Dark Cave - The Hide Out

[phoenix]

Duna drew thick breaths as she skidded to a halt where her mistress had told her to go. The air inside this dark cave was musty and smelled of bats and their traces. The constant sound of dripping water sounded its pulsing echoes through the palpable darkness as slowly the shades of gray showed her what the place looked like. It was perfect for what her mistress was planning, nearly undetectable to even herself in her frantic search to obey her dove's orders. That was why she was out of breath. Searching the darkest reaches of the forest was not an easy task, especially when looking for the concealed cave.

But, she had found it, and it was an excellent hide-out. A shallow pool of water had collected underneath the crack in the rock where the constant drips of water came through. She grinned and looked around. There was no food here. Kindly, she began to think that it was not fitting to keep foals here without at least a small supply for them to eat. Flustered, the dark-colored mare exited the cave and marked the spot where it was before heading out on her mission.

Later.

She smiled at her work. Surely her mistress would not object to the small collection of apples she had found, for the poor foals must eat. Still, to be sure, she had placed them in a dark corner of the cave behind a large rock, so her strict goddess would not see. After all, she did not want to even think about what Cigarette would do to her if she went against her orders, even if she did not speak them. So, in the darkness, she positioned herself so that she could watch the covered entrance and waited.

The sun soon began its descent from the sky, its light fading in a reddish-orange glow. The cave darkened until few of its features could be seen anymore. It now looked much smaller than it was, and only a small bit of light journeyed from the mouth of the cave. There was no sign of the apples that Duna had gathered, but they were still there, hidden and tucked away safely. The few bats that occupied the cave were waking up, and they shrieked at nearly inaudible pitched as the stretched their wings. It was not until the bats had left on their nightly roam that Duna began to nod off. It had been an exciting day, and she needed rest if she was going to look after little ones. As the traces of color dwindled from the sky, Duna slept in her cave, waiting for her mistress to return with the first of the younglings.

[Meg]

[Occ; I'm sorry but I have to aplaud this post! *claps* Good write...Now I will try to sum up some muse to continue on with our little plot. *rubs hands together and leaves*]

Cigeratte.
And it goes on and on.

It sounded like minature thunder as Cigeratte rounded the foals into the Deep Forest; otherwise it was quiet. The foals were tired, and Cigeratte was slightly too. During the night she had droven them long and hard, with a few defiences along the way that she had to deal with, but it had been easy anyway. She kept an eye on the coltine and the "Princess" of the Shores that she had laid a mark on. Surely the father of that land wouldn't be happy, oh well. Cigeratte didn't care for leaderships or things of that nature. She cared only for her own bloody self, and these was starting to become fun. A really cool game to play. She chuckled as she stopped for a moment, looking up at the dark trees, and the branches that were thick; covering up the light of day. The trees were gnarled and overgrown. Not many horses had been here in a long time, and Cigeratte loved the creepy feeling the forest gave off. Shivering slightly, the dappled crazed mare continued on behind the foals.

Five beautiful foals. Two shires. One colt. A "Princess". And a lone flicka that clung close to one of the shire foals. What a prize this was! Nickering deeply, and rather loudly; Cigeratte allowed the sound she gave off to echo into the dark depts of the forests. Calling out into the dark mist. Calling for her daughter; Duna, telling her she was on her way. Sniffing the ground a few times, Cigeratte followed the scent of her daughter to the cave. Behind the foals, she kicked up her heels; covering the trail that they left with leaves. Upon arriving to the stony caves, Cigeratte glanced around. These caves were out in the open; and Duna's scent wasn't on them. Good, she was a smart mare and found a hidden one. Finding it would be the problem. Looking around, Cigeratte stratched the ground with her hoof, her nose high and sniffing. Finally the scent came back in the wind. To the west.

