[[x. someday

[[[x. ramira&&suri]

Someday, somehow
We're gonna make it, but not right now
I know you're wondering when...

^soft _{flakes of delicate crystal ice wafted about the early morning breeze, their slow, leisurley decent aided by the gentle winter breeze that stirred the hollow that lay before her. With soft inquisitive eyes of amber hue, the mare took a tentative step forwards, her perfectly shaped towers quivering as she tested the path ahead for safety. It hardly mattered; the snow covered hollow was peaceful, everything silent save for the few winter cardinals singing their christmas caroles. Turning her dished head back to the brush behind her, a soft nicker was produced as she beckoned to nothing in particular. But out of the brush exploded a small, perfect model of the mare, the creatures long, delicate legs in a frenzy as the foal raced towards its mother. Ramira dipping her head, she caught the foal before it could gallop down the path ahead, laughing softly as the foal squirmed in protest.} "Slow down Suri! What's the hurry little one?" The filly ceising her struggles, she took a small step back the look on her tiny face a one of excitement. "Oh mama, I want to explore! This is so much better than the stable at home, why this is a bazillion times bigger than our pasture at home!" With the last syllable finished, the filly turned neatly on her haunches, her long legs sending her frolicking about the hollow. Smiling, Mira let her own legs take her at a prance, sneaking up behind the little filly in play. Bumping Suri's tiny rump with her muzzle, Mira let her soft, tinkling laugh fill the air as Suri tumbled face first into a snow drift. Dancing in place as Suri pushed out her lower lip and shot her mom a look, Ramira laughed again, her laugh like the soft tinkling of silver bells. Letting Suri chase her about, Mira soon called a stop to the play, knowing they had to be on their way. Settling down to an easy walk, she kept a watchful eye on the filly who pranced a few feet out in front of her, a glimmer of pride shimmering in her fawn eyes. Suri was so beautiful, a perfect mix of Polish Arabian with a dash of Paint. Her small body, so fragile, was held with spirit, her coat of bright red and soft white offset by the black streaks in her tuff of a mane and brush-like tail. Smiling to herself, Mira knew it was because of Suri they were here, traveling the path of wanderers to the fabeled lands of Lemorsea. If it wasn't for Suri, Ramira would be cooped up in a stall, her only calling to be stay alive so she could produce exact minatures of herself. Sighing, she knew it always hadn't been that way; though her owner had been greedy and selfish, Mira had once loved her home, back when she could perform. Staring down at her right front hock, she frowned. If you looked just hard enough, you could see that she walked with a slight gimp, her reward for only doing what her master had told her to do. Ramira was a dressage horse, born and raised. She had such bounce and an elegant stride that she was destined for the show ring. Smiling blissfully, she remembered the days when she was in her prime; she had been unbeatable, her superb movements aided by her shy, calm beauty. But it had all ended much too soon; on the day of the biggest show of her life, she had broken down, and she had her owner to thank for that. Though she had shown heat in her right fore, the greedy, pompous man sent her out anyways, and just when it seemed she had the show in the bag, she stumbled, her whole career crashing. Only four, she was retired to broodmare status, much to her displeasure. But it hadn't all been bad, she realized. Looking at little Suri, Mira knew that she wouldn't have had her little angel if it hadn't been for Master. Suri was her only foal, birthed in the large stable and destined for the same fate as her mother. Ramira, not wanting the future for her baby, escaped with little Suri in tow, knowing that this would all be for the best. Now, as she looked out to the bouncing babe and breathtaking scenery, it was indeed well worth every penny.

