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Percy glanced over and gulped. ”H-how are you feeling today, brother?” he asked shyly.

Jensen didn’t bother to look over, but gave a grunt as response. Percy wasn’t sure what this particular noise meant, but he noticed Jensen still walked with a slight limp despite how hard he tried to hide it. Percy sighed as they walked away from the herd, trying not to glance back at his sister for comfort. It had been a week since he’d taken over as Lead Stallion of Jensen’s herd. The two stallions barely spoke, Percy being busy with his duties and Jensen spending most of his time with Denna. But Jensen had approached him in the early hours of the morning and said they needed to talk. Percy was pretty sure he knew where this conversation was headed and a rock formed in his stomach.

Once they were well away from the mares, Jensen stopped, causing Percy to stumbled as he rushed to do the same. The two stallions stood in silence for what felt like a long time. Percy’s skin began to twitch and he was about to open his mouth when Jensen spoke.

”I think you’ve done well by my herd these past few days.”

Percy felt his cheeks flush at the unlikely praise. He opened his mouth to give thanks when Jensen continued.

”Being with the humans for so long...it was hard. On all of us. But everyone seems comforted by your presence. Comforted in a way they aren’t by me.” Jensen paused and took a deep breath, finally turning to his younger half-sibling. ”I think you should take over as lead. Permanently.”

Percy’s jaw dropped and he became utterly speechless. Out of all the dozens of ways this conversation could have gone, he never expected this. His brother was offering him permanent command and he didn’t know what to say or how to feel.

”B-brother. I-I’m--that is I--I don’t know--”

”You don’t have to give me an answer this minute.” Jensen cut through Percy’s stammering, looking away again. ”Just think about it.”

”N-no! I don’t need to think about it. I mean, that is to say, I’m honored!” Percy finally managed to blurt out, earnestness clear across his face. ”Of course I’ll keep your herd safe! B-but...what will you do?”

Jensen peeked over at Percy beneath his forelock before looking away again, clearly uncomfortable. ”I’ll stay for now, if that’s alright with you.” he replied.

”It’s more than alright!” Percy shouted with relief. ”Stay as long as you’d like! Your--my--our herd needs you.”

Jensen’s face twitched in what could have been called a smile. ”Thanks.” he said gruffly.

The stallions stood in companionable silence for a while as snow began to drift down from the gray sky.

”Uhm, what about Denna…?” Percy finally breached the silence.

”What about her? Jensen asked, glancing over.

”Well...she’s your lead mare. She can keep the position if she likes but--”

”She is not my lead mare.” Jensen snorted.

”O-oh. I just assumed because well...you two seem so...close.” Percy said awkwardly.

Jensen coughed and looked away, hiding his yellow gaze beneath his dark forelock. ”Yeah well...yeah.” he said, rather lamely. ”Pick any mare you want for lead. Or wait for the right one to come along. Whatever suits you.”

”I uhm...yeah. I’ll think about it.” Percy said with a smile. ”So..I’ve been thinking…”

The brothers spoke for a long time about the herd and it’s future. Where they would go next, Ibis’s soon-to-arrive foal (Jensen pretended to have another coughing fit), and when they might find more mares. A shout from behind drew their attention. The stallions glanced at each other before turning and hurrying back to the herd. They nearly stumbled upon Ruby and Eren as the foals excitedly yelled and bounced around.

”What’s going on?” Jensen snapped. ”You can’t be yelling like that if nothing’s wrong.”

Eren looked up and stuck his tongue out at the large stallion, making Jensen’s ears fall back. ”We found a snake!” Ruby said happily. ”He looks so cold.”

Percy’s eyes widened as he finally noticed the dark shape curled upon itself and hissing softly. It struck quickly, barely missing one of the foals’ legs. They giggled and skipped around it, feinting in and out to try making it strike again.

Percy pushed his way through and reared up, stamping at the ground. The snake hissed loudly at this new assault before quickly slithering away through the gathering snow, back to whatever burrow it came out of.

”Snakes aren’t playthings!” he said angrily, fixing the foals with a serious look. ”What if it was venomous and had bitten you?”

The foals, for their part, managed to look relatively contrite. They mumbled apologies before scampering off to the mares, probably to antagonize them instead of the snake. Percy sighed and shook his head. He looked over and noticed Jensen actually smiling at him.

”What?” he asked.

”Good job, Lead Stallion. I could never get those two to listen.” he said with a chuckle.

Percy felt his cheeks flush again at more praise. Together they rejoined the herd, walking among the mares who smiled and nodded to them as they passed. Percy chatted happily with Crane until he mentioned the snake. The mare’s ears immediately plastered themselves against her skull as she went to find her filly. Percy briefly felt bad for “ratting out” the foal, but knew it was a mother’s right to know when a foal was misbehaving. Just then, three mares that had since been absent came loping up to them, Robin in the lead. “

”What’s the matter?” Percy asked upon seeing their faces.

”We found something...strange.” Robin replied.

