THE HOLLOW

She was weary of travel, but she did not want to show it. Best not to come off too tired around those she did not know, those that may not accept her at all, and find her weaknesses something to exploit. This was always a possiblity to be concerned over, though Fairy had been through enough difficulties to know that things could get bad. There needed to be more to life than that, and it was more difficult for Fairy when she had known what good life had been like. No, she had never been loved in the way stories tell, but she had been safe and happy among her siblings. That had been enough.

Fairy did not need all those things that most mares might dream about. She doesn't dream big because she knows better. She knows her limitations and she accepts them. Being blind was a birth defect, and there was no way but forward for her to go. It wasn't as if Fairy knew what she was missing out on, and she knew by now that many were often cruel to those who were not born with perfect health. Or able to achieve it, at least. Nothing that Fairy could do. So she kept going, wandering from one place to another, sometimes not allowed close enough to pretend she was allowed to join.

And in other instances, she had been allowed in to be beaten on, ridiculed. Chased away not long after. Fairy had suffered enough over the years, and she wasn't looking for anything more than a herd to belong to, one that wasn't mean in spirit where she could at least be accepted among them. This was why she was taking chances now, doing this. Entering a land where the scent of other equines was think in the air, hoping that at least in one place there might be a place for her. Fairy knew better than to count on such a thing, but she still moves, keeps going further into the land, following her nose.

The first whiff of herdlife had her altering direction and going for it, walking with an elegant grace that only the blind could manage, for they relied so much on the ground under their hooves and the feel of the terrain. She picks along the area carefully, slowly. Ears curve forward when she hears the sounds of others up ahead, and she puts on a brave face as she gets ever closer to them. There were more than one matured stallion smell here, and it caused her to pause, unsure and dipping her head towards one scent, then another. Which one was the leader? Fairy didn't know what to do yet.

Country boy

Get your redneck on y'all

The grulla stag watched carefully as the leaders spoke back to him, not studying their words however, but studying their body movements. Somehow, Dirk got the feeling that the mare was more in charge, or at least wanted to be. She seemed to keep her stallion in check a bit, allowing herself to answer and direct questions, but gave little to the stallion to speak. Though, it didn't bother Dirk, he'd rather the mare step forward and be kind then have to deal with a snippy ole coot. As the questions and statements from both seemed to pile up rather quickly, Dirk just made small mental notes in hopes to answer them all after the leads were done speaking. The mare, Tesla, she seemed to sweet, so kind natured and soft hearted. Though, the stallion, Pascal seemed a bit more rough around the edges and snippy, but hey they say opposites attract, so maybe that had been the case here. In any case, Dirk had gone through standing there the whole time with a pretty much blank expression on his face.
He began to wonder if he had made the right decision by he and Creon to come here, to seek the presence of others. But Tesla seemed to ease those doubts with her soft voice..
Between Dirk's mind wandering and the voice of Tesla, he almost missed some words she said, but the word 'related' stuck out to him, snapping him back into the conversation. Though, before he could even get an answer out of his maw, his little fella Creon was speaking up for him. Dirk could only look at him proudly as he spoke. “Yeah, he’s my daddy. The best dad ever actually. It’s just us though, I don’t got a mom,” Creon's words melted Dirk's heart right there and then. His hazel eyes looked to the little guy as a wide smile grew across his maw. Never before had Creon called Dirk his Dad, but hearing it for the first time was bittersweet, in the case of Creon also mentioning that he didn't have a mom. You know, these last couple months of traveling and Dirk never even thought about that fact. Truthfully, he wasn't a huge flirt and didn't need a mare around him to be happy, spending time with Creon made him happy enough. But, maybe he didn't really think of the best for Creon, a mother for him to grow up with, even a replacement one would have been nice. Though, Dirk didn't ruin the moment with over thinking his actions, instead he dropped his head to Creon, gave him a warm smile and rubbed his muzzle against the colt's neck before looking back up to Tesla, about to answer the lead's questions when Creon spoke up again. This time, asking if there were more foals around... Though, it was a good question, Dirk was wondering if there was 'anyone' else around in general, seeing Tesla had mentioned that they had just found this place.
Then, Dirk's drawl took the stage. "Ello then, Tesla and Pascal. Nice ta meet ya'll." Looking to Pascal, he addressed his questions first since he had been quick to ask. "We come from, well no wheres I guess. We've been travelin' for awhile with really no place to go. Then I heard some chatter from other loners that there maybe a herd startin' up here.. so I decided it was me and lil fella's best option. We're about done with bein' alone." Then, looking towards the grey mare, he spoke to her. "Its ok ma'm really. Questions are ok, gota have 'em to stay safe. We don't mean no harm though Pascal, just looking for a safe place to land. Would be nice for lil fella if he grew up with more company then just I.." Pausing, he looked to the colt standing tall beside him and reached down to playfully pull on his mane for a moment before answering Tesla's question, even though Creon already had.
"Well ma'm thats a good question, and thank you for to compliment. You see though, fella's ain't gota be related to be a Daddy. Its whats inside, thats what makes ya a Daddy. So nope, we aren't related but I proudly call him my son, hes as close to my own flesh and blood as I'll prolly' ever have, and I do love him so." he finished up, smile tugging at his lips once again as he looked down to Creon and nudged him softly across the withers. "Thank ya too, for allowing us to stay, would ya maybe, give us a tour?" he finished, knowing Creon would probably love this!

