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 Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:01 pm
"Perhaps it will take time..." she whispered to herself, her voice pure and soothing. She cast her gaze to the horizon, as far as she could see, and imagined her old homeland. It had been beautiful, and full of life. It had been her life! But of course, she could not find anger at the Prince's decision to move his people. The fires had destroyed all that they found dear--so why would she consider the old lands her home, anyway? There was nothing there...
But she still found her heart tugging at her chest, saying, 'Home, home!' when she knew that her body would not carry her back. She was loyal, and had faith in the Prince's decision. Time it would take, and she was patient enough to wait.
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:02 pm
It had not been a decision the buck had made lightly and he had suffered many sleepless nights over it. Conflicting emotions had been nothing new to him over the weeks that had led up to the address he had made to his kind. While the Cerynei had joined him and placed their trust in him once more, the reaction had been mixed and even as he had led them across the deserts to their Ancestrial Home it had been clear that the level of uncertainty was rising. There was unrest and it had not gone unnoticed by the Prince that his kind were unhappy and restless. They had every right to feel this way of course given that he had caused major upheaval in their lives but if he hadn't done so then they would have been wiped out.
His duty was to his people, to guide and protect them from all harm. It was not his place to consider his own feelings when making his decisions, if it was right for the Cerynei then it must be done and he must have the strength to persevere. As a mortal he couldn't counteract the fires, nor could he cultivate the land - their home had become barren and the spirits exhausted. He had ultimately been given no choice other than to uproot his kind and return them to the ancestrial lands even if it wasn't terribly well received. That being said it still pained him to know that so many were uncertain and others questioned the decision.
It was only natural that they would do this of course and as a result he could do nothing more than continue. Throughout the trekk he had carried his head high and walked with purpose, with each stride he drew upon more strength and led his kin to safer ground. Alas, they had eventually reached the Kawani and as many of the Cerynei surveyed their new home with apprehension (and others with curiosity or suspicion) he now had the opportunity to mingle.
By the time they had reached these new lands the sun was once again leaning out, casting a bleary-eyed gaze upon the lands beyond its mountainous bed. It warmed his back and with each passing moment illuminated more and more of what lay beyond. Even as they had progressed tentatively into the forests the beams of sunlight that invaded the thick canopy of leaves was enough to light the way beyond. Suffice to say that there was little doubt in his mind that this new land was plentiful even if it didn't smell like home. Still they hesitated and even he could feel the weight of such uncertainty press down heavily upon his shoulders. It was difficult to look upon a new world and have no guarantee that you really would be welcomed...
Was this the thought that plagued his kind so?
His amber gaze shifted, scouring the various Cerynei in his wake until at last one mare in particular caught his attention. Her gaze seemed contemplative and she had even taken the time to find higher ground to survey her new home. Admittedly her expression appeared mixed but if he continued to ignore this uncertainty it may very well crush him. Thus it was with a shake of his head that he meandered his way through the various herd members and approached her. At first he was silent, his cloven hooves brushing the foliage beneath him away from his path but once he was within a reasonable talking distance he made his introduction.
"I bid you good morning, Doe..." He offered. His voice was quiet of course, yet held an intensity that could only be derived from the confidence that existed within a creature. "I hope to find you well, of course?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:26 pm
Kanani had been intranced in her study of the foreign land... so much so that she hadn't noticed the soft hoof patters approaching. The voice she heard was recognizable enough, though she hadn't had a large number of conversations with the Prince of the Cerynei. It was a voice that she simply knew was important, one that should be natural to know. He was her Prince; why would she not know?
She turned quickly, concealing the troubled look in her eyes with a cloak of reverance, and yet the soft shade of sorrow remained. But she paid her emotions no heed, and bowed her slender neck, touching the tip of her dark muzzle to her shin. Her icy eyes fluttered closed as she showed her respect, her braided mane slipping forward on her smooth shoulder and brushing against her foreleg.
