Do You See Me? (Banshee)

[<3Kodi]

The moon rose full and proud over the lapping waves of the ocean waters. A sea of stars reflected in the churning waters as small waves rolled lazily over the sand. From the trees that fringed the beach, a proud stallion standing sixteen hands strode out of the shadows. His ebony coat rippled smoothly like liquid over his powerful muscles. Blond flaxen mane swung lightly against his neck, banner tugged lightly by the summer breeze. Fantom's coat was of finest ebony, as black as the sky overhead, rippling in the sterling light of the silver orb.

Fantom showed the finest of his breed with a gait that was smooth and powerful. His overall appearance was elegant with a well shaped head, low withers and finely set hips. Long powerful legs carried him gracefully toward the beach, his hooves leaving defined prints in the untouched sand. Fantom's neck was slightly arched but overall his form was streamlined and accented by simple elegance. The Neutral King stood atop a sand dune looking out at the waters with his warm garnet-colored eyes.

It was his gaze and appearance that made many uneasy, plus his quiet nature but Fantom was unbothered by the thoughts of others. They said his eyes looked like blood but merely like red wine but he couldn't blame them really. He was a simple mix of black and white, his coat colored onyx with matching streaks in a stunningly flaxen mane. His smooth stride and powerful stature often had him mistaken for the spirits for which he was named. Striding down from the dune, Fantom walked along the beach, the waves rolling around his hooves, alone with the quiet night appearing like some spirit of darkness or sea.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

I hear your voice on the wind
And I hear you call out my name

"Listen, my child," you say to me
"I am the voice of your history
Be not afraid, come follow me
Answer my call, and I'll set you free"

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice, I will remain

.:Banshee:.

The night of the summer of late August. The drizzle was steady never ceasing to finally rain the clouds so dark black they looked as if a flood or some deadly storm would come of it but it didnt it was steady. The ground below was soggy and weather worn however the grasses were strong and stayed put unlike the mud which made footing worse and could very well cause a horse to loose their footing and break a so dearly needed leg. Soon the rain thickened and came down like the clouds that held the precious water had ripped in half by being so heavy, and thunder accompanied the lightening by lighting up the sky for all who dared brave this storm they were either mad or seriously liked a challenge. The wind beat against the peltage of all who dare brave this new storm. The end of the rainy season and it decided to let loose with all of its godly wrath and still nothing decided to brave this storm or did they. Trees dotted the little area just mere shadows in the area until the bright streak shot through the sky and lighted the area showing everything in a flick of seconds before the loud boom of thunder followed like a steady beat of the gods in a party of their own.



Hooves thundered across the large span of area. Deadly hooves kicked up all kinds of dirt and debris. The winds ripped at the unknown horse letting her tassles rip across her face like hands trying to rip it clean off. The rain stung her eyes and held a slight chill but nothing like fall or winter rain. Her black coat seemed merely a darker black color now being wet it lost the luscious shine of health. Her black mane clung to her as her tail shot out behind her like some type of predator locked on its prey. Her medium sized satellite dishes were plastered to her dial as her breast heaved with each breath she took she was still running from her sad past like it was her fault stilll noone knew they always saw the golden fae running like a bat out of hell like some force of evil was hot on her tail but none ever came after her she was a lone muscled Irish Draught Horse out in the wild where she certainly did not belong. It wasnt natural though right now she did secretly want to be a mustang but not anymore she couldnt be a mustang their hearts could never be broken hers certainly was broken into little glass shards maybe someone could fix it.

She belonged in the farms of ol Ireland when the snow came she would merely sit in her stall like a bump on the log until spring then she would be able to run for she and her sister. However she had merely ran away from what had just happened about three months being shipped off to a slaughter horse was not fun at all. She had been running and running she wondered if she even knew how to walk anymore. Though she also noticed the rain had slackened was that her answer to stop running or to merely keep going? The moons rays broke through the clouds like the gods were saying yes that is the answer yes that is your fate stop running from something that you could not stop stop running from the past. Banshee slowed her steady fast paced drum roll and slowly slowed down to a walk it did feel right horses were meant to walk and run when they wanted to feel free right? She still had those thoughts in her head and knew she would never be able to fully be rid of them but she could always try right. She finally stopped to look at her scenery where was she she had been running and running and was probably in a place meant for beauty for this place was certainly beautiful. She stopped letting the little drop of rain water to roll off her pelt and her dial rose to look up at the sun which rays seemed to caress her face and tell her everything would be okay maybe this was the new life she was feeling.

