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 Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:36 am
And today was no exception.
"Numi says not to wander too far!" Or so that had been the last thing Nocturne had heard. Bounding through the tall grasses of the plains, the little colt felt strangely free. Though he would mind his mother, he knew the angeni would give him some space to roam and spread his wings. . . The mountains, beautiful as they were, weren't nearly as open as the plains.
It was a nice place to visit. His grandmother's home range was indeed something different, though the red-eyed colt was more than certain he'd grow to miss the comfort and seclusion of the Grove. The mountains would always be his home, no matter how pleasant the plains could be. . .
Zig-zagging through the tall grasses, the little colt's ears pricked as he heard the sound of rushing water. It wasn't like the roar of the waterfalls from his home, but it was familiar enough. . . a river or stream perhaps? Giving a grunt, the little one attempt to leap through the tall, summer grasses, flapping his wings most ungracefully as he squirmed and kicked his way to new heights. He still wasn't a very good flier, and quite awkward at such a young age but he tried. . .
Of course, the little colt fully expected to see the grasses part way to a river. Instead, he found himself making a b-line directly in to the path of another foal! Kaliska had been hidden in the taller grasses, and as such the colt hadn't seen exactly where he was flying. . .
"Augh!" He groaned, attempting to veer to the right to avoid colliding straight in to the filly. Either way, he lost his rhythm in his wings and fell like a rock, tumbling head over heels in to a massive heap of spikes, wings, and black.
So much for first impressions.
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Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:51 pm
Meanwhile, as Nocturne flew low to the ground in thought, Kaliska was silently reveling in her momentary freedom from the younger, but larger foal that had emerged from the basket she herself had helped paint to match the colors of the foal inside.
The younger Praetoria grew quickly, emerging from the basket nearly twice the size as Kaliska, mischievous and absolutely giddy about her hijinks.
It didnt help that it seemed Praetoria had endless amounts of energy in comparison to the meditative Kaliska. And while, at times it was nice to have a semblance of family after her subsequent Running away from her winged family and partial adoption by both a hermit Native women and an unstable, the constant pranks and prattling riddles of varying levels of nonsensical phrases, there were times where the diminutive Quarter-Kalona just needed to get away, if only to keep from raging at her adoptive sibling.
Which lead her to wander a nearby field, hiding in the long grasses as she walked slowly, lost in thought. She sighed, thinking about how her beautiful her mother was -- her beautiful, delicate wings, the soft whites and blues of her hair, the spotted marks under her eyes.. But mostly, the sad air that surrounded her. She remembered her siblings. Well, Her Real siblings. Both had wings, and were learning how to fly.. The eldest of the three siblings, Nymphalidae, Often reminded Kaliska how she would be either abandoned so they could return to the main herd, or be the one who tore away her mothers chance of being accepted once more.
It was hurtful, and how her sibling had gotten such an idea, the sadness of Acana had left the young foal with a choice, and she instead to flee, freeing her family to return to the air. She knew her mother would be saddened, yes, but it wouldn't have been her choice, and Kaliska no longer had to live with guilt.
The guilt of either forcing the others to sacrifice for her... Or to choose and be saddled with the guilt of abandoning her. But had she done what was right? Or had she been selfish in not wanting to feel the sting of abandonment or the bear the weight of guilt? Such dark thoughts for a foal my age... Am I a healer, like my fluttercorn mother? Or a destroyer like my Half-Kalona of a father? Who am I? What am I?
And these were the thoughts that spun round and round in her head as she walked silently, lost to the world as she pondered whether or not she even cared.
That is, up until the flap of leathery wings, a looming shadow, and a groaned outcry, snapped her out of her quiet thoughts, and ducked her head down low and bounded ahead and to her right.
Only to crash into the tumbling fellow and tripping over him, rolling head over heels before crashing upside-down against against a small bolder, her dainty back hooves dangling either side of her head.
