Alone on a moonlit night...

[♫ Saphira ♫]

Dream

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving

Dainty hooves hit the ground in a regular rhythm, as the rushing wind pushed her mane back from her face. Her powerful muscles rippled under her ebony coat, as the dove’s limbs trembled with sheer power. The greenery flashed passed her at lightning speed, as though they were moving alongside the fae like a stream of images in a movie being ‘fast-forwarded’. What was strange, though, was that the mare did not even seem the least bit exhausted from her day of running. Instead, she seemed as though she could keep it up forever. Her flowing paces were so smooth, that it almost seemed as though she were floating on air. Her precise strides never missed a beat, her rippling flow of tresses, her satin pelt, her captivating hazel eyes… She looked exactly like a dream.

I ran. That was all I knew I was doing. I didn’t know where I was going, or where y journey’s end would be. But that was a thought for later. Right now, all I wanted to do was to run. The strong breeze blew against me, stinging my eyes, striving to stop me from going forward. As if it could. It would soon learn that I could be, would be, twice as stubborn and determined as it was. So, I pushed right back. Running was now second nature to me, and it didn’t require much concentration on my part. My strong limbs moved forward automatically, leaving my mind free to wander… And think.

The early noon sun had slowly faded away, taking with it its light and warmth. In contrast to just a few hours ago, the night sky was now velvet-black, as black as the fae’s pelt, dotted with a hundred million pin-pricks of cold, white light in the sky. The discus moon glowed overhead, bathing the land and the solitary horse galloping beneath it silver. The air had soon cooled after the sun’s departure, temperature dropping rapidly. The ebony fae snorted, flanks heaving from her run, sides streaked with sweat as she came to a graceful halt underneath the sweeping branches of a weeping willow. The flawless mare arched her neck grandly, giving her surroundings a customary once-over. You never know what could happen at night, especially in these lands. All the same, it was too open for her liking. Ah well, it would have to do for the night. Anyway, by the time the sun had crossed the horizon, she would have been off, leaving no trace to her whereabouts, leaving to prints for anyone to follow.

Folding her supple limbs underneath her gleaming body, Night rested her head on the dry ground, staring straight ahead with glazed orbs. Resting, feeling her heartbeat slow and tiredness press over her. Suddenly, her harks pricked, as twigs cracked somewhere to her right. With a rapidly beating heart, the mare threw up her head, only to gaze straight at a doe and her fawn. For a moment, their gazes locked, and all three creatures froze. Dream smiled gently at the sight of mother and child, relieving her own memories of childhood, when she was but a small, spindly-legged filly.

“Don’t worry, dear friends. I shall not harm you. Feel free to rest here if you so wish.” Musical lyrics spilled from the mare’s maw, as she spoke for the first time that day. Moonlight threw dapples onto her velvet coat, as she shifted slightly. The deer stared at her, behind turning and bounding noiselessly away into the thick scrub behind.

The night-coloured mare lowered her finely chiseled head once more, trying to get some rest. However, she could not. A niggling sensation that started alarm bells chiming in her head told her that she was being watched. But by who? Or what? Was she sure? No… Perhaps it was simply her paranoia, reflecting the state of mind she was in after being left alone for so long.

Dream sighed softly, world enveloping in darkness as she once more closed her orbs. She relaxed her harks, and fought to still her fast-beating heart. So foolish. She was a fully grown mare, not simply a filly struggling to find her place in the world.

Or was she?

I had a dream my life would be
So different from the hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed

[Dotty]

Koda

I can't figure out why my legs have brought me here - to Slave's Land. I was hoping to follow the winds down to Evelyn's Forest but for some reason, a nagging voice inside my brain pulled me here. My hooves thudded gently against the ground, not bothering to hide any tracks - I had no need for that. Nobody would dare follow me. The gentle breeze on the night's air was starting to pick up now, lifting my dark mane and twisting it round and round as I kept on moving, letting my legs take me wherever they wanted me to.

The dark fire inside my body burned wildly, forcing me to move faster and faster across the open land, willing me to reach my destination in time - a destination I had no idea of. Thoes flames kept licking against the frame of my body, unseen by any watching eyes. Only I could feel it, feel the pain that made me ache with a nameless feeling - a feeling I can't describe.

