Safety[Mandrake&Sons,any]

[Casimir]

[bg=8cb1b7][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] He felt lost. This land was so unfamiliar, the scents bouncing around him confused his sightless self even further. He needed someone to guide him, he couldn't do it alone. The blind stag wandered with his nose close to the ground, horns getting caught in the underbrush. He snorted as the panic started to rise in his deep chest. Anger, panic and aloneness rose inside of him, he was completely helpless now. The young stallion raised his head at the sound of a tree branch snapping, his whole body tensing as he jumped to the side. Thrusting his head in the air he let a startled whinny escape his lips and rose his body in a slight rear. His partially blind eye was open as much as it could, his fear rolling off of him in waves. "Help." He whispered, starting to lower his head and body. Something stopped him, however. Sucking in his breath Casimir realized he was stuck on a low-hanging branch. Neighing out in fear, Casi struck out at anything with his front hooves. His muscles quivered as he felt the world sink in around him, his dark vision making him feel helpless. He started to get dizzy as he struggled against the tree. He called out for help now as loud as he could, his cries blood-curdling. He felt so pathetic at this point, nothing to stand for and protect himself. He was separated from his family, in a foreign land, and he was now at the mercy of any passing creature. His heart raced and his ears filled with the sound of his blood pumping, he felt like he was going to die. Oh, what a pathetic death!

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[Kimber]

Plaintive cries piqued the filly's curiousity, bringing her deep into the Threshold in order to satisfy that interest. What she found surprised her, and the little grulla stood by for a moment as dark blue eyes took in the scene before her. A pale horned stallion was caught up in and struggling against the grasp of a tree, dark legs lashing out against whatever stood within their reach... but he didn't seem to have any direction in his struggles.

"Geez you're noisy!" She chimed out as she worked her way around him to peer at the tangling branches around his head without getting within reach of his hooves. "You should back up if you want to get out, and lift your head up!" Hopefully her light voice would be enough of a difference to distract and aid him. She wasn't sure what else she could do to get him to pay attention. Maybe scoot in and yank on his tail? But she'd have to pull sideways or he might kick her... and Kimber wasn't exactly big enough to withstand a solid kick very well. And Smoke would be less than pleased if she came home with something bruised or broken.

(Hope you don't mind, but I wanted to post her here since I read this. <.<)

[Evers]

[bg=0a0a0a][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] After the encounter the last time he was here, Evers wondered why he had edged his way back to the Threshold. Something told him to go back, to leave the sanctuary of the foothills and his brother and wait by the edges of the realm. Evers didn’t know what he was looking for or who, the only brother he’d seen at all recently was Archibald. His mother and the rest of his brothers hadn’t deigned to show their presence or even a brief glance to know they were still alive. There were many new things about this land that intrigued the blue stallion yet he couldn’t quite bring himself to focus on these things, too much had happened so fast and his heart had begun to ache for familiar family love. A blood curling cry jolted Evers from his sorrowful thoughts and a familiar scent hit him like a boulder. Not being able to believe it until he saw him, the roan bolted forward with his ears pinned back in determination. Upon reaching his destination, Evers found a young filly stood watching a familiar grey pelt that made Evers feel like falling to the floor in tears of joy. “Casimir?! Can it really be you my brother?!” As he exclaimed to his brother, he ran past the little filly and got hold of the branch with his teeth, staring into the face of Casimir in euphoria. “Gently Cas, you don’t want another blind eye now” he gently began to untangle the grey from the tree, laughing at his brother’s never changing character.

