| white rabbit [open]

<sup>The day was rather cold and dreary, thanks to this new season of which you had not yet developed a name for.

The sky, which only yesterday had been a bright, bubbly shade of blue was now turning with turmoil, grey clouds casting a shadow over these strange lands. You couldn't help but wonder, was it a sign? You weren't the superstitious type, and you'd much rather listen to reason and logic than some creep who claimed to be able to foresee your future, but you found that rubbish and had kept away from their oddness as if it was leprosy. You had no time for such foolery, and your pride kept you from associating with the commoners. They were obscene, rather daft creatures, and none worth your precious time.

You gave a strong, proud toss of the head, a great and mighty stallion to be seen by all. Though you weren't the type to personally boast of your arrival or appearance, somehow the way had always become silent once you stepped foot into sight, and all would hush and stare as if you were a glowing pink unicorn named Fifi. Though it hardly bothered you, it was rather annoying having the commoners so close to you, their beings so irrelevant to your world that at times you hardly took notice of them. They were nothing but the garbage at your feet, and you dared not open your mouth in the direction of any. But, you were not that harsh, nor uncivil. You spoke when spoken to, and your answer was always sincere and to the point. Though you had not yet to be stalked by any of those simple, uncivilized females that this new world beheld, you were expecting that it shouldn't be long now until you were forced to leave due to the fact that privacy had become an issue. A sigh escaped your silky, ebony maw, and you rolled your icy blue eyes in annoyance.

You walked with proud, graceful strides, Shire figure rather large and intimidating, but one could not help but notice you among a crowd- one could not help but notice you anywhere, for that matter. You were a black shadow in the day, the only part of your inky body that contrasted was your handsome blue eyes, so clear and attractive that they had landed you many nights visiting Countesses and their families, and it wasn't so wasted on the males that seeked to employ you. They, too, had always complimented on your splendor, though none went to your head- you simply knew that you were handsome, much more so than others. And though you did not boast it, you did not hide the fact either. You carried yourself proudly, manner regal and the slightest hints of vanity oozing from every pore on your body. You were a true gentleman, though many would disagree. Many out there who claimed to be gentleman were a disgrace to the word, and you despised them greatly, opinion of them forever lost, forever negative and disapproving.

During your walk, your mind was at the most part crowded, but your eyes did stray far enough to catch a tri-colored figure of a mare in the corner of your vision. You stopped and turned your head, and became rather surprised at this mare's beauty and in the way she carried herself. But almost instantly did your opnion begin to change, for her strides were choppy and seemingly painful. You sensed it to be to be careful of her footing, which if she were of real pride she would have swallowed the pain whole-heartedly and walk with pride, much like a mare of her fine breeding should. A silent snort was puffed into the air, and against your better judgement you allowed yourself to associate with this rather beautiful commoner.

"Perhaps you should walk with more vigor, more purpose. Then one should see you from miles away, coming onward like a bullet. You wouldn't seem so insignificant, and a mare like yourself should have a place in this world, a place higher in society and a place of importance. However, I cannot give those things to you, for I have found there to be no society in this retched place, but I can help you strive to appear competent and much more above the rest."

Your voice boomed out like thunder, and if it should have been sounded from the sky it and your vocals would have harmonized. Thankfully, it did not, and your voice was carried out over the air to the fine lady. Your place of birth was easily identifiable thanks to your mellow, British accent, and that you were proud of. So many here had no way of speaking... they only pronounced their words partially correct and conversed in slang, which made you want to shudder, but it was impolite for one to do so in another's company. So you fixed your composure to be tall and proud, head held at the most attractive angle, piercing blue eyes watching her figure rather impatiently.


OOC: Sorry it's so long- I'm actually going to recycle this post since it drained so much muse from me. Anyways, from now on, I promise it to be short and crappy, as requested.</sup>

<sup>You had roamed closer to the essa without noticing, and closer up you saw her dreadful state of not being cleaned and groomed. Though you'd never felt the touch of human hands, you did know that proper grooming was essential, and so your coat was always at it's best. Another difference between you and the peasents about this place.

Her reaction to what you had thought to be kind remarks stopped your short, and your audits flicked back to face your rear. Her snappy tone annoyed you, and you so dearly wished to say something rude or sarcastic, but you didn't know what to say exactly. All you knew is that since you did not insult her, you were not going to apologize.

"If I have insulted you, I assure you it was unintentional. I was just remarking on your style and how to draw the eye. But, if you do not wish to hear me out, then I shall stop wasting your time and leave you to it."

You were about to walk away when she spoke of something else. Shoes? What in good heavens was that? Your brow rose considerably high, intrigue at the new thing luring you into staying. But when she gave no explanation, you sighed deeply and shifted to walk away once more.

But her words stopped you short.

"I beg your pardon miss, but I do not know of the Judges. If it is of a higher ranking, I do hope you see that I meant no disrespect. If not so, then I still wish for you to forgive me for such incivility. It was not my place to remark on one's way of transition."

This, you felt, would pacify her at the moment without having you give a full apology. You eyed her with the utmost intrigue, crystal blue orbs gazing into her's, though not the least bit romantically.

