Waiting for her Romeo

[Kailolu]

Juliette

Juliette was confident. She walked, head high, into the strange new lands. At the moment, her coat was full and long. She wished she could nestle deeper into her winter coat. It was cold, very cold and with this mid day breeze, it gave her sudden chills. She could feel the warm blood flowing through her body, trying to keep her from stiffing up and freezing. Juliette kept walking, puffing out warm breaths of air and taking in chilling new ones. She wasn’t going to stop, a minor fear of not being able to move again. Juliette lifted her head and took in another ice filled breath, letting it sit in her lungs. When she finally exhaled, a break in the clouds opened above her. The sun greeted her warmly and she soaked in the light.

It was only now she stood still, her head lifting, her eyes closing. The winter sun felt good. It felt really good, a break from the coldness. Her little moment of pleasure didn’t last long, because the clouds greedily swallowed the ball of fire once more. Juliette opened her eyes and blinked sadly. It would be a shame. She started to walk again and she thought. It was a shame to not be able to see the sun as much. She’d have to wait months before the warmth would melt the new coming snow and bring back life. Juliette admired and respected each and every being on the planet. Whether it be a plant or bug, she valued it greatly. She was one of those mares that pays attention to details and tries to let others see the beautiful world they seem to miss.

Despite the instinctive urge to let out a long mournful whinny, letting someone out there know she was here, she remained quiet. If someone were truly going to find her, she’d let it be on his or her own accord. She smiled inwardly as she walked, lowering her head ever so slightly. She paused once more when something cold brushed past her smooth cheek. She turned and looked and took in a pleasing breath. It was snowing. Juliette loved the snow, it was just gorgeous. She wished it could snow all the time…just not be as cold or deadly. Well, she continued to walk, not flashing her body and flaunting childishly like some of the other Arabian mares she had seen. She was above that, and she honestly didn’t like those mares all that much. Though, despite that, she would gladly be friends with them. Juliette kept walking, listening, and watching for a sign of life other then herself.

[jock]

OOC: I've stuck with the winter theme despite it being Summer, if that's alright.

WHISKY

The icy claws belonging to the winter wind scraped down a solitary stallion's thighs. A few minor shards of snow skimmed past his eye; but rather quickly the white curtain, known as his eyelid, would roll over his eyeball and bat the foreign molecules away. Despite having his eyes shut, the part paint horse began to canter forward moderately. There was no point in opening his eyes, for he would just have to shut them again in these wintry conditions. After a few minutes however, the sharp winds subsided and the horse was able to open his eyes and see where he had ended up. It was quite a diminutive territory, but it was full of the necessities. This place seemed abundant with trees too, which provided the perfect cover from the waves of storms.

Just as the stallion was about to go and pick out the biggest tree to shelter beneath, the golden winter sun poked its head out of the clouds. Each ochre ray lapped quickly at the snowy terrain and eventually revealed some hoof prints in the snow. The ivory and beige paint mix stood for quite some time, scanning the hoof prints intently. He familiarized himself with them just in time, because soon the sun was smothered in veils of water vapor. Squinting his eyes once more and trudging through the once again dense environment, the paint was determined the find the owner of these prints.

After what felt like eternity, the stallion sheltered under a tree and waited for the blade filled winds to die down. Gradually, it did, and in the distance a dark beige figure came into view. It was large, perhaps smaller than him, but still large. It evidently stood on four limbs like him -- and yes! It had hooves. Certainly, this was the horse that left them littered upon the winter blanket. The stallion's lips began to pull at the sides and eventually he smiled, all of this trudging in the harsh conditions had paid off. Whether this horse was male or female, friendly or unfriendly, the stallion advanced and began to close the distance. Just as he did so, molecules of what looked like feathers began to cascade from the sky. They descended onto his flank ever so elegantly and gently. For a moment, he was almost distracted by the snow, but soon he refocused himself on the horse ahead of him.

"Hello?" The simple, lone word slipped out; rather like water.

[Kailolu]

Juliette

Despite the burning desire to have a companion to rub against to stay warm, Juliette stood alone. Easily could she have marched into a stallion, or mares, territory and asked for a place to stay for the winter. But that was their home, and if she had wandered so carelessly into it, she would be intruding. A home was a place to feel comfortable and safe, a secure, strong place that one could not have to worry about tomorrow. None would feel that comfort should she walk in on them. The first feeling would to be hostile, or so the bay mare thought, hostile and protective of their home, against all strangers. She gave a shudder at the thought of being rejected so harshly, and started to walk, letting the thought slide easily from her mind as she did so.. There were better things to think of anyway.

