Force-claiming is not allowed here. This is a peaceful, neutral area meant for socialising.
Thames
It was as if he had spoken the stallion into existence, and -- while Thames had meant what he said a moment ago -- he hadn't expected it to happen so suddenly. Instinctively, the brindled gray moves so that he is between the stranger and his sister. The black Arabian had snorted to alert them of his arrival, which told Thames that he hadn't meant to startle them, had tried not to, and even apologized for eavesdropping. His grey ears twist forward, and the arabesque stallion listens attentively as the other greeted them. The black calls himself Zurok and lays out that he is the new leader of a place called the Prairie, wherever that might be. What piques Thames' interest however is that he offers them somewhere to go. He feels Aura press into him, her muzzle somewhere on his closest shoulder to her. In his mind, the brindle commended her quick and silent movements. He was glad to have her closer, even if he did want to believe this stallion meant well. For a moment, Thames breaks his steady gaze away from the black male before him. Tipping his head toward Aura, he waits for a reaction, something to indicate what she wanted. Even now, with her head buried against his skin, she says nothing. She does tip a pinned ear toward him though. Thames has to believe that it's enough of a sign from her that she won't object. So, he nods imperceptibly to his sister and returns to looking at the other male. "I am Thames. This," -- he motions to the brindled bay mare at his side -- "Is my sister, Aura. It's very kind of you to open your home to us. I'm inclined to accept the offer if you're sure about inviting two complete strangers home with you." The brindle, as optimistic as he was, had to consider the possibility that this was about getting to Aura. He'd like not to think that way, given the demeanor of the stallion so far. What would he really expect in return for safe haven? | Aura
My head snaps back toward Thames when I hear a snort. I didn't really think he was being indignant with my silence. He never had before, which is why I looked at him so quickly. However, it isn't just us anymore. Thames has already moved in between the black stallion and I, providing me with some sort of protection, but my eyes are still wide with surprise. The cold fingers of fear traipse upward along my spine. Would my aversion to company really force us into danger? My eyes flicker to the stiffly positioned body of my brother. I can still feel the tenseness, a new kind this time, radiating from him. I move toward him when the stranger begins to speak, closing the short distance between us as inconspicuously as I can. He speaks grandly of his intentions, even offering us shelter. I'll admit that this surprises me. I'm sure there are many benevolent stallions out there, but what a coincidence that one finds us here. I'm sure Thames is curious about the black's proposal, as am I. However, the word "family" makes me want to recoil. He couldn't have known such a thing would bother me, but my dark ears flatten toward my poll harshly as I press my head into Thames' brindled shoulder. I don't know if I am in the stranger's direct line of sight, but I hoped I wasn't. I know Thames wants stability, craves it. He had been settled herd stallion before.. I breathe deeply to steady myself. Before. Of course he'd go back to what he knew. And I wanted that for him. But. what did I want for me? I would follow his lead. We would go back to this Prairie, and we'd be safe. What does that even mean anymore, I lamented inwardly. I notice the silence, brief as it was, when the black stops speaking to allow us a moment to think, to consider. Yet again, I feel his gaze. Thames' eyes are for me, and I do actually take a moment to consider. I could make him stay here with me in the rolling fields of this meadow. I really could, but I know it wouldn't be fair to him as ill-prepared as I am to join a herd. So, I twist a single ear forward, nearly cocking my head to make eye contact with him, but I don't need to. He understands me, now more than ever. We'll go with this Zurok, but I'm not sure I'm ready for it. |