Just Us? (Metallic)

[Arctic Fang]

~`~Metallic~`~

Dream reared up a bit as the creature, a monster that she's never seen before, came up out of the water and seemingly attacked Moon. It all happened so quickly that she didn't have time to get to Moon's side in order to help him. Dream was an expert in kicking since she's had to defend herself more then once. She observed the donkeys at the farm and learned out to kick properly and the most affectively.

The male though was by her side in an instant, herding her away from the water. Why had he done this? Perhaps it was sheer instinct on his part but Dream followed and allowed him to do the job that he seemed to be a natural at. Affectionately she nudged his neck while she looked at the water with rather wide eyes. "What was that?!" The female's breath was panting and her nose snorting with disgust due to the ugliness of the vile creature.

[<3Kodi]

Still breathing rather heavily, Moon pretended not to notice how close was standing to purple mare, flanks almost touching. Swinging his black head around, Blue Moon eyed the murky waters suspiciously, as though the distance between them and the water wasn't enough to stop the big reptile coming after them if it really decided it wanted to eat horse. He thought he saw something slithering away under the surface of the water but wasn't totally sure. His dark harks were alert, body coiled like a whip, his wounded leg throbbing painfully as if scolding him for rearing.

It was Metallic Dream's nudge that brought him back to earth. The blue roan looked over at the unusual mare and rested his muzzle against her neck for a moment, trying to steady his breathing. "I honestly don't know and I don't want to find out." Moon's onyx eyes flicked back to the pond but the reptile thing didn't rear out of the water again like he expected. Maybe it couldn't go on land? He'd glimpsed its legs and they had looked rather stubby. He looked back at Metallic, his muzzle brushing her shoulder. "Are you ok?" There was geniuine affection in his question, real concern which was a bit rare for Moon.

He cared for the wellbeing of others but usually kept a careful distance. He knew he'd led Starnile on and he felt bad about it now but at the time he'd been high strung and panicked about the humans so he'd done what he always did and run. He hadn't wanted Starnile to be his responsibility, his burden, someone to fail. Metallic Dream was different, slightly more self sustaining though still learning the ropes about being wild. Where Starnile probably would have run, Metallic charged and Moon couldn't help but wonder if that was a good thing or not.

[Arctic Fang]

~`~Metallic Dream~`~

Dream's breath was panting and from time to time a snort left her flared nostrils. She had never seen anything like that in all her living life! Now the next time that Moon told her something she'd certainly believe him.

Slowly the mare nodded, her heart still beating fast and her odd colored eyes widened with still a little fear. She'd think twice about going near that water hole again. "Yes... I'm fine. Are you okay? Did you hurt your leg more?" Dream bent her neck down in order to give his swollen leg a soft nuzzle with the soft part of her nose. Her touch was gentle and clearly filled with concern.

[<3Kodi]

Settling his breathing again the black-faced roan turned to look at his unusually toned companion. He blinked at her rather dumbly when she asked about his leg. The adrenaline rush that had aided his quick response to the animal, whatever it had been, was subsiding. Blue Moon winced as the pain thudded through his swollen leg. Looking down at the wounded limb he grimaced, lifting it gingerly. Rearing and coming down like he had probably hadn't been good for his leg and it probably meant more time standing still or limping like an old nag with aching joints. Before Moon could answer Metallic however, he was surprised when she lowered her head to examine his swollen leg.

"Ah I'm fine" Moon stammered, trying not to admit to himself it felt nice having someone worry about him. It reminded him a time he'd rather have forgotten but...still, it felt nice.

Lowering his head to Metallic's level, Moon shyly reached out with his black muzzle and brushed his nose against her neck, a sign of concern, hoping he hadn't hurt her when he'd herded her away from the pond. He wouldn't admit to himself that she had a very nice scent, a pleasantly floral scent. Nope, don't think it because it meant he'd get attached and if anything Moon had been doing everything against that since he'd run away from his herd. The sight of his own mother dead and knowing he'd failed to protect her had set Moon away from other equines, making him weary of making attachments because then that would make him responsible for them. If they died, it would be because he failed. Because his will wasn't enough, or his strength or speed just weren't enough.

