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 Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:29 pm
 The chilly wind whistled through the many tines of a strange royal's antlers. His bright yellow wolfish eyes stared blankly at the uncovered patch of green. "There is grass under the snow?" Niyol breathed, a white puff rising from his muzzle. He bent to nose the patch as if to make sure it was really there. It was, the blades tickling his nose. His handsome head shot back up. A grin spread across his features.
He reared onto his powerful back legs with a loud bellow. Slamming onto the frost, he dug and scraped with golden hooves. More green started to randomly appear here and there to the stag's delight. He laughed and continued to dig with his golden hooves.
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Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:15 pm
It was quiet; a tranquil aura seemed to emanate from the very forest itself. Hardly a wonder why, though, considering the sparkling sheet of frost blanketing the crisp sustenance a lone creature did long for. Still, as placid as this wintry day may have been Amaranth was far from being at ease. She was hungry as aforementioned, deprived of a substantial meal for several suns. Her intrusion on herd lands did not aid matters either.
The russet hind was a lonely one, but somber tones did not linger in her mantra nor did they roll off her presence. Amaranth had grown accustomed to such a life and the murmur of a stomach or the thirst for shared warmth were muted ones and had long since been imprinted as rote assets during this deadened season. Regardless, she hardly sought company as what company could hardly stand her? Through years of mutual distance from herds the hind had grown seemingly bitter on the outside - a wizened spitfire with a knack for herding stag and hind alike away from her presence. Fawns rubbed off no better - their ‘cuteness factor’ was casually overlooked it appeared. However, Amaranth, in her own right, longed for a sense of companionship. A place to return to and call home, a system of order, a feeling of belonging…
All were wanted yet loathed.
To run free and never look back, to enjoy your own leadership, to act on whims, never to be restrained… They were such powerful feelings that you simply could not discard for something better.
So she didn’t.
Yet as the glimmering golden glow of the sun led her across the near barren woodland a flicker of movement caught her brilliant azure eyes and she was instinctively drawn towards this movement because from scent and sight alone she could tell it was certainly another Herla. Deer are gregarious and very alert creatures after all…
A rumbling bellow echoed in gently perked ears, soon followed with the attachment of a tremendous slam and the quiet, but fervent, scrape of hoof on frost. Azure eyes traveled about the scene, taking in the almost playful but deliberate actions of the unusually tined royal. Despite such a profound oddity, he was no doubt a royal. But what had sparked such a joyous take on a necessary action?
Amaranth could only wonder and watch behind the shelter of an aspiring oak, awaiting some form of an answer.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:11 pm
 There was a third in the snowy glade, not as much of a passive watcher as the other hind, though she stood quietly for a time anyway. What had attracted her to the company of others so suddenly? Why, the male's shiny gold hooves of course! Gold! After seeing so much white and so little green, any other color was welcomed in her eyes at this point. Then again, anything even remotely interesting got her attention nowadays, reverting her back to a fawn-like behavior that seemed awkward to others. The grass was a passing interest in comparison; hunger was a distant problem to someone like her, not because she could easily feed herself, but because she often managed to forget she was in need of food somehow when it got irritating. Maybe stamping out the growls of her stomach was a talent she needed to get rid of, though; the femme was looking a bit on the bony side now. Either way, she simply shrugged it away like she always did. Food presented itself anyway, like now.
Candace didn't care too much for the other watcher at the moment. What a messy patchwork of colors she spied from behind the oak! Maybe up close it could be appreciated, but for now it just looked like it was made half-heartedly. Poor thing. Well, if she wouldn't do anything, it looked like it was up to Moony! Candace enjoyed the nickname because it suited her so much, pelt and personality-wise. Plus, it was a lot better than plain "Candace". Clear blue ponds for eyes alighted in pleasure, she trotted out into the clearing towards the male, displaying nothing of the usual herd-less deer's attitude to someone as regal as him, only an inviting smile she owuld have given to even the most ruthless. "Did you say grass?" she asked, ears flicked upward hopefully.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:47 am
 Darkened silver eyes dilated and shifted beneath pale brows, raised high in challenge to whatever being had bellowed so loudly close to his standing. Dark burgandy tines swayed slightly with the gentle tremor that passed over strong muscles, designed for the sprint. He was clearly a rogue, and by his ever ready poise, he was ever ready to flee this area. It wasn't odd, as he knew he was trespassing on another's herdland. He was new to the area, this large stag. Darkened silver eyes passed over the area once more, before bending his head once more to early cowslip sprouts. Stupid plants. So tasty, and so early. He had been lucky to find them too, as his meticulous senses told him herd members had passed through here a short while ago. How could they have missed these sweet buds? A sneer crossed breifly over his lips as he rose his neck up to gently scrape more frost from the area, in a bitter attempt to find more. No luck. That was it.