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^The _{sun had just about set on another day as the duo entered Lemorsea's claiming lands, the evening chill setting in on their weary bones.} "Let's stop here, Suri. Mommy needs to rest, and so do you." Halting beside a small cluster of trees, Mira cleared away the snow, leaving a small patch of earth for them to rest on. Beckoning for Suri to lay down, she smiled at the huge yawn that overtook the filly's jowels. Trotting over, the filly flopped down, her multi colored pelt emphasized by the bare earth beneath her. Making sure Suri was fast asleep, Mira wandered a few feet away, nibbling on the winter forage for supper. Lifting her head, she stared into the distant sunset, a worried look entering her gaze. Now that they were here, what were they to do? She supposed the sensible thing to do would be to find a stallion, but Mira was so inept in the ways of romance, having only been in the presence of a stallion once, and even then they hadn't exchanged words, merely chromosomes. Sighing, she tried to give herself a boost; Oh, it can't be too hard...hopefully. Though Mira was beautiful, she was awfully shy, much unlike her bouncing, bubbling, outgoing babe. Checking on Suri once more, Mira returned to her post, looking out across the lands as other maidens began the dance of love. Cocking her head slightly, she tried to do as they did, but found it just wasn't her style. Content to just stand there, she let the breeze play with her long locks of gold, her forelock sweeping across her dished face to tickle her nose. Her tail snapping softly as to offset her pelt of deep crimson, she let the sun's last rays hit her, warming her heart though her body was cold. Her lips parting to let a low, soft tune escape them, she let the others know of her presence. Snorting softly, she pawed at the snow, embarrassed and nervous about this whole courting thing. But looking back to little Suri, she knew it was nessecary; they both needed protection, and if she was lucky, she might just fall in love for the first time.

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[hollow]

erm, posty coming

[[[x. ramira&&suri]

{{ooc}} excellent! I've been dying to rp with someone!

[hollow]

My ears are flicked forward as I hear the soft hoof beats of a filly meet them. I drag my hooves in the snow as I begin to move away from the shadows. Two amber eyes meet my dull black ones. I chuckled silently as The filly takes off in excitement.
I cannot help but watch as the two frolic around, giggling and shrieking in play. I turned in worry as I hear something not dissimilar to a bell. I sigh silently, as I soon realise it was the laugh of the mare. I snort in protest as they stride away. My body twists around as I fold into the bushes, hoping to get in front of them.

I begin to shift a little snow to find grass. I graze quietly, awaiting her.
“’Lo”
I say to her, awaiting a reply.


(ooc short one)

[[[x. ramira&&suri]

{{waits for Tarn as well

[Tarn]

