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 Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:43 pm
Coridan winged his way through the sky, passing under the clouds. He'd gotten better at flying, having grown some in the last few weeks. Getting braver, he had flown a ways off from where his father and Doan were resting. A strange land below caught his attention and he went down for a closer look, never having before seen a place where water and land mixed together. Event the trees were different here.
Touching down, the colt folded his wings against his back and looked around. The air had an odd smell. Not unpleasant, just different. Walking along, Coridan took in the sights, amazed at the new place. He wondered idly if any creatures lived here.
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:57 pm
She still wasn't used to this place.
It'd been a few months since the filly arrived at the Eastern Swamps, and though she'd made relatively good time in her travels from the accursed mountain pass to the apparent home of her kin, the majority of her foalhood had come and gone amongst strange forests and winding rivers. Even now, as she carefully made her way through the murky waters of the swamp, her limbs continued to lengthen and sturdy as she grew into adulthood. She was no longer considered a child by her family, and each day less and less traces remained of her much younger self, a fact that left her feeling... quite strange.
This place was home, she felt drawn to it for a reason. But she wasn't always so sure.
Nicor scowled, plunging deeper into the still waters, seeking to hide herself in something she considered familiar. Least she could still connect to her mother and grandfather through their love of and comfort in the water. When a shadow crossed above her, her tail flicked uneasily, pushing her back up to the surface. She was used to the crows flying around, and the Kalona who resided with them, but this didn't seem as big as them.
Curiously, her black eyes peered out of the water, head lifting higher and higher to try and locate the source. It took her to actually slink off to a bank and pull herself somewhat onto the mucky land till she spotted the... little Kalona? Certainly had wings like them, anyways. Though this one certainly didn't bear the markings of those she was familiar with. Did someone take it under wing? Her tail continued to flick, though she kept the movement slow in the water to not make too many waves. She wasn't sure if she wanted the stranger to be aware of her presence or not, least not yet...
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:35 pm
Coridan wandered along near the water, a soft splashing noise drawing his attention. He lowered his head to the water, watching some tadpoles move about, fascinated by the strange creatures here. Clearly there was life here besides the strange plants that made up the almost forest springing up from the water.
He watched the tadpoles awhile longer, then trotted after a frog, smiling as it hopped. The foal was completely unaware he was being watched.
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Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:08 am
As she watched him investigate the simple life of the swamp, Nicor began to form a very educated and astute opinion of the colt. He was an utter dolt.
He left himself so unguarded! Foolish, really. Mother would have flayed her had she shown such a lack of awareness. Or she could have been eaten by wolves, or bothered by those annoying two-leggers... point still firmly stood in her mind. Someone ought to teach him a proper lesson... seemed like no one out there was. She crept closer, sticking to the water where she felt most confident. Really, she was being far too harsh on the foal. But she was going on only the vocalizations of her own family, or at least the ones she overheard.
Her own mother dumped her by the desert to prove she was worth living, for goodness sake.
She didn't submerge herself, but rose more out of the water to get somewhat behind him. Only once she was sure she was within somewhat of a range did she act. The spikes on her tail twitched and the large appendage moved, lifting and lashing out towards him.
And making sure her spikes only hit the ground a few inches away from herself.
Voice blank, she mumbled, "...I could have killed you by now...." Which may or may not have been an exaggeration. Which she may or may not ever admit to.
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Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:38 am
The colt lept at the noise, wings carrying him upwards. Looking down, Coridan noted another Soq, not really unlike the strange snake-line mare his father knew in the cave by the big water. Fluttering back down and feeling a little brave, the colt touched down on the ground, but kept his distance just in case. "If you wanted to kill me, you would have. Perhaps you only want to talk." He hoped he was calling her bluff correctly. "Do you live here in this place?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:16 pm
The fact he flew up in his surprise amused her, though only a ghost of a smile flickered onto her muzzle before it faded, watching him land and face her. But he wasn't snarling or especially upset that she could see. Instead he was... calling her bluff, and talking civilly to her? Her head cocked to the side a bit at this, the eyes at her shoulders taking him in more than the white pinpricks in her skull were. "...lesson..." was all she said at first to her bluff, though her tail flicked beside her unsure at the idea of actually talking. It wasn't like conversations were her strong-points.
But when he asked her if she lived her, her ears perked up, skull eyes widening before she gave a quick little nod. Into the water she moved, rolling her shoulders in a relaxed manner as the liquid soothed her. "...belong here," she told him, lifting her tail to sort of wave at him with her finny appendage. Her eyes moved to his wings though, staying there in silent question. Did he belong here as she did? He was not a Kelpie like herself, but that certainly didn't stop the others she knew from taking up residence in the area. She switched her gaze to his for a moment before nodding towards his wings again, in hopes of conveying the thoughts that swirled in her head.
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Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:36 pm
Coridan came closer to the water's edge, cautious in his movements. "I've never been to a place like this before. Does it have a name?" He folded his wings against his back and sides. "I flew here from closer to the big water where my father and his friend are. I got bored and came here. You remind me of another friend of my fathers with your fins, but you have a mane."
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Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:15 pm
Nicor thought about that for a moment, pondering over what her great-grandfather had said about the place. He often said a lot of strange words, but had he ever given this place a name? "It's a swamp..." she ventured before frowning a little bit. She hoped that was what he meant, anyways. It's what it was called, right? A swamp?
Again her ears flicked, and she cast him a confused glance. "...big water?" There were large rivers, but she wasn't sure if that's what he meant, either. Another question came quickly after, and Nicor straightened a little, taking a small step towards him as her head cocked slightly. "...another with fins? Who?" It was nothing short than a miracle she'd said that much at once. But he had her curious. She'd only ever seen her mother and grandfather with fins and a tail like hers. And even her mother's had more spikes and such on it than her grandfather's... but they all had manes. How could something not?
