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 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:08 pm
The stallion was feeling bolder then usual, so that morning he decided to venture out to a lake he rather admired. The lake was usually crowded with bodies and families, but Dante knew of a time of the day when rarely anyone was there. When the sun was low enough to idle in the sky and the night was creeping behind its shadow, the stallion knew that everyone would leave and head him. He on the other hand, was just arriving. And he appeared to be right on schedule- the lake was quite pleasant when silent.
He could hear the night bugs start to warm up in their noises, and already he felt soothed by their presence. Everything was always better when it was quiet, and as he approached the lake front he closed his eyes and breathed in to feel the entire scenery. Awesome. It really was just awesome.
A light breeze changed his Zen moment, and he glided his eyes onto the water to watch for any movement that could occur from fish or animals. Sometimes he was lucky and he could catch a good show, but tonight everyone seemed peaceful and tired. The sun was rather contained as well, and the heat was definitely tolerable.
'If only every day could be like this.' he then thought, while dipping his hoof into the chilled water. Things would definitely be more relaxing if that was true and Dante wondered if he should just move to this lake. But soon enough when morning came more Soquili would be back to torment the poor land. 'Might as well let the lake rest right now.' he then thought while bringing his hoof out of the water.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:14 am
It was strange how things worked out, she had always seen herself as a creature of the day. However, circumstances had led her to find seclusion in the depths of forests and shadows as of late. It had been a matter of security, she had been reassured by her brother that her herd would leave her be but she remained ever paranoid. Thus it was only as night fell that she left the safe embrace of the forest and drifted towards the water's edge.
Hooves trailing against the ground, she waded through the long grasses that lay between her and the crystal lake. At present it still held the amber hue as the sun began to drift below the horizon but she knew, that as the moon woke from it's slumber... the lake would glow like a mirror. She really found the entire transformation to be magical. Ever since she had seen it when she first arrived she had made the attempt to be there on the transition just to marvel at the spectacle.
It calmed her.
Nevertheless she was unaccustomed to company given her weeks of seclusion and while she hadn't forgotten how to be polite, she found it ever so slightly disconcerting when she laid eyes upon another. Today was of no exception - as she drew to a halt by the lake and examined her otherwise untainted reflection the faint flash of another caught her attention. She continued to stare at her reflection for a further few moments uncertain as to whether or not it had been a mere figment of her imagination and then she heard it...
A voice.
Her gaze lifted ever so slightly in an attempt to discern where the voice had originated from. Her immediate line of sight remained empty but as she moved her head she caught sight of the flicker of white and paused. She shifted her head again, steadied her stance and arched a brow almost inquisitively. She knew she was skittish at present but this was a little much...
"All right," she announced after a few moments, addressing the spirits she suspected of toying with her mind. "Enough is enough, you had your fun today."
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:56 am
Dante quickly turned himself when he noticed the voice around him, and he stared calmly at the mare that had arrived. Did she even notice that he was there as well? He glanced carefully around the area to make sure no one else was there before returning his scurried eyes on the actual being near her. "Enough is, enough?" he then asked, with a disgruntled tone.
He wasn't sure what the mare meant by her words, and he couldn't understand what 'fun' he had had. Was this lake her territory? Or was he intruding on something personal and private that he shouldn't have in reality? The stallion backed himself up a bit and was rather upset at the fact that his peace had been disturbed. What made it worse was that he wasn't understanding the overall situation. He wasn't so selfish that he couldn't enjoy the sceneary with some company, but his company was freaking him out!
"Forgive me if I have intruded on your home or territory, if that is the case then I will take my leave. I don't want any trouble." Trouble was not a word he liked, and he shook his tail out in a nervous response as he considered the possibilities that this mare could have in store for him. She was probably stronger then him since everything always was.
