Room for one more? Russell/Gideon

[penguin]

Intrigued eyes gazed at the land before her. There were trees in various layouts, some clustered and some sparse, sprawled out over a fairly large space, but the distant shore was impossible to see because of the distance but primarily because of the grey fog. Between all of the trees was a thick layer of mist rolling in from the ocean and also descending from the mountains above. The buckskin mare was standing on the border of this secluded herd land, her dark brown eyes taking it in. She supposed many would be fearful of this land what with the reduced visibility, but not Harmonie. She felt nothing but excitement and interest. Extended her long legs alternately she carried herself forwards into the lands, her muscles contracting and relaxing quickly across her skin as she shuddered upon crossing the border because of the slight change in atmospheric conditions. There was not much difference from this place from where she was standing before, but she liked to pretend there was so that there was some sense of adventure. Of course she didn't really need to pretend. Joining a herd was an adventure in itself, being part of a family for the first time in many moons. She'd spent a lot of time on her own even when she was little. She was accustomed to taking care of herself but she had reached an age when she just wanted to relax in the safety of another's company. She wasn't going to stay young forever and she needed to find a home so that her future could have some new quests.

The buckskin lass passed several gnarled trees but still she felt no fear. Picking up a trot she picked her path carefully, avoiding the twisting fingers that occasionally tried to snatch and her black mane and tail. She wasn't used to not being able to see that well and she had to rely on her other senses, not to mention she had to be quick on her nimble hooves when a tree appeared out of nowhere. Harmonie snorted softly. Where was everyone? She would have thought she would have passed someone by now. Releasing a loud and melodic whinny she kept an eye out for any sign of another equine inhabitant. The buckskin lass didn't want to have to loiter in someone else's territory for too long if she was only going to be turned away. There were other herds to find if she was not to be welcomed here, but she hoped she would be. There was no land quite like this and she was fed up of the norm. Where was the fun in being somewhere that was exactly the same as another place? Sure one region could hold a mountain and the other a lake, but if there wasn't much more difference than that then really there was no variation at all. Snorting, the essa approached a small clearing between the trees to wait. Although she stood square and her posture was that of a patient soul, she was very interested in her surroundings and wanted to keep moving. Most of the fibres in her golden body were getting bored as well with the wait. Taking a deep breath she tried to keep her focus. They'd be here soon. Any minute now. All she had to do was wait a little a longer.

[Hud]

"Rebel children, I urge you, fight the turgid slick of conformity with which they seek to smother your glory."

A stranger's whinny was never to be ignored, especially if that stranger was of the female gender. Mares were of the utmost importance when it came to assembling a herd. Gideon had been clear about wanting to expand their small herd into a more respectable, multi-mare congregation. This one had walked right into their plan.

Russell scolded himself. His thoughts made him feel like what they were doing was some sinister, evil-mannered plot or scheme. No, they were simply doing what the Mother intended - forming a herd! There was nothing dishonorable about it. After all, Gideon was the most respectable stallion the liver chestnut paint had ever met. Russell's eyes glanced this way and that from his spot to try and find where the whinny had come from. She wasn't far. He had to find her now before she took off.

Ordinarily, Russell would be too shy to respond to the neigh of anyone he didn't know. He was never one for introductions. But, his leader needed his help, and he was all too willing to give it.

"H-hello? Is someone there?" Russell yelled warily. There wasn't fear in his voice, just a hint of uncertainty. The stallion took a few steps forward, his front legs lingering above the ground with each placement of the opposite hoof. His ears turned forward and back, right and left. He'd need more if he was going to find her as soon as he hoped he would...

