[PRP] In the Garden. [Butterfly Family]

[LOLTERNATIVE]

This is a private RP between Faithofthefallen & LOLTERNATIVE for the following soquili.



Lolly's Teepee | Faith's Teepee

 

[LOLTERNATIVE]

The wind whipped the stallion's hair around as he flew. He didn't pay much attention to where he was going - for he had flown this way many times now - instead focusing on loops and twists, laughing. He was in high spirits - it had been some time since he and Losille had ventured out to collect seed samples. Some time since he had seen his beloved and their son. The garden came into view; a large patch of tall oaks with splashes of colour from ripe fruit trees. Erynion picked up the pace, coming to land at the small path that lead to his home tree. He bounded down the path, grin spreading across his face. "Vesper! We're home!"

Losille watched her father flit about the sky with a soft smile crossing her face. She knew the love he felt for her mother and so his behaviour was not a surprise at all. She shook her head and laughed, landing on the same path and following him. "Quiet, father. You'll wake the whole lands." While they walked to their home, Losille checked on plants along the way, making sure everything was in order. She didn't doubt her mother or brother and their abilities; it was just a habit for her to be double sure.

Faithofthefallen

Will Ceres be in this RP, too? if so i'll add her. idk if Ellion is in it - i just assumed. let me know if he won't be. O A O

 

[Faithofthefallen]

Throughout the length of Vesper's illness she had been kept warm and quiet, the shutters kept closed to prevent her from catching a chill on top of everything else, she had been smothered in fuzzy blankets and attention. While firmly in the grasp of her illness, Vesper had been too unwell to care, every breath through the congestion in her lungs had been a struggle, she didn't have much of a memory of the past month or so. Ellion had sent a messenger to his father and sister to return but hadn't held much hope that the bird would find them in a timely manner, Ery and Losille were on the hunt and moving so often that the young stallion hadn't been able to do much more than give the messenger a description and send him off in the general direction he'd thought the might have gone. Her poor boy, he had aged in the time since she had grown ill, forced to walk around with the weight of the world on his shoulders, he had become burdened with too much care.

It had been a blessing when the mare, Arcadia had come through the garden. She knew enough healing arts to ease Vesper's breathing enough that Ellion felt comfortable leaving in search of a lasting cure, Cady had told him that without one, Vesper would likely pass before she saw another spring. It had hurt her far more to see the look in her boy's eyes at this pronouncement than it had hurt to consider her own fate. Vesper was often frivolous and frequently naive about many things, but when necessary she could pull herself together for her children and her mate. Thankfully they loved her as she was and didn't try to change her, there was a darkness in Vesper's past, she had come to recognize the feel of the memories buried deep beneath the surface, and when she tried to act her age, they swam dangerously close to the surface.

Ellion had left, returning at intervals to try this cure and that, searching far and wide for something to cure his mother, looking more and more desperate with each failed attempt. Finally, after many failures, they had found the right combination of herbs. Vesper took a deep breath, smiling as her lungs expanded smoothly and released it, the cottage was filled with a heady floral scent, the shutters were open for the first time in ages and a light breeze tugged at her raven curls, making the bells jingle as her short mane whipped around her face. She laughed. She was still too weak to stand or move around much, dangerously thin, with dark circles under her tired eyes, she would need to do a lot of work to regain her strength but she was alive, and would remain so.

The sound of a familiar voice made warmth surge through her limbs, her eyes lit up and her wings trembled, Erynion.
"Up here, my love!" She called, wincing at how gravelly her voice was with disuse. Ellion had made a quick trip back to his nearby dwelling for... Something, she couldn't remember what it was he had said, but he should be back any time. Arcadia had left the morning before having pronounced Vesper cured. The mare had her own quest to continue, but promised to visit again later. Vesper was supposed to be napping, but she was happy she had stayed away for this, she longed to rush to Ery, but lacked the strength, she worried about what her lifemate and daughter would say at seeing her this way, and wondered if they were prepared, if the messenger had ever found them.

LOLTERNATIVE

Sorry the post got long xD, I haven't actually hashed out what happened, just been vaguely plotting so took this opportunity to expand from Vesper's point of view, I'll bring Ellion in after they reunite!!!

