Italus Searches For A Home

[matokosan]

Italus finds the flooding on the beach very overwhelming, and, fearing for his life, finds higher ground. He climbs the tall, barren cliff, and finds somewhat of an oasis. He is surrounded by sunlight, and there is a fair sized pool of clear water in front of him. He takes a drink, feeling refreshed, and decides to climb further. Upon reaching the summit, Italus is amazed at what he sees. A vast land, full of mountains, forests, and lakes. It appears to be spring time here. The water that is flooding the beach should soon go away, at least he hopes it will go away. He can see a group of trees that form a roof of some kind. The rain should not be too bad at such a height, but none the less, he will need shelter.He gathers some dead sweet grass, and, after a long strenuous day of work, settles into his newly created home, atop the cliff.

[Crow'sia]

OOC; Rotfl! Present tense. Meet Zoal.

IC;

What was his name? Well that was the last animal he’d seen apart from Miss Not-Dead. Honestly she may as well have been, she didn’t move, she didn’t acknowledge when he’d walked right into her, when he’d screamed. Nope, she must have been dead. This didn’t irk Zoal the way he thought it might, after all that was why he had cried out in the first place, death. The stallion was moving on though, he was becoming his old self again. He was intelligent for his age, right? He should act it. Death was inevitable, he needed to accept that, and put it away from himself. Still have some maturing to do, don’t we?

He bent his legs to stretch and took off at a gallop despite that he was stretching his energy reserves thin. The flood had recently spanned to his former residence, which was the fields, and Zoal briefly wondered if they had taken that stalker and the mare. He felt a sick feeling of happiness fleet over him at the idea and shook his head. It meant he were better than them, that he could survive where they could not. God damn, he was conceited! Flying only on sound and feeling, Zoal closed his dark brown eyelids and let his feet guide him as they pounded on the earth. He had managed only to push himself into corner after corner after corner, where the stallion would double back and find a new route away from that water. He could beat this, just the way he could beat the continuous movie in his head. Thankfully that particular role of film was beginning to burn, to fall apart in bits of ash. Like shouldn’t be a b-movie, it should not put its clichés upon him.

Beneath his eyelids Zoal could see the red glow of the sun and the slender contour of his veins very dimly. He opened his eyes realizing he’d broke the barrier of trees that covered the fields where he’d been and the cliffs that began. The rain had stopped of course, but he was curious how long this would last. With spring on, although winter had never really come and gone, perhaps the weather would change, and they would have a break for the violent weather that plagued them. Zoal tried to view it as yet another test. He was being pushed to his limits, the way he tried to push other equine to their limits. Perhaps he should do that again.

Off in the distance now, a large blob of gray and white came into Zoal’s view. He turned his head towards it, moving slowly closer and smelling the air. Was it that stalker? No, he looked different, the nutter. It had to be someone else. Smiling the young animal moved forwards, this was his chance then wasn’t it? To maybe finish what he’d started.

[matokosan]

The sight of another being shockes Italus back into reality. As the being approaches, Italus's face takes on a sort of curious glow. The other is smiling, not a usual smile though, something deeper, something that Italus cannot understand. Wondering what to call the other, and whether or not to befriend him, he asks for a name...

[Crow'sia]

OOC; Watch your length; that barely cuts it. I’m a Nazi, but not the biggest one here.
I use italics for thoughts and bold for words, by the way. I think this experience will scar me for life come September, eh?

IC;
Humming to himself he’d moved back into a gallop almost instantly after seeing the beast like a wolf to its prey. Already hit by inquiries, Zoal widened his grin [yeah, again I’m wondering, can horses grin?] and began to slow his pace. Zoal, mother fucker, name’s Zoal. He revised the stranger’s face for a minute, not learning much save for the glimmer of curiosity, and a stallion, which he had known before arriving. For a moment he wished it were his stalker; where was the bugger anyhow? “Name’s Zoal.” he said casually, a pang of hunger shooting through his stomach. Idly he began to walk circles around the other horse, sidestepping almost playfully. How might he react? Simply curious? He sure seemed that way. Perhaps he wouldn’t be too hard to figure out.

