Runners.

[EGOOT247]

WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY:

Run v.intr.
1. To move swiftly on foot so that both feet leave the ground during each stride.
2. To move at a fast gallop. Used of a horse.
3. To retreat rapidly; flee
4. To move without hindrance or restraint:

Rest. When will the world allow rest? I am a runner. I get none.
The morning sun bathes the grassland in a warm, numbing heat.
My eyelids begin to droop. Trotting all the night was no easy feat. But I have grown accustomed to it. I have done it for so long now, it seems like second nature.
I glance at my "travel buddy." Every instinct about me coerces me to leave her, but although everything about me demands of my forsaking, I cannot. She is but another of my own. Another me.

I walk slowly toward the filtered light of a solitary tree upon the grassland, standing parallel to Arose. I am full of fatigue, but it would not be wise to sleep just yet. Standing against her, my tail swishes at her face, and hers at mine. Together we will fight the flies and watch each other's backs. Perhaps working as a pair won't be so bad. I let my eyelids fall, taking a rest from furtively scanning every nook of forest for jeopardy. But although I appear unalert, every alarm inside of me is set to trigger. The swishing of Arose's tail sets one off, but I quickly regain composure. False alarm. But now I wait. And sleep lightly, although a sound sleep is what I need.

But cannot afford. The life of a fugitive gives but little sleep. And little peace of mind.

[..*avvy (arrosé.chianna)]

OOC: i dunno if rosey's supposed to be here or not... oh well

}Arrosé Amour{

Snowy white bella was withering, and quickly. It had pained her greatly to finally admit to herself that she was not going to be able to keep up the pace that Star had set, and was collasally relieved when she had stopped in this inconspicuous clearing. They would be safer here than where they had been, Rose told herself, and a small sigh of reassurance left her rosepetal nostrils.

A blackfly landed on her back. Curses, she thought rather foully. This one I cannot reach. It surprised her ever so slightly to feel the fly depart at whim of Star's banner. Well! Her pride swelled up so much she found it difficult to see straight, and it quickly diminished to the normal feeling of too much moving. She went to work with her own tassels on Star, and standing there in that clearing with the blackflies at bay and a friend beside her, Rose had never felt more contented. She felt it meaningful to say something, and in a whisper that seemed to roll along the air she related her thoughts to the other.

Star... merci. Merci, mon ami.

[EGOOT247]

I smiled with her words, although my eyes remained closed.
I longed so much to reassure her, reassuring myself as well.
I wanted at this point to tell her that all will be well.
I wanted to tell her that we are free, that we can now *Move without hinderance or restraint*
I wanted to. But.
I can't.

There is no solice. Or consolation.
We are but Runners.

"We are not safe. But one may never be. We are but Runners in a foxhunt," I sighed, enjoying the peace and tranquility. I let the fatigue settle in, and I drifted toward the darkness of solitude and sleep.

A scent was upon the wind, forcing me to become fully alert immediately. My eyes snapped to, my ears already poised for alarm.
The friendly zephyr brought forth a scent familiar but yet unplacable-- Another creature must be near.
With a final flick of my flyswatter, I leaned against Arose, nudging her with my nose. I did not make a sound, but I prayed the urgent touch would convey the message along with the fear rekindled in my eyes.
Something is lurking.
I scan the brush about me, searching for another sign of the contemporary, but all I see is normalcy. Squinting, I try to detect what it was, and where it might be. But where? What is lurking?
Does my travel buddy see?

OOC: Do enter, another equine...... Perhaps queenie? I believe her name was ginger? I don't quite remember... :-[

[[×]..§tårrÿ.Éÿêð..[×]]

xl..Rather unsuccessful was 'er feat in seeking solidace with oth'r beings o' 'er own making, finding at least one aquaintance to see comfort with proving particularily difficult. Aye, sh' 'ad met one stag at Spectrum afore, but 'e was not much for talking. Still, sh' could not take this for granted, for 'e was at least kind enough to converse with 'er, rather than flee from 'er or taunt 'er with jealousy, envious an' o' 'er sheer beauty an' perfect nature. This was usually th' way oth'r 'quines sh' met dealt with 'er ravishing good looks, vast array o' intelligence an' amazingly genteel demeanor. .lx

