[PRP] Summer's Not Over (Calla and Chosovi)

[.Tortured. .Pumpkin.]

This is a PRP between XxXPandamoniumXxX's Chosovi and my Calla. Please do not post without permission.

All of this talk around the lands about summer coming to a close had Calla a little bit out of sorts. Spring and summer were by far his favorite seasons, and he wasn't nearly ready to let them go yet. But that was the thing. Summer wasn't over yet. In fact, he felt like the best part of it had just begun! The pumpkin and squash blossoms were just beginning to open, the sunflowers were nearly in full bloom, and while the days weren't completely what they had been just several moons ago, they were still long...ish. So long as the flowers were still around, he was a happy stallion, and summer was certainly not over.

Calla made his way quietly through the forest, nipping inconstantly at the season's blackberries and blueberries on his way. He had no real destination, it was just nice to be out and about. Besides, the flowers he had seen along the way always made it worth it. He had seen the most lovely lilacs and wild violets, and even a lady slipper or two. The sight warmed his heart and assured him that fall was far from here, but when it came it would bring apples and pumpkins and plenty of delicious foods. He found himself feeding on berries more and more as he went along. Thinking of all of this food was certainly having quite the effect!

XxXPandamoniumXxX

 

[.Tortured. .Pumpkin.]

Calla's eyes widened and he jumped a little bit, startled at the mare's sudden appearance. He finished chewing the group of berries he'd just plucked and raised a brow at her. "Well, that's a bit harsh, is it not?" He tilted his head, fairly certain he wasn't going to get an answer. "I was just passing through, admiring the wild flowers and grazing on some berries on my way, is all. I haven't really got a particular destination, I just wish to see all of the flowers summer's got to offer before they're all gone." He nodded quaintly at the aggressive mare, wondering why she'd even bother to show herself when he hadn't even noticed her.

After a few moments, the stallion smiled. "Say, are you from these lands? If so, have you got any flower groves around here? I'd love to see them if you have!" Oh, what a splendid idea! He didn't even think to remember how nasty the mare had just been, and couldn't imagine treading lightly. Calla was certainly a stallion with one mind set, and he often forgot to keep focused on the task at hand. He tucked his wings neatly to his side, his eyes wandering from the mare to his surroundings in an attempt to find himself more flowers to gaze upon and smell.

XxXPandamoniumXxX

 

[.Tortured. .Pumpkin.]

If it were at all possible, Calla became more at ease when the mare stopped growling. He had become so engulfed with his sudden quest for flowers that he had completely forgotten to pay attention to the situation and the cues he had been given to impose fear and intimidation had gone unnoticed. The stallion perked up and smiled when she asked about the flowers. "You will? Oh, that sounds wonderful!" His smile was genuine and bold, and he followed her diligently. "I do. I guess you can say it was inherited by my mum. See, she actually looks quite a bit like a skunk, and so she loves flowers. She doesn't smell or anything, but she's always afraid that she does, so she lives among flowers to try to cover it up. In fact, she named me after a flower. Guess it's kind of where I got my start..." Upon noticing his own rambling, he blushed and plucked a few berries from a bush as they passed by.

Mouth full, he mumbled over the berries. A muffled, 'Sorry,' might have been made out if the mare were listening well enough. After finishing his mouthful, he shook his head. "Oh, no, not usually. I tend to find them myself, since I don't wander all that much. But you can only take counts on the flowers you see every day before you long for something more. I've seen so many new flowers on my journey, and so many new faces, too!" He didn't quite understand why her appearance would make her more apt to discover a flower patch, and he didn't dare answer in afraid of offending her or getting snapped at for speaking too much. He was nearly cut short by the sudden need to take flight anyway.

Before he could answer the mare, off she went, bounding across the water. His eyes widened a little in surprise, but he followed her in a casual jog. When he reached the edge of the cliff, Calla stopped and took a look down. He didn't fly much, as he lacked the second pair of his given breed's wings, which tended to be a hindrance. After a few moments of staring into the depths, he backed up and took another moment to prepare himself mentally. He then jolted forward and spread his wings, gliding more easily than expected across the ravine. He blushed a little before apologizing. "Sorry... The old wings don't work as well as they should sometimes."

Calla had to think a moment on her question. "I just... Do. Have you ever wanted something, and you're not entirely sure why? I mean, I guess I could just be using the flowers as an excuse to for myself to branch out and travel from home, or I could be realizing that fall is nearly here, and that means another year nearly over, and yet here I am, still having not done anything with my life..." He sighed. "Or, perhaps, I just truly enjoy flowers!" He chuckled a little bit at himself. "I do, honestly, but I think that the journey it's brought be on has been more rewarding than just the flowers themselves."

XxXPandamoniumXxX

 

[.Tortured. .Pumpkin.]

A small smile crossed the stallion's face as he listened to his host's dilemma. "Well, fair maiden, to me the answer to your problem is simple." He nodded. "If you want something so badly, you need to go out and get it before the frost and snow steals it all away. Because just like flowers, not everything is going to wait around for you to come and enjoy its beauty." Calla thought for a moment. "But the good thing about them is that they'll always come back next year. Not everything is so reliable." He looked up to the mare and frowned a little bit. "Oh, I do hope that what you're longing for is more like a flower."

As soon as the frown had crossed his face, it was gone. His entire being seemed to light up with pure joy and excitement as he looked down into the meadow, which was filled with beautiful purples and pinks and whites and speckled with the bold yellows and blacks of sunflowers. The mare's words nearly passed his ears, but he caught the gist of what she was saying. "Oh, I couldn't have said it better myself." He grinned. "You don't look nearly old enough to be so wise." He stared into the sea of beauty, unsure of where to start. Oh, how he wish he had somebody to share this with. But he did, of course!

As the mare continued to speak, he looked down at her from her seated position. In an attempt to be polite, Calla flopped his tail up and planted his rump directly beside her, listening intently to her situation. A small look of puzzlement crossed his face before he spoke. "Oh, but my dear stranger, I know exactly what you're talking about. You see, all of these new flowers are so spectacular and exciting, and yet I still feel myself longing for those I've seen every day of my life. When you grow to love something, there's no substitute, it seems." He smiled. "And as much as I hate to break it to you, you seem to already be horribly attached to this stallion. And I'm sure he's tragically attached to you. You've found the flower that's simply perfect for what you were looking for, perhaps it's time you go pick it, hmm?" he stood up with her, his friendly smile never waning. "You've very graciously helped me with what I've requested. If you'd like to stay I'd have no complaints, as the company has been quite pleasant, but if you'd like to go, I understand you may have a little journey of your own that may need fulfilling."

XxXPandamoniumXxX