Light.In;a Tunnel with no E N D

[Tilliah]

C A R E F R E E;; C O N F I D E N T;; C A L M



This was how the stag walked with even strides into Hermes' valley, his head high, his ears pricked with an authentic alertness seen only in movies. His nostrils flared grandly, his black tail held behind him in a wave of coarseness, his strong, supple legs bent beneath him with every fluid step. All in all, it was a magnificent sight.

Not often do you see such a picturesque version of your wild stallion, with pulsing muscles under a glossy copper coat. He had a roman nose, but it only added to his rallying appearance. His dark eyes scanned the valley calmly. He needed a start of a herd. And for that, he'd need other equines of the same alligance. He was a light stallion. He had the air of a light stallion, proud, noble, grousqete. He whinnied, a highly carried sound, with which the wind toyed and floated across the flat terrain, to reach all ears that would hear it.


He was beginning to be perplexed. He did not like waiting; for anything. And now, he would have to wait if he wanted this. He would have to be pateint. He knew pateince was a strong virtue in a good leader, but he just didn't have it.

Can't.::Deny;; I T :;:

[Xeoa]

Morlan stood at the mouth of Hermes' Valley, scanning the horizon with his endless, black eyes. The sun was just setting, erupting in shades of pink, orange, and red. A silhoutte moved across the tranquil scene. A stallion, the grey obseved. He could tell from the regal strides and how the mystery horse held his head. Morlan crept out from behind his hiding place, an olive tree grove, to get a better look at the silhoutte. Morlan gasped.

A vast valley opened in front of the Thoroughbred, full of unfamilliar faces and unfamilliar sounds. Morlan had never seen any land beyond the Fairlands, being part of the Deity of Poisedon. The crowds of equines shrouded what Morlan had come to see: The entrance, and exit, of Amphora.

The grey's ears panged with the echo of a sharp whinny. Looking downward into the massive valley, Morlan saw that the speaker was the Mystery Stallion. Who is this? What does he want? The shyer stallion ventured. Trotting, Morlan reluctantly met the Mystery Horse, who turned out to be tall, slender, bay, and seemingly over-confident.

[Tilliah]

S T A R T L E D;; R E A D Y;; A P P R E H E N S I V E


This is how the regal stallion reacted to the sight of a new stag. He was startled at first, when he caught the shillouette of the far-off equine. Then he relaxed tense haunches when he saw better the submittedly curved shape of the other stallion, head lower than his, but withers higher. He was young, still, but defenitely not unexperienced. He trod with the weary step of a ceaseless traveller, his coat was scarred slightly with the memories of times past. He did not pose as a threat, but he did look helpful. And this is where the ready feeling comes in. Matrik figured he'd be welcoming, but firm. Con-like, but friendly. Anything he needed to be. He watched as the light stallion's shape obscured his view of the setting sun, with the rays spewing out behind him. Who was this newcomer?

And now, apprehension sets into the deep chest of Matrik. His thoughts drifted instantly from confidence to nervousness. This stag did look more collected than him. While not exactly- well- with better appearance, sometimes, a more experienced equine will take advantage. He didn't know yet that the gentle stag would never take advantage of him. And so, his thoughts mingled with the adrenilane coursing through his veins.

He could be faking submission. He certainly could take me on. He looks more experienced than me, he could easily con me into a fake sense of security. And then- he could hardly make himself think it- then, he could take me down. No-one would know. It would be easy. But there was no backing down now. He calmed his skittish senses and readied himself. As the gray approached his supple, copper bod, he let his voice ring out into the crisp air.

" May I be so rude as to query into your identity?" The voice was very complecated. Calm, but intricately traced with a hint of anxiety and even a bit of curiousity. With baited breath, Matrik waited for the other's reply.

Is..:It even W O R T H ;;; I T ?""

