Another Day in {Dixie}

[<3Kodi]

FANTOM

The sound of waves rolling over the sand was always a rather enchanting lullaby to Fantom, reminding him of days long past when he ran beside a different love then the one he cared for today. Today his heart and soul went to Banshee, even if he had never really voiced the fact. Yesterday his heart had gone to a mare he had met when first tasting freedom but these days Fantom kept to Banshee and the foal they had brought to the world, the heiress of the west, a young enchantress named Merci young but already winning hearts. Usually she ran in her father's shadow but not today. No, today the ebony Western King had left his daughter in the care of her mother, Banshee, Queen of the West.

As his hooves left their deep prints in the pale sand, Fantom picked his way along the cove's beach, watching the waves. His flaxen mane flowed against his powerful ebony neck, the sunlight making his ink-colored form ripple as muscles flexed under the skin. The scent of salt filled his nostrils, deep garnet orbs taking in the peaceful scene of the Crystal Sky Bay. It was filled with quiet, something Fantom held near and dear to his heart even while leading the Cutberry Downs herd. He wasn't a talker and his very presence seemed to bring about silent in a way that even the waves seemed to calm. His jet black form accented sharply by flaxen mane and tail, dark garnet orbs and the graceful power of a Rocky Mountain Horse, Fantom seemed very much like perhaps the horse form of the Grim Reaper although he was far from. Mortal like any beast, Fantom breathed and bled, cried and died. Well, he hadn't died yet but he would someday. A simple fact the neutral king had come to accept in his relatively still young life.

Why a creature that made his home on the inland downs was here would make some wonder. Since he was however, the western king and thus lord of those that stood in the grey between good and bad, the questions were thus quieted. He was searching for those that sought a home under his protection on the Cutberry Downs. He was a fisherman of sorts, fishing in a sea of equines in search of those worthy to dwell in his misty and mysterious land on the open downs.

Thus, standing in the shallow surf with saltwater swelling up around his hooves, Fantom cast out his net in the form of a deep neigh that echoed over the cove, calling the neutrals, those that couldn't choose the dark or the light. Let them come and let them choose.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

You can't take me Yeah!
Got to fight another fight - I
gotta run another night
Get it out - check it out
I'm on my way and I don't feel right
I gotta get me back - I can't be
beat and that's a fact
It's OK - I'll find a way
It ain't gonna take me down no way yeah

[Chorus]
Don't judge a thing until you know what's inside it
Don't push me - I'll fight it
Never gonna give in - never gonna give it up no
If you can't catch a wave then
you're never gonna ride it
You can't come uninvited
Never gonna give in - never gonna give up no
You can't take me I'm free

.:Dixie:.

The strong horse thundered t hrough the land nostrils flaring with each and every breath she took as she ran. The hungry wolves back where she was. Only been here for a few months took on a large pack of wolves and not only that she was injured with a slide, Being in the wild and not missing her home not once except for h er lovely sister Honey who died during a storm six months previous. Dixie snorted tossing her head throwing her head back the pure bred quarter horse showing off her strength and endurance. The storng legs the wide chest the large hips. She would have been a good mother her previous owners were gonna use her for breeding to bad they didnt like her disposition cause Dixie put up a fight to protect her virtue which was a matter of fact still intact. The coloring of her pelt shown like the light of the sun so bright and vibrant and pretty lush compared to Fathom and even her brown streak that cut down her back was a darker color black making her dun and not buckskin. Her eyes when she wasnt angry or whatever pist her off on a daily basis was a very deep rich brown almost like swirling pools of chocolate. Her smile almost to die for she used to tease the stallions back on the farm she was wanted by all even the breeders. Dixie was also a champion barrel racer in her younger debut but now she was just a breeding utensil that backfired. The straight head and sure enough the small but wide set eyes.

