.join in the dance.

[jesterboohoo]

.the trick of light.
.the moment in sight.

Soft breezes tickled with the branches of the overhead skyes. Something held in the naturous wimpsicals for a moment as the sun rose and fell with the clouds. The blades of verde moved in a flexing bend as the skyes whispered their own secrets to the sod.

A bod moved amoung the scenery, one of flame hue and essence within. A femme raised her dial and watched the flowers flutter a moment as variances of shades weave between them. Her harks perked and pools shone as she trimmed through the meadow in a delicate fashion.

She had no flashings, no daring daunting show. She carried with her no sense of showing off attractiong nor need to fool and play. She was as she was and she would be no more. Snorting a moment she bent her boa to the textures beneath her and sampled the vegetation. Sweet enough she decided as she stared north again.

Her first day within the new lands and she was nervous. It surprised her so much that she could hardly stand it. Tossing her ribbons across her boa, she lifted a tender dagg and placed it down again, careful to avoid the flowers in bloom. Nares flared, waiting to catch a scent of another nearby. Her daunting soul flew past her physical self to the skys above washed like the aquas. There in time she would rest again, but now was her time her.

.a moment in stance.
.join in the dance.

[Sun Chaser // Ishtar]

Thundering hooves announced the arrival of Sun Chaser. Golden pelt shimmered under the bright warmth of the midday sunlight, though encased in mud. Wild equines were not bred for beauty - they were creatures of spirit and inner radience - a lesson many equines of Sun Chaser's acquaintence would benefit from learning.

A femme standing alone in the meadow caught Sun Chaser's attention, not simply because of her delicate beauty, but also because of the humble silence in her motions. Though Sun Chaser was a fool (like many lights these days), there was simply something captivating about this femme..

Everyone is beautiful, no one is..

The stallion slowed, and finally halted. Though this femme was not flashy and flirtatious like many that had caught his eye, this stranger had something that he simply could not place - something new.

The stud made no haste to engage himself in conversation, but instead simply observed the femme's actions, waiting..

For what, he didn't know..

[/right]

[jesterboohoo]

.I danced in the beginning when the world was begun.

Chance spoke and whispered into her ear of rainbows and butterflies but she knew of better. Not all of it was life, just a vision of what many wished it were and would never be. Crossing further across the betrothed vale of blooms, she let her senses fall into time as she cared for each and ever blossum.

Her delicate dial tilted and moved again as she smiled to the sun-kissed ornamentals and then her mind moved a moment to the skyes. How one could wish life was as simple as a blossum, but she had seen both the beauty and dark side to nature and knew well enough not to rely so far on one before being seen by the other. How long would she remain to be a figment of surpassing sight? How long to be so vunerable?

Tearing her mind from the thoughts of her past, she moved about again and faced the South winds, warm and renouncing to her as she felt her tresses melt into the heated winds. But hark, a sense swam to her mind that awakened the femme from her daydreams... another presence?

Twisting her serpentine her larks sharpened in surprise to see a steed not far from where she stood. A radiant hide of shimmered sun spark... a gift from Apollo no doubt. Her nares flared as the scent of the comer, a scent of wild passion and free flight. Of earthen life and vast pride for the life about him. The scent few possessed now a days.

Closing her pools a moment, the femme breathed in a moment before opening her radiances once more. Placing one dagg before the other she moved cautiously forward. He appeared to be in the stance of a watch... a wait... would she be bold enough to sing? It would be polite after all... even if he was a stranger... it never hurt to meet the new through introduction.

A fair day, would you agree? she began in even melodies, harks swerving on her mild mannered tiara as ribbons lasped to the breezes that passed them now.

.I danced in the moon, in the stars and the sun.

[/sub]

[Sun Chaser // Ishtar]

Sun Chaser pricked his auds in return, showing a completely relaxed bodice and form. After all, he was simply that type of equine. A fool to the end of his days. He didn't - couldn't seem to comprehend that peace was now scarce, and much wanted. A small, unaudible sigh escaped the stud's nares before speech reached them.

The femme was speaking.

Sun Chaser felt a chill run through him, one that had nothing to do with the blazing warm summer day. Flowers and green peaks tickled at his hocks. Quite an annoyance. Stamping a dagger to the earth to rid his nerves of the unpleasant feeling, it was noted that he had not yet replied.

"Oh yes, though it would be much pleasanter with a few more souls lingering.."

Replied the brute, stepping forth to greet this newcomer. His golden pelt shone in the sun, only proving his weakness - vanity. Perhaps most lights were like that - enjoyed showing off and fliring to the best of their abilities, even if they were the ugliest things in the world. Then again, who was he to judge?