[Xeoa]

Morlan stared at the bay head-on, hopefully showing no fear. He could feel the large stallion's scorn, knowing that Morlan was in no way a threat. Then the grey felt the scorn fade into worry. Morlan chuckled in spite of himself. How could this stag be afraid of me? The lower stallion thought. Morlan's upper hand soon disappeared, as he felt the worry turn to confidence.

The Thoroughbred considered speaking, but felt as if it would put him in an unfavorable spot. So Morlan decided to do what he came to Hermes' Valley to do. The Entrance of Amphora was visible to the left of the bay's alert ears. The grey shifted his gaze to the gate, pondering its appearance. The Entrance wasn't much; it just looked like a gate from the Humans' City Ruins, shrouded in a dense fog. Obviously, the gods didn't want anybody entering, or leaving, Amphora. Morlan suddenly felt a strong wind lapping against his back, coming from behind. Startled, the grey's stare traveled back to the large stallion. The lesser stallion noticed that the prominent breeze had no effect on the bay. Not one strand of his mane flowed in the direction of the wind. Morlan knew what this meant. When breeze this strong blew, and it only effected Morlan, the wind was summoning him to move. And this wind was pointing straight to The Entrance, and Exit, of Amphora.

"May I be so rude as to query into your identity?" the bay bellowed. Morlan detected a quiver of disquiet in the large stag's inquiry. Morlan took another loving gaze at the The Entrance, unable to ignore the solid wind. The grey hesitated.

"Morlan," the Thoroughbred answered with a hint of what he hoped sounded like authority. "And may I be so rude to ask yours?'

[Tilliah]

R E L I E V E D;; R E S E N T F U L;; C O N F U S E D;;

The warmblood stallion felt the other equine's gaze shift towards the exit, and he felt definite relief that the other stag didn't seem too interested in him. And then, he really seemed like the flighty type, not too interested in anything. But he was staring very intensely at the exit, and it made Matrik feel distantly uncomfortable. What was he doing? He saw a slight shudder go through the stag, as if a breeze was blowing through him. That was strange, for as the sun set, no whisper of wind could be felt in the valley.

And then, his mood whisked to another feeling. This time, he was white suddenly resentful. Resentful of what, you ask? The stag was certainly paying no attention. And the way you'd think Matrik came across, he demanded immidiate respect. And the equine was delibberately looking away. Why? What possessed his mind to make him avert the bay's gaze? He certainly wasn't prying. Not with his voice. He didn't know that wasn't the only way to pry. He didn't know he was prying mercilessly into the gray's mind with every breath he took.

And finally, his mood became confused. The other stallion turned towards him, with a strange look in his black eyes. " Morlan, and may I be so rude as to ask yours?" He was hiding something, and Matrik was dying to know what it was. He waiting, though, which was something he didn't often do. Somehow, he felt this was worth it. But he did answer, his mind whirling. "I go by Matrik." He was dying to say, What in Zues' name are you staring at? But he held back and waited.


I.'ll W A I T for Y O U;;::;;

[Xeoa]

"I go by Matrik." the bay answered. Morlan sensed apprehension and confusion in Matrik's voice. Morlan had never met a horse who was reluctant to talk. Morlan was far away from his homelands, so he assumed this is the way other horses acted.

The sturdy breeze still whipped at the grey's back, making him wince. Now Morlan felt apprehensive and confused. For the first time since colt-hood, the thoroughbred longed for family. Morlan just wanted to be wrapped in the warmth of belonging, of love. He wouldn't be able to find that tenderness from Matrik.

The breeze drove harder. Morlan looked into the air-stream, and looked back at Matrik. The grey met the large stallion's eyes. Even though he was shorter, leaner, and less muscular, the Thoroughbred spoke with the power of a god.

"I take it your whinny was calling for others?" Morlan inquired. "What do you need help with?"

[Tilliah]

S U P R I S E;; T H O U G H T F U L L N E S S;; D E S C I S I O N;;

Matrik snorted in suprise, his ears pricked. Help? From Morlan? He was almost indignant for a moment, but he cut the feeling off. He could use help, and really, who was he to say no? He smilled breifly at Morlan. And suddenly, a thought struck him. Was that- neediness in the thoroughbred's eyes? No, it couldn't be. Not a stallion.