Noises shook her deep thoughts away and she turned to look. Sure enough few seconds later the howls were heard and the pack was onto her heels. She had barely escaped them in the canyon she went through earlier. Her black tassles were flowing out behind her strong the ocean scent the salts and other minerals filling her nostrils and lungs. She whinnied and it sounded so wild so full of spirit. Her eyes blazed there was only three wolves she could take them. Mangy beasts teach them what they deserved. She slowed sides heaving nostrils flaring the deadly whites of her eyes showing and the sign of a brown pupil somewhere in all that white. The wolves had caught up. Talons and teeth meet thousands of pounds of horse flesh and hooves and teeth. Minutes went by and Dixie escaped the mutts tails tucked between there legs. Dixie just had a few minor scratches and felt very proud of herself.

The dun mare walked into the ocean waters the waves rushing up to her side and burning her scratches but also disinfecting them. She looked up these sights were all so unfamiliar to the femme. Where was she birds in the air over miles and miles of open water. Just about made her barf watching the waves move back and forth and even though it made her sick it relaxed her as well. Dixie broke out of the waters depth and listened what was that sounded like a neigh. She perked her ears and casually shrugged breaking into a slow lope that was casual. Then she saw him the tall stallion the dark color the mix matched mane. She snorted and thrashed at the ground with agitation he could be dangerous he looked wild. She came close hell she was curious who wouldnt be so she nickered to him a low and curious call.

Why did it all go wrong? - I
wanna know what's going on
And what's this holding me?
I'm not where I supposed to be
I gotta fight another fight
I gotta fight with all my might
I'm getting out, so check it out
you're in my way
Yeah you better watch out ohhh c'mon

[Chorus]
Oh yeah I'm free

[<3Kodi]

Nares flared as Fantom breathed in, taking in the salt tang of ocean water and all the other scents of nature around him. It seemed Fantom was not as alone as he had first thought for when he took in the breeze, the scent of a mare made him turn his crown. His first thought was that Merci had followed him until he caught the scent of wolves and humans clinging to the pelt of some no doubt newly escaped equine. Flicking his ebony ears, Fantom swished his ivory tail and waited. His renowned patience were rewarded when a mare appeared, slowly approaching looking weary. Keen optics picked up a few small scratches on her legs meaning she had been chased, no doubt by wolves. Fantom flicked his ears and watched her, not speaking but instead observing.

She wasn't falling over, therefore the wounds were not major. The dark stripe running down her spine was the typical marking of a dun, her coloring like that of rich honey with dark locks and brown optics. From this distance, Fantom could guess she matched him in height, about sixteen hands tall. She had black stockings and two white socks on her hind legs. Overall she was nothing special to look at apart from having a fine coat and obviously being a finely bred mare. Humans alone could have bred such creatures. How could he tell? Fantom had been specifically bred himself and had six other siblings he knew of and many he did not. Humans cared nothing for horse affections, whether they wanted to mate or not. It was disgusting but from the scents on the mare she remained untouched.

Fantom tossed his head, his flaxen mane flaring for a moment before settling again against his ebony neck. Garnet orbs watched the mare, neither curious nor demanding, simply observing as was Fantom's way. After a long moment of silence, the black stag turned and walked at a lazy pace toward the waters of the bay, seeming to have lost interest in Dixie. In truth he was still watching and observing. Even at a lazy walk the power in Fantom was evident in the smooth flex of his muscles, the ease of his stride and posture.

When his hooves reached water and the waves surged up over his hooves, Fantom snorted softly and looked over his shoulder toward Dixie, looking to see what she would do about his lack of interest or if she was here for his call. If not, he was not interested. He wanted horses with strong souls that knew what they wanted and where they were going, not lost mares cowering from wolves or frightened of any stallion they saw.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Indeed the stallion was uninterested but she was on to his little yearling game watch and see what happens. She flatted her ear plastering them to her head stomping her hoof. She whinnied to him showing him clearly she wasnt stupid and she didnt like his childish game. He was testing her and she hated being tested it was typical of a stallion breeding wasnt everything wanted to know what she was made of would she come or would she go type of deal. The salty air blew about them stirring up sand a storm was coming soon and it bothered her but also excited her. Her mother and father always told her she was gonna get in trouble. She smirked and casually came forward her eyes casted away. She would play his little game and get exactly what he was coming to its like a mother hen with a childish stud, She walked on by him and watched and reached her dial out and nipped him on the hip and then moved away. She nickered in a laugh. Served him right she thinks to herself and snorts. She rears slightly on hind hooves a fierce whinny of a challenge white in her eyes showing her wild spirit. She hit the ground with a loud thud wondering what this younger horse would do. A deadly playful smile alight on her feature she was wild in her heart and she made it known and took the risks that were necessary to have fun if that what you want to call it.

