Claim us as your own

[Halo]

She wants him to walk, but he is skeptical with the way his body aches. Trying to please her, he takes follows her at a creeping pace, his legs shaking with fatigue beneath him as he unlocks his knees and extends them to bring his body forward. All grace seems to vanish, his muscles failing to lend control to his gait and allowing his limbs to fall heavily back to the earth with each step. Already he feels his heart pounding in his chest with the exertion, lips parted slightly and greedily sucking down air.

“I’m...coming, Rana...” he rasps, an embarrassed paleness in his gaze as he stares after Rana, taking a momentarily break, a few seconds, before walking after the fae again. Coming up along her side, his body shudders as a breeze strokes his feverish frame, his teeth chattering audibly in his mouth. But she moves and he moves, not wanting to be left at the rear, but most of the time unable to stay by her side for long without lagging behind. The air he respires is rough in his throat, grating with each inhale and exhale, lung burning.

“Rana...I gotta...I gotta...” His legs shake and he has to quickly lock his knees to keep himself upright, stance wide to support his bulk. Risk looks towards his mate apologetically, ears folding back against his skull. ’I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ he repeats in his head. He lowers his head, trying to relax despite the tenseness throughout his physique. The stag sniffles a little bit and that’s when he catches a familiar smell. Smoke...but it’s not just the type of smoke from a brush fire or even when a forest catches on fire, there’s a different smell that lingers upon it.

Risk lifts his head, turning his dial in the direction where the smell is strongest, ears perked forward and eyes as alert as they can be. There is worry that flickers in his voids as his nose twitches, deciphering more from the smells wafting against his face. Matt. He smells Matt, he’s with Sammy and Rick. Oh no...
~Risk

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Rana helped him she stoppped when he needed to stop she was taking it slow she wanted him to recooperate even though he didnt feel like it. She knew he was weak more than anyone his body was pale his eyes glazed over from fever and he was just sickly to her it made her heart wrench itself she wanted his fever gone and somehow wished it was her instead of him she hated his suffering and she stood beside him through thick and thin she wasnt going to leave him unless she died and she would do anything for him. She looked at him and licked his shoulder. "Push yourself Risk till you cant push no more" she said to him thought it was soft and encouraging in her mind. She stopped her harks picking up sounds that were distant from her mind that took her back to the day she had broken free the day she had ran for her life the day she had finally stood out and took her own way not her riders.

The fumes are what brought her back it was no longer a fantasy she was living in. She had risk but those fumes were not her own imagination working it was the fumes of toxic gas which cars permit carbon and it made her snort and she stomped her hoof in a threat and aggitation she wasnt going to run but her mind was telling her to free but she wouldnt she wasnt going to leave Risk she would fight them tooth and nail. Rana turned on her hooves blocking Risk with her smaller body she plastered her ears to her crania they were coming closer and they were all alone bad things were fixing to happen her heart was beating so fast her eyes wide with fright. It was like a war you stood waiting out on the battle field for the opposing team. She waited the sound of a truck getting closer and closer it wasnt her owners yelling they were english not arab and she froze could they perhaps be the owners of Risk. "Risk...I love you" she said not knowing what was fixing to go down. She got closer to him supporting his body just in case they may have to try to make it through the river but Risk would never make it they were doomed.

[Halo]

Risk can hear the familiar rumble of Sammy’s old four-wheel dodge, ears flicking forward in recognition. But when he should feel relief he only feels trepidation and uncertainty. They would take him back to a life that he knows, a life that will be safe, and yet he does not want to give up this newfound freedom. He doesn’t want to leave Rana. Will he have a choice, however? He wonders that question as he sees the pick-up truck come into few, spies its faded red body and the memorably crack across the top of the wind-shield.

He nickers quietly to Rana, nuzzling her under her chin as the vehicle comes to a stop a distance before them. The passenger door opens, squealing on its hinges and then slamming shut as a young man steps out and swings it closed as he says something to the driver. Matt, Risk’s trainer and rider. He walks forward, extending a gloved hand towards Risk as he walks toward the two animals, one arm behind his back to hide the lasso he holds. “Risk, come here, boy. It’s okay. We’ll fix you up right as rain. Come here.”

