Playing With Fire

[Kris]

Firey mare tosses her mane around as she thundered into the new lands. Her vocals echoed out a call of entrance. It seemed just moments ago the scars on her neck were fresh but it has been months. They speak a story of hurt but her eyes hide any sign of pain.

Tinkers hooves suddenly came to a halt as she glanced around looking at all that were here. Pondering if this was the place for her. The sun make her liver chestnut hide shimmer with beauty her dark mane flowing down her neck. Stomping the ground with her hoof showing her bold nature.

Inside she was unsteady, not sure if she was ready to meet other horses yet. But it has been months now and lonely is not what she wanted to be. Perhaps there was a soul out there that could save her from the fire. It was getting hot inside her with her energy being bottled up for so long.

Rearing up she took off closer towards the other horses. Sending out random bucks here and there. Before she reached them she slammed on the breaks and pawed the ground. Will there be a horse that could befriend this sweet spitfire?

[Nickyxxx]

I sighed deeply from the edge of the group of horses which I had tagged myself on to, hoping to find someone who would be happy enough to give me some company but the chances of that was now looking weak. Suddenly, I heard the sound of hooves thundering behind me. Instinctively, I twisted around to face the creature that had come up from behind us. A bay mare dug her feet quickly into the ground and slid to a halt, her ebony mane flicked out from her frame and tickled the side of her neck. I smiled and walked confidentely towards her, my blue coat shimmering in the sunlight as I advanced apon her.

"Greetings," I called warmly, tossing my fine head. "What brings you here?" I looked over every inch of her beautiful body. The sun seemed to reflect of her coat making her glow like some kind of angel, then I noticed the deep scars that etched into the side of her neck and frowned slightly - not with disgust, but with thought. How did she get those? The thought of her past nagged at my brain, wanting to know more and wondering if I could help.

[Kris]

Tinker heard the sounds of another get louder and louder. Soon she saw the new horse before her. Flicking her banner around her she huffed out a "Hello". Her orbs clouded with smoke keeping all thoughts bottled inside. But inside thoughts raged like fire. Could this become a friend? Could there be trust given? Will she find a home around these parts? Questions built upon questions.

As she looked upon the other she heard the words and replied simply, "Left my home and just wondered." Didn't want much to be said of her past. Not quite yet at least. Tossing her head she covered as many scars she could with her mane. And in respect she added in a light tone, "Names Tinker With Fire or Tinker for short"

[Nickyxxx]

"Oh," I said a little disappointed with her answer to why she was here. I had kind of expected something a little longer than that but I figured she wasn't much of a talker and maybe the scars which she tried to cover with her mane must of had something to do with her shy personality. Most stallions would probably look for someone a bit more confident but I actually wasn't fussy. To tell you the truth, I liked it.

As she told me her name, I smiled. Tinker. What a beautiful name to match her personality and fine frame. It suited her like... well... it just really suited her. "My name's Riley," I said, tossing my mane for effect. I hoped to get to know this mysterious mare who had turned up on these hills from out of nowhere. "So, you said you've come from home. Do you mind me asking where that will be for you?" I didn't want to push her into saying anything she didn't want to say. I could just see a terrible past bottled up behind those beautiful eyes.

[Kris]

Flicking her ears she caught his words and the slight disappointment in his tone. It almost made her flinch but she snorted pretending there was a fly around her nostrils. But the smile he showed her gave her relief and soon her muscles released some tension. He didn't approach her fast, he was calm with his words and actions. Though the flames still boiled inside her sending smoke around blocking the view inside. Wishing with all her might that one day she could just burn her past and live like she wanted. But the twinges of it still lingered around yet they were gradually getting farther between.

As soon as he said home she flinched. Why did she even mention that word? It hurt her so much to think of it or even want to call it that again. Never again would it be that. It was just a place on a map that was to be forgotten like a little town.

Despite the pain she wasn't a rude horse and she snorted then let out a sigh. "It's lays just about a months plus journey due north maybe north east of here. Mind you it no longer is home. Home is where the heart is and well no longer can it lie there." She trailed off already she said to much. What was she thinking? He would only picture her as hopeless and move on. Moving on to the mares that flirted like crazy and were able to hold true conversations.

Her mind drifted off into the abiss of her flames. They raged in her and tossed her so called heart around and toyed with her mind. The steed before her seemed as if he was worthy of her trust but only time would tell if the little mare would beable to fight her fire inside. She only wished she could put herself out there and be strong. Yet wasn't she already strong for living through all the wars of her past?