 

[LOLTERNATIVE]

The messenger had, in fact, not made it to the duo before they returned home on their own. So when Erynion heard Vesper's voice, he knew something was not right. He took off faster, reaching their home in seconds, heart thundering in his chest. He had been gone for too long, he knew it. As his eyes fell on her, his heart sunk. For a few moments, he did not move; the shock at the sight of his mate - normally so vibrant and energetic - now too weak to stand. He took a small step forward and another before he knelt bu her side, nuzzling her face.

At first, he could not find his voice to speak to her. Too ashamed - he had been away when she had needed him. Would she forgive him? Could he forgive himself? He clung to her, afraid the wind might sweep her away.

"What has happened?" He finally asked; though he was afraid of the answer. It was evident she was ill but had she been cured or was none found? He began ticking off plants in his mind that would help her and made a mental note to fetch them when he had time.

Losille had not heard her mother's voice but she saw the look of concern that crossed her father's face and that alone was enough reason for her to join him in his haste. She entered their home behind him and stood, mouth open, staring at her mother. She was not well - though she seemed to be recovering, the mare could tell that much. Her father, as she expected, took it harder than she did and reacted accordingly. She waited in silence, watching the exchange. Like father, like daughter, Losille too had made a list of plants that could be eaten or brewed into tea for strength and health. Ellion would help her collect them.

She paused at the thought of her brother - just then noticing that he was not here. Her heart skipped a beat and her brow creased as her breath caught in her throat. Surely Ellion hadn't gotten sick, also? She took a step forward.

"Mother," her voice was a whisper. "Ellion, is he..?" She choked slightly. "He didn't get sick, did he?"

Faithofthefallen

 

[Faithofthefallen]

Vesper gazed into her family's faces hungrily, her happiness at seeing them was marred only slightly by their, fully justified, reaction to her state. She knew she was a mess, she was mending though and though it might not seem that way, looked much better than she had a month ago.

She saw the pain in Erynion's eyes clearly, her mate blamed himself for her illness, that would not do. She smoothed his mane and pressed her cheek against his, her lashes fluttering against his skin like butterfly wings.
"I was sick for a while," she admitted reluctantly, that much they could see, "It struck about a few days after you were gone, it was... A difficult time, Ellion found a healer to stay with me while he tracked down a cure. I'm better now, what you see is just what hasn't finished healing yet. It will take time to get back to normal, but I'm not going anywhere."

She smiled at Losille, her heart in her eyes as she traced her familiar and beloved features hungrily. "I missed you," she said simply, "Ellion did too, he's fine, he just stepped out for a bit. I told him to go home and take a break for a couple hours, took me ages to get him to agree, but he's been hovering and truly I'm fine." she said sulkily, clearly this was a familiar debate for the mare.


Ellion trotted down the familiar beaten pathways between the flower beds, enjoying the warm spring air and feeling much better for his short nap. It hadn't been entirely restful, wracked with terrible dreams that he had returned to his parent's home find his mother had passed away or disappeared.

He was returning earlier than Vesper had asked, but he didn't care. He needed to see her, to reassure himself she was still recovering. The stallion picked up the pace, his wings stretching out from his side, with a mighty flap he propelled himself into the air towards the giant tree.

Landing neatly on the small terrace outside the main door, Ellion was surprised to hear voices. Sure, Vesper had been known to talk to herself on occasion, but this was not the same. Listening for a moment, Ellion suddenly smiled broadly. The other two voices were as familiar to him as his own, peeking his head through the doorway, still grinning like a fool and trembling with excitement he called out a greeting, "Losille, Father! You're back!!" He bounced through the doorway towards them.

LOLTERNATIVE

 

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Erynion leaned into Vesper's embrace and stayed there for a moment, afraid if he let her go she would float away. He was relieved to know she had received treatment - that their son,and the healer - had been there for her. He bit back the guilt that bubbled again. There was no point in dwelling. She had survived and she needed him to be strong for her until she was fully recovered.

"I'm sorry, dear," he mumbled, sheepishly, knowing he was making a fuss. "You just.. had me worried. I'll not leave again for some time, I promise. Not until you can join me." He turned at the sound of his son's voice and moved forward to embrace him, laughing slightly. "Ellion, it's good to see you again." Their eyes locked and in a rare moment, Erynion's features took on a serious look. "Thank you."

