Into the Madness (Open)

[//.Jazzy]

Vlad

Broken with loss

It was here that it began. Here in this desolate, empty, and broken down town. He had found her looking at numbers, the same ones he now stared at. He had laughed at her, mocked her, and chased her to the broken building three blocks down. He had taken her to his land as a slave, she was so young and he planned on making her the perfect slave. How things had changed. Her youth and innocense had captured his heart. She became his world and after the slave, City, gave birth to Kenan, Vlad had his family. Unfortunatly City forfeited her life to give Vlad a heir but it mattered not to him. Annora had a foal to watch over, Vlad had a son and a mate. He had a family. His darkened eyes squeezed shut at the memory, silent tears cascasded down his shapely face. The dark clouds above shook with haunting thunder and flashing light. The cold rain fell down from the skies but Vlad stood, letting the rain soak his body. He looked almost sickly. He hadn't been eating, his coat was dirty, and his eyes held pain and loss.

Annora had left. Gone a few weeks after Kenan turned one. He had been heartbroken and betrayed but he held his dignity and kept raising Kenan as if nothing had happened. But a few weeks ago the d*mned disease ravaged his home, taking his son from him. Enraged he killed all the slaves he found before coming to this place. He didn't know what to do, his mind going insane from the lose of his love, his son, and his land. He stared at the numbers with longing as the rain continued to batter his body. If one who knew Vlad would come across him they would probably laugh, thinking that he wasn't whom he was. Vlad wasn't like this and as his thoughts started to regroup themselves he realized that he wasn't like this and that Annora leaving and Kenan dying where probably a symbol that he was not what he pretended to be. As this new revolution took form in his mind the longing and loss in his eyes turned cold and the evil glint that usually accompanied Vlad returned.

Heaving his soaked head he gave his body a great shake, feeling the dirt and debris that had gathered on his coat over the past few days run down his sides as the water cleaned him. He realized that he had become thin, his muscles not as toned as before so he moved towards a patch of grass that grew within the cracks of the road. Eating quickly Vlad decided that he would leave, as soon as he said goodbye to his old life. Walking slowly down the street till he had reached three blocks from where he was Vlad turned into the dusty old building, the door on the left broken from where he had stormed in to corner Annora. "Goodbye M'love" He spoke softly before moving to the ruined door, retracing his steps as he left his heart behind. He stepped into the rainy streets and looked up at the storming sky. Grinning he let out a laugh, an insane sound that if anyone heard they would surely know that Vlad was near.

He moved towards the city center, into the worst of the storm. The blackened sky screamed at him, shaking the ground he walked upon. Lightning struck around him, the old buildings acting as a rod into the ground protecting him from being struck. He seemed to step with purpose, his laugh echoing off of the buildings around him. The only sound louder was the constant boom of the thunder. He stopped in the city's heart, looking back down the path he had just walked from. Lightning hit the ground a few dozen feet away from him and his eye's widened as he stared at a figure coming towards him. "Annora" He breathed. His eyes held no love, no kindness at the apparant image. He laughed and mocked the imagined figure with taunting looks. He through his head up and dared it to come closer. He laughed until it hurt and still he seemed to dance with glee. 'Come closer and meet your death' He thought as he prepared to attack 'her'.

Healed with insanity

[kimashka]

If I was to become the great ledrene I hoped I would have to know the lands well, know the pro's and con's of each nook and cranny that I came upon. But this place was strange, possibly the strangest sight that had ever met my eyes. The tracks were wide and strewn with straight edged boulders and stones, the caves were hollow and all had small openings far up the steep, vertical sides. So strange, so beautifully strange, yet the buildings seemed to weep. Rain thundered down from the leaden skies above. Bright lightening followed by the cashes of thunder illuminated the dark grey streets that I warily travelled.

I picked my way carefully over litter strewn streets, piebald hide shimmered and gleamed as the rain slicked down my flanks, dripping harmlessly upon the concrete ground as I moved, majestic and graceful. My chocolate orbs took in each and every detail, trying to memorize all that I saw and felt. The storm that raged above sent an electrifying shiver down my spine, the power that was contained in those clouds was deadly but alluring at the same time.

I stopped as a strange sound assulted my twitching lobes. Head erect and eyes watching I scanned the dark hollow caves that lined this track. I saw nothing, but I felt like I wasn't alone. My heart beat a little faster, the effects of the storm and the alieness of the lands I scoured made me wary and alert.

There! Another sound echoed throughout the cavernous expanse of the land, this time I distinguished the sound as equine, and male. And sure enough the dark outline appeared before her. I could do nothing but stare open mouthed at the manically laughing figure. Had he been touched by the disease? Was this one of the symptoms that death was close by?

With a deep breath and narrowed eyes I made my decision to approach closer, maybe I could get a better glimps of the effects of this disease? It would certainly come in handy when keeping my herd and lands free from infection. So with slow, deliberate steps I walked proudley towards the laughing figure. Curiosity was probably one of my main failings, but I needed to know, was this horse past helping?