But really, could it be? He seemed lonely: in need of a friend, at least. And so, Matrik ventured so far as to think he might make a desciscion. With a concluding flick of his tail, he spoke. " If anyone asks, I'm starting a herd. And, if anyone asks-" He cut off with a brief friendly look in Morlan's direction. "You're part of it."

So, he had come to a descision. Although against his better judgement, he was friends. At least, he would be. If the restless thoroughbred would have him. He grinned to himself, and finally looked around for other horses.

What;;.N.ow""?

OOC:: Yes, thread now open! XD Please post!

[Starbird]

((Is it okay if I have the aftermath of City in the Sky walk through here? I don't want to post anywhere else until that is though.))

[Tilliah]

((Yeah, no problem! Thanks! XDD))

[zenith]

Slide through the wrongs of life, laugh as you walk by and see the pain left in the farthest reaches of the world, and then see what has happened. Turn around, look through the souls of another and you'll see their weaknesses, their struggles and their own pains. Of course your own don't matter, as long as you find theirs first. Because finding theirs is the most important part of anything in the world. Otherwise, you're screwed and you don't get to find out anything more of what happens in the life and world other than what runs through your own head.

The logic rang clear for one stallion who made an easy walk around the valley. Hearing the words of other stallions, he snorted and circled the pair for near a half an hour before he made his presence known. Making the circle around them too far for them to notice, he stood out of hearing distance for normal speech, just a smirk on his lips. There wasn't too much wish to consult with other stallions, fighting is what Kain did.

There wasn't a stallion he had ever spoken two. Rearing on his two hind legs, Kain showed the strength that he had ended up carrying from the birth of himself as well as from his father and his mother. The smirk on his mouth wasn't visable but the thunder of his front hooves landing on the ground was heard and the dark male made his way around in another type of circle, moving closer every now and then. Surveying their strength, he finally came to a stop and looked them over.

Fighting both of them... Mistake, maybe one of them? Perhaps it would just be best to leave. No wish to speak to stallions. the snort of disdain was heard, he had hoped that maybe one of them had been a mare. The damn shame.

[Xeoa]

Contemplating Matrik's kind speech, out of the corner of his monotonous eye the grey glimpsed another stallion, circling them vulture-like. The new stag raced through Morlan's mind, prying all his thoughts apart. Every muscle in the Thoroughbred's body stiffened. It was unordinary for the happy-go-lucky stallion to feel apprehensive, but the air that the new horse's gaze gave off told him to be cautious.

Suddenly, the new stag raised his chest to the heavens, pawing his hooves at the hue-laden air. Zeus's lightning bolts seemed to travel through the the obscure stallion's upcast extremities and strike at Morlan's already small secure feeling.

He wants to fight, Morlan realized. He also realized that Matrik's neck and head had tensed. The grey was finding out a lot about Matrik by watching how he reacted to other equines. Obviously, the Warmblood's worst fear is to be overpowered, the grey thought. He would have to steer clear of authority if he wanted to earn Matrik's trust.

Morlan held his breath as he felt the dark stallion inspect his and Martrik's conversation. The billowing wind that had currently faded returned, blowing in a different direction now. Toward the new stag. Panic appeared in Morlan's undying eyes, followed by confusion.

The grey couldn't deny it, he needed to make freinds with this riled stallion. Morlan knew he couldn't lie to the breeze, but he wished he could. The Thoroughbred's caution grew. The dark horse looked like the stereotype of a forcer, and Morlan didn't want such a baneful equine in his circle, one who could hurt his herd members. But something in the grey's being told him to approach circling equine.

Morlan heard a snort, less than ten yards away. He used his peripheral vision to realize the speaker was the mysterious new stallion. Despite his better judgement, Morlan reeled around and faced the stag eye-to-eye.

