.Desert Rose. { Harley the invisible| Mature}

‘I don’t think my warnings will serve their purpose until you’re mature enough to understand, but fragmented pieces of advice should be valuable. Beyond the mountainous green pastures lay landscapes scoured bare by violent winds….inhospitable creatures always wait for unwary animals to stumble alone into the desert. Be careful of two-legged creatures who appear friendly….they represent a terrible threat to our freedom…..and lastly keep your guard up near lone stallions.’ Why did her mother’s precautionary warning come too late? Was heaven punishing her for being dishonorable towards her own kin? ‘After getting lost in the desert and find fresh water…..I thought my fortunes were becoming better. Seems optimism has landed me in loads of trouble……what should I do now?’ The flaxen-colored equine contemplated quietly, shimmering eyes examining every square inch of the oasis for a possible route of escape, just incase her troublesome visitor decided to cause possible tribulations. ’Aren’t you acting ridiculous?’ Her logical mind questioned, as Treske stamped right foreleg into the moist ground highly annoyed by the unfamiliar sentiments blossoming intrinsically. Should paranoia be set aside? “Why would I mind?” She questioned briskly “The oasis has no true owner….does it? I suppose everyone is free to enjoy themselves here.” Moving aside instinctively, the akhal-teke mare immediately stiffened “My suspicions were right on the mark…..you are a rouge stallion.”

Satin ears pinned flat against cranium, Treske shook refined head from side to side removing stray tresses out of the way. A stray rouge stallion. One lone mare stuck in a scathing landscape. Would she make it home in one piece? ’He promised not to inflict harm on me….perhaps I can use him to my own advantage.’ She mulled ’I can’t make the journey home all by myself…..’ Pulling short puffs of dry desert air into lungs, the palomino calmed down enough to begin analyzing her precarious situation. Being lost, alone and scared in no-man’s land wasn’t exactly thrilling, but bolting head first towards salvation would be purely imprudent. Gentle desert winds ruffled creamy-white bangs out of the way, revealing the stark white blaze situated on a background of pure gold. Light-colored hues locked temporarily with the liver chestnut stallion once his adverting statement treaded on sore ground. “Me…?” She spoke carefully “I‘m not stuck out here…..I was just exploring new territory!” Part of the statement was shrouded in mystery, after all the young female did not want to admit she was lost.

Why? Was she afraid of looking foolish before his very eyes? Was she afraid of being mocked? Or perhaps both factual theories could turn out to be faux interpretations caused by a mare in full-fledged panic. ‘Isn’t it better to be paranoid…than dead?’ Dismissing miniscule sentiments aside, the gold-tinted equine swiftly averted her eyes to the ground below, where fragile greenery struggled daily for a chance at life. ‘Delicate grass…..I’m almost reluctant to eat.’ Of course skipping out on lunch was not an option to be taken lightly, in order to survive Treske needed to adapt. Pricked ears captured faint sounds of hooves touching fresh water, and it soon became clear the chocolate-colored male wasn’t departing at any time. Faint traces of annoyance made themselves known, until the mare lowered muzzle to ground in search of nutritious spring shoots. While Ranjit swam in refreshing oasis waters, the four-year old equine glanced quizzically at the wound now visible with crimson blood trickling out of it.

“How did you get that nasty wound?” She inquired tentatively, tiny plant fragments still poking through puckered lips. Had he gotten into a fight with another rouge stallion? Or could humans have wounded him? ’Wait a minute….why do I even care? It isn’t my problem if he lives or dies.’ Letting the subject drop instantly, Treske tried focusing on more important issues….although the russet-colored stallion caught her attention by playfully flickering water in her direction. “Hey don’t get me wet!” She snorted indignantly, nostrils flaring outwards in disapproval “For your information I’m not lost…..I was sidetracked.” Sidetracked meaning lost in her own hidden language, for the little mare held an abhorrence towards anyone who tried pointing out the obvious. Sure, he was probably attempting to help her…..yet at the same time was Ranjit making fun of her? ’Ugh….I should probably bury myself underneath the nearest rock!’ Treske sighed whimsically, nodding head slightly to acknowledge Ranjit’s introduction. “Nice to meet you Ranjit…..my name is Treske. By the way where are you heading next?” She asked nonchalantly, hoping to fish out some information on the captivating stallion.


OCC: Sorry about the delay!

Slanting refined head inquisitively sideways, the palomino-colored mare examined Ranjit’s odd behavior speculatively, inner thoughts forming different types of assumptions based on his physical actions. Pawing muddy bank fragments and watching shattered pieces fall into the water couldn’t be classified as being awkward. ‘The shoreline was already falling apart…why is he making it worse?’ She questioned herself internally, hazel-colored hues focused squarely on the stunning liver-chestnut male. “Excuse me? Politeness?” Treske responded sarcastically “I’m by no means an angel….nor is this place hell. We are the ones who make barren landscapes seem more intimidating than they really are. Also would you stop using formalities around me….I’m completely sick of hearing everyone talk so properly.” Moving her head back into a normal position, the four-year old mare stiffened rigidly for his chuckles weren’t at all pleasant to hear. ’Are you mocking me?’ The untold inquiry resonated inside her mind, but truth be told Treske had absolutely no desire to engage herself in a pointless battle. Not only did Ranjit give off vitality, he was very confident in his abilities pertaining to unknown domains. Tearing optics reluctantly away from the wayward stallion, she became entangled with cumbersome worries. Her first priority was to place distance between her and the stallion, the second was to navigate safely across formidable desert sands in search of her lost herd. “Which by no means….will be easy to find.” She mumbled beneath her breath, hardly caring if her unwelcome visitor heard such negative self-talk. “I really don’t know why labels are placed on horses. Words to me are absolutely meaninglessly….without action to support them…but I have to compliment you on such vivacious talk.” The mare stated, shifting eyes back to the handsome male hoisting himself out of the water.

