[HowlingHooves]

Username: HowlingHooves
Show Name: Call Me Home
Barn Name: Genevieve
Gender: Mare

+ + +

Personality: Genevieve is a quiet one, but that doesn’t mean she’s passive; she’s loyal, almost to a fault some might say. She’s all about giving others second chances as she herself knows that, without Ford, she would likely be a nag dragging a too old plow or hauling much too heavy carts for a too demanding master. She knows full and well how lucky she is, and the gratitude she feels and shows toward Ford is easily seen to outside eyes.
But, as mentioned above, just because she’s a quiet sort does not mean she is incapable of tougher actions or anger. Her temper is hard to rile, but what does come can be explosive in its power. With powerful muscles, large and sharp hooves, and strong teeth this mare is easily able to remove opposition from her path. Tall for the mares of her kind, she towers over those who invoke her ire but without it she’s a gentle giant with a compassionate heart and more gentle soul.
To those she isn’t acquainted with Genevieve is a solid, aware mass of muscle, for Ford’s sake and safety. She may look unconcerned with things going on around her, head and neck drooped, hind leg hitched up on one hoof to relax, upper lip twitching as though she’s dozing off.. but in reality this is all a trained act, her ears catching all around her, eyes watching anything and anyone that passes into her like of sight; a soft, rumbling groan alerts Ford if he’s nearby of guardsmen, a blustery sigh of anyone else who may be watching her or her master.
With those she knows her kind nature is shown in gentle assertions; a rub from her nose, lipping at an arm or back or leg, overall a sense of calm settling over her. This is when you can see her in a more relaxed mood, ears flicking and not as alert, eyes half closed, but she is able to keep herself at a bit of a distance to these people regardless. She’s polite in these circumstances, but formally so.
When with Ford, or Sampson, or others that are close to her heart, she is much more. Genevieve drops all pretenses, she can just be with these people and she doesn’t take any bad moods or angry words to heart because, as they know her, she knows them just as intimately. She’s playful, teasing in light situations; she’s intent on these when pain of the heart and mind settle over them; she’s loving, devoted to them. These are the people she would give all she has for, life and limb and heart and soul for. It’s seen easily by them, as well, as Genevieve is as open to them as a well-worn book.
Backstory: Genevieve was born to a poor farmers mare, the mare getting on in years but all the family had to plow the moderate plot of land. But she was much bigger than her dam, and as she grew it was clear she wasn’t as work focused either. Genevieve didn’t seem to understand the meaning of being used to plow the fields, she was jumpy and nervous. Exceptionally so when the plow and harness was brought to her for introductory lessons. The farmer grew impatient with her after her dam fell lame in one hoof, and after trying to get her to plow the large field a line snapped, cracking into her hindquarters and setting her to squealing and rearing and being a frightened, tall and dangerous animal.
The farmer yanked her mouth much too hard, used his whip much too easily, and eventually he decided that until everything about her was broken down and ready to be molded, much like her dam had been, she was as useless as the eaten through sacks of grain he struggled to keep the mice out of. So he led her to the far end of his land, set a small picket line and tied her to it; she could move in a small circle, but otherwise he didn’t want her stepping on the rope and chancing it snapping.
Days and days later, enter a grey tom cat, a tired man and a heavy bag. She herself was too hungry and tired to care much when she was led away and then the bag was tossed over her back. She hadn’t been broken in to ride, but something about the man soothed her, and the promise of a large bag of oats kept her from dumping him straight out. She was quick on her feet still, and left the group of hounds trailing behind the two newcomers, left the angry farmer and the fear, took the man and cat through the first town and into the next.
Genevieve hasn’t left Ford’s care since, years ago that encounter being.
1 Item she carries with her: A pendant, on a thick cord made of leather and twined about a thin piece of metal to help avoid it breaking (like those of sword pommels). The pendant is a piece of smoothed silver, the metal twined through a darker and cheaper iron, and the leather is a dark tanned hide. Etched into the pendant is a witch's sigil, a faint glowing of red to indicate the magic infused into the object; the sigil itself means “to speak” and as long as Genevieve wears the magicked object she herself is able to speak the human-tongue. Her knowledge, however, is limited to human common as Ford was only able to afford that sort of magic at the time of creation.
Rider: Ford Atherdale, from the village of Ather. Ford is, now, an accomplished thief and a growing annoyance to the local authorities in and around the minor kingdom of Dalenth. Thieving wasn’t his first choice in life, but after being pulled into a thief’s den as a boy the affinity for the act resulted in him becoming the guild’s prodigy at the time. He still holds ties with the thieves guild as a whole, but at twenty-three Ford now is more of a rebel faction than a true guild member. He’s often approached by lower ranking guildsman if they’re in over their heads, gets paid a small percentage, as well as pocketing anything he deems worthwhile during the heist. Which is usually some form of magicked item, which he sells for higher profits to the guild of mages, or wandering tradesmen specializing in magical affinities.
He’s an opportunist, but he’s kind beneath the gruff and arrogant exterior. Ford, also, has a magical object; it’s a tattoo etched into his right shoulder, the same red as that on Genevieve’s pendant, and grants him the ability to shape-shift. Nothing larger than a bobcat, his witch contact stipulated, and this has yet to be detrimental since he most commonly choses a grey fox, but the ability is a known factor amongst the various guilds; the tells are his eyes, which never alter their color, and the tattoo remains visible on his shoulder regardless of shape.
Relationship with Rider: To put it mildly, they adore one another. A relationship built around a common occurrence with those who were not wanted in the beginning of their lives. One that took little time to actually build, truth be told, but is stronger than even the toughest of armor. Genevieve isn’t blind to the things Ford does, has done or will do down the road, and her heart can’t cope with ever having to do some of those things herself, but she finds she can never fault Ford for what he chooses to do; had he not made any of the choices he had that led to his finding her, Genevieve firmly believes they would be passersby in separate lives rather than together. For him, she truly would do anything, even if meant breaking her own heart or living with ghosts that taint her shadow. Ford doesn’t place her in positions like this, knowing she would do such for him, and he respects her too much to ever need those kinds of choices made. He loves her, would marry her if not for her being a horse. They understand one another in emotionally intimate ways, secrets divulged under the calmest of nights and the loneliest of days. Never would Genevieve want to lose Ford, she knows if that happened she would lose more than just a kinship but a large, physical piece of herself that could never be mended.
Companion?:
Sampson is a rather moody and foul tom who has been with Ford for many a year already. In truth, Sampson was who led the two together, using Genevieve as a means of escape after completing a heist; she was the only horse around for miles, and the guardsman of the estate had picked up their trail with their hounds. Of course, Sampson is averse to anything to do with hounds, so when his sharp senses picked up on the picketed, dirty and lone mare he was eager to lead his exhausted partner to her.
Now though, while Sampson is just as sarcastic and ornery, he has a soft spot for the mare. Genevieve is kind to him, understanding and doesn’t say much if the aging cat accidentally uses too much claw to stay balanced while on the run; he’s rough around the edges, even deeper even, but Sampson is more than worth her affections she’s learned; she knows one simply needs to understand the truths of others before rendering final judgement, and after so long with Sampson she knows what lies beneath the gruffness full and well.

