flames of hell // open

[Bandit]

I had retreated to the Hills once more, as I often did during the insufferable summer months, seeking the solitude and cooler temperatures that the fog always brought. Yet, that day it had not been meant to last, as a typical summer thunderstorm rolled over the lands and an unfortunately close strike of lightning set even the damp undergrowth ablaze. The fire quickly overtook me as I ran, wrapping me in its scorching embrace. The flames licked and danced up my legs and over my body as if I were caught in the forges of Hephaestus himself. I fled to the creek and threw myself in the cooling waters to quell the flames that tore at my flesh and that is where I remained today, unwilling to travel from the creek just yet.

The scent of burning hair and hide was still overpowering in my nostrils. The scent of my own burning flesh, almost overwhelming the actual pain that lanced through my body. It was strange, indescribable, for if this had happened to another I would have been the first to find revelry in their pain, but even through the physical pain I could almost find a certain level of amusement in the situation, a certain pleasure in the pain. But even with that my mood was more foul that normal. There was so much I needed to do and this was an inconvenience to say the least.

Standing near the edge of the creek, my ears were flattened back against my nape as I watched the frigid water run over my hooves, the throbbing pain from my blistered, red, raw skin running through my body with a steady thrum. A deep snort left my nostrils as I heard the sound of another approaching my location. I had no desire to put on my mask today, to pretend to be normal and friendly. No I would much rather be spreading my own misery to others, ripping another soul’s flesh from their bone and leave them in the same pain that coursed through my own body.

---

OOC: open for any and all
thrace // stallion // 9yo // grey sabino (blue roan base) // warlord x ambrosia
black crescent moon rising over a corinthian helmet on shoulder
burned from summer S&D

[vnes♥]

It had been an extremely long journey. And as he transitioned from the scorching desert in to more favorable conditions, he could only turn back and sigh as if bidding his desert minx farewell for now. The journey continued on for the dark shadow of a figure as the sands soon turned to harder and more constant earth, dry conditions somehow bearing life until life was all around in all the evergreen shades. The breeze was gentle and welcoming, nothing like the lashing of the desert winds that made his coat appear dusty and rugged in this new daylight. He was thirsty, and made as a wise survivor and foraged for sustenance and the life-giving liquid that the desert so desperately dreamed of.

That was several days earlier. Now he was quickly growing familiar with these woodlands. Al-Sarim did not favor the wide open space of the refreshing creek in these still unfamiliar lands, but it did not deter his fearless heart to come to the waters alone even in broad daylight, even when predators lurked about. The summer was turning out to be quite humid, but still refreshing in comparison to the summer in his beloved desert. A quiet lithe he thought to himself as he kept to the shadows most of the time, exploring the very corners of the realm and amusing himself with his own little adventures. Such was Sarim's way.

Tonight was proving to be a restless one, though not for him but for the heavens. They churned and stirred above and boomed and flashed. Auds twitched. He was hoping for another starry evening that he might map out tomorrow's course make plans. But tonight the sky was not in an amarous mood. He had made his way to the border of this calm little creek, where the grounds began to rise and one began his assent up the mountains. From his vantage point he could see heaven strike earth with her lance, and the blaze erupted. Life was turned to chaos for this in the fire's wake, birds took flight, rodents and other woodland dwellers also moved, just little shadows against an orange glow from what he could see. Such was life thought the dark virile.

He decided to postpone his exploration and return to the scene of the blaze and assess the damage done, perhaps chance to meet a soul that could enlighten him as to where 'here' was. The air was smoky, a particular smell of burned pines as opposed to the blaze of desert brush. Then something caught his attention. His line of sight was no direct towards the waters for woods still blocked his way. But he could perceive well enough that among the death around him there was life yet that had perhaps survived the ordeal. Sarim motioned towards the water, his face unreadable as his gaze fell on a stallion. The beast appeared to be recovering (though still suffering) injuries from the blaze and judging by the stranger's expression and body language...he was perhaps not in a socializing mood.

Considering this, Sarim smiled in amusement. "You Sir appear to have had a rough night. Unfortunate that it is I and not a pretty fae to have stumbled upon you. I could not offer to kiss your injuries that all may be made well again and your pain be dulled." Analyzing his injuries, it was at least a good thing the stranger would live to see another season and perhaps many more after that. Sarim waited to see how the two-toned stranger would reply, his cranium tilted and his dark locks falling over his forehead though his eyes remained exposed and unreadable. It was hard to tell if Sarim had come as a friend or foe, for with Sarim there was not but himself who knew the reason for they way he did things.

