~ Everytime You Look At Me That Way ~

[Oni]

~ This is for Luci and Oni only,so they can talk and get to know eachother more~

From the waves she rose
And every horse she shows.
Her grace and beauty
What fair vanity.

Heaven's light streamed through the gaps in the branches, sending patches of light into the dark forest. Creatures lurked about with ease,for this is their home and should any intrude then they would willing protect it. Dew sprinkled the leaves and brush along the paths,for the hour was morning and the kingdom of Black Rose Glade was such awakening. Yet,one amoung all the beings was already in full alert. Pelt of flaming gold shone like the ball of fire hanging the yonder above. Like cloth in a breeze,his muscles rippled with every step that he took down this worn path. This was his home,as well as others. Serenity surrounded this neutral kingdom,and so far everything was going well. Yet,something bothered his young and wise soul. There was a gap,a missing piece to the puzzle,someone who had not come home yet. So this brave knight traveled,down the many winding roads of the province in search of a fair lady. One whom he wished to speak and learn more about. One whom's beauty captivated him and entranced him,though he had seen so much in such a short time of living.

Thump-thud....thump-thud....thump-thud went the rythme of the equine's hooves as it trotted toward toward a clearing ahead. Gaze of the deepest emerald looked toward the wall of light that drew closer,and pace quickened. If any had been around the steed,they would have seen the childish grin play his features as he leaped over the brush to land at the base of a hill. Stretching a few yards above his head,he looked toward the high crest and began his short journey there. Daggers dug into the soft soil of the hill,crown bent low and bodice moved slowly upward. When finally reaching the top,his mug was thrown heavenward and a call ripped forth. Like an eagle launching from it's perch,the melody soared into the sky and spread across all of his realm and his neighbors. A valkyrie was being summoned,for her delicate hooves have yet to bless her new home. So here Lord Oni was,waiting for her pressence to draw before him and the two be reunited again. So that he may look upon the face of beauty,and quite his useless worries of what happened to her after she was claimed.

"Mi Pequeña Luciérnaga,please come M'Lady. I wish to speak with you,and perhaps get to know you better."

The words were neither loud nor soft,just spoken from the commander's labios as if she stood right next to him. Except,her pressence had not entered his yet. Hopefully she was near,and heard her patient lead calling. It wasn't a frantic or angry call,she could take her sweet time in arriving. Oni just wished to get to know the duo hued seraph more,about her past and about her desires. In return he would tell her whatever she wished to know. This time was just for the two of them,no Falling Sky to interrupt or an intruder to crash the bonding time. The next hour or so was for buckskin bronco and blotched maiden. That is,if she decided to grace the younger equine with her appearance.

[Mi Pequeña Luciérnaga]

COMPLETE

The seasons had shifted in their annual ritual. It was obvious they that they had no other choice but to run like clockwork. And on this brisk October morning, this year had been no different. Though the Autumn was still relatively in its beginning cycle, the leaves covering the toweing treetops had begun to shift into luminous shades of crimson, gold and orange. The marvelous display created quite the romantic feel as the warm pallet of colors swept through the lands. In Black Rose Glade, the foilage had been no different. And as a pre-summoned duo-toned lass placed her mud-crusted shards purposely on the ground before her, she allowed these steps to carry her through the unknown land.

Her journey hadn't gone unaccompanied through the latter half of her travels. Every so often, she would find that leaves, beginning their slow decline to their quick and painless death below, would glide on the delicate winds that tossed her own mane as well. Finding it cruel to step upon such a graceful little dance when it came to an end, Luci would side-step in hopes to give the vegetation-in-passing one last scrap of dignity as it entered eternity. Pondering her own journey thus far, it had been an interesting one. Looking briefly to the open scrapes from the battle toward the inside of the terrain proved to be an experience to say the least. While the sting was ever-present in her travels, she held the markings with a sense of pride. She had worked hard to enter into a place of paradise, and with the highest hopes, she knew that it was worth it. Besides, scars heal and pain hurts only for a minute, this temporary twinge of discomfort was nothing compared to what she had traveled through.

