|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:10 pm
Life was good, as far as Helaku was concerned. But a few hours ago, Aureate had been sent to him with the news that Halia had foaled, and he'd rushed back after the self-proclaimed Phantom to admire the three foals that his granddaughter had ushered into the world. Standing there, he'd felt a rush of pride as though the baskets were his own, and the remnants of his elation had left a spring in the older stallion's step even now. After promising to visit often, he'd found it time to return home to his own family. Which, coincidentally, he was doing at this moment, traveling through the forest with the confidence of familiarity with the ever-faithful Mai ghosting along in the underbrush.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:46 pm
 Ramses wearily paced forward, concentrating on putting one hoof in front of the other. After dealing with a very hormonal Sienna during her pregnancy he had finally fled after making sure she was ok after giving birth...and before she had regained enough energy to change her mind about him being around. He had left Khufu behind in case Sienna or his glorious offspring needed him and was beginning to enjoy being alone.
Then he saw something that frightened him more than a bit. A ways away was a gray figure with white legs in the forest. He stopped abruptly. There was no way Sienna could be out here...but he had underestimated her before...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:11 pm
A soft growl from the nearby brush was all the warning Helaku needed. He raised his head and stepped towards the young stranger proudly, dark gold eyes giving him a measuring look. The stranger's posture bespoke weariness, but also pride...perhaps a hint of arrogance in those bright golden eyes? In any case, it would do no harm to greet him with civility. So it was that he smiled slightly and said, "Hello there. Fine day, isn't it?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:59 pm
As the stranger approached Ramses felt himself at a point beyond relief. It was not Sienna, she had not hunted him down to destroy him for what she'd just went through.
Drawing himself up to look his best Ramses answered the other stallion. "Yes, I suppose the day is fair. I am called Lord Ramses, but Ramses is also acceptable if you wish to address me as such."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:11 pm
The corner of Helaku's eye twitched ever so slightly, but he chided himself as he smoothed his expression. Ramses could have no idea how he sounded to others. Then again, he might know exactly how he sounded, but the older stallion decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "Well then, Ramses, would there be a particular reason you're in this stretch of woods?" He probably sounded a bit nosy, but that was one of the benefits of age...you tended to get away with more. Knowing how to helped, of course, but it seemed if you were above a certain age others tended to assume your mind was starting to slip a bit. Speaking of... "The name's Helaku." He left Mai unintroduced for now, unless she decided to show herself. Not likely...the small brown wolf was shy, and mistrusted those she didn't know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:45 pm
Ramses couldn't very well admit the truth...that he was running away from a hormonal mare. It didn't exactly fit his image, so instead he quickly searched for an excuse.
"Oh I'm just...taking a walk." He replied, wincing mentally to himself. His excuse sounded fake even to his own ears. But then again why should this Helaku question him? "Yes..." he muttered mainly to himself, "just loping though the forest."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:14 am
Helaku raised a brow doubtfully, but politely let the excuse stand. There was a story there, to be sure, but pursuing the matter would just lead to defensiveness. Besides, it wasn't as though the grey stallion had a right to know, even if his curiosity had been piqued. "Exercise is good for both body and mind, I've found," he replied, nodding his head as though he were merely rambling along. His eyes were sharply focused on Ramses, however. "When I was your age, I found it was a very good way to clear the mind. Whenever I finished, I felt both fit and better prepared to face my problems--not to imply that you've encountered such problems, of course."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:10 am
"Well I'm certainly not running away from a problem," Ramses replied a bit crossly. In fact Helaku was just too close to the truth, and it was making Ramses feel a tad bit guilty at the thought. But he had waited to make sure Sienna was ok...surely that meant he wasn't merely running away.
"One such as me," he went on, "doesn't need exercise to clear the mind. I'm perfectly capable of handling things without such measures."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:10 pm
Helaku shook his head, a faint smile flickering at the corner of his mouth. Defensive indeed, even without a direct accusation. The arrogance shown would normally prickle, but Helaku was amused enough to let it slide. Now the tall grey stallion was more than convinced that something was afoot. "Did I say that you were? One would be wise not to speak too rashly, unless they wish to reveal more than they should." There, a neat, reasonable nudge to possibly unearth this stallion's problem, while completely ignoring said stallion's arrogant statement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:29 pm
If Ramses hadn't been as exhausted as he was he may have caught on to the slight manipulation. As it was he merely peeved that Helaku had suggested he had spoken rashly...and therefore less than perfect.
"Besides the problem has nothing to do with you and if I need to take a break its up to me. If there was a problem of course." He added, hoping the other stallion hadn't caught his slight slip-up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:11 am
"Of course," Helaku agreed in a dry tone, expression clearly showing that he didn't believe a word of the stranger's denials. "Then again, if there were no problem, you wouldn't need to take a break, and if you don't need to take a break...then why are you here?" Blunt, yes, but the verbal parries were starting to wear on his patience just a bit. He didn't mind visitors, but he did mind those who insisted on hiding their true purpose for their 'visits.'
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:49 am
Ramses snorted. "I have every reason to be here. Even if I didn't know anyone in these parts the mere reason that I like it here is a good enough reason for me to stay. I think the question is actually what are you doing here, and daring to question me on top of everything else."
And besides, who wouldn't want him near them? It was an honor that he was speaking to him at all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:32 pm
An ear flicked backwards as Helaku fixed Ramses with a stern look. "Remember your manners, young one...I am your elder, and to answer your question, this is my home. At least, it is near enough to home as makes no difference. If you enjoy these forests, that's good, but your words lead me to believe there is more to your journey than a simple walk." He snorted softly. "I dare nothing. I simply speak to you as I would to any other acting as you are."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:27 pm
Ramses jaw twitched. Just because this stallion was older than him did not give him superiority. But right now he really didn't want to get into a fight, he was too exhausted to put everything into it, whether it was mental or physical.
"If you insist on knowing my...family...lives in these woods." He supposed that's how he should refer to Sei and the foals...though he wasn't sure she'd appreciate it...
"And even though I've been in the area a short time I have never seen you. So why aren't you at your home?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:54 pm
"Family, you say?" Helaku's ears pricked forward at this, choosing to ignore the other stallion's irritation. Ramses seemed a bit...well...young to be starting a family, but perhaps he meant that his own parents lived nearby. "Strange...my family's little 'herd' has been the only one in these parts for quite some time." Shrugging, he continued. "Well, just because I'm a grey old stallion," he smiled wryly at the play on words, "That doesn't mean that I don't need to get out now and again. My granddaughter just foaled, and I've been on my way back from visiting her." His smile was one of pride now, as he remembered the three perfect, beautiful baskets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
