and possibly ask to join his herd.

[fORTE]

Cathedral raised his head and watched his mare approach with kind eyes. He stretched his nose toward her to receive her, breathing in her scent which he had come to know well in the months she had lived with him, and turned also to look at the lake. It almost perfectly reflected the light-blue sky and evergreen forest on the far side of the lake. "I agree," he said quietly. The far shore was steeper than the one on this side, and even overhung the water a bit in some placed. The water there was the most still, since the stream that fed the lake entered on this side. Lily pads grew in the shade of the evergreens and already at night Cath heard many frogs in that area, so he knew they, and the insects they fed on, bred in great numbers in the lake during the warmer months. He often liked to walk quietly in that direction until there were many frogs around, when he would stamp and they would all simultaneously jump into the water. It never failed to make him smile

But now it was too early for frogs to be out and about. He lowered his head to continue to graze, taking only mild interest in the fish. Earlier many of them had been doing the same, one after another, some of them even leaping clear out of the water. To impress each other maybe? Cath supposed that their breeding season was starting, too.

Suddenly he sensed he was being watched, and raised his head uneasily, listening and looking for whatever it was. Predators were quite common in this area; the rabbits and deer that converged in the summer attracted them. Cougars were the worst, and wolves came around rarely, but so far he and Bella had been lucky not to have met any.

He needn't have worried; in moments he spotted a horse a few hundred meters away at the edge of the forest, her red coat standing out against dark green. All the same he snorted to make sure Bella knew about it. A memory came to him: a red roan mare circling a larger black one, cruel words spilling from her mouth, but at this distance he couldn't be sure if this newcomer was the same horse as that.

Well, there was nothing for it but to go see what it was the horse wanted. He nickered to Bella "Come with me if you wish" and began to trot toward the red horse, using the same gradual-slowing-down approach as he always did.

Now that he was closer he could see that she was indeed the mare he had met before, and as he had before he reached out his muzzle to greet her. His eyes were less welcoming now, though. He was wary of having her around after what he had seen a few months ago.

"If my memory serves me right," Cath began, his voice neither cold nor kind, "your name is Instant Romance, correct?"

[Kailolu]

Bella turned her head sharply at Cathedral’s snort. Her eyes caught sight of a horse in the distance and she shifted uneasily. Was it a stallion here to challenge for the territory? The scent reached her, and she relaxed somewhat. It was a mare, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t want a fight. After all, mares and stallions could fight just as fair. Bella’s auds swiveled and she listened to Cathedral and she gave a short nod. The black mare stretched her legs, coming at a smooth trot behind the dappled stallion. The two neared the mare and Bella stopped a yard behind Cathedral, wary of the situation.

She turned her graceful head and watched the mare carefully as her stallion began to speak. She looked at him curiously. He knew her? Well perhaps she was a friend of his and was in need of a place to stay. With a gentle snort, Bella stood quietly, not wanting to interrupt.

[racechick]

Instant Romance

Watching him converge in her direction had butterflies whirling in her gut, she knew instantly that he would remember her, dropping her crown and releasing a low sigh. His words weren't charming and enticing as they had been when they first met, they were emotionless. "Quite a memory." She commented, sending her gaze upward to meet his. Was she really going to apologize? She had been protecting herself, but she had also been impolite and barbaric about it, did that make her wrong? Her settled her self argument quickly, paring her velveteens to speak, "I'm sorry for the way I... Handled the situation in the meeting grounds. I overreacted when it wasn't necessary." A relived sigh pressed through her nares, the tight chested feeling she had when she arrived dispersed.

Suddenly she noticed the little black fae, offering her a delicate grin, then gazing back to Cath. She waited mostly for his approval, raising her crania level with her wither, but knew that he might reject her. She steadied herself, swallowing and breathing deeply, ready for his answer.

OOC- Srry it's so short... My muse ran away... =((

[fORTE]

Cathedral lowered his head slightly as Instant Romance did, puzzled. Something was obviously bothering her, and her distress blew away any hard feelings toward her that had remained in his heart. He touched his muzzle to her forelock softly in an attempt to comfort her. When finally the mare spoke Cath was a bit surprised at her words. She had shown no signs of remorse for her action when she had departed from the meeting with he and the other mare. He hesitated before replying. "I accept your apology...although I don't think I'm the one to whom you should be giving it. Shattered was quite upset about the way you treated her. She declined my offer of a home for fear you would come to find me here." That had been a most disappointing trip to the meeting grounds for Cathedral. Alienating one mare for the sake of another, only to frighten off her as well. But at least he had had Bella to return home to.

[Kailolu]

Bella noticed the strange mare smile and she returned the smile. She listened quietly, piecing together what had happened in her mind. This roan mare had acted so rudely to…Shattered? Bella thought she heard the name right. The stranger had been so rude that it frightened the mare to the point where she didn’t want to come with Cathedral. Bella raised her head, blood boiling, watching the mare carefully. Such rudeness was a shock to her, and she didn’t like it. Bella prized manners, and to hear of such actions to dispel one from a home appalled her. In her mind, she saw no reason to treat someone like that, whether they deserved it or not.

Then again, Bella always gave everyone a chance. Even if she heard about a past that made her shudder with anger or fear. Perhaps the mare wasn’t like that all the time. Maybe she had a horrible past that made her act the way she did. Maybe she had a past with Shattered? Bella’s mind was racing as she tried to figure out the cause of her actions.