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Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:31 pm
"Swamp," Coridan repeated, tasting the word. He decided he liked this damp place with its briny water and interesting creatures and plants. He decided he liked this strange mare as well. She wasn't like anyone he'd talked with before, and that, in his mind, meant they should be friends.
At her questions, he nodded. "Yes, the big water at the end of the land. It goes on forever to the sky. Doan came from the other side of it and now we're helping her find her daughter that came over, too." He stepped closer to the mare, his guard lowering as he felt he could trust her more. "There was a snake-like mare by the big water in a cave. She had a long tail like yours without the fin, scales on her face, and fins instead of a mane." It was the most he'd ever really said in one go, but he had one last thing to add. "My name is Coridan, but everyone calls me Cori."
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Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:12 pm
Had he voiced his approval of the place, she would have probably grinned. Or at least smiled a little broader. Damp places suited her best, so perhaps there was a little bit of pride in that. But even just hearing him test the word made her puff up a small fraction, finding herself enjoying the conversation. He was pleasant, which wasn't what she typically expected from a Kalona. Her guard wasn't fully down yet, but she didn't tense as he stepped closer as well.
She had confidence she could defend herself if need be, even if she wasn't getting the vibe such actions would be necessary.
She nodded her head in understanding now and then as he explained, though the idea of so much water baffled her. With only large rivers and the swamp to compare to, the idea of so much water amazed her. "...it sounds pretty..." she breathed softly, wondering if perhaps she might leave her home to wander long enough to see it someday. The description of this other mare though, also drew her attention quite sharply. "...snake-like? She sounds strong." Her expression lightened as she pondered how powerful such a being might be. Surly it would be worth investigating at some point...
Nicor stared at him in pure shock when he suddenly introduced himself, taking a moment to shift her weight and flick her tail uneasily. "...Nicor." She gave a nod of greeting, but she felt awkward doing so. Somehow, she never really expected to meet someone without a more social family member doing all the talking. It felt... nice. "...hello, Cori." She decided she liked his name.
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Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:33 pm
The colt edged closer. "Nice to meet you, too, Nicor. Do you live alone in this swamp?" He looked about as he asked, his enjoyment of the place clear in his expression. Turning bright blue eyes back at the young mare, he smiled at her, almost feeling as if the two needed no words, they understood each other well enough.
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Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:36 pm
Again, the young mare hesitated. Not out of unease from a lack of social interactions, but a new brand of unease. Her dark eyes flickered through the branches overhead, wondering if any of the crows that followed her kin were nearby, listening and taking notes to pass on. But... just telling him she wasn't alone wasn't bad, right? She saw no gleam of black or purple feathers, at least. Suited her just fine - she disliked the pests following her so.
Slowly, she shook her head, looking back to him before saying, "...family does, too." Short, sweet, to the point, and she hoped it would be the extent of what she'd need to explain. Quick to try and change the subject, she drew herself slightly more out of the water and closer to him, returning the smile slightly. "...you and your father... live by the big water?" He asked questions of her, it was about time she asked more of him.
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Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:47 pm
Coridan shook his head. "We don't really live anywhere. Father did live in a cave and visit with Mother, but he left after my sister and I were born, taking me with him. Now we travel with his friend. We're only staying by the big water for now." He tilted his head a bit. "Are your family like you? Interesting, I mean."
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:13 pm
Her head inclined a few small times, somewhat intrigued that the colt lived a wandering life as she had. Silently, she couldn't help but wonder where his travels would lead him over time. Of course, traveling with company was probably preferable to sneaking through the forests alone. Surely it was less frightening, when with one's parent. She scowled ever so briefly at such a thought before shoving it and the expression away, quick to replace it with a small smile. "...sounds like fun..." Soft though her words might be, she was genuine. Traveling around, not being bound to one place... and with those who cared? It sounded quite enjoyable to her.
But still, her head cocked slightly, one leg lifting slightly in unease. "...miss them?" She referred to his mother and sister, curious how he viewed his father for taking him away. He did not seem remorseful or vengeful, at least. Something that struck her somewhat odd.
His question though, quickly had her ears pinned back against her skull, fangs barred by her curling lip. Behind her, her tail lashed, slicing the water repeatedly. Cloven hoof carved into the soft, squishy soil beneath her, rolling her shoulders in discomfort. "Stay away from them," came her sudden, sharp snarl, taking a threatening step towards him in an attempt to make a point. After a moment, her head lowered, apologetic, though her demeanor did not soften much. "...bad, not friendly... to outsiders... don't harm me..." She wasn't fully sure how to explain them, how much she could say before they would be seemingly summoned. "...interesting," she finally confirmed, giving a vague nod of her head before turning her body to look with one of her shoulder eyes deep into the swamp where she knew they resided. Somewhere. "...hunters... Kalonas, some... not nice, like... you." Did that explain? Did that warn him away?
She could only hope. The idea of Coridan crossing paths with her mother, grandfather - worse, her great-grandmother or great-grandfather... - sent waves of ice down her spine, tail trembling from the shivers.
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:27 pm
"It is fun getting to travel," the colt answered with a nod, "and I do miss Mother and Illitana sometimes, but Father takes me to see them whenever I wish. It's easier for him to raise me. We both fly. My mother and sister do not."
Cordian stepped back when she came at him, wings moving to carry him away if need be. He realized, though, she meant him no harm and was merely warning him. "Family not so good, eh?" He looked down. "My father.. he wasn't good at one time. I think he's trying to make up for it with me and Doan."
He looked back up at her. "Should I leave then? It's not safe for me here, is it?"
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