"Hello, I'm Morlan. Why don't you join Matrik and I in our new herd?" the grey suggested, mortified at his own actions. What did I just do? Morlan asked himself, recognizing that it was very dangerous to give his real name, not to mention Matrik's. Now I'll never gain Matrik's trust.

[zenith]

((I shall reply tomorrow when I actually have the brain power. ^^ I'm dead from work. Aha. Sorry about that <3))

[zenith]

What was this? Speech towards the hostile stallion? A snort and a toss of his neck, arching wildly with a look of flashing anger in his eyes as he looked down at the other. That was the wrong thing to ask. Joining with other stallions? Hah! Turning his head in disdain, it was clearly written on his face he would love to tear this horse apart. Well, at least spawn a fight with the other.

Really now, "I'm no fool," he spat, turning on his hooves, making his way away from these two stallions, "You're not mares?" he watched and waited for a bit, then he sneered, "Then I have no use for you." he didn't.

Since he was a lead, he needed to make sure all the stallions stayed away from his place, otherwise he would be in danger of losing his herd. And his harem that he was slowly trying to build up. That would cause him major discomfort, he didn't wish to have to deal with stallions in his herd. Chase them down and out, yes, but never in his herd.

Turning, Kain made his way away from the duo, "Enjoy yourselves," adding some insinuation behind it and snorted yet again before he galloped on into the horizon.

[Xeoa]

Morlan watched the bay dash towards the setting sun, resentment flooding his body. How could I have done this? What was I thinking? The grey felt like breaking down into incoherent sobs. But Matrik was already harshly staring him down, the Warmblood's two astute eyes drilling holes in his conscience.

The Thoroughbred's resentment soon gave way to exhilaration. Morlan knew how to make things better. Shifting from one foot to another, the grey put a plan in motion. His ethics raced ahead of his motivation, then his wickedness took the lead. At the finish line, it was infact vigilance that won the pursuit. And with that outcome, Morlan started to slink back toward the mouth of the valley, back towards his olive tree grove.

((OOC||I'm sorry the post is so short, but I'm really busy!!!||))

[Tilliah]

T R U S T;; S H O C K;; A N G E R

Matrik watched the dark stallion come closer, and decided nonchalantly not to say anything. He didn't look like one to mess with, and Matrik didn't need another stallion quite yet. Let other walk through your lives, watch them, and decide how you can use them to help you. Truth was, not many of them are really worth the time to get to know. But the dark bay warmblood's own beating heart let him know: He could trust Morlan.


He heard Morlan speak with pricked ears, surpirsed. If etiher of them say something, he should. But he listened, although not sure if it was quite worth it. "Hello, I'm Morlan. Why don't you join Matrik and I in our new herd?" Sure, it sounded innocent. But he had been utterly stupid. What was he thinking? He did a number of things terribly wrong, just then, and Matrik quickly made a list for later reference:

1) Even though I, the Herd Leader, did not speak, he did. (Without my consent, nonetheless)

2) He gave his first name. (If this stallion really wanted business in fighting, he could track Morlan down and kill him easily.)

3) He gave MY first name. (Really, if Morlan wants to endanger himself, let him. But endangering his Herd Leader? I should throw him out now. He should've known better!)

Matrik watched the other stallion's growing disgust with a mix of shock, relief, and embarassment. Firstly, the shock. The list above and Matrik's so called newfound trust in Morlan (Which was, obviously, shattered the moment he spoke) explain the shock. The relief: the other stallion seemed only disgusted at Morlan's impulsive greeting, not angered. And embarassment. That he would be part of a herd with this monsterously impulsive wad of fleas was utterly- embarrassing.

He turned to Morlan as Magnum left, with eyes glaring daggers into Morlan's skull. He watched the stallion squirm under his gaze and hated himself for loving it. That's right, feel bad. Feel bad, you idiot.

I'm.Done.With.You;;and I'm...L E A V I N G