Home At Last

[fORTE]

((She is indeed.))

Xavier's response to her question spurned Hestia forward. Who better to forge a new path into the mysterious unknown than herself? She started forward eagerly and did not stop as she reminded herself to be wary of danger. At first the mare walked a ring around the meadow, keeping to the edge of the trees and keeping her ears pricked. Once she had made a complete circle and was convinced that nothing was going to ambush her she started moving toward the center. The slope of the hollow was at first imperceptible but it grew more sharp the closer she drew to the boulder, and the ground became noticeably more sodden. Now that she was closer to it Hestia could see that there was no clear edge to the pool of water surrounding the boulder; the ground simply became more and more water-logged. Further from the boulder the water was more muddy, but closer to it it was clear. Hestia continued forward. The fine silt felt wonderful on her feet that were aching from so much traveling, and she dipped her head to test the water. It had almost no taste and was not too cold. Next Hestia regarded the gigantic stone. At a closer look she could see that the stone itself was not smooth; in fact it was rather rough and would hurt if rubbed against too hard. But the contours of it were smooth.

This place was simple and welcoming in Hestia's eyes as she returned to Xavier's side, as yet oblivious to his lust. "I've decided," she announced. "I want to stay here."

[Kailolu]

Xavier felt the need to lunge after her and bring her delicate body against his. He took a step after her when she lurched forward and decided to explore by herself. Xavier swallowed and flicked his ears to and fro, listening intently. Surely there must be some kind of catch to this place. How could no one have been here before? Not even a dulled scent of a stallion or mare littered the meadow. The longer Hestia inched away from him, the deeper the desire he had to go after her. He couldn’t help himself if he thought about breeding her. It was pure instincts that no stallion could resist.

Hestia rounded and came back to him and Xavier held his breath. His auds perked toward her and he looked at her with anticipated eyes. He choked on the breath, “Stay here?” He asked suddenly. Did she mean stay in the Rebel Lands or stay in this particular spot? Xavier was incredibly stressed about Hestia being in season and right in front of him and being somewhere he hadn’t been before. He wasn’t much the kind that explored and discovered. He was more the kind let someone else do it and introduce it to him. He forced himself to breath and with it the tingling sensation grew more intense under his belly.

[fORTE]

"Yes, here," she repeated, turning more of her attention to the stallion. He seemed very tense, and Hestia couldn't understand why. Perhaps his new surroundings? But despite the clearing's queerness and mysteriousness it seemed welcoming and safe enough. Not a scent of predator--the cones from these evergreen trees would attract squirrels and mice but more likely than not no predator bigger than a fox or a wildcat would come around...unless there were other such clearings in the forest. In that case there might be deer which would attract wolves, big cats, bears...but that wasn't sure.

"Are you alright?" she asked, stretching her neck out to breathe in the scent of his own and to comfort him.

((She's so scatterbrained! lol.))

[Kailolu]

Xavier gulped quietly when she announced she wanted to stay here, in this exact spot. This wasn’t what he wanted at all. This isn’t what he had expected. He was in charge and he was the one to pick the spots. But…he may as well let her have her way. After all, if he wanted to breed her, it is best to let her take control for a little then he could have his way. Then he could take charge again.

He took in a deep breath, Hestia seemed oblivious of the situation. Every time he looked at her the lust in his eyes grew stronger. He really really wanted her. Really bad. He forced a smile, “I’m fine. Just a little light headed is all.” That was true. Her self protruding perfume was making him dizzy with anticipation. He was trying his hardest not to show it, and he thought he was doing a good job. She didn’t act like she knew what he wanted, and that was probably the best for now. Xavier nodded his head and bumped her muzzle with his. He took a small step toward her and reached out to nuzzle her neck. He slowly made his way closer, watching her warily. He stopped, shoulder to shoulder and did the only thing he could do. He started to gently groom her back, softly giving her tender nips. He was trying to warm her up or at least try and get her to figure out what was going on.

Xavier couldn’t just up and tell her. That would hurt his pride somehow. He stopped for a second and thought. Shouldn’t she be able to smell it? It was strong enough to make him dizzy, why couldn’t she realize he was just being a stallion. And…as some stallions do, they’ll pursue a mare until she allows him to breed her. This may not be the case, but if it came to it, he’d try everything and anything. He wanted her to be attracted to him, as much as she attracted him. She was gorgeous, and would most likely produce a fantastic, strong colt or a beautiful little girl. If push comes to shove, Xavier would probably end up blurting it out.

[fORTE]

She smiled at him. "Good." At least he wasn't objecting to her decision to stay; she wouldn't have known what to do if he had. Hestia was in his territory, even though he was apparently quite unfamiliar with it since he hadn't even been to this part of it before, and territory boundaries were one of the few things she unwaveringly respected. They had been her salvation each time she had encountered major trouble in the past. She supposed she would have had to leave if he had refused to let her stay, for there was no way her pride wouldn't have gotten in the way. She wouldn't settle for less now that she had seen this place. Luckily that wasn't the case.

