New beginnings for two (for Trinity)

[Halo]

He’s free, free from a place that held so many horrible memories for him. And so they are free together: Trinity and him. It has been many weeks since he was haunted by the ghost of his former lover, weeks since he had thought about any horse except Trinity (not for a sufficient length of time anyways). Though the process has been a slow one, Lurch can feel the tingling, itching sensation of true healing deep down inside his heart and soul. At a tardy pace the tendrils of torn spiritual flesh are knitting back together, sealing away the tenderness that was exposed so badly to the world and its harsh reality. Slowly he’s being made well...feeling more like his old self more and more every day.

He walks along the beach of Charmed Shoreline, his companion beside him as they splash through the incoming surf and squelch in the wet sands. Lurch watches the waves curiously. He had never seen such a large body of water before. Sure the lake known as the watering hole in their previous homeland had been big, but not nearly so as this. It seems to go on forever, touching the skyline and continuing on past their line of view. It’s awe-inspiring, humbling, even a little scary.

“I like it here,” he starts, voice quiet as he lets his eyes roam on the surface of the ever-moving waters, “so far.” The grulla mustang turns to look towards Trinity then, tilting his head and letting his ears move to and fro with curiosity. “What about you?”
~Lurch

(OOC: Sorry, kind of lost my muse for the post towards the end.)

[trinity]

+ Large hands of water slapped against the shoreline, sending white foam seeping through the pearl sand they walk upon. It's a new place, a new start, for both of them. There are no deadly hauntings here, no horrible memories or scarring remnants of what she had growing up. Or what she didn't. The expanse of water is breathtaking, stretching so far that she wonders if it ever ends. Does it stretch back towards their old home, thinning out until it morphs into the stream that fills their watering hole. No. Their old watering hole.

+ It touches her hooves gently, tickling just at the edge of her feeling. The colors are hypnotizing. How is it that so many greens and blue can mix together in such a natural blance. It was never like this at home. For a moment she stopped and took an experimental step into the tide. It brushed against her lower legs, crashing gently around her feet. Carefully she bowed her head, sipping the water experimently. Wind rushed out of her nose and her nostrils flared with suprise, disturbing the water below her face before the tide took over again. It tased nothing of her old home. Gears turned in her head as she fought to figure out whether that was good or bad. It was more...tangy. The word popped into her head on cue. "Salty." She muttered, half to herself.

+ A soft voice brought her attention back to the present and she nodded her head in agreement. As always, at a loss for words. She remembered the journey here, her mind flashing through the blurps of conversation they had. Few. Obviously she wasn't much of a talker. She never had been; raised in silence she found peace in quiet. "I like it." The voice that left her black muzzle was soft, shy almost. "I hope nothing goes... wrong."

+ Trinity turned, her dark coat sparkling red in the sun, and pressed her face into his neck, breathing his scent for a moment. "Thank you. For bringing me here." Bright blue eyes shown with sincere gratitude and the hope for adventure as they scanned the beach.

+ Where to begin?

[Halo]

Lurch’s eyes widen slightly as her face nestles against his neck with such gentle pressure, the feel of her warm breath tingling upon his skin in a long-forgotten sensation. He stops in his tracks, her pace stopping in tune with his, and he simply stands there for a moment as his thoughts race. The grulla stallion bends his neck in her direction, green eyes blinking at her with both curiosity and a fear tinged uncertainty. It seems like forever since...

“You’re welcome,” he says in a whisper croaked by emotion, ears falling back slightly as he considers ‘them’. Leaning forward, still allowing room for her to remain as she is, he extends his muzzle and nuzzles her pretty arch, licking it in an affectionate kiss as he takes in a large gust of her scent, exhaling heavily against her. It wouldn’t have been the same without her, he tells himself, but can’t seem to find the nerve to tell her that.

He smiles and draws back, allowing his to wander down the shoreline as he speaks to her, trying to keep his mind off her against him as it makes his head whirl too fast and he’s afraid he’d get dizzy and fall over. “What do you think?” he begins and pauses, blinking. “Where do you think we should take ourselves? Should we explore maybe? I wonder what sort of herds are here; I haven’t dwelt in a herd for a good while now. Maybe we’d settle down.”

His thoughts had mixed in with his words. ’Maybe we’d settle down.’ It’s a wonder, a sort of hope or distant dream, that he has pondered since she agreed to travel away with him. He’d grown strangely fond of her, felt them draw closer despite their differences. So he sort of figured that they might eventually come to terms with these feelings, if she shared them. And isn’t it natural that two who feel...like this...for each other settle down with one another?