OOC: I'm afraid that he doesn't know of them, nor do I for that fact.</sup>

<sup>At her words, you dipped your onyx crown in answer and watched her character closely, observing her nature and reading her personality the best you could. You had always been born with the uncanny ability to know a person by their walk and their talk... but she was built like a brick wall- strong and unbreakable. Peering at her as closely as you dared without seeming like a creep, you could only find that she was only a little embarrassed at her remarks to your advice. At this, you seemed pleased, but not nearly smug- you knew your manners, and kept your expression straight and civil.

Her appearance certainly did not help, either. Though she spoke with a similar accent and you understood her words, and her tone was precise and elegant, she didn't seem to match up. Her coat, thickly covered in mud and her tresses in tangles, did not match her voice at all. This confused you, but you pursed your lips and kept quiet, waiting for her to say anything else.

When she seemed surprised at your cleanliness, you couldn't help but chuckle deeply, the sound as thunderous as the sky. A polite, tight grin crossed your ebon kissers, and you spoke, tone thoroughly amused.

"I like to take pride in my appearance, unlike the commoners that dawdle about in their own filth without a care. It is alright to get dirty ever now and again- but I would presume one would long to be clean. Not all wild horses are feral, m'lady, please do understand. I come from royalty, and normally I wouldn't even be daring to be seen talking to anyone from around here, but you seemed different- more... respectable. Though I do not wish to insult you, of course, under normal circumstances you would have been a fine choice to converse with anyway, but I hope you do not take my reasons in a most disrespectful way. I do not wish to anger you."</sup>

<sup>You watched the mare as her emotions flashed across her primed facade. First slightly prissy, though it's not like you'd never met a know-it-all mare, for your herd and rival herd back in England had been full of them. They were often the ones to get force bred and end up having little rats running around and causing trouble, which served them right, and also added to the herd census. Her ears, at one time perked towards you with what you assumed was interest, fell to the side, clearly confused and silently brooding in her mind. Though her stature remained stone-like and tight, head high and hooves squared, you could tell that she seemed to have conflicts with wild horses. But it wasn't one without the other. Never before had you met a horse who had allowed a two-legger to own them, much less ride them and touch them with their deformed, greasy hands. The though was disgusting, and your stomach churned as you pictured that slab of leather bound to your back, the human on your back forcing you to conform to their will. No, you would never allow anyone to overpower you, you would never willingly obey such a creature. You figured she was forced into it, beat and tattered and locked with chains, whips, ropes, poisonous food, because why else would an equine, a proud, majestic creature that ruled creation, ever wield such a shame? That also must explain her rugged appearance.

She finally spoke, one simple, insignificant word. You looked at her dully, astounded that a mare who claimed to be further in the ranks herself unable to reply to a simple statement. But soon she spoke up again, giving an introduction. You bowed your head to your knees, long black forelock dangling just before the ground, a proper bow reserved only for those that fit the bill. But she claimed to be important, so you obliged anyway.

"Hello, Miss Judge Anderson. Fitzwilliam Darcy at your service. But call me Mr. Darcy. So, Miss Judge Anderson, may I inquire why you're in such a condition?" You gestured at her entire frame with your ebon muzzle, alluring blue eyes looking back in her light blue ones, their naturally honest expression now highlighted by your curiosity. You became quite inquisitive of her recent adventures, and listened with both inky audits turned in her direction.</sup>

<sup>The large black brute watched the fair mare as she seemed to compose herself, somehow excusing the mess and making up for it in stature and attitude. She glanced down at herself before peering back up to Darcy, and he watched her with a calm and amused expression. Though she must have thought she looked a mess, in fact she looked rather cute in her mucky state. It must have been her embarrassment, because normally Darcy would have left her to it and not even blinked, but this mare was different. She seemed so calm in such a wild predicament, unlike he had been. He'd been furious with the world, angry and ready to watch it all burn, but over time the stallion had learned to take it all in stride.

She seemed to dislike the fact that he'd spoken, or could it have been the miss added? If so, then why? It was only polite in normal conversation to address those according to their status. This made the stag curious of her background and her birthplace, and he stepped forward as she spoke, listening only halfway between the thoughts flying through his head.

"Just Judge Anderson is fine, or if you prefer Anderson. No miss needed, sir."

The stallion's ears fell back in confusion, but he felt as if she wasn't finished, and kept his mouth shut, studying her like an experiment.


"It is a pleasure, I assure you. As to how I got like this? I dare say its just from... traveling, Mr. Darcy. I haven't the slightest where I'm going, nor do I have anywhere to be. As you can see, I've gotten myself into quite the muck. Literally, and figuratively, of course."

As she spoke, he became more empathetic for the muddy paint mare. That was exactly how he'd felt when entering Aeon for the first time, except with a bit more strife against everyone. His baby blue eyes softened and he gave her a knowing, but sad smile.

"Then you and I are in the same boat."

He watched as her expression turned to shame of her words, but he simply shook his head and gave her an encouraging smile. The raven black stag walked forward, closing the distance separating the two. He lowered his head to her height, peering into her own sapphire orbs and giving her an encouraging grin.

"How about we figure it out together, Judge Anderson? It would be an honor to travel with you by my side."

You bowed and listened to her speech before returning to a standing position, a sly look taking place on your bold, inky face.

"Come along, Judge Anderson, and see." And with a toss of the head in the direction of the Iridescent Shallows, you began to walk, knowing she'd follow.</sup>