&& mountain song (diego)

[Silver]

Saeren

The wind touched her face, drawing tendrils away from it, softly whispering in her ears. The air on this mountain range was thin and hard on her lungs, but she was slowly growing accustomed to it. However, she still had moments of panic when her breathing was too shallow or it was stolen away entirely by the breeze that snapped at times. Her hooves rested gingerly upon the soil, crunching newly developed shrubbery and the old, dryer plants that managed to survive on the rocky landscape. The sun winked at her, barely reaching a temperature that could be called “warm”. It most likely wasn’t warm at all, but because of the colder air, Saeren’s coat was still thick and fuzzy, making her look bigger than she really was. A horse could barely make out her dorsal stripe, such was the degree of fuzz that covered her body. Here and there she would walk and find chunks of winter coat upon the ground, a creamy yellow-white upon the grays and dark greens of the ground. Tiny flowers bloomed and dotted what was normally covered in snow (and still had large sections covered in a combination of soft whiteness and cold ice), announcing that spring was here and the snow would soon recede back to the higher altitudes.

Saeren was more than ready for spring. Coming from the Freelands, the mare was still having trouble appreciating any kind of beauty in the desolate area. In truth, the cold was so much that it seeped into her brain and was freezing her capacity for reason - or so she argued to herself. It was the cold that sent me here instead of south. The other horses wanted me to come, but the cold took my mind away. That’s the only reason I could have ended up here. She flicked her ears back in annoyance as a small voice of actual reason scolded her and reminded her of her failed plot to get what she wanted. Saeren snorted, steam curling up from her nostrils to dissipate into the air. So what if she had been a little bull-headed? That was what young, independent mares were supposed to do, right? Right?

She definitely did not agree that stallions should be the only ones to roam free about the land, and was not about to let her ignorant father control her actions. Her mind was her own, and there was nothing he could have done about it. So there.

Unfortunately, she’d been on her own for the majority of this escapade, and the loneliness was starting to hit her. The way that she was going, she would soon go mad from the quiet. Sure, there were smaller animals around, but so far she’d been on her own for a long time. Where on earth are the rest of these freaking horses that are supposed to live here? She snorted once again, impatient and frustrated. The mare was also, if she was being honest, starting to fear that she’d gotten herself very lost, and that she would be alone in this forsaken area for the rest of her days. Of course, this was an irrational fear, but each time that she tried to shove it back, it rose up once again like an angry wave that would soon overtake her.

The cold wind started up once again, stronger this time than before. It needled through her thick coat and caused her to shiver. Her ears flattened themselves against her head and she shut her eyes as a gust hit her straight in the face. More annoyed than actually cold, she stomped a hind hoof and turned around so that her rump was in the wind. Little shrubs trembled in the breeze and her mane jumped forward into her face, tickling her nose. With a sigh of frustration Saeren walked down a sloping area of terrain and found a small wall of rock and huddled behind it. She vowed to wait out the wind; perhaps after it was done, she would head down the mountains to warmer climates. That is if I can find my way back.

ooc: there you are rhi! send him on in!
word count: 690
tag: diego

[rhianna4554]

Arcarian was not always the most pleasant to live in with its mostly thin air and the cold temperatures which were often accompanied by chilling winds. Winter usually had everywhere except from Ryfar Ridge devoid of vegetation with Autumn often doing little to help greenery spring up. So it did not surprise me that visitors were rare for to outsiders it was a miserable place. I had been raised here however and with my family ties being with these lands ever since equines first settled the homeland I knew there was more then met the eye. You just had to look carefully and listen to uncover the secrets…to connect with Arcarian. I had never been one for faith but I understood the need to leave the heart of Arcarian unchanged after all I had always been told Arcarian would take care of her own as long as you did not challenge her wild nature. The harsh winter conditions did little to bother me since I had already built up a decent winter coat it was however sleeker then a winter coat should normally be. Pure Arcarians dealt with cold better their bodies so used to it that we had adapted finer winters coats that hugged our frame yet at the same time remained as effective then a fluffier one.

