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Post by Shadow on Apr 28, 2007 14:11:05 GMT -5
The evening was silent and still, not even a whisper of a breeze to stir the quiet evening air. It was the perfect time to think and ponder on things.
A chestnut-pelted mare was doing just that at the moment. Knee-deep in the pool outside the cave that housed the Neutrals, the Arab was lost in thought, her gaze on the stars that twinkled distantly in the heavens. It seemed almost strange that, no matter what conflicts occurred below, the stars continued on as they had for thousands of years. They were never embroiled in life-or-death struggles, nor were they ever caught in the middle as the Neutrals were. Life or death, victory or defeat, the stars went on glimmering in the night. Looking up at the stars, earthly troubles seemed small, pathetic things, hardly worth anyone's notice.
Irezu, Lady of the Neutrals, allowed a soft sigh to escape her. If only such was truly the case. If only she could have the chance to show the two warring factions -- Lights and Darks -- how small their conflict really was, perhaps there would be a chance that things could be settled in peace, without any bloodshed. The Arab was a natural diplomat and mediator, but she feared that neither side would allow her a chance to use her skills to bring both sides to peace.
What worried Irezu the most was concern for the safety of her own people. She knew that they were despised by the other two alliances as cowards and traitors to their herds. She wished she had the chance to tell them the truth; that most Neutrals had chosen their alliance because they disagreed with the violent methods that Darks and Lights were using to further their aims.
It had not been cowardice that had led Irezu to align with the Neutrals. While yet quite young, she'd had an opportunity to see both sides of the conflict. She'd seen Lights who went against all that she had been raised to believe that Lights ought to be. And though she had seen Darks that were as black-hearted as could be, she'd seen others whose passionate love of life contradicted all she had been told as a foal. Now she was determined to bring the two sides -- the good of both sides -- together in peace. Given half a chance, the Arab would do all in her power to bring about that goal; the goal of peace and friendship to all three Alliances.
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Post by A.marantos (Mar-Chan) on Apr 29, 2007 19:37:45 GMT -5
The Lady of the Neutrals was not alone in the caves. She was also not alone in the thoughts of the war. However, the thoughts of this horse were much different. It was Gaara, who had come here to nurse his wounds, rest, and then, when he was ready, head back to the desert to fight once more, and get the taste of that warm luscious blood, once more. He was thinking of other ways to get that sweet ambrosia that fed his entire exsistance.
The war was the best way to go. But, he'd never get into it. He was a neutral, the sniveling cowards who dared to stay out of the fighting. Neither of the other two herds would take him, and he couldn't fight for his herd, so he wasn't able to do a thing. He hated his life. A lot.
When he caught the scent of another horse, he cursed mentally. For, that wasn't just another horse: It was the lady. Ugh. He disliked, even hated the type of government the herds had, though they went with everything he believed in, but they just didn't fit his way of life.
Sighing, he began to walk away, but the pain that wracked in his every fiber stopped him. His knees buckled, and he fell to ground, the small tears widening, crimson blood flowing out like small rivers.
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Post by Shadow on Apr 29, 2007 20:02:38 GMT -5
Irezu's revery was disturbed by the scent of another horse. She did not turn her head, but dark-rimmed ears turned in the direction of the stallion. It took but a moment for the Lady to recognize the scent. Gaara.
The bay gave an inaudible sigh. She wasn't sure what to do about the stallion. He was Neutral, but his lust for blood set him apart from the others. Irezu was worried that his violent actions would get all of the Neutrals in trouble. It was enough that they were hated and despised, but if Gaara made some attack upon one side or the other without reason, things would become very bad for her alliance.
A slight sound brought Irezu from her thoughts and she turned, surprised to see Gaara on the ground, blood flowing from him. Despite her worry about what his violent ways might do to the Neutrals as a whole, it did not mean she would not look after him when he was injured. She moved at a brisk trot until she was at his side.
Nor was she alone. Classic Illusion, commonly known as Tenga, had been keeping an eye on things when Gaara had passed where Irezu was pondering life. The Arab stallion was wary of Gaara; he was not about to allow his half-sister to approach the other horse alone. With quiet steps, he fell in alongside her.
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Post by A.marantos (Mar-Chan) on Apr 30, 2007 6:34:11 GMT -5
Gaara looked at the ground. He'd caught her attention, which was what he had tried to avoid. Then, there was another scent. That Classic Illusion, Tenga, was coming as wel. Well, wasn't that just great. He looked up, rebelliously, without saying a word.