I neared the figure and stopped. My black mane was slicked to my piebald neck, water dripped from my hide in small torrents, cascading down my back and flanks like a mini waterfall. I looked at the male, he was underfed and seemed a little mad, but I couldn't just leave. I had to see if I could help.

"Hello friend. I am new to these lands, could you perhaps tell me what creature dwelled here within this god forsaken place?"

I hoped that polite conversation would break the ice, and I didn't mention my rank purley for that reason. Ex slaves always seemed reluctant to speak to a leader such as me, and he looked like he could have been a slave I suppose.

[//.Jazzy]

Vlad
Insanity is like candy

Surprise registered on his face as he realized that it was not Annora that walked to wards him. Some other mare with paint markings appeared from the haze of the pouring rain. He did not give up his prance or his challenging, mocking looks. Throwing his head up again he raised his tail. He may have looked like a slave to others but there was no way in hell that he was going to act like it. "Hello friend. I am new to these lands, could you perhaps tell me what creature dwelled here within this god forsaken place?" As she spoke her lyrics he gave a dark chuckle before ceasing his hectic prancing. He looked around at the city around him. He knew what had dwelled here, he knew what they were capable of also. Laughing he let his muzzle drop down and stretched his neck to wards the mare. "Beings that would, could, and almost did wipe us off this miserable planet." He gave a laugh again as he struck out at her after his dark lyrics whispered out his dark statement. Thunder shook as his hoof hit the pavement near where she was standing.

Looking back up at the sky the brute frowned. His mane fell around his neck as he strained his head up to wards the heavens. 'What a magnificent storm'. His thoughts where gone before he had a chance to think them as another bit of thunder shook the earth. "You've mistaken me friend" He said quietly as the rain poured down upon him. "I am not what you think" He said softly before turning back to look at her, his seventeen hands height towered over the mare. He sat quietly for a moment before letting himself wander into a conversation with the delusional mare. "What is your name" He said with soft, velvety words that seemed so different from his harsh dark tone before. "Do you have a land perchance?" He purred. If she did he might just accompany her back. He would grow his strength back and then he would dominate.

He looked back down the way that he had envisioned Annora. The crazed look back upon his face as he wondered what would have happened if the image would have reached him before the mare had. Laughing to himself he forgot that another was standing there. His harsh, erratic laughs went on for a few more moments before his gaze wandered back to the mare. She must think him insane. "Not to worry, Insane I am" He laughed again as he stated his mental state. He stood in the middle of the raining city with a poise that if he had been healthy he would have looked gorgeous, but even in his diminished state he still looked fairly handsome. He cocked his head and stared at her through maddened eyes.

So good you just can't get enough of it

[kimashka]

Chastity

I couldn't help but think I had made a mistake in approaching this male. He seemed quite deranged, weather from lonliness, hunger or indeed the illness I couldn't tell. He spoke of beings that nearly wiped us out, I didn't understand him as I had never been in contact with creatures that could inhabit such a place. I was born and raised in the far off lands where equines roamed freely, hardly coming into contact with any other creature. I looked upon him calmly as he struck out at me. My face saddened as I saw the madness in his eyes. His stance was deffinatly not that of a slave, yet his visage portrayed him as such. Maybe I was wrong and he was indeed a master, if this was so he had come upon hard times, but as I watched his manic laughter I realised that there was probably little I could do to help sooth his troubled mind.

I considered lying to him when he asked my name and if I owned a land. There was a unsatiable hungry look in his eyes that could not be masked. Would he try to take over my peaceful domaine? Enslave my mares that I had saved? I could not let this happen, but I also could not pretend I was something I was not. The daughter of a king, proud, strong and beautiful. This male held a beauty, it was buried deep within the mud caked fur and rolling eyes, but it was there none the less.

The storm still raged above, drowning out his voice until it was barley a whisper, but I could hear him all the same. My soft chocolate eyes became guarded, that age old practice that hid my true intentions within the auction rock. I had to be careful here. If I indeed revealed my name and my lands, and this was a harsh master whom relished slavery, then my self appointed task to rescue as many slaves as possible would be futile.

My thoughts warred inside my head, should I shouldn't I? I eventually settled on mainly truth. I would however leave out the fact that I bought slaves only to free them.

"The name's Chastity Ehren, Queen of Lavander Moors. And who might you be friend?"

He laughed once again, that hollow sound reverbarated off of the surrounding caverns. I just looked, head proud and tall, eyes soft and full of empathy for this lost soul.

