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 Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:34 pm
She'd done it again and the honey touched mare wasn't happy. There was something about the woods that turned the female around, something the lured her deeper within their winding trails. The path had looked easy enough to follow, the sunshine of the afternoon having poured throughout the twisting limbs of the trees, softening the look of the forest.
It had been hard to resist the cool touch of shade on such a miserably warm afternoon, and Bella had found herself drawn in to the forest. Fears and nightmares of her youth had been sedated as birdsong calmed her nerves; fresh fruit had fallen from various trees, and wild flowers similar to those that decorated her sacred plain had only further called out to the mare.
Just like before, her curiosity and delight of discovering new beauty of the world had pulled her deeper and deeper within the woods. In fact the afternoon had been splendidly peaceful - it was only when dusk approached that the girl remembered herself and the time! Turning to head back her sense of direction had been skewed - what had felt like a seemingly simple, straightforward path had turned in to an absolute labyrinth!
Now, fear turning in to inward frustration, the mare was stuck guessing her way home. Trotting as swiftly as she could without tripping or making too much noise, Bella paused as she came to a fork in the path.
"Great. . ." She murmured, ducking her head and throwing her ears back in slight agitation. She hadn't recalled ever coming out of so obvious a cross road and both ways seemed to disappear in to oblivion. Which way beckoned her more? Or, more importantly, which way would lead her out of the maze?
A snap of a twig and rustle of an animal in the nearby bushes caused her to start. Tail swishing nervously, she glanced behind her, nostrils flaring. She really didn't want to go through another night in the woods alone. . . .
A shame history always had a way of repeating itself.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:51 pm
[[Not all my posts are this long, I promise!]]
The fall of night brought very little fear into the heart of the dark stallion. As night fell it presented him with many opportunities that the daylight hours did not. For one, he could eat in peace and without the constant threat of visitors and the other - well, to be entirely honest he simply didn't like being seen. Granted, he was aware that there were some 'night owls' but they were rarely foolish enough to enter his lands.
However lately, he had been unable to find any form of peace or tranquillity. In recent months, there had been an increase in explorers and the stallion simply couldn't figure out why this was so. For years he had remained completely undisturbed but now it seemed that those from the Lowlands had developed a taste for adventure. It constantly led them into trouble and more to the point - straight into his lands.
He didn't appreciate it.
...Especially if they were female.
No! It wasn't that he disliked females. On the contrary he couldn't help but stare at them in wonder, the sheer beauty of each captivated him. Rather, it was a series complex issues that resulted in him being just a little more agitated when it came to females. He was unworthy in his eyes, he caused little more than pain to them.
He was a bit of an eyesore (even though his family denied this).
"How's your chest?" Padding a long beside the stallion, who now drifted through the forests at a leisurely pace, the black bear matched each step. Now full grown, the creature rivalled him in height but that rather serene expression on his features indicated he wouldn't hurt a fly. Some would call him lazy, he would point out that he was a sloth bear and entitled to be as such.
"Improving." The stallion replied idly, choosing to ignore the constant throbbing of the wound in his chest. It was slowly closing over, however, bringing attention to the wound made it a little more painful than he would care to admit - both mentally and physically.
"Ah, well that's good news. Maybe the lake did the -"
CRACK!
Both bear and stallion shifted their eyes towards the sound. Initially, both were prepared to dismiss the sound as something unimportant until that faint 'swish' could be heard and a faint smell of a soquili touched their noses.
"Search the grounds," The stallion murmured darkly, more so out of exasperation at yet more visitors.
"For what?" The bear replied mildly.
"Predators." The stallion snapped in reply before drifting towards the sound somewhat cautiously - he really didn't need another hole in his chest until this one had healed up - one permanent one was enough!
Nevertheless as he continued to move towards the area, the shadows cloaking his presence for the most part - it would be the eerie teal glow that would be seen first. The orb in his chest always had a habit of pulsing in unspoken anticipation...
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:19 pm
((No worries! I'm rather partial to 'em. n_n My posts tend to naturally be on the longer side anyway, so I apologize in advance if they're. . . descriptive. ^^; ))
Bella's ears twitched, breath held as she studied the offending bush. Whatever was in there had stilled in its movement but the pale mare wasn't at all relieved. She hadn't seen anything leave, so unless it had burrowed beneath the soil, it was there!
