|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 10:44 pm
The day was young, a morning sun peeking through the wispy clouds that would surely be gone by midday. There was a gentle breeze concealing whatever hints of the coming day's heatwave, shifting the leaves, making music. A lonely mockingbird pitched in, heaving further sorrow upon Charlotte's slumped shoulders.
She'd snuck out. How clever her plan was, how thought through. Sure, her mother and sister were fast asleep, but Charlie definitely got extra points for being so positively sneaky. Not a single leaf shifted - well, not too much - beneath her ebony hooves. And now, her face alight with a humorless grin, she trudged along a new path in the forest - a path a young, like-skinned Unicorn colt had bore into the soil many, many moons ago.
Her green eyes were alight with curiosity, adventure! What would she discover today? A flutter? A new species of frog by the creek? A... Skinwalker? Charlotte felt a severe shudder run down the length of her spine at the very thought, but at the same time felt exhilarated. That would be a real adventure for real explorers, like herself. Too bad she wasn't strong enough. A smug grin replaced the misshapen one from moments ago, 'but I will be, one day.'
With this delightful thought, the filly walked on, etching a story on a new strand of her memory. A story about Charlotte the Bandit. A filly brave, strong, exciting, amazing and adventurous, dangerous and lovely!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 10:51 pm
The days started to linger it seemed. Every waking hour getting longer as spring had come about.
Lucky had started the early morning with a bit of a walk. Still ever the adventurous soul, though since his son's were born he had stuck to this area a lot more. Even found a nice little place for himself to spend the cool evenings.
As he walked along, his mind fuddled with different thoughts. It had been a long time since he'd seen his old childhood friend. Perhaps he would seek her out sometime to do a bit of catching up. As for the boys, well. Nikolai had taken off long ago so it had been a while since the young stallion had made a visit to his father. Even longer for Lex and Taigi. Ever the wandering spirits. Perhaps the wandering spirits of him and their mother had made it all the more stronger of a call to wander in the boys.
Who knew.
Bright green eyes peered at the path up a head. Something small and dark caught his attention instantly. And as he drew a bit closer he could see that it was a small, black filly with dark skull shaped markings on her rump. Well now wasn't this an interesting sight. Lucky picked up his pace until he was just about right behind her. Though off to the side a bit so as to not be RIGHT behind her.
"Well now, what have we got here? A fellow adventurer out for a morning stroll?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 11:29 pm
Charlotte the Bandit... Has been ambushed!! Too caught up in her own story, she failed to pay attention to her surroundings. For example, the obvious crunching of twigs beneath hooves, black as hers. Her slight body swiveled around to face him, the dire enemy. The enemy that was... Several, no, many hands taller than her. She gulped, staring into eyes that reflected her own much too well. This was another detail she was slow to register.
"H-hullo, mister. Nice day for a valk, huh?" A sheepish smile graced her features. The accent she'd inherited from her mother - maybe... he had it too? - enriched her voice. Charlie took pride in her accent. Anything that came from her mother was beautiful. Of course, her sister had to steal away Nevara's lovely pelt colour for her own. How unfair.
But this wasn't a time to wander off into her deeper mind. There was a very curious stallion before her. He looked aged, but not to a point of hopelessness. She could see that he was strong, so insulting him in any way would be a very not smart thing to do. At the same time, she felt a foreign familiarity with this stallion that was old enough to be her grandfather. 'Now.. Have I ever met him before...?' The obvious, and true answer was no. 'Curious...'
Charlie peeked up at him again, spiraling into a puzzle as her eyes met his. There it was again, that jolt of remembrance. But that was silly, 'how could vone remember that vhich one did not know?'
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 2:12 am
Lucky smiled warmly down at the young filly. Locking green eyes with her own lovely green eyes. "Indeed it is." He knew that some foals tended to wander on their own, while others seemed to be kept in the company of at least one part most of the time. Though such was not entirely the case with his own brood.
A soft breeze rolled across the stallions back, causing his long white tail to move back and forth and the feather along his ear to ruffle softly against his neck.
Though now that he had gotten closer to the filly, a small tinge of familiarity jolted through his thoughts. Perhaps she was the child of someone he knew? Or a grandchild even? Certainly couldn't be one of his boy's children. He would of at least hoped they would have brought any grand babies that they had to him. He hoped anyway. It was a sad thought to think that time would pass by and he would be completely oblivious to the fact that his genes were spreading. Though perhaps, if it were to be that way, he might understand how his own father felt.
"Where are you off to so early this morning? Surely your family might be worried for you. Being out here all alone?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 7:27 am
It was early in the morning, still, wasn't it? Well, this adventure was certainly dragging by. Charlotte blinked up at this stranger who seemed like he shouldn't be such. "Adventuring is where I'm off to! It could lead me anywhere!" She grinned, glad that she could show someone how brave a filly she was, but his next question had her brooding again, "vell, yes, mother vorries, but I always come back safely so it's alright! I'm very brave!"