A million feathers falling down,
A million stars that touch the ground,
So many secrets to be found
Amid the falling snow.

~~~~

Snowflakes drifted down with an air of subtle ease, each individual crystal descending from its origin to find peace amongst nature. The rate of descent was slowing as infinite time passed through the neck of an hourglass, solid tears becoming more sporadic until finally the snowfall halted in its efforts altogether, leaving the world in quiet contemplation. Everything was unyielding silence that pressed with frigid hands on the moving figure of Tarn as he drew his body over the earth, ears filled with muffled sounds of life that seemed to struggle beneath the surface of the season. Winter had been borne to the earth in death, replacing the heat and light of more felicitous seasons. Fall had since relinquished its grasp on the elements in a final burst of cascading colors, overcome by the eager breath of lethal cold. The warmth and color that had previously sought to thrive had now been replaced by the current bleak, monochromatic atmosphere, the world suspended in a hushed state as if waiting with held breath in dire anticipation of the rebirth of spring. For now, winter sat with full pleasure in the power of its rule, almost grinning in strength as the acerbity of its cold climate sought to stretch to the farthest reaches of nature. Vegetation was ornamented in frost, crystal icicles dangling prettily from the branches of trees. The world was a wilderness of snow that blanketed the earth in an immaculate mantle and clung to the branches of evergreens as frigid breezes drifted through their boughs. Here and there were scattered random deep drifts of accumulated snow that lay in await of the creature that might be so unlucky as to step into the unintentional trap. Tarn found himself falling into a few of such snowy snares as he traveled resolutely over the ground, but was never detained long. Always he managed to tear himself from the drift with a great show of voracity that left a snarl on his lips and eyes flaring with unshielded anger. Then he would simply cast off the snow with a tremendous, indignant shake of his steel frame and continue onward, mostly unfazed by winter's sinister endeavors.

The sun cast an eerie glow on the fallen snow as Tarn traveled through these mysterious woods of claiming, light penetrating the canopy of trees above to dapple the earth in fading sunlight. The snow seemed to capture and absorb that proffered light, reflecting only a part of what was given in a dulled sheen. What could be seen of the sky above was darkening considerably as time continued to tick onwards and the temperature fell in accordance, dropping by degrees that were duly noted as the anxious fingers of arctic cold sifted through the shield of Tarn's pelt. His fur had thickened in proper response to the winter climate, but that did not protect him entirely from the vicious bite of the weather. A tinge of worry swept through the fringes of thought as consideration of others stranded in the cold came to mind, but it remained buried in his general apathy. He could not ignore it, however, could not pretend that it did not prevalently exist in his obscure trains of thought. His hooves trudged through the thick of snow in response to that anxiety, worry overpowering his simple strength of will. He sought to find one such equine that was harried by the season, perhaps lost at the hand of the elements, and offer them a home in his own abode of Patrill. He winced, however, as memory brought to him his past failure at such ambitions. It seemed that for an uncalculated length of time he had wandered these same grounds in hopes of companionship, seeking someone to draw under his wing of protection. He had found no one, only wisps of presence that faded into the curtain of transcendence before he could reach them. He always felt as if he was lagging behind the roils of time so that his desperate attempts at locating another had failed repeatedly. Depression lay heavily on the borders of his mind, attempting to bear down on those indestructible walls that had been raised in rugged strength. It was like an irritation he could not refuse, a fly that could not be removed no matter how hard he attempted to slash at it with tail and teeth. This was no physical enemy, but rather a foe of the mentality that could not be shaken until it was eased in allayment. So here he was, striding powerfully across the terra as dark golden optics tenaciously roamed the surrounding land for sign of even a spark of life which he might cling to.

He longed for the warm embrace of Patrill; desire to breathe the airs of his home filling him as he recalled the ancient beauty of the lake and surrounding forests. How he wished to run beneath the comforting boughs of sentinel trees as they observed him beneath the smiling moon. But he could not return again, not without another beside him. Already once he had returned to be greeted by the agony of a piercing loneliness he had not experienced before. The sweet greeting his home had offered him had been tainted by the yawning emptiness that seemed to almost swallow him in an abyss of distraction. All his life he had run from the proximity of others unless he was meeting them in a battle of dominance, but now he sought companionship with a wearied determination. No longer could he roam as a loner or else his tortured mind might explode in insanity. The bitter tang of failure was present as he moved, knowledge that he had yet to locate a fae that might accept