A new day. The sun had begun to peek up over the distant horizon, thin fingers of light spreading out across the vast forest terrain that many called home. In the trees, the birds sang, their sweet voices ringing out through the crisp spring air. The deer and the rabbits came out of their hiding spots to forage, unworried with their surroundings. However, somewhere hidden within the depths of the serene forest, was a young dapple grey mare. She was sprawled out on her side, sweat and grime coating her usually pristine coat. It was clear, from the way she panted, rhythmically tensed and relaxed, and the swell of her belly, that labor was having its way with her.

The young mare tensed again. A strangled moan fell from Yscha's lips, another contraction rocking through her abdomen. She felt the tears prickling at her eyes, hot and salty, leaving trails of moisture down her silvery cheeks as they fell. She had never experienced such pain before, and this was certainly not what she had been expecting. Sure, she knew pushing a large foal out of such... sensitive... places, would hurt, but this? This was almost too much for her to handle. Damn her naiveté.

Pushing, pushing, pushing. It seemed like she had been pushing for hours. Had it been hours? Or only minutes? Maybe it had been days. Unlikely, but the way time dragged on, it sure felt like it could've been days. Finally, after one great heave, there was relief, and Yscha let out an exhausted moan, the sound a mix of pleasure and discomfort. She allowed herself a few moments of rest, but instinct was quickly kicking in, telling her to get herself into motion before something unfortunate should happen to herself or the baby she had just birthed. Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, Yscha pushed herself up onto all fours, turning towards the newborn that lay on the ground at her hooves.

She was pleased with what she saw. A colt, she noticed first. He was a little larger than what she had expected, his father's draft blood giving him a good size. His coat was a rich bay, and the young new mother found herself hoping it would stay that way. Although she rather fancied her spotted coat, she fancied his much more, and it would certainly be a shame for it to fade away to a dull, boring grey, the shade her coat was destined for someday, once old age took over her body.

Instinct took over and within minutes, the foal was cleaned off and taking his first wobbly steps towards his dam, his sights set on the milk pouch beneath her belly. Yscha gently guided him forward, grunting a little when he latched on. Though he lacked the teeth to bite, it was still an odd and unexpected sensation, but one she knew she could quickly grow accustomed to. Smiling, she licked at his rump, murmuring something as he suckled. "Oskar. A handsome name for a handsome boy, if I do say so myself."

It certainly didn't take long for Oskar to stop feeding, his small belly becoming swollen with milk quickly. When Yscha was sure he was done and was able to stand on all fours without tripping or falling (over branches or himself), the duo set off, with no particular destination in mind. They wandered along the many winding trails that snaked their way through the dense collection of trees. The sun was still hanging low in the sky, the morning not yet passed.

There was a sudden shift in the wind, and it carried a scent with it. It was familiar, musky and masculine. The heady scent filled her nostrils as she turned her head in its direction. There was no doubt who it belonged to. She had been around Vercingetorix long enough to know his scent somewhat well. There was no mistaking it; even his smell had a sense of dominance to it. At least, Yscha thought so.

Feeling rather jovial, the young maiden decided to seek him out, perhaps pick up their last conversation where they had left off. Yscha, having still been rather uncomfortable with the... occurence... between Vercingetorix and Boomslang, had left shortly after the grullo male, feeling the need to clear her easily worried little mind. But she was over that now, and more in the mood to talk (she could only hope he was as well).

Ushering young Oskar along, Yscha picked her way carefully towards the king's location near the edge of the Forest, spotting his fiery hide amongst the dull tans and greens of the landscape. She nickered a greeting, a smile spreading across her whiskered lips. "Hello. Fancy meeting you here."