The Next Generation (Hud)

[penguin]

The heavily pregnant mare had returned to Bayou for the birthing of her foal, seen as the father resided here. Ffion didn't like the idea of settling down but knew that she must for the foal's sake and so she had spent the majority of her gestation period wandering around the freelands, exploring some more before the time came for her to return to the swamp. Her breathing was not as light as usual. Lugging around the extra weight around her middle had become quite uncomfortable, especially with the frequent kicks she received. She didn't mind though. With every connection of the young horse to her bones she couldn't help but smile. It was a sign that he or she was healthy and that was very important to Ffion. This summer was promising to be a challenging one for everyone, let alone a weak foal that may not survive the rising temperatures.

Looking around the bay lass tried to find a suitable spot to have her foal now that the time was so near. She didn't want to be close to the waters for fear of predators. A smile played with her mouth as she remembered meeting Dev. A quiet laugh left her lips. How foolish she had been to be taken in by his charm. In all honesty she hadn't truly believed it, at least not now reflecting on their meeting. But she had wanted to. Not that she would change what happened. Just as she was contemplating this she felt a false labour come on again. Her ears flattened and she moved slowly to a tree. This was the third false labour she had experienced. They never lasted long but still... Closing her eyes she leant against the large trunk as she waited for it to pass.

The night was dark, the stars and moon illuminating the small clearing-like space she had found with a silvery glow whilst the bay mare herself remained in the shadows of the broad tree. She always loved looking at the night sky and it helped pass the ten minutes or so. To occupy her mind she began to make shapes from the small, twinkling yellow lights in the endless black sky. She'd heard many tales of what they were but she didn't know what to believe. Maybe they were the suns from other universes, or maybe they were the souls of every creature big and small that had existed on this planet. All she knew was that they had helped guide her here and she was very grateful for it. She was about to drift into the light when a yellow tinted liquid rushed over her hind legs. It was time. Her foal was about to enter the world.

[Hud]

"Oh say, can you see my eyes? If you

can, then my hair's too short!"

The smell of a mare in heat was not to be missed. Surely all the creatures in the bayou knew of Ffion's foal's impending birth. The fact certainly didn't pass Devereaux' mind, especially since he knew the young horse was his.

The stallion was happy to have brought his first child into the world, or at least, that he or she was about to be brought. Dev loved Ffion, though not in the conventional way. Dev loved everyone. He thought of mares as wonderful companions who could produce children on the side. They were not simply birthing machines as some stallions saw them, and they were also not just playthings. They had their own thoughts, their own ideas, and their own needs. The stallion didn't know Ffion too well, but he did know that the mare would want his support; he at least knew her that well.

Devereaux bounded over limb and stump, sinkhole and moss-covered rock to reach his friend. He would not call her his true love, though they did enjoy each other's company to a great degree, hence the child. It was his fatherly duty to be there, to help her in any way he could. Devereaux did not feel the anxiety of a new father. He knew his instincts would kick in when he saw the young one's face. There was no need to worry when the Mother would take care of all three of them anyway.

The only thing that made him sad was his father. Armand would not care about this foal like an ordinary grandfather, and especially not if it was a girl. The old stallion had informed him that he would soon give the throne to him, so he would be expecting an heir. Devereaux did not see this new foal as the heir to the throne, but instead as a child of nature itself.

The stallion moved swiftly, knowing that he was still a few miles away, though the scent was growing stronger and stronger by the minute.

OOC: Leave out the gross details, obviously. xD Maybe just skip to it having been born and then Dev will show up! ^_^

[penguin]

