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 Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:29 pm
 Even though today was like any other day for Ariston, he realized he was having one of those old timer moments.
As he stood at a quiet stream, he wasn't just looking at his appearance today. In that instance he was reflecting on life for a moment, and it was... weird.
Maybe because life was kind of hilarious. Not only had he had all sorts of adventures, met some remarkable folks, started a FAMILY for god sakes, all of it was making him chuckle. His emotion was a combination of I can't believe all of this has happened to me with I am damn lucky, aren't I? It was a weird mixture of thoughts, but at least they were nice thoughts. For once he wasn't running for his life from either a mare or a Skinwalker.
Was his time up in this world, thus why all of the inner peace musings? Age didn't necessarily horrify him anymore, and with his maturity somewhat in place his beauty seemed to remain. So what was it? Why so much thinking lately? It was kind of exhausting to think so much.
Luckily his thought process was interrupted with a stray hair towards the bottom of his mane, so he focused on the present again and fixed his appearance. Life and his hair were quite remarkable all in the same regard. Another chuckle came from his lips as he continued to stare forward into the calm water.
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Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 10:06 pm
A dark shadow appeared in the water, as Maeryn moved to join Pride at the water's edge. She landed softly, with no great flurry of feathers. Once, she had stood at a similar stream, and spoken to an old friend. No stranger, this beautiful stallion, who was the very image of Kalona in his vanity. "Ariston," the old mare said, inclining her head slightly. Since Kalona had called her to him in her dreams, she had changed immeasurably, but she was still the same mare she had known in both of their youths. Still a mother, then, and now a grandmother... how times did change. "You look well." Which was no surprise, in all truth. Ariston had always been the most beautiful stallion in the Kawani Lands. "Tell me, what amuses you so?"
Tweekend I'm so sorry for the wait! If you would still like to reply, I shall happily continue this RP.
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 9:00 am
It was not uncommon for Ariston to have visitors at his favorite location. What was the biggest surprise was seeing Maeryn. It had felt like ages since the last time they bonded and spoke to one another. Time hadn't touched her at all. "Maeryn, you look stunning."
He turned himself so he was facing her and chuckled lightly at her question. "Oh everything, to answer it childishly." Ariston may have always carried and been a spectacle to Pride, but Maeryn carried it so naturally it was refreshing. "I just can't believe where I am in this life, how much I've grown. If I was still the way I was years ago I would have never gotten as much as I have, so I suppose that has been the biggest shock factor."
He quieted himself when he realized he was rambling. "What about you? In your magnificent form I'm guessing you've had similar introspection?" Ariston was just learning how to grow and think himself, so he was interested to hear her journey.
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:54 am
Ah, and there was quite a journey to relay, Maeryn supposed. "Thank you, old friend. It is kind of you to say so." In all truth, Maeryn knew that her own appearance presented something of a quandary; young old, and showing nothing of the weariness that age brought with it. "My mate, Rötschreck, was lost to me some years ago, his life spent fighting off a Skinwalker. It is true that I have had much to think about." Grief did not touch her words now. She simply accepted that her great love had been taken from her. He was now as much a part of her as any wisdom she had gained in all of her years. "Kalona has called me to renew our race, Ariston. So in that you are right. There has been much cause for introspection." She spread her wings to their fullest extent, and they were so much greater than they had been. A display for Pride, and why not? Ariston was, after all, a friend... and she had few enough of those.
"When I saw you last, you were a new father. What has become of you since then?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 12:02 pm
"A loss that will never be forgotten." Ariston had never felt tremendous loss within his own world. He supposed that was something lacking in his experiences, but Maeryn continued to hold strong despite carrying such a sad burden. Her mourning period may or may not have ever disappeared, but what mattered was the action she was taking in her leadership of other Kalona.
Perhaps years ago immature Ariston would have gotten in an argument with her about the purity of their race, and how it didn't matter. It wasn't that Ariston had exhausted others from talking about it, but he did finally understand the Kalona purpose now. Even if he himself were not a piece to the puzzle or a strong soldier for them to have, he knew the importance of his kind in the greater scheme of life. Balance required all sorts of creatures, and Ariston was to be his own as he was built that way, just as the other Sins had become. The world needed Mareyn and her herd to stand firm even if it incorporated a fear and perhaps misunderstanding from others breeds.
Ariston finally understood that survival was to each their own, and he and Maeryn were rockstars at surviving and flourishing this long.
"It has always been remarkable to me how you've always moved forward. Your leadership skills are something even I admire dearly. What created this growth for you? I get the sense that a lot of it came naturally." He smiled lightly at that statement. She had always been a mare of keen senses and intuition. He hoped to help others as much as she did. For what his purpose would be, he was not sure, but he was hopeful to find it.
"I was a father yes, and now I have many, many grandchildren. It was overwhelming at first but now it is all a delight. Let them have their adventures and danger-- I suppose I'm out for the count at this point." He winked gently afterwards.