Still...Metallic could take care of herself right? Maybe...No! Moon snapped his head up and shook his head forcefully, taking a hobbling step back from the purple mare. "Um...sorry" he mumbled, his skin feeling warm with embarrassment. "We should probably get away from this pond. There might be a safe place to rest for a while somewhere in all this mush."

[Arctic Fang]

~`~Metallic Dream~`~

Metallic's eyes closed when Moon nuzzled her neck and air blew heavily from her nostrils. She even pressed her head forward a little in order to gain more pressure from his nose. Feeling him so near to her was a lovely thing. These feelings were odd to the mare, having never felt them before.

The mare's head jerked up quickly so that her odd colored eyes could look into his. Why had he just apologized? Really he did nothing wrong. If it felt good to her and she didn't pull back then he should have known that she didn't mind but Dream decided to reassure him. "There's no need to be sorry Moon. You didn't do anything wrong." She desired to step forward but she feared that he'd take another step back. Instead she remained where she was.

Dream looked around, her attention turning toward the water and then back to Moon. "Well we could head in the direction from where I came and perhaps we could find a way around this swamp, a way that doesn't have any hills to climb. Then if we can find a way around it perhaps you could show me around before you... go... to... where ever you roam." Really she wanted him to stay with her. Right now she just didn't want to be alone.

[<3Kodi]

Blue Moon flicked his dark harks. He felt bad. He was doing it again, just like with Starnile. He didn't know what it was really, charm or just the fact he was a softy for a mare but whatever it was always dug him a deeper grave. Moon stared at the ground with his dark onyx eyes, as if the spongy grass was suddenly very interesting. He could tell, when he had touched Metallic Dream's neck she'd pressed back. He didn't know for sure if it was hormones or what but he was sure that was a positive reaction from a mare and it hadn't been bad for him either. She was a sweet mare, interesting and different, oh so different from the mare's he'd met before. He wasn't exactly sure what made her so different but he was sure it wasn't just her unusual color and her mismatched eyes.

"Dream" Moon neighed softly, voice heavy, "I think it might be better if I left. I...don't...it's not you it's just..." How do you explain to somebody you don't want to be responsible for their life and safety without offending them or hurting their feelings? If anyone knew, Moon wished they'd tell him, it would come in handy a lot. "I'm not very good company" he finished lamely, raising his gaze to meet her odd eyes.

His ebony tail swished uneasily. He liked her, he did and he really didn't want to leave but Moon knew he had to cut his losses before it got too bad. Meeting the humans with Starnile had brought him back from cloud nine with her, brought him back to the reality that bad things just seemed to orient around him. Metallic could have been eaten by a giant lizard just now. Humans could have caught Starnile. It just seemed so much easier to do what he always did, run. Right about now he felt the impulsion to run, get away from the attachment, the fact that someone needed him. What if he couldn't protect Metallic from whatever was around the bog? If just he died, nobody would notice. If she died, he'd be guilty for the rest of his life.

(feel free to stop him )

[Arctic Fang]

~`~Metallic Dream~`~

Her voice was feminine and so when she shouted "No!" It sounded rather shrill to the ears and it echoed vastly. Even her own conical ears pinned back upon her head until she dashed forward. She didn't understand why the stallion forced himself to live out his life alone but she wanted to get down to the bottom of it. For now though she would make it seem as though she was the one that needed him, which really she did but perhaps not as much as he apparently needed her.

Her path cut him off from the direction she thought that he'd go. In her eyes there was fright. Her skin quivered beneath her wonderful purple fur as she stood there. "Please don't leave me. I don't want to be alone right now. Stay with me please." Her expression was one of pleading. Perhaps if he'd get over what ever he's going through he'd be able to live a normal life.

The way that he said her name vibrated down into her heart and rolled around in her mind. It made her chest ache with something that was so unfamiliar. "Tell me what's wrong then if it's not me? Why do you want to leave me so quickly? Why do you want to think that it's better for you to live alone rather then in a herd?" Dream stepped forward and comfortingly put her forehead upon his cheek as she patiently waited for him to tell her, or perhaps he would be offended that she spoke to him in such a manner.

Her heart was racing to think that he just might run away but she had to take that chance. Dream wanted to tear down the wall that he had built around him like a fortress but the mare longed for answers. She'd hate to see such a wonderful stud living alone and unhappy for the rest of his life. To die alone was the worst thing that Metallic could think of.