[<3Kodi]

If the fae had any more personality, Fantom was sure he was going to choke. She seemed unable to stand still, stuck somewhere between irritated and over excited about something or other. When she approached him, Fantom snorted and shied back when she bit him. Nostrils flared and he threw her an indignant look. Sure, Banshee had nipped him before and Merci had bitten him once or twice but this was a stranger. Far too personal. Fantom whisked his tail and stomped a hoof. This mare was obviously fresh of the farm because she didn't know him as a lead stallion and neutral king. He had no time for mares that were so flighty they couldn't hold their dignity together.

Turning, Fantom decided to find other areas where neutral loners were known to linger. Obviously here there was no civilized company.

The ebony stag snorted and started to walk toward the inland, leaving the rolling waves. His powerful legs danced over the sand, well developed cranium turned away from Dixie, once more ignoring her but now not as a test. Now he was just ignoring her because she obviously wasn't there because she knew who he was. She wasn't seeking a herd, just seeking to be irritating.

Fantom's hoofbeats were steady and firm, powerful bodice moving toward the inland. He didn't mind taking in newly wild equines but this mare seemed to not know what the term "serious" meant. Fantom arched his neck as he picked his way away from the mare. If she followed that was her choice since here he wasn't lord. Here was free reign but if she followed him to the downs, then he would confront her. For now, Fantom tried to give as little attention as possible to the impudent fem.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dixie gave him a defiant look. She tossed her head wildly nope she had been off the farm a good six months. Maybe her being so lonely cause her to loose some of her brains during this time. True she didnt know who he was but like she cared she was overly as crazy as they came and was alittle giddy but hey she would keep him company. A runner? hmm she snorted and shied away from the water edge as he took off in his leisure gate. Like he was gonna get rid of her that easily wrong answer. She liked a challenge and liked to run. Though she didnt know she would more than likely get in trouble if she followed him by lead mare or not. Dixie could v ery well make them hold their own and test them. She was very much serious just was used to the turn buckle of the guys looking at her and plus this was interesting and seeing him running made her itchy and want to run with him and beat him and be the best there ever was. She snorted and stomped her and she reared slightly a hoof taping the ground tossing her head knocking her tassles about. She bolted digging up sand and shells in every which way. Gone like a bat out of hell a shrill whinny after him she was following him and she was hot on his tail. She was liking this and was very much serious and Fathom didnt know her weakness was foals.

[<3Kodi]

Fantom snorted softly but kept up his pace at a smooth, easy gallop. The wind tugged at his mane and tail, ivory locks flowing behind him like ghosts in his wake. His hoofbeats echoed Dixie's as he kept his pace, neither trying to get ahead but not purposefully falling behind, just going along toward the Cutberry Downs. Fantom's garnet gaze tracked where she went, interested to see if she'd leave when they neared the downs or if she would keep running regardless of a herdland border. As they neared the downs, Fantom tossed his head, breathing in deeply to test the scents on the wind. He wasn't surprised when he caught the familiar scents of his daughter and love both relatively close to the borders. That meant one of two things. Merci had slipped away from Banshee or they were both waiting for him to return.

Without really thinking, Fantom lengthened his strides, putting more power into his movements to move faster. The closer they neared to his home, the higher he raised his head without realizing, eager to be back with Banshee and Merci but also to figure out what the heck the dun was up to, just bored or actually looking for something. Mares had never been his specialty, except for Banshee. She could understand him and this mare was just too energetic and confusing. She buzzed with energy and it was making him nauseas.