[Nickyxxx]

The sweet mare seemed unwilling to give me an answer to where her home once was but she told me anyway and I just nodded with another smile, realising that this was not what she wanted to talk about. The sigh she let out before she answered stabbed me like a million knives - I didn't want to hurt her and I regretted bringing up the talk of home immediately. I was actually enjoying her company more than the huddle of mares from behind me. She didn't want to talk - I respected that and decided to take her mind away from whatever it was that seemed to worry her.

"Would you care to join me in racing the winds?" I asked, feeling the adrenelin already pumping through my veins at the thought of galloping over these open hills. A strong breeze whipped past us as though urging us to take off with the wind together. I pranced around her, trying to pull her away from the memories I could see she deeply dwelled on and take her away from all that for just a few minutes if that was all I could do.

[Kris]

He seemed kind and that smile just relaxed her again. Slowly she seemed to release some tension as she noticed this place was the total opposite as her past. And maybe she could actually become friends with the one before her. Suddenly she let her eyes open up more and she really spotted how handsome the steed was. It boggled her why he was before her and not the normal mares behind him. They most likely would be better company. But she figured she wouldn't question it any farther. He might see something that she didn't.

His words traveled to her ears. Her orbs light up at the word race. She hasn't had anybody to run with in a while. It was always just her taking off either away from danger or for her own pleasure. She tried to get others to join but they refused to go.

"I would love to." She said as she started to prance a little in place. Snorting out as if to say ready when you are. As the wind took off she bunched up her muscles and prepared to let them let her limbs take off.

[Nickyxxx]

I laughed at the eagerness she showed. I knew that a good run for most horses would take their minds off things. Suddenly, I sprang up into the air with only two hooves left on the floor in a rear and then pushed myself away from the ground where I stood.

Wind caught in my mane as I galloped past the group of mares that I no longer cared about. Tinker was an extraordinary mare and there was something special in her that I couldn't figure out. I decided that whatever that special thing was, I was somehow going to find out what it was.

I threw a quick whinny behind me to her, calling her to come and catch up with me so we could race side by side. My hooves thudded easily across the spring grass, tickling my legs as it brushed past.

[Kris]

As soon as he reared she mimicked it and as she landed her muscles bunched up. She let all the energy build up and soon she took off after him. Her limbs reached out and soon she was closing the distance between the fine steed and herself. Her banner flew behind her and her mane danced in the wind.

Soon she was by his side and she slowed to match his stride. She let out a happy whinny towards him. It was the first time in awhile that she didn't have to fake that sound. In her eyes it was clear that slowly she was trusting this steed. Could he really just go past all those mares and just keep his attention on her? That proved to her something that even she didn't know was possible. In her heart she just hoped he stayed as he has been and doesn't change.

[Nickyxxx]

I exhaled slowly, feeling the wind whip past me as we galloped together across the picturesque land. I could feel Tinker beside me, hooves striking the ground as she whinnied towards me. I could feel myself smiling before I whinnied back, glad that slowly I could feel the trust increasing between us. There was still that something in her I was trying to figure out and I couldn't get it off my mind. She was beautiful - there was no doubt about it - but I didn't care if she had two legs and one eye, Tinker had a personality that captured my heart even though we had only met.

I tossed my fine mane and shot off faster, nickering teasingly behind me to get her to play a game of chase. The distance between us wasn't that far, she was fast - I had to give her that one. She moved with such grace, even if she didn't know it herself. Everytime her hooves thudden, my heart did the same. I guess it was trying to tell me something - something along the lines of I like her and I have to admit, I do.

[Kris]

She galloped next to him realizing that he was somebody that she could look to for making her feel better. Her flames were burning fast but for some reason it was different this time. They didn't make her ache like before in her mind. It was more from her heart this time. Somehow this steed and how he smiled just eased the pain inside. Gave her hope that life could flip around with just one hello.

When he pulled away she dug into the earth taking one huge leap forward. Letting her limbs just sore over the ground with each bounding stride. Soon she was closing the distance again. This time she didn't slow to be next to him she pushed past him nickering back to him. Tossing her banner around inviting him to follow her.

The wind upon her pelt felt so good and it was pushing her forward. But she kept an even pace in front of him. Her muscles were well conditioned from the long journey here. So in theory this chase should be easy on her. They playful fire in her lite up and she danced around in front of him teasing him some and as if she was saying 'come get me.'