Zoal laughed quietly to himself and stopped moving around so erratically, he figured the stallion was older then him and assumed that this would determine the course of events. “Dare you to jump,” he offered, not realizing that his partner in crime, his ‘artistic sister’ who would like wise better deal with this situation, had given the very same proposal to another horse, a mare who already dangled close to the edge. Zoal should save on the crap, he should just push the fool over and see if he survived; no one followed that blindly, no one was that stupid. Except perhaps the physically blind, he reminded himself chuckling in his head again. Zoal would follow; unfortunately he had other senses to counteract. Around strangers, his mentality was going get him in trouble one day, into a fight he couldn’t win.

Whoever this was couldn’t be so intelligent though, couldn’t be so manipulative. Perhaps they could take him, yes Zoal was not such a narcissist as not to admit that, but he doubted that any animal could beat him at his game. And he took comfort in this, used it as a mantra so that he’d could assure his safety and preserve his ego the way the rejected tells himself the object of his love is ugly; they’ll say it again and again until they believe it. Simpleminded fool, he thought rashly. “Tell me your name and jump.” This wasn’t Zoal, Zoal would have ran. Zoal would have made it clear that he wanted to be followed. Zoal would have pushed. This was a stranger; a wolf in sheep’s clothing. But we can forgive a child

[Meg]

[occ; you know you love me crow.]

.camisado
Do you think you can get rid of me that easily?
God, you are a joker.

Well. Here he is again. What did you truthfully expect from a steed that had no place to go, and nothing better to do. He had a friend, and he wasn't going to let his grip off of him. Too bad he still didn't know his name. Camisado shrugged his shoulders lightly on his muscular body. A small playful grin still hung off his kissers as he swayed his head to and fro as he plodded along. It wasn't hard to follow his friend's trail, I mean, he didn't exactly try hard to cover up his scent and tracks. It was almost like the other stag was calling for Camisado to follow him around and accompany him places all around this world. Oh, what a big world it was becoming as he was finding out from following his friend. His friend had shown him many places, and a few new horses. But most of these horses seemed disturbed and strange. They never talked to Camisado when he showed up behind his friend. And never, not ever had he even wondered if their silence had been caused by his strange friend. Nor he ever will wonder. (strange sentance.) All Camisado begged for was attention, friendship, and happiness. Somethings I know that Zoal wasn't seeking. But then again, I am just the writer of Camisado, so Camisado doesn't know these things. Dumb horse.

Yes, Camisado was a dumb horse. He took no clues and no notice of all the signs that the other steed left for him. For one, his "friend" had left him both times and just wandered away. For two, he had yet to find out the other steed's name. So he was most likely a slow stag that never could get around to the things he wants to say. Poor Camisado. If only he was a genius, then more horses would like him. Or he would be an outcast as he is now. If there was one thing Camisado understood, it was that he was an outcast. No one liked him. Except for his new friend! That is why he had to follow Zoal around like a puppy. He was his best friend, he had no one else.

His large steely talons rounded him up and over a hill, where he paused and looked down at the line of flattened grass and soft hoofprints in the ground that he had been following for half an hour. Looking further out, he could see a large chuck of land that dropped off into crashing waters and sharp rocks. He wondered what they called this land, for he had learned many new terms. Like the first place he had gone to that was very much like this place with the waves and such, was the beach. Then his dear friend took him to a large grassy grazing land, known as the meadow. Why are there these terms? Back home, if there was land next to water, it was known as the land next to water. And the places that were large and plentiful with lucious grass was known as a grazing place. The horses here were so organized in ever detail. It kinda scared him. He flinched at a fly on his shoulder and ambled down. He would reach his dear friend's side eventually.