Resisting the impulse to remain silent, the brute broke the uncomfortable silence. Names, the perfect topic.

"I am Sun Chaser, Alpha of these lands. And you are..?"

[jesterboohoo]

<sub>Pools brinked a moment as the steed seemd in inner peace before he broke and moved closer still toward her. It only took a moment and she felt her tensions passing like the fluttering butterfly finally finding a peaceful landing.

She smiled a moment and listened to his song, remarkable all at once for her to be so still in the serenity of the place. But nothing so dear as this was ever so long lasting as she would wish it to eternally be. It dawned upon her that it was now herself who was late to reply in song and quickly placed her notes before her song.

Tatiana, she complied, my name is Tatiana. It's a pleasure to meet you Sun Chaser. These lands you bear are a worthy gem in the eyes of the deities.

She realized her ridiculous rhymes then and bent her tiara low. She felt foolish for her old speech sometimes, but it was the last of the memories that she could recall of her dam and sire, the old melodic like speech. She spoke in several tongues before but none were as comforting as the melodic tongue of the old english. Her pools whirled back to Sun Chaser, in distant watching, the warmth of the south winds again belowing about them both. The sun ever enticing his golden appearance, making him more and more a clone of itself.</sub>

[Sun Chaser // Ishtar]

<sup>There was a simple, rythmic flow to the femme's speech, not at all ridiculous. Her words seemed rather enchanting - a change to the ones of this land. She was certainly not from the mountain. In his little closed world, Sun Chaser had never met femmes flirtatious, power hungry, and vain before. Then again, everyone had greed and lust for power - it was simple equine nature.

A small smile alit Sun Chaser's features as the stud moved forward a few paces, complying to her meoldy with a dance of his own. Dial was lowered a notch in greeting and welcome, and thanks for the gracious compliment. After all, though these lands were his in theory, he was no responsible for their beauty.

"Why thank you, Tatiana. However, it is the deities we must thank for them."

Deep vocals were soft, to match the femme's own, though a tint of hesitation and teasing also tainted the song. He could not help but scorn cultures so different from his own - another fault in the stag's bank. Simply put, he was trying to comprehend, though felt a fool for trying..</sup>[/sup][/color]

[jesterboohoo]

.don't tell me the sky is the limit.

Dial moved upward again, seeing Sun Chaser becon closer and sing again. He was a shade all his own, and by several different measures. Culture wise, yes, this mountain... though she knew little about... was his and perhaps he owned it out of ancesteral gain. Then again he could have battled for it from another steed... there were endless possibilities. So long it had been since she had seen an equine she was amazed that she knew how to act.

They say life is a stage and we are the actors, perhaps that was the reason for all of it now. Not that it was a written script that she knew before, but somewhere it was written in her heart that she might know what to do. Maybe luck had changed and was presenting itself as a favorable time for her... she smiled to herself thinking so.

Her culture, now washed away and lost, was still bound to her but there was always room to take on anew. That was the beauty of life. Nothing is ever lost forever. There is always a fragment of it that binds with others and creates a new treasure for all the world to share. The mountain, the sea the stars, everything was a gift from the above and each being was a part of that great and endless life.

Releasing a sigh again, Tatiana stared into the pools of Sun Chaser. There were stories here as each and every equine alike carried. Each one their own rhythem, their own song, their own dance. She did thank the deities, yes, but not just for the scenery. For the chance now, for the chance at this life. They only come once and she was taking it in full stride.

We thank them for that and more. Tatiana whispered as she stepped a few paces about, still observing the terrain but remaining near Sun Chaser. I am new here, Sun Chaser, as you may have guessed... could you tell me more of these lands? Of this mountain?

She felt foolish now for asking, but it was true. He perhaps already assumed she was new and would be obliged to fill her in. If he laughed, she would perhaps just laugh too... it was the fault of being the newcomer to the lands, but she yearned to know. For to become a part of the land, the land must become a part of you and the only way to do that was to come to an understanding with it. And it seemed that Sun Chaser was the bridge to help her do just that.

.for I have seen footprints on the moon.

[/sub]

[Sun Chaser // Ishtar]

At her words, the brute's mud hued pools instantly sprang to life. Tatiana had found it - that one object that drove him - the one event that had changed everything, molded him. It wasn't simply Sun Chaser, but every equine had something that drove them, either a goal or a fear, or simply a memory. Why should he be any different?

The brute's pools now shone with memory - pains, happiness, but above all - lust. He wished the days long ago would repeat themselves, wished that this neverending hell would simply cease to exist. After all, was it his fault his sire chose him, and not Ishtar, all those years ago?

.life simply isn't fair.