I thought I was alone until I saw the fine figure of a dark shadow standing unaccompanied. Anger whelled up inside me like it always did, a familiar feeling that you would call hatred. I had no feelings for others and I never would - the past that was bottled up inside me, protected by many walls made sure of that.

A feral scream whipped through my teeth instincitevly as I tossed my head around and reared up on my hind legs, warning her not to come any closer - she was invading my space. I was used to mares and stallions twisting around in fear and bolting off at the sight of my heavy and threatening body.

[♫ Saphira ♫]

Dream

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving

The ebony fae first heeard the sound of galloping hoofbeats echoing through the darkness, revertibrating around the strangly silent land. Dream's harks pricked, as her mocha-colured orbs flashed nervously round the land, looking in vain for the source of this sound. The inky surroundings blended well with her coat, but apparently, someone else could see her, because at that very moment, an angered cry tore through the Slave's Land. Dream was in no doubt that it was meant for her. Swirling round, the dove's hazel eyes glittered strangly in the light of the silver moon, her long tresses whipping through the air sharply. Pools grey dark with apprehension, as Dream pinned back her auds cautiously, eyes finally managing to pick out a dark shape silluhetted against the star-filled sky.

My heart was beating furiously, and I could feel a small rivulet of sweat trickling down my mane. So utterly foolish to travel here, out of all places, in the dark of the night. Why did I not think before I came? Who's that? What does he want?

Her chocolate-filled eyes connected with his for a fleeting instant, before darting away. What she had seen scared her - Eyes which a world of darkness and hatred, without a glimmer of light in them to lighten the atmosphere. Dream pawed that ground with her left dagger, leaving sharp furrows in the closely-packed earth. Her defiant orbs locked with his once more, not betraying her fear, even though it filled her up. She had been here first. Who was the stag to order her around?

"Who are you? What do you want?" Her smooth, lilting lyrics flowed out like music and into the brute's auds. Waiting with bated breath, the mare wondered how he would react.

I had a dream my life would be
So different from the hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed

[Dotty]

Koda

A malicious smiled played across the sides of my mouth as the mare bolted off. A strong feeling shivered down my spine that I can only describe as water being chucked over the fire that burnt on the inside of me to calm it down - the satisfaction of revenge. Revenge to the many tortures I had gone through during my foal years. Wait, it hurt to think of that. I couldn't think about it. I wouldn't.

I returned my attention to the fleeing figure. Hang on, she wasn't galloping away from my furious protests - she was just standing there, looking at me like I was something that made her curious. I flicked my tail and tossed my mane before kicking up my back legs and rushing towards her in an attempt to scare her off. She just stood there.

Never had this happened to me before. Stallions and mares would flee from my presence, not stopping until they were positive I had gone. The mare still stood there, ignoring my attempts to make her bolt.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

The words that flew from her lips like velvet and silvery bells made me stop in my track. I stared at her like she was some kind of pretty monster - a monster brave enough to stop me.

Who are you? What do you want?

The words replayed over in my mind again and again. Who was I? I knew that - I was Koda. What do I want? I didn't know the answer to that one. There wasn't anything I wanted except for her to leave - yeah, that's what I wanted.

"Who I am doesn't not matter to you and what I want is for you to go. I want you to leave me alone."

My voice was cold and hard which suprised me because I had not spoken for a long time - I did not need to. The words were like a million daggers, aiming at her pretty little throat, threatening her to leave.

[♫ Saphira ♫]

Dream

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving

The ebony fae tossed her crown, seeing the stallion start to rush forward in an attempt to scare her away. Pathetic, really. Dream threw up her dial, studying the stallion in a kind of curious fascination. Never before had she encountered this kind of stallion, who would prefer others to leave them alone, as though everyone else but him had some kind of contagious disease. Honestly.

But the sight of this stag had also awakened some painful memories which she had carefully kept under lock and key for many moons now. She sighed, feeling the anguish deep in her mind, as raw and sharp as ever as her soft eyes glimmered with sorrow for a brief moment. Another midnight stallion, brave and dashing, sweeping her off her hooves and led her on a dance, spiriting her away from her enclosed world. He was kind to her, leading her to believe that she had earned his love. Foolish, foolish. In the dead of the night, he had turned on her, forcing her to flee and leaving deep scars on her, both physically and mentally.