It was what allowed me to be sprawled out on the middle of the ground right in the path of the wind. I had been dozing quite contently, despite the fact I was at the mercy of the elements, but a shift in the air had me cracking an eye open my senses instinctively snapping to attention. For a split second there seemed to be an outline of an equine watching me in a cloud of snow kicked up by the wind but it was gone before my eyes could fully register what I had seen. You must move. The whisper had me jerking upright mass scrambling to its feet as I glanced round the wind for a moment easing off so it was a caress against my pelt. A felt some confusion but most of it was…wonder. I had heard the stories of Arcarian yes but actually getting a taste of them was different. My head ducked as the wind once more kicked in tearing at my ribbons so that they moved like snakes in the air or wound themselves around my body briefly. The harsh gust however did bring any possible new scents to my attention and apparently there was an intruder. Turning I pushed off using the power in my hindquarters to break into a canter straight from standstill although the knowledge that the newcomer was unlikely to travel in a wind as bad as this prevented me from pushing any faster. It was easy to follow the scent, which was undoubtedly belonging to a mare, with any the smells being few. You would have thought spotting her would be easy too but that was not the case. After all once I arrived at the location I had pinpointed, with my strides having slowed down from a canter to a standstill, there was no mare to be seen at first glance.

That didn’t mean she wasn’t here and I was not one to give up easily. Another fierce gust of wind howled past me sending ribbons in a bundle of tangles although it barely bothered me. A small wall of rocks in the corner of my vision caught my attention and it was at a lazy walk I wandered over excitement stirring when I spotted a few strands of hair briefly. My height enabled me to fully see my companion as the remaining distanced closed down to a few strides which gave me time to appreciate the view before I was upon her. She was certainly a pretty thing and smaller then my own frame which suited my taste perfectly fine. I did not miss her shivers that were no doubt from the chilly conditions…it would be something her body acclimatized to. Skirting around the wall I offered her a friendly enough nicker holding back the words until I stood before her offering her better protection against the bitter winds. “Welcome to Arcarian…although by the looks of it she isn’t agreeing with you.” A faint smile accompanied the greetings a hint of amusement glistening in my black orbs. “I am the ruler of these lands…it would please me to know who you are and what business you have here.” I would behave…for now.

[Silver]

Saeren

The wind was getting to the point where she was actually losing her patience with the whole thing. Saeren squeezed her eyes shut and mentally screamed her frustration. This trip - this independent trip - was not going at all like she had thought it would. The air was thin, the weather was overly chilly, and she felt horrible. About leaving, about everything really; she’d been stupid and childish when she left. Now she was stuck on this godforsaken mountain without a soul in the world to even tell her where she was. She bet some unknown being that the Arcarian natives had better winter coats than she did. Her fluffiness was something that didn’t sit well with the young mare. Trying to attract a stallion was not the easiest feat when you looked like a bear with stick legs.

Her mood soured slightly at the thought, but her body was disagreeing with her. The spring being what it was, all of her female aspects were waking up and creating a sweet scent that cloyed to her body and wafted on the air currents around her. She could smell the scent and it was creating a fire that would be roaring soon enough. The sun had shifted since she last moved and shadows began to climb their way up her pale rump. If it were warmer, Saeren would have lifted her tail to let more of the pheromones escape her body. As it was she clamped her tail harder towards her, shivering with the sudden cold. It was if a chilly wing suddenly draped around her body, chilling the mare to the bone.

At least it wasn’t wet and raining. There was no soaked skin, no bone aching dampness. There was no dripping and trails of droplets running down onto the soft skin of her muzzle. There was no huddling and searching for patches of dry earth. She at least could be thankful for that. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the stallion that moved over to her spot in almost complete silence. Granted, the wind was loud in her ears so she didn’t blame it completely on her own stupidity. As she mulled over the situation, another scent abruptly entered her nostrils and assaulted her brain. Her ears immediately snapped back against her head. Saeren looked up so abruptly that her neck ached. The mare took a quick step backwards and moved her body back with it. Her hooves brushed solid stone, and she realized that she was almost flat against the rock wall. Damn it all!

Her heart was hammering in her chest until she realized how the stallion had positioned himself. He was actually preventing the wind from hitting her as hard, and if she had to be honest, she would admit that the action was appreciated. Saeren relaxed her body forcibly, but her ears stayed back rather against her will.

