Common

It was foolish to imagine that claiming a mare would be easy. He almost assumed it would come as naturally to him as it did to father. If he really thought about it, he would realize the reason why his sire often came home without mares in tow, or why father chose to fight for the newest herd members instead of dealing with the rather bothersome attempts at claim. He had assumed she would merely bow her head in acknowledgement and follow like a meek lamb to the slaughter. Boy had he been wrong.

Instead of dropping her head in submission, the proud girl curls her lip in disgust and glares at him with such venom that he cannot help but find the adrenaline once more pulsing through his veins. Somewhere deep inside him, the long dormant creature begins to stir. Golden eyes blink slowly against the fires that smoulder in her own eyes. Definitely she lifts her head, staring down her muzzle at him. She dared. Raven-tipped ears fall backwards amid the tangled web of his obsidian mane. Her snarled words bring an amused grin to his lips, tipping the corners upwards in the beginnings of a smirk. ”What’s the matter? Sunshine offends you?” he teases unable to resist the bait that she leaves for him. She sidles away from his grasp, her small golden ears pinned beneath the thick layers of her mane. Bravely she snakes her head towards him, her yellowing teeth snapping audibly together in the space that she created between them. It was a warning and a clear one; but Annubis had never been good with boundaries. Mother saw to that.

He takes a step towards her, the dark smile upon his lips growing as emerald eyes glitter. He wanted to taste her skin once more, the urge to drive her over the edge of warning a growing emotion in his dark soul. Perhaps it was the electric interaction that he found himself in, or maybe he was simply so enraptured by this fiery woman that he failed to realize the commotion that they were causing. Father would have said it was his youth and inexperience that prevented him from realizing that another stallion approached, but the silver buckskin stallion would never willingly admit it. However when the white splotched stallion bursts onto the scene with a resounding nip to his own flank, the small world that the mare and himself had created begins to evaporate. This time, his own lips peel back as a snarl of anger steals past his lips. Muscular haunches bunch beneath him as he shifts the weight of his form to allow forelimbs to balance as hind legs strike out at the empty air left in the stallion’s retreating wake. ’Youngblood’ He dared to call him youngblood! The slumbering beast stirred. Dark hairs along his spine prickle with disdain, emerald green eyes narrow as he studies his newest opponent’s face. Flattery falls smoothly from his lips as the stallion turns his gaze away from Annubis in an almost dismissive manner that leaves the stallion of ash and smoke resisting the urge to lunge at him. From the jagged scars that gleam from between the white hairs, no doubt the stallion is experienced in battle and though he spent many a day sparring with his brothers and other youngsters that offered him the opportunity, he was a far cry from being considered an experienced warrior. Darkly Annubis shoots the golden mare a glare, this was her fault. Had she acted like a polite, meek mare then perhaps this would not have happened.

However even now his interest perks towards the curling-eared stallion as he speaks. Father held no high regard for the Lagoon. In all honesty, the stallions there and their lifestyle intrigued him. While he had no desire to leave his father’s home, he could not deny the lift of his ears at the offer. While he had learned much from father, perhaps this stallion too could teach him a thing or two, maybe even how to twist his brash words into something more akin to the flattery that fell so easily from his lips. The beast rumbles. No. He would not seem like the eager pup. He was a wolf of Atlantis.

Before he can open his mouth to reply the golden woman speaks. Once more the smirk plays upon his lips as the look of disgust paints a clear picture upon her otherwise beautiful features. She calls him ‘little one’ and he can feel the tension rising in his bones. He wants nothing more than to reach out and bite that insolent muzzle, and yet he knows it would not end with the best results for him. He could bow out now, turn tail and flee back to the jungles of Paradise with his tail between his legs but what would that accomplish? Surely not one but both of these creatures would happily enjoy telling of the boy who had cried wolf throughout the islands. She circles him, her slender frame circles his and he turns his head to allow multifaceted eyes of green to follow her. ”If you want to touch, all you need to do is ask me.” he teased haughtily, his smile wavering into an impish grin, ”I promise it’s all real. Can you say the same?” he asks, tilting his head towards her with the blandest of masks planted firmly into place. She wanted his name, he can see it, perhaps even the stallion would not mind having it either and yet she does not offer her own. It is the one thing he can hold over the curling eared stallion. She asks what he can offer her and this time, his laughter rumbles deep within his chest. Proudly he gives his sterling head a shake, sending long obsidian tresses snapping audibly against the curve of his muscular neck. ”I thought you lost Sunshine. I did not realize you were distressed as well.” he teased, ”But if you would like to know, my home is not a far swim from here, and I assure you that the view is much better than anything these other islands might have to offer.” Flowers. Bright colored flowers and sweet singing birds and others the colors of bright jewels. Butterflies and sweet fruits that are too many to count. All of this could fall from his lips but instead he keeps himself silent. All of it was too gushy for his taste, where others saw stunnings birds he saw winged creatures that squawked relentlessly. Where others swooned over the bright colored flowers, he rolled his eyes and stamped them beneath his hooves. Where others saw pleasure, he saw annoyance. Perhaps if this girl had not attracted attention elsewhere and were she not so damn stubborn he might have made much more of an effort. Now it was a mere game. To hell with trying to impress father.