we're still tugging on each other

Salsola always has several horses housed in the Stables. Tend to them in some way: refresh their food and water, perform basic medical care, or simply sit in the stables and spend some time with them. Note: You shouldn't make anything but a passing reference to horses owned by other members of Salsola without that member's explicit permission.

Horses were a deep rooted aspect of gypsy-tradition. They were used mostly for transport, though in light of the many turf wars that had begun in Ame Rouge Dirge had decided to begin training some of the families animals for a completely different purpose. Tonnerre had been traded for from a neighbor after the animal had bugled loudly and frightened off a couple of would-be poachers. Dirge had recognized something then in the dappled animal, and made out to procure him for his son soon after.

The training had started almost immediately. The animal had been forced to walk through gorey path ways, calmed and desensitized to the scent of blood. He had been trotted through loud scenarios until he barely flicked an ear.

Brocade was no horse expert, but he had learned a few tricks from watching others with their animals and through the work his father had accomplished with Tonnerre. The beast was older now, more settled in his ways - and had saved Brocade more times than the man could count. He had decided to allow the horse to roam with Jacquards Montagne and Colline, and as he came to the fence the three horses perked their large heads curiously in his direction.

He whistled for the stallion and he stamped his hooves before cantering to the fence to blow air into his masters face.

<"Hello you old man,"> Brocade tapped the animals nose, gesturing for him to follow towards the gap in the fence, <"Come on then, lets check you out.">

Jacquards horses dropped their heads, their heavy frames casting chubby shadows across the newly exposed grass.

Want to come do horsey things? :)

Hope you don't mind a Scorpius and his kiddos~ :> [ 302 ]

With the birth of Midnight's newest foal the Jagermeister was reminded of her previous one, which after three winters was no longer a little colt anymore. Onyx, born of two large breeds with strong bloodlines, was a beast of a horse now. Dark blue roan like his mother with a big head and sturdy frame like his sire, the Percheron mix - recently gelded to curb a nasty temper - was well on his way to becoming a highly valuable member of Salsola's ever growing herd.

Sidious and Senua could not pass up an opportunity to visit Marrgerd. Still unshifted, though their time was drawing nigh, the twins were growing rapidly like the carefully cultivated thistle that encircled the kingdom. Sidious was bigger than his sister, though not by much, and the dark young male led the way with a swift trot, his tail waving contentedly behind him as bright red eyes took in everything with an acute sense of detail. Senua stuck closer to her father who walked at a leisurely pace, in no hurry to close the distance between their home at the far end of the Ruins and the sprawl of Salsola's communal stables.

The trio arrived before long and in time to see Brocade greeting his horse. The rest of the herd had been let out into the pasture to sun themselves and graze and had spread out into small groups and individuals scattered across the field. A sharp whistle from the Beast gave several horses a start but one in particular raised its head high and turned to look, recognition setting in easily to summon the big gelding to the fence. As the twins rushed forward to meet Onyx, Scorpius turned his attention to Brocade, his dark maw dipped just a little in a curt greeting. "Henchman."

The horse walked around the soldier excitedly, pushing his muzzle into the loose curls that hung at the mans shoulders. He scratched Tonnerres thick neck, pacing around the animal and running a calloused hand over the animals hide. With spring coming the horses were loosing their wooly coats quickly. He pulled a patch free and he let the fluff get caught in the breeze only to be tugged along to roll through the pastures short grass. He chuckled to himself, <"You must be itchy.">

The sound of the others approach had him canting his head - he was surprised to find the Jagermeister and his children. The cubs were still young and not yet shifted; a brother and sister pair with striking features just like their parents. Brocade had only conversed with Scorpius' wife a few times, and more often than not the Jagermeister and Brocade were caught hunting - a silent sport.

The sharp whistle broke the silence and Tonnerre snorted as another horse cantered through the clearing to greet its master.

The children seemed eager to explore the stable and Brocade smiled at them softly, allowing his tail to slowly wag at their approach. "Jagermeister," He greeted with a subtle dip, "You two are growing up fast."

Onyx was a strong looking horse and Tonnerre stood tall, curious and cautious of the hunter and the children who eagerly sniffed at the other animal.

Thank you for joining Eve! :)

Sorry for the slow~ [ 250 ]

With four full grown horses and a foal at home in the Jagermeister's private pasture, the twins had learned quickly to mind their manners around the massive mounts. They lingered at a comfortable distance away from Onyx but sniffed and stared and did all the things curious youngsters did around something new, which didn't seem to bother the horse at all. The big gelding had lowered his head to get a better look at the two young wolves and sniffed them back just as curiously.

"Mother says we'll shift soon." Senua remarked and smiled sweetly up at Brocade for a moment before looking back at Onyx as the horse blew a salutation at her, summoning the twinkle of a laugh. Sidious brushed past his sister to investigate Tonnerre next, red eyes looking the big horse up and down before setting his gaze on its owner. "What kinda horse is that one?"

Scorpius followed his son's gaze and had a closer look at Tonnerre. By his size alone the black and white stallion was easily identified as a sturdy draft breed. He was much thicker in build than Vesta's Ignis but had a shorter coat than the Nordic Noriker horse, so Scorpius's best guess was a shire or a gypsy. Couldn't be a friesian or a haflinger as those had very distinct colors.

"He's so fluffy!" Senua added as she moved to stand next to her brother to greet the other horse, bright blues staring at the feathering around his hoofs.

The horses were amicable though the Soldier watched Tonnerre carefully to ensure that the young children did not startle the older war horse. He could still remember the day Dirge had gifted the Gypsy Vanner stallion to him - the might horse glaring down its long nose at him as his youthful hands had gathered the reigns. He had been so innocent then, unscarred and unburdened by life. He had not known love, or drink, or women... and it had been a simple time filled with simple pleasures and his horse.

Scorpius gazed proudly over his children, carefully nudging them into place when they strayed too far. Brocade had never considered children, though now with Etoile... he wondered sometimes what it would be like to pass on his name, his blood, his tradition to something that was as much a part of him as his heart. Senua and Sidious were deeply curious, and he grinned at them as they wagged their puppy-fluff tails.

"He is called a Gypsy Vanner." Brocade smiled, "He is fluffy just like you."

He glanced at Scorpius, crouching to better address the pair of them. "Are you preparing for your riddle?"

Thank you for your patience!!