Words: 806 Tags: Fig Kristen Notes: Dawwhh. The relationship between them is adorbs!!   ||||| template by isabella

         does it stop your heart to know 

                                 you're not my sunshine anymore?

Lover Dearest

Pascal watches the conversation curiously, still the slightest bit cautious as one always should be. Even so, as the words pass between the other equines, he finds himself relaxing in their presence. His tail sways haphazardly behind him, head slowly lowering to a height more comfortable. It's hard to be stoic and stiff when no one is acknowledging you at all. The grey stallion watches the young colt, Creon, puff his little chest up in response to Pascal's own action. He finds himself smirking lightly, amused by the younger's courage. Creon might become a fine leader one day, with a mindset like that. It's somewhat worrying, Pascal realizes, but if that problem were to come to a head it shouldn't be anytime soon. 

"I'm afraid the two of you have been the only two horses to come here and stick," Pascal admits, stepping up beside Tesla with a faint smile on his mug. His expression is still all hard lines and gruff exterior, but underneath he can feel himself let down a layer of his facade. "We're hoping for some others to join, but as of now it's only the four of us here." Tesla glances over at her mate with  pleased expression, glad that he's seemed to drop the insecure stallion act. It's one he plays endlessly, but usually under the surface. To outsiders, he appears unyielding and rough, but Tesla knows it's more of an inferiority complex.

Tesla looks down at Creon minutely, offering an apologetic half-smile and hoping that the truth hadn't disappointed the colt too badly. She hoped at one point that he'd have another young foal to play with, but at the moment her and Pascal's situation wasn't looking promising. When your mate refuses to breed with you, it's particularly hard to expect to expand their family and herd. She sighs at the troubling thought, but doesn't let much of it show. 

Meeting Dirk's gaze, Tesla lets out a pleased nicker at his story. It's quite obvious that the stallion and colt pair have been through much together, and have grown quite close. She can admire the relationship, only the smallest bit jealous. "I'm glad you found each other then," she tells him honestly, "and just as glad to see you here with us. We'd be happy to show you around, if you're up for it. It's quite a climb if you want to brave the mountainsides, but I'm sure you can handle it," she says, giving Creon a pointed smile. The colt is little now, but he is bound to be one hell of a stallion when he grows up. 

Pascal steps aside to let Tesla lead the way, letting himself fall behind just so if only to keep an eye on Dirk. "You have an interesting accent, Dirk. If you don't mind my asking, have you always been a loner?" Pascal asks curiously, tone the epitome of stoicism. Ahead, Tesla guides Creon briefly with a gentle nudge to the colt's shoulder. Absently, she wonders if he's ever met his mother, or any mare for that matter.

"You're quite mature for a colt, Creon," she flatters honestly, "How old are you?"

