Its Been Awhile

[WildBrumby]

She hadn't been out of her homelands since the start of winter. She'd been to worried about being caught in a blizzard or the like, but with the snow easing ever so slightly, she had decided to leave her snow clad home and visit Moresco. Sheenjoyed coming here. It was always so peaceful. Sometimes she would come with others. A small band of fillies running up and down the riverbanks or playing in the shallows. That was more a summer business though.

This time she came alone though. Enjoying being away from the herd and in a very pleasant mood. She followed the river's flow, as was her habit. Stepping merrily through the light dusting of snow. Her hooves cut through the white blanket, leaving gapping black marks that showed the darker riverbank beneath. There was a skip in the young mare's step and every now and then, her tracks scuffed where she gave a small buck. The sun warmed her fuzzy winter coat. It was a deep deep brown and the dapples were difficult to see. In spring her coat would lighten and the smooth silk coat would show the varying colourations of the hair more clearly. Today was indeed a lovely day.

With a flick of her golden tail, Moonshine leapt forwards into a smooth gallop. She carried on down the edge of the river, nowing this straight well enough to bolt without hesitation. After a few minutes of he little run she propped sharply and sliding to a halt. She stood there watching a couple of small birds chasing each other through the air, blowing slightly through wide nares.

Suddenly, theever so happy mare wished she was playing a game with someone.

[camballe]

Valiant Gazed into the distance, the snow had eased off, and so the great white blanket which covered the land had slightly diminished, at least enough to see undulating terrain, and ensure a safe passage.

Squinted eyes searched the surroundings, looking for another sign of existence.
It had been so long since Valiant had gazed upon another. He had left Treblina that morning in search of food, or another horse to share with, although he had searched far and wide , to his disappointment he had found neither.

Valiants once blissful spirit was now fading,
Just as Valiants hopes diminished, he saw dark a figure in the distance, His eyes lightened up and him once dampened spirts lit up,

Muscled legs stretched out as Valiant began walking towards the figure, his hooves brushed through the blanketed snow, as it flew into the surroundings, large long footsteps followed Valiant as he went. The excitement and wonder was building up as Valiant hastily trotted along, until it was too much. Valiant broke into a canter, silently the snow blew aside, as Valiant's body cantered through the it. He came to a sudden stop.

The figure that stood, was of another, it was the best thing he had seen since the large boulders that sheltered him in Treblina. Valiant Began to slowly approach the mare, he was enlightened to see another, but cautious about it.
He gracefully wandered up to her,

A large smile appeared on Valiant’s face,

"Greetings, I am Valiant, and whom are you may i ask"

Valiant eagerly awaited a reply....

[WildBrumby]

Moonshine hadn't expected another horse to appear. She had been so trusting in the cold weather that she had let herself become absorbed in thought and the flicking of light as it shone into the water and glittered off the ice. It facinated her. She moved her head slightly to the left and the glint disappeared, but when she leaned back to the right, it shone out brightly into her eyes. Light was certainly strange.

Her striped head jerked up sharply at the sound of hoofbeats. Hearing the snow crunch beneath the hooves made her flick her ears round. Lifting her dark grey muzzle to the ind, the mare took in the stallion's scent. It was not familiar which sent a little nervous jolt into her guts. Another sharp jolt when he was closer hit when she realised he wasn't a Quarter Horse. The only good thing was that he wasn't a Friesian or Andalusian. Nor an arabian. He was certainly built well and rather tall. Much taller than she. His head was very different from what she had seen, similar to a friesian's muzzle but much much more curved. Flicking her tail, Moonshine awaited his arrival.

She was nervous and yet very curious to know who he was. A new breed. Definiately somthing interesting. She turned slightly to face the grey male as he halted before her. He said his name was Valiant. A fine name for a horse like him and it suddenly made her name seem rather bland. Still, she didn't bother to make it more exciting.

"Greeting Valiant, I am Moonshine." She smiled herself, trying to comfort herself as much as him. No doubt he was a little uneasy. But it was strange. She was always wary of a different breed, and not knowing this one put her on guard.

"Where are you from Valiant? Certainly not from around here I must say" She asked the stallion with an almost demanding tone, wanting to sound braze and let him know she was not to be pushed about. She doubted he would rape her, though Moonshine never seemed to see the bad in anyone. A stallion could walk up to her and demand he mounted her and she still wouldnt see him as bad. This stallion had used manners though. Manners had to mean something right?

