.first of many.

[.sideways.glance.]

The matriarch of the equus of this darker portion of the land stepped forthward, and with each stride harked her lobes and tossed cranium. She was searching for someone that she had yet to meet. She had heard that the patriarch was chosen by Mother Nature, and she simply had to meet him. Perhaps they would be mates, perhaps they would simply rule together. Perhaps even they had to battle it out to see who was to be the true alpha. Whatever it was, this soldier of a femme strutted onward, staring through the foliage as she pushed her way onto a path through the woods. She could stalk better through the dense growth, especially by the solitary light of the pale sphere standing above her. It was slightly overcast as dusk settled into night, and her silhouette glided through the forests with barely a sound except for the tiptoeing on the dead and decaying leaves. Her plight was just beginning and it was unsaid how long she would be searching before she found him. This, the DARK KING was who she was in search of. He must be quite ambitious, she mused, to have dubbed himself such a title… but then again she did the same for the fairer sex. There was few things ‘fair’ to her, but she was just in punishment and slight in appreciation. They shall rule together, she continued pondering, but how with this recent influx of equines into the land. She heard his calling announcement, so already knew his name was Zodiac. A good, powerful name she felt, as it was a killer’s name. With such, her hopes were high for this steed.

She had spotted him. It was obvious from his prideful stance. She inched closer, remaining downwind so there was very little chance he’d sense her coming. She placed her pillars carefully so as to minimize all sound of the bruja approaching. She came within metres of him with still no sound. She eyed him cautiously, noticing his lithe build. Slightly skinny, but fast, she could tell. Probably his build referred to his breeding. Long, limber legs – good for running. But could he use them? His neck long and façade chiseled. Could he collect for agility’s sake? She needed to know these things to see how they would compliment – or contradict each other in their ways of ruling. This first meeting was necessary, and could be consequential or beneficiary. She’d soon find out. A shrill whinny emitted as the matron bolted from the foliage in an immediate gallop, almost rearing for takeoff as she shifted one hundred percent of her weight upon her haunches for an immediate takeoff. She thundered directly toward him, skidding to a stop at a safe, yet daunting distance. She was only feet away. Nadirs dilated to inhale deep gusts of oxygen, barely out of breath from her sprint, but inhaling his scent ferociously. Name’s Sideways Glance. That was all she said, and she expected the same in return. Short, quick, to the point. Such was the way of a soldier like her.

There was no need for idle chit chat in her mind. She stood solid in her parking space, looking him over and not missing a single scar, not missing an inch. She was hypnotizingly beautiful, and was proud of each and every mark on her, demonstrating her pride in each conquest. Charcoal pelt glistened in the pale moonlight that hit her at all the right angles. It was as if she was showing off to this new stallion. There was no option as to whether or not she should get to know him- she had to. Would there be fellowhip or rivalry? She had come from a herd dubbed “Terror’s Darkness” and was a soldier in his lands. Now she was matriarch, but she learned well from observation all those years in such a brutal band. That stallion was a legend, and she was prepared to make herself a legend as well. Was Zodiac up to the same challenge? So many questions, so little time, so much observation, so little talking. Such was her persona. Now what was his? A sneering expression was evident, as if a cackling laugh would erupt at any moment. Aye, she was intimidating and she worked it. She was beautiful in her ways, and she worked that too. She was an alpha, and she’d force others to work under her… she was their mistress, they were her slaves – as far as she was concerned.

[Zodiac]

A sudden movement behind him made the stallion turn around, lashing his ebony kissers angrily against his hocks. A faint snort of surprise sounded from his nares, but he quickly covered it up with a polite cough. He studied this mare, this fine specimen of a Dark. With all her fine lines and curves, he was surprised she hadn't been claimed by a lustful stallion already, but when he finally noticed the aura of power radiating from her like heat, he understood. This was the Dark Lady. And she spoke, her voice brisk and to the point. He swiveled his razors her way, a slight grin on his facade. So he wasn't alone. He had known that, but he hadn't thought he'd meet his counterpart so quickly. She seemed quite the ruler, and Zodiac suddenly felt a rushing sense of pride to be beside her as a ruler. Then he stoppered it. First impressions were everything, that was true, but she could easily just be seducing him into liking her and then overthrowing him. His father had taught him, no, bored it into him, that you must trust no one. Even those who were close to you. Such was the way of the Dark. All of them knew that a long lasting relationship was unlikely, as one could easily fall for another mare or stallion and betray their former love. So Zodiac screwed his face up into an impassive expression, betraying nothing, his occult bright and emotionless, though danger lurked just behind the lids. He spoke softly, caressing the air with his voice.

"I am Zodiac, Miz Glance."

