{ to live and let die ;; XXX [blood]

[nuzzer2]

{ e i n j e r u

- rest in peace darling. [/right][/color]

So it was down to this – the pains were increasing by the minute, but a huge smile was still clear on my kissers, our foal would arrive soon and everything would be well! I let out a pained moan as I set off into a canter towards the foaling grounds, however halfway there, a sharp pain shot through my pain and I felt my legs collapse – soon after my huge bodice collided with the hard ground.

I rolled over in agony and felt my eyes widen as something wet slipped from my hindquarter, I twisted my head and gasped as red blood slowly painted the ground with its harsh color. The pains were increasing and I screamed in agony as I rose to my feet and instinct lead me towards the black lake – my home. I ran as fast as my dark pillars would carry me – would my mother be able to help me? Save my baby? But somewhere I knew it wasn’t my baby who needed saving – it was me, I felt my organs twist and turn as the foal kicked and attempted to fight its way out. I crossed the border to my father’s territory with a loud scream for help – for assistance! Soon my pillars wouldn’t carry me anymore and I fell crying to the cold ground, what was happening? Why were the gods punishing me?

I screamed as yet another pain ripped through my body, and I felt something inside of me rip open – something that could not be fixed again. “Daddy! Mommy! Please help me!” I screamed out with a desperate yet hoarse voice, would they come? Or did they see me as a traitor? Sapphire orbs clouded over as I focused on getting the youngster out of my body before he or she was strangled by the lack of air, by now I knew that I couldn’t be saved – but perhaps the young one could! After an hour or two of constant pushing and screaming a little body slipped from my own, and I felt my world disappear in a hazy mist, was I successful? Had it lived?

Using the last strength I possessed I turned and nudged the young one – and was rewarded with a faint whimper, it was alive! I felt my eyes close as I let the exhaustion take over me – my body was numb and I didn’t feel the red blood that kept flowing from me as a dark river. I didn’t feel it either when the young foal reached out to suck out my hot milk – but somehow I willed myself to stay alive, just for a little while more – my last thought before slipping off into a deep slumber was ‘please don’t be mad daddy..’

[» Mother Nature]

Congratulations! You have a new filly!

Age: 0 years.
Height: 15.1
Color: Bay Tobiano
Breed: Arabian
Deformities: Bad immune system - has a constant risk of getting pnuemonia.
Distinguishing Marks: Sapphire eyes.
Health after birth: Surprisingly strong.
Foal's Health up to age two: Fine.
Mare's Health after birth: Dies one half hour after birth.
Picture:

[azul.]

{ R I K U ;
My body's fading so this is what I want,

I could feel my legs shaking; my heart was racing to a frightening degree. Of course, the reason was rather stupid. I didn't have anyone foaling this season. Jayila did last year, when she had our little prince, Falin had gone missing, and the others were new, and had missed the breeding season. Still, there was Einjeru. I felt a hissing motion bring my head down, pounding at my clouded mind. Einjeru, to me always meant Angel. Ever since she ran off with Intrepid, the bastard's colt, I'd wondered of what to call her. Besides, she made that choice, and was taken captive, living her days off as a hostage. I hadn't done anything about it. Putting it that way made me feel a little guilty, but like I said, it was her choice. Raising my crown, I huffed out a foggy breath and then jolted forward towards the boundary of my territory, closer to the outside world.

Radars shuffled constantly, listening to the muffled sounds that the canopy of dead and rotting trees blocked out. I'd gotten used to that deafening feeling, and used it to my advantage at times, since wolves were on the prowl. I almost started to laugh, but smothered it into a sarcastic grunt. Ever since Fenrir was born, he'd been bringing trouble to the lands. All kinds of it, too. Still, I couldn't blame him. No, he hadn't done anything wrong yet, like becoming friends over at Hollow Woods, where the 'king' lived. I shook my slender crown about in a small fit of anger, and then strode forward again, my bad attitude drowned out by the lilting lyrics of Kairi. "You know, I do miss you, everyday. And so does Sora. We all do." I shifted slightly and emitted a quiet sigh, nodding my crown. That was true and then some for me. I missed them so much, but I couldn't leave now. Not with Jayila, my semi-queen, my sons, Ein, despite her fact of solitude, and always making wrongs choices, not to mention the others. I huffed out a soft breath that escelated to a faint hum of surprise at the sight of a collapsed body, one that I'd seen before. Ein.

