Welcome to Gaia! ::

The colder season had been very eventful for the crazed stallion, and as he trudged through the frosty snow, he was still in disbelief at how his life was molding, and how it was becoming.. more normal. He now had 'friends', and he had also met more sides to his family that existed. He learned that there were others out there who wanted to be around him, and it was an incredible discovery! His mind was becoming more stable and controlled, and his anxieties were not nearly as bad as they used to be. He only hoped that the happiness he felt would continue on in this lucky streak, and that he would continue to grow in his ever-changing life.

With a large yawn, Dante realized that the sun was noonish in the sky now, and that he had woken up rather late that morning. He was also sleeping better, and sleeping was something he almost never did in the beginning span of his life.

Snow was something he was starting to enjoy day by day now, especially since he had met a mare who was completely devoted to the snow. Everytime he walked through the chilly wonderland he thought of that white mare, and how kind she was to his crazy personality.

With a flick of his hair, Dante stomped forward under the comfortable conditions, wondering what else was going on in the world around him, and what else he had missed. He had been so self absorbed.. that he needed to venture out and see how everyone else was doing. He HAD checked up on his mother, sister, and he had even met his grandmother.. but his brother was still a task he needed to complete!

Dante thought he was drunk for a moment. His eyes saw a mini Ezriel running in the distance, and then his eyes also saw Ezriel chasing after the little Ezriel. Ezriel looked as though he was yelling, and the little colt was laughing.

........................................ ............ ..... ... .

Taking in a deep breath, Dante wondered if his happiness was driving him mad! But, before he could try and figure out his mental state, he heard the voices of the specks in front of him, since apparently they were real. It couldn't be.. Was Ezriel seriously there?! What luck! He hadn't seen his brother in ages! Good, he could finally chat with him, and see how things were! That was the right thing to do with family, and Dante wanted to start fresh and relearn things about his brother!

Dante then increased his own speed, and he galloped until he was finally approaching the two Ezriels'. Wait.. two Ezriels? Ok, his brother obviously had some explaining to do! Dante was starting to feel dizzy as he looked at the two mirror images, and he shook his head before speaking.

"Hey, Ezriel!" he then yelled, while stopping and collecting his breath. "What's up, brother! And.. why is there another one of you?" Dante then shot the young colt a glance, before brining his panting face back on his brother's. "You.. what....no way.."

Dante quickly took a step back, and he shifted his weight on his back legs. If Dante's calculations were correct, this 'colt' was Ezriel's son. But how the hell could that be possible? Maybe Ezriel was just watching this colt? That wouldn't make sense either, since the colt looked absolutely identical to him. "Oh man, Ezriel. It looks to me like you got a lot to tell me.." with a raised brow, Dante walked closer to his brother, as if making sure it was really him. Dante was known to be paranoid, so it was no surprise he was taking the situation in so strangely. "So.. what's new with you?" He then said, almost too bluntly.

Dante's speech was most certainly better, but his reactions.. were still the same!

Dante could sense the tiredness in his brother's voice, and he had no doubt that what he was going through was.. crazy. "I've been fine, well, good actually. But don't worry about me," he then rolled his eyes on the Rue-child, who was bouncing around his father. ".. I think I'd rather hear more about you."

So Rue was his son. Mini-Ezriel was really his son. "Who is this child's mother? Do I know her? How many kids did you have?" The questions started rolling out, and Dante took a breath before asking more. "You.. your a dad, and, you slept with a mare?" He hushed his voice slightly, knowing that the colt didn't need to hear that kind of talk. Dante was surprised, he could never see his brother doing that sort of thing. Sex was so animalistic, wasn't it? But maybe he was surprised because he himself was still afraid of sex itself? Either way, the fact alone was shocking enough.