him raging silently through the confines of thought. Soon he must locate a companion, even if the connection was short lived. At least the interaction, no matter how brief, might restrain the relentless tides of loneliness that currently sought so desperately to consume. So here he stode, dappled silver stilts that bled to black sweeping over the snow in almost effortless appearance. Each landing of his hoof dislodged a dusting of snow, leaving pronounced imprints to prove the direction that he traveled. Eyes sought to pierce through the hands of darkness that were settling over the land, restlessly surveying the land for sign of a fae. A sense of urgency pressed on his mind as his awareness drew on the intense cold temperatures that prevailed in winter's smug existence, causing flints to dart over the earth with increased speed. He wove with expert caution amid the twisted trunks of dormant trees and vegetation that lurked beneath the false cover of snow. All attention was focused on a single, decisive objective and nothing in the current weapons of nature could find strength to overpower his desire.

Secretive umber optics that held a certain dark anguish buried in their depths at last alit with subdued surprise on sets of hoof prints that converged at a point. Finally there was an indication of life existing in this maze of winter besides himself. Movements slowed to a walk so that sinews rippled beneath the dappled steel pelt in collection. He approached the prints with visage lowered to the earth, breath escaping distended nares in a soft snort while auds sat attentively atop his crown. His muzzle almost graced the ground with brief contact, but he drew back after arriving at the determination of where the prints led. Neck was arched in proud display as auds swiveled curiously in contemplation. He stood still as grey stone for the span of a moment, wind whirling with brewing voracity about his stalwart frame. In that moment of acquired tranquility, he was the image of placid beauty, coat blending into the monotone of the surrounding elements so that he was one with winter. He became winter, merely a playing piece on the chess board of life that is moved at the will of the master until meeting an untimely and completely undeserved demise decided by fate. Tendrils of charred mane and silver tail danced in response to the polar zephyr that disturbed the peace surrounding him, playing about his ashen figure as he resumed forward impulsion with the returned aura of a king. Limbs stretched forward in time to a swift walk that carried him along the path of the hoof prints, nares delicately testing the wind for scent of equines. A slight smile touched the corners of his lips as he caught the scent of others and he increased forward momentum until he was merely a ghost traveling amidst the falling twilight of the forest.

At last he arrived at a clearing that was bordered by the strong presence of trees. Eyes that normally held a cold languor danced in anticipation of this meeting, even though expression retained its accustomed grim appearance. He paused at the brink of the clearing, mingling with the trees in seclusion while gathering threads of thought so that they might fall into decent compositions. He observed with interest the beautiful burnt amber fae with flowing cream tendrils before him that foraged on what little was meekly offered by nature in this desolate season of death. Awareness also focused on the approach of the stallion as the foreign stag drifted to graze beside her. Attention was further piqued as eyes came to rest on the slow rise and fall of what appeared to be a young painted filly slumbering in the small oasis of earth that had been cleared of snow. Eyes took on a gentle countenance as he observed her subtle motions, softening at the sight of such a vulnerable flicka. An unknown, dire urge to protect surged within him as he continued to gaze at the slight form, heart slamming in his chest in preparation of his emergance, cognizant of each slight alteration in position of all figures before him. Each subtle expression, every emotion that was locked in the decided movements of each figure did not fail to slip past his understanding. Eyes roved over each again: over the black and white toned draft stag, the little foal who rested so wonderfully in her ignorance, and the dark flame figure of the vixen. Something sparked in his mind like the ignition of a small flame, arousing memories that had since been forgotten in irrelevance. There was something about the little flicka laying there so peacefully that called to him with a certain desperation, perhaps an innate desire to save her from the trials he himself had fallen beneath.

A gentle sigh slowly escaped from his lungs as he observed the interaction of the horses, muscles calming from their quivering state to rest in wait of his actions. Composed, the stallion emerged onto the scene, head lowered slightly so that he appeared less imposing than his general appearance. Never before had he lowered his guard in a such a manner as to expose himself to the fury that might befall him, but he found that he did not care. That spark had burnt throughout his mind, slowly enveloping certain thoughts that had existed as a cage around his mind, eroding the line of defenses he had set about himself in a manner of protection and strength. The kindness was burning through, leaping from its box to spread generously through his body with a kind of warmth. He approached the dark amber mare, eyes almost unusually doleful in expression