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 Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:54 pm
 What did a mother do anyway? Itarilde had heard from Avatre that a mother helped to take care of a little one and sang to them. Having always sang to herself and fed herself she didn’t even know if she needed a mother. She supposed it would be nice to have someone who would always be there for her, but after having gone long without one it seemed hopeless. Her silver hooves made no sound in the soft undergrowth of the forest. Sunlight drifted down through the branches leaving dappled patches of light on the forest floor. Her tufted tail swayed back and forth as she walked. She liked to walk. As soon as she had figured out how to get on her hooves she was happy. The first dozen times she tried to stand she had fallen back down, and that had hurt. Snuffing loudly she looked behind her. Originally she had started her life under a blanket. It had gotten lost when she had experimented with running. A part of Itarilde missed it. The blanket had been warm and smelled nice. The scent was from another Itarilde didn’t know, but it seemed like she should remember. That scent no matter how faded always made Itarilde feel better, even when she was as lonely as she was right now.
After Itarilde had been walking for quite some time something cold and wet landed on her nose. Jerking her head she made a small noise of surprise. Crossing her eyes she tried to inspect it. Water. It was a drop of water. Looking up she saw more water coming down from the sky and could hear it hitting the leaves of the tall plants. Moving under one of the thicker tall plants she shivered. It was cold.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:44 pm
 Avatre raced across the plains, running as far ahead of her mother as she could. She loved running, and she loved coming back to the place her mother had found her. In fact, the young filly loved nothing more than hearing the story as often as the patient Nailiah would tell it. Because although Avatre missed the mother she couldn't remember, all she had to do when it made her sad was think about the kind and gentle mare who played that role for her, and she knew she couldn't ask for more. And on a day like this - beautiful and sunny, though a bit chilly - she felt blessed to be experiencing it.
She glanced behind her, noting that she'd somehow managed to leave Nailiah in the dust. She let out an exultant whoop before glancing up and realizing that a nasty group of clouds was gathering above. Avatre snorted in annoyance. Why would it have to rain on such a glorious day? She looked about for shelter, and saw the start of a forest ahead of her. She grinned and aimed herself between a couple of trees, crashing through as the first drops fell. She hoped her mother didn't get caught in the rain, though she couldn't recall if there were any places between here and home to shelter under.
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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:36 am
 Her eyes never strayed from the gorgeous youth of her daughter Avatre. Nailiah still remembered that day when she found the small foal cold, hurt, and alone in her blanket. It indeed became a blessing in disguise for it seemed that the filly had no one to call her their own. Nailiah and her chosen, Dark, had spoken briefly about what to do with Avatre before coming to a quick decision: Nailiah would raise the filly as her own. Avatre's leg was healed it seemed and ever since then she had been taking off like a rocket any chance she got to run and play. It was nice seeing her daughter getting fresh air and exploring her world around her. Avatre may say that Nailiah had saved her but in truth, Ava had saved Nai all the same. There was a void that Nailiah couldn't fill even with her beloved chosen, but Avatre did that and so much more. She gave Nailiah a hope.
Her mind wanderings had gotten her distracted as Avatre left her in the dust. The filly was getting faster and Nailiah had to double her running training to keep up with her daughter. It would appear that Ava's curiosity fueled her body's energy. Nailiah kicked up her hooves running to catch up, her hair streaming behind her much like a banner, muscles quivering underneath skin. It was then that she started feeling the rain come down. Nailiah used to hate the rain, but it reminded her of how she met her little sunset. Rain to her was a new beginning and she enjoyed it for all of its beauty and worth. "Avatre!" Nailiah called out watching her little blur speed into the forest. "Avatre, I'm right behind you! Stay right there!"
It took the older mare a moment, but she managed to catch up to her filly. Her chest heaved a little to keep breath n her massive lungs, ears flicking forward as her silver eyes studied the curious little one. "Well I'm sorry that our run got ruined, dear heart. Maybe we can stay here until it washes over? I'm sure the forest can provide enough shelter." Nailiah came forward nipping Avatre on both ears gently in affection, her tail slapping behind her as she strode forward. "We might as well explore, neh?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:37 pm
Shivering Itarilde frowned. The water coming down, she knew it had a name. Many times she learned what things were by listening quietly out of the way when others spoke. Closing her eyes she thought back to when she was little and hiding under her blanket. Rain, yes that was what the water coming down was. The plant she was under was a…. fig? That didn’t sound quite right but it was the closest thing she could come up with. Sighing she shook her head. She needed a better place to be. There was rain coming down and the spot she had picked to hide in wasn’t protecting her as much as her blanket had. Looking around she spotted another large ‘fig’ plant that seemed to have better cover. Darting toward it Itaridle nearly stumbled in the soft wet earth. She managed not to fall in and was a bit proud of herself. She knew from experience when she found wet earth like that on a hot day she could roll around in it and that would cool her down. Cooling down was the last thing she wanted since she was cold already.