Her dried blood red eyes looked around at the scenery before her where was she. She had been so caught up in her running away from something she feared she was here now but where a beach. She walked into the water edge letting the waves come to her she felt like a siren from the old folklores. Her black mane billowing in the winds where had the storm gone it wasnt even here now and the moon and stars were bright in the night sky like it hadnt been there. Her eyes turned to hooves seeing a dark colored brute she smiled she had company finally and her eyes sought him and she came closer her eyes curious. She spoke and her tones were sweet yet neutral maybe he was aloner like she but he didnt look it and it made her smile "Hello" she said the moon silohetting her figure in its rays making her seem more than what she really was.

I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone
The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow
Ne'er do I sleep thoughout all the cold winter long
I am the force that in springtime will grow

I am the voice of the past that will always be
Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields
I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace
Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice

I am the voice of the past that will always be
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice of the future
I am the voice, I am the voice
I am the voice, I am the voice

[<3Kodi]

Raising his elegant head the ebony king rested his warm garnet gaze upon what appeared to be a mare. The moonlight cast deep shadows over her already dark coat making it hard to discern certain features but Fantom had spent years around others like himself, Rocky Mountain horses and horses of other pure breeds. He had picked up a fair sense of telling between mixbreeds and purebreeds. Obviously the mare approaching him was of the purer linage though he didn't know well enough to tell of what kind. His flaxen mane whispered around his neck, glinting in the moonlight, his dark red eyes flashing as he turned his head slightly at the mare's voice flowing to him over the waves.

Inclining his head, Fantom nodded politely to the mare. The nod was his silent greeting for while he appeared to be a bold fighter, Fantom was silent until asked specific questions or his input was necessary. For him, actions spoke louder then words in most situations. Words could only get someone so far where as your actions created a person, molding them in ways that words could not. That was how Fantom was, a silent creature always watching through eyes the color of red wine, a specter of ebony and ivory.

Fantom stood in the waves, foam rushing around his powerful legs, no longer walking but not turning away from the mare. It was an invitation for her to come closer if she chose, his posture relaxed and his bloody gaze watching her calmly, the moonlight revealing the true depth in the coloring. That was why Fantom favored the night, it brought out the full depth of his ancestors' beauty that had come together to create him in the power of his muscles, the color of his eyes and many features besides.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

The mare watched him curiously was he mute. Surely he was not however she sought his company and stepped closer. It did not matter if he was mute she could still befriend him. She came closer and only stood a few inches from him. Adoubly he didnt mind her company since he invited her over with a nod of his head but he still handnt spoken so this encouraged him. Banshee was of a pure bred lineage and she liked it though it did have it problem with her having been a broodmare and her owners failing to breed her which made her smile. Their fault not hers she wanted to love the stallion she was put with not hate them with her very being and those she had been put with had been charming but they only wanted one thing she was not willing to give so she fought them tooth and hoof not afraid of them. She was of the taller mares recieving her height from her father instead of her mother who stood around fifteen hands flat unlike her father who stood around sixteen point three hands.

As her eyes roamed over him she couldnt help but notice his lovely red eyes her being a shade or two darker. He looked like ebony and ivory his color of his body being black and his mane pure white he was very handsome and loved it perhaps he wouldnt mind some company of a mare she could be wrong though you never knew who would like company these days. She wondered who he was so she voiced what she was thinking and gave him her name "Hello I am Bashee what may be your calling" she asked curiously blinking once letting her lashes fall softly and then once more opened he interested her and was wondering did she have to be more straight foreward or was he shy. She frowned softly in deep thought and seemed in her own little world but she wasnt she was fine and came back to herself waiting for him to speak

[<3Kodi]

Fantom watched calmly as the mare moved forward. He made no move to stop her since he had after all given her an invitation to join him, silent though it had been. His garnet gaze watched her with neutral interest, examining her now that she was more out of the shadows and at closer range. What his optics revealed was a mare of fine breeding, ebony in color even her banner and tresses which was a bit unusual. Most black equines had some sort of marking of white or imperfection that marred their solid coats. Fantom himself was no exception, his flaxen mane and tail considered an imperfection among other breeds but highly desired among Rocky Mountain horses, especially for breeders. Both his parents had lacked the flaxen coloring but most Mountain horses were carriers for it and it had showed in Fantom, clear as day.