[//.Jazzy]

Vlad
Insanity is my curse

Her words were spoken with dignity and pride. Chastity Ehren, Queen of Lavander Moors eh? He frowned as she looked at him with empathy and those d*mned soft eyes. Shaking his head he grinned at the smaller equine. "My name?" He paused for a moment considering her words. "Vlad, King of the now diseased Ebon Forest." He stated with that crooked grin. The rain had started to disperse and the thunder became quieter and was not as frequent as before. The lightning only lit the sky up once in a while instead of every other second. Letting his eyes roam to the sky's above Vlad contemplated whether he should encourage the mare to leave, or encourage the mare to leave with him. As the rain came to a drizzle Vlad turned to start down one of the roads. "Come walk with me" He said softly though if one would listen closely a hint of malice laced the words. Refusal surely ment to deal with his anger.

He continued down the road though he didn't look back to see if Chastity Ehren was following. His long legs covered more ground then normal it seemed and he looked as if he was in a hurry. "Chastity Ehren, if you would have me, I would be delighted to follow you to your land" He looked back at her. "Don't worry, no disease runs through my blood" He could see the wheels turning in her head earlier when he had appeared before her looking perfectly insane. He didn't know where he was headed but until the mare's lyrics reached his ears he wasn't going to stop. He had no real plan to take over Chastity's lands, as long as she doesn't give him a reason to. He simply wanted a place to grow strong again.

Pausing he remembered a faint memory of a stallion long ago. Demon was his name. If he were to join a herd under the leadership of another, Demon would be the one. Stopping abruptly Vlad turned to stare at the mare. "Do you, perchance, know a Demon?" He was eager to leave this place behind and he wanted to leave right away. He blocked the way with his body, eager to know of his comrades where abouts. If she did know of him then he would have her bring him to Demon's land so he could meet his old 'friend'. Vlad grinned at the thought.

But, perhaps, we might find a cure

[kimashka]

Chastity

I stepped reluctantly, I seemed to be pulled to follow the ex king of this diseased forest. His recent madness had subsided, but I still felt slightly wary. I slowed and finally stopped as he requested to follow me to my lands. My head shook, dislodging tickling drops of rain from my face, neck and body. The rain had subsided a little, and the storm not quite so fierce. But I still held a sense of apprehention.

"Tell me Vlad. Where do your sentiments lie in regards to slaves?"

I needed to know that answer before I even contemplated allowing him into Lavender Moors. He had been a king, powerful and domineering no doubt, I was sure that he could not dwell comfortably under the reign of another.

I looked at him quizzically as his next question left his lips. His mind still seemed to be jumping from one concept to the next as fast as bees flying from flower to flower. I struggled to keep up with his fleeting thoughts and random conversation directions. But being the good natured horse I was I would have to help him now that he had requested to follow me.

"No, I'm afraid the name Demon does not mean anything to me. Maybe you should seek him elsewhere if he was a friend of yours. There are two more equine lands as far as I am aware, maybe he dwells within the borders of one of those."

The words were said lightly, convincing and full of empathy. Maybe he would change his mind and go to one of the other lands. I must admit I didn't really like the idea of him accompanying me back, but what could I do to stop him? He was larger and no doubt stronger, but I deffinatly wouldn't give up my lands and herd without a fight.

(OOC: I'm sorry it's crap, I've little mus at the mo)

[//.Jazzy]

Vlad
Follow me into the Darkness

He raised a questioning eyebrow when she asked about his thoughts on slaves. He had taken her for a master, a weak one, but a master nonetheless. She had stood dominant against him making him think she was more than a simple ruler. But he must have been mistaken. "I am a master, Chastity, what more do you need?" He said though it wasn't a question that he intended her to answer. Her next words though took more interest in the black stallion. She obviously was eager to be rid of him and he just shrugged. If she wished he would leave. Pausing for a moment Vlad looked towards the edge of the great city. What a waste. A civilization brought down in their prime. His great-great grandparents had told his family what they were like, he knew their devastation and their triumph.

He gazed towards the harbor, unseen from where he stood. The buildings were way to tall to see the rivers front, and what lay there. He knew though. He had been out there many times and he had seen the figure of the two-legged. Of the human. He wondered what it would have been like had he lived when they prowled the lands. His thoughts didn't last long on that subject and he returned his train of thought to Chastity's last statement. He curled his head towards her with a look of false devistation and slight humor. "Do you want me gone?" He said in a small voice before throwing his head up and laughing. "Really M'dear, just say the words" He looked back and waited a second before shaking his head and sighing. "Does not matter" He seemed to wave it off as he started in the general area of where the lands where. "I'll be leaving now, going to find Demon's land. Maybe we will see each other again hmm?" He said as he continued his pace towards the edge of the city's boundry's. When he reached the edge of the city he looked back with a slight frown on his maw. He hadn't really a clue about where he was going and company might be nice till he met with Demon. Sighing he turned while looking back at the mare. "May I inquire about me escorting you to your lands, nasty brutes roam at night." Such a simple request couldn't be turned down could it?

And share the brief Insanity

ooc: I'm gunna post in Demon's land so if she says yes and she goes to Demon's land with him than you could post there or something and if she says no than that's fine too xD.