Kate Wallock

Kate pulled her winter jacket more snugly against herself as a crisp wind blew in, bringing with it a sharp bite of cold and a promise of winter weather to come. The skies themselves were heavy with gray clouds, and not an ounce of blue sky peaked through their dull masses. The dreary weather was countered by a brisk color of autumn leaves though, peppered in amongst the evergreens in vivid displays of autumn coloring. Kate was so entrapped by this beauty that she nearly stumbled over a rocky that lay in her path. Chiding her lack of awareness - something that could be dangerous in the wild lands - the woman readjusted her jacket once more and continued on.

Another mile onward, with a few quick checks to her GPS to ensure her route was correct, Kate arrived at one of many camera traps set up throughout the valley. She set her notebook and shoulder bag aside as she took to inspecting the instrument, cleaning a bit of sap from the lens and adjusting the angle. It was one of their newer stations, set up to monitor the last known horse herd to be residing in the Valley.

Onok

A faint cloud of steam rose from Onok's wide nostrils as he exhaled into the cold air. His winter coat had finally grown in, adding a bit of fluff to the young stallion's appearance, and slightly blurring the bold stripes that decorated his back half. It also kept him warmer in these colder days, where even a blustery autumn day like this didn't bother the zorse in the slightest. What did have his concern was the strange scent he'd stumbled across about a half mile ago.

He'd thought about alerting his mom or his uncle King, but a bold, defiant streak in the growing, nearly two-ear old stallion had him striking out by himself to investigate. He moved through the terra with ease, and with a deftness that seemed to defy his larger size. Young and bold though he was, Onok had had enough brush-ins with predators to keep a sharp vigilance as he traveled, and move with care.

Eventually, Onok found himself at the edge of one of many open meadows. He stopped here, testing the breeze and confirming the fresh odor of the strange beast whose scent he was tracking. It took but a second more before he spotted it across the other end of the small clearing, fiddling with one of the trees. At first, his mind went to 'bear', giving Kate's upright posture. But the limbs were so skinny, and the hair on the head absurdly long and billowing, like the mane of his father. Perplexed by what he was seeing, Onok began to take a few slow steps from cover, bobbing his head here and there.

Kate Wallock

Onok's presence was soon noted by Kate, who'd turned from the trail cam for a quick survey of her surroundings. One could never be too careful in this Valley, and it paid to have your head on a swivel. A smile graced her features when she recognized the unique coat of the young stallion, recognizing the striped hindquarters and the stiff, short mane he sported.

"Are you out on your own today?" Her words came softly, not really meant for the curious zorse, but offered lightly all the same. "Where's your sister?" Kate debated on whether she should crouch down or not, but decided to remain standing where she was, since Onok looked neither spooked nor aggressive. And unlike with the wolves, she didn't fear for her life in the stallion's presence. To date, there were exceedingly few records of aggression amongst the Valley's equine population.

Onok

The stallion stopped short, dial raised and expression perplexed. 'Is it trying to talk?' Muscles tensed in his front leg, reflexes on the verge of lifting the heavy piston and driving it back to the earth in a threatening stamp. A few seconds went by, and then a few more, and those muscles relaxed. Kate's voice had been soft, and there didn't seem to be any hunger lurking behind her wide eyes. Bear-stance or not, the woman otherwise looked harmless, and that finally encouraged Onok onward.

"If you're trying to say something, I can't understand it." He huffed quietly, now moving towards the human by the tree. He brought himself within a dozen yards before halting, instinct once again compelling him to be cautious around this unknown beast. With confidence, the young horse tilted his head up again and spoke, "And if you're here to try and eat my herd, you're gonna eat hoof first, got it?"

Kate Wallock

She watched the tension ripple through his body, but also noted the curiosity that seemed to have entrapped him. He was young, and as far as she knew, didn't have any experience with humans yet. Her hope was that she could provide a good influence for Onok,and prove herself a neutral guest in his lands. Where her presence would neither spook nor anger the stallion, and thus allow her to get closer for observations.

"Well hello there." Her voice came against softly, "Look how bold you are, huh?" Kate held still, her breath forcibly calm, and her smile tucked wisely behind closed lips. As long as he didn't appear aggressive, she wouldn't try to back away from the larger brute.

Onok

The human spoke again, and Onok's ears twitched. "What?" He bobbed his heavy dial, nostrils flaring as he took in her scent. "I can't understand you..." The young stallion took a step closer, bridging the gap between he and Kate until he was nearly two arm's length away from the other. When she didn't bare her teeth, snarl, or do anything remotely hostile, Onok's curiosity began to overtake the last remnants of his caution. This thing appeared as harmless as a fawn, and its hind feet seemed to end in two giant... hooves? A fellow herbivore then? Maybe an exotic one, that couldn't speak their language?

