You Are My Sunshine -Anyone-

[stitchedskull]

^{You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy,
When skies are grey.}

The day was not going to improve. Tomorrow wasn't either. And most likely, neither will the day after. No matter how bright the sun, and how green the grass, the sky seemed grey... dull and empty save the mottled clouds of confusion. It had been near four years since any light shone off the lifeless, grey hue. Or the earth caressed his round, white belly. Stormy pools matched the churning skies above, deep and sad in their awkward beauty. A certain power was held... but so far away. So far, far away now. The stag had never been particularly outgoing, or... cocky... but now, he was more so than ever. The grey birthmark, a tear stain from his left eye, seemed to be a brand of destiny. How can a stallion born in the late of autumn, to a mare and no father about, and such a mark live happily? With awkward legs and ugly coloring, the stallion was not destined to be king, lord or even a stallion at all. The skinny, mutt of a creature, with a tattered mane and long whispy tail, was destined to be as love stuck as a mare. Almost literally. As the grey equine came into the land, lead through his stumbling, wobbling gate, he wished he could cry. Standing out in the middle of the abandoned, desolate land, he was flodded with the memory of his long lost love.

You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take,
My sunshine away.

They day they met. He was a fresien-thouroughbred, a rich black with deep, brown eyes, and thick feathers. Well built, and massive against the small September. How it was that a creature, built to perfection adored the clumsy, mis-matched creature he was, was never known, but it was true. True! That creature /loved/ him, loved him more than Memories would ever know. The two met in the Lush Fields, an evening, just after the sun vanished behind the distant mountains. Both were alone, grazing. It was the ebon grace that aproached September first. The whole time September was in awe at the creature in the short distance, munching hte grass in a manner to keep a constant eye on him. When the ebon stag aproached, September was ready to flee, fearing he would be attacked for the looks he gave. But instead, the stallion spoke kindly.

"Most horses go home at night.. and ignor me. I couldn't help but notice... you were looking."

September, would have blushed if his cheeks allowed it. "Oh um... yeah. I like early night... but I'm sorry... I shouldn't have-"

He was cut off by a gentle friendly chuckle from the stallion. "You're like me, arn't you?"

"What?"

"Do you er... 'like' stallions?"

September was shocked, but he nodded. 'Like him?' This gorgeouse thing /liked/ stallions? He felt his heart flutter.

"My name's Opium Tragic."

"I'm September Memories."

And that was how it started. Just like that. Not romantic, and not flowery. Just honest. They were friends for a while, then best friends, then lovers.

The other night, dear,
As I lay sleeping.
I deamt I held you,
In my arms.

And when it ended... September was in awe. Too much awe to follow his lover to the grave. One day, September woke to a cold touch on his belly. He smiled and stretched his boa to reply to the touch, but soemthign was wrong with it. He knew from the second Opium's velvets tapped his belly, something terrible would happen. When he searched blindly for his lover's bod, or skull, he found it gone. Grey pools opened, to see the form galloping away. Of course, Memoir followed. He had to. The two ran and ran, Opium just in view of the grey male in the pale light of hte early morn. Then, the ebon beast stopped, September just managing to catch up.

"Tragic..." He panted heavily. "What are you.... doing?"

"I'm sorry September." The mighty creature was hardly winded. He nuzzled the other lovingly. "I love you... but I'm not as strong as you."

Then, he bolted. He gave a great cry, lunging from the edge of the cliff.

September gave a cry of shock, fear and love as he watched the perfect black sculpture fall. He ran to the edge, but haulted, crying out to the falling equine, as if he could return. He fell back to earth, dizzy and sick as he watched hte churning waters swallow his one and only friend. Then, darkness took over.

September woke from his memories, looking about at the lands he really was in. He lay down under a tree, nuzzling the earth, pretending it was Opium.

"I love you." He whispered.

When I awoke, dear,
I was mistaken.
So I hung, my head,
and cried.

[/sup][/color][/right]

[midnight]

Freedom Moon walked into the graveyards with his head held high. His black main was gently blown around by the wind that just barely blew around him. He looked towards a form that was laying down on the ground and walked towards it not knowing what it was. When he finally noticed it to be a gray stallion he continued walking towards him. Then he heard I love you on the wind and knew it was from this other stallion. He sighed and shook his head before stopping right behind the male. " Even though your loved ones have left this earth they will always be in your heart forever. You will still have memories of them." He said while then turning his head towards the east to where his mother had been buried by human hands. He then looked down towards the tree the stallion was at how he seemed to nuzzle the ground as if it were a live body. " There will always be others for you to love." He then turned his head towards the stallion " My name is Freedom Moon." He said with a small smile.

