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 Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:22 am
Sunny carried Samantha against her chest across the yard to the barn. Sam whimpered and buried her face against her mother, bothered by the light.
Sunny wasn't quite sure what to make of this.
Into the barn, into the darker light, Samantha relaxed a little.
"How's it going?"
Hecate put down the board she was carrying and leaned it against the wall. "We're making progress. When we get to the drywall, we're going to need your help."
"I'm helping," Bronnie announced.
"She is, actually," Hecate shrugged.
We're going to redo as much as we can, Seline said excitedly. When we finish fixing up Hecate's room, we're going to paint the inside of the barn.
"What colour...?"
Yellow!
"Makes sense." Sunny inspected the skeleton walls being built around a few old stalls to create Hecate's new room. "You're doing a good job."
"No thanks to you."
"Nyah. Someday, you'll understand. You'll have a baby... colt... heck. What do you call a baby centaur anyway?"
Hecate made a face.
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 4:13 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:47 pm
Sam wailed.
Sunny was turning into a frazzled shadow of her former self. Samantha seemed quite happy to be up all night and sleep all day; all attempts to recorrect her sleeping habits were destroying Sunny's sanity. She certainly wasn't sure when this kid was sleeping.
She flipped the lights on as she came into the room; Sam screamed.
Sunny turned the lights off, and the screaming calmed down.
"Well," Sunny said.
She turned off the nightlight, and scooped up Sam; the infant whimpered and buried her face in her mother's shoulder.
"You like the dark, eh?"
Sunny draped a blanket over the top of the crib. "See? It's like a cave, now." She laid Sam down in it.
Sam giggled, quite happily.
Soon enough, Sunny was having the first good night's sleep she'd had in weeks; never mind that it was one in the afternoon.
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 9:36 am
*walks in quietly with Taran* And put down a small present thats says merry late christmass.  Inside of it is a 
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 9:54 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:35 am
*sneaks in and drops off a present* ninja happy late x-massPresent
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 12:04 pm
Seline trotted up to Sunny and proudly deposited a blue and purple rose at her feet. Sunny stared.
"Um."
I made it grow.
"Seline... roses aren't supposed to be that colour. Neither are they supposed to grow in January. But, thank you." Sunny picked it up and tucked it behind her hair.
The changeling whinnied happily. I've been swimming. I was trying to swim in the ocean, but it was really cold, so I just trotted along the shore and it was very fun. My hooves got cold though, so I went and used the pool.
Sunny smirked. "Well. Um. What's with the sudden interest in swimming?"
I feel... comfortable in the water. You know, I think there might be plants under the water, too.
"Yeah. Seaweed."
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Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:02 am
"THINK FAST SELINE!"
Sunny tossed a snowball; it hurtled through the air and smacked Seline on the side of the head. She reeled, and stumbled back into the icy seawater. Samantha squealed in delight.
... what?
Sunny scowled. "It's called a snowball fight, you silly horse." She threw another one, which Seline sidestepped.
I'm not a horse, though. Not anymore.
"Silly horse," Sunny teased. "You'll always be that to me. Now. Are you going to fight back, or do I have to get really mean?"
Sam clapped her mittened hands and crawled forward through the snow a little. She had managed recently to pull herself to a standing position; walking was still beyond her. "Oss," she said, pointing at Seline.
Seline blinked. Sunny blinked. "I do believe she's trying to say 'horse.'"
But I'm not.
"Close enough for her, I suppose." Sunny went and scooped Samantha up in her arms.
"Um," Sam said.
"What's this mood you're in, hm? You're not usually the talkative type. Not even baby talk, usually."
Sam's ears, under her knitted toque, wiggled. "Ossie."
Sunny giggled. "Oh, you're absolutely right. Horsie!"
Hey!
A minute later, Sunny squealed as a large, wet, cold snowball hit her in the back of the neck. Some of it splatted onto Sam, and she startled at it.