"..!" She kicked her feet in the air, wiggling her petite body in an attempt to get her feet back on the ground and her butt out of the air, "W-w-who are you?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:51 am
The world reeled for a moment as Nocturne blinked, seeing double. Ugh. . . . Now that wasn't something he wanted to repeat twice, no siree! "Stupid wings. . ." He grumbled darkly, giving his head a little shake and blinking dumbly at his hooves. Four front legs finally melded back in to two, and it was with a heavy sigh that the large colt picked himself warily back up. Not only had he taken a bit of a tumble and a hard fall, but he'd tripped over his tail and gave himself a few new cuts and scrapes. Narrowing his red eyes, he turned a reproachful glower upon the offending tail and gave it an irritable swish. . .
"Stupid tail. . ."
He hated crashing.
Ah, now that he was back (albeit just a hair shakily) on to his feet, logic and memory pushed aside his wounded pride. He'd crashed because he'd been mere inches from flying straight in to what had been another foal in the grasses! Worse, now that he remembered the events, he realized he hadn't missed Kaliska but hit her dead on! Oh bother. . . . Wings were so much more troublesome than people realized!
It didn't take more than a moment for him to locate the little folded filly, though her demand to know who gave him some relief. At least she wasn't crying or wailing about some broken bone or hoof. Ears pinning out of shame and acute embarresment, the black colt cleared his throat and trotted closer to Kaliska.
"I uh . . . I'm Nocturne! And I'm awfully sorry about that- really I am, honest! I . . . I didn't get high enough, obviously, but didn't think anyone was so close. You're not hurt are you?" He bit his lip in concern, trotting around the petite filly, unsure if he should nose her back to her feet or just leave her be. There was a chance she'd get awfully mad as soon as she righted herself, and the little colt did not want to get kicked.
Thankfully he did have a healers horn. . . but on that same note, he wasn't exactly very experienced in using it either.
Ugh. . . was there nothing he could do right and properly at this age!? Tearing his gaze away from the dark hued filly, he did peek up over the tall grasses and pricked an ear, alert for any signs of his mother. That's all he needed right now, Numielle to run to the rescue and scoop up both of them in a ridiculous amount of cuddles.
Thankfully the pale mare was still grazing on the shorter grasses a couple hundred feet away. . . .They were safe. For now.
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:20 pm
finally bucking enough to slid sideways, the young ram-horned mare collapsed on her side before coiling her feet under her and standing up to her full half-a-foal-her-age height. Shaking herself down, she took a deep breath, squashing down tie spark of anger that had begun burbling deep in her chest before finally opening her eyes to look at her attacker fully and rightside up.
He was big, but obviously still young. And while he had a mostly unicorn look to him, his wings gave her a pang of jealousy. She then smiled slightly, bowing her head, "I'm fine. A little dizzy from my spill but otherwise still... Good."
Even at her full height, she was small barely even reaching his shoulder with the tops of her ears, "What about you?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:19 am
Boy she was little. . . Nocturne wasn't used to seeing such petite mares, especially with his family lineage. Even his sister, Dove, looked like she was twice the size of Kaliska, and his little foal friend Nita could have been bigger. Strange really. . . . The ram horns were an interesting features, but as she didn't turn to maul him, he doubted she was particularly fearsome or agressive.
The burly colt waited for her to properly right herself, taking a few steps back to give her some space and not crowd her. He shuffled his wings a bit nervously, awaiting her response. Lately he'd been making a bit of a habit about crashing in to plants or the ground or others. . . . maybe he'd do best sticking to his hooves.
At her words, Nocturne allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief before giving the girl a small smile. He wasn't very good at this whole socializing thing yet but he was getting better. It was easier, he had to admit, with Esper gone. . . .though he did frequently wonder about his sibling. But that was neither here nor there.
"I'm glad," he admitted, sincerity lacing his words. "I've had some close calls before, but I wouldn't want to hurt anyone, no siree." Nodding he then turned his gaze quick down at his own hooves before shrugging off her own question and concern. "Just a few scrapes and bruises, nothing new, but mostly made from this stupid tail." Swining his lion tail around, he showed off the spikes that grew out of it. They were indeed sharp and hard and might make a formidable weapon. . . someday. . . .
"Be glad you have a tail like my Gramma and Pop. They're not nearly as unfriendly as these stupid things. . ." No, Nocturne did not like his tail very much at all. If he wasn't scraping himself or someone else on accident, he was getting it tangled and stuck on various foliage of his home.
