|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 12:43 pm
At first he'd thought it was just an idea to find Vox, going to the fruit lands. Now he strongly doubted that. No; something outside conscious thought had wanted to come here and his brain had supplied him with a reason to act on the impulse. He thought he knew what had caused the impulse too but didn't dare say anything to his companion in case he was wrong.
Lucius glanced over at the Bae mare with a smile. Lydia. Beautiful, perfect Lydia. He must have done something good to deserve her if karma was right after all and not a load of hot air.
"I think we're nearly there," he told the red-splashed female with a bob of his head. "Not quite sure where there is but I think we're nearly there." As the stallion a tree came into view. Two trees. Two tree growing and twining together.
The bone-clad Aeri turned his head back to look ahead and came to an abrupt halt at the sight. For once, his only thought on the matter was '...'
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 1:06 pm
Lydia had no clue where they were going. She wouldn't say that she didn't trust Lucius, but for a while she thought that they were just wandering in random circles.
She had spaced out for more of the trip than she had hoped for, and now thouroughly confused, found herself sounding stupid as she uttered, "Where are we and what are we doing here?"
Great way to show Lucius that you care about him. What if he had tried to carry on a conversation with her? Did she embarrass herself without even knowing it?
She shook the thoughts out of her head. She swore that those words that Lucius just spoke were his first in a long while. She would have known if he had been talking to her; his voice was important enough to distinguish from millions of others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 11:19 am
Lucius felt a grin spread across his face and he turned back to the mare beside him. "We're in the fruitlands," he informed her, "and we're looking at a new fruit tree. Ours." He hoped to all the Gods Lydia would be as exited bout this as he was.
The orange-brown marked stallion continued on towards the forming life and whiffled at the single bud that was forming on the greatest branch. It looked strange to him but then he'd never seen a crossbreed fruit before so that was to be expected. The first time he'd seen a Reya fruit he'd been rather bemused too.
Still, odd though it was, it looked beautiful to him as well. Not very much like Lydia or himself but that didn't matter. After all, he wanted a foal not a copy of himself. A sibling for Vox! So much news he had to pass on to the other Aeri now he half feared to forget some of it.
"So," the orange-eyed stallion said, turning his gaze to the blue-eyed Bae with a faint smile, "what do you think?" He'd take good care of her and of the growing fruit. Yes, to the human lands to gather food in one of the useful baskets they made and then back as often as he had to. Woe betide any that might think to trifle with his child or... his mate? That was something that he and Lydia would have to discuss but not, he felt, right now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 12:39 pm
Lydia was speechless. Her eyes glazed over with a kind of misty happiness, a single tear rolling down her cheek at the sight of the beautiful fruit.
"Come on!" Rosemary had said. "Your little sister's going to hatch soon!" Lydia trudged behind Rosemary, a look of grim despair on her face. Though she hid it well, the excitement inside of her was about to bubble over and reveal itself. A new baby sister! Oh, how exciting. Lydia's parents had been so careless with her, so mean and ruthless, that now, finally, she'd be able to get back at them by raising her new sister behind their backs.
Rosemary stopped in her tracks. "What was that--?!" Lydia asked angrily, running into Rosemary's rump. Then she stopped. The beautiful gray and black fruit that had been there the day before was missing. No evidence that she had hatched was nearby; only the prints of a predator, and the precious blood dripped on the ground. This was the end of Lydia's plans. This was the end of her little sister.
Lydia inspected the fruit thoroughly. "It's... beautiful..." she cooed, poking it gently with her muzzle. It swayed slightly, and she stepped back. "I didn't hurt it, did I?" She panicked. "I really hope I didn't hurt it, I don't want to ruin this for you..."
She looked up at Lucius, finally. She had almost forgotten about him. "What does this make... us?" she asked quietly, nervously, as she moved closer to him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:22 am
The tall stallion smiled and shook his head as the fruit slowly ceased its swaying. "No," he elaborated, "it's fine; looks very healthy to me and the attachment to the tree is strong. It would take far more than a gentle nudge to harm it." And both he and the fruit's mother would do all they could to prevent it from coming to harm. The black stallion smiled and ran his eyes over the developing life again. It would take an army to remove him for his duty to it and to Lydia.
Lydia...
