06-02-2017, 09:17 PM
Aten had always been taught to respect the space the mares needed when birthing season rolled around. So, like in seasons past, when the sounds of labor broke the silence that normally hung over Taiga like a blanket of snow, the stallion busied himself with wandering through the forest, anything to keep away from the mares that would otherwise chase him away from their newborn foals due to his status as a stallion. And a young one, at that.
The last of the births were done and Taiga was settling down once again. Aten no longer had to worry about angry sets of teeth and hooves. Of course, he continued giving the mares their space until their foals were old enough that there was no constant worry or the feeling of being threatened by a stallion's presence, but he did enjoy watching them run around, without a care in the world.
Made him miss those days, when he'd slept peacefully by his dam's side and ran around with his older siblings, learning the way of the Falls kingdom and how to be a horse. A horse that could have potentially taken over for his sire one day, had the Reckoning not occurred.
But, things happened. And though he dearly missed his dam, sire, and siblings, the young stallion was happy here. He had a home, friends he could rely on, horses he respected, and those he could trust. It was peaceful here, and while at times he may have gotten bored, he couldn't ask for anything more.
Not entirely true, but for now, the stallion would force down his emotions and be content with his situation in life.
And he still would be, even after what he would discover.
Having decided to distance himself today, in order to sort through the thoughts in his mind, Aten wandered through the forest, appreciating the feeling of security it gave him. Even if being in the open meadow meant greater speed, the stallion felt the life within these trees. He felt confident, could take on a rival by using the environment to his advantage. For even if they came from a land with trees and forests like this, every land was different. Aten would use the land to his advantage, and so he liked to be alone here at times, learn to adapt to its ever-changing landscape.
But there was something different today. The normal silence wasn't here; it all just felt different. Aten's hoof steps were heavy, but his left ear turned, thinking he picked up on something. At first, he thought it was a trick of the mind, but when he stood completely still, he realized that there was indeed another in here, sharing the forest.
Worried about what could have caused the sounds of grief, Aten went to investigate. He at first thought it to possibly be a mare, whether from the Taiga or another home, weeping over the loss of her young one, or another forest animal whose young met the same fate.
What he did not expect was to see the face of Ruan, the stallion weeping as he laid on the darkened earth stained with his tears.
Aten gave the older stallion space, not wanting to startle him. He spoke in a calm, soft voice, "Ruan? What has happened? What has caused you to grieve like this?"
OOC: From the angle he's at, Aten can't see the foal near Ruan (if there is one; I can't figure the post out because my mind stinks), so he doesn't know what's wrong.
The last of the births were done and Taiga was settling down once again. Aten no longer had to worry about angry sets of teeth and hooves. Of course, he continued giving the mares their space until their foals were old enough that there was no constant worry or the feeling of being threatened by a stallion's presence, but he did enjoy watching them run around, without a care in the world.
Made him miss those days, when he'd slept peacefully by his dam's side and ran around with his older siblings, learning the way of the Falls kingdom and how to be a horse. A horse that could have potentially taken over for his sire one day, had the Reckoning not occurred.
But, things happened. And though he dearly missed his dam, sire, and siblings, the young stallion was happy here. He had a home, friends he could rely on, horses he respected, and those he could trust. It was peaceful here, and while at times he may have gotten bored, he couldn't ask for anything more.
Not entirely true, but for now, the stallion would force down his emotions and be content with his situation in life.
And he still would be, even after what he would discover.
Having decided to distance himself today, in order to sort through the thoughts in his mind, Aten wandered through the forest, appreciating the feeling of security it gave him. Even if being in the open meadow meant greater speed, the stallion felt the life within these trees. He felt confident, could take on a rival by using the environment to his advantage. For even if they came from a land with trees and forests like this, every land was different. Aten would use the land to his advantage, and so he liked to be alone here at times, learn to adapt to its ever-changing landscape.
But there was something different today. The normal silence wasn't here; it all just felt different. Aten's hoof steps were heavy, but his left ear turned, thinking he picked up on something. At first, he thought it was a trick of the mind, but when he stood completely still, he realized that there was indeed another in here, sharing the forest.
Worried about what could have caused the sounds of grief, Aten went to investigate. He at first thought it to possibly be a mare, whether from the Taiga or another home, weeping over the loss of her young one, or another forest animal whose young met the same fate.
What he did not expect was to see the face of Ruan, the stallion weeping as he laid on the darkened earth stained with his tears.
Aten gave the older stallion space, not wanting to startle him. He spoke in a calm, soft voice, "Ruan? What has happened? What has caused you to grieve like this?"
OOC: From the angle he's at, Aten can't see the foal near Ruan (if there is one; I can't figure the post out because my mind stinks), so he doesn't know what's wrong.