` taking chances [open]

[{ b l u e }]

... but that's okay, 'cuz i'm a bit of a gambler anyway.

There was an inevitable nagging thought at the back of the bulky liver chestnut's mind as he strode through the endless sea of yellow. Something he honestly didn't care to take notice of, but was eating away at him nonetheless.

Listening in satisfaction as the dandelions and grass crunched beneath his heavy feathered hooves, Ghalzan refused to dwell on the little warning flags fluttering in his mind. I can go where I like, and nobody's going to stop me. he growled inwardly, clenching his jaw.

Tossing his head with a snort, the hulking frame of the stallion suddenly lurched forward into a ground-eating gallop. Clods of earth, grass, and crushed flowers flew from his hooves every which-way as he recklessly tore through the fields, russet mane and tail flying behind him.

"Come and chase me back... I dare you." he challenged with a snarl, amber eyes flicking to and fro as if in search of some unseen foe. But as he scanned his surroundings, there was no creature to be seen. As far as he knew, he was completely alone.

Skidding to a halt not long after realizing this, Ghalzan let his frame relax and his breathing return to normal before letting the most hate-filled glare he could muster focus to the East. No words were said; his scowling facade was enough to convey his feelings for his former homeland. But with a quick toss of his head, Ghalzan let his attentions return to his current position. "Little need to be bothered over the past..."

But just as his words were spoken, the thought that had been plaguing him since he first crossed the border involuntarily flooded his mind.
It was the simple fact that he was unwelcome here. He was an enemy of all the territories, an outcast; banished. If anybody caught him here, his whereabouts would likely be reported in a heartbeat, and after that... well, the chances of him making it back to the desert alive were quite slim.

Though despite all of the warnings, he had left the south anyway... for a while, at least. He couldn't deny the fact that he missed the abundant green grass, the trees, the fresh air. Anything but the desert. And now that he was here, he was faced with the cold truth that if any creature associated with the Royals found him, he'd be executed on the spot.

"Shouldn't have come here..." he grumbled with an irritable flick of his tail.

--status: complete
--muse: alright
--words: 429
--notes: not particularly pleased with this post, but it'll do. (but i'm definitey going to be fixing the ending at some point). :p

[~FyrePhlye~]

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[atrb=background,http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7919/phawnandtaymid.jpg,true] There were many advantages to having a falcon as your best friend. You could use them to carry things for you, to keep you company, to listen to long (and sometimes boring) stories, but the one advantage that stood above them all was being able to fly with them. Phawn, a rat that was so small that she was about the size of a large mouse could easily fly with her falcon companion. She didn't weigh him down at all, which meant that he could fly at breakneck speeds with her. She was used to that after all and knew how to cling tightly onto his back, her body pressed down into his dark feathers. However, today wasn't a time to fly fast. Today was a time to slowly glide in the air, using the thermals to stay in the air so you had to flap as little as possible. Phawn sighed with happiness as she held onto her friend's back. She looked down towards the ground but saw nothing but clouds. A feeling of elation came over her, she absolutely loved flying! She could imagine anything that brought more happiness! Well, sure, she loved making new things and creating weapons but even the happiness from that barely compared with flying. She wished she had wings of her own so she could fly through the air. She would be the mouse-of-the-air, flying alongside her faithful falcon companion. The wind whipped through Phawn's dark fur and made her white-tipped tail flail about behind her. She didn't mind thought, these things added to feeling of flight and she wouldn't like if they didn't happen. "Taya, is it safe for me to let go with my forepaws?"

[/b] Her voice rose above the wind so that her friend's sharp ears could hear them. "Yes, m'lady, you can let go. But do be careful, I don't want you to fall."[/b] Phawn smiled and clenched her hind paws in Taya's back feathers but slowly let go with her forepaws. She stayed bent over to keep her balance and slowly rose so that she wouldn't topple off of the falcon's back. Soon, she was up to her full height with a glee-filled smile on her face. She lifted her small arms and let the good feelings wash over her. Ah, she so enjoyed this!

Phawn felt the falcon shift beneath her as he altered his course to glide down towards the ground. "Lady Phawn, do you mind if I go to ground for a bit? I am getting rather hungry." Phawn lowered herself back down and clenched her paws back into his feathers. "I don't mind. Maybe I can find myself a few bugs to eat, I'm getting kind of hungry too." With that, Taya's decent slowly gained speed. He wasn't going nearly as fast as a peregrine falcon could fly but it was fast enough to make Phawn feel like her stomach had been left in the clouds but she didn't mind this feeling of course, she was used to it.