Then with a grunt, he stumbled over a chuck of shale that stood out of the ground. He landed on his face, and then scrambled up. Shaking his head free of the feeling of clumbsiness he clipped his hooves together into a trot. Then the sound of his hooves snapping on rock startled him. Pausing, he lowered his great skull to what he stood on. Rock. Large, flat rock that stretched as far as eye could see to the west. Now that is a crazy notion. With a slightly nervous nicker, he hurried up the trail that his friend took, glad to get his feet off that slippery rock that didn't belong were it was. Climbing up, he found he stood on the land that he had noticed earlier. Soon he will know it as a cliff. But not now. In the distance he could hear the waves crash on the rock down below him. Trotting over, interested in whatever he was on, he looked down. The spiralling fall and the heigh struck him between his eyes. He became woozy and swayed side to side. He was so high up. "Ugg..."

When his vision slipped back over his eyes, there stood his good friend! With a happy nicker, he walked briskly over too him. If he had hands, he would have clapped a hand on his friend's back. (That is if he had hands.) And then he would shake hands with his friend. It would be a fair greeting since they had only seen each other a few hours ago. A horsy chuckle bubbled at his throat as he looked with bright eyes at his friend that he had been following. "I'm back! Aren't you glad to see me?" The rich, lathered up voice that was so sweet and gentle played out of his mouth like bubbling champane. God he was almost like a business man stalking a larger company's employer to get his help. Looking around to see what his friend was looking at, he noticed another stood near. He scrunched his nose up and looked down at the other steed like a spoiled brat. He didn't know what to think of a meeting like this between his closest friend and a total stranger. With a sneer and a raise of his lip, he spoke icely, "And who, do you think you are?" He said rudely before tapping a hind talon on the hard ground behind him. If he had eyebrows, one would be raised as he looked down.

[matokosan]

"Name's Zoal, Dare you to jump"...That smile, he's got it. It wasn't a foreign smile to him. Steers everywhere have used that smile time and time again. Italus knows it as a smirk. A kind of smile, that shows many things about someone's emotion. The smirk belonging to our would-be friend Zoal was one of pride, and ego. Italus had dealt with these before. "Dare me to jump eh?". Italus knows two things. He knows that if he jumps, and survives, he will have gained Zoal's respect, or become Zoal's enemy. He knows that there is a good chance he could get hurt here. He'll jump, hoping to gain the respect of Zoal.

Italus slowly turns, and approaches the cliff. He looks down, it looks higher from up here. "And just who might you be?". This voice was unknown. A rather snobbish tone. Why is everyone so rude here? Italus responds, in a very simple, and clear tone, "My name is Italus, pleasure to meet you." Chances are good that these horses will find such a polite greeting odd. "Well Zoal, good buddy, i'll see you down there."

Italus steps back three lengthy paces, and proceeds to jump. He gallops to the edge, and pushes off with his solid rear legs. From the side, Italus appears to arc, and fall at the perfect angle. His long, white mane, floats upwards. After what seems like an eternity, Italus hits the flooded beach.

[Crow'sia]

OOC; Camisado! Did he ever say his name? I forgets. Yes yes, I love you. But I could never cheat on Jillian, who is Pippa formerly Grace. In case she is reading this. –shifts eyes- I still love you!
Pah, making me read. Rotf! ‘Dumb horse’. Crowy needs to stop OOCly taking up space. Know what I realize? Camisado is possessive kind of the way Mes’s ‘friends’ are, funny how that follows both my characters.

IC;
His eyes were fixated on this stranger, tearing him apart and examining every feature. For a moment he thought the beast to be considering his proposal and was pleased with himself, some sadistic pleasure, some ideal, told him that the stallion would listen. It was unfortunate then, that Zoal would not aptly respect what the animal was about to do (which was essentially suicide), whether he survived or not. Actually, he was quite amused. But these thoughts did not manifest, before he could process them another scent drifted into the air and thick with familiarity he felt his stomach knot; what was this guy following him for?

He became rather wary as the other male moved up to him, his dark body instantly recognizable. The first two times they’d made acquaintance had been night, the latest when the stars were covered in shadow, and he could not see the animal for the life of him. Had he learned his name? The Stalker was playful, he knew his purpose but he still carried it out with the carefree ease of a foal. But Zoal was in fact glad to see him although he would have originally thought the opposite. Something told him that the Stalker’s presence would make today all the more interesting, he would be a variable in the equation of life. Also, he could find out him name.