The young fae winced, closing her mind firmly against the onslaught of painful memories that resurfaced in her mind. Though this incident had occurred quite a while ago, the feelings had never truly died away. Perhaps they never would.

I raised my eyes once more to meet the stag's, and found him staring at me like I was some kind of freak. What was his problem? I stared back, ears held defiantly as my boa arched gracefully. I was in a rather rebellious mood today. He continued staring, and I couldn't resist casting a glance over my shoulder to see if I had sprouted wings or something like that. Weird guy.

Suddenly, his dark, menacing words flew across the distance that separated the two equines, causing Dream to step backwards slightly. The dove pricked her harks, prancing slightly as she sassily answered.

"Sure. I don't mind leaving you alone. But, I mean, since you're so unsociable, shouldn't you be going instead of me?" She snorted, turning wide, innocent eyes on the brute.

I had a dream my life would be
So different from the hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed

[Dotty]

Koda

"Sure. I don't mind leaving you alone. But, I mean, since you're so unsociable, shouldn't you be going instead of me?"

I snorted. How dare she even suggest that she had more right to be here than I did. A deep anger whelled up inside me, making that fire burn more wildly inside me. The flames flickered through every organ in my body to the hair on my back. And then, suddenly, as quickly as it had come, it went - just like that.

My whole body froze to the spot, shocked by what had happened. In a way, I felt relief sigh over my. My whole body felt more free from the searing heat that bubbled inside me. I stared at her. How had she managed to stop this? It was just so... weird - I couldn't think of a better word to describe it.

"Wait. Come with me."

I had no idea the words had come through my lips until I heard them. My eyes shifted to the floor, dropping away from her gaze. My voice was different - different from the sharp, cold voice earlier. There was more emotion in it. More emotion and more softer. It was like someone else had said it. I looked behind me to check nobody was there but only a soft breeze seemed aware of our presence.

I turned back to her, waiting to see her expression and what she would say. I considered galloping off but wasn't that for wimps? I wouldn't let one mare beat me - I was going nowhere but the voice that slipped through my mouth seemed to tell me I was.

[♫ Saphira ♫]

Dream

Dream never thought that she had felt so shocked in her life. The ebony fae froze, not moving a muscle, her expression that of absolute disbelief. What was up with this guy? First, he comes and tries to chase her away. The next moment, hr was asking her to go with him. Not forcefully, not threateningly, not menacingly. Just... asking, and for the first time since she had seen him, sounded almost normal. His tone was softer and lighter, as he suddenly averted his eyes, as though ashamed.

Out of all the the things I thought he would say, this was the very last thing I had expected to hear. I mean, he just spent the last goodness knows how many minutes trying to chase me off, and now? He wants me to come with him? Is he joking? In any case, should I trust him?

The ink-coloured fae's gaze sharpened a notch, as she narrowed her pretty hazel orbs, looking directly at the stallion. Her eyes filled with distrust and wariness. You couldn't exactly blame her. I mean, would you go with someone who just tried to chase you away? No? I thought not.

Was it simply a ruse? A ruse to lead her back to his lands - if he even had any - and take revenge on her for her insolent words? A shiver pierced her hide, as Dream struggled with her conflicting emotions. Her softer side was crumbling, giving in to the stallion's loneliness and soft voice, the one who looked so much like her first love that it was impossible to look at him without thinking of him. But her side of steel forbade her to go to him. Long since her first love had turned on her, Dream has taught herself to not love, not to care, not to trust, lest the same thing happened again.

Come with me.

No! Dream wrenched her heart away, facing the onyx stallion, head held high, tresses fluttering in the breeze and her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Why should I?" She snarled, tone harsher than intended, not betraying the pain in her heart. "Why should I trust you?"

[Dotty]

Koda

Deep inside my chest, I felt my heart sink. It was true. Why should she trust me? I was nothing more that a malicious brute. It was what I was and what I will always be. She had no right to trust me. Less than five minutes ago I was trying to see her off, rearing and kicking around. In fact, why did I want her to come with me anyway? What did I need her for?

