Why Hello There... (Animated)

Find the unanimated, higher quality picture here: athenamyth.deviantart.com/art/… But hey, if you've got illusion as a power, why not use it to impress the ladies?
My only question is, does this count as points for Art too, seeing as he's 'techically' part of the image?
Veratis points: 5

Days later, and Prophodia was very lonely indeed. Her owl companion had disappeared one night and had finally left the mare completely alone. It hasn't been too lonely at first, but as the nights grew colder and the days shorter as she travelled further and further north, the roan became more aware of how much she missed the companionship of the horses she'd considered friends back on Olympus. Athena's other horses had always been a tight, companionable group for the most part, although the mare would admit that they had their spats at times. Dwelling on those she missed, she suddenly had the thought that perhaps they were out here in the world as well. Everyone had fallen, cast out by Zeus. She just needed to find where they had fallen to.

With that in mind, Prophodia's step became more determined and her travelling path clearer to her. She would scour this puny world for her friends, her herd and they would make a new life on this world. She never stopped to consider that perhaps her friends didn't feel as betrayed as she did about their mistress, or that they would want to make their way back to Olympus.
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Within the underworld, another was beginning his own path. Sent out by Hades himself, the dark stallion's path was clear before him, willingly accepted. His goal, like Prophodia's, was to scour the world for horses like him, the gods horses. He was his master's right hand, his way to influence those around him to accept his master's offer and become like him. A mount of Hades.

Nekros emerged from the underworld silently, no pomp, no ceremony as he burst forth and stood on a grassy hill overlooking its surroundings. With Hades in his ear to encourage him forward to the first chosen target, the stallion had no hesitation in his step, merely a knowledge that he could not go wrong as he galloped across the plains, his target in his mind's eye. A beautiful, but lost mare who's name rolled off his tongue like silver. Prophodia.

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It was near dusk with Prophodia came to a hollow in a valley suitable for resting in. She was hungry from her journey, stomach rumbling in protest against the few stops she made during the day and prompting the mare to drop her head to graze, if only for a half an hour before the night settled in.

Her snack was interrupted by the sound of hoofbeats echoing through the hollow. Throwing her head up, the mare turned to face whoever it was, only to spin once again when a voice spoke up behind her. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"

The dark stallion chuckled slightly as the mare's ears went back and stepped forward to greet her. "My apologies for startling you. That wasn't my intention, I assure you." In reality, that was exactly what he had intended on doing. The first step to winning someone over to your way of thinking, make sure that they have no solid ground to stand on.

"I was not startled. Merely taken aback that one as hefty as you could sneak around so well." Prophodia shot back, amused when the strange stallion's ears went back at the insult. "But in any case, that is in the past. What is it that brings you here and made you approach my resting place?" The question was asked curiously. Obviously, the glow of her back was hard to hide, so it wasn't like she could keep herself from being found unless she truely tried. But until this point, no other horse had approached her during her journey or her rest and it made her curious as to why this one had.

"Better to be a solid horse than one that is turned by the wind." Nekros shot back, tossing his head proudly. The stallion came up beside her, brushing against her pelt as he sauntered to her other side. "But the bigger question is, why would one not? The beauty of the stars across your back and the noble carriage you hold must burden yourself so greatly. I know of not one horse that would not fall at your hooves for a taste of what you have to offer." He chuckled at her scoffing noise and skimmed his muzzle over her gleaming neck.

"Your words are empty and meaningless." Prophodia replied with disdain, stepping away from the larger stallion. "I have nothing that I would offer you, but if I did, why would I? For we've just met and so far, there is nothing about you that I am fond of." The mare flicked her ears back in annoyance as he sidled up to her once more.

"Oh, but that is where you are wrong, beautiful lady." The stallion purred, having knowledge of her from his master, who whispered in his ear as they bantered back and forth. "For there is something I have that I can do for you, to give you what you long for but do not possess. After all, what more can a rival stallion do but become the rival that his lady desires?"

As Nekros spoke, his form wavered, slowly changing his look from the dark coat and attractive white markings to a solid chestnut with glistening stars along his back. Although his build and demeanor remained constant, the coat resemblance to the unknown chestnut stallion she'd pushed away was striking and the mare wavered between telling the stallion to be on his way or allowing him to stay and keep her company. At least for a short while.

Prophodia is mine, as is Nekros. Artemisos is cheddarbug's