Lurch begins to realize what he had said and his face grows hot beneath the dark fur of his face, a horrified expression staring at anything but Trinity. He went and made a fool of himself, didn’t he? He’s got to think less when he speaks...or is that think more? God, he’s confused.
~Lurch

[trinity]

+ Her heart stopped for a second, skipping a beat before sputtering back to life. With his soft nose brushing against the arch of her neck she found it impossible to prevent the flush of warmth under her skin. Slowly she began walking again, keeping an easy pace as she walked closely to the stallion, suprising herself with the trust she had in him.

+ A lazy black tail swished back and forth out of habit, though there were no bugs due to the constant spray of water off rocks. His words tickled the hair in her ears and she found herself entranced with his voice, so used to his company she could sense it more than anything.

+ Settle down? Well maybe. No. Probably. She had a small hope she had felt the same about her, she liked being around him. Liked him; loved possibly. But she had no definition of the word, no solide ground to stand on when it came upon the subject of giddy emotions. The mare nickered softly. "Let's explore a little bit. Then maybe we could find a place to settle down."

+ The thought of their own territory was both probable and enjoyable. If he wanted her she would stay, there was no question. With a tilt of her head she watched, bemused and amazed, as a large bird dove down towards the water, its talons skimming the surface and emerging with a small fish.

+ Her weight sunk back on her haunches and she reared. Two long legs slashed at the air before her, a happy whinny escaping her body. Trinity landed gracefully, turning bright eyes to Lurch, a smile spreading across her face.

[Halo]

It didn’t matter to Lurch if he started his own herd or not when all that matters to him right now is to spend his time and life with Trinity. He would be just as happy serving under another stallion if she were by his side. He contemplates this as she speaks, nodding slowly in understanding. He feels strangely content and joyous today, but in a calm way. The brute still has yet to find that old spark that he had possessed before his heartbreak. It’s there, he can feel it, but when he reaches for it he can just barely graze it with the fingertips of his seeking. But one day…soon…

Trinity rears onto her hinds and Lurch steps to the side to be sure not to be in her way when she came back down. She lands within the surf, sending splashes of saltwater all around, creating dark wet splotches upon the side of his own grulla pelt. He laughs and shakes several droplets from off his face before half rearing and coming down heavily in order to return the favor the mare and get her wet as well. And a game begins in the shallows of the water, even up to their knees as incoming waves lash with equal playfulness at their legs.
~Lurch

Words: 216...yuck...sorry I didn't post yesterday...got caught up in another thread.

[trinity]

+ The splash was returned and the mare jumped back, shaking the water from her coat though she knew it was useless as a teasing game broke out. With a friendly whinny she turned her body, throwing small waves of salty water at the stallion with her hind hooves. Crystal clear water was thrown in the air, decorating the space around them with twinkling droplets. For a moment she paused, ears forwards, as she admired the crystal effect the salty liquid had on the atmosphere. But as gravity pulled the glimmering shower back down to earth her thoughts were too.

+ With a taunting gaze at her companion she threw her body in motion. Salty air whipped through her mane and tail as she coasted past Lurch with a smile stretched broadly across her face. She knew she could easily win in a race with the stallion if she pleased. She was speed, in the flesh in bones; and the only thing that kept her grounded was gravity.

+ Water sprayed from her hooves as her velocity became faster, yet very simple for her powerful legs. For a moment her forelock was pushed from her face, revealing both of her electric blue eyes before it flopped back down into place, covering half the black star that had been splashed across her forehead since the day of her birth. "Catch me if you can!" She threw the words over her shoulder with a laugh, slowing just a bit.

[Halo]

Lurch laughs and ducks his head as waves of water sweep up against him off the motions of her hinds, eyes shut tight to lock the water out of his vision. But by the time he can open his sights up again and turn to observe his companion, she has already taken off along the surf line, shouting out a challenge after her. His eyes widen for a moment, frozen in place as the new branch of the game comes to light. And with a toss of his head, flinging his wet mane, he follows suit.

The stallion’s heels kick up salty spray as he dashes forth to catch up to Trinity, muscles bunching beneath his efforts, carrying his frame hastily towards her. He keeps his pace just behind her rump, stretching his neck out as far as he can to nip at her rump playfully. With a jump and a bound, he arches his back and buckets, head dropped and mouth agape as he lashes out with his hinds at nothing but air. He squeals and breaks from his frolicking to stretch his pillars out further to come neck and neck with Trin.