"My Prince... forgive me. I had not heard you, else I would have addressed you sooner," she murmured softly, in a voice that was almost shameful, and yet kind and respectful. She slowly straightened back up, her eyelashes unfurling to show her light, crystal-like eyes. Her feet remained steady on the ground, though in truth, she was always a bit nervous around the Prince. Not enough to be frightened, no. But there was always a strange feeling within her, one that alerted her of a greatness and courage so much more extraordinary than her own. She could not even comprehend the tests that this great Cerynei had been through, the hardships he had suffered, the decisions he had made that would have torn any other's soul apart. He had done so much, and all of it for his people; was there not anything that he had ever done for himself?
"I am well, I suppose. Well enough to stand and enjoy the sun on my face, and be thankful that I live to see another day. I think that I may enjoy a fresh start," she said quietly, trying to keep her voice uplifted. But the small part of her conflicted soul that crept into the longing tone could not be helped. She gave a soft smile, a silent plea for... what? Forgiveness? Hope? Defeat?
No. She wouldn't give up faith so easily. Not when the Prince had sacrificed so much, and still stood proud and tall enough to lead his people through hardship.
She turned away again, not meaning disrespect, but an invitation to her inner thoughts as she gazed at the lightening horizon. "It will take me time to find life in this place, my Lord. But I will not lose my hope, for there is always a reason for things such as this."
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:11 am
He had been right in his assumptions then, there was no denying the uncertainty and the discomfort in her tone of voice. The doe was admirable in her attempts to hide it and to gaze upon her new home with hope and optimism but she couldn't really escape her past just yet. He had expected this to happen and while his expression remained grave there was a softness within his amber gaze that indicated he understood. She need not be uncomfortable in his presence, nor should she feel guilty for her own doubts when it had been his decisions and his words that had uprooted the Cerynei from their home and taken them to a now foreign land. If anything, she had every right to be angry but she was not...
"Some might say that I chose to approach silently so as not to disturb your reverie," he replied smoothly. When in situations such as this even the Prince was inclined to believe that certain things could be cast aside. Traditions and the expectations a royal creature may have on his subjects must be 'limited'. Ah yes, while he may have been their leader he had led them into the unknown and they had still given him their trust - in return he would be modest and the 'respect' he was due would be earned anew. She may not have seen him but an apology was unnecessary.
"However there is no shame in admitting that you are uncomfortable," he pointed out. He shifted his gaze and followed her own towards the horizon, his eyes squinting somewhat against the approaching light. It was a new land with new opportunities but with it would come an entirely new set of hurdles. Even he could feel the hair upon his neck rise in apprehension at the trials that awaited him there. No, she was right to regard it with some form of suspicion given that she knew not what lay beyond the woods. "The loss of our home is a heavy weight to bare and the unknown is an equally heavy burden."
"Suffice to say you will have my support in your endeavours, m'lady... One with a stance such as yours is a valuable asset indeed," he murmured. His gaze shifted back to the doe and he pursed his lips, she was the type of creature the Cerynei needed. Modest and calm, she would instill confidence and encourage her kin in far mroe ways then he could ever aspire to. Such was the way of things of course, that was how it had been prior to the events in their homeland. The Doe and Bucks that lurked within the herds had guided one another in their daily lives and the Prince had wandered the forests in solitude. It was how his family had been raised after all, they appeared only when their presence was absolutely required otherwise the Cerynei could live as they pleased.
"Your confidence will inspire many, please do not lose it."
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:08 pm
Kanani smiled gently, slightly inclining her dark head towards the elegant prince. "I thank you for all that you compliment me on, and all the understanding that you give me, but I still think that perhaps my confidence, and that of those like me, might not be enough."
She turned and gazed out over the forest, the greens and reds and browns now fully illuminated by the early light. She reveled in the warming touch of the golden rays, taking them in, eating them as if they were sweet honey. If she just closed her eyes, and let her mind drift far away, she could almost hear the sounds of her past home... almost.
"I do believe that we can adapt to life here, and come to love it as we did the old lands," she stated firmly, this time believing in her words. She gave a smile of courage, at least of as much as she could summon, and nudged a small sapling with her velvet snout. Her warm breath made the leaves flutter gently as if they were the delicate wings of a lazy butterfly.
