Indian Hemp was not raised in a desert, but the land of his parents was much warmer than here. It was a broad, flat land, dotted with trees and cut by a shallow, winding river. Food was abundant. Grasses brushed the bellies of the mares that grazed there and winters were mild. Snow and freezing temperatures were not unheard of, but they were rare and short-lived. The harshest of weather they encountered there were violent spring and summer storms. Horses were lost every year to lightening strikes, but beyond that, they lived an easy life. Indian Hemp had no need to grow a winter coat for the first few years of his life. Now that he his here and has entered upon adult-hood, his body is having difficulty adapting. The spotted stallion is racked by waves of shivers, because is thin skin and even thinner coat do little to contain his own body heat. He doesn't dare enter the water, not because he fears it, but because he is smart enough to know that submerging any part of his body in near-freezing water will cause his much more discomfort than it is worth.

The young stallion's white-rimmed eyes remain on Vercingetorix and he tries to ignore the presence of the mares nearby, as if Torix might be enraged by something so simple as a glance. He just remembers his own father's temper and enters and encounter with another stallion, assuming they share the same short temper. Indian Hemp is no the unwanted bastard child to Torix, so maybe if he remains cautious and respectful, he will not find himself on the end of a possibly short fuse.

It seems to be working.

The red-coloured stallion makes to pin his ears but seems to think better of it. He instead, reprimands his mares, which does catch Indian Hemp a little off guard at first. Then he supposes this makes sense. They bay stallion that led his mother always kept his mares close. They lived on a relatively open expanse of land, always exposed. But just because there are trees to shield predators and rivals from view doesn't mean they don't lie in waiting just beyond these carefully-patrolled borders.

Indian Hemp's swiveling ears return to forward attention at the mention of his name. It's a strange feeling to be introduced as a welcome guest and not as that unfortunate colt everyone would like to forget. "Hello," he says towards the mares, only a little bit awkwardly. He makes an effort to lower his head and relax but his nostrils continue to flare. He intended to have this conversation with Torix alone, however the two mares seem preoccupied with the stream enough. This might be as alone as Torix ever gets. "I never got to thank you for letting me stay here, Vercingetorix. I appreciate it very much."

INDIAN HEMP

five years * stallion * black partial leopard * 16.1 hands * appaloosa x irish thoroughbred * cliff lion x niamh
played by Sabrina