The thought of the animal burrowing underground caused her to glance warily down at her hooves. Now wouldn't that be something to add the nights already miserable beginning! Imagination running wild, stories of spooks and cannibalistic soquili's lurking in the shadows caused the back of her neck to prickle. She pawed at the ground, almost as if sending out warning to any beasts that might think to jump up unexpectedly from the ground!
If creatures did burrow then logic told her it was best if she picked a trail and continued onward. Standing still made her easy prey, and Bella truly didn't believe that death suited her. She'd lived on her own long enough to know of lurking dangers - wild canines, felines and bears, hunters, and even twisted and shady kin!
No.
She wasn't going to wait around for one of them to get her first!
"Come on now," she whispered to herself, attempting to summon confidence she really wasn't feeling. "You're scaring yourself over imaginary spooks!"
Such evils couldn't exist in what was such a beautiful forest! Why did night have to transform such beauty in to something so . . . .so. . . different! It wasn't that she didn't like the evening, the moon, the stars, the quiet. . . .
But she always felt so helpless against its strength. Where sunshine was extroverted and open, allowing all to see, night time was much more introverted and elusive. One had to work to get around at night, one had to step cautiously while lurking within its embrace.
Shaking out her mane, the female chose her course and began moving - only to find a glow catch the corner of her eye. A double take, hoping upon hope it was just an over-active imagination, the girl took a step backwards in surprise. No, that was definitely not her imagination! It was a light. . . an eerie, teal glow. . . .
. . . now either that was a massive firefly or someone - or some THING - was creating it!
Lowering her head again, Bella debated running or standing her ground. She wasn't a small foal anymore, and she wasn't typically afraid of strangers. There was no reason to assume that the cool light was something dangerous. It was just . . .unique. She wouldn't judge yet, not until she knew the intentions of whatever it was that was out there!
"Is. . . is someone there?" Her voice sounded disgustingly loud within the woods, and Bella felt even more desperately alone. Logic told her that if the glowing light was going to attack it probably would have done so than to let her stand there clueless. . . .
. . . . wouldn't it?
"Please I'm . . . I'm a bit lost I'm afraid, and I . . . I could use a little help." Ever the optimist, the girl didn't regret letting the stranger know her current state of affairs. Some mistrustful souls would call it weakness but Bella had no secrets to keep. If whatever was out there was indeed a predator, than they'd find out very quickly that she hadn't a clue where her hooves had taken her. Right now, the light was the only creatures - besides whatever had hid in the bush - that was nearby.
If it could at all help that was a risk worth taking!
A thought crossed her mind - What if the light went away? What if it ran and left her to her own device? Oh, she hoped it wouldn't. The light was reassuring despite its exotic glow of the woods around her. It kept the worse of the night away and the female couldn't help but be drawn to it. Light was reassuring to her no matter what the form especially while afraid.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:55 pm
[[x3 It's a refreshing change]]
"Strange," The voice was somewhat soft yet powerful in its own way. Echoing through the immediate vicinity it seemed much louder than it truly once, almost disembodied to a point. That being said, the light continued to move towards the mare while its owner remained hidden in the deep and dark embrace of the shadows.
"This is turning into a daily occurrence, so curious are the minds of the Kawani." The voice seemed almost thoughtful, musing over the reasons for why this change might have occurred in the Kawani soquili. While it was a terrible hassle for him, his appearance was often just enough to petrify them in to running in terror - a simple 'boo' and they would swear never to return. It was easily dealt with for the most part.
Unless they were -
"Female." The voice, evidently male became flat and almost exasperated as the light ceased in its movements. Remaining still, the faint outline of a soquili could be seen within the twisted shadows provided by the swaying canopies above head. The winds faint in the undergrowth but apparently strong enough to shift the leaves beyond his reach.
"Why are they always female?" He chuckled softly and shook his head, dark braids slipping into view briefly as they brushed against the neck of the stallion. "Is it a conspiracy, I wonder." Falling silent for a few moments, amber eyes fixed themselves upon the mare and the dark stallion was forced to falter. As exasperated as he was at the appearance of another stranger, as accustomed as he might have been to it by now...
...The mares always made him shiver. Like a tiny colt with a crush on the pretty mare in the next herd, he seemed to forget he was the rather tall stallion, one who towered above most in terms of size. He became more aware of his faults, the...unwelcome additions to his form - he became afraid.
