[PRP] Once Upon a Time . . .(Roylin x Kasandra Lynn)

[StrawberryRoseTea]

This is a private role play for Toxi's Roylin and Strawberry's Kasandra Lynn. Please do not post unless invited.
xXToxicIllusionsXx's Teepee StrawberryRoseTea's Teepee

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Kasandra Lynn trotted steadily up the pathway. "It's not much farther." She kept telling herself as her eyes scanned the forest around her. When she had awoken that morning it was with the anticipation that she was on the last leg of her journey. She had followed all of the signs her mentor had made her memorize before she had departed her little home on the beach. She double and triple checked her travel time against the instructions he had given her. She was about a week out and already antsy to head back home. Two days ago the vibrant greens of the land she called home had given way to the color changing leaves of trees in fall preparing for their long winter sleep. She tried not to think about it. Goodness she hate the cold! Not just because it was highly unpleasant to weather but it also brought memories of a dark time in her life. The chill of the nights in this area often brought nightmares that left Kally feeling like she was dragging all through the morning afterward. She suppressed a shudder and tried not to think about it.

Normally she wouldn't dream of coming this far north this late in the year but the old stallion had insisted. She could understand to a point. He really was in need of the annual harvest of fall blooming flowers. The particular ones he needed didn't grow in the climate they lived in so someone had to come pick them. Her mentor had insisted, this year, that his bones were too old to make the journey, especially with the chill. She new it was complete balderdash as he normally thoroughly enjoyed his trips to harvest. However this time, unfortunately for her, he had insisted she go and she was never one to argue with him no matter how uncomfortable or unhappy his proposals made her.

The day had dawned bright and early but as the morning wore on the sky began to acquire a grayish cast that warned of a coming storm. Kally frowned upward before again looking around at the forest. She hoped she could get her task completed with enough time to seek shelter. The only thing worse than being cold was being wet and cold. Could she have missed the last landmark? Ah! There it was! She turned off the path and began making her way through the underbrush. According to her instructions there was a little meadow just over the next rise that had all the flowers she was going to need.

Kally was so relieved to finally be near the end of her journey that she nearly missed the sound of rustling coming from nearby. A pathetic bleat was what finally caught her attention. It took a moment for her to find the source of the noise. There was a young deer caught up in some brambles. It was small for this time of year, probably born later in spring than its fellows. Looked like a runt too.
"Oh, hold on you poor thing." she crooned gently to it in an attempt to be calming. "I'll get you out in just a second." The little deer seemed to understand her tone if not her words. She wasn't sure what all they should know by this age but that wasn't her current concern. She boldly reached out and bit at the entangling plants. All that she got for her initial efforts was a muzzle full of thorns but she wasn't to be deterred when someone was in trouble.

xXToxicIllusionsXx

 

[xXToxicIllusionsXx]

It was rather late in the evening when Roylin had fallen asleep. Spending all night grazing on grass at the edge of the forest. The flowers showed promise, and Royling was hoping to catch a nibble on some before someone came along and gathered them all up. Roy had met the old Stallion a few times in his trips here, but as of late Roylin has stayed home rather than trance his way out here. As the cool hair ruffled at his fur he awoke with a chill, shivering slightly as his head rose to glance around. It took him a moment to realize where he was, but then he quickly started to gather his thoughts from his dreams. "it seems I slept in." He spoke to himself lightly as he got his eyes to focus and took a better look around.

A low fog had set its way along the underbrush near the stream where he stopped for a drink before calling it a night. The clouds in the sky though meant that it would only get colder, and rain was coming. There was rumors that the storms brought a fierce beast from the sky in these parts lately, so he was a bit anxious to get his nibble and leave. The young stallion pulled himself up and wondered over to the stream for a quick drink. Not surprising the water was getting cold also, it made him shake his head as a little rolled down his muzzle and neck after her had finished his drink.

“This damn cold.” He muttered to himself, but was quickly caught off guard at a distant Bleat of a young deer. There should not be any that young still wondering around. He started making his way in that direction, a little hurried, for the sound sounded worried. Normally he should run from danger, but Roy was never like most, He was pretty head strong and always willing to help those in need. ‘It’s what Princes do right?’ He questioned himself as he reached the area of the sound, but it had quieted. Could it have been attacked? No, the sound would have been different.