Rounding the foals back up again, she drove them to the west slightly; deeper into the forests were the air was damp and chilly, and you couldn't see much farther into the mists then 15 feet. They continued deep into the woods until Cigeratte came upon a dark cave opening, hidden almost in the thick wall of veins and branches. Tossing her skull, she motioned to the foals to enter the cave. Her mane flew as she stood at the entrance, ushering them into the cave. She nickered again, calling out to Duna. Her beloved daughter, she had done so well!
[Occ; Haha, no muse. -teardrop-]

[phoenix]

The sound of a familiar, stern call came echoing through the thick woods. It was barely audible from this distance, but Duna herd it. She grinned and awoke from her sleep, talons clicking softly on the hard cave floor. Cigarette was coming. Her mistress was on her way here. Everything she had, it took to keep her from nickering in joy. If her mistress had been discovered, then this might be a trap. She wouldn't want herself to be discovered, and her stern, loving mother would not want her to be caught either.

Though it was a short while before the second call, it seemed forever before her fair dove's image darkened the cave's doorway. She nickered excitedly and pranced to Cigarette like a youngling would to its first crush. But, it was slightly different. This was her mother, her loving, stern mother who always wanted the best for her. At times she had seemed cruel, but Duna knew now that it was only to make her better. Only to make her see.

"Merciful Mother, have I done well? Is this a good enough place?" Her sweet, childish melodies reflected harmonies inside the cave and out to her mistress. And, unknowingly, to the five foals that had been brought by her sweet dove. Her loving Goddess. How she felt so loved, so accomplished, so proud! Would her mother be proud of her as well? Would she get attention from her great deity? Peeking out of the cave, she saw the five little youngsters. Good, there were seven apples inside the cave. Six were hidden away, and one she had left in plain view for her mother. After all, after having rounded up ungrateful youngsters her dove would be hungry and in need of refreshment.

"I got you something, Mistress. I thought you would like it." She disappeared back into the darkness of the cave and came back with the perfect apple she had saved for her mother. It was the perfect shape, the perfect color, the perfect juicy-ness inside; it was perfect for her Goddess. She pranced back to her mother with the apple delicately balanced between her ivories. Offering it to her mother, she spoke muffledly, "I got it for you, Mother. Please, take it all." It was hard to understand, but she hoped the point would come across.

[♥/tiyre]

hito.riaruki

d.o yo.u he.ar t.he pe.ople s.ing
los.t i.n th.e vall.ey o.f t.he nig.ht?

Painted bay colt snorted at being corraled. Seething with anger - such a different character as he had been. So much like... his father. Well, not really. His father was proud - of his mares, that is. He reared, crying out even as another came. Ears flicked back in iritation at the harsh sound of the demon's lyrics.

Let them go!!!

his time-softened vocals echoing in the cave. They all had others to return to - he had no one. He would stay. It would be better than being the only one without a faily, or even an adopted family.

Finely shaped mutt head was held high, nearly as high as the mare he was being treated like a cow's. Tail - still not his full length, but fairly long - was arched, his stance the very image of pride.

Let them be.

he added, more calmly. No one would go because of whimpering. Sienna - she had her whole life as heir, then Queen, to live. He had no future. No beginnning, no end. Nothing.

i.t i.s t.he m.usic o.f a pe.ople
wh.o a.re climb.ing t.o t.he ligh.t

walki.ng al.one

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[flame]

<sup>She looked around, her body was moving as her heart was neck was badly hurting. Nothing was going right, she wanted to cry out of pain, if the days were this long, she would die. Sienna needed to lay down, and she heard the noises coming out of the colt's muzzle. She liked him, Hitoriaruki was sweet and nice. She wanted to share the territory with her friend, she liked him alot. She wanted to be his best friend, she had no friends, she had her mother and father. She wanted to be with her friend for life, she wanted to grow old with him, for she wanted to know the meaning of; love.

No, you stay and I will stay..I need to lay down though....

