I'd like to enter too, so I'm also curious :3
Username: Green Arrow
Name: Hunter
Gender: Male
Species: Canine | Domestic dog | American Pit Bull Terrier
Kennel Number: #80
Why would you like this character/What will you do for this character?:Personality:History:Other:Turtleneck-----------
Username: Green Arrow
Name: Once Upon a Lonely Voyage | Voyager
Gender: Male | stallion
Species: Equine | Domestic horse | Trakehner
Kennel Number: #94
Why would you like this character/What will you do for this character?:Personality:History:Other:Turtleneck----------
Username: Green Arrow
Name: Birds of a Feather | Fyire {Pronounced like 'fire'.}
Gender: Female | mare
Species: Equine | Domestic horse | Cob x Connemara
Kennel Number: #115
Why would you like this character/What will you do for this character?:Personality:History: Note - Joey is loosely based on Joe Greene from Black Beauty.
Fyire was born on a small farm to the old mare that ploughed the fields. Her sire was a thickset Connemara stallion, broken free from his own farm a few fields down. Naturally he found the closest mare and made friends before he was recaptured.
It was a few months before anybody realised that Bay was pregnant. Luckily it wasn't a time of year when she was needed to work the fields, so the mare could be relaxed until it was her time to foal.
The birth went smoothly, and the family that owned the farm was presented with a stocky filly, who was promptly named Fyire by the youngest son, Joey. At first, her name was an amusing misspelling of 'Fire', but it was quirky and it stuck.
Joey was her main carer. He was seven when Fyire was born, but that didn't stop him. All of his spare time was spent by Fyire's side, loving the foal almost more than her own mother did.
When Joey was ten and Fyire was three, he began to train her with his father. He quickly taught her to accept a bridle and saddle, as well as the heavy harness that she needed to plough the fields. The young mare was willing to learn and very placid. She and Joey often shared bareback rides at twilight. They trusted each other as much as was possible.
Alfie, Joey's brother, was sixteen at the time, and his father allowed him to help plough the fields with Fyire. He was strong, and a good helper around the place, but he always thirsted for adventure. Luckily he was kept in check as he was needed at the farm.
Everything seemed to be going well.
Until the Great War started.
------------------------------------
1914. Joey was thirteen now, and his beloved cob was six. She had matured beautifully, with a powerful body and a luxurious mane and tail. Her feathering was sheared off so she didn't pick up clods of mud, and she looked like a proper show horse.
Joey was grooming Fyire in her stall when his mother burst in, brandishing a newspaper with a wild look in her eyes. Hair was escaping from the tight bun it was pulled back in, and going by the laboured breathing, she had been running.
Joey looked up, startled. "What is it, mother?" He asked.
"A war. A war has been declared." The woman panted, leaning against the frame. Horror was still etched on her face as she threw the newspaper at her son.
Joey caught it and began to read. A frown creased his forehead.
"Eleanor!" A gruff voice shouted. Joey's father appeared in the doorway. "What's wrong? I heard shouting."
"War." Eleanor repeated wearily.
"What? Give me that." Joey's father snatched the paper from Joey before he had finished reading the article, his weathered face anxious.
"I haven't finished yet!" Joey protested. He was ignored, so he absently petted Fyire while he stared up at his parents.
"I don't believe it." The man said hoarsely. "We're in a war against the Central Powers..."
Eleanor nodded. "What about when they come around looking for recruits? Alfie will no doubt be first in line to sign up." She fretted as she began to pace. "George, what if he goes and gets himself killed?"
George wet his lips. "Maybe he won't. Maybe war will be too much for him. The battle field is a daunting place for a lad of his age."
"We both know he'll do it!" Eleanor said shrilly.
"Mother." Joey said patiently. "What's happening?"
In response his father dropped the newspaper and pulled out a stoppered bottle of whisky. He yanked the cork out and drank deeply, tilting his head back as he tried to mask his stress.
Joey picked up the paper and leafed through back to the page he sought. Yes, his ears hadn't deceived him. War was upon them.
