Safe and Sound (Pilate/Nala)

[rhianna4554]

Settling down with another had never been my intention nor had I ever desired to become part of a herd…and yet both things had come to pass. Pilate had managed to slip past the barricades all too easily and my perhaps foolish heart had let itself be claimed. He was home…he was a warmth that kept the fears at bay and had wildfire racing through my blood vessels. I had been at his mercy all too easily and instead of fleeing like I knew best I had allowed my heart to banish rationality from my mind. Now I felt the consequence of our coupling. I was pregnant undoubtedly so even though I did not portray any physical differences…my gut simply knew that I was. Did I regret my behavior? Did I truly regret the fact that I was once more with child? In truth I didn’t if anything I felt only warmth even though I doubted my mothering capabilities. With Pilate being by my side most of the time, and never too far away when he wasn't, I had been unable to dwell on the doubts but for once in a while instinct had me seeking some solitude. Solitude did not feel so much like a friend anymore but some small part of me rebelled against the idea of being completely dependent on Pilate. Then again every time I created some distance between us he always found me. That will change when he has more mares.

The thought was fleeting but lingered long enough to draw a little hurt forth. Of course I knew it was coming and I knew that I would pale in comparison to other mares when it did …but for now those doubts would remain locked away. So instead of simply letting my mind tear itself apart I allowed my eyes to drift shut and focused on everything my senses were picking up on. I allowed myself to be soothed by the smell of the salt of the ocean spray, the occasional sound of a gull crying and the feel of the breeze caressing my skin. For a while I was alone lost in the sensation of being part of nature but then he found me. It wasn’t his scent that gave it away simply the sensation of a shift in the air…an underlying electrical current that was not there before. Other than a sharp intake of breath I made no acknowledgement of him having tracked me down but even with my eyes still closed I can just sense his movement. I must look odd I know just standing close to the water edge with my eyes closed and head bowed a little…but then I must always seem odd to him. After all I’m a ghost without a voice.

OOC:O.o long starter for once

[nala]

Pilate.
"Whatever it is it feels like its laughing at me
through the glass of a two sided mirror."

He moved in a lumbering way now, the snow once again bogging him down slightly. Pilate had been king of Drulan for nearly a year, and still the loneliness crept upon his territory. He wasn't entirely alone anymore, but with the recent steal of the little mare named Morrigan, once again the numbers dwindled to very few. The black beast breathed deeply as he came to the edge. He'd smelt her scent a few paces back and immediately turned onto her trail. The mare had no name that he knew of and very very little words. In fact he couldn't recall her saying anything to him since they'd met. Still, she carried his first. He felt something for the mare, and now that she bore his child, the feeling intensified. He was probably hovering more then he should, but his paternal instinct, paired with the recent bed intruder named Verdelet, gave him a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach.

As he thought and moved, he got closer and closer to the edge of the beach, where she would inevitably be. Sure enough, he came to a halt at the beginning of the sandy snow-covered beach and it didn't take too long for him to spot her growing body. Precious. The word ran through his mind as he thought of his mother. She was also quiet, but not this quiet. He could hear his father call to here, and the wind of his lungs cast over his cords to whisper the same words. "Precious." He wasn't actually talking to her, and was unsure if she would hear him let alone what he'd said. Surely she wouldn't understand its deep meaning within his heart. He breathed again, more lightly this time, before he  began a slow approach.   

[rhianna4554]

When I sense him pausing it has concern stirring my thoughts immediately turning to whether he is okay or not. The concern is strong enough to have my eyes snapping open and head turning. I don't need to search for him not when my orbs instinctively know where to look. Just the sight of him has a smile forming, and even though I had sought solitude having him nearby again was a relief. He seems fine...there are no signs of distress that I can pick up on but I can't help but wonder if he really is okay. After all I had detected an intruding stallion within Drulan territory recently, and considering I had not seen anything of the only other mare in Drulan since the intrusion...it was most likely that the stallion had not left Drulan Woods unaccompanied. It would certainly explain why Pilate had become even more protective over the past couple of days. Does he behave so because he actually cares or because I simply carry his child though?

