Trouble No One (open)

[Hud]

Autumn was a curious time in the desert canyonlands...

The falling temperatures of the northern territories reached only here, it seemed. They did not pierce the deserts as they did the orange and red rocks. Mother Nature did her work softly and gently around Dask, seemingly trying to preserve its natural beauty. Snow never fell here, so the white, medicine hat-donning warrior of the canyons did not fear the cold. In truth, the stallion had never seen snow at all. He'd heard stories, of course. Though, he could not imagine a water-like substance with shape and form. The idea never held water with him.

Tonto never missed the chance to commune with the non-equine life of the canyons. He spent today at the bottom of the canyon, having spent the entirety of his morning descending the canyon's walls. Of course, there were easier paths than the one he had chosen, but the health of the body was as important as the health of the spirit. Touching hoof to the base of the valley was refreshing, to say the least. His legs felt the strain and stress of climbing leaving their forms as Tonto walked slowly toward a large yucca not far from where the wall and canyon floor met. The blooms had fallen and all that remained were the wide and low leaves it had grown seasons before. Not many of the unique plants grew above the canyon floor. The equine always made it his first stop to check on the giant plant that had been in the same spot ever since long before he was born. Muttering a few native words under his breath as he lowered his head and traced the edges of one spike, Tonto paid his respects to what he felt was one of Mother Nature's most curious creations.

OOC: I know I already have an open Tonto thread up, but I really wanted to post with him sooooo. xD

[Silver]

Juno

Autumn was one of the strangest seasons for the young princess. She’d never been outside the desert, and as a result she’d never had the chance to see a change of seasons. Sure, the nights were cooler and the days were not as scorching, but there was little else to differentiate the changing months. She often forgot that the world changed at all, and sometimes she didn’t believe that it did at all. Her father and mother said that they did, but they were from a different era, a different desert. Perhaps the world had changed since they last ventured out. Either way, the seasons were of little concern to the young royal. She was nearly a mare grown, tall and gaining her feminine curves each day. She was beautiful in her own wild way, with a dark mystery in her black eyes and a cleverness in the way that she spoke. Still, she was naive in many ways; love was one of those areas where she had little experience to speak of. However, she was determined to find out what it was like, that elusive emotion called love.

It was for that reason that she loped towards the natural wonder called the Dask Canyon. It was there that she knew he would be, that stranger who had captured her attention and her every dreaming moment. Each waking moment was filled with younger siblings and other mares, otherwise it would be filled with him as well. His white and black face swam behind her eyes, spurring her ever forward. Eventually Juno reached the edge of the canyon. It was a long way down, and she’d only ever been here once with her father. Of course, that was when she was quite a bit younger and less capable of navigating the desert on her own. Now she was a warrior princess in the making, a free spirit with only her heart and her head to guide her. She was her father’s daughter, the demon’s child. But now she was a woman, a female with her heart in her throat. She scanned the bottom of the canyon, nearly holding her breath with nervousness. What if she did find him? What then?

Juno hadn’t planned that far ahead, but she was certain that he would be here, and that her heart would guide her in what lay ahead. Tonto. That was his name; she’d heard Angelus say it a few times. Her elusive stranger, with a name as strange as his mannerisms. Her heart pounded with anticipation and her mouth seemed to dry up. And suddenly, there he was. At the bottom of the canyon, a white figure with a spot of black on his head. She felt giddy, and giggled like a child. Alright, now to meet him in person. This was unfortunately the difficult part. The way down to the bottom was treacherous. And yet... Tonto. Juno was determined to speak to him face to face, and if she had to brave a steep descent down the canyon’s walls, then so be it.

ooc: so cute. :3
word count: 510+
tag: tonto

[Hud]

By now, Tonto found himself continuing along the canyon wall, surveying his turf. Angelus was its true chief, but he didn't always make it this far northwest in his territory. They had an agreement of sorts that Tonto would look after the desert's red border. It took real skill to get from the plains cliff to the Baahir cliff on the other side; Tonto was there to "greet" newcomers. Or, at least, judge their entry. The white and black statue walked with poise as he looked this way and that around him, smelling the air for any inconsistency.

