crash and burn. open

[fizz]

[bg=black][atrb=cellpading,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true] [style=height:253;width:190;overflow:auto;text-align:justify;margin-left:255px;opacity:0.6;][style=text-align:justify;background-color:#4a4c4e;padding:10px;border:1px solid black;font-family:cambria;font-size:10px;] Muscles strained as the stallion struggled against the forceful wind. It pushed at him, snarled at him to go back, but stubborn pride kept him climbing the difficult path he had chosen. There were easier paths to take, he knew that, and any observer would probably think he was a foolish horse for not seeing the best and safest course to the top. Truth was, he did not want an easy way. The bluffs were supposed to test those that climbed it; the view would hardly be worth it if it were an easy trek to make. Unfortunately, he was only half way to the top, the shale rocking was coming up and that would be his real challenge. That is, if he could get past the steep incline he struggled to get over at the present time. Here and now, Raneir…here and now. His mind whispered, reminding him to focus, lest he want to fall to the bottom. A heavy snort, voicing the struggle he made, entered the air as his neck arched and once more his muscles convulsed in the effort to pull his mass forward the last few steps onto the ledge. Hooves dug into the soil, limbs shook as he righted himself on the ledge. With a smile he looked down at where he had been. The effort and time taken to make his only partially completed journey was immense, but only a fool would be blind to the benefits. Not only was he exercising but building on his muscles and helping with stamina. After all, how many others could make the trek he just had and still be willing for more? Even with legs still trembling slightly, the stallion turned, tossing his head back to look upward at the shale rocking ahead of him. Ears flicked back at the challenge nature presented him, but he could not back down- not now. Nature taunted him, the wind, still pushed at him, pulling at his mane and tail and whipped them about dangerously. The sting of their tendrils licking his sweat slicked hide made his eyes narrow as he tried to ignore the light pain. He could handle it. The stallion no doubt looked crazed to the wandering eye. The warlander, standing looking up at the task presented to him, eyes wide with excitement, tress’s whipping wildly in the wind as his body trembled, perhaps he was a madman. He could not be threatened in such a way without showing the challenger that he was better; this challenge could not go unanswered. Ears flicking forward, the storm gray daredevil moved to leave the ledge that had been his resting place. It was time to get to the top of the bluffs before dusk, even he knew when something was too dangerous. The shale at night would be lethal. Carefully placed hooves struck the crumbling rock, digging nearly to his fetlock in loose dirt. Once more his tiring muscles flexed, causing his sweaty coat to ripple as he moved, his neck instinctively arched slightly as his dome lowered a degree. Even in his struggle he could not help but present a regal and powerful look to an observers eye. He was nobility in every essence of the word and as tough as the trek up in the shale was, he would not allow others to think they could do better. This portion of his journey would not extend more than a long couple of minutes; his muscles could not handle the long strain and exertion of a long struggle, Raneir had to move swiftly if he wanted to remain intact and reach the top. His actions were quick and decisive; once he began the motion he made sure it was carried out as quickly and accurately as possible. Even as his body quaked and his hooves lost their holding and he began to slide backwards, he merely gritted his teeth in frustration and lurched forward. He would not be denied the peak of the bluff just because nature made it difficult. Gradually, he did gain on the crest of the bluff, the place that perhaps someone was watching from, then again, he would be content to watch the sunset with or without the company of another. The company of another was not his intention at the time; he merely wanted to observe the sunset from the highest peak on the island. With one last grunt the stallion pushed himself forward, leaving the shale behind and becoming strain free. His muscles attempted to relax, but the long held strain caused them to twitch, flexing and then relaxing repeatedly. The daredevil hardly noticed, he was too busy casting his eyes about, taking in the bluffs he had not been to since his youth. It was still a prime place to look at the sea and the sky- wide and open, no trees to get in his way when he wanted to watch the cloudy sunset. Ignoring the fact that there could have been anyone there as he raised his skull high, nostrils flared as he let loose a triumphant whinny and shook himself. Turning to the west, he smiled, his fierce and determined expression softening into one of admiration and of course, pride. Staring off across the western horizon as if he were a proud father he watched as the clouds streaked a pinkish color, signaling the fall of the sun and the rise of the moon. “Not much longer.” He murmured, excitement coating his voice. For all his arrogance, Raneir was a stallion of simple pleasures; he did not fancy the feminine type or their ways. He did not enjoy incessant killing or torturing, but he did enjoy the wonderful beauty of nature, perhaps the only thing that could best him in appearances. The lady of nature was the only one to catch and hold his eye as well as to sway his opinion. A starry-eyed colt that had never truly grown up to some, a young philosopher to others, he cared little about the opinions of those that tried to mock him; they were vermin and did not deserve his attentions. [/style]