“Hello,” he pants, with an exhilarated smile on his face. Oh, he doubts he can beat her. He’s build for average speed coupled with endurance. His lungs burn for the need of a rest, but he would push them until they collapse if his pretty lady wanted to continue their race. But beneath him, his legs threaten to stumble, feeling his symmetry come unbalanced like screws loosening in their joints.
~Lurch

[trinity]

+ 'Hello.' A labored phrase caught up to hearing, following the small bite placed carefully on her rump. For a moment she turned exhilirated eyes to the stallion, detecting his heaving sides with effort as he fought to stay neck and neck with her. Of course there was a few options. She could push herself, easily overtaking him with out even touching her true power, or slow down to let him catch his breath.

+ Energy surged through her limbs, just a tiny burst of speed compared to what she could really do, and she pulled ahead. Her thick tail swished by his nose before she stopped, hooves spraying water every where as she skidded to a halt infront of the grulla equine, cutting of his path with a devious glint.

+ At the last moment she jumped out of the way, throwing her body onto the dry sand and giving Lurch plenty of room to slow and stop. A velvet nose stabbed the air a few times, her front hooves hovering about a foot off the white sand. "I think I win." She teased, cantering to his side, barely out of breath.

+ Gently she pushed her nose against his, enjoying the warmth of his body as she tried to slow her racing thoughts. A large pink tongue swiped across the stallion's face, a rare sign of affection from such a shy mare.

[Halo]

She surges ahead and he can’t force his body to any greater speeds than they are already managing. He’s at his breaking point despite how he forces himself beyond, grateful when Trinity slows and stops. He hits break, wet sand and water flying and then he simply stands there, heaving sides soaked with sweat and ocean water, mouth agape now as if it draws more air into his feverish lungs than if it were closed. His legs want to shake with fatigue but he tries so hard to keep them from doing so and making him look foolish. He coughs loudly and shakes his head before returning to panting.

His competitive side feels its pride busted open, wants him to shirk away from Trinity with a pouty grudge smudges over his muzzle, but he’s too tired to comply. Besides, he really doesn’t want to. She’s fast...so what? She presses her nose against his and he adds a little pressure in return, smiling faintly when she laps a wet kiss on his face. He’s too tired to return the gesture, eyes half closing. “Yeah, yeah, yeah...rub it in, sweet cheeks.”
~Lurch

(OOC: He’s joking when he says that, by the way)

[trinity]

+ It became immediatly obvious to her she had pushed him to his limits. Well, now at least she knew his breaking point when it came to races. And she hadn't even begun to feel the exhiliration. Pity. 'Sweet cheeks.' Her newly calmed thoughts swarmed around the words, picking them apart like a pack of voltures as she searched for a hidden meaning. A single ear flicked back, slightly confused though the emotion did not touch her face. Instead she smiled brilliantly, trained to let everything roll off her back like water on a birds' feathers.

+ But as she answered with her simple smile she finds herself surprised by the way she hoped for another meaning. Longed for it. Air continued to be sucked heavily through the stallion's open mouth and his sides still heaved with the effort of catching his breath. A questioning look appeared on her face. She wondered what it felt like to be out of breath, to run out of energy. A small toss of the head and the thought was gone; vanishing.

+ Gently she let her nose slide downward across his face, making a lopsided x between their two heads. The mare's eyes flickered close and her ears flopped happily forward, a sign of true comfort. The gently lapping of waves against her hooves was the only thing keeping her from drifting out of the reality she was beginning to love. "Where do you want to go now?" She asked quietly, her voice soft and light, eyes opening just a bit to inspect Lurch's reaction.

muse; fuego - the cheetah girls
words; 296

[/i][/font]

[Halo]

Lurch is beginning to get his breathing under control, the tempo leveling out, and his pulse is soothed by Trinity’s gentle touch. He closes his eyes, enjoying the comfortable silence that is between them and momentarily leaves off on answering his companion as he enjoys the other voices around him. The gulls cry about them, the waves lap against their ankles, and there is the subtle sound of the soft breeze stirring the sands. He opens his eyes with a quiet sigh and turns his gaze towards Trinity, staying still for not wanting to dislodge her from where she is.

“We could explore around here for awhile, huh? I bet there’s lots to see here,” he mentions with a smile. He’s never been to a beach before. Sure he’s seen sand and water, even some land gulls, but this place is so expansive it seems. There must be tons to see here. It wouldn’t hurt to stay and explore, be a couple of beach bums, for just a little while. And when they are done lounging around and taking in the sights they can leave their mini vacation and get back to the real world.
~Lurch

[trinity]

+ The stallion spoke and she moved her face away from his, letting his words float for a moment between them before nodding her head in agreement. The white sand and colorful water seems to go on forever. Does it ever end? It must; it wasn't at their old home. But she likes it better here, the vastness of the world around them and clearness of the air, it would be better if it never ended.

