blueunicornj13
Exile Herd 
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265 
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Post by blueunicornj13 on May 3, 2015 16:16:13 GMT -5
Lean on Me
silmellon's Outlaw and blueunicornj13's Ryder Setting: Shortly after Outlaw gets his heart broken
It was a cloudy day as fluffy, white clouds drifted over the sky, creating shadows against the sun that hid behind them. Ryder stood at the top of a small hill that overlooked the herd below him and opened up for him to see what felt like the entirety of the Eastern island. It still felt strange to call himself a Guard for his herd let alone a High Guard. It still brought waves of nervous and excited energy coursing through him to know that the majority of his herd, the horses who had taken him in when he had been in need, trusted him enough to give him such a high rank. 'I'll make them proud, and I'll show the ones who don't exactly like Khala's decision that I'm worthy of it.' He thought in an attempt to reassure himself. They couldn't hate him forever, right?
His blue eyes scanned the herd, making sure all was still well when he spotted a white and black horse walking away from the main group. His ears perked forward with interest. 'Prophet?' No, this stallion wasn't Prophet. It was one of the other guards. Where in Chevalin was he off to in such a hurry? The brown paint climbed down the slope, asking another guard to take his place before following after the other stallion. Ryder trotted in the direction of where he had last seen him. His stomach knotted with anxiety, wondering if he was alright and if so, where he could be headed. What if he was up to something devious? Like meeting Olde in secret or the Bachelor herd? 'Stop it, Ryder! Now you're just being dramatic.' He thought, shaking his head clear of those negative thoughts. This was his herdmate! He wasn't going to assume anything bad about him unless he proved otherwise. With that in mind, Ryder set off after the Guard, tracking him by the hoofprints left in his wake.
Word Count: 340
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silmellon
Familiar Face
Right or wrong, I can hardly tell. I'm on the wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of Hell.
Posts: 59
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Post by silmellon on May 9, 2015 21:40:51 GMT -5
The sun was shining brightly and the weather was rather warm for a fall afternoon, but if the sky above Chevalin had been rolling with black, angry thunderclouds, it wouldn't have made a single shadow of difference to Outlaw. Either way, sunny or stormy, the strangely marked stallion felt a deep searing pain in his chest. It was almost as though a clawed fist was enclosed around his heart and squeezing it without mercy. This feeling was strange to the Guard, which was why during a patrol that he and a few other horses had come back from about an hour before he had been stumbling over his own hooves, even walking into things. The strangely marked stallion had kept his head up, his brown eyes bright, and a smile on his face all day as to keep other horses off his back. But this strange agony was driving the poor stallion insane and he craved some time alone before he cracked.
So after parting ways with the remnants of the patrol with a whinny, he turned tail and began walking away from the rest of the herd. At first his steps were as high and flouncy as ever. However, as he traveled further and further from the multitude of eyes, his body language changed drastically. The proud, romanized head lowered along with the thick black tail. His back arched and his hooves dragged as he walked. The tightness in his chest was making his vision blurry and no matter how Outlaw shook his head to try to focus his eyes, he didn't succeed. All the negativity he had forced upon him that day with the addition of this new pain was pushing him close to the edge. Out of frustration with not being able to get all the horrible thoughts to leave his mind, he picked up his pace to a lope. Outlaw's silence had left his hoofsteps as he stumbled along, tripping over the smallest of stones and getting caught in the most avoidable of ruts.
Soon enough the stallion had reached the place he had intended to be. The one place that brought him peace no matter which Isle it was on. A cool ocean breeze ruffled his forelock as Outlaw's dark hooves sunk into the pale sand with each step. He halted when his front two hooves were just barely within reach of the tiny waves washing up onto the sand. And there he stood with his nose almost brushing the water and his mane waving in the wind weakly like a flag at half mast, the pain almost unbearable now. He couldn't bear to even look at his own reflection. Everything was swirling around in his head. His pain, his sadness, his confusion, his anger and his frustration. All of this was very distracting, and the Guard hadn't realized that someone had followed him.