The rain was coming down harder and more often. Wondering if there wasn’t a better place to get out of the rain Itarilde started to wander, darting from cover to cover trying to find one that wouldn’t leak on her. She did not like the cold at all and wished this rain where warmer. She had once heard some Azrein speaking about warm rain. So far in her life Itarilde had never experienced such. Snorting softly the young Azrein froze. She thought she heard voices. Her ears flipping back and forth she tried to identity where the noise had come from. It was a voice that she didn’t know and that always made Itarilde nervous, and yet a small part of her was always hopeful too. The fearful part spoke to her of Azrein that were not always nice and could hurt or even kill her. The hopeful part was that of her mother who Itarilde never knew finally coming and finding her here. Deciding to skip the long drawn out tug of war she usually went through the young filly decided it was safer and simpler to hide and listen out of the rain. Perhaps if she figured out where the sound was coming from she could follow it and peek out and whoever was speaking. Then she would decide what to do.
(The phrase she heard was 'fig tree' so she's thinking all the trees are called figs. *clarifying*)
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:35 am
Avatre giggled as she turned to watch her mother catch up to her. "The run isn't ruined, Ma, rain is refreshing. Keeps everything green!" She pawed the dirt a bit. "Anyway. it'll stop sooner or later. And I love exploring!" She cocked her head to the side, a new thought striking her. "Ma, Ma, do you think maybe we can find some new plants?!" The prospect excited Avatre. She was developing an interest in herb lore, and finding new plants and ways to use them made her very happy. She could already name every kind of tree and shrub in the local forest where they lived, and occasionally she got in trouble for sneaking into the gardens in the village to see what kind of plants they had. She looked about, hoping to see a cave system or something similar. Caves always had such cool greenery.
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:10 am
Nailiah gazed at her daughter fondly wonders never ceasing as to how the little filly found so much time to be interested in so much. The mare gave a snort as if to chuckle, her ears flicking forward as if perked in an interest. "I am sure that the forest will not mind us looking through her cabinet. Lead on, Avatre." The mare flicked her tail giving a gentle and encouraging snort, her silver eyes catching the world around her. The gentle sounds of the rain splashing against the forest and against her felt so peaceful. It was true, she had thought the rain had ruined their run but instead it made it seem all the more better and fun. Her daughter was such an upbeat little filly that rarely let anything get in her way an in response, Nailiah didn't let anything else get in her own either. Avatre gave her a certain strength that no other could have. And it made her the happiest mare alive.
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:20 am
The voices were very close the young Azrein realized as she made her way as quietly as she could. It sounded like two different Azrein a mother and child. Itarilde felt a bit at ease. If it was a mother and child then perhaps they would be less likely to attack. Deciding to risk a peek she stayed close to the ‘fig’ and tried to angle herself so she could see them if they ventured further into the forest. Straining to be quite and catch any more conversation the pair where having; Itarilde didn’t watch where she placed her hooves. A loud snap made her jump up with a snort. There was no doubt in her mind that the sound had carried far enough to alert the others to her presence. Trying to figure out if she should run or not her body played the rebel and refused to cooperate.
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:53 pm
Avatre nodded happily and turned to lead her mother to where she'd glimpsed a likely location of a little cave. It was darker in all the right places over there, anyway. Then she froze completely as she heard a suddenly loud snap close by. Her ears flicked, trying to catch any more sound like Dark had taught her. She didn't hear anything, so she looked around again. This time she noticed some color that was slightly out of place in the background of the forest, a short distance away. She'd never had spotted even that if she hadn't already been focused in that general direction. She focused on that spot, convinced she'd seen that pattern before... "...Itarilde?" she muttered, taking a single step closer. A moment more, and she was sure. That pretty pattern could never have occurred naturally in the fauna of the forest. Avatre raised her voice, hoping the other filly would hear her clearly. "Hey, Itarilde! I'm so glad to see you!"
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:55 pm
Nailiah at first let Avatre stray a little farther ahead of her, but her eyes never left the frame of the filly. The mare gently hummed a tune to herself in absent thought until she too heard the strange noise. Immediately she snapped herself next to Avatre listening hard as her eyes scanned the area. Her tail flicked behind her as she gave a snort of warning. It was only when Avatre's voice broke through that Nailiah looked over with a hint of confusion. It took her a moment to realize that there was a shape...a very beautiful filly hiding in the brush. The mare's head tilted realizing that it was one of Avatre's friends, Itarilde. Nailiah tilted her head slightly confused wondering what on earth the unicorn filly was doing out here by her lonesome on such a muggy day. "Hello, little Itarilde. Are you all right?" Nailiah immediately began to feel some concern from the foal but kept her distancing not wanting to scare the little one away.
