Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was a lovely morning, the sun was shining down and the birds hummed songs as the fluttered through the trees and brush all around. Yawning hugely Ahanu pushed himself up and stretched. It was going to be a good day. He could tell.

Shaking the little bits of leaves and grass from his coat still a little shaggy from winter Ahanu looked around the clearing trying to decide what to do first. Deciding to do down to the river for a drink and maybe some water fun he headed in that direction. Or he tried to. Looking down he realized he had nearly ran right into his brother.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. Say, would you like to come down to the river with me?"

"Thats great!" Ahanu responded with an encouraging nod and smile side stepping a little in his excitment. The smaller soquili knew his larger brother was a little on the timid side and he tride to help him feel more confident whenever he could. "It's such a nice day, it would be a shame to waste it just sitting around.

After thinking for a moment Ahanu looked out toward the river as if to guage it's distance. "Say feel like racing to the river?" He knew being larger his brother had an advantage in size but it was still fun to race no matter who one. Besides he was bold and that could sometimes make a diffrence.

Still smiling soquili that looked so much like his father watched his brother out of the corner of his eye. 'Ei could be so shy sometimes. Ah well, perhaps he would grow out of it eventually. A little encoragement from his brother certianly couldn't hurt,'Ahanu thought to himself rearing in high spirits. He really didn't care about the race all that much, it was the running that was important. Letting yourself go and becoming one with the wind was what running was all about. Perhaps if 'Ei could emerse himself in the moment he would forget about his worries and cares long enough to enjoy himself a little bit. At least Ahanu hoped that is what would happen.

The moment his hooves hit the ground he was off the wind tangling itself in his mane. Though he kept his head arched so he could keep watch on his brother hoping the other would have as much fun running as he always did.

Ahanu had to laugh at his brother's comment as he thought back to something he had overheard his mother saying. Giving "Ei a smile he shook his head. "It's not a matter of how long or short your legs are. It's how much energy you have according to mother. I overheard her telling father that she thinks I have more than my fair share."

He wickered as he kept pace with his brother watching as the other young stallion carefully placed each hoof and watched all around for any sign of trouble. It wasn't likely that Eidaeri would be caught off guard the way he sometimes was. But it seemed a little sad never to throw caution to the wind and simply be what you are to the fullest possible extent. Though perhaps that was why they were brothers. Together they would ballance eachother out. Each being better off than they would be alone.

'Ei sense of caution tended to rub off a little bit on Ahanu when the white haired stallion was arround. Likewise Ahanu was certian that his brother was a little less timid and perhaps even a little daring when they spent time together. So it all worked out well in the end.

Looking down the trail Ahanu spied a tree that had fallen into the path. "Oh look at that tree, 'Ei. Do you think we could jump it?"

"I supoose jumping a log could be dangerous, if you weren't careful." Ahanu agreed with a nod.

But agreeing didn't make him any less inclined to try jumping. His brother's comment did cause him to look for a way to mediate the danger through. "Look over there, the far side of the tree is shorter than the near side. If we try it from over there it will be a lot easier."

Trotting up next to the log he looked over the edge of it. " And there's grass on the other side so it shouldn't hurt too much if we don't make a proper landing. Though I am sure that won't be a problem."

"I'll tell you what. Let me try it first. If I have any problems you don't have to do it if you don't feel up to it." Ahanu said with a kind smile and a nod for his timid brother. Turing around the bolder soquili walked back a few paces to give himself some room to jump.

Facing the obstacle once more he eyed it carefully knowing his brother's sense of caution was not entirely misplaced. Ahanu took a deep breath and then slowly let it out, calming himself. He took another and then lunged forward one pace, two, and then launched himself up into the air.

Laughing he soared over the log to land firmly on the other side. Stepping out of the stride he whirled around to look back over the tree at his brother. "That was fantastic! It's almost like flying. I wonder if that is how the winged soquili feel all the time."

As Ahanu's heart settled back into a less frantic rhythm he tossed his head leaning forward enquiringly. "So what do you think. Do you want to try? If you really don't want to go over it I am sure we can find a path through the forest."

"Yes!" Ahanu cheered, darting forward happily at his brother's sucess. "Oh that was well done Eidaeri. I knew you could do it, if you put your mind to it." He confided as he gave the larger stallion a congratulatory nundge.

Sobering the wild patterned soquili gave Eidaeri serious look. "Don't you ever let anyone put you down because your cautious. I over heard some of the other young stallions bullying you the other day. Don't pay them any mind. It takes a huge amount of courage to face what you are afraid of and over come it. You are one of the bravest soquili I know and I am proud that you are my brother. And next time if someone is bothering you, let me know. Family sticks together. I will teach them a thing or two if they aren't going to leave you alone.


(Note: I just made up the idea that Eidaeri was picked on because it seems like others might pick on him because of how shy and careful he is. But if you want me to take that part out of the story I will. Just let me know.)