Risk throws his head up and snorts, backing up several steps as he blows air with painful expression from both nostrils, ears pinned back and eyes rolling fearfully. His gaze turns to Rana, his beautiful Rana, as another, older man, Ricky, gets out of the driver’s side, fiddling with another rope behind the truck as he eyes the mare with their stud. Risk throws a look towards the other, knowing very well that they’d try to take Rana with them.

Risk, in desperation, rears onto his hinds, feeling the wounds down his back more than ever, striking out at the air in front of him in warning, calling to the silver fae. “Go, Rana.” He comes down and pushes against her, spinning her direction around. He nips her urgently, trying to get her to move. “I’m right behind you. Run, Rana.”
~Risk

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Rana watches as the red faded painted dodge got closer noticing the tiny details to the squeaky brakes. Her harks plaster to her head in a warning one that seemed to say stay back or I will crush you beneath me. When the men got out of the truck her legs were trembling with fear bull also anticipation. She snorted loud a whinny of annoyance escaping her maw and her hoof stomping the ground in another warning but they took her threats idly their mistake stupid humans. When one man grew closer and closer Rana let him come a few feet she saw one had but she had seen this done far to many time there was indeed a rope behind them when they did that. The one called Matt continued to get closer Rana stood her ground showing no fear what so ever. Though she was pawing the ground and jerking her head somewhat angrily. She side stepped turning to watch the older cowboy she reared slightly all the way up on her hind legs and lashed out at Matt in warning her teeth bared a shirll of neigh that meant stay away.

Before she knew it they were closing in on them and her heart was beating quicker. Then she felt the nips she was recieving on her rump from Risk he wanted her to run but she didnt she didnt want to leave him. Feeling herself being pushed and the urgency in his voice Rana goes straight for the other men making them dodge her and go to the ground moving out of her way or being tampled under her legs. She whinnied and bucked wildly showing the wildness of her she made it alittle ways down away from the pick up and called to Risk he wasnt behind her not yet atleast. She was following if he managed to get caught. She waited becoming aggitated and fidgety. Another whinny of desperation calling to him she didnt want them to take her love. After a few she couldnt will heself to move from the spot knowing they would be after her as well but she didnt move she could escape the humans Risk couldnt she snorted where was he she called to him again in a louder whinny "RISK!?!?! where are you RISK!?!!" she said in a yelling manner of a tone. She waited for the answer or no answer to come back to her harks.

[Halo]

He has never felt so torn before in all his days. On one side of him he wants to escape and be free of the bit and saddles that shackled him in his former life and on the other side he longs for the companionable strokes and soft words from Matt and the other cowboys back home. But Rana...she is the jewel of his new life that wins out above all other wants and desires and memories. She is the one he wants now and she is the life he wishes to lead from here on out. So he attempts to follow. He snorts in Matt’s direction and picks his legs up to carry him in the swiftest pace he can manage; because he has to be with Rana.

He passes Ricky, who is still picking himself up off the ground, and the stag is nearly free when a rope from above falls around his neck, pulling tight about his blue arch and holding him fast. Sammy stands on the bed of the truck, rope helped in gloved hands as he whinnies and pulls, rearing and kicking until the strength leaves him. He pants heavily towards the ground, pelt sweated and eyes rolling towards his human as the fellow approaches, talking quietly in his ear.

Bare hands come to lay on his aching flank, concern in the dark eyes as the heat burns beneath his palms feverishly. “Dang, he’s hurt bad, Rick. We should get him back to camp and get him fixed up,” he calls the his friend who appears from the other side of the pick-up with a halter that he slips over Risk’s head with ease, clipping the lead and unfastening the rope that had captured him. “Yeah, let’s load him onto the trailer.”

Risk calls out towards Rana, unable to see where she had went, just as he steps up into the stock trailer, his lead tied. He sticks his nose out the side as far as he can, air puffing out of his lung excitedly as he whinnies. The aluminum door shuts with a slam of metal on metal and he can hear the engine rev up as the key is turned in the ignition. He stirs, bumping about against the walls before calming down.
~Risk

(OOC: I figure they probably have a camp nearby where they’ll doctor him up and rest for the night before heading off to ‘home’.)