"I want to hear everything, Ezriel." he then said, with a solemn nod. He then made his way closer to the colt, and looked into his piercing black eyes. "He really looks just like you, its amazing. Its kinda cute, actually." He had learned what the word 'cute' meant, and now was the perfect opportunity to use it. "Have you told mom yet? Or does.. even Reaper know?" What would Ezriel having a child mean? Would things change in the family?

"I really have been behind on times, haven't I?" Dante then lowered his head to stare at the colt again, before smiling widely. "I'm not your conscience, Rue. I guess.. I'm your uncle? But you can just call me Dante. Its nice to meet you, little one." His voice was soft, and after he confronted the child he brought his eyes back on his brother. "So." He wanted to be sympathetic, and hopefully his brother knew he was there for him, through thick and thin.

The story was devastating, and Dante was biting his lip as he listened to his brother talk. ******** Reaper, he always had to go and ruin everyone's life. "I am so sorry, Ezriel. I wish I knew, and I wish I was there.." he shook his head for a moment, feeling selfish that he was too busy dealing with his own self issues. "I can't believe dad won, he is such a jerk..." All of the fears that Dante had of Ezriel joining dad, were all lost, since it seemed at this point that situation would be impossible. Ezriel, from the sound of his voice, was still broken from the entire experience. Dante would probably be feeling the same if he were him...

The grey stallion thought carefully of what to say to his brother, and after a few moments, he walked over to Ezriel's side and nudged him warmly. "You know, there is a lot of bad s**t that happens in life. I used to think that our birth was bad, but you know? Maybe having an affair with that one mare isn't as terrible as you think." Dante then brought his eyes on Rue, who was tugging at Ezriel's mane. "You wouldn't have Rue, and your other daughter. I think mom will be happy for you, because birth is happy, Ezriel. I know I was shocked at first, but that's only because I haven't seen you. I.. I don't think you should compare yourself to dad, for being with that mare." he brought his eyes back to Ezriel's, and smiled once again. "You will never be at his level, and you should know that fully well. Look at what a good father you are being already. Do remember our childhood? It was awful! Look at how happy Rue is?"

Things were probably a mess at Ezriel's current moment in life, but Dante didn't think it would stay that way. "After you calm down, and after you ignore father, I think you should go back to that mare that you stayed with, and show her some respect, you know? Yes it will be awkward at first glance, but she deserves it." Dante then glided his eyes to Rue, and then back to Ezriel. "He deserves that, too."

It felt strange for Dante to be giving so much advice, but he had learned so much positivity from his grandmother, that he knew it was his time to help his brother. "Plus, if you need help at all, I am here you know. I got nothing to do." With a light chuckle, he then made his way over to Rue, who had asked him a very specific yet silly question. In response, he could only agree with his brother, and kindly nod. "I can't see my wings, but I don't mind, Rue! We don't all need wings." He then gave Rue a head-pat with his own head, and he chuckled at the colt's energy. "Rue, you are going to be a good boy when you grow up. I am sure you will make us all proud!"

Although the situation was completely complex, Dante felt such warmth by being around his brother and his son. He found the experience so peaceful and wonderful, and he wished his brother would view it that way as well. "I think once everything calms down, you will be able to find yourself in this experience, Ezriel. Father probably wants you to be acting this way, just how he wanted me to feel as terrible as I used to. So don't let him win like that!" What could Dante say, they were a competitive family!

It was frustrating for Dante that his brother saw now good in the situation, but it was to be expected. Dante never used to think like that either, and it wasn't until he 'saw the light' when he finally looked at things differently. "Whether it was a mistake or not, it happened.." Dante then added, while looking at the ground uncomfortably. "I just don't see why you are beating yourself up over it, it is not the end of the world, you are stronger then this."

Dante didn't mean to sound so blunt, but at this point, he was just worried!

"Like I already said, I highly doubt mom would think that at all. She knows who you and I am, so why would she think any differently? You haven't changed, Ezriel. Not even from this situation, you are Ezriel, a completely different entity from Reaper." Of course that fact was obvious, but sometimes the obvious needed to be pointed out for the sake of inner realization. "Mom would probably want to help, that's all."