Charlie puffed out her chest to emphasize her "strength", trotting back and forth for a short moment. No one her size would dare mess with her! And those bigger than her... Well, those she'd deal with later!
This prideful moment was interrupted by another train of thoughts, perhaps a minute too late. The nice (at least she hoped so) stallion had asked her about her family. Not simply her mother and sister; he must've implied the entirety of it... The filly bit her lip to hold back the stinging sensation in her eyes. Grandparents, aunts, uncles.... A father. What pleasant and faraway dreams there were. The unattainable reality. She sighed, her shoulders slumping again. "Mommy has other things to vorry about, too, so I'm sure she'll let this slip. Besides, I'm not entirely alone, not anymore!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 12:54 am
Chuckling lightly under his breath, Lucky nodded and smiled warmly at the filly. "Exactly. You've got the right idea. Adventuring can lead to anywhere you let yourself be taken to. And who knows exactly what you'll encounter."
The stallion nodded once more. "Well, you standing here is affirming proof that you are quit brave and can handle any dangers that come your way. Your quit the tough little filly I must say." The way she puffed out her chest, it was adorable. And Lucky couldn't help but walk down memory lane for a brief moment before his thoughts turned back to her.
She was a charming filly to say the least. Full of spirit and mirth. A wild imagination that seemed to take her wherever her little hooves took her. "You remind me of my own young ones when they were your age. Always out and about. Adventuring and discovering new things. And that is true. You aren't alone anymore."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 6:47 am
Charlotte kicked the ground with one of her front hooves, "vell, adventuring can take me anyvhere, but not to anyvone. I haven't seen any unique Soquili yet. I've heard stories of those vith vings and horns, but I don't think they like me..." She smiled meekly, 'but then again, everyvone has their own stories to tell, even if they don't have strange features.'
She swelled with pride once more when he spoke of her truly being brave. Charlie believed every word, partly because she thought of herself that way even before she came to meet Lucky. Being called tough set her posture firm and straight once more, stretching out to full height so he wouldn't reconsider his statements.
And then he spoke of his own family, his own children. A pang of jealousy struck her deep in the chest, 'yeah, but there's one subtle difference betveen us... They had a father to raise them.' But now that this stallion had made a connection between her and these unknown sons, she was suddenly curious. "Your sons, sir? What were their names?" Perhaps she would meet one of them sometime. Of course she'd want to recognize them if that was the case; how brave and intellectual it'd make her seem!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:26 am
"In time, I'm sure, little one you'll come across those with horns and wings. There are many interesting Soquili that more than likely you will encounter." An eyebrow raised casually as her mentioning them not liking her. "Well, there are some that are a bit more foul tempered. The best thing is to just avoid those ones and find those who greet you with a smiling face."
Lucky couldn't help but find her actions and posture endearing. It was good to see that she had such a spirit in her. One that was positive and naturally curious of the world around her. That's the way all foals should be. Though they should also have at least some common sense as well. And there was no doubt in his mind that this little filly had it anyway.
Clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, he recounted the faces of each son in his mind before he spoke. "Yes my sons. I haven't seen them in what seems like a very long time. But they are never far from my thoughts. Their names are Nikolai, Lex and Taigi."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 4:43 pm
Charlotte didn't believe the stallion's prior sentences at all. First of all, she should have met Soquili with wings or horns by now! Well, her sister was a unicorn, but relatives didn't count. And besides, mother must've met plenty of them at a far younger age. Charlie made a mental note to ask Nevara for a story later.
And, secondly, just because one came at you with a smiling face didn't mean they'd be friendly. In fact, Charlotte would bet anything that half the time a stranger smiled at you they had evil intentions! But Charlie was smart, as she convinced herself long, long ago. She wouldn't get hurt at all. 'Mother taught me better!' The filly was just about to comment on "finding those who greet one with smiling faces", but then....
Charlotte stumbled. Her legs, usually so sturdy and reliable, folded under her with momentary submission. The young filly collapsed, shuddering, eyes wide and chest constricting. The stallion had switched topics, answering her question, but opening so many others. His words also opened a wound in her deepest of hearts. Not a word, but a name. A name that was forbidden. Forgotten. A name that would shatter her mother like a hoof against a sheet of ice over a lake in the winter if ever spoken to her.
"T-t-t-ta....." She couldn't finish it. She couldn't, she was left stuttering in a shivering heap on the forest floor. How pathetic she must have seemed. Another word, somehow frighteningly natural, flowed out of her trembling lips, "father...." And then she cried, tears slipping from her eyes like sap from a wounded tree.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 10:34 pm
Lucky blinked as Charlotte collapsed to the ground. Shaking violently as tears began to streak down her cheeks. A heavy frown came to his lips as he lowered his head downward. Bright green eyes full of worry.