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Rana grew more worried by the minute her breathing slowing. After a mere moment she got irritated to the point of breaking out to go back to them she owuldnt mind being in captivity as long as she was with Risk. She came back to her mind as she heard the sound of clanking metal from the horse trailor and her heart dropping taking all the hope with her then she knew they had Risk. She shook her head her lowering to a droop she be damn they werent going to take him without a fight. She went into the cover of the trees following the line of them watching the truck begin off into the distance. The air filled her lungs she scaled trees like a wonderful dressage horse her gait was spaced out and timed in her own way. Her nostrils flared with each breath her chest expanded with each breath. She kept the truck in her sight at all time no longer was she panicking she would run to follow him to the ends of the earth.

When the humans stopped adoubly at the camp Rana stopped to her chocolate pools watching the human activity bustle about the camp getting bandages and penicillin for Risk. She would wait till dusk before actually attempting a rescue mission for Risk. She nibbled on bits of grass and drank from a pool of muggy water. The sun was soon dropping and dipping below the cloud only three hours left and then operation save Risk would be in effect.

[Halo]

Dusk comes peacefully and with a little less pain. What wounds that could be were stitched, all were cleaned and bandaged, and a good shot of penicillin is circulating through his system now. He stands tied to the outside of the trailer with enough slack that he can comfortably hold his head. Risk stands with one hip cocked, foot tipped to its toe as his eyes droop sleepily and the food in his hay bag left untouched. The roan’s ears swivel as he listens to the sounds of his humans around the campfire they have built, able to feel its warm eat reassuringly on his side.

He turns his head to look towards the orange glow, blinking at the reflecting light in his eyes and getting a familiar feeling back. It’s that feeling he always got before they set off on a trail ride or even a cattle run. But still, it is ruined by the shards of his broken heart stabbing his insides whenever his mind moves over the pretty face of Rana in his head. That’s all it seems to be now, a memory, and as the hours roll on she seems more and more distant as his spirit begins to settle back into of captivity.

Let’s face it! Life back there wasn’t so bad and he really does enjoy the work, even if it’s a little primitive. And his humans...? Well, they’re all great creatures: caring, supportive, faithful: and he loves his Matt, even if the kid is a little headstrong and reckless; he’s sort of like Risk, sort of. Risk’s honey eyes fall on the young man, sitting and stirring something in a pot they have erected over the fire, laughing with his face aglow with more than just the firelight. And the stag’s face turns into a small resemblance of a smile. But he still misses Rana.

Looking more than a little depressed, the roan turns his face away, taking a step forward to rest the bridge of his head against the cool steel of the trailer. His mood seems to have caught his rider’s attention since the human fellow strides on over, taking his steps cautiously lest he spook the equine; he has been out in the wild for over a week now and after some time he might be startled by human contact.

But the boy is pleasantly surprised as he lays his hands on the quarter arab horse’s thick neck, stroking tenderly, receiving a gentle nudge against his shoulder and a whispered nicker in reply. Matt’s face lights up in a huge, freckled smile and he reaches up to play with the stud’s ears, waggling them about in the playful manner they always do. It’s been a game for them. “Poor boy! Don’t worry! We’ll be home soon. Got a new pretty lady on the ranch that wants to meet you,” he teases, grinning at the thought that he might have just seen Risk’s brows arch up in interest. Sometimes the kid swears his horse knows what he is saying.

Risk rests his chin on the human shoulder, closing his eyes and resting his cheek against the boy’s head. And they stare there for awhile, just like old pals, as if no distance had ever been put between them. It feels good to be touched and loved by Matt again. But...he still misses Rana... At least she’ll still have her freedom and won’t have to be tamed; that’s how it should be.
~Risk

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dusk had come quickly and she had long been awaiting but the trees had made it darker when out in the meadow it was still somewhat bright. Knowing more than likely she would be seen no doubt about it she stood her legs somewhat stiff from the wait. She shook her slender frame chocolate orbs watching what lay below her. She slowly began to walk descend down the side of the hill not making a noice least she not hear an unknown predator besides the people she knew were near. Her nostrils were flaring with each breath and there was very thick muggy bogs out here she would much rather be somewhere else but Risk made her go on she had to save him just had to for them to truely be together. True she was worried and she had to make it to Risk before dawn or he would be missing from her life forever. True she was alone for now but it wouldnt be like that forever tonight was the operation she was gonna pull off her own and whether Risk was coming or not she was going with him she wasnt going to leave his side after all she did promise.

