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 Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:54 am
 Calfuray loved the beach...absolutely, completely adored it and simply couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Then again she had never really been anywhere else - that she remembered anyways - so she might be a bit biased but where else could you wander along and happen across so many interesting and pretty things?
Granted not everyone thought the bones of deceased fish and the bloated opalescent carcass's of jelly fish were pretty but Calfuray could find beauty in anything and the shells..no one could possibly debate that shells weren't pretty! Nope as far as she was concerned there was absolutely no need to ever in her entire life wander away from the shore and the beach that she had woken up to find herself surrounded by.
In fact since said wake up the farthest she had traveled was to a nearby pool of fresh water and the edge of the sand where the beach grass grew, it was tough grass and salty tasting but it must be enough to sustain her as she wasn't getting thin from it. No the beach had everything she needed and wanted in life..well except perhaps some company. It did get lonely once in a while. Chewing over such thoughts Calfuray watched as a storm rolled across the ocean a good ways out from shore - it would be a harsh night by the looks of it but hey..it wouldn't be the first time she'd weathered a storm on the beach.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:03 am
 The last two days of traveling had been exhausting. She had spent so much time in the air trying to catch up to her two lost herd members that Aleu was certain her wings would simply fall off due to overuse. Perhaps the sisters had been right all along, that she had not been built for flying great distances or fighting. That had served her well as role of story teller though. She still trained to fight, yet when it came down to it her role was simply of remembering and retelling stories for future generations. That was why she had been the first to flee, because if she fell in battle the stories would be lost with her. Of course when she had taken to the air that day she had not expected to spend weeks if not months trying to find the scattered members afterward.
Setting down at the edge of a beach Aleu let her wings hang limply at her sides for a moment. Oh it felt good to be on the ground again. Slowly, painfully she gave them a stretch before folding them at her sides. More than anything she needed a good long rest. Casting her gaze down the beach Aleu took in the long sandy shore, lapping waves and off in the distance a purple Soquili. Perhaps this was a local that could point her in the right direction of a place to rest and recover. Slowly she began down the length of the beach, the sand feeling awkward under her hooves. A soft humming came from the grey mare as she moved along, taking in the shells, stones and other objects that dotted the beaches surface.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:57 am
Calfuray knew the sounds of the beach almost as well as she knew her own body...and so she tended to notice when something was out of place..and that strange humming sound that broke through in the lulls between the waves was certainly out of place! Snorting slightly Calfuray turned her attention away from the sea to try and locate the source of the humming.
As it turned out she did not have to look far at all, she merely had to turn her head to take note of the winged grey mare walking along her beach. It wasn't often that strangers came along and while Calfuray was indeed sometimes lonely she was also somewhat wary and uncomfortable in the presence of others. Perhaps that was because for as long as she could recall she'd been alone - and any social graces she might have had once were long forgotten along with her old identity and whatever events had transpired to wash her up on this beach in the first place.
At least the stranger was a female - she was far more comfortable with females then males but that didn't mean she was completely at ease either. "Umm..hello?" She ventured because uneasy or not it was clear that the grey mare was indeed coming towards her.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:09 am
It was when she got closer that Aleu realized this was no stranger she was approaching but one from her herd who had long been lost since the fighting. That curved horn, the odd fin upon her back and long flowing tail were well known in the herd. She stuck out fairly obviously among the members. But Calfuray had always been a valuable member of the herd. A broad smile crosses her lips and she nicked happily. Though it took only a moment for her to realize that something wasn't completely right with Calfuray. There was no hint of recognition on the mares face. Of course Aleu knew little of what had happened during the fighting so maybe Calfuray just was unsure of what side she had been on and who was an ally and who was enemy.
"Calfuray, it's good to see you again!" She brought her hooves to a stop now that they were close enough to talk. "You have no idea how long I have traveled and you are the first I run across." That was one down and who knows how many more to find, though others were certainly looking too and who knows how many of them had already started to regroup. "What are you doing way out here?" The mare had always had a love of water from what Aleu could remember but their herds land was well far away from here. Perhaps she had came here to see the ocean and think that if the others were looking for her that this would be the spot to find her.
