Hard Times Befallen (Rani/open)

[Hud]

The new King could have been more pleased with what he saw when he approached the famous Tremblay toward its more southern border. It seemed the odious Basteinians had let the border go to hell while the plains was unoccupied. Plants grew rampant around the river almost to the point where the river couldn't be seen. Alligators rarely came this far north, but there was always the threat of a rogue. How were plains equines to know if one might creep up on them? Waleran had never known the horses of his home territory to be very skilled in the removal of such beasts. That burden lay on Devereaux, the repulsive, moss-laden stallion of the swamp. The Bastein herd had nothing to fear when it came to Waleran, however. He'd leave any mare despicable enough to consider Bastein "home" to wallow in the murky waters of Devereaux' clutches.

The black and white stallion walked slowly and deliberately toward the river's edge with half a mind to just rip up the grass where it grew. It made his temper flare just seeing it in such disarray. Waleran's territory would be spotless. It would be second to none in both population and cleanliness. His herd would be a model for all others to aspire to. Of course, none of that would just come. Waleran would have to make it come.


The stallion took the opportunity to begin his quest for perfection by lowering his neck quickly and beginning to tear up the overgrown mess with vigor and strength, his throat releasing grunts and his nose snorts as he moved with purpose.

[Seele]

This had certainly been an adventure for the small stallion. He didn't remember ever coming this far south, but the plains had called him from the general safety of the free lands. He had been very curious of what this place would look like in spring, he imagined the long grass would rise up over his head much like being in a tall rain forest. He knew, however, that it would likely only go up to his chest, he wasn't that small after all. In a spur of the moment decision he decided to follow the river all the way to the southern border. As soon as he located the winding river he was stunned, he had never seen it quite like this. He was standing right at the lip of a ledge that hung over the rushing water, it was as if it was creating a mini canyon. He wondered if the whole river was like this, he supposed he was about to find out.

Rani was pleased to see the towering cliff, which was really only about three feet high, lessen and ease off until the banks of the river where smooth and seamless. He wasn't all too surprised when it began to rise again, it seemed that this was the way the river worked here. Rani had been so consumed with examining the river he almost didn't notice the quite angry stallion a few yards ahead. It wasn't until he started grunting that Rani looked up in surprise and his jaw dropped open. This stallion in front of him was stunning, and a giant compared to Rani's 13 odd hand height. Rani quickly composed himself and cleared his throat in an attempt to get the stallions attention.

OOC: aww Rani's got a crush, lets see if it lasts lol

^{Lineart by: Auraleyki}

[Hud]

Waleran's thrusting and pulling on the tall grass was loud enough to draw a crowd, that much was for sure. He hadn't expected one so soon, however.

The sound he'd heard had come from very close by, actually. Waleran's disposal of the wretched overgrown foliage stopped momentarily as he lifted his head to look over. It was a very small, very pink stallion. Certainly not what he'd expected. Waleran's furrowed brow seemed to push together even closer as his expression turned from anger to confusion. Who was this stallion? What was he doing here?

Waleran composed himself a little, his anger now fully erased though his confusion stronger than ever. "Yes?" he asked in response to the other horse's clear attempt at getting his attention? His interest was piqued, for sure. Waleran hadn't been audience to a pony in a long time... There was nothing wrong with them - they were just hilariously small. The king laughed in his head. How rude of him to think, though it was true in his mind. Best to keep that inside if he was going to have any chance of hearing the truth from this newcomer.