I wander in from the pond in the middle of the Hidden Falls, aimlessly tracing a path through the snow, leaving muddy hoofprints behind me. Damaris is off hunting for rabbits, squirrels, anything that is resisting the allure of hibernation. Don't run too far off, please. I tend to fret more than she does, the worrisome mothering-type that I am. I know she can take care of herself, but I get uncomfortable when we are too far apart. She is the only one in this world I have any type of connection with, and it is a strong connection to boot. Stretching it with too much distance and I start to get jittery.

My two-toned forelock hangs shaggy over my forehead, threatening but not quite obscuring my vision. It has get to break off to a more manageable length and it goes well with the long winter coat that has grown in. I'm a furry beast and prepared for the cold. Though, this is colder than I'd like. I wander toward the entrance to the Falls, toward the treacherous path that even herd members must take care when traversing. I near the bottom of the trail, but stop nearby, seeing a stranger standing there. I puff out my chest. Is this an intruder? Damaris feels my change in attitude and becomes alert to me. I come back? She asks, questioning if I need her assistance. I shake my head no, as if she can see me, my ears and mane flopping back and forth. No. I say succinctly.

The stranger, a mare by her scent, is thick-bodied like me but taller - and thicker. She nearly blends in with the snow, her body paler than even Elsa's. Only her slightly darker legs give her away, plus the movement of her drinking from the pool that is situated so nearby our entrance. If she is an intruder, she doesn't seem to know that she's intruding. I walk toward her, chest puffed out and head held high, self-important as hell. I am a Legatus, if she's not supposed to be here, I can take care of her. "Excuse me, Comrade." I clear my throat and stop, standing square just a few yards away. "Lady Comrade you are in the Falls, may I ask whom you are?"

WC: 383
Tag: @[December]

Rostislav

more than a drunken fool

The mare amuses me and it shows in my eyes as the clump of snow falls upon her. I don't snicker, but laughter fills me inside. I don't need to say anything, I'm sure she doesn't need me to embarrass her. She snorts her answer at me, that she already lives here, and that I have no need to get my feathers ruffled. If I had any. I rest a hind leg, taking her words to heart and relaxing my guard. 'Yup, doin' fine.' I comment to Damaris, and all of my muscles soften in my body. The lady takes to introducing herself and I make a note in the ledger in my mind. White December. Midas brought her - well of course he did. He's the recruiting King. I have tried my hand at it, to limited success, and find myself reluctant to travel to the Threshold too often. I don't like failure and it seems the trips there are so repetitive and not fruitful often enough. I roll my shoulders and cock my head as she asks if I am different than Midas. Well - of course I am? I am a draft horse and he is not. He is painted and goldish, I am not. I do not at first understand the question, until she mentions my horns. I cough, clearing my throat, and try to answer the question to the best of my knowledge. "Ah.. no.. I didn't put them there. I was born with them. Wasn't I? I mean, I don't remember my birth but I sure don't remember NOT having my horns and spikes. My nostrils flare and I respond with a tinge of pride. "But I certainly am happy to have them!" Me big stallion, full of pride and testosterone. You puny.. not so puny.. mare, full of lady bits and... I don't know where I'm going with this. My horns are amazing! More calmly I reply. "Midas is a pegasus, I am a unicorn. And you...." I glance her up and down with a twitch of a smile climbing upon my face unbidden. "Are neither."

I walk toward the water and paw at it lazily with a hoof, trying to hold my balance. I glance over at her with a pale eye, one lobe tilted toward her. "Have you been here long? I am not familiar with your name. I am Rostislav." I had almost forgotten to introduce myself. Silly me... not that it would make any difference one way or another, I'm sure. I turn my eyes from her large form and stare absentmindedly down into the water, but one lobe still listens for her response. It remains the only sign that my attention is still on her.

WC: 455
Tag: @[December]

Rostislav

more than a drunken fool

My words are met with silence, but I think nothing of it. I am not particularly chatty myself and often find it off-putting in others. (Although, not having to be the one providing conversation is much preferred.) 'After all dear what is idle prattle for.' I blink slowly, waiting in the silence for her response. It comes, and though my ear shows I'm listening, I continue to gaze at the water. She has turned around as she was in the beginning, joining me. She manages to show as much disinterest as I have, intentional or not. I find myself becoming more comfortable with her. When was the last time there was a new female in the herd who wasn't batshit crazy? (Or hormonal, which is it!) I'm not an uptight guy - it's my nature to be comfortable and at ease around others. It used to be my nature to be always trying to get into a lady's pants... but with Aurelia, and then Wryn... I've been less than eager in that endeavor as of late. This female, however... Her potentially intimidating size and strength plus her apparent calm make for an interesting combination, and I find it soothing rather than alarming. My lower lip droops slightly as I realize that I'm feeling serene for the first time in ages.

'Wake up!' Damaris yelps in my head. She's sensed the lack of active thought and suspects correctly that I may still be in a conversation and needing to be an active participant. I start, and my ears slide back as I refocus myself, then forward to a pleasant, happy state again. I belatedly process December's words. I glance over to her, surprised that she's not happy-go-lucky about being in the Falls - this also separates her from the others. "Well at least you're honest." I shrug and over an accepting and easygoing smile. "Good news for ya then - it's very simple to be in a herd and keep your distance." I nod in the affirmative. I think that I myself have done a decent job. The only time I've had interaction with others has really been when I've actively sought it. Besides that... "There are some herd members I'm not sure I've ever met." And I've been here a fair while now.

