The Wanderer [[CI: Niamh | ISO: Open]]

[Ashleigh825]

NIAMH[/font]
AUTUMN - DUSK
OPEN[/font]

---

Niamh gave a wide, long yawn as she trotted casually through the fallen leaves, her hooves making a plodding, crunching sound as they hit the hardened earth and shredded the leaves underneath her. The weather was getting colder. Niamh could both see and feel it. The days were getting shorter and the nights longer. The trees were shedding their blankets of leaves and the temperature was dropping. She had a feeling another harsh winter was on the way. No matter. I'll find a way to survive. I always do, she comforted herself as she headed towards shelter, so accustomed to the eerie feeling of lost souls surrounding her in this metaphorical graveyard that she hardly paid them any notice anymore.

As far as she knew, she was the only horse to have settled here in this solemn place of mourning. Other herds and even some lone wanderers like herself had passed through on many occasions, but none stayed for very long, the lingering atmosphere of death making them uncomfortable. It was just as well, Niamh supposed as she nimbly trotted into a thicket of trees to lie down and rest for the night. She didn't think she'd enjoy having to share this place with anyone else. She was fairly strong, but she was no match for an entire herd on her own. She would be forced to share the land peacefully with them or they would drive her out of her home or kill her. In a way, the wandering souls of the departed that seemed to roam this area protected Niamh. They scared away anyone thinking about staying here by their presence. Niamh herself was not afraid. She had lived here for many moons and grown accustomed to the ghostly company. She had never had reason to be afraid. They had never had reason to be troublesome to her. It was a peaceful co-existence.

Niamh craned her long slender neck upwards, lifting her head to gaze up at the darkening sky, her dark eyes shadowing. Would Calum be alright this winter? She hadn't come in contact with him since she'd left him with his father and his herd. It was probably for the best, though she did have to wonder about him from time to time, especially when the weather became harsh. Delmar and his herd will look after him, she consoled herself. Calum is his son. He's in good hands.

With a tired snort, Niamh lowered her head, resting her muzzle on top of her forelegs, closing her eyes for a well-deserved rest after roaming around foraging all day.

[[ Caity ]]

Gin

[/color]
You tried to be honest;
But "honesty" blew it this time[/i][/font][/color]
♦[/color][/center][/blockquote]

Gin trotted across the land, in a sort of running motion. She didn't seem to think much about where she went. She went where she wanted, when she wanted. No amount of force would prevent it. Her hooves made a sort of crunching noise as they trampled the dead foilage.

Autumn was nearing, no doubt. She'd soon have to think about where she would stay during the long, cold winter months. She figured it was too early to think that over now, though.

As she trotted, she seemed to skid to a stop. Gin seemed to stare up at the dark, starless sky. Father, can you see me from up there? Can you see how desprately I need you? Tell mother that I miss her. Tell Corr and Aliss that I miss them too.

A small tear seemed to squeeze itself out of her eye as she thought all of this. Gin truly did need them; and she truly did miss them. She was just about to lay herself down, when something interesting caught her eye.

A resting mare. Gin seemed to walk towards her, quietly of course. Why would she be resting in a graveyard? Especially when she was by herself. Gin seemed to step back when; snap! She stepped on a large twig. Maybe this wouldn't awaken the mare. Hopefully this wouldn't awaken the mare.

[Ashleigh825]

NIAMH[/font]
AUTUMN - DUSK
OPEN[/font]

---

Niamh gave a long, wide yawn, allowing her muscles to relax and her mind to stray. It had been a long day of foraging and the young dapple grey mare felt comfortable in this solemn place of eternal rest. It was why she’d made it her home in the first place; she was rarely ever bothered by anyone or anything here. Not even wolves or other predators set foot here. She hadn’t seen a single Two-Legger since… well, since she’d lost her herd. Other horses passed through, but mostly left her alone. There had been a few stallions with herds who had tried to capture her and make her theirs for mating and increasing the herd’s numbers, but they quickly found out that Niamh did not take kindly to captivity. She didn’t belong with a herd, nor did she wish to belong with a herd. Why was that so difficult for anyone to understand? Even Delmar had been under some ridiculous notion that Niamh would stay with him after he got her with foal. Delmar… she sighed with a small shake of her head. You were such a fool. There was never any other way it could have ended. She told him she would one day leave. She told him over and over again, yet he had chosen to listen to what he wanted to hear, rather than what she was telling him. Not even a child could have kept her confined. No, Niamh would always be free. She’d never end up like her parents and the rest of her herd, either by horses or Two-Leggers. It didn’t matter. Captivity was captivity.

She had just shaken these depressing thoughts out of her mind and began dozing off when a loud snapping of a branch caused her dark brown eyes to flick open quickly. Within seconds, Niamh had heaved herself to her feet, the whites of her eyes showing as she snorted with agitation, glancing wildly around for the intruder. If it was another stallion attempting to assimilate her into his herd, she’d show him that he had chosen the wrong mare to challenge. Her ears swivelling to locate the source of the sound, a soft plodding of hooves in the grass met her ears. A horse. There was no doubt.

Assuming she was dealing with a stallion, Niamh whipped around, her dark tail flying anxiously and her eyes blazing with defiance. With a shrill whinny of distress, she reared up on her hind legs, her front hooves lashing out dangerously at the intruder. There was no way she was going to allow herself to be forced into a herd. The only mating she would do would be by her own choice.

Coming back down onto all fours again, Niamh got a better chance to examine her opponent. A white mare with a black mane and muzzle… mare? Since when did mares travel alone? Niamh was an unusual case, herself. Maybe the stallion of her herd had sent her as a distraction before he captured Niamh? No, that seemed unlikely. That wasn’t usually how herds operated.

Her eyes still wary and suspicious, Niamh held her ground, not backing away or showing any sign of defeat or weakness. ”Who are you?” she asked, eyeing the mare with deep mistrust. ”Where is your herd?”

[[ Caity ]]

Gin

[/color]
You tried to be honest;
But "honesty" blew it this time[/i][/font][/color]
♦[/color][/center]

”Who are you?”

Gin looked at the mare in her defensive stance. She seemed to step back a tad; so as to show the mare that she had no reason to fear. "G-Gin," she said; well, stuttered. Perhaps it was best to keep it short for now, and let the mare continue if she wished.

”Where is your herd?”

Gin seemed hesitant to answer this question right away. She paused for a minute or two, finally speaking; "my herd was terrorized by a fire created by two-legs". Gin sighed, blinking once. She looked to the ground for a mere second, turning back to the mare. "What about you, then? Who are you, where is your herd?"[/blockquote]