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 Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:47 am
Going to the ruins had kind of spooked her, even if she’d gone in with someone else that place left a mark on you once you stepped foot into its belly. Krima felt they had done good work of course, but there was just something so creepy about it. She would go back of course, there was more work to be done and the more Nouli’s who dared to brave the area, the faster it would return to its original owner; nature. Alas today was a rest day, work in the ruins would start again tomorrow.
Her ears picked up a noise in the forest and swivelled in its direction, her head following as well. Something was coming, probably another Nouli by the sounds of it. Krima pushed herself up on all fours, actually it sounded like a Nouli and a foal! It was probably her mother and child, perhaps she could get to meet them. Picking up a trot, Krima headed in their direction slowly because she didn’t want to frighten them if she came in full speed. “Hello!” She called out, waiting by the forest's edge for them to emerge from it’s depths.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 9:09 am
Aldwyn was not terribly familiar with the practice of raising foals. He knew they needed to eat and drink quite a bit... And probably sleep. And surely they required guardianship almost constantly? That was the most troublesome bit, truly. Aldwyn preferred the peace of his den, rather than the constant adventure of an inquisitive foal.
Bryone was young and uncoordinated, but very effervescent with his presence. He scurried and scrabbled and sniffed and bleated. As young as he was, the foal's direct communication abilities were somewhat lacking, but he was still quite capable of making his feelings known with a myriad of snorts and grunts and whines and huffs. And he wandered, even though Aldwyn pleaded for him to stay put and be calm.
Foals were certainly not calm, and the mothers of Homewood who had given Aldwyn guidance laughed at the very idea that he would try and contain such a lively youngster to the den.
He would only learn by getting a taste of the world, they'd said. Let Bryone enjoy all Homewood has to offer, and then when he is ready, allow him to experience the Barrens or the Bog or the Ruins. It would help him understand why such places needed help, why they needed the resources that allowed noulicorns to survive in Homewood.
So Aldwyn dutifully let the youngster explore the forests and clearings of Homewood.
Bryone tasted the various grasses, pounced after small fishes in the shallows of the streams, tripped over the ground disturbed by the burrows of jack hops and scuttle scales. He was an eager thing. Curious and impatient. Once he grew more into his legs, Aldwyn knew he'd have trouble keeping up. But for now, is was easy enough to stride after the frolicking foal and keep watch over him as he stuck his nose into anything he could reach.
And then, as they neared the treeline that led into a sunbathed clearing beyond, there came a call of 'Hello!'
Aldwyn turned his nose toward the sound, and from the corner of his eye could see the rigid alertness that swept over his foal. Bryone's ears flicked up and gave a waggle. With no more prompting than that, the youngster pelted toward the summons. Startled by the abruptness of it all, Aldwyn dove to catch up, but even with so little of a head start, Bryone was upon the doe in the clearing's edge before Aldwyn could catch him.
The youngster puffed up his chest as he regarded the female. He snorted, shook his head, and stomped at the earth, bouncing ever so slightly around her in his attempt to 'corral' the doe from progressing further.
Aldwyn's ears flicked down as he approached, embarrassed by his foal's behavior. Though not necessarily surprised. He was pretty sure he'd witnessed these sort of 'boastful' displays among the other young he'd observed in Homewood. Foals Bryone's age didn't know the extent of their capabilities, and they always seemed inclined to test where they could. The doe was new to him. Of course he wanted to show off as best he could.
"I'm very sorry," Aldwin apologized as he came to stand by Bryone's side, nudging the foal back with his bulkier frame. "He's still learning how to interact with strangers, so please forgive him..."
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 12:41 pm
Krima wasn’t frightened by much, but the young foal’s sudden appearance coming towards her full speed did catch her off guard for a little bit until he came to a stop and she could get a good look at him. His coat was certainly interesting and he was so cute trying to prove himself like that. Krima couldn’t help but fall into the game with him.
She lowered her head so it was at the same level as him, watching him closely, ears fully forward and on him until he began to corral her. She allowed him to do so, trotting with her legs high and jumping a bit from time to time all the while laughing. When she saw an opening though, she gave him a gentle playful n** on the rump before trotting off and turning to trot around him in a semicircle. She paused when she finally spotted an adult coming towards them and apologizing for the foal’s behaviour.
“Oh don’t worry about me,” Krima said with a little laugh. “I don’t mind.” She enjoyed playing with foals, they had a lot more energy than the usual adult Noul. “Are you his father?” She didn’t mean any offence, but they looked vastly different and she was just curious. Actually, she couldn’t say that she had seen many Noul’s with such an interesting pattern on their coats. It was intriguing and beautiful all at the same time.
“I’m Krima by the way,” she lowered her head and bent her neck a bit to get a better look at the foal. “And who might you be little one?”