Tags: Emily,Kristen, || Words: 558 || Notes: divide and conquer

Thread template coding credited to Julio! from Delusional

Country boy

Get your redneck on y'all

The grulla stag listened as the lead stallion spoke first, he mentioned how only a few horses had come through, but they were the only ones to actually stay. In the back of Dirk's mind he wondered what maybe drove the other horses off? Was it Tesla and Pascal? Were they hiding something that Dirk hadn't found out quite yet? Really, the only thing the stag noticed was the fact that Tesla was the kind caring one, the one that was best to leave the talking to. Where as Pascal seemed to be gruff and grumpy with a bit of a tongue on him that Tesla tried to control to the best she could. Though, Pascal also mentioned that he was hoping more horses would join. But of course, that would be any lead's hope, or so Dirk thought.. His experience with herds was quite limited, being from domesticated roots of course, but he tried his best to follow the examples of others and make himself into the best wild stag that he could. While also helping Creon along the way.

Half smile planted across his face as he looked to Creon while Tesla also had changed her glance to the little colt. Not moments after, she spoke. "I'm glad you found each other then, and just as glad to see you here with us. We'd be happy to show you around, if you're up for it. It's quite a climb if you want to brave the mountainsides, but I'm sure you can handle it,"

Leaving a small gap for Dirk to reply before she picked up on her next words. Speaking confidently, the stag responded back to the friendly grey mare. "I'm glad we did too. All over a nice mud bath. Ya know, ya haven't lived till ya've tried it, M'am. Haha, climbs are nothin' for me and lil fella. We love a good challenge and some fun!" His drawl still rather evident of course. Now Creon, he probably barely noticed it by now, in fact Dirk had noticed the little feller talking more and more like he, picking up on the accent, being they were together for enough time. Though, personally Dirk thought it was really cute and was happy to have a little feller around to share his voice with. Looking back to Pascal before Tesla spoke again, Dirk just stared blankly for a moment. Still in the back of his head, it made him wonder why no others ended up staying..

He couldn't much shake that thought from his mind and thats when he noticed that Tesla had slide up front a bit with Creon and seemed to be having a nice chat with him. Though Creon was like his own son, Dirk was pretty protective over him and was always concerned for his well being. However Tesla seemed like a nice enough mare for Creon to be talking to, plus the fact that Dirk could always keep a watch on him from this distance though too. All the while he was thinking and observing, Pascal's voice came into his listening devices. Asking Dirk where his accent had come from. Of course, sooner or later almost every horse asked the question, it was something to not go unnoticed anyhow. Gladly, he turned to look at Pascal for a moment before answering swiftly, it was nothing he ever hid anyway. "Ya 'are right Pascal. I guess I don't notice it  much, to me ya'll are the ones with the accents." His voice steady.
"Nah. I wasn't always a wild horse like most. I had humans and was pretty spoiled as a youngster. I was turned out on 'dere range lands as a young colt when they brought me in to start 'dere workin' me, the barn caught on fire. I was 'bout a year and a half old when they let me free outa 'dat barn. I ran. Ran hard. Ended up in the wild now since then. Truth is, I don't know herds, never had one 'cept bein on the range land really. So I'm a bit wingin' it now." he then looked to Creon and Tesla, checking on his son before picking his pace back up and speaking to Pascal once again. "Ya know, I can tell 'ya are concerned about 'yer herd. Who joins and if they are good or not. But me 'n lil fella here, we won't ever be no harm. We just want a place to call home and to finally feel safe and secure. Lil fella deserves that much at least. I can't imagine his life before me, I was a year and a half when I landed in the wild myself, he was just a wee youngin'. So hes loving this herd already I know it."
Reassuring Pascal, he felt almost like he needed to, to get him to ease up a bit anyhow.

---DONE

Words: 839 Tags: Fig Kristen Notes: Dirk and pascal talk  ||||| template by isabella

Creon listened intently to what they said, a frown on his face as she heard what she said. There were no other foals, just more grown up horses. He liked to be around Dirk and other horses, but he really wanted to play with foals his age. He hadn’t seen or played with another foal since their mom made them leave, then he just travelled with Dirk. No foals, Dirk didn’t have a family. The perfect herd would be filled with foals, this was not the perfect herd.