TAGS: Harmonie | NOTES: ---

[penguin]

Another couple of minutes went by in silence. The golden femme felt uncertainty arise. Maybe there was no one here at all. Her head dropped a little, ears flicking back sadly. Upon first seeing this place she had felt some sort of pull. She put it down to the unique nature of this place captivating her but there was some deeper sense of home here that she had never heard of let alone experienced before. At first she tried to ignore, but it was this sensation that made her so impatient for a member of the Orut herd to show up so she could, hopefully, be accepted here. It was most peculiar sensation for the mare because apart from the small band she had grown up with for the first year of her life, she had not had a home. So to find herself miles from where she started it was odd that she should feel like this place was her home. However it seemed that the strong feeling would just have to go away, the sense of belonging banished from her mind. No one had approached her and she had been waiting quite a while. With a dejected sigh the lass gave up.

Reluctantly starting to turn away, the forlorn essa was in the process of picking up a trot to leave when she heard muffled movements nearby. Pricking up her ears and turning her head she listened to try and pick out more noises, hoping to work out what was going on. The mist prevented sound travelling clearly. It was quite a good defence barrier; equines attacking would not be used to it whereas inhabitants of this herd would be, and so could use it their advantage. If there were multiple members here. Taking a few strides forwards in the general direction of the sound the mare released another loud nicker, curiosity sparked. Within a few moments a voice echoed around her. A stallion. A herd member. Her misery faded away as she noted his presence somewhere close by, her mood starting to lift again. There was hope after all. All notions of leaving departed from her distracted mind as she formed an answer.

"I'm here!" she called out, her tone as musical as ever. Not wanting to let the other equu spend much longer trying to locate her, Harmonie took walked carefully forwards. A pleasant odour was starting to form before her as a gentle breeze disturbed the mist. She let the smell guide her until she could spot the silhouette of a gent in the distance. She stopped where she was, her buckskin frame rearranging itself into that of one who is respectful of another, submissive. She wanted to avoid seeming a threat, especially when she had detected wary tones in the other's voice. This meeting had to go well for her to stay here. She would do almost anything to be able to be part of this herd. Have the leader's foals, spy on another herd, recruit more members. She wanted to prove she was a worthy member, someone worth keeping around.

[Hud]

"Rebel children, I urge you, fight the turgid slick of conformity with which they seek to smother your glory."

To hear her call back was like music to his ears.

It wasn't exactly in his job description to seek out new members, but it seemed like the only thing to do if the herd was to grow. Gideon was out doing the same and had trusted Russell enough to admit new members if he deemed them respectful enough of the land and herd. A mare was a treasure to find in this fog.

"Follow my voice! The fog can get pretty nasty this time of year!" His attempt at being loud enough to hear but also pleasant enough to approach made him feel a little uncomfortable, but sacrifices would need to be made for the good of Orut, even if it meant his comfort level. The stallion stood still and tall, hoping the mare would be able to navigate toward him. If she couldn't, perhaps she shouldn't live in such a fog-covered biome. If she could, she'd only get better with time and soon she would be a master of the fog like he and Gideon were. he let out a whinny as another indicator of his position.

Russell couldn't decide if he was excited or terrified to meet this mare. She sounded eager enough. The stallion wasn't bad at conversation if he had the confidence to start one. In Orut, he usually did. It was when he was traveling and didn't know his surroundings that he felt too uneasy to approach others. Here, he had the advantage. Not that he needed it. This was only a mare.

He scolded himself silently for thinking such a thing. Mares were the key to a herd's lifeline. If it was to continue, they would need them. They were both wonderful companions and vessels for new members. Russell knew there must be even more to them, though he couldn't boast of knowing what that was.

TAGS: Harmonie | NOTES: ---

[penguin]

Harmonie waited patiently, excitement feeling her veins with each passing second until his voice drifted towards her invitingly. Her hooves moved as he beckoned, travelling towards his smoky silhouette through the lingering fog. Her buckskin frame weaved between trees as she trotted carefully towards the stallion, slowing her gait when he became more solid. Her walk was cautious. There was no way of telling if she was meeting a high ranking member of Orut or not. The lass had never been in a herd so she had not herd whispers of the happenings in other places. Whilst she had been born in the North, the essa had not spent much of her life there. Being back with the prospect of a herd was peculiar for her. The dynamics would doubtlessly be different, but what was the point in sticking to everything you already know? Exploring was something she loved to know but she was quickly running out places and had been contemplating joining a herd for many seasons now. Taking this step to actually search for a rank among one was going to be a change for her, but she would adjust quite well, or at least she hoped she would.

