into the taiga ― open

[skibbereenfarms]

TIOGA
―the bandit king

The gentle afternoon wind swept over Drulan as Tioga heaved a heavy sigh. These first few days had been somewhat daunting for the new King, though it wasn't because it was too much for him to handle. No, his home brought all of the security he needed, and for that he had no need to worry. His concern lied in the fact that he had not encountered another of his kind by now. Surely with his scent lingering about the territory, someone would have shown interest or at least curiosity within the borders, but alas, no new souls had come forth. Tioga had not thought to question the sanctity of his home, for he knew it to be fitting for any stallion, mare, and foal. Where was the fault?

As the King meandered about his territory, he came across a trio of boulders, each practically coated with moss. He momentarily recalled a time during his childhood where he had first encountered these stones. He remembered them being much bigger then, and he distinctly recalled the desire to climb on top of them. Tioga chuckled softly at his childhood antics, briefly wishing he could return to the simpler days of his youth. The stallion's head swiveled about as he grinned at the treetops. Despite longing for the days of old, he had to admit that the grass was much greener now than it was back then.

During his contemplative moment, the stallion had failed to realize the new scent that rode along with the breeze. All at once the air filled his nostrils, and he had to sneeze in order to dispel this foreign smell that tickled his senses. With a furrowed brow and a curious mentality, the stallion set off from his position ― leaving the boulders and those memories behind ― and hoped he'd be able to track down the very source of this foreign scent.

_{ooc: see i told you, muse out the wazoo. this is for anyone, feel free to jump in whenever.}

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[Deleted]

Rijiri

The forest was something that had been talked of in stories that were years ahead of any of the elders talking of them. Rijiri, back when she was a herd's mare, remembered them with half-hearted curiosity. Parts of it interested her, but not enough when she was a filly to pay too much attention. So when she meandered her way to the forest of tales, the dark and white mare could only wonder if there was any truth to the parts she remembered.

She stood below a crowd of tall trees, taking a moment within herself to decide if it was something worth.. finding out today. The mare had enjoyed her days of solitude and self-ambition, and her adventures brought her many faces and many conversations... okay, debates. Arguments.

Nevertheless, each one sported their own meaning, and own part. It smelled like this was someone's home, and all she needed was to come across a horse while trying to enjoy her peace and quiet in being alone. There was nothing like waking up to a dew-laden meadow, rising from sleeping under a large moss tree, seeing the sun filtering through the leaves in clumps; not to have it broken by idiots running around acting a fool. But still, the forest was something for her to ponder, and maybe if she were stealthy enough she could have her moment without interruption. With a deep sigh after moments of staring at leaves, the Smokey Grullo took her first steps into the forest. Ah, let's find out what awaits me here, if anything.

NOTES: Ahm, Rijiri's a little sticky right now but we'll see if she loosens up for me. She's being a bit defiant. :'D

[skibbereenfarms]

TIOGA
―the bandit king

If it is meant to be, everything will fall into place. While he wasn't exactly sure why his mother's words decided to echo in his mind at that moment, he had a good reason to believe that they would become useful to him in the near future. The stallion drifted alongside the forest's trees as their branches seemed to reach for the direction of the scent he'd picked up. Once or twice he found himself calling out to the space before him, but each time his voice drifted back to him. This King would not give up so easily. If he intended on teaching the wood that he would not under any circumstance abandon it, then he must show the same care and determination for a creature he doesn't even know.

A brief moment of hesitation came when Tioga spotted some movement in the distance. While he merely paused because of momentary shock, he remained in place to take a moment to actually search for this stranger. The King's eyes needed a moment, but eventually he spotted the mare's pale exterior. Mentally noting how she did a wonderful job at blending herself within the tree-scattered terrain, he took his chance and began moving closer. His pace was slow and gentle, head somewhat lowered. There was no need for her to be intimidated within the confines of the forest.

He cleared his throat, slowly stepping out from behind a set of trees. "Pardon me lass, I hope I wasn't interrupting something important."

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[Deleted]

Rijiri

Her hooves produced a light crunch from the leaves of the past winter. Because so many trees were in the forest, it took longer for the new leaves to all make their arrival. The forest felt a bit humid, but it wasn't something that came completely new to her. Rijiri looked along the towering trunks as she walked, making her own path. Her forelock split in half along her head, strands falling along her brow and away from her eyes, some falling before it. Her tail, having grown more rapidly in the past months, now nearly touched the ground as she walked leisurely, and her mane fell along her neck and ran along the line of her shoulder in ease. The extended frame checkered along view of the forest, her earthen gray skin meshing nicely to the backdrop. Only the white seemed to contrast, but otherwise she seemed to blend and become part of the forest simply in being there.

She stopped, looking at how the leaves cast the light from above her. Her face was dappled in the pieces of shadow and light, but her eyes seemed to glow. Jiri's ears twitched back, listening to the echoes from within the forest, the life that she was now exploring. She sighed softly, her head falling along the trunk and examining the grooves from the bark. Her dark tail swayed lightly along her back legs, and Rijiri became engulfed in childhood memories. Even though she wasn't born in a forest, something about merely entering this land felt.. peaceful. Comforting. Her days of travel had only begun in her youth, her days of being a herd's mare being short-lived as well. She hadn't had the years to live yet, not really; she would refer to herself as though she were twice her age, but everything about her went against those words. She looked young, was young, and had her entire life ahead of her. Jiri could do whatever she wanted, and take years to do it.

The smokey mare tossed her head slightly, allowing the sounds of the forest to sink in more, forgetting past irritation and finding a peace within herself. It was like a vacation.

Ah, a vacation to be interrupted.

Rijiri's ear twitched as a couple of cracks sounded from the forest. It didn't take long for the forest to produce a shadow, a figure, and her eyes cast to the side to look upon the other horse's arrival. What appeared was an earthen-toned stallion, seemingly at home to the forest in the way he moved. He spoke with peace in his voice, but Jiri wasn't too sure on how her mood was for the day. She cocked her right hind in noting he didn't seem dangerous, and pointed her chin to the trees before settling back to him: "Ah, only if you think watching trees is important."

[skibbereenfarms]

TIOGA
―the bandit king

A day such as this tended to go relatively peaceful for the Bandit King, though it quickly became obvious that such circumstances would not be endowed upon him this afternoon. He had been looking forward to the time he could spend reflecting on a few select concepts; kingly duties, reputation, those sorts of things. New matters pressed, however, and the King would have to keep his head out of the clouds if he intended on showing his authority. Although― sometimes he found himself better off if he wasn't exactly touching the ground. In this case he would likely find such a technique to be quite effective.

The dame's words seemed to touch him in a way that made him depict her in a light quite different from any other mare he had encountered before. His reactions toward outsiders tended to be suspicious, even hostile at times, at least until he learned of their intentions. Tioga was no fool, and he could usually tell when someone was lying to him, but this mare's body language told him that her claim was genuine. With the trees to confirm this, Tioga found himself smiling, watching them just as she had been.

The Bandit King strode toward the mare, his legs swiftly bringing him closer to her frame. He pulled himself right up next to her, keeping a fair amount of distance between them so that her boundaries were properly respected. He looked to her from the corner of his eye, mainly focusing on the trees just as she had been. "I couldn't think of anything less important," he informed her with a serene nod of his head. His upcoming inquiry could be considered risky, but a stallion in his position would usually be expected to take an extra step. He looked over to her with an austere expression. "Would you mind if I observed with you?"

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