When Taya finally landed on the ground, he let out a screech and tucked his wings at his side. The black rat on his back leaped off and sniffed the air... Was that the scent of another creature... But what kind...? "M'lady, is something the matter?" Phawn sniffed the air again but decided that it was not a predator that she smelled, so she wouldn't be concerned about it... She shook her head and turned to the falcon. "I smell another animal nearby but... it's nothing to worry about." Taya looked a bit doubtful at that but said nothing and turned to look for insects to eat.

Phawn took it upon herself to look for insects as well, but she made sure to go a little distance away so that she wouldn't interfere with his hunting. Soon, she came upon not a bug, but some sort of small red fruit. It must have blown from the forest beyond. Phawn smiled and took the fruit in paws to eat. Happy that her meal was so easily obtained. Then, the wind blew and distracted her from her meal... Why did wind distract her? Simple. It brought the scent of the animal again... and it was close. Phawn's head snapped up and a few feet away stood a horse. A large horse. Being the nice little mouse that she was though she decided to go speak with the animal. So, with a smile on her face she trotted over the the animal. When she was a few inches away she looked up at him and spoke, "Good evening, Mr. Horse. How are you today?"

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[niaku]

Niaku hadn't encountered much of anybody that showed much interest in her thus far. It seemed that the population of the eastern plains was spread out enough that interactions were not a terribly common thing. It was no wonder the LightMist tribe had such an easy time staying so elusive.

Having become frustrated in the exploration of her homeland Niaku daringly crossed the river into the Freelands. This was still royal territory she knew but it was open to all of the Kingdoms, except that of the south of course. Perhaps here she would better be able to fulfill her purpose, meet new people, make connections and practice her diplomacy in a more social environment. Perhaps she might even make some allies that or even friends that might help her in the greater cause that she personally had in mind.

Her tribe were pacifists by nature, and in that they were very elusive as to stay out of conflict. One day it would be Niaku's duty to take over leadership of the Lightmist tribe and she dearly hoped that she would be able to bring her tribe out of hiding. She wanted to take a more bold approach to the leadership of her tribe but doing so would require allies.

All of this she pondered as she walked along at no certain pace, not really paying any attention to where she headed, knowing that the sun or the stars would guide her back to her homeland if the need arose. Being in such a daze the sound of thundering hoof beats brought her to an abrupt attention. Her head shot up, ears perked, her gaze darted across the horizon almost in a panic as she realized how little she was paying attention and how dangerous that could be in such unfamiliar surroundings.

She spotted him away in the distance, an intimidatingly large stocky stallion. He too seemed to be at a pause, looking about his surroundings but she didn't know if he was aware of her distant presence.

He was massive compared to her slight sleek build. Never before had she encountered such an equine. All of the horses in her herd and most of the others she had encountered were built more like herself though generally not as small. He was extraordinary and she couldn't help but to stare in awe.

Closing her eyes for a brief moment she tried to shake her nerves but it wasn't going to happen this time. She just could not work up the courage to approach him directly. Instead she sauntered in his generally direction, pretending as if she had not yet spotted him, but at the same time making sure she was very aware of his position at every moment she moved ever closer.

[{ b l u e }]

The last thing Ghalzan expected nor wanted to hear was a voice not coming from his own mouth. And quite an odd one at that; high-pitched, something that would belong to a creature much smaller than he.

A darkly amused glimmer in his eyes, the large stud turned to face the speaker, looking at his hooves as he did so. Just as he had suspected, the voice did indeed belong to a small animal; a rat, in fact. All concern of being ambushed by some Royal Guard was completely washed away as he smirked down at the mammal.

"Don't you know it's best to keep your distance when you meet strangers?" he murmured icily, gold eyes unblinking. "And my name is not 'Mr. Horse'. I actually find that quite offensive." He paused then, quite hesitant to introduce himself by name; after all, she could be some sort of Royal spy. Shrugging dismissively, he put his paranoia to the back of his mind.
"My name is Ghalzan."

Flicking his tail, the liver brute continued to speak, his husky voice none too friendly. "I am fine, I suppose... though, may I ask where you hail from? Not the East, I hope?"