When they were within a hundred yards of the downs border, Fantom picked up the sound of horse hooves, lighter then the thud of Dixie's hooves. A narrow-bodied young foal appeared cantering toward Fantom. She had an ivory mane and tail, smoky black streaks beginning to appear and a flaxen colored heart on her forehead. The filly tossed her head and whinnied, the sound sharp and clear through the thud of horse hooves.

Fantom slowed his pace and came to a walk and halt standing on the border of the downs. Merci pranced up to him, growing fast because she had been a tall filly at birth and was going through one of many growth spurts. Her slender bodice and low withers, slightly high hips and elegant head were attributed to both Fantom and Banshee being her parents. Merci nickered and lipped at Fantom's mane before turning slightly mismatched red eyes on the dun mare, ears flicking up curiously.

"Who are you?" she asked, all foal-like innocence and curiosity on her face. Fantom arched his neck and snorted softly, amused at her getting right to the point. She got that from her mother, that was for sure.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Finally catching up to him and seeing the filly Dixies harks perked up a smile tugging on her features. Another scent caught her attention someone else was here and it was a mare but where was she. Dixie slowed her pace stopping right outside the border she knew where it was. She grinned at the little filly so out spoken it surely wasnt from her father must be from the mother since he was so secluded with his thoughts. She snorted "why Im Dixie" she said out right and she sounded like a regular old horse her voice filled with age but also spirit. Hooves caused Dixie to look up harks perked wasnt the brute nor filly. Brown eyes connected to dark dried blood eyes of a rather large mare besides herself which was all black and looking at her with mistrust. Banshee made herself known by nickering to her family and unknown fae. She cantered to them with a series of rhythmic beats and she was there due to long strong legs. Banshee looked the mare and flattened her ears she couldnt help it it was instinct momma got when other unknown horses were around their babies she knew Fathom could handle himself but Merci could get hurt. However Banshee did not speak so very unlike her but her eyes held a glint of warning to the new fae.

[<3Kodi]

Before Merci could say anything to Dixie, the sound of her mother's familiar nicker made her look up eagerly. Swishing her tail, the filly whinnied back followed by her father's deeper neigh. The filly looked from her mother to her father and then to Dixie when Banshee was finally with them, standing next to Fantom and practically glaring daggers at the dun mare. Merci didn't see what the big deal was, Dixie looked like fun but when momma had that look on her face it was usually for a reasonably good reason. Her ears flicked back and forth for a moment before she decided she'd had enough of sitting in silence like a 3D shadow. She smiled at the dun and whisked her black-streaked tail.

"My name's Merci. Did dad bring you here for the herd?" Merci asked, looking at Fantom expectantly.

Fantom turned his head to study Dixie with his deep garnet eyes before he spoke for the first time since seeing the mare. "If she chooses." He glanced at Banshee, obviously seeing her unease.

Banshee hadn't had too much of a problem with Squalin Ruins but Squalin already had twins and therefore wasn't a threat to Banshee or Merci but apparently his queen thought Dixie was some sort of threat. Fantom just thought she was hyper but could bring life to the plains, a little veriety apart from an ebony royalty and an untrusting mother of two. Also, thought Fantom wasn't one for stallions to challenge him, he knew Dixie may bring more of a gender variety to the herd should she find a mate and bring him to the Cutberry herd.

Merci's ears perked up in interest and she pranced around Dixie, reaching out to sniff at the mare's mane and poked her belly with her black velvet nose, mismatched orbs alight with curiosity. "Where do you come from? You smell like a dog!" Merci wrinkled her nose at the smell of wolf.

Fantom shook his head, one of his rare small smiles creeping onto his muzzle, casting a glance at Banshee, garnet optics subtly lit with amusement.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dixie looked at the little filly she was outspoken very much so. The mare before her seemed at unease about her? she didnt know why Dixie wouldnt hurt a filly it was gods most precious gift. "Merci its a pleasure indeed to meet such a little bal;l of energy like yourself" Dixie said calm and serene. When the brute finally spoke Dixie smile glad to know he wasnt mute though he produced decent offspring. Watching the little minx Dixie grinned "I guess so and i would gladly stay here" she said with a wicker to the little foal. 'Well I came from a breeding farm however I just escaped and fought off a pack of wolves" she said with a very triumphant gleam in her brown orbs. Banshee was still unsure but she had relaxed "you are welcome here I will just keep my eye on you I'm always cautious around new horses" she said carefully spoken still unsure which words to choose to not offend someone.

