[IC] =Ice's Teepee=

[Syrran]

Taima turned and nuzzled his young foals, smiling and puffing out his chest proudly. Nickering softly he turned on his haunches and nudged Vevina lovingly, then Thistle, who was now clinging to his leg nervously. "It's alright you two...this is our home. The entire valley is ours to roam and soon you will meet others like you and even humans." At that he paused, realizing that he had been so caught up in his own life, that he had not gone to visit Lequoia and share the news with her. She would want to know.

Thistle turned to her sister and siddled up to her, she felt bad for leaving her behind. She hadn't meant to do it..and once she had gotten there she had become quite shy. It was a bit overwhelming, after being in the nice warm basket for so long. Her large blue eyes were wide with wonderment, the colors! The sounds and the feeling of hard ground beneath her feet. They were all so new!

Lequoia felt odd. Not bad, but as if something had shifted. No doubt it had to do with Taima. She missed him. Oh sure she understood his reasoning. He needed the time to come to his own. She in turn needed time to heal her body. She had caught wind of the baskets, but Taima must have gotten side tracked and forgot to come to her. That was his way though, and surely he woud make up for it when the foals were out. Wouldn't he?  

[Foalen]

Wild rose, named for her chestnut coat that looked so like one of those dark red flowers her mother was fond of, sat near by the painted mare who had born her looking about at the world with wide unblinking eyes. There was oh so much to see she didn't know where to start looking.

Boldly she propelled herself out of the basket that had been her home for most of her short life. Unprepared for the hardness of the ground she weaved, her shaky legs turning underneath her. Instinctively turning with the motion the little filly fought for balance her small pink toung sticking out the side of her mouth as she focused all her consentration on staying upright.

When her legs finally steadied Rose thrust her small chest forward in trumph nearly overbalancing in the process and whinnied victoriously to her dam with her head held high and her blue eyes raidient.

Ayita wuffled affectionatly as she scanned the area for her mate and Rose's sisters. Catching a glimps of Taima's familiar coat she neighed loudly to catch his attention.

Eagerly Rose leaped forward unsteadily following the painted mare's glance to the two other small ones like herself. Excited at the prospect of meeting her siblings the chestnut filly surged forward in an ungainly manner. Her stride grew more sound the closer she came to her goal until she was moving nearly as fluidly as her mother.

Ayita held back a chuckle as she was forced to increase her pace to keep up with her audacious foal.

Skidding to a halt infront of Taima and her sisters Rose blew air through her nose catching her breath and a wift of her family's scent. She paused thoughtfully comitting the smell to memory. It was a very good scent and she didn't want to forget it.  

[Foalen]

Hearing Vevin's reply Ayita trotted over to her youngest daughter and gave her a quick nuzzle before moving on to greet her mate. Standing near Taima's strong reasuring presense the painted mare turned fond eyes on the fillies as they played in the bright spring sunshine.


Rose watched Vevin dancing around her small tail wisking back and forth in growing excitment. Her blue eyes glowed as she bided her time waiting until the dark grey paited filly had turned her back to Rose. Then with a gleeful cry she jumped forward landing a bit awkwardy just behind her sister.

"I bet you can't catch me." She challanged Vevin as she turned around and bounded around to the other side of their parents.  

[Foalen]

Seeing that her sister was chasing her in ernest Wild rose lept away her small tail held high. This was fun! The breeze was soft and the sun warm as it seemed to smile down upon the herd. It took a few tries to figure out how to coridnate her legs as she landed and gathered her small body to leap once more. But soon she was a dark brown splash flying over the plain enjoying the pure flow of motion.

She nearly forgot her sister was following her until a shadow came up from behind her and she wheeled around to come nose to nose with Vevina. "He he, I guess I'm it." She laughed giving her sister a quick lick. "How fast can you run?"

Her front legs splayed forward her hind end in the air Rose lowered her head playfully preparing to leap after her sister.  

[Syrran]

"What about me?!" Thistle cried out. Fearful of being left behind. She turned to her dam and ran up,giving her a quick nuzzle "love you mamma" she said simply and then ran after the other's in quick pursuit. She looked much like her mother when she ran, but the fire in her eyes were her sire's and she pushed her body forward with all her might to catch up to them.

Taima chuckled at the sight of his fillies playing. He turned to Ayita, bright blue eyes shining with what looked like tears, though he would never admit it to anyone but her. "Ayita, I'm glad, and I'm very proud of you. You look beautifful today." He nuzzled her and quickly placed some flowers into her mane.

Lequoia was very restless. She decided that it was time to seek out Foalen. Perhaps the bohiti would know where the soquili pair had gone. She left her teepee and tried her best to be careful on her just healed ankle. She walked quickly to Foalens teepee and hoped he would be there.  

[Foalen]

With a warm smile for Thistle, Ayita returned the filly's nuzzle watching fondly as the foal ran off to join her sisters. Glancing over at Taima the painted mare wickkered happily rubbing her head against the stallion's wide neck lovingly. "That's so sweet of you, thank you."

Glancing up at him out of a bright and dancing eye Ayita nuzzled her mate. "You look happy too, I think father hood suits you."

Wild rose looked up at Thistles called and neighed loudly welcoming her to join the game. For a moment the chestnut filly was torn between tagging Vevina who was closer to her or trying for Thistle who was coming towards them from across the clearing.

Springing up with a laugh she chose and direction and lowing her head dashed toward Thistle making sure to slide to a stop before she could run into her sister. Reaching out with her muzzle she reached out to tag the other foal.

In the forest where the shaman Foalen kept his home the little fox Takota heard something and slipped his brown head out of the teepee to see what was approching. Seeing Lequoia he yipped softly slipping back in to alert the shaman that he had a visitor.

A few moments later Foalen appeared at the door looking around to see what had caught the fox's attention. The shaman smiled when Lequoia appeared through the trees. "Lequoia, it's good to see you. Is everything all right?"