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 Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:52 am
 He stands amidst a trailing fog, eyes tracing the distant forms shrouded in secrecy. Illusions abound- what lump? What shadow? What rock, what tree? What are thee, careless apparition?
What guise, what profile, what semblance be...? Arcane shadows, drifting to and fro... woe. However shall I know, lest I go forth? Visibility... ah, cruel fog! Yet remaining still, I remain ignorant...
He lets out a small sigh, resigned to oblivion.
Thoughts drifting languidly like so many petals on a calm wind, he drifts forward into the murky forest, absently noting the various objects that he passes by. Granite, sand, soil, fallen branch, graceful willow, trickling stream...
He had ventured into the wilderness, grown tired of his father's sweet nothings and his mother's adoring gaze. Would he ever know such a love? Ah, but his sisters.... yes, he knew such a love. Though it did not extend into the physical.
... Where are they? Kurai, my wayward heart, lofty malcontent... where have you gone?
Zoe, impulsive, sly... what mischief have you gotten into now?
A slight frowns mars his distinguished features as the questions roll about in his mind, taunting him.
... Where are you?
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:02 pm
 Zoe meandered through the forest, moving cautiously so as to avoid the obstacles that loomed in the shadows. She didn't want to fall, not with this precious cargo...
A slight twinge accompanied that thought.
Precious, indeed. For they are his foals, and for him, anything!
But... but... father. How might he react? So bold, so brave... so devoted to their mother? What might he say, to his eldest daughter, who returns home after so long... laden with child?
Her heart caught in her throat as she imagined his silent disapproval.
Oh, he wouldn't yell. He wouldn't scream, nor rant, nor rave... even if she crushed him by her impulsive actions, he wouldn't show his displeasure. Just that silent, still stare... as though he were in some far off land, where love dare not go.
She moved as one sentenced to death, plodding gracelessly along, head hung low, swollen belly wobbling to and fro.
A silent tear trickled down her cheek.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:12 pm
The stallion continues on, a distant frown furrowing his brows. Where...?
As a foal, he had kept a careful eye on each of his elder sisters, ensuring that neither should come to harm. He was their protector, their silent guardian, their careful keeper... and now? Now, he didn't even know whether they lived or died.
Foolishness! No harm would come to them; after all, were they not raised in caution? Weaned on discretion? Schooled in deliberate...
Ah, and now he forgot their very nature!
Wayward Kurai, impulsive Zoe...
He only hoped that the sepulchral stallion of brilliant hue kept watch over the wayward middle child, as he had solemnly swore... but where they ventured in their travels, Kaelas did not know. Whether that queer stallion could fend for them both...
At least he knew that, wherever she may be, she had him to watch out for her.
But Zoe... Zoe...
A swaying form moved towards him through mist and ash.
He squinted, opaque eyes narrowing as he ceased all movement.
Crimson orbs, drifting in the shadows. That familiar form, moving towards him with ill grace, so familiar and yet... something... something...
Had he conjured her out of sheer desperation? Was his mind- clever thing! naughty hellion- playing tricks on him? Or...?
No.
If he had imagined her, she would not be so... large.
"Zoe." His words came out in a breath, released with a mixture of equal parts passion and dismay.
"... Zoe."
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:19 pm
Father...
Startled by the noise, her head jerked upwards, eyes flung wide in fright. Before her mind could register the calm, collected voice, she let out a piercing whinny, muscles tensed to flee.
No! No no no! Not my babies! Not my...
The fight left her in a rush.
...Oh... Her name. Her brother's smooth voice, rich tones swirling with scant emotion.
OH! Crimson eyes bright with sudden joy, she squealed happily and rushed forwards, waddling not unlike a duck.
"Kaelas! Oh, Kaelas, it is so good to see you! I was so worried, and we've been apart for so long, and so much has happened, and-" Oh. Right.
Had her skin been of a lighter hue, a charming blush would have appeared on her sullen cheek.
Leif.
"... I... er.... uh...." her carefully tendered speech left her, all those words overflowing with love and insight, all those moments of sheer passion... Of course, she loved him! He was everything, he was- well, she adored Leif- he was the very air she breathed! But... well...
... how to phrase it, to one's own brother?
"I'm pregnant." She blurted, without a second thought.
Oops. So much for eloquence.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:27 pm
He chuckled fondly, gliding forwards to nuzzle her fondly. Such overt displays were not to his taste, but for his sister...? At this time...? A reassuring nuzzle or two would do no harm.
It had not taken him long to put two and two together. Before she had recovered from her sudden fright, he knew.
"Ah, Zoe... what troubles have you gotten yourself into now?" he pulled away, gazing at her with unease.
A tears' grim trail upon her cheek...
"It was... planned, was it not?" He phrased the question delicately, fearful of drudging up memories she would rather not relive.
To reunite after so long (for even one moon's passing seemed long, when one was accustomed to constant companionship,) amidst shadow, and see her thus...
He waited, tense, taut, prepared to shed all restraint and rage a rampant path to avenge his beloved sister's naive mistake.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:04 pm
She let herself relax into his gentle caress, reassured by his mere presence.
Blinking at his question, she shook her head in denial. "No, it was not planned..." she stiffened, realizing the implications of his question "... nor was it forced. A happy accident."
Truth rang in her words. Though they had certainly not been trying to reproduce... the children would be welcome.
But would her father welcome her?
"... Kaelas, I..." her voice faltered.
So selfish.
"How have you been?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:10 pm
The tension eased from his muscles.
A mistake? But a happy one. A welcome joy, though unexpected.
... he could live with that.
"I have been well." he brushed aside the question with undue haste, more concerned with his sister's well-being than with his own.
What was she thinking, asking him such? True, they had been separated for far too long, but... ah. Perhaps she worried that too much attention was focused on her.