So far so good she could see the trailors gleam in the firelight not only that she could very much smell something was cooking over the pot smelled like roast beef,potatoes, carrots and something else something her arab people used to cook. She snorted lightly shaking her head slightly she did miss her human and being decorated up by her people it had been fun and being call beautiful by all the humans made her heart grow making her a softy but the race thing was not good at all it had drove her to near exhaustion she had been in several practice races and they had nearly killed her sure the stallions could do so could she but she could by nearly being dead.

The other two men were over near the pot of stew the other was probably asleep or relieving himself. She crept up silently not making a sound. She saw Risk he looked a hell of alot better than previous him being all stitched up and she was smiling she came up beside him her harks perked and she nudged him softly a low nicker emitting from her lips trying to get his attention which she was sure she had surely done and probably the men now all she had to do was get free shoudlnt be hard right that is until she saw something on the other side of Risk which made her head shoot up seeing nothing she shurgged and began to nibble on Risks withers.

[Halo]

It doesn’t sink in right away what sort of danger Rana is in coming for him like this. His nudges and softly uttered nicker alerts him to her, his whole being seeming to perk in recognition as he turns his body as far as he can to face her the best possible. He enjoys the nibble on his withers and he reaches out on his lead to touch her wherever he can reach, a soft purr-like sound leaving his lips as he smiles. But as he feels made stir against his side realization dawns on him, his head snapping up and eyes wide. “No...Rana, leave!” he whinnies.

Matt had snuck around Risk’s rump, the stag not having the heart to raise a foot at the boy, silently gripping his rope readily. Risk starts moving about, pulling on his lead and bumping against him, so, before he can be discovered, the human slings the rope, the loop falling with practiced ease around Rana’s neck. In the same motion, as it falls around the base of her lovely arch, he pulls the rope of twisted fibers taut, tightening the grasp of lasso.

He’s more than sure this is the same mare that they had found Risk with hours earlier. He doesn’t know why he had chosen to try to capture her, the figures coming no where near his brain when he just up and decided it. Sure he expected her react badly to being caught, but the anticipation didn’t quite hit his brain up until she starts yanking. She rears, bucks and twists, dragging him along as he tries to dig his cowboy heels into the dirt as she moves backwards. “Easy girl! Easy!” he calls to her in the softest way he can, both hand gripping the rope.

The other two gentleman’s attention are drawn to the noise, the oldest throwing his hands up the sides of his head and cussing, the other not able to contain laughter of either amusement or a reaction to his nervousness (maybe both). Risk, however, is freaking out the worse, yanking and pulling on his lead, rearing and banging against the side of the trailer as it rocks back and forth beneath his hectic onslaught. “Don’t hurt him, Rana! Please! Don’t hurt him!” he calls pitifully, still torn between her and his duty to the boy getting hauled along on the other end of the rope.

Matt hadn’t really thought this whole thing through, that recklessness Risk had been noting in his mind earlier showing through with full colors. He grits his teeth against the pain as the fibers dig into and burn at his bare palms, getting tangled in the excess length of rope. Finally he trips, landing heavily practically beneath the frantic Arabian and helplessly snared. The only thing that comes to his mind is to curl up into a ball and hope for the best.
~Risk

[$*CrazyHick*$]

She was smiling at Risk enjoying the feel of his muzzle on her. She continued to nip him however the movement of something caught her attention. A shadow almost human like but the other men were near the fire. She snorted loudly as Risk told her to leave and when she turned her head catching a glimsp of Matt and the rope going around her slender silken neck. She smile stupid boy he should have thought through things but it wasnt this he had indeed startled her and instinct took over first she reared letting her pistons aim for the head of the boy trying to scar him to let go of the rope. She was making Risk irritated making her think she was going to hurt him. She neighed and lashed out teeth and all. She just dodnt want the rope around her neck she felt caught knew she was caught and knew she should just stop struggling and making it worse for her and the boy.

