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 Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:11 am
Though he appeared gruff, and had intimidated many in the plains thanks to his kalona-esque features, Nocturne inherited more of his grandfather's features than that of his father. With his massive leather wings, his spiked tail, his ebony horn and cloven hooves he was indeed a force to reckon with. . .
But thankfully, only the stupid chose to make enemies with those in Islagiatt, much less single out the families within Azumoth's Grove. Azumoth himself was quite the formidable sight, but Nocturne did like to pride himself that he could easily intimidate the weak of will with a gruff threat and a spread of his wings. Puffing out his chest in a bit of pride, the stallion allowed himself a moments pleasure. . . .
Maybe, just maybe, he would make his family proud. This was his home afterall and he took his job seriously. Trotting through the hills and thick foliage of the dark woods, or gliding over head, keeping his ears open to alerts from various woodland animals the herd protected. There were eyes and ears everywhere within the woods of the foothills, and news spread swiftly but silently like wildfire.
Giving his spiked tail a little shake, and his wings a small stretch the stallion turned away from the small spring he resided at. He was near the entrance of the woods, far enough in so none could see him readily but close enough to the borders that he could observe. There was nothing new to report this afternoon, but his sentry duties weren't quite over. . . .
He'd follow up with sweeps overhead before returning to report his news but until then, Nocturne would wait. The small bubbling brook was a pleasant enough companion, and the dark shadow looked a bit out of place next to such an innocent scene.
A shame many judged on appearances first. . . . How many were driven off their lands before given a chance to properly be introduced? Oh well. . . it was probably best that way, Nocturne mused. The less obnoxious strangers around, the more peaceful his family.
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:28 am
Letting out a soft sigh, the female frowned to herself; her plans of 'starting early' where training was concerned is impossible now, but staying on to learn what she can from the many masters is something that will not change. After all, she came here with a purpose, to fulfill her dream... And she will not let Grencia down either! If he trusted her enough to bring her to his home, she shouldn't betray that trust.
Looking around, the newly grown mare squinted to look at something that looked sort of familiar in the distance... Are those trees? Like a forest? Brioso grinned happily to herself, trotting towards that direction eagerly. She soon broke into a full gallop, enjoying the exercising - however, when she stopped at the edge of the woods, Brioso realized how much she was panting and stumped against a tree to catch her breath.
Guess she still needs time to adapt to the thinner air.
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:54 am
News came swiftly from a pair of thrushes, twittering madly around Nocturne's head before fleeing off on their own adventures. The warning they gave wasn't a poor report against Brioso, merely a note that someone new was close to entering the woods.
A stranger, huh? Though the stallion still struggled from time to time with socializing, it was a duty he knew he had to perform; a task that would be most important should he ever be given more responsibility with his grandfather. Thus far, he had to meet any sources of evil that he had to drive away, but one couldn't be too careful. The assumption of a pair of twitterpated thrushes didn't necessarily mean that a stranger meant no wrong or harm. . . .
It was best if he investigated the source himself which is exactly what he did. Trotting through the woods, approaching the entrance and Brioso's whereabouts, Nocturne lingered in shadow for just a moment. The orbs of light he wore were dim, but not enough that one might not take notice of the unnatural and ethereal light. For the most part, the large stallion remained out of view, red eyes scrutinizing the mare for just a moment.
Well, she certainly didn't look like one who might cause trouble. In fact, from what he could tell she was having difficulty breathing, panting as heavily as she were. She didn't look terrified or scared, which meant that there might not be any immediate danger she had been fleeing from. . . but she certainly didn't look like any of the soquili he knew inhabiting Islagiatt. Someone new, perhaps. . .? Or a stranger lost and stumbling blindly. . .?
Whatever the case, Nocturne purposely made noise in his approach, stirring the bushes and generally allowing Brioso time to react to another's approach. Many ran off from the sight of the daunting woods, especially when they realized something big lurked within. . . .But to those more curious or stubborn in nature, such a feat might not lurk. He wasn't trying to be unwelcoming, but there was a quiet understanding that the less whom entered, the less drama might occur.
Pushing his way through the foliage, and stepping out in to the open trail that lead to the mouth of the woods, Nocturne studied the mare. He kept his wings relaxed at his sides, spiked tail swishing hypnotically behind him. Whatever he was, kalona-looking in appearance, he was big. . . Very big and very solid.
"Are you quite all right, ma'am?" He wanted to be sure even though, for all intended purposes, she looked perfectly fine. Just a bit winded. Still, twas much better to be safe than sorry. . . he didn't want her collapse at the edge of the woods or anything traumatic like that. Though he was a healer , the less he used his powers the better.
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Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:44 pm
She heard him coming, but Brioso didn't know exactly how to react when a stallion much larger than she was appeared in front of her. She paused, studying his appearances - a Kalona? No... He looks different from the ones she had met - he even has a unicorn's horn. She blinked at his mixed features, wondering if maybe he was off mixed blood.
Realizing that she was starting to stare, the young mare blushed, giving an apologetic smile, "Sorry about that..."
Taking in deep breaths, and trying to ignore the fact that she probably look silly doing so, she pushed herself off her support and took a few steps towards the stranger. She shook her head, looking up and giving a huge grin, "Thanks, mister! I'm fine, just a little out of breath at the moment..." She paused, looking around and remembering what Grencia told her - that some families of the herd prefer to stay under the canopy of the forest.
Looking slightly alarmed, she turned to look at the stallion again, "I'm not intruding, am I?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:25 am
The young stallion was partially pleased at the mares reaction; she hadn't run off, terrified of some danger that lurked within the woods. At the same time, the fact she could only gape at his approach did cause him some question. . .he was huge, and his mutations looked strangely kalona-like in appearance. . . was it not foolish of her to have acted a little worried or concerned? If she had yet to sense fear or fully understand exactly what became of the foolish against a kalona. . .well. . . . the next time she ran in to something similar to him, the result might not be so fortunate.
