Azcarraga's Herd 2019||Tolter Event Writing

[Nocsokol]

A place to store my writing for the event.
(Do not Post)

[Nocsokol]

Day 1

Bear paced around the pasture trying to find something to do. "Why do i have to stay in this pasture?" he muttered. He looked at the fence and then at the empty Arizona dessert that lay out before him. Bear wanted out, he wanted to run free even if only for a day. He broke into a canter and grazed the fence but made it. Speckle raised her head seeing him on the other side "Bear get back here!" but he was already galloping away. The young stallion ran, head held high as he looked around and breathed in the warm summer air. He saw a white shape in the distance that quickly got bigger as he got closer. Bear slid to a stop in front of the stallion. The cremello horse was slightly bigger than him with striking blue eyes. The stallion had been grazing but lifted his head with curiosity.
"Helloo," Bear said hesitantly.
"Hey, who are you?" his voice was steady but there was a hint of curiosity.
"I'm Bear," he said quietly, "And you?"
"The names Ray," he said, "And may I ask what your doing here?"
"Well," Bear shifted uncomfortably, "I was tired of living within a fence and decided to see what it was like out here"
"Be glad you met me then and not some of the more hostile stallions, Bird would have tried to kill you," he chuckled.
"Oh, well I should get going, I want to see as much as I can before I go home," he turned to go.
"Wait!" Ray blurted out, "I'll come with you, I don't get to talk to other horses much"

Ray broke into a quick trot and Bear quickly followed. Both of them enjoyed the peaceful silence, the only sound coming from their hooves. They came up to a small stream and lowered their heads to drink. Bear raised his head and noticed it was getting dark.
"Hey I should head back now, its getting dark," Bear sighed.
"No! Please stay," Ray lowered his head, "I get lonely"
"Fine, I'll stay the night but I have to head back tomorrow," he said.

Ray nodded and watched as Bear lay down. He stood protectively over the other stallion, watching for any danger. Bear closed his eyes and relaxed, knowing Ray would warn him of any danger. Hours passed in peaceful silence. Bear was fast asleep when Ray picked up the scent of a cougar. He stiffed and nuzzled Bear.
"Wake up!" he hissed.
"Huh? Why?" Bear stood up.
"Cougar" he stood still.
"Uh oh" with that one word, Bear was wide awake.
Bear knew he wasn't the fastest horse but he was strong and fighting was his best chance. The big cat pounced down from a boulder and landed on Bear's back. He squealed and bucked, thrashing around. Ray sank his teeth into the cat and ripped it off Bear's back. The paint stallion reared and stomped down hard on the cougar. The cat jumped up and ran off, leaving to scared stallion.

"Are you okay?" Ray asked.
"Yeah, I think so. I should head back now though because the people back home should make these wounds heal faster," he said.
"Okay, I'll walk with you"
The stallions slowly made their way back to Redwood Stables and because of Bear, Ray was made welcome there anytime, of course he was often out doing his own thing, but whenever he would come back he was welcomed.

580 words

[Nocsokol]

Day 7

The sun had set at the Arizona ranch and a palomino tobiano stallion lurked in the shadow of a tree. Ghost usually kept to himself since he didn't really like the company of the other horses. He raised his head at the sound of tires crunching on gravel. The truck parked and the driver got out walking around to the back of the trailer, she lowered the ramp and led out a large skittish stallion. He was led into the pasture and the person unclipped the lead rope leaving on the halter and drove off. Ghost narrowed his eyes, he had never seen this truck or person and they just left their horse. He looked around but all of the other horses were way out far in the huge field. Ghost slowly approached the stallion, as he got closer he realized that although the horse had cuts and scars he was beautiful. "Hey!" Ghost pinned his ears "Who are you and what are you doing here!"
"Um, I'm Bear and I honestly don't know what I'm doing here," he said hesitantly "I was just quickly loaded into the big box and driven here, then I was unloaded and they left me"
"Hmm, well I guess you can stay for now," Ghost sighed "I'm Ghost by the way"

Ghost walked back to the tree and noticed Bear was following him. "Why are you following me?" Ghost just wanted to be left alone. "Well your the only one here and I'm lonely so you have to put up with me" Bear stood next to Ghost and refused to move.

Ghost sighed and ignored the other stallion which Bear was fine with. Bear was just happy to have another horse to hang out with and was fine staying quiet. Ghost dropped his head to graze while watching the other horse, he was surprised that he actually enjoyed Bear's company. Ghost lied down and closed his blue eyes. After a couple minuets he felt Bear lay down next to him. Bear crossed his neck over Ghost's and at first Ghost was about to snap at him but decided otherwise. It was a chilly night and Bear was warm so Ghost let him stay.

When the sun began to rise Ghost got up and nudged Bear awake. Ghost's ears pricked as he heard a bell ringing. He motianed for Bear to follow and trotted up the the gate, he waited as he heard the rest of the horses galloping toward them. Jay walked over and threw in flakes of hay. His eyes widened as he saw Bear, "Hey boy, where did you come from? You have a halter..." Jay slipped into the pasture and approached Bear. He slowly stretched his hand out and stroked Bear which is when he got to read the name plate and the note attached. Jay stopped and read the note "Hello my name is Bear. My mom could not keep me so please take care of me for her" Jay frowned and clipped on a lead rope "C'mon Bear lets clean those cuts". Jay led Bear through the gate but Ghost slipped through keeping close to Bear. Jay laughed "Ghost you finally made a friend? Fine you can come with him" Ghost happily walked next to Bear. Jay tied Bear to a post and begun to clean the cuts. Bear winced and Ghost nuzzled him "You'll be fine" he blushed. Bear glanced at him "This may be a weird question but are you gay?" Ghost was taken by surprise
"I uh" he lost his words. Bear laughed "I'll take that as a yes, don't worry I'm gay too" they both smiled.

611 words