"Will you have to fight, father?" He asked.
George laughed humourlessly as he re-corked the bottle. "Of course not, boy. I'm too old." He said. "I'll go and tell-"
"Did you hear about the war?" Alfie's face was visible behind his father. "Blake Hills told me."
With an audible sigh, George glared at his oldest son as he pushed past to rub Fyire's forehead. The mare whickered appreciatively, pushing her muzzle into his pockets.
"I take it you're thinking of signing up." It was't a question.
Alfie nodded as he gently pulled Fyire's ears. "Yes." He met his father's eyes and George saw the steely determination that glittered there.
"Isn't there anything that would make you..?" Eleanor trailed off when her husband put his arm around her shoulders.
"Leave him be. He's nineteen now." George rumbled.
Alfie lifted his chin gratefully as he saw the acceptance in his father's eyes.
Joey's own green eyes were uncertain. "You're going to war?"
Alfie ruffled Joey's hair affectionately, smiling. "If all goes well."
"But you might die." Joey stood up straight, alarmed. "Lots of men will fight for the Allies. Why must you?"
Alfie looked proud. "I will fight for my country and for the honour of being a man."
Joey nodded, although he did not understand. How could he? Everything was happening so quickly.
-------
A mere three weeks later, Alfie was dressed in his best clothes. His hair was neatly combed back and his old leather boots were polished. Fyire was hitched up to the small cart that the family owned, and Joey sat in it, scratching the cob's shoulder with the whip. She was evidently enjoying it, leaning into the attention contentedly.
Eleanor was of course tearful. "Alf..."
"I'll be back." Alfie said patiently. "I'm not leaving right away."
Nevertheless, his mother hugged him until his ribs creaked. Joey, watching with mild amusement, imagined he could hear his brother's ribcage protesting. He shook his head and continued to scratch Fyire.
George was more aloof, thumping his son on the back. "Go get 'em, boy." He grunted.
Alfie grinned and climbed into the cart beside Joey. "Come on, then."
Joey obligingly clicked his tongue. Fyire broke into a trot, her feet kicking up smartly.
Once they got into town, Alfie headed away to register and see if he was suitable to fight for his country.
Joey, meanwhile, hopped out of the cart and fussed over Fyire, murmuring sweet nothings in her ears. With her tall, obviously powerful body, she cut a striking figure, and it wasn't long before a young man approached Joey, adjusting an oddly fluffy moustache.
"How much will you take for the mare?" He queried without preamble.
Joey glanced up. "I'm sorry, she isn't for sale."
The soldier looked faintly surprised. "Son, don't you realize that selling this here horse is your duty to the country, providing the cavalry force with one of the horses it needs?"
"Well, I need her to plough the fields to provide my family with food." Joey said flatly, rubbing Fyire's nose.
"But-" The man was cut off.
"Fyire isn't for sale. Ever." Joey's voice wasn't encouraging.
With a snort, the soldier spun on his heel and strode off, his ridiculous moustache bouncing with each step.
Meanwhile, Alfie had been cleared for joining the army. His checks had proven he was healthy and fit. The perfect soldier. He had been put into the cavalry unit, and a uniform was given to him.
As he walked out of the office, a senior officer stopped him. "Have you a horse to ride in the charges?" He asked.
Alfie looked back towards the cart, where Joey was once more hugging Fyire. His eyes followed the boy's movements, his obvious love for the mare visible to all that might look. "Yeah, I do." He said quietly, looking away from his brother. Guilt flickered over his face before he quickly hid it, shamed.
"Which horse?" The officer was all business.
"The-the cob mare, hitched to that cart." Alfie muttered.
The older man jerked his head. "Good mount." He said approvingly. "Report here on Sunday morning."
"Yes, sir," Alfie said. With an awkward salute, he walked back to the cart and wordlessly got in.
Joey gave a boyish grin. "How did it go?"
"Well." Was all he got in response. Joey frowned, confused. Being talkative was a dominant trait of Alfie, so naturally it was normally something to be concerned about when he was quiet.