The brute lowered his visage slightly, turning his pools towards the earth - and the rogue lands. Somewhere, he knew that Ishtar was planning.. Scheming.

"Well, it's quite a long story, though not at all complicated."

He began vocals now softer than ever. The wind was still, not affecting his vocals, nor story, the least. He glanced back towards the victim of his tale, feeling guilty already for the long tale to come.

"You see, these lands have been occupied for generations by equines, rules by my ancestors. The position has been handed down, sire to colt, for centuries. However, that tradition was broken by my sire, who handed the throne to me instead of my older brother, Ishtar. As a result, he left.. and came back for revenge.."

Sun Chaser spoke all of this rather hesitantly, pausing and finally halting at the end, story incomplete. It was quite plain that he did not wish to speak any further.

"But what of your history, m'Lady? It sounds colorful indeed.."

[jesterboohoo]

.you tell me not to frown.

Tatiana listened with her keen harks. The songs and drummings that filled the story and plagued it to life. She saw a glimmer scarce the gaze of Sun Chaser then, a flicker of his past, pain, pride, and future. Needless to say, there was much there to behold. And he spilt it into her like a child to a diary. She did not stir, a word she spilt not, but remained still with the winds about her as he played the notes of his story to her.

At his bidding finished, Tatiana let her tiara melt down and her boa crease. There was a story there and she saw his pain within it. Sensing the more and proding no further, Tatiana placed delicated daggs ever closer for a moment as she stared over west to the sun as it danced above them both.

You mean to say that sire handed firstborn colt the lands I presume... I can see no crime there, but simple judgement on the part of your sire. she began carefully. Have you heard of a hermit crab, Sun Chaser? I have seen a few in my journeys along the ocean shorelines. Small crabs they are that live within shells and scurry on land for scavengened food. But as the crab grows, obviously the shell does not grow with them so they must find a new one. Yet when the crab needs a new shell, they will not just go with the first one they find. They search for the shell of the perfect fit that will complete the job best as its new home. For the shell is not only the home for the crab, but it's sanctuary and protection.
Your sire may not have chosen your older brother, but perhaps there was a reason similar to my crazy story. As a sire most of all, perhaps he saw into the very soul of your brother and yourself and saw you as the more fit shell to shelter the lands he loved so much.

She hoped she hadn't drowned him out with her endless ranting. Hermit crabs. She could have kicked herself, but it was the best that she had and it did make sense, but still it annoyed her that she was so strange at times. But then her larks sprang again as he asked of her own past. She had nothing as glamorous as he had... a small herd, a great flood and alot of traveling. That was her past.

I am of nothing as flashy as an ancestoral lining... I came from a small band of equines that lived near a large river. We had a bad season of storms and the river flooded it's banks. Many drowned and many more were stranded and separated. I was lost from my dam in the river and was pulled down stream by the current and was dumped miles and miles from home.
I traveled the rest of my years then. Going from forest to sea, from sea to plain and plain to mountains. Traveling is great... but there comes a time when even the boldest of travelers come to a rest. I hope these lands will suit just that.

She kept her story simple in her melodic charms. Her history was not a fabulous piece of history but it was a part of her... what she remembered anyway. Everyday another piece of it went missing from memory it seemed as she went farther and farther from home and took in more and more places. But, yes, everyone must move on in life and she was here now. There were other things at hand that took her attention in greater need than the lurking past that drowned in murky waters.

.i say i've forgotten how to smile.

[Sun Chaser // Ishtar]

Hermit Crabs.

There was something odd about this femme. No, not odd. Different. Perhaps even better than the mountain folk. You didn't often hear similies being spoken around here, simply the same, monotonous introductions. Tatiana had put his tale in a new perspective - though she'd been one of the very few he'd told it to. Something about this femme's quiet humility gave Sun Chaser a sense of security - something he had not felt before.

.we all have tales of sorrow.
.They all need to be told.

Sun Chaser glanced towards the mountaintop, where the sun had already set well beneath the peak, shadowing the lands they were vested upon. A small frown tainted the stud's features - the day had swept past, like a second in the history of the earth. Perhaps it was time for him to retire.. But something about this femme kept him rooted to the spot.

"Yes, I hope so too. We all have tales to be told, I suppose, but 'tis the future that binds us all. Hope is a powerful allie."

Deep vocals simply slipped over Sun Chaser's tongue like a soapy ring off a finger. Now he simply had to discover where the soap was from. He certainly had not applied it.

The brute glanced back towards the strange fae. She had travelled further than he, and in a way, he envied it. To see the world must be a brilliant thing. He had never seen the ocean, though heard many tales about it from his late sire's relatives. Quietly, the brute's mind struggled to grasp what the future might bring..

