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 Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:18 pm
 The lake was clear and the day was bright, allowing Zvart a very good look at his reflection. His...different...reflection. His Dad had no patience with him and his doubts and lack of comfort with his appearance, so it was that the colt had a tendency to spend his days away. Not beyond the guarded bounds, gods no! But still, he preferred to go off on his own, to avoid his siblings. He kicked at the lake with one hoof and watched his reflection break up into a million pieces. If only he could banish his doubts that easily! At least...at least it was a beautiful day. There was that much.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:40 pm
Each of her children had their own personalities, each as distinct as their markings! Her genes had been dominant this time, with three pale foals out of the lot. But there was one who stood out and looked almost like the spitting image of his sire- Zvart! He inherited the wings, albeit they were a bit different and tattered, the horns, the ebony coat, and the golden eyes. The only thing different was his blond mane and tail! But unlike some of her children, he was also the most reserved and seemed to keep to himself.
It was what had drawn the mare to the lake. She hadn't seen much of Zvart this day, and thought to make amends. For even if he preferred the quiet, Bella couldn't resist at least stealing a moment of his time and attention. While she hadn't found him in the woods or walking the trails, she was lucky to spot his shadowy figure lingering near the lake. Picking her way quietly out of the woods, she slowly approached and gave a smile and soft chuckle to alert him of her presence. "Well there's my handsome colt!" She greeted, knowing full well that many of her family rolled their eyes at her fawning. She honestly could help it. Family was something she had never had before meeting Azumoth. While her mate had been rejected and tormented and generally had a difficult beginning facing rejection, he also had been supported by both Cyn and Moppet. Bella, on the other hand, had woke up alone, forever alone. She hadn't realized life to be any different, and sometimes wondered how she had managed to make it to adulthood knowing as little as she did. Now that she was older, settled, and did have children (grown and otherwise), they were the most important part of her life. And even though Zvart seemed to shy away, Bella would be damned if he didn't know he was absolutely adored.
"Do you mind a little company?" He was old enough to be more and more independent and she wanted him to know she did and would respect his wishes. "Or am I interrupting your thoughts?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:47 pm
The black colt started at the sudden voice intruding on his solitude. His mom had the ability to show up completely at random, he'd noticed, and usually when he was just sitting around brooding. And oy, the inanities she spouted with a straight face. Zvart turned around, wearing a crooked grin. "Hi Mom."
He snorted inwardly. It wasn't like he was ever going to stop his mom from being, well, his mom! She was, after all, the only one who took the time on a regular basis to make sure he knew he was loved, and he adored her for that. Not that he'd ever admit it out loud.
"Nah, you're not interrupting anything," he told her. Rather, she wasn't interrupting anything he didn't want her to interrupt. Sometimes his thoughts took such dark paths, and he was afraid that if no one interrupted them, he'd do something...something really bad. He wouldn't hurt anyone, no sir, but he might hurt himself.
The colt forced these ideas aside and dredged up a rueful smile for his mother. "Were you looking for me long?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:12 pm
Bella was pleased that her son didn't turn her away or request to be left to his own devices. While she could respect that, Bella was fairly sensitive, especially when it came to the affections and favor of her children. And Zvart, especially, was the one who was the most mysterious of her foals. While some of his siblings were more or less eccentric, each with their own quirks, they also weren't difficult to read or understand. Such a thing couldn't be said about the ebony colt before her.
Bridging the distance between them, Bella leaned down and gave him an affectionate nuzzle against his neck and cheek, before turning to gaze lightly at the water. This lake had many memories for the mare, all of them happy (though at the time some of them had been dotted with ridicule, embarrassment and heartache) and she hoped her children would also have such fond memories too.
"Mmm, not too long. I peeked around the usual spots closer to the grove, and then took a backwoods trail to the here. Though I did miss seeing you this morning." She glance down at him, surprised at just how swiftly he was growing. He had been so much smaller not even a month ago, and already he was growing taller and heavier. Honestly, they just grew up way too fast.
"Have you had a good day thus far?" Part of Bella honestly wanted to know what her young son thought, what his mind dwelled upon and what it was he spent hours thinking of. But she also knew that it wouldn't do good prying and if he knew she was always open to listening; if he wished to share, he knew he could.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:41 pm
Zvart endured his mother's affection with a look of resigned tolerance that was only to be expected of a boy his age. This was one reason why he'd come so far out today - if his mom was going to be, well, a mom, it was better for her to do so where no other foals could see. He loved her dearly, but no colt wanted to be nuzzled by his mom in public.
As for not seeing him this morning... "I wanted to see the sun rise," he told her honestly. There was something about watching the land go from the misty gray of predawn to flooded with color as the sun peeked above the horizon that he never tired of watching. It was something profound and spiritual, and he didn't yet have the words to describe it properly.
When asked about his day, he shrugged. He would've gone without a verbal response entirely, but he didn't want her to worry. "It's been a day. Like any other." Neither particularly good nor particularly bad. He wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing in and of itself.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:03 pm
Bella ignored the expression upon her sons features as she laid a bit of affection upon him. She was used to her sons fighting and squirming and rolling their eyes at her whenever she pulled them close. But then, it was something they would never outgrow. Even to her adult children, long since grown and with families of their own, she didn't quit gifting them with nuzzles. It was just something they all had to learn to tolerate.