[stitchedskull]

<sup>White skull snapped back at the stallion at his words. It seemed the stallion had been in too much of a dream to note the oncoming prints. Distant, grey pools looked the stallion over, then rested onto the gentle pools. Looking away, he heaved himself ot stand upon four weary anchors, his bodice turned ot face the other.

September knew what the other said was true, he had been telling himself that so many times, but never had they left another's mouth for him before. And though September missed Opium greatly, he was at rest that the ebon creature could no long run at his side, but he was troubled at his final words and parting. Why? The grey thorns flattened in silent annoyance at the thought he was guilty. He had to be. But... Tragic had apologized, as if it were he who was at fault. And he was. But now wasn't the time to stay silent and problematic. Someone spoke to him.

"Thank you." He said quietly, vocals soft and tender. "I've known that for so long... but no one's ever told me. I thought I was lieing to myself. Thank you." The white face dipped into a small bow of appreciation to the stallion's words. "And as for others to love me... sometimes I wonder. There aren't many like me."

There was no point in hiding it from this creature. He was kind, and apprantly thoughtful enough to send an encouraging word to a stanger, so why would he care? And who knows... maybe he could be another Opium Tragic? But Memories doubted it.

"My name is September Memories... if you'd care to know at all." The grey creature decided again, that it was at no lose to himself, being friendly and all. Who didn't appreciate another friend in this cold world?</sup>

[midnight]

Freedom nodded his head towards September. " You just have to continue living even when everyone eles looks down at you. You have to eat even if it taste of ash and drink even if it makes you sick. You must sleep even if you have nightmares of your past and just live with it. When my mother died I felt the exact same way." He said with a small sigh before looking back to the stallion. " I can offer you a home if that is what you would like to do." He said while then looking towards September with a reassurring smile on his face. He then raised his head up as a breeze blew abit harder and through his mane and coat.It carried the faint scent of salt water which reassured him in a way relaxing him even more.

[stitchedskull]

<sup>September never had a proper home. With his mother they roamed from herd to herd, settling in one place for a while before setting off. Many nights he spent alone, save for her. Together they were happy, and though he missed her entirely, he was glad to know she wasn't suffering. She died of age and sickness, the elements and taken their toll on her, and it was time. In a calming way, September was glad. He knew she understood and wished only what could happen. And when she passed September was a stallion, old enough to lack instinct to latch onto a parent, but... still. He had been different from the others.

But Opium... that was different. His mother loved him because she was his mother. But Opium loved hte scrawny, mis-matched stallion because he loved him. And his ending was in no way suitable for him. Nothing so preciouse should die in such sorrow.

Listening on Freedom's words his head hung sadly. Why go on if all the joys of life were gone? September would rather end it and feel nothing than suffer, then feel nothing. He thought back on Opium's parting. I'm sorry. I'm not as strong as you.

September was suddenly enraged at the ebon brute who left. He was miserable. He just /was/. The grey stallion suddenly understood. Opium was sad, always. And he wasn't able to handle it. September would. Just for him.

"I know... but..." He looked away, slightly ashamed. Freedom knew what it felt like. But like Opium, he wasn't strong enough. How could he be? Just a worthless scrap of flesh dubbed pathetically a stallion. Loved only by his mother and a suicidal stallion. "But I don't know how much more ash my stomach can hold."

He considered taking up the offer he proposed. How bad could it be? Probably not at all... it would probably acctually be quite wonderful. Giving a small smile he nodded. "If you have room I'd greatly appreciate it. I've never had a proper home."</sup>

[midnight]

Freedom smiled at September and nodded back " I welcome you into the Rocky Mountains." He said then nuzzled him on the shoulder feeling as if September needed it. He then pulled back and smiled at him. " With time your feeling over your lose will lessen but not your memory. Food will also return to it's normal taste." He said while then looking away past the mountains and grassland " When my mother died I felt as if I would die then my father died. I felt even worse because he left me alone with my younger sister. Well it was afew weeks after that when she was attacked by wolves. I would have died myself if it hadn't been for my friends to help me through it."

[stitchedskull]

<sup>September suddenly felt horibly selfish. He had lost two... and this stallion... lost his whole family. His thorns fell lightly, quaking under the touch. But it felt good. Proof the other cared enough to bother. Smiling lightly, he nodded.

"I'm sorry about your family." He said quietly. "You're lucky to have such good friends."

Memories never had many good friends. Of course... as a foal he played with them, but was usually teased, or out run and they would hide, sending him sulking back to his mother. She was his best friend, and the two would chase each other in a game of tag, or race, and sometimes even playfight. September missed those days, and would do anything to go back and experience another.

His sides heaved in a deep breath, hot breath rushing through his nares. "Thank you for welcoming me into your herd. How many others are there?" He asked. He hoped they would like him... or at least... not shun him and chase him out.