Word Count: 479
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on May 11, 2015 13:50:44 GMT -5
Ryder trailed behind the white stallion, keeping a safe distance from him as not to be seen or heard. Not that he thought the other horse would notice him. It appeared that he was lost in thought, tripping over rocks and slipping into ditches along the long trek he was taking. 'Where in Chevalin's name are you going?' The High Guard wondered silently to himself, turning his gaze from the surroundings to the horse in front of him. It wasn't a horse he had met before which sent a pang of guilt washing through him. He had tried to make friends with some of the herd, but obviously, it was hard to meet and talk with everyone in such a large herd. But with their shared duties, Ryder was a little surprised that they hadn't crossed paths yet. Better late than never, right? The brown paint followed him over the hills and through the meadows of the Summer Fields. All the while wondering what his herdmate was up to and looking for possible predators. He watched his demeanor drastically change as the miles between them and the herd increased. His head drooped low, and his hooves dragged in the grass that he walked on. His black tail hung low, swishing every once in awhile as he walked.
After what felt like hours, Ryder felt the familiar tug of the ocean against him. His gift of water manipulation begging him to use it as the large body of water came into view. Ryder took a deep, relieving breath of the fresh, salty air. The beach was a favorite spot of his. The salty air and water were therapeutic beyond belief to him. His curly mane and tail blew gently in the ocean breeze, tugging against him. Walking through the uneven sand, Ryder stepped forward hesitantly. His thoughts raced as to what to say. Should he ask him what he were doing here directly, or go about this in another manner? Social skills weren't exactly his forte, having lived most of his life as a loner. After a few moments, the stallion took a deep breath, clearing his throat quietly so that he didn't scare his fellow Exile too badly. "Hi there." He said in a deep tone. Ryder walked up to stand beside him, glancing over with concerned, blue eyes to see the other stallion's distraught face. His brows knitted together nervously before he swept his gaze toward the crashing waves. "Sorry if you didn't want any company. I understand if you'd like me to leave. I saw you going off by yourself, and I thought I'd make sure you were alright." Ryder spoke, giving the horse beside him a friendly smile.
Word Count: 451
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silmellon
Familiar Face
Right or wrong, I can hardly tell. I'm on the wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of Hell.
Posts: 59
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Post by silmellon on May 21, 2015 22:14:00 GMT -5
The soft whispers of the waves upon the smooth sand carried the pale stallion's thoughts with them, in and out of positivity like in and out to shore. It was for this reason that the normally attentive Guard hadn't realized the other stallion's presence by that time. Even as the High Guard's hooves ground the powdery sand as he approached, Outlaw didn't seem to notice. His normally warm brown eye seemed a bit cloudy, glazed over even, as Ryder grew close enough to see. Cloudy with...tears? Now that was quite a change from who this stallion normally appeared to be. Even if Ryder didn't know Outlaw, he was known throughout the herd for his dashing smile and cheerful, optimistic mindset. Looking at him now, one would think that he was just a shadow of who he was just days before. The strangely marked stallion closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath of soothing ocean air before letting his shoulders fall once more. When his eyes flicked open again, they instantly found the shorter stallion who by now was right beside him and speaking. Outlaw knew this stallion...or at least has seen him before. Yes, that's it! He had been walking around with Prophet recently. This must be the newest High Guard, Ryder. But why was he out here? Upon listening to the other horse, Outlaw blinked rapidly to get rid of the tears pooling on his lower lid and threatening to spill over. Company? If I'm ok? He genuinely seems concerned. That was about all Outlaw could put together in this delicate state of mind. The pale stallion also tossed his mane to make him seem more alive and less...down. But the friendly smile did make him feel more at ease. Smiles like those were hard to come by in times like these. Outlaw lowered his head slightly and replied as he tried to smile. "I really appreciate your concern for me, thank you. And I don't mind if you stay," murmured the taller stallion. He paused to think a moment before continuing, honestly for once. "But as far as 'alright' goes...I'm not. Not really anyway. Stupid mistakes do that to horses." Outlaw spoke with a broken, breathy chuckle.
