It was a particularly quiet afternoon when Klara stepped into the mountain territory. This place was one of the few she was fairly familiar with, the other being the free lands which she had likely traveled through at least a dozen times over throughout her short lifetime. She had a purpose here in the Moraine Mountains, however, and had not planned on aimlessly drifting for the duration of her days; a solitary sort of life was not one she wished to keep prolonged.

With each step the thickening weed brushed against her hooves, though, she felt as though she were gliding. Despite not seeking personal peace, she did find this place peaceful; the starlings tweeted above, the occasional cricket fiddling a tune, and the gentle rustling of the leaves as she passed by all contributed to a sense of relief that seemed to just wash over her. She couldn't shake a bizarre sense of belonging as she strolled along - and admittedly, she couldn't put a name to the feeling on her own.

These lands belong to somebody, that was particularly clear. Throughout her foalhood her parents would always warn about straying too far into another stallion's territory, for fear of being snatched up quickly and put to use for their herds' own personal gain. These stories lingered with her, haunted her, and for a very long time she would not dare to break that habit - but truly, it could not be so bad, could it? Klara was determined to find out. Though terrified, the mare continued on. Hopefully they would go easy on her.

timeline: spring, year 1
tagged: Promise  for romeo!
notes: short but eh :')
word count: 264

R O M E O

The Spring afternoon was peaceful and quiet on this day, but it also meant that his borders were secure, and he could do as he pleased. The chestnut tobiano king moved his way through his lands, letting his sapphire voids shift over each and every rock, tree, flower, and blade of grass. It was amazing how beautiful this place was and he was glad that it was his. Though, he still held a slight hint of resentment at the fact that this land wasn't his birthright. Though, no one would ever find out about that resentment. Of course, if anyone ever tried to take this land from him, he'd fight for it until his dying breath.

The starling music filled the air almost like an announcement that the king had arrived. However, there was no one nearby that he knew of. The music of the birds and the insects was like a beautiful melody, almost like his own personal marching band. He was content to spend his life in the mountains, listening to the calls of the birds and the noise of the crickets, and being able to smell the scent of the flowers that grew within the mountain confines. A swift, yet gentle breeze blew through the lands carrying the scent of another. As the scent entered his nares, he raised his crown and turned his gaze in the direction that the scent had come from.

It didn't take long for him to start moving in the direction that the breeze and scent had come from. With ease he made his way through the tall grass, weaving his way through the trees, and allowing the flowers to gracefully sweep across his lower limbs. As he moved, the scent of the mare grew stronger and she was soon within his sights. He slowed to a walk as he drew near to her. The proud king kept his crown raised, but not to the point it would offend another. Though, of course, it was his lands, so he was ready to prove that he was proud of his own kingdom. Hello miss, he mused lightly, letting the lyrics slip free as he slowly came to a standstill a respectable distance from the mare.

My name is Romeo. I am the king of these lands, he introduced himself, allowing a pause after the introduction. May I ask what to call you and why you have chosen to enter my lands? He inquired. The lyrics slipped free with ease and silence fell after he had finished speaking.

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tag birdorcages
words 424
notes here he is. <3

✦

The mare breathed deeply, and closed her eyes for a moment in an attempt to calm her nerves. It truly was peaceful here, she came to realize; tough cliffsides and chilly air might deter anyone simply passing through, but not Klara. It wasn't difficult for her to see this was the sort of place she could truly appreciate, and she held onto the hope that she may be allowed to continue doing so.

As the birds twittered about, Klara became more aware of them as their songs seemed to grow louder and louder. It was an odd thing, really, though she could sense the easy shift in atmosphere. Her ears flicked about just as soon as she could hear another approaching - this must have been it. Nerves wouldn't get the best of her today, she decided, taking a moment to swallow before turning to greet the very stallion she had been seeking out.

"Hello, Romeo." Eyes scanned over the chestnut tobiano; she wasn't sure what she'd expected a king to look like, besides exhuming traits such as power, leadership, dominance. He appeared surprisingly . . . normal. Offering her a respectful amount of space between them, and not coming on to her too strong. It gave her a sense of comfort she had never known before, and perhaps what she had been searching for deep down.

"My name is Klara." The mare's lips gently curled upward, and she bowed her head in respect. She'd always been told to give Kings and Queens whatever recognition they so desired - if only to satisfy, but Klara genuinely wanted to show him her courtesy.