Italus, as it were, seemed very suited towards the Stalker’s initial response, as though he were prepared for it or perhaps indifferent. Zoal figured he might have disregarded the tone all together; maybe he was just that thick. He flicked his ears side to side to catch pieces of continuing conversation and when the Stalker was done Zoal thought that he might be jealous of Italus, and this struck him as peculiar. The ground was vibrating with an unnatural regularity, a very soft rhythm he would not have felt and merely heard were he not disabled- his ‘friend’ were stomping at the earth. Since he too did not have eyebrows, Zoal raised his eyes in curiosity, examining him for a moment. “Who ‘e said he was of course. That’s who.” His attention quickly changed though: what was that Italus fellow on about? "Well Zoal, good buddy, I’ll see you down there."

“No,” he said, rather bored, “you wont.” His former amusement flaring, Zoal watched in fascination and in horror as the stallion proceeded to throw himself from the cliff [good thing we didn’t bring in Old Maloney like Kinneh suggested, eh Meg?], either he was very very stupid, or very very smart. Raising his body gently to the tips of his hooves, Zoal’s near black eyes scanned the horizon, he nearly burst into laughter, as it weren’t a suicide, this certainly wasn’t an especially common event. Unable to see though he toddled towards the edge of the cliff and peered over, anywhere else and Italus would be dead. Just like Solo, and Grace, and Phenomenon; and whoever else had decided to have that fate, Zoal of course had heard of known of these people.

Below, the water had risen so that the beach was pretty well saturated save a few spots that were sheltered enough or rocky enough so that they stuck out of that water. In the far distance, he could spot what used to be the island, now buried beneath the sea. Wherever Italus landed, he would probably be washed away or at the very least have broken a leg on the rocks. They weren’t too high up, but high enough. Drown, he thought. Drown. It occurred to him though, that the stallion must have a purpose, a reason were he not chemically imbalanced. Why would he jump? He began humming again, maybe he’d die slowly.

[Meg]

.camisado
Make out kids never had a chance to be best friends.

Italus? Italus! What an abusurd name! Camisado chuckled back his thoughts as he nearly roared with laughter at the stag's reasponse to him. And politness? Camisado didn't take kindly to it, but he ignored the stag for the moment to look at his kingly friend. “Who ‘e said he was of course. That’s who.” His friend was so intelligent and wise! These words made no sense what so ever to Camisado, but they had a wise ring to them that made him nod his head and smile, looking at the ground with interest. Then he heard the curious new stag say something like, "Well Zoal, good buddy..." Who the hell was he talking to? Zoal? He looked curiously at his best friend, and he was acknowledging him! With outrage that he had finally learned his best friend's name from a stupid stag that he had just met...and was calling Zoal his 'good buddy', Camisado began to throw a fit. If this stag wasn't about to jump off the cliff on his own, Camisado would have pushed him.

He snorted slightly and stepped away from his closest friend with the most disgusted look on his face. He looked Zoal up and down furiously, he had gone off and found a better friend then him? That is not fair! Camisado's breath quickened, and he was about to push the steed over, when he watched him take three paces and then jump over the edge. Camisado's eyes watched as the steed's body finally vanished over the ledge, and his eyes widened. What a curious creature to through themselves over a cliff! Shows they have no true meaning in life. That is what Camisado thought at least as he rushed over to the edge to lower his head between his feet and look down at the stag's falling body. He hoped he drowned, stupid idiot. Then that mental illness pulled at his head. He began to sway and finally he stepped back. He really needed to stop looking over the edge, it made him to sick to his stomache.