[<3Kodi]

Innocent eyes grew wide with wonder at the mention of a wolf pack. Merci swished her tail and looked over at Fantom. "Have you ever fought wolves dad?" The neutral king gave his daughter an incredulous look before turning and making his way further into the Cutberry Downs, his pace a lazy walk. After a few paces he dropped his head and began grazing, paying no true heed to whatever conversation the two mares and filly decided to carry on. He was alert for the approach of others or perhaps the wolves that had chased Dixie but apart from that he allowed his mind to wander knowing Banshee would keep a close enough eye on Merci four six parents.

Not really surprised by the lack of answer, Merci looked back at Dixie, ambling closer to the dun mare. "Weren't you scared of the wolves?" Merci asked, having never seen a real wolf before but she had heard a few stories. "Were they trying to eat you? I can't imagine horse would taste very good." Merci wrinkled her nose, unperturbed by her mother's unease of the new mare and her father's absolute indifference.

Yep, this was her family. Quiet and suspicious but she loved them anyway. Besides, she was still young enough to be interested in stories of things outside of the downs since it was Fantom's rule she couldn't leave unaccompanied because she was the only heiress and Banshee had no interest in being pregnant again. That was what Merci thoguht anyway. Either way she got along fine on the downs but she had a young mind and was curious about the outside world Dixie had come from, it made her wonder. Had Dixie come from another herd? Did she have a mate? Foals? Who knew? With a newcomer the possibilities were endless and Merci loved it.

Of course eventually Merci would grow out of her youthful wonder of the world but that wouldn't be for a while. She would someday have to grow up into the refined western heiress she was meant to be but for right now she let herself wonder and ask because if she didn't ask now she'd seem ignorant when she was older.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Banshee walked away some and began to graze lifting her head every now and then to let her dried blood eyes scan the terra for any misbehaving, Banshee had been in deep thought throughout this whole time she wanted another babe. She enjoyed this so much the thought of being a mother once more after all Merci was weaned and soon Banshee would be in season knowing that was only like a day or so away. She wanted another wanted to give him a colt a reigning heir if something happened to him wouldnt that be bad though. Banshee lowered her head it wouldnt be so quiet and plus Sequins little colt would have a colt to play with as well and not be so lonely surrounded by all these girls. Banshee sighed she should probably tell him now while little Merci was occupied by the new mare. So she did lifting her head slightly and going at a very slow gait to his side where she ran her nose down his broad sides he would know she wanted something somethign important to her though it may not be to him. "Fathom love I've been thinking I want another child" she said not sure what his thoughts on this would be and she waited patiently casting glace over at Dixie and Merci.

Dixie looked at the little filly she was full of questions she was willing to ask and for Dixie to supply answers. Dixie watched slowly as they walked away but didnt saw the glances from Banshee the little filly was heiress of course she was gonna be guarded with tooth and nail. "Naw I wasnt afraid there wasnt that many but it was a good adrenaline rush" she said going into detail of her coming across the three mangy wolves and how they had followed her to where she came upon Fathom. "Well little Merci I have to say wolves thinkk horse meat is juicy and tasty so if you come across one be aware they have teeth and claws and will certainly go after a filly or colt of smaller stature and if your not prepared to fight or run to your fathers or mothers safety they will eat you little one Im not trying to scare you but on my travels I saw it more than once" Dixie said with concern for the filly. Right now Dixie felt like the pretty babysitter while Banshee seemed to go to Fathom about something. The warm air blew about them blowing Dixies tassles every which way making her nostrils open smelling everything that was in the air and the comings of a storm that would go right by them. Dixie sighed and lowered her head to snag a few strands of grass while she kept the filly very much so caught up in her small tale.