back to the desert

[Monopoly]

Drawn like a magnet to the oasis, Monopoly came strolling up the only source of water in Ahmad. He considered his first two tasks an overall success, he had received the land from Pyro and claimed the first mare. There were more to come, hopefully a lot. He wanted to see the place fill up with mares, ones who could sustain the land's tough conditions and see the odd beauty it possessed.

It was dry, the sunlight was scorching the ground he walked on. He was disappointed to see the oasis had begun to dry up, the width and depth of the water severely decreased. He frowned, lowering his muzzle to the surface and sipping, as if he was drinking through a straw. He moved into the limited shade of nearby tree, an old crippled thing with most of the leaves dried up. Two points of dark light studied the area in silent patience, waiting for the first claimed to arrive, if she had indeed succeeded in following him here.

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[*~Promised Darkness~*]

'Twas not hard to find, it's the only desert here...' I think casually, my pace slowing from a gentle canter to a graceful trot. I come to a halt a short time later, for I see an oasis, and the painted stud which had claimed me. I smile, trotting toward the small oasis, noticing the water was low. Mostly Arabian, I was well suited to the dry, hot climate of the desert and found it comforting to be in an enviorment that challenged me... I come once again to a halt just on the side of the pond opposite the stag, I nicker quietly, making no move to approach 'im nor drink...

[Monopoly]

The stallion seemed to doze for a few moments, but he quickly snapped into attention at the mare's noise. He glanced up, smiling slightly at the sight of her. He shuffled around the low source of water, standing near her. Glad to see you made it. He droned. Something else caught his attention, a hawk, soaring above the pair. Determined to keep focused on his current task, he went on. Obviously there isn't much water here, this is all we have right now. Conserve it best you can, shouldn't be much of a problem. If we run out, we will have to head to the common lands for water. His ears twitched, hearing the screech of the bird that swooped overhead. It beat it's powerful wings, diving lower as if to attack the two horses. Monopoly tossed his head at the stupid thing, releasing a shrill neigh.

He calmed once the bird had left. He knew them to be quite dangerous, their talons strong enough to take out a horse's eye, or tear flesh. He looked back at Promise, his grin returning. It will get cool here at night, so we won't have to worry about shelter, unless there is a sand storm. He nodded as he spoke. Now, dear Promise.. Is there anything you need? Don't hesitate to tell me. Slight grin slipped from his features, leaving a thoughtful look behind.

[about the hawk bit.. we watched the birds today in school, so i guess that's where that came from. xD]

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[*~Promised Darkness~*]

~ahhh... The Birds... old movie, that one... lol~

I snort, "There shouldn't be anything..." I said, smiling back at the titan lord and looking around the area. There was an eerie wind that whistled through the dunes and the stout shrubbery. Combined with the wavering of the distance in the heat, the wind made the land different, almost beautiful in a sense... "Monopoly..." I say, using 'is name this time, "How is it that you have not lost yourself to this desert? You are not of the Arabian heritage..." I state, a small smirk replacing my gentle smile 'pon my features...

[Monopoly]

His eyes settled on the tree he had left, a suspicious look in his eyes. He half expected that same horrible bird to return and perch, but no such thing happened. Instead, he was shaken by the sound of his name. He glanced at Promise quizzically, ears pointed in her direction. He turned his head to one side, thinking. One's lines aren't everything. Heat does not bother me much, and I can go some time without much water. He shrugged his shoulders, flashing her a lopsided grin. I guess you might say I have a natural instinct. He blinked. You are also well adapted to desert conditions. Have you ever lived in one before?

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[*~Promised Darkness~*]

"To some extent you could call it, "lived" and heard a great deal about them in tales told by the Shiek's men when I was very young..." I sigh, mind drifting back to the day when the Skiek found out I was not full-blooded Arabian and almost had me shot, I remembered the camel boy who freed me and took me as his own horse. Then one day, in a camel train bound for the sea, raiders attacked, killed the boy and I raced into the desert. The raider's fastest horses couldn't catch me, for I was to wild and swift... I jerked myself out of my memories and turned my attention back to Monopoly...