The last thing his brother spoke of really shocked Dante, and it explained as to why his brother was again so broken. Having a son who had a confusion about his mother? That was no good, no good at all. Dante now could understand where some of this stress came from. "Do you think you will ever tell Rue, about the truth and everything? I understand that he is young, but I was always happy that mom told us the truth, and that nothing was hidden to us." With a shrug, the stallion sighed once again before shaking his head. "But then again, who wants to hurt their child like that..."

Damn, things were really complicated, weren't they?

"Do you have a next plan of action or anything?" he then asked, while raising his eyes to his brother again. "How are you going to confront father, or Nimue? I don't even know if its a good idea to even see them." Ezriel would probably lose himself even more, which wouldn't be good.

Before the stallion could think about it some more, his attention was shifted to Rue again, and he smiled warmly at the colt. "You want to be strong? Well, you will have to train a lot, and be nice and confident like your dad. Once you grow older, you will understand how it all works." He then watched Rue pounce around energetically, and he could only keep smiling, despite the horrible realities around them. "I can't help but smile at that boy." he then said, with a light head nod. "At least you got something keeping you up when your down. But anyway.. what help do you need?" He looked back towards his brother, as if putting a game face on.

A breeze carried a good amount of silence between the brothers, and even though there were no words, the two brothers were deep in thought. The situation seemed to get harder as they talked about it more, and Dante wondered what this meant for the future. He really hoped that it would all work out, since Ezriel and Rue deserved it.

"It is good that you wish to be honest," Dante then agreed, while listening to his brother's words. That alone showed that Ezriel cared about his son, and that made Dante feel much better about the situation. "It does worry me, if Reaper finds you." Dante then said, while looking at Rue with a sadness. "I don't want Rue to ever meet Reaper, and I know that is a fool's wish, but ugh." Rue would be better off, maybe he could go and live a more simple life then the all of them. "Its like the times keep revolving, and all Reaper is going to do is manipulate everyone. I can't accept that, I really can't." Dante then stomped his hoof on the ground while not even realizing it.

Dante once again let his anger fade, since his eyes drifted on Rue, and his imitation of his father. "See, you are already like him! But you know, you are Rue too, so you will have to be both! Being yourself is the best part of life." Dante wished he had that energy when he was younger, and after laughing quietly at the colt, he brought his eyes back on his brother, and let a serious expression fall.

"Of course I will go with you." Dante then answered, with a solemn nod. "Did you really expect that I wouldn't? You don't even need to ask." Dante quickly smiled at his brother, while wondering himself how his mom would take everything. He knew that it would all work out in the end, but would she really be made at Ezriel? Dante had never seen his mother mad..

(( I'm sure if you ask Meeki she'll join with Korrine, we can have them go find her or something 3nodding ))

Ezriel continued walking as Rue followed between he and Dante. He nodded, glancing over towards his brother with a slight frown. "Knowing Reaper I'm sure he will come and find myself and Rue- its a damn situation that I know will present itself when Reaper decides its time. But there's- ugh, I don't know how to even put it in damn words. It was almost as if he and I after the battle...understood one another almost. The thing that seemed to become consumed in that same darkness that's abided within me since I broke out of my basket was- was knowing that he was going to be the father of Nimue's children," he trailed off quitely flaring his nostrils as a heavy breath exhaled from out of his nose and mouth. His pale ears flickered as he grimmaced and the pain from old wounds seemed to shoot through his body causing him to wince ever so slightly.

The stallion shook his head as his eyes stared off in front of him. "I wanted to fill that emptiness- I didn't want to have foals before dad or get ******** even I-I just needed someone. But it seemed to had escalated into something I didn't want and give Eponine feelings that were never...mutual."

