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 Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:57 pm
FOR STATS: Celandine & Laures
Everything was new, and it was wonderful.
Though she'd only been in the Kawani lands for a matter of hours, already Celandine's heart was light and her mood as bright as she imagined the sunlight was. She could feel it on her back, warming her as she made her way through tall grasses and flowers, and the light breeze lifted her hair and passed through her feathers almost effortlessly. It was a truly wonderful day, the very best that she could have imagined for her descent from heaven. She'd been waiting for it for a long time, after all, and it was such a thrill not to be disappointed.
Lifting her face to the sky, she breathed in the scents of spring, savoring every moment. She could hear birds, singing merrily from high places, and part of her longed to take flight and follow their calls. There was so much to do on the ground, though! And she had to be sensible, after all.
It wouldn't do for a blind mare to go off flying and not be sure of where she could rest her hooves when she tired.
Lowering her head, she began to wander once more, tickled by the petals and long stems of flowers that brushed along her legs. Amused, she nipped at them, finding their taste sweet and subtle compared to the grass.
She took a few more steps, was startled when a bird took flight in front of her. Rather than sound distressed, however, she laughed loudly, dancing back from the sight of the disturbance, as light on her hooves as any filly.
After all, she felt like one. A fresh, bright new filly exploring everything that the world had to offer. Of course she had her duties, and of course she couldn't play forever, but it was nice to indulge herself for a few moments.
She stretched, extending her wings as far as was comfortable, and sighed in contentment. Another noise reached her, this the soft and rhythmic beat of a pair of wings, and she looked around curiously. It didn't sound like the rustle of feathers, but from what she could picture in her mind, the object couldn't have been too much larger than a bird.
Well, it certainly wasn't as big as a Soquili! She'd be able to pick out the rustle of wings that big, surely.
Swiveling on her back hooves, she turned in the direction she heard the noise, a smile curving her lips as she perked her ears, attempting to find the location of the other creature. Playfully, almost in a song, she called, "Who are you, little one? Are you friend or foe?" Then, laughter in her voice, she added, "Or perhaps just looking for a dance partner?"
She could picture it clearly, a grown mare dancing circles around a little bird in a meadow, and the thought made her laugh again.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:28 pm
 The long winter was finally, definately over. The days had grown longer and the weather consistantly warmer. The snow had disappeared completely and flowers started to bloom. The world was bright and sunny, the dismal pall winter left lifted, and everything was green and bright and alive. Kinda like him.
In his small, just bigger than butterfly-sized form, he took to the air and danced his delight as the sun warmed air currents caressed his wings and body. He looped and dived, performing aerobatics in the sky, and danced from flower to flower.
That was the one thing he adored from his travels one feature that drew him back time after time. Sure, there were lovely plants and flowers almost everywhere he travelled, but there was something about the openness of the meadow where you could see everything for a distance all around and there was a comforting uniformity to the types of plants that grew.
Absorbed in his childish games, Laures was startled to hear a voice address him. Whirling around he looked for the source. It didn't take him long to spot the multi-winged angel, an angel he had only heard of as mentioned in stories growing up as a very little foal. He saw the mare looking around, almost as though she couldn't see him. He 'fluttered' closer.
"And just what could a little flutter like myself hope to gain from being the enemy of one obviosly far stronger than themselves?" The sound of her laughter and playfulness struck a chord and he answered her light heartedly. "If I knew how to dance truly, a partner would be welcome, but as I don't, a friend would have to suffice. But as one can't be friends without knowing eachothers names... well, I am called Laures. And who might you be?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:02 pm
Once the other spoke to her, it was easy for Celandine to pinpoint his location, and she angled his head toward him in recognition. To the newly blind, the world was likely very disorienting and overwhelming, but she had been handicapped since birth, and so had adjusted with her other senses until she could live a nearly normal life. As normal as it was possible for her, anyhow.
But a flutter! How lucky that the first Soquili she would meet would be a flutter. Celandine had been fascinated by stories of them as a filly, and she'd always wanted to meet one. Fortune certainly was shining on her and making her arrival a joyous one.
Shifting her weight from foot to foot, the move not restless but rather fluid, she replied, "Stronger? I'm as harmless as a butterfly as long as you're kind."
She took one step forward, then decided a moment later she didn't want to crowd the stallion, and rocked back on her hooves. She fluttered her wings lightly, stirring a small breeze, and furled them at her sides. "Laures? Why, your name sounds like music. I love it."