I felt the fire start again, threatening to burn me down. I suddenly realised that this was why I needed her. She was the only cure I knew to the flames that licked against my ribs. If she did not want to come with me then I would make her.

"You must come with me because I want you to," I replied, my voice returning to it's sharp and harsher way. I looked deep into her eyes - her soft, brown eyes. There was no way I could just let her go like this and I wouldn't.

[♫ Saphira ♫]

Dream

pblockquote] The ebonite fae flicked her tresses, pale mocha orbs gleaming in the silver starlight. The radiant moon that hung high in the sky added its power, and the result was an inky-black mare bathed in moonlight, coat gleaming with a silvery sheen under the night sky. Her heart fluttered within her chest, mouth dry with a sudden fear as she fought to train her gaze boldly on the onyx brute, fought to conceal her sudden nervousness, fought to keep the contempt and defiance clear in her eyes, though all she wanted to do was to… To… What did she even want to do? Her heart betrayed her, though, and Dream’s orbs softened slightly.

Words need not be spoken in order to know what one is thinking or feeling. It was true in this case. Dream could almost taste the disappointment and the brute’s feelings. But it suddenly changed. A cold wind blew past, ruffling the horses’ manes, just as an icy claw seemed to rake down her back. The silence that stretched suddenly grew loud and deafening, till all she could hear was the roaring of blood in her ears.

The onyx stallion opened his maw, dark lyrics suddenly dark and menacing once more. She saw the fire in his eyes, and the way they gleamed. “Try and make me,” She retorted. Frightened at what he might do, Dream whipped round, kicking up her heels and dashing off, her tresses blowing wildly in the wind created by her own speed. She didn’t know where she was going; all she wanted way to put as much distance as possible between her and the brute whose name she didn’t even know.

But the brute behind her was fresh and filled with energy, while she had been galloping for almost the whole day. Determined not to give up, she pushed forward, skidding round the corner and, of great, came face to face with a sheer wall of stone. Trapped on all three sides, Dream darted forward again, only to stop at seeing a shape emerge.

Flattening her ears, she narrowed her eyes, pawing the ground threateningly, her flanks heaving from the run. Had he found her?

(OOC: Haha, this should be interesting! XD )

[/blockquote][/size]

[Dotty]

Koda

I laughed coldly at the words that came flowing from between her teeth. Try and make me? That was what I wanted to hear - a challenge that I would accept and achieve to the best of my standard. I wasn't one to back away from such a dare. As I watched her tense up and leap away, I gave her a few seconds head start.

It turned out she needed no head start at all. As I thundered after her - welcoming the fresh cool air that brush against my face - I saw here standing there, trapped between three stone walls that towered way above her, keeping her in. There was no way she could escape now - I had her cornered.

"That was a pretty pathetic attempt," I snorted, watching her try to find a chance to escape. I stood my ground, neck arched proudly in a neat curve as she pawed the ground threateningly, warning me off - a warning I would pay no attention to. My tail flicked with pleasure as a venomous smile creeped onto my face.

I watched her carefully, letting her make the first move which I knew I could easily block. I wanted to make her feel the pain slowly - make her feel useless against me. It was the way I worked and the way I always would.

[♫ Saphira ♫]

Dream

Dream flashed her ivories, muscles rippling beneath her shining coat as the stallion snorted out a rather annoying sentence as he cornered her, blocking the only exit path this place had. Desperately, the ebonite fae's gazed glanced behind the huge bulk of stallion that stood in front of her, to the wide, open lands that lay invitingly before her.

Her liquid hazel orbs fixed onto the onyx stallion's gloating stance - neck arched and hooves planted firmly into the ground as he taunted her with his actions, daring her to attack him and to battle. Dream's heart thudded loudly in her chest, nostrils dilated and a ring of white around her eyes as she flinched back slightly, watching the stag's expression carefully, noting the sadistic grin grow on his maw.

She hissed, flattening her auds and making a false start forward, stopping short before him and moving backwards, so that the dark shadows of the cliffs swallowed her up. The fae narrowed her eyes, bunching her muscles as she prepared to block or to attack. It all depended on the stallion's reaction.