He hadn't seen Scout in days. The black bird tended to fly his own way. The companions held the utmost respect for each other, though they also respected each other's privacy. And so, the stallion's poll was empty today.

Tonto stopped when his ears picked up on a disturbance. His hooves kept him still as his head turned this way and that, allowing his ears to listen for any other clues. The stallion had excellent senses; it was his relationship with nature. He was so connected to the land that it spoke to him when it was unsure. It was the cliffs that called to him today - the ones he'd just descended. Tonto wasn't sure what they were saying just yet... Could something or someone be here without the Mother's permission? The stallion glanced to the far wall and began scanning as far up and out as he could. Little did he know that the presence he sensed was above him.

OOC: Not much else to say just yet xD

[Silver]

Juno

He was beautiful. She hesitated, standing above him, looking down. She had the higher ground and yet she felt like he was stalking her. Her heart thudded in her chest as she watched his strong head and jaw lift to look somewhere in the distance. The absolute perfection of his face was enough to steal her breath away. She felt her chest constrict with a mix of panic and adoration whenever he moved. If he saw her, this moment would be broken and she would be caught. Juno frowned with puzzlement. Wasn’t that what she wanted though? For him to actually notice her? Yes, that was it, but then why was she so afraid?

The filly took a deep breath and steeled herself. Come on, you can do this. Eventually the princess was able to get her legs to move, but she was ashamed to note that they wobbled with each step. Her self-consciousness rose to almost unthinkable levels and she was aware of each hair on her body. What if he was angry that she had come to the canyon? Juno was so nervous that she forgot to watch her step. A small pebble stood in her way; when she lifted a hoof to step further, the rock was sent flying to clatter down the small incline that she was descending. Oh Dark One, she cursed, invoking the name of the deity that her father worshiped and one day she would as well. Perhaps he hadn’t noticed.

ooc: i totally planned out future dramatic threads as i was writing this one.
word count: 250+
tag: tonto
muse: the love club by lorde

[Hud]

Tonto had sensed something. That much was sure when he saw the pebble fly down and just miss his head. At once his attention shot to where it had landed. His eyes watched the spot for perhaps too long before the stallion leapt up from his spot and gamboled away from the wall, only to turn around and look up for a better look. His expression was filled with surprise as he saw... Who? The chief?! The stallion tilted his head quickly and narrowed his eyes. No, not quite strong enough. As he watched the form struggle to descend, Tonto knew it couldn't be Angelus. Nakita, perhaps? Yes! It must be Nakita. Just as he'd watched the pebble, he watched the mare wobble this way and that, her body threatening to throw her off kilter every step of the way. It was almost hypnotizing... But no, he had to care for his herd, and if a mare was feeling foolish, Tonto had no other duty but her. He needed to step in before she killed herself.

The stallion took off with a running start, releasing more a series of whoops and hollers than whinnies and neighs this time. He spoke no words and only exclaimed in his culture's way as he moved. His hooves touched the rocks for mere seconds as he flew up the wall's edges and crags like he was born to do it. He had to get to Nakita before she fell. Angelus would never forgive him if she fell into his canyon. The wall was near a half mile high; it would take him time to reach her...

[Silver]

Juno never thought that she would need to learn how to breathe all over again, but here she was, nearly gasping for air. Her difficulty had nothing to do with the descent; the feat was merely minor compared to what lay ahead of her. No, the stallion who haunted her dreams and made her young heart beat faster was coming...coming towards her. She blinked once, twice, hoping that she wasn’t simply dreaming of what was happening. But no, the sounds coming from his mouth were real, so very real. Electricity sparked beneath her skin and her mind reveled in the ecstasy of his voice. The deep thrumming in her head caused her to assume a dazed expression as she made her way down the canyon. She was only half paying attention to her descent, and the filly stumbled. She lost her balance and staggered forward a couple of steps before finally catching herself and stopping. She blushed furiously under her coat and looked down. Juno stole a glance in Tonto’s direction to make sure that he was still coming. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest and she thought of absolutely nothing else other than what his skin might feel like against hers. In her mind’s eye she could see his muzzle touching her forehead, nuzzling her skin. Her breathing grew shallower and a part of her awakened. The demon princess’ breath hitched in her throat and she paused. What is it? What is this feeling? Her belly ached and the muscles near her flank contracted slightly. Her pulse was high and her temperature rising. Suddenly she wanted. The filly knew instinctually that she wanted Tonto more than anything in the world.