Risk was yelling not to hurt him she wasnt going to however when she reared again fixin to take him for a drag he fell under her. Rana panicked figuring she just killed him. She hit the ground missing the boy but she fell crooked making her fall on her side. She got the air knocked out of her and she snorted lightly getting back up slowly shaking her head. She lifted her head looking at the "what the hell" she said coming over to the boy snorting nudgeing him in the head with her muzzle and nibbling on then tendrils of his hair and she could veyr faintly smell the scent of apple shampoo however all on him she smelled horse and leather. She looked up at Risk she had calmed down some she was just very aggitated stomping her hoof waiting on Matt to get up and stop belly aching he had caught her oh goody betcha next time he will think or she would definatly drag him across the meadow and through the woods. She pndered how fun that would be for her and not him. Rana was such an evil mind but it was all fun and games to her.

[Halo]

Matt holds very still as the mare comes near him, nudging him and taking a nibble at his head, he figures out of curiousity, and he opens one eye to watch her warily. There is a more calm light in her eyes now, but he waits a little longer before very slowly sitting up, grasping the rope in bleeding hands, and shaking all over as the rush of adrenaline starts to wear off. He stares up at the Arabian with unblinking eyes as he calls quietly to his companions from where he is. “Hey…someone get Risk’s spare halter out of the tack box.” And then there is the sound of Sammy’s feet shuffling across the turf towards the truck.

Risk had calmed somewhat, but still fidgets nervously as he cranes his neck to see what’s going on. Damn it, they have her and it’s all his fault. He whinnies in their direction, stomping his foot and bobbing his head. But they both appear unharmed from here, and that in itself brings him some relief. Still, though, the stag doesn’t wish to see his pretty, free, Rana in halter and saddle. She doesn’t deserve to return to a life she doesn’t want. “Rana?” he whispers.

His human is reaching tentatively up towards her face, seeking to make a gentle contact against the side of her muzzle, to strokes her forehead and cheeks. He smiles a bright and crooked grin, eyes alight with reckless fire. The lime green halter is tossed lightly to him and he leans for it as he continues the soft motions against her face. “Easy,” he whispers, offering the halter to her nose to smell, it smells strongly of Risk, before trying to slip it over her head. “Pretty girl,” he whispers.
~Risk

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Sure enough she was calm and allowed the skittish boy with the blood on his hand to get up. Rana snorted slightly as the older gent went to go get the pretty lime green halter she was indeed attracted to bright colors to say the least. As Matt held it up to her nose like she was an idiot like she didnt know what it was she sniffed it tentively smelling the strong musk of Risk made her heart. She pawed the ground and allowed him to slip it over her tint head her harks immediatly pricking foreward. As the human stroked her pelt she knew it was silken as if it had been brushed until it shined brightly the pelt slick and shiney like groomers did after a nice bath.
His touch was warm and gentle to the point she wanted to be like a dog indeed the halter annoyied her. So she rubbed her head roughly on Matt trying to get rid of the itch that annoyied her.

She snorted and her harks lifted at her name it was Risk. She smiled and nickered to him. "Yes Risk I am fine from here we will have to wing it operation still in effect" she said softly a devilishly evil smile that was playful and she reached her head over to nip Risks shoulder. She stepped foreward coming up to Risk wanting to be near him to smell him which she did as she lipped down his tender back. "How do you feel" she asked softly tender affection in her voice and in her oculars. "Told you hun I would go where ever you would so I will not leave you ever" she said softly licking his muzzle.

((ooc gah it sucks my brain died))

[Halo]

Matt seems to not care in the least as she rubs against him, laughing out loud and then forcing himself to quiet down lest he scare the mare. He walks her over to the trailer, surprised she should lead so well, reaching up to tie the rope to the trailer alongside Risk. As she lips his back he refuses to win, stretches his neck around to do the same to whatever extent of her neck he can reach. He smiles gently at her, a little sad, as she speaks, licking his muzzle. “It’s my fault, I’m sorry,” he whispers, nudging her nose gently. “But...it is nice you’re here with me...not here, but with me,” he admits, a little shame-faced seeing as they are together because they are caught together.

His eyes dart towards Matt, who had stepped away to be scolded. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, Rana. It’s just...” How does he tell her that he still cares about the boy? How can the attachment he feels to the human be explained while at the same time pronouncing the stronger attachment he feels for her, or saving the truth of the matter. He rests his nose against the side of Rana’s neck, sighing heavily, his breath rolling over her. ’I love you, I love you,’ he professes over and over in his head, but too scared to voice them out loud.

