Breathe in;;

[[P] h e o n i x]

Breathe me in, I'm forever

A s r a

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deep within, I'm eternal

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It’s funny how time goes by so fast. One day you’re looking out at the long stretch of nothingness that is your future, white like an awaiting canvas with all the colors of the rainbow as your paint selection. It’s easy to just jump in and start painting; first starting out with everything you’ve ever wanted to do, whether it be good or bad, and even though that makes for an interesting picture, there’s always a price to pay for it in the end. When finally you want to slow down, take it easy, and glide instead race forward in your future, you look ahead and see how little canvas space you have left to paint in. It’s a hard thing to deal with, age, even for the youth. Something difficult to comprehend. But here Asra stood, at the top of a cliff overlooking her beloved Nonus, contemplating it all.

Though she wished she could say she had no regrets, she did have a few. Mostly all that time spent before she fought for the lead position of her current home, time wasted on fear and anger. She hadn’t amounted to much before she found herself at Vamp’s side, and it had beaten her ego down pretty bad. She’d never have thought she’d be what she was now, where she was now. She felt complete, except for it seemed something was missing.. Someone, perhaps? Her stomach did a little somersault at this thought, but she rolled her eyes and snorted. No, no, that was quite impossible. She’d never been attached to anyone in her life, never depended on anyone for support. Maybe that’s why she left Nonus so often? Because she felt the need to get away from everyone? That sounded about right. But, of course, she always came back. Always. It was like there was a tug in her stomach, drawing her back to this place. She smiled softly when she inhaled the scent of smoke, ash, and even the slight trace of grass. There was just something about her volcanic wasteland: Something inexplicably beautiful and mysterious. And if it wasn’t the land that called her back here, it was Vampire.

The stallion was as simple as he was complex, if that makes any sense. He knew what he wanted, got it, and there were no questions about it. Whether it was mares, land, or information, he always found away to attain it. But then, whenever Asra tried to dig deeper into his feelings, there was huge barrier blocking her path. He acted as if he cared for her, then treated her like any other mare. She was just his lead, yet she was so much more. He put on a façade for the world, and even for her, his lead mare. Now, this was normally typical behavior of a stallion and his lead, seeing as she wasn’t his actual mate. However, her and Vamp had been together for a very long time, and they had always gotten along quite nicely. Although, she had to admit, when she heard him call another mare darling, or dear, she’d gotten pretty pissed. She’d never shown it, but it felt like her chest was going to explode and light the mare he was addressing on fire. Of course, she really wouldn’t have minded that. She knew he meant nothing by it, but it still made her temper flare.

Asra stepped down from her pedestal made of rock at the top of the cliff and began her descent down the hill. It was easy to make her way down. She had a thicker build: Definitely not draft, but not Arabian, either. She was made for this land, born for it. The moment she reached the bottom, she caught the scent. She would know that smell anywhere. It was Vampire ,though it seemed to be stale. That made her heart jump. Had another stallion claimed the land in her absence? Fire filled her veins at the thought, and she snorted in disgust. Another stallion ruling Nonus? She didn’t think so. Vamp had never lost a battle for his home, and she doubted he would have lately. Still, she pushed herself into a rushed gait, more a mix between a canter and a full out gallop. She needed to stay calm, cool, and collected, but it was very hard for her. After a few hours of observing the outskirts of Nonus, she finally caught the scent: Sweet, but slightly metallic, almost coppery. And this time, it was quite strong. She smiled In relief, but anger soon found its place in her head. What the hell had he been doing lately?! It was quite unlike him to let his scent go stale around the outskirts. Was he getting lazy in his old age or something? She snorted and transitioned into a smooth trot, trying to let some of her irritation lose its foothold, but it didn’t work. Rage dripped off her like sweat on a hot day, and she found herself eager to seek the stallion out and scream at him. He’d caused her quite a bit of trouble. Actually, he was still causing her trouble by making her seek him out. Halting, she let a loud, ear-piercing scream rip through her throat, making even her ears hurt. She’d never called her Kind with such disrespect. She was pissed, and he was going to know it.