[camballe]

Valiant's once crushed, lifeless spirits and hopes springed back into life, as the beautiful mare replied.
Although much shorter than himself Valiant crouched down as far as he could to be eye level with the mare so he didn’t stand over her and pressure her, as he wanted to comfort her and reassure her that he was not a threat, and that he wanted a friendship, not a fight.

"Moonshine, was a graceful, beautiful name, As the mare who bares it."

Valiant’s tail flicked, sending water around, he jerked around his head to show that he was excited. He dug his hooves into the ground , counting how fast his heart was beating, the blanketed snow was pushed around, revealing dark patches of dirt,

"I am not from this land, i have come from far away, i wondered across the lands in search of a home, after i left my herd.
I came across a land, ridden with snow, had no other traces of life, Treblina.
I claimed the land as my own, At first it was ideal, but i soon realised that there wasnt food, as winter had taken a harsh toll, so i left in search of food, and friends.

What about you my dear, surely a beautiful mare like yourself, has come from another herd, perhaps just to wander around, and than return? or are you alone?"

Valiant Sent a comforting smile across, he hoped she would receive it, and perhaps not be so frightened, Valiant needed a friend.

Valiant had so many questions coming up that he wanted to ask, but he knew his manners, as his mother had tought him.

Valiant eagerly awaited the mares reply.....

[WildBrumby]

She hadn't been called beautiful by many, but then again she didn't always give them a chance. She looked away sheepishly at his remark but pride swelled through her. Her mother always said she was a stunner, that many stallions would want her, but then wasn't that just a mother talking?

He went on to say he wasn't from this lands. That he had travelled here. She could only imagine the world outside. Full of so many different horses no doubt that not one of them was pure. Maybe he wasn't even a pure blood. He certainly was different, so maybe that was the reason. Maybe he did infact had Friesian in him.

He had already claimed his own turf. That was saying something. Most of the youngsters she met hadn't even considered it yet. Did that mean he was old. He didn't look it. Maybe he was just a more mature stallion. She was terrible at guessing ages.
Flicking her ears back to listen to him, he asked her about herself.

"I am sort of in a herd. More my mother's. I just haven't left yet. I plan to soon but right now it does offer safety. Not to mention warmth in this cold season" She shivered slightly. Thought her thick coat was cozy she still felt the cold more than she wanted to. She looked the Valiant over again. He must be older than 3, maybe even 4. Bah! she had to stop wondering, what did it matter anyway?

"So you have no mares yet Valiant?" She asked quietly, pretending to be uninterested and watching the water swirling over the ice patches.

[camballe]

Valiant's eyes gazed upon the mare, he was mesmorised,
The mare spoke, breaking him from the trance,
He had to think over the question again and again, as he hadn't quite caught what she said,

"I have only recently arrived and claimed the land, so i have not had the chance to meet any lovely mares, like yourself, You are the first."

Valiant looked out of the corner of his eye secretly, at the mare, he was secretly crushing on her, he pretended to look away, but he couldnt his eyes fixed at the sleek coat of the mare, although a bit ruffled from the snow, as everyone else, twas still beatiful, and shiny.

Valiant was so curious about the mare he has just met, he was shuffling, digging the ground, he wanted to make a good impression,
he really liked her.

"So tell me something about yourself?" he said, almost demanding an answer but still trying to be polite, he was really interested in the mare, she was different from others he had met before, they were all grumpy, racist and never wanted to know you, unlike this mare, she was nice and not racist like many other mares. She also had this mysteriousness about her, he liked that.

Being an energetic horse Valiant wanted to run, he wanted to jump, bound and leep, but he wanted to keep his grace and dignity,

"Would you like to walk with me?, just go for a walk?, or we can stay, and you could tell me something about yourself?"

Valiant tried to be confident , but he couldnt help still feeling nerves, he was so happy though!

------sorry bout the repeted phrases and contradiction at some points------

[WildBrumby]

She couldn't help but notice the sidewide glances. Even through his thick black lock of hair she could just see the dark eyes flicker over her. She smiled sweetly at him. Arching her neck slighty, and holding herself that little bit more proudly, trying to be a pretty as possible.
When he asked about going for a walk, Moonshine was more than happ to. She seemed to have completely forgotten he was another breed. She was just enjoying having someone different to talk to. Not to mention a stud. Her usual companions being the other fillies around her age.
"We should head upstream, the forest gets thicker there so there might still be some grass struggling to grow." She spoke lightly and walked past him, heading along the riverbank. Tossing her golden tassles she nickered to him to follow and started off upsteam, stepping proudly through the snow with a spring in her step.