He hears rather than sees Matt go to the truck, digging about in the tack box they have secured at the front of the trailer, returning to the pair. Risk snorts at the young human curiously, stretching his nose out to smell the object in his hand, smirking as he gets playfully batted on the nose with the brush. “Keep away, glory hog,” the kid says playfully, though he and Risk both know how untrue ‘glory hog’ is to the stag’s personality. And soon enough he rests the hard bristled brush against Rana’s shoulder, doing several short strokes, eying her reaction, before slowly pressing and running the brush down her length. “Gooood girl,” he says quietly, leaning in to touch his forehead against her neck, smiling from ear to ear.

“Don’t be such a dang fool, boy,” comes Rick’s chastisement as he strides over with a purpose. “You don’t just up and trust a wild animal...that you shouldn’t have tried to rope to begin with.” He glares down at his smaller companion, who just about wilts, ready to go hide between the two equines to get away from his mentor boss’s reprimands. “I don’t think she’s that wild,” he answers quietly, barely a whisper as he rubs the brush down the length of Rana’s graceful neck. “She didn’t seem to mind the halter all that much...and she’s not scared of the brush or being touched...”
~Risk

(OOC: Hope this is okay. >.>)

[$*CrazyHick*$]

She looked at him and smiled knowing the sorrys were fixin to come so she rolled her eyes and nipped him softly. "Risk love it fine it doesnt bother me we will escape tonight I promise" she said so softly. She smiled she knew Risk was attached to the boy and knew he didnt want her to hurt the boy but still she knew and she spoke. "Ya know I know you still care for the boy and yes he is quite hard headed like someone i know so thats why I didnt take him for a drag" she snickered." She shook her head and her harks perked at what the boy was doing she was very much so a curious being. She was so curious she began sniffing quite loudly once again smelling the stew over the open fire. She tossed her head as he pulled out a hard bristle brush she could help it it made her nicker she liked to be brushed made her skin feel clean and dirt free. Risk seemed to like it to as he sniffed the brush and the boy spoke with a teasing smile and swat. As the brush connected to her skin she shuddered keeping her leg still as she could. She nickered to the boy to continue now feeling his head against her silken pelt she smiles and lips his hair in a playful manner. However the big mouth ruined the moment.

The yelling just had to stop it was ruining her concentration andplus he was just too loud. She plastered her ears to her head in a warning looking staight at Rick. The biy was feeling upset quiet for the older man telling him what to do and Rana felt her duty to step in she manuvered around Matt going as far as her lead would allow. She looked Rick right dead in the eyes snorted blowing her horsey boogers on him quiet clearly showing she did not like him. Then she neighed and lashed out nipping the man on the shoulder showing he was to close and he was not welcome near her Risk or the boy. She jerk her head in a nodding movement like uh huh served you right. She pranced back with a certain air of accomplishment. "Teach him to be so loud" she said with a laugh.

[Halo]

Rick cusses out loud as he feels the nip on his shoulder, pulling his hat off his head and swatting meaningfully at Rana before nursing his new injury. Yeah, that’ll bruise. Matt bites his tongue to keep his amusement down, knowing that it wouldn’t help the situation or aid him in keeping his job. So he turns away and continues the slow and leisure brushes down ‘his new mare’s’ body, paying particular attention to places where some old dirt still clung. The boy smiles when her coat shines on both sides and he drapes an arm over her back, leaning slightly as he acknowledges Risk. “Nice lady friend you found for yourself, Risk,” he compliments.

Risk agrees, tossing his head and grinning like a fool. “Yep! She sure is!” And he gets that same look he always gets when Matt feels like he’s being completely understood by a horse; yeah, that ‘I must be crazy’ expression between half a grin and half puzzlement. With a pat to each horse and stuffing more hay into the hay bag to accommodate the appetite of an extra stomach, Risk’s human wanders back to the firelight at a call that the grub is done.

“He really is a great kid,” Risk mutters, eyes following the mentioned human and remaining there a few minutes before he turns and looks at Rana. Loving warmth fills his eyes, made more extravagant by the firelight flickering in the pools. Leaning over he nuzzles her, licking her neck and nibbling her cheek. He won’t ever be able to live without Rana, though, not ever again.
~Risk

(OOC: Sorry it took me so long. >.>)