She was a yearling and because of her injury with her neck, she had a headache and as soon as she heard the echo of her voice, she went near a rock and laid down. She looked at the foals, she had to brave, that was what her mother and father both taught her to do, she loved her parents, and when she left, the last thing she saw was flames engulfing her home..was everyone ok?.....</sup>[/sup]

[ashleigh04]

The musky air clouded round Belle's nostrils, it smelt of damp amongst other things. It was dark and moss grew up the walls. Two mares stood near her. One that acted like a slave. The other was the same dappled beauty that had sung to her. But she no longer was the beauty. Her sweet vocals had stopped. She began to push foals around, her voice wasn't the same. Belle hid herself in the depths of the dark. A small grey rock stood infront of her and the glint of some half tasty looking apples placed themselves before her, she only just realised how half starved she felt. Quietly and nimbly she crawled over to the small pile and fed on 2 apples. The crunching felt good as the sweet taste slid back down to her small throat. Her pale golden bodice was well hid behind the rocks because of her runt size. She always thought it bad as horses presumed her a new born but she guessed there were the good uses.

The apples tasted good as she feasted herself on one after the other, quickly she realised how greedy she had been and forced herself away from the fastly disppearing pile. Her hazel orbs shut tight as she felt the dampness throw itself onto her crown, opening them she shook scaredly. She wanted her mama, Unna anyone that loved her. Stalking out from behind the shadows she creeped up to the slaved mare. Perhaps she was the one who put apples out for us? Afterall she didn't look that nasty and cruel. Excuse me ma'm, but who are you? I want to go home. Please! she started shaking as she ended the short sentence. She was truly petrified as her orbs whitened she forced herself not too panic, go wild. Who knew what the dappled beauty would do to her? She thought back to when she had first arrived at the cave. Outside she had heard wild animal noises. Trees tried to grab her but all in vain. She stayed right besides Dunna the whole time but she couldn't find her in the pack of foals. She didn't know anyone. She was afraid. Slowly she shrunk to the ground. Her crown hidden by her nimble legs. Her orbs shut tight to lock out the horror in the real world.

[Hazel]

^{Frail shire frame stumbled into the area. She was surrounded by many disgruntled foals, all seemingly angry at the mysterious mare. Unna wasnt thoug, she was just scared. Too scared to speak. She stood silently, shivering on the outskirts of the group. She wanted to go home, to see her mother once mire. But she was trapped, trapped amongst the dark trres that created the woods. Spectres and phantoms, ghouls and ghosts, all seemed to swerve about the frightened filly. She backed up into the older colt, lowering her skull to the imaginary demon that inhabited the woods and were entering her mind. She screamed out, and tried to dash away through the darkness of the pine trees.}

[Kindred Blue]

Bryony's eyes were still deep with malevolence when the line of foals reached their final destination. She had ignored any form of communication from her peers, and instead had kept her heavy gaze straight ahead as she was forced onwards (but she had glanced to see the stain which the precious princess had gotten for all her "bravery").

The painted filly glanced ahead at the cave as she filed in, her gaze locking upon the creature whom awaited them. Another mare - a weak, pathetic creature, Bryony realised as she narrowed her eyes, the thinning of her sight giving her the illusion that the cave had become darker. Of course, it had done no such thing, but thus was the beginning of her changing.

She watched with a dark eye as one by one, the foals tried to show some bravery and some honour. She snorted angrily, turning to face them all, her words filling with annoyance as her lips parted to speak.

"How much stupider do you kids have to be?" She said darkly, casting her gaze over all of them. "Are you going to stick in your pathetic innocence forever?" At this, she landed a piercing look upon the fille who had spoken so gently to the second stranger mare - the Pied Pipers' assistant. Bryony dropped a hoof onto the hard floor where it clicked and shook, the sound reverberating off the cave walls, another illusion that befuddled her mind somewhat. Her attention was then directed to the colt, as her voice lowered and was given some of its old normality back. "Brave as you want to be, colt, there is nothing for us to do. Did you not see me try? I am stronger, I am larger, and yet I too was forced into line. You have no chance in suceeding in that which I failed."