Carefully making her way to a slightly more sheltered area, Ffion lowered herself to the ground when she felt her time for moving somewhere safer was running out. Her movements were much less agile with the great barrel of a stomach swinging ever so slightly and when she was down she feared she would never get up. She would be glad when the pregnancy was over. Rolling so she was on her side the bay mare waited for the contractions to start and as they did she began to push. The pain was uncomfortable, and several times her head lifted off of the ground to look around her, hoping it would be over. She felt on edge and this emotion wasn't helping matters either. If she was in the freelands she would have been much more secure, at least that's what she believed. She had after all grown up in the area and so she knew it very well. But here... she didn't know this land well. If it was during daylight hours she might have felt more comfortable being alone. Where was Devereux? Resting her head back on the floor Ffion continued to give birth almost wishing the contractions would be more frequent to speed up to process. Thirty minutes or so had passed when at long last the foal was born. But Ffion didn't move. The essa remained laying on the floor, snorting softly. Her coat was sweaty and her energy had been somewhat drained. Being able to lie down and not need to do anything more felt so good. Besides, the foal would still be wriggling and starting to move to break the cord and learn to breath. She couldn't do much to help and she felt so sleepy...

The sound of snuffling aroused her. With a quiet grunt she rolled onto her front in preparation to get up. Her brown eyes peered curiously around to see a small, slightly damp, chestnut colt. His eyes were opening, and he too was rolling onto his front. The young creature was attempting to stand already although he had no idea what he was doing. Planting his back hooves on the floor he ended up in an almost bowing position and then appeared to get stuck. Affection was very quickly filling Ffion's eyes as she watched him attempt to get balanced. His gangly legs seemed not be very coordinated for as he attempted to get his front legs straight he lost all strength and tumbled back down to the floor. With a small smile and pricked ears, the lass stood up and moved closer to the precious little darling, lowering her muzzle to give him an encouraging nudge and also check his physical condition. There seemed to be nothing wrong with him. He was perfectly healthy, that was for sure. "Easy there sweetheart" she murmured softly, licking his coat to dry him off and removed any final bits of membrane still clinging to him. His short tail wagged a little before he disregarded his mother's words and tried to stand up again. This time he was more successful. On all fours he staggered closer to his dam and upon finding her teats began to nurse. Smile widening the proud mother moved her head round to his back to gently and lovingly nuzzle him before her head lifted again. Protective, she wished not to be interrupted by some predator. Her motherly instincts were kicking in and everything that had bothered her before was fading from her mind. This life, the family life, she could live with it most contently.

ooc: Hope this is okay :3

[Hud]

"Oh say, can you see my eyes? If you

can, then my hair's too short!"

Devereaux didn't dillydally too much longer as he came upon a familiar face. It wasn't until he passed a great clump of mangrove roots that he saw who she was with - a tiny thing. The chestnut colt was barely standing when Dev laid brown eyes on him. He was a wonderfully deep chestnut, with lighter hair on his head and on his fluffy tail. In truth he was adorable. The sight made the stallion pause his trek to take it all in. Dev had only known Ffion for one night months before and here she was with his son. The bond between a mother and child was beautiful to Devereaux. She deserved more.

"Ffion!" The stallion announced as he came out from behind a wall of spanish moss. "Ffion, look what yuh've done!" he said with happiness in his voice and on his face.

[penguin]

The slightly sweaty mare glanced up, her posture tensing. She was convinced she had heard something, the quiet movements of someone nearby. She wasn't completely certain but there was no point in taking any risks. Looking back down at her nursing son she couldn't help but wonder if it was best to move or not. He was so unstable on his hooves on them gangly legs at just a walk, let alone trying to get him to go faster. No, she'd stay here. If there was anything lurking in the shadows she'd be able to protect him. Ffion would always have the strength to protect her beloved offspring. The chestnut colt was soon full and he moved away from her slightly. He was a little steadier now and growing curious about the strange world around him. With loving, brown eyes the mare watched as he nudged the moss with his muzzle, his ears perked as he expressed his inquisitive side. There was an echo of similarity between mother and son. Like Ffion he seemed to want to know about the lands around him.

Hearing a voice echoing across the small place she'd found to give birth, the young lass pricked her ears and looked around. She recognised the tones but it was still a relief to be able to see Devereaux standing there. A smile graced her lips as she released a warm, welcoming nicker, one that seemed to capture the attention of the colt. Head rearing up he moved closer to Ffion, hiding beneath her stomach with his head peering out from between her hind legs, her tail framing his delicate face as he wiggled his muzzle through it. His head was turn towards the stallion, his father. "Devereaux, come meet your son!" she spoke with an abundance of joy in her melodic lyrics. She would have moved to turn around but she was too worried about accidentally kicking the young colt. Instead she just turned her head and neck to observe contently.