Her thoughts wandered to what had brought her to this place. From birth, she hadn't remembered a time of ease where she had been able to rest. The only solitude she found was in her brother, Blazen Revelation. Upon her arrival to the soft soil of her native birthing grounds, her mother had seemingly left her dropped and flopped. The first person she remembered seeing was her full brother. It was he who had cleaned him, and rested adjacent to her petite form in hopes to keep her warm until her mother would return to her. Later she would realize, the horrible anguish that had been happening around her at the time of her descent from the heavens. As things began to smooth over in her family, she remembered her decision to separate from the parents and brother she had so desperately loved in hopes to find a life of her own. Thinking that she had reached heaven itself in Golden Meadows, Braveheart was all she had ever hoped for. A protector, much like her brother, she knew that she would be allowed to love this Lord in ways that she never could with her sibling. That glory was short-lived, however, as he ran, leaving her to fend for herself in an unprotected land. And thus, untimately resulted in her journey to the claiming grounds, and into the hands of the more than capable Oni. Her mind would tell her that she was a fool for trusting this leader so quickly, but there was an even deeper longing to finally have someone to enjoy for the rest of her life, romantic or not. But just, that steady flow of security. It was all she had ever really needed.

As she continued to advance into more of an open clearing, she hesitated a bit. She had absolutely no idea where she was headed or where she needed to be. She hadn't known Oni long enough to permantly imprint his scent on her mind, and she inwardly reprimanded herself for being so careless. In the midst of the wide territory, she found herself hopelessly lost with too many scents around her to be able to focus on the right one. And having arrived moments after Oni's call had been issued, she knew not what position he held. And so, with a humilated heart, she did the only thing she knew to do. Lifting her snout high toward the heavens, she released a bellowing call, hoping that it would be enough to travel along the lengths of the vast land before her. Oni would know better than she how to reach her, rather than her to him. And so, upon her completion of the scream, she stood still, hoping for some form of direction, or even the sight of her newly instated Lord.

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[Oni]

The maiden calls,
As the leaves fall.
Please wait for me,
I come as my heart filled with glee.

The angels watch from above,as the world of mortals plays out the wars and ever lasting conflicts. Customs and cultures drove certain horses against one another,the 'lights' verses the 'darks'. Were there truly alliances,or was everything just a game played by the Heavenly ones above and the Helling ones below? Did the mighty Lord sit on his throne,moving the chess pieces to make mankind and creatures follow his rules,his plots. Yet the damned Keeper intruded,pushing the hearts and minds of all things living to his own little scheme. Forever the fight between both powerful immortal God would play out,untill Earth finally died and the two would some where else to start a new life. A new game,with new rules and new players. Was any of this real? Or would everyone wake up from an enormous dream to find themselves different people than who they were in the fake world,and living a completely opposite life.

These thoughts often kept Oni busing when he was waiting for something or trying to get to sleep. Now,he kept himself occupied by these un-answered questions while the time ticked by when Lady Mi Pequeña Luciérnaga would arrive to speak with her lead. Twin towers stood strong atop his crown,listening intently to the sounds about him in the surrounding forest. The small hill he stood upon was his Observing Perch,where he spent most of his time looking over the borders and planning out what he would do with his harem. So far,his heart was sunken with grief. Falling Sky,his Betess,had left along with her their daughter Venus. Young soul ached for the two,his dearest friend and the one who had been created by his seed,yet the one he never met. Sighing over the unforunute loss,he almost fell into the brink of unalertness as more thoughts for why they left bombarded the edges of his mind. Yet a call of desperation floated into the light azhure yonder,and the knight listened to it's melody to see who called and for what.

Madam Mi Pequeña Luciérnaga left her voice into the wilkin,hoping that her carmel cloaked czar would come to guide her to safety. Just by being in her new home,she was safe from the dnagers of the outside world. Of course,there were the occasional cougars and wolves that lurked in the shadows of the night. Whispering their crimes and future kills,and you better hope that you don't look delicious enough to be on that list. Most of the time,the nosturnal predators left horses be. Though,winter did quickly approach and the regular prey of the beasts were growing scarce. A foal would be a nice meal for a lone puma or a couple of wolves,and that is why herds existed. So someone was always on the look out for that kinda of danger and to keep everyone safe. Of course,that job was given to the lead stallion or maybe another warrior if there was one in the harem. Though it was rare to fine another brujo in the herd,and he usually only helped protect the mares. His privelge of breeding was swept away,and that was given to the top dog. The Lord,not the soldiers.