---

Al-Sarim. Stallion. Seven Years. Dark Bay. Unknown Lineage
Tags: Thrace (Bandit)
ooc: hiya! my first IC post. popping in hoping my boy can make new friends (erm, or enemies)--hope you don't mind. ^^

[Bandit]

My ear flicked forward, the only part of my body that moved to acknowledge the beast that intruded on my solitude. He approached from the opposite side of the stream from where I was standing, a smart move on their part, to keep some distance between themselves and me. I would have much preferred to have been left alone in my current state for so many reasons. When the other brute spoke, my ear flicked back once more before I rose my head proudly, and my lip curling in a snarl to show my distaste over his pure presence. The pain that throbbed increased sharply like a dagger slicing through damaged skin from the burns that snaked up my muscular neck from the small movement of simply raising my gaze to meet his. The healing this would take would not be pleasant, but I wouldn’t let it hinder me in the long run.

A scoffing, sarcastic laugh left my pink lips at his comment however. He was a witty little beast at the very least; perhaps it would be enough to save him. He is still on a very thin sheet of ice though when it came to my patience. “I have to say that would be a hell of an understatement.” My normally smooth voice had a rough edge to it, a mixture of my mood, and the smoke from the blaze that had scorched my body. I strode forward, easily fording the creek, and the only outward sign I gave of the pain that shot though my body with every movement was a narrowing of my dark blue eyes. “Unfortunate indeed, however life is pain and without it there is no experience learned, no true strength to gain. So while having a pretty little thing fawn over me and tend my wounds would not be unpleasant it is nothing I will suffer any crippling disappointment from either.” I spoke as I slowly continued to approach him, carefully picking my way over the stones on the opposite bank. I stopped my advance still a comfortable distance from the other stallion and flicked my tail as I waited for his response.

---

OOC: vnes♥ Welcome to Mustang! And sorry Thrace isn't the most friendly of sorts (especially right now!) but I can't wait to see how they get along will be interesting at the very least :3
thrace // stallion // 9yo // grey sabino (blue roan base) // warlord x ambrosia
black crescent moon rising over a corinthian helmet on shoulder
burned from summer S&D

[vnes♥]

The other moved carefully and Sarim knew this was a painful undertaking for the other. He perhaps should have known better than to approach, the problem was that he did know better and decided to approach just the same. Such was his way. On a good note he had ilicited laughter from the other, sarcastic as it was, but it was a more favorable reaction than others. At the stranger's response, Sarim also broke into laughter, bearing still a charming grin across his face, his eyes now tinted with amusement. The laughter eased and as the stranger approached, Sarim made no effort to back down, no indication of intimidation or fear, but also no sign of aggression either. As the stranger moved, the dark bay knight took to assess the other stallion. Aside from the burns sustained on his hide and more minor injuries elsewhere, he was otherwise healthy and quite strong. Perhaps a year or so older Sarim thought? He had seen two toned creatures before, but this one was not mere mercenary or solo warrior. He walked with the pride of a stallion with things that mattered, an almost regal reverence about him, and plain old pride in not indicating his suffering to a potential foe.

The sabino beast continued. Sarim continued to grin and nodded to acknowledge what was spoken. "Truer words have never been spoken, friend. I am Sarim." Now he tossed his head, which was somewhat flat and long faced on account of his Andalusian heritage, his dusty mane swept a bit back. He was taller than his ancestors and was a near perfect blending of speed, strength and wit. Indeed the other was a proud fellow. A good thing. It would help with the long healing ahead. Certainly pain and suffering and death were all necessary life experiences, but some experienced these more than others. If Sarim pitied the other, it did not show. He was treading dangerous waters, he could feel it, but this did not phase the dark shadow.

Figuring his companion would not be amused, Al-Sarim carried on. "A crazy old sage once told me a story about the honey from wild bees, works wonders for burns and other ailments. The aftermath of a fire so happens to be the best time to seek out some and is the reason I am making way to the hills." There was a wistfulness about the stallion's demeanor. He stood tall and confident as a youth who still believed himself invincible, but there was also a spark of a more seasoned wanderer in those eyes that always seemed amused. Thorns pricked as he waited for a response.

---

Al-Sarim|Stallion|Seven Years|Dark Bay|Andalusian x Anglo-Arab x Akhal Teke|
Tags: Thrace (Bandit)
note: tweaked on 12/31/14
ooc: no apologies necessary. Sarim gathered that much lol. doesn't help that he tends to provoke others (bad Sarim, bad!); very intrigued to see where these two will end up ^^

[Bandit]

As he laughed my faked smile came back across my lips as I approached. The cracks in my mask were still plainly evident but at the other stallion’s mirth, even if fake or forced, it helped me remember to express my false emotions. From a young age I had started to learn how to fake such feelings, such emotions, for those that actually knew the extent of the truth behind my façade reacted poorly. So if I at least learned to pretend to feel something, even if it was all faked others viewed me better, and it worked out much better for myself.

