As Indira approaches the strange stallion, she is suddenly grateful for the blessing that is Tarek. The stallion's immense size becomes ever more apparent as the distance between them closes. He is perhaps not the biggest stallion she's ever seen, but he towers more than a full hand over her, and luscious volumes of hair further bulk up his appearance. He is an imposing figure to gaze upon by someone who was a hairsbreadth away from picking a fight.
Indira has fought enough battles in her short life to know how much it hurts to lose. Many of the old scars that litter her coat are lost in the whiteness of her markings, but one bitten-off ear is an obvious reminder of what she's lost. Despite her losses, Indira sometimes still needs someone else to rein in an impulsive confidence. Like the scars that fade into a background of what looks normal, Indira's freedom might not be obvious to anyone else, but it is a constant reminder to herself of what she's capable of.
The young mare's stomach turns at the casual invitation. She knows she has no reason to resent this stallion, but it's a dagger to the heart to see a stallion so different from her father so casually sip from the oasis. Indira swallows unbidden emotion with some difficulty and offers the stallion a grateful smile. She steps up beside him. Crisp waters caress her fetlocks. The familiarity of this feeling is a cold, but comforting embrace. Indira lets go of a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and lowers her head to drink.
The roan colt lingers back for only a moment before stepping up on her opposite side. He watches the stranger cautiously over his mother's lowered head. Long legs support him in a solid stance. Though his face reads caution, it does not read fear. There is a warning in his serious gaze. Mess with my mom, and you mess with me. The stranger need not feel threatened by an untried youngster one third his weight, but perhaps he can relate to the youngsters fierce desire to protect those he holds dear.
The stallion, now known as Rougaru initiates pleasant introductions. Indira lifts her head, licking the dampness of her lips, and catching Rougaru's handsome stare. Each passing pleasantry melts away icy first impressions, but the sadness of everything that's happened before cannot be warmed away so quickly. "I'm Indira", she offers in return. "And this is my son, Tarek." The mare takes a step back as she introduces Tarek, leaving him in clear view of Rougaru. Tarek's eyes widen at first, startled by his sudden vulnerability, but then he drops his head to drink too, making a point to avoid further eye contact with the stallion.
Thus far, Tarek has grown up without a father figure in his life. He's always been the "man of the house" so to speak, just he and his mom against the world. They have been the only constant in each other's lives since his birth. Their bond his strong. And while Indira is open to letting others into their little family unit, Tarek doesn't know how.
Eager to talk to someone, Indira quickly opens up to Rougaru, and gladly explains her ties to the Desert. "Yes. This land has been in my family for a long time, with my father Orhan, my brother Koray, and my sister Evren." Indira's eyes lovingly caress the landscape beyond. "I was born here, and so was my mother before me. No matter how much changes, or where life takes us, I'll always call the Desert home." She returns her focus to the stallion before her. She smiles with a fondness for her home, but her eyes shine with unshed tears. "I wonder what will happen to this place next. Do you have any grand plans for it?"
Indira has fought enough battles in her short life to know how much it hurts to lose. Many of the old scars that litter her coat are lost in the whiteness of her markings, but one bitten-off ear is an obvious reminder of what she's lost. Despite her losses, Indira sometimes still needs someone else to rein in an impulsive confidence. Like the scars that fade into a background of what looks normal, Indira's freedom might not be obvious to anyone else, but it is a constant reminder to herself of what she's capable of.
The young mare's stomach turns at the casual invitation. She knows she has no reason to resent this stallion, but it's a dagger to the heart to see a stallion so different from her father so casually sip from the oasis. Indira swallows unbidden emotion with some difficulty and offers the stallion a grateful smile. She steps up beside him. Crisp waters caress her fetlocks. The familiarity of this feeling is a cold, but comforting embrace. Indira lets go of a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and lowers her head to drink.
The roan colt lingers back for only a moment before stepping up on her opposite side. He watches the stranger cautiously over his mother's lowered head. Long legs support him in a solid stance. Though his face reads caution, it does not read fear. There is a warning in his serious gaze. Mess with my mom, and you mess with me. The stranger need not feel threatened by an untried youngster one third his weight, but perhaps he can relate to the youngsters fierce desire to protect those he holds dear.
The stallion, now known as Rougaru initiates pleasant introductions. Indira lifts her head, licking the dampness of her lips, and catching Rougaru's handsome stare. Each passing pleasantry melts away icy first impressions, but the sadness of everything that's happened before cannot be warmed away so quickly. "I'm Indira", she offers in return. "And this is my son, Tarek." The mare takes a step back as she introduces Tarek, leaving him in clear view of Rougaru. Tarek's eyes widen at first, startled by his sudden vulnerability, but then he drops his head to drink too, making a point to avoid further eye contact with the stallion.
Thus far, Tarek has grown up without a father figure in his life. He's always been the "man of the house" so to speak, just he and his mom against the world. They have been the only constant in each other's lives since his birth. Their bond his strong. And while Indira is open to letting others into their little family unit, Tarek doesn't know how.
Eager to talk to someone, Indira quickly opens up to Rougaru, and gladly explains her ties to the Desert. "Yes. This land has been in my family for a long time, with my father Orhan, my brother Koray, and my sister Evren." Indira's eyes lovingly caress the landscape beyond. "I was born here, and so was my mother before me. No matter how much changes, or where life takes us, I'll always call the Desert home." She returns her focus to the stallion before her. She smiles with a fondness for her home, but her eyes shine with unshed tears. "I wonder what will happen to this place next. Do you have any grand plans for it?"