Over the Horizon [Ger]

[Konane]

It was with immense hesitation that the sleek silver-blue mare had departed the forest she called home. It was not often that Konane left the safety and security of her homelands; even more infrequent since her position within the herd had become so...prominent.

Eyes of teal glittered with unease as first one hoof and then another had found their way over the invisible boundary separating 'home' from the rest of the world. Gulping, she had forced herself onward with the determination afforded one of her mental fortitude. The years she had spent as a sentry had at least prepared her to handle the trepidation she felt at being so exposed in what was still relatively unfamiliar territory to her. Aside from a few unnerved snorts, she had given no indication of her feelings, instead boxing them up and compartmentalizing them. Now was not the time to be feeling her fear.

Few things could motivate the Queen (she rolled the word around in her mind with mixed feelings, still not feeling that she was quite adequate enough for this title) to leave her lands. However, the need to regroup Zexis forces was great, and so she had taken it upon herself to take up the mantle of restoring ranks. She knew that somewhere in the gaping abyss that was the rest of Valsaine, members of her species existed, living in small family groups and as loners. It was these individuals she would need to woo into joining their kind for the first time or, in some cases, rejoining.

Her brother could not, however, be one such case.

It was the idea of running into her long lost sibling that had the white splashed female on edge. Normally long and smooth strides had become choppy with the weight of her thoughts as she contemplated what her response would be if she ran into the brother that had betrayed everything she now stood for.

Consumed by these less than pleasant thoughts, the Crowned Queen of the East ran on, taking little notice as the scenery gave way to the open expanse of the plains. All she heard was her own heart hammering within her chest and the rough inhale and exhale as her lungs worked to fuel her headlong flight from the ghosts of her past.

[Gersham Disnami]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,459,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff393/tempykdog/kenbg.png] It was not unusual for Gersham to be away from the mountains of his home. He'd always gotten sudden bouts of restlessness, at which times he'd travel down the mountain, moving on the flatter ground to expend some energy. Sometimes he'd stop at the border, sometimes he'd go beyond. What was unusual, however, was for him to leave the course of the Vaerult and stray west into the grassy expanse that was the center of Valsaine. Normally he stayed along the river's course if he felt like he had to escape his duty for a time, but today something had pulled him away. Just a whim, but he wouldn't fight it - he hardly felt in danger, after all, foolhardy as that may be. He was King, after all, even if it only amounted to blood. The large stallion was trotting easily over the open land, head raised slightly, white ears perked forward. He looked rather out of place, a giant amongst the growing grasses of springtime. His massive hooves parted the way, feathering flowing lightly with his movement. He slowed by a small pool of water, sides expanding lightly with exertion, though no sweat darkened his coat. He lowered his head, crimson lips breaking the water's surface and taking a few deep droughts. It was a cool spring day, the wind lightly pulling at his thick coat, but he was not cold. He was made for the mountains, and, if anything, he felt a bit warm this far south. A sound drew him from his idle motions, causing his head to raise in an alert, wary manner. The hoof beats were faint, but sounded like they were coming closer. Without conscious thought, the water began to rise from the pool in thin ribbons, wrapping up his legs. They didn't touch him, his control tense and prepared in case of an attack. He knew he shouldn't feel that way - the war was over, had been over. But there were too many skirmishes between the species for him to not be ready for a potential threat. After another moment of tense scanning, he saw what he was looking for. A mare was coming in his general direction, though didn't seem to be aiming for him in particular. She was Zexis, he could tell by her coloring and build. He didn't know her, but that wasn't saying much - he hadn't had a whole lot of contact with the other herds since he'd become lead. Gersham didn't act, as he was not one to attack unprovoked. It also helped that his father's pacifist words were ringing in his ears, telling him not to judge. So he didn't, simple standing by the water, though the ribbons were still under his control and ready to strike until he felt he was safe. She was close enough now that there was no way she couldn't see him - he was too unsuited for the environment to blend in. He said nothing, eyes not leaving her, hoping that, if she did stop, the meeting would not end in pain. ------------------------------ Notes; Derpderp shit post xD But there you have it. Credits; Horse - horsecrazycool.deviantart.com BG - alzirrswanheartstock.deviantart.com Manip - xkenren (me) Table - Tempy

[/font][/blockquote]
[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Konane]

She should have known better, really. She'd been a sentry for chrissakes. Letting emotions get the best of you was a mistake, and a rookie one at that. But as it was, she'd let hers get a good hold on her, even if her standard of emotional was probably unemotional by anyone else's standards. And now she'd done this foolish, foolish thing and plunged in a headlong dash without conscious thought to the sights, sounds and smells around her. If she had been in her right mind, she would have kicked her own ass and given herself a serious self bashing for this kind of stupidity. It was one thing to pull such mindless stunts as a sole entity. It was another to do so as the ruler of a species.

As it was though, Konane didn't come to her senses again until she sighted the behemoth. Her noticeably smaller hooves planted suddenly, disturbing the grasses along the riverbank as she slid to a less than graceful stop. The Queen's nostrils flared widely and her sides heaved with more than just exertion, each breath made suddenly heavier by the tingling of her spine. Uneasy was an understatement for her state of being at that exact moment.

Snapping back into her more common frame of mind, the Queen regained much of her usual self control. Her vigilance restored to her along with her senses, she took quick note of the water that coursed in unnatural vines winding up his legs; water. He has powers. Great, not only was she alone and being taken by surprise, but she was outmatched both by bulk and by power, she herself lacking anything noteworthy, as she always had and always, she imagined, quite possibly would. On the bright side, he didn't seem to be expecting her, so this didn't seem to be a trap or setup. Still, being in contact with another species was always offputting, especially after so many long years of war and bloodshed. It wasn't easy to let go of the fight or flight instinct that seeing one triggered.

But she was a Queen. She had a herd to represent and she had to do it well in every regard, be it diplomatic or in combat. Whatever this led to, she would represent her Zexis to the very best of her utterly average abilities. One ear pricking forward in a tentative show of good intentions, the other remained side-ward bound in utter neutrality. "Salutations stranger." She intoned, voice level with perhaps only the most minute echo of a tremble to it. "My apologies for my rather...'clumsy' entrance. Beg pardon if I startled you." Damn it, she shouldn't have used that phrase. Queens didn't beg. Wasn't she off to just a lovely start? Marvelous Konane, really classy.