[PRP] The Meaning of Happiness (Nashide Namae x SkullKandy)

[Ryuukishin]

Nashide Namae (Ryuukishin) & SkullKandy (II--Gen3sis--II)

 

[Ryuukishin]

The sun hung low against the sky, its light pale in the chilly month. The leaves were dead and dying; the birds, gone; and the air cloudy as it left Bitey’s lips and dissipated amidst the frost. Despite the barren landscape that surrounded her, she felt at peace – happy, even. It was true her traveling had been cut short, but anything worth having required sacrifice, and her time with Dragoona had been the best of her life. The dark-colored mare was kind to her, and so very sweet, and she didn’t mind at all the grisly scar that now blemished her features, the one Bitey herself had created...

One step more and her hoof landed on a soft patch of snow, the resulting slip effectively cutting off her train of thought and her steady gait. The path descended quickly in the form of a steep hill, and she was forced to run down its length or run not at all and stumble instead to the bottom. She opted for the former; by the time the ground evened out beneath her, she was exhilarated from her run and her laughter could be heard ringing clear in the crisp air.  

[Nayci]

Ryuukishin

With winter coming fast SkullKandy had gone into preparation mode. Gathering multiple herbs, plants, fruits, vegetables, and meat for storage in his alcove near Malach’s cave. Through her he was taught how to preserve what he gathered, shown how to gather salt from the nearby tunnels. And from there he was shown how to wrap his meat within large leaves, added the salt, and stored far back in the driest area of his alcove. It was during these months that he delved far more into meat eating, hunting small game for ease of access. Plus, at he was only a half breed, he didn’t have the spaded tail or cloven hooves. Taking down big game would always be a chore for him.

On this day however, Skull found himself out later than normal to scavenge around for his needed materials. With the added desire to find enough to share with Malach, even though she never asked it of him, he was driven to continue onwards even though the chill in the air was ever present. With one hoof he dug into the snowy mud, looking for mud fish that he could catch. Or frogs. It was their hibernation period so if he caught them off guard quick enough they wouldn’t be able to get away. Speaking of which, one mud fish crossed his path at that very moment.

With a quick flick of his hoof he pushed it out into the snow, watching with wiggle in distress as he approached. Another flick of his hoof the fishes tail was pinned, and with an eyeblink he slit the mud fishes throat. He watched if wriggle and flail as it died, and unreadable expression on his face. Malach’s teachings running through his head. Still he found himself apathetic to death. The life of another creature leaving meant little to him. The baby deer still played in his head though. While months ago he was still slightly disturbed that he didn’t care about it.

The thought that Malach may have been trying to get a rise out him crossed his mind. Although it quickly vanished just as quickly as it came. The mare wasn’t the type to cause a ruckus unnededly. And suffice to say her first lesson was still mediated on. A part of Skull had zero idea what to do with it. Granted, he still had no idea what “It” was. The lack of movement from the fish garnered his attention once more. And Skull quickly picked it up and put it in a small basket between his withers.

He couldn’t deny that the basket was his best find yet in the forest. And so Skull began to make his way back towards his alcove to work on his gatherings for the day. Being mindful of the things he can to get the next day. That was when the breeze brought nearby sounds. Sounds that caught his attention very briefly.

Laughter?

Who would be coming this far south?  

[Ryuukishin]

Bitey had gone through a number of winters, but none as full of snow as this. It would make walking difficult – even treacherous, in some areas – and she knew that she would have to wade through slush and cold when it melted, yet she spun and danced in it all the same. It may as well have fancied her in return, for it clung to her legs and peppered along her spine, and once she stood, it would only concede to leave after a thorough shaking.

By then, her steps had taken her far enough to see a dark speck in the near distance, its hue too purple to be mistaken for a stone. She thought its could pass for a soquili, though she had to approach the individual to be sure. Dragoona would not like Bitey gone for long, but she would appreciate less a stranger in the vicinity if her mood was as black as when Bitey had left it.

She pawed at the ground as she considered her options, and eventually decided it would be for the best if found out the stallion’s intentions. If he planned to head towards the road Dragoona was on, she would try to discourage him and n** that conflict in the bud. And if he did not, then there would be nothing to fear.

“Hello,” she called, shaking off the last bit of snow. The ground here was muddier, though cold all the same. She was close enough now to see the reason for his strange silhouette had been because of a basket, filled with all sorts of plants – and even meat, if the smell was anything to go by. She tilted her head, but it was not the contents she had come to ask about.

“Where are you going?” It was only now that she realized the question was strange out of context. Her cheeks burned, and in an attempt to recoup her dignity, she added, “D-did you need help carrying that?”  

[Nayci]

Ryuukishin

Skullkandy tilted his head to the side curiously, a few stray bangs sliding across his forehead. A strange looking mare. But not mean. Not evil. Rather good if the stuttering she gave off was any indication. Very blue. Blue signifying calmness even though this mare exuded a teetering edge of nervousness. But why? He wasn’t going to eat her if that was what she was thinking. So he blinked owlishly and calmly at her.

“No, you are, and I am, fine. The first words we speak are usually the honest ones. Social norms are best left with those who are conforming to the societal necessities.”

