Name: Aphrodite

Age: 3

Gender: Mare

Breed: Thoroughbred

Color: Strawberry/ Red Roan

Mate/ Crush: Falcon 

Foals: (In the making)

Herd: The Aurora Herd

Likes: Running, Grazing, Sleeping, Playing, Being around her Herd, Being with Friends.

Dislikes: Predators, Aggressiveness

Characteristics: Nice, Kind, Caring, Sassy, Bossy, Stubborn, Mean

Bio: 

It had been a long day. A storm was blowing in from the South of where ever the mare had been. She was still moderately young, it was obvious she had been beaten and lonely before; maybe from an attack. The mare stumbled through the grasslands alone, her head held low to the ground, drowsiness and fatigue taking her over. Thunder claps rolled in the distance, and she sighed heavily. The storm would be coming soon, and she knew she would have to find somewhere to take cover. But she didn't feel like it. The poor mare was beat. No energy. Raindrops sprinkled against her rough coat and battered mane and tail, the coolness of the water making her tingle. with each drop the sprinkles became harsher, eventually turning into the harsh storm that she knew was coming. The drops now beat against her soaked coat and mane and tail, the heavy water making her skin numb. Without notice, the mare stumbled forward, landing on her front knees and eventually laying completely down on her side. Her eyes were practically closed now, the drowsiness and fatigue attacking her like a pack of wolves. She didn't know if she was just tired, or about to die. Either way she didn't care, maybe it would be better if she was dead. Nobody wanted her anyways. She heaved heavily and closed her eyes completely, her breathing slowing with each breath. Her mind was a mess, thoughts being thrown about everywhere. Complete darkness soon took over her mind, the harsh pitter-patter of the rain beating against her body and the ground becoming the only thing she heard. However, there was an unusual beat to the rain. It almost didn't sound like rain. More like hooves, pounding against the ground with each step of a harsh gallop. The mare didn't seem to care though. She went to sleep, or at least what she thought was sleep, and let the odd beat of rain or hooves die out with the rest of the world.

It was morning when she awoke. Well, at least she woke up, that was a good sign. Her lids were half closed, the ice blue eyes peering through them against the bright morning sun. She definitely wasn't where she was when she went to sleep the night before. Slowly, she rose from where she was, finding herself in an odd little pen with a small stack of apples beside her. Where was she? She had no idea. Around her, she saw little tents that seemed to have smoke coming from them. Not like raging fire kind of smoke, it smelt different, more like some kind of food. The scent wasn't familiar, that was for sure. From her right, she heard a whistle that pierced her ears like a knife.  She swung her head to that direction, finding some odd creature coming to her. A two- legged. Her eyes went wide as she backed up as much as she could, her rear bumping against the inside of the pen that caged her in. This was the first two- legged she had ever seen. Obviously she had heard of them, but never really seen one before. The mare guessed it was a female; she was small and petite, with dark skin and hair and eyes. She wore some sort of animal fur and skin for clothing, the material covering her torso and half of her lower body. She wore flat shoes, and her dark hair was pulled into a long braid that trailed down her back. Her face was soft and kind, it was a bit obvious that she knew a lot about many things, despite her age. Yes, her age. She seemed young, not many wrinkles, the only ones she had were around the corners of her mouth. Probably from smiling too much. The two- legged stepped into the pen where the mare was. She was gentle in her voice and hand motions, trying not to scare the mare. And it worked, too. The mare was not afraid of this two- legged, despite the stories she had heard of her kind before. The young girl was now about a foot or so in front of the mare, her hand reaching out to touch her muzzle. The mare objected, turning her head slightly and squinting her eyes suspiciously at the girl. However, she still wasn't afraid. The mare's eyes opened, a bit of a welcoming look in her eyes, as she turned and allowed the girl to gently caress her muzzle. It was a new feeling, the touch of human hands, but the mare liked it. "Good girl.." the young two- legged said with a soft smile. "You're absolutely gorgeous.." she muttered, complimenting the mare. "Well, I know we haven't known each other long, but I'd still love to name you.." she said. The young Indian girl thought for a moment before smiling brightly. "Aphrodite," she said, "That will be your name." she concluded.

Aphrodite was with this young Indian girl for quite a while. The mare, who had come to love and know the girl very well, came to know that the young girls name was Dark River. She was a member of the Lakota Tribe. The Lakota Tribe, Aphrodite often found herself thinking of the title, something about it sounding eerily familiar. Something told her it may have been from some kind of old story she heard before, because that's where most things like that came from. But on the other hand, it didn't sound like something from a story. Or maybe it was, and it was someones life story. 