His voice continued to fall low, trailing off in silence once more as Ezriel kept a close eye on his son- oh yes, the colt that continued to prance between the two stallions and n** from time to time at each of their manes. He didn't mind really and that devotion to keep Rue out of trouble and walk on the 'straight and narrow' path in righteousness and innocence kept Ezriel on his hooves.

Rue wasn't bad- oh no! The colt just had too much energy that he couldn't keep up with.

Walk. Walk. Walk.

Talk. Talk. Talk.

Rue had been walking between both Daddy and Uncle Dante merrily oblivious to the conversation. The whole time he had been merrily nipping at both the silver-grey and purest crimson mane while squealing with delight and nickering. Even at times where he hadn't succeeded, the affectionate and slightly obscure colt would but his head against either stallions legs and nuzzle or lip them and then stare upwards in awe with those big, black eyes. He couldn't help but feel they were on an adventure! Oh yes! This was a game! Rue was in the midde and what was he suppose to do?

Uncle Dante had told him that he was like Ezriel and was to be himself as well. So.. did that mean have fun and not have to copy daddy all the time?

When it came to copying his father, Rue was pretty good! He was also good at copying and mimicking other soquili as well and even animals. It was clear to see at moments that the young colt wasn't quite all there nor had a full sack of marbles yet one could be sure that Rue was always upbeat, playful, spazz-tastic and ever so loving and affectionate. It seemed that there was no trace of Ezriels severed emotions and darkness in him.

Rue was pure light.

While both Ezriel and Dante were conversing, Rue glanced upwards and then looked back towards the path. That desire...oh, he wanted to have fun! But wait- he should stick close to both daddy and uncle Dante. Rue never liked to get into trouble. But fun! He wanted to run! Again the colt glanced up to the two stallions and looked back down towards the trail ahead as his small crimson tail wiggled and swayed behind him like a estatic and excited puppy as the energy seemed to conjure and collect within his tiny veins.

Before anyone could say anything, Rue suddenly bolted forwards and began to gallop far ahead of the two stallions. "RUE GO FAAAAAAST! RUE FAST IS VERY!" He exclaimed with such thrill and giggled as he darted off.

Oh yes!

Rue loved to have fun.

Somehow Ezriel should have known better- no, he should have seen this coming.

With wide eyes as his maw just dropped, the stallion's ears perked upwards as he suddenly leapt forwards in a spring after the runaway colt. "RUE! Rue- Rue! GET BACK HERE! This is no time for games!" He yelled, of course with 'tough love' as he snorted through his nostrils and began to trail behind the colt enduring through his sons 'games'.

"Damnit,"he cursed to himself while trying not to think of the unseen and unwanted invalids and individuals that could be lurking both near and far- only to come closer by the ruckus and mayhem between father and son and even uncle.

Korrine hadn't been out of the woods for long when something small darted across from her in the distance. The foal seemed to be enjoying himself and it brought a smile to her face. It wasn't until she saw Dante and Ezriel chasing after that the scene registered on her.

Had the rumors been true after all? She felt a little pain that Ezriel would have impregnated a mare and waited so long to tell her. Perhaps he had merely take a foal under his care? No.. the foal looked so much like him. Surely he had a reason. He had been.. rather distraught. She would not make a fuss over it, whatever the case be, she promised herself. She had made a vow to herself that she would try to be as good of a mother as possible when she had found out she was pregnant. Her son had his reasons. She knew this.

As quickly as the thoughts had come over her, they faded and she found herself running as fast as her tired old legs could carry her. She had a grandfoal to meet and that's all that mattered! It felt good to run. It seemed like it had been so long since she ran simply for fun. "Last one to that tree is Skinwalker dung!", she called playfully in greeting.

The little foal was so fast for his age. It was good for him to have so much energy. It would keep him in good shape. It seemed she spotted one too many foals spending their time sleeping away the wintery days as much as possible instead of enjoying the beauty it had to offer. Her bones ached more because of the run, but she had no regrets. She had a foal to open her heart to and her sons, how she loved their visits so!