The prospect of revealing himself to creatures so pretty had always disturbed and while it had to be done, it still instilled him with absolute dread.
A deep breath.
"I suppose if I suggested that you retrace your steps," He slowly began to drift out from the shadows, the bright teal orb in his chest illuminating his form and what he considered to be his grotesque appearance in its full glory. Tall and athletic, well-defined muscles lined his limbs, it was apparent by that alone that he was powerful - the horns, fangs and...'upside down' wings aside.
Though they couldn't be excused, no one could ignore those.
He couldn't ignore those.
"Such a phrase would be taken rather poorly," He mused, maintaining his distance from the mare who seemed more skittish than previous encounters. He would bet anything that she would choose to bolt in the next thirty seconds.
He didn't suppose smiling would help matters?
He opted not to.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 8:43 pm
Any other soquili might very well indeed have turned tail and bolted but Bella, despite her obvious uncertainty, was not 'any other'. Yes she was on edge, and even a bit spooked thanks to the fast falling night time woods, but the mare had a strength even more powerful than initial fear - etiquette.
Bella refused to be rude if she could help it, regardless the matters at hand. Certainly if a beast came out charging and ready to attack she'd fall on the spirited side and bolt! But so long as she perceived no danger than there was no reason why she should choose such an action.
Perhaps it was borderline foolish, and perhaps a smidgen ignorant, but Bella refused to act any other way.
The woods scared her but the glow left her enchanted.
A voice broke through the silence, though for a moment she had to strain her ears to hear. What was he - unless it was a ridiculously deep voiced female - muttering about? Females? Oh dear. . . . Had she made a serious transgression because of her gender? Lowering her head, almost meekly, the girl couldn't help but toss the shadowed stranger an apologetic smile. "Forgive me for my gender," she responded gently, sincerity lined within her words. She really didn't mean to be of the female persuasion, but Bella honestly hadn't a say in the matter.
With luck the shadowed male might understand.
Her head raised as the stallion slowly drifted out of the shadows. It was indeed male, and quite a large one at that! He was much taller than she and no doubt stronger. Her eyes drifted off his enticing teal orb and began to make out the shapes and forms that was this . . . soquili.
It was still a bit difficult to see even with the orbs light. He was different in appearance, that much she could tell. . . There was twisted horns that sprouted from his head and thick locks of hair that fell around him. A flash of something upon his back - wings! She thought of Feena and the flutters gentle green forms, but these were. . . these weren't quite right.
Despite his impressive form, Bella stood still and quickly looked up to capture his gaze. Staring wasn't polite, no matter how curious she was! This was the first soquili she'd met with any visible differences. . . . Feena had at least warned her of all the different types that walked the world - this wasn't one of those cannibalistic ones, was it?
Oh dear, she hoped not. That would be most unfortunate indeed.
Still, despite his presence causing her inward fear to double, she reminded herself that nothing had happened. He wasn't acting agressive, he wasn't snarling or attacking, and his body language - from what she could read off it - didn't seem particularly defensive either. On top of it all, he was still talking . . .
A good sign, yes?
"Retracing my footsteps was what landed me here," she explained with a grin, ". . . . I do believe they've abandoned me."
Perhaps it was a blessing that the male hid partially in shadow. He wasn't quite as shocking when one didn't realize what it was they were staring at! Though the girl wanted to retreat. . . . he was perhaps her only way out of the maze of the woods.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:08 pm
He raised a brow, the very idea of the mare apologising for what she was felt a little bit like a kick to the teeth. Fast and furious, it was almost like a sharp blow he had felt to his chest not long ago. Good lord, she hadn't meant it to be offensive and he knew that but the fact that he had made her apologise for the beauty she held made him feel sick to the stomach. It left him at a loss for words for a few moments, his amber eyes shifting to avoid her gaze as he regathered both his thoughts and composure.
Moments passed, the orb in his chest pulsed and swirled with an inner light and still he remained silent. Had it not been for the orb in his chest, some might have deemed him to be dead or a statue...but he wasn't permitted that small pleasure. If he was a statue or dead then people wouldn't fear him quite so much - rather, they might marvel at the monstrosity in some form or another.
He gave a grunt, one of disdain.