as he peered at her from behind the curtain of his charred forelock. A glance was cast in the direction of the sleeping filly before attention again returned fully to the fae. He slowly drew himself up to his regal appearance, that soft submission flitting away into the breeze as he came near this other burly stag. But the kindness was still there, lurking, waiting for the one who might draw it out from its submersion. He paused once he was a decent distance from the fae, maw parting so that deep baritones rumbled forth into the silvery silence of the scene. "Hello." The briefest of silences returned and the calm seemed to settle like an invisible blanket about his shoulders so that his rigid body softened in comfort. He turned momentarily to the stallion to bob his head once in stiff greeting, then returned his attentions back to the mare. "I am Tarn, or Tar if you prefer. May I inquire the name of such a beautiful mare as yourself?" Emphasis was directed on the acquisition of her name, words of his own calling quickly pouring disinterestedly from velvet lips until he arrived at the question that might provide him with knowledge of her name. Voice was also softer than its normal pitch, even though it retained its usual deep intensity. Eyes could not help but rove once again to the figure of the filly, unreadable expression locked in those chocolate depths. There was something there that could not be found, some emotion that was touched upon so violently that it shook the security of his mind. Despite the great vivacity with which it was agitated, the entire sensation remained pleasant although curious and intent. "You are blessed to have such a beautiful daughter. What is her name, if I may ask?" Eyes returned to look fully into her optics and a warm smile crossed his lips. A certain ease filled him as he was with her so that all other thoughts fell away into the waiting chasm. Focus was solely for her. He waited for her reply, eyes soft even in their emphatic appearance.

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ooc: Absolutely hate this post. Hate it. Despise it. There's just something about it that I just plain don't like. I don't know. Maybe it's because I left three different times in the midst of writing it, read some things that altered my emotions, and my muse just went kaput. Anyway, despite my ranting, it's long and it is there even if the content is choppy and pathetic. So, there you go. Let's pray that my writing for Tarn will improve in the future.

[[[x. ramira&&suri]

This road I walk is paved with broken promises I've made
At least a million times I've fallen
But never will I break

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^gentle, _{dying rays of the setting sun filtered out across the winter wonderland that was Lemorsea, daylight fading as night setteled in. The sun's last fingers of warmth caressing the soft, amber coat of a lone mare, her eyes watching with a worried frown at the falling ball of light; temperatures were dropping, and poor little Suri wasn't ready for such a winter. Casting her warm gaze to the little babe a few feet away, Mira made sure her little chest rose and fell, motherly pride making her heart soar as she gazed at the perfect little replica of herself. Tip-toeing quietly to the filly's side, Mira dipped her head and softly traced Suri's delicate face, a broad grin dominating the mare's features as the filly's ear gave its normal twitch of pleasure. Nibbling at her babe's tufted mane, she moved away, back to her lookout post some feet away. Sighing softly, the mare cast her gaze to the fading sky, the few stars that scattered its endless boundaries reflected in perfect detail in her warm, almond depths. How long had it been since she had left the safety of the farm? A few days no doubt, but why did the fear of her and her daughter's safety just seem to fully set in? Perhaps the relief of leaving their old home had covered it up, the excitement at the prospect of a new life for them both dulling the edges of the sharp fear she now felt. But it was for the best, was it not? Looking back at the paint filly, Mira saw images of herself growing up on the farm, her life starting and almost ending in a cold sense of lonliness. Breathing a puff of air in assent through her nostrils, she knew it was for the best; here in Lemorsea, Suri could grow to be whatever her heart desired without the confinements of neglect and the dangers of greed. Staring back up at the stars, it struck Ramira on how much larger they seemed out in the open. Without the barriers of fences and barns, the sky was free to stretch endlessly, the untouched land beneath it just as vast and wild. Turning to her thoughts for companionship, Mira wondered what would become of herself in these strange new lands. She was young by showstock standards, but how would she compare out in the wild? Embarrassed though she was, she could not hide that she was very naive to the ways of the feral horse, and it sickened her to think that her uneducated mind could cause a blunder that could hurt her little filly's chances at a new life. What if she picked a bad stallion, if one was ever to come? How could you pick a good apple out of a barrel of slighly spoiled ones? Never before had she come in contact with a stallion, unless you count her encounter that had led to the birth of Suri. Even then, she had not spoken a word to the stallion, and it shocked her to realize that she couldn't even recall the father's name. Shaking her head, she let her worries diappear with the winter breeze