"Who . . . who're you?" He finally questioned, offering the filly another little polite smile.
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:07 pm
"That's good." Kaliska smiled softly, eyes looking him over with reserved curiosity, eyes lingering on the wings and tail longer then others. She then smiled good naturedly, though it didn't fully reach her eyes, "And its a lovely tail -- it goes well with your wings."
She smiled a little wider, glancing down bashfully as she actually chuckled, "That wasn't exactly very polite of me, was it...." Bowing her head, the ram horned Quarter-Kalona closed her eyes, "I'm Kaliska. I live on the other side of the river."
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:10 pm
The little colt pawed lightly at the ground with his cloven hoof. They were beginning to reach the point of conversation where he ran out of things to say. Though his mother had no problem chattering, Nocturne was a bit more introverted and reserved. He preferred to watch and listen to others, rather than partake in extensive discussion. Furthermore, this was only the second foal he'd ever met outside of his sister and brother. . . .
He wasn't exactly how to proceed next. Both had exchanged names, and she hadn't been hurt or seriously damaged. . . . now the awkwardness could set in.
Ugh. Maybe wandering away from Numielle hadn't been the most intelligent thing to do.
A lovely tail. . .? Nocturne blinked a few times, tilting his head ever so questioningly at the little one. He'd never been told that, and certainly he didn't think his tail was lovely at all. . . . but. . . .it was nice of her. In a weird sort of way. "Well thanks. . . I just. . . I don't know. It's more of an awkward thing than anything. But I guess the spikes on my wings match the spikes on my tail." He shrugged a bit, giving his leathered wings a little self-conscious shuffle, trying to hug them tighter to his sides.
They too, were awkward. Kaliska didn't realize just how lucky she was to not have all these little complications and natural aggravations. But the grass was always greener on the other side of the pasture, or so they said. . .
Whoever they were.
"It's nice to meet you, anyway. . . You're the first filly I've met that hasn't wandered in to the mountains. That's where I'm from, over yonder in the hills," he jerked his head north in the direction his family had ambled. "This is, actually, the first time I've ever been to the plains. It's. . . awfully flat." How observant.
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:09 pm
"Someone once told me.. 'Everything is awkward when one is young'... And it can't be any less awkward then being the only non-winged foal in a herd of flight dependent Soquili..." Kaliska smiled slightly, then bowed her head sadly, as she turned, walking back towards the river "I'm sorry I interrupted your flight practice -- it's not your fault that I'm walking in grasses too short for me... I do wish you the best of luck learning to use your tail safely.. And how to fly.."
There was a twinge of guilt, and she shook her head, turning back to face him, "I shouldn't have brought my family up - its just on my mind, and I'm sorry. I'm sure now that you're here, it'd be a good place to learn how to fly, without having too much of a fall when you do. I suggest you avoid the rivers edge -- the river washes away the grasses, so you'd only have hard rock and your own spikes to land on.. Or water, which I've been told doesn't mix well with wings when not practiced in it. I'd suggest a lake's edge for practicing that, since the water doesn't move as fast."
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:29 am
There was something off about the little filly. . . .something Nocturne was having trouble placing. It was only as she turned away, after commenting upon her family that the little colt's ears pricked in concern. She looked. . . . sad. There was a heavy air of negativity that seemed to bring the little filly down, a sadness he'd only witnessed briefly from his mother the day Esper had been taken from the herd. He hadn't known when to feel when Kiyoshi took his brother, but everyone kept saying it had been 'for the best' . . . but such was the way of things. Wherever Esper was now, maybe he was better (and nicer) . . . .But that didn't mean his mother was any less sad.
So why was this filly hurt? Was it just because she didn't have wings? "Uh. . . ." He started, tentatively trotting after the little filly as she turned away. "I'm sorry you didn't get wings," he started, not really sure how to respond. To be the only one that was different was something he did understand though. Perhaps not with his family, but in his short time down in the plains he had heard comments made. . and looks given to the strange family. His father had even warned him that he might be scorned before any gave him a chance just because of his appearance. . . . "But at last you still have a family, right?"