The great red stag flicked his short tail once, a shiver starting from his head and running all the way down his spine. Long ears swirled around, picking up light traces of movement, whispers of talk. His nostrils twitched as a new scent blew into his face with the wind. A stag and hinds? Different from the herd-scent, so possibly new to the herd, or like him, scrouging whatever was left. He frowed, thick brows drawing down on those piercing dark silver eyes. His strange patterning give him very little cover in these white forests. His brillent russet red pelt was a little scraggly with the thick winter coat he had taken on, and it was all mussed and crazy. Reaching his neck round, he scratched at an itch on his hindquarters with his antlers. Their velvet made them much darker, but their deep red tones were clear. Shaking out the thick mane around his chest and throat, the stag silently made his way over the frost.
Ears perked forward, listening for the three he sought, the red stag eyed his path carefully. Before him were dainty hoof-prints, most likely a hind from their careful placement. The bellow of the other stag clearly stated one as large as himself, and though the stag certainly had a light step, as was naturally possessed by a rogue such as he, this other spoke of strength and brutality possessed by those used to being in charge. Gazing up a moment, the ears of the stag flew back and he ducked his large bulk behind an oak, following its girth around so that he may peer around the other side. There stood one of the hinds he had scented, russet and grey in colouration, looking into the glade ahead, where the red stag could just make out gold, black and tan colourations of the others. Narrowing his silver eyes, the red stag chose his next move carefully. Through the many naked twigs of the trees, he spied the great stag who had bellowed. His tines were so numerous, the red stag knew better then to insult the male. The stag took the dare, and stepped up carefully behind the hind.
"He makes a lot of sound, though none too surprising for such a large beast." He drew up alongside the hind, his deep rumblings quiet so that only she may hear him, though he knew it was possible that the others may well notice two now stood to the edge of their conversation. "What has him so excited?" Dark silver eyes gazed down at the interestingly patterned female, his tines proudly presented to her.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:10 pm
Three sharp scents caught Niyol off guard. He stopped his playful scraping and turned to stare face to face with a beautiful black and white hind. "Oh! Um... Hello!" he chirped a little embaressed. She had said something about the grass he had found. "If you want to graze, be my guest!" he added backing away to scarpe at a different patch, softer this time around.
He was having fun turning the white into green. He was amazed by the slightest change in the bleak white wasteland. The grass had been fun, but now he had a few other deer to converse with. With a bright smile, he dipped his handsome head into a shallow bow to each of the three newcomers in turn. "I am called Niyol," he introduced, "and sadly, I am a rogue." He wanted to start a herd of his own, but he was afraid of the challanges the action would bring.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:43 pm
The tickling breath of words at her ear grasped her attention, but it was the lulling waft of a musky scent that first alerted her to another’s entrance to the glade. Gently she drew back her patched and tapered muzzle, lifting brilliant blues to encompass the entirety of the stag at her side. His tines were fewer than the enthralled royal, but his mesh of swirling ruddy hues were far more intriguing to her than the dusty tans and cream’s the royal proudly displayed. However, while her scrutinizing gaze seemed thoroughly shielded an ounce of protections had already drained away as it met those mercury hues. A flicker of a smirk seemed to momentarily snake across her maw - it lasted but seconds - but it was enough to any keen observer to show she was not displeased with this more subtle rouge.
“Quite,” Amaranth mused, tilting her muzzle to now view the stag near-clumsily addressing the twilight hind, “As for what triggered his fancy, well that I’m not entirely sure of either. I only know that the more he scraped away the frost the more excited he grew.” Another incline of her head ensued, this one swinging it back to properly regard the ruddy stag. “In any case, I am Amaranth, although some - and I mean very few have been granted the option - choose to call me Amary instead. May I inquire your own name?” Directly she announced her dubbage to this red male solely, but in the case the opposing hind and stag had heard, well then so be it. As untamable and bitter as Amaranth could be viewed as at times, the things that gathered her interest were smoothly granted a trickle of respect. This male had even gained the token of a much larger boon - admiration. Despite how little his antlers could be boasted in the face of the royal - whom she now learned to be called Niyol if she had properly heard his greeting - he seemed wise and held himself with a carefully noble grace.
