August's Meeting

[Dorado]

Night was approaching quickly, the sky darkening from a cornflower shade to a deep, navy blue tinged with pink on the horizon. Already the first stars of the night were becoming visible, shining high above the tallest mountains, but there would be no moon tonight. It was the one night of the month when the whole of the moon's pale, luminescent face would be enveloped in shadow, and consequentially marked the night of the month when horses from both the Garan Tribe and the Eguan Alliance would meet together upon this revered ground. There would be no fighting tonight, no matter how high tempers might run, for there was punishment unimaginable for those who dared to break the truce. Even Dorado would not break the laws set down by his creators, and so he strode towards the Meeting Place proudly, arrogantly, but knowing that he must not harm any of his enemies while he was there.

At last the tall, sturdily built chestnut stallion came to a halt as he reached his destination, letting his call sound out across the lands - calling for any members of his own Tribe who also had wish to attend this meeting. As silence descended upon the night again he stood waiting, long russet tail flicking irritably to and fro, his gaze sweeping across his surroundings as he kept watch for other horses, whether they be friend or enemy.

[Artemis]

ooc|| This meeting will continue throughout the weekend (26th and 27th August) to give all members time to attend the meeting.

[Circe]

ooc|| Crap post. I'm tired and am heading off to bed in a minute, actually.

The bay mare known as Circe was relatively new to these lands, but she was not unintelligent and had picked up the tremors of excitement in the air as the dark of the moon grew closer and closer. A sense of possibility stole through her, and as soon as the night was truly at it's darkest she had picked up a smooth and swift trot, following the scent of her - she grimaced slightly at the word - Leader, Dorado, following the cologne until she reached the place where she assumed that the other equines would come to gather. It would be interesting to see the horses of the Eguan Alliance. After all, she only knew Dorado's side of the story, and it would be educational to see Artemis and whichever horses she would bring along with her as well. Circe did not give much away, but she took a lot in and was more intelligent than many gave her credit for.

At last as she reached her destination she slowed to a walk, before halting slightly behind Dorado, her ears pricked alertly and her gaze sweeping over her surroundings, both cautious and interested at the same time.

[Infernal]

It seemed as though Ocean had overtaken Artemis in her eagerness to meet this Darado and his 'almighty' Tribe. Her nares quivered spotting a bay mare in the distance standing beside a well built chestnut stallion, she studied his body language and saw his tail flicking irritably. Ah, maybe this was Dorado? He seemed rather dominant afterall. She glanced over her shoulder, she wasn't scared off approaching them on her own, she was just wondering where the silver mare, Artemis was. The dainty sorrel mare held a stony expression as she drew to a walk, striding toward them, Artemis had told her to find out as much as possible, perhaps if she talked to the bay femmora standing behind him. She drew to a halt a few metres before them, a flash of curiosity crossing through her occules, her body language not aggressive but not welcoming either, she knew their would be no fighting but she didn't want them coming too close to her either. Her gaze lingered upon Dorado as though trying to judge him but her gaze skirting over the land slowly, she looked back at the pair with a haughty toss of her tiara. A sly grin showing faintly on her lips.

"So. You must be Dorado, aye?" she questioned, voice bold, holding not emotion of no give away of what she was thinking, she had never trusted stallions after a small group attacked her and tried to murder her. Her skin crawled as she glanced toward the horizon, her gaze swiftly shifting back to the chestnut brute, her neck arched slightly as though gesturing for him to say anything he wished. Words didn't hurt Ocean, she never took anything to heart, she was an intelligent mare, sometimes rather witty and best left alone by brutes.

