&& . hear the SCREAMS from {everywhere} ``

[¡¡ Hayday Hayden !!]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=bgcolor,505050,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,14,true][atrb=width,450px,true] LIFE'S A GAME BUT IT'S NOT FAIR Now, I believe strongly in another horse's choices in life. So, would you prefer I make you crazy, or kill you? The rough words sounded wrong coming out of his mouth, even to him, but he didn't falter, didn't flinch. Instead he just stood there, his victim caught amongst the vines of the Hollow, fighting to get free until he spotted the crazed smirk on the grey stud's face. It was then the other realized this stallion wasn't joking around. The black stilled, staring as the grey advanced a step. The struggling resumed, as did the begging. Then, a harsh, short laugh came out. Naw, you aren't worth it. I think I'll just eave you here. Maybe the beast of the stories'll getcha. Either that or you'll starve, cause those vines ain't 'bout to break. And you deserve it for what you did to him. The grey pulled up close to his victim, blue star-bordered eye nearing the chocolate brown one for a moment, muzzle right next to the other stallion's ear. If you get free and come after someone I love again, you won't be so lucky. The blue eye blinked and the scenery before him changed. Not physically. He'd never left the edge of his canyon, staring down into his home, in sight of his herd, his blue eyes cold and distant until a moment later. The look disappeared, replaced with a smile as he leaned back on his blue-splashed haunches and spun, wheeling to take off at a flat out gallop across the plains. It was just a dream. A day dream. Or was it? Reality and fantasy had blurred together a long time ago for Trick, and this was one of those events he wasn't sure on. The smell of rain hit his nose and he slowed quickly enough to slip and slid for a moment in the grass, his head flung up to catch the wind and glance to the sky. A faint smile still flickered on his lips as his nose tipped up, gazing up to the dark clouds gathering. Storm's coming. Wonder if there'll be lightning to run with. Hasn't been in far too long. He murmured softly to himself, silver mane whipped back and then around, dancing with the wind in a complicated tango, tangling itself around his face, his ears, his neck. But he ignored the tickling sensation, watching and waiting for the boom of thunder and flash of light he hoped for. BREAK THE RULES SO I DON'T CARE

[Rise]

[th][cs=3][rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][bg=000033] -> The fae walked with her head held high, her banner and tassel whipping around her slim stature. Her steps were deliberate. Meaningful. She knew what she was here for, and she was set to get it. Her pillars, once long and pure white, were now stained with the mud that she had traveled through. Some had splashed up to her barrel, giving her the dirty look that she had grown to love. She knew that no matter what, she looked good (or so she thought), and she worked the mud in her favor. -> So when she caught a whiff of who she had been seeking, she was more than delighted. Although she wanted to break out in a gallop, she remained composed. Her pelt stood out strikingly against the dark tones of the canyon, and the incoming storm increased the contrast. Her mismatched eyes scanned the bottom of the canyon, seeking Trick. She knew of him, oh yes. But he knew not of her. Not yet. -> Once her eyes settled upon the gray stallion at the bottom of the canyon, a smile spread across her features, tormenting all who would see it. She craned her neck, elongating her features as she strode toward the stag. As she walked, she couldn't help but notice the fierceness of the storm that was quickly rolling in. As the first clap of thunder sounded, her hooves struck the ground a few feet away from him, almost simultaneously. -> She dipped her head to him, low enough to be respectful, but allowing her to keep him in her sights. He was even better looking than lore had told her. Should I be correct in assuming that you are Trick? she said, flashing her grin again as she allowed her mis-matched eyes to take him in. Around them, a sudden rain began to fall by the bucket-fulls, but Italy moved not a muscle, almost as if she didn't feel the warm rain, quickly soaking her to the bone, and washing off the mud from her travel.

[F I R E ' W O R K]

Leo ;

He moved like seclusion. If you could somehow make seclusion into a movement, he was the embodiment of it. Each heavy, plodding step brought forth a wave of ebony, large billowing feathers that sashayed back and forth like a dancers skirt. Only, this dance was no pulse pounding Leo. It was a solo dance of isolation. Arms wrapped tightly around ones own body, eyes draining saline, quiet whimpering, sobs escaping lips that'd kiss no other. The dull thudding of his heavy heart was the step and beat. 1. 2. 1. 2. 1. 2. Simple. Tragic


The journey had been a long one. Leo was exhausted and craved rest. Raven scythes pressed firmly into the earth, the warm temperature bringing out a shiny sweat on his deep herculean chest. An exasperated huff oozed from the Friesian's maw as he took in the land around him. He had walked through these lands for several days now, his wary mind persistent in the pursuit of finding the element that apparently longed to share his company. Blue lanterns looked around him again interested in the land he had ended up on, powerful haunches pushed the czar into a slow canter; hooves slapping the ground in a charismatic thud thud.

