Ceteris Paribus {HERD MEETING}

[Mandrake]

[bg=ffffff][atrb=width,550,true][atrb=border,0,true] Mandrake's approval of Archibald's introduction of his family rumbled deep in her chest. It was just as she suspected when she had been told that Archibald was under the control of another. It was tenuous and those wretched mares were already testing the limits with her son. She could feel the tension in his body as he spoke to the white one, reminding her of the deal that had been made in her bid to sway him into joining her herd. Deals were often broken, however. Mandrake did not think that the white one would break such a deal. She struck her as weak and cowardly. Her ear twitched and she turned her head to face another mare that had stepped forward. That must be Smoke, the little pain in the ass filly's mother. She kept her expression blank as she waited for the mare to finish her speel about accepting other species and blah blah blah. "You may have failed to notice." Mandrake began. "But my sons cover every species and almost every color possible. They all range in age from twelve to two years old." What a silly thing for them to say, be tolerant of other species. Did they not see her band of misfits? "Telling me to be tolerant of species, color, and age is nothing more than a waste of breath." She concluded. She would not touch on the gender part of it, though. If the mares stayed away from her then she wouldn't have a problem. ooc:// mandrake should come with a disclaimer. i am very sorry if she offends anyone, but she doesn't like anyone >_>

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[Solstice]

Hazel eyes watched carefully as others arrived. She nodded as the younger grey fem that had been after the dragon egg slipped up as well. She sighed heavily.... The first herd meeting in a new land.... the first meeting... without him... The pang was heavy in her heart. Ata, even if he was shorter than she had always been her rock and strenght. Aaron.. as much as he was like his father, well wasn't him. The pangs of guilt weren't as often as when she had first arrived in Helovia, but they were still there. She listened only half heartedly to the conversation, knowing she should be paying attention seeing as she was a warrior. With a shake she straightened up trying to act like her parents had at these meetings. She stood tall and proud, holding herself up like the leader her mother had taught her to be, the warrior she should be. Sure she respected both Smoke and Gossamer as her leads, Indy to... But something within her wanted more... To be the lead of the warriors. Hazel eyes looked to Smoke, trying to hide the fact she would love nothing more than to go charging back to Isilme and find him.... to at least know of his fate.... To know if he lived or died....

Aaron could not help but smile as Kimber, one of his first herdmates and friends arrived. "Kimber!" He greeted her happily before she moved off. He was suddenly distracted as his mother introduced him to someone from her past.... someone who was like a mother to her? He nodded and smiled, blushing at her words.... Surely the 'ladies' would not chase after him. After all... his heart was already with Phi... If only he could see her again... "It is a pleasure to meet you" He looked around listening to everyone talking. However at the arrive of the big cat.... His ears pinned back as he listened carefully. There was something about her he just did not trust...... He also wondered if she would be a good one to try his magic that the God of the Sun had given him out on...... Maybe not just yet at least....

[Gossamer the Benevolent]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,10,true][atrb=style, background-color: #313838;,true][cs=2] Gossamer the Benevolent -Equine....Mare....16hh....10-