[Tynahi]

Username: HowlingHooves
Show Name: Call Me Home
Barn Name: Genevieve
Gender: Mare

+ + +

Personality: Genevieve is a quiet one, but that doesn’t mean she’s passive; she’s loyal, almost to a fault some might say. She’s all about giving others second chances as she herself knows that, without Ford, she would likely be a nag dragging a too old plow or hauling much too heavy carts for a too demanding master. She knows full and well how lucky she is, and the gratitude she feels and shows toward Ford is easily seen to outside eyes.
But, as mentioned above, just because she’s a quiet sort does not mean she is incapable of tougher actions or anger. Her temper is hard to rile, but what does come can be explosive in its power. With powerful muscles, large and sharp hooves, and strong teeth this mare is easily able to remove opposition from her path. Tall for the mares of her kind, she towers over those who invoke her ire but without it she’s a gentle giant with a compassionate heart and more gentle soul.
To those she isn’t acquainted with Genevieve is a solid, aware mass of muscle, for Ford’s sake and safety. She may look unconcerned with things going on around her, head and neck drooped, hind leg hitched up on one hoof to relax, upper lip twitching as though she’s dozing off.. but in reality this is all a trained act, her ears catching all around her, eyes watching anything and anyone that passes into her like of sight; a soft, rumbling groan alerts Ford if he’s nearby of guardsmen, a blustery sigh of anyone else who may be watching her or her master.
With those she knows her kind nature is shown in gentle assertions; a rub from her nose, lipping at an arm or back or leg, overall a sense of calm settling over her. This is when you can see her in a more relaxed mood, ears flicking and not as alert, eyes half closed, but she is able to keep herself at a bit of a distance to these people regardless. She’s polite in these circumstances, but formally so.
When with Ford, or Sampson, or others that are close to her heart, she is much more. Genevieve drops all pretenses, she can just be with these people and she doesn’t take any bad moods or angry words to heart because, as they know her, she knows them just as intimately. She’s playful, teasing in light situations; she’s intent on these when pain of the heart and mind settle over them; she’s loving, devoted to them. These are the people she would give all she has for, life and limb and heart and soul for. It’s seen easily by them, as well, as Genevieve is as open to them as a well-worn book.
Backstory: Genevieve was born to a poor farmers mare, the mare getting on in years but all the family had to plow the moderate plot of land. But she was much bigger than her dam, and as she grew it was clear she wasn’t as work focused either. Genevieve didn’t seem to understand the meaning of being used to plow the fields, she was jumpy and nervous. Exceptionally so when the plow and harness was brought to her for introductory lessons. The farmer grew impatient with her after her dam fell lame in one hoof, and after trying to get her to plow the large field a line snapped, cracking into her hindquarters and setting her to squealing and rearing and being a frightened, tall and dangerous animal.
The farmer yanked her mouth much too hard, used his whip much too easily, and eventually he decided that until everything about her was broken down and ready to be molded, much like her dam had been, she was as useless as the eaten through sacks of grain he struggled to keep the mice out of. So he led her to the far end of his land, set a small picket line and tied her to it; she could move in a small circle, but otherwise he didn’t want her stepping on the rope and chancing it snapping.
Days and days later, enter a grey tom cat, a tired man and a heavy bag. She herself was too hungry and tired to care much when she was led away and then the bag was tossed over her back. She hadn’t been broken in to ride, but something about the man soothed her, and the promise of a large bag of oats kept her from dumping him straight out. She was quick on her feet still, and left the group of hounds trailing behind the two newcomers, left the angry farmer and the fear, took the man and cat through the first town and into the next.
Genevieve hasn’t left Ford’s care since, years ago that encounter being.