And she did. Laures the flutter! Her first encounter, and her first friend, but his own admission. How exciting. "My name is Celandine. I'm new to these lands, but I assure you, a friendly presence. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:32 pm
There was something that seemed a little.. off. Not that it was in any way bad, merely it was disconcerting to the flutter. The mare was obviously friendly, but why wasn't she looking him in the face? It was rude to not look at someone when you were talking to them. He tilted his head, there was something there, but he couldn't quite put his hoof on it.
She seemed very hesitant to get close, starting to take a step forward then simply rocking back, something the stallion found rather unusual. He was used to soquili wanting to be closer in proximity while talking and what not. He for one was fond of being close to others, so he solved her dilemma by flitting over closer.
He found it rather strange, her emphasis on "good" and "friendly" then realized that this was probably just something connected to her race- something he had only known through stories, and hazy memories. He just smiled brilliantly all the same. Here was someone who, like him, was a friendly, kindly presence.
He had always enjoyed stories of the angeni when he was little- after all they were always filled with fun and adventure, of good and evil, of right and wrong. He wondered if they were all like his stories, and he finally got a chance to find out for himself.
He threw back his head and laughed at her comparison of her strength being like a butterfly- if he was kind. It wasn't often one would use a comparison like that, at least when talking to him, after all it might be considered offensive. But Laures had a strong sense of self and identity and no illusions as to what his strength was or was not, so he was quite able to appreciate the humor and irony of the statement.
At her compliment of his name, Laures was unable to control the blush that caused his cheeks to darken. One of these days he would learn to accept compliments and not blush, he promised himself. He was curious about part of her introduction- new to these lands, but a friendly presence. Did this mean that some angeni weren't friendly?
"Wait, you mean angeni aren't all good and friendly?"
If he had been able to take back his words, he would have in a heart beat.
"Please excuse me, that was overly rude. It is an honor to meet you Celandine." He bowed awkwardly in the air.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:38 pm
Celandine couldn't help it; she laughed again. Though her eyes were sightless, they held a wealth of good humor, and she merely shook her head, dismissing his apparent rudeness as nothing. "Oh, don't worry at all. You were hardly rude, and I'm hardly offended."
Not for the first time in her life, she wished she could see as others did. In his voice, she detected a warmth and openness, and she wondered how it would look in his eyes. More, what did his face look like? Did it have long, elegant lines like her mentor's? Were they more delicate and fine-boned, like her father's? It wasn't likely she would ever know, not unless they became very good friends - not everyone appreciated having their face rubbed by an overly curious mare.
Still, she could imagine what he looked like. And even if she'd never laid eyes on a horse before, in her mind, she had a picture of one. She would fill in the numerous blanks with what she could, and as always, she would form her own picture.
He fluttered closer, and she was delighted with the notion that he was much smaller than she. In all the stories she'd been told, she thought it was the most adorable thing that flutters could shrink to the size of butterflies - why, she'd do it if she could! Instead of just running her nose over the tops of flowers, to be able to bounce on them, walk under them... everything would have been so different. She thought the perfume of the blossoms smelled wonderful from above, but she was sure it would be even better down below, where one was surrounded by them.
She sighed softly, imagining it, and then remembered that she was in the present and so ought not be doing that kind of thing. Shaking her head lightly, she smiled back at Laures, taking a moment to consider his question.
"Well.. Angeni are like anyone else, I think." She uncurled her wings, waving them lightly as she thought. "Some of us are very sweet and some of us are very cranky. I'm sure there are plenty very good and kind, and some whose lives have made them otherwise. The thing about us is-"
She stopped suddenly, snorting lightly. "Well, we all have a mission, so to speak. We all go about it different ways. Why, Laures, have you never met an Angeni?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:32 pm
Laures fluttered as close as he dared to the mare-in his smaller form, he liked to be as close to whom he was conversing with as he could get away with. Some though were really not fond of physical proximity, and he did not want to chance possible injury by upsetting her and getting too close. He noticed the mare's head return quickly to the position it had been in before her dismissal. Looking over his shoulder.
The wistful sigh from the mare intrigued Laures- he wondered what an angel could be missing. What an angel could not have. They were all strong, and had powers and abilities others like he could only dream of. At least, that was what legend stated, and as he'd had no experience legend was what he had to base his knowledge on. But there was so much feeling -history- in the sigh he couldn't help but be moved by it. He wanted to somehow help, but now it was his turn to be hesitant. He started to flit closer, but stopped himself. He didn't know her well enough, and he wasn't one to take liberties with others.