My mind screamed at me to run forward and help my poor daughter, but I didn't move. She had to have been delivering her foal, but why come here? It's not like she'd have been welcomed with open- "You idiot. This is your daughter you're talking about. Would you react the same if it was Kairi? Or perhaps Jayila?" With a pang of guilt, I launched backwards on my hocks, and powered closer to my bay princess, thoughts of her with Intrepid vanishing from my mind - and with it, everyone else left too, leaving me to feel utterly alone in this situation. "Ein! Ein!" I screamed, scrambling with hasty steps as I slid across the lake side, nearly falling flat on my side. By the time I reached my daughter, my eyes were etched with worry, then remorse. I seemed to realize what was, or rather, had happened. I dropped my gaze from Ein's perfectly poised face to the small figure beside her, a two-toned filly that resembled her mother. I swallowed, my pace slackening, until I was inching forward towards my daughter, whom I thought was dead already.

It's a bad feeling to know that your first daughter, your princess was dying, and you couldn't do anything. I felt so helpless watching her and this filly beside her, but I reached out, my breath escaping me in an unsteady whoosh of cold, and I touched Ein's sweating neck hesitantly, jittery beyond belief. "Ein? Ein, sweety, say something.." I whispered the words, trying to keep a sob from wrenching out, and instead, I turned to stare at the pinto foal that Ein had let herself go over. She seemed perfect, a bit weak, but perfect. She even had my eyes, like all of my offspring. Closing my pools, I nuzzled my daughter in a loving manner, my mind not functioning that the foal would be without food, like how Snyper was before. But that was too hard to think about. Instead, I reached out and started to clean the russet child, my eyes closed tightly.

[lynx'']

i n t r e p i d ; ;

I hear them calling king.

I began to grow impatient, and almost scared, as the time went by and Einjeru hadn't returned home yet. My throat was dry, it was hard to swallow. My grey tipped auds flickered, starting at any sound that reached them. I was so touchy, on edge. How comes father didn't get like this? He was so cool about it, then again, i douted him and my mother were 'in love' it was more of a 'i need you here to help me run my herd' type of relationship. I never saw them alone together, i never heard them discussing anything about their lives together. nothing like that. So was i doing wrong? I loved Einjeru so much, i couldn't discribe it. I knew my father was unsure of it all, but he hadn't told me otherwise, so i guessed it was okay.

My young body showed all signs of maturity, my greyish figure was strong and muscular, i held a few scars, just from friendly battles with father and other herd members, but nothing serious. I snorted, loosing all hope, and looked up into the sky; and then it came to me, Black Lake! she must be there! where else would she go when she was in distress and needed urgent help? She loved her mother and father to pieces, and i knew they would always be there for her.

not wasting a moment, i headed off in the direction of the forbidden lands. My father had told me not to go there, but nothing would stop me from seeing my queen. A light sweat began to form on my pelt, turnin the grey parts a darker shade of grey, and i slowed, as i reached the outskirts of the lands known as Black Lake. stopping dead on the border. It would be manners to call for him, right? But no, there wasn't time, i needed to know if she was here. Snorting, i half-reared and set off again, at a fast moving canter, across the lands, mud from the previous season splattering my light colour. the air was warm, causing yet more sweat to form on my coat, over the dried patches.

I slowed to a collected pace, as i rounded a corner, the lake was now in sight, and three boies could be seen. Einjeru! I called out to her in a happy tone, her tired body laid on the fround, why, she gave so much. And there was out filly, duo painted frame, standing on spindly legs, looking down at her mother. And beside the two, stood Riku, ghostly like stood by them. But as i neared, my pace slowed to an uneven walk, Einjeru wasn't moving, her eyelids closed over her beautiful eyes, harks flopped, legs tucked neatly by her side. It couldn't be!