[<3Kodi]

Blue Moon had been ready for a fight, ready for her to rant or be unhappy, maybe even cry. At least, he'd thought he'd been ready. Moon visibly stiffened as she protested to his leaving, her voice shrill and unhappy, he'd almost call it begging. He didn't want to hurt her. This is why I stay alone, Moon thought bitterly. The blue roan stag turned his head to look away from the metallic purple doe yet unable to move his legs and go around her or even double back and find another way away from her. It felt like his hooves had grown roots and he couldn't move. Her touch made him turn his head, subconsciously pressing back against her touch.

"It's just better that way Dream" he said sadly. "I don't want to hurt you, really but I can't trust myself to help you. I don't want to be attached. It just ends up hurting."

Moon stared unseeingly beyond Metallic Dream. In his mind's eye he could see the mangled and bloodied remains of his mother. He'd been just a yearling when the wolves had ruined his life. The herd had run off but Black Magic had gone to help him, to save him. He'd tried to save her and failed. Simple as that and Moon accepted it. He couldn't change it. There was no hope that Magic was alive. His mother was dead and he knew it with painful clarity. It still hurt, an old wound that wouldn't heal.

"The last mare I tried to help, the last one I said I'd protect...she's dead now. It's sad though that a son can't even save his own mother from a pack of mangy mutts."

His voice was flat, simple acceptance, stating facts. Blunt, numb but he still felt it. He felt the familiar ache, the familiar stab of guilt. A bit reluctantly, Moon started to move back away from Dream.

"I'm not taking chances."

[Arctic Fang]

~`~Metallic Dream~`~

Dream understood where he was coming from but at the same time she didn't think that he was right in his thinking, his reasoning was a bit off. "You can't protect everyone. Wolves, especially when in a pack, are hard to fend off. You can't blame yourself for such sad events." The mare moved forward, giving him not a chance to run away from her. She'd corner him if she had too, for now. Metallic was no weakling of a horse.

Her eyes found his as she craned her neck to look into them, realizing that he wasn't really looking at her but rather past her, likely remembering something bad from his past. Images at times were burned into the mind and such things were hard to block from the mind’s eye. "I'm not asking you to protect me. What I am asking is that you give companionship another try. Things won't always go the way that we expect but you can't just give up and live alone for the rest of your life. Don't you want to be happy? Do you think that being a loner will bring that happiness to you? Do you not want to feel love or experience the joy of having a foal that will call you father? Or even just to have a friend that you could confide in and trust with all your heart?" Her expression was purely sympathetic but at the same time there 'was' a hint of retaliation in her voice, a sternness.

Metallic then turned and limped away from him, her head down until she turned to look back at him from over her shoulder, heading in the direction that she had mentioned earlier and to find a way around this hell hole. "Truly if your heart does not yearn for such things in life then I cannot help you. I'll leave you and never look back." Her head then took a swing in the path that she would take, one that was still swallowed up by the mist. "I'm going this way. If you change your mind just follow this worn down pathway and you'll find me." It was hard for the mare to turn and leave but she couldn't make him stay in her company if he did not want too.

[<3Kodi]

Blue Moon looked away from Metallic Dream as she walked past him. Her word hit home and hit hard. Other loners had told him about human guns that could kill horses with one shot, wolves too. He felt like he'd been hit with one of their strange metal bullets. Moon didn't like hurting horses. He hated it as much as he hated wolves but it seemed like he'd been doing a lot of it recently. Starnile wasn't the first and obviously not the last. Glancing up he watched as Metallic set off along her chosen path but he made no move to follow, simply stood and watched through hazy onyx eyes. His heart jerked uncomfortably in his chest, as if urging him to follow but Moon remained stock still, mind racing wildly.

He wanted to follow her. She wasn't a weak horse, he knew that. She could be strong but he knew she'd fall if she met a mountain lion or wolves, hey even a stag with unseemly desires would be the end of her, Moon was sure of that. The thought of another stallion made Moon frown and his nostrils flare. For whatever reason he hated the very idea. His thoroughbred-like frame turned toward where Dream had already been swallowed by mist.

If I go it'll only end one way, Moon thought bitterly. I'll run away as soon as my leg his healed. Just like I always do so why bother following?