The birds continued to sing as Xavier began to groom her, and Hestia closed her eyes with pleasure for a moment before starting to return the gesture.

It was only a few moments before her nose caught a particularly strong wave of her own scent, and her head went up, she startled a few steps away from the stallion. "Oh..." Now she understood. She had forgotten. The last time she had come into heat her stallion had been more interested in another mare. That seemed so long ago. "Right." The mare didn't know what to say, but she had to say something. "I don't...know...if I want...." Averting her eyes and turning her ears back, Hestia couldn't couldn't go on. Her mind worked furiously but got no where.

It wasn't like she didn't want a foal; she didn't care either way. An image of her mother squealing angrily at her sprang vividly into her mind, and Hestia shuddered.

[Kailolu]

Xavier’s auds perked when Hestia stepped away from him. He looked at her, his auds perked forward with curiosity. Had he done something? He gave a gentle smile at her when she started to speak. Xavier would simply make once attempt and if she refused, he’d really have no option then to leave her alone, despite his urges. When she looked away Xavier put his ears back. He couldn’t help himself and he stepped toward her, touching her muzzle lightly with his. He was breathing quietly, blowing his scent into her nostrils. He wanted to comfort her right now. Perhaps she had a bad past with breeding. He had no clue. Maybe she had never been bred before and she was scared. Xavier had dealt with that before, and he knew how. But something about Hestia made him want to try something different.

“It’s okay.” He said softly, his eyes warm. He looked into her eyes, smiling with his own. “If you really don’t want a foal, I won’t give you one.” He hadn’t meant that in a bad way, but in a kind way. If she really didn’t want him to breed her, he wouldn’t. "But if you do..." He left the suggestion standing. Sure he’d threatened to force breed mares in the past, but he couldn’t really bring himself to it. He couldn’t bring himself to hurt a mare either. Even if he hated her, Xavier had the deep urge to protect every mare he could find. He was a confusing stallion to some, but his intentions were mostly good.

[fORTE]

The mare breathed a sigh of relief as Xavier agreed to wait, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart. True she had not had to endure it for very long at all, but all the same. She returned to her stallion's side, thanking him wordlessly as she drew alongside him and leaned against him slightly. "I'll have to think about it," she said at length. Usually Hestia quickly warmed up to ideas such as this that were presented to her by someone else, only having to think about them for a day or less before accepting them as something she wouldn't mind doing or even wanted to do. Such as leaving her herd. The same thing had happened with that two years ago.

Xavier had turned out to be much kinder than she had first expected when she had found out he was a rebel. Rebels were supposed to be cruel and controlling of their mares, but Xavier seemed to just be a big softy. Not in a bad way, though; Hestia felt sure he could and would protect her should the need arise. Strong and gentle. Certainly far from the worst father a stallion could be. She began again to nibble his withers as she turned this over in her mind. She doubted she would find any other stallion so well suited to protecting his family.

Before long the mare started thinking in circles and, frustrated with her own indecisiveness, she suddenly stepped away from him. "I want to explore for a while more," she told him. This seemed prudent. Though she knew there was a practically endless sea of grass just beyond the trees she wanted to be sure...Oh. Hestia had forgotten about the plain not far off. It would support many deer, which would shelter in this forest and draw large predators. She was suddenly seized by an intense fear, the adrenaline-inducing kind she had felt a few times before. The dim forest now seemed to be full of green flashing eyes and silent paws. But the question remained of why they hadn't encountered such predators yet. Perhaps there wasn't enough water? At this thought the mare's nervous quivers began to subside. That made sense. Animals needed water. Too little water, too few deer, just the right number of predators.

All the same Hestia now saw it as luck that they hadn't encountered danger yet. The smart thing she believed would be to stay put and be quiet until they could be sure they were safe. "Nevermind," she said quickly. "Tell me about yourself. You haven't told me much yet."

[Kailolu]

Xavier touched her neck with his muzzle when she leaned on him. He blew out a soft breath in response to her answer. It was good enough for him. After all, the season was still new and would be lasting for quite some time. She could warm up to him within the next few days, and then he would begin to court her. Hopefully, he thought while she chewed softly at him, she’ll let me. Xavier chewed suddenly, grinding his teeth as he looked around, his proud head raised high. He looked into the forest, and his skin flinched when Hestia stepped away.