Einjeru![/color] I screamed, nares widened to flares, eyes wide in disbelief, harks half forward half back. I darted to her, and dropped my skull, touching her crown with my muzzle, i pushed gently, but she didn't move, and now, i noticed, she wasn't breathing. no! My call was a wail, this couldn't of happened, how had it happened? I gave a panicked loo kat Riku, before dropping my gaze once again to my precious girl, laying lifeless on the ground; dead.
[/size][/color]

[nuzzer2]

; e i n j e r u

The sweat clung to my shaking frame like mist on an early summer morning, however instead of feeling warm and cozy – I was cold and the feelings in my legs were starting to fade away. I felt the little one tug at my stomach; she probably didn’t understand why I didn’t answer her, why I didn’t care for her. Sapphire orbs watered but I couldn’t do anything else than rest my head on the cold earth as my breathing became troubled, why wasn’t mommy and daddy coming? I didn’t understand this, what had I done wrong? From a distance I heard a voice calling out for me, but I didn’t have the energy to raise me head and answer – it was only when the silver stallion dropped down next to me, that a wretched sob was torn from my throat. “I’m sorry daddy – I’m so c-cold, is mommy coming too?” I whispered out in a childish voice, the sight of him awoke a spark of life inside of me, but it quickly died out. I felt my legs go numb and panicked as the hazyness took over. “Daddy! Don’t leave me please! It's so c-c-cold!” I moaned out as pains ripped through my frame, slowly I felt life pass from my body and suddenly my mind relaxed. “Take good care of her please – tell Treppy I’m sorry” I whispered out in a soft voice before letting the darkness pull me away. [/size]

; j a l i y a

I was patrolling the outer borders of our territory as an icy claw grabbed my heart, instantly I stopped – scanning the nearby area for signs of life. I didn’t sense anything so I continued my patrol along the border; it was only when a scream reached my ears that my pillars instantly cast me into a quick canter, what on earth was happening?

I arrived to the scene to see my love lay beside our unmoving daughter – and the damned duo colored stallion be there too, what had he done to ein? I neared with careful steps, and as I came in sight of my beautiful daughter, a gasp was ripped from my throat. “Einjeru!” I moaned out in agony, what on earth happened? It was then I noticed a tiny figure beside my daughter and the blood that ran from my daughters thighs. I instantly turned to face the duo colored stallion, he was Chaos spawn – he was to blame for this! “What have you done to my daughter you monster! You killed her!” I screamed out, rage clear in my voice. I neared the young stallion with threatening steps, how dare he turn up here! He killed our daughter!

It was his spawn who laid beside her! In a moment of rage and a mother’s sorrow I turned to end the pitiful foal’s life. I reared up on hindquarters, planning to smash the youngster’s cranium beneath my hooves, when the young filly opened her sapphire orbs and stared at me with wonder and confusion. Instantly I fell to my knees just beside the young filly, she looked exactly like Einjeru! My Einjeru. Sure her colors were a little different – but her eyes, her head, her expression, it was like seeing Ein’s face at birth all over again. “Einjeru, my little girl.. “ I sobbed out as I turned to touch my cold daughter, I hadn’t seen her for months – this was all my fault! It could have been prevented! I twisted my head to stare at Riku, a deep sorrow clearly visible in my dark eyes. [/size]

; p h o e n i x

The world was so dark! I couldn’t see anything at all – was I blind? I cracked my eyes up a little as a lot of screaming and crying were heard, and stared directly into a bay mare’s dark cold eyes – I whimpered and ducked my head to avoid her attack, but it never came, instead the mare lowered to my mother’s side and cried? I turned my head to reach out and drink some more of the warm milk – not understanding this situation at all, but found that my mother’s body was now cold.

Instantly I jerked my head away from the cold body and whined –why was she cold? Why wasn’t my mommy responding? I turned to watch the other equines with confusion in my eyes, what had happened to my mommy? I whimpered again in an attempt to make someone notice me, I was hungry and cold – didn’t mommy like me anymore? Sapphire orbs moved back to the bay mare as I fought to get the word out. “M-m-mommy?” I asked in a scared tone. [/size]

[azul.]

{ R I K U ;
Promise me you won't change yourself, at all.

My body was tight and rigid, bent to an uncomfortable angle as I cleaned off my granddaughter - that still hadn't registered in my mind that this was my granddaughter. I tried to blink back the tears that clouded my vision, that made my head throb with irritation, but they came anyway, and I let them. Sapphire pools stirred, and started to lift to look around, but they landed on Einjeru's body, and I felt sick. My knees, onces the color of pepper were coated in my daughter's blood, and the image wouldn't leave me. I started to stand, and then gasped when a melodious sob floated to my radars - echoing around the whole realm, as if warning them that this wasn't going to end well. But, I knew that already. Still, when Ein started speaking rapidly, so frightened and confused, I inhaled deeply, my breath hard. "I'm sorry daddy.." I jerked my slender muzzle towards Ein's pained face and started sputtering out words of gratitude. "Ein, you don't have to be sorry, I should be. I never should have let you go!" I started to speak again, trying to will her to stand up and find some shelter, but I knew already that it wouldn't help. Where Ein was laying, it would be her tomb for the years to come.