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:37 am
The stag watched the scene ahead for a moment longer, ears intent on the hinds words, though amused by the clumsiness of this other rogue. The red stag was confused at how openly this other proclaimed his position within the hierarchy of herdlife. To be a rogue in these parts surely meant trouble if found? They were, afterall, on another's grazing, and should outriders head their way, it was possible it was just the two stags that would be fleeing. Noting the hind awaiting his answer, her drew his gaze back to her, dark silver eyes lightening a little with respect. From the way she spoke, she was obviously unused to kindness, and though he showed it to very few, she spoke as amicably to he as he had to her, and as such, felt a certain amount of respect to this hind, Amary as she had allowed him the pleasure of calling her.
"I dub myself Redwing. Years alone can cause one to change his perspectives on their herd given name." One ear twitched back, pale brows lowering slightly, a ripple of muscle in his foreflank the only indictation he felt a little uncomfortable with his name. His voice was still all but a low rumbling in his chest, his dark silver eyes flicking constantly between the hind beside him, and the other two within the glade, ensuring that they remained a safe distance from them. Raising his head a little higher, Redwing smiled slightly, a small twist to the corners of his mouth, though it was gone as quickly as it came as he looked at Amary. "Is this your herdland, Amary? Surely one such as yourself is greatly desired within the hareem of herdlife?" He smirked a little at the idea of herdlife. He had been a rogue so long, he could hardly begin to imagine life surrounded by others. He was constantly on the move, as boasted by his speed and agilty, his ability to escape the outriders and remain a free stag. Though she looked small, and delicate as hinds should, she obviously had a powerful spirit guiding her, and Redwing could hardly imagine her to be possessed like some patch of land by any old stag.
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:12 pm
"Really? Me too!" exclaimed the young hind without abash, not seeming to notice or care for the male's depressed tone. Her long ears flicked back swiftly as she caught remnents of the conversation going on behind, and she did cast the two caught in the shadows a look, but it was a simple checkup, a glance, and nothing more. True, the other stag's coat was such a lustrious and admiral pallet of russet and chocolate and cream, his demeanor held with a sense of hidden power and royal grace, most certainly a handsome catch indeed; but otherwise, he sounded pretty much like the rest (at least from what she caught), just like the other patchy female as well apparently. Really, did they all have to sound so formal and locked-up and mature and whatnot all the time? Candace knew she could easily hold a great conversation for long periods of time with that same type of language, but it was her short attention span and lack of interest to hold such boring drones that stopped her. Casual amicability was far better than stiff respect in her eyes. Then again, not many agreed with her views.
But anyway, back to the other male now. Niyol, right?
"You guys can call me Candace," the crescent-marked hind introduced cheerily, loudly enough for them all to hear, and then dropped back to a normal conversational voice. "Or Moony. Or maybe something else completely different, doesn't matter to me," she added with a laugh, stretching her neck down to the patch of grass Niyol had picked at before. Aah, repressed hunger or not, that smelled good! She took a n** at a few blades of grass and began to chew with enthusiasm, continuing to speak as she did. "Nothing," -- chomp chomp -- "bad about a," -- chompity nom swallow -- "rogue, Niyol. I mean, you don't look underfed or hurt or anything like that."
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:42 pm
Niyol tossed up his head, his antlers flitting a little too close for comfort near the tree that loomed over the four deer. "It's my antlers. Wolves fear them and deer respect them. That's all," he laughed. Whoops! Lost his composure!
He stiffened for a moment and went back to the deep respectful tone, "It is good to meet other herla on one's journey. Thank you for this oppertunity Redwing, Amaranth, and.... *snort* .... Moony." Some royal stag he was.
His smile was warm and truthful. He did like being with others of his kind. Shaking ice from his golden hooves in turn, he moved to the side a bit and bent down to graze. He was careful not to bump Moony too hard with his massive antlers. Sometimes he hated the long majestic tines. They got caught in trees, they made sleeping a hassle, they were heavy like rock, and most humans wanted to kill him for his antlers. His gold wolfish eyes sparkled as he took a glance at the black and white hind.
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:46 pm
While awaiting a response from the stag at her side, Amaranth surveyed the cheerily chattering pair further. Careful analysis was clearly not necessary when it came to them - Candace seemed foolish and young, lacking any proper courteous obligations as well, and Niyol seemed to be a bright sort, although striking in his own right. Mayhap it was merely the spire of ashen timber antlers crowning his shaggy forehead, either way it allowed him a subdued spark of respect.