1 Item she carries with her: A pendant, on a thick cord made of leather and twined about a thin piece of metal to help avoid it breaking (like those of sword pommels). The pendant is a piece of smoothed silver, the metal twined through a darker and cheaper iron, and the leather is a dark tanned hide. Etched into the pendant is a witch's sigil, a faint glowing of red to indicate the magic infused into the object; the sigil itself means “to speak” and as long as Genevieve wears the magicked object she herself is able to speak the human-tongue. Her knowledge, however, is limited to human common as Ford was only able to afford that sort of magic at the time of creation.
Rider: Ford Atherdale, from the village of Ather. Ford is, now, an accomplished thief and a growing annoyance to the local authorities in and around the minor kingdom of Dalenth. Thieving wasn’t his first choice in life, but after being pulled into a thief’s den as a boy the affinity for the act resulted in him becoming the guild’s prodigy at the time. He still holds ties with the thieves guild as a whole, but at twenty-three Ford now is more of a rebel faction than a true guild member. He’s often approached by lower ranking guildsman if they’re in over their heads, gets paid a small percentage, as well as pocketing anything he deems worthwhile during the heist. Which is usually some form of magicked item, which he sells for higher profits to the guild of mages, or wandering tradesmen specializing in magical affinities.
He’s an opportunist, but he’s kind beneath the gruff and arrogant exterior. Ford, also, has a magical object; it’s a tattoo etched into his right shoulder, the same red as that on Genevieve’s pendant, and grants him the ability to shape-shift. Nothing larger than a bobcat, his witch contact stipulated, and this has yet to be detrimental since he most commonly choses a grey fox, but the ability is a known factor amongst the various guilds; the tells are his eyes, which never alter their color, and the tattoo remains visible on his shoulder regardless of shape.
Relationship with Rider: To put it mildly, they adore one another. A relationship built around a common occurrence with those who were not wanted in the beginning of their lives. One that took little time to actually build, truth be told, but is stronger than even the toughest of armor. Genevieve isn’t blind to the things Ford does, has done or will do down the road, and her heart can’t cope with ever having to do some of those things herself, but she finds she can never fault Ford for what he chooses to do; had he not made any of the choices he had that led to his finding her, Genevieve firmly believes they would be passersby in separate lives rather than together. For him, she truly would do anything, even if meant breaking her own heart or living with ghosts that taint her shadow. Ford doesn’t place her in positions like this, knowing she would do such for him, and he respects her too much to ever need those kinds of choices made. He loves her, would marry her if not for her being a horse. They understand one another in emotionally intimate ways, secrets divulged under the calmest of nights and the loneliest of days. Never would Genevieve want to lose Ford, she knows if that happened she would lose more than just a kinship but a large, physical piece of herself that could never be mended.
Companion?:
Sampson is a rather moody and foul tom who has been with Ford for many a year already. In truth, Sampson was who led the two together, using Genevieve as a means of escape after completing a heist; she was the only horse around for miles, and the guardsman of the estate had picked up their trail with their hounds. Of course, Sampson is averse to anything to do with hounds, so when his sharp senses picked up on the picketed, dirty and lone mare he was eager to lead his exhausted partner to her.
Now though, while Sampson is just as sarcastic and ornery, he has a soft spot for the mare. Genevieve is kind to him, understanding and doesn’t say much if the aging cat accidentally uses too much claw to stay balanced while on the run; he’s rough around the edges, even deeper even, but Sampson is more than worth her affections she’s learned; she knows one simply needs to understand the truths of others before rendering final judgement, and after so long with Sampson she knows what lies beneath the gruffness full and well.

Congrats!! Sorry for the lateness

Honorable Mention to Giraffidae! I really liked your form as well and am granting you 6,000 Kion.