He didn't see any around, but Nocturne couldn't help but assume. Ah the joys of the innocent. It never occurred him that there were those without parents. . . especially as tight and close knit a family he had.
Pausing as Kaliska turned 'round to face him once more, the little colt blinked. Why was she apologizing again? "No need to be sorry. . . If it's on your mind, wouldn't that mean talking about it is a good thing?" It made sense to Nocturne that those with something to say or something they needed to get off their chest should open up.
Looking around, the taller grasses of the plains behind them, the little colt offered a slight shrug and little, reserved smile. "I don't really need to keep practicing. . . I'll take a little break for now." He nodded, not wanting to admit the reason he didn't want to fly . . . if he crashed too hard or made too much of a fool of himself, not only might she think him silly but it might give his mother due cause to approach. And though he adored Numielle, she was a bit much to take in. . . .
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:35 am
"..." Kaliska shook her head, slowly sitting down, "I wish you were right.. At least in the full sense of it. I left my mother and sisters so they could go back home, since with me they wouldn't be welcome..." Suddenly she choked on a sob, her eyes slamming shut as she unsuccessfully attempted to hold back the tears, "And my mom had been so happy there, and she was so sad. She had to leave till she had us because my father was a half-kalona and had no wings, so there was no guarantee any of us could fly."
Taking a deep shuddering breath, hiccuping softly, she tried to calm herself down, "..Sorry.. As Tulgey says, 'a girl my age shouldn't be so mimsy'. He sort of adopted me with his own daughter since he had left her with someone to keep her safe while he went to try and get his second basket.."
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:54 am
The little colt blinked, his ears pricking forward as he tried to make sense of what the little filly admitted. She had . . .left her family? And her family hadn't gone looking for her, hadn't done something to try to stop her from leaving? What sort of family was that!?
Not a very good one if he had any say in the matter.
Never in his life had he heard about a family or a herd that was wing-required. Certainly, he understood that maybe some of them out there were all about feathers and leather but really now. . . What family chose a herd over their own flesh and blood? Foals weren't supposed to make a mother sad. . they were supposed to happy! And have a happily-ever-after sort of story. . . .
The fact that she left and was all alone didn't sit well with Nocturne. Even more so, he found himself quite upset and angry at the thought of any sort of herd turning away someone just because a lack of wings. Pfft. . . it was stupid. Very stupid. But before he could go off on a rant and rave about the ridiculousness of such a concept (he was very young yet . . .) Kaliska found herself in tears.
No, she wasn't downright sobbing but she was still crying and that was something Nocturne never wanted to see. His mother had shed some tears and he hated the sight and sound of such a thing. No, he never cried much but to see his newest friend so upset. . . and to be all alone . . . and without her own family was too much. His spike tail swung anxiously behind him and he found himself a little unsure what to do or how to best approach the situation.
His first priority was to get her to cheer up a little, but he also understood that sometimes tears were necessary. Stepping closer, he could only think of what he saw his family do when one was hurt or scared or upset. . .but he wasn't sure how she might take it. Reaching over, he very gently but still awkwardly attempted to give her cheek a little nuzzle. "A girl your age. . .? Hey . . . it's okay to cry sometimes. I mean, you've a good reason to be sad because life hasn't been really fair to you, ya know? My Mom's twice your age and size and she . . she cries sometimes too. So it's okay. . .I dunno what being mimsy is but you're certainly not it." He nodded his head firmly, quite certain that his new friend just had a lot on her plate.
It couldn't be easy to leave ones family . . . be it through choice or out of necessity, just like his brother. "Are you all right here by yourself though? I mean. . ." He looked about, unsure if his discomfort was because of the openness of the plains and therefor a vulnerability to attack from strangers, or if he was just biased against the plains because of his love for the mountains and hills. ". . . . where do you go if you get scared or . . . if something bad comes your way?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:17 am
Sniffling softly, she jerked her head towards the river, "I found a two-legger when I was running. She was alone too, and took me in. And there's... Praetoria, and her father, though he's not.. Right in the head. Not always." Kaliska stretched and stood, "So he's not always there, physically, since he worries he'd hurt us when not lucid enough, since we're much smaller then he is. Though... Praetoria's almost as big as you are, and she's younger then I am."