"Ah, the sun rise! Did you enjoy what you saw this morning? I haven't been witness to a sunrise in quite awhile, though I remember seeing many when I was a filly your age. Back when I lived on the plains and there wasn't a tree for miles or mountains to block the view." Part of Bella couldn't believe it had been such a long time ago but time only seemed to go faster and faster with every passing day. Someday soon, even her young children would be full grown and without need of their mothers affections or worries.
Nodding slightly, as Zvart offered a rather nondescript answer, she gave a little smile, ever the optimist. "Well, if it's a day like any other than I should hope that's a very good thing indeed. With luck your days have been pleasant and kind to you, so today might hardly be any different." She did worry about him, even if he did his best to reassure her. She just didn't know why he felt so ill at ease with himself, why he felt so distanced. But maybe she wasn't meant to understand, at least not yet.
Reaching down, she broke the waters pristine surface with her hoof, watching as both their reflections shimmered and danced along the surface. She looked between her reflection standing beside her sons, noticing the differences between them. . . but also reflecting on the similarities as well.
Bella didn't need to talk, nor did she want to push her son in to conversations. She didn't mind the quiet, and was accustomed to dealing with those of few words (like Azumoth) on a daily basis. So for now, she'd just enjoy the quiet company standing beside her little winged son.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:14 pm
Zvart blinked as his mom reminisced. It was so weird thinking of his mom as a filly. He knew she'd been one, once, long ago...but he just couldn't imagine it. She was his mom, after all. She was big and kind and loving and far from the same as his sisters.
"It was pretty nice," he answered, trying to avoid the awkwardness of thinking about his mom as a filly. He smiled as she looked at his earlier statement in that optimistic fashion he'd come to expect of her. It was hard to be sad or distant when she was around.
The colt leaned against his mother, enjoying her company. Thoughts intruded and he considered asking questions. Why was he different from his siblings? Why did he have wings? What was the point of having wings if he couldn't fly?
"What was it like, on the plains?" The question came out before he could stop it, but at least it was a less harmful one. He'd always been curious as to what it was like. He couldn't imagine a space much larger than this clearing to be flat. The plains of his mother's childhood were something of a fantasy world for Zvart.
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:38 pm
Bella listened to her son, considering his question even as a smile crossed her features. She loved living in the mountains, with the protection of the woods surrounding her. It was comforting to the mare, and she took great pleasure in residing in Hour Glass Summit with her family. But Bella had never forgotten the lands where she had grown, where she had romped and played and lived for many years.
She hoped to bring her family down the hills for a visit. Perhaps come summer, with all of them grown, she could insist on a trip home. The woods and grove were all her newest children understood, so bringing them to a different land would be good for them. She'd have to plead with Azumoth of course, since the plains meant all of their unique traits would be heavily noticed. Especially Zvart. Still, Azumoth, Penance and Sylph had managed, she had no doubt her new young ones would do the same.
"Well, it was very beautiful but very flat and empty compared to these hills and woods. Trees were spread out and sparse, and the hills that I ran up and down during my youth were nothing compared to the hills we live on now." She grinned a bit, but gave a small, wistful sigh. "But the sky stretched out forever, and even though the land might make you feel so small, so insignificant, you . . . you were never alone. There are more herds and soquili down in the plains, with warmer days to greet them. The stars blanket you from above at night, and the sun is there to greet you in the morning. And the wind! Oh, there's nothing like it when the wind picks up and whistles, or blows in a summer storm." Chuckling a bit, she gave a small shrug and flick of her tail. "But, there is also a lot more danger. A kalona can easily circle from above and spot prey, and there isn't many places to hide should danger lurk nearby." Her voice softened a bit, her eyes glancing down at her reflection as she studied her pales scars, a history and lesson learned she'd never forget. "Furthermore, there is a lot more prejudice since many soquili there don't take kindly to differences. Your father was run out, and both Azuell and Penance struggled to find acceptance due to their own appearance the few times we did visit. . . So, while the plains has its charms, there were some things about it I am glad to be rid of."
She smiled softer again, reaching down to give him another small nuzzle. "I'm hoping I can bring all of you down for a visit this summer, once all of you are strong enough to make the trip. Would you like that?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:40 pm
The young colt was caught up in the imagery of his mother's words, trying to imagine the vastness of the plains. His mind simply couldn't grasp the concept of so much emptiness and he gave up as Bella continued on. She spoke of the danger of Kalona, which he already knew to be wary of (but still, he kind of wanted to see one, to see how bad they really were) and how it was harder to hide. Well, that made sense. The clearing had more space in the forest, but people stuck out more in clearings.
Zvart was amusing himself with heroic thoughts of besting multiple Kalona stallions when his mother began talking about the prejudice of the plains Soquili. That...didn't sound so good. Not when he already felt isolated by his appearance just among his siblings. And of course, just as he had realized this problem, she asked if he'd like to go to the plains. Where people didn't like those who didn't look like them. Didn't like those who he looked like. And where there were a lot more people, it sounded like.