[Dorado]

It seemed as though Dorado waited for some time, though it may just have been minutes. After all, he was an impatient horse and time always seems to drag on when you are waiting for something. A faint look of irritation crossed his features and he turned, ears pricking although he felt much more like pinning them back in annoyance. However, he was spared the trouble of having to wait any longer when the faint sound of hoofbeats became audible, and his gaze snapped at once to the approaching figure of a bay mare. A slitsecond later he had recognised it as Circe, a mare in his own Tribe. In fact, the only mare so far, but that was irrelevant. A slight smirk touched his lips as she slid to a halt just behind him. She did not seem to be in too foul a mood, so he assumed that her initial annoyance with him had faded. After all, he would not suffer the indignity of one of his own horses being riled with him at a meeting. Still silent for a moment longer, he nodded his head in her direction in greeting.
"Ah, Circe. You made it," were the only words he spoke for the moment, though he eyed her a moment longer. He wasn't entierly sure what to make of the newest member of his tribe yet; she was unusual, that was certain, but he was sure that she would be useful as well. After all, she seemed quite wise and it was always a good thing to have someone like that on your side, even if she didn't have the build of a warrior.

A moment later his attention was distracted by the arrival of another horse. The stench of an Eguan reached his naves, and he looked up, eyes narrowed, expecting to see dear Artemis. However, it was a different mare that he saw approaching. She didn't seem at all uncomfortable that she was the only mare of her Alliance here yet. In fact, her manner was quite disrespectful. Dorado was quite against being addressed so casually by inferiors - and he clearly labelled any horse not of his own tribe an inferior.
"I think the question is, my dear, who are you?" he replied coldly, eyeing her appraisingly. Hmm... Where was Artemis, and who was this mare she'd sent?

[Circe]

Hmm... The bay mare stood in silence for several moments, simply watching the goings on. Her gaze flickered towards the chestnut stallion and her expression became slightly amused. He certainly had a temper on him, didn't he? It was rather endearing though; in a strange, twisted, completely irrational sort of way. Circe, however, had never been completely rational. It had all started the moment she was born - or slightly before, actually. Her mother had died going into labour and for the first few moments of her life, Circe had been technically dead as well - perhaps not actually dead, but her heart and lungs had not started beating and breathing until a few moments later. Her father, distraught as he was, had though that she would be damaged. She'd always been different, but never damaged. Ever since she was a filly, her eyesight had began becoming steadily worse, while her dreams and daydreams became steadily clearer and more vivid. Perhaps she would go completely blind one day, but if she did she was sure that there would be something to make up for it. Her daydreams sometimes felt like the reverse of deja-vu; almost as though she could predict what was going to happen. Perhaps one day she'd actually see into the future? It was all utterly insane, of course, but deep down she liked to believe in the unbelieveable.

Coming out of her thoughts, she realised that Dorado was speaking to her. Perhaps the fact that she had been daydreaming again would annoy him, but then again she didn't mind him being annoyed. It wasn't that she didn't like him and wanted to anger him; she couldn't explain it really. Perhaps she just liked teasing him a little to get a reaction.
Her only answer was a vague, "Mmm, I did," but with the arrival of the new mare she was sure that he wouldn't be too interested in an answer from her anyway. Fixing her gaze upon the sorrel femme, she watched her for a moment.
"He is Dorado, by the way," she put in mildly, "And you smell like an Eguan."

[Infernal]

The dainty sorrel mare could tell clearly by the chestnut's body language that he was clearly impatient, ah, so he obviously had more Tribe members than the bay mare. Ocean's gaze skirted back over the ponderosa pines, expecting Artemis to show up shortly, her thoughts were rattled when a cold voice echoed into her ears, her head turned slowly to look directly at the red coloured stud. Hmmm, funny... He was exactly what she thought he was, thingy.y, malice, impatient and many more. Infact she could create a full list of names to describe him. She didn't respond right away, she was too busy pondering over this Tribe before her. If someone was too annoy her tonight, she wouldn't let it annoy her; oh no. She was here to get to know the Garan Tribe.

Finally, her lips moved as she responded to his question, "Well, dearest, I am Ocean. You seem to be expecting someone, hmm? Well, Artemis is on her way," the mare said, she wasn't being smart or witty, she was speaking with a sharp, brittle voice instead, slight sarcasmn creeping into her tones. As the bay wench spoke she nodded briefly, so it was Dorado. Interesting. She scanned him, if human she would've raised a brow but simply shrugged as if to say; Well, he doesn't seem that almighty... Infact, she couldn't care less if he was the most brutal brute around, she didn't let any individual bother her.
"Yes, you're correct. I am an Equan, and proud of it," she said swiftly, a faint sly smile touching her lips, arching her neck with pride.