Word Count: 380
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on May 22, 2015 19:29:44 GMT -5
Ryder looked over at the taller stallion, concern etched on his face as he saw the cloudiness in the guard's eyes. Were they... tears? Ryder chewed the inside of his mouth nervously, wondering what could possibly be bothering this guard, who, if he remembered correctly, was named Outlaw, so much that he had wandered off alone to wallow in his own tears. He simply nodded, settling on his hooves in the soft sand beneath him when Outlaw said that he didn't mind the company. "It's not a problem. Your name is Outlaw, correct? I haven't had the pleasure of meeting all of the guards yet, but I've seen you around before. My name is Ryder if you haven't heard of me before now." Ryder introduced himself, dipping his head respectfully. The ocean breeze tugged at his curly mane and tail, sending them cascading around him. Salty air drifted into his lungs with each breath, and the feeling of the moisture in the air was refreshing as droplets of the crashing waves settled on his pelt. Ryder turned his torn ear toward Outlaw, listening intently to the stallion's withered tone. Ryder gave him a sympathetic grin, trying to lock eyes with his fellow guard. "I know exactly how you feel... well, I have in the past anyways. I've lived a life full of silly mistakes believe it or not." Ryder admitted with a soft chuckle, hoping to relieve some of the tension that was obviously in the air around them. "So what exactly did you do that you think was so stupid? If you don't mind me asking of course. I don't mean to pry." The brown paint smiled sheepishly, hoping that he didn't seem super nosy. Ryder knew all about doing stupid things and regretting them later. It seemed to be a constant in his life, but it also seemed that things had worked out for him in the long run even after all of the heartache and loss he had suffered over the years. Who could complain about having a mate, son, friends, and a high position in the herd after all? But Ryder hoped that he could help Outlaw through whatever it was that was ailing him. He certainly wished someone had been there for him when he had been like this.
Word Count: 384
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silmellon
Familiar Face
Right or wrong, I can hardly tell. I'm on the wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of Hell.
Posts: 59
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Post by silmellon on May 29, 2015 16:45:25 GMT -5
In reply to the question of his name, the pale stallion nodded his head and still managed a good natured smile. "Yeah, that's me." Then a small crinkle appeared in the corner of his eye as the smile spread slightly and he continued, "No need to be modest, of course I know you, Ryder. You're the newly appointed High Guard. Congratulations, even though you've got quite a bit on your plate." Things were definitely changing for everyone in Chevalin, and the higher-ups must be stressed about all the pressure on them. The ocean breeze sprayed Outlaw more than once, and though he felt the salt of the cold water cling to his coat despite his normal discontent with being dirty, he didn't care. He noticed that Ryder too seemed to love the beach as much as he himself did. The other stallion's body was completely relaxed, his atmosphere at ease and his expression inviting and sympathetic. Without really giving it any thought, the strangely marked stallion lowered his head moderately to give Ryder a better angle for eye contact since Outlaw was a bit taller than the other horse. And like that, his ears swiveled in the direction of Ryder's gentle voice to listen. Nodding his head in understanding, Outlaw's tense body stature loosened up greatly. Ryder just seemed so approachable and...really was one of the few to be curious as to why he wandered off on his own out of the blue sometimes.
However, upon being inquired about his mistake, the taller stallion shifted his weight from one hind leg to the other a few times before cocking his right and settling on his left hind leg once more. But otherwise he sustained his relaxed aura and remained in eye contact with the High Guard as he spoke. Despite the fact that Ryder understood what Outlaw was feeling to a degree and the way he spoke seemed genuine, kind and sincere, he was so ashamed and embarrassed that it was difficult to admit this to anyone out loud. His tone was smoother now albeit a little nervy. "I don't mind you asking. Just...promise me something, ok? I didn't break any laws. But if after I tell you you think it would be safest to tell Khala and the others I won't hold you to this promise." The stripe-like markings running down the pale stallion's neck rippled as he turned his head to face Ryder a bit more before continuing. His one visible soft brown eye shone at Ryder with a hint of desperateness. Outlaw was taking a chance with trusting another horse with his shame, he just hoped Ryder would be as understanding now as he was before. With a deep breath, he continued once more. "Promise me you won't tell anyone. It's rather shameful...at least to me." he said with the end of a breathy chuckle.
