Wandering Through Winter's Paintings [Waleran]

[Deleted]

Celestia

I'm rather proud of my ability to tell lies. I can trick not only others; but even my own heart.

Beginning at Lake Acele, the well-know river began its long journey south towards the ocean. It was not far from the start of this waterway that a black and white tobiano mare stood. Celestia is the title she goes by, and the coldblood was finally heading away from the lake after she had taken some time to admire its beauty. It was really a pair of trees that she had to stop and stare at though - they had rather exceptional symmetry after all! The mare found them to be quite a beautiful work of nature. Forcing her odd love for symmetry aside, Celestia was finally making her way along the river at a steady walk.

Eyeing the rushing waters that sat to her left, the mare debated on whether it would even be a good idea to attempt to get a drink. She learned years ago that with this river, it was hard to tell where the safe spots were, especially in the winter. The cold weather touched upon many of the lands, painting the earth in white hues whenever the right clouds came along. It was rather mild so far this year, but it was still winter, and that steady yet chilly breeze didn't let Celestia forget that. Sometimes she wished she had the feathering above her hooves all over her body. Dark brown orbs looked around, noticing how few trees there were around compared to earlier. She came through Drulan Woods along the lake to get where she was now after all, and there were tons of trees around there. Here however, was the famous plains that sat in the midlands.

As the black tobiano continued to plod along, the effort to keep her steps symmetrical faded as she became focused upon other things. Thoughts swarmed the mare's mind, and she remembered it was south that she was going. The land south of here was the land she was born in, and it was also the land she had been avoiding for three years. At times, Celestia thought it would be interesting to see the place again, and maybe settle there again. After all, her old herd was certainly long gone by now. Her dream of regaining her life of royalty also remained in the back of her mind. She was still awaiting for that perfect chance to gain a royal status within a herd she actually liked. Celestia desired a place that was run well, and orderly, a herd that was of good quality. Having wandered around without having found that perfect herd however, the mare's hopes were slightly dwindling, though she wouldn't admit it.

Forgetting those questioning thoughts that dangled in her head, Celestia moved into a trot, putting effort into her steps once again. Merely walking around was getting boring, so she decided to add some more work for her to do. She was growing a tad bored after all.

words present :: 486
muse is :: alright but also somewhat rambly
my notes :: Yay for my first post with this girl! Gotta get used to her, but I think I like her.

[Hud]

The stallion's heavy breathing could surely be heard for miles as he raced through his territory. The river was far from him as he galloped at top speeds toward it. As his hooves hit the plains like thunder, Waleran's well-trained muscles cycled through tension and relaxation as fast as they ever had. Sweat began to form on his hide, his eyes wide and his nostrils flaring.

The king hadn't had a good run like this in ages. He hadn't allowed himself to. Waleran had been so focused on rallying herd members that he'd let his body go, by his standards. Health was the most important thing to a horse, and Waleran held it in the highest regard. His run was on a perfectly straight imaginary track, his hoofprints identical as he took off. He'd started at the border of Arcaria and his trek would take him just up to the Tremblay. He would not allow himself to stop. Waleran had to get himself back up to snuff.

The stallion ran for almost an hour before he caught the river in his sights. Another figure formed past the river... A black and white one. Could it be a mare?

As Waleran began to slow his stride, he let himself cool down as effectively as possible. His hoofbeats were heavy on the ground as he slowed, his frame seeming to be heavier now than it would have been standing still. Waleran stopped on the other side of the cold river, his panting as controlled as possible. He could not let himself speak, lest he sound out of sorts in any way. Waleran was a proper stallion... He'd never show weakness to a mare, though he did need to calm himself in order to speak to her. She was a heavier mare, despite her height. Her patterns somewhat resembled his own, actually...

[Deleted]

Celestia

I'm rather proud of my ability to tell lies. I can trick not only others; but even my own heart.

With each step of her trot the subtle sound of crunching snow could be heard. The mare could barely hear her own hoofbeats however, with the rushing river's sound being the most prominent. The water wasn't all too loud though, it gave just enough noise to keep silence at bay. One, two, one two, the mare couldn't help but mentally count the beats of her trot as she went. Her mind had thought through everything she could think about, so she was left bored. Well, not necessarily. Celestia knew she needed to do more than just walk around, and this trotting would be a good productive workout for the time being.