"Next time I won't be so kind," She warned, her pretty dream-like orbs flashing threateningly in a fake bluff - a bluff she knew the the stallion would not take.

[Dotty]

Koda

A long and threatening hiss passed through the mares lips, warning me off. Her expression was alert, ready for anything, her body tense yet nervous. She was scared and I could easily see that - her uneven breath told me that. Her eyes clearly showed the white on the corners, watching my every move, my every breath.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

The words came out of my mouth before I even thought them - in fact, I didn't think them at all. The voice that flowed from my mouh weren't my words at all. It felt like they belonged to some else yet they still came from me. I'm not sure that even makes sense but it's the only way I can describe it. The tone of my voice matched the one earlier - the voice that was calm and submissive and caring.

I stepped backwards, but only slightly - it wasn't enough to give her some room of escape. I was shocked by what this mare could do to me - make me feel like I could belong somewhere. I shook my head slightly and decided to try and make her forget what I had just said by rearing into the air with a shrill scream that echoed around the land.

[♫ Saphira ♫]

Dream

The fae flattened her auds, pointed ears quivering slightly as she gazed warily at the stallion that stood in front of her. The shadows of the overhang behind her lapped at her pelt, camouflaging her slightly. Only her bright eyes gave her away. All her senses were alert, sharp and ready for action, lest he should try and harm her.

The words that flowed out of his mouth was so sudden, so unexpected that the mare forget for a moment, the danger she was in. All she could do was stop and stare blankly at the onyx brute. Shaking the stunned feeling off, she shook herself, baring her teeth in defiance, though she was confused.

He isn't? Oh wow. I really believe that.

Her thoughts cynical and sarcastic, Dream stared boldly at the stallion, though fear was radiating off her in waves. But then... It was either he was a really good actor, or his feelings were real. His voice, so soft and caring, as though trying to tame a spooked horse. Her, she supposed with a snort.

But his next actions completely threw her off guard. Rearing up, he screamed, sending his powerful lyrics echoing around the land. She flinched, backing somemore, as she struggled to push away the body-paralysing fear that held her in his grip.

"What's wrong with you?" She spat, lashing her tail. "What are you playing at? Do you mind making up your mind whether you are trying to be nice or not?"

[Dotty]

Koda

I could feel my body heat up rapidly, sweat breaking out from behind my ears. I hadn't experienced this emotion for some time but I knew it too well - embarrassment. The more I stood here, the more of a pathetic loser I was making of myself. Perhaps I should just walk away now, let the mare go and forget I ever met her. That was the easy option - an option I never took.

Did I say never? Well, I suppose I can change that now. Maybe turning my back and letting her escape is what I should do. I took a few steps away from her, giving her enough room to escape if she wished. My eyes still watched her wearily, my nostril's diluted, the way I stood never changed - alert and ready for anything.

I took another step back, making the gap more noticable. I glared into her eyes, ignoring the question she fired at me earlier. The tension in the air was almost unbearable. The more I watched her, the more uneasy I felt. I kept stepping back until I could bear it no longer. I twisted around and started to walk away, heading straight across the open lands and towards Evelyn's Forest.

[♫ Saphira ♫]

Dream

The tension between them grew. And grew. And grew. Dream flattened her auds, wary eyes never leaving the dark brute.

And so the silence between them heightened. And heightened. And heightened. Still, neither equine moved, both of them standing tense and rigid in this unnatural quiet.

Movement flickered, and Dream tensed up, but oh surprise surprise. This brute never ceased to amaze her. He was backing away. Dream looked on, not moving, wide, disbelieving eyes on the onyx brute. The escape path was clear. She quivered, looking longingly at the silent lands, before turning her clear gaze back on the brute – That was no longer there?

He was walking off, away from her and the lands. Watching his retreating figure, she suddenly found she could not bear to go on alone, away from the brute that meant harm, yet did not mean harm, away from the one that looked so much like her first love.

Tossing her head, she whinnied after him, cursing herself for doing so as she trotted gaily after him. Fool!

She ignored the voice, catching up easily with the stallion.

“So… Where are you going?” Quite a drastic change in attitude, yes, but…