Nevertheless, eventually the stallion remembered his manners and slowly returned his gaze to the pretty mare. Forcing his gaze to remain solely on her form, he was not about to give her the benefit of seeing how weak he truly was. His defensive aura and his grotesque appearance were his only strengths and he intended to use them to the best of his ability.
...Even if the sphere in his chest seemed to act like a mood ring.
The muscles in his neck quivered as he released a small sigh, lips barely parted as he attempted to shield the sharp fangs from view. She had stayed this long, he had lost his mental bet and wasn't entirely sure what to do with himself. Pressure was mounting, he could feel the stiffness in his limbs and yet...
". . . . I do believe they've abandoned me."
Without his permission his lips cracked into the faintest hint of a smirk. She had made a joke at the expense of his words, perhaps it was an attempt to lighten the mood or maybe it was something else. Her grin, though not a tranquil smile (as he loved so much to see) lit up her face and despite her somewhat tentative and vulnerable body language, made her seem all the more pretty.
He really hated mares, they did this every time!
That being said, he'd never smiled before either - not even a little bit.
"On the contrary, your hooves are right there...even if they are hidden beneath rather ruffled fur." He observed, his tone even and otherwise unreadable, though the slight smirk had lifted his features a little. He almost seemed more approachable, or younger in some form or another.
"You did not take into account any landmarks, I assume?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:30 pm
One breath, than two. . . Had the orb's light not given aways his presence she might have feared he'd left or disappeared! As the silence lingered between her words, Bella's mind tried desperately to grasp hold of the situation.
She was lost in the woods with night all but upon them; the shadows were making it difficult to see, and she was dreadfully turned around! Her sense of direction was long gone with the sun lost behind the horizon. . . And even if she did know where the sun had been placed she still didn't know where the sun had been upon entrance of the woods!
No, her only hope was the . . . exotic? looking soquili before her and for that she should be grateful.
Bella didn't like to judge, but fear was an irrational thing. It was difficult to not be afraid of the winged creature with the long hair, the horns and the claws. He looked like a hunter, a killer - but whatever did he eat? Meat perhaps? Most soquili she knew favored fruit and grasses. . . .
Somehow she got the suspicion this one preferred something a bit meatier.
Bella stood still as a statue herself, practically holding her breath as she waited. Her eyes dropped back to his glowing teal orb, the swirling light hypnotic and alluring. A beautiful light really, it's eeriness beginning to ebb. . . .
Body still on edge, she relaxed a hair as the male's voice broke through the silence. His words sent a slight shiver up her spine, anxiety reminding her fully of its presence. Bella had to tread lightly around one such as he but, thankfully, it seemed her words had been met with a positive reaction!
Soft amber eyes looked up to spot what appeared to be a smirk and she breathed a breath of relief. One step forward. . .good. A smile was a good thing, wasn't it?
Of course!
At his words Bella couldn't help but chuckle, both out of relief and good humor. She lifted her right leg, glancing over at her hoof well hidden beneath the mound of fur. "And so they are! And here I thought they'd been misplaced all along," she teased, ever so slowly beginning to relax. Tail swishing in amusement, she stomped her foot down and looked back up at the stranger still cloaked by shadow.
This wasn't so bad . . .
Step by step, slowly but surely. "I took in account the flowers and the sunshine," she admitted, again partially apologetically. A thought struck her and she chuckled softly, giving a silly shake of her head. "Though if I've forgotten about my hooves I suppose it's no surprise I've forgotten landmarks."
It wasn't that she wasn't intelligent or bright she was just - occasionally - easily distracted.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:48 pm
He refrained from releasing an exasperated groan at her response. At least she was honest, she jested in an attempted to remove her...guilt? It was strange, refreshing almost. Here, standing before him was a mare who was prepared to belittle herself in an attempt to apologise when she had done little more than anyone (even stallions) had done. Most simply burst into tears, ran or begged for mercy at his feet as though he was about to maul them.
...Ah, if only they knew he was strictly vegetarian and that his favourite delicacy was seaweed!
Then again no one would believe him.
Arching a brow at his own train of thought he took a few moments to consider what little she had provided him with. So, when she walked into the forest she recalled trees, flowers and sun - that was a bit of a given. Fortunately, she hadn't drifted so far in as to see the dead 'wasteland' that lay beyond. Her pretty eyes, eyes that rivalled and almost matched his in colour, wouldn't be troubled by that sight.