Moving up his eyes landed on the female and the young deer, making his eyes shimmer. “A damsel in distress.” He said quietly to himself before pushing past the brush into the area. “Excuse me Ma’dom, but would you be in need of assistance?” He said in a charming, but respectable tone, his eyes eyeing her maw and the Thorne bush. ‘That must hurt, maybe I should just dive in.’ he thought as he moved over and examined the brier branch for a moment before looking at the leg. The poor thing had scraped himself good on the thorns trying to pull free, and it was wound tight at his leg. She had the thing in the best position for biting it through that was for sure.

StrawberryRoseTea

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Kally was so intent on the task at hand that she didn't realize she wasn't alone until the Stallion spoke to her. She jumped at the sound of his voice and quickly looked around to see who had snuck up on her. She moved too quickly and tore more of the soft skin of her nose on the thorns.
"Ooo ouch!" Her heart pounding her eyes found the gorgeous Stallion. Not a Kalona. She sighed in relief. Eyeing him she decided he didn't appear to me any harm. As a matter of fact he was rather handsome!

She spent a moment just admiring him as he moved closer to examine the poor deer. His bright coat and rainbowy markings reminded her of the blooms that graced the area around her home. She found his mane worthy of envy, as lusciously as it fell. Over all he struck her as rather dashing. Finally his words registered and she turned a becoming pink as she realized she had been staring at him rather than responding.
"Oh, um, I almost had it but if you wouldn't mind - I can't seem to get this last bit." Turning her attention back to the fawn she became all business again. Her healer training always seemed to kick in when it was needed.

She examined the wounds on the little critter and began to run through her mind for what she might have or be able to find that could be used to help.
"If only I had found that silly meadow. " she lamented under her breath. She moved aside so that the Stallion could get a better reach at the briars. The sooner they could get the fawn loose the better.
"Thank you so much." She told him, "I'm so worried about this little guy." She gave her unexpected helper a sweet smile. Which pulled at the scratches on her muzzle. She tried to hide her little wince. She'd deal with her own hurts after the little one was seen to.

xXToxicIllusionsXx

 

[xXToxicIllusionsXx]

Roy’s gaze of yellow was more fixated on the faun and the thorny vine to notice the lovely Mare’s gaze and blush. Though as she finally spoke he had looked up just slightly with a simple smile, one that quickly faded as she moved. Shifting in he examined it once more before finding a spot to bite into, the thorns poking his gums, but he got it, with a hard bite his teeth slipped through the bitter vine and it snapped, falling loose.

“There we go.” He stated as he looked up, catching the grimace, then the scratch across her nose, his ears pulling back as he moved in a little closer. “Why Ma’dom, you seem to have wounded yourself.” As he spoke the faun tried to stand, though the pain showed plainly on its young face. As it gave a soft bellow Roy quickly glanced down at the young thing pondering over his thoughts.

“An old stallion comes here often, gathering flowers from the meadow just a few trots over that hill. Maybe we can find something to help with the pain there?” He asked, never really finding himself interested in being a healer, he was after all a fighter, problem solver, but never a doctor. He did though know this area well enough, having made a makeshift home in this area consisting of matted grass under a tree by the stream.

Roy turned towards the meadow, his yellow hues locked on its whereabouts. “Not sure if the flowers are bloomed yet though.” He stated as he looked back at the mare then to the faun. Someone would need to stay here with it while the other looked for herbs to help. The smell of blood was strong, and that would likely attract predators. They would have to move quickly.

“One of us should stay here in case something comes to the scent of blood, and to wait for its mother to return.” If she was going to. The smell of rain was starting to grow in the far distance and the first roar of thunder rolled at the edge of his hearing. Little did anyone know what was traveling with that storm, but it would likely be near late evening to early morning before it reached its full height. A little drizzle never hurt anyone, it was the thunderstorm waiting behind it that was deadly.

StrawberryRoseTea

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Kally let out a large sigh of relief as the briar branches released their hold on the little critter. It had been an extraordinary stroke of luck that this stallion had appeared when he had. She would have gotten through the vines on her own eventually but he had saved a great deal of time, not to mention stress on the youngster. While she was glad to see the little one free it still pulled at her heart to see the fawn in pain.

When the newcomer moved in closer and expressed his concern about her scratches she was momentarily distracted, meeting his gaze. His eyes, while captivating, seemed kind and she felt herself begin to trust him a little. However, when the fawn bleated, her attention was drawn back to it and she dismissed her own hurts, "I'm alright. It will be an easy fix once I've done with this little one. Now if only . . ." she trailed off.

As the stranger spoke of an old stallion and a nearby meadow a thrill of excitement ran through Kally. " Just a few trots over? Are you sure?" she questioned breathlessly following the direction of his gaze. Could it be that easy? She hoped it was true. She had a few healing herbs with her but it was nothing compared to the bounty that the meadow would provide given that it was really that close.

