Marauder.
Peyote did not know what to think of the faith his brothers placed within him to vote him to a position of notoriety. He had never been prepared for a position of influence within the Lagoon; Psychedelic’s mission for him had only been to be a continued catalyst of chaos from their bloodline, but he’d purposefully never taught him to crave leadership. Though the smoky grullo did not know it, his father had believed it was ascending to Boss that had been each of their individual undoing. In some small way he had tried to spare Peyote from that.
Yet he had failed.
Now the painted grullo was trailing idly along Luthien’s shore, curiosity still tugging him back toward the Forest now and again. He understood Garmr’s decree was meant to encourage them to bring future brothers back amongst their midst and bolster their numbers, but Peyote had never been taught to go after stallions. The added challenge was exciting, rather than daunting. He would need to be even better to take them…perhaps more clever rather than his typical brutish approach.
Unfortunately for him, Peyote was often swayed by his instincts more than any thoughts he might’ve had. A particularly sweet smell drew him immediately away from what he’d been mulling over before. His pink nostrils quivered as he greedily sucked in large breaths, taking all he could get in his lungs before he quickly rushed it back out, only to fill himself up again. It was intoxicating, dizzying… a chill swept down the black-line that ran from across his back and his tail flagged off his haunches.
He was not even aware he was moving; as if in a dream his hooves surged forward of their own accord, picking up quickly in a desperate attempt to keep him close to the smell that was fading. Whatever it was, whoever it was, was walking the opposite direction of him and he very quickly knew he would rather be closer to them; how lovely would they smell if he could put his nose right against them?
It wasn’t long before he could make out the shape up on the beach and despite his hurried approach, he managed to pull his gait up and come to a stop where he could watch her. Her. He’d worked out by now it was a mare, and he glanced briefly across the stretched out sea of grass at their back, where he knew no one was coming, and then back to the young mare who seemed to be dozing off right there on the beach. It would take little at all to bully her into the water; to send her into a fright too strong for her to have reasonable thoughts through. Maybe, too, the ocean waves would drown out any cries she tried to get out.
And she could be his.
Another shiver down his back and Peyote started toward her. This time, though, he walked agonizingly slowly, with more patience than one might give him credit for. The grass parted with a whisper around him until he had emerged onto the shore and was pleased to see her still fast asleep. The smell of her grew richer and he grew dizzier; it took every bit of control he had taught himself not to burst into a run and nip at her until she stumbled into the water. Yet restraining himself and allowing this to all be drawn out was another part of the fun.
Peyote was pleased she slept so soundly that he’d actually managed to walk up close to her. He took in large breaths again, but softly this time, unlike before. His exhales were gentle against her, doing everything he could to keep her asleep so he could abuse this closeness and learn about her. His whiskered muzzle gently brushed her mane, the strands tickling his skin, and he bit into a grin that curved hungrily at the corners of his lips.
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