Basics

Name: Ókeypis

Age: Unknown

Gender: Stallion

Colour: Dappled grullo dun

Breed: Nordic pony

Height: 14hh

 

History

 

Okeypis was born in the planes of Iceland, which ironically are not covered in quite as much ice as you would think. He was raised by his affectionate mother, but never knew his father. His mother was an escapee from a local farm; during grazing season, she ran straight past the farmer out the gate and was never seen again. She kept Okeypis away from the horses in the fields, telling him that even though they were tame, it was not safe. Little did he know, the true reason she secluded him was because she worried he would fall for one of the mares and be roped into the captivity she worked so hard to keep them free of. 

There was one day that changed Okeypis' life forever. It was winter, and the grass where they normally grazed alone was bitter and cold. Okeypis told his mother he would find her fresh grass, and he did; but it was in the field of a nearby farmhouse. He had no way of taking the grass other than to eat it all himself, knowing his mother would never come to the field with him. Her fear seized her if they came within a mile of any farmhouse, and he took every precaution to keep her calm; but she wasn't watching him now. Okeypis was never one to deny a possible adventure, and he leaped over the little stone barrier with ease. There were a few horses in the field, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary. They weren't even watching him. 

Okeypis nibbled the tips of the nearest grass, surprised at how sweet and tasty it was. Still the other horses paid no attention to the newcomer, their heads bent and eyes closed. Okeypis became lost in eating, oblivious to the sky as an oncoming storm rolled in. The thunder began rumbling, lightning flashed in the stratosphere, but Okeypis wasn't paying attention. Nor was he watching as the farmer came over to him, slowly from the back, a net and whip in his hand. When all three came to his attention at once - the rain, the thunder, and the man - Okeypis whipped around to face the foe behind him. He snorted, nostrils flaring and eyes wide, staring into the eyes of the species his mother loathed. The man stepped back, equally stunned, taking in the handsome stallion. His conformation was exquisite, his coat color gorgeous, his mane and tail falling past his neck and hocks. The man held his hands out in a gesture of peace, and Okeypis put his ears forward, waiting for a sign of danger. 

The man took something from his pocket and began to touch it against Okeypis' face, gently at first and then with more speed as he realized the stallion remained calm. When he was done, Okeypis' face was netted in a hashing of permanent white colored lines, which the farmer would forever use to remember this stallion by. He would entice Okeypis every summer to the field and let him graze with the mares, letting him come and go as he please. Okeypis knew nothing of the man's plans; even as the years progressed, he never caught wind of it. He was happy to have the free food, which he would take mouthful-by-mouthful to his mother until she was full. Okeypis was free, and he never saw it any other way.