"Is there something wrong?" Joey asked.
Alfie looked at his brother, feeling the guilt wash over him at what he had done and what he was soon going to do. "No."
Joey looked puzzled, but he let the issue drop. Climbing into the seat, he flicked the reins and urged Fyire home.
--------------------
On Saturday night, Joey was reading a book, propped up against Fyire who was lying on her straw bed, dozing peacefully. He looked tired, unable to sleep with worrying about Alfie's entry into the army.
Alfie himself walked into the stable, his earlier look of shame gone and replaced with a cool, intense focus. "Joey. You know that I'm in the cavalry unit, right?"
Joey lifted his head. "Yes." He agreed.
"Well, I told the officers that I had a horse to ride." Alfie said. He waited for Joey to catch onto his meaning.
Joey started to ask a question, then faltered as he realised what Alfie was implying. "No. Not Fyire." He whispered desperately. He felt faint, twisting his fingers into her pale mane as his breathing sped up.
"Joey, I need Fyire to ride in the cavalry. It's too late to buy a horse now. I leave tomorrow."
"No!" Joey shouted. Angry tears slid down his face, and he dashed them away with the back of his hand. "You can't take my horse."
"I can and I am." Alfie's voice was growing impatient. He needed to fight. He needed Fyire to fight and Joey wasn't going to stop him.
Fyire flicked her ears, unhappy with the loud noises. The mare snorted as she sensed Joey's distress, lipping at his hand in a bid to get his attention.
Joey could almost see the good judgement leaving Alfie. "But she'll die!" He cried. With a sob he threw himself at his older brother, pummelling his chest with weak fists. Alfie did not fight back, merely trying to push Joey off.
Joey tried to hurt Alfie, tried to make him feel the pain he felt. He tried until strong arms suddenly wrapped around his waist and dragged him away. Tears trickled over his cheeks as he fought against the insistent pulling. As he squeezed his eyes shut he felt himself being passed over to the gentle embrace of his mother, who knelt on the floor and rocked him back and forth while Fyire tried to nuzzle his cheek.
George now pulled Alfie up, who was winded but for the most part uninjured.
Joey's body was wracked with sobs as he clung to Eleanor. With difficulty, she stood up, managing to cradle her lanky son. She staggered up to the farmhouse, and Joey felt himself being jerked this way and that as she stumbled under his weight.
Before long Eleanor was carefully lying Joey down on his bed. She pulled the blankets over him and gently brushed his hair back from his face. "Joey," she began.
"No. Don't." Joey pulled the pillow over his face, rolling onto his belly as his eyes brimmed with tears.
"Honey, you should be happy that Fyire is needed." Eleanor murmured. "It's a great honour."
Joey's voice was muffled as he replied, "I don't care about honour. I care about losing my best friend."
Eleanor looked away. "You know I don't want you to lose Fyire." She twisted her apron anxiously.
Joey suddenly sat up, tugging the pillow away. "Then tell Alfie he can't take her. Borrow someone else's horse." He pleaded.
"I'm sorry, darling. But I can't. Alfie's an adult now. He can make his own choices. He is entitled to the farm, anyway."
Joey hadn't expected a different answer, but his disappointment still crushed him. He slumped back.
His mother kissed his forehead. "Get some sleep."
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Joey had a restless night, tossing and turning as he imagined the horrors that awaited Fyire. By the time morning came his eyes were bleak and had dark circles underneath. He lay in bed, undisturbed, as he listened to the noises of the family getting up. He heard more crying from his mother, his father distractedly grumbling about having to buy a new horse, and his brother shouting goodbye. Outside his window he could hear Fyire whinnying uncertainly and the noises of Alfie trying to quiet her.
Joey rolled out of bed and crept over to the window. Alfie was mounted on the cob, and struggling to get her to leave the yard. Yet the mare, uncharacteristically, refused to move. She repeatedly swung her head round to stare at the farmhouse, waiting for Joey to come running out, to fuss over her and climb on. But the door stayed resolutely shut.