Whenever Dante got overly nervous, he tended to forget that the truth had many angles. He was only seeing a negative angle to this mare, but with time he could hopefully adjust his mind to better understand how the world actually worked, and maybe understand how the mare was actually responding in comparison to how he thought.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:36 am
The spirits didn't usually respond to her, the majority of the time she received a gentle caress upon her cheek and then reprieve. Alas on this occasion she DID receive a reply and it made her all the more aware that her paranoia was inaccurate. For once in the last few weeks the being she thought she had seen was actually real. The entire concept was almost a struggle for her to comprehend and it was with considerable effort that she turned her amber eyes on the stallion.
And then she stared.
All manners were tossed out the window as she fixed her gaze on the white and fidgeting stallion. He seemed almost ghost like and had the oddest 'qualities', with a spiked tail he was almost out of place! He couldn't have been real, perhaps solitude had gotten to her - perhaps she had become lonely enough to create bizarre imaginary friends. However, as she began to regain her composure and control over her own train of thoughts she did remind herself that imaginary friends didn't dismiss themselves.
"Oh my god, you're real." She announced bluntly, raising a brow as she continued to stare at the stallion with a hint of fascination. Flicking her tail against her flank, she tilted her head to one side and only after a few minutes did she realise the weight behind his words. Oh dear, according to his tone of voice she had already caused him to dislike her. She wasn't entirely sure how given that she hadn't been talking to him.
...Unless of course he thought she had been.
"Oh dear," she murmured with a soft sigh before shaking her head. She had never been terribly good at apologising, had always been so in 'control' of her mannerisms that she hadn't needed to. Nevertheless all that time in solitary confinement had done her no favours whatsoever. "Um..."
"No wait, this isn't my territory it uh..." she cleared her throat and raised her eyes heavenwards. She sincerely doubted she would be able to make it up to the stallion in time for her little light show. "Wait - it belongs to someone else?" Now he had her worried!
"Do you know who?" She enquired uncertainly.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:21 am
The mare was scarier then he thought, and Dante could only blink to readjust his brain to what she had said. Of COURSE he was real, why wouldn't he be real?! Maybe this mare was crazy or something? He really couldn't tell at all!
Though to his surprise, the mare seemed to change her perception a bit, and now he was even MORE worried from her observation. "I.. I don't think this is anyone's territory." he then said, with an unsure tone. "But I was only asking you because you told me the fun was over, so I thought that meant for me to leave." Ugh, his brain was starting to hurt as he put the words and facts together.
He really was terrible at problem solving, but either way, he was doing his best to understand the mare and the situation. "Every time I've seen this lake its been open to all Soquili, so that's why I was confused myself as to why you wanted me to leave. My fun was just starting for the night." And he refused to give that up!
It was a pity, all of the relaxation he felt from just moments ago was now lost. His mind was much too flustered to feel the atmosphere again, and as he darted his eyes forward as he noticed the sky was starting to darken. The sunset.. it would arrive sun!
"Excuse me," he then said, while quickly moving himself back towards the water. Despite the conflict at hand, he realized one thing. "I'm sorry, I just can't miss the sunset. Its my favorite." And soon, the sun would start to lower and be gone for the day. He just had to watch, especially with such a beautiful view.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:31 am
There was a time when Ashura had been exceptionally good at problem solving. She had been renowned for her quick wit and her analytical methods. However, her choice to run away from her herd had been taken poorly and as a consequence they had attempted to retrieve her. She had never been the greatest combatant and thus she was petrified - she had chosen to run. Her flight had been a swift one and through the intervention of her brother she should have been safe...but she knew her herd. While her logical side would have trusted her brother the memories of her herd had resulted in increasing paranoia - logical thoughts and paranoia rarely coincided.
As a result of this continuing conflict in her head it appeared that both she and the odd stallion were out of sorts. Their wires were crossed and neither understood one another. It was completely ridiculous given that the situation wasn't complex and she should have seen this but she didn't. Instead she merely heard his chatter, his misunderstandings and the declaration that someone owned the lake. However he'd dismissed those now and she could do nothing more than raise a brow. As far as she could recall he wasn't the one she was looking at when she'd spoken ealier was he?
