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Nervousness and fear filled her heart. This was all so new and strange to her, like a nightmare that was brought to reality, but she had no choice. Her 'mother' had insisted she learn to 'grow-up' and explore the world around her, for she could not be coddled forever if she ever wanted to have a life that was her own. So Marika obeyed and reluctantly left her beach home to see what was beyond that of the beaches and ocean.

It was so weird to not hear the sound of water or smell the familiar salt air, but in a way it wasn't too bad. She was learning new things, and at the same time things she would rather not witness and know about, but that is what she got since she rarely ever left the beach side.

She knew the ways of the sea life, the mers, kelpis and seathis, but she rarely ever got a glimpse of those whom were like her self. Ones that were bound to the earth, so she wondered what they were like.

"Hopefully I don't seem too weird to them..." she whispered to herself with a bit of worry.

[Updating from Aim Log]

She had seen corals of colors so bright, and schools of fish whom were just as bright. She has seen waters that sparkled like gems under the sun's light, and sand that could be compared to snow so white. Yet, in all her days she had never seen colors like the one of a forest. The browns, the greens, the blue skies that were blocked by the canopy above, never in her days, never had she seen such things before. All of it was so strange and foreign to one like her.

As she walked along the unmarked paths, she couldn't help but freeze and look around when a flock of birds took off in to the sky. Really, by her reaction and the look on her face one would think she was reacting to some kind of attack.

'Just stay calm, Marika. You don't want to stand out any more than you already do...'

Taking a deep breath, the blue mare moved to continue on her walk, but stopped at the sound of a whisper like voice. She didn't know whether she should answer, or if it was just a figment of her imagination.

"I'm okay?" she said as she looked around to see whom was talking to her, if anyone. It wasn't long before Marika's eyes landed on a ghost like figure, one whom seemed to stand out in his own right, but not in the same way she did. Though he was different, he still fit in an odd way.

"Are you a resident of this forest, if I may ask?"

Marika gave a bit of a smile as she took a moment to get a better look at the male before him, especially when it came to his mask and horns. She had never seen another soq with deer like horns before, but them again she had never seen many soq at all. If anything she could count all of her encounters on one human hand, which was a bit sad if one thought about it. But it didn’t really phase her.

“Oh yes.” she nodded while breaking her stare. “I’ve been roaming around the area for a while now. It may sound a bit weird, but this is my first time really making my way through a forest, so it is a bit confusing for me. Everything just seems so…strange and new for me, though I guess for those more ‘normal’ hearing something like that would just seem stupid and odd, maybe even outcast like."

With the shake of her head, her stringed pearls giving a light clank, she broke from her thoughts and turned back to the masked male.

“Hania Shen?” she gave another nod as if trying to memorize the name for a moment.

“My name is Marika. It’s nice to meet you. It’s always nice to put a name to a face, even if it is a hidden one.”

She couldn't help but frown a bit of Hania's explanation. It was true that most feared what they could not understand, and what they didn't see as normal in one way or another,, but to fear someone because of their eye color, now what was just odd in its own way. She could understand if his eyes were bloodied and cut out, but this, no. However, she decided not to push the matter. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable in anyway, especially since she just met the guy.

"Yes, I was born and raised by the ocean. I suppose I became to comfortable and connected for my own good, because I never left, not this year anyway. My 'mother' insisted I learn to pull away and see more of what the world has to offer."

Marika feel silent at the next question. What would he think if she explained her differences from everyone else? Yeah, being abandoned as a basket was normal in most sense, but not everyone literally called a body of water their parent, not everyone had some kind of bi-polar disorder and literally walked around arguing with themselves until the point of some kind of victory or mental breakdown.

"Heh, if you knew of my problems then you would understand why some look at me as if I am some kind of loon. But never mind that!"

She smiled once more, her tail flicking around behind her. "Why yes, I have been told that Marika means "Star of the sea", which fits with my birth place and all. If you don't mind me asking, regarding your mask and all, did you actually kill something and take its skull, or did you happen to just happen upon it?"

[More Aim log updating]

Marika's ears perked up as she listened to the stallion's words. To be able to communicate with those whom occupy the afterlife, that was indeed a special gift, but she knew that certain gifts could also be seen as a burden and a curse all the same. She pondered what such a gift was like, to be able to see and talk to those who lived in the past, whom wondered around through present history.

"You can communicate with spirits? What is it like? Have you ever come across a more devilish spirit?" so many questions flooded through her mind, but they stopped as he asked a question of his own.

"Oh, it is because of the way I was raised, and because of my mental status. I never knew my parents or anyone within my family. I was abandoned along the beach side and left to raise myself. Eventually I came to see the ocean as my mother of sorts. The water kept me company, helped provide for me and such." She nodded, a small smile came across her face as she thought back to her home.

"As for my mental status, I have an opposite personality within. She is very much her own being. At times I can even hear her talk to me within my mind, and she can take control of my body. She is a very mean spirit, very evil in her own manner..."

The truth was that Marika had no idea how this second being came in to existance. Was she something that had always been inside her, a curse, or maybe a creation born from her need for company? She had no idea. All she did know was one day her second personality was just there, and she had no thoughts of ever leaving, if she could ever leave anyway.

"Yes, I am thankful that I managed to survive on my own, and was blessed with the chance to surive. But, I guess in a way my other self had something to do with it to, since she seems more stubborn and stronger than myself. I have no idea how she came to be, but she's here, and I don't think she will ever leave. She will always be a part of me. " Sighing, the mare slowly shook her head like a parent that just heard some bad news about their child.

"Yes, she is mean and evil in her own way. While I am like calming waters, she's more like a whirlpool or an ocean storm. Her words and actions are harsh in nature, and she will not think twice about hurting others with words or physical actions. She can communicate with me, and I with her. Though, sometimes I can remember and see what she does with she takes control, other times...not so much. Oh well."

With that said, Marika just gave a light shrug as if to brush the thoughts of her other half off.

"If you do not mind, would you mind showing me around. I think it would be bad if I ever found myself lost in this place. It seems like an endless maze for someone like myself. I have no idea who other soq even find their way around here..."

With a smile on her face, and excitement in her step, Marika happily followed after the masked stallion. It was nice to not onlyhave someone to talk to, but to have that other being actually accept her for her "flaws". Her problems had weirded a few other out more than once, and her other half has scared other and made a few enemies along the way, so she only hoped this time would not be the case.

"Yes, she has be a burden on my own life quite a few times. Love really isn't a big problem. I can't even make a single friend or long lasting acquaintance due to her attitude and need to anger others, or scare them off. I still try though. It would be nice to meet others like yourself though, others whom are more understanding and open to the.."not so normal" I guess."

Following close behind Hania, Marika continued to watch the forest, and examine her surroundings like a foal fresh out of her basket. There were so many thing, so many creatures she had never laid eyes upon. She had seen the fish of the sky and few ocean birds before, but never a lizard making its way up a tree, or the song birds, and crows whom hid high in the canopy. There was still so much for her to see and learn.

"How about you? Has life been nice to you, despite your gift?"