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Post by Shadow on Apr 30, 2007 6:39:55 GMT -5
Irezu met Gaara's rebellious gaze with quiet eyes.
'What happened?' she questioned.
It might seem a foolish question, considering the horse she was talking to. Still, it was never a good idea to simply assume something. Besides, if he'd attacked somewhere or been attacked, she needed to know about it.
Tenga stood at Irezu's side, a silent alabaster statue. He watched Gaara, wary of any unexpected actions from the other stallion.
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Post by A.marantos (Mar-Chan) on Apr 30, 2007 15:32:17 GMT -5
Gaara snorted, and looked back down at the ground,"It's none of your concern." He strained to get up, but his legs wouldn't move. It looked like he was stuck here, under the prying eyes of the lady and her bodyguard.
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Post by Shadow on Apr 30, 2007 16:27:13 GMT -5
'You are wrong Gaara.' Irezu said quietly. The mare's voice was soft, but there was a hint of unyielding steel edging it. 'As long as you are living here in my domain, it and you are my concern.'
Tenga's ears edged toward a position of being pinned to his skull at Garra's tone. He did not like anyone, least of all this rogue of a Neutral, speaking to his half-sister in such a fashion. A glance from Irezu forced him to relax, though he remained wary.
The Lady watched as Gaara struggled to rise. The stallion's legs betrayed him, refusing to move. Irezu wondered what the extent of the injury was and if there was anything she could do about it.
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Post by A.marantos (Mar-Chan) on Apr 30, 2007 17:30:36 GMT -5
"It's just a flesh wound. It'll heal in a few days. I don't need any help," Gaara replied, frowning at the ground. He didn't need help, ever. He'd recover. Soon, hopefully.
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Post by Shadow on May 1, 2007 7:11:54 GMT -5
Irezu suppressed the urge to sigh at Gaara's response. Instead, she nodded slightly.
'How did it happen?' she questioned. Whether he needed help or not, she still needed to know what had happened that had caused him to be injured. Irezu preferred to know if she needed to be on the lookout for Lights or Darks out for revenge.
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Post by A.marantos (Mar-Chan) on May 1, 2007 17:46:49 GMT -5
"It was nothing, and is still none of your concern," Gaara replied, calmly this time. He didn't need for Irezu to eject him out of the herd, not yet, anyways. For now, he'd reject any ideas of fights, and save that until he could walk again.
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Post by Shadow on May 1, 2007 19:05:17 GMT -5
'You ought to answer her.' Tenga said, his stance aggressive as he glared at Gaara.
'Peace, Tenga.' Irezu interrupted. 'As long as it truly was nothing, then I will be content with that answer.' Though she did not say so, Gaara's calm reply helped a little in easing her concerns. She only hoped that such was truly the case.
Tenga forced himself to relax, resisting the urge to knock some sense into the other stallion.
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Post by A.marantos (Mar-Chan) on May 1, 2007 20:50:01 GMT -5
Gaara frowned at Tenga's aggresive behavior, the type of behavior he'd usually use, but couldn't at this moment.
Who did he think he was to threaten a demon, a fallen demon but a demon nonetheless, like that? Sure he was the Lady's bodyguard, but he had no power over this stallion.
Gaara forced himself to relax, resisting the urge to knock some sense into the other stallion.
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Post by Shadow on May 1, 2007 21:13:17 GMT -5
Glancing from one stallion to the other, she was amused to find that each wore an expression that was mirrored by the other. It would be unwise to voice such a comment, she knew. Tenga would be very upset to be compared to Gaara, and she could imagine that Gaara would feel the same way about being compared to Tenga.
Pausing an instant, disliking the thought of living any in her domain -- even such a one as Gaara -- fallen, Irezu quietly inquired, 'Are you certain you will not accept my help?'
Tenga waited and watched in silence, prepared to give in to temptation should Gaara answer the Lady's question in a manner that he felt was improper.
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Post by A.marantos (Mar-Chan) on May 2, 2007 6:29:37 GMT -5
"Yes, I'm certain," Gaara answered, glaring at Tenga, then back at the ground.
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Post by Shadow on May 2, 2007 7:01:22 GMT -5
Tenga's ears pinned back and he returned Gaara's glare with interest.
Irezu resisted an urge to shake her head at the actions of the two stallions. Rather, she nodded her head quietly in response to what Gaara said.
'You know that if you need anything, I am here to help.' she stated quietly, before turning to leave.
Like a silent white shadow, Tengan fell in alongside her.
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