that stirred at her feet, the cold air rising to tug gently at her golden locks and ruffle her tail consolingly. She was worrying about things that had yet to happen; it was Fate's decision, not hers, and she would do well to just sit back and see where the ride took her. Nibbling daintly at the scuffed patch of ground, the mare let her taught muscles relax, her ears that had been on constant alert slack a bit. It was a wonderful feeling, but one that was not meant to last for long, because there in the shadows lay Ramira's first hurdle; a stallion in the heat of the hunt. At the first rustle of movement, the mare was fully alert, her large doe eyes scouring the emptiness for the source of the disturbance. Taking in large samples of crisp oxygen, she was able to detect a faint smell that did not belong, a certain musk that she had encountered only once before. Hearing a gruff 'hello' somewhere behind her, Mira turned her pretty head to the greeting, her glassy eyes meeting the gaze of a large black stallion not too far away. Taking a small step back, the chestnut looked back at her foal nestled in the underbrush, quite oblivious to the approaching stallion. Snorting lightly through her paperthin nostrils, her voice similar to that of silver bells sounded, very shy and quiet compared to his husky baritone.} "Hello there..." Her voice trailing off, Mira stood there, unsure of what to say. The stallion was a strapping beast, much unlike the pinto sire of her little Suri. He was heavyset, and his coat shone like a black jewel among the snow. Staring into his glittering eyes, she felt lost within their chocolate depths. What should she say? How should she act? The questions swirled in a muddled mess within her mind, her gaze never breaking with the black stallion's before her. Her heart racing, Ramira felt hopelessly lost; had she already failed at a new life she had barely begun?

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^moments _{ticked by, each one longer than the last. Ramira, in all her humble beauty, was extremely uncomfortable, the towering friesian before her making her fidget. It wasn't his fault she felt this way; he was just so commanding, and she felt extremely small in his presence. Scuffing at the snow, Mira opened her mouth uncertainly, closing it as she became tongue-tied. What now? She couldn't stand there like a blithering idiot, gawking at a stallion as if she had never seen one before. But that was the exact problem: she had never seen one before. Smiling softly, she let her long forelock of silky blonde cover her dished face, wishing she could hide behind the curtin until the stallion tired of waiting on the hopeless fae. But he remained, and much to her surprise, yet another masculine figure appeared on the fading horizon. Ripping her dumbfounded expression from the black stallion, she soon turned it to that of a steel grey one. Seeing him approach from the direction where her babe lay sleeping, Mira tensed up, but soon relaxed as he seemed not to notice the filly. Cocking her delicate head slightly, she observed this new beast with a mild interest. His coat was that of molten silver, dark dapples splashed here and there. His legs matched that of his long black mane and tail, but it was his eyes that captured Mira's attention. They were a beautiful shade of auburn, and though the sparkled, there seemed to be depression rimming them, just dampening the kind expression he wore. His husky words filling the emptiness she had felt after her last words, she silently went over his name in her mind. Tarn, quite unique. Smiling softly, she said rather shyly,} "Hello Tarn. I'm Ramira or just Mira for short." Her smile soon vanished though, for the stallion had looked back to where little Suri lay hidden; so he had seen her baby! Stepping around him, she positioned herself to where she was shielding the painted filly from view. Relaxing, though, as Tarn inquired the name of her beautiful filly, Mira's soft, secretive smile returned, her silver bell voice tinkling out with a hint of pride. "Thank you. Her name is Suri, and yes, I am quite blessed indeed." Looking back, Mira felt her heart plummet; Suri was nowhere to be found. Cantering towards the spot she had last seen her, Mira called out her name, soon hearing her voice behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the pintabian looking up at the massive animal that was Tarn, her fearless, inquisitive gaze staring directly into his own. Suri had never seen a stallion before, and it amazed her at how much muscle and brawn they possessed. Flicking her tiny ears, she brushed her tail across her small hindquarters, cocking her beautiful head as she spoke. "Hello there! Your name is Tarn, right? I'm Suri...I know I wasn't supposed to eavesdrop, but when I just saw my mother talking, I just had to listen. Bad habit, really." Smiling brightly, Suri flicked her little tail again, shaking her tiny head as her childish laugh took over her body. Feeling, Ramira's motherly touch upon her withers, Suri looked up into her mother's soft gaze, reaching up on her hind legs to tug at her long, cream forelock. Giving an apologetic smile, Ramira said, "Terribly sorry; she's quite the outgoing one..." The tiny filly placing herself by her mother's side, she grinned up at Tarn, totally unpreturbed by the slight darkness that seemed to grow about him. Ramira too found herself uncaring of the stallion's slight depression, her amber eyes locked into his strange, sparkling ones. What was to happen now?

