She stayed silent for most of the afternoon. Just grazing quietly, lost in thoughts. Occasionally she would glance up at Bella or over to Vader as she contemplated. At first she thought her biggest problem would be him breeding with the others and if she'd be able to handle it. But now she realized she had been wrong. Her biggest question was Whether or not she would be willing to fight Bella for her own mate if it came down to it. She sighed, occasionally she thrashing her plumage hard from the stress of her thoughts.

If they did go through with this, there would be some ground rules. Raven was not going to let Bella wiggle her way between Vader and her. She would want to be present during herd matters between them if he ended up choosing Bella as his lead mare. Bellas position would be business only. But what if Bella and Vader got a little too 'friendly' with one another? Raven could fight her but it wouldn't do any good, when Vader would be the one to decide what would happen...'No!' Raven couldn't think about that...She pushed the thought out of her head and stood tall closing her eyes. She forced out a hard snort as she stomped her hoof in confidence. 'He wouldn't dare betray his mate and take another.' She thought. Her audits perked up suddenly as her demeanor changed again and she looked back at Vader with worried and insecure hues. 'Would he?' She looked down at the ground, pawing at the grass with her hoof.

Audits flicked hearing a thudded sound, frame lifted from his grazing to look upon his mate, who seemed very upset. He calmly paced over to her, standing tall. "Raven?... you okay love?" he nickered sweetly as he gently played with her forelock, his red hues studing her frame trying to read her mind. "What's bothering you baby? you not spoken to me in hours" he sighed.

Raven sighed looking up at him before shaking her head. She was incredibly tense and her muscles were tight. "Just my insecurities getting to me. I'll be fine." She sighed. She closed her eyes trying to calm down. "It's just..." She looked between them and pawed the ground slightly before looking at him again. "I thought that the hardest thing I'd have to decide on was you breeding the mares...and if I'd be able to handle it. But it isn't.." She began. "I trust you with it. I know as a lead stallion it's apart of your responsibility. I'm okay with it. But..." She trailed off looking down.

"I'm not sure what would happen between you and Bella...It makes sense you'd take her as your lead mare...She has more experience and it's what is good for you and the herd. To have someone beside you who can lead. Besides it's her herd, I couldn't just take over and push her out of her position when I have no experience. I couldn't do that. It wouldn't be fair to you either. But.....Where would that leave me? What if you both got close......I don't want to be replaced....and I wouldn't be able to fight against it if it happened. If you fell for her...the logical choice would be to choose her...as your new mate and lead mare.." She sighed.

Vader's audits softly pinned as she spoke of her insecurities. Letting out a sigh as he pulled her closer to nuzzler her "If you aren't ready for this, we don't have to do it.... and if you want to try it and things aren't how you thought, then we can leave and it be just us again" he cooed as he began to massage her tense body with his teeth. "I am sure something could be worked out between you and bella, but we won't know until we go ask. You are my mate Raven, I wouldn't ever dream of replacing you" he nickered sweetly as his muzzle softly traced up her neck, down her cheek as he bumped his muzzle to hers. He smirked "besides, you are the best I have ever had" as he gave her a playfull wink in hopes to make her smile.

The black framed mare looked up at him, her audits perked to his words. "Really, we could?" She asked looking at him with bright blue hues, seeming a bit happier now. She closed her eyes relaxing into his touch and listening to him as he continued to speak. The tension seemingly melted away with each word and nibble that he produced. She let out a deep relaxed sigh as she got rid of the stress. She burried her head into his chest. "Thank you Vader.." She murmured, and smiled. Her audit pricked to his last comment and she pulled away from him taking a step back and looking at him with a massive blush. "Really?" She asked a second time surprised. She looked away trying to hide her face.

Vader smiled, audits perked "Oh course, I told you, anything you want, you get" he playfully nipped her forelock as he chuckled "Really" as his plumage swished behind him, seeing her blush made him grin more, he wanted her happy more than anything. Though, a soft briskt of wind blew against them, he could just faintly smell Bella's scent in the air, nostrils flared as he blew out a low snort, with a shake of his frame, he turned his frame to catch Bella observing them once more, he rose a brow in her direction as he stood tall and calm.

Raven looked at him and giggled. "Good. Because I hope you keep that it mind in case it came down to choosing between us...also, I wouldn't expect you to leave them if we do this because of me. You know and I do that once you have foals hit the ground I wouldn't let you abandon those mares and your foals on my behalf...Foals have always been very important to me. If I can't get pregnant, I can deal with it. But I refuse to let any Stallion of mines foals grow up without a father." She said firmly. She felt the breeze and saw his reaction, knowing he could smell Bellas heat. She nudged him to go to her. "Go. Talk to her." She said looking at him then to Bella. "I'll be here when you get done." She said turning away.

