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Leaden
May 7, 2007 22:29:58 GMT
Post by Guardia.n on May 7, 2007 22:29:58 GMT
Sanity walked along the path. She saw many a young mare walk through here. She laughed, even scoffed, at them. Sanity found her muzzle close to the ground, wondering why. She lifted her head in time to see the sand start and the dirt end. She squinted in the blinding white that bounced off the water. She stumbled blindly around, looking like a fool, before she settled in a spot in the shade. She hoped not be seen, to be able to say she tried, but sanity doubted that would happen. There were too many stallions out there. To many empty places in herds out there. She'd be found. Any and all hope crushed.
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Leaden
May 8, 2007 16:11:53 GMT
Post by Skin. on May 8, 2007 16:11:53 GMT
Skin was not the sort who enjoyed being in the limelight - quite the opposite, in fact. But with Dry River safely secured as his own, he now needed to add to the ranks of the herd. And the place to do that? Yep, it looked like the Claiming Lake was the place he was looking for. The Icelandic stallion's fast-paced trot became a steady walk, ears flickering wildy back and forth as he watched the other equines nearby. Mares, and lots of them, all fighting for a place in life's natural hierarchy. Skin had seen many beautiful, attention-seeking females come and go in his time, and had considered them all to be more than slightly vain. It was probably because of this that he noticed the Arabian mare that had seemed to have nestled herself in the darkest place possible, as though hiding from something or someone.
After a few seconds consideration, the neutral stallion moved slowly towards the female, keeping his movements small in case she was afraid. Skin sidled up to the Arab, snorting softly, and dipping his chunky head in a gesture that was similar to a bow; a mark of respect. "Uh, hey.." Nope, hardly a formal or gentlemanly greeting, but his voice was kind, giving away little of the nervousness that raged deep inside his chest. The male was not new to claiming mares, unfortunately, but it did not seem to grow easier with time. In fact, Skin decided with a wry smile, quite the opposite. Things had been far more easier when he was a young, naive stallion, with no history and no standards to meet. But that was in the past now, and Skin would just have to make the best of what his experience had taught him. The stallion was of the impression that his greeting to the mare had been a friendly one, but would she agree?
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Leaden
May 8, 2007 22:52:20 GMT
Post by Guardia.n on May 8, 2007 22:52:20 GMT
Sanity's eyes opened suddenly. A hopeful stallion. She was a bit surprised at the informalness of his greeting but she didn't let it show. She bowed slightly, maybe even sarcatically. She smirked and gave the dsame greeting he gave her. Hey ... She lowered her head but her eyes never left his. She awaited his response.
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Leaden
May 10, 2007 15:39:12 GMT
Post by Skin. on May 10, 2007 15:39:12 GMT
Noting the odd, lack of sincerity in the way that she dipped her head into a bow, Skin shifted uncomfortably before replying. "I'm Skin, Lead Stallion of Dry River, though I guess that means little to you... It was a statement, not a question, and the Icelandic could hardly believe how awkward his words sounded. Sure, Skin had felt nervous before. But never quite like this. It was as though the mare found him to be something despicable, unworthy of her presence. But why? The answer presented itself to the stallion unwillingly: she was a Dark. Well, he didn't know that for certain, but it was definitely the impression he got. Great. That's just great. Out of all the mares here, I chose the one with the shadiest outlook on life. Yep, it was absolutely typical. But, not wanting to judge the mare, or label her as an evil horse, he kept his body language neutral, watching and waiting.
He stood hesitantly for a moment or two, before choosing to break the eerie silence with a question. All beings loved talking about themselves - that was a widely known fact. So why not give the mare something to talk about? "Um, dare I ask your name?" Skin gave the female an uncertain yet jokey smile, dark eyes flashing as he did so. He did not want to reveal the doubt that was already flooding his mind, the torrents of confusion washing over his thoughts. But would the mare even want to live amongst the Dry River herd? Sure, she would be the only mare there, but was that a good or a bad thing, from her point of view? The questions were coming rapidly, but there was little Skin could do to stop it. The only way he could find the answers was to stand and wait, and hope that his choice to approach the female had not been a bad one.
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Leaden
May 11, 2007 0:41:51 GMT
Post by Guardia.n on May 11, 2007 0:41:51 GMT
Sanity watched what she suspected was a neutral stallion. She suspected this by the neutrality of his actions. He wasn't the knight in shining armor like most lights weren nor was he the kill happy evil like most darks were.
He maybe dark.
she thought with a slight glimmer of hope. She was a bit taken back by his bluntness. From previous experiences, Sanity know most stallions tried flattery, even the dark ones. This stallion was trying something completely different that Sanity couldn't quite pin point.
I'm Shred of Sanity, known as Sanity to those close.
Sanity's eyes narrowed and she tried to read Skin's expression.
And before I answer any more questions, may I ask where you alliances lie?
Her thoughts returned to the fact that he was probably neutral.
If he was neutral he may be easily persuaded.
She decided to poke further.
And furthermore, which side of the fence are you closer to falling?
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Leaden
May 12, 2007 20:27:44 GMT
Post by Skin. on May 12, 2007 20:27:44 GMT
Skin dipped his head slightly in response to the mare's words, allowing the name to flow through his mind before committing it to memory. It was an unusual name, and the stallion could not help but wonder if it was a reflection of the mare's personality, although it would be rude to ask. Hearing her question, he was struck by the possibility that she was as confused as he was about their alliances, and relaxed slightly. "Uh, neutral." He muttered the words, the end of his sentence trailing off as the female voiced another query. It was an odd question, but Skin answered almost instantly, his voice now bearing a colder edge. "That is neither here nor there." He could see no reason why Sanity would question his alliance with those of neutrality, and it also made him wonder if she doubted his nature.
Skin watched her silently for a moment or two before speaking again. "As you asked, however, I do not plan on falling on either side of the fence." His mouth twisted into an unwelcome smile, voice becoming slightly softer once again. "Sometimes I am less good-natured than I would prefer, although at other times I could be classed as a saint." He gave a short bark of laughter, knowing full well that he could never be classed as even remotely saintly. The Icelandic felt far more calmer around the mare now, but he wondered whether he had acted a little too casually. Sure, Sanity had to see the real Skin, for only then could she judge him, but most stallions would have considered it an error to joke with a possible herd member. Well, she'll either laugh, or shoot me. Both choices are reasonable, I guess.. He shifted his gaze to meet that of the female, and waited for her reaction.
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