I wish to try out for Marston!
Username: Arrows
The mare you wanted to breed with him: Asha
What 3 suggestions would you use?
1. Mother's color (seal bay)
2. Father's quipping (especially looking for the back half)
3. Gender being stallion
Story: (Marston's POV - Hope that's okay?)
With the sun beating down upon the sand and only the lonely cacti to keep me company, I run across the hot desert. I am perfectly content to enjoy the comfort of the heated sand and the alone aspect. But there, in the distance, a shape is staggering across a dune. I cannot make out much, but I know it is of my species. I watch from afar as the Equid drops its head low and can almost feel the distress that radiates from it, even from where I stand. Then the silhouette drops to the hot ground. Instinct beats out logic, and I immediately run towards the fallen 'Quid. I stop abruptly at its side and spray sand everywhere. I scan the Equid for further wounds and issues besides the obvious dehydration and possible starvation.
Its eyes pop open when I nudge it ever-so-gently, and it struggles to a weak stand. "Wh-who are you?" The 'Quid - that I realize is a mare - stammers. I can see the fear and desperation in her eyes. She does not belong in this desert, so unfamiliar to many Equids. I almost roll my eyes - they should be a little smarter before taking a grueling trip across long, hot, sometimes miserable, and vast desert.
In a unsuccessful attempt to push all the annoyance from my voice, I end up saying, "I am the one who is going to keep your lucky little idiotic self alive."
A flabbergasted look crosses the mare's face. Her hanging-open mouth twists into an angry frown and her eyes narrow. I am surprised at all the passionate emotion despite her condition. "You be quiet. I would rather continue my trek rather than deal with a snarky little cold stallion like you."
Now it is my turn to stare in astonishment. I almost feel the need to apologize! I decide to stop the argument there, and find the mare a bit better than I expected - at least she's a little fighter. "Just follow me." I grumble bitterly. She gives a little hmph but I deeds follows me. Halfway to where our first stop is, the mare falls down. I grudgingly pick her back up, catching her eye for a moment. She doesn't thank me with words, but I notice the small rush of gratitude in her eyes. I shrugs and continue, just slightly slowly my pace.
We finally stop at a water pool. The mare rushes to the cool liquid and drinks generously. I take smaller, calmer sips, and watch her from the corner of my eye, flicking my ears in annoyance when she sprays the water everywhere in her slobbery drinking. She clearly ignores me, and straightens after her drink and a short frolic through the pool.
"I'm Asha. Her simple, two words, the first she's said in a while.
"Marston," is all I grumble back.
Asha circles around to my face. "What's your deal?" She says in a demanding tone. I turn away from the nosy mare, ignoring the matter. She races around me again and stares me down. "Don't give me the cold shoulder!"
All I can think is man, she was a lot less annoying when she wasn't hydrated. "If you don't talk to me, I won't talk to you." I flare my nostrils and push past her. Finally, some peace and quiet. Asha draws back behind me, and although I can tell she is fuming, she is also saddened. I just can't wait to save her and be done.
Night falls quicker than I expected, and cool air graces the land. My stomach rumbles, and I feel the slightest guilt when I realize Asha probably hasn't eaten in a while. I motion to the mare and lead her to a safe shrub to eat. She shreds it, licking her lips when she is finally full. I move myself to another plant, and gnaw on it. I turn to find Asha already curled up on the ground with closed eyes. I plod about, refusing to sleep, and watching the dark lure out the nocturnal creatures. I cannot handle the argumentative mare tonight, so I do not ask her about taking watch shifts. I'll survive.
By dawn, I'm ready to drop. Since the sun is coming out, and predators are retreating more, I slither to the ground to get a quick bit of sleep.
"Marston!" Her shrill, annoying, infuriating voice pierces my sleep.
"What now?" I roll my eyes and struggle to my feet. I find the sun high above our heads, and sigh. "We overslept..."
Asha sticks herself right into my face. "Yeah, we sure did, smarty-pants. Wonderful job."
I am already moving away, pace quick. I don't really care about her words, and want to get her out of here. Asha, however, chases me down. "Talk to me! Talk to me you piece of stone!"
I can't help it. After biting my lip to keep myself from spitting out words I may or may not mean, I whirl to face her. "Shut up! I am done with you. Just go! Get out of here! You are so annoying! I don't like you, and I am a piece of stone. So what! How about you be quiet and stay out of my business!" I stare at her momentarily, eyes ablaze. She is hurt. Her eyes droop and her lips quiver like a dejected child.
Quietly, Asha says, "I think I can make my way out on my own now. Thanks." She curtly whisks herself away, running like her feet are on fire. I stand, and then call after her abruptly, chasing after the mare.
I cannot find her. She was going quicker than I expected. "Asha! Come back! You're going to get killed out here!" I call those words over and over again. At last, I spot a tail among the brush. I trot over and see her. "What are you thinking? Come on."
She's silent most of the rest of the way to the edge of the desert. It is mid-afternoon when we reach the contrasting biomes. We stand, her across the threshold in the safety of the forest, and me in my desert, in the safety of the solitary life. How it should be.
"Goodbye, Asha." I murmur softly. "I am sorry."
Asha smiles that goofy smile I hated, but am happy to see return. "See ya, Marston. Thank you. And, sorry, too. Make some friends, okay?"
"Drink less coffee, okay?" Her eyes dance and her lips curl into a smile. Those are my parting words to her, and I turn back to the desert. I begin to walk away, glad that I saved her, and made an odd acquaintance. I can't help but sneak a peek over my shoulder and watch her slim body and tail disappear into the trees.



