"I've never been to the ocean.."[/color]

[jesterboohoo]

.I hope you never lose your sense of wonder.
.You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.

Quiet winds were muffled now in the mind of Tatiana. Somewhoe there was a slip of time, a dash of hoof on stone and then it was set. She stared in remenescence towards Sun Chaser, firm vocals he sang with. A deep bass amidst the saturn. The moment held in tranquility and let them hang there in the midst of that moment as time kicked again and sunset was upon them.

Tatiana turned her dial aside to breath in the sun's final farewells. She took in a gasp as the sun strobes struck her pelt and brought forth the flame in her hide and ember in her ribbons. A respect that she carried long and well from the ice in her socks to the spark in her pelt, it was all part of who she was. Harks perked as the sun finally moved beneath it's counter part, leaving the streaming crimson hues to follow in a firework display.

Dainty tiara moved towards Sun Chaser again, her liquid pools brimmed and full for the moment staring to the east, darkening with the night. The first and brightest stars were just beginning to show through too... the gems locked in the eternal canvas sky. Senses snapped in the fatalis's mind as she took in Sun Chaser's remedies as he mused over her tale.

The ocean is a wonderful place... you see much when you travel and the ocean is always one of my favorites. yet she sang bittersweet for there was still what Sun Chaser had that she did not. She wasn't sure how entirely he'd understand, perhaps he knew... he should before he stared to her life wishing he had seen what she had. But you don't realize how lucky you are to have what you do. Not just this place... this home. It's one thing to be alpha, but it's another thing to have lived here since you were birthed. This is a terra that you can trace your roots back to. You have great kings and ladies who rest here that come from your very lines. I haven't that. The traveling life is one of adventure, but it is a lonely misdemeanor... you wear out easily and then must rest again.

Tatiana pulled off a moment, the curious moon flowers opening and sprouting in their magificence beneath her. White pelted all about the meadow as the lucent orb of snowy alabaster rose above all below. Tatiana pulled her gaze there and rested it a moment. The future. There was much there. How she wished she could mend the past and know the future, but that was beyond any being of the mortal life. Only in dreams and there they remain.

Sometimes I wish I was home again at the river with my herd. Sometimes I wish the storms never came. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so bold as to stray like I did. she whispered. But if I hadn't none of this would have ever come to be. They say these things happen and you will not know why, but there is always a purpose within. Perhaps I am still awaiting it, I do not know, but I don't cry anymore over it. It's useless to spook about the past.
The future is what's important now and I'm sure within Miracle Mountain it will be alright. As for your brother... I notice you stare off sometimes as we speak... I sense your worry, Sun Chaser and I don't blame you. But don't let him interfere with your future here. Many are the equines who line up behind you in loyalty to the death, your brother has much to gain before he can hope to achieve what you have through your spirit and pure heart. The ways of the malevolent are strong, but have a weakness you know all to well.

She wasn't sure how long she had carried on. Again she scoffed herself for her long speeches. Such a burden at times... it was a gift from her dam being able to speak the ages in song and mend the ways. If she hadn't confused Sun Chaser before, surely now she had. Night was near and upon them and her gaze was content to the stars. Her banner mingled a moment with the wind, dancing with it as her tassles flapped about her boa. Her gaze genlty pulled downward to stare back to Sun Chaser, to what he would say all along about the passing just murmured.

.May you never take one single breath for granted.
.God forbid love ever leave you empty handed.

[/sub]

[Sun Chaser // Ishtar]

.was he oh so transparent?
.or is the femme wise?

Sun Chaser gave a wry smile, though it was not a knowing as he might have wished. He knew nothing of the outside world, though much about pain and despair. It wasn't an everyday thing for the inhabitants of Miracle Mountain, though Ishtar had brought a cold awakening.

The stud searched for words to match the femme's own, for suddenly, all he spoke felt foolish and childish. However, none came.

"Sometimes, Miracle Mountain acts like a sanctuary. No harm can come to us while we have our raging rivers and dense forests. Though it's no longer safe from the wraths of Ishtar, mortal matters have no effect on us here. Or, at least, from my own point of view."

Deep vocals showed signs of wanting to comfort Tatiana, though the soul he was really comforting was himself. More and more, signs of danger were approaching. Droughts, followed by storms. Violent tides, blinding sunshine. It was far different from before - and it was all his fault.

But whether his troubles were nothing compared to Tatiana's was not for him to judge, nor herself. After all, a being's troubles always seem doubled the amount of others'.