WC: 380
Tag: @[December]

Rostislav

more than a drunken fool

White December

He seemed to not be paying all that much attention again, only one ear towards her but his eyes seeming to droop and his jaw slowly dropping open, his entire form seeming to release any ounce of tension it once had. December didn't think she'd seen anyone act in such a way in her presence before. Most were annoyed or intimidated, or confused because they didn't know how to respond to her. She had seen pretty much every sort of expression towards her demeanor, except this one. She couldn't help but be bewildered and fascinated all at once as she studied the male. The cogs her in mind turned slowly but powerfully to try and concoct a reason as to why he was this way. Suddenly his head snapped up, ears shifting back towards her direction before he's soon offering an easygoing smile.

Her words get only a flick from her ear, before she's looking out across the stream and responding in her usual stoic tone,"I don't understand how I wouldn't be honest. To avoid the truth simply to benefit me not only seems selfish but time consuming, all for an outcome that may or may not be different from if you were to tell the truth." Long tail gracefully swishing against her legs, she paused to take in his additional comments, ones that made her snort in almost amusement. If only she had such luck like him. So far she seemed to be a magnet for company. Despite this, he had been the least stressful of all of those who had approached her, and she didn't know if it was for the good or for the bad.

"I hope to keep it that way," she mused before she could stop herself. If he had been looking at the right moment, he would have seen a slight smirk grace her smokey maw, some many have never seen upon her features throughout their entire existence. Her muscles soon relaxed, causing her ivory and smoke bodice to smooth out beneath her matte coat, and giving her a slightly more graceful appearance. Whether it was because she was always thinking and alert, or if it was just the stress of always anticipating unexpected company, December was usually tense, her muscles often showing or looking larger than they were because she was on edge. It had been quite awhile since her body had brought its defenses down.

She takes this time to bring her lips back to the black pool before her, the icy moisture assaulting her senses and causing a slight shiver to run along her spine. Her ears are still facing towards Rostislav's direction, although her eyes are shut to embrace the cool and let it numb her senses just for a moment. Sometimes she liked the sensation of feeling nothing, to let her mind think freely of other things besides biological senses, and this oddly enough, was her therapy. Soon her massive head was back in the air, and she was taking in the vast icy land around her, air clouding from her nostrils before she simply stated with the utmost flattened tone,"Fuck frostall."


"Speech"
Text
Thought

{WC: 525
Tag: Rostislav}

She is more stoic than I am - much more. She is quiet as I am, but when she speaks there is a note of.. what is that, disdain? I guess we have very different ideas about honesty and how common it is. I glance over at her, watching with curiosity at her blank, straight response. At least I know that she'll be honest if I ask her anything. In my mind I laugh, wondering if there are any embarrassing questions I want to ask her. No, but perhaps I can keep this in the back of my mind for the future.

I watch her and catch a brief smile on her face, then it falls away as quickly as it came. I make no mention of it, not realizing how rare it is for this large lady. Her body relaxes as mine has, and I think that from the outside it may look like two herdmates just chillin' out on a cold winter's day. I shrug my shoulders and pay little attention to her words, except the last few that sneak out, suggesting that she would rather meat no one here. Well, that's her own loss. There are several nice creatures here, though I've never really thought of them so fondly. "Well, if you ever need an introduction to any of them - for whatever purpose." I add the last bit with a sly eye, realizing that if she needs to find someone it might not be for idle chit chat as we are doing now. "Give me a call and I'll help you out." I shake my head, letting my mane and forelock fall scraggly across my skin and obscuring my vision slightly.

WC: 283
Tag: @[December]
Time to wrap up? sorry for the stupid crappy short post

Rostislav

more than a drunken fool

White December

With a shrug of his shoulders he simply dismissed her words, and she could only glance at him as he reached a hoof out should she need any assistance. It was a kind gesture she supposed, but one she most likely wouldn't need assistance with. Meeting others certainly wasn't on her list. The sly smile on his features made her ponder his intentions with the added note, but she only snorted and nodded, looking out forward once more before beginning to turn away. A sharp breeze hit her face suddenly, blowing her grey and white locks against her neck and withers, earning a displeased snort from the mare.

"Alright then. If I ever did want company, it would most likely just be yours, but I suppose... thank you."

She let her words hang in the air as she began to walk away. She was being honest when she said that, but usually she wouldn't feel the need to say such things, so why did she say something now? Perhaps the unicorn stud left more of an impression on her than they both could have thought. Especially since he got a thank you out of her. Strange man, she commented to herself, only letting her steel eyes glance at his frame once more before she strode forward. Off she went, pushing into the dense brush and making her way to another part of the herd lands, not even glancing at the spiky branches that poked and scraped her tough skin. Goodbyes were something she was never good at.


"Speech"
Text
Thought

{WC: 257
Tag: @[Rostislav]
OOC: Sure! That's fine. I hope they can meet again though, I like where their relationship is at :3. If you ever want to plot with me about it pm me or skype me, I will respond faster to pm as my internet is limited atm.}