His ears pricked up at the sound of travelling around and looking around, especially when she mentioned needing to be brave. “I’m brave, I want to go see everything,” He said, the colt puffing up his chest once more. He was brave and he could go climb up the mountain with all adult horses. He didn’t hesitate as he hurried forward, taking the point easily with Tesla. She seemed a lot nicer than Pascal, and he hadn’t been around another mare since…his mother disappeared.

“I’m…eight or nine months old. I don’t know for sure,” He said easily, his voice not really sure. “I was with my mom for four months, she told me, and then I’ve been with Dirk. I don’t know how long though, not exactly. I have to act older because my mom told me if you don’t grow up fast other horses hurt you or worse. That’s what happened to my dad, he got hurt in a fight and didn’t come back. And then mom went looking for him I think and she must have got lost cause she didn’t come back. But Dirk found me,” The colt said, his voice a little sad until he mentioned Dirk.

Most of his memories were very fuzzy, be barely remembered his father and he had more memories with Dirk now then his own mom. He still looked for her, but he was beginning to give up. Maybe he wouldn’t ever find her. “Do you think there will be foals here soon? I haven’t played with another horse my age since my mom made us leave my herd,” He muttered quietly, looking up at Tesla.

“Do you like foals? You would be a good mom, you’re really nice. Pascal isn’t very nice though,” He muttered, whispering the last part because he didn’t want the grumpy stallion behind him to hear what he just said. He glanced around as they travelled, he really liked it here. It was quite beautiful, the only thing they were missing were foals. Maybe they would come soon, it was winter after all.

*Tesla

The grey mare smiled faintly as Creon joined her at the lead, keeping stride with her, slightly larger, steps. She herself hadn't been around anyone so young in quite some time, so while she was at a loss, she tried her best not to show it. Foals were nothing more than younger horses, she thought, so treating them like anything less would no doubt be offensive. At least that's how she would feel. She lets the smaller stallion a step or two ahead in respect, admiring Creon for his courage and realizing that he would perhaps make a fine lead one day. She listens to him speak, a bit of a ramble, but coherent enough that she can easily follow his stream of thoughts.

“I was with my mom for four months, she told me, and then I’ve been with Dirk. I don’t know how long though, not exactly. I have to act older because my mom told me if you don’t grow up fast other horses hurt you or worse. That’s what happened to my dad, he got hurt in a fight and didn’t come back. And then mom went looking for him I think and she must have got lost cause she didn’t come back. But Dirk found me.”

Tesla frowns at the colt's words momentarily, understanding now that his mother hasn't been around for quite some time. She wonders, if in Creon's position, she would have come out so strong. She frankly doesn't believe so, and can only be thankful to Dirk for his hospitality to the younger stallion. She bookmarks the thought to mention to the grullo stag in the future.

"I'm very sorry to hear that," she says honestly, "but your mother sounds like a very smart horse, I wish I could have met her." Tesla smiles in encouragement to Creon, saddened that he's had to grow up so fast but meanwhile being glad that he has become so strong in spite of it. 

At Creon's comment of Pascal, she can't help but bark out a laugh, even as she tries to hold it. She eventually gives in, because the colt has personified her mate to a point. Tesla smiles, perhaps more openly than she has in a long time, glad that someone thinks she'd be good at something other than managing her mate. "Thank you, Creon," she says, grateful. "But you are right, Pascal can seem very mean at first. He's not too bad, if you get used to him, he just has trouble sharing me with other horses." It's the nicest way she can put it, and she says it in a private voice so that only Creon can hear. "It's a little annoying," she says humorously, leaning in closer and stage-whispering. She wonders if the colt will even want to stay, what with Pascal making a lovely first impression and there being no one else besides the four of them. It's a pretty bleak option, she has to admit. She leads the group of them higher up the mountain path, the incline becoming just a little steeper, but they're nearing the overlooking peak.

She can't wait to show it to the pair of stallions, it being one of her favorite places she knows of.