She asked about mommy.. Jayila. I knew that my bay queen was around somewhere, and she would surely come. It was, after all, a motherly instinct, right? She may know what to do! Still, as I feared, she may have the same cold diagnosis for Ein. It was unavoidable. "She.. She'll be here soon, Ein, don't worry. I love you, so much, you know that, right?" My voice crackled, and I stopped to take a breath, listening to her scared voice as she continued to ebb away. I nodded silently, and started to nuzzle her damp neck, murmmering quiet words of comfort. "It's okay, I'm right here, I'm not leaving you, ever. We'll always be here, together, forever and ever." I realized that I'd said the same things at the Island to Kairi and Sora, and I knew that I would be breaking both promises, but Ein would stay here, wouldn't she? Even in death, she would always be remembered! I shifted, radars snapping against my skull when I saw the sabino colt enter my home, and I wanted him away, and if my cold glare would have warned him, he would have stopped. Looking back down at Ein, my precious princess, I swallowed back a sob and nodded to her.

Her words finally ripped be apart, and I let the crystal clear tears fall from my eyes, but they landed on her wet body, never hitting the soggy ground. I shook slowly, trembling as I spoke my final goodbye, to my first born, something I never even thought of before. Never. "Ein, I will, I promise you, I will. Please, sleep well tonight. Make sure to look over us, from the stars, forever." I reached down, just before her eyes closed, I touched her mug ever so softly, inhaling her sweet scent, the moment bringing calm around us, and I finally let her go, watching her face as her sapphire eyes disappeared beneath her eyelids, and her final breaths escaping. I felt so calm, and layed my crown across her still barrel, until, well, Jayila made her appearance, as did Intrepid. The calm was rushed away in one violent moment.

I looked at my daughter's body one last time and smiled faintly, but then jerked my crown up when Intrepid came closer, mumbling his own words of desperation. Then Jayila slid past me, and I was sure that she would kill the young colt, the young father for what should have been his blame. I met Intrepid's eyes and felt envious towards him, until Jayila's wailing scream sounded to my radars, so foreign. "Jayila.. Jayila, don't. Please, not now." I mumbled, staring at my bay queen with desperate eyes, that only threatened to become furious as Jayila reared up, and I knew what her outcome would have been. I darted in front of the duo toned filly, fearful, because Jayila would actually kill it - she had before, remember? I felt her brush alongside me, and then fall, just like I had, and I let her mourn, for however long it took to realize Ein's death. I nodded, and looked at her with simple sadness, and nuzzled my queen, then spoke quietly to her. "She, she made me promise to take-"

My words were cut off when the duo toned filly decided to speak, and I thought she was addressing Jayila, but when sapphire orbs peeked a look in her direction, she was staring at Ein's body, her voice sounding so frightened. My heart thumped against my thin chest, and I rushed to the filly, trying to distract her from the stare of Ein's body. I also came to notice that the foal had no name. "Child, look at me. Your mommy isn't with us anymore, but I'm sure - I know that she loves you, very much. And, and if you look up at night, all the stars are her, watching over you. But, I need you to come with me, okay? We need to get you something to drink." I looked at Jayila, then Intrepid, and then back to Ein, and closed my eyes. What was it? I remembered seeing something, somewhere about being re-born. This was it. Ein was being re-born inside this child here. This duo toned filly, Phoenix. Born again. This time, I wouldn't mess up. "Phoenix? Do you like that name, angel?" I swallowed hard, trying not to look at Einjeru, whose name still means that, my little angel.

[lynx'']

i n t r e p i d ; ;

Shut your eyes...

It was all a blur. All that was happening, was i a ghost? no-one registered my apperance, all i got was a sad cold look from Riku, my princess's father. All was quiet, as Riku spoke to my queen, my vision became scvare, tears welled up in my black cold eyes. And once again, my mind drifted back to my father, had this ever happened to him? How would he cope if it did? But i was left with no answers. I douted he would be bothered, he didn't act like this, he didn't know love, and i felt sorry for him.