Moon liked to think he had better control then just going after a stallion's urges but something told him that wasn't the only reason he was compelled to follow Metallic Dream. She knew he'd failed Black Magic, but she didn't care. Blue Moon knew his mind, knew his tendencies. He wouldn't be with her all the time. The wind was his first mistress but Metallic wasn't aware of that yet. Would she mind? Mares liked stallions that would be around them all the time, right? Moon couldn't do that. He would randomly burst into a gallop, change directions at the blink of an eye or just slip off into the night. Blue Moon's dark harks flicked as he thought. He would always go back though. Something in his gut told him he would.

Metallic didn't understand fully why he was a loner. It wasn't just Black Magic that had made him what he was. She was part of it but not all of it. He had always been wild, always restless and rough with the other colts. He was a loner at heart but Metallic wasn't. The fact she asked for his companionship reflected that. She needed a herd, needed a family, foals someday and a strong lead stallion to keep her safe and lead her. Moon whisked his tail at the thought. He could give Metallic foals if that was what she wanted. He could do that but he wasn't sure if he would follow her as far as a herd. But still...she might change her mind, right?

Slowly, the roan stag limped after Metallic Dream, his hoofsteps uneven and slow as if he was still convincing himself that Metallic wouldn't mind that someday he would run or that she might not go to the herds if he was with her.

[Arctic Fang]

>>Deacon Delano<<
~`~Metallic Dream~`~

Metallic walked on and on, probably a bit quicker then Moon since her leg wasn't hurt as badly. The female also gained a sense of urgency about her. So far in her life she ran away from things in search of a new and better life. But now she found that she would rather look at it as running to something. This way of thinking caused her to envision a better image of the future.

Moon seemed determined enough to remain behind. In the femme's heart she thought for sure that he would not follow her. He seemed hell bent in staying alone, to wallow in his self pity and to drink of his misfortunes and bad luck. Dream didn't want to think like that. She longed for a better time. Things just couldn't get any worse then this. It had to improve some how.

She didn't realize that a nearby male had caught her scent and was lurking about in the shadows. His name? Deacon Delano, an evil fellow that was out for only one thing, especially from this stunning mare. The stud starved for power. He desired to mate with as many mares as he could so that he could be in charge of the most powerful, beautiful and strongest herd of the wild, a wild herd.

Just as the female pushed through and into a clearing she sighed but then quickly gasped back a breath when she saw the stallion waiting for her. His voice was harsh and rough even though he was still very young, probably just a little older then she. "Well well my dear. Where are we headed too? You are alone I see. Would you like a companion to walk with you for a while?" Of course his intentions were anything but honorable but Dream was much to naive to the ways of the world to see this.

[<3Kodi]

Blue Moon wandered through the mist at his hobbling pace, knowing that Metallic Dream had a less severe sprain in her leg and was probably a decent distance ahead. Still, her scent lingered and he followed it, falling into his uneven pace a bit unwillingly. He hated hobbling around but it was his only option right now. The fog closed in around him but the blue roan didn't panic. He'd spent a decent amount of time in this forsaken swamp so he was a little used to the mist lapping at his flanks and closing in so he had a narrow field of vision. Still he snorted uneasily, something in his gut stirring unhappily. Something was off about the swamp and he felt like he wasn't alone but didn't dare call for Metallic.

Stepping off of Metallic's path, Moon stood still and listened. His dark harks twitched as the voice of another stallion reached them. He smelled Metallic and another stallion. Moving carefully, Moon began a slow approach toward them, coming up behind Metallic. He put his injured leg down and forced himself to walk on it, ignoring the pains that shot up and down the limb. He wouldn't limp in front of another stallion. He didn't hear if Metallic replied to whatever the stallion had said but he knew he had to move before things got out of control and there was no helping Dream.

Coming out of the mist, Blue Moon flung his head high and snorted as he came to stand beside Metallic. He stared at the stallion, seeing nothing but ill-intent in his eyes. Under his blue pelt Moon's muscles coiled. He didn't care for stallions in a normal case but now there was Dream to think of and he could tell the other stallion was thinking undesirable things.

"Sorry buddy, she's spoken for" Blue Moon neighed, his voice firm as he shifted so he stood between Metallic and the unknown stallion. He hoped Metallic would keep quiet. This wasn't something a mare like her should dabble in. From what he knew of her however, Blue Moon knew she wouldn't.

