here i am

[rey skywalker]

[rey skywalker]

ＳＰＩＲＩＴ

The fierce kiger mustang roamed the wild west with his herd. He was a growing foal, his coal black mane stretching down to his strong wither and his silky black tail sweeping low near his black knees where his legs were all black while the rest of his body remained a shining golden dun. He peered around the valley that the herd approached at a gentle canter. Spirit extended his long slim legs, gathering the ground underneathe him in long spaced strides that conquered the meadow above the valley. The wind whipped around, causing the tips of his mane to flicker in the element like a candle flame in a violent blizzard.

[Blumenkranz]

Rain walked among the Lakota Tribe, watching the people around her. A small child ran up to her, chattering excitedly and standing on his toes, trying to reach Rain. Rain came to a halt and lowered her head so that it was level with the child. The child laughed and gently patted Rain’s face. Once he was satisfied, he said goodbye and ran off. She picked up a steady trot and moved away from the tribe, the people behind her eventually disappearing from view. The wind swept by, ruffling her creamy mane and tail. She liked having the freedom of going where she wished. Though she lived among humans, she did not feel trapped or restricted. She’s seen other humans and their horses before, and how restricted they were. Rain was free to go where she wished and her people never forced her into anything. She could even leave if she wanted to. Run away and never come back, but she wouldn’t do that. She loved the people and they loved her, especially Little Creek, her friend. They took great care of Rain, and she couldn’t image leaving them.

[rey skywalker]

the arrival of settlers in the west was going to disrupt the harmony of the organisms residing in the valley. spirit felt a tremor below his black hooves. they were unwelcome and he was going to make this clear. he had heard rumors of native tribes out there but kept his herd away from them. contact with humans was undesired. he snorted, lowering his head to catch a strong wiff of the breeze carried from the river. he exhaled a sigh of content, filled with a melody only the sky could sing. peering beyond the valley, spirit could see more wild horses roaming. often he saw a paint with a young boy, and forced his herd further away from them.

[Blumenkranz]

Rain wandered the meadows not far from where her tribe had settled, her creamy tail swishing every now and then. She slowed to a walk, then came to a halt. She wasn’t alone. She saw a band of horses. They weren’t human horses like she was, they were true wild mustangs. These wild horses intrigued her, but she never got too close. She didn’t know them, and didn’t know what they would think of an outsider. She watched the group from a distance, her gaze settling on a certain young dun. She’s seen him and his herd several times when she went out by herself or with Little Creek. His golden coat makes him stand out from the other horses in his herd. Whenever he seemed to notice her with Little Creek he would turn and drive his herd away. She wondered what he thought of her, and why he always ran away.

[rey skywalker]

the kiger stallion gently prodded his mother's flank, a signal for her to keep moving. esperanza oblidged and nickered for the youngest foals in the herd to stay by her. they pranced down the short hill, their mothers in full pursuit. if a cougar were to attack, the mares would make a densive formation around them. protecting their young was a genetic programming that was wired in their brains chemically. spirit lifted his snout, he smelled smoke on the horizon. peering over at the top of the valley he spotted the pinto again. too far away, he was unable to determine wether it was stallion or a mare.

spirit was young and cocky but he was strong and independent. he made an executive decision to go discover what was happening on the other side. he neighed to his mother who whinned back to him.

in the distance, a dark shadow roamed at a free canter along the western terrain. spirit was headed for the natives.

[Blumenkranz]

Rain watched the herd curiously. They were moving, and she wondered if they were going to run away again. An ear flicked back as a whistle sounded from behind her. Little Creek was looking for her. She turned away from the horses in the distance and began walking back to her tribe. She glanced behind her. Someone was headed her way. The pinto halted and moved so she was facing the approaching horse, ears swiveling in their direction. A horse was breaking away from the herd. It was the golden dun that Rain has seen before. She didn’t know how to feel. Apprehensive? Excited? Forgetting about the whistle, she jogged towards the dun, wondering if this was her chance to finally come in contact with a true wild horse.