"You're clearly not from around here, but I guess if you're not a danger to my herd, I won't chase you away. Are you by yourself?" Onok decided, claiming the herd as his own, even though it was ruled by his great uncle. Not expecting an answer from Kate at this point, he began to circle around the woman, testing the air and searching for any signs of her 'herdmates'.

Enyalius

Enyalius thundered across the small meadow, her silvered mane and tail billowing like a banner with her flowing steps. Her charge carried her straight towards Onok and Kate, and didn't stop until she was almost a few yards upon them. With her ears back and tail arched, the mare reared back and shook her head, channeling all the ferocious rage of her sire. "Don't just stand there, chase this creature off! Humans are nothing be trouble!" Her daggers slammed back to earth as she came down, and a fierce snort would backup just how she felt about Kate right now.

Kate Wallock

Kate took a sharp breath and a quick step back, until her coat pressed against the tree behind her. "Easy girl, Easy." She murmured, hoping to deescalate the sudden aggression brought to the scene, and just when introductions had been going so well with Onok. Fearing Enya might do more than just display her anger, Kate reached back, placing her hand against the bark of the tree, and shifting her foot subtly, adjusting her stance to spring aside if it came down to an attack. "It's been a while since I've seen you, Flame. Where's your daughter?" She knew the words wouldn't make a lick of sense to the mare, but hoped the softer tenure of her voice would at least convey her peaceful intentions.

Onok

Onok was caught off guard by the presence of an unknown mare, and for a few startled seconds, could only stand and gape at the furry of hooves and lashing hair that came barreling towards him and Kate. He'd caught scent of a mare and possibly a foal recently, but this was the first time he'd actually seen the stranger.

"Hey!" The young stallion finally found his voice, and it came to him in a furious rush. "Who are you, barging into my land like this?" Onok roared and took a brazen rush at Enyalius, gnashing his broad ivories at her flank as he tried to drive her away from Kate. "And leave that alone, I found it first."

Enyalius

Enyalius wasn't expecting retaliation from Onok, and the nip to her flank drew a squeal of pained surprise from the mare. She ignored Kate's babbling and spun on the daring stallion, eyes blazing with indignant fury, "That is a human, a dangerous predator you daft youngling!" She struck out with her front hooves at Onok, not about to be pushed around by this youngster, especially when she was already wound up and full of turmoil over her herd's decimation.

King and Sarada

King heard the commotion and was on the group quickly nipping ony.Enoughhe said and then looked to the human ears back and he moved toward her .Humans are not allowed hereHe said to Ony and then lunged at the human.

Sarada was following.

Onok

Onok ducked back from Enya's flying hooves, and was about to wheel about and give her a taste of his hind daggers when King intervened. The young stallion snorted and bolted a few yards from his uncle great uncle, avoiding the nips and tossing his head in disdain. "But King!" He lamented in protest, "The human isn't hurting anything, and this mare came barging in tossing her hooves around!" His gallop eased into a canter as he approached and finally stopped by his sister. "I was just trying to protect our land from this interloper!"

Kate Wallock

This is why Kate had stuck close to the tree, though it was King and not Enyalius who forced her to duck quickly around the other side to avoid King's charge. "Whoa there, big guy..." She spoke, her tones carried lightly and without fear or haste. She peeked around the rough bark of the trunk, ready to play a game of ring-around-the-roise if needed to be avoid another charge, and if it persisted, to work out a quick escape from the land to let the lead stallion calm down. "You're a good protector, I know that."

Enyalius

Enyalius also backed off at this point, recognizing King as a mature stallion, and one who had the power to throw his weight around.

'But would he be strong enough to help?' The thought echoed in Enya's mind.

"King, is it?" She spoke boldly, ignoring Onok as he scampered away, and watching with keen interest as the lead had a go at Kate. "I apologize for intruding, but I was hoping you saw a young mare in the area? Our herd was attacked by cats a few days ago, and I've been trying to find help to rescue those still alive. And find my lead's daughter."

King

King snorted at the colt.The human is an interloper as well they are not welcomeHe said.A filly by the name of Kacheska has found shelter here yeshe said.

Onok & Enyalius

Onok snorted back, letting his frustration out in a burst of breath that frosted heavily in the cold air. What he didn't do was continue the argument with King, knowing his uncle could easily put him in his place if he wanted to, and wasn't keen on getting nipped at again. Resigning himself, the young stallion vented to his twin instead, speaking low to avoid the ears of King and Enya, "That stupid mare, she ruined my fun." His tail switched harshly, "The human doesn't look all too dangerous - I'll just wait till the 'grown ups' leave, then I'll investigate it again."

Enya, meanwhile, was side-eying the woman who'd ducked around the tree to avoid King's charge. Her ears went back again, with one angled slightly in the woman's direction just to keep tabs on her. "Kacheska is here?" Her attention jumped quickly back to the stallion though, and with it, a little hope was rekindled, "Can I speak with her? Is she okay?"