It was with a slightly mocking air that he bowed, though he had no intention of insulting her. If she thought he had, she could throw a fit and Zodiac would lose all his respect for her that he'd given her in the first two minutes of them meeting each other. People throwing fits were not people he trusted nor respected. The pale light of the slim circle of the moon shown down upon them, spilling out in a rough circle of light and illuminating the valley the two Dark royals were within. The King's emotionless facade suddenly slipped, leaving a rather challenging expression in its wake. He approached Glance at a leisurely walk, then circled her, as if daring her to do something. Truth was, he was, and he wanted her to show some reaction to it. He halted in front of her and, arching his serpentine, slapped his rump with his ebonite cords and snorted. Then he spoke, lyrics bathed in venom.

"So, tell me, Lady Glance, how did you come about the delightful position of Queen?"

'Delightful' was spoken with some mocking emphasis. She might as well think that Zodiac was mocking her, but he was not. He was, more likely, mocking the status of her position, as if challenging her to the possession of it. He wanted to know if his counterpart was truly fit (or at least fit as he saw it) for the throne, for Zodiac did not want to be ruling beside a complete fool. His first impression was that this was a lady to be reckoned with, but he could be wrong. He was often wrong, though the Dark King never admitted it. But hey, wasn't everyone? Twitching his harks, Zodiac kicked at the turf beneath his scythes, coming up with a lot of loam and soil, and some worms. He wrinkled his nose in distaste at the writhing creatures and promptly stamped them flat with a sharpened dagger, silencing them forever. Then, with a satisfied smirk on his facade, he turned back to the Dark Lady, who commanded his full attention. She seemed to know how to act like a Queen, holding herself with a regal air. He had yet to see how she treated common mares and stallions, but Zodiac guessed it would be with indifference.

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[.sideways.glance.]

A smirk and a cackle. The charred vix was almost playing with the stud, even though she was not the playful type. Ah the element of surprise was so grand, and she enjoyed every moment where she catches life unaware. She remained steadfast while he looked her over, enjoying the attention. As he introduced himself, she hardly payed him any heed, considering she knew his name already. Such were formalities she knew, so she did not rebuke. Though he was young, he had potential she knew. that, and he was of age to reproduce. That too was good. Her talons hardly quaked with any movement though the mare seemed to constantly drift nearer her target. As he circled her, she steadily kept up with him, allowing him to get close, but not too close. She still did not know him after all. She was ready to strike at a moment’s notice but kept that to herself. She exuded strength, and needn’t boast it more than necessary. Though she was a dark, and though she was vicious, she was still just in her ways. Cruelty only goes towards enemies. you must be just to your allies, or else you will have none. She wasn’t expecting him to trust her just yet, but she aimed at creating an alliance to strengthen the now forming band of dark-spirited equines. He continued circling and she continued watching, lappets keeping dead aim right on him, watching each and every muscle control its respective piece of anatomy.

He spoke with a demonic tone, and with that she was pleased. He mocked her, but his arrogance got the best of him. She was not one to mock. Auditories pinned at the sneer as she gazed directly in his eyes. Yet she let him finish his statement. She knew when to act and when not to, as she was trained by the best of the best. She expected no less in any quadruped in her band, brute or bruja alike. A quick snap echoed within her jaw, then she allowed words to escape. Sideways Glance. Though I appreciate the feigned respect. I earned the position. I was the first of our kind to arrive. Have a problem, Sire? She sneered. She knew this was all a challenge of wit, but wondered how far his wit would take him. She was slightly testing him, making sure he was ready, willing, and mostly able to reign as king. Hind tendrils writhed in irritation with this one, and he had only one chance to make it up. Was her patience too thin to stand? She didn’t care. What she cared about was the job at hand. and how do you intend to rule over these lands, might I ask? her voice was slightly softer, but still had the tone in it as if to say ‘ne wrong move and see what happens.’

A slight breeze brushed her forelock to the side, revealing the mark of the delta, symbolizing she was not faking it. She was the real deal. The breeze had been bringing in a pack of cumulo-nimbus and soon she knew it would be raining. The night was fading darker as the stars disappeared from the night sky. Soon the moon would be covered too and all that would be able to be seen were the spirits of those living, both plant and animals alike. Eventually, she extended her proboscis making the first contact. Then exchange of breaths to completely greet one another, as they would be ruling side by side. They had been chosen and that was one thing she would accept at face value. He was the Dark King, she was the Dark Queen. Though they were not required to become mates, she was discretely pleased at the meeting so far, and wondered how far it would take them.

[Zodiac]

((Please accept this free stick with which you may whack Zodi for being inactive.))