xl.. Autumn was not particularily one o' 'er favourite months, for sh' admired all seasons for diffeent qualities. For Winter, sh' loved nothing more than watching from th' peace o' a sheltered cavern, staring out dreamily into th' fast falling snowflakes an' picturesque views o' pure white loveliness. For Spring, twas beautiful to see th' blooming buds flourish, an' th' little younglings prancing 'round in th' fresh, dewy fields. Summer was also one season that always brought joy to each gloomy maw, an' what was better than th' gentle sun shining umber bright day after day ? Yet, sh' did not mind which season was occuring at th' moment. But sh' 'ad to admit, autumn right now looked ev'r beautiful with colourful leaves on th' gaping limblike branches..lx

xl..'Er lithe pistons were indeed crunching merrily on these dry leaves o' brown, yellow an' deep crimson paintage. They lay scattered 'round th' frostbitten turf, an' although tws most unorganised, it looked rather fetching. Alone sh' was, once 'gain , but this did not surprise 'er at all. Sh' 'ad always been alone in this cruel world, an' 'ad come to realise this was 'ow 'er life was mapped out. Sh' sighed rather fornlornly as sh' strode, an' shook 'er well carved ivory skull briskly to rid 'er silken golden tresses from a stray leaf that 'ad fallen from th' nearby tree. As sh' did so , 'er auds picked up something .. what was it .. an audity ? A conversation it seemed, rather deep in th' forest sh' lay 'er metallic daggers 'pon. Sh' paused, catching little snippets o' conversation. But it was all buzzing in 'er 'arks, an' all sh' did know that there was a hint o' strong french accent. Sh' was moved forwards, not out o' will, but o' curiosity. Th' trees seemed to follow 'er, watching 'er like a hawk. As sh' moved further, further, th' voices became clearer. This was sign sh' could not be far away. Sh' stopped 'erself from moving on. Sh' could not just walk on in a conversation could sh'? Peering out from behind a vast oak tree, sh' saw for th' first time, two ladies looking rather wary as they conversed. Sh' felt excitement rise inside 'er crest, but stood quiet an' unmoving, waiting to see what they could do next. Covered by th' branches o' th' large oak, sh' was unseen .. For now ..lx

[..*avvy (arrosé.chianna)]

}Arrosé Amour{

Her heart nigh well leapt into her throat with the fear consuming the rest of her bodice. Frozen solid she seemed, unable to do anything but twist her audits and widen her nostrils in hopes of a cleaer view of the intruder. A lday it must be, for scents did not lie, and again her fears of Collection were awoken. The first time a lady had snuck upon her, she'd been lucky. This time could not possibly go as well. A prayer began, a prayer that matched the Catholic her mother had instilled in her long before she'd ever known fear of pain. She murmured it, first in English, then in french, word for precious word.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee. Blessed art though amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the time of our deaths. Amen. Saluez Marie, pleine de gracé...


---darnit. i cant remember the rest of it in french lol..

[EGOOT247]

ooc: Uh, uh. MY turn to show off my "fancais." IGNORE the spelling. I cannot spell in french. T'is this way: Je Vous Salut Mary, Plene de grase, Le Senior Et Avec Vous. Vous Ete Benie Ontre tout le femme, le Jesu la fruit de vos ontraille a benie. Saint Mary, mare de Dieu, Preaiy (Pree Aye) Pore New. Povre Pashur, Metinant aye allure de Notra more. Amen.
OK, umm... The spelling was good in the beginning at least... RIght?

IC:
Indecision courses through me while I scour the forest for the one who lurks. Alas, I cannot spot them. BUt I know deep inside that something is there. And more likely, they have spotted me.
"Arose," I whisper to her, "I hate to interrupt your prayer, but... Run."

I make eye contact with her, than bolt into the briars. They scratch at me, but will close on our persuer. There is NO SUCH THING as Rest.

Stopping, I nudge Arose past me. I will take the tail of our caper. There is something there, for that I am sure. But I believed I had a better chance at escape. Houdini reincarnated, metaphorically.

My mind echoes the prayer she had said only moments before, "Hail mary, Full of Grace..." My mind begins to wander to other things that had passed between Streak's mares.
The holy Spirit. The wind might possess It's grace.
Or it might not.
I take the chance, veering in the direction the wind travels. "Arose, Follow the wind!" I call to her, beads of sweat forming like fog condensing on a windowpane.

