-
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

Onida | Mare | 2 years, 2 months | Round-Belly (Princess)
Mentions: Ajax, Loi, Lux (Ind), Junebug (Ind), Otekah (Ind)

Onida pressed her slender face into Ajax's thick neck, breathing gently into his colorful fur. She could basically feel the anger radiating off of him and understood where it had stemmed from. His father had been driven out so unceremoniously, beaten and bloodied, and there was nothing his son could have done about it. He was not yet old enough or skilled enough to even begin to face the usurper in vengeance for Atsila, sadly. But how would The crowned sir react when informed of Onida's, among other mares', pregnancy? She assumed that he'd simply be quick to sow his own seeds -- till his own garden -- not destroy the remaining crops of another's. But she could not rely on mother dearest for confidentiality, especially since it seemed the matriarch was already chatting up the new Chief. As a strategy to further express her dominance in the hierarchy, the Queen always liked to be bred first, be the one to carry the first plant. So it seemed Onida and little Chatan may be expecting a sibling soon enough. Ah well. Mares were mares.

Ajax's doting, warm breath crept up Onida's face and neck as he moved to meet her lips, shaking her from her rampant musings. Her velvet muzzle moved to meet his momentarily, exhaling smoothly, hoping to calm the stallion. He broke apart from his woman, stretching his neck toward the invisible bulge of her barrel, filled with the growing embryo. The thing was barely the size of a large rodent, with miniscule legs, a tail, and a head, yet she loved it all the same. The tingle of her love's whiskers played subtly across the midnight fur as he kissed her belly, but the tender moment was interrupted by the faint sounds of approaching hooves and Onida pulled away, still craving for more ginger caresses. "He's handsome," she agreed in response to Loi's inquiry, clenching her jaw for the sensation of betrayal that rang in her mind, "I sure hope so."

"I have found so much beauty in the Dark,
as I have found many horrors in the light."


Lux'noticus | 7 Yrs, 3 mnth | Loner| Mentions: Otekah, Chatan, Scarlet, Junebug, Ajax |
As Scarlet chose to take her leave to meet others within the herd, pink stained alabaster muzzle would streak gently forward without hesitation as Otekah offered up soft breath from navy stained nostrils after she had told him the condition of the herd. The white knight, would lock the dark scent deep within the recesses of his mind, even as he offered up his own breath as compensation. Lux had certainly noted that quite a few mares were pregnant, and as mental gears turned the cynical male could only conclude that this would mean heightened interest from predators in this area. It would be best to find out how many lookouts this herd had, and if they were truly up to their job...but for now the white male would be distracted by Otekah's son.

The gawky creature could not yet be a year old, and bore a distinct resemblance to his father a distinction that displeased Lux greatly. Having once headed a herd a few years prior, Lux would never again underestimate the betrayal that could fester within the male youth...especially bold offspring as this young chap seemed to be. This particular male though was the son of the queen, was quite a few years off from becoming any sort of threat, and was displaying proper respect...which backed Lux into a tight spot. Though he instinctively distrusted those of his own gender, no matter the age, the beast could not help but feel a sense of approval of the male's submissively curious behavior. As a result Lux's muzzle would roughly scour the side of Chatan's face, displacing some fur but causing no harm as a gust of mist would bellow forth from Noticus's lungs before attention would turn to towards Junebug's sparkling gaze.

"It seems as if you have finally found a possible playmate, Junebug...I am glad for you as I have noticed you have wished for a friend your age for quite awhile."

The deep voice would hold amusement, flecked with steel edge. The words would serve as an informal acceptance of Chatan's place within the herd so long as he new his place. "What is your name?" The words would be directed towards the young male...but an unexpected answer would bellow through the air. Mismatched eyes would quickly seek out the individual who had shouted, an older male, who seemed from body language to want Chatan and Junebug to go over to the small group. Paranoia would spike within the white beast though no outward indication would show...he did not like the fact that there seemed to be small group forming around the strange male.

"And who may that be?" The question was directed towards Junebug, as it was now that Lux'noticus remembered having seen her with the other beast. Young Chatan was one thing....a full grown male though was a completely different issue altogether. If he was allowed to stay in the herd, and that was a big IF as he had not chosen to come forward...a suspicious act in Lux's paranoid mind, the stranger would have to show proper submission.

Sides stretched with foal, a strikingly beautiful herd mare would approach only moments later her curious gaze enough to garner a softly rumbled neigh as Lux stretched his large skull forward in a silent greeting. It was obvious the former loner would have to remember the tricks of multitasking quickly...being chieftain was a job that left little spare time.
(Apologies if I missed something...please tell me if I did.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Rai | 8 Months | Filly | Mentions: Open | Atsila, Lux, Abequa
When her father turned away in defeat, head low, a muffled cry would echo out from Rai's small chest as a deathly fear snuck its way into her heart. Would she never see her father again? The thought was a terrible thing to hold within one's mind, and despite the fact Rai logically new that the herd was safer than it had been previously, she could not help but feel the need to run after her father. Onyx hooves would dance to the edge of the ring of horses, as sad eyes tracked every single movement of the familiar form in an effort to burn the image of him deep within heart and mind.

