Unbridled Love - Private rp with Brooke0518

[tenebria]

Ember took a step forward, then turned again, still feeling uncertain. Could freedom possibly be this... free? Independent? At his words she found herself relaxing, ears pricked. Free food... Free water... could freedom get any better than that? She gave a slight sudden excited whinny and moved forward, limping as she slowed, heading down the slope after him, eyes set on the sparkling river. Reaching the edge, she tentatively put a hoof in, shivering slightly in surprise at the coldness, and the feel of the water on her coat. How long ago had it been since she'd last had anything relative to a bath? She didn't know. Taking another step in, she could wait no longer, and plunged her muzzle down, her eyes almost fluttering shut as she gulped up the cool liquid, it surging down her throat, and she gave a slightly dreamy sigh. Water. And such sweet, crystal, unblemished water! Nothing like the muddy, tainted water she'd had last. She continued gulping, eager for more, and more, the knowledge that she could never drink it all up, that it would be there tomorrow and the next day and the next making her want to drink till her stomach hurt, despite the obvious foolishness of this idea.

[brooke0518]

Looking down at Ember, Tempest's eyes continue to show that same amusement, as he watches her drink from the river. It was clear that she desperately needed this....that cool, refreshing taste of mountain water. It was the type of water that one needed to have in their everyday life. "I'm glad that you like this. We'll go to the lake next, since I'm sure that you would like a bath, to wash all of that stuff off. Then we'll go to the meadow, so that you can get something fresh to eat. Now be careful, don't eat and drink so much, that you get a stomachache," He says. He raises his head up a bit, so that he could look around, and keep watch. They were free, that much was true, but so were other animals. Here, anything was fair game, so he would do everything that he could, to help protect Ember. She had a lot to learn, and until that time came, she would need his protection and guidance. Lowering his head a bit, he takes a drink from the river, savoring the taste, before raising his head up a bit, to continue keeping watch.

[tenebria]

Ember lifted her head as she heard Tempest speaking, coming out of her dreamy state to listen, her eyes brightening at the thought of a cool lake to plunge into, and grass to eat as much as she needed. Pausing her gulping, she tilted her head "Is all you do eat drink and sleep then?" she asked, her tone one of almost awe at the idea. He didn't even have to do any work! No obeying the humans, no vet checks! Wait what did they do if they got sick then? If they couldn't go to the vet? Did they just eat an herb or something? He mind was racing faster than she could keep up with, new ideas and thoughts popping up every second.

[brooke0518]

Tempest shakes his head a bit, as he takes another gulp of water. "No, not all. It's mostly what we do. But there is so much of the world to explore. I don't have a herd, so I don't have set territory. And as such, I can go wherever I want, provided that I don't overstay my welcome, should I end up in another stallion's herd. There is more of a routine, when you have a herd, with foals to look after. But for horses that are out on their own, there is so much more room to do things. I think for you, since you're new to this world, we'll stay in this general area, so that you can learn how to survive out here. I'll show you everything that there is to know, and feel free to ask any questions that you have. The more, the better," He says.

[tenebria]

Ember's eyes lit up as he spoke, her mind focusing back on the question she'd asked, and his reply. See the world? Just what she'd always dreamed of! She nodded a bit vigorously at his suggestion of staying in the same place for a bit though, as the landscape even in those few minutes of travel had been so different than what she was used to, she knew it would take a bit for her to be able to travel easily. Especially with her limp. She nodded again. Wow. The more questions the better? He had no idea how many she could ask! But there were so many in her head, it was almost hard to sort them out. She blinked slightly, dipping her head to the water and drinking for a few seconds before lifting it again. "I would love to travel a lot, when i'm ready of course. I've always loved seeing the different beautiful landscapes" she said with a slight wistful sigh, then looking around the area she was in right then. "This place for instance, is so beautiful! I don't think i've ever seen anything like it!" she said, eyes bright.

[brooke0518]

"I think that you'll love it. There may be some herds to avoid and be wary of. But there are other friendly horses here as well, and I'll be sure to introduce you to them," Tempest says, as he steps out of the water, giving himself a vigorous shake. "And I think, for you, because you're new to this, and because your leg is hurt, we'll avoid open areas, and the areas by the road. There are some places that are nice, when you cross human roads, but because of what happened today, we'll wait for you to get stronger. We don't need to run into any surprises," He says, flicking his tail for her to follow him. They were going to go to the lake now, so that she could get cleaned up and feel more refreshed, then get something to eat. He was sure that she would enjoy the cool, sweet, juicy mountain grass.....compared to whatever it was that she had been eating. "It might be a bit late soon, but if there are still some fresh mountain strawberries, I think you'll love them. You haven't lived until you've had wild strawberries," He says.

[tenebria]

Ember smiled at the idea. Meeting other horses... other wild horses... that was such an amazing and yet terrifying concept!!! Would she even be able to fit in with them? The horses she knew had been rather cliquish... were wild horses the same? she wondered. As Tempest moved out of the water, she swiftly surged after him, her limp less visible now that it had soaked for a few moments in the water. Her ears flattened at the idea of humans and roads. She didn't want to see one ever again. Her clouded emotions were swiftly brightened as he mentioned berries. "Strawberries?" she asked, a curious lilt to her tone. What were those? Whatever they were, they sounded delicious!!