Juliette’s chest clenched and she huffed out a cloud of visible breath. Her dark tawny eyes followed the stream of air. She followed it with her head, and it vanished from view against the snow. With her gaze focusing in front of her, she was surprised to see a horse walking in her direction. Her ears twitched back then forward, curious of the stranger. At the tone of the voice that melted the silent barrier in her ear, it was obvious it was a stallion. Juliette tilted her head down in a simple bow, her eyes focused on the painted horse. Raising her crania, she spoke up, “Hello.” Her tone was gentle and friendly, offering friendship. A flake of white skimmed past her eye and she glanced up, noticing it was still snowing. Just slightly though, and her inner thoughts begged the sky not to shed more frozen tears. The snowflakes that collected onto Juliette’s mane and back didn’t bother her, and she made no move to remove them. “My name is Juliette; it’s a pleasure meeting you…sir.” She trailed off, not knowing his name.

A surge of heat crackled like fire inside her chest and up her neck. If she could blush, her face would be red. It was an embarrassment that she stopped speaking, and then called him ‘sir’. She wasn’t sure why it embarrassed her, but she was just trying to be courteous. He was bigger then her, and a stallion, and to avoid getting into any kind of fight she wanted to show respect to the stranger. She did want to know his name though.

[jock]

WHISKY

The snow felt so soft, and not only did it resemble the appearance of a feather, but also the touch of one. On a rare occasion, a flake of snow would sway its way, to and fro, onto one of his ears. At which point he would twitch his ear in order to remove it. He did so rather mindlessly, for his attention was consumed by this unfamiliar horse. The stallion hadn't seen another horse in days throughout the harsh weather. Perhaps this stranger was in the same situation as he was. There was no telling; but at least he knew it wasn't hostile. The words that responded to what he had said sounded so classy, yet at the same time lax. Even towards the end, when she had paused and replaced what would have been his name with sir.

The paint horse's substantial nostrils flared, and two steamy clouds of carbon dioxide began to ascend until they vanished into the ivory, clouded sky. After exhaling, he gradually inhaled, blink rather slowly, then maneuvered his heavy mandible to speak. "It's a pleasure to meet you, too, Juliette. My name is Whisky." He had never actually given out his name with so much ease, it usually took him some getting used to a stranger before giving them any details, but his response just came out with so much ease and it only seemed polite. The stallion opened his mouth once more, but was immediately distracted as he no longed felt the fluffy touch of the snow. Was it easing up? To be honest, he hoped so, because despite it being soft and fun to kick around, it always brought a cold atmosphere with it.

"At last," Whisky chuckled, keeping the conversation alive. "So, Juliette, if you don't mind me asking; what're you doing in these parts?" The pair had only just met, and Whisky wasn't one that would just dive into information, but he felt extremely comfortable around her already. Whilst awaiting her reply patiently, he began to kick at some of the snow enveloping the umbrage on the ground. He repeated the process of swinging his hoof, back and forth, until finally a few strands of bent, frosty grass were revealed.

[Kailolu]

Juliette

The flare of warmth still bubbled under her skin, but at the mention of his name, it was like a bucket of water to the fire. Whisky, what a strange unique name, Juliette thought, giving a smile at the idea. She saw him falter, as if to speak but he had stopped. Juliette’s eyes scanned the area quickly. Had he seen something? Clueless to what it could have been, her ears stood erect as he spoke once more. What was she doing here? Juliette chewed at her teeth, pondering the question.

Why was she here? Without a direct answer, or a deliberate reason for being here, Juliette didn’t answer immediately. A warm barrier of comfort fell around her; he dug at the snow to reveal pathetic looking blades of cold grass. If plants could talk, they’d be bowing in respect, having been unburied from their frozen foe. “Company.” She finally answered, “I haven’t been here long. I sought to find someone who could be my first friend in this strange place. It’s quite lonely.”

What Juliette said was true. She didn’t like to be alone, but if no other option was available… besides, if she had found another companion, being another mare, they could find a home together. Should the opportunity arise that a stallion only wanted one, Juliette would have prompted her newly found friend to go. She’d rather find someone else a home then take one for herself. Her hind leg tingled and she lifted it, setting her weight onto her other legs. The feeling of having a limb go numb was irritably, the sharp feeling of needles somewhat painful. Juliette offered a smile before she spoke, “What about you, sir Whisky? What brings to here? If I have the place to ask.” Juliette couldn’t help add the last part. It wasn’t necessary, but it was, in a way, true. If somewhere in their meeting, if she hadn’t seen it, he established dominance as a stallion, perhaps he didn’t want her asking questions. It was only fair.