Fear condenses inside of me as well.

[[×]..§tårrÿ.Éÿêð..[×]]

xl..Th' silence was goading 'er out o' 'er hideaway with each passing unaudible moment. It was ebbing away at 'er 'arks, enticing 'er forwards an' to unveil 'er identity. Sh' paused for a few seconds as sh' thought through what may 'appen be sh' unmask 'erself from th' large brightly feathered autumn oak. But all thoughts went up in a puff o' smoke as sh' 'eard th' desperate scramble o' hoofbeats thunder 'cross th' fallen leaves 'pon th' turf that was adopted by fall. 'Er beautiful ivory cran was instantly lifted up in alert, an' sh' rushed out from behind th' sheltering tree to see two figures hastily fleeing int' th' distance, seemingly running from .. well, that sh' was not sure. Surely it could not o' been 'erself, for sh' was a moste genteel being who would not 'arm a fly without good cause. P'raps there was something dangerous lurking behind 'er, a human, a Shadowed 'quine, a wolf ? Panic rose amongst 'er frighetned crest as sh' determined th' worst would 'appen to 'er if sh' did not leave quickly. Totally unaware that it was her accidental presence that caused these two to flee, an' not a dangerous being, sh' fled at immense speed, following th' two vixens in 'er wake..lx

[..*avvy (arrosé.chianna)]

}Arrosé Amour{

The wind. The words stil echoed through her head, Hail Mary, Je vouse salue Marie... she doubted they would stop until she was out of danger. The wind. It was at her back now, pushing gently as though to ell her not to give up hope. Hope. Was there such a thing left in this world? But she must believe it to be so... for if there is no hope, what is life but a board game?

Her legs seemed to weave more easily through the brush now; looking down, Rose realised it was because, out of sheer terror, she had not felt the throny branches strain and snap around her flying pillars. Crimson liquid flowed freely accross her dove white peltage, and it made her sick to see it. Natural. It looked as though it had always been there, always would be there. Sickening.

She began to feel lightheaded as more and more bloood seeped from the wounds. Her footing was less sure now, more and more frnatic and sluggish.. Suddenly a branch was too strong for her wekeaned legs, and they scooped her up and dropped her heavily to the hard ground. A sob caught in her throat and she cried out in angiush to Star.

T'aidez Star! save yourself!!

[EGOOT247]

OOC: Uh, oh... What am I to do? I don't want to leave you, but I must act in character... What am I to do? Oooh, I know...

Death had declared itself on this fateful day.
I knew what I had to do: Forsake her and save myself.
Wasn't survival EVERYTHING? Wasn't that what it was all about?
I watch appalled as she fell roughly amongst the branches.
What could I do but run?

I halted abruptly, indecision tethering me.
But indecision means death, and it must not be palpable.
I had two choices: To flee or to confront.
If I were captured, death would be imminent.

Or, I could have a third choice... A far more devious one.
I switched directions, veering abruptly so that I darted the way I had come.
I flew passed another horse, clearly on the chase after us, or so I thought.
Be confused, Persuer, Be confused And Follow ME.

Ingenuity is another compulsory skill aquired.
Follow the decoy, huntress, follow the decoy.

[[×]..§tårrÿ.Éÿêð..[×]]

xl..Th' colourful autumn landscape 'round 'er seemed to void 'gainst 'er striking ivory peltage. Streams o' pretty gold, yellow, amber, green, red an' marroon colours etched t'gether as sh' sped past. Th' coarse air whipped 'er silken golden plumes int' a sleek waterfall o' lush beauty, billowing out behind 'er like a vast waterfall o' wonder. 'Er panic seemed to control th' well kempt muscles in 'er lithe pistons, egging th'm on faster an' faster with each sinister thought that raced through 'er mind, almost as fast as 'er movement. They moved, beating 'gainst th' heard earth, afore finally coming to an abrupt halt where th' brambles started. Sh' groaned in terror, 'er devine cran swivelling frantically like a telescope. Sh' could go back, back to th' danger an' unknown, or sh' could risk losing a leg in th' brush, an' winced just at th' thought. But sh' had no time to lose. Th' on'y obvious option to 'er was to force 'erself through th' bush. Twas 'er fine instincts at 'eart..lx