My black orbs cast a glance over at Einjeru as he father backed away to mourn, i still couldn't belive my eyes, once again, i went to her side, legs buckling as i began to sob, my neck thrown over hers, my eyes shut tight, forlock hiding their pain. The sudden approch of Jaylia, her mother, made me wake with a start and i stumbled to my feet, her angry eyes passed over me, and her screams pierced my harks, i sank back, cowered, my eyes wide. No! Jayila;no! this wasn't me! How could you suggest it! I whined, my voice broke, and once again, i began to cry, dropping my head to stare blankly at her unmoving body. My heart simply sank to my hooves, like a rock in a fast flowing river, i couldn't believe it at all.

And then, my harks perked up as my baby began to stir, my daughter! my first child! einjeru had sacrificed herself for our child. no matter how upset i was, i was so attached to this child, my precious darling, who was so confused. Sweetheart, I-I.. My words were cut off, by Riku's. Phoenix? was this whatEinjeru wanted?Had she chosen that name? I sent a glance in Riku's direction, he was the last one to speak with her. What informationdid he have? I wanted to know everything.

Darting from my lovers side, to my daughters, i lowered my skull over her neck. Phoenix, i'm intrepid, your daddy. It was all i could say, would she hate me? I loved her so much already and i would fight for her, i would die for the angel that lived on in my daughter.
[/color]

[nuzzer2]

{ j a l i y a

I sighed as my dark orbs rested on the cold corpse of my body; corpse, the word tasted like acid in my mouth, but that was she had turned into now wasn’t it? Her spirit had left her body, and all that was left to see was a shell.

I reached out to touch Riku’s warm body with a soft muzzle – I was calm now, the sorrow was still there, but I would keep it inside to I was alone. “She’s gone now, it’s nothing but a shell – let us not stare at it anymore” I spoke out in a calm tone, taking one last glance at my daughter, I turned towards Phoenix and reached down to puff her up on shaky legs. “Come now darling, we must find shelter for you” I spilled out with loud lyrics – a clear sign for the two stallion’s to follow, it wouldn’t make anything better to stand here. Pain ripped through my body as I started to walk away from my daughter – my only living daughter, but now she had died too, was I cursed?

Were all my foals doomed? I glanced at Riku to see if he was thinking the same, would he push me away now? Would he stop loving me? I clenched my jaw and instead focused on finding shelter for us. [/color][/size]

{ p h o e n i x ;;
- like an arrow.

So much confusion, so many things happening at once, what was happening? My orbs shifted to the grey stallion as he spoke up, what did he mean with mommy wasn’t here anymore? She was right here beside me!

I puffed my chest up as a bird would do, before skidding in closer to my mommy – I wouldn’t leave without her! I tried to glare at the equines, but failed miserably. “But mommy is right there! Don’t you see? How can she be in the stars, when she’s here?” I asked in an unsure voice. Suddenly a bay muzzle was pushing me up on shaky legs, and I felt myself sway a couple of times before steadying myself. Soon the black and white stallion spoke up, he was my daddy? I stared at him – sizeing him up, before turning my head back to the grey stallion. “Who are you then? Are you my daddy too?” I questioned with wide eyes – unknown to myself, I looked exactly like Einjeru had when she was a foal.

I felt the bay mare leave my side and instinct drove me stumbling forward to keep up, god this was hard work! My pillars were long and difficult to place without tumbling into each other; I let a frown slip on my features as I focused on moving my legs. I was actually a natural at it! My mother had been that too as a foal – but I didn’t know that. I hadn’t been paying attention to the nature though, and soon I collided with a tree – my tiny frame going down immediately, with confusion I lifted my gaze to stare at the big tree, where had it come from?

I turned my head slightly so that it was lying sideways to study the tree, it was quite pretty! I twisted my head back and grinned stupidly at the two stallions, before getting up again and dashing off after the bay mare – who was she? I did an ‘O’ with my mouth as we reached some caves, I carefully stepped inside – my intelligent eyes searching this new unknown thing for dangerous things, I turned around to stare at the others with a questioning look. [/color][/color][/size]

[azul.]

{ R I K U ;
Promise me you won't change yourself..