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[Tarn]

ooc: Would anyone mind terribly if I posted before Hollow? Unless Hollow posts soon... I have a post all ready and everything, but I wanted to ask first so I'm not just jumping ahead...

[[[x. ramira&&suri]

{{ I don't mind, I'm ready to start another post!!

[Tarn]

And sometimes you close your eyes
And see the place where you used to live

When you were young

-------

Everything was so calm in that winter quiet, silenced as if by an invisible force that breathed tranquility over the earth. Everything was immaculately drawn into a scene of arctic beauty, painted by the chaste touch of snow and bathed in the dying flame of the setting sun whose light filtered so benevolently through the mask of lofty trees. Winter was lying like a dead weight over the earth, sitting there in utmost smug satisfaction at its proclaimed annual victory. Shadows stretched forward like grinning demons over the land, sprawling forth in their eagerness to greet the mystery of night. They clambered towards the figures, scratching fingers of shade across their pelts until the light drew them onwards in the dark parade that led to night. Night was soon to come, dancing beyond the sun’s reach as the stars sought to shine in their evening splendor like glitter cast across the sky. The sky was fading in color from cheery periwinkle edged in cotton dreams to a darker, more sinister color that whispered of mystery and the unknown. Tarn could nearly feel the very verge of night’s presence as it slowly crept forward in stealth as the sun bent its head to rest, coming forward on panther’s paws to swallow the earth in ethereal darkness. Mother moon was soon to raise her head to gaze on her children of night, sleepy eye warm even in its otherworldly illumination. He could feel the pulse racing through his veins respond to the cooling temperatures as heat waned from the earth, quickening slightly with the slight presence of adrenaline as his body sought to battle the heartless cold. Desire to run began to thrum through his body, rippling in subtle motions through his practiced sinews before lids fell slowly over dark bronze orbs to settle the anxiety that was whirling so desperately around him. No, now attention was locked on the figures before him, trained on the mare of dark sepia flame and her babe with an almost worried kindness that was foreign to his general empty soul as they moved in this dance of life. So long he had been molded into the beast of apathy he had so readily become that the kindness lodged permanently in his persona was like a an ancient and precious relic that had been unknowingly buried beneath time.

Calmness again passed through him like a gentle current, easing the rising rift of power from his body so that he stood immobile in a sort of calm ease. A slight, rare smile twisted the corners of his ebony lips as he gazed at the figures before him, a warm feeling he had rarely experienced spreading like a growing vine throughout his body. Eyes of deep bronze held the assumed tranquil focus that hinted of dangerous chaos lurking beneath those stilled pools, a sort of unknown sadness clinging to his expression even in its warm appearance. He observed the mare from behind the curtain of his lashes, peering out from behind the tendrils of his messy forelock. He felt something similar to a cold wave of something unreadable pass over his body as his auds captured the melodic tone of her beautiful voice as lyrics poured effortlessly from her lips. He was doused for a moment in the sweet song of her words as she revealed to him the secret of her name and he felt himself settling in response, as if there had been a layer of ice between them that had now been cracked so as to expose a glimpse of character. He tested the name in his mind, pondering as it flashed a certain meaning in his mind that he cast aside for the mere exquisiteness of the title. Ramira. So beautiful. A mere passing fancy twisted briefly through his mind in curiosity concerning whether she truly held knowledge of her beauty, of the proud, elegant aura she wore wrapped tightly about herself like a royal cape. The burnt amber beauty of her pelt was imprinted into his memory like a brand, those silken strands of spun, light gold falling haplessly with beauty from her crest to fall over her eyes and neck, vividly capturing his attention. Light umber eyes peered at him from behind the facade of flaxen threads, studying him in a reserved manner that hinted of timidity in his presence. She surveyed him with those liquid optics, studying him as his eyes blazed into hers.

He noted carefully the alteration in emotions as they washed over her dainty face and spread like a ripple in a lake through her body. A certain danger deigned to alight in her eyes as she fluidly shifted with sudden violence from her previous calm stance in order to protect her little flicka. There was courageous daring in her gaze for that brief moment of uncertainty, a certain spark that spoke of a mother's love that dared him to meet the consequences should he bring harm to her babe. He bowed his head slowly in response to her threat, exposing his body to the world in vulnerability so she might not consider him a such a being that might bring harm. The last thing he ever intended to do was touch that babe in harm, his heart tugging at him strangely as he watched her still figure resting in the distance. Just as quickly as the storm had come, the mouthing of his own words cleared the deliberate warning from her hazel optics. Stance softened as