A flick of the harks, and the brute lashed his ebonite cords against his hocks, the Queen's speech imprinting on his mind. So she was a feisty one, eh? He expected no less from one of his own kind. She would not be a male toy, and nor would she be ordered about by the King. After all, they had equal power, but that was beside the point. He valued independence in his mares, and even though she was not his, she certainly came close to it. They would be ruling side by side, and so they could expect to run into each other often, intentionally or not. Zodiac was determined to create a large herd that could more than destroy the Light race on his command. Now was not the time. He would wait and bide his time. When his numbers were great, he would swoop down upon the Light lands with his army behind him, killing all in his path. Then he would take those who had survived the massacre as slaves to do the Dark race's bidding, and maybe, one day, become Darks of their own once the King was sure that evil had completely enveloped their hearts. Those fantasies were driven out of his head quite abruptly when the Queen spoke again, her sharp tone clearly voicing her obvious doubt he was fit for such a high position. His harks were pinned to his skull for a moment before he let them relax, and feigned indifference, one hoof cocked casually. When he spoke, it was with his usual amount of sarcasm.

"How do I intend to rule over these lands, Queen Sideways Glance? Simple. Brute force should be enough to force rebels into obedience, while those who follow the rules shall be treated with respect and courtesy. I do not intend to completely disregard my people, my queen, I care for their welfare."

Though this was not entirely true. Sure, when he was in a good mood, the people would be foremost on his list to please, but when he was angry, just plain pissed, or not feeling generous, he could care less about them. As for those who rebeled... A smirk flashed across his facade briefly before disappearing as though it had never been. He glanced at Sideways Glance and slowly a wicked grin spread across his face, and his occult glittered with malice. A harsh stomp into the earth with his hoof, testing it... And then he raised his cranial to sniff the air, checking to make sure... The light breeze was blowing from a westerly direction, and as he turned to Sideways Glance again, it blew across his forelock and displayed a similar delta to the Queen's, marking him out from the rest of the common equine. He cocked his crania to one side and grinned. Then he stamped, hard, into the ground, and slowly, inexplicably, flame from nowhere began to lick his hooves, and slowly it began to creep steadily away from him. It the two royals until they were trapped in a large wall of flame that leaped up into the air as if itching to burn the heavens. A loud, crackling noise filled the air, and a heavy singed smell crept into their nostrils. Zodiac grinned at the Queen and dipped his powerful head briefly, before clacking his hoof sharply on the ground. And, just as quickly as it had came, the flame was gone, and the only sign that it had ever been there was a thin layer of soot surrounding them. The fresh air blew away the scent of charred grass, and Zodiac turned to face the Queen.

"That may not have impressed you, my lady, but I assure you, I am perfectly capable of ruling these lands alongside you."

[.sideways.glance.]

((Why thank you for the stick. I may just use it if it happens again, lol.))

She held back the fear that overcame her when the flames arose. She was accustomed to running from flames as they brought about imminent destruction… but a king who had control of the flame? Her doubts had been erased. Even if she disagreed with him on the side issues, she knew he could use his power over fire to gain control of nearly any situation. Mother Nature must have given him this power. Ah yes, she recognized that delta. She witnessed it upon her own temple when she looked into the pool of powers at her reflection. If Mother Nature deemed him worthy, then so be it. She would not doubt her. and therefore did not doubt Zodiac would be a good ruler for the kingdom of the darks. Aye, they would bide their time and overthrow the other kingdoms when they were ready. That was a long-term goal. For the meantime, she knew that the forces must grow in number. and they both should work toward it. While he claims, she would train, and in the end they will be strong and mighty.

She spoke easily audibly, but her lips did not move. She was speaking directly to him but not with her voice. Oh I have no doubt in you.. Mother Nature chose you, and I am sure I will see your strength in due time. For now, we must get soldiers and get them in line.

Nothing else was heard by him, and that is how she wanted it. Her powers of hypnosis were properly demonstrated as she could speak directly to his mind. Cranium lowered slightly from a challenging position to one of equality. A thingyy smirk never left her façade She was ready to start the quest of power and might in her harem, and was somewhat relieved to see a strong steed for her king.

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((I hereby present you the stick you presented me to whack me for the incredibly tiny and museless post)) lol[/font]

[Zodiac]

((OK! As I do not have much muse for this thread, how about Zodi says, "Yeah, way cool!" and then like, they go and like, do stuff, like, yeah. Hee hee. Please ignore the insanity.))

[.sideways.glance.]

ya that sounds good. lets go... do stuff... like get a massive herd goin or somethin. and no worries i just finished watching malibu's most wanted... so i put you with jamie kennedy's voice. sorry bout that lol

[Zodiac]

((OK! I'll look out for Dark mares!))