She turned away from him, away from all of them, but her hungry eyes sought out the form of her pale sister and she gently moved to her side, cutting off the mad dash she made for the exit. Pressiing her nose against Unna's own, Bryony shushed the creature softly, and spoke quietly; yet still, somehow the words were more of an announcement to all, than a secret to her sister.

"Our parents will find us, Unna, our parents are brave and strong. We will all survive."

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[Hazel]

As she rushed onwards, a shadowy figgure seemed to appear before her, starling the fillie. She shied to the side and her maw faintly brushed against the creature, only to realise that the figure was solid. No ghost could ever be mortal, or it wouldn't be a phantom at all. She looked up, the equine was about the same size as the white foal, yet she seemed a thousand times as strong. She was brave and smart, and it simply made Unna feel worse for her own pathetic mind and body.

"I do hope so, but what about the others? They are not of our shire heiritage, sister, will our parents help them too?"

Though her sister often bullied her, she was of some confort to the fearful folly. Unna pressed her face against her siblings painted crest, just the mere markings made her feel safe, like she did when she was by her fathers side.

_{OOC - Your sig, Kinneh, Rain was the first shire, doofus}

[phoenix]

||Let's wait for Meg to post, 'kay? She has a lot to catch up with, and so do I. Lol.||

[Meg]

[Occ; Thankee hun. This maybe the worst post ever...]

cigeratte.
why are you still stuggling for breath?

Her sharp auds pricked at Duna's sweet childish voice. A smile planted on the crazy mare's lips; to know that she was so...worshiped by Duna. It made her feel so good that she stooped down and nuzzled the flicka nearest to her; the little white shire that seemed to follow ever word and command perfectly without problems (that would be Unna). With a soft nicker, she reached out and took the apple that Duna had picked for her. Her white rimmed eyes grew wider then they already were as she examined it with her tongue; and then with three large, loud crunches she bit into the juicy core. Sweet, grainy juice fell on her tongue and soothed through her slightly worn out body, energizing her like someone had given her a battery to chew on rather then a simple apple.

Some juice along with slober drippled from her whiskery chin after she finished the absolutely prefect apple. Looking up at her slave; I mean daughter. Sorry. Looking up at her daughter she gazed into Duna's eyes. The wild, craziness swirled and then vanished for a moment; replaced with a gentle sweetness. "Thank you, my daughter. It was prefect, just like you." Cigeratte said softly. Then dipping her crown down and forward, she placed her slender grey mug on Duna's shoulder, and rested it there for a moment until she wriggled her kissers back and forth in circles; like a massage but friendly. Though she was being nice and thanking the young vixen for the treat; Cigeratte was wiping the juice and slober off her chin and all over Duna's shoulder. When she pulled away from the gentleness, her eyes were filled with the wild mockery that was there before.

Turning, she glanced a wary eye over the foals. There were more out there, she knew it. She could just feel it in her bones. It made her iche all over and want to go out and find them. First she needed to see these ones settled in. She heard a flicka speak up to Duna; rolling her white rimmed eyes at the nonsense that came from the child's mouth, "I want to go home. Please!" She had begged softly. Cigeratte rolled her eyes at Duna, and then in a high pitched voice she mocked the child; "Mommy, daddy. I miss them so! Please let me go home! Please, please nice mares! I want to go home. Let me go home to my mommy!" A crackle sounded in her throat as she laughed in the flicka's face. Turning away from the child and still chuckling, she swished her long tail in her face, and walked toward the entrance, her body becoming dark and the light still from the setting day outlined her tall, elegant, strong body. She heard a russle as the black and white shire child neared the front of the cave and started a speech to the foals.