The mare, Banshee, however, was remarkably unmarked. Her coat was as black as a moonless night sky, no star or blaze upon her face, no stockings on her long legs or streaks in her mane. Fantom found it easy to imagine she was highly desired by stallions and humans alike but he himself did not judge simply on beauty or perfection though he found it nice to be able to look her in the eye without arching his neck or looking down. Most mares were fourteen-fifteen hands high at most and it pleased him to find a mare he didn't have to look down to. Another surprise Fantom found was her eyes, the color of a rich red wine like his own, though perhaps a shade or so darker.

"My name is Fantom. I lead the Cutberry Downs herd" he replied, his lyrics deep and rich, polite and cultured without trying. His voice, though seldom used, told a lot about Fantom. It reflected a deep personality, a patient soul and overall a mystery. Not everyone understood him, not everyone could stand him but it didn't bother Fantom.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Yes she was pure no markings at all even her eyes were alittle off but judges never looked at eyes. They looked at her body and how sounds she was. She looked him for a moment and what is this he speaks and his voice made her heart skip a beat and it frightened her this was not how you were supposed to feel to a total complete stranger. Her eyes grew wide with this feeling of uncertainty. Her eyes watched him and she smiled "thats a lovely name and its a pleasure to be in the company of a lead" she said in a nod of respect to him. She had learned to respect those higher than you or sometimes bad things happened and it didnt normally turn out ot be good things so she was the subordinate int his case and it happened to not bother her at all. She was highly desired but not that desired if she got sent off to the slaughter house to not being able to be bred and injuring her left hind leg. However it had healed completely it not phasing her at all and in the end she had completed the jump to her freedom which encouraged her even more.

She shook thos past thoughts from her mind and looked at him. "So do you come here often" she asked him curiously . Though it was kind of cheesy and it bothered her she was being a complete total dork not knowing what to talk about and was afraid she was to make a complete total idiot out of herself if she kept it up and didnt want that to happen. She was already nervous enough being in the prescence of a lead. However it made her very happy and scared all the same would he try to kill her or perhaps some other things. She looked out over the sea where the moon touched it and the gentle breeze blowing her tresses about "its a lovely night is it not" she asked softly breathing in the sweet smell of salt and water.

[<3Kodi]

Fantom could feel the nervousness radiating off of the onyx femmora and it saddened him to know he struck fear in someone. It wasn't something he did intentionally but it always happened whether it was his size, his colorings, his tendency to pop out of nowhere or in this case his standing as a recent lead stallion. He didn't tell her the lands had been given reluctantly by the former lead mare in the event of her mate's death. Banshee didn't need to know that much and if she found out later that would be fine but for now Fantom wanted to get to know her. A quiet stallion though he was, Fantom knew the importance of bringing home horses for his herd to rebuilt the herd at the Cutberry Downs in a way that Twilight Darkness and Mozart had failed.

Turning, the stag began to wade into the ocean waves. "Yes, I come here often. The waters are comforting." The stag waded until the waves rolled just under his belly, his legs submerged. Some of his flaxen tail floated in the waves when the surged up around his legs. Looking back over his shoulder, Fantom regarded Banshee. "In the way you act it seems you follow no lead, am I right?"

Yes, Banshee was making progress, he had spoken not once but twice. Though it wasn't in his nature to ask questions but usually brood and watch until he found his answers, Fantom decided to entertain Banshee and perhaps knowing he could speak and such would help get rid of some of her nerves about being around a lead stallion. Besides, if he was going to invite her to his herd, which he was pondering, Fantom wanted to know a little about her and some things couldn't always be learned through observation despite that being his common way of finding things out.

Also, Fantom couldn't help but notice she reminded him a lot of his first love, an alluring and charming mare with a pelt untouched by scars or markings, shy at first but bold when she was used to him. That alone softened his heart toward the mare. She wasn't like Mozart, torn up and insane by her grief but calmer, like the sea in some ways.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

She stood there silently her eyes never wavering a bit. She was relaxing at once as he talked to her. He had gone from very quiet to chattering which she liked and it soothed her worried mind least she knew he wasnt mute and that made her happier. She flicked her harks lazily and then watch as he entered the water with piqued interest she saw he loved the water maybe there was some reason why she wasnt intent on asking him that was his business maybe once she got to know him better then she would ask more personal questions or maybe she would just keep her mouth shut like a good horse who wasnt nosy. However she did have a curious streak about her and sometimes it lead to trouble but not her she knew when to stop unless she knew it wouldnt harm her. She had never had a true love so s he couldnt understand what Fathom was feeling for her but she knew she had a faint connection to him.