He didn't know which idea was worse, staying atop the familiar (and thus, boring) Hour Glass Summit with the family that he didn't always feel comfortable with, or meeting total strangers who would probably dislike him on sight in a strange and wonderful new place.
"Uh...I guess?" Zvart responded when it became clear Bella was waiting for him to make some sort of reply.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:29 pm
Bella sensed her sons hesitation, could hear it in his words as he finally gave his response. While she wanted to paint a picture of the plains in a lovely light, she also wanted her children to be aware. There was a lot more prejudice in the plains because their family lived only in the mountains, and very rarely moved. They were all accepted within the Hour Glass Summit, and never had to fear about others.
Even so, the occasional rogues were found, lost and turned around, terrified of the monsters in the woods. While Azumoth would never hurt them, he was an impressive male to behold, and sometimes fear shifted the truth about a scene. She'd been afraid of Azumoth at first, with his glowing orbs, harsh nature, and the darkness of the woods. "I suppose I didn't make it sound like a very inviting place, but it's really quite peaceful. Unfortunately, prejudice is everywhere, but not everyone is blinded by it. Those that really matter and are truly important will come to see you for who you are and will be there for you, no matter what." She was unsure whether or not Zvart knew of his own father's extreme and violent hatred for kalona and all things evil, but wasn't going to inform him of such a thing now.
He was young yet. And while she hated even bringing up his attention to the fact that he might struggle finding acceptance (for he did inherit almost all the mutant traits that Azumoth possessed) she didn't want him to find heaps of disappointment if he should be rejected. "We'll be lucky if we meet any families down where I grew up. It was very quiet, and the world very large. Unlike here, where we live so close together and have the rest of the herd surrounding us, outside of our home is very vast. Soquili are spread out and sometimes you can walk days without seeing anyone else." Chuckling a bit, she gave a little shrug and added, "When I was a filly, I was just a little older than you when I met my very first friend, a little flutter-filly. But up until then, I hadn't met many others and had only caught their scents or glanced upon them in passing."
So much reminiscing! Oh dear, she didn't want to bore her son, but it was nice to be able to tell him about her first home. She had no one else to speak to of such things, no family outside those within the grove. "I think perhaps we can all go, for a visit, once the weather warms up for good. Then you can see for yourself what it's like, and make your judgement on what you think. For there are more than jus the plains - there's the oceans, and the lakeside, the deserts beyond the steep hills, the jungles. . . There are many places I've only heard of but have never, and may not ever, see. Who knows? Perhaps you can become our world traveler, and then you can tell me all about it when I'm old and grey!" She grinned, imagining the scene and that fateful day when the tables would someday be turned. He'd be youthful and full of knowledge, while she'd listen beside him in wonder.
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:20 am
Zvart made a noncommittal noise as his mother tried to reassure him while still warning him and leaned against her side. Even the brightest light cast a shadow, and the bright light Bella was trying to show him seemed to cast a darker shadow than anything he'd yet seen in his young life. He knew that she had loved her first home and wanted her family to love it too, but he was still nervous. Not only because of the dangers she'd spoken of, but also because he was young and had never been off of Hour Glass Summit before.
But as he mused, his mother moved on to talking about the wide world in general and he had to admit, new places and things he'd never seen before did sound intriguing. "Maybe," he told her at last, a smile in his voice. It would be neat to see things even Bella hadn't!
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Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:27 pm
Bella gave a small smile down at her ebony son. He looked strikingly similar to his father, despite inheriting her mane and tail color. And of course, there was the issue with his wings. He had grown with his own bit of handicap - wings but an inability to actually use them for flight. He was as grounded as the rest in the family, due to the unfinished wing-sails. Part of Bella hoped they grew with time but she knew that hope was slim.
Oh well. Surely her son would find joy and happiness. He was quite, introverted, and a bit reclusive but she did her best to stay inviting and make sure he knew he was loved. For he was. Bella knew none in their family lacked affection and attention. While Azumoth could be gruff and a little stiff, she also knew he loved his children and was quite protective of them! He might not so easily show it but . . . she knew. And she hoped her children knew of that love as well.
"Ah, but you have your whole life ahead of you. And so much goodness shall come from it," she promised, giving a nod. Reaching down, she gave a little flick of her hoof, making a small wave and ripple across the lake. An easy silence settled over the mare, not at all intimidated by the quiet or the peace. She didn't rquire Zvart to talk, nor would she press him in to idle chit-chat or conversation. For now, she'd enjoy just enjoy the day and the peace of their surroundings, quietly communing with one another.
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Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 2:10 pm
He supposed it was a mother's place to hope for the best of all possible lives for her children. Not that Zvart believed things would be so easy, but it was nice to know that she wanted it for him. He leaned against his mother's comforting bulk and, for the moment, was content.
There were countless responses he could make to her words, but every single one of them would ruin this peaceful moment of happiness. And so the only sound the black colt made was a long sigh.
All was right with the world. The moment couldn't last forever, but they'd both enjoy it while it did.
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