Alfie tapped her rump smartly with the crop. Fyire shied. Never had a whip been used on her. There had been no need. Now she was experiencing the uncomfortable sensation of being slapped by something she couldn't see, urging her on.
Joey was angry. Alfie hadn't hit Fyire hard, but he knew it would alarm the mare. But he was powerless. Fyire belonged to Alfie now, and the odds were that she would experience the sting of a whip more than once in the charges. Quiet, he watched as Fyire grudgingly began to trot. His heart twisted painfully as he saw his beloved mare disappearing beyond the corner.
And suddenly, he couldn't take it. He threw off the bedcovers and burst through the door, galloping down the stairs. His mother jumped as the boy hurtled through the kitchen and through the door. Barefoot, he ran across the yard, ignoring the painful cobbles.
As he skidded into the lane, he could see Fyire a small distance ahead.
"Fyire!" Joey yelled at the top of his voice.
Fyire stopped and her ears twitched at the familiar voice. Before she could look round, Joey was at her shoulder, tears streaming over his cheeks and his heart in his throat. "Fyire." He repeated as he hugged her neck.
Fyire nuzzled Joey's back fiercely. Her placid eyes were soft as she gently tugged on his shirt.
"Joey, what are you doing?" Alfie snapped. His boyish attitude seemed to have vanished overnight, and he no longer felt guilty. He was needed in the army, and he was entitled to a horse. Besides, Fyire was only a horse. She couldn't feel the pain that Joey was
experiencing now as he tangled his fingers in her mane.
Joey inhaled deeply, his face pressed against Fyire's cheek. She smelled earthy, alive and vital. The scent of hay lingered on her, and Joey sought to imprint that scent in his mind, tried to preserve this moment to tide him until Fyire would come back home. He pulled back reluctantly. "Take care of her, won't you? Don't let her get hurt."
Alfie's severe expression softened a fraction. "I will." He promised. "I'll bring her back home to you."
Joey nodded, kissed Fyire's velvety nose. "Go, my brave mare." He whispered. "Go, and come back to me when your duty is done." With an effort, he wiped away his tears and stepped back. He turned to walk away, then turned back, fingers fumbling at his neck. Carefully, he untied his neckerchief. It was a faded blue, but he would recognize it if Fyire came back. If. Joey couldn't bear to think about if.
Joey tied the neckerchief to Fyire's saddle, on the stirrup leather. "Now she'll have something to remember me by."
With one last parting hug, Joey turned and began to walk back, head hanging down in a most dejected manner.
Fyire gave a whinny. Why was he walking away?
Each step pulled harder and harder on Joey's chest. He fought the urge to look back, knowing Fyire would be watching him, her large eyes puzzled, and it would crush him.
Faintly he could hear Alfie clicking his tongue and then Fyire's faltering hoofbeats, clearly reluctant to leave Joey.
Joey continued to walk, relishing the sharp stones that pressed into the soles of his feet. Anything to distract him from the pain of losing his best friend.
-----
. Fyire .
I couldn't understand why I was being forced away from home. Surely if we were going into the village Joey would have come. He always did. But this ride had a terrible sense of finality. I didn't like the hard hands that pushed me on. More than anything, I didn't like that we were leaving Joey behind. My Joey. He had cared for me since I was a foal and we had grown up together. He was my world. But now we were going somewhere else, and I was carrying the brother. I hadn't had much to do with him before, but now it seemed like he was to be my companion.
It strengthened me to know that I still carried some part of Joey. The scrap of fabric wavered in the breeze, like my own personal flag.
We trotted into the village. A mass of men ambled around, dressed in identical uniforms. The only difference between each of them were ages. Some were merely boys, while others looked to be middle aged.
While I looked around, a loud, jovial voice called out. "Alfie Baker?" And I looked back to see a man that strongly resembled a walrus. He had curious eyebrows which curled around the edges of his horn-rimmed spectacles like immense caterpillars. I watched with interest as they bounced as he spoke.
WIP!
Other:
Turtleneck
I'm on a natural design kick lately ^w^
Love the codeword, by the way XDWIP