muscles smoothed from their rigid state of fight, her maw once again parting in speech while pride edged the pleasant ring of her voice as she revealed to him the filly's name. That smile returned to his maw as eyes sought the filly's presence again, only to be met with emptiness so that lips lost their cheer to curve into a frown. Eyes quickly roved the clearing until he saw her slight painted frame standing slightly hidden so that her mother might not be aware of her presence. Immediately shock shook through Mira's figure as she realized that her filly was no longer present in the same station and he watched her dart off in fear. Maw parted to call out to her, but attention was ripped from the sight of the anxious mare to land on the sight of the filly standing resolutely before him, eyes staring with unchecked curiosity at his massive frame. He was taken aback a moment as he gazed into those piercing eyes that studied him almost surreptitiously. Funny how such a small figure could so upset the brawny stag's equilibrium and leave him too startled to form words for her ears. Instead of speaking, he lowered his nose so that eyes were more at her level, steady, soft gaze meeting hers unflinchingly once the brittle calm had again returned. Nostrils distended to draw in the youth's scent and a smile twitched at one corner of his mouth at her boldness. She was brave to stand before him like that. Most found him daunting, but this little filly was obviously unperturbed and only filled with uncurbed interest.

"Yes, I'm Tarn, although you can call me Tar if you like. Silly nickname really, but some prefer it." His smile broadened at that as eyes danced in her presence, ears pricked forward in attention atop his skull. "Nice to meet you Suri. And I don't mind if you eavesdrop so long as your mother doesn't. I remember being young... I hated being kept in the dark." Auds twitched in amusement at the recollection, even though mind experienced a twinge of pain at the unpleasant thought of his younger days. Oh yes, he most certainly remembered being young. Hurriedly he flung that thought aside before it could further spoil his pleasant mood, monumental ashen head rising slowly back to normal level in order to meet Mira's bright, steady gaze. The mare had returned to stand lovingly at her daughter's side, muzzle gracing the flicka's withers for a moment in a show of tender compassion. That same strange sensation washed through the steely stag as Ramira's sound poured forth again in replacement of the muffled quiet of the clearing. "No need to apologize. She's done nothing wrong." He gazed warmly at the filly even though his eyes appeared lost in thought as darker memories of his childhood sprang to pounce on the momentary vulnerability of his softened mind. Immediately his eyes hardened as he cast his neck about in a gentle shake as if to clear his brain of addling thoughts, the spray of his dark mane whipping against his skin briefly before movements again stilled. He gazed at the earth a moment in composure, collecting himself before eyes again met Mira's with a soft vision of cold apathy there to shield dark golden optics from a storm of emotions that fought to ensue. A smile spread across his features, but it was not as genuine or as warm as the previous flits of emotion, merely wan and fleeting as it sat upon his maw. "So, where have you two traveled from? Pardon me if I am wrong, but you don't exactly have the look of seasoned travelers about you. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing, I’m just curious." His smile became real just before it again flitted away, attention passing from Mira to the bundle of excitement that was Suri. Eyes were momentarily detained by the intensity of Suri's gaze and his attention lingered there a moment, sad smile lingering on his lips even though eyes held an intense sobriety that quested into her character. There was a certain innocence emanating from her figure that had been denied him as she stood so proudly before him in beautiful ignorance. How he wished he could draw her beneath his wing and shield her from the pain of the world, keep the sorrows that must surely befall every figure from bearing down on her painted frame. A fierce desire to protect overcame him as he gazed intently at the two, momentarily lost in his thoughts before he could rouse himself to normality. Eyes glanced about the clearing as a chill passed through the protection of his dark silver fur, the cold pressing with worry on his mind. More immediate concerns lay in the path before them that were of greater importance at the moment than the weight of worldly sorrows. The cold would soon begin to seep like a poison through the protection of their coats so that they might freeze in these wintry temperatures. Observing the coats of both Mira and Suri, he realized that neither appeared to have the thickness of coat that accompanied his breed. Concern edged his chiseled expression as he gazed at them, warm kindness glimpsed slightly in the midst of the dark umber of his optics. He stood there calmly, not daring to budge from his acclaimed spot as a growing sense of ominous foreboding began to creep up his skin in accordance with the cold.

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[hollow]

<<Too advanced for me, sowwie...I won't be posting here

[Tarn]

ooc: Erm... you still here Ramira? It's been a week... just checking to make sure you're still around..

[hollow]

<<Nice posting Tarn dear...Would you care to be an ally of Hollow?

[Tarn]

I sent you a PM hollow.