c r u s h

The sun was paticulary hot today and Crush didn't like it. And of all places to wonder into, she found herself on an unfamiliar prairie that seemed to stretch from miles, all the way to the foothills of the mountains she saw far on the northern horizon. She was used to meadows and fields but nothing prepared her for the magnitude of this barren land and it's vast treeless-ness. She had emerged from the western forests and was refusing to give up the precious shade the trees there offered, not daring to venture out into the open. She would prefer to wait until dusk when the sun's rays weren't so harsh.

The Curly mare shook her head with a rough snort, stepping through the dappled light that fell though the leafy canopy of the beech trees. A rumbling grew inside her stomach and her hungry gaze darted around for something to eat, an appetizer, perhaps? At least until she could go out into the prairie to graze. Spying a bush, she stretched out her muscular neck, lipping at it's leaves and ripping them from it's branches. Bringing her head back, she settled to munch contentedly on the leaves. They were a mite bitter, but still satisfying to a deprived stomach.

After a few more bites in the same fashion, Crush began to wonder if there were any other horses nearby. It had been so long since she had seen any after leaving her father's herd. Small, pointed ears rose as the sabino mare surveyed the flat expanse of prairie, her dark eyes curious.

c r u s h
three year old
chestnut sabino
bashkir curly mare

Galliant.

It was indeed a warm day, though that would be wrong as far as temperature went. It was so warm, the sun beat loads of heat down upon his noble frame. He couldn't say he liked it but he couldn't say he hated it either. He had never enjoyed the heat much, or the sun truely for that matter, soley for the fact that his pelt was hued black, the most solid and purest of ebony, the main shade to hold and collect the suns rays. He might as well be wearing a winter coat out there, feeling those harsh rays weigh him down. That wasn't the case today, though. Today he was taking a break.

Standing securely beneath a patch of tall trees, the steed's endless eyes blinked against the bristling splotches of light that managed to seep through the leaves. It didn't bother him here— he was one with the shade, always had been, always would be. He could feel his muscles loosen and rest in much of the ways a massage would feel to a human. All harmony was interrupted as his flickering ears caught the sounds of someone stirring not too far off. It startled him out of his temporary reverie and he turned, immedietly recognizing it as another horse, and quite potentially good.
A rising feeling started in his stomach as he trotted along, his muscles bulging beneath his thin pelt of endless depth. Entirely relying on his hearing now, he continued onward, until he managed to find the one whom he had acknownledged earlier. As he neared her, he bobbed his head, almost arching his neck even, and gave a light snort to alert her of his presense.
"Hello," he began, now at a complete halt, "May I ask what name such a fine mare would have?" he then inquired, ears pricking as his question ended. He was so glad to have finally come across another equine that it struck the deep pang in the pit of his stomach with a sense of serenity. He would want anything but to get off on the wrong hoof with a mare, in fact the only horse he had found in a while now. At this, he could ease his mind.

GALLIANT
Gallant Steed.

c r u s h

Looking out across the prairie, Crush couldn't be sure if she could see any other equines through the hazy heat that made the air waver out in the open. She didn't think to look around her in the surrounding trees, because like her, they were probably resting in the shade. Her ears jumped to the side suddenly at the rustling of brittle leaves on the forest floor and the rhythmic thud of approaching hoofbeats. The mare craned her head around quickly, a bit startled by the snort. A bit flustered at being caught unawares, she turned to face the ebony stallion, her head raised.

She immediately noticed the coal blackness of his pelt and the way it gleamed with a healthy sheen, as well as the broadness of his muscular chest. He was not at all an unpleasant sight for the eyes and the roan colored mare felt an attraction to him. Slightly embarrassed for having caught herself looking at him, she shook her head, kinky mane dancing about her pale face.

"Hello." She returned after a moment, deep brown eyes shining. "My name's Crush. What's yours?"

The Curly lowered her head, peering out from underneath her creamy forelock with her ears perked. She was genuinely glad for company but so many times when she'd been led on by stallions who weren't in it for nothing but the fact of her being a mare. She was a bit wary, but maybe there would be hope with this one?

Galliant.

For a moment, Galliant regretted coming upon her in such a way, since he was sure it seemed she had been startled by his approach. He thought about changing his tactics but then mentally kicked himself. It was already done and over with, and now they could continue with whatever kind of conversation that may arrise. Despite his usually calm and mannerly voice, he couldn't help but let his excitement shine through with a couple words. "Fine name," he began, thinking about it. Not exactly what he would have expected, but it was sure different. He opened his mouth to tell her, but then stopped himself. No way, that might not be the best thing. "My name is Galliant." he then returned, bowing his head elegantly. Just as it raised again, he studdied her for a moment. She was an unusual equine, with that curly hair of hers. Something he had never seen before. He wasn't too familier with her hue, either, but oh well. She was a fine looking mare, and for a moment he thought it over. He would have to get himself settled somewhere, and though he imagined it wouldn't be much of a problem, he felt there was an emptiness deep inside.

"So, I haven't seen you around before," he stated, alert auds flickering. Then he caught himself. He hadn't been here long himself. In fact, he practically just arrived. He released a deep sigh, a bit annoyed at his own stupidity. "I'm new here though, but it's nice to see someone." he then stated to back himself up, giving his silky banner a wave quite absentmindedly. Oh, what would she think? He scowled inwardly to himself. Of course, she couldn't know he was new around here without him telling her, but it still made him feel rather dull for knowing it himself.