”It’s inside a human fence, only a few miles from here.” Nightingale added, throwing her head over her shoulder in the direction they’d come from.

”But it looks abandoned.” Denna rushed to say. ”Don’t give me that look Jensen, we were safe. And like I said, it looks abandoned.”

”Show us anyway.” Jensen said with a grim snort.

Together, the five horses loped across the valley. Although it was miles away, they covered the distance quickly. Through a small wooded glen they went and Percy caught sight of what they were talking about. Pulling up at the fence, Percy sniffed the wood. It smelled like humans, but the scent was old. The fence was clearly in bad need of repair and Percy was easily able to clear it. Inside the fence was something quite strange indeed. It smelled like metal and, even more strangely, predator. Percy approached slowly with Jensen and the mares in tow. It was brightly colored with pictures of funny humans all along the top. The middle was made up of metal bars, creating a cage. Inside was some old hay and predator droppings. Percy titled his head, unsure what to make of this discovery.

”I don’t like it.” Nightingale piped in, her eyes rolling white. ”It smells terrible. What if the animal it held is nearby?”

All five horses glanced around worriedly, thinking a mountain cat or wolf would suddenly jump out at them.

”I think whatever was in here is long gone.” Percy tried to say reassuringly. ”But, uh, just in case...maybe we should head back. We’ll move the herd further away once this snow stops.”

Denna’s brow creased at this and she glanced at Jensen. Sure, Percy had been acting as lead stallion until now, but he hadn’t given any “orders” in that time. Jensen shook his head, trying to tell Denna they’d speak about this later. Together, the two stallions and three mares made their way back to the main herd, maybe moving a little faster than plainly necessary. Once they returned, the herd moved to the small wooded area nearby to shelter from the growing storm. Denna and Jensen retired together, as usual, and spoke quietly among themselves. Percy sought out Rovin and the two siblings spoke together, Percy informing her of Jensen’s offer and his acceptance. His sister was extremely happy for him and gave him a hug with her neck. Percy couldn’t help by smile broadly. He now had a herd of his own.

__________________________________________

Stallion: Perseus (#85-2)

In response to: During an early spring snowstorm, the brothers discuss plans for the herd. Meanwhile, the foals find a snake while a couple of the mares hear a loud noise, only to discover a fence with a strange animal cage inside!

Art Features: Perseus and Jensen
Story Features: Perseus , Jensen , Denna , Robin , Nightingale , Crane , Ruby , and Eren
Word Count: 1,452

Aging: Ruby (2/3), Eren (2/3)

Other Notes: Happy boooooooys (fornow).

Description

Percy glanced over and gulped. ”H-how are you feeling today, brother?” he asked shyly.

Jensen didn’t bother to look over, but gave a grunt as response. Percy wasn’t sure what this particular noise meant, but he noticed Jensen still walked with a slight limp despite how hard he tried to hide it. Percy sighed as they walked away from the herd, trying not to glance back at his sister for comfort. It had been a week since he’d taken over as Lead Stallion of Jensen’s herd. The two stallions barely spoke, Percy being busy with his duties and Jensen spending most of his time with Denna. But Jensen had approached him in the early hours of the morning and said they needed to talk. Percy was pretty sure he knew where this conversation was headed and a rock formed in his stomach.

Once they were well away from the mares, Jensen stopped, causing Percy to stumbled as he rushed to do the same. The two stallions stood in silence for what felt like a long time. Percy’s skin began to twitch and he was about to open his mouth when Jensen spoke.

”I think you’ve done well by my herd these past few days.”

Percy felt his cheeks flush at the unlikely praise. He opened his mouth to give thanks when Jensen continued.

”Being with the humans for so long...it was hard. On all of us. But everyone seems comforted by your presence. Comforted in a way they aren’t by me.” Jensen paused and took a deep breath, finally turning to his younger half-sibling. ”I think you should take over as lead. Permanently.”

Percy’s jaw dropped and he became utterly speechless. Out of all the dozens of ways this conversation could have gone, he never expected this. His brother was offering him permanent command and he didn’t know what to say or how to feel.

”B-brother. I-I’m--that is I--I don’t know--”

”You don’t have to give me an answer this minute.” Jensen cut through Percy’s stammering, looking away again. ”Just think about it.”

”N-no! I don’t need to think about it. I mean, that is to say, I’m honored!” Percy finally managed to blurt out, earnestness clear across his face. ”Of course I’ll keep your herd safe! B-but...what will you do?”

Jensen peeked over at Percy beneath his forelock before looking away again, clearly uncomfortable. ”I’ll stay for now, if that’s alright with you.” he replied.

”It’s more than alright!” Percy shouted with relief. ”Stay as long as you’d like! Your--my--our herd needs you.”

Jensen’s face twitched in what could have been called a smile. ”Thanks.” he said gruffly.

The stallions stood in companionable silence for a while as snow began to drift down from the gray sky.

”Uhm, what about Denna…?” Percy finally breached the silence.

”What about her? Jensen asked, glancing over.

”Well...she’s your lead mare. She can keep the position if she likes but--”

”She is not my lead mare.” Jensen snorted.

