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 Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 12:25 pm
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The satiny black sheet of cloth had been folded over a few times to make a thick pad before it had been settled over her light sensitive eyes. It was strange, moving about without her eyesight to guide her. She had been practicing for a few months now, slipping the blindfold on every so often to practice using her other senses. She had gotten a lot of bumps and bruises at first, and to be honest she wasn't quite sure why she felt the need to expand her world beyond night's borders. She hadn't seen sunlight since she was a foal, still could not see it, but as she moved through the long grass she could feel its rays warming her skin. The perfume of blooming flowers tickled her nose and the chatter of birds and insects tickled her ears. The world felt so alive around her, pulsing and vibrating with all of the creatures scampering about. Belle was a little overwhelmed, she loved her sweet peaceful darkness and had no true wish to leave it behind, but something within her had been rebelling at the familiarity in her life and pushing at its boundaries. She had now conquered sunlight's power over her, to some extent.
Her grandfather reassured her it was because the children were grown and gone, her foals had left to discover the world on their own. It was necessary, of course, but their departure had revealed the gaping hole in her heart that motherhood had distracted her from. Belle felt alone, her lifemating in ruins behind her. The mares chest constricted painfully and then released, a few tears dampening the cloth over her eyes. Taking a deep breath, Belle lay down in the grass, the long stalks tickling her nose as they swayed in the breeze. She had nowhere to be, she wasn't entirely sure where she was to be honest, but this was as good a place to stop as any for a little rest.
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:12 am
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It was better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all..
Apparently, though the last few months Wisp couldn't say whether he agreed with that saying at all. He had been missing his former mate with a fierceness that had surprised even himself, as he always thought of himself as gentle in all aspects. But his life had a hole in it, one which he wasn't sure could be filled, though his sons insisted it could be..well, Constantine had in his own way, telling his father that he should just find a pretty face to get lost in for a few weeks.
That though he could never do. It wasn't in his nature to use anyone for his own selfish needs, and so he had just gone from day to day, finding comfort in the familiar. The summer sun, and the wealth of new plant life out in the world helped, and he spent his days letting his wings and the warm breeze carry him where they would, though the night was when he missed her the most. It was lonely sleeping alone.
Today was another beautiful day. He'd woken, and this morning had managed to stop himself from turning to see the empty spot beside where he had lain, shaking his lengthy mane out and taking to the wing, shrinking in size as he did so. He drifted as he flew, brushing the grass and bobbing flower heads with his tail as he did so, occasionally landing to take in some nectar, getting the usual jolt of energy after each drink.
As he flew along, looking for all the world like a four-hoofed butterfly, he noticed a shape in the long grass ahead of him and he headed towards it, pulling upwards when he neared it, and landed on a large flower next to the mare. He peered through the petals at her, and gave a little cough, wondering if he was disturbing a sleeping Soquili as he did so. Wisp was completely sure he wanted company, but she was in his path and he wasn't rude even when his mood wasn't great.
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:06 pm
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A breath of air ruffled her long silky curls of white hair, tickling her face. Belle's eyes fluttered open, having dozed off into a restless slumber. She usually slept during the daylight hours and the warmth of the sun across her alabaster flanks had made her eyelids heavy.
The mare was startled to wake up in total darkness, having never drifted off in the blindfold before. It took her a few moments of confused distress to remember that the cloth was tied over her eyes to protect them from the sun's unforgiving rays.
A small sound reached her ears, for all the world like a cough although it sounded as though whatever it was had come from near ground level. She sat perfectly still for a few moments, ears swiveling to and fro to try and catch another sound. Unfolding her slender legs she stretched in the grass, yawning and rolling onto her side, her hair spreading around her in a glistening pool of ivory. She would have heard someone approach, but there was certainly some unfamiliar scent on the breeze. "Hello?" she ventured tentatively, reflexively, not truly expecting a response.
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 3:01 am
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The mare moved, her actions causing the merest of breezes and the flower he was perched on swayed from side to side for a moment, causing him to dig his tiny hooves deeper in. He would be likely covered in pollen by the time her left the bloom, but well, he could shake it off.
He pushed apart two petals, spreading them with his wings until he was exposed properly, looking across at the mare. He fluttered his wings, scattering pollen all around himself, and rose slowly, hovering just above the flower head, and this time spoke in greeting.
'Hello there.'
At first he didn't notice it, having taken a little time to run his gaze over the rest of her, the dainty frame, the mane that about as full and long as his was, though part of it was tied up. Then he saw the black across her face, covering her eyes.