Cigeratte turned herself around and watched the child with amusement and a little bit of pride. This flicka was smart, she knew what was going down and since Cigeratte had bruised her pride she seemed to be thinking things over in her mind. Now she knew what was smart to know and to tell to the rest. Cigeratte watched in interest as the speech rolled out of the child's mouth; "How much stupider do you kids have to be?" A grin appeared on the grey mug of Cigeratte, she was beginning to like this foal... As much as her sister. Cigeratte rested a hind hoof, and continued to listen; "Are you going to stick in your pathetic innocence forever?" Oh...Burn. Cigeratte flicked an aud to and fro and heard the ending, "Our parents will find us, Unna, our parents are brave and strong. We will all survive." This took Cigeratte back. Stepping back, the strong, crazy dappled mare looked out the cave. An ounce of worry pounded in her veins, she wasn't ready to be caught red handed with these foals right now. Looking at Duna, she tossed her elegant skull, before departing she let her vemomous lyrics slip; "Watch them. Don't let them go any where," And with a clatter of her hooves on the stone floor she galloped out and whipped through the trees.. Going for more foals.

[♥/tiyre]

hito.riaruki

d.o yo.u he.ar t.he pe.ople s.ing
los.t i.n th.e vall.ey o.f t.he nig.ht?

Lip curled back in distaste, at who in this cave? Well, who knew? But his eyes were cold on Bryony. He had tried hard to be "friends" - but she had to push it away.

I know you failed! But just because you're bigger doesn't mean you're the only one who can help! Besides, I have no one to return to. If she kept me and let you go, you'd all be able to go back to your families. I'd just go back to the sea.

The sea - his only friend, it seemed. Though Sienna did want to stay with him... but she was heiress. And so.. young. So ignorant. So... herself. Caring, loving. And injured. She had somewhere to go back to... Ditto for everyone else. Not the colt. Never the colt.

i.t i.s t.he m.usic o.f a pe.ople
wh.o a.re climb.ing t.o t.he ligh.t

walki.ng al.one

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((muse = nothing. *pouts*))

[Meg]

[Occ; No more posting until Phoenix catches up. It isn't fair.]

[phoenix]

||Ick... not much muse left... *dies*||

Love and pride entered Duna's eyes. The gentle glow that fills a child's eyes when their parent swoops down over them and says , "You've done, good. I am so proud of you!" This made her heart beat faster, her mind race and take her to a place where her and Cigarette are sitting on rolling hills of tender, spring green grass. She would sit in front of her mother, and let her mother gently nip at her tassels and curl her boa around hers. A reality where her merciful goddess could love her and care for her like a small babe sick with a small cold. Her mistress was proud of her! Her mistress loved her! Oh, to be loved by such a supreme being!

Reality settled in when she realized her sweet mother was using her as a napkin. She still had a job to do. She still had to protect the work her mother fought so hard to achieve. These foals, yes.. they must be -taken care of. With a grateful nod, the dark Arabian vixen backed away from her mistress slowly. The slave must always give its master some space. Masters needed space and time to think and ponder on the great things which this universe wanted them to do. They needed time to connect with what those higher than them wanted to achieve. Her mistress was one of the great messengers sent by the gods, and therefore a goddess herself. Oh, what an honor! What a glorious honor!

Duna's mind had thus far blocked out the pleas of the young fae. As long as her mother was proud of her, that's all that need be exist. But as her merciful mistress scolded the young femme with taunting lyrics, she was brought back into completely reality again. Well, at least the normal reality for her, with Cigarette as great ruler of all of her being.

"Of course, mother, I will take good care of your precious cargo." She replied with a deep bow of her head. Though she wanted to run after her disappeared mistress, she had a job to do. Duna cast a kind gaze at the foals when the beautiful dove had gone and smiled sadly. There were fighters, and pacifists. All of them just needed love and comfort right now. Her heart swelling greatly, she kindly addressed the young foals. "Oh, do come in young'uns. Come where it's warm. I can't stand seeing you suffer so. And I be Duna, young'uns, that's what you can call me." She gestured into the dark cave. Her melodies were very warm, very soothing. Like how a mother would talk to her child. Now she had to step up and be the mother, she hoped her own mother would be proud of her.

[Meg]

[Occ; Now peeps can post. Just don't loose Duna or Meg will come kick some butt. lol. Oh, good job on the post Phoenix. -high 5-]