[Hud]

"Oh say, can you see my eyes? If you

can, then my hair's too short!"

Devereaux smiled at the sight of his first child - a son. He was a beautiful color. His chestnut was darker than either of their own coats. His brown eyes resembled both of his parents', however. The colt seemed healthy and curious, as colts should be, according to Dev. The stallion lowered his head and got closer to the foal. He made sure to keep at least some distance. He didn't want to scare his own son away. "Hello, son."

He couldn't imagine himself as a father. He'd always been the son, and now he had a son. In truth, Devereaux didn't really want Armand to meet him. Not yet, at least. Devereaux wanted to get to know the colt first. The stallion looked up to Ffion with a hint of wonder in his expression. How a girl he'd only known for a night seasons before could have made such a beautiful thing as this colt blew his mind. "What will yuh name 'im?"

[penguin]

The colt retreated his muzzle slightly as the stallion drew near before sticking it back up in the air to inhale his sire's scent as he spoke. Pricking his ears to colt snorted in an adorable but undignified manner before returning to gaze in wander at his father. Growing more confident he wiggled out from between Ffion's legs to get closer to the gent, carefully reaching out to touch his leg, which was the only thing he didn't need to stretch for really. Bouncing back he loped awkwardly back to his mother before turning round again. His bright eyes were curious, and he was patiently waiting to see what would happen after the contact he induced. Unable to help herself the mare laughed at the antics of her child, lowering her muzzle to nudge his neck affectionately. He was fearless, that was for sure. "I think he likes you," she spoke cheerfully, her amusement laced into her gentle lyrics. Her eyes, lit up so brightly, moved to Dev as she nickered softly, encouraging him to come closer.

Fallon, however, captured her attention for he had somehow managed to trip over his own feet standing still. The young creature didn't seem too bothered as he rolled around, flailing his long legs around as he scratched his back on the mossy ground without a care in the world. Eventually he did find his way back to his feet. He was much more stable and quicker this time around. Clearly pleased with himself he pranced forward only to stagger a little as he pushed himself faster to canter straight past the two equines and circle them. Something could be said for finding too much energy, but Ffion was thrilled. Her keen eyes did not leave the foal as he enjoyed himself and she did not intervene. It was good to see that he was not fearful of anything, and she wanted it to remain that way. This area was free of any dangerous waters so the colt could play here without too much worry being put upon his parents. Tiring slightly he joined Ffion again, his tail almost wagging as he swished it.

Upon hearing Dev's question Ffion paused for several moments. "I was thinking of calling him Fallon. What do you think?" It was important to her that Devereaux had input on the life of their foal. She wanted him to make some decisions too. The bay mare turned her head to Fallon who was slowly walking back towards the stallion, still interested in both of his parents equally as much as his surroundings. The small chestnut let his legs collapse beneath him as he lay down without any grace between the two. His eyes were clearly focused on both of them though, moving from his dam to his sire as though he was watching a tennis match.

[Hud]

"Oh say, can you see my eyes? If you

can, then my hair's too short!"

The colt was very entertaining to watch. Devereaux had never seen anything as cute and special as his new son. 'Fallon', Ffion called him. It was a good name. A strong name. He'd stand by it. "Sounds lovely, Ffion." Dev couldn't manage to look at the mare, as the colt had his full attention as he got closer and closer until his poked him in the leg. The stallion smiled at son's reaction to meeting his father. It was good that he was showing such courage minutes after his birth. It proved promising... "Fallon, come day hello to yuh fa-duh!" Dev lowered his head and smiled, hoping his son would see it as an invitation and not a challenge. A colt's instincts were almost unpredictable when it came to things other than where the food came from. Plus, Devereaux had no idea what he was doing. He'd only just become a father.

Dev glanced up to Ffion with a smile. He couldn't be more proud of the mare he barely knew.


OOC: Prolly done here. <3