She certainly made things difficult, then again every mare did and it was with a sigh that he raised his head towards the canopy. His shoulders 'slumped' so to speak, in the process shifting the scarlet cloth around his back just enough to hide one of his peculiar wings. That being said, as h slumped and his muscles relaxed he didn't look quite so imposing...if he had been human, one might have expected him to have pushed his hands into his pockets! A little hunch of the shoulders, head bowed in thought...
Nevertheless, her rather frequent gazes towards one 'feature' in particular did cause his brow to lower and while he had feigned ignorance the first few times it seemed that it wasn't the best of routes to take. He had two ways in which to handle this, the first was to ignore it as he chose to do most frequently or the second was to take the advice of his family and allow curiosity to run its course.
...People stopped staring when it wasn't a mystery any more, regardless of how peculiar it looked.
"You make life rather difficult for those who desire to help you," He spoke again. It was soon apparent that the stallion rarely spoke at great volume, deeming it unnecessary given his solitary confinement. "Being unaware of landmarks would make it hard to decipher the correct location -" He released a small chuckle and shook his head, the heavy braids shifting against his neck. One in particular brushed against his chest and he winced for just a second as it touched the wound; then it was gone.
No, he'd decided. He would try something new - if it didn't work then he could just remember for next time!
She was too tiny to hurt him anyway.
"You can touch it if you like." He offered at last.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:31 pm
The strange shifted, his imposing stance ebbing. In fact, with his shoulders hunched and head lowered he. . . he really didn't look all that frightening! More and more she was slowly losing her initial scare and anxiety. Life's lessons were true, one couldn't judge a book by its cover! The male was far from what he appeared as far as she could tell.
It was with good ignorance and naivetee that the young mare didn't question his sincerity. It never occurred to her that he could very well be feigning his reserved kindness, or toying along with her emotions.
Bella couldn't and wouldn't dare to think such a thought!
Until proven otherwise she would trust what the stallion had to say.
At the male's words, Bella would have blushed if she could have. A soft whicker and another baby shake of her head. She was being rather difficult this evening, wasn't she? "I . . . I don't often enter the woods," she explained softly, hoping he might understand. "And to me the landmarks all looked the same - trees of varying height and beauty, some donned with fruit, others with flowers." A small chuckle at her own expense, "You would have thought I'd have learned my lesson the last time," she admitted, eyes sparkling with inward good humor, ". . .I just need to find my way back to the plain."
If she noticed his wince, Bella bit back her tongue. Walk carefully. . . she reminded herself. Had he been hurt somehow or by someone? Was his hair just that heavy? His wound was difficult to see thanks to the washed out glow of the orb, and by doing her best not to stare caused her to overlook some details.
At the offer to touch, Bella's eyes widened in embarrassment. She felt as if she'd been caught red handed and there was no way for escape. "Oh," Bella gasped, "I'm . . . I'm sorry," she hastily explained, completely appalled by her behavior. In her intention not to stare too long at the stranger, she'd let her gaze travel strictly from his eyes to his chest. "I don't mean to stare, truly, but it's . . . it's very beautiful. It caught my eye earlier and it seems, in my admiration, that I've completely forgotten my manners."
Oh, the young spirit within her wanted to touch it. She'd never seen a trinket so lovely, much less so . . . uniquely placed. But it wouldn't be proper, would it? He wasn't put on display for her or any animal! What right did she have to assuage her curiosity? Sure, he'd offered and it was true she was desperately curious about what exactly it was but . . . She was going about it in a completely horrid fashion!
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:47 am
He'd done it again, with one phrase he had caused the mare to become flustered again. Really, he couldn't get by in life without sticking his hoof in his mouth repeatedly around strangers. Everything he chose to say...even when they weren't his own words, was taken the wrong way or poorly. If things weren't difficult in the mind of the poor stallion previously, they most certainly were now and he shifted his weight uncomfortably.
Evidently his family had been wrong in encouraging him to permit others to satisfy their curiosity. Their logic and beliefs were wrong, all it had served to do was embarrass the mare and he felt like an absolute prat. For one who deemed his own existence to be rather unnecessary, to upset the mare only made him feel worse.
...And people wondered why he was not a people person.