"I've come seeking a home . . . I'm sure that sounds arbitrary. But I've never had a place to call such." Was she sounding desperate? She wondered this, but regardless, he seemed to be the sort of leader to take pause before reacting. The fact that he'd given her even a chance to speak her peace, it was enough. "I apologize if I wandered too far into your territory."

timeline: spring, year 1
tagged: Promise
notes: -
word count: 334

R O M E O

Life had an odd way of throwing obstacles at someone, but thankfully, Romeo had yet to find an obstacle. Minus the fact that he had to find members for his herd, so that his herd and lineage could live up. After all, what was a king without a queen? Not to mention, a king was nothing without his subjects to rule over. He was a young stallion and he was ready to start his life as the king of the Moraine Mountains. He was ready to spread his genes on to the next generation, but first he needed mares for that. He'd met a few and so far, a few seemed interested in joining him. Though, would they be a part of his harem, or would they prefer another stallion? No one knew, yet. All he knew was that he was the only stallion in his land and would lay claim to any mare he chose. Otherwise, the others would be free claim for any stallion that joined his herd.

Hello, Romeo. The feminine lyrics reached his auds and he allowed a small smile to cross his velveteen lips. My name is Klara. Ah, so the beauty before him definitely had a name. Now just to find out why she had entered his lands. Of course, he would allow her the time to disclose that information, but he was quite curious. Not many seemed to come to the mountains without a reason. He noticed the smile that graced her lips and the way she bowed her head in respect to him. It's a pleasure to meet you, Klara, he mused in respect. It was definitely a pleasure to meet her, though he still had no reason as to why she had showed up in his lands. He shifted slightly on his hooves, letting his crown dip a little before he found a more comfortable position.

I've come seeking a home...I'm sure that sounds arbitrary. But I've never had a place to call such. Never had a place to call home? That was a little hard for the chestnut and ivory beast to understand, after all, he had always had a home. Arching an invisible eyebrow at the mare, he glanced around his home and then back towards her. Well, my dear, you are more than welcome to call my mountains your home, he commented with a glance towards his home. As long as you do not intend harm on the other inhabitants, you are free to call this place home as long as you'd like, he cooed lightly, letting the lyrics slip free. I apologize if I wandered too far into your territory. At her apology, he looked at her and offered her a small smile. You have no reason to apologize. You have not entered too far into the land, but again, feel free to call the land home. I could always use another to keep me company, he responded carefully.

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✦

With each word that flowed from the stallion's lips, Klara became more at ease. Admittedly, she hadn't expected to be welcomed so openly, though she supposed the prospect of an unclaimed mare coming upon a King was certainly enticing. She couldn't say she'd ever met another King who'd been so kind to her, barely knowing her in the first place; sure, her and her family had their share of run-ins with rulers, and circumstances were different then. But Klara couldn't help but notice that something was different about Romeo, about the lands he called home: practically barren, when it comes to life. Bountiful, absolutely. The mare could lift her head to the air and easily take in Romeo's scent, it was everywhere - but there was still that solitude, and that loneliness that she was too familiar with to not notice its presence throughout the rocky cliffs of the mountains. She was certainly glad, grateful to have found company here and now, for she wasn't sure if she'd have found any at all otherwise.

"I'm grateful for your generosity." A soft smile, the mare quite content now with where she was. Doting on the prospects - gone were her worries of finding food and water, shelter should she need it, and having protection from forces beyond her control, above all else - she had to admit she hadn't held a sense of safety close since she was very young. Klara found herself keen on returning such a favor, determined to be of some great use to the stallion. "Whatever you may need, King Romeo, know that I owe it to you." The mare understood such connotations, but whatever he'd decide to do with her, she was fairly ready to earn her stay here.

Curiosity, easily a trait at the forefront of her psyche. But even then, Klara supposed that if she were going to be living in the Mountains, she might wish to learn more about them. "May I ask, have many others passed through here as I have?" More critical of the fact that so very few seemed to live here, she wondered if perhaps this place had fallen victim to some disaster in the past, or if those who once lived here had simply chosen to move on. Her King was kind enough, and she saw no reason for others to flee. He seemed to be quite young, quite eager to build a new home across high peaks, and so any doubts she may have had were easily carried away by the gentle evening breeze.

timeline: spring, year 1
tagged: Promise
notes: -
word count: 426

Waiting for a response from the cream colored dame, Romeo allowed his sapphire voids to skip across his lands, though the rest of his attention was on the mare. The lands were barren of life, except that of non-equine creatures and the trees, grass, and flowers. To him, everything in his land had a life, and that included the rivers and streams that flowed through the mountains. He absolutely adored his home, but couldn't wait for the day that there were others here to share it with, and the laughter of youngsters as they danced and played with each other. An image that was only within his head, for the moment.