And then she said it. Father. Was this little filly one of Taigi's? A grand daughter of his? His heart welled as he nosed at the tears on her face. "Taigi is your father then? And that would make you one of my grand children." Obviously the speaking of his son's name brought up harsh feelings for the filly. He knew that Taigi was a wanderer just like his mother, but even so. For the little filly to be this distraught over him it seemed to him that the wander lust created a rift between them.
Her sobs nearly broke his heart as his frown because even more prevelant. Deep creases forming around the corners of his mouth gave away a bit of his age. Even though he was still fairly young himself, there was no mistaking what time and stress had done. He was proud, to say the least, to at least be able to know that his line had indeed finally continued on. And that he had gone out along this path this morning.
Nuding her cheek lightly, he braved a little smile. "Now now, no tears. You don't want your grandpa to start bawling now do you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 12:15 pm
Charlie lay there sobbing for what seemed like an embarrassingly lengthly while to her before Lucky spoke once more. She choked on another, especially loud sob as her father's name was repeated. All this time she'd been sitting on a locked chest containing her memories of mother's tales about their wayward father. Now, the simple calling of the afore mentioned's name came the waterfall of grief that lacked presentation in the prior times of her life.
But - wait a second. This stallion. This stallion she'd stumbled upon by coincidence... He was her father's father! So severed was the rest of her family aside from mother and sibling that she failed to notice Taigi must've had relatives, too. Relatives that were her relatives.
Accidentally, she'd met up with her grandfather! Oh hoh, so skilled was the bandit! A small smile returned Lucky's as she nuzzled into the now-welcome touch of her blood relative.
What would mother think? Charlotte knew that Nevara never met her father's relatives. Would she be happy to have some possible support with raising them or upset at the connection with Taigi? Either way, Charlie was ecstatic now. She wouldn't lose another of her closest relatives.
"No, of course I vouldn't, grandpa." She gave him a bright, sincere smile, shaking her tears away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:13 am
"Good. Cause I don't think an old stallion like me should be blubbering like that." How exciting this day was turning out to be. He had merely set out on a little morning walk and somehow managed, out of a one in a million chance to run into one of his grandchildren. Though the subject of Taigi was a bit touchy for her, Lucky could sympathize a bit. His son's had always been wanderers. Though Nikolai was a bit more down to earth about it. If he had obligations he'd stick around.
Giving the filly another quick nuzzle he smiled. "That's a good girl. No more crying then ok?" Speaking of Nikolai, he would have to inform him that he was an uncle now. "So little one, what name has your parents given you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:39 pm
Charlie giggled at the prospect of her grandpa breaking down and crying like a foal. It seemed impossible. He was strong! Strength ran in their blood, surely! Since her mood crashed into depression, there was no way to go but up. Her "happy factor" rose considerably and she felt bipolar for the first time in her life. Another silly thing. More giggles. "No crying vhatsoever, promise!"
The name her parent (Charlie corrected the plural mentally with a strain on "not thinking about it") gracefully placed upon her, of course! She should've trusted this stallion with it from the second they met. She had a feeling, anyway, and her gut was never wrong. Another grin breaking out, she told him with great pride, "mama called me Charlotte. Sometimes people call me Charlie, and sometimes I give them my..." She narrowed her eyes, playfully glancing back and forth as if suspicious, "codename. That would be Bandit!"
Then she realized that she was still folded on the scarce grass lining the forest floor. Snorting, she rose quickly, hopping to her feet to prove her stealth. "And vhat's your name, grandpa?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:40 pm
Lucky was happy to see her mood swing upwards and that happy little filly come back. The older stallion might of been strong, but watching young ones cry always tugged on his heart strings. It was the same with his sons and even now more so with his little grand daughter.
"Charotte. Well that's a pretty name." He chuckled as more of her playful spirit came back. Lowering his head again, his voice going to a whisper. "Is it a super secret name then?"
His name. But of course! "I am Grandpa Lucky. And today my name sake has proven true. For I am very lucky for having run into you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:10 pm
Tossing her mane, Charlotte gave her grandfather the prettiest smile she could manage. "Vhy, yes, my mother alvays did have good taste! I bet my sister is jealous sometimes," Charlie giggled, "Rayne's name is far less 'pretty' and she's the girly one!" It was, indeed, funny to Charlotte how her older sister received such a plain name. In her opinion, Charlotte was darker and more mysterious than 'Rayne'.
Her ears perked when Lucky asked her about her codename, "no, grandpa, 'Bandit' is the name I give to people I don't trust! Like, if I met some stranger I vould probably lie to them and tell them my name is Bandit! Mama always did tell me to be privy with personal information." Oh, how Charlie admired her mother.
Another short chortle of giggles danced from Charlotte's tongue. Her grandfather's name was Lucky! She never could've guessed such. It was a meaningful name, as she felt sheltered and lucky after meeting him.
So there she stood, a hill before a mountain, the endless fields of her eyes looking for help in Lucky's; "Vill you not come home and meet mama?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