Suddenly though, a breeze drifted across the plains, drawing him to a subtle halt. Some invisible curtain lifted off the stage revealing the unprepared crew that had bustled behind it. Nostrils gave a slight flex, drinking in the heavy aroma. Sluggishly, he lifted his crown upright, raven locks falling away from his eyes. He picked up his pace, nasals flaring, auds arced forwards in interest atop his black crown. He could see a raging stag, and now a mare that had made her way towards the other brujo. He licked his dark lip's a smile sliding across his maw revealing pearly white dentals.

He lunged over, at a collected canter, ropes swinging behind his thick crest. He eyed the the two horses before pulling to a halt, no lyrics spilled from his jaw's and no whooping and loud greeting escaped from his cavern's. He pulled to a stop now, blue crystals rotated in his skull as he took the picaresque land in. The sky's had let the rain fall once more, making the smell of humidity rise from the land, Leo's jacket was now slick and muscles were visible from the czars layer of thin fur, appendages stood square as he finally inclined his head respectfully at the two animals.

I'LL BE IN THE STARS

[¡¡ Hayday Hayden !!]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=bgcolor,505050,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,14,true][atrb=width,450px,true] LIFE'S A GAME BUT IT'S NOT FAIR The mare had been ignored; he knew not if she was free of Kethali, and nor did he care. He should. He'd be able to tell if he try, and he should chase her off unless she searched for a home or she already had one in these lands, but he didn't mind. Others could come and go as they pleased. The grass was worse than most years, but it was still far too much for their numbers alone to eat. They would not starve, and he was no fighter. Or was he? He didn't know. He dreamed he could be, on occasion dreamt he was, but whether those were dreams or reality he did not know. And, again, he did not care. He leaped up onto his haunches, spinning, dancing with the rain and the thunder and the lightning that flashed in the distance like a foal who played in his first snowfall. Immature, they called him. He deemed that they had simply forgotten what fun was, that he never had, that he was the one better off. They merely shook their heads and asked another what questions they had that Trick himself should be answering for them. But then, on the horizon, through the downfall of rain, there was a black shadow, and he turned his attention to the mare again, coat already plastered to his body, slick with the rain. His ear flicked as he glanced between the two, but did not move to protect her. She was not his. It was not his place. Or was it? Perhaps it was, as it was his land, his home, and ere she was on her lonesome. Either way, play would need to wait, as would that memory that played on in his head with the added touch of dramatic effects, added in now that the weather had shifted. Yes, yes, you would be most right. But I don't know you; or, at least, I don't think I do. Do I? Should I? Or him, for that matter, I don't know him at all, but he reminds me of someone else, someone I dreamed of.... Trick trailed off, ears flattening out to the sides for a moment as he thought, lost in that dream for a moment in order to compare the black figure who had come to stand before him. No, no, the dream stud and this stallion were not the same. The dream stallion did not have feathers and he was thin, thin and shorter. The gray blinked himself back to reality, feeling rather important. Two strangers had come to see him! Though, that could be a bad thing. That what Serenity, his second mother, always said. But she was gone, dead and gone, nothing more than bones and dirt now. The rebel in him chose to deny the chiding that he remembered and think of this as a wonderful occurrence, though there was no indication if it would be or not. But, enough of that, of dreams. Names! Names are in order! I'm Trick, but I suppose you would know that already, so who you are, who you both are is far more important! BREAK THE RULES SO I DON'T CARE

[Rise]