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[Mandrake]

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[atrb=width,500] It was unpleasant, the way she had been forced from the Woodlands of Isilme. Her sons, of course, had done well in their task of protecting her while she escaped, but they had been separated which displeased her greatly. Since entering the new land she had wandered around the Threshold looking for her sons and finding no trace of them. The beast in her growled and hissed at their absence. She knew she would find them soon enough, though. They were around somewhere. They would not stay away from her for long. They knew better. If they were stupid enough to, however, they would be easily and quickly replaced. A whinny and a neigh echoed through the air, the sound seemingly amplified as it bounced off the trees. She recognized the tone of the voice. Her youngest had found his way to the new land. If he was able to get his blind ass into Helovia then there was no doubt that her other sons, her stronger sons, had made it. Mandrake slinked through the trees toward her son. Upon getting there she found him already being helped from a tree by Evers. She did not fail to notice the filly either. The mare stood watching the young thing for a moment before slipping forward. As she passed Kimber her head lowered, her ears pinning back against her head. "Leave." She growled. Her teeth gnashed at the little thing before she lifted her head and looked toward her sons. "My dear sweet children." Her tone became pleasant as she addressed her sons. "Where are Vincent and Archibald?"

[Casimir]

[bg=8cb1b7][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] His entire body was shaking now as he lashed out against the darkness. He snorted as his struggle increased, panic sinking into his heart. At least I'll die here, and not at her hooves, he thought morbidly. The pain in his head was throbbing, the feeling of his horns being torn off almost too much for the young stallion to bear. He let out a squeal a he was startled by the young voice. What she said didn't register, only the fact that she had spoken was what Casimir knew. He didn't say anything else, he just focused on keeping his weight balanced on his back legs. When he steadied himself and tried to reply to her, another voice caught his ears and a sentimental scent stung his nose. "Evers! Evers help me!" He cried, tucking his front legs in as not to strike out at his older brother. Relief filled him instantly; Evers was smart and out help him out quickly. Without fail, Evers saved Casimir. As the branch untangled from his horns Casimir fell back to all fours with a loud thud, large hooves pressing into the dirt and snow. He stood there with tense muscles, still shaking, thinking of something to say to his brother. Opening his mouth he was once more cut off, this time by his mother. She was approached down-wind, leaving Casi unable to scent her out until she was close enough to touch. "Mother," he replied delicately, relief being replaced with embarrassment and fear. She didn't say anything about his endeavor now, but her railing would certainly come. He lowered his head, taking a step closer to touch his muzzle to Evers' shoulder. When Mandrake asked about Archibald and Vincent she stayed silent, he hadn't even known of Evers existence here, let alone the twins. The thought of Archibald and Vincent made his embarrassment increase greatly--what if the twins had found him in the tree instead of Evers? Surely they would have helped him, but would Archibald let loose a verbal lashing in punishment to his foolishness? Would he scorn the young stallion for not thinking to use his powers? Archibald would have made him help himself, he thought, because Archibald was better at those things. Would the dark knight have made him slow time or even stop it? Yes, he would have. Vincent would have stood there, watching, silently joyous of his brother's return while his twin mandated the rescue. He was sure of it, that was how they always worked. Vincent stood behind Archibald on all matters, the stoic warrior taking the lead while his twin supported him. What if Mandrake had found him? If she had approached from where she did now, would she had shown herself or would she had let him die there tangled in the tree?

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[Kimber]

He heard her, was startled by her voice. It made her curious at the same time that she was pleased that he'd stopped struggling so desperately, poised on his haunches. Before she could offer further advice another swept past her, smelling vaguely of the Foothills and clearly familiar with the pale horned one caught up in the tree. Blue eyes widened in mild surprise, then narrowed as she listened. So this fellow was Casimir... and she recalled seeing the roan, Evers.

She started to take a few steps forward but was forestalled by the appearance of a strange mare that made threatening gestures at her, teeth snapping even as the unfamiliar voice demanded her departure. Reflexively the young grulla flinched, but then Kimber's ears swept back into her heavily frosted mane and she stood strong on long legs, staring with lofty cool at the mare who claimed these two young stallions as her sons.

