Cinnibon~/A Challenger To Life\~

[Spark]

Cinnibon raised his head, the smell of horses on the wind. Hate burned in his black eyes. His hate for horses once again rose in his chest. He stood taller, grunting and snorting in anger. A massive black hoof struck the ground, hard, leaving a deep imprint in the dirt. The stallion reared, his forehooves lashing out as he let out a tremendous whinnie that rang out across the land. It was the call of a stallions challenge.

Cinnibon's only hope was that a lead stallion would come to him. That way, he'd get what he wanted. A fight that included blood and pain. Striking hooves and lashing teeth. It was odd, how this stallion loved a fight, loved the pain and blood, even if it included his. It made him seem slightly psychotic.

The stallion could hear the blood rushing through his ears. His pulse was quickening. His adrenaline was rushing. If he could fight, he would be happy. Although, Cinnibon knew this was unclaimed territory. He would like a fight, but no. Not now.

Rearing, black hooves slashed the air. An ear-splitting whinnie shattered the silence as Cinnibon claimed the surrounding land. This was his. And would always be his. Mane flared as he landed, hooves imprinting in the soft dirt.

This territory may be his, though he didn't know how long his reign as lead stallion would last...

[A.marantos (Mar-Chan)]

OhOhSee;;
You should have challenged Gaara. He's waiting for someone to come.

[Spark]

OoC//

I'll do that. =]]

[Lark]

“For the love of..! These hills are not a big as they looked back on the flats.”

Echo mumbled as she lowered her head to sniff at a dry patch of ground on the crest of a not so far off hill. The earth was dry, this was good. The mare lifted her head, snorting one to clear her nose of the smell of dirt, and looked down the hill.

This place would do. Dry. Quiet. Close to the sky. This was good.

“Well. It will do so long as it’s quiet.” the gray mare said coolly before clenching her teeth at the call of a stallion.

Black ears pinned back Echo swung her head around, bone white eyes glittering angrily as she looked for the horse who made the call. If a fight broke out, well that was life and it shouldn’t effect her. Let the stallion fight amongst themselves, this mare had much more important matters to think about.

That was when the second call broke Echo’s train of thought. Well, this was rather annoying.

The mare grunted in aggravation as she finally spotted the stallion. Well with all luck on her side, she’d be left along, but that was unlikely. She could try claming the hill for herself, but then she’d be stuck in the middle of his territory.

Hmm well this was a bit of a predicament.

Mumbling curses under her breath the mare sank down to the ground, legs folding delicately under her as she lay down to think.

“Well, worse comes to worse I can always fight or if that doesn’t work out well joining his herd may work to my advantage...” Echo paused for a second, letting the icy words fad away before she snorted and laughed lightly. “Well, I’ll just have to hope he leaves me alone.”

OOC:
o.O
Boo.
I feel very alone, and stuff. So I will post here...Even if Echo isn't a dark... Hehe.
-Shifty eyes-

[Spark]

Soft speaking reached Cinnibon's pricked ears. They swivled in the direction of the sound to magnify it. Yeah, there was definately a horse here... On his territory! How dare they? Cinnibon turned on his hooves and trotted in the direction of the sound. If this was a stallion, there would be a bloody battle. If it was a mare... He might let her join him.

Though doing that would mean she would be lead mare since he had no other mares yet. He would have to gather some... Well... If she was worthy enough she would become lead mare. If she was not she could stay in regular rankings. But if she acted like a light... Oh she would be chased out of his territory with vicious bites and kicks.

But for now, he'd show some compassion. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he slowed his pace when he neared the mare. "What is your name?"

Cinnibon's ears pasted back against his head, his tail swishing in aggrivation. The stallion tossed his head, his mane flaring and his forelock falling to cover his dark eyes. He would not take fierce intruders who meant any harm to him.In the back of his mind, Cinnibon figured this mare was harmless. But his judgement was clouded by suspicion of some horse already tresspassing on his territory...

[Lark]

Hoof beats. Trotting…heavy hoof falls. Definitely an overly prideful stallion of sorts. What an nuisance.

In moments Echo was on her feet facing the approaching stallion. Why is it things never go according to plan? The mare snorted, head raised and ears lied back so they all but vanished into her black mane.

