'cause the air is f r e e . [o]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/2lstmdy.jpg] Summer warmth was just a dream today. The sky had taken on a sickly gray color, blotting out the heat and bright light of the sun. It was a humid, rainy morning. Droplets fell in a constant, endless drizzle while a soft wind whisked it's way across the open plains, making the grasses twist and turn like an endless brown-green ocean. Gwen strides silently through this world, eyes watching the dark clouds. It had been just this morning that she had decided to wander out into the vast meadow, only an hour or two before this gray, hazy drizzle had begun. The dun had gone on with her plans anyway, too set on her destination to let a bit of water get in her way. Really, it wasn't all bad. The rain cooled the earth, hydrating the dry foliage and making the temperature bearable for the equine inhabitants. Any other day, Gwen would have stayed in the shelter of a shady willow, relaxing her way through the scorching summers. Dark eyes fixate on an ancient maple tree in the distance. It's branches are long and stretched over the grass below, where it's roots arch through the dark, rain soaked earth. The mare instantly begins to move faster, suddenly tired of being soaked by the drizzle. The tree would be a wonderful place to wait out this storm, to dry her dripping mane. A small, nearly invisible smile appears on her features. it hangs on for just a moment before being swept away by a look of determination as the mare trots forward, dark forelock plastered to her forehead. The last few steps between the mare and the maple are taken at a slow walk. Gwen is content with her shelter, and take solace in the fact that the equine scents that linger here are watered down and old. She is alone. The dun frame slides into a quiet, pleased resting position, one back hoof cocked at an angle, forcing her other three legs to bear her weight. Her head is lowered to the ground for just a moment as she snaps at a few sweet blades of summer grass. Dark eyes gaze across the landscape as she returns to her full height, momentarily content. t a g;; open. l i s t e n i n g t o;; scream of the butterfly - acid bath. n o t e s;; n/a.

[In.human]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,600,true][atrb=background,http://i52.tinypic.com/2gubght.jpg] This stud, too, was out on this miserable, groggy day. The sky was overcast, the sun unable to make it's full impression upon the world like it normally did this time of year. It hid behind dark, opaque clouds that were causing the liquid that floated slowly in the air toward the ground. These droplets were n no hurry to reach their destination; they just floated as they please upon the drafts and breezes, taking the scenic route to their new home. What freedom they had... Not to say that the large stud making his way through the mist was any less free. No, quite the opposite. He was the ruler of his own land, a king so to say. They were wrong, the whole lot of them. He had made his way in the world and created something new, something special. It was his, and his alone. For now. See, he was planning on fixing this, the loneliness. Ruling a land had no point unless there were things upon the land. So he was looking for mares, and rightfully so. His large bod cut through the mist, large brown orbs searching for any life in this dreary scene. He plodded along at a moderate pace, in no hurry, just like the condensation that filled the air. His strong neck arched gracefully from powerful shoulders, his head hanging somewhat low. His nares widened, intaking the scents of this overcast day. Water. Grass. Trees... Horse. And there she was, a dun headed for a large maple tree that offered sure cover in this dreadful covering of liquid. He stilled for a moment, his head raising, neck arching more proudly. His thick, grey tail swayed across his hocks as he waited, observing her. With a snort that became visible due to the thick wet air, he shook out his heavy mane, sending water back into the air to join its brothers. He then made his way toward her in a slow, purposeful trot. She was content, this beauty, as she stood under the shelter of the maple. As he approached, he slowed down to a walk, keeping his head high. He needed to make a good impression, didn't he? He did not want to startle her, so he approached carefully, stopping a few lengths away to give her ample room. He didn't want to crowd her. With a regal dip of his head, his deep voice slid from his vocal cords. Good day, m'lady. 'Tis a pleasure to see you on this dreary day. My name be Banquo, and if you don't mind, I inquire about yours? His large, brown eyes looked at her. They did not hold and hardness in them, just a curiosity, a wonder. Would she be kind enough to answer, or would she walk away?

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/2lstmdy.jpg] The mare stands silently beneath her shelter, dark ears tipped forward as she listens to the chorus of pattering rain against the now-muddy earth. A nearby river adds it's own accompaniment, gurgling softly over the land. It calms her nerves, soothing every agitated thought and feeling. It's all she can do not to slip into sleep right here, to pass the time in her dreams. She's just about to succumb when a new scent enters her sensitive nostrils. It's faded from the rain, but still strong enough for Gwen to make out exactly what sort of creature is drawing near. A stallion, just as soggy as herself. It takes no more than a single second before Gwen has already shed her calm, happy demeanor. A rigid, weary attitude fills it's place. The mare knows she's right to be on edge. There's too many rotten stallions out there for her to feel comfortable near one in the heat of summer. Hormones run high, and some don't think. The dun could end up wounded and pregnant if she didn't watch every move she made. When the brute finally comes into view, however, Gwen allows herself to let just a fraction of her guard down. The gray carries no trace of ill will, and is careful in his approach. His strides hold a sense of self pride, and his head is held high in an obvious attempt to impress. Gwen pulled an amused little grin onto her dun features at this realization. She really didn't care for those who present such a front, but something about this stallions careful yet haughty demeanor just made her smile. When the voice reaches her ears, accompanied by the bow, the crooked grin only grows. The gray is set to impress, and they both know it. He doesn't try to hide it in twisting, complicated droning, nor does he have the tenacity to just spit it out. The gray has turned it into a careful, yet painfully simple weaving of action and voice. It's not the what he's doing that impresses the dun, but the way he doing it. With another upward tilt of the lips, the dun speaks her name, letting the single word carry her current, pleasant attitude with it into the air. "Gwen." After her lips close, the mare simply watches the stallion for his next move. He'd approached her, after all. t a g;; banquo. l i s t e n i n g t o;; mockingbird - minnie driver. n o t e s;; n/a.