At a loss for words for the time being, she could only gape slightly as he excused himself and turned his gaze towards the setting sun. It was an abrupt move, but it was the words that came out of his mouth that knocked a little bit of sense into her. She'd found common ground... In his admiration for the more 'delicate' and beautiful things in life. She could permit him his moment to admire the sunswet...after all she had been fearful that she would miss her own light show at this rate.
...By the sounds of things she wouldn't, hers came out shortly after his anyway.
"Of course," she murmured softly as she turned her own gaze towards the red hues upon the horizon. Her gaze only remained there for a short while though, curiosity getting the better of her as she inspected his odd form. This wasn't her light show after all, she could afford to be curious for a little while longer.
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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:11 am
He was glad she understood his commitment to the land, and many moments of silence went by until the sun had rested peacefully towards the edge of the sky. All was well in the land, and the sky was proof of that. Dante already felt better from the nature's changing, and once he was satisfied with the performance he turned himself to face that mare once again. "Its awfully beautiful, isn't it?"
He let out a sigh of happiness before addressing one concern he had from before. He must have seemed rude for moving away from the mare. "My apologies for turning away from your presence, maybe I am selfish but I do love the sky. I also am sorry if I intruded on something you were busy with, since it sounded like you were talking to someone or something." He already felt better from apologizing, and he prayed that she accepted his sincere words.
"As you can see, sometimes I get distracted from the nature, and I tend to forget that I need to tend to those around me."
He was so predictable in his ways, and with a quiet hair flick he eyed the mysterious mare while awaiting her approval. He didn't want to make an enemy from his foolish mistakes... he didn't deal with enemies well! It was bad enough he usually couldn't deal with himself.
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Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:32 pm
Huh?
She stared at the stallion blankly for a few moments and then the realisation finally seemed to click. An awareness of the misunderstandings, the miscommunication - her paranoia was quickly evaporating as the cogs of her mind finally began to turn again. Apparently his apology had been the oil required to restart her engines. She was, for want of a better word 'awake' at last for the first time in weeks. She would not be adverse to declaring that it felt incredibly foreign to her now, but at the same time comforting.
There wasn't anyone around, just him and she knew he wasn't from her herd. Thus, she quickly came to the conclusion that while she had accused the spirits of trickery, it appeared they had actually been genuine. They had desired for her to have company after such a length of time... they had even been pleasant enough to grant her someone that was not friend, family or foe...merely a stranger.
An odd one though and she couldn't hide the curiosity from her expression. Her eyes even seemed to glint with renewed interest and she canted her head to the side. One might have said she was considering his apologies but in a manner of speaking, she had already dismissed them. Tossing her cream mane she finally offered a smile and nodded slowly.
"Everyone is entitled to small pleasures in life," even her voice sounded stronger as she flicked her gaze towards the lake. As of yet the moon hadn't begun to glow with the full intensity she was so very in love with. "You are right, it is very beautiful...I can see why you would want to watch it."
"I didn't mean to insult you though, I thought you were another trick..."
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:29 pm
"... Another trick?" He heard himself repeat the mare's words, and he stared carefully since he was unable to understand what that meant. There was nothing tricky about him, that was for sure. But why would the mare say such a thing, then? Was someone following her or something? What a strange concept to understand... "And no no, I never felt insulted. Only confusion remains in my mind, but I know that will get cleared eventually."
Hopeful eyes met the mare's with a smile, and Dante straightened his shoulders out a bit since his posture was bothering him suddenly. "I'm Dante by the way, what is your name?" It was silly that he hadn't introduced himself yet, and he didn't want to seem as utterly horrible at social contact as he believed he was. "Yeah, I find pleasures in the small things. I tend to wander on my own a lot, so the nature is comforting. What are some things you enjoy?"
He hoped his question was comfortable in her opinion, since he was trying hard to keep his guest happy. Every acquaintance he met was someone new to learn about, and he always tried to grow from every experience he could enjoy.
