shame has no purpose here [Thor&Open]

[elise]

still painting flowers for you

The sweet breeze touched his face, the wind’s fingers combing through his mane, mussing the tangled and knotted strands. Tipping his pinked muzzle to the air, he drank in the charming scents of mares, stallions and young ones, swallowing down the nostalgic feeling. It was not something he wished to feel, was not something that he needed painting pictures in his mind or leaving hoof-prints on his heart. Neck arched and hooves tapping out a beat on the ground, Vayu moved forward, muscles bunching and releasing while those limpid eyes cast about, drinking in the sights around him like they somehow held all the answers to what his wayward heart wished to know. Maybe this was too much, maybe he was foolish to think that leaving his lands to explore the outside world was a good idea. How could anything that involved a sensory overload be a good thing? Muscles shivered, nervous energy rising higher, every sound amplified around him, echoing in his ears. They were all a threat, a predator that might come out and lay fangs into his withers and slide claws through his throat. Pausing in his forward momentum, those discerning eyes settled closed and he just breathed in the moment.

It didn’t last. There were several inward breaths and then the snap of a twig sent his hind end into the air and peach hued hooves flying across the ground, imprinting it with his frantic passage. As terrified as he felt, the speed and the rush of the wind in his ears was thrilling, a charming reminder that this was a new start, he had a new life. The world was his for the taking and when the splash of icy water touched his heated skin, all that frantic energy left him and he paused letting the hock deep liquid splash and play around him. Dropping his head, flexible lips splashed and danced, sending droplets of water skittering about before he draws in the water, letting it slide down his parched throat and cool the heat in his chest. There was a peace here he had not been expecting, a sort of tranquility that made him feel almost like he’d found a sanctuary of sorts, however he knew it was anything, but. This place was a claiming ground, yet he was not here to do such. Vayu was here to explore and learn about what wonders may await him. Maybe that was why he missed the arrival of another equine.

word count. 414 || notes. none

[heatherness]

The wind whistled through the meadow, tickling the tips of the thick grass that swayed majestically back and forth. The sight was almost mesmerizing. A bird would chirp its love song every now and then, snapping Thor out of his concentrated bliss. He stood calm near the outskirt of the meadow. He dared not to expose himself completely for it was far too dangerous. Being in these lands for only a short period now, he has hastily picked up on the fact that drafts are well known for their malicious ways. He doesn't expect those native to the South to already know that he isn't originally from Imbros. It wasn't as if he was giving a great first impression either. He wasn't openly friendly nor did he look the part. Having seen a Weaklanders stallion on his way into this land, he came to the harsh realization that he was a mirror image. The stallion's once silken, flowing mane was now dreaded and torn. Fortunately his forelock remained in tack, covering a very light star in the center of his forehead. Scars etched his dusty coat, proving that he was no stranger to a fight.

The meadow seemed endless. Thor could spot trees scattered to and fro but nothing that would provide great coverage on his trek through. The weak stallion's heart sunk as he took his first step out of the shadows. His ears lined with fuzz swiveled constantly, searching for any sign of company. The birds remained the only creatures near. Flaring his nostrils, the stallion inhaled deeply and took again a single step forward. That one was slightly easier. With every step the Belgian stallion's confidence grew. Soon enough a hunger pain got the best of him and the stallion let his guard down to have a quick snack. After a few bites of lush grass, the wind brought with it a unique aroma. Started, Thor tossed his skull towards the sky and frantically searched with his keen sight for the creature which the aroma belonged to. In the distance, a stallion of the most unusual coloring stood. Without intention, Thor pushed a great amount of air from deep within his chest and let a brutal snort escape his nostrils. The stallion almost jumped out of his skin in surprise with how loud the snort had been. 'Don't be a fool.' he thought as he shook his muzzle in frustration. Luckily, his sorrel coat blended in decently with the long grass of the plains. That was no help though when his oddly long legs caused him to tower over the coverage of the meadow.

Now he was in quite the pickle. The paint stallion was sure to notice him. Friend or foe? That was the question. Thor was not familiar enough with these lands to know if he was in completely safe territory or not. Fear flooded his veins and elevated his heart rate. The urge to turn tail and gallop off back from which he came overwhelmed him. Every ounce of his being told him 'GO! GET OUT OF HERE!' but for some reason, his hooves remained planted firm in their position upon the earth. Thor was frozen. Now was time for the shame. The fear began to subside as the pity overtook him. How had he become this bad? Was this really the reaction that he was going to have every time he came across a new equine? Thor was sickened by himself. Well, there was no way he was going to approach this stranger. All he was able to muster was to stand still, his mind racing with thoughts of hatred, confusion, and panic.