But to each their own.
Nocturne wasn't much of a teacher; soquili had to figure out life their own way, for better or worse, and the patterned mare before him showed strength. If not a bit of foolishness.
"No need to apologize," he quipped, giving his wings a slight shuffle as he canted his head curiously at her. "I'm well aware that my appearance is a bit unorthodox for a soquili." He smiled politely, quite used to reactions similar to Brioso's. Though he was unsure she was wise, he was glad for a moments distraction.
From the way things were going, she was far from a threat. But one could never be too sure, not this soon at any rate.
Nocturne didn't bother leaving the canopy of the woods, preferring to keep inside the comfort of the shadows. He was close enough to speak comfortably without yelling, but he was also giving the mare her space. No sense in crowding a stranger, after all. The stallion's ears did p***k and turn at her mention of the term, mister. . .
Mister? He was no mister. . . Though part of him appreciated the respect that came with such a title, at the same rate it made him feel old. Too old. Just because he'd grown in height and strength didn't mean he was that much of an adult. . . . Serious as he might be.
Before he could properly form a protest, and perhaps an introduction, the mare continued, this time more alarmed and uncertain. Snorting softly, the male ducked his head and gave it a little, dismissive shake. His red eyes glistened in amusement as he calmly explained, "You're not intruding. These woods are where my family resides, yes, but we're welcoming to most. So long as one doesn't stir up trouble, you may roam where you please." Azumoth himself might be stirred to help assist an obnoxious soul out, wen necessary. . . but he doubted the dark mare would be a source of problems.
In fact, nestled within Islagiatt meant there was never very much trouble period. . . for better or worse. "But allow me to introduce myself. I'm Nocturne. . .I don't believe we've met." Mr. Obvious, of course they hadn't~! But it was a good segue in to more formal introductions.
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:55 am
"The name's Brioso... Its a pleasure to meet you, mister Nocturne," She grinned, giving a quick nod of her head as a form of acknowledgment; the fact that she was now an adult had not fully sunk in yet, and Brioso still felt compelled to address stallions as 'mister' and mares as 'miss'. However, it was also partially due to habit - as a filly, she had never been comfortable addressing those older than her by their names alone, unless they didn't feel like an adult to her or is someone close to her.
She paused, wondering what to say next; if she was welcomed, she'll love to stay for a while longer... After all, it looked more like the home she was familiar with and she hadn't explored this part of the territory yet. However, she knew that although she had been made a guest, it doesn't mean she should do as she please outside of her training hours.
She wouldn't like others going in and out of her home as they please, after all!
"Um..." She opened her mouth, but quickly closed it again, frowning a little before clearing her throat. She can't sense anything dangerous about the stranger despite his appearance, and if he was a part of Islagiatt, it should be fine to just ask, right? She relaxed a little at the thought, giving a natural smile, "Well, I was wondering if its fine for me to, well, explore the forest? I promise I won't stir up trouble... Its just that this place reminds me a little of the place where I grew up, the place I was before I arrived."
She paused, looking wistfully at her surroundings. Looking back at Nocturne again, she quickly added, "But its fine if you'll prefer me to stay here! I understand."
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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:01 am
Nocturne, for all his serious expression, was quite bemused by the situation at hand. He hadn't stopped the mare, merely stepped forward to question her condition and make sure she wasn't in need of any aid. The navy blue mare looked capable of handling herself, despite being a bit winded, and she didn't scream 'trouble' as far as his judgment were concerned. Funny how she thought to ask when many didn't bother with such formalities . . .
"Nocturne's just fine," he started with a little nod, dismissing such a title as 'mister'. For some reason, that made him feel ridiculously old and aged quite before his time. His father could pull off such a title, and his grand-father especially but not Nocturne. He was still growing, despite his already large size, and didn't need to feel any older than he already was!
"You are quite welcome to enter," he agreed, red eyes bright. "I assure you my approach hadn't been to stall or stop you. Though my family guards these hills, many of them appreciate visitors from elsewhere." Even his own grandfather, from what little he understood, was tolerant of the curious. Quite the change, he'd heard, from how he'd been years previous but such a thing wasn't necessary. They were peaceful, and so long as such peace was kept, there was no issue who came and went.
Besides, they were in the heart of Islagiatt; if someone entered the territory and weren't run out by Crousader, Grencia, or perhaps even Venom himself, then they were quite fine indeed. "By all means, explore away," he encouraged, taking a few steps back the way he had come, as if he might be crowding the mare.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:56 pm
"Oh... Nocturne it is, then!" Brioso nodded, blushing a little at her 'mister' habit. She took a few steps towards the stallion to look at him better, and realized that he still looks pretty young despite the fact that his size suggested otherwise; in fact, he doesn't seem to look that much older than her.
Brioso listened, giving a nod when Nocturne was done talking. She relaxed at the information, feeling somewhat relieved and glad that she was allowed to visit and explore. At the thought, a small grin appeared naturally on her lips, as if she had been nervous the whole time and was unable to act as normally as possible.
"To be honest, I'll be staying in the herd until I'm done with my training," The mare replied with a slight frown, "However, mist- I mean, Grencia, told me that there are things I won't be taught unless I become a member of the herd..." She paused, looking frustrated for a moment.
"I like the place, and I'm willing to help protect a herd as big and beautiful as this, especially after meeting the other mentors and members, but I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to leave my family behind at the other end of the forest at the base of this mountain." She sighed, blushing a little before adding apologetically, "Sorry... I don't even know why I'm telling you this..."
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