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 Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:53 pm
Winter was a fresh start, and the blue coated mare was firmly aware of how such things were needed.
How many times had she needed a fresh start? How many times had she tripped herself up, had life left her with misfortune in its wake? How often did the guilt wage war with her life, with the joy she could have felt? How often had she dreamed of just . . . beginning again?
Well, this time she had done so. With Caile and Raiya grown, with the pale coated angeni taking his leave and seeking out his new fortune, Eponine felt it time to leave. It was time to fall away from her father's herd, time to start a life elsewhere, away from the memories and ghost of her past. While she loved her adopted daughters, she also understood that she needed time apart. She also needed to be away from Raiju's memory, as well as Cassiel . . . . Her pink and black eyed daughter would never be forgotten, but Eponine had long given up hope that she would find her. She didn't blame Cassiel for her angry departure. . . but she did miss her very much.
Heaving a heavy sigh, the white haired mare gave her head a small shake and attempted to dislodge the heavy memories from thought. She had allowed her life to be overwhelmed by guilt. . . she didn't want such feelings to haunt her now. Not when the world was at peace. No . . . she had left so she might let the ghosts of guilt heal. . . not weigh her down with remorse.
Step by step, picking her way through the woodlands, Eponine instead focused on the world around her. Maybe if she didn't think, maybe if she listened to crackle of dry leaves beneath her hooves, or enjoyed the cool gust of wind against her cheek. Anything to keep her past from haunting her.
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 4:35 pm
In the late autumn sun, a pair of large glistening golden antlers appeared into view. They sparkled with every slight shift or tiny bit of movement from their owner. Helberd's actions were laden heavily with worry, he'd continually toss his head into the air or snort hot air as he paced about. The white buck furrowed his brow and peered down, glancing ever-so-often about himself, almost glaring at his objects of worry. The male had recently acquired three baskets from a beautiful mare. He had made his stand with her, but then mare had left him on his own - taking only of the baskets with her.
The baskets sat in front of him - motionless and innocent. He hadn't moved since he first acquired them, even though he tended to to be the traveling sort. He was at a loss. Figuring he didn't know much about them, he assumed he should just leave them alone. If he tried to move them he might injure or alter them in some way that would be unfortunate.
What was he to do?
He had no real friends. Definitely none that knew about how to care for children. If anything, he wanted some one to help him raise them, but where was he to find that?
Helberd tossed his head into the air, scowling at the blue sky, only with the occasional side glance at the baskets to make sure they were still fine. He was a male! He should be able to handle his own problems without the help of a mare! Shouldn't he?... Males should know how to care for this type of problem, when a man gets a wound he doesn't run crying to a mare, does he? No. So why should he pawn this off on someone else? He was the knight here, not the damsel. It was then that he decided that he would train his fawns the right way. He'd raise his sons to be the most glorious and fantastic warriors that ever lived. They'd rescue the damsels, protect the weak, and be chivalrous. Fighting off their enemies and getting the girl!
The gold and white buck chuckled and kicked into the air with overjoyed excitement. His golden mane sparkled like strands of the sun's rays. Icy blues eyes glanced down at his baskets nestled in auburn, scarlet, and sienna colored leaves, his eyes sparkling with joy and pride. All that joy and excitement, though, left him at one thought....
...What if they're girls?
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Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:09 pm
Eponine paused as she heard a rustling not far. In fact, it almost sounded as if something had jumped, started perhaps in fright or concern. Her nostrils flared, and she kept stiff as she waited to hear the sound of fleeing creatures. While there was very little that could take down a soquili, Eponine was wise enough to know that there was great darkness within the world. It was best for her to tread carefully. . . .
Thankfully though, there was no other sound. No screams, no further movement, no crunching of autumn leaves beneath the weight of another. Honestly, it was just . . . well. . . . odd. Where Eponine might have continued forward and thought little of the noise, her guilty conscience reared its ugly head.
What if the sound had been someone stumbling, falling? What if she was needed to provide aid to a creature injured? The sound had been heavy, obviously whatever was out there was big but . . . what if it was in need? Just because there was darkness didn't mean she could assume EVERY noise was something out to get her.
