Username: HowlingHooves
Show Name: Whispers of Ghosts
Barn Name: Lich
Gender: Stallion
Height: 14.3 hh
Halter Color: Eye color, please!
Relationship with #1087: Romantic
Story/Art:
Partnered with ShadyBro~
The moon was high, a breeze picking up to sway the tree branches as they became more and more bare. Fall was on its last legs, winter soon to sweep through the range and muffle life with the frigid bleakness that it bore down upon the land. Despite the chill that rose with every gust that rose, a pair of devoted lovers met beneath the skeletal boughs.
One colored half pitch and half foggy grey, the other more ghostly than her companion. Despite the clear outer differences, opposites attracted and each was more devoted to the other with every secret meeting. Herds on opposing lands, stallions keeping their bands within their own territories as firmly as they could, the two younger generations ignored these pleas and orders simply to find the other half of their hearts.
The stallion, Lich, doted on the mare. And the mare, Dystopia, fawned over the stallion. Gifts were exchanged each full moon, both finding an escape from their overbearing predecessors. This night, as winter crept upon them though, a storm broke the magic between them with its looming threat. The winds picked up harshly, whipping manes and tails to sting at their eyes and hide until they bade each other farewell and safe travels home.
Dystopia trotted eastward, among the forest trails that deer packed yearly, while Lich went north toward the rocky hills and his herds preferred haven from winter storms.
As Lich meandered along the trails, shale making each step dangerous should he break concentration, a sudden clap of thunder startled the stallion. He reared up in fright, the boom so loud his ears ached fiercely. As he made to step forward, bringing down his hooves, his step slipped and he tumbled. Over he went, dropping into the ravine below. Lightning flashed, and any onlookers so bold to be out as the storm rose would see the crumpled, still form at the bottom.
Meanwhile, moving farther off and into trees ready for frost, Dystopia paused in her steps. She raised her head and inhaled deeply, ears twitching for any sound above the howling of the wind that rose. In the next instant she broke into a gallop, weaving as best she could around trunks and leaping fallen trees in a desperate escape of the forest. At her heels came snapping, growling and yipping; a wolf pack intent on running her down.
The chase exhausted her, but she broke free of the heavy forest and topped a low hill. Stopping to catch her breath and look back at the timber hunters, she snorted her disdain at their attempts to trap her, sides heaving from the effort she had expended. But as she turned to resume her trek home, the wild scream that froze her muscles with fear was the last voice she heard; she fell beneath the wildcat's strength.
The full moon rose the month that followed, time ever moving forward. And beneath skeletal boughs a crisp, cream and white mare trotted forward. Her eyes were ghastly, aglow from within until she blinked and they faded. But only barely. She cried out, seeking a response and praying one would come.
And respond did a voice, familiar and making her body ache; no heart beat within, though she swore it broke as she spotted Lich slinking out from the shadows of the trees. She took a step forward, made to tell him of her fate… but stopped herself. Her heart was weeping already, how could she leave his to mourn a ghost as well?
Unbeknownst to Opi, Lich, too, felt a pull on his honor and trust in his love. He paused, unable to approach for brief moments, fearing what she may think should she suspect or question why he seemed to blend with the shadows, to make little sound with his steps even over twigs and leaves. His eyes held an inner glow themselves, but a blink and deep breath to calm his turmoil and lessened the light.
“Opi.” He muttered as he approached, rumbling lovingly as he nuzzled at her. She did the same, as glad to see him as he was her. “I…” he started, but when they separated he found his resolve faltered until it fell away entirely. “I missed you, my love.” He said instead, embracing her with his neck tightly. She returned the gesture, shaking as she did.
Neither noticed that they could not catch the scent of the other. Nor did they ask when, eyes meeting, they each thought that a glow could be seen from the windows to their souls. For the time they spent together each full moon, they inwardly promised they would return to give comfort and companionship, and, one day, to tell the other the truth of their fate.
795/500 words
Dystopia - ShadyBro / Lich - HowlingHooves
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