It was the yell that snapped the short little filly from the cage her mind had become. Delicate navy stained ears would perk up at the sound, slow realization dawning on the young adolescent. There was a new chieftain now, a stranger...how could he possibly care about the herd as much as her father had? He had no relatives here. Quickly scampering to the familiar side of her mother, Rai's silken muzzle would seek comfort from the older mare as a hesitant question was posed.

"What do you think about him, Mom?"

Whatever answer would escape the older female's lips would surely hold great sway with the blue roan filly...she adored her mother above all others. Everything the caretaker said was held at the highest level of respect...no matter the subject.

-
The greatest joy and the greatest burden is, in one word, known as motherhood.

Abequa | Female | 5 years | Nanny
Mentions: Rai, Lux (Ind)

Abequa held a steady gaze to the commencing battle, feeling a painful pang in her chest every time Atsila was hit. As the former Chief surrendered and retreated, she could sense every foal's panic as they huddled together and to their mothers. This was their first experience watching a real fight and perhaps their first glimpse into the real hostility of stallionhood. most of them had known Atsila all their lives and now their father was gone, likely never to be seen by his sons and daughters again. A velvet muzzle brushed the musing mare's belly, snapping her into reality. My dear, it is hard to know for sure what our new Chief will be like," she began, speaking slowly and calmly, "But I sincerely hope he acts as kind as he looks."

"Why a King, .. When you can be a God?"

[Source]
- - -
Chatan | Colt | 10 Months
Son of Otekah

Six months later ~ August

-
Your faith was strong but you needed proof,
You saw her bathing on the roof,
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you.

Otekah | Mare | 13 years | Estrus | Queen
Mentions: Lux, Chatan (I), Onida (I)

Grazing, Otekah stuck close by the newest Chief, glancing over every so often at the blanche stallion. Her estrus began today and for the first time ever, she was a little nervous. Would she be too old for a healthy foal? Surely not. She'd seen 20 year old mares give birth to perfectly healthy foals! Oh great, she was nearly 20! Seven years away! Age came with injury, soreness, weakness, the whole nine yards! Deep breath. She wasn't yet 20, she had seven years to go. Upon lifting her head and glancing over to Onida, now rotund with foal, and the quickly-growing Chatan, a new thought crossed her mind. Even if she was gaining in years, she had an excellent legacy to leave behind. Not to mention her grandson or daughter that would be coming in a few months! Onida, a regal, elegant mare who carried on Molotov's venerated lineage, would fit the Queenship very well. If it wasn't challenged for, that is. And handsome Chatan, whose cloud-like hide and determined aura may just win over the similarly-coated Lux'noticus. If he's lucky anyway. But for now, the blue-roan swished her black tail, a silent attempt to waft the scent of her estrus enough for the alabaster gentleman to notice.

"I have found so much beauty in the Dark,
as I have found many horrors in the light."

Lux'noticus | 7 Yrs, 9 mnth | Cheiftan| Mentions: Otekah, Laila, Scarlet|
Alabaster beast would be watching over the heard, mismatched eyes staring down at the individuals from a considerable incline, in order to better detect danger. It had been six long months since the male had won the brood from the former king and though certain individuals within the herd at times tested the titan's patience there had been no need for physical enforcement of invisible lines. Yet.

It was saddening that Scarlet, the beautiful and strong minded individual who had accompanied Lux during his journey through these lands, had been captured by the nasty two legged creatures. She, and one other, had been the only to be lost though, and when facing off against the hairless sneaky scum it could be counted as a reluctant victory. The knight was nervous, high strung, paranoid...things had been quiet for quite awhile but that would not mean that would stay that way. Above all else Lux'noticus wanted to better know about the two legged's so that he could better devise counters for their cheating, humiliating strategies. Apparently a mare of the herd, one called Laila, had been slave to the whims of those creatures. It would be interesting to see what knowledge the female contained.

Contemplative thoughts would be dashed aside as a hypnotizing scent wafted through the air...Otekah. The female had single-mindedly driven off any mare's who had wished to create offspring with the male...it had not done much for the king's disposition, but it was something Lux would tolerate for the favored queen. Eyes would spark alight with an inner gleam as the male's cranium swung so that he could better watch the female. Pink and blue gaze gently tracing Otekah's silhouette, a low call would be voiced in her direction to catch her full attention. As the queen was already established as his own, a dependable connection forged between the two, all that was really need was a confident approach. Lux' noticus though, was a stallion meant for the stage, and he would not take part in such a basic wooing. Oh no, a flip of the mane, a prancing dance would slowly bring the beautiful draft closer to the female evening day shadows flickering between feathered hooves. If allowed close, and why should he be denied when so closely defended, the male's muzzle would reach out towards the female's beautifully weathered cheek to give a soft 'kiss'. The tantalizing scent coming from the female made muscles shiver and flutter beneath snowy pelt, even as a low rumble inquired after the lady's evening.

"My dear, you are very alluring this evening as the sun starts to make it's decent. You don't suppose I could steal you away for a bit?"