[Arctic Fang]

>>Deacon Delano<<
~`~Metallic Dream~`~

Dream snorted as Moon quickly darted from behind. Who does he think he is? He wanted little to do with her before. Surely his words were a mere white lie. Her eyes did however look down until she saw that he was walking on his sore leg. Warmth flooded her heart. Was he trying to save her? But from what? The stallion seemed harmless enough.

Deacon reared up half way and then came down rather hard, the earth shaking beneath them. "I do not believe that it's up to you to speak for her. She was out walking alone. Where were you my dear friend? Lagging behind so that the female could be attacked before you?" The brown and white paint snickered, his teeth bared humorously. Of course he was making fun of the other male.

Dream's brows furrowed but the last thing that she wanted was for Moon to fight this stallion. She still saw no harm in him. He just wanted to walk with her... right? The mare moved to the side and then walked around Moon. "It's okay Moon. He just wanted to walk with me. Perhaps he can help me find the way around the swamp?" She smiled, still innocently unaware of the evil horse's intentions.

Deacon nickered merrily and he swaggered his head up and down, his impressive mane blowing in the gentle breeze as if he were trying to impress the mare. Still his motives were false as Dream may find out the hard way. "That's right. Now be on your way and I'll take very good care of the female." The stallion moved along side of Moon and whispered slyly in his ear. "I'll take much better care of her then you obviously have." He laughed as if the two were just telling one another a funny joke.

[<3Kodi]

Nostrils flared. Was Dream insane? Innocent. Moon could have kicked himself, remembering she had been raised and owned by humans. Stallions owned by humans didn't have the chance to develop evil hearts nine times out of ten. She didn't know how to hear the hiss in a voice, see the gleam in an eye. She would learn but not the way the other was wanting to teach her. Moon snorted as the stallion whispered in his hear. Swishing his tail he half-reared, flinging his head high and stomping both hooves back on the ground. His onyx eyes hardened and a strange spark came into them, a fighting spark.

"I don't think so. She doesn't need to be with your type" Moon neighed firmly, not moving from between Metallic and Deacon. He glanced back at Metallic. "Dream if you trust me at all you won't go with him."

Moon arched his neck and shifted his weight. His leg was throbbing in time with his heartbeat but Moon tried to ignore it. Blue Moon had fought before, and not just wolves. The difference between his past fights and this one was there was more at stake then just his life. This time there was Metallic and her innocence. If he lost, he wouldn't be able to stop the stallion from taking Metallic, of course that also depended on if he was still alive if he lost. Swinging his head, Moon aimed to headbutt Deacon, shove him away from Dream or something, unbalance him somehow.

With the motion pain shot through his leg. Blue Moon clenched his jaw, against it, hoping his leg wouldn't buckle. He couldn't afford to loose this sort of battle.

[Arctic Fang]

>>Deacon Delano<<
~`~Metallic Dream~`~

"Dream if you trust me at all you won't go with him." Dream's ears shot forward, back and then forward again, toward Moon. In her eyes he could see that she was 'very' confused but then suddenly a glint of understanding waved over her features. It was as if she had just had an epiphany, almost visibly a light bulb lit up above her head. MD then nodded and stepped back a few steps. She need not say anything. Her bodily and facial movements said it all.

Of course 'this' angered Deacon which caused his true colors to shine through, which was black and black, the colors of his cold heart. He knew now that the mare had an understanding of what he was all about. Even if it wasn't a full picture for her she still listened to Moon rather then Deacon.

In his moment of rage he was looking straight into the gaze of Dream's. He wasn't focused on the male and so the blow that his actions sent to him indeed caught him off guard. It landed squarely on his muzzle, which caused a cut and in turn caused a flow of blood which filtered across the evil stallion's teeth. His head jolted to the side and his footing staggered backward, but failed to cause him to fall.

Once Deacon gained his senses his eyes turned back toward Moon. Fury seeped into his eyes until they were completely black. His voice was very low and dangerous. "You'll pay for that. And after I make you pay I'll make her pay as well. She'll be my wench forever!" His head jerked toward Dream which caused a frightened look to mist her features.

The mad stallion stepped forward. His advancing steps quickened. Deacon planned on also head butting Moon, aiming low and for his shoulder. In his rage he let out a blood curdling yell that echoed throughout the land making it seem like the mountains themselves quaked in fear.