I kept my words reserved after I spoke with Phoenix. I lifted my body from the ground, threw a look back at Intrepid, strangely quiet after his response to Jayila's attack. My vocals rumbled deep from my throat, and I felt a sudden string of rage, but I remained cool and collected after looking at Phoenix's innocent pools. I lifted my crown and stared at the equally tall Intrepid, and spoke grimly. "Because your father would have done it. Face it." I let my solid pools remain on the young colt's frame for a few moments longer, but when I felt Jayila's comforting mug touch my shoulders, I willingly turned, and motioned for Intrepid to follow, as much as I despised it. He was the filly's father, after all. "I know, I know." My voice cracked a bit in response to Jayila, and I looked at my bay queen with sincerity, and managed a half hearted smile.

It faded soon after, only because Phoenix.. Well, she didn't understand, and I didn't blame her. In fact, I envied her. I knew exactly what she was feeling; I'd felt it for years on end. Jayila probably had too, with her first, deformed filly. Intrepid probably hadn't, except for today, but I felt less sympathy for the spoiled warrior, and more for Phoenix. I sidled in beside the filly, trying to keep her gaze with misted eyes, and spoked, my voice soothing, despite the situation. "This is only the body your mom was in. She's really up there, surrounding you, all the time. Understand?" It wasn't long after I finished speaking that Phoenix was staring at me - and her question was rather abrupt. I looked towards Intrepid, wishing that he wasn't here. I would have said yes, but I knew it was wrong, and instead started to speak again. "No, Phoenix. I'm not your daddy. I'm your mother's daddy. Your grandfather. And she's your grandmother," I indicated, tossing my head in the direction of Jayila, and then smiled at both of them.

I stepped back to allow the duo toned child room to move, adn set off behind her, radars pricked forward. I trailed behind, slowing until Intrepid caught up, wanting so bad to hurt him, pounding him into the turf, and I glared at him, so untrusting. However, I didn't get much of a chance to speak, as I looked towards Phoenix, and she was flat out on the ground, a large, bleak willow tree resting before her. I wasn't incredibly worried, more or less frightened, but I had to smile back at Phoenix when I saw her milky toned teeth widen in a bright, unconcerned grin. When she scampered after Jayila, I stepped in front of Intrepid, pearly teeth bared at him, demanding him to stop and face me. There's no way you're taking Phoenix back to Hollow Woods. If you even tell your father that Phoenix is here, I will kill you, I can assure you that. Phoenix is staying here, with me." I muttered in a low, cold hearted voice, eyeing the young, mourning colt with a serious stature. Then, I continued."However, you are her father, and I can't stop you from seeing her, so.. You can stay, at Black Lake. For now."

I quickly turned and shuffled back towards Jaliya and Phoenix, my foul attitude disappearing as I watched my grandaughter move about the cave that Ein had surely spent time in. She looked at all of us with such surprise that I jogged forward, and spoke quietly to the small child. "Why don't you have a drink? I'm sure Jaliya has something for you. Then you can see the rest of the land." I smiled at Phoenix for a few moments, trying not to look towards the direction of Ein's body, but we were far past it now.

[lynx'']

i n t r e p i d ; ;

Hush now, don't you cry.

My skull twisted towards Jaylia as she spoke, sad words, but indeed, true. Very true. My precious queen was now nothing but a corpse, a figure, laying there, this was her tomb, in her homeland, where she belonged, but how i longed for her to still be alive, we could of explored together, i would of moved away from Hollow Woods and taken her with me; to start afresh. A new land, new friendships to be found, a new life. How i longed to hear her harmonic voice once more, to hold her once more, embrace her fragile body under my muscular one. And once again, my mind drifted back to Hollow Woods, my home. But now, i felt like i was homeless, there was no way i could face going back there now, not alone. Einjeru was dead, and my precious daughter would not make the journey without milk, shelter or rest. And all were extremely hard to find unless you were in a territory. There were no possiblilities now, none of fathers mares had produced offspring this year, meaning, there was no milk there. Jaylia had milk, but that would mean she would have to stay here. I couldn't leave her, physically, i couldn't leave my baby girl behind.

As the bay mare spoke, i gave a swift nod, catching my signal to follow them, yet i lingered behind for a while, this didn't feel right, not at all. I didn't want to be here, i didn't feel safe, not that i couldn't fight, father had taught me how. but being in a land that was unknown scared me. I was alone now, i had no one, i wasn't returning to Hollow Woods, atleast not until Phoenix was old enough, maybe then, i would take her to visit. But i highly douted i could face it.