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:31 am
Calfuray's brow furrowed slightly as the mare greeted her - how had she known her name? She was was almost positive that she hadn't said it yet and thinking back she knew for a fact she hadn't. Almost instantly the mare was slightly suspicious and narrowed her eyes at the approaching mare as she babbled on about seeing her again, about having traveled to find her? and asking of course why she was here.
"How do you know my name?" She demanded as soon as the mare stopped speaking, flattening her ears slightly and lowering her head to make sure the other was well aware of the large menacing curved horn she sported. "I don't now you..but I want to know why you are here" She continued deciding that answering none of the mares question would be wise until she got some answers of her own, lonely or not she wasn't about to blindly trust the grey mare and her apparent knowledge - for all she knew this mare was responsible for her lack of memory to begin with. Calfuray wasn't sure if she cared about her past..but that didn't mean she wanted to loose all of her new memories too.
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:47 am
Aleu was no fool. She may have grown up with this mare in the same herd, they may had at one time even been close to friends - as close as a bunch of trained warriors could be to friends at least, but something was clearly not alright with Calfuray at this time. When the purple mare made a show of her horn Aleu did the smart thing and backed up a few steps. "Don't you remember? We were in the same herd." She spoke in a calm voice, hoping it would alleviate some of the stress that Calfuray was likely feeling at this moment. "I'm Aleutian Ballad, the story teller." It was hard to look upon a herd member and have them mistrust and not recognize her. Had it been so long that they were now each others enemies as the past had been forgotten.
"And I'm here because...well I don't know." Not quite what she wanted to say, but perhaps a little information on the past situation would clear up all the confusion. "The herd, Antianeira, where we lived and trained to be warriors. All females. And then the Queen failed to produce an heir. There was fighting, fighting among ourselves." Aleu shuddered as she remembered the start of the bloodbath. "I can't tell you much after that, since I ran, I had to run. The history of the herd was too important to lose and I am the only one who knows it all." Even though she had been told to run Aleu was still ashamed that she had to do such a thing, she would have liked to fight to protect the herd she loved but knew her skills were lacking in that department. "I've been searching ever since for member, hoping to find out what happened...if our herd is still there or if..." She couldn't bare to finish the sentence. The thought of having no herd to return to hurt greatly.
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:06 am
AS the mare backed up a bit Calfuray relaxed just a little, finding that it was a bit easier to pay attention to the mares words now that she wasn't feeling so threatened by her closeness. "I remember nothing" She responded to the mare bluntly although hearing the story it felt like it had the ring of truth to it. Calfuray couldn't recall the exact details or even recall any images of the events described but they seemed familiar somehow and as this was the first time such a feeling had been felt she was willing listen..for now.
Snorting slightly the purple mare felt the need to explain perhaps, surely no harm could come from telling the other how she had come to be here and it seemed that the grey mare did not mean her any harm. "I washed ashore here on the beach some time ago with no memory but my own name" She told Aleutian in a matter of fact tone, there really was no point in being weepy about the story, she had long since come to terms with what had happened to her and her lack of memory.
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:23 am
Aleu nodded as Calfuray gave a short explanation of what had happened to her. It was no wonder she had shown mistrust right off the hop, her memories were gone and so she would not remember who was friend or foe. It was slightly disappointing. Aleu was hoping that after all this time, now that she had finally ran into an old member, that she would find out more about what happened and who had survived and what the state of the herd was. She would continue to go on unknowing until, if luck was on her side, she ran into another who may know something. "I'm sorry." She said in a half whisper, not even being able to imagine what it was like to remember nothing. She had years of history stored in her mind, to lose that...it would be devistating, not only to herself but to the herd as well.
