A Trios Journey (private rp with wingfeather and tenebria)

[Abbster]

Sugar nodded to her friend. "Ok" she said, standing up and trotting back over to Nacho and Artemis. "Sorry.." Sugar mumbled to Nacho. "I was...well...I.." she stopped, unsure of if she should tell Nacho that she liked Gus. She flattened her ears and shook her head. "never mind, I'm ok now" she insisted.

[tenebria]

Galmúr gave a relieved sigh as Sugar followed him without discussion, quickly heading back to Nacho and Artemis. "It's Ok sugar..." he said, his eyes quickly finding the silvery blue roan yearling close to the outskirts of the herd. The golden buckskin glared angrily over at him. He could've simply spoken to Sugar, there had been no need for such violence as he had portrayed. But he knew better than to pick a fight... yet. Snorting, he turned to Nacho again. "Ok.. so... what do we do next? who do we speak to?" he asked quietly although he did not take his eyes of the herd, knowing that he was probably the one who should do the speaking for them, being related to at least two of the herd.

[wingfeather]

''Weeeellll,'' was all Nacho said, as he indicated a beautiful pearl white mare approaching, the blue roan following not far behind.

[Abbster]

Sugar looked back and saw the blue roan yearling, she pinned her ears and moved herself behind Artemis as the two approached. Her legs trembling as she thought the blue roan was going to push her away again.

[tenebria]

Galmúr quickly looked over, his gaze darkening slightly at the yearling who followed behind the gleaming white mare. His attention was quickly drawn to the latter, and he couldn't help but dip his head deeply at her aura of command. "Nacho, thank you for bringing them so swiftly" she said in a soft tone that somehow still carried through the herd. She then turned her gaze to Galmúr, and he was struck by the strength visible in her brown eyes. And yet... a sadness flickered there, a wistfulness at the very edges of her gaze. "And you... you are Galmúr?" she asked. He met her gaze as solidly as he could as he gave another slow nod "I am, this is Artemis, and this is Sugar" he said, indicating the two fillies behind him. "And what is your lineage, Galmúr?" the mare asked, as if cautious still. Standing tall Galmúr spoke quietly "I am the son of Rassak the Warrior, Brother to Thunderheart". At his words, a shifting seemed to pass through the herd that watched, and they seemed to most effect the yearling who stood behind the white lead mare. He gave a slight start, his ears pinning as he glared over at the golden buckskin, almost challengingly. With an effort Galmúr ignored the silvery blue roan, focusing on the lead mare as she began to speak once again "I can see your lineage in your eyes, it is true" she spoke, and he knew she was speaking to the herd behind her, then turning her words back to them. "I am the Lead Mare of this the Swifthoof herd, I am called Swan" she said, allowing them the slightest dip of her head in greeting. Suddenly, her gaze hardened and she brought her head back up, as if remembering her duty. "But your lineage does not give you any immunity, or any version of a free pass to enter this herd. We do not accept those who will not benefit and strengthen us, and you and both your friends must run The Test"

[wingfeather]

Artemis could not help but lower her head, such power and command the lead mare carried about her. Artemis was glad that Gamlúr was there for she would never have known how to address such dignity.

[Abbster]

Sugar dipped her head politely, but she still felt nervous. She could feel Gus watching her, with that yearling beside him, and a mare and stallion next to him. She flattened her ears some more, but looked over at Gus, and smiled. He flicked his ears at her, and she blushed

[tenebria]

The silvery blue roan caught the glance between Gus and the filly across from them, pinning his ears and rounding silently on Gus, hissing through his teeth to him. "Keep your motions to yourself, do not encourage them. You know they will fail, as most have before them." Stormflash said fiercly.

Galmúr gave a solemn nod "We are prepared to run the Test" he said gravely. Lead Mare Swan nodded once again "Be warned, the test is not for the faint of heart, and though your age may be young, no excuse is worthy of failure." she spoke, her voice stern. "You will have from High Sun till Moon Rise. You will start at the edge of that copse. The trail is not easy, and often you will have to use all your senses to stay on course. Teamwork, Speed, Strength, and Wisdom will be necessary for you to complete the test. If you have not returned by the time the Moon's edge has left the horizon, then you are not welcome here. Upon returning, you must leave our land, and never cross it again. If, however, you manage to beat the Moon in it's rising, you may become part of our herd. At that time that you return, if it is timely, then you shall be subject to our laws, and after we have deduced each of your performances during the test, your places will be known in the herd." she finished speaking, letting her gaze wander to each yearling in front of her before it rested back on Galmúr. He gave another deep dip of his head "We hear and understand. We will run the Test." he said, fire in his tone. Swan's gaze softened slightly at this, his tone for a moment faintly reminding her of her late loved one. "You will leave in half an hour's time. Rest well until then." she said, her gaze shifting to Nacho "You have my permission to advise them in that time". Having said what she needed to, she turned gracefully, her tail floating silkily behind her as she moved towards her herd, indicating the end of their conference.