"How very rude to dismiss someone who sought to aid your son, ma'am. Especially when that someone is from the same place that your other present son has taken up residence, as well as this Archibald you speak of." There was a touch of indignancy to her light young voice as she spoke. "I am from the Windtossed Foothills, where my mother, Smoke the Wild Rose, is Military Chieftess. Your Archibald is a warrior there, and thus under her command." It was an unspoken dare she brought to the table. Go ahead, be rude again. I have connections and you don't. But at the same time she stood poised and ready to dodge away from any further violence, fresh with her usage of bigger words than she normally embraced. Now if she only had her mother and Zaffre there to back her up... Kimber was only one young filly against a full grown mare. She had to wonder if familial duty would make Evers stand beside this mare, or if he'd listen to the duties of herd life and support the daughter of one of his new leaders...

[Evers]

[bg=0a0a0a][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] The branch unwound and finally Casimir was free, Evers nuzzled his brother’s neck in sibling affection. He had missed his brother but this euphoria was short lived as Evers felt an over powering presence and the fur on his spine prickle. Mandrake. His mother must have moved from downwind for she appeared with no warning at all. For a moment Evers stood still as he took in the scene. Casimir appeared to be able to form a word but said nothing about the others, he wouldn’t know of Archibald’s presence here. Evers turned round and walked in front of Casimir to face their mother. The young filly spoke before he could and she quickly told Mandrake about Archibald’s current situation with a mention of her mother too. Evers doubted the rank of Smoke would deter the likes of his mother and so he spoke “the girl speaks the truth about Archibald. Me and him have joined the Foothills herd and Archibald was very quick to make the warrior rank. As for me… I haven’t found anything within the herd to put my mind to yet.” It was the truth, Evers hadn't really gotten round to meeting everyone in his new herd and before he knew it he had found Casimir again. He through an encouraging expression back at his brother then turned back, "Vincent... I have not seen Archibald's twin in a while I'm afraid. Although he could of made his way here without my knowing..." He worried about the absence of Vincent and hoped he hadn't gotten himself into any trouble. He looked warmly at his mother "its great to see you again mother! I have only just come across Cas but no doubt he will be allowed into the Foothills with the rest of his family." He had so much to say but no way to say it, so he kept to simple terms. Worrying that the young filly's mouth would get her into trouble he looked kindly at Kimber but his voice spoke with authority "go back to the herd little one". If he knew anything of his mothers mind he'd rather Kimber walked away now that put herself in danger.

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[Mandrake]

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[atrb=width,500] Mandrake's ears pressed back against her skull as the filly reprimanded her. Her! The old mare turned her head slowly toward the filly, a loud hiss escaping her lips. "Who your mother is is of little concern to me worthless child!" The mare snapped. Her body began to turn and she advanced on the filly. "My Archibald under your mother's control." The very idea of it infuriated Mandrake further. "Archibald was mine long before your mother tried to stake any claim on him and whatever claim she has is tenuous at best." Her forehoof struck the ground and she snorted at the foolish child. How easy it would be to crash a hoof down on the filly's head, crush the skull and leave her brain exposed for the vultures to pick at. Mandrake's visions of killing the filly were interrupted by Evers and she turned from Kimber to look at him. She was not pleased by his confirmation that they had joined the herd that the filly lived in, but she did feel a sense of pride that her Archibald had, indeed, been made a warrior. The pride was interrupted when Evers told the filly to go back to the herd. Yes, run along little one. Run along. She turned cold, hard eyes on the filly and watched her, waiting for her to heed Evers' warning. Run along.

[Gossamer the Benevolent]

Lazulli watched, hidden amongst the trees, the events which were occurring far below. He was not at all pleased with what he was seeing. Small-Blue-One and Small-Loud-Filly of his bonded love's herd were here. He had followed them out of curiosity and now they were both talking to a mare who seemed like a golden queen who had been tarnished, and had now gone mean. He was not sure of all which occured, but knew that Small-Loud-Filly was being TOO loud and was pleased when the Small-Blue-One told her to go home. That was good. Though he did not reveal himself to Small-Blue-One, he sent him a small message, "Good stallion to care for Small-Loud-Filly.". It was a circular, indirect was of saying thank you, but Lazulli assumed Small-Blue one would get it.

He would not tell Gossamer of this but would most certainly watch this mare and the other new Silly-Stallion to make sure they did not get...out of hand. Then he flapped silently away.