As the liver chestnut stag became cleared, the fog no longer reducing her ability to see him, a flutter filled her stomach, her heart racing a little. To the mare it was as though time had slowed down, everything resting on this moment. She was outside of touching distance, her head lowered slightly in submission and her posture relaxed. Her ears flickered from him to her surroundings, alert and curious as she took in the appearance of this creature. He was practically the same height as her but his coat was much more interesting in comparison to her plain buckskin. The small white markings on two of her legs were nothing when compared to his tovero genetics. Not that looks meant anything. Pushing that aside she tried to figure out what to say. This was something she had been preparing for as she had waited and now the moment was finally here she was speechless. How did she introduce herself? Was there some sort of etiquette required? This was something she had never done before and didn't really know how to go about it. A small frown formed as she thought before it cleared a few seconds later, deciding she might as well state the obvious. "I seek place in the herd of Orut," Her lyrics were laced with her desire to be part of this land. Each syllable caressed the air in its own harmonic way, the warmth in each note genuine and pure. She meant no threat to this place or to anyone who resided here. She just wanted a home.

[Hud]

"Rebel children, I urge you, fight the turgid slick of conformity with which they seek to smother your glory."

Russell smiled awkwardly when she appeared out of the fog. He was happy she'd made it through without much assistance. The mist was not easy to get through if one was not used to it.

Her buckskin coat caught him off-guard. He didn't see many in the Homeland; she was surely one of the few. And her words! He didn't even have to try! Russell was after new members and here she was, offering herself for the cause. Of course, he would need to evaluate her first - get to know her and why she wanted in.

"Welcome to Orut, then!" he said (rather quietly) with excitement. "I'm Russell, Advisor to Gideon, the king of this land. You are...?" The stallion tucked his head in toward his neck a little as his ears flicked with curiosity. He was surprised at his own ability to speak to such a beauty. Normally he choked on his words when in the presence of a lady. Perhaps since he had a purpose with her, it was easier. It was his duty. He stood still and motionless as he awaited a response.

TAGS: Harmonie | NOTES: Like I said. xD

[penguin]

Shyly, Harmonie returned the stallion's awkward smile. Despite everything, her desire to be here and her relentless will to become a member, she had not really considered the actual meeting beyond knowing it was important to get right. She hadn't predicted what emotions she would feel other than her excitement and nerves. She breathed deeply, inaudibly, to calm down the butterflies causing havoc within her. There was no need for her to be anxious about this. All she had to do was be herself. There was nothing else she could possibly do. If she pretended to be something she wasn't then that would damage her reputation, as she would come across as deceitful. Her personality was quite a pleasant one, if a little bit worked up with energy from time to time. Overall however she was a pleasant creature to be around, and she knew when to toe the line. So why should she be act as though she was something else? Mulling this over in her mind she felt some of the tension drain away. Speaking to a stallion. That was something she could do, right?

The fog did not seem to linger in the way as much any more, more like it started in a uneven circle around the two equines. There did not seem to be much visibility issue close range so she could easily read his body language. Despite the initial awkwardness of his smile, he seemed pretty relaxed in her company. There was some deeper sense of satisfaction that she could not fathom as well, but that did not bother her. He seemed nice enough from first glance, not to mention his body that was pleasing on the eye. The buckskin lass did not feel threatened by him, and as such she felt much more comfortable.

