Credit to Shi-Stock@DA for all images

Name: Astraea

Age: 12 Years & 3 Months

Gender: Mare/Female

Herd:

Twilight Falls

Rank:

Lead Mare

Desired Rank:

Content

Appearance:

Astraea is a broad mare, standing at 15.4 hands, who does not have much physical strength - at least compared to other horses. The majority of her muscles lie in her legs and chest, though they provide no aid in landing strong blows. Rather, they provide her with the power to travel long distances and traverse rough terrain. She has a large stamina pool and can run for many miles (but not at top speeds). However, her large stamina pool can cause her to push the herd on too much. Thus, it is best if other mares were to remind her that not all the horses can last as long as she can.

The mare’s fur is a bit of a darker bay color, and can be described to have a smooth texture. Medium to low white socks can be seen painted along her legs, like a half-done picket fence (the low socks being on her right and the medium on her left. The highest of the socks ends a bit above her point of hock). High on her right shoulder lies a small-ish white patch of fur. Another, even smaller, patch of white fur cuts through her bay fur at the top of her forehead. Both her mane and tail are of medium length, and both are colored black.

The lead mare has been through a lot, despite having barely entered the double digit range. Many faded scars line her body from time spent protecting her young and other foals. Due to her physical weakness, all she could do was stand in the offender's way and attempt to intimidate them - hence her various scars. The most noticeable cuts directly through her left eye, causing it to spin in a milky-brown hue. Her other eye remains unscathed - a perfect caramel brown.

Personality:

Orderly || Strict || Protective || Impatient || Forgiving || Experienced || Attentive || Stands for Justice

Astraea, despite not being a perfectionist, must have everything in an orderly fashion. She keeps a tight schedule for the herd, and despises the idea of branching off from said schedule. She can and will push the herd forward to stick to the schedule, only stopping if a horse drops out of exhaustion. The bay mare is also known to create “guidelines” for the herd - specifically the foals - to follow. Her main goal is to always ensure the herd’s safety, and she believes her rules will aid in this. Thus, she will be quite upset if she does not stick to the schedule, or if any horse or foal does not listen to her guidelines. It is best not to approach her during this time, she may snap.

“No grown horse is to be farther than 5 strides from the closest horse. No foal is to go past the farthest horse. When traveling, no horse is to be farther than two strides from the horse in front of them - with foals and elders sticking to the middle. We must arrive in an orderly and timely manner.”

The mare is very strict towards misbehaving foals, especially with her drive to keep the herd safe. After all, they are the most important part of the herd - being as they are the next generation. Their well-being must come first. Those foals who break her rules are quick to get scolded by her - even if their mother tells her not to. She has no patience for troublemakers. They do nothing but bring problems to the herd. However, she easily forgives them if they promise to never do what they did again. Though, that does not mean that she won’t be keeping an eye on them.

“It’s alright, young ones. Just, please, don’t do that again.”

This lead mare has been through a lot throughout her years - as evident with her scars. Cougar attacks, natural disasters, and rather aggressive challenging stallions to name a few. Thus, she knows how to handle many situations. Astraea also has extensive knowledge of the area her herd resides in. She knows the safest paths by heart as well as the dangerous ones. Rarely does she lead the herd down a dangerous path, unless something has changed in the area.

“The eastern path is the safest. In the western, a cougar lives, hunting any unfortunate souls that stray near its den. To the south, rocks fall at the slightest shift in its surroundings. Even a single breath from the youngest horse could spur on a rockslide.”

If there’s one thing Astraea hates, it’s unfair treatment and unjust actions. She believes that every horse should have the right to live the way they wish. When the lead stallion of her herd - a horse that she had previously respected - took over the Sunny Valley herd, she became appalled. She found his actions to be unjust and filled with greed. Personally, the lead mare has nothing against these horses from the destroyed herd. In fact, she treats them better than those who were in her herd before the takeover. Now, Astraea has to balance the objective of protecting her herd and justify the lead stallion’s actions.

Crush:

Open

Mate:

Open

Offspring:

-Apollo (Colt)

Open

Affiliations (Includes Kin):

-Rain (Yearling)

Open

Other:

-Astraea has a genetic mutation called X-factor that enlarges her heart. (This was the genetic mutation that allowed Secretariat to set his record).

-As mentioned, the mare is severely lacking in strength and defense. Her speed is only average, if not below that. Her greatest strength is her stamina (due to the mutation).

Example:

Everything was still. Not a breeze blew. Not a leaf fluttered. Not even a creature scurried. The world seemed lifeless, if not for the herd of horses that lay nearby.