With a nod of his head he plodded forwards slowly, “I am headed home. Need to settle in before the snow comes once again.”

Skull lifted his head, his light blue eyes scanning the incoming storm clouds. It would be storming within the hour no doubt. The weather this season wasn’t on par with what would be considered normal. And this mare was all by herself. It wouldn’t be proper to not offer the other soul a place to stay until the weather passes.

“It’s getting close to snowing again. You are welcome to come with me until it passes over. “

A neutral question he thought. It wasn’t proper nor improper. She could come with him should she wished do. And she also had the option of leaving. No force of his will, no force of hers. Neutral. Something he was proud of. Malach would be pleased. Hopefully. Although Malach showing any emotion was slim to completely none.

He huffed a very quiet laugh to himself. Malach showing emotions. What a riot. If she could, or wanted to, she’d probably laugh at his musing…. Or not. Oh well. Malach was Malach. And he was Skull.

“My alcove is not too far from here. It’s in the dense forest off to our east.”

That was when he realized that he hadn’t introduced himself. Not that she asked who he was. But regardless, proper use of social cues was a must when in contact with others. His mother would be rolling in her grave. Eh, such was life.

“I am Skullkandy by the way,” he turned hoof softly and began heading towards the treeline.

He didn’t mind if she gave her name or not. It mattered little to him. If she wished to share, she would on her own terms and in her own time. Existance and time was infinite. It never wavered, never stopped, and that’s what was most important to remember. Things came and went. Soquili came and went. Information would pass by him and either say or leave. It was all dependent on circumstance.
 

[Ryuukishin]

II--Gen3sis--II

His words were frank and unexpected, to say the least. But the surprise was enough to shake her embarrassment, and Bitey was glad to hear he did not seem bothered by her venture. She took his explanation for acceptance and was trying to work out how she might get her jaws around one of the basket’s handles when he warned her of the storm.

“Oh!” If she thought his offer inappropriate, she didn’t show it. Though some would tease her, she had never come across anyone older than a foal who was openly malicious to her, and with no experience to tell her otherwise, she assumed none meant her ill. No, his words didn’t trouble her, but the roiling clouds were another matter. The storm would be upon them soon, and it was possible she’d have to take the stallion up on his offer, though she didn’t fancy the thought of Dragoona being alone at such a time. But Dragoona’s mate, Hephaestion, might be with her, and Bitey had already promised the stallion her help. Besides, he said himself it was not far, and if they hurried she would be able to return before the storm appeared.

“Right! To the east we goooo!” She attempted to grab a handle once more, twisting her head this way and that to adapt to a grip that was meant for horizontal lips rather than vertical ones. It wasn’t until moments later that she realized this was no longer an imagined scenario and that – gods help her – the male was watching.

“It’s good to meet you, Skullkandy. I’m Bitey!” she said as a flush crept up her cheeks. Only then did she realize she could simply grab the side of a handle, rather than its top, to be able to keep her head right-side-up as she walked, and she proceeded to do just that to show that, yes, she absolutely knew what she was doing!  

[Nayci]

Ryuukishin

‘Bitey…’ the name rolled off his mental tongue and he found himself curious.

How could a mare get such a name like hers? But then again, he mused as they began their trek through the snow and shrubbery; a mare that looks like herself would be prone to unique names….and unique ways of getting around with her mouth being the way it was. He honestly had to wonder what it was like having a mouth vertical instead of horizontal like his own. And how could that have happened at all. Where her family genes mutated in some way? Did something happen when her dam was pregnant with her? So many questions he wanted answers to but felt that it was not appropriate to ask them.

Bitey’s life was her own. SkullKandy had no reason to intrude on the matter. He was just grateful that she was willing to be of assistance in getting his things back to his cave. No doubt his teacher would ask him to join her this night. She had been nearby multiple times in the past few nights, but never came any closer. He wasn’t sure what she was up to but he also had no reason to ask. Patience was a virtue…and a curse in some areas of his life.

SkullKandy mentally shook his head to be rid of himself of those thoughts. No, his mind needed to continue to be neutral. Break the neutrality and he would have to start his meditation all over. But yet, he already found himself realizing that he would probably need to meditate again before the day was done. He wasn’t expecting extra company, let alone that company being a mare such as the one called Bitey right by his rump.

She was so happy, so carefree, and so…naïve. Skull wondered how she kept that naivety without running into trouble. Bitey intrigued him in more ways than one. But alas, he could not afford to push those ideas forward. At the same time, however, he could not deny that to stay quiet was not conducive to a good host. In fact small conversation could make or break a possible friendship.

But then again, what was friendship to begin with? Was it even possible given his desire to be completely neutral? The answer wasn’t clear cut, and in fact, there was no answer at all. At least, one that Skull could allow himself to think about or attest to. So it came back all in full circle, what to talk about? He really didn’t know. But luckily they found themselves at his little home in the rock side in quick due time. It was lucky, as just as Bitey had gotten inside the storm begain.

It seemed that Skull was going to have company for some time longer than he had originally anticipated.

“Go ahead and set that basket on the flat rock over there,” he quietly rumbled, heading over to a carved out ledge he had a nearby two-legger carve for him, “and go ahead and make yourself comfortable. The storm has started.”