I never did take my eyes from my bay companion though, and I was presently surprised that he seemed to do the same. We were sizing each other up, judging and evaluating one another to determine strengths and weaknesses. Everything a good warrior would do when preparing for battle. I had to respect this at the very least. He seemed much smoother with his words and social interactions while trying to discover any weak spots than I, but I had no doubts he would not hesitate to attack should he feel the need to.

“Greetings, Sarim.” I nodded my head slightly in recognition of his introduction before raising my head back up to its proud height. “Thrace,” I replied with my own name, tilting my head slightly as my iris blue eyes flicked over this Sarim once more. He was foreign, new to these lands it seemed, a wanderer. But what were his intentions? Was he simply passing through on his way to his next venture or was he seeking a new home, somewhere he would actually set up residence? It interested me greatly, whichever the true reason was. As an individual that had spent the vast majority of my life in or close to the lands of Mustang I wondered what motivations such a traveler would have.

Narrowing my eyes, my ears flicked back slightly as Sarim went on to speak about honey and bees. “Honey?” I repeated, almost unable to believe that such a thing would do anything for my raw throbbing skin that was left behind after the fires. However, I decided I’d play along and just see where this was going. “And just why would you offer out information like that, friend?” My lip curled at the word friend, only using it since he had done so first. “Why would you offer such seemingly valuable information to a stranger, to help another? It makes me wonder what you get out of such a deal.” My wry smile returned as I simply expressed my musing out loud.

---

OOC: vnes♥
thrace // stallion // 9yo // grey sabino (blue roan base) // warlord x ambrosia
black crescent moon rising over a corinthian helmet on shoulder
burned from summer S&D

[vnes♥]

AL-SARIM

[Lionhearts and Misfits]

The dark bay sahib did not buy the virile's change in demeanor. He had been a diplomat of sorts prior to his exile to the desert, and had very much prided himself in being able to read others...which made his skills valuable in the Old Kingdom. Somehow, he knew it was priceless anywhere including a realm like MUSTANG. Still, the name did ring a bell. This was the ruler of the hills. His expression gave little away, except to turn his eyes to the ground as he reflected on this valuable revelation. He had been but a short time here, but was acquiring information as was the key to getting anywhere. Desert dwellers knew this well. How favorable a situation chance an encounter with an injured king. Some might see this as a stroke of luck...to kill a Lord and gain all his possessions. It was perhaps a stroke of luck....that Sarim was no fool, nor was he most fellows. He had no ill intention against this other stallion.

"Well now...it is not so often one goes for a walk and stumbles on a King." It was quite likely the virile would take the words in a threatening manner. Sarim made no act of aggression other than to reach his hind hoof up, twisting his neck so that he could scratch at the itch behind his ears. Shaking himself off casually, he chuckled at the other's surprise at the unlikely remedy. At the hellion's question Sarim did not hesitate long in his response, his words quick to formulate. "Well...as I've said this is wisdom from a crazy old horse in the desert...so who knows if it works. I for one find the stuff quite a treat. I likewise find it is good courtesy to help those who are in need." Al-Sarim could be regarded as kind, he would like to think himself a fair soul. He was dangerous and perhaps reckless, but these were elements well within his control...he had made sure of it. As for being kind...well, Thrace was wise to presume there was some sort of price. Sarim was never called a saint. 

The dark one grunted. "As for what I gain...the information you have provided me is sufficient. Information is always a good thing for a foreigner and a wanderer. Although it eludes me where one has to go to meet the pretty faes around here."  The conversation seemed to have come back full circle again, his demeanor casual and light.

The stranger found him lying by the way,
His skin was charred and cracked and raw
The blaze had consumed the woodland greens,
And some of the lion as well.
But he lay by the way in all his intimidating might,
Only one dares to approach the beast by the tranquil waters
The waters are stirred where Lion meets Misfit.

---

Al-Sarim|Stallion|Seven Years|Dark Bay|Andalusian x Anglo-Arab x Akhal Teke|
Tags: Thrace (Bandit)

[vnes♥]

ooc: Bandito!! did you want to just close this here? ^^ i ok to continue, just let me know. if close we can say this conversation carried on a bit more and ended when Sarim offered his services as a mercenary and moved on. just a thought.