So, this in itself posed a problem as he watched the flustered mare attempt to explain herself. In ways, he found her quite endearing. Her fluffed up mane rippled and twitched as she made the tiny shakes of her head, while her peculiar facial expressions seemed more adorable than distorted. How was he meant to handle this without upsetting her again? To most it was hardly rocket science but in terms of social abilities...Azumoth had never really graduated from that school of learning.
Still, she just couldn't help returning her gaze to his orb. Even in her hasty explanation he could only smile faintly at her own attempts to alleviate the situation. She had done nothing wrong, everyone did it the moment they encountered him and yet she was the first to apologise. To be entirely honest she was the first to do a lot of things in the stallion's presence, if he wasn't so concerned about his own inferiority he might have found it refreshing.
Think. Think.
Wait, had she said it was beautiful? He started abruptly and his eyes shot down briefly to the orb in his chest. As if in response,the sphere emitted a bright pulse before dimming until it was scarcely seen. Only the faintest of swirls existed inside it, flitting against the glass walls in a similar fashion to the great lights of the north.
For a while the stallion continued to look down at the now dimmed sphere, the heavy braids cascading across his neck once more as he shifted ever so slightly. Once again he was at a loss for words, even his expression seemed somewhat troubled.
He had been described as many things. Each limb had gained it's own 'description' from strangers but none had ever been honoured with the title of 'beauty'. Rather, the majority of those he encountered fixed their gaze upon his horns, wings or even the metallic claws that lined his cloven hooves - the very thing that had the closest link to him had other wise been ignored.
Until now.
It humbled him. It struck him as unusual to have it recognised and admired - or if he was to tell the truth, he felt far more vulnerable.
"I..." Clearing his throat the stallion returned his gaze towards the mare and formed the 'correct' response on his tongue, "You are not the first and you will not be the last to stare," A faint smile came to his lips as the words slipped from his tongue, they seemed to be the right ones to him.
"Although they say that it is often more fulfilling to ask the questions in your mind than to simply wonder," he had a point. Those who often asked questions towards a willing individual found their curiosity satiated. No one had ever really asked him anything before but then again he had never given them a chance - if he had offered to let her touch the orb he might as well follow through; it wouldn't kill him.
He'd just return to the issue of her being lost later...
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:54 pm
The mare stayed silent, still somewhat flushed and bothered by her actions. It seemed no matter what course of action she took it might indeed be looked upon as rude or offensive! If she looked at the rather intimidating male before her she feared she may be accused of staring! And yet if she stared down at her hooves for too long - as she was doing now - it might be portrayed as if she were disinterested or apathetic about their conversation!
Whatever was a girl to do?
Worry crept in to her mind, anxiety within the fall of the silence. The soft echo of distant crickets were the only things that broke the silence. There was something eery about this side of the wood, something that made it darker and put an animal on edge. Despite the moody ambiance of the surrounding woods, the earlier scare she'd felt was slowly beginning to wane. The soquili, despite his strange additions of horns, claws and glowing orbs had been nothing but polite. . .
But now, she wondered, had she pushed him too far? He hadn't sounded upset by offering a deeper investigation of his glowing orb - but that didn't mean inwardly he wasn't irate!
Another moment of silence until the flash of the sphere pulsed. The light caused her to look up and back at Azumoth and the radiant light. It had lasted only a moment, though she saw the small lights fluttering deep within it.
Such an . . . amazing thing. She had her own few golden bracelets, and the necklace that rest against her chest - but this wasn't just an accessory or a jewel - this, she began to realize, was alive!
Her tail swished as a small smile returned to her features. She glanced away from his chest and returned to looking at the stranger eye to eye. He really was quite a formidable sight. . . but. . . there was more to him than just claws and horns and glowing lights. There was a personality there, she'd discovered, one that seemed a few steps away from cannibal or killer. . . .
At least from what little she could tell!
"I may not be the last but I really shouldn't add to the numbers." Head still slightly bowed before him, almost coyly, she let her smile grow in to something more relaxed and genuine. The stranger hadn't sounded upset or irate - and for that she was incredibly grateful!
As his voice continued to reach her ears, Bella listened. Her mind began to marinate within her wonder, her curiosity flaring anew. Was he implying that she could release a few burning questions without causing trouble or awkwardness? Hmm. . . perhaps, perhaps!