As Phoenix spoke, my mood worsened, she didn't talk to me! She was more interested in her 'grandparents' was this natural? My harks fell into my mane my black eyes were now dull, and lost within emotion. As our journey continued, i was snapped alert as a dull 'thud' reached my harks, eyes widened, to reveal a crumpled Phoenix on the ground. I couldn't help but smile, she was so much like Einjeru, it was almost like she hadn't died, like she was reborn, here, in my daughter.

As she scuttled off after Jaylia, i felt Riku's presence close, i stopped abruptly, as he bared teeth, i merely stared at him. He could kill me, for all i cared, i felt so guilty, even though her death wasn't my fault. As he spoke, i intently listened. His words cut me, like a knife twisted in my groin she's staying here, with me. I swallowed, the small ammount of liquid slicing my throat as it was so dry, was he suggesting i leave my daughter here, with him and Jaylia? I was her father! and i wasn't about to run back to hollow woods with my tail between my legs. Rasing my skull a little, i looked at him, eyes bright, half angered that he would think he could bully me into leaving her, half stunned. However, at his continue of conversation, my mood brightened. You can stay, at Black Lake. for now. And of course! I wouldn't stay here loner than i needed to, but for now it would be a pleasure to stay at my daughters side.

As Riku wandered off ahead, i lingered back for a few minutes, but then broke into an easy trot to go and be with Phoenix, as she explored the caves my sister, Emira, had once followed Snyper into. But i blinked that thought away. now, i wanted to concentrate on my daughter. Stopping close to her, i lowered my crown and smiled at her, this time, hoping to get some reaction back.
[/color]

[nuzzer2]

{ p h o e n i x ;;

I felt the sadness rush over me as I recalled the silver stallion not being my father too, I liked him, plus he was caring for me and actually telling me about mommy. I gazed up at the sky above us, was it really true that mommy was up there? I felt like yelling something like ‘hey mommy’ but the other horses would probably think I was insane, wouldn’t they? I missed my mommy.

Quickly I tried to think of something else as I felt liquid gather in my bright orbs. I twisted my head to look back over my shoulder, were the lazy equines coming? I shuffled closer to the bay mare and lowered my hungry mouth to her teats, would the milk taste like moms did? I took a test and retracted my head to let the liquid pour down my throat – it was creamy and hot and actually quite good! Hungrily I reached out again to drink and this time I didn’t retract my head, but I was careful not to hurt the bay mare with suckling too hard.

I didn’t hear the sob that was torn from her throat, didn’t feel the pain she was experiencing from nursing me – because I resembled her deceased daughter in every way. Instead I drank to I was full – and meanwhile the stallions had caught up, I lifted my crown to stare at the black and white one “Daddy? Why are you black and white?” I questioned with a voice full of wonder, my intelligent eyes had caught that my father was black and white – while my mother had been bay, why was I neither? I reached out and playfully tugged at the young stallion’s mane, then turned my head to my ‘grandfather’ – boy did that sound old! I twisted my head again so that it was lying sideways as a question slipped from my lips. “Are you old granddaddy?” It was a silly question, but hey! You couldn’t exactly blame a newborn.

I dashed forward and reared up to place my forelegs on the silver stallion’s back, then nipped at his mane as well before I threw my head forward and chewed on his ears – a typical Emira thing, but that I didn’t know either. I let my pillars slide down before dashing in the cave and out of sight, I tried to adjust my sapphire orbs to the darkness – but my vision was already bad from just being born, soon a loud ‘hmpf’ was heard as I managed to stumble over a rock and fall onto the cold floor. I rose with a frustrated sigh, but continued in the dark cave – getting more and more daring by the second. “Hellllooo?” I called out into the darkness, and yelped in surprise as I heard something I had never heard before – echo.

Immediately I returned to the black and white stallion’s side – or rather, under him. I glared out into the darkness, expecting some evil creature to come waltzing at any moment now, but as time went by no one came and my auds pricked forward again, but I stayed hidden under the dark stallion. “Is there any other foals?” I whispered out as my head popped out to look at the silver stallion, with wide eyes and a look that clearly said ‘I’m curious! Tell me more!’.

ooc: ahaha! see she insists on calling 'em for "daddy" XD *ein laughs from above* [/size][/color]