xl..Gingerly, sh' stepped 'er steely dagger 'pon th' bristles. They stabbed at 'er hocks painfuly, an' sh' almost yowled with discomfort. But Willow was a normally brave fae .. well .. normally at least. Yet, today all sh' felt was fright an' a fear o' th' unknown. This was not 'er true nature at all. Sh' lifted 'er cran boldly an' looked with confidence across th' nettles. Sh' could do this. Taking a deep breath, sh' launched 'erself across th' wide nettles an' brambles. Th pain was unmistakable. Th' jagged bristles cut deep through 'er shimmering skin, dragging crimson blood from all o'er. Sh' was grinding 'er teeth in concentration, tears forming in 'er deep hazel pools .. tears of pain..lx

xl..But 'er attention on where sh' was going was caught short, as sh' saw a few metres off, a crumpled ivory figure, same paintage as 'erself. Th' figure seemed to be crying out , as if injured, an' in need o' serious help. 'Er caring instincts enveloped 'er own risk o' injury, an' sh' flew to th' fallen vixens aid. Hues widened in sorrow an' shock to see 'er piston seriously disfigured. Sh' dipped 'er luscious ivory tiara. 'er vocals were rippled at first but evened out eventually, soothing properties within 'er tone..lx

Oh no .. Oh no .. Miss, fair lady ? Oh what hath happened 'ere .. Is it terribly painful Miss ?

xl..Sh' suddenly felt rather foolish for asking such a stupid question. Of course it hurt terribly, th' poor fae looked in agony. Sh' looked 'round once again, 'er tresses falling with 'er motions. Sh' needed someone, something. Sh' needed help..lx

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[EGOOT247]

I stopped short when I realized the persuer was not following me the way I had planned.
(Grr... Oh, well...)

They go for the most vulnerable. They always do.
No worries. I am safe.
And I will rescue her.

I darted back toward where I had left Arose. What are you doing? My instincts chastized me. Instinct does not understand loyalty.
I watched with narrow eyes as I approached, hidden by the brambles. Many months on the run has imbedded in me the navigation of the brambles. I can run through unscathed, for I understand their language and blocks.

It is but a female. I can overpower this enemy without death.
Dashing out of the brambles, I bare my teeth at her, ears back-laid. "Tell Streak that we were not going to go with you," I growled at I disagreeumed enemy and persuer. I wondered if the fact that I use his actual name would have any impact upon her. It did not occur to me that perhaps she had never even heard of the evil being.

OOC: I'm not too thrilled with the quality of this post...

[[×]..§tårrÿ.Éÿêð..[×]]

[[ Sorry That She Never Chased her, But Its just Not in Willows nature to leave An injured equine abandoned .. I think I shall give Avvy a chance to post before replying .. unless you'd rather I just went ahead ]]

[..*avvy (arrosé.chianna)]

OOC: shall reply tongiht sorry, too early this morning to even THINK about gathering muse... yuckitty yuck yuck. i hate early buses.

(tis 5:45am)

[EGOOT247]

KK...

[..*avvy (arrosé.chianna)]

}Arrosé Amour{

Death was upon her, lurking at every corner now. It was absolutely crucial that the snowy femme rise to her feet, yet it was also horridly impossible. The lady above her was breathing slightly harder than normal, indicating it was not in fact Star, for Star would be out of breath just like Arrosé. The panic that enslaved her let her free suddenly, and she scrambled to her feet to face her pursuer just as Star burst through the bramble and spoke in scathing tones. Rose's ears went forward slightly, and a warm feeling unlike any other spread over her. While it was wildly inapropriate to feel this way at this time, she couldn't help it. She had a friend!!

Wondering if they should try flight again, Rose gingerly let some of her weight rest on her bleeding foot and indeed could not supress a quiet whimper of pain. Was it twisted? She sincerely hoped not, for though she knew not what the policy for broken horses was in Stazael's herdlands, as she imagined it to be, in Streaks it meant death. For who wanted a broken horse? No one.

Waiting eagerly, though truthfully a bit appreshensively, for teh newcomers reply to Stars open rebbelance, Rose tried to make herself out to be much, much more healthy than she truly was. If it was working, no one said so to calm her nerves.

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