Bella watched Vader and Raven from her herd. She wondered if they were talking about her proposal. She knew it was ultimately Vader's decision, though Raven's opinions on it would be first priority for him. She flicked her tail releasing her scent in the air as she tried to make out whst they were saying. She could see the concern in Raven's eyes as she told him her thoughts. Vader listening and reassuring the mare of whatever he had said. She longed for that. For love. She saw him look up at her then, smelling her on the breeze as the wind shifted towards them. Her audits pricked to his reaction. Raven had seen it too, but her reaction had taken Bella bsck in surprise. She hadn't expected Raven to encourage him to go after her. She waited patiently to see what he'd do.

The stallion snorted softly, thought his audits rose in shock to everything she had said, he wanted foals with Raven more than anything, he hated how she always thought it wouldn't happen to her, he let out a sigh as he rose a brow "Are... you sure?" he snorted, surprised Raven didn't want to join. Red hues floated locking to Bella in the distance, he watched her reaction become eager. 'hmmm' he pondered. "Okay love, but don't feel like you have to stay on the side lines" he cooed as he nuzzled his mate once more before walking away to Bella.

The snowflake stud stood tall as he walked through the tall grasses, his red hues placed on Bella the closer he got, nostrils softly flared, his muscles just barely flexing as he crossed through the river, closer to her herd. His attention flicked to the herd for a moment, knowing him being there would draw attention. Standing a few feet from the golden mare as he looked her over. "We have spoken about your proposal.. seems my mate is interested in the herd life, it's someting she is new too. I know you been lead mare for a while and this is your herd.. but I need to know where Raven will stand if this is too work" he snorted confidently stern. Though, his voice was smooth like butter as his scent carried around them in the breeze. He studied Bella's movements, curiously.

Raven nodded softly and bent her head to graze. "I trust you. Tell me what she says when you return." She said as he walked off. She kept a hue on them though. 'Besides the fact that I'm testing her..' She added in her thoughts. She wanted to see how the mare would react if she thought they were alone finally.

Bella bowed her head as he approached. She looked at him waiting for him to speak first, out of respect. Audits pricked to the stallion when he finally spoke up. "Well...She's your mate..I don't want to replace her in any way..." The golden mare began. She thought a moment. "I mean....I've led these mares for so long, I'd prefer to keep someone in charge they trust...until they get to know you both but....ultimately It's your choice who you'd want to lead by your side....I can't force your hoof in that. I know she will be your top priority but this herd also needs a strong leadership. Honestly, I'd understand if you'd rather her take my place....I-I wouldn't really be thrilled about it. I was born and raised to become a lead mare. It's all I've ever known. But I also know I'll do anything for these girls. They need a stallion....If your willing to under those terms I'd do it. I'd step down. Provided...you let me help mentor her...and you would take consideration of my opinions on matters..." She replied, looking up at him with serious blue hues. "I also hope you'd consider getting to know me a little better...you know...." She trailed off with a deep blush looking down between them, pawing the ground nervously.

The stallion dipped his head some at her bow, he had never seen such a respectabile lead mare before, in his herd growing up, it was far different. This mare showed it because she wanted too, not due to being force. Curiously, he shifted his weight showing a more relaxed posture for she didn't give off any vibes to be concerned about. He listened to her quietly, before he spoke "I think you showing her the ropes would be a great idea. I can understand you want to make sure your lasses are in good hands... so for the mean time we can stand equally. You and Raven by my side, of course you have more pull on things while you help mentor Raven, but of course once she is ready, you to back down would be a great respect, for I am sure you'd like a break from it all, hum?" he rose a brow in question. Audits perked, "I have been a herd stud before... I am just shocked you'd be looking for a older stud like myself, a younger would suit you all well, maybe better" he snorted as he looked to the ground for a bit.

'get to know her better... would be a good idea so i know Raven would be safe in this herd' the thought circled his mind. He smiled some "I am open to getting to know you more, and your herd. If we are to join it. I want to make sure my mate is safe. You don't have any issues with stalking studs by chance do you?" he titled his frame some, his tone of voice a bit stern and serious as his red hues seemed to dagger at her as if to make sure she'd tell the truth. Though, seeing her blush in his presence, he shook his pelt to offer resurrance of his attitude that he meant no harm.