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:39 am
He was awfully forward in a rather disjointed and uncertain way. He struggled to find common gorund and really she didn't blame him. Connecting with the majority of the Soquili in the Kawani had been quite a struggle for her. They were either too flighty, too depressed or so bubbly that she was suffocated under the weight of their 'bright' personality. She was a more tranquil creature, preferring the 'calmer' individuals who wouldn't swamp her with chatter and continued assumptions - as of yet she hadn't found many individuals quite like that.
Nevertheless, she tilted her head to the side thoughtfully as he inferred that he took pleasure from the simple beauty and miracles of nature. In that he would find a kindred spirit, simple pleasures had always been her favourite. given she came from a herd with rather pompous stallions, the simple became considerably more attractive as one matured as it was! Perhaps that was why she liked the simple and yet hauntingly beautiful manner in which the moonlight danced on the lake.
It was hypnotising!
"Oh!" Knocking herself out of her own reverie she smiled pleasantly and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, my name is Ashura...I should have said something sooner," she replied in an apologetic tone. She had always been proud of her manners and it appeared she had forgotten that introductions came hand in hand with etiquette. As for what she enjoyed...?
"I don't really know," she mused at last and shook her head, "A lot of small things I guess, like when the moon makes it's light dance on the lake...or when the flowers open up from their slumber in the morning. You know, the little things."
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:56 am
It was his fault too, he was obviously preoccupied before to really consider the speculations of introducing himself. But no matter, now that he and the mare seemed to rest on comfortable ground, Dante was glad to know that they both were forgetful in their ways. It was actually sort of comforting knowing he wasn't the only one who made silly mistakes! "Well, its nice to meet you Ashura." he then said, while letting the name fumble in his mind.
Something about it felt strangely familiar, but why he had no idea. To him this mare looked inviting and new, but his mind was somewhat hinting that he'd heard such a name before. It'd be strange to dwell on something that wasn't completely discovered, and Dante wondered if she should inquire towards his thoughts. The worst that could happen would really be that the mare and him didn't know each other, and there was nothing heart breaking or painful about that.
"I know of all those things too well... I rather love watching the moon when its full on any day." he then responded, while nodding his head happily. "I also like when the moon tries to peek out of the clouds, even when they try to selfishly cover its bright gleams. But man, nature is definitely entertaining." Just saying such a sentence made the stallion feel incredibly dorky, but he was the first to admit he was weird at all times. Plus, he might as well be truthful.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, Ashura, but there is something about you that seems very familiar." he paused then, while shaking his eyes a bit in nervousness. "Have I met you before? I wonder if I seem familiar, either." Though, he was hardly a memorable sight, but still, it was worth a try to ask!
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Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:44 am
Oh he was an odd one! If Ashura didn't have her manners in check she would have giggled at a number of his declarations. Dante was by far the most aware of nature that she had come across, the majority of stallions seemed oblivious to the delicate and often wonderful gifts the spirits had to provide. In a manner of speaking, the way he expressed these was so bizarre and so unlike any other stallion that she had met - he was a puzzle and yet at the same time he was trying to be pleasant.
His conversation was disjointed as though he was uncertain of how to approach another, his body language somewhat stiff. And yet, deep down he seemed to have a good heart...maybe not a lot of confidence to go with it, but it was there. While she wouldn't voice it she did find it somewhat unusual that one with such an peculiar appearance could be so unsettled. Perhaps he was somewhat like her brother, coming to terms with his own individuality.
Frankly, she found his physique as beautiful and exotic as the Kawani lands were to her.
Nevertheless, as he enquired as to whether they had met before her expression clouded. She drifted into her own thoughts and memories for a time as she attempted to recount when, or where they might have met. In the course of her stay here she had met a number of individuals. However, given his appearance she was fairly certain that she would have recalled him - wouldn't she?