His ears perked with interest and a bit of disbelief as she described angeni as just like anyone else. He snorted, how could they be just like anyone else- they were near divinities. They had powers and abilities unlike anything even unicorns and the like had. It was almost sacriligeous to him to even think that angeni could be anything other than absolute good and very nearly perfect.
The thought of evil or bent angeni just didn't sit right, and he shivered in fear at the thought of what those twisted angeni could accomplish. No, there was just no way they could be bad. But missions- now that sounded interesting and fun.
He dipped his head almost shyly. "No, I can't say as I ever had..." His voice trailed off as he tried once again to access the memories of his childhood and young adulthood that had so far been shrouded in grey haze. He was still unable to access the memories of his past, at least no new memories that he hadn't had access to before. "No," he reiterated firmly." I haven't met an angeni before."
"Missions? Do you have a mission? What's your mission?"
Ever curious and unable to stem the tide of his thoughts and the questions which simply wouldn't be checked, he hoped the mare would be kind enough to indulge his curiousity.
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:52 am
His curiosity delighted her, and while Celandine hadn't had much experience with her kind being a novelty - it was all she had known in the heavens, after all - she could easily understand the fascination that came with the unfamiliar. After all, wasn't she longing to know more about flutters in general, and the one before her in particular? She wasn't a mare that practiced restraint unless she absolutely had to, but in an instance such as this, she felt she must.
If Laures had never met an Angeni prior to her, the least she could do would be to make herself as agreeable as possible and answer as many questions as she could. Her mentor would scold her for not wanting to present as poised and dignified image as she could, but her mentor really wasn't about, was he? And anyhow, she'd spoiled the image of a demure mare by responding so playfully to him before.
Angeni of Acceptance. Why did no one seem to realize that it was just as vital for her to accept herself as it was for her to accept everyone else?
Tipping her ears toward the stallion, the direction of her gaze becoming more precise with each word spoken, her expression softened into its usual calm smile. She'd been told that flutters were shy beings, and that she would be lucky to be approached by one, luckier still to engage one in a long standing conversation. While she could sense a little hesitance in Laures' voice now and again, she thought they were getting along rather well, and was more than pleased.
Her tone amused, she said lightly, "I do have a mission. Well, and a theme. I don't know what's spoken of us here, but Angeni are given a theme - a realm, I suppose, that we're to exercise power within and handle matters according to. Mine is acceptance."
Ears tipping back just a bit, she wondered just how much of her duties she should impart. There really wasn't any sort of secrecy about the entire affair, and aside from those things relating to her theme, it was true that there was plenty for Celandine to do in the Kawani lands. Now that winter had passed, she could bless the earth to help aid the crops to grow, for instance. She'd had little to no experience in that particular aspect of her powers, and was eager to see if she could do any good. Of course, she'd need a pair of eyes to tell her what needed to be blessed and where, but surely there were plenty of soquili who wanted to see a bountiful harvest.
Breathing deeply, she canted her head, still looking in the direction of the stallion - well, as far as she knew, anyway. She hadn't heard or felt him fly away, so she assumed he still hovered before her.
"What would you like to know about my mission? I think it's fairly self explanatory, but then again, I come from a place full of Angeni, so what seems normal to me might not be." Such as the customs of the lands she had descended to, the different breeds that she would encounter, and the daily life of any normal Soquili.
Oh, there were so many things to learn, and so many that she wanted to ask. She would see that Laures was satisfied first, however, and then she wouldn't feel guilty about cheerfully ferreting out as much information as she could about, well, everything.
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:51 pm
Laures had heard the word mission and in his mind that was synonomous with adventure, but hearing it explained in terms of how it dealt with the angeni, it sounded more like work and duty. He thought he should have been dismayed or such at having one of his favorite dreams and ideas being completely shattered, but really he found this to be even more interesting then anything he could have possibly come up with on his own. And so carefully storing away the information he was being freely given, he started to form a far more realistic and adult picture of what the angeni were, something grounded in fact not childish tales.
