Lorol's love

[Rosi]

I do feel better about having Squall with her, though. They will come to no harm if she can do anything about. I just hope that Squall does nothing... stupid. He watched their retreating forms as they ventured farther into Fire tribe land. But there's no pulling out now, he said to no-one in particular.

[clokwerk]

Sangria galloped across the border, long legs tearing up the distance. She slowed gradually as she approached her lead stallion, coming to a full halt before him. The bloodmarked mare dipped a bow, before breathlessly telling Lorol of her news.

The negotiations have been a success, for the most part, she reported. The Fire tribe will assist us in our battle, sir. However... they will only intervene in our fight with the Earth if they believe we need the aid, Sangria concluded.

[Rosi]

Lorol's eyes narrowed. This wasn't what he wanted. Only if we need aid. He snorted, and began to turn away, only to be interceped by the dark mare.

Sire, if we had pushed this any farther, a rather one-sided fight would have broken out. This was what we could get. Squall stood in front of him, blocking his way. Lorol tried to go around her, and she sidestepped to prevent it. She knew that the stallion was getting annoyed, and she risked more every moment she stood in his path.

He sighed, and gave up the attempt. You are right, Squall. Thank you, Sangria. The alliance will be of great help. He turned to glare at Squall. Now may I go about my business?

Squall turned her head away and stepped out of his way.

[clokwerk]

Sangria trotted after her lead. Now, perhaps, would be best to discuss the flaring tempers... on both sides.

M'lord, she whispered. I... have some concerns I would like to discuss with you. They're about the Fire tribe... and Squall, she admitted. You see, not only did the Beta stallion display intense aggression, even for one of his bloodline, but Squall engaged him in a minor verbal spat. Addmittedly, he incensed her to it, but now I worry about her ability to stay level-headed and the Fire Tribe's loyalty to itself. This stallion made a challenge to his Lead Mare, and I cannot help but wonder if this former roamer means to establish a new herd, or is considering such a thing.

[Rosi]

Lorol looked her in the eye, slowing his pace slightly. A fight within themselves would destroy them. You mean to say that they cannot see that? He snorted. Their lead mare seemed to have some sense about that type of thing, but perhaps the roamer wishes to overrule her.

White Squall listened, quite intently, to their conversation. I will settle my fight with that stallion later. Now is not the time.

[clokwerk]

Sangria nodded in accordance, agreeing queitly.

A moment passed before she spoke again and the silence was strange, awkward. Like the mare was fishing for the appropriate words while the air hung gravid and expectant about the mare and her Lead.

I... can somewhat understand his outburst though, she said at length. There were no other ranking males, indeend no other stallions in the herd, which might've made him the de facto male authority. I am unaware of the nuances of Fire's system, only the basic pattern that we all model our hirearchies after. The bloodmarked mare paused for breath, and perhaps to order her thougts. Perhaps he felt that his word should have been equal to hers, at that time and with such circumstances. Perhaps the indpendent roamer spirit is simply a part of him, making him proud and unbending. I do not know.

A faint smirk crossed Sangria's face, a rare sight but not so rare as a smile. Either way, she said. I do not think we have to worry. For this stallion does bend - does give in... to his mate.

[Rosi]

Lorol snorted, looking towards his fellow lead. He had never really considered her a mate, simply a companion... a partner, if you will. And his mate, what is she like? Beta Mare, yes? He looked back to Sangria. Alatanna, if I remember correctly. They had fought side by side many times, but had also fought each other. Such were the Tribes' relationships.