Casually glancing at his surroundings again as he awaited a response, Ghalzan was taken by total surprise as his eyes caught a glimpse of another equine not far off. Her light coat stood out against the various shades of green and yellow, and by the way she was moving toward them, it seemed like she hadn't noticed he or the rat yet. But something told him that it was near impossible for her to not have at least caught scent of them yet, unless she was truly that ignorant.

Urgh, more company... he thought with annoyance. The last thing I need out here.

Sighing inwardly, Ghalzan turned his attention back to the rat. He wasn't quite sure if she'd responded yet, but to be honest, he didn't really care. All he wanted right now was to get out of the Freelands before any others came across him.

Well, clearly they've seen me already. They don't seem like a threat either. And if they are, it shouldn't be too hard to get rid of them, so... might as well put my social skills to use. he thought, snorting with distaste. I'd still much rather get out of here than chat though. he added as an afterthought, turning toward the mare.

"I hope you've noticed us by now." he called bluntly, his rough voice carrying well in the still air.

--status: complete
--muse: alright
--words: 459
--notes: yeah, Ghalzan's not the nicest horse around. x]
(and that ending... D: )

[~FyrePhlye~]

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[atrb=background,http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7919/phawnandtaymid.jpg,true] The rat felt absolutely dwarfed by the large horse... Sure, she felt dwarfed by a lot of creatures but never so much as this. She wondered if the horse hurt his neck at all, looking down at her as he had to. "Don't you know it's best to keep your distance when you meet strangers? And my name is not 'Mr. Horse'. I actually find that quite offensive." The horse didn't sound particularly friendly nor did he sound hostile either. Which was good because she didn't think she could outrun an angry horse, she didn't want to try either... "I was never taught that, and I've never come to any harm by talking to strangers. Especially ones that are herbivores...

[/b] The rat's pink eyes flashed apologetically for a moment and she squeaked a quick reply, "I'm sorry then. I didn't know." How was she to know that this horse didn't like the name she called him. After all, she wouldn't mind if someone called her Ms. Rat it was her species after all, so she just figured he would feel the same way.

"My name is Ghalzan." Not the least put off by his unfriendly tone she decided to give her own name. "And I'm Phawn, the famous weapon-crafter." She giggled at what she said, flashed a smile, then spoke again. "Or maybe not famous. I'm sure no one knows about me but Taya... And I guess you now too."

"I am fine, I suppose... though, may I ask where you hail from? Not the East, I hope?" Phawn stood on her hind legs then gave her ears a scratch. What was so particular about the East? Was he an enemy of the animals there? So did that mean he was an outcast? Wow, she was talking to an outcast? Maybe that's why he was so unfriendly... "Nah, I don't come from anywhere really... I'm a wanderer. Haven't had a stationary home since I was a pup with my parents." Her curiosity had peaked now. Where did he come from? She didn't know if those questions would be welcome, but since he had asked her... Didn't she have a right to ask him? Where do you come from?"

Phawn blinked as she noticed his gaze wandering around for a bit before it returned to her. She turned her head this way and that trying to see... But she was at a bit of a disadvantage at her height. She could barely see above the dandelions let alone see far away. An envious sigh escaped her throat... Why couldn't she have been born his height... or with wings?

"I hope you've noticed us by now." The small rat jumped, just what was he calling to? Another person? Phawn stood to her full height and jumped, finally able to see what Ghalzan had been looking at. It was another horse that seemed not to have seen them. A smile crept to her face. More company! More people to talk to! How much fun! She couldn't wait till the horse came over.

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[niaku]

Niaku lifted her head as he spoke. Well at least he acknowledged her presence. In similar situations in the past she was usually ignored. She had to realize that she was in the freelands now, amongst strangers that probably were not going to let her just wander by without finding out what she was up to.

His voice was gruff and he seemed supremely confident. She couldn't possibly blame him. If she were built like that she'd probably be walking around like she owned the place. She had to try to look confident anyhow. It would be quite a challenge to do so next to a beast nearly 6 hands higher than herself. She was a pony compared to him. If he decided to get pushy with her and she found herself unable to talk her way out of it her best chance would be to out run him until she was able to cross the river back into the Eastern lands.

"Hello" She said in a friendly voice as she walked over to him. She had yet to notice the rat on the ground. Even as small as she was for her kind she still wasn't in the habit of noticing any creature that wasn't at least visible above the grass.