[In.human]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,600,true][atrb=background,http://i52.tinypic.com/2gubght.jpg] The dappled stud watched as an amused grin spread across the beauty's face. He had no clue why it did, but he wasn't going to complain. An echoing grin appeared upon his lips, but only slightly. It was not mean looking, just a small smile. He was the sparkle in her eyes, the amusement in her features. He seemed to bring some enjoyment to her, and for that he was thankful. Maybe he would be able to bring home a mare for his herd. No, he wouldn't push it. He would let her decide on her own time. That was the best way to go. Why rush? Why make her do something that made her uncomfortable? At last, he heard the dame's name. And what a beautiful name it was. Gwen. The stud rolled it over in his mind, chewing it, dissecting it, examining it. It was lovely, truly. Gwen... The stud's accented voice mulled softly, his mind thinking. It was not a word necessarily meant to be heard, or even spoken aloud, it just happened. The soft smile that had slipped slightly off his lips as he thought about the name appeared again, the softness, gentleness of his expression never failing. 'Tis a beautiful name for a beautiful mare. Should he ask her now? No, he had to work his way to the asking about joining his herd. What would work? Hmm... The stud pondered for a moment, then recovered. So, m'lady Gwen, do not think it impolite as I am wondering what you are doing out here on this dreary day. Do you not have a herd? He hoped he was not being to forward. The last thing he wanted to do was scare the fem off.

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/2lstmdy.jpg] Attentive brown eyes watch as the gray stallion carefully mimics her smile, her mood. She knows what he wants just as much as the male himself does. He doesn't hide his overzealous interest well. She can smell his home land on him. The lack of other strong scents lead the dun to believe that he's recently acquired his little plot of earth, for which he wishes to gather a few new things, namely females. There's truly no other reason for a male with a homeland to be out in such dreadful weather. He's lonely, and believes Gwen might be something he could snatch up to fill a part of that gaping hole. There'd be others, of course. The dun probably wasn't his first venture, nor his last. She'd probably be the first, however, to toy with him a bit before declining his quite blatant offer. Her own name slips from the gray lips, tossed about and rolled over the stallion's tongue like a fresh blade of spring grass. It lingers in the air for just a moment. All the while, Gwen smirks inwardly at the overly softened, sickly sweet expression as another complement is delivered, the thick accent just complicating it's smooth, slow sound. Even with her hidden distaste, Gwen can't help but admit the stallion is nothing short of alluring, if only for his voice. As the thought floats through her mind, however, she tramps it down quickly, refusing to let it continue to cloud her judgment. She knew the lust of summer was crowding her brain, twisting her thoughts. It had to be. She drove away the thoughts just in time. Another perfectly obvious question was voiced, to which Gwen couldn't help but lower her ears just a fraction of an inch. This stallion couldn't possibly think he was being anything but blatant, could he? It was a setup for his next question, once the dun answered a with an already obvious no to this one. She was taking shelter in the force claiming ground beneath a tree. If that didn't scream loner, Gwen didn't know what would. Instead of griping, however, Gwen perks her ears, dark eyes full of knowing. "And what exactly do you wish to learn by inquiring about this, mister Banquo? The answer's obvious." t a g;; banquo. l i s t e n i n g t o;; diamond child - tat. n o t e s;; n/a.

[In.human]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,600,true][atrb=background,http://i52.tinypic.com/2gubght.jpg] She had seen right through him. Damn it. So much for trying to not be to forward. He just didn't want to come off as one of those stags that just wanted mares for numbers or breeding rights. He wasn't anyway. At least he hadn't come right out and said "Hey! You're pretty! Join my herd!" then force claimed her and that was that. No, that was impolite. Not to mention a horrible thing to do. To Banquo, every mare had a choice. If they didn't like him, he was not going to force them to be with him. That just breed bad blood between equines. The Andalusian stud let out a sigh, and his head dropped some. It was still held up, but not nearly to the hight it had been before. he stopped trying as hard to impress her. the really was no need now. Just flat out Banquo, the new lead stallion of Sun Thicket. Aye, my sweet lady, it is. I just do not believe in rushing to the point. He fixed one dark forelock covered orb upon her. Or in force claiming. Banquo then stopped, wondering how to continue. His plan for being subtle had obviously failed. So where to go from here? Should he just be out right and say he wanted her to join the herd? Or should he just tell her to have a good day and leave? No, he would not leave, he would not back down. He would stand his ground, and if she went away, in the opposite direction from Sun Thicket, then he would stand her and watch her go. seeing how my point is plain, I shall quit delaying. I request that you follow and grace me with your presence at my holding Sun Thicket. He looked at her, holding his pride and confidence. He would love for her to join, but it is her choice. [[ooc; sorry it took so long and that it's not quite as long as my others ]]