Falls
Force-claiming is not allowed here. This is a peaceful, neutral area meant for socialising.
Posted on May 20, 2020 at 00:35:18 AM by CAIN
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Maybe he should try to get better at hiding his pain, but he'd never felt such a devastating blow all at once like this before. It wasn't just the deaths, one right after the other. It was the deaths and Primrose telling him she wasn't coming back and Vihaan treating him differently, like a stranger. It was all his doubts and fears of his own self worth driving their way to the surface of his mind. He couldn't get away from them so he let them overwhelm him instead. But he had to keep pushing forward. He still had a herd to protect and children to raise. He still had a family. The mare stepped closer, less wary with her son around and he felt himself relax more in response. She must not see him as a threat anymore and he took comfort from that, somehow. Like maybe he wasn't doing such a bad job of looking unintimidating. He didn't want her to think herself or her colt were in any danger. That wasn't his intention at all. If anything, he pricked his ears. The first words she offered sounded like an apology of sorts before she told him it was a pleasure to meet him and how unusual it was for a stallion to be aware and open up to a stranger. He smirked a little, but the gesture was dry. "Then call me unusual, I guess." He murmured. He could see the sympathy in her eyes but was satisfied that he didn't see pity. He certainly wasn't looking for that. She called him strong for losing so much and not taking out his own son and he flinched at the accusation, especially since it had indeed crossed his mind at one point. He hated watching his son sleep, breathing in and out and wondering if there would come a time when his sides didn't move but stopped and went still, never to move again. It was a living nightmare. He shook his head slowly. "I feel anything but strong....but thank you." It seemed the polite thing to say. Her next words were of interest, his ears pricking as she said she wasn't that attractive, especially since she had a colt that was fathered by someone else. He tilted his head some as he listened. It was sounding like an offer and he was intrigued. It wasn't the usual for him to meet a mare on the Crossing and her offerself to come with him, but he knew the situation wasn't usual. She knew he had a son who was dying, a son who needed milk. She was probably just doing what she felt was right. Another kind soul. How did he happen to come across them? He never felt worthy when he did. She of course added on that she would not be parted from her own son and his ears flicked back at the very thought. He would never ask a mare to leave her son to die, especially just to save his own. That wasn't even a thought on his mind. That was the monster he was trying to get away from. She went on, saying she would treat his son as her own but wanted the right to chastise him as a mother would. His face started to soften, his eyes to practically glow with hope. Was this really happening? Was she really offering to save Carbon? Her laugh made him lift his head a little, surprised at the pleasant sound, but it was soothing to his ears. She said then that she knew it was preemptive but she couldn't stand a colt losing his life after losing his mother. Cain dipped his head, both in acknowledgement and gratitude. She said if not, he was welcome to continue watching Vulcan. He glanced over to where her son ran and played, a sigh falling from his lips, but he knew time was indeed precious right now. He finally turned back to her. "I would be invariably in your debt and I accept all your terms, Berit. If you take him under your wing, you are his mother. He needs that now more than anything, more than a father." He clenched his jaw, knowing the risk he was taking with those words but Carbon wouldn't survive without milk, something he couldn't give. What choice did he have? He wouldn't watch his son die, not if he could do something about it and this would save his life. "Nor would I ask you to leave your own son. You would both come under my protection, the protection of my herd. I would welcome you and Vulcan to Salem and the Desert, to live if you wish. If you want to leave, I would never ask you to stay....even if it meant Carbon had to go with you." He swallowed again past the words. He wanted to be in his children's life but he had to put Carbon first and this was what he needed. He would do whatever it took to keep him alive and safe. He had always let the mares decide how much he got to be in their lives and this should be no different. He didn't know Berit as he knew the other mares he'd fathered foals to, but she was doing him a huge service and he wouldn't forget it or try to manipulate it. The terms were hers. Carbon's life was worth it. Waiting to gauge her response, he would then lead her to the shore line if she was ready and lead them to Salem. He would pick whatever pace was necessary, frequently glancing over to make sure her and Vulcan were making the swim okay and offering assistance if necessary. He didn't want them to feel rushed or pressured. He would never forget what she was doing for him, for Carbon. He only hoped he could do something for her in return some day, something to show how much it meant to him. Maybe he wouldn't be digging a fourth grave. Maybe they would make it in time. Cain_stallion_6yo_Gypsy Vanner Mutt_16.3hh_black and white tobiano coat_white mane & tail_dark brown eyes_bound to none_Salem Desert Father to: Akello(xVihaan), photo by JNix@Shutterstock |
Replies:
- // ash and cinder, tongues of flame; - By berit & vulcan May 20, 2020 at 00:57:08 AM
- Cont. in the Desert - By DarQ May 20, 2020 at 02:40:39 AM
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