Amber eyes glinting with a gentle glow of their own, the mare decided to risk it. She wouldn't poke or pry too much - just a little bit - just enough so she could stop wondering and she could learn about an entirely new soquili! "Well. . . I must admit, there are a few things I'm entirely curious about! May I . . ." She hesitated, throwing him one last questioning look before continuing - Bella wanted to make sure it was all right to ask - "May I have your name?"
Instead of thinking him as the exotic stranger of the forest, there was something much more personal and less awkward about knowing another's name. He could take a step up from transient being to acquaintance by giving her a name. . .
"I'm Bella," she added softly, that relieved smile still tickling her features. "And it's - it truly is a pleasure!"
Perhaps they had gotten off on the wrong hoof, but her words were genuinely sincere! Sure, there had been some earlier awkwardness upon being stumbled upon by the stallion - but she was warming up to him bit by bit and it showed. Her fear was already 100 times better, relief beginning to fade in to its place. Yes, she was still dreadfully turned around and the mare still felt somewhat uncomfortable alone in the woods.. .
but. . . she wasn't alone right now, was she? A bit more certain that the dark stranger wasn't going to rip her to pieces, he was now serving another purpose - keeping her from jumping at every shadow within the woods! It was much more pleasant now that she wasn't by herself, even if her company looked as if he'd stepped out from a bad dream.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:11 pm
That wasn't really the question he had been expecting. If he was entirely honest he was expecting the mare to launch into a stream of questions in relation to what he had upon his form. Apparently, he was going to have to stop making assumptions based upon appearance, stereotypes and past experiences when in present company given that each time he had done so he had been completely and utterly wrong. That in itself was annoying, he hated being wrong.
However, her question was an easy one to answer and served as a mental kick for him. Apparently as this mare had attempted to keep her manners, act in accordance to etiquette he had seemingly forgotten about his own manners. According to his family it was customary for the male to enquire as to the female's identity during courtship! Then again, he was hardly courting her so he supposed he could be excused that little hiccup.
...Along with the forty others he ad made thus far.
"Forgive my lack of manners, those of these woods refer to me as 'Azumoth' and the greetings you express are returned," He replied at last, canting his head to the side as he continued to observe the mare. She wasn't as petite as the others he had seen but there was something unusual and almost unique in terms of how she held herself. While not completely skittish she was much more wary, not so much unsure as...Well he wasn't sure, perhaps she simply understood the importance of personal space.
Nevertheless, as her small form began to relax (ever so slightly) there were no words to describe how good that made him feel. He wasn't entirely certain as to why, but there was something satisfying about the manner in which her body shifted and relaxed as he spoke, as if his own replies had been enough to show he wasn't as brutish as his form made him out to be.
For a few moments, he felt almost normal.
Almost, but not quite.
That being said, he was more than a little entertained at the expressions that danced across her delicate features and he couldn't prevent the smile fighting to remain upon his equine lips. There was something about a mare when she smiled, her entire face lit up and she seemed so much more...special? A treasure to be sure, such an expression had to be savoured and stored in the depths of the mind.
"Next question?" He enquired softly, lifting a brow just a little to indicate that the first question hadn't phased him.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:50 pm
"Azumoth," she repeated, enjoying the feel of the name as it rolled off her lips. Every name seemed to fit the soquili she'd met. Her dear friend Feena had a very fun name and had been just as fun in personality! Twilight was as cool and respectful as his namesake, and now there was Azumoth. Exotic a name for as exotic an individual.
Giving a nod of her head the honey touched mare committed the name to memory.
Not that Azumoth would be easily forgotten!
Falling thoughtful for a moment, Bella caught his expression and couldn't help but allow her grin to spread. One breath, than two the wheels of her mind shuffled through the list and attempted to find the most well-rounded question. She wasn't going to attack him with 'what's this?' 'what's that?' sort of things - she had two eyes, she could perceive just fine, thankyouverymuch.
He was indeed a soquili much as herself, but with a few added changes. He had wings, though nothing at all like the butterfly wings Feena possessed, as well as twisting horns from his head. He wore a flowing cape of some sort - it was hard to pick out in the dark - and did indeed possess a pair or two of claws.
Expression thoughtful, Bella almost found this to be like a game. Which questions would best and most quickly satisfy her hunger for knowledge? And how to go about it in the least insensitive way!
Finally the mare found one. It had been inspired by his previous comment, the way he discussed and expressed his name. "Have you hailed from these woods all your life or has your heart settled in other locations?"