Humm. She asked a good question, one he wasn't sure he knew how to answer. "I don't know," the bone-clad Aeri said frankly after a moment, turning his orange gaze back onto the mare beside him fondly. "I think I am safe in saying however," he went on, bending to nuzzle at the grey-coated mare's neck, "that I would be happy to be whatever you want me to be... If you are asking me what I would like us to be though I think I do have a reply for you." Well, here went nothing. "Lydia... If you would have me, nothing would make me happier than to be your mate."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:41 pm
Lydia's heart skipped a bit, her wings fluttering happily. "Of course I'll allow it," she said gently, looking back to her offspring. She was proud of the strong hold it had on the tree, the beautiful deep colors blending perfectly together. She thought she could see hints of herself and Lucius in the fruit, but she couldn't be sure.
She looked back to Lucius. "I'll stay here for now if you'd like to go get something to eat... there's not much that looks edible around here." That was the only lie that Lydia had told him. She just wanted a minute alone with her offspring, to tell it that mommy loves it and will always be there for it.
Mommy. Such a strange word. One of those that someone like Lydia would never get used to. It held in it such power, such hope and love, that Lydia was almost intimidated by it. Mommy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:42 am
She'd said yes. Hardly able to believe it the red-maned Aeri grinned and pranced about for a moment or two. "Lydia my love," he grinned, coming to a halt to nuzzle her neck, "you will not regret this, I promise you that."
What else had she said? He'd been in such a daze he'd almost missed it. Oh yes! Of course; food. She was counting on him now. "I'll go right away," he said giving Lydia a nudge. "I'll not go far to star with; I think I saw some root vegetables growing a little way back; I'll bring you those." After that the black Nequus suspected he might need to wander a little further afield to find decent food to bring back to his mate. His mate!
"Stay safe Lydia, I won’t be long." The orange-eyed stallion smiled and at her again and, with a final nudge to the mare's shoulder, he took off through the trees at a gallop. She'd said yes! He was going to have a child before the weather turned cold again! Sweetest Gods and brightest stars life could be good sometimes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:15 pm
Lydia smiled warmly as she saw Lucius go off in search of food. Something about him seemed different, but she couldn't quite place it.
The mare turned to her fruit now. It contained many rich colors that she was sure were to make the foal one of the most coveted in the lands. Well, at least to her. It wouldn't make any difference what the others thought, so long as Lydia loved the baby.
She did, oh yes. Though a deep, permanent wound had been harbored inside of Lydia's heart for quite some time, she felt a sudden surge of joy at her newfound family.
Family. Another word that frightened her. A word that held in it so much responsibility, so much joy and heartache and frusteration, that she was completely intimidated by it. But, she had made a choice, and she'd stick to it. Since her Episodes had been clearing up quite nicely, Lydia had gained lots of free time to think about such matters. She needed family more than she wanted it, and she didn't think she'd be able to survive without it now.
"Hey, little baby," she cooed, beaming proudly at the fruit. "I'm your mama... I'm going to take care of you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:52 pm
Time passed, as it is want to do. The tree grew and with it the single fruit. Its patterns became more obvious, the greyish white and the aged-gold seeming to become more alive with every day that passed.
On a day like many that had preceded it, a tall black stallion thundered through the frutilands, heading towards the near fully developed life. A basket was clamped between his teeth, filled with fruits, vegetables and several freshly ripped up hanks of good grass. It would hatch any day now, he was sure of it.
Smiling around his burden, Lucius came to a halt near the base of the tree and bet to set the wicker thing on the ground. “Lydia,” he called, “I’m back again.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:06 pm
Lydia looked up from her tireless watch of the fruit, smiling warmly at the sight of Lucius. She stood, stretching her cramped muscles and shaking loose bits of dried grass from her mane. Had she fallen asleep? She wasn't sure, but seeing the fruit in the exact same place as it had been when Lucius left, she was satisfied that it was okay.
"What'd you bring me?" she asked excitedly, prancing like a young filly as she waited for Lucius to lay out the goods. Her stomach grumbled impatiently; how long had it been since she last ate? Not too long ago, she knew, but it was long enough to make her relatively weak and starving. She had to be healthy for this foal; maybe she'd go out on her own later...
