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 Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 3:09 pm
  A Solo RP for Sept 2026 Monthly Prompt Squeeks finally makes it back to her father just in time for the harvest season. But who is the stranger and how will she effect this season of gratitude? final word count: 2,887
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 3:33 pm
It had taken months.
Months of travel, months of searching, months of lonely nights scattered with the occasional kind stranger. Even a handsome one who still haunting her mind some nights when she was all alone. But the travel had been worth it. The sore legs, a split hoof at one point (she sent up a silent thank you once again to the kind souls she had met who had helped that particular problem) and the gnawing dread that she was never going to find him...
It all stopped mattering as she entered the clearing, the dead leaves crunching softly under hoof. There he was, standing on the far side, adjusting a bundle of some vegitation on a pile of similar bundles, perhaps bedding material or long grasses to store for the impending winter months.
Her Father.
Squeeks did not have many memories of him. His red coat filled her with a warmth as it always had, so similar to her mane and tail's own red hue. The sheen on his purple mane and tail, filling her with joy as it all but sparkled in the afternoon light filtering in from the sparse cover of the trees. But it was the gentle pink of the heart on his rear that she carried in her heart. A beacon, set in the same location as her own purple flower. A connection she knew they shared with her grandmother. The physical proof she had a family, a legacy.
Kezia had raised her, loved her, taught her. But that physical mark that connected her to her blood family had always felt important to Squeeks. Undeniable.
"Father." her voice trembled, from emotion or exhaustion, she wasn't sure.
wc: 282
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 3:44 pm
"Father"
The word floated across the clearing Antirr had called home for two seasons already. His body tensed, annoyed with himself for not catching the approach of someone, ears pinning back and mouth pulling back into a snarl.
Yet when he turned that all dropped, blinking in mild confusion.
Squeeks. Bellis. His daughter. His actual daughter, the only one he truly knew of at any rate. He wasn't concerned with what potential prodigy may exist out there with the mares who had failed to stand with him, to weak to handle his reasonable expectations.
How long had it been since he had last seen her? He couldn't even fathom. That damnable bookworm certainly hadn't wanted him to be near her, but honestly had he cared? Mentally he rolled his eyes. Not really, she was soft. And he had such limited patience for it.
His eyes moved past her to the other occupant in the clearing. His female. The most recent, truthfully, and eventually one of many he still intended. But the only one he had met in some time who finally, finally, understood. He watched as she made eye contact with him and tilted her head in question.
Eyes back to Squeeks, he sighed and smiled. Play the gentle father, Antirr. Or at least... enough.
"Squeeks!" he moved forward, ear twitching in annoyance when he heard the bundle he had been putting away falling to the floor. "Wow, where did you come from?" he moved along side her, eyeing her body. She was a bit thin, speaking of inconsistent conditions and long travel, but she was clean. Bright eyed. Crying? Oh for f-
"Shh, my daugher." he nuzzled her cheek. "Why are you here?" he hoped he had managed to moderate his tone. The last few months with his female had caused him to slip a bit... it was hard to maintain the mask when she had given him a way to exist without it. And he hadn't seen his mother in far longer then he could remember. Without her or his daughter, he had had no reason to slip back into the gentle son. "Are you alone?"
wc: 358
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 3:49 pm
The mare moved herself out of the shadows she had been stacking the late summer fruit in, tail moving in slow sweeps across the leaf litter floor, like a predator. The soft tinkle of chains was all one would hear as her paws stepped slow and soft, carrying her into the light.
"Darling" her voice was husky, warm. "who is this?" the soft smile was practiced and careful. She did not move to stand beside Antirr and the strange soft creature he had called daughter. She knew well enough how quickly Antirr would go from a nuzzle to a strike and she had the strangest feeling she would truly see his anger if she pushed to close to this mare.
wc: 120
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 3:56 pm
Squeeks jumped, blinking in surprise as she registered the strange mare that had seemingly materialized out of the darkness of the tree cover. Stunned, she almost didn't register her father had asked her a question.
"Oh!" she smiled, nuzzling her back like the excited foal she had once been. "Yes, I am! well except Daisy" she looked back at her tail and frowned when she noticed the flowered rodent was nowhere to be seen. "That little bugger" she said softly. "I suppose he's run off on his own to explore" she shook her head. "Yes, just me."
And this strange mare.
She was beautiful. Long hair, full of flowers. Delicate chains shifting as she moved. Paws... paws? She hadn't met very many pawed Soquili. How interesting.