[jock]

WHISKY

Indeed, the pasture in which he had released from its snowy prison was quite a pathetic selection. Not even worth being grazed and devoured on by a herbivore such as himself. Then again, come Spring, this patch of grass would be part of a magnificent meadow. Abruptly, he was mesmerized no more by the grass, for her rather ambrosial tone of voice had sounded once more. Company? There was no surprise there, after all, that's what he had came here for too. "Indeed, it's quite a lonely and secluded area when compared to territories with herds in... Not to mention, this snow doesn't help with finding others either."

Whisky's head slowly descended towards the patch of meek grass. He pulled back his lips, then tore the laces from their roots and began chewing on them absent-mindednly, his eyes half shut with sheer comfort and relaxation. Just as he had thought it would be, the grass was slightly dry and wasn't as sweet as the grass in Spring. When he swallowed, a large lump was created in his throat, and it didn't go down easy. He swallowed just in time though, for the mare had once more just began speaking again and had even asked him a question.

"For a start," Whisky began, returning the warm smile, "you have the 'place'. Secondly, I'm here for roughly the same reason, company, and also a none-frozen water source. It seems most of the small water holes I drink from have frozen over night. It's not a big problem though, with ease I could smash the ice, but I think that would be a last resort." The stallion lifted one of his hooves, then swung it forward and kicked the snow again, covering up what was left of the pathetic strands of grass. Whether he was their savior or not, they would just have to wait until the snow thawed and Spring was in its height, because then they'd at least taste sweeter.

"Anyway, if I have the place to ask, Juliette, why don't you have a herd? You seem like a fine mare, I can't see why a stallion wouldn't want you to be in his harem. Besides, you would always find company in a herd." Although seeing if he had the place to ask parted ways with his mouth in quite a humorous tone, it was also a serious and polite question, just as she had asked.

[Kailolu]

Juliette

So he was here for companionship as well. Not exactly to make a companion, just to meet others and explore the range of horses that littered Horse Mountain. And about water. She hadn’t thought of that much, but as it came to mind, it dried her throat. Water that didn’t sting her throat and lungs would be fantastic, but it would take longer for that to happen. The snow has settled in quite nicely, and it didn’t look as if it were going anywhere anytime soon.

Juliette’s eyes closed halfway, she smiled again and chuckled lightly, “I’d rather let someone else have a home then I. My mother brought be up to put others before myself, so I haven’t spent much time considering finding myself a herd.” Once again, she spoke the truth. In the past she had met a mare, sharing the same breed as herself. They only spoke a little, and it was as if Juliette blinked and she was gone. The bay mare found herself alone again, until today.

“And you? Have you any kind of harem to return to before nightfall?” Who knows, before he came along, he could have staked out land and already have mares. Coming for company could be because he was overwhelmed with so many things happening in such a short time. Or, he was herdless, like her, and was simply out to begin life anew. There were many possibilities, but Juliette’s curiosity probed her conscious to ask.

[jock]

WHISKY

Such a generous mare Juliette was. Then again, it wasn't hard to see why she was so considerate seeing as her mother sounded very honorable and charitable as well. "It sounds as if your mother was a very gracious horse, with wonderful mothering skills." Whisky sometimes sounded old for his age, but in fact, considering horses lived up to their twenties, he was still rather young. Speaking of age, he wondered how old this mare was. He made sure to keep the question in mind, since as of now it was her that was asking a question.

Him? Have a herd of his own? Only recently had Whisky calmed down and finally became the sensible leader he was today. If he had a herd, back when he was just out to fight, he would have lead it straight into the ground. The files of his history he was digging up also bared the pain of an unforgiving scar situated upon his face. One of his eyes scanned the beauty of this female ahead of him, whereas the other sat in cold darkness, unable to bask in the winter glory nor this mare's charm. He opened his mouth after inhaling, then let it gape for a moment or two while he ran his reply through his head, over and over again. Finally, he put his larynx to use and spoke after the delay. "If I had a harem of my own, they'd all have left me, or died by now." Deep down, Whisky was very serious, but he was only being honest with himself. His tone towards her however, sounded a lot more cheery and comical.

"I used to be an obnoxious brawler," he continued, his tone dulling down a bit, "but after an accident that opened my eyes," Whisky paused here. She may not have understood it, since it was quite an inside joke, but he had made quite a good pun, "to see all of my mistakes," he continued, "I haven't really fought in a few months. I wouldn't have considered a herd back then, but if I had, I probably would have endangered the lives of those around me... I'm drifting off a bit, I'm sorry to drop the 'bomb' of my life onto you. I don't have a herd, I guess I haven't considered having one in quite some time." The stallion finally concluded, feeling a slight bit foolish for just spewing out half of his history after one simple question.