[atrb=width,400] Gossamer saw Solstice becoming somewhat distracted and frowned inwardly. She knew, of course, that the mare had just lost her lover, but herd meetings were important occasions. Perhaps her Warrioress was merely wishing her mate was here today? None-the-less she brought herself quickly back to the present and Gossamer made a mental note to find duties to give the mare to keep her mind off things. Her little colt Aaron, a fine young colt, blushed at her words and seemed to want to say something but instead merely commented on it being a pleasure to meet her. A brave young lad indeed. Perhaps she should bring up Smoke's idea of foal-apprenticeship being made available for the areas of warrior-ship, scholarly endeavors or defense, politics, or trade. A sort of trade school for the foals. Eh, she would see the course of the meeting. The beastly mother was loud and obnoxious and her thoughts mimicked her as well, Gossamer herself was weak, other horses annoyed her, keep the mares away from her, and etc. and etc. She really did not like the attitude of this mare, she didn't even have to listen to her out-pouring thoughts to know that the mare didn't like the two leads. However, while she did not seem to be a good soul, she was in need of a home, and she seemed to be capable of following the basics of the herd so she didn't care, "I remember quite well, thank you Archibald. I merely wanted the new members to be acquainted with the herd so the others would know they were a part of the herd." her voice held a slight amount of annoyance at the words of her warrior, but no other sign was visible of her extreme dislike of the Matriarch. Smoke did well and backed her up, saying the words she hadn't really wanted to speak. It was true, all horses must follow the rules or punishments would be doled out....though not the usual kind...no indeed not. What Smoke had not mentioned was that it would be a very long time before they were ever made Outcast. Taking this as her cue to explain further upon the laws Gossamer picked up where her fellow co-lead had left off. Indy was standing firmly at her side, but had chosen not to make any comments and leave it up to the mares. She wished he hadn't, he'd always been good with clearly articulating what he meant. Behind him, Poppy was wandering about, but nearby as well. Her regal stature held firm, grace and elegance continueing to emit from her being. She spoke in a kind, but authoritative voice. "Yes, Smoke has brought up a good point. This herd is a herd of safe haven for all and requires that all horses treat, and at least tolerare one another's presence, even if they do not care for them. These rules are all fine and good in thought, but without something to back them up they mean little. As such laws have been set up which one must follow. They are not harsh, nor are they cruel, but all have set punishments which will be carried out. -insert all the info from laws thread here- and, as I said, no horse will be made outcast quickly or easily, barring certain circumstances, and even then the whole herd will be assembled to vote before the decision made final." She paused here to take breath as she looked about the amassed horses present. A breeze came by and gently ruffled her mane then, a sign from the gods of their encouragement she supposed. Then she carried onwards. Lazulli silently reminded her to line out the herd duties, as she was about to skip to what needed immediate filling, and so she went over that as well. Explaining warriors, shadows, judges, diplomats, and the merchants which would soon be installed. Then, she continued with an explanation of what ranks needed immediate filling. "While all ranks are important, while we are still a growing herd, we need horses to fill at least some of these important roles. The most important, and of immediate necessity, is a Head Warrior. For all current warriors interested in the position, Smoke will be holding a meeting after this one which will discuss that position. Secondly, there is the immediate need for 3 Judges to fill the roles so the laws can be effectively put in place. A precise, fair, wise and scholarly mind is needed for the positions. Thirdly, I need horses for the Diplomat positions. Both the Judge positions and the Diplomat positions are closely related and, therefore, if the need arises a horse may hold both titles at once. This, however, is not preferred, for each horse must be able to focus on their specific task. We are, as always, open to the training of new warriors. However, currently, Shadows are needed to begin reporting information. While we, as a herd, will conduct no invasions, it is still important to know if others are planning ones against us. All of the ranks I have listed about come with a Title. Furthermore, in the defense area, scholar horses are needed to go over the herdland and address areas which are weak Scholarly-minded horses are also needed to study things such as food production, useful crafts, and to give speeches in the herdland on interesting and important topics to widen our knowledge and increase our culture. We are also in need of a storyteller, a rank which also comes with title. I know we have enough horses to fill most of the open upper ranks, our herd is strong, and filling these ranks will make it even stronger. So who will fill our ranks?" She paused here again, that section of the meeting having been addressed, Gossamer the Benevolent waits for her herd members to speak up on what they would like to do. After this section, she would talk about the border patrol, minders, and Threshold Greeters who would travel there to recruit horses to the herd. These are, of course, just regular chores. But those who, like the scholars, volunteered would, of course, be higher up in herd ranks than those who did nothing.

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[Enheduanna]

Narmer and Enna chill off to the side and look around la-dee-da-ing

[Evers]

[bg=0a0a0a][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] The small blue had watched as Archibald took charge of the issue. Sighing, he contemplated the fact it would be 'their' little family that would cause the first upset. Evers winced as his mother spoke, she had no tact to say the least. Casimir was ever present at his side and Evers touched him in comfort before turning to listen intently to Gossamer. She was speaking of ranks within the herd, something the little stallion had been waiting for to come up. Lately, he'd been feeling like a spare part. Nothing much to do, he'd left all his questing for knowledge in the land of Isilme. The Chieftess spoke of a head warrior position in which Evers automatically looked to Archibald, he had no doubts that his brother would most definitely give it some thought. After all, his mind and body was most suited for an area like that. The next two were the ones that interested Evers the most. For a knowledgeable mind like his, a judge and/or diplomatic position would suit him the best. The blue was a scholar at heart and the two positions rather excited him, Gossamer seemed to stress the need for such minds as the actual knowledge of the land wasn't that great. Feeling an adventure stirring again and noting no one else had spoken yet, Evers slowly took a few steps forwards and addressed their lead. "Scholar minds you say? May I offer my services, in my old herd I was a scholar and did a lot of research into many areas. I can offer my brains to both a judges position and/or a diplomatic one. I can't say I'd be a great fighter for you, but I can devise battle strategies and discuss new and old laws." Little did she know, Evers could ramble on all day about it. For now he stopped, and rather gingerly stepped back next to Casimir. He wasn't one for centre of attention, that was for sure.