Finally she organized her muddled thoughts into something coherent and manageable. His call was friendly enough, she reasoned. Still, she held something aloof in her mind and locked it away, keeping the key in a dark place within herself. She was her own master, and no matter what this stallion thought of himself or believed himself to be, they all had the instinctual desire to control and to possess. This mare was not going to be a possession, no matter what any stallion thought.

Saeren snorted at his first statement. “Thank you for stating the obvious.” In a moment of what was perhaps half cleverness and perhaps half frustration, she swung her tail lightly, subconsciously spreading the spring heat of her body. “I have to wonder if she ever agrees with anyone. She’s a mountain, isn’t she? Nature is something that fights until her last breath, if I remember correctly.” As if to answer her question personally, the wind gusted through her mane, sweeping it all away from her face. It left her an unobstructed view of the stallion. He was striking, she had to admit. With his black body and interesting white markings, she figured he had quite a few mares running after him with doe eyes and raised tails. At his second statement, her tail stopped swinging. Oh, you think a lot of yourself, hmmm?

“Well,” she said, switching to a sweet, wispy voice that she’d been told could entice a stallion or two, “my name is worth more than a simple request. I hope you don’t try introduce yourself to every stranded mare this way.” Saeren now looked him straight in the eye. “My business is of little consequence, so you can know that, but not because it pleases you, but because I don’t care a whit if you know it or not. If you really wish to know, I’m standing here because I have no clue where the heck I am, and I’m colder than should be allowed.” She dropped the pretentious voice and stood, eyeing the “king” confidently. Or at least she hoped it was a confident look.

“Now that we’ve gotten the preliminaries over and done with, what does a good-looking king like yourself do to help lost mares like me?” And if you say one word about a relationship, I’ll be out of here so fast you’ll be eating mountain dirt.

ooc: got slightly carried away with this one...
word count: 886
tag: diego

[rhianna4554]

She did not notice my approach and with the wind I was not surprised. When my scent finally did register I was already skirting round the wall, but that didn't mean I couldn't take some amusement from her reaction to me. She did soften it seemed however when she realised that be me standing in front of and the wall being against her back I was actually taking the brunt of the wind for her. It hardly bothered me and I would rather have a mare alive then wasting away before she could get used to the climate...which she would. My initial welcome and observation did not go down so well her response however did not anger me it only intrigued me. She was a creature with a little spice apparently which only made the chase more exciting. It was not smart of her to swing her tail slightly. It was easy for me to pick up her spring heat and with it filling my nostrils so strongly I couldn't help but ease a step forwards...after all instinct demanded I covered her even if the urge was faint for now.

More words demanded my attention but I only half listened to them, since the rest of my mind still lingered over the scent of her spring heat, but it was enough for the words to sink into my brain. A chuckle threatened to form at her last words amusement lingering in my black orbs as I watched her. Another gust of wind barely registered with my mind. "Aye she is a mountain although a few peaks fall under her influence. She looks after us natives or newcomers that stay and become one with time. She is fiercely high spirited and wild indeed…I cannot help but wonder if you are trying to suggest you share such traits with her.” Such words came, with the last ones holding a teasing edge, just as I felt her eyes rake over my body…assessing my design. I was tempted to ask her if she liked what she saw…at the very least I was going to return the favor. Once more I examined her frame eyes taking in the dunalino coat as well as the white markings…despite the bear like coat I couldn’t deny I found her appealing.

My announcement regarding my rank and my request for information did not seem to go down all too well. Her tail stilled, which gave me the first indication, and then there were words passing through her kissers…words said in a sweet tone…a tone that was doubt aimed to entice me. I had a good idea of what she was playing at but even so I couldn’t resist inching close by a step. I admired courage…the stubborn way she locked her gaze with mine as she pleased me with the information I wanted to know. Except from her name which I had to admit was rather annoying. I would have responded at the end of her little speech if she hadn’t of finally dropped whatever act she was playing. A slight smirk formed as she eyed me with apparent confidence but the rapid change in acts had me cautious. I would keep her still even if I was uncertain about how reliable her masks were.