'Oh..forgive me. You cannot see..?' the question hovered in the air the same as he did.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:57 pm
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With a sharp intake of air, Belle sat up, her head swiveling in all directions out of habit. The voice sounded small, far away, but she would have sworn it came from right next to her. Her mind struggled with this conflict between her perceptions for a few moments before arriving at a tentative conclusion, perhaps it was a familiar. Her mother had an owl companion and she had heard there were other kinds about, mice, eagles, hummingbirds, even buffalo.
The heavy handle of her cleaver was poking into her side from its hiding spot in her saddlebags, she rolled her shoulders a few times to resettle the scalloped straps before replying. The question startled a laugh from her, "No, at least not right now." she responded kindly, behind the blindfold her eyes crinkled with amusement, "I'm not usually awake during the daytime, you see, the light hurts my eyes if I don't wear something to protect them."
she leaned towards the voice unconsciously, her bangs tumbling over her face as she tried to identify what she was talking to. "I'm terribly sorry," she began, feeling a little embarrassed that she needed to ask, "But I can't see you, and you seem quite a bit... Smaller that those I usually meet..." she trailed off, a light blush adorning her cheeks.
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 9:38 am
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Jezabelle shook her head, smiling, "Its an inconvenience when I do decide to come out during the day, but I'm not sorry. The night is dark, peaceful, quiet... beautiful really if you know where to look. I remember the sun though.... From when I was a foal, I recall it being quite beautiful.... But what is one static sun to thousands of stars and the ever changing moon?"
Her ears flicked towards the stallion to catch his voice over the gentle whisper of wind. She felt currents of air brushing against her face as what she now knew as a shrunken flutter displaced them with his wings. Wings. Her memories flickered back to Laertes, he had been part flutter. She had never thought to ask him whether he could shrink down or not, despite their lifemating their had been so much she didn't know about her previous lover. None of her children had ever mentioned the ability though, she supposed she could ask one of the girls later, now that their children were grown and capable of traveling on their own, there was no more need for Laertes and Belle to see each other, so she could not ask him personally. The thought was a relief, yet it sent wire thin lines of pain through her heart, so her mind flicked away from such brooding and back to her present conversation.
"It must be wondrous to be able to change size at will." she mused aloud, a hint of envy in her voice. "I can't imagine it..." She reached back, flipping open the flap of leather and grasping the handle of her cleaver with her teeth, flipping it over so the blade wasn't poking into her. Through the leather of the bag it was harmless but uncomfortable. The metal flashed in the sun for a moment before she tucked the flap down again.
"My name is Belle by the way, Jezabelle."
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:11 pm
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He had to allow the truth of her words, though the sun might not change, it certainly could make dramatic entrances and exits.
'True, the night sky is a beautiful thing, and one could spend many a night looking at the stars. But sunrises and sunsets can be wonderful, a painted canvas in the sky whenever the sun appears or takes its leave.' he smiled, though it was for the moment lost on the mare.
'I guess?' he replied with a shrug that caused him to drift through the air again. More busy flapping levelled him out once again.
'I don't think I ever really thought about it. Both my parents are flutters, so it's all I've known.'
Wisp watched the mare as she fiddled around with the container, and moved something that looked something like a two-legger weapon. He refrained from commenting though, not wanting to seem nosey.
'I'm Wisp, pleased to meet you.'
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:21 am
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Wisp's ear flicked as he listened to the mare. He had not meant his words to cause the mare any introspection, merely to say what he enjoyed most about the daylight hours.
'And as you say, the night sky is a wonder. And there are many things that it has that the day does not. Shooting stars for one.' he said, listening as she spoke of her family.
'Oh, you have children also? I have three as well, all grown. One is even a father himself.' he smiled at thought, though it was a bittersweet one, his son having love and starting a family as his had fallen apart.
He shook himself from thoughts of family to trying to remember the terrain around these parts.
'Caves? I do not know of, I really don't look for them. But trees, or dense forest...hmm, I think there is a point not far from here where the plains meet the forest. It's only the edges so not quite so dark, but it should be shady at least. '
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:36 am
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"I do, two girls and a boy. All grown as well, and quite recently, I find myself trying to find ways to fill my time now that I'm not gallivanting off after rambunctious foals all day. That's why I'm out here today, this is the first time I have been out and about during the day in ages, I thought a change of pace might prove interesting, and it has." She grinned in the small stallions general direction.
Unfolding her legs gracefully, Jezabelle rose to her feet. Shaking out her mane and tail as she stretched stiff muscles. "Would you mind terribly escorting me there? Its nice to feel the sun, but I find this blindfold is a bit tiresome after a while. I'd love to get back in the shadows so I can take it off, but I'm a little turned around. I'm afraid I didn't think this little adventure through all the way."
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:07 am
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Wisp smiled back, though it again was an expression lost on the pretty mare. Still, if they moved, she would see everything on his face, maybe even the hint of melancholy that still clung to him.