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Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 5:35 am
Bryone, clearly pleased with his efforts, gave a toss of his head and a delighted whinny as the doe began to trot at his bidding, but he clearly wasn't expecting the n** to be his reward. He yipped and bounced into the air, kicking out his back legs, yet his hooves met nothing but the ends of the tall grass. He spun about to investigate, tail snapping out in curious agitation as he sniffed at the grass, as though it had been the one to deliver the blow.
Aldwyn tried not to look too amused by their antics. Most anything Bryone played with tended to be his own size. Nothing had quite the height on him that this doe had, and Aldwyn thought it was a good lesson in not taking on something too much bigger than you.
As Aldwyn's warm expression rose to the doe, he was caught off guard by her seemingly innocuous question, and his ears flicked briefly back before settling forward again. "Well, I- You see..." None had asked him outright, yet, if he was Bryone's father. His guardian, sure. And of course Aldwyn considered himself to be the foal's protector and keeper and... Well, he didn't know much about being a father. His gaze dropped to the grass. It wasn't terribly long of a tale, but even he knew that the short answer was, "Y-yes... I suppose I am."
It wasn't like there was anyone else to take on the task.
But he really should be more decisive about it. Bryone did need a father, and Aldwyn shouldn't be so alarmed to say that he was pleased to have been given that role. He swallowed and gave a slight shake of his head before regarding the doe more fully.
She was a delicate cream, dappled in white fawns spots as if the sun were shining through the foliage and onto her pelt. His ears flicked up. His tail swayed. "I'm Aldwyn," he replied in response to her introduction. "And this is Bryone," he gestured to the foal now sniffing at Krima's legs. "He is, ah- still learning his manners. We've only had a few days together, so there is a lot for both of us to learn."
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:04 am
Krima had not expected that answer and she gave a small tilt of her head but did not pry further. If someone gave you a vague answer it was always best not to pry. In all honesty, she’d expected a yes or no, so perhaps he had adopted the little buck? That was quite admirable. She personally didn’t know anyone else who had done so, granted she also didn’t know any parents who also gave up their parents unless they... Well, they weren’t in the picture and it would be in very bad faith if she asked anything about that.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Krima said as she brought her head back up. “And do not worry, I’m not bothered by the little one. I actually find them much more entertaining than adults usually.” And that was only because she had an overabundance of energy that only the little ones seemed to be able to keep up with. And even then, they got a very good night's sleep after playing with her. Some of the adults sometimes said she’d make a very good nanny, but Krima didn’t really know how she felt about that role or being pushed into it.
She felt her life’s work would be in the ruins and the ruins were certainly no place for a foal. They would be once she was done with them though, but that was in a very distant future. Still, she didn’t mind taking up the role once in a while but she wouldn’t let anyone tie her down to it. In any case, having a foal was her decision too and that could wait a few years. She didn’t feel the need to have her own little ones right now like others, her younger sister actually already had two foals so if she felt the need to have foals she visited her.
“I’m sure it’ll all come together in the end,” Krima booped Bryone on the butt with her nose before trotting around him and then behind Aldwyn in a small game of tag. “If you ever want or need a bit of rest, on some days I babysit other foals in one of the glades. The parents get to graze around and aren’t bothered by the little ones. You’re welcomed to join us if you want.” She may as well extend the offer to him, she didn’t know but she assumed it could be hard to be handed the role of father all at once.
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2020 8:24 am
Aldwyn tried not to let the strain of the unfamiliar situation show on his face as he shot Krima a tight smile at her commentary. Foals were more entertaining than most adults Aldwyn had ever met, if 'entertaining' was code for 'rambunctious, nosy, and with a penchant to do whatever pleased them.' Bryone was still so new in his life that the young buck hardly knew how to appropriately handle him. And the introduction had been a surprise at that, nothing planned, as Aldwyn preferred most things to be.
But what other choice had been available to him? It wasn't as if he could abandon a foal so young to the Barrens. He couldn't pass him off to another noulicorn who would be just as surprised and unprepared as him. If he'd been familiar with many other families in Homewood, maybe he would've known someone with a situation who would be able to handle another youngster, but...
Aldwyn wasn't very personable, so he didn't know many other families and what situations they might be in.
He sighed softly and dipped his head at Krima's words of encouragement. "I hope it does," he admitted quietly. "I only barely know what to do with him, myself, and I was finally ready for something-" But as the words left his mouth, Aldwyn hesitated to continue further. His trip to Grandfather Tree to receive his gift had been precisely when he'd found Bryone. Aldwyn had assumed that it felt right in the day because he was ready to fulfill his purpose in the betterment of Vykeli, but perhaps this was his purpose in the betterment of Vykeli.
He'd thought he'd receive his gift and join others who patrolled and purified the Barrens, who were ready to progress in their lives to become a full-fledged adult and protector. Aldwyn leaned down to give the foal an affectionate nudge to the flank. Bryone stumbled and snorted at him, bright eyes pinning accusingly on him.
And Aldwyn released a quiet sound of contentment. Perhaps this was what Grandfather Tree had planned for him all along. His expression softened, and his gaze found Krima once more. "I appreciate the offer, and I may just take you up on it."
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