Oni bobbed his cranium,stomping his front right diamond against the earth before moving gracefully down the hill and into the forest. Trees surrounded his bodice,enveloping it in darkness and wrapping him up with shadows. Like a ghost,he trod along a new path,not really paved away by many hooves and yet the hellion was near silent as ever. He had become rather close to this kingdom,learning it's hiding places where you could be alone for days and no one able to find or interrupt you. He walked a logn every path,leaving his scent upon a tree trunk here and ran through thick brush to leave it there. No doubt was in his heart that he had claimed himself a wonderous realm of beauty,serenity,and secrets. He was proud to be able to develope a family here,raise foals and grow bonds will mares from all sorts of bloodlines,of beauty. The one he searched for and longed to look upon stood meters away,in the next glade as she awaited his pressence. So he pressed on,and lept over bushes to land at her right shoulder.

[Mi Pequeña Luciérnaga]

As a pair of pained lobes strained to hear the slightest call in reply, the speckled princess churned the freezing soil beneath her frozen daggers. She had been waiting an extended ammount of time, and the snow fall had certainly taken a toll on her well being. She was cold. Annoyed could be traced to her as well, but not annoyed with her leader, oh no. Annoyed with herself for waiting so long to respond to such a generous display of hospitality. Dilly-dallying to observe the terrain and everything surrounding it had only proven to land her here. Alone. Uncomfortable. Frightened. And cold.

Hearing quite a bit of rustling in the brush behind her, Luci's blades tensed. Upon Oni's leap overhead, she had worked herself to such a point that there was no other choice in her mind but to strike her assumed enemy. Rising on her hind pillars, she struck forward, grazing the massive bulk above on its underbelly. Ambush wasn't exactly one of her favorite experiences, causing her to neglect remembering the moments earlier when she requested the presence of her Lord to come to her. And as he executed a thingyeyed landing, it hit her that she had just whacked the only friend she had on the island.

Rushing to aid in the recovery process, she knew that her strike hadn't exactly been a small twinge of discomfort. It was meant for disabling her attacker, and although the designated point of contact hadn't been met, she was sure that she slapped his abdomen enough to hurt. Shuddering at the though that she could very well have struck his male parts, her face held nothing but the sincerest remorse she could muster. From what she could see, she hadn't broken skin, nor had she torn flesh, but it wasn't certain how long her stride had been or in what direction. Wondering if it was best to speak, hesitancy ran rampant in her mind as she knew not how this steed handled his anger. Would he strike her in return for such a tretcherous deed, even if it was executed in error?

Deciding it was impolite not to speak, she addressed her injured leader. "Oni, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize it was you, and I was already tense because of the weather, and I thought for sure that it was a cougar or leopard or something, and I didn't want to be the next meal on their lunch menu, and I wasn't sure if you had heard my call, and if it was a cougar I knew that I was too weak from not eating and the cold to fight them off, and I wasn't ready to be their appetizers, and I certainly was not ready to die..." Gasping for breath, she realized that he probably hadn't heard a word she had said. She was rambling and speaking at such a speed that even she had trouble understanding the words that were coming from her mouth. Calming herself down, she knew it was time to face the music, whatever that tune would be. Lowering her head hellward, she expected he would strike her. Not only for striking him first, but also for her annoyance afterwards. Still, she needed to make one message clear.

"Oni, I'm sorry."

[Oni]

I'll be true,
I'll be useful.
I'll be chevalier,
I'll be yours my dear.

Snow fell like frozen and crystalized tears that the angels cried,drifting from the dark clouds above. It was a beautiful sight,but the feeling of the cold mass melting into your flesh and chilling your bones wasn't pleasant. Added to this ache,the commander leaped over the painted lady and felt her hooves scrape along his underbelly. When he fell to the snow-laiden earth once more,he staggered as the hit surprised him beyound all else. Standing at her shoulder,he gazed into her eyes questioningly at why she had struck out at him. When finally her shock aswell faded,words began to pour from her kissers like water behind a dam that had just broken. Little of her speech was caught,but the parts that were made him realise she hadn't done so on purpose. Well,she had just in sudden terror that it was a predator. Sighing in relief that she was not angry with him,he reached out nibbled her playfully upon her shoulder before nuzzling her neck affectionately. Her apologies were not needed,but he was glad she had the class to say something.