[racechick]

Instant Romance

His globes seemed to soften, his muzzle gentle at the head of the spilled ivory paint that streamed down her face, a sigh of relieve creasing her plush kissers. No sooner than she feel relieved, she felt new remorse. Shattered did deserve an apology, but where was as? Nodding her pomegranate colored crania, she would have to find her, "I'm sorry for that, and I will settle things with Shattered." Her voice was sincere, optics wandering from Cath to the charcoal fae. She looked outrage and shocked, great another obstacle to over come, something she'd heard must have upset her. Romance let another breath exit her diaphragm, twisting her bow so his muzzle left her crown, "I should go." Turning on slender hocks, strawberry fae stepped into a depressed almost lifeless trot, muzzle inches from the earth as she moved.

She had to have closure with Shattered before she even dared asked Cath for a place to stay, unless he insisted otherwise, though she wasn't sure he would. His lead didn't look pleased with her, and no stallion would purposely upset their lead so that they may have another herd member, ruby cranial cavity shaking violently as she made her way toward the meeting grounds. Romance had a feeling she wouldn't be coming back here to stay, if she returned, only to escort Shattered if she could find her...

[fORTE]

Again the stallion hesitated as the roan mare turned and began to depart. He understood the importance of closure and didn't want to delay her from finding it, but his natural instincts were kicking in and shouting at him not to let another mare go, especially one whom he had had to the good fortune to win back after angering. The least he could do is make her feel welcome. He nickered her name loudly in an attempt to stop her, then began to trot after her. He caught up quickly, drawing alongside her. "Romance," he said, deciding to be honest, "I understand your desire to make up with Shattered. It's a good thing that you feel that way. But you have been travelling quite far to get here, and you must be tired. My offer of a herd and a home still stands. If you will accept it you may live here for as long as you wish; you can make yourself at home for a few days. After that we can both go look for Shattered: I'm sure we'll have more luck finding her together than just you." Cathedral hoped that Bella would not object to Romance staying in their home. He had sensed her ill feelings toward the roan mare but Romance seemed to have changed, and he hoped that the two mares could work around and eventually overcome this bad first impression.

[Kailolu]

Bella wasn’t sure what to do. She watched the roan mare turn to walk, and she nearly lurched out to follow her. She didn’t feel like herself, proper, if she let the mare leave. And she felt a little guilty somehow, knowing that she had a home and this horse was about to leave without one. She was about to make after the mare and offer for her to stay with Cathedral’s permission, but he intercepted her and moved instead. Not knowing what to do again, the black mare stayed put. Should she go after them?

An irritated sigh escaped her lips, and it was directed at her conscious. It told her to do one thing then switched around to tell her to do another. She shut it out completely and started to walk broadside to the two horses. A smile slipped onto her black muzzle as she heard Cathedral’s offer for a home and to find this Shattered mare. She kept a respectable distance from the two, waiting for the roan mare to either accept her stallion’s offer, or decline it.

[racechick]

Instant Romance

Garnet pillars halted, mass motionless, soldiers falling off their front lines to catch the brute's voice caught in the breeze. A small smile tugged at the sides of her maw, quickly disappearing as Cath came along her ruby barrel, "Thank you Cath." Craning her boa, she nuzzled his motley shoulder. "I would be honored to live here with you two." She replied, alert auds catching the beat of hooves nearing them before all was silent. Spinning around, the weight of her bodice rolling over slender pasterns, crania dropping flush with his wither as she converged toward the ebony fae. "Hello, my name is Instant Romance." She introduced herself quickly, nodding her crown to the vixen.

She hadn't noticed the throbbing in her columns or the hungry rumbles in her gut till now, kissers aching to rip sweet grass from the Earth's scalp her stomach a covetous beast ready to receive it . She would wait till the lead mare responded, not wanting her first impression to be a bad one.

OOC- Srry guys, i'm exhausted

[Kailolu]

Bella came closer after hearing the mare’s response. He kept her head high, offering the mare a warm smile as she did so. “Welcome to our home, Romance.” Bella said, her tone presenting nothing but kindness to the roan mare. “My name is Bella. I do hope that you enjoy it here.” Somehow, Bella could see herself and Romance becoming acquaintances in the near or distant future. After all, she had been somewhat judgmental when Romance arrived. Sure, in the past Romance had acted harshly toward someone else and seemed to have little respect, but the past is the past. Bella, Cathedral or Romance couldn’t change it. What’s done is done, and she might as well accept that fact.

[fORTE]

Cathedral smiled as Bella responded kindly to Romance, signifying the roan mare's acceptance into the herd. "Excellent," he beamed, immediately becoming eager to show off his territory to his new mare. He still knew she was tired, though, so he contented himself simply to describe the various details of his home to her. "This whole place is on a slope--obviously, since it's on the side of a mountain. The western part is nearer the summit and at a higher elevation. At the most western part of the territory is a cliff that you can get to the top of with no small effort. There's a cave there where Bella and I spent winter before discovering this place. This lake is on the territory's easternmost border and is at the lowest elevation. About halfway between here and there is a large meadow that's full of wildflowers in spring. And over there"--he flicked his tail and nodded toward a tall gray cliff that loomed over them about a half a mile away--"is another cave where we stay now, that's bigger than the other one. Pretty much everywhere else is forest." The stallion chuckled as he finished his description of his land. He had sure lucked out in finding it. "You may rest for as long as you wish."