"I can't say I recall," she offered at last though her words were uncertain, she wasn't sure if she could have forgotten quite so easily but her thoughts had been a mess as of late. "Perhaps we were always meant to run into each other?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:23 am
Dante wasn't the spiritual type, so he found the mare's comment to be a bit hard to believe. Even so, if that's what she believed then that was her right of course. He on the other hand felt some sort of connection to this mare, but why who knew. This wasn't the first time he had felt some sort of flashback from the past, and it was always very chilling to feel some connection from the past since he constantly tried to run away from his history.
"I really don't know, but its not a big deal. Just thought I would ask." He shrugged with his shoulders a bit before pondering what else to talk about. He was feeling stiffer then usual, so him being the entertainer of the two was rather scary. "So Ashura, do you have any family or children?" That seemed like an easy start to get to know someone else, and he watched silently as his mind gloomed about his own family. At least he had wonderful friends.
"I mean, even if you don't have any family, that's not a strange concept either. Although I have a large family, I rarely see over half of them. I was just... curious?" he smiled as carefully as he could, hoping to adjust his words, since he didn't want to potentially hurt the mare's feelings.
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:55 am
"Curiosity is never a bad thing," she pointed out gently, warming to the stallion and his odd mannerisms. For one who seemed so certain he tried so hard, for that the least she could do was reward him. She had always been a little abrasive in social situations - often struggling to point out logic over faith but today... No, she would remain well behaved and amicable. It was the least she could do, to treat him with respect and try to make him feel more comfortable. She hadn't meant to make him feel so uncomfortable in the first place!
That being said, as he made reference to her family she hesitated for a little while. If she was honest there were two parts to her family, while she loved one aspect of it dearly the other terrified her. To confess to both was daunting yet in a manner of speaking, perhaps it was necessary? Her brother hadn't said it, but her best friend had...the Kawani lands was filled with 'meddling heroes' so perhaps when the time came (gods forbid) then another would rescue her.
She wasn't a damsel, but even stubborn mules needed help sometimes.
"I do have a family," she released a small sigh and turned her gaze to the lake, admiring the turquoise tips of her cream mane. It had been through an act of rebellion that she had acquired them and if she was honest, she didn't regret it one bit. In a manner of speaking they made her more 'interesting', at least she hoped they did.
"Not the most typical family though," her smile grew a little as she thought fondly of the quirks her parents possed and of the qualities her elder brother possessed. "I have one brother, well...half brother and he looks very different from me. I have two parents as is custom...but no children," she shook her head and released a small chuckle. "My parents tried to find a suitable stallion for me but I ran away. I told them I would sooner mate out of love - silly, I know..."
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Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:21 am
"That's not silly at all!" Dante then said, while hushing himself from his slight release of voice. Sometimes he had a tendency to get too into a conversation, and he allowed his emotions to get the best of him. But he meant all of his words and feelings since there was nothing silly about love. "And I completely understand, my family is hardly normal. Everyday I find new Soquili who I am apparently related to. The funnest moments are when I question if they are going to harm or kill me or something."
Just as he sighed to himself, he allowed himself to shake off the frustration he felt and smile lightly towards the mare again. Day by day he was accepting his crazy family, but usually he just did his own thing while staying away from the mean ones. "I think love is very important. My mother taught me from a young age how wonderful love is, and if it wasn't for her immense love I'd probably given up ages ago. So I think you should stick with your feelings, since I plan on doing that when I have the confidence.." he chuckled lightly, knowing he had one best friend that he had always loved. But THAT was another step for later in his life.
"Even though my siblings are blood related to me, I don't look like them either." he then admitted with a hefty nod. "So even I understand that prospect. But hey, being different is always sort of nice. It makes you appreciate all of the details in the world." Though some in his family would be better off without some of the details they carried... "I think you are very brave though, for going with your heart rather then a stallion that may have been the easiest. Forgive me if I am speaking out too much, but I commend that sort of behavior so much, and wish I could be so strong myself!" He wanted to be like that for everyone's sake, and most of all for himself of course.
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