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Crush wasn't entirely sure how to go about this getting to know a complete stranger, especially without the coaching of a friend from over her shoulder. She felt a bit awkward and even alone, but she was willing to try her social skills with Galliant here. Lifting her ears slightly, she listened to the eagerness in his voice as he commented on her name.

"Thank you. Yours is very nice too."

She hoped she wasn't being too dull, too stereotypical with the manners and such so she added in a quick smile, her eyes reflecting the curiosity she had in him. Crush's ears flicked as she realized the stallion was inspecting her coat; it didn't surprise her, because she got that look alot and in turn many different reactions to it.

"I'm a Curly, that's why my hair's like this."

She said quickly, almost defensively, hoping that Galliant wouldn't think her a freak for the kinks in her hair. But to her surprise, he went on, though apparently frustrated with... himself? Crush tilted her head to the side, wondering but not bothering to say anything on the topic. She was just hoping not to give him a reason to desert her.

"I'm new here as well."

The chestnut mare blinked as the stallion shook his strong neck, unsettling his silky mane, her eyes nearly fixated on him until she realized that she must be staring. She met his eyes again, turning curious once again.

"Have you found a home yet? I haven't."

Galliant.

Galliant didn't want to rattle his brain for things to say. Why must he make himself feel this way? He didn't want it to seem this was all just some wierd game he was playing, saying anything to keep her around. Sure, he was curious, but he was indeed also frustrated with himself.
Pushing the thoughts aside for however long he could manage, he looked deeply at her and breathed a light sigh. Hopefully nothing that would change her thoughts toward himself, and then he glanced away for a split second. Looking back into her eyes he let loose another breath he had held in, a bit disapointed in himself then.
"No, I haven't," he answered, though didn't let his disapointment show through his words. Maybe, just maybe, it shined through with his features, but he doubted it. He made sure of that.

"I was planning on going out to look soon, though," he stated, thinking it over. He wasn't familier with the land, but he would be soon enough. He knew there had to be something. "Well, on a better note, would you be interested in coming with me?" he then asked in return, auds pricking right as he spoke. He would be incredibly happy if she did, then neither would be alone and they could still speak to each other.

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Crush hoped that see was making a decent impression on this stallion. He was the first she'd seen since arriving here and she didn't want to risk losing his company. She found herself constantly worried and trying to read his emotions, but he was so talented at masking them, she found it difficult to tell anything about him. When he met her eyes for the first time and then looked away, she felt a faint prickle of panic. Why had he looked away? But then, he sighed a breath and looked back as he hesitantly answered her question. Her still curly ears pricked to catch all of what he said.

The red and white mare felt her heart flutter at his mention of her accompanying him in search of a home. And the hope that she heard lacing his voice raised her spirits. She raised her head, but suddenly tilted it slightly to the side, a bit skeptical.

"Really? Are you sure I won't be a bother?"

Galliant.

Galliant wasn't aware at first of her trying to read his emotions through his features, but he always had been good at dealing with such a thing. He stood there silently as he kept his dark eyes on her, he himself trying almost desperatly to read her. However, he wouldn't let that feeling bother him any longer. So now he simply watched her, auds flickering forward to catch her long-awaited words. Once she finished, he felt a trick of hope surge through him, shocking his bones and sending a chill down his spine. By her reaction he felt she was probably going to accept to go with him. At this, he shook his head with a smile playing on his velveteen equine lips. "Oh no, you'de be no bother at all. I'de enjoy the company," he stated, a hint of joy sounding in his voice. He would actually love it if she came along with him. Then neither would have to be alone.

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The mare suddenly felt a bit ashamed at the eagerness that was obvious in her voice as she had answered Galliant and ducked her head, hoping that he didn't take her as desperate. Well, she sort of was... but it wasn't something that she'd openly admit to him. That'd be just stupid, something that she didn't want to appear to the stallion.

To her surprise, he just smiled and dismissed her doubts. So he would actually like to have her around? She felt a burst of glee and almost instantly her face brightened with a smile as her ears shot forward.

"Thanks." She said a bit shyly. "I'd like to come along."

Galliant.

While Galliant had never been one to get excited over something, or at least since he was just a foal, he was beginning to startle himself. Must be the loneliness that had gripped him recently. Traveling was something. Traveling alone was another.
Snorting lightly, mouth curling up in a smile again, he nodded. He had things all planned out, somehow. "Excellent!" he suddenly burst out, or so it felt like it to himself, and then he cleared his throat. "Um," he began then, regaining his calm posture, "afterwards we could explore the valley, if you want." he stated, finishing with a cough-like noise. Wow, he was really acting strange today.

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The white splashed mare shook her head lightly with a soft exhale. Her eyes brightened with new hope at the ebony stallion's obvious excitement and his reaction to his excitement. She couldn't help the small laugh that bubbled up from her broad chest when he seemed shocked at himself.

"That'd be great."

She smiled, suddenly looking forward to roaming the land at the side of such an eye-catching stallion, especially one that seemed to show some interest in her. Arching her neck, Crush eyed Galliant for a moment as she took another step forward, curious.

"Where to first, captain?"

Galliant.

Galliant grinned at her, and then elegantly bobbed his head to her, much like a simple bow. "Come on," he neighed lightly, and with a half rear, he spun on his hind legs and shot off at a slow but powerful gallop. Once she was near him enough to be in voice-range, he spoke again, "First things first, a territory," he stated with a hint of excitement and mixed pride, already having something in mind. Turning easily, he dashed through the tall grasses to leave the prairie. A shortcut he figured, despite his newness to the valley.