[brooke0518]

Looking over at Ember, Tempest was a bit amused by her reaction. She had a lot to learn, but that was to be expected. "I can tell that you have a very curious nature. That'll do you well out here, provided that that curiosity doesn't take you into another stallion's territory. But of course, I'll teach you all about that, how to avoid them, and how to get out of a pinch, if one tries to approach you. Stallions in herds, will often try to steal mares for their herds. You don't have to go, just know that sometimes, they will be a bit rough, to get what they want. I have had to fight other stallions before, even if it wasn't for a mare," He says, as his gaze shifts to a pair of bluebirds, as they fly overhead. "You've never had strawberries before? They're delicious, and I'll be sure that you get to try them. They are a bright red, with a very sweet, slightly sour taste, and they are very juicy. They're a nice treat," He says.

[tenebria]

Ember's ears pinned again, her emotions taking a swift downward plunge. Other Stallions that could take her? Ones that she'd have to fight? How was she supposed to do that? She sped up to move closer to Tempest, glancing around with new nervousness, then looking over at him as he mentioned the strawberries again. She tilted her head slightly with a little frown "So.. like apples then?" she said in confusion. It sounded exactly like an apple to her. The sudden sound of a small creature in the brush made her bolt to the side, almost bumping into him before pulling up just in time, but staying very close to him. Was that another stallion? How would she be able to tell? Would it just take her? How would she escape? About the stallions... this is your territory though, right? I mean there wouldn't be one around here? And how would I fight one?" she asked nervously, stumbling slightly on a large rock and leaping forwards to keep up with him, trying to figure out how to keep stable on her path while watching out for this new threat.

[brooke0518]

Looking over at Ember Tempest could see a little bit of nervousness in her eyes. It made sense, since she had never been out here before, never encountered wild stallions. Walking over to her, he puts his nose to her shoulder, to comfort her. "Don't worry, Ember. I think that, unless you don't want to, you're welcome to stay with me, and be my traveling companion. I'm not going to leave you to just fend for yourself. As for other stallions, you can leave them to me. You don't have to fight them, if you don't want to. If I'm going to teach you anything, when it comes to defending yourself, it'll have more to do with predators, rather than other horses," He says, before taking a step back, and gesturing with his head. "Sort of. Strawberries, in my opinion, taste better than apples, even though they're smaller. There's just something about them, that really tastes amazing," He says.

[tenebria]

Ember looked over and let out a huff of air, trying to calm herself at his touch and nodding with gratefulness gleaming in her eyes. "Thank you Tempest." she said sincerely, then shivered slightly. She didn't know if she'd EVER be ready to leave on her own, even if she wanted to! Tempest was the only horse, let alone stallion, she'd spoken to in months, and really the only kind caring one with a life. The thought of parting ways... well it made her very insecure. She took another deep breath, reminding herself of his words, that he was right there, and he was even promising to fight for her if need be! The bay mare gave another slight nod. "I do want to learn how to defend myself" she said firmly again, then tilted it, a slight lighter look in her posture as he spoke again of the sweet berries. "Well I really want to try them then!" she said, trying to imagine them and totally failing.

[brooke0518]

Tempest nods, before flicking his tail a bit, to encourage Ember to follow him. "You're welcome. Now let's go. You'll really want a bath. I don't know if you've ever gone swimming before, but if you haven't, I'll be by your side as you clean up. It is always best to be sure that you never go to the lake alone. It's easier to go to the river by yourself, but there are so many animals, both wild horses and predators, that frequently go to the lake for water. I would advise you, to tell me anytime that you want to go to the lake, so that we can go together," He says, as he begins to lead her along the river, knowing that, eventually, they would reach the clearing, where the mouth of the river would open up into the wide expansive lake. It was very beautiful in color, with fresh tasting water, that was pleasantly cool, and always drew in the attention of other animals.

[tenebria]

Ember swiftly moved after him, a gleam of excitement and eagerness in her eyes. "I think I did once..." she gave a slight frown at the distance memory. "Maybe my muscles will remember how it works" she said hopefully as she looked forwards, ears tilted in the direction they were heading. A lake... it must be gorgeous! And to swim in it... well that would be pretty cold, but it would be wonderful to get the mud cakes, dust, and old hair off of her! Perhaps she could actually LOOK like a bay again!

[brooke0518]

"If your muscles don't remember now, they'll have some time to remember later. I don't know what your life was like, before you ended up in that terrible place. Do you remember? Were you ever treated right, or were all those humans terrible?" Tempest asks. He wasn't sure if her image of humans was completely tainted, or if she just happened to end up down the pipeline of humans, until she was passed to someone who just happened to be outside of what some humans could be. He knew that there were good humans and bad humans. He didn't like either, but he knew not to lump them all together, since some horses loved being with t heir humans.

[tenebria]

Ember sighed and nodded slightly, then shuddered at his question. Had any of the humans actually been good? Slowly she began speaking. "I...I think so. I think there were some that were ok. At least... I remember apples, and some white sweet square things, and grain and hay and water and green pastures..." she sighed at the golden memories, although they suddenly seemed rather dim compared to the present... for the first time for sure. She shook herself then looked at him again. "I think I was for a while... but.. then this happened... and then I lost it all" she said, looking down to her leg.