It didn't take the mare long to notice black among the white hues on the other side of the river. Moving somewhat towards her, an equine figure was spotted with her brown orbs. Slowing her trot, Celestia eyed the horse, who was apparently painted in the same black and white coloring like herself. Oh, how she despised her coloring, with it's unsymmetrical design. Black and white colors were undoubtedly her favorite, but not when they were of some disorganized design.

Of course, she was quite aware this horse had probably spotted her as well by now. Who wouldn't? Now she pondered what action to take next, whether it might be good at all to meet this horse across the river. Breaking to a walk and turning her head more, the mare focused her gaze upon the equine. Her body soon followed as Celestia chose she might as well greet the stallion. Well, telling from the scent in the air, it was likely a stallion. Lifting her head slightly, the coldblood let out a high-pitched whinny in hopes to seem friendly. She often put on a friendly face when meeting others, the mare had exceptional manners after all. Her steps continued towards the figure across the waterway, till she could go no farther. She would soon halt a safe distance from the river, yet close enough to hear the stallion if he should speak, and set her feet square. Keeping most of her focus on this unknown equine, she would simply wait and see if he would reply, or if she would be the one to speak up.

words present :: 378
muse is :: eh, alright
my notes :: n/a

[Hud]

Catching his breath finally, the stallion picked up a normal air. His muscles felt refreshed as he stood still; they longed to continue the journey. Waleran knew better, of course. Now was the time to turn on the charm. The more mares, the better.

The stallion took in one final breath as he looked over the mare on the other side of the river. She was as quiet as he, apparently waiting for him to start the conversation. He would indulge her...

"Beautiful day, M'lady!" Waleran piped up, his voice carrying to the other side. It was a nice greeting coming from him. He wasn't much for pleasantries, but they had to be done sometimes.

Waleran's tail flapped a bit in the wind behind him. Summer was fading and autumn would be closing in soon. This posed good for the plains. In the colder months, those under the false pretense that they wished to stay in the blistering cold north would head south, and they would need to pass through the plains to get to the southern territories. For sure, Waleran would see more newcomers than he had in spring and summer.

"You're new to the plains, aren't you?" His tone was louder than usual to reach her. It was kind, though laced with cunning and unstated intentions. He never knew how to cover those.

[Deleted]

Celestia

I'm rather proud of my ability to tell lies. I can trick not only others; but even my own heart.

Lowering her gaze, she noticed the uneven placement of her hooves almost immediately. Squaring her stance, the mare quickly fixed that. Celestia then rose her head again and returned her focus to the paint stallion standing across the river. It wasn't long until she heard a masculine voice that carried his nice greeting. In that case, she would use her manners as well. "Indeed, it is quite a nice day," she responded in a raised voice to ensure her words would reach him.

The breeze continued to lightly tug at her banners, her long hair blowing along in the wind. Even with the colder weather and breeze, it was certainly a pleasant out, with the sun shining and mostly clear sky. It was definitely a day that shouldn't be wasted. Since Celestia didn't really decide on her plans for the day, it seemed she would simply talk to this stallion for now. Who knew, maybe he would become more than just another face she would briefly meet? Though she didn't always make friends with everyone, she liked to find some if they would be good ones.

Forgetting about her sea of thoughts for now, the mare listened as the stallion spoke up again. "Yes, I'm quite unfamiliar with this place. I've passed through before a few times, but that's all," she replied in her friendly tone. The most she ever really did in the plains was travel through the along its river. "Might I ask, who would you be? My name is Celestia," she said, deciding she might as well bring up introductions. After all, she was somewhat intrigued at who this stallion was.

words present :: 274
muse is :: meh
my notes :: n/a

[Hud]

Waleran was already tiring of small talk. He hadn't met another equine in days, and this is how he feels when he finally does? Some king. The stallion scoffed as his own thoughts. How nonsensical. Who was better suited than he to rule the plains? No one, that was who. No one had his drive - his passion for authority. The stallion was the perfect horse for the job. Reassured, Waleran's expression toward the mare turned from one of false pleasantries to vaguely annoyed. He didn't need to impress this mare... What was he thinking? If she was good for a herd mare, it would be obvious from the get-go, whether he was himself or not.

Waleran took in one final large inhale through his pink nostrils and snorted as he exhaled. 'Celestia'. Pompous. Whatever. Waleran uncharacteristically kept the judgement to himself without even a snicker. "Waleran, King of the Plains," he offered, rather boastfully. His chest was full and muscled as he spoke, each chiseled feature glistening ever so slightly with the sweat from his earlier run. The gentle river between them, Waleran wasn't sure if the mare was worth fording it for. They would just have to see where the conversation went...