&& sail (Gideon)

[Silver]

She hadn’t been in Orut long; in truth she really didn’t know the terrain that well at all and she didn’t know if she’d ever learn them as completely as her king did. Of course that was his duty as king, and if a king didn’t know his territory, then what on earth would he do when some trespasser came along? The mare mused about this as she wandered through the forest aimlessly. The fog was less common in the summer, due to the overall dryness of the forest. Perhaps there would be more come fall, but because of the rising temperatures, it was actually clear, and sunlight filtered through the trees.

Delilah walked along, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her back. It was really a pretty place, but it was full of mysteries, and sometimes when the mist was thick enough, it was almost as if it could speak. She wasn’t sure, but she thought that maybe the ancestors of the current Orut herd lingered here to give guidance when light dimmed and all seemed empty. She knew that it was hard for her king, at least, to rule a forest that was so...empty. There was hardly anyone here, except for the king, his daughter and herself. She hoped that sometime she would gain a friend or perhaps another herd member, but she wasn’t counting on much. The birds helped a bit, chirping and warbling to each other in the trees. It made her feel much less alone most of the time. There wasn’t much to do either with such a small herd. Perhaps they could travel to the freelands sometime, to claim one of the mares who lived there. That was common enough practice, and that was what happened when she’d been claimed after all. She wasn’t unhappy, but because of the distance of the king - she hadn’t made the most wonderful impression on him - it was rather lonely and boring. She wanted some interaction and perhaps some...wanting of her unique feminine abilities.

ooc: ---
word count: 330+
tag: gideon
muse: ---

[Mallory]

The pungent smell of summer clung to the mist that shrouded Orut, leaving a lingering scent of dampness in every nook and cranny within the forest. It was, perhaps, the only sign that the seasons had changed alongside the change in temperature. Orut, being so secluded, was often lost in the sea of change. This season, however, seemed to be different. Though the smell was overwhelming, Gideon did not mind it. Change was good; change could possibly bring something worthwhile and substantial to Orut. He had to keep an open mind. Orut had slowly begun to climb up the metaphorical ladder, when compared to his neighbors, but the forest was not where he wanted it to be. While he did not want to be resolutely feared like his desert neighbors to the south, he wanted his kingdom – and its people – to be just as respected. Their numbers growing, even at their slow rate, would help ensure their steady climb would not be lost.

With Margaux nearing her second year, Gideon now had more time to focus on important matters. While expanding his herd was a top priority, the pale stallion knew he had been neglecting the well being of his herd members for quite some time. It was a responsibility he often shouldered on to Russell, his poor friend who had remained faithful to him despite Orut's rough start at the beginning of Gideon’s reign. Emotions were not Gideon’s strong suit at all, save for what emotions came with his own child. Emotions were more of Russell’s forte, or so Gideon liked to believe. But he knew he had been unfair in expecting his friend to care for everyone’s needs, thus knew it was time to buck up and make sure everyone was happy, well fed, and taken care for.

Finding the various members weren't hard, save for one – the newest member of Orut, Delilah. She had come with him after a rocky start when they first met and has stayed, which surpassed Gideon’s expectations. However, he had not seen much of her since then, and the slightest pang of guilt gnawed at him. He had thrown her into Orut and vanished, worrying over other matters that demanded his attention upon his return. Such was the life of a king, or of any monarch, but he felt somewhat responsible for how scarce the mare appeared to be. He knew Orut was not for everyone, and could be quite oppressive to those not well suited for the forest. The sunlight streaming through the trees, a rarity even during the summer, was certainly aiding his quest in finding her. The sun made it easier to discern colors, and threw his own pale coat into a stark contrast to the forest around him.

status complete
tags: Delilah
words: 460
notes: n/a
speech thoughts