Little Hooves Soon to Come? (CLOSED)

[Dove]

My hooves pounded on the stone across the slippery and wet rocks I flew. My heart thumped wildly and I knickered with the joy of freedom. Once again I was my own person, alone and content, but, soon I wouldn't be alone, soon but, not yet. I gazed at my self and wondered aloud, "Can something really be growing inside me?" Flicking my coal tail against my matching hocks I tossed my head gallantly and continued my gallop. I sprinted leaping over small logs and other debree that came into my path and continued to think about the little foal inside me. I showed almost no sign of being pregnant other then the fact my stomach had gotten a little swollen, but, I hoped it wasn't too noticable.

Sweat soaked my midnight black pelt as I finally slowed to a trot next to a pool of water being continuesly filled by the waterfall crashing into it about twenty feet from where I stood. I craned my neck peering at the foamy, white water crashing from the waterfall. Slowly lowering my head I continued staring transfixidly at the waterfall, I drank the cold spring water of the somewhat deep pool quickly feeling it slide down my throat. I walked further into the pool and the water just barely lapped at my swollen barrel. I shivered from the cool water and enjoyed the mist from the waterfall.

Word Count: 245
Muse: Great
OOC: Sorry the post is so short.

[kallielestrange]

Random roaming had brought Atreyu to this spot, and he nosed through the ferns and paths quite contentedly. He was beginning to shed his cumbersome winter coat, and little tendrils, a mix of black and white, clung to the foliage. He snorted, dipping his two-tones crania down, and then she caught his eye. A black mare, belly slightly swollen, gleaming with speckles of water that caught her coat. He stood away from the slippery rocks, watching her amusedly for a moment, remaining out of eye view.

Stepping forward, enough so his front was revealed, he nickered warmly to her, harks tilting to her expectantly. There was always something about a pregnant mare that... drove him insane. Perhaps it was their scent, musky with the breeding, with overtones of a womanly confidence. Perhaps it was the fact they were bringing new life, a tenderheart for the young, though he'd never admit it. Slowly proceeding, he slipped out of the wood completely, struggling with his footing. Normally a graceful horse, it was all Atreyu could do to keep his stilts from wobbling everywhere. He pulled his librums back, grinning sheepishly at her. "I hope I didn't star-" His words cut off mid sentence, and a second later he was on the ground looking up at her. If you could see it, a hot blush spread over his facade, probably noticable on the white half of his face. Embarressed, he turned his blue eyes away, scrambling to get up. Finally his ligaments regained stability and pulled back from her, back to sod, sighing. A moment later his baritones erupted in a deep laugh, and he continued. "I hope I didn't startle you, again."

[Dove]

I contented myself with another drink of the deliciously cold water before turning around to trot jovially out of the water. I pulled my feet from the water's grasp and watched the waves lap gently upon the shore, the pounding of the waterfall muffled a noise I thought I heard. I stiffened my harks tensing and my ears straining to hear the noise again. I could feel my heart pounding rapidly and I could see him, the handsome gray stallion walking to wards me.

My swollen barrel was slightly cumbersome as I tried to run, slipping on the rocks a little. I looked back and saw that evil gray stallion fall and I cocked my head, confused, I had never seen Cyclone be anything but, graceful, deceptively graceful. Wait, that horse isn't gray. I came back now, careful and timid as I watched him pick himself off the moist and damp ground.

"I hope I didn't startle you, again." He spoke warmly although he sounded a little harassed.

I tried to slow my roaring heart and I was almost positive he could hear it over the waterfall's crashing cacophony.

"Oh no, you are fine, you just looked like someone else." I said trying to feign a light and airy tone, "Who are you, if I may be so bold as to ask?" I continued on politely.

[kallielestrange]

He let her regain her compusure before stepping cautiously out onto the rock again. His large hooves offered some stability, but the sheepish grin stayed plastered on his face as he wobbled a little closer to her. Icy eyes roved her form, again pausing on her swollen belly and his head tilted in curiosity. "If you don't mind me asking...." Atreyu's half black, half white head dippoed at her stomach, "but why are you so close to foaling, wandering around, without your mate?" His ears tipped forward, anticipating her response.

Atreyu fidgeted, standing before her with hardly a grip on standing, finding her ebon figure, and skittish nature empowering, on her part. It was like a hidden strength swelled in her along with new life, and her fertilized scent was swimming in his nostrils, making him the slightest dizzy with want. Stepping forward, he hoped he didn't frighten her, as he had before, taking note to let his frame and eyes relax. She thought he had been someone, someone terrible judging by the way she reacted. His heart twinged, a desire to protect her coming on him out of the blue. Who are you? Atreyu had almost missed the question, and his weight shifted, nape curling down in a makeshift bow. "I am Atreyu, liege of the mountains. What are you dubbed?"

[Dove]

"If you don't mind me asking.... but, why are you, so close to foaling, wandering around, without your mate?"

