Checking on the Herd

[Deleted]

    The sky had been illuminated by the moonlight, it was still early in the evening, with a midnight blue blanketing across the sky. There stars danced shimmering brightly by any who looked upon it. Zephyra looked over the herd from her window deciding it would be a good time to check on them and make sure nothing was disturbing them. The white long sleeve dress she wore came to her knees, and beneath the skirt she wore white leather breeches that stopped at her ankles, slipping small boots on she was just about ready to go. Grabbing her flute she fastened it to the woven grey belt that she tied around her waist; her hands reached for her satchel nimbly removing the knot and opening it and placing a brush inside. Silently she made her way out of her room unnoticed leaving her house with a smile and sparkle in her eye. 

Taking in a deep breath of the night air her lungs felt more clear, her feet carried her along the path that led to the horses, eyeing over all of them she had to see if anyone else was here ahead of her. You never know who might also be keeping watch that nothing attacks the horses or crosses into their territory, not that it would go well for those that dared. She could hear the sound of the hooves moving around in the night, snorts of breathing, and mingling with one another. Making sure to approach calmly she didn't wish to startle them, especially when it was night out. Looking around caramel brown eyes searched as she called out "Is anyone else here?" One of the Gypsy Vanners made its way over to her with it's ears erect as if trying to decide what to make of this nightly visitor. Putting her hand out flat she let it come up to her and sniff her hand while she waited. 


Xahrina Oisen

[Xahrina Oisen]

Xahrina was checking the animals, making sure they were all well tended, and just trying to get her thoughts together. She wanted a certain wolf, wanted him back, and to hold him. Well, she wanted to do more than just hold the man she wanted to enjoy him more and see what happened between them. She might also want to kiss him again.

The voice drew her out of her thoughts and she would head towards it and then give a small smile, "It's just me Zephyra, you alright?" the Chieftess called out, calm curiosity in her tone as she approached the woman calmly. That was the fun thing about her, she was always calm and relaxed, her head level and cool without easily getting flustered.

[Deleted]

Zephyra's attention would be caught towards the movement among the horses, the calm voice that reached her ears, her lips formed into a smile even if could only be seen in the moonlight. Softly she called out so as not to startle the horses "Hello Xahrina, I could not sleep, so my feet carried me here. I felt if I was awake I might as well check on the horses. Have you been here with them for a while?" The head of their clan was always calm, it was like it washed over you when in her presence; tonight was one night where Zephyra had more energy than usual, perhaps it was making her restless without realizing it. 

The white and black Gypsy Vanner pushed its muzzle against her hand, allowing Zephyra to move closer and run her fingers and left hand down the mares neck. Tilting her head to the side so she could be seen behind the mare, her eyes looked hopeful as they fell upon Xahrina maybe she thought perhaps she could be of use to her Chieftess her voice came out curiously but there was warmth to it " Is there anyway I can be of help tonight?" It might be a while before Zephyra could go back to sleep even for a short nap before she would have to start the day. The stars shimmered in the sky, with a breeze gently blowing downwind carrying leaves that danced in the night before gently floating to the ground. It might have been a lovely night to play music but that might be by request only; she wouldn't want to wake anyone who was sleeping. 

[Xahrina Oisen]

Xahrina offered a gentle smile as she was walking next to a mare who was pacing, she was getting ready to foal and was antsy- it was close, "Yes, I've been out here with her because she's going to be having her first foal- I like to be around to help keep the new mothers calm," she told her as she gently petted the gypsy vanners neck. Her head bobbed as she snorted, her ears flicking as she kept moving around.

"You can help me keep an eye on her," she offered. She understood having a sleepless night, she was having them lately but they were mostly fever dreams that kept women awake and wanting to find someone to hold at night. She shook those away, calming herself a fair bit as she rubbed the white with black-spotted gypsy. She was anxious right now so her dancing just showed how close she was. "So what did keep you up this evening? Anything you need to get off of your mind?"

[Deleted]

Caramel brown eyes followed Xahrina's movement quick to notice the pacing mare at her side. It was then Zephyra's smile grew wide, her eyes brightened at the news of one of the Mares being so close to foaling. "That is wonderful news!" she replied cheerfully, her hand ran along the muzzle of the Gypsy Vanner that had come close to her before she tilted her head to see Xahrina better her voice came out softly but also curious. "I would love to stay out here with you and help. What signs has she had so far?" It seemed only appropriate to find out more, at least then she can be of better assistance. The wind blew gently causing fly away strands of dark brown hair to blow around her face for a moment before moving closer to check the mare that was a mother to be. 