"Ah, yes anyway." She let out a soft noise, shifting on her feet. "I have been looking for her! It's... it has been so long and I..." she signed softly. "I missed you so much. And Kezia didn't know where you were staying any longer... so i've been searching. A few times I think I must have been close but you had already moved on." she smiled weakly. "I was giving up hope, honestly..."
She looked around. "But this is so settled, is this your home for the winter?" she asked, nothing that the bundles were no the only preparations made. Clearly they were gathering food and supplies in this unassuming clearing.
wc: 238
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 4:05 pm
Antirr relaxed at his daughters confirmation that she was alone. Though he didn't know who, or what, Daisy was. At least that bother Kezia wasn't traveling with her. He didn't know what he would have done if she had shown up.
His eyes flicked to his mare, smiling. "Well good, I am so glad you have found me. Come. Let us get you something to eat." He let out a soft snort. "You look thin."
The flick of his tail sent his mare back to the cool shadows where they were storing the fruits she had recently gathered for them. It was only so much longer they would have such things, and he intended to enjoy them alone however... the soft pink mare he had sired still stirred something inside him it seemed.
What a bother.
"This is your Stepmother, I suppose." he nodded, leading Squeeks to the sitting area, marked by a large bedding of soft grasses and large rocks pushed along the rim in a semi circle.
"Yes. you can just call her that. I have taken her as my mate. Isn't that nice? you've found my home just in time, hmm? We were finishing up some preparations, yes. I've heard rumor the winter is supposed to be harsh, if you had been alone for that well." he shook his head, schooling his features into one of worry and concern.
Still got it Antirr.
"That would have been horrible. but you are here now, yes? And you're planning to stay?"
wc: 252
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 4:12 pm
Watching the soft mare settle against her bed, she resisted the urge to scratch that pretty face of hers. Antirr was doing something. And if her master had decided to play this gentle, seductive creature she was not going to ruin his plans because some fancy brat sat in HER spot.
Smiling sweetly she gathered a basket and filled it with some of the fruit going off. No reason to waste the freashly picked produce on this intruder, after all.
"Here." Stepmother tipped her head as she set the basket down at Squeek's front. "For my stepdaughter." her tail flicked at the word. Disgusting.
While she was well aware her role would soon require her to produce her own foals, as Antirr was very clear in his expectations and she was eager to serve him in all things... taking care of another's foal? Even if it was grown? The thought made her skin crawl. Her foals would be strong, they would make her sir proud. She would secure her place as his first mate, as his prized mare, no matter who else thought they could entertain him.
"Darling." she lowered her voice. "Shall I get your daughter some water? I filled out pot this morning while you had slept."
wc: 209
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 4:30 pm
The bedding was warm, thick, as Squeeks settled against it. She felt a bit bad, as the area clearly was designed for her father and Stepmother. A stepmother! How magical. Her heart eased as she looked at the basket set before her.
"Oh please! don't... Don't make me eat alone. It's getting to evening soon, surely we should eat together?" her voice hesitated. Was it rude to demand your family eat with you? Had they already eaten? Was she intruding?
She was just so thankful she had finally found them, even though she hadn't realized she would find more then her father. But of course she would have. Why would he be alone? He traveled but clearly that meant he had more opportunity to meet many others, right?
Her body eased as Stepmother returned with a second basket, bringing more fruit as she turned at her father's agreement, moving to a large wide mouthed pot, dipping smaller bowls and bringing over three small bowls of water.
"Thank you." she smiled brightly, "I hadn't really thought about... what I was doing after I found you..." she admitted sheepishly. "I was so worried I wouldn't, if I am honest. And as it's started to cool off I was getting worried. Winter will be here soon and it really isn't pleasant to travel in the snow, I imagine." she laughed. "I wouldn't care to intrude, but... well I would like it...If that's acceptable? I will help, I am sure we would need a lot of extra supplies if I were to stay?" she eyed them nervously, even as Stepmother didn't settle down beside her father.
wc: 273
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 4:43 pm
Antirr's mind raced forward, processing what she said, plans forming and dismissed near as quickly. It was far enough, for the area, for her to get away before winter really set in. They did, however, need more stores. More food. More bedding. He needed to find a settlement or traveler to get another few storage pots as well, the three they had to few for his preference.
And her he had the gentle soul that had inherited far to much of his own mother and not enough of the strength he prided himself on.
Pleased with the plan forming in his head he smiled and nodded for "Stepmother" to settle beside him. He was no fool, and he knew his mare well. The title rankled her, but he had picked well. She would not voice any discontent, especially in front of an outsider, as she viewed Squeeks. As the warm mare settled beside him he nuzzled her in a rare moment of genuine kindness. After failure after failure. Mare after mare to weak to stomach him, to pathetic to handle him... his mare was always willing, always ready, and she would make a fine head mare one day as he build his herd.
