Honeyed Pasture inviting the monsters

Bold pony is bold. For @Muses !

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They were settling in nicely. The plains might have supported a myriad of creatures in the warmer months but currently, there was little to no life; their herd shared the space with great beasts with strangely triangular figures, and tiny horns. He'd never seen a bison before and had no word for it — but they were similar enough that Nechako could understand the most basic of things about them. Like the horses, they were herbivores. They rounded together as he came upon them on a foray through the plains — but Nechako did not test his luck with them today. He was far more curious about the land that lay beyond the great fields of snow.

Atna would think him crazy, of course. It was not safe for any horse to be without its herd; no sane creature would willingly depart from them, for a horse was nothing without the herd to back them up. Perhaps Nechako's wildness was just that? A temporary insanity. Something that plagued him from time to time. It had been what caused his desire to move, after all. And had he not done that, his harem would never have discovered the plentiful landscape of the plains.

He had spoken to no-one, not even Skoonka, as he careened across the field. When he discovered a river, Nechako raced alongside it as well. He was faster than the current! Faster than the very veins of the earth! Oh, his ego swelled. After a brief pit-stop to satiate a growing thirst, the stallion crossed where the water was shallow, and plotted a slow course through a forest. The shade was a touch too cold for him — so when possible, he sought the open air, the beaming sun, all the while wondering if the plains were truly a good place to settle.

That question came to the forefront of his mind when his eyes settled upon a great field. One part looked pristine and snow-capped, and through some investigative digging and the drag of his nose through the soft snow, Nechako learned of the wildflowers. They were dormant now. Frozen bundles of plant matter (a bit sour to the taste, honestly), but in the summer months the area would surely blossom with unimaginable beauty. This would be a good place to bring his harem, he decided. Except as he passed through, listening for dangers and hearing only his hoof-falls crunching the snow, he passed beyond the fields and beyond, to a massive swath of pasture that seemed to go on endlessly.

He was a good husband. He had found a great many things, and would have to tell Atna — when the time was right, of course, — and bask in her adoration.
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Every day she spent cooped up was a day longer she yearned to go out. At best, she could walk at a brisk pace beyond the borders of Donnelaith from time to time - that was, if @Doe did not catch her first. Her current state, however, rendered running unconfortable and hunting somewhat ineffective. While lactating, she could do more than set up ambushes down wind, and hope that no one would come across her trail if she so happened to dribble. It was a dull lifestyle, she thought, although she very much enjoyed caring for others. It was not the same thrill that running brought her, unfortunately.

Her gaze wandered across the frosted pasture, covered with a layer of snow Muses considered to be thin. It was perfect for running across - how she earned to let loose! - but she was restricted to a cursed waddle. How painstaking! How irksome! A curl of silver mist rose from her maw as she heaved a tired sigh.

All this forlorn gazing would surely cause her nothing but misery. She had half a mind to turn back, when a blaze of gold caught her attention, streaking along the corner of her eye. The beast was massive, four-legged, and somewhat deer-like in appearance, although impossibly rotund. He had not seen her, she assumed, for he galloped with a careless grace in her direction. If she did not move, she blended in seamlessly with any snowy environment.

Entranced, the beast watched, wondering what sort of an unearthly creature she had sighted. He neares, and she dared not move, watching with both awe and delight. The sheer size of the creature was enough to whet her appetite. Tonge slipping past her lips and running along her chops, she dared to take a step forward, hunger and excitement driving her to investigate.

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Though he was an adult, there were many things of which Nechako was ignorant. He knew the feeling of winter's approach most acutely right now. He could recall the scent of the air when spring was bound to arrive, or even the earliest shift in colors among the trees to signify autumn. He knew the call of the many mountain birds, and even what some meant. He could recognize the trails of deer through his home, and even better, the signs of the fox or the coyote, for he was a defender and this knowledge kept them all safe.

What he did not know of, was the wolf.

It was not unheard of for a wolf pack to target a group of wild horses; however it had not occurred in many years, and so Nechako's upbringing had never involved them. He knew of them, but could not identify them by scent, and so he would certainly remain ignorant of the crouched and hungry predator watching him race about. It did not help that the air here was so chilled — nor that she would smell mostly of milk, which was out-of-place in these winter days. But when he did smell it, the golden beast transitioned from his all-out gallop in to a leisurely canter, and then abruptly to a stop.

Milk? His nostrils flared. He listened to the trees, and yet all he could gather was the sound of snow softly touching down around him. How very peculiar.
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The racing ungulate stopped abruptly, freezing in a telltale stance. It was not uncommon for fleeing prey to freeze, suddenly disappearing from sight as they blended into their surroundings. This brilliant creature, however, stood out like a divine beacon; he was not one to be missed. With a weary sigh, Muses lowered herself onto her stomach, swollen teats pressing into the frosty ground.

She would never be able to catch such a creature on her own. Her awkward, waddling gait only slowed her down, and she cares not for the ache that accompanied it if she ran for more tha  a moment. It was futile to expend energy on a chase she would lose, but perhaps she could glean a small victory in another way.