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:40 pm
No, that loss would never be forgotten. Maeryn folded her wings gracefully upon her back, and considered Ariston's words. "In all truth, I think I must thank motherhood and time for this growth. What else? One does grow with time, and experience. There is no great secret, Ariston." If anyone had asked her how to become what she was, she would not have been able to answer. "There is no one true path, only many truths. I think you must have grown as much as I." Which growth she would like to hear more about.
She lashed her tail idly, considering his words. "I do not have quite so many grandchildren, I'm afraid. Only a few, though the few I do have I treasure dearly." One day, there would be more. "Only Malice of all of my children has become a parent in her own right." Although her choice of Toku left much to be desired. In the black mare's opinion, her daughter was far better than the stallion she had allowed so near her. Still, Malice knew what she was about, and Maeryn would not drive Toku away just yet. At least her daughter had someone.
The others... were slow to start, it seemed. Either they were not yet ready, or they had not found the right mate. Children were not everything, but with the blood so thin, with so few Kalona left, it was certainly something to consider. "I think I have seen a few of your get," she remarked idly. "You are rather unmistakable, after all."
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:33 pm
He listened quietly as she spoke. Perhaps fatherhood had changed him much more then he had imagined. He had to step in to his children's lives much more then planned, and as they got older he found it a never-ending thread of details to keep up with. Details he never would have cared about as an arrogant youth. There was something about heritage and life that was still so remarkable to him.... "Very wise words for the wisest mare I know. You've always spoke with such grace." Maeryn was one of a kind, and Ariston hoped she knew that.
The more he considered, he never truly thanked himself for all of the drama and pain some of his children went through. When he looked at them now and their broods, it was as if no conflict existed. "Ok, now I am starting to actually feel like, really old. I suppose I've been glossing these family details over for a long time." With a light chuckle he flipped his hair back. "One way to say I've left me mark is certainly through the hair. Glad they've stood out for you." And he was hoping that meant they caused her no trouble!
He took a light sip of water before returning to her presence. "So tell me, now that you have so much responsibility, do you find it tiring at all? I imagine you have many new powers and intuitions. It must actually be very exciting." To worry about so many others, the concept was still new to Ariston, but he was starting to understand and feel it. "How is it you hold responsibility so... calmly? I'll admit I've had my moments of defeat while feeling overwhelmed."
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:58 pm
"You are full of compliments, dear friend," Maeryn said with a laugh, shaking her head so that the feathers braided into her mane fluttered. "There is no shame in being old, Ariston. You, of all Kalona, have aged gracefully. How could you do anything but? I find that I am more comfortable in my age now than I was as a young mare. Then the world was new, and everything strange. I have learned a lot, and grown comfortable." Not complacent, however. Maeryn would never be complacent. The times were dark, the danger very real. She had never forgotten the doom that had been brought into the Kawani lands at the hooves of Skinwalkers.
It was Maeryn's turn to drink, and she bowed her head to do so, pondering his words, his inquiry. "How else shall I take it? Where once I was mother to my own children, now I am guardian and matron of many. It is a question of scale, and I am not afraid of children, no matter how old they may be. There is some excitement to be found in the powers and gifts Kalona has bestowed upon me, but I feel... simply myself. I am not tired, nor have I been since I discovered my youngest son."
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:18 pm
For goodness sake. She really was the wisest mare! So that's what Ariston was feeling. Comfort. For a moment there he thought was going crazy, only because he didn't understand his emotions one bit. "Oh Maeryn, I could just smother you with hugs. You have no idea, I honestly thought I was losing my head for a little bit, but you are exactly right. It is comfort that I feel. And how wonderful it is. Thank you. I will take my age and own wisdom and accept it completely."
He was being his usual dramatic self, but meant every word towards her. Sometimes another perspective was exactly what someone needed to help level-set any feelings. Ariston may have been many years too late in understanding his own emotions, but he was certainly making progress. Today was already shaping to be a great experience with Maeryn.
He was happy to hear her share such details and envisioned her being exactly what she said, a matron of many. He visualized many scary Kalona stallions and mares, perhaps even bigger and bulkier then he, taking orders from the wisest of mares. Maeryn had quite an army beneath her, but Ariston was always impressed how the peace was still kept. Protection of their kind, and the growth to the strong. "So in short, you have accepted everything and with great ease. I'm not surprised. You always had it in you. I'm sure Rot always knew this as well." Even with some of it being a burden, she had nothing stopping her journey now.
"Youngest son?" Ariston peered at her gently. With her mate gone for so long, he wondered if he should pester. He decided to keep his manners. He was a grown up now, and needed to act like one! "Have you had more children recently? Are congratulations in order?!" he proclaimed with all sincerity.
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:46 pm
Ariston had always had quite the dramatic soul. Maeryn smiled faintly, watching the stallion with some fondness. He had not changed in all of the years she had known him, only grown. "You should, as it is a great gift hard won." One that so many took for granted. "I am glad to have been able to give you good counsel. Though I suspect you would have come to the same conclusions yourself, in due time." She watched him as he carried on in his usual fashion, amused by the passion that rang in his every word. He had always had such verve.