And her- realm- acceptance... why was such a thing necessary? Weren't angeni only sent to kawani if there was some need for their powers? He was rather confused on this vague point which was usually glossed over in tales, but here he had a source who not only could clarify this for him but also fill in more of the gaps in his knowledge so he might be able to come up with better more accurate tales to tell those who wished to know.
Millions more questions arose in his mind, but he really didn't want to wear out his welcome...so to speak, so he gathered his thoughts into more coherent form and asked the one question which seemed far more important to him than the others. "Aren't angeni only sent to these lands if their abilities are needed? And, if you're the angeni of acceptance, what do the soquili race need to accept?"
It seemed to him that angeni were far different from the rest of them. He had met regulars, and unicorns- and if the hazy memories he was starting to recall were correct other flutters much like himself- and each had some trait or ability that seemed to raise them above others, but this particular angeni showed just how much above the other soquili they were, without even trying.
He sighed, a little sad? maybe, for them. They were amazing and definately lived up to and beyond what the stories told of them, but didn't that make them lonely? To be so superior to everything whether it was conscious or not, they would have to be both admired and resented no matter how good or kind they were.
Watching the mare her ears constantly following him and her face focusing more one him the more he spoke, Laures realized what it was about her that was bothering him. She was blind. He felt more than a little sheepish for the slight irrational irritation he felt towards her, and was grateful he hadn't said anything about it to her. Now, only if he could somehow ease his own conscience.
"I feel rather boorish. Here I've been asking so many rude and impertinent questions of you. Is there perhaps anything you would like to know?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:28 pm
Why indeed? It likely seemed odd to someone that was content with his own life, facing no great strife or discord among others, that such a person as she should even exist. Perhaps that was the most tragic thing of all; except to those who suffered as outcasts, the problem didn't even really exist. Often it took someone an individual cared for being the object of scorn for the problem to come to the light, and only then was it taken care of.
The truth was, though, that there were far too many instances in the world of prejudice and ostracization. Often for no reason other than appearing different, young ones were cornered and all but molded into the frightful ideal they portrayed. Appearance, it seemed, was such a strong factor; there were days she was fervently glad she had been born blind and never been tempted to judge someone based on how their coat covered their bones. It seemed a silly thing to do, and if she hadn't heard of it happening so often, she wouldn't have believed it possible.
Blowing lightly on her bangs, she shook her head, the smile on her face having faded a little bit to compensate for her thoughts. "There is always a need for acceptance, I think. As long as even one Soquili is shunned for something a trivial as having a different coat, or being a different breed, or not thinking or feeling the same as everyone else... there will be a need for me."
It wasn't like her to be so serious. While Celandine was perfectly capable of maturity and solemnity, she preferred a much lighter approach to life, and reserved her focus and determination for when she was working, so to speak. At all other times, she would much rather approach the world with a light heart and a bright smile.
Still, she didn't mind Laures' questions. She'd asked herself the same thing many times, even while in preparation to descend to the Kawani lands and stretch her wings for real for the first time. In fact, Celandine had been waiting so long for this time to finally come, to be able to exercise her ability and powers within the real world, that it almost seemed surreal. She was an Angeni, and as she was rapidly seeing with Laures, she was to be treated with the respect that her breed normally demanded.
But wasn't that just another way of categorizing others? She was just like any other mare, really. The only notable differences were her handicap and her mission. If anything, she wanted all the Soquili she met to see her as just another one of them, albeit with a slightly different occupation for her time than they had.
Her ears had drooped a bit, but they perked up once again, pointing toward him. When he mentioned being boorish, she couldn't help it; she laughed, any air of solemnity over her shattering into a thousand pieces and being replaced with warmth and humor. No matter what her race might have been, Celandine would never see herself as something elevated and deserving of more respect than any other mare, and so it felt a little odd to be addressed in such a manner. Certainly that hadn't been the case back home; more often than not, she'd been scolded for her common ways, and had it impressed upon her that she ought to act more like the graceful, serene vision of an Angeni.
Was it because that was what everyone expected? Possibly. But there could be no harm to a noble race if one of its members was friendly and spirited, could there? It was her nature, and she wasn't keen on trying to change it.
"Please don't worry. You're not being rude in the least, Laures." She grinned at him, the expression quick and bright. "I actually find you quite charming. And oh, there are a million things I'd like to know, but isn't that true for everyone?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:08 am
Almost certain that his conclusion that the mare was blind was correct, he carefully watched her face, marvelling over how expressive she was. It was obvious when her thoughts took on a serious cast, her brightly shining eyes dimmed just slightly and her infectious cheerful smile slackened slightly and her playful manner was replaced with an air of seriousness. That would just not do, as short a time as he had spent with her, Laures had come to realise that she was not by nature solemn and serious. Like him, she was playful and full of joie de vivre. He grew rather agitated, frustrated with himself for stifling that joy.