“What a lovely greeting, I’m truly charmed,” the gray mare hissed sarcastically, words practically dripping with poisoned sugar.

The mare snorted gently, as if blowing away more words wishing to escape before looking the stallion over. Well she’d been faced with worse odds, if anything should go astray the mare believed she could hold her own. Here mares and stallions may not be encouraged or even aloud to fight, but why should she care? She wasn’t one of them. The mare snorted again shaking her thoughts a way like rain drops only for them to reform into the same puddle in her mind.

You could use this, a small voice whispered at the edges of Echo’s mind. Mustn’t be a loner for long, there is war brewing. That was true, the mare emitted to herself as her detachers relaxed to a more alert then aggressive look. She would need to chose a side…Grah! Biting her thoughts off from their wandering path she looked back to the stallion.

“My name is Echo, Reader of the West Swamp.” she informed, pride and defiance in her voice and gleaming in her bone colored eyes. “And I wait for twilight, nothing more, nothing less.”

The reply was blunt and, more or less, strait to the point. This is how the mare would speak, unless mindgames were her aim, then riddles became her language. Forever twisting back upon themselves. Oh how she truly enjoyed that…but now was the time for answers, not games.

Black ears angling forwards Echo’s gaze settled, cold and piercing as always, on the stallion in front of her. “And, if I may be so bold, who are you?” the words where spoken quietly but with an edge of ice.

[Spark]

"I am Cinnibon, a Challenger to Life itsself." The stallion's voice was strong and arrogant, as if she should have known his title. A forehoof struck out, digging into the dirt and grass. His mind wheeled with many a question, though he dared not ask too many at once. Even if this was his territory, he would not question this mare to death. He would not show much aggression unless she provoked him. Usually, Cinnibon would not show this much mercy upon any horse.

Yet...he felt as if he should show a little respect and dignity, though some strong leadership aswell.

"What is so important about twilight that makes you think it's okay to just saunter up here any time?" His voice was hard as stone, though not as grating. A little bit demanding, too. Cinnibon was not the patient type of horse. If he could get her to answer enough questions and quickly, she might be of use to him. He would play it cool...For now...

[Lark]

“Twilight is my sky. It holds the most truth and warps the feelings less.”
The mare snorted, knowing that this was not a good answer for someone who more then likely new nothing about reading skies. The though of her answer agitating the stallion flickered through Echo’s mind only to be forced away. She could explain it right off, or have the stallion question her further on the topic if it interested him. But then again, he may know of reading and telling him strait off would also pose as irritating.
Her next question, why did she care? This was truly odd off her. There was a certain air around this horse. One that seemed to demand respect and power, but Echo had never cared about this before, and it was almost difficult to put her hoof on.
Well, best not aggravate him then, or at least until I get things sorted out…
“This land was not clamed when I arrived,” Echo said suddenly, recollecting her mind from its wandering pattern. “This was a hill, close to the sky. That make for an easer read. As to why I need to see the twilight, I have several questions that need answering.” her tone was cold and almost dismissive as the gray mare spoke. It would be easy to lie her way out of anything at this point on her vague reply…But something was holding her back…what an annoyance…

[Spark]

Cinnibon flicked his tail in annoyance and impatience. What was this mare playing at? Was she aiming to confuse him? He didn't care about twilight or the stars or for anything! It was kind of funny though...how she seemed to try to explain slightly. It...amused him. The stallion snorted in arrogance.

"And when you heard it being claimed, why did you not leave? You should have known it would perhaps have led to trouble to stay..."
This mare was aggrivating him...yet he also felt to need to be merciful and kind. Cinnibon knew he had to be strong, so it was odd to feel the need to be kind at the same time. So...so odd.

Cinnibon rolled his eyes at his thoughts. Oh, hopefully the mare didn't notice that. It would probably make him seem crazier than he already considered himself...Huh...

"Well?" he demanded an answer from her now.

[Lark]

Echo snorted, ears laying back slightly. The arrogance of this stallion was close to driving the gray mare to aggression…but, in a vague sense of the word, it was indeed. Entertaining.

And is that not what we all live for?

That though floated about for a moment before being shoved away. Muscles itching to move the mare turned her head away from a moment and snapped her teeth together to release pent up energy. Traveling and being used to needing boundless energy for so long does a number on ones self…It really didn’t help.