[Vantha {in college}]

Perhaps he had been letting the land go to waste, or perhaps he had been trying to build up his herd again and the grey knew that nobody would dare even think of trying to claim his land. Sometimes when other stallions got a little to curious about the area of Nonus, they sorta, disappeared. Either due to lava or a mysterious dusky stallion.
Lately he had been away for some time, trying to find mares that would be good in his home. Yes, Nonus was more than a land for him now, it was his home. He ruled Nonus just as much as the land ruled him. So far his search for mares was depressingly slow and boring. He'd seen a couple promising mares but they had yet to show.
He was moving along, checking the borders, mostly scenting for strange stallions when another caught his notice. His harks flicked back and forth and he snorted loudly before breathing in deeply. Asra. Likely as not he would never forget that mare's scent. Just like he would never forget her scent. Her being his first love, the reason he was almost scared to admit feelings for another. That first mare was the reason he wanted to kill his firstborn twin daughters, because she had borne him twins. He had admited that he loved and then that, it hurt more than fighting.
Once he scented Asra's scent the stallion had lifted his gait to a lope. Best not surprise her maybe? He could tell that she was a little upset with her, by the screech that was let out not moments later.
He half reared and answered with his own scream, though perhaps quieter than the mare's as he urged his frame into a dead gallop. You know the gait that most horses have when running from a predator? Yeah, he was going faster than that towards the blue mare. Perhaps he should tell her why he seemed so cold? She might understand. Then again she might just conk him in the head.
He plowed to a halt when he was closer to Asra. Not the graceful brute one might imagine really. He eyed her calmly, wanting to get closer to her and perhaps noting that he shouldn't. He sighed slightly, before tossing his dial high. "Good to see you again." He said, a slight smile creasing his maw.
He sighed again. Wondering if indeed he should tell the blue mare about his past. It couldn't hurt? Much right? He grumbled slightly, flicking his banner over his hocks.
He glanced at her, almost mischeviously. "Want to know an interesting secret?" He asked, tilting his dial to one side. One might say that someone was in an abnormally good mood. Or perhaps he was just happy that he was with Asra again. Who knew really, he probably didn't even know.

[[P] h e o n i x]

I will return to you

A s r a

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I am with you always

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In a matter of minutes she heard a familiar cry echo around her. It was much less demanding and cold than hers, and that relieved her a bit. Nothing good had ever come from Vampire being angry. She grew impatient fast, and she danced sideways with a snort. She had pent up stress and irritation, and nothing would please her more than to give the stallion a piece of her mind. Now, she would've liked to say she stayed mad at the male, because he honestly deserved it, but the moment his rose gray form came into view, her eyes lit up and she sighed in relief. He was fine; no injuries or bruises, just same old Vampire. Though she usually described him as an elegant, laid-back stallion, those two descriptions simply did not fit at the moment. He was shooting towards her like the black plague was after him. Once he got near her, however, he dug his front hooves into the ground and stopped, sending earth flying towards her. She narrowly escaped a shower of dirt. Rolling her eyes, she smiled. She couldn't stay angry at him for very long. She dipped her head down in respect when he spoke, and just as she was about to reply, he said something more. Want to know an interesting secret? As soon as he'd said it, she froze. She stared blankly at him, trying to decided whether or not he'd actually said it. Never once had Vampire told her a thing about him, let alone a secret. She'd always just accepted what she knew about him and moved on. End of story. Of course she wondered what his life had been like before his being King in Nonus, but she'd never thought it important to ask. Yet now, he was going to tell her? Of all times? "Of course." Was the only thing she could think of to say, but she took a step toward him. He seemed like he was dreading telling her anything, and yet that made her even more curious. Even so, she was not going to make him. "But you know you don't have to." She said in a soft, calm voice.

[Vantha {in college}]

Of course she would want to know. He honestly didn't think his past was purposeful. At her response a small smile creased the corners of his maw, although it was slightly sad. Was he truly that mysterious? Of course, no other horse really existed like him. Oh well.
He watched her calmly, harks flicking gently when she said that he didn't have to tell her. "It's no matter, but do not repeat what I say, ok?" He said calmly. Woah, that was slightly odd. Normally he never asked anyone he merely demanded. No matter.
"I'll just give you a basic run-down, I don't think you want to be bored by details." He said, his smirk surfacing again.
"I'm actually the young foal of twins, my brother was named Golden Sovereign and our parents where Dark Sovereign and Golden Vampire. Not very original in their names. I convinced my brother to kill our sire and he basically cursed me saying that my firstborn twins would kill me. Not long after I met a mare named Light Heart, don't let the name deceive you either. She was the cruelest, most sadistic little neutral I've ever met." He began, watching Asra for her reactions. Oh yes, Light Heart, even now that name was his bane. Asra would probably be jealous over the mare, though.
"She was my lover and she bore me twin fillies after a year. I killed her when the foals where weanlings and then I came here since those fillies disappeared. I can only hope that they are dead now...And perhaps now you understand why I seem so cold?" He said calmly, still watching her calmly.
Now to wait for her to rant at him, claiming him to be an idiot. He wouldn't blame her really.