'Well, that's good. You get to indulge yourself, and spend time doing things without answering to anyone for a while. Though it's wonderful raising foals.' he added.
'I was tucked away myself for a while, but that was..' he paused, not quite able to finish the sentence, to think about why he'd gone into a sort of seclusion. Maybe after a little more time, she seemed a good enough sort, and had a similar background, so she could make a good listener.
'Sure, it would be my pleasure.' he said with a short nod. He got to see her fully for the first time, taking the opportunity to look without the embarrassment of being seen looking, and then moved back away from her, figuring it would be easier to guide her in his regular size.
'One moment whilst I revert to my larger size.'
A moment later, he was on the ground, now about the same height as her.
'There..so, umm, how do you want me to guide you?' he asked, having never done anything of the sort before.
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Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 12:04 pm
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Jezabelle nodded her agreement, becoming a mother was one of the few things in her life she felt no regret or indecision over. It had been frightening at the time but once the foals had been born, she had taken to it immediately. Once Laertes had left, her niece and sister had helped her care for Claudette and Saxon and she had visited with Desdemona the couple times a year she and her ex mate had put aside their personal hurts and brought the foals together. It had not been perfect, but considering her family's history of parenthood, she felt satisfied her children had been raised well.
She stepped back to allow the stallion more room to change form, feeling a strange tingling awareness of his larger form at her side after the transformation. She thought a moment, "If you wouldn't mind walking next to me, I could follow the sounds of your voice." She stepped closer to him, feeling the coolness of his shadow washing over her pale coat, she bumped into him lightly, unable to properly judge the distance between them, and was baffled to feel a strange surge where they connected. She pulled back, her heart hammering as warmth stole through her body. "I-I'm sorry" she stammered, "Didn't see you there," she murmured in explanation, a blush stealing across her cheeks as she realized how silly that sounded, now it was clear the contact had left her flustered. Perhaps she had sunstroke, it had been years since she ventured out in the daylight, definitely a good idea for her to step back into the shadows.
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Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 4:33 am
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'Why would I mind? It would be my honour to guide you, especially if it will make you more comfortable once we have relocated.' Wisp said. He was certainly slowly warming to the mare, or at least feeling that if this was the first time he was to make a new acquintance post break-up, that he could do no worse than this soft spoken mare.
'That's okay.' he said, checking to see if she was steady after she bumped into him. That was the closest a mare had come as well, and it was a slightly discomfiting feeling, but it didn't set him on edge as much as he thought it might.
'Are you okay?' he asked, noticing her colour had risen on what he could see of her face. Perhaps the sun was affecting her more than she had let on.
'When you are ready, we shall move. And I'll keep you guided as best I can, though this is the longest conversation I've had that wasn't with my children for a good while, so I may drift off..but then I can always hum or something, I don't think I'm too tuneless.' he added the latter with a slightly chuckle.
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:55 pm
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"Thank you" she replied simply with a genuine smile that lit up her features in his general direction. She dismissed the strange fluttery lightness as dehydration, or perhaps simply some residual giddiness from her adventure today, regardless her reaction left her feeling somewhat embarrassed. "I'm fine thank you, I think its just all of this sunlight, I'm simply not used to it, and adrenaline perhaps... Laying in a flower strewn field in the middle of the afternoon may not seen like a daring expedition to your average mare but I found it rather thrilling." Her answer made sense mentally but it didn't seem to fully click with the strange turmoil that had momentarily gripped her.
"To be fully honest, I haven't spent much- or rather any, time with males outside of my family since my lifemate..." Her shoulders drooped a little as if burdened by an enormous weight, "Well, things didn't work out between us, and I haven't seen him since our foals left home." Her cheeks were now a deep pink as she followed the small sounds of her guide. "So I apologize, I think I'm just feeling a little, flustered, by the unfamiliarity of this situation."
Not wanting to mull over the past, she felt her heart lighten at meeting a potential friend on her first outing from her family's herdlands. True, he knew nothing of her past, or some of her more unnerving quirks but there was potential. She had grown much less bitter over her occasional exclusion and alienation after discovering the truth behind her cravings and meeting the rest of her family. She understood herself now, and was at peace with who and what she was. She thought Wisp seemed kind and genuine, someone she would enjoy getting to know, but if he rejected her because of her bloodlust, she would survive and move on.
"If you wouldn't mind, the deeper the shadows, the easier it will be for me to remove the blindfold painlessly. I usually spend daytime in a cave or dense patch of forest. Simple shade doesn't provide enough protection. But if you are uncomfortable venturing into the deep forest with a stranger, I understand, Once we are under tree cover, if you would point me in the right direction, I should be able to make it the rest of the way on my own."
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