She pulled a very small pouch from her mane and dexterously using her muzzle untied it and pulled a tiny amount of herbs from the bundle within. She set it on the ground and began giving instructions.
"You wait here while I-" she cut off with a blush as he spoke of one of them staying to protect the fawn while the other went for the flowers. It seemed he was of a similar mind.
"I'll be back in just a moment." she told the stallion and the fawn. "See if you can get the little one to eat a bit of that. It's a mild painkiller that should suffice until I get back. I'm sure the flowers are in bloom. That's why I'm here after all."

She gave him a warm pleased smile then turned with determination in the direction he had indicated. Aware of the need to hurry she took off at a run sincerely hoping it wasn't far. As she dashed she couldn't help but be grateful for the regular runs she had started taking on the beach after her meeting with Aldora. Without them she would have already been winded and would have taken longer than she was already going to. She sighed with relief when she burst from the trees into the meadow.

The sheer bounty of the healing herbs before her stopped her in her tracks. This was amazing! She could spend days browsing and finding the best the meadow had to offer. Shaking her head she brought her attention back to the task at hand. It took her a matter of seconds to find what she was looking for, pluck it and start on her way back. Her trip back was a bit slower than the headlong run she had used to get here. It wouldn't do for her to be clumsy and lose her bounty.

She couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile as the sight of the handsome stallion protecting the little fawn came back into view. His bright colors against the backdrop of the quickly graying sky were very striking. Eeeesh, thinking of the sky, she really hoped they could all get someplace safe before that brewing storm struck.

WC: 607

xXToxicIllusionsXx

 

[xXToxicIllusionsXx]

After the young mare left to find the meadow, Roy whispered to himself. "My heart be still in her beauty. Now is not the time to be losing my head." He then turned to the duty at hand, getting the fawn to eat. That was a whole task in itself. Starting with whispering to the young thing, it seemed to help, but it was still rather cautious. It took Roy nosing at it and pretending to eat some that the young deer finally started to munch at it. the taste was not the best, it was seen on his face, but the fact it was hungry seemed to drive it to finish.

"Must be hungry little one, may be why your mother is not here." Roy looked around, noting the grass had been eaten low, the Doe must of went searching for a new den where the grass was more plentiful. it would make since. Roy had helped contribute to it, but he was not enough to eat it all dry.

Staying alert Roy started to move around the small clearing, sniffing at the air and keeping watch. his head held high, with ears flickering. It had not taken long for the patter of the mare's hooves to fade into the distance. 'She must be near the meadow about now.' He thought to himself, turning into the direction of the meadow before glancing back down at the young deer. "It will not be to much longer now and we will have you all patched up." He said reassuringly before looking out over the forest. The storm was moving slow, and the smell of rain had thinned away. It seemed to only be scattered showers at the moment, but still hinted at a larger storm moving in behind.

It was several minutes later when he heard two different sounds approaching, one was defiantly Kally, but the other, was lighter, smaller hooves, could it be his mother? He watched where the other hooves came from, and sure enough only seconds after Kally appeared into the small clearing, so did a Doe, large in size, and has seen some age, but was still young enough to have fawns. "Welcome back Ma'dom, it seems our young fellow's mother has come back as well." He said, moving away from the young deer to stand closer to the young mare.

The Doe quickly moved to her babe and started to sniff at the wound, and the fawn started to speak with her, or at least Roy was sure that was what was happening because after a little nuzzling under his tiny chin the mother turned to the two of them, giving a soft call before slowly moving back, but not by fay, not leaving the young one's side again.

"You don't speak their dialect do you?" He asked as he looked over, noting how the flower added to her beauty, a dumbfounded smile on his face for a moment before he shook it off and looked away, looking into the deepness of the forest.

Figuring it was best to let the young Mare work, Roy went to guarding the clearing. Those soft hues kept falling on Kally, mesmerized by her personality, and her beauty. He could not help but watch her when the forest was silent, but every time there was a sound in the distance he drew his head up and looked around. Constantly sniffing at the air around them, all he could smell was a few small animals scattering across the floor, or birds flying to safer postilions for the upcoming rain. "We have about an hour before the forest becomes black from the cloud." He said with a small update to he young mare.

