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 Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 6:50 pm
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:12 pm
The sun’s warm rays felt refreshing on the stallion’s muscles. So warm and lovely after a peaceful sleep! Sadly the strong hot rays were not kind to some living things. Eyes squinting, Tavshed stared dubiously down at what was supposed to be flowers. The withering wisps could barely be called plants! Heart sinking he dared to brush his nose over one of the poor little dears..it crumbled into dust. “I just don’t u-understand. I gave you w-water..” The words were said in a mildly petulant tone; it was no easy feat to get water for just plants after all.
Voice ever soft he looked to the other ‘garden’; it was more a plant graveyard than anything and deflated Tavshed further. This may have been a bit silly to dare try his hoof at growing plants in the desert but he had wanted to grow them for Meissa.
“I tried so h-hard too.” Sighing heavily he bent his head to scoop up tiny Bau, plopping the plush tiger back in it’s rightful place. Gaze then sweeping the sands in search of Meissa. ”Honey? Ah..W-why can’t I get anything..to grow?” Ears flicking back he lightly kicked at the dead crumbly ‘almost plants’.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:43 pm
Sometimes Meissa found it difficult to believe he'd been lucky enough to find such a perfect mate in Tavshed. The stallion had been everything he could've ever dreamed of, and knowing that he was able to wake up every morning curled up next to him almost felt too good to be true. But adjusting to life in the desert had been a trial for his mate - as it had been for Meissa's Dad, who'd come to the desert later in life and fallen in love with his Papa and stayed. Funny how history tended to repeat itself...
But all of that was something to consider later. Right now, his darling mate was clearly in the doldrums. Meissa was quick to trot to Tavshed's side, bumping his nose under his chin and rubbing their faces together.
"It isn't your fault, dearest. Plants have such a difficult time growing in these conditions - it's why so many of the herd's medicinal herbs come from outside trade," he soothed, looking at the browned and dry plant life that his mate had tried so desperately to coax to life with a wince of sympathy. There was simply no helping it. Short of an Ulun'suti with wood elemental powers, there was little hope to keep a little garden alive in such harsh conditions.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 11:34 pm
Leaning into that gentle affection Tavshed immediately turned to nuzzle Messia back, the smallest smile momentarily brightening his features. Years of being without a true mate had left him so hungry for affection..and then they’d met. With the handsome, intelligent stallion by his side Tav felt so strong. Like he could conquer anything!
Except growing plants in the desert.
Eyes half lidded he happily stole a few more lingering nuzzles against his loves cheek. Voice softening further he again used a hoof to nudge one of the saddest plants. “I..I wanted to grow them. F-for you.”
Feeling the smallest flutter of shy butterflies fill his stomach he stayed close, working out the rising feelings by tapping away a few more withered flowers. “I wanted to put dozens of fragrant, b-beautiful flowers in your mane. You’d l-look even more breathtaking.” Heart now racing as he voiced his inner desires Tavshed took a few slow breaths. It was another tough lesson to learn in his new home but, Messia soothed it all.
Since coming to the desert the herd & his love had shared tons of things with him; a unique culture. Hopes and dreams for the future..knowledge that Tav could have never fathomed he would come to know. Perhaps thats why these sad plants had meant so much?
The longing to share a bit of the lush green forest with the one he adored. ”Even if I can’t put them in your hair. Just..smelling the blossoms with y-you would have been so..magical my beloved. I’m sorry they didn’t grow.” If only he could find a way to shower Messia in flowers. To enjoy the little blooms with his mate; surely there was a way.
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 1:08 am
The mention of tucking flowers into his man was enough to give Meissa pause, and he considered the confession for a long moment. If that was what his love desired, then surely there must be a way to make his wish come true that didn't involve so much heartbreak. And it only took him a few moments of thinking before he pulled away just enough to give his mate a bright smile.
"You needn't try and make real flowers bloom in the desert for that!" Meissa looked back over his shoulder, in the vague direction of where the herd had settled for now - although they were far from it on the course of their own errands. "Some of the traders make flowers from silk and other delicate fabrics that you could fashion into hair pins. And then you could soak them in floral scented oils so they were just as fragrant as real flowers. All you desire, without having to grow a garden just to pluck the flowers from it anyway."
It felt like the perfect solution, and he gave Tavshed another quick nuzzle before nudging his shoulder gently, encouraging him to follow after him.
"And as for smelling blossoms together... We're pretty near the edge of the desert right now. If I remember right, there's a lovely garden not too far from here. Perhaps you could find some inspiration there for what kinds of fabric flowers you'd like to get?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 11:56 am
Heart giving a few wild thumps Tavshed found himself wondering all over again..what had he ever done in his life to deserve such an amazing mate? Someone so smart, kind and clever. Eyes filled with gratitude he stole a glance to where the herd was, curiously humming. Fabric flowers that could hold fragrance. “I’m going to make so many. Y-You’ll be like a prince!”
Joy bubbling up within his chest he let a small laugh escape, mind whirling with plenty of amazing ideas. “Have I told y-you lately that y-you’re marvelous?” Humming a gentle tune he dutifully followed Messia’s nudges..pausing for a step at the word garden. Just the two of them? Smile becoming quite large, he made certain to keep up. Pleased when their sides brushed as they walked. “Do y-you have a favorite flower? Maybe..a certain scent? I want to spoil y-you with all the pretty flowers.”
It was wonderful to walk together, he obviously let Messia lead..eyes taking in their surroundings with a new light. Head buzzing as if it were a bee hive; what would they see? Would there be butterflies or maybe some cute little creatures that called the garden home? “It has b-been a bit since we travelled into the trees, maybe we can find some h-herbs for the herd.”
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 9:00 pm
"I'm no more marvelous than you!" Which could almost be mistaken for Meissa being humble - except that he thought Tavshed was quite marvelous himself. The true marvel was that they'd found each other when they had. The meeting had been pure chance, and what a wonderful path it had laid out for his future. To be mated this stallion, to have a future with him... Perhaps even children some day if they were so lucky - not that he wasn't giddy about all of his bonus children, but they'd already been grown when he'd met them! He wanted to raise foals of his own!
The question of a favorite flower at least was enough to make him pause, thinking it over seriously before shaking his head. "I can't say that I do. I haven't had much chance to really admire any, but maybe I can pick some favorites from the garden. Or you can decide what you think would look nicest in my mane! I'm not hard to please."
The walk truly wasn't far, and soon enough the desert gave way to grass, which further gave way to trees. They'd still have plenty of time to make it back by sunset, even if they stopped to gather some herbs on their way back. So he nodded his head with a smile, the bells in his mane jingling with the motion. "Not a bad idea! I'm sure we can find something useful on the way back. Just as long as we-" He cut himself off abruptly, trotting ahead of Tavshed and turning in front of him. "Wait, close your eyes. We're almost there and I want to surprise you."
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