Ears lifted to detect the words the stallion spoke, the thrill tangible even though the lyrics were not loudly released. Between the two of them there was definitely a clear vibe of excitement being emitted that anyone walking by would be able to feel and react to. So this stallion was Advisor. That made him high ranking. And Gideon was the king. It was great to be able to put a name to each rank and Harmonie couldn't help but wander what rank she would fill. "Thank you Russell," she managed to reign in some of her excitement as she spoke, not letting it mar her sweet tones. Her head lowered further slightly, almost bowing, before lifting it again as she answered his query. "My name is Harmonie," her speech was clear, the words flawlessly audible. The familiar musical edge to them rang out too, especially with her gratitude warming the first sentence, and the silkiness that her name came out in. He wasn't mobile after his dialogue so she too remained still, her eyes watching him as her mind raced ahead to consider all the ways this could end.

[Hud]

"Rebel children, I urge you, fight the turgid slick of conformity with which they seek to smother your glory."

Russell swallowed with a small smile and an uneasy lifting of his brow. How he'd become so shy as an adult escaped him. He remembered very clearly learning his colors and shapes and trees and animals with his mother, full of life and vigor. With her, things were different. Russell didn't fear anything back then. Kizzy sheltered him, but also encouraged him. She nurtured his need to know, his need to learn. Russell was so different now...

The stallion shook the memory off. Harmonie was the one to focus on right now. She was ready and willing to join the herd, he just had to know a few things first. Russell waited probably too long before spitting out his question quickly. "...Where are you from, Harmonie?" He tried his best to sound as official and confident as possible, hard as that might have been for him. One hind hoof cocked against the ground below him, Russell lowered his head a little to appear approachable and friendly. There were so many messages he tried to convey at once that he almost wanted to turn hoof and jolt out of there. No, that would be the coltish thing to do. He should stay put and make Harmonie's first few minutes in Orut as pleasant as possible.

Gideon would want to meet her if Russell deemed her worthy of Orut. So far, she was doing quite well. It certainly wasn't her fault that he was as ridiculous as he was.

TAGS: Harmonie | NOTES: ---

[penguin]

Harmonie's ears flickered slightly, detecting his apprehension. It was bad enough that she was feeling unexpected emotions without being put more on edge by his! The buckskin wasn't sure why the stag was behaving as awkwardly as he was either. Was it her? No... it seemed more like a habit, as though he was more accustomed to his own company. This mixed with the silence that descended for quite some time made her feel uncomfortable again, tension building back up in her limbs as she questioned whether or not she had done something wrong already. It was possible that she had triggered some reaction for him to behave this way. Her eyes didn't move away from him at all, careful not to miss anything. If there was the slightest sign that she was unwelcome here then she would want to turn and leave. But she wouldn't, she'd stay and fight for her place here and come across as some egocentric lass who didn't understand boundaries. However how bad could she seem compare to a socially challenged creature?

So far he had seemed to approve of her. The question he finally freed was to be expected; it was normal. She felt herself relax again. His attention somehow soothed her nerves, calming her down. This was aided by the slight changes that he made to his posture that almost differentiated him from the role of advisor. It made him seem more like an acquaintance enquiring about the life of someone he just met. A friend. With this sort of mindset Harmonie felt the last of her nerves disappear and she was able to loose all the tension in her body. Her coiled muscles extended where necessary, letting go of the tightened sensations. "I was born up North, but I don't remember it too well so I couldn't tell you where. I grew up around the Freelands, and have spent most of my life there," Her content tones rolled softly off of her pink tongue. She supplied as much information as she could, hoping to answer some of the questions that hadn't yet been asked. As well as this, the essa wanted to be seen as being helpful, which was a trait she did usually portray anyway but she felt it prudent to show it now so that Russell could assess her for her better, more important qualities.

[Hud]

"Rebel children, I urge you, fight the turgid slick of conformity with which they seek to smother your glory."