”O-oh. I just assumed because well...you two seem so...close.” Percy said awkwardly.

Jensen coughed and looked away, hiding his yellow gaze beneath his dark forelock. ”Yeah well...yeah.” he said, rather lamely. ”Pick any mare you want for lead. Or wait for the right one to come along. Whatever suits you.”

”I uhm...yeah. I’ll think about it.” Percy said with a smile. ”So..I’ve been thinking…”

The brothers spoke for a long time about the herd and it’s future. Where they would go next, Ibis’s soon-to-arrive foal (Jensen pretended to have another coughing fit), and when they might find more mares. A shout from behind drew their attention. The stallions glanced at each other before turning and hurrying back to the herd. They nearly stumbled upon Ruby and Eren as the foals excitedly yelled and bounced around.

”What’s going on?” Jensen snapped. ”You can’t be yelling like that if nothing’s wrong.”

Eren looked up and stuck his tongue out at the large stallion, making Jensen’s ears fall back. ”We found a snake!” Ruby said happily. ”He looks so cold.”

Percy’s eyes widened as he finally noticed the dark shape curled upon itself and hissing softly. It struck quickly, barely missing one of the foals’ legs. They giggled and skipped around it, feinting in and out to try making it strike again.

Percy pushed his way through and reared up, stamping at the ground. The snake hissed loudly at this new assault before quickly slithering away through the gathering snow, back to whatever burrow it came out of.

”Snakes aren’t playthings!” he said angrily, fixing the foals with a serious look. ”What if it was venomous and had bitten you?”

The foals, for their part, managed to look relatively contrite. They mumbled apologies before scampering off to the mares, probably to antagonize them instead of the snake. Percy sighed and shook his head. He looked over and noticed Jensen actually smiling at him.

”What?” he asked.

”Good job, Lead Stallion. I could never get those two to listen.” he said with a chuckle.

Percy felt his cheeks flush again at more praise. Together they rejoined the herd, walking among the mares who smiled and nodded to them as they passed. Percy chatted happily with Crane until he mentioned the snake. The mare’s ears immediately plastered themselves against her skull as she went to find her filly. Percy briefly felt bad for “ratting out” the foal, but knew it was a mother’s right to know when a foal was misbehaving. Just then, three mares that had since been absent came loping up to them, Robin in the lead. “

”What’s the matter?” Percy asked upon seeing their faces.

”We found something...strange.” Robin replied.

”It’s inside a human fence, only a few miles from here.” Nightingale added, throwing her head over her shoulder in the direction they’d come from.

”But it looks abandoned.” Denna rushed to say. ”Don’t give me that look Jensen, we were safe. And like I said, it looks abandoned.”

”Show us anyway.” Jensen said with a grim snort.

Together, the five horses loped across the valley. Although it was miles away, they covered the distance quickly. Through a small wooded glen they went and Percy caught sight of what they were talking about. Pulling up at the fence, Percy sniffed the wood. It smelled like humans, but the scent was old. The fence was clearly in bad need of repair and Percy was easily able to clear it. Inside the fence was something quite strange indeed. It smelled like metal and, even more strangely, predator. Percy approached slowly with Jensen and the mares in tow. It was brightly colored with pictures of funny humans all along the top. The middle was made up of metal bars, creating a cage. Inside was some old hay and predator droppings. Percy titled his head, unsure what to make of this discovery.

”I don’t like it.” Nightingale piped in, her eyes rolling white. ”It smells terrible. What if the animal it held is nearby?”

All five horses glanced around worriedly, thinking a mountain cat or wolf would suddenly jump out at them.

”I think whatever was in here is long gone.” Percy tried to say reassuringly. ”But, uh, just in case...maybe we should head back. We’ll move the herd further away once this snow stops.”

Denna’s brow creased at this and she glanced at Jensen. Sure, Percy had been acting as lead stallion until now, but he hadn’t given any “orders” in that time. Jensen shook his head, trying to tell Denna they’d speak about this later. Together, the two stallions and three mares made their way back to the main herd, maybe moving a little faster than plainly necessary. Once they returned, the herd moved to the small wooded area nearby to shelter from the growing storm. Denna and Jensen retired together, as usual, and spoke quietly among themselves. Percy sought out Rovin and the two siblings spoke together, Percy informing her of Jensen’s offer and his acceptance. His sister was extremely happy for him and gave him a hug with her neck. Percy couldn’t help by smile broadly. He now had a herd of his own.

__________________________________________

Stallion: Perseus (#85-2)

In response to: During an early spring snowstorm, the brothers discuss plans for the herd. Meanwhile, the foals find a snake while a couple of the mares hear a loud noise, only to discover a fence with a strange animal cage inside!

Art Features: Perseus and Jensen
Story Features: Perseus , Jensen , Denna , Robin , Nightingale , Crane , Ruby , and Eren
Word Count: 1,452

Aging: Ruby (2/3), Eren (2/3)

Other Notes: Happy boooooooys (fornow).