[dreamii]

[atrb=width,450,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=background,http://i46.tinypic.com/ojmekm.png,true] She was constantly ridiculed, her folly and self-presentation made those judging question her sanity. Bird was oblivious to many things, the dappled creature was the first to admit she wasn’t normal – but she was far from a fool. The constant need to be in motion, whether a small twitch or large leap only enforced the often hurtful things others assumed. She had taken to wandering in the evening, as her tears habitually further provoked the pain others inflicted in their assumptions of the creature whom called herself Bird. She had set her sights on the bluff that morning, as the sun was rising it cast a glorious shadow and presented itself perfectly to the bouncing equine. Hours later, dappled coat iridescent with sweat she was scaling it with vengeance reserved for her few moments of maturity. Though as the wind whipped her forelock into her large eyes the wench winced and the pain provoked sadness that escalated quickly. Her composure was lost in an instant, frame fell to its delicate knees and she closed her eyes for a moment, it was not the stinging eyes that had brought on such emotion but the thoughts she was stuck with and the fear that whipped through her with the wind. The loose rock cut into her thin skin, bleeding now she allowed the sorrow to consume her completely – she was mourning for her failures past and failure to come. Composure was only regained as something caught her eye, a bird – the kind that came with the ocean. In a flash she was mobile, scrambling up the steep incline to catch the blanched bird. Excitement replaced the distress and large caramel occuli regained the bubbly twinkle she typically dawned. Auds perked her delicate frame, though sore and bleeding pushed forward – she was only focused on the bird now as for some reason catching it was the only thing that occupied her thoughts. The wind was resilient but the Arabic wench was nimble and quick, her steps were calculated with great detail and her mass was balanced against the wind. Long and thick banner wrapped it’s way around her arched nape, whipcord streamed out behind the impatient equine. Dappled coat was damp with sweat now, and the seabird was long gone but Bird had reset her focus to the top of the incline she struggled to ascent. The lithosphere was challenging, remaining upright became her main focus as she slipped on the loose terrain. Snort escaped flared nares with a cloud, it excited her even more and engaged her hindquarters building muscles she didn’t frequently use. The top of the bluff seemed stationary, Bird was moving and not slowly either but she had reached her point in the journey where the end seemed just out of reach. The Arabian creature wasn’t one to give up, she giggled and moved along – muscles burning and breathing irregular as she struggled to draw in adequate oxygen from the atmosphere. It was fresh and reviving, almost a shock to her system as it sent a jar through her. One last segment and she found herself atop the bluff, wheezing and gasping she stood against the wind and the realization that her solitude had ended was unavoidable. It was just his smell at first, though the sounds of the creature were alluring and she composed herself for just a moment, before the excitement got away from her. The dappled grey mass spun herself to face the direction the bastard was standing. He was meters off, they had approached the bluff differently and ended in almost the exact same location – it was fascinating really. An unnatural composure wracked her entire existence as she was silent, irrational and uncontrollable twitching was a side effect from her run in with mother-nature. Birds skin flinched as if bugs were attacking relentlessly, it bothered enough but she had grown accustomed to some respect. “Bird is tired, enthused to meet you but exhausted from the climb” Her tone was bubbly, controlled still yes but not in the way you would expect a mature individual to operate. She was fixated on the stallion but she didn’t venture closer, she respected his space – it was one thing she was capable of. Large lookers peered to him, trying to read his response, but she couldn't contain her bubbly tone from erupting into the cool windy atmosphere once more. “She does want to know who you are too” "speech" done, finally! I apologize it took so long, and the posts should get better too.