Common

Feral.

That was the simplest explanation for the way in which the obsidian stallion appeared to her. Like a wraith he appeared from the long shadows of the hardwood and pines that lined the edge of the common lands. Were it not for the rustling of his thick hooves on the brittle leaf litter beneath him or the plaintiff cry of a disturbed grouse, Warduna might have missed his appearance completely. Small mahogany ears perk forward as her slender frame tenses and finely dished head snaps up. Pale, silver-blue eyes fixate upon his muscular form.

Even though autumn was still a few months away, Warduna was still her mother’s daughter. Appreciation grew within her breast as her gaze roamed fearlessly over his approaching figure. Taunt muscles rippled beneath his ebony coat as he moved, his feathered hooves picking up with authority over the knee deep field grass. His jaunting gait caused the ends of his sun-bronzed mane to lift and sway, revealing the thick curve of his neck and the powerful arch of his throat. Though his ears are nearly camouflaged by the color of his coat, she does not miss the long, curving ears so dissimilar to her own. Odd. That was definitely a first for her and peaked her curiosity even more.

However what stood out the most for her, was the almost savage yellow of his eyes. The darkness of his face seemed to make the golden gleam stand out even more and no doubt the intensity might have caused another mare to freeze like a stag caught in the eyes of a predator. For Warduna, the gaze felt almost exciting for lack of a better explanation. Deep within the caverns of her breast, Warduna can feel the strengthening thrum of her heart. Paper thin nostrils flutter as he closed the distance with confidence. Warduna had not made it thus far in life in the company of Nyimara without observing a thing or two about the courting process of their people. Part of her expected this rugged stallion to stop a short distance from her with a cheshire grin on his lips and colorful promises upon his tongue. Was that not how the stallions sought out willing partners? Well, blackie would be in for a rude awakening if he thought she had any intentions of fawning over his handsome profile. Regardless how handsome or oddly familiar he seemed.

It was the familiarity that allowed him closer still without so much as a stomp of her hooves in warning. Curiosity had peaked her interest in him beyond mere acknowledgement. Around them, the idle chatter of conversation and chirping birds seemed to die away as he became the source of her attention. Without a word he reaches out to press his blunt teeth against the supple curve of her hip. A claim.

Immediately, her small ears disappear beneath the flowing mantle of her silver-white mane. A scream of outrage erupts from her throat as her weight shifts to allow hips to pivot in his direction. A single hind hoof lashes out, hoping to catch him firmly in the pastern or knee. It would please her greatly to see his perfectly thick leg swell with heat from her contact. The thought made her smirk.

However before she can continue her assault, or even exchange sharp words with blackie, another appears. This stallion’s husky voice breaks the building tension with disdain and Warduna expected him to shove his way between herself and blackie which, unbeknownst to him, would result in his own reciprocative kicks or nips. Instead, the painted stallion focuses his attention on blackie, coming up along his opposite side and snapping with an audible clack of teeth on her companion. Did he seriously think that would work? A disgusted sneer slides into place upon her pink muzzle as Warduna fixates the newest intruder with dagger sharp eyes. For a moment he continues to berate blackie with an almost ‘holier than thou’ expression and condescending tone of voice.

Now don’t get me wrong, there was a small voice in her mind that was utterly thrilled to have two stallions appearing to duke it out over her. The manner in which they continued on as they did might have been better played out in her opinion, but regardless the claws appeared to be unsheathed. Well, their teeth anyway.

The smoky paint stallion was pleasant on the eyes as well and no doubt, given a change in situation or approach, Warduna might have enjoyed even more flaunting the feminine curves of her body. But that was not today. Ol’ smokey turns his attention to her. He asks if she wants blackie’s attention. As if she had been given the choice. Fire gleams in her pale eyes as she traps him within her gaze. She opens her mouth to speak but before she can even voice any kind of reason there is yet another who comes bursting into their little bubble.

She told herself she should be flattered by the sudden outpour of attention. Not two but three males now stood arguing in front of her. Well…. Two and a half. From the higher pitched tone of the third’s brash interruption she doubted his boys had dropped yet. Overcompensate much? Did mares really like feeling like helpless damsels in distress? Was that so appealing to the opposite sex? She was still growing into womanhood and this whole sexy thing was still new to her though to be honest she doubted she would ever be able to master the same levels of sultry beauty that mother had. However that did not mean she could not try?

Before there could be any more interruptions, for she was not quite a fan of the way the situation had already begun to turn away from her, Warduna steps forward. Small ears remain pitched backwards beneath the tumbles of her pale mane as she lifts her head authoritatively, glaring down at them (well up really) from the end of her nose. ”Are all males as dense as you lot? Really!! It’s a wonder our species hasn’t died out years ago with the way you boys bicker amongst yourselves.” she states with a firm stomp of her hoof. Pale tail flicks with an audible snap against her hip as she continues on turning on Smokey first. ”What makes you think I can’t handle myself?! Have you been eating too many mushrooms? I think they might have addled your brain.” she purrs, the first hints of a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

She turns her haughty eyes on spotty butt now, though it was only closer inspection that even registered the pale blotches on his already pale skin. ”And you…” she begins, turning to circle around them all now so that she stood apart and not in the shadow of blackie’s broad form. ”Isn’t it time for your nap?” she teases glancing back at Smokey. ”I’ve heard of the opinion of you boys but I did not think you needed a baby to back you up when it came to defending poor little old me.” she says focusing her ire now on Blackie. ”And you…” she murmurs, her lyrical tones dropping in octave as she barred her blunt teeth at him. ”If you ever dare to think you an lay a tooth on me again I will skin you alive and make myself a nice winter coat for the coming winter!” she barks with perhaps a bit more venom than was necessary. Oh well, she needed to get her point across anyway and what better way than to strike fear? Maybe not fear, (she was the smallest here in both body mass and height)... but a healthy sense of caution would work too. Girls do like to have fun now and again...