Bella herself had no luck within the forests ever since she was a foal! She was a mare of the open plains and fields, a place where she could be free and run anywhere she pleased! A place she didn't feel so alone because she always had the wind in her mane and the sun, clouds and stars to keep the most faithful of company at night!
She herself hadn't been anywhere else besides the plains and the edge of the woods so she frequently wondered about the territories discovered by others.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:07 pm
Oi, why did no one ever whisper his name?
Well, anyone who was an adult...his adoptive daughter had often uttered his name as she dozed off, just to make sure he was there. While that in itself was pleasant to the ear he had always wondered what it would be like to have another do it. He sighed. It always seemed that he developed such odd trains of thought when in the company of another - completely unrelated to what he usually considered 'important'.
He often found these things trivial.
Nevertheless, he cast the thought a side and gave a toss of his head. Thrusting the heavy braids away from his eyes, they became caught against the spikes within his wings and the odd metallic armour adorning his form. Granted, they may have looked impressive to an observer but they were bloody heavy and more often than not he would rather have them resting atop the extra muscles lining his wings as opposed to dragging across the floor like an anchor.
...Only time the dragging was useful was when he intended to haul his tail around and use it as a whip!
Pay attention! He quickly chastised himself and canted his head to the side as she addressed him again. As simple and innocent as her question might have been it caused a flurry of activity in his chest and the lights held within the sphere licked at the surface of the glass with greater intensity - she truly had no idea. It wasn't her fault, no one did but that was such a...difficult question for the stallion.
He faltered, opting to look away as he considered his answer.
For a start, he didn't have a heart but he wasn't entirely certain as to whether or not the mare would believe him...
"I have been the Keeper of this forest for the majority of my life," He began slowly, his voice steady as he timed his words to perfection. Any misstep and his voice would quiver, he would sound weak and that alone would give away too much. No, those memories were reserved for his adoptive mother and her alone - she was the only one who hadn't judged him, she'd just cuddled him.
"I once lived elsewhere, but I found that it was not the place for me," A half truth, "So I chose to move and stumbled upon this place. This is where you could say my 'heart' settled." He confirmed after a few moments before his gaze returned to the mare before him. Opting to avoid eye contact had made the response easier but it was somewhat rude and not something he would condone.
"For that reason alone, I know every single secret that lies beneath these canopies...and know of everything that enters as well." He finished softly, his meaning somewhat vague and open to interpretation.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:38 pm
Uh-oh. The glow had returned with force inside the sphere, though she kept her gentle gaze upon the stallion. Her suspicions that the glowing orb was living only grew, and she briefly she regretted the questions.
Should she have not asked about his roots? Should she have stayed off the topic of homes and environments? The girl herself was oblivious to the fact that Azumoth had no heart but who would assume such a thing? As far as Bella was concerned even the darkest of creatures had hearts. . . . shouldn't they?
That's what kept a being alive and it never occurred to her that such a thing might very well not exist.
Eyes still resting upon the braided male, she digested the information offered and handed out, ears pricked forward curiously. It didn't give much away besides the fact that he had lived in some mysterious land of elsewhere. . . .but Bella wouldn't push the subject. If he wanted to explain further he would have. She'd let his secrets alone...
Besides, she thought, it was probably a place she should hope she never discovered.
A Keeper of the Forest, eh? In a way the ruler of the land. . . . Well, that made her feel better. For a moment. Until he added the something to his statement. Bella's eyes widened, a new curiosity developing that superseded the more personal questions directed at Azumoth. Her tail swished and she glanced around the woods in wonder, a new respect forming hand in hand with fear.
"Every. . . thing?" She questioned, shaking out her short mane as her pale bangs fell in to her eyes. "You make it sound as if there are nightmares lurking around any given corner. . . . That - that can't possibly be true. . . " Her gaze caught his own, a wistful tone entering her voice as Bella quietly added, ". . . could it?"
She wasn't a weak horse, but she wasn't exceptionally fast or violent. The only thing going for her was stamina. . . . but that did her absolutely no good if the spooks in the woods were faster than she.
For shame.
It never occurred to her that some might have put Azumoth under the monster of the forest. Yes, he was shocking at first appearance and he did indeed glow, but . . . but he was a far cry from a monster or beast.
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