Turning back to the stallion when he spoke Echo snorted once more.

“I was on the rest of this hill when the land was claimed. I don’t know, or truly care what that means to you, but from where I com from it gives me protection until I feel compelled to leave.”

Well this could be called a lie…growing up in an established heard for a year then living out nearly the rest of her life up until now either in a swamp of hidden from any other horse Echo had never run into a problem like this before. But then again, that was how she was looking at the situation, so it was not really a lie…in a way…

A stripped hoof flashed out as the mare raised her knee to hold the hoof up. Pawing the air once, the hoof came down suddenly, slicing into the earth with ease. Seasons of being tough how to sharpen hooves on stones did pay off. Oh the thing Evron taught her…

Tossing her head a causing her main to flair slightly the she fixed her gaze on stallion.

“Please excuse my restlessness, seasons of travel have done nothing with my energy level.” Echo stated coolly, feeling the need to explain her actions so they were not take as aggression.
At the site of the stallion rolling his eyes, the mare snorted lightly more or less to keep from laughing.

“‘Well?’ well that’s a rather blunt question. I will explain what you wish, but you must make yourself clear. I am a reader of skies not minds.”

There was an daring edge to the gray mares voice as her eyes flashed with cunning and intelligence. The mare seemed to smirk, or as much as a horse can, and snorted lightly. This, more playful side, was a side of Echo that was rarely seen…but why not?

[Spark]

Cinnibon's ears pasted against his head as the mare raised a hoof into the air. Was she going to fight? But what she said made his ears become erect once more.

It wasn't too hard to notice how restless she was now that she mentioned it.

"I see..." the stallion murmured. Cinnibon's gaze rested on the mare.

He shook his head and gazed down at his forehooves. Slight aggression came into his tone when he spoke, "I..oh forget it." Cinnibon was not one to push his answers into explanations.

The stallion had a question for this Echo...but he didn't know how to ask her without himself seeming like a creepy stallion.

Cinnibon knew he needed mares to gain a herd...and he wanted to ask Echo to help him lead...Just for a little while...

Yet he also held back at asking her. What she had just said, about her not being able to read minds, was sort of a good thing. If she could...wow she would have probably galloped away already.

[Lark]

Flicking her right ear slightly Echo gave the stallion a questioning look. What an odd one, thought the gray mare as she looked him over for a moment. Seeming to be bubbling with question the falling silent. Hmm, well best put this out of mind for a while until he starts asking them. Can’t keep the questions locked, they’ll win over sooner or later.
Half nodding to her own thoughts and half the to stallion the mare dipped her head to take another mouth full of grass. It was a bit dry but fine, not as good as at the base of a hill, and nothing like the swamp grasses she was used to. Oh well, food was food. End of story.
Swallowing the slightly bitter, or at least to her, grass Echo’s head came back up. Alright, enough time.
“If you have something to ask, you can ask it.” The mare said, forcing her voice to be even and not show the annoyance she was feeling.
Really, she had better things to do then talk about nothing to some stallion. Or at lest that’s what she told herself, even if she really didn’t.
Relax, all things pay off in the end.
There it was, that annoying little voice thing again. Echo sighed inwardly as she thought for a moment. That was true, in some way, normally what one did, it paid off, of better or worse, in the end of things…Uhh, no focus, focus, focus!
Living in the swamp and being able to let herself think farther into things them most sometimes wasn’t a good thing…

OhOhCandy
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I am so Sorry!
Between setting up my high school stuff and all this school work we're getting I've been way too busy. I am so sincerely sorry about taking this long and vanishing for how ever long, I really don't want to think about how long I've been gone...

[Spark]

Cinnibon narrowed his eyes at the mare and flicked his tail in aggitation. Calm, calm. He had to ask her. But...how to approach it? Straight out asking her would send her galloping to the heartless Lights or something.

"Well...this is quite an important question. Uhm...hmm...Well, I was wondering if you'd be willing to help me lead here...just for a little while; until I can get more members for my herd. As you can see, I live alone at the moment."

To put off saying more, he also bent his head and yanked up a mouthful off grass to chew on. Dry, and slightly bitter. Yuck. But farther into his new territory was where the sweet and lucious green grass grew. Right near the small pond with crystal clear water.