[wingfeather]

Artemis could not help but bow her head again at the lead mare's glance, just to be under this mare in the herd she would give her all in the test. Once the lead mare turned and walked back to her herd, Nacho turned to the three yearlings, ''come on, lets git to the tree line so's ye three can git some rest.''

[Abbster]

Gus snorted. "We'll see about that, Stormflash" Gus said, his eyes glittering. "Gus, honey" Oreo said. Gus looked over at his mother. "yes, mother?" He asked. "What are you up to?" she asked him. "Nothing..." Gus said. "Does this have something to do with those three yearlings?" Oreo asked him. Gus flattened his ears. "no.." he stuttered, Oreo looked at him sternly. "Maybe..." he said. "Ok, yes it does! Stormflash is convinced they won't make it in the herd" Gus said. "But I just have a feeling they will" he said.

Sugar looked at the mare and then Nacho. "can I go talk to Gus?" she asked

[tenebria]

Stormflash's ears pinned, but he stayed silent until the three yearlings moved off, then whirled on Gus. "You know the laws, don't overstep your bounds" the young silver roan spoke firmly, his gaze, so much like his fathers, flashing with command and ferocity. He had seen and recognized the look passed between the two, and he knew how dangerous that kind of flirtation was with outsiders. With a swish if his dark tail he trotted after his mother, intending on speaking with her on the subject.

Galmúr found himself releasing a breath he didn't know he'd been holding as the lead mare moved off into the herd, almost seeming to float, her movements so graceful and yet strong. For a few moments he stared after Swan. She had such an aura about her, one that had been completely unexpected, by him at least. And that aura only boosted his determination. They would succeed, and they would join the herd. They had too. As Nacho spoke it snapped him out of his thoughts and he quickly nodded, his voice quiet as he realized the challenge they had ahead of them. "Good plan. And now, we'll need you to tell us everything you know about this course" he said solemnly. At Sugar's question he whirled on her, his ears flattening in shock. "SUGAR!" he said quickly, hoping she wouldn't bolt off towards the herd again. "You know you can't!! Not only would that silver roan most likely pulverize you, but I wouldn't let you either. Not yet. We must rest, and speaking with him will only make it harder for you to concentrate" he said, his voice softening as he saw how much she wanted to. He was sure that Nacho agreed with him as he'd certainly gotten the feeling that visits between the two groups were highly off limits... until they proved themselves in the test.

[wingfeather]

''Right,'' answered Nacho, ''you would get Gus in even bigger trouble as well.'' Shaking his mane from his eyes and addressing Galmúr, ''All ye need to know eh? Well I can't tell ye all, some of it will be surprises.''

[Abbster]

Sugar looked at Galmur. "Stop yelling at me!" She spat at him. "You always yell at me, you never yell at Artemis. Sure I'm the youngest, but that doesn't mean you have to yell at me" Sugar said, as she lay her head down on the grass and closed her eyes for a nap.

Creampuff stalked up to his son and stood squarely in front of him as Stormflash addressed him. He nuzzled Gus when Stormflash left. "you alright?" he asked. "I'm fine" Gus said, as he flattened his ears and stared at Stormflash

[tenebria]

Stormflash dipped his head slightly in deference to the larger stallion, knowing the yearlings father was fully capable of handling his son. He began speaking to his mother in low tones, glancing over at Gus, and then off to where the yearlings were as she listened patiently.

Galmúr sighed "I'm sorry Sugar, it's just I really don't want you to get hurt" he explained swiftly, then nudged her "Come on, you need to listen. We have to be strong together to make it through this" he said gently, glancing up to Nacho again. "Of course... but as much as you can" he said quickly, his tone hopeful.

[wingfeather]

''Well hear is at least some advice I can give ye, first conserve yer strength, an open are ye come across be sure fe look before ye leap. Next the trail ye are to follow will be marked it is all different in different areas, there will most likely be scouts observing yer progress and maken shor' ye are followen the rules, and last of all, YE GOTTA STICK TOGETHER, ye are attempted to enter a herd that thrives on teamwork after all.''