//------------------------------//
// The Identity  
// Story: Sisters of Shadowmere 
// by Psycho Pwny 
//------------------------------//

|====[Sisters]====|
|==[of]==|
|========[Shadowmere:]========|




{The}-=-{Identity}



The herd consisted of coats of peach white and copper wine, colors Shadowmere felt comfortable with, they were something familiar. Shadowmere expected to draw lots of attention from the horses due to sporting an odd botched black coat and daedric eyes, but their focus was instead directed elsewhere.
In the middle of the group was a tall slender palomino mare that walked with a sense of nobility and was dressed head to hooves in a purple abaya laced with red and orange ribbons. Her eyes were a sweet green---her coat and tail a sandy cream ale. Guards flanked the mare on all sides, all dressed in equally impressive regalia--it was now obvious a class of high royalty was present.
The herd parted into a path as the mare passed, careful to keep a respectful distance. When Shadowmere's red eyes gazed upon the mare, the princess gazed back. Shadowmere than knew this mare would either become a great enemy or ally.
Once the princess was lead away, the herd quickly diffused into individuals eager to get back to their previous activities--Shadowmere wasn't any different.

Although, general shops and other business weren't unusual sights to Shadowmere, actually interacting with them was a daunting task. The many riders Shadowmere had carried were often adapt traders and their hands would always happily handle coin. Seeing hooves do the same made Shadowmere realize the level of freedom Sithis had granted.

Shadowmere gingerly walked up to an unoccupied stall of oddities tended by a zebra mare.
"You have plenty of Sars,yes traveler?"

Shadowmere shifted in embarrassment, "Ahh no, what are these Sarsss...?"

The zebra bit her lip and sighed, "This country's currency you poor lost fool."

"I see. Would you perhaps be interested in purchasing my foreign wares? I wish to acquire some...Sarss."

The zebra bit her lip harder and sighed to show her hesitant interest, "Perhaps. Make me an offer."

Shadowmere shifted through the saddlebags. The majority of the items were priceless Brotherhood artifacts, but a useless "Potion of Resist Frost" quickly made it onto the stall counter.

The zebra eyed it suspiciously,"What is this? Poison?"

"No, it's a 'Potion of Resist Frost;' however, I may have a variety of poisons as well."

"In this weather? Crazy useless tourists... 3 sars!"

"Sold." If Shadowmere was getting ripped off, it didn't matter. Any amount of sars was better than the current zero.

The zebra then smirked and whispered, "You mentioned you may have poisons?"

==

The Oblivion heat eventually forced Shadowmere into a cold establishment--a bar by the smell of it. Various equines were seated at bar stools and Shadowmere followed their example. The experience was different, but not unwelcome.
A bartender turned his attention to Shadowmere, "What will it be?"
Shadowmere was momentarily distracted by his hooves cleaning a delicate glass,"....a drink that costs 3 sarss...please."
The bartender promptly walked away, leaving Shadowmere to analyze other hooves.

" You know, if you are going to bother yourself with a drink, it needs to be at least 7 sars." A deep green pony swished around his drink. "I personally recommend a 'Jacky J. Bubble on the Rocks.' That drinks 7 sars."
"I see. Thank you. Unfortunately, I only have 3 sarss to spare."
The stranger almost dropped his drink at that.
"Odd, I figured you were a well off fellow, you carry yourself well."
Shadowmere's drink then arrived--it had a brown syrupy texture and smelled of nothing.
"Yes...thank you."
As Shadowmere was about to take a drink, the stranger practically smacked it away. 										"Don't you dare, bud! If you aren't going to pay 7 sars, I will for you! Bartender, a 'Jacky J. Bubble on the Rocks' for my  buddy here!" 
The stranger was obviously drunk as he looked up at Shadowmere with hazy eyes, but his kindness was noted.
He held out a hoof. "My name is 'Don Duner' but Don is just fine."

"...and I am Shadowmere, thank you for the kind gesture." The hoof gesture was returned with a hoof bump.
Don eyes became wide as dinner plates. "Shadowmare? As in mare?...You're a MARE?! Damn, you must be as big as they get!"
Shadowmere contemplated the notion. Yes, Shadowmare was neither male or female due to being a daedric creature. Gender was usually decided by how Shadowmere's riders referred to her/him. Seeing how Shadowmere's latest rider, Astrid, referred to Shadowmere as a stallion, a change to a mare seemed proper. Plus, the stranger's reaction to a mare's surprising masculine build was amusing.

"Heh, close, Don. I'm ShadowMERE, not mare...but yess, I am a mare. Shadow is a suitable nickname. "
The 'Jacky J. Bubble on the Rocks' came and Don gazed critically at Shadow as she drank it down. It tasted exactly like a delicious minty mojito and Don's recommendation was committed to memory.

"Ha, glad you liked it bud-ehum, Shadow...You know, do you have any place to stay? The inns here are pure tourist traps, they will drain your Sars dry!"

"No, no, I hadn't considered an inn. I'm perfectly comfortable sleeping outside."
Don again did a double take and whistled, 'Whoa, it's hot in a desert, but it can be argued that it's freezzzing at night~!"
Don's playful expression then turned serious, "Plus, all kinds of thieves and muggers stalk the allies at night. This place might look peaceful in the day, but the tone turns dark at night--those nifty saddlebags would be gone without you battin' an eye!"
"I see. Thank you, Don. I should leave now to find a suitable hideout."
"What?...NO! I, I ahh, insist you stay at my place! Besides, if you are looking to made a hefty bit of sars, I can gladly hook you up with friendly connections. Celestia knows you would be paid in full if you put those muscles to use!"

Shadowmere would normally be cautious at staying at a stranger's house or territory of any kind, but the dangers of the land were currently unknown and Don Duner brought up valid concerns. Besides, the past experience as an assassin would ensure that any wrong doings towards Shadowmere would result in a deadly end--the wrath of Sithis was relentless.

"Alright, Don...Duner. I accept."