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:47 pm
Itarilde blinked. So her eyes were not deceiving her. She hadn’t been sure since they were both larger now. “Avatre.” The other Azrein’s name was said with warmth and smiled a bit. Stepping out toward the pair, the unicorn looked at the larger Azrein not sure who it was exactly. She had thought the two were mother and daughter when she had been listening, but the large mare looked nothing like Avatre so she must have misheard. Still if Avatre was there then the other mare couldn’t be bad or mean right? “I am wet but well.” Her muscles twitched as a bunch of the leaves in a ‘fig’ shook dropping a bunch of water on the poor filly. “Wetter now.”Shaking her head to clear off some of the rain Itarilde looked at Avatre. “It had been a long time, how have you been?” Her tail was dripping and her silver hooves were caked with mud. She shivered feeling the cold. “Is there a place out of the rain?” Itarilde only knew part of the forest and perhaps Avatre and the larger mare knew this spot better then she did.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:03 am
Avatre bounced to Itarilde and nudged the neck of her friend affectionately. "I've been great!" she said, "You're right, it really has been a while. We're wet too," she added with a snort, "it started while we were running out in the fields out there. Oh! You haven't met my mom! This is Nailiah, my mom!" She gestured with her head at the white mare. "She found me - out in this forest, actually - when I was really little, and then she adopted me!" She smiled at her mother. "Ma, this is Itarilde. She's an orphan like me. Can she come with us?" To Ita she added, "We're gonna find some caves to look for new plants. I'm sure they'll be plenty dry!" Avatre gave a little shake of her body, shivering a bit as the water droplets flew about. It really was getting kinda cold, she could understand why Ita was shivering. Ava only felt a little warm still because she'd only just stopped running.((Changed the gold to an orange color. Easier to read. xD ))
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:14 am
Nailiah flicked her ears forward watching the two foals interact. They were more like sisters than friends it seemed letting them chatter and banter all the while. She perked as she heard her name looking over to the little unicorn foal. Nai gave a gentle smile giving a small nod of greeting. "A pleasure to officially meet you, Itarilde." She gave a gentle snort giving a quick nod. "Well let's get out of this rain. Go find the cave, little Ava." Nailiah nudged her baby on the cheek nipping her ear in affection before looking over to Itarilde. "Come with us. I'm sure it won't take it very long to find one. Avatre's really good at scenting them out." Nai beamed with slight pride as she spoke highly of her foal, tail waving a little. At the back of her mind, she felt a bit of sadness for the other foal. She was an orphan like Avatre and to be out here all alone in the rain and the cold...it saddened the white mare greatly.
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:51 pm
Feeling a warm feeling in her stomach Itarilde nodded back at the white mare. Avatre was and Azrein that Itarilde trusted above all others and when they had spoken before Avatre had always said her mother was nice. That statement was seeming proved by Nailiah’s simple acceptance of Itarilde into their little outing. “I would be happy to come along.” She smiled at Nailiah and then turned her gaze to Avatre. “I might not be very good at finding caves but I would be happy to help you look.” Her hooves danced a bit on the ground. The excitement of being with others helped to drown out the cold and more importantly the loneliness that Itarilde hadn’t even noticed was there until Avatre invited her along with them. She moved closer to Avatre. “How do we find a cave? I know it won’t be easy with all the rain coming off the figs. Sometimes it comes down so much that it can get hard to see.” She looked around as though wondering what to expect.
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:33 pm
"Caves are easy to find," Avatre assured her friend. "You just look for depressings, dark places, or deep cracks in the ground." It suddenly occurred to her what Itarilde had said. "Figs? Where are the- Oh, wait, you mean the trees, huh?" She reared up, placing her front hooves on the trunk of the nearest tree so she could see the leaves better. "These are maples. See the funny shape to the leaves? They taste pretty good too, but the sap that comes out is even better." She began to lead them off towards where she'd seen the likely cave locations earlier, continuing to babble. "Well, at least after a human gets at it. They boil it together with sugar, and the sugar sweetens it and makes it ah-MAZ-ing. Sugar is the best thing that was ever made. I'll make sure you get some. No one should live without it!"
They reached a creek. Avatre looked it over, noting that it was mostly made from rocks. She sighed as she spotted a wonderful cave not far back from the opposite bank. Of course. "Mom, there's one, but I don't know if it's safe to cross over here. Somebody could twist a hoof here, 'specially if the water starts rising." She usually didn't care for danger for herself, not when there was plants involved, but she didn't want anyone else to get hurt.
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Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 3:20 pm
Nailiah gave a bit of a grin watching the two of them with an interest. "We'd be happy to have you, dear." The mare watched the two with a growing interest as they seemed to be teaching each other things. The mare gave a gentle giggle shaking her head. "I never should have let Athari give you so many sugar cubes, Avatre. You always ask her for them." The mare teased her daughter leaning forward to nuzzle her nose against the mare's neck and mane giving a small snort.
As they came to the river, the mare tilted her head looking over to the river then back to the foals. Her brain wracked a little as she looked around before noticing a tree that was leaned over a part of the river. Her ears flicked forward before walking over to it. She could now see that the tree was rotting and the roots were starting to come from the ground. Nailiah walked around it studying it for a moment before coming to the back of it. The mare reared up on her hooves and began to push giving a few gentle snorts and grunts. Her muscles heaved underneath her skin as she gritted her teeth. Soon enough the tree gave and it fell with a mighty splash into the river. Some of its roots were still stuck in the ground giving it a base and it was just long enough to reach the bank on the other side. The mare got into the water providing more of a support for the log as she called over to her foals. "Want to try this way, loves? It'll be easier for me to cross in the water and I can make sure you guys can cross safely." Her tail flicked and waved a little as her silver eyes watched the foals carefully as she gave a gentle smile.
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