"Forgive me. I was in a bit of day dream." She said as she made her approach. She used a soft melodic tone that her grandmother had taught her would put a stranger at ease upon first meeting. She's only switch to her 'down to business' voice if things started to get a bit out of hand. Right now she just wanted to seem friendly.

As she approached she raised her head to her usual confident but non threatening posture. It was important to appear confident as to not seem weak but not so confident to seem like you were making a challenge. Unless of course your intent was to make a challenge. That certainly wasn't the case here. Niaku simply wanted to get into and out of this encounter safely.

"My name is Niaku." She said leaving out her title and place of origin as she didn't feel that this would be the appropriate sort of meeting to be spouting ranks and positions to strangers. This wasn't exactly official diplomatic business.

[{ b l u e }]

Ghalzan was only partly aware of the rat as she spoke; the majority of his attentions were focused on the terrain around them, as well as the approaching mare.

Good... nobody else around. he noted, letting his amber gaze settle back on the creature at his hooves. "You craft weapons, hm?" he began, his voice flat. "That must be an interesting venture. Where I come from, weapons are quite rare indeed, let alone the crafters themselves."

After falling silent, Ghalzan let the rat, who introduced herself as Phawn, continue chatting away. It wasn't until she asked the one question he loathed most that he came back to life. Lurching forward, his head snaking downward so his gold gaze was level with Phawn's, he responded in a bone-chilling growl.
"It's none of your business where I come from."

Eyes narrowed to mere slits, he lifted his head back to normal height with a snort, glancing to his right as he did so. The mare had finally come within normal speaking range, and had quite obviously noticed his presence... though he wasn't quite sure about Phawn's. Either way, he let a cold glare settle upon the mare as she began speaking.

"Daydreaming isn't something I would recommend doing out here." he replied quite bluntly, flicking his rust-tinted tail. As she continued to speak, he noticed the oddly calm tone her voice had; something that didn't come often when others stumbled across him. As this took a slight affect on him, he let his previous anger fade into his default aloof persona.

"So, your name is Niaku?" he said, repeating the name after she had introduced herself. "Hm. You're a wanderer too, then? I don't suppose you're with Phawn here?" he continued, indicating the rat still sitting in the grass at his feet.
I wouldn't be surprised; this rat would likely need someone else to travel with, considering her size.

With a breathy snort, Ghalzan fell silent once more, his expression unreadable.

--status: complete
--muse: alright
--words: 405, including coding.
--notes: why can't i write good endings to my posts dklsjdlfkj.

[~FyrePhlye~]

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[atrb=background,http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7919/phawnandtaymid.jpg,true] "It's none of your business where I come from." The rat stood frozen in fear at the growl and the cold amber eyes. Her own pink ones were filled with terror up until the horse lifted his head. Oh why hadn't she kept her big mouth shut? Just because she was fine with telling where she came from didn't mean he felt the same... Then again, should a wanderer really have a right to know? It wasn't as if they had dealings with the territories much anyway. Even if she did feel it would be fair if he had spoken, she would live if he didn't say a word... "I'm sorry, I didn't know that you didn't want to share that information... if I had I wouldn't have asked."

[/b] She apologized and looked up at the horse. He didn't really seem to be upset with her, in fact, it seemed like he wasn't paying that much attention to her. Not that she could see his eyes or face really well from her height, anyway.

"Daydreaming isn't something I would recommend doing out here." The other horse had finally approached and from the sound of her voice and name she was female. Phawn turned her head to look at the female horse who was noticeably smaller than Ghalzan. At first Phawn hadn't really noticed that Niaku wasn't speaking to her but then it became obvious when she didn't even glance down. The rat wasn't offended or surprised though... She was little and for a horse unless she spoke, it would be difficult for them to see her.

However, Ghalzan's next words were sure to let the horse know that she was there, so she spoke. "Hiya, Niaku, I'm Phawn!" She said cheerfully. Maybe this new horse would be friendlier than Ghalzan, she hoped so. It may not have shown but his previous words had hurt her. "And she's not with me, I've never seen her before. Although I was traveling with someone." She turned her head in the direction that she had come and said to herself, "I wonder where he is anyway..." Almost as if in reply a falcon's call was heard across the meadow, signaling that Taya would arrive shortly. The small rat in the grass felt a small ease across her face.
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