I'm grateful for your generosity. The feminine tones reached his auds and he casually cast his glance back towards her. There is plenty to eat and drink, and if you need a place to rest, we have a cave system inside the mountains. You are more than welcome to find a room within it's confines to rest, he mused lightly. Not many knew about the caves, but he would make sure his members knew about it. After all, how else were they to be protected from the forces of nature when all hell broke loose, or when it came to another stallion coming to attack the herd. He would be damned if his herd would be left defenseless or without protection. At least in the caves, they could hide. It would be a confusing disaster for any who didn't know the caves inside and out.

I will gladly give you a tour of the caves, so that you do not get lost within them, he added, realizing he had forgotten about how confusing they can be. Whatever you may need, King Romeo, know that I owe it to you. At her words, he looked her over. Sure, there were a few things he could ask of any mare, but he wasn't sure that she meant in that way. Thank you, Klara. I will keep that in mind, he responded with ease. He took a small step towards her and allowed a smile to grace his lips. Any other king would usually take advantage of that comment and make the mare carry his child, but Romeo wasn't about to do that. If she offered her body to him, that would be a different story.

May I ask, have many others passed through here as I have? At her question, he was almost caught off guard, but he kind of expected some kind of question along those lines. To answer your question, a few have, some stayed for a few days, while others just left. Not many can handle the mountain lifestyle, he answered with ease, before adding, I'm truly glad that you have decided to stay, however.

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words 467
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The Mountain Lifestyle. The concept was amusing, in a way; she supposed in being a nomad, every territory simply blurred into one another, proving them quite similar to the next. She hadn't put much thought into any particular way of living, having simply lived off of any land she could exist in without facing adversity. Though at the suggestion, she supposed it would be important to come to know the land she now stood in, the land she intended to get to know as her home. With Romeo's guidance, the mare was certain it could be done.

Her eyes trailed to their magnificent backdrop, and it was the first time Klara seemed to notice how no horizon could be seen; merely cradled by the surrounding forests and incredible peaks, it was quite the sight. And in the way Romeo spoke, she could tell he truly cared for their mighty, but gentle home. The pale mare felt nestled by what flora enclosed them in this space, and very much looked forward to learning its' secrets. In fact, her King spoke of caves and she immediately felt herself drawn further in, almost enticed by the thought of a place of privacy.

Head craned toward him and curious to learn more, she allowed a few paces closer, quite intent on following alongside him. "Oh, yes, I would love to see them." She had never felt such desire to explore vast lands, with survival having been a driving force for her since she was a filly - and overall it seemed to excite her. To have a sanctuary, where a seldom few could navigate their way safely was truly all she could ever find herself hoping for. "I want to see it all."

The mare nodded slowly; so it was true, their numbers were few and far between. It made no difference to her, for the lack of defense in number would easily be made up for within the labyrinth that was the Moraine Mountains. Admittedly when she first looked upon the high peaks, she felt intimidated; knowing there was a vast land ahead of her, full of the mysterious and unforgiving, it would have been easy for her to simply turn back and move on. Either way, Klara was determined to settle into her role as a herd member, eager to take up the responsibility. "With time, I'm certain we will welcome many more to this home."

timeline: spring, year 1
tagged: Promise
notes: i don't really have any other direction in mind for this thread so maybe we should just finish it? lol
word count: 403

Romeo's gaze followed the gaze of the mare as she looked past him and towards their scenic surroundings. Oh, yes, I would love to see them. He heard her say after he had mentioned the caves. A smile graced his muzzle again. I want to see it all. Of course. He wouldn't mind showing off his home to Klara, or to anyone who asked. He loved his home, so much, and hoped others would love it as much as he did. I will gladly show you it all, he mused lightly, taking note of her excitement. Matter of fact, Klara, I was wondering if you might accept a position in my ranks as Beta Mare? He inquired, curiously. Would she accept it? Or would she reject his offer? He need only wait for that answer, however.

Though, as he had asked that question, he started making his way towards the mountainside, ready to show her the caves. He figured he would start at the caves and then work their ways around the remainder of the land. With time, I'm certain we will welcome many more to this home. As she spoke, he nodded his crown casually. I believe we shall. I will try my best to make this place a thriving home for all that come to call it their home, he responded with ease. He was quite excited to see his lands thriving with life and eventually the pitter patter of little hooves. He kept up the slow, casual pace as he continued towards the caves. I will show you around the cave system first and show you the space that you will be sleeping, should you choose to be beta mare, he added as he glanced back towards her to make sure she was following.

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tagged birdorcages
words 297
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ooc bump. if you'd like to continue this thread, just let me know. <3