His tail swayed, to and fro, removing the last molecules of snow that had managed to stay upon him. It suddenly fell quiet and the paint horse felt some awkwardness filling the atmosphere. So that it wouldn't become a noticeable awkwardness, Whisky immediately broke the silence and began to talk more casually. "So, Juliette, if you really don't mind me asking, since it's really none of my business... How old might you be?"

[Kailolu]

Juliette

Juliette’s ears shifted uneasily as he began to answer her question. Whisky confused her in a way, his answer was something to be serious about, yet he had a droll tone. Perhaps trying to ease up the tension it took to speak of it. She could have sworn there was a flicker of pain in his eyes. Maybe she was mistaken and it wasn’t pain, it may have been some kind of embarrassment. Or maybe she was just horrible at reading faces.

She listened carefully, feeling sympathy for him. What would it be like to live knowing if you had a herd it wouldn’t last? Juliette fought the urge to move forward and comfort him. In her mind that would be horrible to live with, yet here he was. He was strong, she could tell that. When he apologized she shook her head quickly, letting him know it was fine. Not sure what to say, she raked at her mind, pondering what kind of response she needed. Nothing came to mind and her body started to heat once more out of embarrassment for not being able to answer.

He took the lead and spoke once more and she tilted her head slightly at his question. How old was she? “By my last count I was 4.” She said, trying to be a little humorous. “I had just recently aged another year,” she added. Not exactly necessary the last part, but she couldn’t help herself. She was young yes, but she was fairly mature for a mare her age, and she took pride in that. By answering, she assumed he’d tell her his age, so she didn’t ask.

[jock]

WHISKY

The paint horse appreciated her sympathy and for listening to him ramble on for a while, but after swiftly moving on and asking her a question, it was time for him to reply once more. Four was a respectable age; a lot of knowledge and experience could be gained in such time. "Unless I've missed a year, I should be seven." Whisky saw that it was only fair he told her how old he was too, since she hadn't hesitated with sharing it with him.

A crisp, chilling breeze transporting a few molecules of snow brushed the stallion's mane over onto the opposite side. His tail caught the wind and swayed to the left, raising moderately into the air, then back down once the meager wind passed by. At last, Whisky sighed; releasing more of the oxygen from his lungs and letting it ascend until it was out of sight,"I can't wait until Spring. I'm growing rather tired of this season, it doesn't benefit the landscape, it just freezes everything..." The chestnut and ivory male grumbled, followed by an abrupt shiver. "I think I'll be heading over to the lake now, and see if I can find some thin ice to pry open, would you care to join me, Juliette?" He was quite fond of her name, it had class and was very unique. It suited her perfectly.

Being the gentleman he was, he didn't pressure her or rush her into making her decision on the spot. Instead, he waited with a light-hearted smile and scanned the environment. The trees sagged with the amount of snow trapped in their canopies. Every shrub's leaves seemed to be rested on the thick, snowy floor, almost as if they were exhausted with holding it all up. The sky was perhaps the only unaffected area, but even so, it contained more clouds than usually; each and every one just waiting to burst and rain down onto the horses.

[Kailolu]

Juliette

Juliette nodded in acknowledgment at his answer. He had her by a solid three years, but the age difference didn’t bother her. She was used to being around older horses and learned to respect and appreciate them, whether it be 1 day older, or 10 years. In sync with his, the bay’s mane and tail waved in the wind, but retreated back to her when the breeze vanished. She smiled at Whisky when he complained about the season. “In a way it does benefit,” She said with a small chuckle, “There cannot be life without death. The snow comes to vanquish the grass and trees, and it’s a very sad time. But when winter gives into spring, life flourishes in every corner.” At least, that was what she was told.

Her heart sank, then jumped back up in joy. Whisky had asked her to accompany him to the lake. It wasn’t the biggest offer, but that’s what made it more special. Something he could have done alone, without the worry of another horse, yet he asked her. She nodded and smiled, “It would be an honor.” Perhaps he wouldn’t know how warm it made Juliette feel, to know a small task could be performed by two. Raised to appreciate the little things life gave her, she took a step in the direction she thought the lake was in, oblivious to the fact it was in the opposite direction.

It was then she glanced up at the clouds. She couldn’t tell if they carried rain, snow, or hail. She preferred non of the options mother nature gave her. Juliette looked back at Whisky and smiled again, ready to find the lake.