"Your right I follow noone for I am new to these beautiful lands" she stated with a smile. She couldnt help but smile and pawed at the water edge and came slowly into the water but not to quickly just enough for the water to brush her chest and so she would be able to hear him over the roar of the waves. She looked up letting her body bask in the moonlight she liked the water but she had never been in the ocean much less let the waters touch her. The water were soothing and was thanking god she didnt have no cuts or scrapes on her for she knew it would burn and for that she was glad. She watched the brute he was so handsome and yet she wondered if he could love someone like her a simple purebred lass who was a nobody from ireland.

[<3Kodi]

Fantom turned his head away from Banshee, looking up at the full moon. To the west he saw the clouds of a recent storm retreating toward his lands. If he arrived back in the Cutberry Downs by morning he was sure he would find it soaked but the fact didn't bother Fantom much. Rain would help revive the dulled out lands, help it to flourish again. Garnet orbs traveled from the growling clouds in the distance to the moon shedding her beautiful light upon the two equines. He loved the night because She had loved it, Lorian, the mare that had found him about six months after he had found freedom. She had been a simple mare, just wanting a herd and to be safe and loved. Simple dreams that had endeared her to Fantom in a way that made it feel like she was forever in the back of his mind making sure he didn't leave her behind.

Turning his head, Fantom laid his gaze on Banshee. She wasn't flashy or unusual, simple in her ways but so much like Lorian it made his heart both heavy and light creating an unusual sensation. She looked like a part of the night sky, striped of stars but given the shape and life of an equine. The blood-colored optics gave her the illusion of complexity so much like the night Fantom adored, simple but complex, shallow but intense.

Taking a step closer to Banshee through the water, Fantom reached out his muzzle to brush her mane lightly, a friendly gesture. "Do you wish to follow or walk alone?" Fantom asked, his deep voice loud enough for her to hear, his warm garnet eyes searching her slightly darker optics.

Something about Banshee compelled him to offer her the choice to follow, the option to join him. She was simple in appearance, she spoke shyly and yet Fantom couldn't brush her off as he had Mozart. Perhaps he had known Mozart would break at the lightest touch or perhaps it was simply that this mare was much like the one he had loved. Whatever it was, Fantom wasn't going to ignore it. He had been right to turn away Mozart so perhaps he would be right in taking in Banshee.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

She was just watching him this wierd attraction to someone you just met like a messed up form of soul mates. Her soul seemed to call out to his and she felt as though his answered it. She smiled and couldnt help it he made her happy by him just being here talking to her having a light conversation which interested her even though it wasnt very much talking better yet just getting to know one another but he didnt ask alot of questions which didnt bother her. When he turned his head to look at her she looked back into his eyes seeking what little peace he had within himself. His voice made thing tighten and make her very uneasy this feeling was back again like it was compelling to her. When he brushed her she shuddered feeling all tingly inside and feeling like his touch had set off thousands of little electric currents in her body. No stallion had made her feel this way it seemed it was only him and it was a wonder. He spoke to her and she let her harks twitch a smile still lighting her features "to follow you would be a delight" she said softly. Her eyes watched him and then finally she let her muzzle brush against his letting her nostrils flare in a brieft smell of his masculine scent.

[<3Kodi]

A soft sound of content rose from the stallion at the mare's feather-light touch. It was shy but Fantom felt it, like warmth spreading from the place she touched. It was nice, different from when he'd been around Lorian. With her his affections had been shier, more of a blind devotion because she had been the first to show actual affection to him. Raised by humans himself, Fantom had been expected to breed with mares regardless of who they were, his pairs chosen by humans in their desire to continue the fine breeding that had created Fantom. He knew he had several half siblings himself due to such a method. Meeting Lorian had given him his first taste at affection and love toward a mare.

Now however, Fantom found himself content to simply be with the simple black mare standing so close. Water contented him naturally but being around Banshee was a different sort of content, it was a contentedness within his soul he hadn't felt since Lorian had died.

To hear she would like to follow him sent a surprising swell of surprise and pride through Fantom. Affection crept into his garnet gaze making them glow warmly. "Leading is necessary but doing it alone is tiresome" Fantom neighed softly.