But just as he was about to do something to brighten her smile and make her cheerful again, her face cleared, her serious thoughts chased away, and her laughter rang out and Laures found himself joining in.
As her laughter ended and she answered, Laures was forced to think. He had never paid attention to appearance, race, physical traits or any other such thing. He knew there were some who did, but he'd never considered whether it was right or wrong, it was just a different point of view, and as long as no one tried to force their ideals upon him, he was perfectly content to let it be.
"I hope it doesn't bother you, but I need to shift." Wings having grown kind of tired from having to beat just to remain in one place, Laures started to transform into his larger form, but realising his companion couldn't see him and he didn't want to cause upset he flitted back a short distance.
"I guess I can see there is a need. Strange that I've never really noticed it too much though. I've never really paid much attention to such details as race, gender or coat, but that's just me. Because I'm a rarity myself I guess I'm rather sheltered." He gave a self depricating laugh. Sheltered wasn't a word he ever thought he would associate with himself. But then again, he never expected to encounter an angeni and be forced to rethink his own manners and views.
Glad that she didn't consider him rude or offensive he couldn't stop the blush from rising once again at her compliment. He realised his offer must have sounded rather funny from the way she had answered, and so he decided it was enough of the serious junk, and tried to lighten the mood back to what it had been when they first ran into eachother.
"I know there're a million and one things I'd like to know- What is the meaning of life?, for instance. But for one who is completely new to the area, surely there must be something you'd like to know about?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:00 pm
Shift...?
For a moment, she'd almost forgotten she was speaking to a flutter. It hit her suddenly, and she danced backward a few steps, not knowing how much space he would need to put a fully grown stallion in the place of something slightly larger than a butterfly. She could guess, but when the gamble was a hoof in the mouth, she preferred to err on the side of caution.
After the change, she found herself listening to him quietly, her ears tipping back a bit at his laugh that didn't sound cheerful. Without the benefit of sight, she'd unconsciously trained herself from a young age to pick up fluctuations in tone and volume, using those as her emotional cues rather than the shifting planes of a face as others did. While it cheered her to think that here was someone who didn't judge on appearances, he didn't seem to be all that happy about it himself, which puzzled her. Or perhaps he was unhappy about being sheltered?
She knew that she had certainly been sheltered. Raised in the heavens with only other Angeni to keep her company, she'd never known the myriad differences that came with the habits of the races, and had only been able to greedily absorb as much as she could from others' stories. She'd longed to meet a unicorn since she was a filly, and her blood still ran cold at the thought that she would one day have to face a skinwalker, with the very real possibility of damage on both sides. Her fanciful heart did still want to shrink down to an impossibly tiny size and ride the currents of the wind, despite the impossibility of it, and even though the Kalona were said to be fierce and violent, she couldn't very well meet all the others and ignore them, could she?
And the regulars, and the wind! So many races were present in Kawani lands, and she wanted to meet them all. Learn about their histories, their customs, make friends or enemies where she must. Since everything was so new to her, really, anything would do.
Still, she couldn't throw such a statement at him; the poor stallion would never be free of her if she did. So, she nibbled her lower lip for a moment, thinking about precisely what she wanted to ask.
A breeze drifted through, lifting her bangs from her eyes, and she shook her head, forcing the mess to settle back where it belonged. As if seized by a sudden idea, she leaned foward slightly, ears swiveling to point directly at him, her smile blooming all at once.
"Do you have waterfalls here?" Oh, how she dearly wanted to fly down the face of a waterfall. Not alone, of course, and not close enough to be in real danger, but... wouldn't that just be thrilling?
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:51 pm
Used to changing size abruptly, with or without other soquili nearby, Laures was not one to misjudge and end up knocking into another or some such unless they happened to move into him first... well not since he was a rather young colt, but that time was an accident! He understood the mare's reaction though, she was not able to see him, nor did she know him so he wasn't offended by her actions.
Now having gotten over the quick bout of bitterness at how he was treated by other races, as if he were some breakable thing that would shatter at any glimpse of anything 'harsh' or 'unsuitable'. He snorted, he had seen more then his share as a young colt- usually courteousy of his father- and if that didn't break him he doubted much else would.