The thought was not a welcomed one disturbing enough to have anxiety stirring and my heart clenching painfully. The faint sound of his voice is a welcomed distraction even though I do not have know what has actually been spoken. All I know is it was a single word but with it being said so quietly what the word was is a mystery. Once again he begins to move and this time I move with him the snow not yet deep enough to hinder me, although I know that it will soon as my pregnancy develops and the snowfalls become heavier.As much as I want to rush to him I don't even though my longing is almost painful in its intensity...still I force myself to stick to a walk only allowing my pace to break to into a prance, in which my neck automatically arches and tail lifts as I slip into the high stepping gait, when the distance between us has shrunk down to several meters. There is warmth in my miss matched eyes when I greet him neck reaching out so that I can give his muzzle a gentle nudge with mine.

OOC: So sorry for the wait I hope this is okay for you...I kinda had to cut her off when writing xD

[nala]

Pilate.
"Whatever it is it feels like its laughing at me
through the glass of a two sided mirror."

His approach was quickly paired with hers. The golden flecks of her coat shimmering in the sunlight as her gait became one of a child, her eyes lit aglow with something that could only be explained as a comfortable joy. Pilate was content with her joy, showing in his own smile a kind approval. She'd been so frightened, sad even, when they'd met. Now she was just as boisterous as any young filly playing in the snow.

Pilate gently returned her touches, his lips lingering at her poll. Silence was herd, and momentarily even Pilate didn't feel the need to break it. His tail, thick and heavy, swung slowly side to side as he groomed her back, quietly. His eyes drifted open and shut in blinking motions. The relaxation of the scene was uncanny, but if you knew Pilate you wouldn't be shocked. This was perfect. This was how it should be. The loneliness of his life began to drift away as the stood together. "Precious." Again he whispered the nickname. Pilate had a feeling this would be hers.

[rhianna4554]

Sorrow was not something that bothered me as much and my anxiety levels were not so high...at least not when Pilate was around. The difference seemed to make him happy which in turn only added to my own happiness. It gave me hope as well hope that the connection I felt with him was not something conjured up by a foolish heart but rather a reality. His smile had my own brightening that familiar warmth already creeping through my veins although it lacks the heated edge of desire. That doesn’t diminish the fierceness of it though not when overwhelming happiness laces it. His returned touches are gentle as usual the feel of his breath caressing my skin drawing out the slightest of shivers from me. I cannot help leaning into the contact muzzle burying itself into his coat so I can inhale his scent deeply. I’m tempted to just let myself doze off when he begins to groom my back but considering how nice he is making the experience feel...do I want to risk him thinking that I do not appreciate it? That I do not appreciate how considerate and compassionate he is? That I do not appreciate him? I don’t...not when he is the best thing that has happened to me. So instead of letting sleep claim me I start to groom him back my movements slow as I sought to work any knots and aches out.

I was gentle with him as always especially with my only real way of showing the depth of my affection being my actions. Right now life is perfect...despite my doubts I have a chance at being a mother again and I have Pilate. Nothing else mattered especially right now with the reassuring warmth of Pilate close to me. The sound of his voice has my attention redirecting immediately movements pausing instinctively as I focus on his word. Precious...does he mean me? Why would he be talking about me though? How can I be precious to him when I have no voice? How can he mean me when he knows almost nothing about me? The confusion is quick to form leaving my mind in turmoil and my body frozen in place. Confusion soon develops into anxiety the doubts threatening to creep back in and I find that I need space. Twisting away from him I seek some distance tension settling into my muscles when I come to a standstill mere several metres away. Even in my anxiety I find that I cannot bring myself to take even a step further away. For several heartbeats I cannot bear to look at him but when I do return my gaze back to him again I do not mask anything. I never have been able to with him. I let it all show...the confusion, the pain, the doubts, the sorrow and even the foolish longing. It all leads to one single question. Why?

OOC: Poor girl is feeling a little conflicted at the end D: hope it is okay for you