Perhaps the cooling nights were making him sentimental. He knew the local settlement was busy preparing for a celebration, not that he had intended to partake. But now...
"My love." he spoke, looking at Stepmother. "I think it would be a good idea, don't you? To have Squeeks stay here through this coming winter." his eyes flashed. "After all, we did have that little misunderstanding with the local merchant and we do need some more supplies if we're going to not struggle, hmm?"
"Stepmother had a small argument with a local merchant not far from here. They tried to trade faulty goods for the berries she had so carefully collected. And he didn't like when I stood beside her and told him he would not disrespect my family." he shook his head. "This summer has been hard for everyone. But being a theif is no excuse."
wc: 349
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 4:59 pm
A small argument...
She deserved an award for how she held a straight face. Several weeks ago, just as they had decided their plans for the winter and started compiling what they needed, she had gone and almost gotten away with taken several jugs from a traveling seller. Unfortunately the seller in question had a coyote watching their stock and raised the alarm. It was stupidity on her part, how she hadn't been careful enough. Antirr was furious with her, but even more so with the stallion who had defended the merchant when Antirr arrived.
"Oh yes, it was horrible. I agree, darling. We would love to have you with us this winter." her ear twitched. "I was just saying this wasn't I, darling? that we could use another or two to help stock up? why, we were going out tomorrow for gathering in preparation!" she settled against him more. At his agreement she settled her head on his neck, closing her eyes. This stallion. She had been lost, cast out by her family so long ago she couldn't remember their faces. And he saw her for what she was, and desired her for it.
And this little stupid girl was going to set them up nicely, she could tell.
"Perhaps we will go out tomorrow, and I will show you where they stay. Maybe a fresh face will be welcome and that seedy seller will be kinder and more truthful with you, as you are so lovely, dear."
wc: 249
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 5:06 pm
This was more then Squeeks had hoped for! Not only was her father and his new mate welcoming her, they wanted her help? They wanted her to stay? She hadn't truly had a plan for the winter, so focused for the past two seasons on finding him. But she had hoped... to be a family again. This was her strongest desire, to see him and to reconnect. To have that family again. The handsome stallion she had met in her travels had been so supportive. And Stepmother said one or two... He had said he traveled in the area often...
"Father. Stepmother. This is wonderful! I have great news. I have a friend I met on my travels. If we need more help to gather and plan, I will go tomorrow and find him. And we will have more help! I know he has family but they travel and I am sure he would be happy to at least help?" she eyed them both, eyes bright with excitement.
This friend would help, she was sure. And then... and then she would spend winter with her family. And perhaps the next season. The snow, the crisp air, the festivities she knew they could prepare for. It was more then she had hoped for and now she couldn't let this dream die.
wc: 220
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 5:13 pm
A friend? Antirr considered this. She said to help prepare, he? had family. Who was he to turn away free help.
"That is a good idea, yes see if you can find your friend tomorrow. The sellers will be open for a few more days, we will have time to visit them. Maybe this friend, if he has local, can get you a good deal." He winked, shifted his body to nudge Stepmother away. Standing, he moved to circle the clearing, his steps slow and sure.
"It's settled then. We'll prepare for this winter together, with the help of your friend, Squeeks. And we will spend this winter as a family." He nodded. "That means we will need to adjust our clearing a bit. Squeeks, you will be taking that area for bedding. Stepmother?" he smiled, less kind then before. "I believe you should start preparing a new bedding area."
wc: 184
He smiled wider as her ears pinned but she got up and got to work as he returned to settle beside his daughter. "now. Tell me what's happened while you've been looking for me."
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2026 5:23 pm
Squeeks relaxed against her father, her heart so full it felt painful in her chest. She nuzzled his neck, pressing her face here and breathing deep.
"Let me tell you." she smiled. "It was a long journey." And so she settled down, telling him her travels, the good and bad. Her worries as she had, and her hopes.
And as he had spoken of the winter, she let herself tell him her dreams. Her desire to spend this winter together. The plans for the celebrations and holidays. Her wishes for the cold nights, and what she hoped they would do. She smiled and continued as he nodded along, encouraging her to continue spilling her heart to him as if she was just a little filly again.
Silently, as she spoke, she sent up another thank you to the sky.
This season had truly gifted her and she was forever grateful she had been granted her wish.
wc: 153
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