[Circe]

A faint smile reached the bay mare's muzzle, her ears flickering at the sorrel mare's reply. Aha... now Circe had a name to match to the scent and appearance. Ocean... She didn't know if it would be useful, but she would remember the information all the same. A look of amusement crossed her features, sure that Dorado wouldn't enjoy being called 'dearest' by a previously unknown member of a rival alliance. This meeting could quickly become interesting. Her attention reverted to the mare as she spoke, and she gave a faint nod.
"Hmm yes, I thought so," she remarked dryly, her expression unfathomable, so that one could not tell what she was thinking.

[Infernal]

Ocean was prepared for anything that was thrown at her, she wasn't asking for it she was trying to pester the chestnut stallion, for of course she knew he was impatient. Perhaps she could annoy him more and more and them - Wham! - he'd explode and attack, breaking the rules. She chuckled quietly at the thought, but maybe he would stick to the rules for he was the Leader of the Garan Tribe, surely this bay mare had high expectations for him? It was fine and dandy for the pair to know her name, but what was Dorado's mare called? Thinking for a moment, Ocean tossed her head and spoke.
"So, I'm guessing you have more members in your Tribe then, you seem to be expecting someone else?" she questioned curiously, a low grunt escaping her throat, "Ah, I never caught your name..." she added, looking at the coppery coloured wench with interest.

[Artemis]

Artemis, wily little thing that she is, never gives up an opportunity to gain some useful information or to find out something that might profity her herd. Consequently, as she streaked off from her own terrain, heading towards where the meeting would be held, she slowed her gait as she reached the borders of the land and instead slunk through the outskirts, wishing to gain a first glimpse of the Garan Tribe before she went to meet them. After all, it could be useful to see what state they were in before she went over to them. After a little while, in which she observed Dorado's impatience - some things never changed, she thought wryly - and in which she spotted the bay mare approaching him. However, as she spotted Ocean reaching the pair she decided that she had spent long enough merely observing - she didn't want to leave the sorrel mare alone with the two Garans any longer than she had to. It was not that she didn't trust Ocean to be able to cope, but she knew how meeting the enemy could grate on one's nerves and didn't want to leave the mare to deal with both of them on her own.

Several minutes later she became visible, moving lightly at a smooth trot as she approached the trio, her gaze sweeping intently across the chestnut stallion and bay mare for a moment before she slid to a neat halt at Ocean's side. Dorado, of course, she was far too familiar with, but his mare she had never seen before.
"Oh dear, did you miss me?" she remarked in a falsely cheery tone as she reached them, her words directed to Dorado. She looked to Ocean, nodding a greeting, before her gaze strayed back to their rivals.

[Circe]

Ah, so here was another of the missing horses coming, and one of the most important here. After all, the point of a meeting was to discuss what was going on in the lands with regards to the two rival groups of horses, and they could hardly do this when the leader of one of those groups was not present. However, even if Circe was not the best at seeing others at a distance her gaze fell upon the silvery shape of a grey mare approaching, recognising the strong scent of an Eguan horse upon the breeze. Well, now it was only her own tribe expecting horses, though the ones that they were awaiting probably weren’t crucial to the meeting. Really, it was only the leaders who had to be present - the other horses just came along to be useful and to meet their rivals.

Her gaze flickered towards Ocean as the mare spoke, her words obviously directed towards her.
“It’s Circe,” she answered, without appearing too concerned or guarded about who should know her name. It wasn’t as though it were particularly important whether others knew what she was called or not. Names were fickle things, really, but as names go Circe supposed that she had quite a suitable one.