The dark foal chuckled weakly, smiling shyly at Nocturne, "... I could have sworn you said your name, but I can't remember it -- I think my ears were full of dirt at the time."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:15 am
The little colt couldn't believe the sort of life his new acquaintance was living. Not only had she been forced to make a rather awful decision, and not only did she live mostly alone, without her family to comfort or care for her. . . but she was adopted by some sort of insane soquili on top of it! An insane soquilil who left her to fend for herself out of fear that he might hurt her. . . .
Oh bother.
Honestly, the little red-eyed colt had no idea such a life could be lived. He felt spoiled rotten and only realized now just how much he took the love of his family for granted. He had his mother and father, his siblings, and of course his grandparents and uncles. There was never a day he felt neglected or unloved, and though sometimes there were severe responses to his foalish stupidity and days he got in trouble. . . he was never turned away, nor never did he feel as if he might be an obligation to his family.
He was loved, through and through and no grief or horrible history haunted his path.
All Nocturne wished was there was something he could do or say to make his new friend look a little more happy. But what words could he offer, especially at such a young age? He never thought that others could live like this. . . Boy was he wrong.
"Well at least you're not always alone," he murmured, looking down and pawing at the ground with his cloven hoof. His tail swished a bit nervously behind him, unsure what else to say or do. "I'm just. . . I mean. . . I can't imagine it's easy. . but. . . uh. . . just try to stay safe. It can be a pretty mean world out there, as you've already found out." He sighed, peeking back up at the blue maned filly, knowing full well he couldn't promise her that everything would be all right and well. If that were such a case, she'd still have her family, wouldn't she?
But her plight did make the little colt ever more resolved. Just in case she ever needed help, he'd be strong for his friend. He was training to help those in need just like Kaliska and he'd make sure he did it! It wasn't fair for the world to let a filly live on her own without her mother near. . . And if he got big and strong enough, he'd just have to tell the world to be nice to his new friend. She certainly needed it, at any rate.
Thankfully, for a moment at least, the subject changed. Shuffling his leathery wings, the little colt gave another little grin and shook his head. "Oh, you're fine. . . I probably muttered it any way. . I'm Nocuturne. And I'm awfully glad to have gotten to know you!" That much was sincere and genuine. . .
She was his second friend ever and already, in the few minutes they lingered in each others company, she had taught him so much about life he hadn't clearly understood.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:06 pm
The petite Soquili's eyes widened at his joyful declaration of being glad to get to know her, surprised. He was a winged soquili -- no mater how nice, they aren't supposed to interact with Ground-bound Soquili, since it was obviously a banishable offense... Right? However, a true smile crossed her lips, reaching her eyes to warm them slightly as she chuckled softly, "Its a good thing you ran into me, then." She dipped her head as she giggled, grinning. For the first time in a while, she actually felt.. Happy.
It was a rare occurrence -- sometimes Tulgey's merry songs and surprisingly intelligent riddles made her happy and triumphant when she figured them out, and the strange, alien songs of the Human she lived with sang occasionally made her feel as if she belonged. But this? In a way, this was much sweeter.
Acceptance.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:02 pm
The colt had no idea that his words might have such a profound effect on the filly. Though he understood she had ran in to a rather rough beginning, he didn't realize that wings meant so much to her. Ah, but they were both young, and both had much to learn.
His own lop-sided smile crossed his features in response to her own. He was a bit on the serious side and wasn't chalk full of energy and hyperactivity like some other foals his age. And though he could smile, they tended to be more reserved. . . But to see his new friend look so happy, for even a single moment, the little colt couldn't help but be happy for her.
She certainly needed to smile more. . . .
"A very good thing, I think." He agreed, swishing his spiked tail happily behind him. Red eyes turned off his new friend, studying the green grasses and the nearby river.
Uh-oh. . . now what? "So uh. . . what were you up to before I interrupted your afternoon?" He questioned, curious to know what a foal did all alone by a river. Was she eating, napping, resting, dreaming. . .? Goodness only knew.
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