[th][cs=3][rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][bg=000033] -> Italy scrunched her face slightly. Not used to being ignored, especially by a stallion. Before she could open her mouth to pop of a foul comment, the scent of another stallion reached her nostrils. She turned her head to see the stallion whom she had smelled moments before. He was a big friesian stallion, slicked with sweat and rain. She allowed her eyes to drift over the stallions body slowly, taking him in, before she turned her gaze back to Trick. She didn't know who the friesian was, so she automatically assumed that he had no power. No power meant that he couldn't do anything for her, so she turned her attention back to the stallion who could. -> The only thing about him was that he was in the process of playing in the rain. She barely recognized the gesture as play, and thought she was being attacked, but held her ground. It was when she realized that he wasn't making contact with her, that she recognized it as play. She cracked a half smile and bounced on her haunches a little, barely leaving the ground. My, how good that felt. It had been years since she had played; and even then it was with a butterfly or bird that always ended up trampled because she couldn't have her way. -> When Trick confirmed her assumption, she was pleased, and took the chance to introduce herself and state her business. No, you do not know me as of yet. Although you should. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Italia, but you may call me Italy. She said, dipping her head in another bow. When she lifted her head, she returned her attention to the black stallion, awaiting to hear his response, although she cared little; she would still appear interested, in case she was wrong about him.

[F I R E ' W O R K]

Leo ;

After going over the details in his head, and hearing the other speak once more, this time her name. "My name is Italia but you may call me Italy." He gave the one who called himself Trick a slight dip with his crania in respect and then spoke himself, his deep baritone voice ringing out. "I am Leo. King of the Fiele if everything goes accordingly. Its a pleasure to meet the two of you." For a stallion entering he lands, the grey brute was being rather nice to Leo and Italy. It was actually quite odd these days. Steel hued daggers dug into the pliant flesh of the earth as he shifted his weight back 'pon haunches, aqua occuli's once again scanned the vast distance for any sign of anything strange.

Leo was starting to feel preoccupied, he hated thinking. His mind had drifted to Leah, it was probably seeing Italy and the fact that he hadn't been in any contact with another fae since her disappearance. Blue eye's swivelled back into the circumference the three equines had made. Why did it have to be so damn hard, often he felt the urge to take of and find her. But she hard warned him, never to come back and that she would be safe, but he had seen the fear in her eye's the insecurity of the whole situation, a huge under estimate. She had tried swerving him off the seriousness of her hostage, he could read her like any book he knew that where to be their last ever encounter.

He turned his attention to the other two now, forcing his mind to be actually interested in his two new acquittance's, heavy limbs once again shifted under his raven torso. Long ebon tresses swaying at his crest.

I'LL BE IN THE STARS

[¡¡ Hayday Hayden !!]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=bgcolor,505050,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,14,true][atrb=width,450px,true] LIFE'S A GAME BUT IT'S NOT FAIR Italia and Leo! Such fitting names, yes, most wonderful! He chirped, clearly pleased about something. Except he wasn't. He wasn't pleased or happy about anything in particular, and even generally it was a little unsure. Those who had said he had very little, if any, of a proper, functioning mind may have been slightly right. He had always been a little strange; some days more than others. It wasn't so much lack of a mind, though, as lack of a sense of reality. He had always debated which was real and which was the dream. Most dubbed him crazy for this, but he believed it was a valid argument. Each seemed equally strange when you were in amongst the facts of the other, so could it not be that now he was dreaming and later tonight, when he believed he was going to sleep, he was actually waking up? Oh, such fascinating possibilities; such wonderful ideas, yet unable to be proved. King, you say? I knew a great king once; but he's gone. Long dead and gone, leaving just me in his place. They laugh and they mock, but they don't understand; he did, he understood just fine. Good Titan, gone... It was a terrible day, a very terrible day. He replied, mind seeming to calm at least a little bit, though he still rambled significantly more than he needed to, half talking to himself, lost in the debate of reality versus the dream, yet focusing on them, on this conversation, all the same. The thunder rolled overhead, a lightning bolt cracking down, the light and the sound snapping him back instantly and for a moment, those blue eyes settled and his mind quieted along with them. But you should come; the storm center draws nearer and it is far too dangerous to be the tallest thing when the lightning strikes. Follow! I won't have anyone dying on me today! He informed them with a snort, sensible for once it seemed, wheeling on his haunches and trotting through the tall grasses, knowing galloping wildly for the canyon or the shelter of the hollow would only leave him slipping and sliding, covered in mud and bruised, perhaps broken. So, instead, he trotted along, casual as can be, heading for his herd, his home. The Hollow was too far, the canyon closer with an overhang or two that would prove sufficient, perhaps. It never crossed his mind he should not be offering them shelter, particularly Italy. Leo was Free, as of yet; he was welcome to see the lands. Italy should not have been, but Trick had never been a political, sensible stallion. He would welcome any in from the rain, literally or metaphorically. BREAK THE RULES SO I DON'T CARE