Time passed quickly while Aphrodite was with Dark River and the Lakota Tribe. Everyday was basically the same routine. The mare slept outside of the young woman's tent, and every morning she would wake up with her, and go out to graze while her two- legged friend did her morning chores. After she was done, they would often go out for a run, both to enjoy and occasionally look for wandering horses. However, despite the loving home and environment she had been blessed with, the day came when Aphrodite did leave. It wasn't for any kind of bad reason. It wasn't because of Dark River, or any other of the two-leggeds, because she loved them all. It was the calvalry. They came and ransacked the entire Lakota Village, leaving basically nothing behind. It was horrible, and terrifying for Aphrodite. She had no idea humans could be like that. And it gave her an entirely different outlook on them. The mare found Dark River soon after the Calvalry left. The young girl was sitting beside the river, her face in her palms, crying endlessly. The mare stood beside her and nudged her gently with the muzzle. Dark River sniffled and looked up, petting Aphrodite's muzzle gently. "Oh Aphrodite....they took everything.." she whimpered, stiffling more tears. Aphrodite nickered quietly before resting her head against Dark Rivers', indicating that she wanted a hug. The girl hugged the mare's head, looking at her afterwards with a look of concern. She didn't know if she felt bad, or if she was trying to tell her something. Dark River found her face in her palms again, crying. Aphrodite turned quietly and left, her head hanging low as she slowly trotted off. Dark River lifted her head once again to watch Aphrodite as she trotted away, knowing she would most likely never see her again. She waved goodbye, a silent tear rolling slowly down her cheek.  Goodbye, Aphrodite.

It had been about a month since Aphrodite left the Lakota Tribe, the sadness of their departure fading away like it never happened. She had no one with her; no herd, no new Indian tribe. Just herself, for now. The mare found herself often spending nights in less crowded areas, such as open areas with less grass and trees. For some reason she felt safer, even if she was completely exposed. One night, as she lay under a large oak tree, her eyes slowly closing and her mind drifting away into a dream, she heard something beating against the ground in the distance. Hooves. Gee, this wasn't familiar or anything. Aphrodite sat up slowly, looking around her for any other horses. And, she was right. Coming her way was a large stallion. He looked about three years old, large and bulky, a dun. The stallion thundered towards her, occasionally glancing up into the sky as if he was watching something. The mare followed his eyes when he looked up again, and to her surprise, there was an eagle souring through the wind above him. Aphrodite's eyes fell back to the stallion face when she was done staring at the eagle, and, oddly, found that the stallion was looking directly at her. Aphrodite freaked out a little inside, and she got up to gallop away, hopefully in time to make it away from this obviously fast stallion who was bolting in her direction. But, she was stopped. Right as she was about to gallop away, she heard a loud neigh from behind her. The dun stallion was practically in front of her now, prancing towards her and coming to a stop a few yards away. The mare pinned her ears back, taking a few steps back to further the distance between herself and the newcomer. The stallion, whom she had come to know, was named Spirit. He was the lead stallion of the Cimarron Herd. Something told him she was a loner, judging by her being on her own, so he took her under his wing, welcoming her into his herd. Aphrodite accepted his offer and followed him back to his homeland.

The mare had been part of the Cimarron herd for a few months, befriending all of the other mares and foals that were part of the herd. All was good in life, and she was hoping she wouldn't have to deal with anymore humans. And she didn't; just new horses. 

It was one of those long summer nights, the heat practically unbearable, the buzzards flying overhead, and crickets chirping like crazy around the land. Aphrodite was laying beside a large lake with the rest of the herd members; Spirit figured since it was so hot out it may be a good idea to stay close to some sort of water supply. The mare lay there under the dim sunlight, the sun soon fading away as the moon showed itself. She could swear she heard something in the distance; she knew she heard something. The mare opened her eyes more and rose from the ground, curious and wanting to explore what she heard. There was a faint rustling in the brush and trees, and she slowly walked towards it, her addrenanline rushing and curiosity peaking. Out of the brush popped a head. A horse head. Aphrodite jumped a little and then froze as the head pulled out from the brush, the rest of the body coming out from hiding. Oh look, another stallion.  Aphrodite rolled her eyes and watched the stallion who stood before her. He was stout, and muscular. He was a paint, with a dark, long, black mane. The mare knew it would only start trouble if Spirit found out about this new stallion, so she made sure he didn't find out about him. The stallions name was Falcon. He was the leader of the Aurora Herd. Aphrodite often found herself sneaking off many nights to go spend time with him, until eventually she left the Cimarron Herd to go with Falcon. Over time, they grew a great bonde, and eventually became mates. 

Lineart © swiftsomes @ DA