Through all the hard, The soft will remain.

[mythic]

A young mare trotted into a field, she was wary of everything but looked around thoughtfully. This was the place mares went to be found. It looked nice. The mare watched a couple horses come and go, but none even noticed her. Her coat was shiny and patched. She had been through so much. She was taken from her parents when she was a few weeks old and made a slave by some bachelors. They beat her and kicked her. Never once did they force her. They weren't interested in having foals. She paced and wandered and learned all their moves, making her own variations. Then one day when they tried beating her she fought them and won. She ran off and was found again by one of the bachelors. She fought him off and found this place. She wished to find someone nice to leave with but in her heart she knew she could only leave with the one who she cared for and cared for her. Then she would be safe, but not until then.

[Thanos]

A black stag stood on the rise, survaing the landscape. Stallions and mares all stood in the field talking. Everyone here was looking for the same thing, but sometimes a little more was expected out of the deal. The black held his head high, neck arched, his mane blew in the wind and tail whipped against his side to get a pesky fly. Kindred blue eyes searched from underneath his forelock. What he was searching for he did not know, as he already had a lead and a small herd, but appearently someone caught his attention, as he started down the rise toward a lone mare.

* * *

My eyes picked out every detail of the grounds as I moved onward with long powerful strides that came from the friesien blood in me. They mostly focased on a black paint mare, who seemed unnoticed, some would even dare to say she wasn't there, but she was, fully, completetly. At least her outside was, there was no telling of where she was inside. Thinking this reminded me of Thersandra. She had been plagued from far away of someone else, and she had completely lost all bearings of her surrondings. They had only hoped he would not come. But he did. He murdered Thersandra in front of me with his unpredictability, dragging her into our fight when she was already unconsious from his hooves. I concentrated again on the mare as I was getting quite close, then haulted, a few metres away, less I scare her. Then I bowed slightly, one hoof before the the rest, my head down slight and as I rose, spoke.
Hello m'lady. I am Thunder. May I know of your calling?
I asked kindly. I stood much taller then her, I could only hope that this would not scare her, but I was a few metres away so if it did hopefully that would reconsol her that I meant her no harm.

[mythic]

The mares head jolted up when the stallion spoke to her. She thought he spoke oddly, she was used to uncivilized bachelors. She slowly got to her feet. M'lady? Who says that anymore? She said, laughing in her head. My name is Mystic Lilly. Nice to meet you Thunder. She said respectfully returning the bow. She may have been around uncivilized bachelors most of her life but she knew manners. Why are you talking to me? No one else has the whole time I've been here. They just walk by. She wondered, did this stallion even care or was he just looking for another mare. I must ask, Do you have a herd? Mystic Lilly spoke quietly but confidently. She knew by how the stallion was acting that he wasn't a threat. Anyways, she could just run or fight him off.

[Thanos]

A light chuckle came from the grand black stag. His neck arching even more as he did so. His eyes sparkled quietly. The stag pricked his ears as she spoke again and the slight smile that played about his muzzle vanished, leaving behind only a slight caring look.
I suppose they do not see you very well as an individual.
The words came, silence unfolded as she began to speak again. She had so many questions, yet he didn't seem to mind.
Yes, I do.
He answered simply, she might as well get the answer straight forwardly.

* * *

I watched her quietly and decided to ask a question of his own,
How, might I ask, did you find your way to the arrowheads?
I basicly asked of her past, but I had this certain way of asking things that often made others less likely to be intimidated by my question. I had adapted it off of my father, who had been murdered along with the rest of the herd by my brother. I hadn't seen him resently, he hadn't shown his face since the happenings with Desore.

__________________________________________

The second black stag stood on the same rise as the first. Glaring down at the first. It was time to stir things up a bit, but lets at least be a bit respectable to the mare, he had to be like it all the time if she came with him, which he doubted. The stag started down the rise.

* * *

I had my neck arched, head high, my eyes were a red hazel but they had lost their glaring edge temperarely. I stopped nearby the mare, a bit away from my brother. He nodded to me, just to pay a bit of respect, though it was clear he though I didn't deserve it,
Apollo.
Brother.
I said with a slight smirk, I knew he hated the fact that I, the "monster" that killed our stupid old herd, was his brother. I turned my attention to the mare as he had done.
Mystic Lily is quite a beautiful name.
I said then added,
I'm sorry for interupting, just as soon as I saw you I knew I had to at least come talk to you.
I noticed Thunder roll his eyes invisably, I could only pick it up having grown up with the idiot. He reconised the act I was putting on, she wouldn't even have a clue. She wouldn't even have seen my brother rolling his eyes.

[mythic]

Mystic Lilly looked at the other stallion and then back to Thunder. Uh, Thank you. She said, unsure of anything else to say. What is this stallion doing trying to get me with that cheap line. She thought but looked pleasant. She stayed closer to Thunder than Apollo. She didn't trust him, not if he said cheap lines right when he met mares. So Thunder, how large is your herd? Mystic Lilly asked and looked at him. She was standing more to the side of Apollo. She wasn't about to turn her back to him. The only stallions she had known before these two were her father and a bunch of bachelors who used her as target practice. Her father had been nice for the short time she had known him. She kept one eye on Apollo but it was so slight he wouldn't know a thing. That was one thing she learned from the bachelors.