Redwing, however, was something entirely different. He seemed so akin to her via appearance and personality - a blissful wonder if ever did she glimpse one. Had she not become so hardened by life alone and several years younger she might have even giggled like a fresh doe. How naive a thought that would be compared to the quiet powress with which Amary commanded herself. So foreign were such frivolities that the thought never even occurred to her; she was merely stoically enraptured by the suave elegance of the stag and how he complimented her so.
A compliment!
How rare those were indeed, particularly so when one was not adjusted to herdlife.
Still, her composure never faltered aside from the solitary flick of a dished ear. “Not at all, Redwing,” she began, properly greeting him at last, “I haven’t been in a herd in ages it seems… I’m not even sure if I could adjust properly anymore - the thought of always remaining under the command of others never really did appeal to me, however fair a lord and his outriders may be.” A toss of her head followed in utter defiance, emphasizing her words wholly. As the gesture subsided though a brief sober tone crept into her voice, “It might be nice, though, to run amongst other Herla,” pausing she glanced at the conversing pair, almost ashamed to act so forlorn, “What about you? Surely if one such as me could be taken for a herd hind you could be taken for a proud outrider?”
Although, while she calmly spoke with Redwing it appeared she had forgotten their peers - at least most likely to them, anyway. Amary was still well aware of their presence and during her ‘speech’ she had given the slightest of nods in acknowledgement, although she doubted it had been seen or even received as a follow-up greeting.
Ah well. Redwing was far more intriguing in her eyes.
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:30 pm
Of course, this was a herd’s land and a gathering of so many deer could hardly go unnoticed. In all honesty, Islwyn almost didn’t notice it. He was too distracted by a particularly fascinating bird. His ears flicked as he watched the feathery little creature as it twittered anxiously. It had been a while since he had seen any birds at all in the pale gray sky. Well, except for the geese down by the creek. His nose still hurt a little from his last encounter with those terrors of the creek. Snow crunched under his hooves as he crept closer to this fascinating animal. The bird leapt to another branch, watching the corps in the normal birdy way, which was vaguely nervous before flittering away quickly.
“Wait up!” Islwyn galloped after the bird as best he could, weaving his way around the trees. Sure, he was supposed to be doing his rounds, but… well, this was far more fun! But something else caught his attention and forced him to a halt. He sniffed the air curiously, his ears flickering. Deer! Other deer! How fun! Rapidly switching directions, the black buck continued his fast-paced journey until the other deer came into sight.
Completely oblivious to their non-rank in his own herd, Islwyn assumed the deer he came across were like him and merely curious about everything and had wandered off.
“Hi!” he said brightly, looking around at the other deer with interest. Everything was always interesting to him. The black hind in particular was interesting. She had to be a sister that he hadn’t met yet. There were so many of them! The fact that she was older than he was didn’t occur to Islwyn.
ooc| Nagi, please remember; Niyol is not a royal. This is a rank that can only be earned through role play.
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:57 pm
((PR here.
A reminder that what Ferret mentioned is true - the status of 'Royal' stag for Outriders must be extensively RP'd for, and while I didn't specifically name any deer, I believe I already mentioned this in-thread.
To spell it out clearly: Niyol is not a Royal stag, tine count or no.
I know this may seem like an insignificant RP trifle, but it can be offending to those who have actually RP'd to earn the rank of Royal.
No one needs to edit/change their previous posts if they don't wish to, but please refrain from using the term further.
Thank you all. n_n))
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:45 am
Redwing nearly scoffed at the idea of himself being an outrider now. He shook his head slowly, ears twitching back a moment, thinking he had picked up another, but unsure. He turned his head over his shoulder a little, dark eyes scanning the surrounding woodland quickly before putting it down to overactive senses and worry at being caught. Frowning slightly, he turned back to Amary and regaining his composure.
"Once, but that was many seasons ago, when I was a younger stag and a little more reckless." A sad smile turned his sharp, ever alert features into the face of someone else, a younger self with little cares to worry him the first time he was forced to strike out on his own. Shaking his mane out as the moment passed, he gazed at Amary with a confirming look. "To run with others is a pleasure that courses through us all. Only sometimes, that is not an option available, and we must take our paths alone, and on a more dangerous thread of untrodden ground." Redwing turned his eyes out, back to the almost naive pair conversing happily within the glade. It was then he saw the black corps near running at them. The white speckled male with the piercing blue eyes was clearly a Firebringer herd member. He nudged Amary gently with his muzzle and directed her attention to the corps with his antlers.
