Desert
Leaders: Nyimara, Asmodeus, Quinn
Stallions: None
Mares: Kara, Kohelet, Rhaynira, Syrax
Foals: Cahyr
Posted on April 15, 2021 at 00:57:13 AM by CAIN
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For a moment, he worried that he'd said something wrong. The mare was speechless, but the look in her eyes wasn't displeasure or otherwise, so he hoped it was a good sign when she tipped her head toward the ocean, a clear gesture that they could leave. As she moved at his shoulder, he fought the urge to lean that little bit over, just enough to brush his skin against hers. He noticed that she seemed to like it when Solomon touched her, but it just wasn't something he did, at least, not at first. He liked to let the mare grant him her trust first and show that she wanted his touch before he would take that step. It had been his approach with all his herd mares so far and it seemed to be working. Most of them came to him wary and hesitant, but every one of them had blossomed under his gentle care. Though he wanted nothing more than to gain the same alluring looks she gave the taller stallion, he told himself that he would earn them his way, in her own time. Chelle was silent on their swim to Salem and Cain left her to her thoughts, sure that she had plenty of them. He kept a careful eye on her to make sure she was pacing herself and not tiring from the swim but she seemed to handle it pretty well. Once they made it to the shore line, he allowed the amber mare to look around and take in her surroundings, both nervous and eager of her first impression. When she finally looked at him, he could see her gaze wandering over his scarred body and there was a flicker of curiosity there he liked to see, but she held her tongue on it, at least for now. Maybe in time, she would feel more free with her speech. Finally she said she could see why this place called to him and it brought a small smile to the Vanner's lips. Most horses said the exact opposite. They couldn't understand why a draft breed like him would choose a Desert of all places to call home. It was hot and humid and the sand tugged at his feathery legs. But it was all part of his story, which he wouldn't mind sharing with her. She went on to say she wouldn't have said the same a year ago and his brow creased, ears pricking forward alertly to give her his full attention. She spoke of time and solitude, things he did know very well. The draft dipped his head in agreement, chosing silence so she could continue speaking. He didn't want to interrupt her in any way, giving her the well deserved spotlight to share her story. She spoke of her origins, of knowing her place and duty. She admitted she was a dreamer and he couldn't help but smile at that. He could definitely see it. When she mentioned her father dying, Cain scowled and his ears laid back as sympathy sparked in his eyes, his heart tugging in sadness for her. She was apparently very close to her father, speaking of her heavy grief and the change it brought about in her. It made her see that she wanted something different for herself, something better. His ears pricked again and his head lifted, eyes shining with hope and approval for her dreams. She spoke of betrothal to another and his gaze narrowed just a little, nostrils flaring a bit in disapproval. He couldn't imagine doing that to any of his daughters. Really, no stallion would ever be good enough, in his opinion, but he would allow them to make the choices on their own. It was their right, he felt. She looked to him then and her eyes were pleading. His own gaze softened in response, fighting the urge to reach out to her in comfort. She said she wanted to follow her heart, that she still did. She admitted it was why she couldn't choose on the Crossing, because she didn't know how to be herself. He offered a gentle smile then, his eyes shining with confidence as he replied. "If there's anything I know about figuring out who you are, it's that unfortunately, that can only be done by you. No one can do that for you. But I'd be happy to help in any way I can. And I hope that you're able to do that in your time here. If at any point, you feel it not possible, of course, I still hold to my promise that you are welcome to leave at any time." Before he went on, he wanted to make sure she knew nothing had changed just because they were in his territory now. He wouldn't flip a switch and become a tyrannical monster hellbent on keeping her here now that he had her. The more he learned about her, the more he wanted her to stay here more than anything, but only by her choice. Taking a moment to look around, he finally looked back at her. "This place became mine because it's what I was used to. I haven't seen my parents since I was less than a year old. I was rounded up by strange two legged creatures called humans and separated from my herd. I was sent to live in a dirt pen for the next four years of my life. I was starved, beaten, stabbed, roped, branded...in the end, they threatened to take my life and I found the strength to run. "Unfortunuately, that experience influenced my view on the world when I first came to the islands. The world had been cruel to me, so I felt no sympathy for others. Why be nice to them when no one was nice to me? I was tied to the ground, made to feel powerless, so I craved it with a hunger like no other. I claimed this place because it reminded me of that dirt pen. It was my prison but also my sanctuary. I was not a nice stallion then. I wanted to rule over others, show them that I wasn't weak, that I couldn't be broken. I bullied and used violence to get what I wanted." He looked down at the ground and sighed before looking back up. "I learned a lot in my time here on the islands. Obviously, I've changed from that stallion but sometimes, I feel like the land here is cursed because of my actions. Solomon wasn't wrong when he spoke of death in the Desert. I have lost four horses in my time here. Geneva was my lead mare and she had just given birth to my son, Carbon. She found another herd mare, Zena, who had just given birth to our daughter, Zubeia. Wolves got into the Desert and attacked them. Zubeia sacrificed herself to get her daughter and the others to safety. I tried to help them but I was too late to drive the wolves away from Zena." His eyes closed as he relived that horrible day. He grimaced, shaking out his mane before he took another breath and opened his eyes again. "Geneva and Zubeia succumbed to their wounds a few days later when the infection set in. I almost lost Carbon too but luckily I found a nurse mare who raised him as her own and saved his life. Her name was Berit." He frowned painfully. "She is the fourth and most recent loss. She had a son of her own, Vulcan, when she came to the Desert. We had two more sons together, Enoch and Sinai. They're still here. After giving birth to Sinai, a stallion from the Lagoon came to start trouble. When Berit saw him talking to Sinai, she charged after him. He kicked out in defense and....caught her head." He had to look away again, trying not to replay that scene out because it still haunted him and probably would for a while. She was still talking when he found her bleeding out on the sand. It was horrifying to see her that way, to know that she wasn't going to make it, but wondering if he would have to be the one to end it out of mercy. He shook his head and took a shaky breath. "I just buried her a few days before I found you." He looked up, meeting her gaze. "I'm sorry to heap all this on you, especially when you just got here. I only want you to know everything you're getting yourself into before you make any decisions." Cain_stallion_7yo_Gypsy Vanner Mutt_16.3hh_black and white tobiano coat_white mane & tail_dark brown eyes_bound to none_Salem Desert Father to: Akello(x Vihaan), photo by DeadlyLupine@Deviantart |
Replies:
- you're the song i sing - By Chelle April 24, 2021 at 06:23:32 AM
- bite me - By CAIN April 27, 2021 at 00:35:01 AM
- you're the song i sing - By Chelle May 10, 2021 at 04:25:35 AM
- bite me - By Cain May 19, 2021 at 00:38:32 AM
- you're the song i sing - By Chelle May 10, 2021 at 04:25:35 AM
- bite me - By CAIN April 27, 2021 at 00:35:01 AM
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