Sunny set Sam down in the snow. "You cheated. You used your magic."
Did not.
"Did too. I saw."
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:53 pm
Sunny was sprawled out on a blanket on the shore, enjoying in some nice warm weather, with Sam crawling along, babbling quietly to herself. She squinted a little in the bright sun, but didn't seem to mind so very much.
Sunny.
"Er?" Sunny blinked at at Seline, and had a large drop of seawater hit her between the eyes. "Oh, get away. You're dripping. What is it?"
Sorry. Sunny, I had some questions.
"Go ahead. Sit down. Or lie down. Or... I dunno. Silly horse." Sunny patted Seline on the flank as the changeling sank down beside her. "What sort of questions?"
Why do I like the sea so much?
"I... I don't know. Why would you ask me?"
I had a dream last night. I had a tail. I mean, not like the tail I have now, but a fish tail.
"A fish tail?" Sunny blinked and stroked her old friend. "Oh, Selly."
Please don't call me that!
"Sorry. But it was a dream!"
I know, but...
Sam took a block out of her mouth. "Seen!" She crawled over to Seline and snuggled up against the damp yellow horse. "Seen het."
What does that mean?
"I think she means you're wet. Which you are. But she apparently doesn't care." Sunny picked up the little batgirl and swung her up in the air. Sam squealed in delight.
"Fi!"
"No flying for you," Sunny said in mock horror. "Seline, they're just dreams. But I could maybe mention them to Ceres."
Could you?
"Sure."
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:06 am
"We won't be gone long, Bronnie."
"But I'll miss you!"
"I'll miss you too." Sunny kissed her daughter and straightened. "Hecate? You sure you can handle Bronnie and Sam?"
"We'll be fine," the centaur nodded. Sam was crawling in her arms, wings flapping. "The fillies and I will be just fine. You're only going to be gone a few days, right?"
"That's the plan."
"Why can't I come?" Bronnie moped.
"Because this is something just for Seline and me to do." Sunny hugged her again. "And I need you to stay here and help Hecate with your baby sister."
"Oh, fine." Bronwen huffed.
"Come on, can you be a big help for Auntie Cate?"
"I will," the dragon-girl admitted.
Seline lowered her nose to nuzzle Bronnie comfortingly, and the girl giggles. Sunny, tell her I'll take care of you for her and that you'll be safe.
Sunny rolled her eyes but passed this along. Bronnie giggled. "Okay. I suppose we need to get started."
"We've been saying 'goodbye' for about ten minutes," Hecate laughed.
Sunny swung up onto Seline's back, between the saddlebags. She wet a sponge from a water bottle and dabbed it over Seline's new gills. Seline whinnied in delight. "Come on. We need to hurry, but at least we can keep along the shoreline."
Seline broke into a cheerful trot along the sand.
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 1:22 pm
"A shell, a necklace, and defloated flaties. I mean. Deflated floaties." Sunny made a face. Where do we get the floaties?"No clue." Sunny swung off of her friend's back and peered around. "Hey, it's the dock. Haven't been here in a while." Seline whickered and made for the water. It's nice here. Can't I go for a little swim?"Seline..." Sunny looked uneasy. "Ceres said you shouldn't get too wet. You've already got gills, for crying out loud." I feel so dry, though!"I know, I know..." Sunny sat down at the base of the rotten dock and poked around in the sand. Seline came and lay beside her, her head in Sunny's lap. Something's poking into my butt, Seline said suddenly, and got to her feet again. Upon investigation, it turned out to be a shapely spiral shell, pointed at one end.  "Oh, that's lovely..." Sunny took it and held it to her ear pensively. That's the one."What?" That's the shell we want, Seline said. She stamped a hoof impatiently. "How do you know?" I know, Sunny.Sunny nodded. She dug through the bags, and drew out a thick gold chain and a small hand drill. She began to work carefully, and Seline settled down to watch. Some time later, Sunny held up the finished product.  It's pretty. I get to wear it?"You do." Sunny looped it over Seline's neck. "Gold doesn't corrode, either. It's not pure gold--it would be too soft--but it's pure enough that it'll last a long time. And if it ever needs repairing," she fidgeted uncomfortably, "then, well, I have a little dock, and a rowboat." Seline nuzzled her old friend sorrowfully.