"Firebringer!" Redwing's muscles all tensed, ready for flight, but what happened next was completely unexpected. The corps just stopped, and the lone word that left his mouth was anything but brash or harsh. Redwing raised his head high, looking down at the small corps member. His muscles were still tight and bunched, and his dark eyes held a definite spark of confused wonder. Had this herd member just said 'hi'? Surely he could tell none of them were herd members? Redwing cursed himself. He shouldn't have been drawn into those pretty markings and bright azure eyes. Taking a lone step forward with a forehoof, Redwing lowered his head, presenting his antlers and standing across Amary slightly, protectively. His first friendly Herla, and he was not going to allow her to be put in danger by a herd member. His ears were nearly laid back against his neck they had twisted back so far, and his pale brows were raised high so he could clearly see his target, keep a clear eye on him and any sudden movements he might make to bring outriders down on the congregation of rogues.
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:39 pm
|~| Gotcha. I apologize for the mistake. |~| Well this was a turn out, Candace thought with a laugh as she was referred to by her nickname. "Wolves, huh? I don't blame them either, it looks so heavy and dangerous!" she chirped in reply, her eyes lifting up in amusement towards his magnificent number of tines. "You might even get," - giggling broken by a snort - "get caught caught in the branches of that tree!" Ah, now that would be funny. Though it also meant she would have to help him out somehow, even if those other two didn't. Which wasn't fun at all . . .
Her weak chain of thought was broken once more, the sound of more hooves bringing her ears back once more. She leaned her head around casually, watching as the brilliant russet stag positioned himself just before that other female - Amaranth or something - with his head bent to show horns. When she saw who the defending was from, Candace just had to frown, though. At least for a moment; it was broken quickly when the young corps greeted them cheerfully, at which her expression brightened yet again in return. Not even the word "Firebringer" seemed to put so much as a dent in her buoyant mood, a stubborn trait that would prove very dangerous otherwise. Or maybe she was ignorant of what the word carried. Either way, the hind soon found herself chatting back.
"Hiya! Looks like you got big guy over there ruffled," Candace said, again accompanied by a tiny fit of laughter and a snort. How easily the situation seemed comical to her, though most certainly an unintentional insult otherwise. "But don't mind him. There's grass over here, did you know that? Grass!" Eagerly she whipped her head back around and down, leaning towards the patch Niyol had granted her and plucking some blades from the ground, swivelling her head back towards the stranger with a grin-full of green. It was peculiar how amiable she could be despite not being used to the company of others, let alone three other deer at once after so long. But she couldn't possibly think of a reason as to alienate the young one like the other male had so quickly; honestly, not every deer was out to get those who weren't in a herd!
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:39 am
It was when she was about to reply to Redwing and utter at the least some form of minute apology - there was no denying she seemed to have struck a nerve of some kind - or to agree with his philosophical views that her muzzle was suddenly buffeted to swing her gaze over the sprightly gaited corps entering the glade. And then suddenly a segue of tines obscured her vision as the stag defiantly made means to protect her. Rather than thank him a sense of bitter animosity entered her gut and churned it with fervor. The corps had done nothing other than prance into their midst and release a bright greeting - clearly he was blithe to the fact they were rogues, that or he simply did not care. Coupled with the fact she knew full well how to guard herself from the dangers of life and the fact the ebon corps was still a small and learning creature he would hardly be a proper adversary. Though she may lack antlers a hind was still equipped with tooth and hoof and both could be transformed into apt mechanisms of battle. Thus, in an undertone she verbally lashed out at Redwing who had done nothing more than what instinct whispered to him, “Are you a fool, stag? He is but one corps and with the naivety radiating from him it’s clear we would be able to dine on some grass and slip away before he ever realized - or cared - we were not part of his herd. Instead you instantly go into a provoking stance that tells him you and I are not from Firebringer which will only lead to a stream of outriders.”
Regardless, Amaranth herself had tensed and not only because a possible threat was at hand. The young male was so alike her as a fawn, so naïve and whimsical. It was those traits that had thrust her into the life of a rouge and as her words faded and her maw was tightly closed once more she couldn’t help but submit to a quiet reminiscence.
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