But then... isn't being pregnant validation for being the center of attention? Carrying new life within her womb, she was certainly more interesting than he at this point in time.
He just couldn't shake the thought that there was something there, something left unsaid... but what?
Concern, yes.
But of what? If happy the accident was, then... ah, but the stallion was not here. Had he left her? Deserted her in her time of need, abandoned- no. If he had, she would not have shed her tears so lightly.
She traveled here, to these lands... on her way home.
Home.
...
"They will welcome you with naught but joy in their hearts, dear sister." A kind smile.
He understood her concern, but after all... how could a Lifemated pair turn away a daughter so obviously in love?
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:21 pm
"I am pleased to hear it." She murmured, genuinely thrilled that he had come to no harm. Of course, the splendor of his coat, the luster of his mane, held testament to that fact.
She hesitated, uncertain.
Yes... of course they would be happy to see her. But... even so...
She blinked, stunned at her own stupidity. Had she been too far away from those who loved her so dearly, to think ill of them?
Of course her father wouldn't be angry. He'd be thrilled! Grandchildren... he so adored foals. Especially of Sadiki's line, but then, that was obvious. Like Kaelas, he might jump to conclusions, but... that would be only a passing ill, easily mended by her reassurance.
And her mother? Well, of course she would welcome her eldest daughter with open arms, and like to nurture her through the trying times as she had the dappled mare Evelyn.
She groaned inwardly at the thought of her cousins. What would they say?
Shifting uncomfortably, she gazed pleadingly at her brother. "Even so... would you accompany me?" She didn't want to face them, even if they were elated, alone.
She wanted him by her side... like they had been when they were foals.
Amusement lit her eyes.
To think, she would once plead for his presence! As a foal, she had done all she could to be rid of her watchful shadow.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:43 pm
She didn't even have to ask.
"Of course." His eyes warm, he swiveled around so he was facing the same direction as she. He quirked one brow; shall we?
What need had they to delay? Besides, one might converse as splendidly whilst walking as one might whilst standing still.
A fleeting twince of nostalgia dampened his good spirits. It did not seem so long ago that he was chasing after his sisters, trying to be the trustworthy second pair of eyes his father so needed...
"Zoe, you're to be a mother!" Be blurted, the rather out-of-character outburst accompanied by a gleaming smile.
And he...
He was to be an uncle.
... Oh dear.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:50 pm
Zoe smiled, a little thrill of delight causing her heart to soar.
"Yes."
A mother! A caretaker, a provider, a nurturing soul who wants only the best for her little brood...
Oh.
Oh my.
Oh my!
A MOTHER! Me! Mother. Mom. Mommy.
To hold another's life in her hands, to be responsible for their well-being, to instruct them on the values and principles instilled in her since birth, but most of all- to be responsible for their lives!
Her breathing rapid, nostrils flared, she shrunk closer to Kaelas, cowering against his larger form as they began to move forwards towards their childhood home.
"... Kaelas... oh, Kaelas! What'll I do?" she squeaked, forgetting all the joy of the moments past.
Wait. Wait.
She was going home. Mommy would know what to do. 'Cause now she had to be a Mommy. And Mommy's experience would help her be a Mommy.
Right.
... Right.
... Ohhhhhhh shoot.
She sniffled, trying to hold back the sudden tears that welled up in her crimson eyes.
Why was she so emotional?
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:55 pm
Kaelas heaved a gentle sigh, suppressing his sudden trepidation. He had to be strong... for her.
"Worry not, my heart. Father will see you through this, Mother at his side." And he'd do his best to help.
They would be a family again... until the stallion responsible desired to be with his beloved once more.
... a family... minus one daughter.
Where was Kurai?
Nuzzling Zoe absently to put her at ease, his ears flickered to and fro as though seeking signs of the wayward middle child.
"Be at peace."
... perhaps his father's sweet nothings were rubbing off on him, after all.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:02 pm
She nodded, mustering her courage.
Motherhood.
Not so bad... right? All she'd have to do was behave like her mother, and...
... Ohhhhh, but she wasn't any good at such things! She barely managed to care for herself.
With a pang, she thought of Leif. How did he feel about being a father?
To think, she'd left so suddenly, wrapped in thoughts of parental dismay.
She sniffled, and began to walk, her hooves seeking firm ground beneath the misted trails.
The sooner she got to home, the better!
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:25 pm
The stallion carefully matched his pace to hers, shortening his stride so he would not overpower her.
How strange to think that, before long, his big sister would be a mother... his parents, grandparents... and he, an uncle.
He could not help but feel apprehensive, though nerves mixed with quiet elation as he considered the possibilities.
Ah, what fun it would be!
Like a broken record, his thoughts returned to Kurai.
Perhaps... once Zoe was in the careful care of their doting parents... he would search for her. Perhaps it was time for the wayward middle child to return home...
"Forgive me, but have you heard aught of Kurai as of late?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:31 pm
Zoe shook her head, dismayed.
She had neither seen nor heard of her sister since the siblings had gone their separate ways some few moons ago.
"She ventured forth with Kione... and that is all I know." She murmured, gazing absently into the distance as she considered her sister's fate.
Where had she gone? To what distant lands had she traveled? Was she... could she be...?
Refusing to get emotional again, she banished such thoughts, and glanced at Kaelas.
If he had heard aught of her, he would not have asked...
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:37 pm
He silently accepted her denial; it had been a long shot, after all- he was not truly expecting word.
It seemed... It seemed that he was the only one who lacked a constant companion. Zoe had her lover. Kurai had her mentor. His father had his mother, of course.
... and he had his family. Nothing more.
What more did he need? He had boundless love, which he returned freely.
... for now, he was content with familial bonds.
"I feel it is time for a reunion."
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