"Tell me, which god do you represent?" She called out, ignoring the hunger clawing at her stomach. The creature ws probably an entity that lorded over the deer. It was massive and plump - something ideal to feed a pack of wolves. She tried not to lick her lips again, afraid of offending the spirit. Perhaps if she showed the apparition kindness, she would be blessed by a chance to sink her fangs into its tender flesh.

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The wind shifted through the trees, and by doing so it began to pull his own scent around. Nechako lost the aroma of milk upon the pasture. It was so fleeting that he wondered — had it been a figment in his mind? Had he mistaken something else for that sweet scent? But it was winter, and he knew through exploration that the flowers were all wilted. Now all he could smell was the cold of the snow, the freshness, so with one last look around he prepared to double back. Something was unsettling about this place.

And then, a sound. A crunching, a shifting — maybe only snow falling off a heavy bough above — and then he saw her. Rising from the ice without any grace, moving without finess or speed or anything that marked her as desirable to the stallion, came a wolf.

She spoke, but the words meant nothing to him. He was unafraid of her, because Nechako did not know what she was. He breathed a great breath and filled his lungs. She smelled vaguely similar to the trickster, the coyote. Larger, though. A predator, surely. But her movements were sluggish and she seemed uncomfortable — if she was heavy with milk, then that would mean she was a mother.

Nechako did not know what this discovery meant. Was he safe, because she was fattened up and useless? Or was he in grave danger from her companions? Nechako began to slowly lower his head, but he elongated his neck, and took a bold step towards her as if to make some grand point — and then he called out loudly, braying and lifting his lip, watching the wolf as if he were ready to charge headlong in to her. Truthfully, he didn't know what to do, and was merely trying to dissuade her.
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Finally, the golden creature spotted her. Her gaze steadily held upon his, she watched with deep satisfaction as she saw a flicker of fear illuminate the dark irises. Even a might wolf could strike fear into a prey god! Taking time to answer, she watched the curve of the equine's neck elongate, the narrow opening of the mouth widen.

Immediately, she recoiled, pulling back slightly - teats still suck to the ground - and pinning her ears. The sound the creature made was awful! She had never heard such a horrifying, grating, blood curdling call in her life! Her heart hammered, and she squeezed her eyes shut, willing silence back into the world.

But then she remembered; she was the predator. Not only that, but she was a mighty mountain wolf, daughter of the demi god Zeus! How could she sully his lineage with such foolish behaviour? Mustering all her strength, she stood, drawing herself upward, and filling her lungs deeply with air. "Enough!" Her barked command boomed across the empty field, eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Are gods of prey truly as foolish as their earthly counterparts?" She snapped, more annoyed than she was angry. Despite her harsh tone, the pale wolf stood in a calm manner, bold, yet without a single hair along her hackles raised.

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Her reaction was filled with sounds he didn't understand, but the tone was something he could at least glean some understanding from. It was laughable, actually. This entire situation. Instead of running from the perceived threat, Nechako was prideful enough (and stupid enough) to linger; and the she-wolf was not able to give chase, nor to really do much besides balk at him in her own way. Clearly neither of them knew what to do with one another. 

The stallion belched a snort as a response. While the cloud of his breath drifted around his elongated face, he seemed to size-up the wolf all over again. Then with an abrupt turn of his head and withers, he pivoted in the snow until his rear-end was facing the overbearing creature. He whisked his tail, lifted it, and began to defecate before Muses.

In his world this was a way of expressing agitation, or of proving one's greatness to a rival male. That, and it was really gross and smelly, which would offend anyone's sensibilities. Once he was finished, Nechako seemed to give the wolf a peripheral glance by turning his head and neck, but then he began to stride away from her — and the steaming pile of fresh feces — like the prideful asshole he was.
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Finally, the caterwaul ceased, leaving nothing but silence as the pair glared at each other. Muses roller her shoulders defensively, prepared to move away should the creature charge. Instead, the ungulate turned. Thinking that he would flee, Muses rolled her eyes, but stopped short as the tail lifted. For some reason, the deer god had decided that this was the opportune moment to produce a bowel movement.

What dispelled from the rear end was unlike anything she had ever seen. Unlike deer stool, it was an entirely different shape and consistency. There were undigested nutrients in that! It smelled wonderful, like dirt and grass and other things she wanted to roll in. How delightful! Although the deer god was ornery, it was truly a gift. She leaned forward to give the pile a good sniff, mouth watering, and decided that she might risk taking some back to share with the others. Looking around, she noted where the deposit had been left, and then back to the place where the deer god had stood - only the silly creature had already moved away.

Scowling, she scampered after him, abandoning the treasure pile temporarily. Angry yips were issued as she awkwardly loped towards the left flank, her barks intermittent with words that the horse either did not understand or chose to ignore.

No! The deer god could not just walk away from her like that. She needed to know if she could find more like him, if there was anything imperative she needed to know in order to hunt other massive deer. This she explained to the horse between frustrated and frantic barks, issued while ceaselessly stalking the poor creature.