"Perhaps I can help you remember..." She began to suggest. "I can tell you more of the herd and perhaps that will unlock some of your memories?" It was worth a shot and in fact the only thing she could think of that may help. If talking of the past didn't unlock the memories then likely nothing would. It all hinged on whether Calfuray would accept the help or turn her away. She hoped the mare would help, it pained Aleu to see a member after all this time who was but a shell of their former self due to memory loss.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:45 am
"There is nothing to be sorry for really..since I don't recall what I lost then there is little hurt in not knowing it" She pointed out matter of factly, she had already come to terms with not remembering and it was hard to miss something she did not even know about. For all she knew life here on the beach was better anyways..although Aleu didn't seem to think so and by the way she spoke Calfuray had once been a part pf something larger..a herd and a home where she would never be lonely again.
It was an enticing thought..but did she really want to know? Did she really want to remember..whatever it was that had washed her ashore had almost certainly been bad and there were scars on her body that spoke of past fighting and injury. Life Calfuray had been hard at some point in her history - and life was so very easy now. Was being lonely a good price to pay for this peace? The mare ground her teeth in frustration, the only way to know if the price was worth it was to hear these stories..but hearing them might well open up a whole slew of memories that she may or may not want.
"I..I don't know what to do" She admitted to the grey mare. " I suppose you can tell me some of the herd..but you had better stop if I ask you too" There that seemed like a good compromise..then if she started to recall things she would rather not then perhaps she could stop before they got to overwhelming or unpleasant.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:40 am
It was a compromise Aleu was willing to work with. She was tell Calfuray as much as possible about the herd in hope of triggering some memories but if it became too much then it would be stopped. Aleu stood for a moment considering just what to say. Where did one begin when the individual they were speaking with had no memories to go on. After considering Aleu decided to start at the beginning. "As I mentioned we are a herd of female warriors, we train to fight and live to serve our Queen. We start our training as foals, as it is believed that in order to be as strong as possible one must start young and work to achieve perfection." A smile crossed Aleu's face as she began to talk of their first training session together.
"Of course we aren't all natural warriors to begin with. I remember my first lesson. You had already been training for a few months by the time I was ready to begin. Though my mother was a proud warrior it began apparent very quickly that I was not to follow exactly in her footsteps. The Head Warrior nearly had my hide when I tripped within the first few moments of stepping into the training area. I was so nervous, but you, you were filled with confidence. I remember you came over to me and offered some advice on how to keep the head warrior happy even if I made a mistake." Even with all that advice given to her that day and many other days after that Aleu had always struggled with the fighting aspects of the herd. "Oh and the day I got my leg stuck in a branch while practicing mid-air fighting, oh I was so embarrassed and it took them forever to get me down. You were there, offering me encouragement so I would get too upset in my predicament. They eventually got me down but I certainly was a lot more cautious after that. Perhaps a bit too much..." She added thinging on how from that point on she had never pushed herself enough in training, she showed up, did what was necessary but then sought out the old story teller to calm down after a long day.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:53 am
Calfuray stood in silence as Aleus spoke. There was truth in her words the mare sensed and part of them were even backed up by evidence. It certainly explained the many scars upon her hide - a herd of warriors and training would easily account for most of them. It was the personal stories that had her tipping her head slightly in confusion - try as she might Calfuray could not recall a single memory about the grey mare in front of her but the mare's stories..they made them out to be..
"Were we friends?" She asked the mare bluntly "It seems I was around for a goodly portion of your training" Perhaps they had just been classmates. "And I do not understand - if I was a part of a herd so obviously close knit..how did I end up here? Alone? What happened to make me forget and why has no one come looking for me until now?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:04 am
"Yes, we were friends." Honestly Aleu considered each and every one of the Sisters her friend, even the ones who she didn't think cared for her, like the Head Warrior. "We all train together, no matter the age or experience, though we may not always stand side by side in the training area foals train with seasons warriors. It helps to keep us together, to strengthen and maintain our bonds." She may not have gained much respect or admiration in the training grounds but as a story teller she had their undivided attention as she often recounted past battles and the history of the herd. Of course Calfuray's next questions gave Aleu pause. They would be tough to answer as Aleu did not know for certain how or why Calfuray came to this place alone...and without any memories at that.