Mentally her question had me groaning in annoyance and slight need…after all she had just been wafting her growing spring heat around and now she was asking me about what I did to lost mares I found. “It depends on what the good looking mare wants me to do….” I pressed closer as those low words formed a flicker of amusement and desire in my midnight orbs. Neck stretching out my kissers ghosted the tip of her ear before nibbling lightly my side pressing against hers as I offered my warmth to her. “If you are cold then I have nothing against some of my body heat being stolen. As for being lost…I will show you around when the weather is more pleasant for you. This is your home now…as it is my right to do so from now on I claim you as my own from this day on and never again will you leave Arcarian unless I grant permission.” The words brought a great deal of satisfaction as I staked my claim on her reinforcing it with a caress on her neck her current bear like coat tickling the insides of my nostrils slightly. “Now that you are under my rule I ask again to know your name…I will give mine first if it makes swallowing your pride a little easier.” My cranium pulled away a little so I could regard her pure smug satisfaction radiating off of me the spark of desire stronger than before. It was only nature and with her scent being so strong now I was against her I couldn’t help. She was mine now which didn’t help much either.

[Silver]

Saeren

Saeren couldn’t say if she expected his responses or not. In truth, her brain felt like it was going a little numb from all of the cold air blasting her in the face. He did help to lessen the blows slightly, and for that she was grateful. She couldn’t admit that though. He would simply take advantage of the fact. As for her personality being that of the mountain... The mare couldn’t help but grin at the thought of it. She was much like the mountain; she was feisty, strong and immovable when she had something set in her mind. She was also stubborn, and cold if you got on her bad side. And she supposed that once she was ready to settle down and have a family, she would protect them with her life. She wasn’t ready though. Not for a long while. There was so much to do and see. Saeren wanted to see the world before she found herself with a foal pressed against her legs. Looking away from him, she felt his eyes on her body. Damn it, she thought. Shouldn’t have been so forward. Now I’m just inviting him. She supposed that she was slightly clueless in dealing with full on stallions. Her herd was made up of one stallion and many mares in his harem, so dealing with outsiders was new for her, and she apparently wasn’t doing very well at it.

It was all well and good up until that point. Saeren could deal with him looking at her - no, leering at her - and was fine standing there as he did. She really couldn’t care less, handsome as he was. She just wasn’t interested in any of that relationship, romantic stuff at the moment. It barely made her list of priorities. The comfortable feeling was lost, however, when he pressed himself up against her and started to touch her with his muzzle. Downright alarmed and outraged, Saeren nearly jumped out of his reach. The unfortunate part about this move was that she backed herself into a corner, rock on both sides in a ninety degree angle. Her eyes opened wide and she snorted with disbelief. Never before had she been approached so physically, so...quickly. Once her heart settled in her chest, the mare took control of her emotions and calmed herself. She gave him an incredulous look and lifted her head to show that he couldn’t control her that easily. It was only when the word “claim” made its way through the traffic jam in her head that she truly became disbelieving. “Claim me! You think that you can simply walk over here and claim me?!” Her voice was rising steadily as she spoke. “How dare you just waltz in and think you can control me!” She was nearly shrieking at this point. Her ears were dangerously close to laying flat against her head. “You chauvinistic bastard! Just because I’m a mare does not mean that you can control me! I don’t care who you are! I am the boss of me! Not you!”

Breathing heavily, Saeren shut up for a moment. The clogging in her thoughts was working itself out, and she was now seeing the situation for what it really was. She was in this stallion’s territory. He had claimed her, as was his right. She was now stranded in the hooves of some stallion that she had just met, and she was helpless to do anything. A miserable feeling settled over her and she snuck a glance at the stallion. Still seething even though she knew there was no point, Saeren brought her head up, displaying her thoughts that she was equal to him, no matter what he thought. “The only reason that I have decided to stay with you is because I choose to, and you know your way around this mountain. Don’t think that you’ve ‘claimed’ me in any way. This is my choice.” She knew that she sounded stupid and ignorant, but there was no way out of this mess. She had to make herself believe that it was her choice to stay, and not that she was foolish enough to get herself into such a situation. “Now. I suppose that because I have decided to stay with you for the time being, my name is now necessary. My name is Saeren. Don’t forget it.” Saeren. The stupidest mare in the whole Homeland.