He looked at her, and then looked past her. He didn’t see anything but forest, and he looked behind him as well. What did he do? Xavier rolled his eyes mentally and flicked his ear when she spoke. He gave an inward shrug and stepped behind her, ready for her to lead him around. It would be interesting to see what else was here, and he was curious. Though if he were to explore thoroughly, he’d want Hestia to stay somewhere safe, incase something were to happen.

A breath escaped his lung when the mare changed her mind. Great. She wanted a story from him. Let’s see…I was raised in hell, I have an insane twin, I don’t know what to do with myself at the moment? Well that was a boring story. He wasn’t about to lie to her to make himself seem so heroic. Sure he’d gotten many horses out of tough, frightening situations, and most turned to him at a time of panic. That wasn’t very interesting though…

“Well, my homeland is like a living hell.” Oh great, a perfect way to start your like story, moron, he insulted himself mentally. “I pray you don’t ever see it. My twin brother was exiled and I went after him, but he refused me and I had no choice but to go back. I stayed with my mother for a while but left and came here in search of my younger brother. This was their land when I came. Now I’m not sure where they are…” He trailed off and let his ears fall back. He didn’t know where they were. If they were alive or dead. They were really the only family he had left, and most days he’d give anything to see them again.

“We were here for a short time but returned to out homeland for a few months. And well…here I am.” That sounded horrible. He pretty much just told her how he got here, but not much about himself. What was there to say after all? He hadn’t had a very exciting life.

[fORTE]

Hestia had the same thought as Xavier. That doesn't tell me who you are, though, she thought at him, but said nothing. After all, what would she have told him had he asked her about herself? Her history, of course. "No, no," he would say. "Tell me about you." She would be at a loss where to start. "I see," was all she said, quietly. Then, at length, "You must miss them. I have many brothers and sisters. Most are half-siblings though, of course. None of us were ever particularly close to each other. I don't miss them."

Suddenly Hestia realized that she was exhausted. Too much travelling and not enough sleeping had left her footsore and fatigued, but the excitement of being in a new place had taken her mind off it. "I think I'll rest a while," she said, taking a few steps away from the stallion and sinking to the ground. It was soft due to the moisture but the grass protected her from getting wet, and it took next to no time at all for her to fall asleep.

[Kailolu]

Xavier turned away and walked a few steps, hanging his head. He breathed deeply, still drunk form Hestia's scent. He praised himself for keeping control this whole time. Zorro would probably have a panic attack and not know what to do and Adarth... Yeah. Xavier's muzzle touched the ground, and he chewed on his teeth. He turned his head slightly, dragging his maw along the dirt. Hestia was asleep, and he couldn't help but smile.

He turned back and started to graze quietly, straying even further from his sleeping companion. He thought about what she said as he pulled at the grass. She had half siblings. Xavier had those too, but he never met any of them. The only other sibling he knew of, and met, was his little sister. But she had passed on a while ago. Worn down by the violence shown to her daily. Her weak, small body couldn't take it and she just...died. Xaiver tugged fiercly at the grass, thinking about how much he hated his father. It was all his fault that his sister was dead. Xavier loved his sister. She couldn't harm a butterfly, she never said a cruel word to anyone, and she could smile in the worst situations.

Stopping, Xavier finished what was in his mouth and he took in a deep breath until he couldn't suck in any more air. He held it and let it out with a snort. He turne broadside to Hestia and shifted his weight onto three legs, lifting his hind right leg to let it rest. His head leveled out with his back and he sighed heavily. The sun was nice and warm. The sound of Hestia breathing quietly was somehow comforting. He couldn't help himself, and he too started to drift.

[fORTE]

Hestia dreamed. Usually her dreams didn't make any sense at all, as if her brain were just spewing nonsense, but this time it was different. She dreamed she had a foal; it was very young and was a small, lovely thing that was as healthy as could be, galloping on ungainly, awkward legs and taking a tumble every once in a while. It was high summer and she and the foal were in a meadow--not Hestia's meadow with the boulder, but a larger one where the sun shone brightly and wildflowers waved in a gentle breeze that carried butterflies along overhead.

It was a very convincing dream, and when Hestia began to come out of her sleep she was convinced she had to do whatever it took to make it a reality. She gave a half-nicker, half-squeal as she lurched to her feet, still half asleep, and looked around through barely-open eyes for the stallion.

[Kailolu]

Xavier looked around, trying to see. He had been asleep too long, and he knew this because it was dark out. The only way he could see was the brightness of the moon, giving him the chance to find a safe spot to spend the rest of the night. Xavier turned to walk but he stopped suddenly. Where was Hestia? The brute’s eyes darted over and he looked to where she was laying, and there was nothing. Xavier started to panic as he tried to catch her scent, but was horrified to smell only his own. What happened? Where was she? Xavier started to gallop around, whinnying desperately for his mare to answer him. The grass became suddenly thick, and soon he started to sink as he ran. Was he in mud? He looked down and choked on his own breath. The ground was disappearing. Xavier let a panicked cry as he thrashed around to try and find solid ground. The next thing he knew, he was falling. Xavier threw his head, shrieking and pawing at the air. Down down down he fell, and there seemed to be no end.