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[Solstice]

Solstice focused as Gossamer began to speak. Many open positions within the herd. Her eyes flickered to Aaron only for a moment as the role of Head Warrior was brought up. She had been seeking such a role among the Oasis herd.... Here would be no different. She stood proud like a warrior should, very much looking like both her mother and father. Sols glanced back to Aaron as the more knowledge sided positions were mentioned..... Her son had never been one for fighting, and she could understand this now more than ever. Her own mother had not been born a fighter, but had become one to prove something to both the herd and herself. This thought brought a smile to her muzzle. I will give my all.... Not just to protect this herd and my son..... But to remember those who made me who I am... Her ears flicked back and forth listening to all around as Gossamer spoke of the other herds.... The older fem was right, until more was known they needed to be careful. She was glad to hear that they would not be invading, but protecting themselves by gathering such information. As soon as Gossamer finished speaking one of the strange one sons spoke up about being in such a role. As she looked him over Solstice couldn't help but smile. He seemed much different than his mother. Once he was finished Solstice looked to Smoke speaking calmly "As for the Head Warrior position, I will be highly interested as I was trying for that same role back home...." She just hoped she could do the position well, just like her father had in the Valley.....

Aaron listened well to all speak, inwardly cringing as his own mother spoke of trying to be Head Warrior again... He sighed knowing that in training herself for what would test her, she would in turn test him. However the one thing Gossamer had not spoken of was something the Oasis had been starting... Something for the foals as training..... On this he spoke right after his mother "And what of us young ones who wish to learn now, before we come of age to either fight or become a scholar. What can we do?" Granted it would not be long before he would be of age, but until then Aaron wanted to make his family proud.

[Smoke the Wild Rose]

An ear twitch and a sway of her tail was all the response that the grulla mare gave the shapeshifter's sarcastic comment. Both mares were fully aware of the exact point that Smoke had meant to press, and that this other mare danced around while trying to make the Military Chieftess look bad. Irritation boiled beneath the surface, but was denied a chance to surface by the pause taken before she nodded slightly. "So long as you are aware of our laws and the repercussions of breaking them."

She fell silent and withdrew a step to stand beside Gossamer fully once more as the pale mare spoke up. Dark eyes drifted from the family cluster across the way to study the other herd members and their reactions to what had and what was being said. She paused at Solstice, offering a bolstering smile. Smoke knew of the painted mare's past goals and the one she'd lost, understood and sympathized. Perhaps sometime later she'd let the younger mare know just how much she understood, how she too had not been followed from Isilme by a stallion she wished was there.

When a voice piped up from Archibald's little circle, she glanced over in pleasant surprise at Evers. It was nice to see that someone in that group wished to be a contributing part of the herd, beyond the warriorish stallion she'd sparred with before. The roan unicorn would fit quite well into the roles he inquired after.

Solstice spoke then, addressing the grulla mare directly. Dark eyes flicked back to the young mare, and her head inclined slightly. "I suspected you would be, Solstice. But you will not be the only one to seek it, and we'll address that later." Perhaps the paint would be surprised by the one that Smoke expected to arrive for that particular part of the meeting.

Then she looked down to Aaron and grinned. "We expect you, and the other foals of the herd, to learn. Every single member of the herd has something valuable for you to learn. From history to politics to self defense and everything in between, it is up to you youngsters to seek out and find that knowledge."

Her gaze lifted from the colt, voice lifting. "And there are others outside the herd from whom we can learn. We have allies, bands of outcasts that are both old friends and new. There is the Tuuli, a group of pegasi whose leader hails from Isilme, who seek to take a herdland as their own but have promised us security in return for whatever aid we have to offer them. And there is Mirage, bonded of golden Akaith who keeps us company, and her friends. Anyone from these two groups are welcome to come and go from the Foothills, for they are our friends." Only a tilt of her head to indicate the large golden dragon perched upon her withers broke that spiel and her gaze that had fallen on each of her herdmates in turn.