[Rise]

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[atrb=background,http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s333/Busstuck_McGee/postingtablebackground-2-1-1-1-1-4.jpg] -> Italy couldn't help but grin at the "rival" king's apparent delight at their names. As her two-toned eyes cast up heavenward, she noticed that the storm was going to get bad pretty soon, so she was more than pleased at his invite into shelter. Following him at a reasonable canter, her eyes cast upward again, watching as a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by the fierce growl of thunder. Her hooves slid a bit in the mud that slowed her pace and, again, muddied her pillars and underbelly. In her land, it was not the rain that she had to worry about, for very little filtered through the trees, it was the roots and branches. As she was soon to learn, roots were nothing like mud. -> Mud made you slip and slide as you walked, whereas roots just tripped you blatantly, and you went on your way. Her ears pressed against her head as she concentrated on not falling and embarrassing herself in front of a king and king-to-be. Hmph. Where were their queens? Was she the only mare ruling alone? Surely they had queens... -> As her mind wandered, her concentration on not falling waned, and soon enough, her long pillars hit a slippery spot. Quickly snapping out of her thoughts, she did the only thing that she could think of, and jumped. In doing so, she had avoided falling, but sent mud splattering everywhere in her landing. Now, her scythes were completely covered in mud, as well as her barrel, and most of her neck. Dismayed and slightly grossed out, she snorted, sending the rain in front of her nares flying as her rain soaked bodice continued to press on. -> Had the other two seen her almost fall? If not, surely they would notice how much muddier she was. Groaning inwardly, she cast a backward glance at the ebony stallion behind her. Leo he had said his name was. Lion Nice. Perhaps if his kingship was denied, he may allow her to bless him by making him king of her herd. Her followers would need a strong stallion to compliment their Queen, and Leo appeared to be as good as any. Additionally, what would happen should she be challenged? -> Pulling her mind from her thoughts again, she returned her focus to the journey, not wanting another mishap. The only sounds in her now quiet head were her own breathing, her own hooves against the muddied turf, and her companions respiration and vibration against the ground.

[F I R E ' W O R K]

Leo ;

The pale face of the amarillo sun had tried to break away from the dark clouds, hot and cold temperatures made the world shake and flash opening the arms of a storm. The heat of summer had escalated, making everything so humid, Leo breathed but the air felt clingy. His raven appendages kept him at a trot, although Trick and Italy seemed to be casually walking. Lightning cracked again over head, blue azure eyes looked up skyward assessing the weather. Although Leo knew he was relatively safe, the young brute couldn't help but piaffe, not in fear but in excitement, of some sense. However he was never a fan of huge loud noises and crashes; he was more mellow than that. But he could cope with the dangerous weather so long none of his companions were hurt.

The low vibrations rippled through the thick foliage, turning from a low, deep grumble to an audible growl, snapping through a parted chasms. Strings rippled underneath the ebon torso, health illuminating through the seventeen hand frame. Rounded flints struck the soft mud deliberately, sending a shower of small fragments flying behind of the moving frame. Triangulars were held angled forward, nares flared drinking in all the scents around him, occulars rotated around in interest. Minding his own business he seen Italy stumble, the leap. Drawing his quarters to a halt such impact with the soft ground his daggers made him slide forward. He threw his head back and levelling himself out he prevented his legs from losing control under him. He noticed the painted mare was tattooed in the mud. He smiled at her reaction; perhaps the poor flicka was embarrassed.

The czar's scythes and lithe form were dappled in mud also, making his dominant black colour blanketed in a appaloosa jacket. He looked quite odd. He looked out hoping to find a creek or something he could jump into, he felt the need to be succumbed by the essence of water. To shake off his sweat and to rid the brown splodges that claimed his raven coat at that present moment. His eyes followed Tricks movements, wondering where the fella was going to bring the trip to. Trick were the King, and Leo had heard of him before he had ventured to these lands the impression of Trick Leo now had that he were a stallion of good leadership with a good heart. Leo's prospect for being king hadn't quite settled on him yet, it were a position that he had wanted to achieve from a young age. He was ideal for it, a born leader however he felt he had to become absolutely immune to the lands here and know them by the back of his hand.

