Meadow
Force-claiming is not allowed here. This is a peaceful, neutral area meant for socialising.
Posted on July 27, 2021 at 10:52:49 AM by SHENZI
And as soon as the brown colt obeyed (without question), Shenzi turned and raced toward the confrontation. By the time she’d battled her way along the twisting paths all tangled with overgrown vegetation, all she found was a recently vacated arena - the loamy earth all churned up, twigs crushed underhoof. No flashing glint of silver, but too, no stinking brute to stand in her way. The barb mare ran through the thinning trees, strong legs carrying her swiftly toward the border over the treacherous ground. She did not care if any heard her, all that mattered to her right now was getting to the silver bay mare.
"Nyimara!" came the bellow as she paced the border, searching for tracks or scent to follow. When she happened across an obscure trail, she followed it, leaving the Lagoon behind her, and darting across the Commons, ember eyes wide and frantic as they scanned for familiar figure. "Nyi-Nyimara!" The barb mare bugled again, making no attempts to be subtle in her search. If any of the bachelors dared come after her, she’d be ready to aggressively defend Nyimara.
As if the mere conviction that she would fight with all her strength for the slim mare was enough for fate to bring them together again, there she was at the edge of the meadow, brazen and beautiful as ever, even in defeat. Choking on relief, Shenzi hastened to her side, her face a mask of fear for the argent queen’s wellbeing. "Are you - are you okay?" she stammered, gently trailing her muzzle down the arch of the bay mare’s neck, along her spine, to trace the curve of her hip. After gleaning a general idea of the extent of Nyimara’s injuries, rather than being sympathetic, Shenzi pinned her ears, the muscles of her shoulders stiffened in frustration as she circled about, wound up so tight that they protested against the anger, aching.
"You stupid, reckless - I didn’t want this, I didn’t ask for this!" The words crackled with the heat of her rising anger, and she snapped at the air in front of Nyimara; all the fear she’d felt moments earlier catching alight. (All the frustration, all the anguish and loneliness that was piled on her, layer upon layer - last time they’d been together, Shenzi had promised “all that I am,” - and this was what she was; fire and fury, a savage survivor, gaunt with grief.)
"I tried to escape with Azizi, and one of them followed me. I came back, because I didn’t want to lead them to you." Her words had lost their biting edge, and even as she fell silent to catch her breath, the smoldering in her eyes did not diminish, but the rest of her softened, ever so slightly. "So instead you came for me," she sighed, and turning her face aside, she stepped forwards gingerly, persisting in her approach, even if Nyimara retaliated or sought to rebuke her for her searing flash of anger.
"Means more to me than I can say, that you would fight, for me..." The words were muffled, uttered softly into the silver tresses of Nyimara’s mane. "I take it back - I didn’t mean it..." The brown mare drew her soot-dark muzzle back, seeking to brush black lips along the queen’s jaw in a rare and unabashed display of affection. "Stupid. Coward. You have never been either of these things," the fierce, scarred mare murmured. The honeyed tone of her voice quickly morphed into a growl, and she twisted to set her teeth upon the bay mare’s near shoulder, intending to place a sharp nip there - but not enough to break through the skin. "But reckless," she snarled her displeasure, but it was a fleeting thing, and moments later, she settled, at ease, comforted by the warmth of Nyimara at her side.
Always, always, whenever she found peace it seemed to be fading from her. Shenzi shifted and sighed, tilting her head to meet "I am glad to be with you, Nyimara. But I fear they’ll come for me, and I don’t want them to find you again." She would go back to that wretched place if she must, but she would not be kept there against her will indefinitely. A gentle nudge at Nyimara’s cheek accompanied her words of advice, (and a renewal of the promise she had made). "You should go back to the Hills, rest, stay safe. I’ll come find you there, as soon as I can."
There was little that would hold her back, now that she was incensed, and there was no way the barb mare would stand idle now that those she cared for were harmed and under threat.
It was a grave mistake on the bachelor's part to provoke her in such a manner while she was still bound to remain in their very midst. The Islands did not yet understand the fierceness and persistence of the rugged desert mare, but in time, she would show them.
And they would see her for what she truly was.
Replies:
- I'm headed straight for the castle; - By Nyimara July 28, 2021 at 05:56:44 PM
- & they can throw their stones; - By SHENZI August 13, 2021 at 11:42:21 AM
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