Word Count: 486
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on May 30, 2015 20:06:45 GMT -5
Ryder smiled back, seeing a small smile pull up the corners of Outlaw's mouth. It was a relief to see that the stallion wasn't upset enough that he couldn't show any sort of good nature at all. He knew how hard it was to get someone back from that level of depression and heartache from his experience with his own half-brother, Bryce, who was now missing without a trace of where he had gone. Ryder couldn't let himself be useless in a situation like this again when there was so much hope that he might be able to help. The High Guard chuckled sheepishly, feeling a small blush warm his ears and cheeks. "Heh. It's still odd not really having to introduce myself around the herd anymore. It wasn't too long ago that no one probably knew who I even was." Ryder joked, laughing softly. He nodded his head at the Guard's next phrase, feeling his wavy mane fall down in his face before it was pulled back by the ocean breeze. "Thank you. It was a surprise, but I hope I can prove my worth and gain everyone's trust. We've all got a bit on our plates nowadays." He said with a small smile that pulled up one side of his mouth. His blue eyes glanced over at the black and white stallion as he adjusted his position for Ryder to look into his eyes with a bit more ease. He hadn't noticed how much taller Outlaw was than himself until just now, and he was a bit grateful when Outlaw lowered his head slightly despite the slight embarrassment it also brought. But with that change in stance, Ryder also saw Outlaw open up, turning his head toward him and flicking his ears in his direction to listen to him.
However, at his question, he watched as Outlaw shifted his weight uncomfortably on his hind legs. Ryder hadn't thought of the awkward situation he might have created when he had asked Outlaw about his problem. Being a High Guard meant that he needed to uphold the law of the herd, and a lot of horses might find it difficult to admit something that might accuse them of something that might possibly cause ill-thoughts toward them. Ryder watched Outlaw's silent turmoil as he was more than likely trying to figure out if he could trust Ryder or not. The paint stallion gave him a warm, hopeful smile. Once the words were out of Outlaw's mouth, Ryder hesitated in thought, running things over in his mind. Something shameful? But he hadn't broken any laws. He pursed his lips, pondering on the possibilities that this situation might bring. What Outlaw could have done could be horrible and endanger the herd, but Outlaw had said that if he felt he needed to tell Khala, he could. Ryder looked up from the sand to see a look of desperation in the other stallion's brown eye, and that single look sealed the deal for the indecisive High Guard. "I won't tell anyone else of what happened to you as long as the herd isn't in any sort of danger. I understand wanting privacy and secrecy in actions that you aren't exactly proud of, but if this endangers the herd, I'll have to bring it up with Khala." Ryder said with a single, determined nod of his head. "I'm all ears when you're ready."
Word Count: 568
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silmellon
Familiar Face
Right or wrong, I can hardly tell. I'm on the wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of Hell.
Posts: 59
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Post by silmellon on Jul 22, 2015 21:34:13 GMT -5
Outlaw nodded his head in return, showing he understood. Thank goodness for the cool ocean breeze, or the taller Guard would have been sweating from the overwhelming thoughts and emotions in his mind. Even if he did have one of the kindest horses in the herd at his side. Good thing too, because if Outlaw didn't know Ryder for the horse he was, he very likely wouldn't even be standing there any longer. The Guard couldn't even bear to look the other horse in the eye at this point, so he cast his gaze out at the sea before he spoke.
"After the war between Olde and the Bachelors...everyone was in disarray. Not all of the Olde horses had seen or explored the Eastern Isle. And the fighting separated them. I too was separated from those I was protecting. But while I was out there, I found her." Outlaw sighed softly, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips as if he was reliving the very moment. "She was from Olde, and we started talking. About the war, about life lately. She had never met an Exile, and I had never met an Olde so I suppose we were just curious about each other. But the way she spoke about her life up on the Isle of Olde, seemed lonely. I understood that, having been an adult and entering a new herd a few years ago...Anyway we talked for awhile and...it felt like...it felt like she was cool water. Cool water running over fresh wounds and cleaning them. All the stress from everything going on just seemed to materialize, instead of just being swept away only to be remembered later. After awhile things got...intense and we ended up spending the night together." The strangely marked stallion paused, lowering his head in what could've been deep sorrow, shame, or both. He swallowed before continuing, his voice still steady. "When I woke up, she was gone. No goodbye, no nothing. But she might've been nervous realizing what she did, giving herself up to a stallion outside her herd, so I promised myself I would see her again when I was helping get stragglers over the land bridge and off their Isle. I would show her that I cared for her. That I didn't use her. I would ask her to come back to our herd with me, since she didn't sound happy where she was. I know I'm not as perfect as I act like I am, but I would do my best to make her happy. Sure she didn't seem used to working much but she would've made a really good Scout and all the mares would've helped her settle in."