‘He really is mysterious.’ She brooded thoughtfully, her analytical theories dissolving quickly into thin air, especially after catching wind of Ranjit’s accurate statement. Sudden anger washed over every square inch of the mare’s lithe body, until nostrils flared open in blatant disapproval. “My…My…you really are quite the perceptive individual aren’t you?” Treske interrogated curtly, feelings of vexation underlining harsh undertones in the female’s normally soft-spoken voice. ’Perhaps too perspective.’ Admitting mistakes would probably make her life easier, however Altir’s haughty attitude had been inherited genetically by his eldest daughter. “Do I really need to explain everything?! I was just looking around…..and sort of lost my sense of direction.” The palomino mare finally confessed, but didn’t really tell Ranjit the truth behind her abrupt departure from an overly protective sire. Despite having dropped partial tidbits of truth around, Treske felt his intense gaze focused exclusively on her. Why did destiny mock her? Why did oddities always stick themselves to the akhal-teke mare? Could she be cursed since birth? Dismissing intriguing questions aside, the female quirked inquisitive eyes on his bleeding wound. One ear pricked forward, while the other stayed focused on capturing noises in the background, although the very notion of finding out he was a seasoned warrior left her absolutely disgusted. “Figures….always fighting for territories…titles and mares Is that all stallions do?.” She scoffed sourly, pinning ears backwards again for the male drained every last ounce of patience left in her system. “Someone once told me hypothermia could strike if coats are overly soaked.” Pressing left hoof against wet soil, the flaxen-haired equine pawed aside dirt to find tender grasses moderately hidden by protective top soil. Bending eloquent neck downwards, Treske took several flimsy bites of her so called snack, never once allowing attention to waver from those dazzling multi-colored orbs.

Naivety wasn’t necessarily a bad preposition to be in, however ignorance played an important factor for picking out successes and failures. The wise saying stated ’ignorance is bliss ‘, but complete unawareness tended to cause disasters even when an individual possessed keen tactical abilities. What Treske lacked in height, she made up for in gallant prowess towards other horses of larger size. Her fiery temperament clashed constantly with Altir’s icy one and even Saphir’s placid attitude failed to diminish the burning ember within. Shaking creamy tresses to the side, she listened attentively to Ranjit’s story…yet questioning herself frequently as to why he would divulged private information to an unknown mare appearing out of nowhere. Was he foolish? ’His grandmother and I share eerie similarities….both of us ended being sidetracked in the desert only to be found by alluring stallions.’ Coincidence? Or just sheer luck? Who knew. Pressing lips tautly together, the four year old equine shook her head in total disbelief. Distraught damsel-in-distress being saved by prince charming, love gone wrong and finally a family shattered into a thousand different fragments. His tragic history really did compare to the akhal-teke mare in many ways, exception being with Altir’s merciless slaughtering of Saphir’s former mate. ’Born out of a forcer…no wonder my mother’s blue eyes display such bitterness.’ Strangled chuckles escaped out of her parched throat, as she commenced speaking “Don’t worry….I won’t break into a bout of random tears, but your story bares remarkable comparisons to another mare I’ve encountered in the past. Still…..wouldn’t it be wiser to keep your past concealed….enemies are bound to find a way into manipulating it for their own sick gain.” She commented softly, pressing left hoof deeper into muddy pastures. ’Your domain…..great I’m stuck in enemy territory.’

Flickering tail nonchalantly from side to side, Treske contemplated her precarious situation could quickly transform into a living nightmare if proper precautions weren’t taken. Earlier the chocolate-colored stallion promised he wouldn’t attempt anything dirty towards her, but was it safe to place blind trust in him? Was she being naïve again? What if Ranjit broke his promise? After all legends foretold of rogue studs being easy with words, only to later transform themselves into machines of heart-break. ‘Stop being foolish……this is the only way to get out of the desert.’ Her logical mind scolded mentally, before the golden-colored mare snapped herself out of self-induced daydreams. Radiant shafts of sunlight penetrated between partial openings in palm fronds, most rays hitting Treske’s wet hide and transforming pale ochre into an array of beautiful metallic sheens. Planting hooves steadily into the unstable surface, the female instantly clamped tail down as Ranjit started circling around her petite frame. Eyes widened enough to expose white sclera in an indication of anger, since he treaded much to close to her personal space. “I don’t need dozens of apologies for your own misdoings, however refrain from ever circling around me again.” She muttered matter-of-factly, until his sudden movements caused her to bolt unexpectedly backwards. Good thing Treske’s forelegs were steady or she would’ve of fallen sideways into the water, thanks in part to Ranjit’s erratic movements. “What in the world…” The akhal-teke regained her breath in time to answer “Yes…I am one of those so called ’can’t be tamed’ mares…in fact I will follow you.” She replied boldly, a feisty gleam appearing in her eyes “I don’t give in easily nor am I a wimp….if giving up was easy…..death would already be assured for me.” She stated briskly, knowing full well her welfare would be at stake once Ranjit took ’custody’. “Forcers….than be fully aware of my own bite…I’m not afraid to use it against the king of sands if he tries anything sly against me. Anyway lead the way….I’ll tag along.” Treske reassured, making up her mind that living outside Altir’s herd was better, than enduring misery under his leadership.