The young stud looked at his surroundings dazed and confused. The last thing he remembered was being on a ship with his sire on their way to the colt's introductory show, and now... Now? Deep brown eyes glanced hurriedly around, his breath coming in shorter and shorter gasps, before he eventually bellowed out “Father? FATHER?!” He spun himself in circles, then raced up and down the open land where he found himself into a sweaty lather. Once he accepted that he was lost and alone he came to a stand-still and caught his breath, his heavy roman nose dipping toward the earth as his nostrils flared, sucking in and blowing out air with his starved lungs.
Kuba was born into a land where horses were pampered and taken care of by other beings, his father being the most important to these creatures. Once the colt was born he was poked and prodded, but always with care and admiration. While his father was a proud stud and basked in this attention, Kuba always felt awkward and undeserving. His mother tried to explain what his worth to those around him was; to his father, to the beings, and most especially to herself. He tried his best to live up to the standards everyone around him placed upon his shoulders, but he could just never shake the feeling that they had it all wrong, that he would never grow into the greatness expected of him. When he tried to broach the subject with his sire, the older stallion grew upset and lashed out at his son. “You are MY son, and therefore you will shut up and do as you’re told. I don’t want to hear about this ever again.” From then on the onyx colt withdrew further into himself, barely speaking, any spark of rebellion shushed out as if it were never there. In the absence of defiance, anxiety and dependency settled into his manner. He was quick to stay close to his mother’s side and took longer than any of the other foals to wean off his dam. When he was put near his sire he was both scared and relieved to be there near him; he wasn’t alone. Here he would be looked after, if not with warmth then at least from the burden of responsibility.
When his lungs caught up and his breathing slowed, he lifted his head once more to look around. There was a chill in the air which bit harder with his sweat-soaked coat, but he was young and strong with it, he would be fine. He saw other equines around, some alone, some interacting with others. As much as he wished to be near another, he was always uncomfortable meeting someone for the first time, so instead he stayed where he was and let out a timid whicker. “He…Hello? Can anybody help me?” Orbs wistfully looked at each horse he saw, hoping to make eye contact, hoping for a welcome, hoping he wouldn’t be alone for long. He briefly imagined his father’s distaste if he knew the thoughts and feelings coursing through Kuba’s mind, but he shook it out and focused on the moment he was in. His sire had no say here now, that is, until he was able to get back home. He so desperately wanted to go back home, this lost, lonely boy in the immense, vast world.
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