"It is alright Luci,I am not angry or hurt in any way,shape,or form. Relax."

Oni reached out to Mi Pequeña Luciérnaga,touching nares with her as he gazed into those beautiful icey azure oracles. His own emerald pools were gentle and kind,wishing that this moment of sweet innocence would never end. The enchanting faerie before him was so gracious,and he had dearly missed her company. They didn't know eachother very well,but he had hoped that would change upon this private meeting of theirs. The silence deepened,and suddenly it came to the steed that he had much more to say. So,flicking his ebonite plumes,he trotted about the lovely dove and grinned. When at her rump,he nipped lightly upon her right haunch before prancing over to her left shoulder. Most would say he was acting coltish,but he was three rotations old! About to be four,but that did not change the built up energy that might could help spark some life and fun into the two horses' gathering. Parting his jowls,he let soft and slightly teasing lyrics forth into the chilly atmosphere.

"It has been a while since I last set my petty gaze upon your radiant face and form. It reminds me that I am no man before you,but a boy with power he can barely handle. Do you trust me,M'Lady? If your life was on the line,would you trust and have faith in me that I would save you and die before a scratch was put upon you?"

Somewhere in those charming words,slid a seriousness that had come with a thought of another mare. Falling Sky. The Betess of Black Rose Glade that left,with Oni's only child,Liberty's Flame. They had not been seen nor scented since the day they breifly showed up within the forest kingdom. Oni missed the two dearly. He pondered what he did wrong to drive them away. Now,he wished so dearly to become a good friend to each of his girls. The emperor did not wish to lose another one of their unique and special souls because of his inexpeirence. He was trying to lighten up,trying to be a firm but fun leader. When he lay to rest,which was on occasion,he thought of how he must seem to the mares that he held so close in his heart. Was he a bad lead? Did they think him foolish and stupid?

Hopefully not,and now he asked Luci the most important thing he could. Did the pretty lass just a year or so older than he,trust him? Oni hoped she did,and hoped he could live up to what she,Ayr Tyme,Gospel,Breseis,and Lost Dreams thought he could. He was trying,so hard. But would his efforts be in vain?

[Wandering Spirit]

Relief was a nice feeling after such an over-dramatized event. Overdramatized by none other than herself, of course. Thinking back to her not-so-distant younger years, she couldn't remember a time when she had been so...timid. That sort of trait didn't seem like on this firey little vixen would experience. But alas, for everything there is a season and blah blah blah...

Ignoring those bothersome thoughts for a few moments, she thought more to the words being spoken from Oni's mouth. He told her to relax, and she would follow orders. Now, before your panties get all in a bunch, she knew he wasn't exactly bossing her around - not even close. But orders seemed the appropriate word for as simple a fact as it had been an instruction. And although frightened of him for some bizarre reason, she knew the place to follow a command. She had grown up in nothing less than a similar situation. And when her parents had released her, her brother emerged from the shadows to continue instilling those lessons she had learned for fear that if forgotten, she would end up dead. Ignorance may be bliss for some, but it also proved to be the very string of strangulation for others. Blazen Revelation would rather himself die, than to have his own flesh and blood ravaged by some hessian for her lack of a formal education.

Focusing more clearly of talk of Oni's incapabilities as a leader to control those in his harem, her stature perked. Was he serious? He actually felt himself burdened with a load a bit too large for his underdeveloped shoulders? Rubbish, rubbish I say! In the short time of their encounters, this spotted nymph had seen nothing but the finest care and attentiveness to those he called his own. And while her observation of others with him had been limited, the fact that he came at her every beck and call stunned her. Never had she been so carefully looked after except by those kin she left behind. This blonde lad before her had the makings to be something special, and if he was unable to see those facts for himself, then she would just have to make it her duty to show him, now wouldn't she?