As Outlaw spoke of what he had hoped would come to pass, the misty look in his visible dark brown eye grew. The light of the sun shone through it, turning his iris a warm, golden color. It was clear that he had daydreamed about this plan quite a bit. He continued, "But when I was over there, an Olde stallion approached me wondering what I was doing. I told him, and invited him to come along while I did a last sweep of the tree line before crossing over myself. We walked and talked, but he noticed I seemed to be looking for someone. I told him who, and told him why since he didn't seem like he disliked Exiles and would have my tail if I told him. Not the entire reason why, but I did tell him that I spent time with her and I thought I was in love with her. As it turns out..." the Guard took a deep, tired sounding breath and continued speaking. "...he was that very same mare's suitor. Previous to when I had even met her. And from the sound of it he planned on proposing to her. He was upset with me so before he got too angry I followed the rest of our own back across the bridge." concluded the stallion before hanging his head so low that his breaths made ripples on the shallow ocean water. "I could've been the mistake that wrecked her whole future with him, much less her future with me." murmured Outlaw to his choppy reflection in the water. As he gazed at himself he wrinkled his nose and his eyebrows knit tightly together. With a forehoof he stomped the reflection with a small snort of frustration. His tone was more clipped and quiet as he muttered to himself, "I am such a fool...a fool, a mistake and nothing more than a temptation."
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Jul 26, 2015 7:18:30 GMT -5
Ryder's torn ear swiveled in the other stallion's direction, ready to listen intently to whatever was plaguing his mind. It was evident that it was something pretty serious from how different Outlaw seemed compared to the other times that Ryder had seen him around the herd. He was an outgoing, flirty kind of stallion that liked the ladies from what he had seen, but from the look of him right now, he just looked like a sad, lonely stallion. The High Guard couldn't help but remember a time that he had been that way. Before he had met Effie, nightmares of him and Bryce murdering their monstrous father had clouded his mind even though if they hadn't ended their old man's life, the two of them would definitely not be around any longer.
As Outlaw began his story, Ryder nodded occasionally, glancing toward the blue waters around them. Ryder felt the pull of the liquid in his mind that had been there every time he got near water since he had been given his gift, but he didn't act on it, not wanting to freak Outlaw out any more than he already was. 'Moving water with your mind isn't exactly a fantastic way to make friends... it is a pretty cool trick though.' Ryder thought briefly before Outlaw began talking about a mare. Ryder's light blue eyes softened toward the white and black stallion. He noticed the subtle changes in the stallion's body language as he talked about her, and the way his gaze sparked a little at the very mention of this Olde mare was incredibly familiar with Ryder. Outlaw was in love.
He remained silent, listening as Outlaw's story wrapped up, and the other Exile dipped his head toward the water, stomping at his reflection. "You're not a fool, Outlaw. You fell in love with her, and she obviously felt something for you or she wouldn't have spent the night with you." Ryder said, flicking his tail around his flanks. He frowned slightly as his thoughts spun around in his head while he tried to figure out what to say. He didn't want to seem like a fool or like he was trying to hard to make Outlaw feel better about this... though he had to admit that he did want to help. "I've been in love twice in my life... and from what I've experienced, all you can really do is let her now how you feel." Ryder admitted, his gaze glancing toward the water at his hooves at the mention of his past love. She was nothing but a memory now, but that didn't mean that his time with her had changed his outlook on love. "Mares can be stubborn; I know when Effie gets her mind set on something, there's not a chance that I or anyone else can change it. Perhaps she just needs time to think, or maybe she was just worried about you not being from her own herd." Ryder offered, lifting his eyes to look back at the horse beside him before he gently nudged him with his nose. "Just because she has someone looking to propose to her doesn't mean that she will. It might sound incredibly cheesy to say, but I don't think everyone has just one love in life. I think they can have many or just a few. I loved the mare that I was with before I met Effie, but I love Effie with every fabric of my being as well as our son." He explained, imagining himself sounding like a crazed lunatic or a hopeless romantic to Outlaw. "What I'm trying to say is that this mare might love you too... if she even likes that other guy. You wouldn't have been a mistake. Being with you or him are just two paths that she has to choose from. If she knows that you love her and care about her, then let her choose who she wants to be with." Ryder gave Outlaw an encouraging smile, trying to comfort him the best he could, but Ryder couldn't help but chuckle a little at himself. "...I probably sound like a weirdo with all of this mumbo-jumbo, but I think it's true. Love is a strange thing that gets you when you least expect it."
Word Count: 718
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