[camballe]

Valiant was pleased he saw the mare smile, he wanted to impress her as much as she did him.
Valiant smiled at the fact the mare had accepted his offer of a walk, it would do him good. His thick coat was already wet, and so he was feeling the cold.

Valiant was overjoyed that the mare had suggested somewhere to go, as he was clueless as to to where to go,

"I would love to," he replied as calm as possible, he could not hold back his excitement. But before he could say anything further the mare had started walking, Valiant tossed his head, and trotted smoothly to catch up to her, his hooves brushed through the watery snow, leaving a black dirt trail behind him.

Valiant flicked his head back to move the streaming mane out of his face, he tried to do it as gracefully as possible, to impress Moonshine.

The darkened trees grew thicker and thicker as the two neared the destination, Valiant was so unsure of where they were going as the land was very foreign to him. The trees drew nearer and nearer to each other pushing Valiant towards Moonshine. He slowly stepped closer and closer to her , until they're bodies were pressing against each oher as they walked. Valiant smiled innocently, he didnt want to make the situation awkward, as he like Moonshine very much, as a friend.

Valiant wasnt sure what to say or do, although they were walking as close as possible to eacvh toher, Valiant wanted to get closer, he felt so comfortable next to Moonshine, he felt as if at home, he hadnt felt like this since back at home.

" So Moonshine, tell me something about yourself?"

Valiant smiled and looked Moonshine.....

[WildBrumby]

Stepping as proudly as possible, the mare could have appeared onshow with how she carried herself. Though she kpt telling herself she wasn't trying to impress Valiant, there was no doubt that she was. They walked in silence for a time, with Moonshine noticing him gazing at her and she enjoying it. She couldn't help herself but flick. She wasn't being a cock tease was she?

A shiver suddenly went through her. The trees had moved close enough for them to have to press together to fit between. She wanted to move away, knew she should, but at the same time the feeling was so comforting. Enjoying it but not about to let him know, she continued on. A smile kept dancing across her grey maw before disappearing just as quickly.

The ground here was slightly clearer of snow but little grass could be seen. They may as well continue as they were until a clearing or something with food appeared, for now she was content to talk about herself.

"About myself...hmmm well there isnt that much to say. I still haven't really left my home herd, I wander about exploring by myself sometimes but usually I am with a group of fillies. We love going to the shore and finding seaweed. Not now, as its to cold, but last summer we did. We tried to see how far out we could swim but the little chestnut, I can never remember her name, she had a panick attack and we had to turn back and help her. I bet I could have one though!" She tossed her fine head proudly, her mane dancing along her crest. She was silent for but a moment as she considered what else he would like to know. "My father, he died a year or so ago. A snake bit his leg and he died after getting very sick. I also have a half brother to, but I don't really talk to him much." She fell quiet, suddenly lost in her own thoughts. She was sligtly jealous about the brother, he had taken all her mother's affection and now mother didn't care to see her as much. The other fillies said it was the way, but Moonshine still didn't understand it.

ooc: sorry for any missing letters or spaces etc, this keyboard it horrible and in need of a service, or the bin!

[camballe]

Valiant watched Moonshines mouth move so perfectly. He thought, how could a mare of such grace and beauty want to hang out with someone like me. he didn’t want to know the answer, he was just happy that she was.

Valiant’s hooves lightened up and they began to dry, the snow on the ground had lessened and patches of grass revealed themselves.

"This should be a nice spot," Valiant said, slowing down steadily into a stop. He gazed into Moonshines eyes, as he slowly lowerd his head towards the ground, he began to eat, tearing chunks of grass from the ground, and grinding the with his teeth.

"I hope i dont look to piggy, its been a while since i have eaten."

"So you have told me much about yourself, i will return the favour if you like.

My full name is Valianto je ravir, meaning valiant flowed down the river. I am six years old, but still have alot of life. My mother was Vera Star and my father Halvopin.

When i was born , i had a twin, but he was eaten by a pack of wolves, when he 2 months old . I left home when i was 2 (which was quite late) as my herd was torn apart by a gang of mislead rebel stallions. But i made my way across the lands, until i came to Treblina, which i claimed as my own,"

Valiant paused and raised his head, his eyes squinted as he stared into the distance, his ears raised up and pointed towards the north, he paused for a few seconds.
Than he returned to eating, "i thought i heard something."

“So how long are you here in Moresco?”