The Rocky Mountain Horse was sure it was love he felt toward Banshee and it amazed him how quickly it took hold. Soulmates were things he had heard of in fanciful tales his mother had told him when he'd been a very young colt. Firefly had been a free spirit, unhappy with her life has a broodmare and carrying many foals to many stallions. She had harbored no love for Black Knight, Fantom's father, but Fantom was sure he felt genuine affection for Banshee and her simple appearance, her simple soul easily contented like his own. True the love was different for Lorian's but...Banshee was a different horse.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

She had been raised to have high standards. She had been pushed and pushed to her limits. With rigorous training and devoted trainess. When the other horses had fallen to severe exhaustion Banshee had been forced beyond lathering sides and forced to jump a jump which would be the downfall of her career. She had injured her leg the rider had snatched to hard on the bit when she went to clear the jump. The rider had fallen and so had she ruining both of their career. Since she wasnt able to be bred and her look of no longer being able to jump she was shipped off to the slaughter house where she was starved and watched as horses and cows alike were slaughtered for meat and whatever else people did with animals. She had sought her freedom and shortly had found it and wondered what happened to all those other animals in the slaughter house and wondered what become of them though she was sure she didnt want to know.

She shook her head not wanting to think about her past. She looked at him and listened to his odd sentence what was he telling or asking her. To be his lead or to simply state leading by himself was lonely job which she was sure it was. So she tilted her head slightly and spoke "Fathom what do you mean?" she asked curiously. She didnt quite understand what he was telling her. She smiled letting her eyes meet his and was happy very happy.

[<3Kodi]

Fantom smiled lightly, the first time he'd even ghosted a smile in Banshee's presence. Normally his expression was neutral, detached as if he was watching everything from a distance or as a ghost. Now that he thought about it Fantom did his name more justice then he had fathomed before. Now however, he allowed a small smile to grace his elegant features. He was known for cryptic remarks and even if he was normally humble it did make him a bit happy to notice he could always confuse an enemy if it really came down to a life or death fight that depended on a split second of distraction to save his life. His thoughts flickered briefly to Mozart. Sometime in the future he would face that sort of battle.

Turning his ebony crown, Fantom took his gaze from the Irish mare before him and gazed out at the open sea. "There was a mare in the herd I rule now. She demanded I take her as my mate so she could keep her power in the herd. Ancient law gave me the right to turn her away but it is a heart's decision that made me send her away." His heart felt heavy as he thought of Mozart. He had wronged her, taking her her from her as she grieved for her mate but it had to be done. Despite the fact ancient laws had given him the right however, Fantom was still ill at ease with his doings.

"Now I seek a mate not because I am threatened but because a heart is lonely with only itself, there is always another half. I'm giving you the offer I declined Mozart."

Fantom turned to look away from the sea and back at the pure black mare beside him, eye level with him and matching him in her simple elegance. He would not be offended if she turned him down. He would not be surprised. He would still offer her a home in his herd if she chose it.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

She watched the smile curl on his lips pleased with that one gesture she couldnt help but widen her own smile. This brute Fantom made her feel different made her feel whole and so much more he made her complete. She followed his gaze out to the ocean her eyes following the lines of the roaring waves and the sounds of the water splashing up on the rock and sand. She twitched her harks this place was so serene like she was meant here but she belonged to a herd. As he spoke to her of another mare her heart dropped but as his words registered in her mind she thought the mare selfish and knew it was law of the stallions they rule it was always that way and reasons why lead mares had to make certain sacrifices. This mare would probably lead to problems in the herd and now he was looking for him a lead another piece to his being and he was asking her to be it. She was speechless and unsure what to say it had shocked her what could she say she looked at him her smile still upon her features. She truely cared for this brute and wanted to spend her life with him so she spoke sure of her answer "I accept your proposal" she said not knowing what else to call what he was saying " so I will fill your loneliness and you shall fill mine" she said nudging him softly with her muzzle nickering to him softly.

[<3Kodi]

Still not a full member of his herd, Fantom knew full well that Banshee had every right to decline him and he could do nothing about it. Outside of the Cutberry Downs he was simply another stallion asking for others to join his herd. He was not king here or anywhere outside his borders and that gave the fae every right to decline his offer. He half expected her to but when she didn't, Fantom felt his heart lift. Oh it had been at least two years since he had felt so completely content. Arching his neck slightly Fantom returned her gentle nudge, breathing in her scent. For now she smelled of the sea as he did but he could still smell the unique scent that was simply her lurking under the taint of sea salt.

Moving slowly, in a relaxed manner, Fantom led his new mate out of the waves. She had accepted his proposal and now it was time to take her to show her the lands she would rule as his equal. He kept his pace relaxed, not moving far from her side, only slightly in front of her to lead and guide. The naturally smooth stride of his kind became shorter to accommodate any unease or nervousness that might make Banshee hesitate. She could still turn him down, send him off and say she'd made a mistake though he hoped she wouldn't.

(as far as i'm concerned this thread is over after you post)