"But I hope your right..." He gave a bitter chuckle. "You have to be... I know you are."</sup>

[midnight]

Freedom smiled and nodded his head " I told you that so you know you will always have a friend in me." He said while then thinking lightly " There is Autmn Falls her mate Raven's feather along with their son Tsunami. Two new mares named Kurime and Snowflake. My little brother who was born before my mother died. Munchie my mate." Then he sighed lightly before turning away before adding " And my son Thorne." He said the last bit with a little bit of grief in his tone. Thorne had been implanted into Rose when she had been way to young and so now he had a three year old son to care for. He hadn't even known he had a son until afew days ago but he wouldn't worry September with his problems.

[stitchedskull]

<sup>It was hard to comprehend being surpounded by so many. As a child he had been, but even then he always felt outcasted, seeing as he was never a permanent mebmer of a herd. He had always been untrusted, but never did he mind. Now, recognizing the empitiness he felt without anyone, and that it was normal to feel compasion in a herd, he longed for one. And Freedom offered what he wanted.

Memoirs thoughts were jumbled as he felt the other male's sorrows. Though he wondered what the matter was, he wouldn't press it. Just ease it as best he could. "Whatever might be wrong... it will work out with time. It always does." He raked his muzzle against the brute's side, then smiled gently.

"If you'd like to return home, I gladly go with you."</sup>

[midnight]

Freedom smiled at September " I can only hope it will and we can go unless you want some more time with your loved one." He said while then turning towards the mountains. He knew how hard it could be to leave your loved ones behind since his heart had broken when the humans had burried his mother in the ground. He turned his head to smile at September before thinking back towards Thorne he would have to tell the rest of the herd but how was he supposed to explain it to them. He shook his head lightly he would explain it when the time came for him to not before.

[stitchedskull]

Looking along the vast land, his eyes falling down and away from the bay stallion. Stormy optics swung across the Graveyards. It wasn't offten he came to mourn for his loved one. Usually he ourned in silence, alone, anywhere he liked. He though in silence a moment before his crannia shook and turned back to Freedom.

"My heart will need to be healed eventually... but not today. I could never forget him... and I doubt if my mourning will ever cease. But now I will have a home to keep my troubles at bay. Thank you." He said, nodding lightly. /Him/. The stallion hadn't yet mentioned his loved one was a 'he'. Perhaps Freedom would assume he meant his father, or perhaps might turn him away. But he doubted it. So far he had been understanding and more than kind.

"I can part these lands. They do not mean much." He said quickly, looking back out, then onwards, to the mountains int eh distance. "I will let you lead the way."

[midnight]

Freedom nodded his head lightly " I know he is probably in a better place." He said before he began to slowly walk back to the Rocky Mountains. He began to think about all that he had said to September. He had just said them without any thought and with a small smile he knew that was how he was supposed to get over his mother's death. He looked back up towards the Mountains and shook his head lightly " Do you have any family outside of these lands September?" He asked over his shoulder as he continued to walk on.

[Lazy Corpse]

<sup>Storm hued beast slowed at the other's quick and easy acception at the idea. It seemed to pass right by him. Rising his slightly crooked thorns, his head tipped to the side, then he continued his pace. His jaws parted to question how alright with it the other was. Then they shut again. It felt rude to him.

Then his nerves where shut down as Freedom questioned him. Family? None. None at all.

"No... I have no family outside or inside these lands. I didn't know my father... he was a rouge and forcebred my mother. I'ms ure he is dead by now. If not at least he's dead to me." His head hung lightly, but he shookt he thought away. He was so numb and uninformed about his father it didn't bother him. It never had. Why miss somethign you never had? "And my other passed away several years ago. She was terribly sick, but she was aging and in pain. It was for the best. I didn't like watching her suffer." Though he still missed his mother, his love was much stronger than his greed to keep her alive.

"And I have no known siblings, and no children." He nodded. Though September wanted his own son or daughter, he could not see it as being possible.

September nearly asked about the other's family, but already had learned about it. So, again his weariness returned. He had to ask.

"Why... er... this is an odd question, but... why don't mind that... that my love was a he? I mean... I have never crossed someone so.. accepting of it. I never really thought that anyone could."</sup>

[midnight]

Freedom chuckled lightly at the guestion " In my travels I have seen many mares and stallions that their mate was the same gender. I grew used to it after awhile." He said while then thinking about the stallions answer to his own question. " Well you may claim the Rocky Mountain herd as your family. I try to treat each member as a sister or brother when they are accepted into the herd." He said with a smile on his face as he came to the border of his lands.

[stitchedskull]

(I'll reply in your land... makes more sence seeing as we're actually there.)