I'LL BE IN THE STARS

[¡¡ Hayday Hayden !!]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=bgcolor,505050,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,14,true][atrb=width,450px,true] LIFE'S A GAME BUT IT'S NOT FAIR He couldn't help the slight snort of laughter that escaped, though he kept it quiet and short lived. It was amusing to watch them slip-slide around newborn foals who didn't have their legs quite under control yet. Still he shook his head. They were rushing too much. Slow and steady wins the race, said the tortoise to the hare. He piped up, tossing his head to get his forelock out of his eyes, hooves sliding forward with each deliberately slow trot step, but never once did he lose balance. Slow, steady, safe. One, two, one two. Nothing more, nothing less, and he'd get there relatively clean and without a bruise or a scratch to show for the treacherous footing. Perhaps we could attempt to listen to the stories, yes? There's often something to them, though you may think us all foolish for keeping them alive. Oh, yes, he knew the stories just as well as any Kethali-born foal. He'd been here for almost seven years now. Most of the stories were told in good fun, like the tales of the Hollow, but there were a few that carried good morals to them. It was what he connected to the most, those stories, or at least so he believed. Still, the canyon wasn't far and soon enough his hooves hit the hard stone ground. It was slick with rain, but certainly less dangerous than the mud and the grass. He pulled to the side of the canyon, turning bends and corners a few times, possibly getting them lost, but having a good time with it until he found the overhang he had in mind. He scooted under, not caring to shake off. He would live with the wetness of it all; a little water never hurt anyone. Or, at least, not a little rainwater. There, see. Better already. A little tight quarters, but safer no less, and dryer too. BREAK THE RULES SO I DON'T CARE

[Rise]

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[atrb=background,http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s333/Busstuck_McGee/postingtablebackground-2-1-1-1-1-4.jpg] -> Pleased to have made it into the cavern that Trick had led them into, Italy barely noticed the fact that they were going through winding tunnels. She attempted to brush the mud from her sides as best as she could as she walked, highlighting the way out as she went. She wasn't sure why she was so interested in meeting the stallion of the land, but she had, all the same. And not just one, either. She had also inadvertently met a soon to be king of another land. Wasn't that something? In her opinion, it was essential that she met the leads of other lands, for various reasons. -> Of course, the obvious reason: To form relationships with the others, and perhaps form relationships with them to form a more perfect land. She snorted lightly. Since when had she been the political type? She wasn't, really, but her reasons for being here were political in some ways, so perhaps she was excused. -> The not so obvious reason: Well. Italy couldn't pass up the opportunity for some attention. Well meant or not. She just had to be the center of attention. It wasn't really her fault though. Ever since her birth, she had been neglected. Her father was non-existent, and her mother didn't want her. Her mother did the minimum to keep her alive until she was a few months old, then abandoned her. Leaving her to her own devices. It was out of sheer luck that the filly had survived long enough to become what she was today. Let her tell it, she had developed all of her negative traits from her mother. Had her mother even attempted motherhood, perhaps the mare wouldn't have abandoned her own foal shortly after birth. Italy wasn't even sure of the gender of the foal, and now even the color had blurred. Whatever it was, it had the striping that she possessed on her own legs, but it was more prominent. But that was a memory that Italy tried to block out of her own mind. Not for her own personal benefit; because honestly, it didn't really bother her much, but for others. Although she loved attention, she didn't want to be looked upon as a bad mother. She regretted it every now and then, mostly when she was alone and needed someone to talk to. She wished that there was someone there to talk to. Someone who was a little piece of her. She wanted to start over. Have a motherhood re-do. If that was possible. -> Italy realized that she had zoned out of the conversation, and quickly tuned her ears to listen to what the two stallions were talking about. Her mis-matched eyes, which had half closed in her thoughts, opened wider, as a wave of... exhaustion? hit her. How long had it been since she'd slept? She didn't remember. She's been on the go for a while. Never really stopping to think about herself, which was odd for her. She was extremely conceited, which is probably why the mud on her underbelly and legs bothered her as much as it did. She then heard Trick speak, to which she nodded her head in agreement. Yes, safer. She said, hoping that the two hadn't noticed her minds absence. She lowered her head to nibble at her hoof, a weird habit of hers, then lifted her head again, looking around their location.