Tag: Kristen

Creon smiled a little at what Tesla said about his mother, because he liked when others spoke nicely about the mare who loved him. “She was the smartest, well Dirk is pretty smart too. I wish she was here, I think her and Dirk would have really liked each other. Maybe I’ll find her one day, maybe she will show up here,” He said, his little voice hopeful as he thought about. He imagined her showing up one day and then her and Dirk falling in love, and then he could be his real dad. They would be perfect together, and then they could be a family.

The sooty buckskin colt listened to what she said about Pascal, a frown on his handsome little face. “Well he really shouldn’t be that mean. No wonder other horses don’t want to stay, he should be nice like you and then more horses will join I’m sure. If they all met just you I’m sure they would all wanted to stay,” He commented easily, not afraid to say what he was thinking. He wasn’t a big fan of Pascal, and didn’t think that was going to change anytime soon.

“You can hang out with me and Dirk though. We’re friendly,” He offered, a charming little grin on his face. He looked back at Pascal and Dirk, he felt bad that Dirk had gotten stuck back there with the grumpy stallion. They, of course, had ran into many not so nice horses but they had never stayed around long enough to really get to know him. But Creon wanted to stay around to be with Tesla, he kind of felt bad for her after all. Stuck here with no foals or anything and with Mr. Grumpy. It didn’t even look like they had mud to play in, what kind of life was that?

With a laugh Creon pulled playfully at her mane and then trotted forward, looking around at the top of the peak. His brown eyes looked around in wonder, it was quite wonderful up here. You could see everything and it was all quite beautiful, he could stay up here forever and watch it all. He was sure this was probably the lead horse’s place though, a position he could only dream of having in the future.

         does it stop your heart to know 

                                 you're not my sunshine anymore?

Lover Dearest

Pascal sighed lightly as Tesla took the lead, pointedly separating herself from the two stallions in order to chat with the little colt. He huffed at the thought, irritated at having to walk behind a foal, for christ's sake. He was the lead stallion, he should walk in front of everyone, or so he believed. Turning his half-hearted attention to Dirk, the grey stallion listened to him positively drone about his history. Pascal felt briefly sorry that he'd even asked. His mood was souring considerably in the presence of the two new herd members, and not for any particular reason either.

Dirk was frustratingly kind and good-natured and Creon was honest and bold, all positive qualities that took an emotional toll on the grey lead. Perhaps it was both a mix of jealousy and insecurity, but Pascal didn't much like having them around. Tesla was familiar; she was malleable and understood him like no one else. He could push her around with his works and she'd bounce back within moments, eager to please. Pascal snorted arrogantly, barely refraining from rolling his eyes at the other stallion's explanation. He heard none of the grullo stag's words, only grit his teeth to block out the sound of his annoying southern drawl.

"Your past sounds positively riveting, Dirk," Pascal comments, tone dry with false sense of happiness.

Tesla tenses at her mate's sudden change in disposition, bringing for the one he only uses when around her. "I had no idea you'd been with the humans," she diverged, "What is it like? I've never even seen one, but I've heard they can be positively frightening..."

In front of him, he could see Tesla sending him sharp glares, apparently ever-observant as usual. That only served to frustrate him further, because even his mare had better sense than he did. Pascal swatted his tail sharply, only managing to snap himself in the flank but the sudden sound was enough to calm him, if momentarily.

As if sensing his rising nerves, Tesla began feeling slightly more nervous as she reached the peak. She looked over their extensive lands, admiring the beauty but only minutely. Was this really what she needed, having to babysit her own mate so as to make friends herself? She was sure that Pascal wouldn't care if they were completely alone, so what was the point in trying?

The grey mare desperately tried to distract herself with the charming little colt beside her, who looked over the cliffside with a sense of admiration as well.

"If they all met just you I’m sure they would all wanted to stay,”
the little colt had said. She smiled, musing on the private thought for herself, wondering for the first time if she even needed Pascal to run her own lands.

"Thank you, Creon, I'm glad you don't find me as grumpy as Pascal," she says honestly, letting herself laugh in light-hearted content as the colt played with her mane. Absently the mare recognized the content feeling as joy, and nearly startled herself by the sudden presence of it. How long had she been missing it? "You and Dirk are the nicest horses I've met in a long time," she admitted happily, "I'd even hope spring comes sooner, just so I could play in the mud with you both."


