Needing to Be{Open}

[starlingshour]

The fae was some what exhausted from her long run. Her body was warn and tired. Her pillars pulsed, blood rushed through her veins. The muscles in the faes large shoulders were pushing against her skin. Life giving air forcefully made it's way into her lungs.
On the contrary her spirit was alive and well. Her soul was exhilarated and if she could she would run on forever. The limits of her body held her back and she detested that singular fact.
Large chocolate orbs sparkled with excitement. A enormous smile was held on her charcoal maw. She could taste the salty sweat rolling on her brow. Seat covered her light brown pelt.
Slowly she was able to move her aching legs over to the small stream running through the terrain. Small fish swam throughout the stream and she even seen a cute little paint turtle. With her maw dipped slightly into the water she began to suck up the clear fluid. Her throat was over joyed with the coolness of the water. A black mane tumbled over her crest.

[misty]

Phantom's Shadow
^{Mare on a mission.}

<sup>Horse scent was everywhere. The canyon drew dozens to its lush green fields everyday, which made it a community square, as well as a good place to find new members. Many free-roamers wandered here, and slaves often hid in the jagged shadows on the cliffs. Phantom could smell fear even now, as she passed by a few abnormally large depression in the rocky walls. No doubt there were many slaves hiding there, but if they coward in fear under a veil of darkness, the femme wanted nothing to do with them.

Slaves should be obedient, yes, but if they fear you too much, one would never be able to order them around without giving the spineless beast a heart attack. Vitra required a stout heart, for many become lost in its winding pathways and dark forests. Phantom's Shadow prided herself on not fearing the darkness of her land. She laughed at the spooky dusks, and shied not away from traveling after evening. The night was her home just as much as daytime; the mere absence of light would not scare her away.

The sounds of splashing turned Phantom's thoughts away from night and back to the present. A good-sized mare was plunging herself into the river, apparently to cool off. She must have been running or something of the like, for the temperature was cold enough to warrant frost on the ground each morning. Soon the river itself would freeze; what sane horse would play in its frigid waters like it was summer?

"You must have been doing something very active if you wish to submerge yourself in the water like that. Running, perhaps?" Phantom's Shadow had no wish to sound like she was accusing the vixen of being a runaway, but she did wish to know the fae's story.

The mare was a rather pretty dun color - though not half so good as Phantom's gleaming black coat - and looked very sturdy. Phantom wandered if she had been worked before, as her muscles were well developed. She did not bear the down-trodden spirit slaves usually had, however, which made the femme master even more curious of her background.

"What would your name be, fae? And do you belong to any particular herd?"

Time to reel her in.</sup>

^{Words: 410
Rating: I'd give a 7
Comments: A bit of rambling, but it works.}

[starlingshour]

When PJ heard the breathing of another and a voice coming from behind her she stopped splashing. Quickly she gathered herself and walked over the algae covered rocks lining the bottom of the stream. Water dripped from her coat. PJ stepped away from the other fae and quickly shook off. The commanding voice of the mare lead her to believe she was a master. PJ dipped her dial low but only low enough to show respect; not too low as to demote herself. Slowly she brought her head up again and replied to the mare's question.
"Running, yes. I needed to stretch." PJ shook her mane to the right side of her bodice. "My calling that my mother gave me is Princess Jasmine. However most shorten my name to PJ." Thinking for a moment on the other question and how she should phrase her response. "I do not belong to a herd, here. The last herd I was a part of was my parents'." PJ flicked her tail as she watched the other mare study her. She began to do the same. The mare was an absolute beauty and black as coal. PJ flexed her muscles waiting in anticipation.

[misty]

<sup>Princess? This stocky mare was no princess. Phantom tossed her head haughtily as she thought this. The femme was certainly a good runner, though, which Phantom could lower her pride enough to admit. The races entered her mind as soon as she thought that, and the black vix was more determined than ever to secure the mare's place in Vitra.

"Well, PJ." Phantom utter the name with disdain, for she had never thought calling slaves by their nickname to be satisfactory. "Would you care to see my herd? It is tucked into a rather dense forest, I'm afraid, but I know a place where you could run to heart's content."

Phantom's Shadow had to hide a smirk as she said this. 'Run to your heart's content'! she said again in her thoughts. PJ would have no choice in the matter; she would run, or she would work. Quite possibly, she would do both. No, that would not do, working her to the bone, than thinking she might win a race. As much as Phantom detested idle slaves, she would not be able to put Princess Jasmine to work.