+ "Sounds good." Her tone is upbeat and she turned her body to the never ending expanse of water that stretched before them. It seemed so... irredescent; the colors shifting happily from a deep blue and purple to a light foam green with white swirls.

+ Something scuttling along the beaches caught her attention and she trotted over to it, tail held high with the excitement. "Lurch! Look at this!" Upon the fine crystals of sand sat a motionless a small red creature, its armored body frozen in fear by the large muzzle nosing the ground before it. Hot air blows out from her nostrils and the animal shrinks back a tiny bit. Amused the mare gives a small buck before ducking her head again, the result different.

+ The crab reaches a bulking arm out and pinches the soft, fleshy tip of her nose. Immediatly she rears back, throwing the newly found dangerous creatures a few yards away. Trinity prances around on her toes, wiggling her nose wildly in attempt to rid herself of the sharp pain. The whites of her eyes fade as she turns to look for her companion, still nursing her damaged nose. "dam beachdweller." She huffs.

muse; shake it - metro station
word count;

[/i] 315
puppet; trinity [/color][/blockquote][/font]

[Halo]

Lurch can’t help but to laugh out loud at the result of her curiousity. There is a saying in the human world: ‘curiousity killed the cat’. This is an example where curiousity got the equine’s nose pinched. He watches the creature fly through the air, something he is sure the little beast is not supposed to do, but land with a light thump in the soft sands. Its eyes move about on its eyestalks, its pincers snapping shut menacingly as it charges a few steps towards its enemies.

The stallion can’t help but to trot sideways real quick at the armored knight’s bold move, a wide green spread across his maw. He crimson, spider he’ll call it, scuttles up the beach, sand flying at the mercies of its swift legs. It climbs up a rock mass and disappears over the edge, Lurch’s ears catching the faint sound of a plop as it finds a pool of water to submerge itself in where it can hide from further…nosey…visitors.

He turns and trots over to Trinity, extending his muzzle out and licking her nose. “Did he get you?” he asks, a chuckle of amusement in his voice. His ears swivel, a light dancing in his eyes that say he’s laughing...on the inside.
~Lurch

(OOC: CRAP! Sorry I made you wait so long! It slipped my mind that you had posted! Sorry ‘bout that. Crappy post by me…)

[trinity]

+ A soft tongue brushes over her small wound and she opens her eyes to see Lurch's face, able to clearly detect the laughter in his eyes. "Yes he got me." She mumbled unhappily. The stinging had gone away and it still felt a little sore but she decided on letting it heal without interuption. "Such a good start at our new home." The mare attempted to crack a joke, nearly choking over own words when she said 'our home.'

+ Quickly she returned she gesture, brushing her muzzle over his cheek before turning away, heat pulsing through her body. As she lowered her head to nose the sand she felt the familiar soreness of a bruise from the past. Her chest ached where Stray Bullet had kicked her that one day. A wince contorted her features for a moment; half from the pain of the movement and half from the pain of the memory.

+ Their hold home was like a haunting to her, a shadow to every footstep she took. "I never want to go back." A tiny whisper escaped through unmoving lips, barely audible above the crashing of waves around them. "Lets never go back." This time her voice was louder, clearer. "We can't."

+ Even in the time they had spent together there was so much about her that Lurch never knew. He had never known about her past and the life of loneliness she grew up with. How even her heard barely noticed her and she was terrified to leave that wretched place, to afriad that moving her roots would kill her. So much had changed.

muse; falling inside the black - skillet
words; 317
puppet; trinity

[Halo]

The brute’s smile fades so suddenly that the muscles that had created the expression are numb with surprise. It was impossible to keep it upon his features, though, when he can detect such sorrow in his lover’s voice, the wince that she had drawn into herself when she lowers her head. Extending his neck, he nuzzles her lovingly, a reassuring ‘I’m here’. He licks her chest in the spot where his half-brother, his own flesh and blood, had attacked her with a vicious kick, as if kissing away the pain. Oh how he wishes it were that simple. “Trinity,” he whispers, resting his forehead against her and hoping he can make her feel better by just being close.

“We’ll never go back, I promise.” He detects weakness in his voice, weakness for her pain and her sorrows. Lurch knows he is not emotionally strong enough, mentally fatigued and incapable of truly healing the past in her. True, he doesn’t know all there is to know about her past, but even if he would it wouldn’t matter to him. She’s here with him now and he wants to make the most of her companionship now. Lurch can only pray that she can understand him, enjoy his presence as much as he does hers. “It’ll be okay,” he says quietly, lifting his head to look her in the eye with a soft glint. Still, he can’t make a smile on his face.
~Lurch