Pascal, overhearing this, kicks out a back foot, catching nothing but the air behind him. He's on the verge of lashing out, only holding himself back until he can get Tesla alone. She's the only thing keeping him from doing so, and he's sure a chat with his mate would calm him down. However, Tesla grows more and more uneasy as well, beginning to wonder why she even puts up with the stallion after all. 

Tags: Emily,Kristen, || Words: 663 || Notes: drama drama. pascal is an absolute ass

Thread template coding credited to Julio! from Delusional

Country boy

Get your redneck on y'all

The grulla stag listened as Pascal seemed to have the most miserable look about his posture while he spoke about Dirk's past. Which it turn, sent a bit of a bad attitude towards Dirks brain. He wasn't getting a huge exciting and pleasurable feeling from this beast but thankfully his mate, Tesla was nice enough to make Pascal slightly tolerable. Still, the stallion bothered him, almost making it uncomfortable for him to even allow Creon around. No way did he want the young colt picking up a unfriendly attitude from a stallion, let alone a lead, one that a foal is supposed to look up to anyway. Shaking his head, he just gave a slight nod to Pascal but didn't bother speaking, only letting the stag know that he heard his unamused response to Dirk's history. Quickly enough though, Tesla's vocals spoke up. Thank god.
"I had no idea you'd been with the humans," she diverged, "What is it like? I've never even seen one, but I've heard they can be positively frightening..."


Dirk smiled ever so slightly, finally someone easier to talk to then pissy Pascal. He stepped forward to speak with her easier and honestly to make more distance between he and Pascal, hoping he wouldn't need to talk to him much more for now. Of course, sending a glance to Creon before replying to the lead mare.

"Not frightening, that's for sure M'am. When you're born into a ranch like I was, that is the normal. They don't scare you, your mom teaches you how to act around them for the most part. They give ya sweet things called treats, scratches and lots 'er food. Its a pretty easy like to get adjusted to. Ya' never have to worry about where to find food or water next, they give all that to ya'. A feller can have a good time with the rest of da foals or horses in your enclosure. Mine was purdy huge. I guess it would be more frightenin' if a wild horse were to be errr. caught. This is a much different life, more freedom. Don't got that with humans, you got a schedule instead, but it still ain't real bad. Not my ranch anyhow. They said I was somethun special, but hey I feel purdy ordinary so guess I'ma dud."

Dirk then gave another look to little fella who seemed to be loving the view from where they stood now, but it still made him nervous. Adopted dad or not, he didn't want Creon falling over the side, or down any hills. Dirk snorted softly a warning to the colt before using his vocals. "You be careful now little fella, one slip and I can't help you before you fall."
His glance then switching to Pascal as he seemed to grow even more pissy by the moment. Though,he could catch Tesla sending him a few glares through the moments too. Apparently, they had issues themselves. Though, Dirk obviously just met them, he couldn't understand how the lead stallion could be so intensely grumpy with his mate when she was that flashy. Unless of course he was a control freak, being if that was true Dirk wasn't sure if he'd want any part of this herd. A bit hard headed himself, he knew Pascal and him would eventually have it out if he kept treating others with a jerk attitude.

Dirk then changed his mindset to Tesla, whom had just said something about Creon and himself being the nicest two horses she'd met in a while. Soft smile coming across his lips as he replied. "Why thank you M'am. We haven't come across many equines which I consider a bit of a blessin'. But, your prudy nice yourself. Plus, this place if awfully purdy too. Good pick for a herd if I may say..." he paused and noticed she had mentioned mud... "Oh MUD! Man, that's the best thing ever. Muddin it up. Feels cool on yer pelt in the middle of a hot day and makes anything scratchy go away, like dem dang bugs that are always bitin'. " His southern drawl obviously present as he had spoke, yet mind drifted back to the first time he met Creon in the mud. "So little feller, what do you think?" he questioned the colt, eager to hear what his thoughts were on this land, Pascal and Tesla. He knew later on he'd question the colt in private but for now, it was an idea. Finishing off with a question to Tesla. "So, tell me about you two?"

DONE

Words: 839 Tags: Fig Kristen Notes: Dirk and pascal talk  ||||| template by isabella