Losille greeted her brother in turn, just as foolish a grin on her features. "Elli!" She headbutted him lightly, laughing. "You did good." She did not say anything else - did not speak of what would have happened if he hadn't been here to help. It was in the past now and there was not much they could do about it except move forward. She sucked in a breath and clapped a hoof on the ground. "Right then! How about some supper?" Her tone made it clear there was no room for debate as she bustled around to the dining area of the kitchen. There was fresh fruit, picked this morning by Ellion no doubt. Nuts, seeds and herbs. A bucket - purchased from a travelling hippogryph who specialised in wood crafts - had been filled with water and she moved it to her mothers side, placing it next to her. "Drink," She piled nuts and fruit - apples, berries, pears and plums and took a seat, waiting for the others before helping herself. "We all need our strength."

Faithofthefallen

sickness killed muse. apologies. <3

 

[Faithofthefallen]

Vesper clung to her mate, simply happy for the contact. He was the reason she had this wonderful home, and a family of her own. Without Erynion, she wouldn't have had Ellion, and Ellion wouldn't have had the plant knowledge to keep her stable until Arcadia had arrived, or have had any idea of where to look for a cure once he had felt comfortable leaving on his search. Erynion was the embdiment of everything good and wonderful in the mare's life and she loved him with every fiber of her being. Having him home again was a balm to her soul. She smiled at him, and suddenly giggled, "We'd have to walk, Ery, I can't fly, that's why I always have to stay home." her bright eyes held no regret over this, "Elli tried to teach me again, but I flew into a tree and got stuck, he helped me get down again but said no more flying."

Ellion chuckled at the memory, It had been a few days before his mother had grown ill. He had panicked at the time, half fearing he'd never get Vesper down and his father would return to find his lifemate still wedged tightly within the thick branches. Every little problem had seemed like the end of the world, he had been younger then, with no idea of what real despair and hopelessness felt like. His smile melted away, Ellion wished he could have that innocence back. He understood that his mother seemed so young at times because her spirit had broken under the trauma of something in her past. She couldn't remember what it was, but Ellion had been somewhat relieved to find that he hadn't been broken in the same way under the pressure of her illness. He could understand the safety of her escape much better now though. It was sometimes disturbing to have his mother act more like a younger sister than a parent. When he was a foal, it had been less apparent, but as an adult he now understood how different her thoughts were. It was charming at times, but sometimes he wished he could talk to her about some of his adult problems and have her understand and offer advice. Vesper did the best she could, but when she did act like his mother, it often felt like a child pretending, rather than the real thing. During the scariest part of her illness, she had seemed near death, she had looked at him with eyes that matched her years and spoken to him. "I couldn't remember how to be your mother, Ellion." she had said sadly, he had hugged her fiercely, recognizing viscerally that his mother had always been there, but was buried under layers of protection. He had laid next to her through the night, and in the morning when she had woken up, miraculously still breathing, that sense of maturity was gone, but he felt better knowing it simply slumbered within.

Elli smiled at Losille in thanks, he looked up to his sister and her praise meant a lot to him. He ate gratefully when she set up the food, he felt safer than he had in months with his family reunited, it felt good to be able to relax and let someone else take charge of caring for Vesper for a little while.

LOLTERNATIVE

I'm going to change the healer to Arcadia, since she's part of a healing herd I thought it would give her a little backstory to help me get her personality sorted out and a plot to start her with, I hope you don't mind! What should we have these guys do?

 

[Faithofthefallen]

Vesper scowled at the water bucket before her, she wasn't thirsty but, a quick side glance at Losille made her quite certain that her daughter was going to be firm about it. She swallowed a few gulps to satisfy her, while she looked, and then returned her full attention to cuddling against Erynion's side. She buried her face into his long mane and promptly sneezed as his hair tickled her nose. Ellion jumped when she did so, his gaze suddenly frantic.
"I'm fiiiiine!" she reassured them all a little crankily, suddenly certain her family was going to be tiresome about her health until she was fully recovered.
Her mouth settled into a petulant line, but she didn't want to mar the moment, instead she tucked into the food that Losille had set before them.

"So, tell me about what you two have been up to all this time!"

LOLTERNATIVE

Realized I didn't give you much to reply to, sorry for the double post xD