The question she was asked made her think greatly before replying "The sounds of the night while moon and star gazing with thoughts that perplex me leaving me to wonder how I can best be useful." Her right hand came down gracefully as her fingertips gently touched the flute attached at her side. "I hope that when I play music it can reach others hearts; perhaps if it is something they enjoy it can help them in some way." Of course being able to calm others was nice with her music, she also wanted to bring them joy, peace, inspiration and perhaps more she was just unsure what that more was. Although other than music horses often ran through her mind her attention was brought back on the pregnant mare watching the pacing and dancing Zephyra moved aside and followed along to keep an eye out for any other signs of the foal coming. 

 

[Xahrina Oisen]

The excitement was evident on the young woman face and it made her smile as she nodded in agreement. The mare snorted a bit, her tail swishing back and forth, "Right now she is restless and trying to find a quiet spot, you can feel the contractions on her stomach though if you rest your hand close to her flank," she told her as she would continue to rub her neck and let the animal feel the calmness that Xahrina could offer to her. "Once she stops searching and starts focusing, it will move along quickly," she explained more. It was exciting, having another foal running around. Most times she woke up to foals but being there was always a treat to her because that let her check up on mother and foal both.

A little smile rose to her lips, "You are useful. Music soothes and calms but also brings about joyous times. It is just as important as drinking water," she told her. She would never push someone to do something, that wasn't her way. Her tribe of people were happy as can be the way they were and if someone wanted a position she would help give it to them if they fit into it. "Do you feel that you are not useful?" she inquired curiously, her tone gentle so as to not offend but she wanted to know what the young woman was feeling right now.

[Deleted]

 Each footstep that was taken kept within the pace of the mare, inquisitive eyes followed along the mares neck to her stomach as Zephyra brought her hand close allowing her fingers to softly touch along the mares stomach. She did not wish to startle the mare especially when she was looking for a place to safely give birth. Her fingertips felt the muscles moving and contracting the closer they came to the flank, it would not be long before she removed her hand "She seems to be very close, with luck she will find the perfect place soon to foal." Although the horses had been raised here, there was still always a chance of danger from predators in the open. They did their best to protect the herd from any dangers, while also providing shelter, grooming, food and love to the horses. Zephyra's own heart beat happily almost at a gallop with the knowledge that the foal would be born at any point. Taking her eyes away from the mare and Xahrina looking past the herd in the distance she wanted to be sure she didn't spot any wolves, or large cat that might try to make an easy meal not that taking on a herd would be easy for any of them

There was comfort that settled in her heart at Xahrina's words she couldn't help but give a gentle smile in return, " I love being able to give and share music with others, and what it can do for them."[/i] Trying to think of the best way she could explain what was going on within her mind and heart allowing her finger to mindlessly wrap itself up into her black hair loose enough to let it slip around softly "I just like being able to help in more ways than just one. There is always a possibility of my music not being the right kind of help or usefulness depending on the situation; so that when it is not my music required of me I will hopefully have the skills to be able to contribute what I can."[/i] Reaching for her flute her fingers worked fast from memory untying the leather knot that fastened the instrument to her clothing next to the satchel, bringing the flute up it was a hand carved transverse flute, with carvings of horses running along a grassy field along the sides. Her lips pursed slightly letting the hole rest close to her bottom lip blowing carefully into the instrument allowing a soft melody to fill the air, her fingers moved gracefully and nimble along each hole, carrying the tune so that the sound could gently calm the mare and relax her more. 

[Xahrina Oisen]

"As long as we stay calm, I believe she will find it soon. She's doing well though, not nipping or bumping us away," she told her. Xahrina wouldn't tell her that she was the cause of that though, that she was keeping the animal calm to be able to work through her first labor that she was starting to snort through. Soon, so very soon there would be another to the herd.

The Chieftess listened to her, her gaze calm and relaxed as she continued to run her hand along the mares neck to help ease her stress and worry. She would tilt her head some and then give her a little nod at what she was saying, "That is when you just listen for music. Look to see what is going on and if it is something ill or sad, chose something to uplift or bring joy. Watch the room or area you're in, you will find the ring music," she told her on that one, "And what you do out here, watching over the horses, that too is important- more than you can imagine. Our ancestors started with so few but look at the herd we have now...look at how they've grown and that is because of people like you watching and making sure they are well," she told her before a smile rose to her lips at her staring to play a tune. It was calming and relaxing and the mare didn't seem to mind it as she would only move a little further and then stop as her tail started to flick more, 'Soon."