Turning back, he looked at Zoal. That asshole went off and replaced him! Fine. But he had one thing to say, "Zoal? That is your name? Interesting." Then he turned around, flicking his tail on his strong rump he began to amble away. Once at a far enough distance he layed down in the dry grass and watched Zoal. What would he do, now that this other stag had obeyed his command and leapt off the cliff to his most certain doom. Or had the steed survived, and now is climbing the cliff right now as Camisado thought this to wait for further command from Zoal. Wait! Why the hell did that stag take a command from Zoal so easily? Ah the questions that swarmed Camisado's mind. He pouted for a moment more before rising to his feet and strolling over to Zoal. "What are you going to do now?" He asked softly, his voice rolling off his tongue. The true question was, 'What are you going to do now? So I can follow you around again.' The sad thing was, even though Camisado figured that Zoal had 'replaced' him, he still was going to follow him around. he didn't have anything better to do. And Zoal was the only creature that he knew in these lands. Well, besides 'Italus', who just killed himself. That wasn't very smart, but oh well. It wasn't up to Camisado what that freak did with his life. Staring at Zoal intently, he waited for an answer. Now he knew Zoal's name, but he had something on Zoal. He still had his name a secert to Zoal.

[madd]

No one realizes how hard it was to swim, when you're only 3 and a half feet tall. Midget-sized really. Orgasm had never practiced swimming in water where his hooves couldn't safely touch the ground if need be. It made fear curdle up into his chest like sour milk, but he needed to make it to the land again before it started raining again.

Freak weather seemed to be a common occurrence around these parts. True, right now, it was sunny and happy and the squirrels were getting frisky in the grass, but Orgasm could see and smell a rain cloud looming in the distance, waiting for a second attack. He had heard whispers ever since he had arrived that there used to be a beach where Orgasm struggled to keep his head above the steady tide.

Wait.

His ear swiveled to catch a noise; commotion on the nearby cliff. Three stallions came into view, horsing around (LOLLERSTEAKS XP) on a cliff about 200 meters away. "Stupid fucks," He murmured under his breath, concentrating again on getting to the shore.

Wait for it; hear it again?

"What the hell are they doing up there?"
He turned angrily, and then let out a frightened neigh.

Orgasm turned around just in time to see a gray blob of retarded horse slam into the flooded beach just 100 yards away.

[Meg]

[occ; crowy...your turn.]

[Crow'sia]

OOC; Fine fine fine. But some people are going to get their arses kicked when I get the chance. ^^ Because I’m cool like that. –shifts eyes-


At this distance, although it was short, Zoal’s eyes failed him once more and he could not see Italus along the shoreline. Maybe he had drowned, maybe he had sunk into the sand, maybe he was that great splotch that the stallion took for a rock, but nonetheless Zoal could not see him, so he arched his head and moved away from the cliff’s edge glancing out into the ocean for a brief moment. Rain. It interested him because the amount of precipitation had been quite unnatural and the flooding might wash out any ‘weak links’, though he doubted this. Momentarily happy he had not foolishly jumped as well (most likely to prove some point) Zoal walked towards the Stalker to join him. Not like you could have. You’re blind, you couldn’t see where to land, and hearing would do no good, nor smell, nor touch, that’s what they’ve all got on me.

He met the light body of the Stalker on a middle ground as the beast moved toward him as well. What was he going to do? Truthfully, a part of him wanted to linger around, see if that nutter might have survived such an inane leap, another part though no longer felt the pull of curiosity and was replaced with a sadistic need to toy with someone else, to put them under his control. Were he a human, he’d most likely be charged for animal abuse. At any rate, he could feel his mind pulsing with one hundred thoughts at once, and one hundred emotions, and not a single outlet, maybe the Stalker could provide. He turned his eyes to the horse, glowing under the light of the sun the dark brown was highlighted; he did not appear to be blind of course. Zoal realized then that he still did not have this stranger’s name, and it began to form as a goal even though he was rather indifferent to the idea. Asking seemed awkward though, at least at this particular moment.

The heavily shadowed rain clouds drifted over the sun a second and slid away changing the wind’s direction with them. Maybe if he— no what a silly idea was that. Continuing to ignore the Stalker’s question, Zoal asked, “What do you think of this rain?” narrowing his eyes and returning his gaze to the sky above the water. The wind changed direction again bringing the clouds towards them and they drifted closer and closer with a rather foreboding nature. Yes, he was certainly glad to be on land. Another stallion entered his mind though, one without any form, and Zoal contemplated if Italus was dead, and this strange amalgamate of scents (you know, the rain and a horse skewered by rocks) was what his brain was interpreting. Probably not, it was far too different, and now he were hearing things.