Besides, she was no spring chicken either, she could handle her own! Zevach had taught her the art of self-defense, and Raiju had helped her become much more confidence in her abilities. While she might not have wings or a horn, she had a brain, and she certainly had speed and stamina to use to her benefit.
Veering towards the sound of the noice, the blue mare made sure she made a little bit of noise. She allowed her hooves to kick up some leaves, allowed her weight to fall on the ground. If it were a predator, it might get frightened off. Of course, if it were someone in need, it might scare them away too. "Hello? Is . . . is anyone out th-th-there?" She called out as loud as she could. Her voice wavered a bit, a small amount of uncertainty creeping in. Oh dear. . . maybe she wasn't quite as confident as she felt. Furthermore, she had always been a soft spoken female. . . speaking loud wasn't exactly in her blood.
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Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:43 pm
Small white ears swiveled in the direction of the voice. It was soft, gentle, and cautious. But the voice also sounded sweet. Helberd peered in the direction from which it came, trying to see through the bushes. He was cautious. It could be a trick to lure him away from the baskets so that someone could make off with them.
Worried eyes flickered down, then back to the bushes. It could also be someone lost in the woods, he thought. Perhaps someone just alone for a stroll. He gathered in a breath of air and spoke, "Yes" His voice held a tone of accusation and authority. Taking notice of this, he softened his tone, "Sorry for all the noise, I must've startled you" This time it held sort of a noble, knightly quality. With a last withering gaze at the baskets, he trotted to the bushes and stuck his head through.
Helberd's eyes widened at the mare. She was strikingly lovely. "Well ma'am, what is a lovely thing such as you're self doing all alone?" He cleared himself of the bushes and stepped into full view. Moving with a sort of awkward grace, trying not to make too much noise as he walked of the leaves, he positioned himself near the line of bushes where it was the lowest. From there he had a view of the baskets. Feeling more comfortable, he turned his gaze back to her.
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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:25 pm
Eponine's ears pricked up in surprise as the voice rang out. For a moment she wondered if perhaps she had made a mistake by approaching, surprised by the authority in the single word. Her head lowered a bit, her foot steps stopping dead in their tracks, and she almost swiveled around to continue on her way. She wasn't going to waste time where her presence was unwanted. Even if her intentions had been good, it seemed as if the stranger (male, she noted) was not in a mood to be disturbed.
Thankfully though, his voice rang out again, this time a bit more pleasant. Eponine's tail swished thoughtfully as she heard movement from beyond the bushes, and she herself couldn't help but raise a brow at the presence. It was a soquili . . . .but a breed she'd yet to meet! Given, there were many species Eponine had only heard of and never witnessed, but she couldn't recall ever hearing mention of such a graceful looking race. He had long locks of golden hair stained by sunlight, cloven hooves, the most peculiar looking tail, and . . . .two mighty horns.
Honestly, she was a bit taken aback. There were beads wrapped loosely about the horns, and Eponine swiftly remembered her manners. It wasn't polite to stare, after all. Giving a small shake of her head, she offered a shy sort of smile. She had always been friendly, but the years and misfortunes that haunted her life left her a bit more reserved than the days of her youth. "I d-d-did hear something, b-b-b-but wanted to be sure no one was in need." She wasn't a unicorn or an angeni, but she knew enough to treat most common wounds. "Th-th-thankfully, my concern seems unwarrent-t-t-ted."
Oh bother. Eponine had always suffered from a stutter. While around her family, none took notice of such a thing and even she could forget the trouble with her tongue. But now that she was alone and around strangers, the mare couldn't help but feel terribly self-conscious about it.
Oh well. Her ears twisted a bit as he spoke, curious about her lot. She dismissed his 'lovely' comment, because Eponine had long learned that males were frequently deceptive with their words. Besides, compared to many mares, her own mother and sisters included, she was ridiculously plain. Her coat possessed no pattern, her hair long but white, and she possessed no jewelry or adornment to catch the eye. Eponine didn't think herself ugly, no, but she had enough sense to know that she would never have the killer looks of some.
