Common

Akela never strayed often from the island of Atlantis. In his mindset, there had never really been much need. Bathsheba was there if he sought company from the female sex and she was kind enough to praise him and lift his ego when he felt low. Likewise, Monster and the rest of the herd mares usually met his presence with gentle eyes. Zjeena had earned much respect over the years from her time as co-Drappa of Atlantis. Even though she had been gone from the islands for many years now, still her influence colored the way the mares viewed him. At first, most had offered him sympathetic gazes, as though their soft eyes might somehow cure the loss he felt. He had balked at this, doing his best to divert his attention so that the memory of sadness does not linger in his heart. Now however, he finds something more akin to acknowledgement. They treat him as they would an age old water oak or storm worn palm, as part of the environment. They trusted him to keep watch over the borders with Rougaru and allowed him to play with the young foals without supervision but there was nothing further in their eyes when they gazed upon him. Only the faintest recognition of a legend long departed.

While the grullo stallion never felt a need to explore beyond the borders of his island home, Rougaru was starting to grow impatient and deep down, Akela found it hard to blame his sire. At six years of age, he should at the very least, be searching to make his mark upon the world. A year younger and already Annubis had made his own connections in this world. Even Alpha and Loupgaru were beginning to expand their horizons beyond Atlantis. Dwelling on this is what had pushed him to venture to the main island today and despite his nervousness, he was finding himself growing more at ease with his newfound companion Seri. The tension that had only moments ago built beneath his skin seems to evaporate as she met his curious eyes with a genuine smile. He found himself studying the fine curves and contours of her face, memorizing the way the sunlight seemed to make her pale eyes shine, especially when framed by the obsidian tendrils of her forelock and mane. Once more he feels the tips of his dark ears beginning to burn with embarrassment. What an odd creature he was, studying such intricate details. How kind she was not to mention it and yet he couldn’t help himself. He opens his mouth again, the stammering of his heart thundering against his ears so loud that he almost misses the sound of hooves approaching. Almost.

Golden eyes divert to the stranger who shoulders his way between the two newfound friends. From the moment their eyes meet, Akela can feel the tension beginning to rise. From the backward turn of the blue boy’s ears to the smug set of his jaw and the high carriage of his head. Everything about him screamed spoiled. His own dark tipped ears flicker in the moment of confusion as Akela takes a step backwards, his own proud head lifting. The stallion snorts at him, his husky tones leaving little to debate as to his intentions. Now Akela was no stranger to force. He had seen his sire force more than once mare back to Paradise under the guise of doing what was best. However this stallion made no such promise. The look he gave Seri was one of haunting blankness as he matter of factly stated that she would be going with him because of the mere fact that her mother said she must.

To this, the irritation began to rise within him as Akela let his own loud snort follow Seri’s disbelieving words. To be completely honest, even he was surprised that the blue roan stallion would openly admit that he was here at his mother’s bidding and that it was for her command that came from his dark lips. Raven tipped ears disappear beneath the thick mantle of his own forelock as Akela takes a step forward now, drawing all of the strength in his bones to try to keep his voice steady. ”D..d..idn’t y..y..our mother tell you it’s rude to i..i...iinterrupt?” he asks, silently cursing himself for the ever prevalent stutter.

Seri picks up the conversation again, and Akela finds his broad head nodding in agreement and giving his hoof a single stomp to reaffirm her decision. ”Y...y...you could have asked p..pp...politely.” he adds, forcing a smile to his lips as his ears perk forward. ”L.l.l.like this.” he continues, turning his golden gaze to Seri’s beautiful face once more, ”S.s.s.seri, w.w.w.ould you care to walk with me?”