The trees and foliage here were not entirely contrasting with the flora of their previous home, but they still had the scent of something newly discovered. Perhaps they were just a bit sweeter, and the light scent of fresh dew still clung to the tender sprouts and shoots. True, their old home had been consumed with the scent of ash and cinders, but Kana could still recall a time when the forests had been plenty and magnificent, the skies clear and fresh and free from the tint of smoke, the waters wide and clear-flowing from their brethren springs. The fires had engulfed much of that beauty, yes, but they would never extinguish the memory that still flared bright in her heart.
She figured that that memory would never dim, and that she would simply have to accept the fact that it was naught but a memory to be able to adapt to her new home. There were similar things, and even the smell was not too different. All it would take was time, and perhaps a bit of something else...
"But I think that we will need you, Prince Kozue. To lead us, and assure us, that life will go on. Because, despite our actions in times of peace, I believe that we rely on you more than our hearts will acknowledge. And if you can live on, then I know that I can. Thus, others will feel the same. I hope..." She gave a hopeful half-smile, a light shining in her eyes that told of her willingness to go on, even though that was not what her heart wanted.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:28 pm
"Without that confidence we would not be here today," Kozue replied, his reponses were smooth and while not rehearsed he did not delay in them. There were few pauses in his speech and he spoke with a certainty that most others didn't possess. 'Hms', 'uhs' and 'ahs' generally didn't exist in his vocabulary and as such he would not permit pauses when his words were required. That being said the buck could recognise the mare's modesty and offered a small smile of both approval and recognition towards the quirk. It was most definitely a desirable quality to possess for the demure often had an air about them that calmed the nerves of the more excitable. He had faith in her ways, it was the least one such as he could do given that he had relied so heavily upon their trust just a few months ago.
"All things take time and it will take many months, if not years to mend the hearts of those who have lost their homes. Yet I look towards these lands and see potential," he paused and watched the mare as she subjected the foliage beneath her hooves to her affections. A little nuzzle from her velvet nose, a small gaze of admiration. At the very least the prince could take pleasure in the knowledge that there was beauty in this land that his kind could appreciate even if it was foreign and certain aspects of it would take much getting used to - for a start it was much louder than their previous home.
"Our brethren Soquili once regarded us with love and respect, while it has been many centuries I suspect they will remain as hospitable," he continued after returning his gaze to the horizon. The sun had been split into segments by the tree trunks and now lit up the forest beyond in an almost ethereal manner - a ray of sunshine spattering the forest floor here and there. It was almost like home prior to the fires when the air had not been choked with ash and the skies not blackened by smoke... At the very least he would find peace here for a time. Nevertheless as she continued on with the conversation and made reference to his own existence he afforded a somewhat stiff smile. He was not one who was accustomed to expressing emotions of gratitude in any extreme sense of the word but he could afford something at the very least.
"Even in our homelands I watched from the shadows, though I will not always be visible to the Cerynei I will always be there. My strength is their's and yours to take as you need it," he explained quietly. He closed his eyes briefly and sucked in a deep breath, puffing out his chest as he filled his lungs with the sweet and clear air - if he was honest it provided an almost drunken sensation after such a long time of stifled and stale air. "I will never leave you - that is my solemn vow though it may be the duty ofthe Cerynei themselves to find their place in this world and choose their own paths as they emerge. You understand, I trust?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:19 pm
Kanani nodded as she listened to the wised Cerynei, slowly and yet in a manner that bespoke of her understanding. She had never questioned the antics of her Prince, nor the relations of their brethren Soquilli. But there was still the dim feeling of uneasiness within her heart when she thought of meeting their not-so-distant cousins. What would they be like? How would they act towards the Cerynei, when they both had lived so long without seeing so much as a hair of the other? Even Kana had never seen a Soquilli, the horse cousins of her kin. She had simply never found it necessary to leave home and travel; but now that the whole herd had moved to a new forest, she felt as if she had been thrown into a new culture of beings. No, she hadn't met a Soquilli yet: but that time was soon approaching, especially with them being in the horses' territory.
"I understand as much as my mind allows me to, My Lord, " Kana said quietly, looking back towards her herd. Many of the Cerynei stood together, conversing or grazing, or just enjoying the clear sky of the warm morning. But, among the grateful, were those who were less trustful of the new land, and stood gazing accusingly at everything they saw. Though Kanani could not blame them, she felt a small sadness in her chest. Would they even give this new land a chance, or had they so easily lost hope?