[Infernal]

The scent of another drifted to Ocean on the breeze, and it wasn't the breeze of the sea, oh no. It was the wily grey mare, Artemis. Her gaze locked firmly on the mare as she approached, she nodded in return and grinned as she drew to a halt at her side. The dainty mare glanced at Dorado, hoping Artemis's words had hit the spot and annoyed him further. She glanced at the bay mare who was dubbed Circe. Ocean nodded a second time and glanced at Artemis.
"So, you and Dorado know each other well I guess?" she mused, she wanted to see sparks fly, she had great confidence that Artemis could take the Garan Tribe leader on. But of course their wasn't any fighting allowed. Which was surely a shame. Amusement shimmered in her occules as she watched the coppery mare and stallion.

[Dorado]

The sturdy chestnut stallion eyed the unknown mare as she spoke her name, gaze flickering back to Circe as she gave the mare his. Of course, he didn’t care if others knew who he was - all the better, in fact, if they could learn to recognise and respect him, but he certainly didn’t need Circe speaking for him as though he couldn’t talk himself. A sharp nudge was given to the bay wench’s side before his gaze returned to the Eguan mare. Artemis was on her way? Well, she was taking her time, wasn’t she? Ignoring her comments, perhaps intended to wind him up further, he merely fixed her with a cold glare, and when he spoke his voice was terse and devoid of warmth. He wasn’t an evil horse, Dorado, but he did have a thirst for power.
“Yes, I am awaiting a General, though the meeting can commence without him,” he answered briskly, looking up at the telltale scent that signalled that Artemis had arrived. He surveyed her coldly, his gaze devoid of emotion for a long moment before speaking in return to her comment.
“Can’t say that I have, Artemis,” he answered coolly, his eyes narrowing in obvious dislike, “Though I suppose you have to be here.”

[Circe]

Ooc|| It’s a shame there aren’t more horses, or one side could organise an attack against the other…

Circe’s gaze swept across to where the pale mare Artemis stood, silently watching the exchange between the two leaders, wondering what would come of this meeting. After all, even though there was no fighting allowed here during the meeting, afterwards no deals held and anything could happen. It was quite odd, really, that when you came down to it there didn’t seem to be much difference between the Garans and the Eguans. Both Dorado and Artemis were essentially proud and headstrong leaders, and their herds were just normal horses. Odd, really, that they should hate each other so much. However, she remained silent, not mentioning any of this out loud.

Her ears pricked in Ocean’s direction as the mare spoke, watching her intently for a moment before answering the question.
“Well enough, I suppose,” she answered with the hint of a shrug, “I haven’t been in his herd too long, but he’s alright once you get to know him,” at this she cast a sidelong glance at the stallion, her expression rather amused.

[Infernal]

The sorrel mare was finding this meeting rather interesting, infact it became more and more interesting as the minutes ticked by. His auds swivelled, fixing the sturdy stud a cold glare in return, only this time she was smirking faintly at him. She couldn't really tell why but she was finding this stallion rather amusing, she knew he was impatient but he was keeping his cool, she wouldn't say it was impressive, she knew that possibly deep down she and Artemis were annoying him greatly. But then stallions had a strange power of keeping things to themselves. Ocean gave a half absent minded snort, aha, so Dorado was awaiting another Tribe member? Stallion or mare, Ocean didn't really mind, she only hoped that this member would show up, she was keeping things in mind, firstly their names, what they looked liked and what sort of personalities they had. She nodded briefly whilst scanning Circe and Dorado, wondering if Artemis had gathered any imfortation so far, for she probably knew far more than Ocean did. Her gaze shifted to Circe as she spoke, a shimmer of amusement flittered into her eyes as she scanned the sturdy chestnut stud, she nodded at Circe.
"Hmm, I see..." was her only quiet reponse. She too was thinking the same, what 'would' come out of this?

"So - this other Tribe member of yours... Mare or stallion?" she questioned to either Circe or Dorado, she didn't mind who answered her, not that she cared of course, she was just curious, maybe a little bit too curious, but hey, all horses were a little too curious at some point. Her auds twitched as he responded to Artemis, she wondered how long they'd know each other for...