As the sun left it's place in the sky, it's last ray chose to shine on Tatiana, not Sun Chaser, whom it had favored for so long. The brilliant oranges and reds reflected again Tatiana's fiery pelt, giving her the appearance of a pheonix. She truley was enchanting.

They must have conversed for quite a while now, as the moon was finally beginning to shine in its full might. The heavens were littered with small stars, twinkling and dancing merrily. There were fewer stars each day. The humans had a lot to answer for..

He knew she needed a home. Perhaps she would consent to reside with him? After all, the Miracle Herd was in want of stallions..[/size]

[jesterboohoo]

.I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean.
.Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens.

Alternating larks moved slowly and let full bod turn to face Sun Chaser once more. She saw his smile and returned it so. With the night upon them now, she released a sigh again and counted the far and few twinkling stars. They were one of the last reminders of her old home where the stars were as vast as the sands on the shore. Always twinkling, never dying, always there.

Her mind peddled a moment with thoughts and notions as Sun Chaser spoke. She agreed with him. Every home held for itself that sense of comfort... but not home was perfect. Even the safest lair had a weakness, it was only normal and all she'd expect. Mountain Miracle was proving to be a great sanctuary... despite what flew between the lead and his brother. Time would unfold more for them surely... but for now this was all that she would have dreamed of and more.

Tilting her dial about, she tossed her ribbons in an array of moonlit shade. The night was cooling and gentle on her hide. She flitted her nares a moment, testing scents and sights again and again. Time had chosen to fly and now she would retire for the eve. Sun Chaser had been great company... for which she was grateful. She stared at him contently, not sure if he was here originally just to wander or to find femme's... they had hardly touched the subject. She laughed lightly in spite of herself. She never pushed the claiming process... then again... she had never been claimed before. But she would wait many a moon as long as she was safe. Surely Sun Chaser had a family to retire to as well.

I didn't even realize how late it was... Tatiana laughed as she stared to the night sky. but it is a beautiful night.

.Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance.
.And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
.I hope you dance.

[/sub]

[Sun Chaser // Ishtar]

Tatiana's tinkling laugh was like a melody in the night, and Sun Chaser turned to her with a rather broad smile on his features. This night was nothing spectacular, really, compared to others long before. However, there was one thing different about today - he had other equines to share it with. Surely, not even a million stars shining as bright as the sun could make up for Tatiana's warm, influential company? Nor her laugh, a sound as bright as the moon itsself?

For the first time since the raid, Sun Chaser truely felt at peace. He finally felt at home. It was a strange feeling he had long forgotten - a sense of security, a strange and unbased knowledge that you could fly - for when you fall, there's someone there to catch you. It was odd that a stranger could make him feel what his land could not. His land, which he had resided in for all his life, and had come to know as home.

The moment was over as quick as it had come. Sun Chaser was sorry, but it seemed that his instinct had deserted him. Of course, the brute had always been on the lookout for new femmes to claim, though his sole intention for descending from his dwelling was to gather news of Ishtar. Of course, Tatiana wouldn't have a place to stay tonight..

"Oh yes, but this Mountain has seen far greater.."

He replied, with the air of continuence.

"Tatiana.. Do you have a place to stay tonight? These plains can get lonely at night.."

The brute shifted his weight onto his hind legs, letting his forepistons rest. He felt his tendons instantly relax, reminding him how he had not yet paused to relax today. It was tedious work, travelling up and down the mountain..

[/size]

[jesterboohoo]

.I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance.
.Never settle for the path of least resistance.

Yes the peace was here. Tatiana usually found it in the night sky and all around her in the things that grew. She took it all in and tried despertately not to take it for granted. Love and life is a gift that should never be taken for granted. As if in her own whimsical, she watched the heavens of openness shield their stars again. Like the endless northern light, there was always a hope.

She turned her attention again to Sun Chaser and listened to his speech. Her mind paused as it took in his songs as she stared solemnly to the ground. Lonely? She had been alone all her life. It was nothing new to her. But Sun Chaser perhaps never had been on his own as long as she had... there within lay another difference, but nothing of stead and mightiness. She tipped her tiara then again to Sun Chaser and murmured another lullaby.

I've been alone since I was young, I don't fear it anymore, less I were in a place of shadows but here I sense I am not. she sang in smooth chords with a soft lit smile. I would wait here an eternity for only fate knows where I will go from here... or any of us for that matter.

More riddles again. This time she didn't even chide herself. She just fell silent and listened to what was around her. She was within the herd and within safe boundary, if Sun Chaser was needed in his home terrain, she would wait again without complain. She was by nature bold, but she had sense in her dainy dreambox. Love only comes to those who believe in it and greatness only comes to those who believe in the power of their dreams.

.Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'.
.Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'.