[Thanos]

I noticed that she was unsure of Apollo, thank the creater, she wasn't one of those mares that just warmed up to a stallion as soon as she saw him. Then he heard her question, his ears already pricked to pick up anything she might say, and because he was nice and wasn't going to let his idiot brother get him all snippy.
I have three mares-or as I think of them, family members- already. My lead Montana, Moonshine, and my daughter Caliana.
I said. I noticed that Apollo was getting ticked off by her ignoring him, such invisable movements only someone who grew up with the demond would notice. Served him right.

____________________________________

This was probably the reason I did not like large herds or moody mares, but Desire needed a companion and I guess this mare would do it, even if it meant I had to put up with her for the rest of my life. So I decided to bring up some conversation of my own since my brother, the dimwit that he was, could not think of anything.
Do you know anyone here in the arrowheads?

[mythic]

She looked at Apollo. No. I wandered here after I escaped from some bachelors. They were idiots and used me as target practice. Mystic Lilly said quite simply. She then turned her attention back to Thunder. Seems pretty small. You're the only stallion I know besides my father who thinks of mares as family. All the stallions I've been around are only interested in them for foals and target practice. She said still keeping an eye on Apollo. For all she knew he could be just like them. Thunder seemed nice and good enough. Someone like him couldn't possibly think of mares as possessions. So, Apollo, do you have a herd? She said nicely, rolling her eyes quite noticeably. She didn't like him and she was making it known.

[Thanos]

Thunder listened quietly,
Yes, but I think the slower I get more family the more I get to know them and it's only too bad some think that way. In no way are you just an object. You are an individual with your own right and nature.
I said truthfully, it was truly what I believed him, lets see Apollo say that without showing a lie, which he would most definately he would do.

* * *

Finally she was taking some notice of me, she didn't like me, but noticing me was a start. I listened to Thunders answer then she actually asked me a question.
Yes, though I only have one other, who is my love.
He said quite truthfully actually.

* * *

I almost choked but it was unnoticable. He wasn't lying, but my brother, a love? Never. Not him. He was one of those stallions that thought of mares as possessions and used them for target practice and made them wage war to kill his old herd. This was only too strange. I looked at him through the corner of my eye. He couldn't be serious, yet he was.

[Thanos]

(Apollo is officially disappearing, sorry, but he has to die.)

[mythic]

( that's ok. Not like Mystic Lilly was going to go with him anyways.)

As Apollo left Mystic Lilly looked after him. When he was far enough away she sighed. Not to be mean but, Good riddens. I didn't like him anyways. So Thunder, what's your land like? She asked. She was feeling much more comfortable without Apollo there. The wind was blowing signifying a storm was coming. Mystic Lilly looked to the clouds and prayed that she could be somewhere, anywhere else but there when the storm hit. Wind was rolling across the grass and it was getting cold. She shivered and shook off the cold. She hadn't felt this good in a long time. It was nice.

[Thanos]

The wind twirled through my mane and tail, pulling it far away from me. My father had always told me that the wind wanted to help them fly and it was this as well as being in the presence of this mare that made me smile. I watched Apollo disappear but suddenly got the feeling that this was the last time I would ever see my brother again, at least alive. I shook off the feeling and listened to Mystic Lilys words,
Yes. Unfortunately I suspect that he shall not be alive much longer...
I said with a slight shake of my head. Then I heard her question,
It is a large forest with many paths. There are clearings and streams in it as well. It is called Winding Woods.
I discribed the land to her, the wind ripped through me again, sending a chill up my spine.
And speaking of my land, I was wondering if you might join me in Winding Woods?
I asked. At least it was more sheltered there than these plains.

[mythic]

Mystic Lilly wanted to go with Thunder, but no matter what, she knew she would only be happy staying with her soulmate. She was like that. She was as nice as ever but knew that one truth. Sure, it could be fun. She said and looked at the ground. But I must tell you, I will have to leave soon after. I know in my heart that I can only stay with my soulmate. I don't know who or where he is but I will only feel right staying with him. She said quickly and truthfully, looking into Thunders eyes and hoping that he would not be angry and storm off. She thought that he would understand but she braced herself for the worst.

[Thanos]

I waited quietly, really I just wanted to make sure she was safe before the storm broke out. I was like that I guess, I heard the thunder roll in the distance and watched the lightning strike, a bit away the rain started falling, it wasn't here yet... Her words came and I perked my ears to listen. I nodded at everything she said,
I understand. But we should proably get going before the storm breaks on us.
All of a sudden the thunder gave a crash and the rain came pouring down in all its fury apon us. Thunder gave a little smile,
Too late.
He said before turning slightly,
This way to Winding Woods.
He said before leading her home, or to his home any way...

[mythic]

(Mystic Lilly just follows Thunder.)