Lydia nuzzled Lucius's neck apologetically. "Sorry, welcome back," the blood-spotted mare laughed, inhaling some of her mate's rich scent. She glanced at the fruit, making sure it was okay, before diving back into her hunger-driven excitement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:37 pm
Lucius chuckled fondly and nuzzled back. "Thank you my love, it's good to see you again." And it really was; it was almost disconcerting how much he missed the Bae when they were apart. This, he considered, was probably love and Gods it felt good.
"Now then," the stallion went on with a smile, "let's take a look see what we've got." Three hanks of grass, each tied into a bunch by a strange or two of the green stuff. The removal of the grass revealed the rest of the contents properly and Lucius stepped back to let his mate inspect it. "Apples, carrots, pears and in that little leaf bag are some ready-cracked nuts. You can eat the leaves too; that kind is quite tasty if a bit tough in my experience."
Looking at everything he'd brought back the boned Aeri couldn't help but feel a little proud. He was providing for his small family very well so far and he saw on reason why the trend would not continue. Perhaps he'd actually be good at this whole father thing; it was distinctly possible for sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:05 am
Lydia grinned, stepping closer to her mate and inspecting the basket carefully. The pears looked mighty tasty... but the carrots seemed to be calling her name longingly in squeaky carrot voices, so she gently bent her head into the basket and extracted only one, munching on it contentedly as she watched her mate carefully.
A crack sounded behind her, and she whirled around, expecting to see a predator try to attack her precious fruit. On the contrary, the fruit was twisting, writhing, and all-around moving, still attached to its security branch.
"It's hatching!" she cried to Lucius, racing towards the fruit as a tiny foal kicked its way out of the fruit, it falling to the ground and cushioning her as she made her way out.
"Goodness!" Lydia gasped, rushing forward to comfort her child... her daughter. "She's beautiful, Lucius!" She nuzzled her foal affectionately, taking in her pleasant scent and clearing the fruit away with her hoof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:01 pm
Lucius paced over slowly, his orange eyes taking in every feature of the girl-child. Essentially, to his eyes at least, she looked like a Bae and he was thankful for that fact. She would have an easier time of life if folk couldn't tell her mixed blood by sight.
"She's perfect," the tall stallion said after a moment, bending down to nuzzle the filly's ginger mane. Turning back to his mate, he smiled broadly. "Do you have a name in mind for her? I confess I've never been very good at such things and I'd be more than happy to leave it up to you." He trusted Lydia to pick something good, something as perfect as their daughter. He had a daughter. Vox had a sister. He couldn't wait to see the green Aeri again and tell him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 1:23 pm
Lydia looked from her daughter to her mate, a grin still playing happily on her face. This is what she had been waiting so long for, and it had not disappointed her... on the contrary, her daughter was even better than she had imagined.
"I think I'll call her... Alice," she said quietly after a moment, looking down proudly at her tiny foal of a daughter. She glanced up at Lucius. "If that's okay with you, that is," she added quickly.
The little foal, who still lay on the ground next to her mother, moved a little closer to the body heat she could sense. A slight wind had picked up, and Lydia's mane was ruffled in the breeze.
"Think we should move her?" she asked worriedly. She could not, would not, let her daughter get sick, or cold, or hungry, or tired... the filly would be the best cared-for in all of Shrilal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 1:37 pm
Lucius smiled softly and bobbed his head. "Alice," he echoed, "I like it very much, very much indeed." Well that was one detail sorted; he could think of her as a little person now rather than a nebulous concept.
At the slight touch of breeze, Lucius raised his head and whifflted at the air thoughtfully. "I... I think she ought to be alright," he decided after a moment. "She's as well sheltered there as anywhere else especially," he moved to the other side of the foal, "if we act as windbreaks. Most foals are up and moving in a few minutes in any case; if she's the same she'll soon be making her own warmth and we've plenty of food here for her to keep her energy up." The softer fruits would be best for her young jaws he felt and the sweeter tastes might be more palatable to her, too.
…Come to think of it, from what he knew, foals were usually alert from the outset... Was she alright? Were crossbreeds just different? Had she somehow inherited his foalhood weakness?... No, no he hadn't been born with that; that had been brought on by lack of care. She was probably fine; paranoia was common to parents, especially first time parents. Alice was probably just fine.
Alice.
Wow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