ooc: this is just... AWW.
word count: 280+
tag: tonto
muse: clarity by zedd ft. foxes

[Hud]

Tonto's climb wouldn't be long now before he reached Nakita. Or, was it someone else? The mare was smaller, and Tonto knew Nakita had mothered a foal or two... He would've expected her to be bigger. Maybe it was a daughter of the First Mare? Nevertheless, the stallion had to intervene. Normally, he left other animals to their own devices, but he felt it was his duty to help other horses when it was clear they did not know what they were doing. It was natural for a horse to assist a horse.

As Tonto got closer and closer to the stumbling mare, leaping on this rock only to turn hoof and climb to this rock, his muscles rippled under his white hide and pink skin. The warrior was a powerful male whose body was built for this kind of climbing. He had the concentration of a cat, even in such dire situations as this. His climbing skills rivaled that of the desert bighorns, and his spirit rose as high as the eagle. No matter who this female was, he'd prefer her bones stay un-broken.

Only a few boulders below her, it was time to announce his plans for her safety. "Must go back up!" Tonto yelled gruffly as he looked up at the mare. She looked only maybe a year old or so; funny how different she'd looked from the canyon floor. Tonto remembered vaguely that Nakita had been nursing a similarly colored filly seasons before. This must be her. Either that or this was a potential new member. Tonto knew how Angelus loved expanding the herd.

Tonto scaled the last wall quickly and skillfully, so as not to fall himself! Standing before her on a small ledge just big enough for the two of them, the stallion's frame towered over the young mare. His scowl was serious as he motioned behind her. "Up! Up!"

[Silver]

He came towards her still, leaping from ledge to ledge with an expertise that was almost reserved for mountain goats and the like. However, apparently Tonto had never heard of that rule, because he was as nimble as they were despite his larger size. Juno watched him with interest and a speeding pulse; as he grew closer she began to get warm around her cheeks and butterflies roiled in her stomach. The filly was suddenly unsure of herself, all legs and hardly the curviest of all of the mares of the desert herd. What if Tonto had a mate, or his eye on another mare? The fear was quickly quieted, but it lingered in the back of her mind still. Her heart was painful in her chest, beating out a tempo and a melody that crescendoed into a frantic symphony. This was the moment that she’d been waiting for. The waiting had nearly driven her insane, but she still wasn’t ready for the brusque way that her dream would approach her in.

At first she was so captivated with the warrior that she didn’t catch what he said. Instead his voice rolled over her body and made her mind tingle in ways that she’d never experienced. The filly looked up at Tonto with doe eyes that only lasted a moment as she realized what he was saying. She backed up a step, startled. Somehow she’d never pictured that he’d be so...angry. His face was twisted in a scowl, and her brow furrowed. Go? Away from him? “No...” Indignation flared in Juno and she assumed a steady, immovable stance. “No!” Her voice was hot and frustrated. “I am a princess of the desert, and I will not go back!”

ooc: ---
word count: 290+
tag: tonto
muse: clarity by zedd ft. foxes (sam tsui cover)

[Hud]

Tonto was thrown at the filly's response. His ears fell back for a moment, his scowl having turned into a twist of stern surprise and anger. This was a serious matter; every moment they spent on the side of a canyon grew more and more dangerous. This was no place for attitude or to prove anything. His black ears pointed straight to her again, his mind racing. The stallion's head looked up and around them for the easiest route back up the rock. "No place for princess!" Tonto grunted harshly. If this was Nakita's daughter, she was also Angelus'. Tonto wouldn't have her blood on his hooves. He'd never be able to face his chief again.

The warrior considered her offer for only a split second. There was no sense in allowing her to continue down! It was more than a half mile to the bottom of the ravine! If she wanted to learn to climb, there were easier ways to start out. She had just been lucky he was around, as far as he was concerned. His mind barely registered the filly as a female. To him, she was simply a royal yearling and the future of the herd - necessary and essential. He had to get her to safety.