She turned back to the prince, smiling softly. "Well, despite what happens, I will also try to encourage your people. Though I am only a small figure in a sea of beings, I suppose that even my little bit might help."
Looking at the prince, Kana couldn't help but feel a strong reverence. So proud, so strong; and yet he was young, like the rest of his people. If he had come so far, then maybe she could do the same? At least, in viewing his confidence, she felt that not all was lost.
Gathering her courage, she stepped over to Kozue and nuzzled his neck in respect, murmuring, "I have faith in you, Prince. And I will not let my faith die, as some have."
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:40 pm
It had been his main concern, the opinions of his kind and their take upon their new home. He knew there would always be those who regarded it with distaste but it was impossible to please all beings. To perform such a feat he would have had to ascend beyond the powers of the gods themselves to ensure that this was possible. Consequently he had accepted the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders but more importantly, he had accepted that in the long term there would be those who simply could not find peace and would grow distant from their kin. To those who chose to search further afield he would offer his best wishes and hope that they achieved all they endeavoured to do but for him escape was most certainly not a viable option...
The buck gave a roll of his shoulders and politely listened to the petite doe as she spoke of her feelings. There was still a hint of insecurity in her voice but such things were obvious in one so young. In time she would grow strong, as wisdom graced her with its presence she would become wisened to the world and would lead her kin to safety. It was Cerynei such as Kanani that gave Kozue the strength to go on - that being said the brown buck had encountered 'soquili' before. He had regarded them with curiosity from a distance and had never bridged the gap between himself and his horse-brethren but they were not an entirely foreign concept to him.
If anything, the buck had come to the conclusion that in order to pave the way towards a safer future for his kin he would have to step forth into the Kawani and bridge the gaps between Cerynei and Soquili. Suffice to say it made him more than a little uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, though he had been preparing a response for the female it was all but lost as she bridged the gap between herself and him and gave him a brief nuzzle. It was gentle and without ulterior motive but it still caused his nose to crunch and his tail to twitch just a little. If there was one thing he was unaccustomed to it was that, an expression of reassurance or gratitude through the power of physical contact. He would admit that the warmth had a startling affect upon him and stirred something within him - he could see why so many craved it. Perhaps that was what his father had meant when he had informed him that sometimes there was simply no need for words.
"You have my gratitude for your reassurances," he replied, his amber gaze fixated on the mare following his rather quick recovery from her short period of intimacy. "Though should the day come when you doubt my wisdom I will not hold you in disdain," he offered a small smile at this and shifted his weight, twisting his body round to face her. No longer in his peripheral vision, he found it more comfortable to watch her and no longer appeared to 'sneer' from certain angles.
Maybe he was being paranoid about the last bit.
"That being said I expect I will soon depart for the slopes nearby to seek out the soquili within our immediate vicinity, if only to make their acquaintance and to secure our borders. You will tread with care, at least for a time I hope?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:24 pm
Kanani listened to all that Kozue said with an understanding, open heart. This short conversation had seemed to give her a sort of strength, a new will to go on. As she gazed out over the treetops, she couldn't help but feel a warm sensation within her chest, a sense of adventure just waiting to happen. There were so many new places in this land, and they were so different from those at her old home. Yet, seeing as she had felt fear when gazing upon them, she now felt a sort of rebirth, exhilaration. There was hope to be had--for everyone.
She turned and gazed at the prince, a short moment of thoughtful silence. Then she bowed her head low, giving him the respect that she knew he deserved.
"I thank you with all my heart, Prince. And I also appreciate your words. I now believe that there is opportunity to be had in this land, despite the obvious differences. But the Cerynei are a wild, free race; we will live on, that I know." She lifted her head and twisted her neck to gaze behind her, admiring the mixed leaves of greens and yellows. "I will tread carefully, yes, but on a path that I choose. I feel a new adventure waiting. Thank you, Kozue," she murmured, then gave one last bow and started off. It was a new day, and a new land was waiting.
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