ooc: lol. she's now stuck. xD
word count: 749
tag: diego

[rhianna4554]

I watched my slight tease draw a grin onto her face and it left me intrigued. Why had the comment brought her amusement? Did she really consider herself to be feisty…something so wild and unmovable that it could not be tamed? Arcarian in the flesh…now that was an interesting thought indeed. Submission came with my second examination her gaze dropping away from me which had a small flicker of annoyance springing up for some reason. Normally submissive behavior I preferred, for most of the time it was easier to get away, but from her…submissive did not sit well. She had already shown that she was unafraid when it came to putting her opinions across not to mention the fact that she had in essence made an attempt at flirting. So why shy away now? So many questions for once…so much curiosity towards another. For me it was unsettling to feel it all, for it was rare to do so, and yet there was something there...something that could not be explained but only drew me in further. For now the feeling was only faint but time would decide whether it grew stronger or disappeared. Some part of me deep down hoped the former.

The submissive behavior did not last long at all and when it returned it came back with vengeance. Contact was all it took to trigger her more…assertive side. Sure I had used the contact to test her a little and reinforce a claim but not to take her already. Yet despite my words I might have as well destroyed her life and taken her innocence, providing she had never been covered before, already. It was foolish for her to try and jump out of my reach with one side already pressed against the wall, so I was not surprised to see her backing herself into a corner. I would not be surprised either if the stunt had earned her a few minor injuries. Then there was that look…defiance and stupid naivety rolled into one. It made me want to groan in either annoyance or frustration. Had she never before had contact with the opposite gender or something? When the words came it was more like a hissy fit than anything else…a silly temper tantrum you would expect from a filly. There was no compassion or remorse, and defiantly no form of interest, written across my face as I allowed the words to sink only partially in. When she finally…finally took a breath I inched closer head lowering a little to more her level. “Do not criticize me…you intruded on my lands…my domain. I need herd members…do you really think I would have allowed you to walk free? I have no desire to control you but I do wish to make this place thrive which means I need members.” I wasn’t exactly harsh with my words but they were laced with authority…an authority that now she could not deny. I was her king now after all.

A glance from her had me seizing the opportunity to lock my gaze with hers even if it was for a brief few seconds. Begrudgingly now I admitted to myself some admiration for her with her head rising as it did…as if she were my equal. She could be…oh she could be as queen. Did I want her in that position though? Both yes and no. Yes because she intrigued me and yet no because I doubted if she could be trusted…if she would listen to me and be comfortable in the position. Words dragged me from the thoughts a flicker of disbelief stirring quickly. She had chosen to stay? Such ignorant, foolish and downright childish views. I had claimed her…it was as simple as that. Perhaps I would have protested pointing out the obvious fact if I had not been given a name finally. Saeren. A few times that name was repeated in my mind and like most other things about her it intrigued me. Perhaps that was why I committed it to memory rather…eagerly. “Saeren…it is hardly a name I would forget. I have never heard of a name like it before…” A faint smile formed at the words despite the remnants of annoyance that lingered. “You have given your name and so I shall give mine to make us even. I am Diego. Prior to what you may believe I will not bite so I would take as much heat from me as you need. After all it may take you some time to get used to our weather…now that you have so kindly chosen to stay…” I could not help the mocking glint that entered my orbs upon the last line of lyrics that flowed free.

[Silver]

Saeren

The truth was, she was getting tired of having all of her preconceived ideas blown to the wind by this stallion who had just claimed her. It wasn’t fair that he didn’t act like all of the other males she’d come across in her travels. She couldn’t use any of her feminine charms against him, and she was making a huge fool of herself. Everything that she’d learned, everything that she’d thought would happen had all gone wrong, and here she was, looking like an idiot. She was obviously beaten, and she knew now that she was acting childish, but the fear that chased her thoughts was here now. She would never return home to her family, and she would never leave him, because she was property now. She wasn’t her own mare, and she would never get to adventure like she had always wanted to. She knew that she was being confusing, but jumping from one tactic to another was her disgruntled mind’s only plan, and it wasn’t working one bit. Diego, for that is what he called himself, was having none of it, and she was losing this fight.