"Well, if you're t-t-truly curious, one c-c-can't travel the world and expect to k-k-keep much company in the process," she grinned a bit ruefully at the stranger. It was almost the truth. She had left her families herd so she might finally live . . . But she lacked friends and many experiences due to the chaos that overwhelmed much of her youth. With Raiju gone, their relationship dead and her adopted daughters grown, there was nothing waiting for Eponine back 'home'.
"And of yourself, st-st-stranger?" She hadn't seen the baskets he hid, and was oblivious of their presence. He had done well hiding them, and it was easy to see that Eponine was quite unaware. If Helberd feared for their safety from her presence, his fears were unnecessary.
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:04 am
Helberd's eyes sparkled with delight. It had been some time, he felt, since he had last spoken with anyone. Often, he got lonely but had nobody to talk to, so for him this was one of those rare moments in which he was actually able to converse with someone else beside himself. He listened to her speak, and pondered about the way she spoke. Frankly, she stuttered. There was no way to miss that one. Blue eyes drifted down to her mouth as she spoke, and wondered if this was a life-long issue of if this was the cause of mental trauma. Either way, it wasn't his place to ask.
As the wind blue lightly, it caught the beads in his antlers and caused them to chime against each other in the invisible force. He had noticed some of the looks earlier, perhaps she had never seen one of his kind - he's be sure to inquire about it later though. "I disagree" He interest had been piqued since the start, but now it was a little more so. By the rueful grin, and the matching words she'd seemed to have had a bit of a tussle with life. "I travel the world myself..." He grinned brightly at her, one of his trade mark expression, and continued, "...and I still always expect company"
The large male inclined his head towards her, as if offering a secret offer. He couldn't help himself - he was a natural flirt. That didn't mean he just flirted when he saw a female because he could - even if he had no interest. No, he always saw the good points about them, their heart. Looks were just a plus really, he liked to draw on a female's inner strength to bring out their true beauty.
Coming back to their own world, Helberd remembered her question. "Me?" He smile returned, but it was toned down to a casual one, even though his eyes still sparkled with delight. "I travel the world myself. I like to learn about each and every thing there is. Actually, I came to the land by traveling through the mountains. While on my way I've already learned a lot, but im sure there is still plenty more to come by." He nodded half to himself, and the other half as if to assure her of the possibility. "Right now though...."
Helberd tossed a glance at the baskets and then looked back at Eponine and gave her a once over. The female seemed sincere and harmless enough. Perhaps should could even help him out. "Right now, I've got a little speed bump actually. Well....more like two." He backed up, parting the bushes with his flank and stepped aside to give her more room to see, "I've recently become a single father, but I've no idea how to care for children. Just one of the...many knowledges I've still yet to learn."
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Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:06 am
The mare was pleased to meet another fellow of travel. She had missed much in her life due to mistakes and depression, but was glad to finally be out on her own once more. She was stronger than she had been before her own unexpected pregnancy, and much stronger now that she had accepted her fate. She still hurt over the upset with her daughter, but it had been Cassiel's choice to leave, and as sch i would be Cassiel's choice to return. When she did. . . if she did . . .what a glorious day.
But that was all up to the spirits. Her other daughters were now long since grown, and it was time for Eponine to escape her family and do some self-discovery. The world was waiting and she would no longer hide from it. Though she herself hadn't seen speed bumps so much as land mines, she was still alive, healthy, and had learned from all of those interactions and mistakes.
Helberd was the first she'd met in a long time, and she was also pleased by his company. He was a species of soquili she'd never met or imagined, and at least he seemed friendly enough. "I suppose one m-m-might bump in to others, c-c-c-certainly, during th-their travels. But even so, a w-w-wandering heart is often heading one d-d-direction, and their c-c-companions another." She grinned a bit and gave a small shrug. It was just one of those things. Meeting others was good company, but finding any lasting friendships or acquaintances was something else all together.