Everything was silent. Not a wolf howled. Not a river babbled. Not a cricket chirped. Not even the bay mare’s breath could be heard, as her single caramel eye cycled through the sights around her.

Everything was… tense. The moon’s light illuminated the eerie world in a tone that brought shivers up the spines of all living creatures. The mare stood tense as well - ears moving rapidly in a desperate attempt to catch and sound in this seemingly desolate night.

Another mare trotted up behind her, telling her to relax and get some reset. Her belly was round, showing her the growth of her latest bundle of joy. Astraea shook her head, refusing the mare’s offer. By her own back leg layed her own foal, born mer hours ago. She would not rest, especially with her foal just being born.

Not far from her, the foal’s father rested. He slept peacefully amongst the members of the Twilight Falls Herd. The male had cared very little about the birth of his child, let alone its existence. The mare began to wonder if he cared to begin with, or if this was his way of ensuring his legacy lived on.

“I cannot rest, not with the lead stallion forcing the herd to remain here, despite my orders to move on.” The bay mare argues. The opposing mare sighs, mumbling under her breath before wandering off to catch her own shut eye.

Astraea remains in this position for some time, blankly staring ahead while her ears nitpick the air. The sudden sound of a twig snapping breaks her trance, her neck snapping to look behinding her. Her nostrils flare and a sour smell flows in. Danger.

The mare is quick to nudge her foal awake, having them stand as close as possible. Her one eye locks onto the forest around her, doing its best to spot the immediate danger. Her ears catch not a sound, the forest having shifted into a thick silence that could suffocate even the bravest of souls.

Credit to Alla-equi@DA for all images

Name: Apollo

Age: 2 Months

Gender: Colt/Male

Herd:

Twilight Falls

Rank:

Foal

Desired Rank:

Wishes to be in a higher position when older

Appearance:

Like his mother, Apollo is more so on the lean side - then again, he is only two months old so this is to be expected. He stands at 31 inches with his legs making up the majority of his height. Not much is known about his attributes, but the colt seems to be rather fast. His stamina seems to be average while his strength and defense remain undetermined.

The young male’s pelt is light bay dun with a silky texture. The majority of his legs, as well as his underbelly, are colored a light tan. The end of his snout is dawned black and a patch of white - in the shape of a star - rests on his forehead. His mane and tail are rather short - then again, so are those of other foals - and are colored the same shade of black as his mother’s.

The foal has bright amber-brown eyes that are often glossed with curiosity. Rarely are they tinted with any other emotion. No scars line his body as he has not lived through any hardships as of now.

Personality:

Polite || Well Behaved || Honory || Rambunctious || Energetic || Curious || Adventurous || Friendly || Trusting

As one can imagine, being Astraea’s son, Apollo is very polite and well behaved. He has yet to break any of his mother’s rules, wishing to set an example of good behavior for other foals to follow - believing himself to be “the only one for the job.” Never has this colt spoken to an adult without politeness - always calling them “Ma’am” or “Sir.” He hasn’t even talked back to a horse that isn’t his age. Many of the older horses are grateful for his polite nature. This politeness, however, mainly comes from his goal to be one of the most respected and beloved horses within the herd, as well as the best foal his mother has birthed.

“Don’t worry, Mom. I won’t fail you! I’ll make sure the other foals have a great example to follow.”

When not trying to set an example, this colt can be rather rambunctious and energetic. He can often be found running within an inner circle of horses (of course, never leaving the area his mother definned). Throughout the day, he will experience random intervals of energy - much like a feline. This will lead him to spring off without explanation. Most of the herd members - including his mother - find this behavior to be amusing.

“Hello Mother- Oh! Look, a butterfly!”

The bay dun foal is quite curious about the world around him, given his young age. He adores traveling with the herd to new areas as it gives him the chance to see new things. He will ask the older horses - especially the lead stallion and his mother - many questions about the things he sees. And he will not stop pestering them until he gets an answer.

“Hey Mom, what was that weird fluffy grass with a cloud for a hat? It tasted nasty!”

Apollo can be trusting of those he knows well. Though, this has almost led him into trouble a few times - namely when one of his fellow foals tries to play a prank on him. To any horse he meets, the colt is extremely friendly and does his best to get to know them. The whole idea of “stranger danger” does not occur to him. Thus, his mother often frets over the idea of him meeting a violent, rogue stallion.

“Greetings Ma’am! It’s nice to meet you. I’m Apollo! You are…?”

Crush:

N/A

Mate:

N/A

Offspring:

N/A

Affiliations (Includes Kin):

-Mother: Astraea

-Father: Open

-Siblings: Rain (Considered Sister; Not Blood Related)

Other:

-Apollo does not have the X-factor mutation.

Credit to Alla-equi@DA for all images