As high-strung and constricted as he felt, he could tell she was nervous too. And yet, when she finally came around to answering his question, she seemed relaxed enough. He could relate to her story. He had been born in the Arcarian range, but he'd become a stallion elsewhere.

"Oh really? Me too. I mean, I was born in the North too. I've only visited the Freelands, though. They're a little out of my way and I don't really like travel. I seem to be going everywhere nowadays though, looking for new members for Orut-" Russell stopped his sped speech. He was always either choked up or letting his words fall out of his mouth when he was uncomfortable. He was a high-ranking member of a herd! Get it together, Russell.

Straightening up, he turned his attention back to her and assessing her eligibility. "Do you have any... family? Any children?" The question made him more uncomfortable, but it was necessary when testing how loyal a new member might be. If she had family somewhere else in the North or in the Freelands, perhaps she'd flee Orut at the first sign of trouble...

TAGS: Harmonie | NOTES: ---

[penguin]

Ears flickered towards the stallion as his stream of words flow freely and quickly, gaining both her interest and curiosity. She liked how he seemed to not really know what he was doing, something that was shown as her lips quirked up in the corner. This was as new for him as it was for her. There was no way to prepare for this. You could make a check list of everything that had to be conveyed but there was no real way of knowing how each meeting would pan out. "Some places in the Freelands are quite interesting, the Lake for example. It's a good place to see a wide variety of life besides us equines," she spoke softly, her awe of the world leaking into her octaves slightly. Whilst Harmonie was not too interested in how things came to be, she very much enjoyed seeing the picturesque fauna and flora. There was something so perfect about it, something so captivating.

His discomfort with the question was surprising. She had expected him to be uncomfortable with the situation, but not with the questions he asked. It made her wonder how clued in he really was. After all, he came across as someone who was socially awkward but he knew that this was a question that could upset some horses who may be in the middle of a family dispute or recently lost a loved one and wanted to make a fresh start. Fortunately for the buckskin lass she had no tale of woe to relate. "None sir, it's just me," her soft notes did not depict any upset. Some may find it traumatic to be on their own, but this essa was used to making her own way. She didn't feel the need to get stressed over a life of solitude. That was why she was here, to get passed that stage in her life. She wanted to settle down now because she had spent time on her own. During her time growing up she had never found love nor had she sought it. Hence the lack of foals. However it made her life simple and uncomplicated. If she had a child that was grown up she knew her loyalties would be tested because that was simply the way the world worked; a parent would do anything to keep their foal safe to ensure the circle of life was not disrupted in any way. "My loyalties will remain to this herd, Russell. There is nothing to distract me, nor am I stupid enough to let that become the case," Her tail flicked lazily at her sides, watching and waiting for the gent's response.

[Hud]

"Rebel children, I urge you, fight the turgid slick of conformity with which they seek to smother your glory."

Harmonie's words seemed certain and truthful. Russell could see that she truly wanted to join their small band. She would surely make a wonderful herd mare. Russell could imagine introducing her to Gideon pridefully, happy to have been useful. Of course, she would need to meet Bijou and her foal (once it was born), and hopefully they would get along happily - as well as two mares with a language barrier could, anyway. Yes, Russell could see Harmonie as a wonderful addition.

Russell smiled a little, lips tight as he nodded slightly at her lack of children or family. That was one of the wonderful things about herds. They became family.

"It's great you feel that way," he said quietly. His jerky glance looked down and around for a moment, thinking of how to admit her to Orut. Should he wait until Gideon met her? No, the leader was busy doing just this. No need. Russell knew he had the trust of his king. After all, he was supposed to advise Gideon, right? It was only natural that the advisor to the crown not need the crown's permission in such matters. "Well Harmonie, I think you'll be great here," Russell lowered his head a little and nodded once in as reassuring a manner as he could manage. He hoped she liked it here.

"Why don't you come with me? I'll take you to our normal stomping grounds," Russell said with a smile.

TAGS: Harmonie | NOTES: And scene. xD