Xavier stopped moving and closed his eyes, trying to force himself to wake. He knew something like this was impossible. He had to be dreaming. The air rushing around him suddenly stopped. Xavier opened his eyes, but immediately shut them again. The sun was so bright it was blinding. When he was able to get his eyes opened, he looked at his surroundings. He was in the middle of a…desert? Xavier swallowed, his throat dry. What kind of dream was this? It didn’t make sense. Turning his head, Xavier examined the area. He looked to the left, there was nothing. He looked to the right and let out a sudden breath of relief. Hestia was standing not too far away, and Xavier quickly trotted to her. He reached out to touch her, but suddenly she squealed and kicked at him, running back. Xavier was at a loss for words. What was she doing?

Xavier blinked and he was flying through the air, the next second his body crashing to the ground. The stallion stood up in shock, looking for his attacker. A black brute stood looking at him, guarding Hestia. Xavier tried to speak, but nothing came out. “Xavier, let’s go. Please.” Hestia’s voice was angelic, soft and flowing. Xavier was about to follow her, but the black brute in front of him joined her instead. His jaw pretty much dropped as he watched the two walk away. What the hell is happening? He watched the two walk, when suddenly the brute lurched over and attacked the mare. She shrieked, and Xavier opened his eyes.

The stallion took in a loud breath, feeling as if he had been holding it. He looked around in a panic. He was standing where he had fallen asleep. His dark brown eyes locked on the body that was standing and swaying slightly with sleep. Xavier took a deep breath and for some reason he shuddered. His neck was hot, a light sweat had flicked across him. Xavier shook himself physically and mentally and started toward Hestia. Reaching out, he touched her muzzle gently, seeing her eyes half closed.

[fORTE]

"Xavier, Xavier," Hestia said quietly, her vision becoming clearer and the stallion becoming more recognizable as she continued to wake up. She stood--she felt much better after her long sleep: her feet didn't hurt nearly so much and her energy seemed to have largely returned to her. She looked around to figure out how long she had been asleep--the forest around her was much dimmer and in many places golden light fell on the trunks of the trees. It was evening--soon it would be dusk, the time most predators are active. This thought sent a shiver up the mare's spine. She was still apprehensive about spending the night in a strange place, but she was determined to be brave and claim this stake of land for her own. For now, at least, it was still light enough.

Hestia turned back to Xavier after only a moment of contemplation of these things. "I had a dream, Xavier," she told him, her voice intense. "It was nice. It was summer, I had a foal and it was safe and I was safe. It convinced me. You can give me a foal, Xavier," she finished confidently. Her dream, although it would soon fade away, still stood out vividly in her mind's eye and what she had said was true: It had been the dream that had convinced her she wanted a foal. Hestia was in her prime now, it was an ideal time to start bearing young. Both she and Xavier would be preserved in one beautiful body--she wondered what their foal would look like, what its name would be, what would become of it. Her genes would be passed down long after her death--Hestia would live forever through her descendants.

[Kailolu]

Xavier looked at her in surprise, but smiled. “All it took was a dream?” He asked quietly, adding in a playful tone to let her know he didn’t disapprove of it. Xavier looked away from her, at the sky. It was getting dark, but they still had some time. If she wanted him to do it now, he’d be more then willing, but at the same time he understood if she wanted to wait till tomorrow. But…he almost jumped behind her with excitement. He nosed at rump and looked at her, his eyes questioning. He took a step back from her, not wanting her to kick, but asking permission to begin.

Hestia’s thoughts were contagious, as Xavier caught them quickly. What kind of foal would she produce? Hopefully a healthy one that would be brought up with a semi normal life. There was no such thing as normal in the Rebel Lands, but you could get close. Xavier pondered the thought and nibbled on her tail softly. His ears twitched as he thought of some complications coming up during the birth. What if it was a stillborn, or it got stuck? Xavier hadn’t witnessed that as a father, but then again, he hasn’t experienced anything as a parent. His heart sped up with anticipation at having his first. Foal, it was a shock to him, but he liked the feeling. He didn’t have children that he was aware of, so you could say this is his first known foal.

[fORTE]

Hestia wasn't yet thinking about the birth itself. That was such a long way away, and the sense of security she had woken up with was still with her. Nothing could go wrong to her foal. She watched him make his way behind her, and she gave a small to convey her consent. The sooner they mated the sooner she would have her baby, the sooner she would feel more fulfilled. And perhaps she would have to find a place like the meadow in her dream, although anywhere similar would be good. Safe, warm, comfortable.