Before speaking, the lump in her throat grew. But with the gentle caresses of her friend, she was calmed. Smirking, Her voice was clear as she addressed him. "Oni, I find it a little funny that you're asking me these questions. I would think that my choice to follow you would be proof enough in the ways of an answer for you. But if you really do need me to spell it out in black and white, I will. I trust you with my life. And while you don't terrify me necessarily, that thought scares me to death. I haven't known you for any respectable ammount of time, and for that reason alone, I'm just a silly girl. But something about the way you've talked to me, moved with me and treated me since our first moment together shows me what kind of potential there is behind your eyes." Raising the hint of an eyebrow in a teasing challenge, she continued and finally drew her speech to a close, "the question is, Oni, do you trust me with the same responsibility. Maybe not the sole duty of guarding your life, but the sacrifice of my own in hopes to protect not only you but your children and my adopted kin here. There is no greater bond of family, dear, than to release all sense of self reserve and trust the ones you're with. And that includes the others here, but more importantly you. I'd follow you anywhere, because with you, I know I'm safe. I know I'm home."

[Oni]

'The way you move tonight,
I just can't fight,
This burning desire inside.
I must confide,
That I need you.'

The winter was drawing into a close,frosty flakes from the heavens above falling uselessly. It was plain to see that the spring was fast approaching,and many signs showed this. The breezes,though still brisk,held the secondary twinge of warmth. Ice that had covered the vegetation for so long was now melting,dripping off in slow beats of clear aqua. Ah,the feeling of the rebirth of Naikou Island was so sweet and innocent. Yet,still the chilling fact that a stranger darker than any before kept the lights and neutrals secreted within their terrains. None wandered to far from their harem,and the commanders were always on high alert as they patrolled their borders day and night. It was no different for a certain young lad as he lead his maidens with the best ability he could. Exhaustion was slowly wiping away his proud stance and warm gaze,but never did he fail to let whomever he spoke with down.

Oni gazed at Luci,smiling warmly as her muscles relaxed from the tension he had caused by his intrusion. Stepping forth once more,breath fogged about his facade and sepped into the flesh of the spotted dancer. So kind and sweet,the thought of her being a mother was something that excited the deerskin lead beyound measure. Hopefully she would be ready by spring,but if not then he could wait until she was. There was never pressure upon those he ruled to bear his heirs,but he was more than willing to let those worthy carry a babe of his seed. So far,only Falling Sky had asked him for that privelage. When he gave it to her,she fled into the night and he had only seen bits and pieces of her since. Though,that one time when he finally caught them roaming upon his lands,was when he set his gaze upon the sunkiss'd princess he had created. Time had seemed to stop,and he would never forgot her lovely face,no matter how many years passed or how many other daughters he created. She was his first,and he dearest.

Bronze clad warrior listened to the fair beauty,her words giving him strength and pride. She had been his second claimed,and the most faithful of any mare that roamed the forest paths of Black Rose Glade. True,Breseis was still here,aswell as Gospel and Ayr Tyme. But all of them were unfamiliar to him,but only because he did not take the time to get to know them. Yet now,as he stood before Mi Pequeña Luciérnaga with tears glistening on the very edges of his eyes,he knew she wold stick with him forever. Though,Oni was suprised to here her return question of if he trusted her as much as she did him. Smiling warmly,his emotions drove him to step forth and embrace her so tightly the ess might be annoyed enough to push him away. If she did,the lead would understand. But as he stood there with his thick boa wrapped about her own,and cheek pressing against her shoulder,he spoke.

"I would trust you to save me if you ever were in the postion. I trust you would protect the herd's babes with your life if danger came into their way. I would trust you to comfort,support,and lead the other mares if ever I was to fall. I will trust you until my last breath is stolen,my sweet and dear Firefly."

There,the last word escaped his jowls without him even registering that he had found part of the meaning of her day. Somehow,Oni had felt the hand of some phantom reach down into his mind and heart to caress it of the love it felt for Luci. It may be one of her ancestors,watching so proudly over her now as the young emperor stood back to gaze upon that beautiful face. He would let nothing happen to the pinto princess,this gorgeous gal that so loyally puth her life in his hooves. So,he sighed and straightened as he patiently awaited whatever it was next that might be handed to him. Then a thought struck him,and quickly spoke of the damsel's promotion in the herd heirachy.

"M'Dear,you have been granted the power and responsibility of being my Betess. Use this rank justly,and do not betray the family you have within me and mine."

[Mi Pequeña Luciérnaga]

Waiting