"Ah, but, alas, the mate you speak of does not exhist, he was a cruel brute that forced me into the state I am in now, and then with the utmost brutality, he left, leaving a beaten, injured miss by herself, to fend for herself." Karasu stated this bitterly and with vehemence. Then she realized how rude that sounded and pulled back a little sheepishly.

"I am Atreyu, liege of the mountains. What are you dubbed?"

"Why hello Atreyu, my name is Watarigarusu, but, because that is too hard for most to say and or pronounce please call me Karasu." She smiled and flicked her tail. The wind pulled her mane back and out of her finely carved face. The forelock moved aside to show the white slar covering her head.

[kallielestrange]

She was so upfront him, Atreyu was caught off guard. Karasu's lyrics penetrated his ears, and he was simply put... dumbfounded. He himself was never one of those types of horses, the aggresive towards mare for pleasure. "... I'm sorry. I apologize on the behalf of my.. er.. gender." Her name was gorgeous, he couldn't lie, and it was a combo of that and the natural urge in him to help others, that made him tentatively offer the next words. "If you seek shelter, for you and your soon to be young ones, and a home... You are welcome to my herd, in the mountains. Few travel there, and you'd have no fear of that disgusting creature." The sheepish look on her face was endearing, and he nickered quietly, stepping towards her.

[Dove]

Karasu blinked rapidly. She felt her stomach squirm, whether that was her imagination or the foal shifting, Karasu couldn't tell. But, the stallions words had honestly surprised her A shelter? I hadn't even thought of that... Honestly Karasu and you call yourself smart... If you're gonna have a foal at least plan some things out... Oh yeah, I wasn't planning on having a foal in the first place...

She smiled, "The thought of a shelter is nice. But, to be blunt, I know nothing about you other then your name and the fact you roam this area. How can I trust you? Most brutes are cunning and charming." Karasu said calmly. She was not afraid of him, Karasu had seen him fall, she was almost positive she could escape if the need arose.

Karasu flicked her tail and whisked her mane, pulling the forelock out of her eyes. What would he say to that? What can he say to make me think him not as a brute, but, as a gentle men?

[kallielestrange]

Atreyu was just a little dismayed by her answer. On the other hand, he admired her intelligence; Most vixens, carrying another cruel brutes foal and without home, would have showered him with graciousness and thanks for his offer. Karasu, however, caught him off guard with her quizness, and he took more than a moment a two to respond. How could she know that he meant no harm? Snorting, his normally alert icy gaze studdied the rocky grooves beneath his hooves. He chucked for a second, before lifting his head to look her in the eye. His mug opened, and you could see his tongue lilt over his bottom ivorns, carefully choosing his reply.

"That is true, I have nothing to prove that I am not as cruel as the hellion who subdued you... But... If on my honor, I swear I shall do nothing to harm you, and if I shall..." He paused, debating his words carefully, "You could steal past in the night, and take my firstborns life." His grin twisted into teasing look, but the seriousness left his eyes. Atreyu, looking away into the forest, pondered the thought of her unborn. Snorting, he turned decisively back towards the forest, muzzle poking forward in the direction of his home. "Any cold you had, I would help you to raise as part of my herd, and offer him status of a better or commonder of warriors... Provided he never challenges my authority of the terrain. And any filly.... Well, I'd treat her as if she were my own.

Atreyu desperately wanted Karasu to believe him, for he meant his words in truth. And not only that, his gentle hear panged, thinking of the dangers she might face otherwise. And his possesivenes... With his muzzle dipped down, the last of his statement was offered, "I wish you to be part of my herd, even after you have no reason to seek sanctuary."

[Dove]

"The sincerity of your awnser is very flattering, but, only time will tell. I supose time is the awnser to all questions and perhaps time will heal all wounds." Karasu said thoughtfully.

"I will go with you to you land. But, if you lay a wrong upon my foal's head, you will have me to deal with." She said this with force, but, then she smiled, easing up and relaxing partly. She was still prepared to run.

As a filly she had always raced around, she enjoyed galloping and trotting. She was naturally fast, and pretty agile. Her frame was made for running, she was lithe and ready at a moments notice to bolt. But, her belly heavy with foal would incumber her, and she wouldn't go far at her top speed.

'Do you live here?" Karasu asked, "I mean do you live right here in this immediate area, or do you live near by? Where are your lands? I can't go far for the foal is near in coming." She spoke the truth, she could feel anyday she was going to have a little foal, perhas colt, perhaps filly, beside her.

[kallielestrange]

His ears flicked at her wise words, and his muzzle dipped up and down in agreement. A smile sat on his librums, and Atreyu let her speak before continuing. The things she said were wise. She mentioned her oncoming foaling, and worry pulled at his brow. Turning his gaze, his optics roamed the distant, mountainous background, and then moving to study her belly. Snorting, he debated the possibly options... She could not make the cllimb into his domain, and neither would a young horse, not until it got steady enough legs at least. Sturdier.

