If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl (Mavecci)

[Hud]

No biome seemed to suit Brigida until now.

Finally the mare had given in and sought refuge in the lands she was meant to inhabit - the North. Her curled coat was thinner now, but the warmer temperatures made her as comfortable as ever. Brigida had heard talk of a new stallion having taken over the lands... How perfect! Brigida longed to be a part of a herd, a new king would no doubt be searching for new members.

The mare had just awoken from a nap beneath one of the few non-coniferous trees in the North. Brigida spent the morning grazing, readying herself for her venture even further. If he didn't find her, she would find him...

OOC: SHORT. IT'S FINE.

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Mavecci Minst

The chill in the air was blatant, but the stallion was as happy as ever to be roaming his land. His land, said loosely - it was his, but he did not begrudge others the use of it as well. He would run this herd, once he had members, but he knew he could have no real claim over the land. It had been here before he was born, and it would remain when he was gone. But he couldn't deny that he loved the place. The ground beneath his hooves was hard, owing to the permafrost that would remain throughout the year. Spring still had large spots of snow over the landscape, but it was better than the winter had been by far. The wind had died down, and overall the temperature was not too bad.

Mavecci was moving briskly over the land, as he did every day - searching, mostly in vain, for some wanderer to entertain him. Not many traveled to the far North, so while he loved his location, he also hated how secluded it was making him. Once his herd was established it wouldn't be so bad, but he hated being alone. It was making even a small wait awful.

However, it seemed it was a lucky day. The wind sent a small breeze, and on that breeze was a scent that made Mavecci's head rise and his ears press forward. He changed his course a little, picking up a canter in his eagerness. Finally. It didn't take him long to find the mare, who looked completely content grazing on the tundra vegetation. He let out a small neigh as he slowed, shaking out his mane before settling an easy distance before her. The white stallion turned his head a little, settling a blue eye on the dark chestnut mare. A small smile spread on his lips, eyes lightly taking in the odd curliness of her coat before returning to her face. "Welcome to Cikuq. I don't mean to intrude, if you're wanting to be alone - but if you'd like some company, you may call me Mavecci." His smile was charming and relaxed - asking nothing, accepting anything she may choose.

[Hud]

The approach of the stallion was well-accepted. Once Brigida caught sight of the white stallion, she raised her head, finishing her last bite and swallowing. The mare noted the stallion's welcome and deducted that this must be the new ruler she'd heard about. Happy to have found him so easily, Brigida whinnied and took a few steps toward him, her tail's curls wisping across her hocks as they lightly wagged. "'Mavecci'? Why, isn't that the name Cikuq's new leader?" Brigida smiled slyly.

"In that case, I'd like to throw my name in the running for your newest herd member! I've always known I've belonged here, and I've finally come home," the mare smiled sweetly. Ordinarily Brigida could have a pretty rough and tumble exterior, not taking anyone's crap. Not today. Today she was ready and willing to accept change into her life. "I'm Brigida, if it suits you."

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Mavecci Minst

Well now, he was surprised, and please, that this pretty little mare was so accepting of his presence. Her words, if possible, pleased him even more. Knowing that she loved this land as he did was definitely a pleasant thought, and not one he expected many equines to share. For many, this land was too cold and too rough. But to his relatively untrained eye, she looked well built to handle the cold. His smile grew a little. "You would be correct, Brigida. I recently settled myself here for good, and I'm hoping to stay. And I'm delighted to hear that you want to be here as well - it gets lonely, with no one else around."

Mavecci glanced across the tundra, noting the telltale cloudiness in the distance that signaled that the wind was going to pick up in a bit, and drastically. He looked back toward Brigida, inclining his head as he turned. "Walk with me? The winds can be brutal out here in the open, and I'd hate your first moments in my herd to be uncomfortable ones." He walked, but he wasn't in any hurry. They had some time. He glanced back over his shoulder and asked, "Did you travel far to get here? I know the transition from the rest of the Homeland can be difficult."

[Hud]

Brigida was ecstatic to have a home already after having just entered the territory. It was also nice to help out a fellow equine. This Mavecci seemed genuine and happy to have a new herd member. Of course, Brigida saw the advantages of joining an already-established herd, but what was the fun in that? To be a founding member of a herd was exciting, and the curly mare couldn't imagine a better situation.

The mare eagerly walked beside the white stallion, happy to tell him her story. "I'd say so!" Brigida exclaimed. "I was in Baahir not two seasons ago! I've spent the last few months making my way around the territories, trying to find a home. I'm glad I got here when I did."