You are very lucky, slave . . .</sup>

^{Ooc- No museh. D:}

[starlingshour]

PJ flicked her tail as she considered the matter, well really she didn't have a choice but to go. She was a slave after all and this mare was a master so she must follow. Again PJ lowered her dial in a shallow bow. "I shall come. Please guide me." Her eyes raised and looked at her new master. She seemed....nice.... PJ wasn't sure what to call her new master, personality wise. She definately wasn't the easy going ruler she had thought of, but neither did she seem cruel and overly dark. PJ nodded her head slighlty. "What shall I call you master. I have not yet learned your name." Hopefully her new master did not take offense by her bluntness.

ooc: me too. Long day, not much imagination left! lol

[starlingshour]

ooc: Ok, thanks! ; )

[misty]

<sup>"I shall come. Please guide me."

Smart mare. She knew her place and recognized those above her. Phantom, it seemed, had found a favorite slave. Turning her great, coal-black bodice around, she proceeded to leave.

"This way," was her only reply.

However, the femme had only begun to walk before she heard her new slave speak again. Phantom smiled at the title the slave assigned to her. Master. The name sent chills down the vixen's spine. Within that one word was contained limitless power, the fate of countless slaves, and the potential for great evil or great good.

"You may call me Master, Miss, or Ma'am. Whichever you prefer."

Phantom continued on for some time in silence, but then seemed to have something on her mind. Slowing her pace, she dropped back until PJ was almost at her side. A few more awkward - for the slave - moments passed before Phantom's Shadow finally spoke.

"Princess Jasmine," she said, using the fae's full name, "have you ever heard of the Races?"</sup>

[starlingshour]

Yes Ma'am. Her head was cast low and she obiediently followed her new master. She wanted to pick up a slow jog just to move her muscles a bit but she refrained. She must stay behind and not show imputence. PJ muffled a sigh.
Princess Jasmine, have you ever heard of the Races?
No Ma'am. I have not. The only races I have ever run in were between my sister and I. She smiled. Her sister and her had been the tip runners in the heard. Not endurance mind you, just the fastest. No one could ever ditirmine which one of them was the fasted. The tip of her tail flicked as a short wind picked up. PJ's large brown orbs faced the wind and she breathed in the fresh air. Her mane wisped across her crest. Those days had been good.

[misty]

<sup>No Ma'am. I have not. The only races I have ever run in were between my sister and I.

"Then I'm sure you will enjoy the Races. You can compete with other horses of all kinds there.

Phantom's steps fell rhythmically as she plodded on. The cold always slowed her; she had not often felt winter's chill in her own home. Hunger was beginning to gnaw at her belly, also. The green grass which carpeted the ground tempted her, but she could not stop now. Her orbs instead strayed to Jasmine's prancing form. The mare seemed to be restless, so Phantom decided to let the slave have a little fun.

"Shall we jog back to Vitra, PJ?" Phantom's Shadow asked with a sly smirk. Now she would she her racer in action. Not to mention she would get home quicker.

Preparing her body for the run, Phantom jogged in place. Tossing her black head, she let the wind grab her mane and throw it about. Seeing the Princess Jasmine was also ready, Phantom started off the race.

"And now we chase the wind."

Body stretched out in what was anything but a jog, Phantom flew across the canyon floor. By the sound of hoof-beats dangerously close to her heel, she knew her slave was not far behind. Of course, no slave would beat their master purposely unless they were begging for punishment. Would PJ end up out-striding the great Phantom's Shadow? The femme asked herself this as she caught a glimpse of Jasmine at her side. At once another question entered her mind: did she really want to beat what would become her prize racer?</sup>

[starlingshour]

PJ nodded her clearly feminine head. Yes Ma'am. I would like to jog. She dipped her head in respect and did not see as her new master sprinted across the canyons at first. PJ was startled but soon kicked up into her own sprint. Her bodice stretched and her hooves kicked at the ground below her. Thunder rippled threw the canyon. PJ's eyes glimmered as she let herself have some fun and race to her new master ahead of her. Smoke puffs blew from her nostrils and orbs stung from the cold air, but she enjoyed it. Running like this was a good relief from life. PJ knew she would need to show respect yet and stay on the mares heals. She could not pass her well unless she wanted a beating. Reaching her goal point she settled into a comfortable extended gallop. Her breathe was coming heavier now as the run became longer. PJ was not a horse built for endurance, more for just pure speed. Hopefully they would reach her new home soon for PJ was becoming more tired with each step. To make her a race horse would take a large amount of training. PJ had the drive, and the skill but not the training....yet.

[misty]

Post coming.

[misty]

I'm out of muse, so you can just post with PJ in Vitra whenever you feel like it. =3