The forest seemed alive, that was a good sign, means nothing large had picked up the scent and was on its way, for now that was. His ears rotating catch the sound of the mother moving. He turned to watch her ease in, watching what Kally was doing rather curiously before nosing into her Fawn's cheek to reassure it she was here. "It seems something came through here eating all the grass. I think that is why the young Doe and her group left. She must of come back now that it was safe to get the fawn, and I am sure the fawn is much like all young ones, curious and playful. Seems he got himself into a thicket of trouble." He said following with a light laugh, trying to ease the moods, forgetting the doe could not understand.

StrawberryRoseTea

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Kally was extremely pleased to see that the doe had come back for her fawn. She wasn't sure what they would have done if the doe hadn't been back by the time they were done patching up the fawn. Stayed, she supposed. There was no way that she would have left the poor defenseless thing alone with the incoming weather and possible danger of attracting a predator. She had the feeling that the stallion wouldn't have left either and this thought filled her with warmth. "Thank you." She replied sweetly in response to his greeting. "I'm really glad that she's here. What coincidental timing." She smiled at him as he stood next to her, admiring his protective stance.

Kally waited, somewhat nervously as she wanted to get back to work, as the doe nosed over her baby. "Unfortunately I don't speak their dialect. I never had time to learn it growing up. I should probably work on that if I want to succeed as a healer." She giggled at herself, not aware of his current silly face.

As the doe took her step back Kally moved in, not too quickly as she didn't want to make the doe more nervous than she already was. Despite the language barrier she figured it was still polite to let the momma know what was happening to her baby. Setting her healing flower nearby Kally gave the fawn a gentle touch to make sure that the ingested painkiller was doing its job and then, speaking gently, began a running commentary on what she was doing. She was very pleased to note that the stallion had gotten the babe to eat it all and that, yes, it was working nicely.

Thinking of the stallion she glaced up to see what he was about. The sight of him guarding the meadow put her at ease and she turned back to her work.
"First I'm just going to clean these . . ." she told the fawn and its mother. She reached into her basket and pulled out a stoppered bottle full of cleaning liquid. She popped the top and very delicately used her muzzle to tip it over the fawn's wounds. This was one of the reasons why the painkiller was so important. The cleaning liquid could be rather stinging. Satisfied she re-stoppered the bottle and put it away.

"Now I'm just going to chew up this flower here and pack it on the ouches. It should stop infection and it will also help numb." She glanced up to see what Roy was up to and smiled when she thought she caught him watching her. No time to be sure she went back to her task. Pull a petal from the flower, chew, smooth it on, repeat. "Be still now little one." She murmured to the fawn. "Wouldn't want it to slip off." Once she was satisfied that the fawns wounds were covered she reached into her basket again to pull out bandaging made of pressed, dried and interwoven leaves. It would keep the wounds clean while allowing them to breathe. The bonus? It wasn't hard to make and once disposed of would go quickly back to nature without a trace.

Satisfied, she stepped back to admire her work and to let the doe reclaim her fawn. They should be fine now. Kally smiled at the stallion as he gave his update. "We should be fine then. I've finished but I want to make sure they get off alright." As Roy spoke of the grass a frown came over Kally's features. "I hope they have someplace to go. They should have a herd right?" Sometimes the poor mare still felt that she had a lot to learn. Sometimes things that others considered common knowledge still escaped her. It came from growing up in seclusion and she was aware that it wasn't her own fault but sometimes it still bothered her that she had to ask about the simplest things.

She moved to stand next to the stallion, taking reassurance from his presence. She frowned as a thought struck her. She might not be as okay on time as she thought. "I still need to harvest though. I hope I can get done and headed back home before the storm. Oh well. If I get wet then so be it. The flowers are far too important." Her eyes never left the doe and fawn as she spoke. She was still concerned about how the wounds would affect its ability to walk. Once she was sure they were mobile enough to find shelter and possibly avoid predators she turned her hooves back toward the meadow.

"Thank you for all of your help." she told the gorgeous stallion sincerely. "I really do need to get these collected." Giving him a warm smile she trotted off in the direction of the flower meadow, though she was reluctant to leave his company. Now that she had more of a chance to see what she was looking for it was easy for Kally to mark the herbs she needed to collect and set to work. She set herself to the painstaking task of gathering, bundling and, oh so carefully, stowing the herbs. It wouldn't do for them to get damaged on the return trip. Soon she began to hum as she worked. It helped keep her mind relaxed and she rather enjoyed it.

She was most of the way done when she realized that there wasn't quite enough of her final plant. "Oh, dear." She began to walk the length of the meadow with her nose down, hoping to catch sight or scent of those final precious blossoms she needed.

xXToxicIllusionsXx