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Nechako had grown tired of the fat, loud, obnoxious coyote - or whatever the hell it was. He was retreating, having made his point quite clear by the confident defecation he had performed, and he wasn't about to linger while the stupid animal yapped at him.

All he wanted now was to return home. He wanted to be with his wives, and to tell his tale of the milk snow. Yet the creature hounded him incessantly. He pivoted his rear end so that it faced her face each time she rounded a corner, whisked his tail suggestively, but did nothing aside from pick up his pace to a more determined trot. If she chased him she would lose him; if she tried to strike, he was chiefly aligned to kick back. A warning shot would've done the trick, but Nechako was a warrior - he wasn't afraid of cracking jaws or pulverizing bones with his thick hooves.

Eventually he would escape from her — whether it was because she gave up the chase, or because he picked up his speed and bolted through the wilderness in order to return to the plains. Either way, he had left his message, although Nechako was oblivious to how it had been received.
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Why wasn't the silly deer paying attention to her? It was a perplexing critter, sending her all sorts of mixed signals. First the creature bestowed her with a gift, and then it ran as if she hunted it! A low growl of frustration rippled up her throat before she finally slowed, feeling sore and uncomfortable. 

Her mind raced with ideas of how to try and convince the ungulate to stay. Perhaps she had offended it by not offering something in return. At that thought, she felt a hot sear race across her face. How impolite of her! With a sudden chuff, she veered off to the side as they neared the end of the pasture. "Wait! I'll leave you an offering!" She hollered after the fleeing creature. Although she had no taste for grass and other foliage, it was not difficult to scrounge up. If she worked quickly, she could offer an adequate pile for the creature, and still return to the fresh poop gift before anyone else stole it away.

@Doe whenever 8D

Sorry! I had work today.

Leaving another packmate to watch over the sleeping infants and her own mischievous cubs, Doe headed out to check on the borders. She knew that Szymon, Skellige, and the rest of the pack would have already done so several times that day, but it was a habit that the diminutive shewolf could not seem to kick. Whether it was to greet friends or intercept wayfaring strangers, or even fighting for her land, Doe took great pride and pleasure in patrolling their borders. The smell of her family on their claim made her heart swell.

Presently, the dusky she smelled something strange and unfamiliar. Mindlessly, she stepped past the ring of black rocks and wandered into the pasture, ears flickering and nose twitching as she padded on. The scent of Muses was also present, especially pungent in her motherly state, and Doe began to worry for her friend - especially when she caught sight of the Spreader of that Strange Smell.

Doe had never seen a horse before, and to the superstitious woman, the great beasts looked more like demons than deer. Seeing Muses trotting after one sent a spike of fear through the woman's heart, and she gave a sharp chuff to summon the pale she.

"Muses!" she called, surging forward so as to be close at hand, should the creature turn and attack.

Short exit post! If my font editing is too hard to read, please let me know.

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Before he could get very far at all, the yapping dog was joined by a second creature; this too resembled a coyote. More so, in fact, than its companion. Whatever they were, he knew them to be pests and dangers — thus when the new arrival came veering out of the shadows after him, Nechako was urged by instinct and the primal fight-or-flight response to bolt for safety. He charged away from them like a bolt of electricity, thundering his way through the trees and back the way he'd come before anything ill could befall him.
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She watched with growing awareness of futility as the pony galloped off, clearly fearful of having to deal with two predators instead of the sluggish one. Turning sharply, her ears pointed in Doe's direction, tail lowering as though she prepared to be scolded. "Sorry!" She yelped, slinking towards the older woman, tail low, expression sheepish. Stealing one final look towards the fleeing ungulate, she wondered when she would encounter it again. "Did you see that?" Her tone was breathless, hushed, for fear that others might listen in on their conversation. "It was a deer god! We should expect good fortune." The tip of her tail peeked out from behind each hock, for she could not entirely contain her excitement. By the time she had returned to Doe's side, she seemed frantic, unable to settle. She paced, swinging back and forth, thinking out loud. "I'll finish gathering it some plants to eat, and put it in a pile right at the end of this field. If it finds the offerings to be acceptable, then I'm sure that it will send many deer our way." Muses finished with a dreamy sigh, her pale eyes alight with endless possibilities and ideas. "What's more, it left us a gift. Oh Doe, will you help me gather some plants so that I can show you the gift sooner?" She pleaded, trying to place herself before the female, head on, wide eyed and innocent.

"A deer god," Doe repeated, looking after the strange being that'd galloped off at her arrival. More than anything, Doe thought it looked like one of the donkeys that'd been so common in her homeland. While they looked stupid, they were nothing to be triffled with alone, as they were capable of stomping the life out of an average-sized wolf with frightening ease.

Still, Muses' frantic joy at seeing the odd beast was quite endearing. Without the other woman under threat, Doe found her worries slipping away. "What plants do you need?" she asked, ignoring her talk of worshipping the 'deer god'. She would not partake in any worship aside from her duties to the sea, but saw no reason to enforce the same rules with the Donnelaith woman. Besides - she wanted to see what this 'gift' was.