In her age, Maeryn had nurtured and sheltered many Kalona under her wings, and with her new calling that duty had grown easier. "Yes. I have accepted everything, and it has been no great burden. I know that Rot would have walked this path with me, if he could have, and hope that he is proud of me." When she spoke of her mate, it was not without a glimmer of the deep pain that his loss had wrought in her. No, the cost of the herd's protection had been all too dear. Sometimes she wondered what might have happened if only she had been there at his side.
... Had she neglected before to make mention of her youngest to Ariston? "Ah, yes. Keiran is my youngest, and in the hour of my greatest need, when I truly believed all hope and love in the world was lost, I found him. He is not my son by blood, but in spirit. I do believe that Rot sent him to me, to comfort me in my grief. Although if you were to see him, you would not likely think him mine." Still, she was proud of Keiran, as she was proud of all of her children, and grandchildren.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:30 am
She may have been right that he would get to some realizations on his own, but for Ariston he actually had been slow in his own growth and even understanding of life. It wasn't t that he had no intelligence towards it, he actually was not built to care about such deep emotions. It took tremendous growth and experiences with others for him to first care about others, and now he had become a creature who wanted to help as they had helped him. To him, that was something he now felt so proud of even if it took him more time then others, probably due to their natural upbringings or families.
The more he lived and learned and felt, the more he realized pride had many shades, and he really was enjoying all of them.
"I have no doubt he would have been right at your side if he could." Ariston nodded solemnly. "At least you carry his legacy and spirit, and who knows, it'd be comforting to imagine him watching all of your herd." To think of what they had built together... Ariston hoped he could have a legacy like that some day. He knew he'd have to find Maeryn again if he ever made it as far as she did for more excellent advise.
He was glad to hear she had help in her darkest time. "I'm sure he is as grateful that you took him in as your own. I'm glad you both were able to find each other. If I can ever be of comfort, please let me know." Perhaps it was Ariston regretting himself for not being there for her more, since in the past he really didn't understand what she went through. But new growth meant moving forward, so that was all he could from now on. "Or any help in the future, don't be a stranger." He smiled kindly.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 6:42 pm
Who would have thought that Maeryn of all mares would have fallen so deeply in love? But she had, and that love was with her still, even if the stallion who had awakened it was not. She smiled, and there was no concealing the pain in it. "Oh, I am certain of that. When Kalona brought me dreams, he was in them. I do believe he supports me even now in my quest. But you surely have better things to do than to listen to an old mare's maundering." Would there ever be anyone else in the world for her, she wondered? Only time would tell. Until then... she had her memories, and her children, her grandchildren.
She considered her friend's words, lowering her head to sip the water once more. "I have... not thought to seek comfort, I suppose. It does come naturally, when caring for others." There had been little enough time to attain it herself, and little enough thought of doing so. "Still, you are kind to offer it. I hope you know that if ever you do need my help, you have it." A strange thought, to offer aid to a friend. How the years had changed her! Yet they were surely changes for the better. She had grown immeasurably, and she could see the growth in Ariston as well. He was wiser now than he had been as a young stallion, and... kinder. Yes, certainly kinder.
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:44 am
Ariston was not as lucky as Maeryn to have experienced love in a mate like she had. That was not to say that what Ariston had experienced with Heartless was not special, but even that felt like ages ago, and they were both so young. At that time Ariston had been the arrogant stallion who truly only loved himself. It was through having children, and then grandchildren that really opened up his heart even wider then he had imagined. Getting friends and memories continued to make his heart grow.
Who knew if he, too, still had it in him to find someone very special. Besides, he wasn't just in love with himself anymore, so now the world was open with so many possibilities!
"Please, talking to you as I said before, is always a pleasure. And let's just conclude that neither you or I are old... we're just fabulous. In the wise way. But I really must say that I am here for you, and appreciate you finding me today." How brilliant it was that he was calling out to her even without realizing it!
"I'll admit I did feel a bit lost in all of these new emotions I am feeling. I am much better thanks to your patience and teaching. I look forward to hearing more exciting things from you in the future. Always feel free to stop by and drop a line, and stay well, Maeryn."
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:30 pm
At this stage of her life, Maeryn felt comfortable in her old age. Being elderly was no burden, and her spirits were high. She stretched out her wings, sunning them for a moment. The pains of age had left her, and now all that remained was the wisdom hard won through years of experience, and a few gray hairs. "I shall take fabulous, and add old to it, and be fabulously old. Perhaps a bit of an antique. I am glad that I was able to find you, Ariston. It is always a pleasure."
And perhaps it was time to move on. She had given him food for thought, and he her. "I will, dear friend. Take care of yourself." The mare reached out to nuzzle her companion in farewell, a gesture that she never would have indulged in in her youth. "I shall leave you with your thoughts, and hope to see you again." Then, just as lightly as she had landed, she took off, circling up into the sky in a final farewell, before making for Black Skull lands.
Tweekend Maeryn has apparently decided that she needs leave in order to maintain her mystique. XD Thank you for the RP, dear! I would love more from you, if you're game!
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