"That does propose a problem." Atreyu murmered. He hated the idea of her roaming alone, away from his protection. He could not be everywhere at once. "How long do you think you have, until you foal. Perhaps you could stay until you do, and then I and one of the mares in my herd can help you... I come from the mountains, it is not a bad place, once you get there. And it's seclusion makes it safe."

[Dove]

"I, I, uh, I think I can make it... And if not... Well, there won't be an if not." Karasu said stubornly. She flicked her tail and snorted, immpatient to start on their way.

And so they began. She trotted after him, following carefully. She hadn't been completely honest. Truthfully she had days, maybe a week until she birthed her precious foal.

Clickity clack, snicker snack, clipity clop, and all those other cliche hoof sounds. The echoing noise of hooves trampling across smooth, slick and wet rock reverberated in Karasu's ears. She flicked them, they had only just started walking and had just gotten to the top of the waterfall when she felt her stomach squirm.

She gasped and collasped. Such immense pain in her barrel. She stood up shakily. And there and then a young filly was born. Karasu stood sweating, and panting. Ap-- Apon... Apona. she thought tiredly, She will be Apona.

[kallielestrange]

At first, their trek was a little arduous, and it hardly surprised him when she gasped, and her torso slunk to the ground. He hardly knew what to do, though he had impregnated many mares. Respectfully he took the time to wonder off, only returning when Karasu hovered over a filly. A unwanted smiled pulled across him, half in relief. He was a little uncertain how he would handle a colt of another blood in his harem. Cautiously, he strode towards her, noticing her weak frame. How he would rage off on the stallion the left her like this against her will. Drawing closer, he sighed, stopping a few paces away.

She drew her breath's carefully, and it somewhat pained him to see her struggling. He drew his bod close to hers, not so they were touching, but so she could lean against him. "We should stay here for a few days, then you and the little one, " he nodded at the foal, "will be able to make it, with a little help."

[Dove]

The first breath of some thing small and fragile. She breathes softly and quietly. Making hardly a sound she stumbles to her feet. Her mother's milk is all she can think of and so she stumbles, struggling to stand and drink. Her pink maw is little and fuzzy, her short hair hardly keeps her warm and so the tired figure of her mother presses into her gentley, keeping her warm.

Karasu smiles weakily. "I suppose, I won't make it to the mountains after all."

They walked, her leaning into him and Apona leaning into her, into a small outcropping and there they spent the night, Apona snuggled next to Karasu.

The next morning dawned and Karasu lifted her head slowly blinking groggily. At first she just about trampled Apona and Atreyu, in fright of them and then her mind cleared enough for her to remember what had happened.

OOC: Sorry I'm kind of controling your horse a little bit, I don't mean to I just wasn't sure what to do next. The begining paragraph is in third person veiw point but, it's about Apona.

[kallielestrange]

ooc: I don't mind at all, little things like this are okay, just please don't ever stab and kill him XD

When they finally settled to sleep, after Atreyu let her rest on him with her newboarn, he stayed awake until almost dawn. Partly because he wanted to make sure no predators snuck upon them, snatching the little Apona, or attacking Karasu while she still wasn't back to her strongest point. Finally near morning he began drifting off, catching a few hours of sleep before she violently awoke him. He was beginning to feel nervous, being away from his home for so long. As her head cleared and she calmed, Atreyu nickered, reaching out to rub his muzzle or a brief second, against her neck. Admiring optics turned on Apona, and he watched her, snorting as she stumbled, and then smiling when she cozied up to Karasu. Stepping away from her, he frowned, and looked towards the somewhat far-off snowy ranges, his ranges. "Karasu, do you still wish to come up into the mountains. I don't want to leave you to fend to yourself when I have a suitable home... And if so, I hate to ask this, but I need you to be strong, and help me to help you two up there." He paused, then explained - " I can't leave my terrain without my prescence for so long, if you do not wish to go, I can have one of my mares come.. aid you should you need it."

[Dove]

"I'll be fine, I've lived by myself for a while now." Karasu smiled at him her lavender orbs looking him up and down. The little foal beside her, a black and silver sabino matched her and looked at the stallion too. Their eyes matched although the little one's eyes were a darker hue of lavender.

"You go to your herd, I'll be a week or so behind. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine and I'll protect my little one at any cost. I think I'll call her Apona." Karasu was smiling, but, she was still tired from yesterday and the little foal seemed tired as well.

She flicked her tail and watched him, "Now, start going and I won't take no for an awnser, your herd is more important then me. And you don't need to send anybody I promise, I'll be safe."

Muse: I have none for Karasu today.
OOC: I think this threads pretty much used up? Do you want to start a new one in the mountains, like he left and now they are meeting up again.