"I...I don't know. When the infighting began I fled, at the demands of the Queen. We were fighting ourselves. We all knew each others strengths and weaknesses. It should have been a quick battle but from what I saw as I lingered, almost afraid to truly leave even though it was commanded of me, was horrifying. So many were lost and each side believed they were right. As the deaths began to pile up I watched as many of the Sister fled, suddenly unsure of what would become of them if their side lost. Even the the fighting continued an I forced myself to fully obey the Queen and run. I ran, and by the time I stopped I was so far away from the herds lands I feared what might happen if I returned." Aleu had wanted to go back but didn't want to chance being killed should either side look at her as a deserter. "After a few weeks I began to search for others, wondering what had happened to our home and if it was safe to go back. I have been alone this whole time as well. You are the first I have found. I do not know what awaits us back home." She could only hope peace had been restored.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 11:18 am
It was intriguing to hear...this story of a herd whose main guiding light was sisterhood between members..and yet whose worst weakness seemed to be those same sisters. None of the mare's words invoked any sort of memory in the purple mare, nothing seemed familiar or 'right' or anything of the like but Calfuray was used to this and had already come to terms with the possibility of never remembering who or what she had been before.
Of course that didn't mean that she wasn't curious...and after mulling the story over in her mind she couldn't help but wonder..what side had she been on? What side did the storyteller believe was right? Did she herself even want to know, what if she had been on the wrong side? It did not seem like something she would do now...but who she was now may not be who she was before. It was.. allot to think about, almost to much really and so she kept these burning questions to herself for now. Instead she looked upon the grey mare questioningly "Is that where you are going? Back home?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:56 am
Aleu waited patiently as Calfuray took some time to digest what she had been told. It would be a lot of think over, especially for one who lacked memories of who she was and where she had come from. So Aleu was willing to give the mare as long as she needed to think things through. Much as she wanted to add Calfuray to her travels and have someone familiar to make the journey home Aleu would never force it upon the mare. Having lost her memories it would be an awkward and possibly dangerous thing to undertake. What if part way through the trip Calfuray forgot who she was and went on the attack out of defense? A shudder ran down her spine at the mere thought of that. No, she would not allow any blood to spill between them, so if it meant going on alone then she would do that, but at least she would do so with the knowledge that she had found one of her sisters.
Slowly Aleu nodded her head. "Yes." The answer came out in a simple and quiet voice. Aleu was still fearful of what she might find once she returned home. Who, if any, were left there? Were they from the side who stood by the Queen to the end or from the side who had started the fighting? Would they accept her? What would she do if they didn't? Too many questions and neither she nor Calfuray would know the answer until their hooves were back on home soil. "I must go back. I am honor bound to serve the Sisters and they need the history of the herd to keep it alive for the next generation. And...I need to know what has become of us." She fell silent for a moment before looking up at Calfuray with a smile. "Perhaps I will be lucky enough to come across others on my way back." Even if she didn't she was happy to know that in all her weeks, if not months of travel, she had found one Sister, even if Cafuray didn't remember things.
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:03 am
"I see" Calfuray responded in a distracted sort of way after the grey mare had explained that she was indeed trying to return home - and the reason's behind it. Looking away from the other mare she stared out over the ocean waters. On one hand it was nice to think about belonging somewhere, about possibly being there to help rebuild something that had been lost but obviously cherished.
On the other hand - it was largely a leap of faith, what if she returned to find that the surviving members recalled her from her unknown past and what she feared was true? What if she had been on the wrong side? What if she was rejected..life here on the beach was not so terribly bad. It was lonely..but not bad...was it worth following this grey mare into the unknown on the chance... that her story was true? "I...I don't know what to do" Calfuray suddenly told the mare "How do I choose where to go when I don't recall how I got here in the first place?"
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