The stallion took the moment to offer the gesture one more time before he would really take action. His head bobbed toward the rock she'd come from above them. "Go! Tonto follow!"

[Silver]

Satisfaction settled into Juno’s heart as Tonto’s face changed with the simple emotions of surprise and...was that anger? The short time that she’d had to be happy with herself was cut off by the look on the stallion’s visage. His body nearly vibrated in her eyes, radiating energy and passion, but not at her. She knew that he was more concerned with her getting up the cliff than he was with her. The realization sank in and her heart dropped a few centimetres. He doesn’t see me, she thought morosely. What was she to him, except for a young pest? Princess or not, she was traveling on very hallowed grounds to Angelus’ religion and Tonto was the guardian of both the canyon and the desert. He probably had no time for her, and she was just a nuisance. Juno faltered in her confidence, looking up at the stallion of her dreams and wondering if she would ever be enough to turn his eye. Maybe he had another mare waiting for him in the canyon, and maybe they were in love...

The train of thought was depressing, and Juno was almost swallowed up in it. Fortunately for her mood and safety, the young filly heard the words that lifted her out of the pity that she was wallowing in. “Go. Tonto follow.” In her mind the words were much calmer and had a tinge of something - was it interest? - rather than the harsh and urgent tones that were actually coming from the stallion’s mouth. Juno perked up slightly, and surprisingly - for herself - nodded. “I’ll go,” she said. It was then that she made the sudden realization that the way up wasn’t as easy as the way down. Idiot... Now it would be time to impress Tonto, and she wasn’t in the best spot to do that. Sighing quietly, the filly turned herself in a tight circle and brought herself to the edge of the platform that she stood upon. Bracing herself, she bunched up her muscles and prepared to jump; when her hind legs pushed off, she could imagine herself for one moment as the bird that Tonto kept near him all of the time. She was graceful and lovely, and he would notice and want to keep her too. She smiled as her hooves touched down on the next ledge and she looked expectantly - and hopefully - back down at him.

ooc: ---
word count: 400+
tag: tonto
muse: clarity by zedd ft. foxes (sam tsui cover)

[Hud]

Tonto wasn't completely oblivious to other's feelings, though they were very far down on his list of priorities.

The stallion thanked his gods that she managed to see things his way. His furrowed brows followed the small mare as she turned and tried to make her way up the cliff. It might've been easier to just help her down to the canyon bed, but he would still need to help her back up. It was best to minimize the amount of climbing he would need to assist her with. The stallion followed the mare's movements, making sure to keep his nose as close to her as possible so that he would at least be able to try to break her fall, should she lose her footing. His breathing as heavy as he moved, keeping his hooves heavy on the red rock.

Scout's familiar caw reached his ears. Tonto has happy to hear it. The sound was distant; he was no doubt nearly a mile away. Scout had always had an abnormally loud call.

The stallion couldn't think about that for long as he put himself between the black filly and the edge of the canyon. "Climbing good, princess," he said primally. It wouldn't hurt to get in good with the chief's daughter. He hadn't heard from Angelus since the herd meeting months before. Maybe this girl would be able to replant his name in Angelus' head. In truth he couldn't remember this girl's name...

[Silver]

Juno was panting by the time that they reached the top of the canyon. She cast her eyes around, noticing for the first time that day the beauty of the red landscape. Her breathing was heavy, and she had to suck in deep bouts of air to keep her lungs happy. They screamed at her for doing such a stupid thing and climbing down into such dangerous terrain. The princess could see it now; treacherous rocks with gaps separating one from the next, a hard jump for even experienced climbers. She quieted with awe and confusion. How did I miss that? She shook her growing mane and let out a huff of relief and quiet thanks to the Dark One for sending Tonto to save her at the right time.

Tonto.