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Mavecci Minst

Mavecci smiled as she spoke, her enthusiasm a breath of fresh air after so long on his own. His mood rose in response, his gait springing just a little bit more. Honestly, he normally wasn't this exuberant based on small things, but what could he say - even he could act like a colt when he was happy sometimes, right? "I try to avoid going south as much as possible, so I've never actually been to Baahir." He wrinkled his nose at the thought of that sweltering heat. "But still, I'm happy you're here as well. It's not much, but I know this land has a lot of potential. And you're the first step toward exploiting that." He chuckled lightly, glancing down at her before looking back toward his destination. There was an outcropping of tall rocks, and he maneuvered them on the lee-side of where the wind would come from - it would be comfortable enough, and there were a couple of hours until dark.

Lashing his tail lightly, Mavecci settled, hip nearly touching the rocks as his hoof tilted in relaxation. "I'll just give you my rundown now, I guess, and you let me know if it's fair? I won't ask a lot of my herd, but with anyone that settles here, I ask that you protect each other. Treat everyone like family, because that's what we are now." He smiled lightly. "And just so you know, you don't have to worry about me. I'm not one of those obnoxious testosterone types - no one here will ever ask of you anything you don't want to give, or else they'll find themselves displaced."

[Hud]

Brigida smiled when he mentioned never going near Baahir. It made her feel adventurous and like she might somehow be useful to him because of her travels. The mare listened intently to the stallion's love for his home. Brigida didn't know how long he'd resided in Cikuq, but she could tell he was infatuated with the terrain. It was sweet, really. Brigida tucked her head as she continued to hear his words. She loved his voice's fluidity... And his message! He respected her already, or at least mares in general. It was a breath of fresh air from previous kings she'd come across. Many leads took advantage of their herd mares, or "wives", as they were often called. It was a common term, but still one that irked her. This Mavecci did not seem to think this way. It was this that appealed to her more rebellious side.

"That's very kind," she managed to utter, this time quieter than before. "Forgive me, are we truly the only ones so far? I find it hard to believe that you've approached no other mares..."

OOC: SHE'S CRUSHIN'. It's cute. xD He doesn't have to crush back, I just thought it'd be fun to play her with a crush. ^_^

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Mavecci Minst

Mavecci thought about those words, because he couldn't deny that they seemed somewhat strange. Kind? He supposed it might seem so, especially since he knew how some stallions treated mares. It was why he'd made the statement to begin with. But it seemed wrong, somehow, that she should think him kind for giving her the simple courtesy of being in control of her own body, not being exploited in exchange for a place to live. Well, if his own beliefs made his herd that much more attractive, then he couldn't complain. Her words, and also the way in which she spoke them, drove him to speak honestly.

"Yes, it's just the two of us for now. And it's not that I'm afraid to approach others - and obviously it would be nice to have more company here - but... I feel like it might be cruel, somehow, to ask anyone to come here if they don't show up on their own. This is a hard way of life, and pulling someone from the Freelands if they haven't been here... well, it takes special sort to survive here, don't you think?" He normally wasn't so talkative, but just as with his high energy, finally having someone around to talk to was causing him to talk just a little more. Plus, Brigida was proving very easy to talk to. He noticed the subtle shift in her voice, from the earlier exuberance to something quieter, softer - he didn't know her well yet, but he knew she was truly grateful, at least. It validated all that he was striving for here, and for that he was grateful. "Don't worry, though. One mare or an entire herd, you'll be as safe as I can possibly make it here."

[Hud]

Mavecci's words made Brigida feel special, like she was unique to be suited to living so far north. Before, she had resented her coat and form, telling herself she didn't have to fit the mold and immediately move to Cikuq at her earliest convenience. To be fair, she gave most of the other territories a shot, living a few weeks in each. Nothing sat well with her until now. "I can see that. If I didn't have my coat, I could understand being uncomfortable this far north if I had been born in a warmer climate... I'm sure if you watch the borders closely enough you could convince visitors to stay until you had a full-fledged herd." Brigida smiled at the idea. It would be nice to have others to call family.

The mare was reassured of her safety. It felt good to have someone watching over her for once, even if it had only been for mere moments. She saw their relationship lasting a long time...

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Mavecci Minst

Mavecci looked at the mare fondly, more glad every moment that Brigida had found her way here. He wasn't one to have low self-esteem, but it really was good to see that others were grateful for what he was trying to do. That she thought he could do everything he offered, and more. "Thank you, Brigida," he said softly, arching his neck to almost touch their noses. Then, with a smile, he moved away, looking around the rocks. The wind, it seemed, had changed directions - the cloud of dust and snow had moved off. The tall stallion turned back, then gestured with his head. "If you're not too tired, I can show you around. The herd will generally sleep in the caves, where we have protection from the elements." Then, after a moment, he said something else. Something that just felt right, for this moment.

"Welcome home, Brigida."

[Hud]

OOC: Good place to stop! THEY'RE CUTE. 83