[Nickyxxx]

I nickered joyfully at her new playful mood and chased after her, tossing my mane as I tried to catch up with the mare. I smiled to myself as I realised I hadn't had this much fun since my foal years and those times were the best memories I had - up until now that it. As I chased after her, I replayed the moment when I first saw her - something I would never want to forget. The sound of thundering hooves behind me, her sweet face and soft eyes as I turned around to see her, her gentle voice - it was all so beautiful.

I inhaled her scent deeply and tried to store that in my memory too. She smelt different to the other mares - a delicate fragrance which I followed while I closed my eyes. I suppose running with your eyes closed is a bit of a stupid thing to do but I felt safe because her scent guided me towards her.

I slowed down a little when I realised that I was actually exhausted. Turning my head back (with my eyes open now) I realised that the group of mares we had stood near to were now out of sight. I turned back to Tinker and nickered lightly to say that I was tired now. As much as I wanted to keep running, I had to stop. I could tell she had a lot more energy than me, like a spirit of fire that kept going and going and would take ages to burn out - it reminded me of my older sister.

[Kris]

She nickered back to him with sweet joy in her voice. Her ears flickered towards him listening to the pounding of his hooves. They sounded so strong and like a true stallion. Something about him kept a smile on her dial. Raising her head she caught hold of the wind more and kicked up her heels a little.

The hoof beats behind her slowed and she realized that she was getting farther ahead. Letting her own limbs slow some she turned her head to see him slow to a stop. She jambed on her breaks hoping he was okay she raced back to him. Getting closer she saw he was just tired. Sweetly she nudged him lightly as if to say thank you for the run. "That was fun." She stated kindly.

Suddenly she tensed up backing up a little. She wasn't sure if that was the best move. What if he didn't like to be touched? She lowered her head as if to say sorry. Though she seemed submissive she was still on guard with her body and if he went after her she would be ready.

Looking into his eyes though showed her that he was happy and she relaxed a little. Before it took a lot to get her out of this stated of retreat. But slowly her defensive fire was calming and it was moving into spirit. In her eyes she showed she wanted to be close to him but wanted to know it was okay.

[Nickyxxx]

As her nose touched my skin, a strange feeling shivered down my spine. It was a feeling I had never experienced before but it was one that I liked. I wanted to touch her back but she had lowered her head as if to apologize. I didn't want her to apologize, I wanted her to do it again but I didn't say or do anything because the silence that drifted around us was kind of awkward.

Tinker then looked up into my eyes and my whole body seemed to melt from underneath me. I felt so dizzy - like I was going to collapse or something. It was her sweet, delicate eyes I was staring in to and I couldn't think of anything better. They showed that she was now relaxed and happy, like she had forgotten about the past for a moment and that made me happy - I didn't like it when she dwelled on her past because it showed all over her body.

I wanted to build up the trust between us and keep it rising until we could both trust each other with our deepest and darkest secrets if necesarry. I wanted to help her move on from whatever it was she thought about so much. I looked upwards and saw a few dark, heavy clouds drift slowly over head. "Perhaps we should go shelter somewhere to escape the rain," I suggested, breaking that silence.

[Kris]

She smile towards him and tossed her mane around. Clearing her head of the thoughts that threatened to appear. Slowly she walked towards him again. Looking up she noticed what he did a slight chill ran over her body. It was going to be a good storm it seemed. "Yes sound good, lead the way." She said softly.

She was now close enough to feel his breath upon her pelt and it make her smile. Reaching out she tried to give him another nuzzle. But she was held back but she still welcomed his touch. Wanting to know that he felt the same towards her. For he has warmed her heart and soothed her. Nickering softly she broke the silence again with her sweet tone.

[Nickyxxx]

I nodded slightly as an anwer to the last words that flowed out her mouth before turning away and heading in the direction of a large group of trees. I decided to hea in the direction of Crystal Peak Waterfalls. I knew the place well since I had spent most of my foal years living there. There was a nice roomy caves not far from the waterfall itself which would be a nice place to shelter.

I felt for her beside me as I walked, hoping with all my heart that she had followed. What if she didn't like me and decided to slip away as soon as she had the chance? I moved my head to look over my shoulder.

OOC: Shall we finish this thread off with yours and then I'll put one up in Crystal Peak Waterfalls?

[Kris]

She moved along his side closely. Keeping rhythm with his steps. Nuzzling his shoulder softly and then turned back forward knowing that this steed was not faking a thing. He was truly kind in every way. And for some reason he seemed to like her.

Flames flickered but they weren't of her past they were of her future. A simple kind heart slowly making it's way to the surface. It has been held back for so long.

OOC: sorry it took me awhile to respond. sure i'll look for your post in Crystal Peak Waterfalls