[Monopoly]

Shiek? Monopoly slowly repeated the strange foreign word, stumbling over the pronunciation. He did know the word that followed it, men. His ears laced back. Humans, right? Interesting.. He wondered about those creatures sometimes. He had never met one, but heard all kinds of stories. Snorting softly, he turned to a new subject.

Arabians are pretty things, I'd say, and fast, but very often it seems they are lightweight. In the land I come from, it was mostly heavier, bulkier horses. He smiled faintly. Not that I'm one of them, but I'm glad for that. He hesitated for a second, then decided to ask his question. Promise, if you don't mind my asking, are you at all experienced with fighting? I'm just curious. He waited for her answer in the lazy heat, watching a gila monster move carefully over the sand yards away.

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[*~Promised Darkness~*]

'I love to fight...' I think, excitement flowing through me at the prospect. "I am... Why do you ask?" I ask 'im, raising a brow at the question. My thornes flick back and forth as I hear the heavy and slow walk of a large cold-blooded lizard behind me. I sigh gently, it is barely audible above the breeze and I flick my banner as a small locust lands 'pon my rump...

[Monopoly]

Only wondering.. Monopoly said sweetly, his voice dripping honey. His gaze passed between her and the bothersome reptile, but mostly centered on her. He spoke in the same sweetened tones. But if you wanted to.. We could have a practice match, maybe? Just to exercise our skills. He wore a grin on his muzzle, ears up again. Above, the hawk circled, bu he hardly noticed, so eager for an answer.

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[*~Promised Darkness~*]

I almost blurted out, YES! But was able to restrain it, barely. "We could..." I say non-chalantly, but I fail miserably to hide the eagerness in my tones and smile sheepishly at Monopoly. The locust is back, and once again lands on my rump. I shake my head and flick my tassels at it again. It flies away noisily, but returns a few seconds later, landing in the same spot. I do a full body shake this time... The creature zooms away, I snort, shaking my head once more...

[Monopoly]

He nodded, returning the grin. He turned and cantered a few feet away, standing atop a dune. Looking down toward Promise, he turned his head one side. All right.. I'll let you strike first.. Let's see what you can do, hm? His expression was curious, he couldn't wait to see what Promise had up her sleeve. Impress me. He called, smirking and waiting.

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[*~Promised Darkness~*]

'Oh I will...' I think, a smirk coming to stay on my maw. I snort, walking forward slowly, but not too slow. I snort, acting as casual as one could with an opportunity such as this. I look up at Monopoly and grin. I spin around on my haunches fly in the other direction, hooves barely touching the sand and tassels streaming out behind me. I skid to a halt and rear, calling out my challenge. "No first moves here!" I call out to the stud, grin returning to me...

[Monopoly]

Interesting. His ears twitch, a curious look replacing his arrogant smirk. He would think most mares would love to have the first strike, but Promise appeared to be different. Have it your way. He called to her, his voice lazy as ever. He rears up almost half-heartedly, and begins to canter to her. It is a pathetic move, at that distance she will know he coming and prepare herself for any move. Yet he tries it anyway, moving behind her and attempting a light strike near her hindquarters, although he knows he can't match her speed.

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[*~Promised Darkness~*]

I snort, charging forward and spinning 'round on my hind-quarters. I lunge for the stud's facade, attempting to latch onto 'is nasal passages and go from there. I smirk as I lunge, adrenaline pumping through me at a very rapid pace, my Andalusian lines kicking in delivering an extra kick to my speed and stamina, adding strength and grace to my movements...

[Monopoly]

Her hooves come flying out, and Monopoly is backtracking rapidly. He turns and does his best to dodge the strike, but her hooves graze the side of his neck as he turns. He shakes his head in amazement at the mare's speed. This is not a match he can easily win, but he won't play fair. He summons fire, the licking flames larger than he was previously able to call up. He toys with it, knowing that summer is the season of fire, and when it is gone these powers he loves won't be his to use anymore. The fire curves into a neat circle, spreading around him. He is caught up in watching it and feeling the heat on his body. He hasn't forgotten the fight though. Looking up at the mare, he smiles. You're a bit too fast for me, dear. What can I say? I'm slow and lazy He sighs, giving the fire more power. It climbs higher, giving his two-tone coat a reddish glow.

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