Deflating slightly - she kept her head up though, she was still his equal - Saeren blew out the air that was trapped during her distressed tantrum. “Look,” she said, this time not playing a character or an emotion. She knew that the best way to go forward now was to simply be herself. “I know you think I’m an idiot, and I don’t blame you.” Shrugging slightly, she moved her hind legs and winced. Damn it, she thought, looking at several bleeding cuts on her hind right side. So much for being in control. “My father always said I was too stubborn to know when I was being stupid, and I guess he was right.” The admission made her cheeks burn, but she continued on with a deep breath. “I’ve been acting like a spoiled child - and maybe I am, but I’ve never had the chance not to be - and you’ve waited through all of it, and that makes you a better horse than I am. I know you’re probably confused, and again, I don’t really blame you.” She gathered up her courage one more time, and looked him in the eye. Not defiantly though; she just wanted him to understand when she told him. “I like being independent. And then you came along and...” Her voice quieted. Here was her big secret, about to be laid bare before a complete stranger. Softly, she revealed it: “I’m afraid.”

Perhaps there was nothing to be afraid of, but there it was. Underneath her confidence, her independence, she was afraid. She was afraid of losing herself. She was afraid that she would become an object, a number in his herd. She was afraid of how he would treat her, and she was afraid that if she admitted to herself that she wasn’t in control at least a little, she would break apart and fizzle into a million frantic pieces, so lost that they would never come back together, and she would be forever lost. Her brown eyes showed her fear, and she swallowed, hoping he wouldn’t think she was pulling another charade.

ooc: awww. out comes vulnerable saeren. :3
word count: 554
tag: diego

[rhianna4554]

As I watch one tactic change to another with this one I can’t help but wonder if she will ever give up, After all I am hardly falling for them and have enough self discipline not to just take her already. Finally however she seems to give up my orbs catching the way her body deflates a little…perhaps finally she will get the hint that there is no point in her fighting against my will. I take some amusement from the fact that even after her tantrum she had the nerve to act my equal still. I was her king and she was below me. Finally she drops the act a scoff slipping past my kissers at the mention of me viewing her as an idiot. I seize the pause as an opportunity to correct her although at wince my head lowers a little to follow her gaze. “An idiot? No more like foolish.” Even as the words flow a flicker of pity stirs at the sight of several small wounds on her hind right side. Such a foolish girl indeed. Her confession prods at my curiosity a smirk forming when a blush rises to her cheeks. Yes she has acted like a spoilt child but the smirk forms when she claims I’m probably a better horse then her. That’s far from the truth…I’ve taken and raped that hardly makes me any better. I’m possessively protective at best unwilling to let another see my blackened soul. Once again she had the stubborn courage to catch my gaze although there was no hint of rebellion in the action. Silent I remained patiently waiting for her to say her piece yet again. Eyes rolled slightly her comment about independence a clear silent “you don’t say” settling across my features. That faltered though at her soft revelation surprise instead making itself known.

She was scared? The mare before my who had just moments ago been a feisty seductive creature was scared? The question was why. Was it because she feared to become a simple statistic? Did she fear losing herself? Hell…was this even a real concern for her or just another act? The fear in her chocolate orbs make me think that this time she is being genuine…but then can I ever be sure with this one? A soft sigh escapes gentler then intended before the words flow free. “Why are you afraid? I may have claimed you Saeren but that does not mean I expect you to be anybody but yourself…I rather like you as you are already. With how stubborn you are I doubt you would ever be able to become a simple statistic either. No you are not someone I would be able to forget about. I won’t force myself on you either even though I wish for you to stay within these lands. It won’t be forever Saeren…once we know each other better then you will have some of your freedom back. Just give it some time.” I had not intended for the words to be tinted with a gentle tone nor had I intended for a ghost of a warm smile to make an appearance. It happened anyway some of the ice melting away at the thought of her being in genuine fear. Once more my muzzle reached for her gently caressing for the briefest of moments although I knew that such a gesture would not be appreciated. It did not matter because hopefully with a bit of time this beautiful creature would think a little better of me. I just prayed my darker moods would not ruin such progress.