"The world is a great place," she acknowledged with a nod. "Even if one spent a l-l-lifetime traveling, I d-d-doubt they would even see a f-f-fraction of it." And wasn't that a wonderful thing? To realize they were but a small piece in such a large and extravagant world. It was both exciting and intimidating, especially when one was wandering, to realize that even the most impressive and beautiful of sights was only one in a million. It sounded as if Helberd was quite knowledgeable in his journeys and she wished him well.
Still, her ears did p***k a bit when he mentioned a seed bump, a set back. Her blue eyes widened a bit when she spotted the two baskets, and for a moment Eponine was reminded of her own set-back. Of her daughter and son, of her time with Ezriel, with the loss of . . . Well . . . . A lump gathered in her throat, and she swallowed it away before she gave a small shake of her head. No, she wouldn't worry about that, Helberd wouldn't make the same mistake she had. Chuckling softly, she dipped her head in apology before stating, "Such b-b-beautiful young ones, or at least I'm quite sure they'll grow to be." Her blue eyes softened and she turned back to Helberd, canting her head. "Th-th-thankfully, I've walked the r-r-road of a single m-m-mother myself, and I know what it's like to f-f-find yourself in such a prec-c-carious position. No m-m-matter how many children you have, c-c-caring for children is always different. It's a knowledge one n-n-never truly masters for it always ch-ch-changes. But if you c-c-can love, and if you c-c-can forgive and try to find p-p-patience, you'll do just fine I'm sure. You'd be s-s-surprised how q-q-quick your paternal instincts will appear." Even she had loved Cassiel . . . she had just suffered severe postpartum depression.
Thankfully, she hadn't made the same mistake with Raiyu and Caeli and she knew her daughters, Caeli especially, adored her and had grown up with nothing but love and affection. She was proud of all three of her daughters, and still loved her unknown son Rue, taken from her before he had been but a few days old. Her family was broken and tattered and made up of patchwork love . . . .but it was still and would always be her family.
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Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 6:35 pm
The mare looked strong, yet shaken by events that had happened in her past. She held herself well, but he voice let through the unhappiness and unfortunate turns that her life had taken. Then again, the male could be reading into things. Helberd's own life had been...easy. He had learned to cope with the death of his mother, and had never met his father. Until now, with the baskets, most of his life had been a lone journey, gathering information and working toward his goal of a large family - a herd.
"But what happens when hearts head in the same direction? True companionship is hard to find, but when one finds it - it shouldn't be tossed aside." Helberd grinned back at the mare, "Then again, I only speak of what i've heard, not experienced myself. Unfortunately, though I believe it wholly." His large shoulders rolled and his gait moves from the left to the right as he tried to become more comfortable in his own body. It's not that he wasn't exactly uncomfortable with himself, just uncomfortable standing, alone, for what felt like forever.
"That's the beauty of it though. We can travel forever, and even after we die, we still wouldn't have seen it all. Even if you start as a foal, you'd never be done." He smiled brightly and looked up, "And to think, what lies beyond our world, as well!" Helberd looked back down at the mare, and dropped his smile, "Then again though, there are also some sights that are not so beautiful." He smiled sadly, "And those sights, are not few an far between, but we should soak them up, just the same."
The large stag's eyes widened as he watched her face turned to one of worry, "Are you okay ma'am?" He stepped into the grove and looked at her. She seemed to take a minute to settle herself, and then she spoke again. He nodded to her, and then looked at the two on the forest floor, "Yes, im sure they will be. There mother was resplendent, and I can't...I won't say im too bad, either." He chuckled and looked back at the mare, "You have...?" Helberd nodded as she continued to impart her wisdom.
The male shifted and looked at her nervously, "I don't mean to be too forward, madam, but....perhaps, could you stay for a while and help me with them?" He glanced back at the baskets and let his eyes linger there. "You...you wouldn't have to stay until their grown of anything, unless you would like, but...honestly, I could use some tips. What if they turn out to be female? I have no...experience with such." He shook his mane with a sigh and stared off, before redirecting his gaze to her, "I would be much obliged."
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