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Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 1:43 pm
Aside: Back at the Farm
Sam wailed.
"Bronnie. Bronnie!" Hecate juggled the wailing baby from arm to arm. "Hush, Sam. Hush. It's okay. Bronnie! Go get Sam's little thing of crickets from the kitchen, okay? And a peach and a knife. Maybe she's just hungry."
Bronwen unfolded herself and loped into the kitchen without a work. Hecate bounced Sam up and down. "There, there. It's okay. It's okay."
Sam's crying did not relent.
Bronnie returned with the request items, and settled down to slicing the peach at Hecate's request, while the centaur tried in vain to feed the crickets to the wailing baby. Neither would Sam eat the peach slices.
"NO!" Sam screamed, her favourite word and the only one easily recognizeable as a word.
Hecate sighed. "Fine. Fine, you're not hungry, you don't need changing. You're going to bed."
"NO!"
"Yes." Hecate draped the screaming, kicking baby over her shoulder and carried her down the hall to Sam's room. She placed the baby in the crib and covered it with the customary blanket.
Sam screamed, hauling herself to her feet. "Nonononono!" she cried.
Hecate closed the door behind her, and clutched her head. "I am never having kids," she declared.
Eventually, Sam sobbed herself to sleep.
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Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 2:07 pm
"Floaties. I know we're supposed to hurry, but... honestly." Sunny grumbled and leaned against Seline.
Sunny. What's that?
Sunny followed Seline's gaze out to the sea. Something large and flat was floating on the water. It was blue and bright yellow.
"I dunno."
I want to see it. Seline took a few hesitant steps toward the water.
"Whoa. Whoa, hold on. Ceres said you shouldn't get too wet. I'll lose you before we're done," Sunny protested. "It's probably... just some... okay, I have no idea what it might be, but unless it washes ashore in the next three minutes, not much we can do."
Seline snorted. Oh.
Sunny narrowed her eyes. "Well, I dunno...."
I smell something, Seline thought at her suddenly, her nostrils and gills flaring worriedly. Over there. Smells like...
Sunny looked, shielding the sun from her eyes.
On the far end of the beach, standing on the rocks, was the silhouette of a dark changeling with torn wings.
"Alighieri," Sunny whispered.
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 8:56 am
What do we do?
"I don't know," Sunny wailed. She wrung her hands. "There isn't anywhere to go, here."
We should swim out. Can he swim?
"I have no idea if he can swim or not. And you're supposed to stay out of the water!"
Seline whickered irritably.
Alighieri was loping down the beach towards them, slightly awkwardly because of the claws on his hind legs. Sunny and Seline stood their ground, the former resting her hand on the back of the latter. Seline fidgeted, and her friend made a soothing noise in the back of her throat. "We'll stand him down."
Alighieri cantered easily down the beach, and came to a stop before them. What are you doing here?
"We are going for a walk on the beach," Sunny said primly.
I'm not talking to you, human.
Sunny rolled her eyes. We're just walking down the beach, Seline said.
Alighieri regarded them suspiciously. This land is my territory.
Sunny sputtered. "I don't see a sign, you dumb horse."
He turned his dark face to her, eyes narrowed. He spread his wings. Do I look like a horse to you?
"As much as I look like a human to you," Sunny smirked. She took off her hat and bowed mockingly. Seline quivered.
Alighieri snorted disdainfully and looked carefully at Seline. You. You've changed since I last saw you.... quite a lot. Echoes of mind-laughter filled their heads. I see! A hippocampus! How amusing.