Juno whirled around, half-expecting the stallion to have disappeared as quietly as he normally did, but there he was. A mountain of white with black tears streaming down his face, and a mane to match. His eyes seemed to bore into her very soul. The filly shivered as if she’d been touched, but he hadn’t gotten anywhere near her. “Climbing good,” was his gruff compliment, but to Juno it was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her. She beamed, not even caring if she looked like a fool. Her heart beat faster, and she smiled at him. “Thank you,” she breathed. Caught in the heat of the moment, the black princess fixed her eyes on his chest and suddenly wondered what it would feel like if she just stretched out her muzzle and touched...

ooc: ---
word count: 270+
tag: tonto
muse: clarity by zedd ft. foxes (sam tsui cover)

[Hud]

By the time they'd reached the top, Tonto was more relieved than ever. Inwardly, that is. He couldn't imagine the repercussions of losing Angelus' daughter to the canyon depths. 

"Next time, ask first!" he said in what some might consider a joking tone, though Tonto meant nothing of the sort. Well, maybe not nothing. He wasn't completely colorless.

The stallion stationary stood between the young mare and the canyon, his mane flowing in the gentle breeze. The weather was very acceptable today; the Mother had clearly taken a shine to the canyonlands, something Tonto liked to think was his doing. He did a good job at his post... But, it was not pride that kept him in place - it was his devotion to his culture.

Tonto looked quickly to Juno from his gaze out into the ravine. The stallion did a quick step in place for a moment as he introduced himself, his head tucking in as if to gesture at himself. "Tonto," he said gruffly.


He wanted to ask why she'd come, but he'd wait until he got her name. Tonto was, to be honest, a little ashamed that he didn't even know his chief's daughter's name. He had many children... This one seemed to be oldest, though.

OOC: New Seele table!

[Silver]

It was hard for her to focus with his being so close. She’d imagined this point for so long, and now that it was here, she forgot all of the things she wanted to say. “Next time, ask first!” She had the good sense to look abashed, but secretly she watched him from underneath her eyelashes. Her heart fluttered and she breathed in rapid, shallow breaths. The smell wafting off of his skin was heady and made her head spin with a wonderful musk and the scent of sweat dried on his coat. He mentioned his name and she let it wash over her. The way he made it sound was exotic and rough, some combination that made her tingle from her heart to the tips of her mane and tail. The young mare pranced nervously - excitedly - on the spot, before realizing that he was waiting for her name. Her name. So he didn’t remember. Her heart fell a step before she could tell it that he’d never actually met her before. Too late

The spring in her step fled away as quickly as it had come. Disappointment flooded her veins, and not for the first time she wondered if he had someone else to occupy his time. Still, she lifted her head and bravely stated her name. “Juno. I’m Juno.” Tonto and Juno. What a good combination.

Even with the hormones rising and falling with such speed that she felt like she had whiplash, she couldn’t repress the urge to ask him a question herself. It was only fair, really. “Tonto, do you - I mean - is there...” Damn it. She couldn’t get it out. The words stuck in her throat like a swallow of honey. “Doyouhaveamate?” She blurted it out, and then ducked her head in embarrassment. What a question to ask... And yet, she couldn’t keep herself from wanting to know.

ooc: ---
word count: 320+
tag: tonto
muse: clarity by zedd ft. foxes (sam tsui cover)

[Hud]

Tonto listened to the young mare talk with stern black eyes that some could even construe as looking confused. Her behavior was odd, to say the least. Was she afflicted by some disease to be so jumpy? She had to have been to ask such a question. Tonto blinked and cocked his head at her quick-paced question. He'd never been asked something so... surprising.

"No," he said rather quickly, his brows furrowed. What did she want with him? Was that why she'd attempted the deathly climb? Ill-advised, if she were to ask Tonto. He wasn't sure how to follow-up. The situation was awkward, and Tonto wasn't used to such things. In truth he didn't see many other equines very often. The combination of his own inexperience with communicating and the oddness of her question made him uncomfortable. Tonto had never been sought after by a mare before... especially by one as young as Angelus' Juno. He supposed it was to be expected in the long run. There were few other stallions in the desert save for himself and her father... Hormones were surely rampant in the young mare. She had to channel it some way.

"What are you doing in the canyons, Miss Juno?" His voice was stern and almost accusatory. He didn't want to appear as an authority figure to the chief's daughter, but he was concerned about why she'd come. As far as Tonto could tell, her motives lie on him.

OOC: LATE