Quiet dominion
Nuri
08-16-2024, 04:04 PM
The shadowed stallion emerged from the tangled embrace of the bramble briar, each step a painful reminder of the thorns that had turn into his flesh on his way through it. Blood trickled from the fresh scratches on his legs and sides, staining his thick coat and dripping on to the ground below. But the sting of the wounds was nothing compared to the satisfaction of pushing through the treacherous terrain, the suffocating embrace of the thorns now behind him once again.
He stood at the edge of the Algoma Prairie, hes breath heavy and his muscles tense as he took in the sight before him. The expanse of grass stretched out like a sea of green, undulating gently in the breeze. The scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers filled his nostrils, a stark contrast to the metallic tang of his own blood. Grazing animals dotted the landscape. Bison and pronghorn moved in herds, their low calls and the rustling of their hooves mingling with the sounds of smaller prey animals in the underbrush. This was a place of life, a hunter's paradise, and Uruk would spend his evening guarding it from them.
[ 1/3 Explore new land (Algoma Prairie) ]
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08-18-2024, 11:06 PM
08-19-2024, 07:04 AM
Uruk flicked an ear toward the sound of the nicker, his ghostly eyes narrowing for focus as they settled on the filly bathed in the golden light of the sun. Nuri, if he recalled correctly. She was a relatively new addition to the herd before his takeover, and though their interactions had been sparse, he was keenly aware of her presence. Her sundust hide reflected the sky, making her look almost ethereal as she approached with hesitant steps.
He could smell the fear on her, a scent he was all too familiar with from others in the herd. It took everything in him to not curl his lip in disdain, but there was something else in her tone - an offering of help, a desire to prove herself. It was a wise move, considering what had happened to those who he had deemed too weak and opposed him.
The lightningstruck stallion shifted slightly, the dried bracken and detritus caught in his mane and tail rushing with his movement. He felt the sting of the thorn marks, the blood slowly drying on his stormy hide, but he wasn't one to show vulnerability, not even to a herd member.
"You claim you can stop the bleeding?" His voice was a low rumble, deep and commanding, holding the weight of a chieftain who expected nothing less than absolute competence from his followers, as Asa and Xurek had proven. He appreciated usefulness in those around him, especially those who knew their place and offered skills rather than defiance. Nuri's wariness did not go unnoticed, but he saw no reason to lash out at her for it. Fear was a powerful motivator, it was a tool, and under his leadership, it would keep her sharp.
Before saying anything else, he paused, his ears rotating as he took in the sounds of the prairie. The rustling of grasses, the distant calls of grazing animals, the gentle burble of the creek to the east - it all painted a vivid picture of his new domain. He was learning the rhythm of this land, its secrets and strengths, the places where prey thrived and the spots where predators could be found. Every sound, every shift in the wind, was a piece of the puzzle he was slowly fitting together.
Satisfied with his study of the land, he returned his attention to Nuri. "Do it, then," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument. He stood still, allowing her to approach closer, his presence imposing and unmovable like a mountain. He didn't care for pleasantries or titles, he wasn't that kind of herd leader. What mattered was results, and Nuri had offered to deliver. His eyes remained fixed on her, watching every move she made, testing her courage as much as her skill. In his world, strength was everything, and at this moment.. Uruk was studying hers.
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08-19-2024, 07:23 PM
08-19-2024, 10:58 PM
The lightningstruck stallion remained a calm still as Nuri began to work, his ghostly eyes scanning the horizon even as she carefully teased the thorns and bracken from his mane and tail. Her movements were precise, quick, and without hesitation - these were promising signs to him. He felt her unease, the tension in her swishing tail and the cautious way she worked around him, but she did not falter. That earned a measure of respect in his eyes.
As she pulled out the thorny branches, Uruk focused on the prairie around them. The land was alive with its own rhythm, and he was determined to understand it fully. The subtle shigts in the wind, the way the grasses swayed, the distant calls from the animals - all of these painted a picture of the prairie's natural flow. It was a place of balance, where the strength of its herds and the resilience of the land were intertwined.
When Nuri mentioned gathering yarrow, Uruk gave a slight nod of approval, his gaze still roaming the landscape. "Be swift," he said calmly but with authority, his voice a low rumble.
As she moved off to find the yarrow, Uruk continued his study of the prairie. This was more than just land; it was a living entity with its own patterns. Understanding those patterns was fascinated to Uruk in this moment while he absorbed every detail, committing it to memory. His gaze then drifted back to Nuri, a beauty that caught the golden light of the sky and reflected it in her hide. Her delicate features would have drawn the admiration of many, but Uruk, as focused as he was, paid little attention to her presence. For him, beauty was found in strength and capability, not a superficial gleam of coat. Yet, despite this, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity about her. There was more to Nuri than her cautious demeanor and soft appearance - something that made him wonder what kind of character she might be hiding beneath the surface.
[ 3/3 Explore new land (Algoma Prairie) ]
CODE BY SIN
08-26-2024, 09:23 PM
08-26-2024, 09:38 PM
Uruk watched as Nuri swiftly returned with the yarrow, her movements fluid and precise as she applied the paste to his wounds. Her touch was gentle but firm, each motion deliberate, revealing a level of care and skill that did not go unnoticed. As she stepped back to examine her work, his gaze shifted from the land to her, drawn by the quiet confidence she exuded despite her initial wariness.
She spoke, her voice trailing off as she realized his eyes were fixed on her, studying her in a way that seemed to pierce through to something deeper. It wasn’t her beauty that held his attention but rather the curiosity that tugged at him, the question of what lay beneath the surface of this seemingly delicate creature.
When she huffed and stamped her hoof, meeting his gaze with unexpected boldness, a faint flicker of amusement sparked within him. She wasn’t retreating, and she wasn’t submitting. Instead, she challenged him, turning his scrutiny back on him with a question that was both daring and defiant.
For a moment, Uruk remained silent, considering her words. He appreciated strength in all its forms, and here was a different kind of strength - one not born of brute force, but of resilience and spirit.
“Curiosity,” he finally rumbled, his voice low and steady. “I was wondering what drives you, Nuri. You are not like most mares.” His words were not a compliment, but neither were they dismissive. They were simply an acknowledgment of what he saw - a filly with more to her than met the eye. A fire inside.
He shifted slightly, the tension in the air easing as he allowed the corner of his mouth to twitch into something almost resembling a smile. “The land is not the only thing worth studying, after all. Thank you for coming to my aid.”
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08-28-2024, 03:04 PM