Once in his fullsized form, he stretched out his wing carefully and moved back to his place closer to the mare using his wing to signal his presence as to not startle her as he came close.
At the eagerness and wonder in the mare's voice when she asked about there being a waterfall nearby Laures grinned at her contagious enthusiasm. While he was not overly fond of being near water sources that could potentially soak his wings and deny him the freedom of flight, he had seen some waterfalls during his travels and was not one to deny a certain fascination with the power and beauty they represented.
"Do you mean nearby or these lands in general?" He questioned lightly. Having travelled the lands from the shores near the ocean to the mountains bordering the desert, he had seen many waterfalls and other natural wonders that were enough to take anyone's breath away. From small rivulets formed in the spring from winter snow melt, to mighty roaring falls deep within the moutains.
He would offer to guide her if she wished to travel to one of these wonders. After all, he was a gentleman and he refused to allow anyone if they were new to the lands to travel on their own. He would not be averse to seeing one of these, nature's great wonders, again. Provided it not be required that he get wet. His wings were delicate, and a b***h to get dry once they were wet.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:32 am
"Either, or both," she replied immediately, already captivated by the idea of skimming her hooves down the surface of a waterfall.
She'd expressed such a desire once, to her mentor, and she'd been blasted for it. It was too dangerous for a capabale mare, fully master of all her senses, she'd been told. For one such as herself, it would be tantamount to suicide. Celandine didn't see it that way, and her stubborn streak wouldn't allow her to give up so easily; being told no so resolutely only made her want to do the thing much more. Still, she understood that certain limitations would always be present for her, and as such she wouldn't be overly reckless.
If she could get someone to go with her, though, to guide her... well, that would be entirely different.
The stallion in front of her would be a prime candidate for such a thing, except she didn't know how he felt about waterfalls himself, and she wouldn't want to impose. She had found that when imposing, it led to grumpier parties all around, and the last thing Celandine wanted was for a fun experience to be spoiled. She didn't think Laures would be easily prone to a foul mood, but then, she really didn't know him. She only had her thoughts and her first impression, and while both could go a long way, she wouldn't rely on them in this case.
Tilting her head slightly, smile coy, she asked, "Are they very big, and very loud?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:36 pm
Laures thought for a moment. He wasn't sure if there were any "waterfalls" nearby. Oh, he knew of a few rapids and a few snowmelt streams, but he wasn't sure if that was what she meant, or not.
"Well, that all depends on what you're looking for. Nearby, there are a few falls that are little more than rapids, or a few snowmelt streams. Or, if you're looking for falls that roar down from the mountain peaks, well- its kinda self-evident- you need to go deep into the mountains to find those. At least, they're the only ones I know of and have seen myself." He voice was rather soft- almost contemplative as he recalled his feelings of wonder at seeing them.
As much as he disliked water, and getting wet, the trips in which he saw the waterfalls and other natural wonders, made him realise just how small and insignificant he was in the grand scheme of things. He couldn't help but be moved in his soul.
Recalling one particular waterfall he'd seen, and the ensuing weeks it took for his wings to completely dry out and be useful for flight and not just looking pretty, he snorted softly.
"Some waterfalls are little more than dips in a river, so they aren't very big or very loud. And some, some you can't even see to the top while at the base, you need to fly to reach the top. Those ones are so loud, you can hear them from miles away, and when you get close, the sound is almost deafening."
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 1:06 pm
Celandine listened quietly, enjoying the dips and lulls in Laures' voice as he described the natural wonders that she would never see. Sometimes it bothered her a little, being blind; if it had been some accident in her youth, she could have blamed herself, and come to terms with it. She had come to terms with it, of course, because there was little she could do otherwise, but she still felt the unfairness of it at times. After all, she hadn't asked to be the Angeni of Acceptance - and that kind of selfish thinking would get her clouted if her teacher was around - and oh, what did it matter, anyway?
She'd been born blind, and she'd adjusted. Just because she couldn't see the waterfalls didn't mean she couldn't hear them, smell them, taste them, touch them. She would still enjoy them.
"They sound wonderful. I'd love to go, to the mountains, to the rivers, to snowmelt streams." Voice becoming wistful, the wonder of undiscovered treasures in it, she added, "What does snow taste like?"
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