"You know, there's better grass over by the pond," he murmured His gaze was cross-eyed, staring at the food he was currently chewing on. Cinnibon knew he must appear as quite strange at the moment. But right now he didn't care. He just wanted the mare to answer his question so he could stop feeling so awkward.

He shuffled his hooves more with his impatience and nervousness. Nervousness. Ha! Quite the emotion for Cinnibon, and a rare one aswell. Then again...Cinnibon had never really associated with mares in this sort of manner. He was usually aggressive and tried to harm any horse in his way.

But lately he'd been feeling as if herd life would help calm him and give him an inner strength much needed.

OoC//

It's okay, I totally understand. I mean, my sister moved back in. Now I have to watch her kids, so it's hard for me to get onto the computer, too. YOu're not alone, trust me. Lol.

[Lark]

Echo couldn’t help giving the slightest smirk at the look of aggravation the stallion was giving her. Oh the fun she could have…the mare laughed silently to herself at the thought then blinked.

That was, to say the least, not the question she had been expecting.

Ears twitching slightly as the gray mare kept them from ‘air planning’ off to the sides Echo gave the stallion a rather blank look.

Take the offer. Damn that voice. Always piping up at the worst times. Just say yes. It’s the best thing that will some your way here. And you know it!

Well it had a point there, Echo had to admit that to herself. Taking the stallions offer would secure her a position in the herd, for now. And provide a side for the up coming war. Now, what did they call the stallions mare again? Uhh…Oh yes, Lead mare. Well that did have a rather nice ring to it. It would also give her some power within the herd for a time. And that was always a nice thing.

“Mustn’t give into the temptation of power, Echo. For power is the seed that spouts madness”

The words of the old swamp mare, Echo’s former ‘second mother’, floated thought the gray mare’s head. Stifling a shiver the femme felt her mane bristle for a moment before she made it lay flat once more. The old mare was right, as always, Echo admitted freely to herself ashes shifted on her hooves slightly. Power was dangerous as a staling snow lion in the wrong hooves…

The grass comment broke through the female’s thoughts and caused her white eyes to refocus on the stallion before her. Well, he had a point. Te grass was bitter and…That was it!

The gears in the young mare’s mind began turning at a good clip now. That was how she would remedy the awkwardness of this situation. Surely this Cinnibon was feeling a bit awkward. That was a given at how he was shifting, and she really needed another moment to think things over.

Now, what to make of it, that’s the question. The mare’s eyes light with a new excitement as she ran over several different roughs to take this plan of hers.

Snapping her eyes back from their drifting path towards the ground Echo had to blink once at the sight she found. The horse before her was chewing on grass, and was cross eyed…Oh well. Shaking the thoughts off quickly the gray mare took a moment to organize her words before speaking.

“Cinnibon, correct,” the words came out as cool and sly as even a fox could speak as the mare began, eyes flashing with cunning. “I am truly flattered by your offer, but I would like to request we make this interesting. I would life to suggest a race to the pond you spoke of. If you win, I will except your offer and help you lead. If I win, I will make my decision there. Does that sound fair to you?”

OhOhCookies:
I love school…
-cough-I lie!-cough-
Yes well I’m sorry I’ve been gone….again…stupid school…
All I can say is that I’ve got four more weeks and that’s it till’ September!
Well…Again I’m sorry.
-is pelted with flaming stones-

[Spark]

Cinnibon continued to stare at the grass he chewed as the mare mulled over the thought of being Lead Mare. When he finished, he bent his head and yanked up more grass. Oh, the bitterness. But at the moment he didn't feel like interrupting her thoughts any more to take her to the pond.

The stallion was taken aback by the mare's new words. A race? Yes, Cinnibon was fast. Very fast. But he didn't know how fast the mare was. She could run way faster than him and he wouldn't even know until the race began.

But he didn't want to speak his doubts. It would make him seem weak. And he hated that.

"Well...sure. Sounds fair."

Cinnibon had one advantage. If she didn't ask where the pond was and didn't know it's location, she would have to follow him to the spot. And he would win.

But maybe she did know where it was. Oh, so many annoying thoughts! Grahh! The stallion's mind was reeling with the pros and cons of the race.