Seline snorted and pawed at the ground, tossing her head nervously.
Has this human driven you so far away that you must take refuge in the sea? Alighieri's voice was silky-sweet and sympathetic. You poor soul. Something other has probably taken her attention. An... an avaling, perhaps. He cast a glance at Sunny.
Sunny's jaw dropped. "You've been spying on us, haven't you?"
Maybe. Maybe not. He turned back to Seline, watching her carefully. He began to circle her. It's a shame, I suppose, to lose such a beautiful mare to the sea. And I suppose it's a little too late for her to come away from it. Still, there's still time before the change is complete. He moved to nuzzle Seline under her chin; she shied and backed away hurriedly, staring with wide eyes.
Don't touch me!
Alighieri laughed again. Oh, you poor thing. You don't even understand. He straightened himself and extended his wings again; Sunny had to admit that he did look like quite magnificent. I've been alone a long time, and it would have been nice to have you as a companion. Still, even if we must lose you, I would be glad to have you as a sister.
I wouldn't. Not ever, Seline said hotly.
Alighieri took a step towards her; Seline reared up and kicked him in the face with her front hooves. He backed up in surprise, then let out a wordless, mental yell which left both of them shaking. He advanced, his claws scraping the ground in horrid warning.
Sunny kicked off her shoes. She looked at Seline helplessly, felt the understanding pass between them, and let herself go.
Tail and wings sprouted, silver scales grew along her body; her clothes ripped and fell away. In her true shape, the dragon lowered her head and moved towards Alighieri.
"You will stay away from me, from Seline, from Bronnie, from Sam, and from Hecate. You will not touch any of us. You will not be seen by us. You will not see us. You will not speak to us." Her words came out harshly accented, hampered by the shape of her mouth, not something ever meant for such sounds.
Alighieri stepped away, his own wings spread and flapping uselessly, his eyes rolling in terror.
"If I ever, ever hear of you harassing my Seline again, it will be the last thing you do." Her tail lashed. "She has made her stance quite clear, and quite well. Can you swim?"
... er... no! Alighieri's mind-voice was near-panicked.
"Good. Now get out of here. Now."
Alighieri bolted and ran; he soon disappeared over the hill.
Sunny sat back on her haunches and looked at Seline. "Sorry. Sometimes you just have to get tough."
Seline whickered warily. I know that's you in there, but it's still sort of scary.
"I know. I know." Sunny scratched at a bit of loose scale behind her ear. "Well. While I'm like this I might as well fly out to take a look at that thing."
Seline cheered immediately. Really?
Sunny laughed flutingly. She spread her wings and launched herself out over the ocean.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 9:30 am
Sunny swept in with the slightest angling of her broad wings, plucked the object from the waves, and turned back to the beach, where Seline was pacing excitedly.
Why didn't you do that in the first place?
"Because it's tiring. And it hurts." Sunny gave one last, reluctant stretch, wings to tail, then settled herself down to shift into her human shape. She shivered, suddenly naked and vulnerable. "Here, leave the whatever-it-is for a minute, Seline. Let me get some spare clothes out."
Sunny dressed hurriedly, dug her shoes out of the sand, and went over with Seline to inspect what they had found.
It was rubber raft. Rather it had once been a rubber raft, royal purple with a yellow stripe, but it had been punctured, and Sunny's talons had done it no better.
It's a floatie.
"It's a raft, not a floatie."
Floatie, Seline said with a degree of finality.
Sunny picked it up. "I think I can mend this. Not here. But back at home I have an old kit for repairing raincoats and tents and inflatable things. I mean, then we have to deflate it after I make sure it's airtight, but, eh." She hefted it. "It's heavy, though. I'm not looking forward to lugging it home."
I'm more than strong enough, the changeling said with an important shake of her head.
"Yeah, yeah." Sunny laughed. She shook the water from the raft. "Well, it'll do."
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