|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 8:45 am
 After battling the most savage of shrubberies in known soquili existance, a blue roan pinto stallion pushed a dark woven bundle through, and enters a fairly secure clearing with soft grass and scattered trees. Feeling that this place was more than appropriate, he made his way slowly to the closest of trees, carefully nudging the basket with every step he took. Finally at his destination, he took a long glimpse to make sure the area was safe, before folding his legs beneath him and resting.
Honestly, who was the genius that decided that baskets were the most safe, most convenient little vessels to stuff babies in? They couldn't think of a strap to attach on the sides, for easier transportation? Lightly snorting, he lowered his head to take a closer look at his charge, blinking at his reflection on the polished red gem in the center. Oh no, a band obviously had no helpful use at all. They can just...kick, nudge, and push the basket to their whim's desires, picking up whatever kind of disease and insect that could squeeze their way through the woven material. Forget about when dangerous predators could come along and give you a chase, kicking it will surely give a good escape run! Straps are definitely more inconvenient. Who'd want to carry along a basket on their side, or around their neck, far away from danger's grasp with lighter, swifter steps?
Rolling his eyes at his mini-rant, he took a bite of grass to calm his nerves down. This responsibility was dropped unceremoniously onto his shoulders without warning, and while the thought of taking care of what will soon be the future of soquili kind was at first prideful and curious, now, Brannon was having second thoughts on the silly contraption. It had been frustrating, pushing and shoving the basket to his every location, moving slowly through the plains and worrying about what he'd have to do if danger ever approached.
Well, at least that hasn't happened so far, he thought to himself.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:12 am
Ashura wasn't a mind reader and given the circumstances it was probably a good thing that she wasn't. The stallion seemed to be ranting at such a fast rate that she probably would have reeled as the words flooded into her mind. That being said, she hadn't heard that and as she progressed through the forests with ease it was only when she heard the rather loud cracks and tears of grass and foliage that she had looked round.
Originally she had thought it was a predator but now she wasn't entirely sure. She couldn't smell anything that was particularly threatening and instead, the waft of another soquili had caught her nose. This however, led to questions of its own given the rather loud sounds the soquili had been making. Given she had no basket to punt about she hadn't really struggled with the undergrowth so what on earth was that one doing?
Beside herself with curiosity she couldn't resist the urge and calmly began to make her way towards the sounds. Ensuring her hoof beats were loud enough for the unseen soquili to detect (she didn't want to spook them), she began to trail after the sounds until she had at last found the broken foliage and began to follow its trail more slowly.
Slowly but surely she made her way forward until her faint outline could be seen, the tender honey dapple coat just visible in the rays that invaded the canopy's space.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:50 am
Several moments were all the stallion needed to deeply breathe in and calm himself down to a normal, level-headed state of mind. Ranting was something that he hardly ever went off on; he had better things to do with his life and thoughts than to complain his days away. After all, it's not the foal's fault it's stuck inside the basket.
Relaxing, he takes a last deep breath and - ...hold on. His body tensing up, he breathes in again and his suspicions were confirmed: there is definitely another soquili in their midst. He had been sure that they were alone when settling, which would only mean...
Someone followed him. A shudder went down his spine as he slowly got to his feet, making sure to make as little noise as possible. Scanning what was once a safe haven, his eyes settle on a slim figure in the distance, her form silhoutted from the stray rays of sun light. Squinting provided worthless in clearing his vision, and the mare continued to illude his eyes. Something needed to be done, and quickly. He gently stepped over the basket, making sure it's safe directly underneath him. He will fight if the stranger proves to be aggressive. "......hello?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:03 am
Coming to a halt just before she stepped completely into the clearing, the small mare offered a somewhat tentative smile in response to his voice. Well, she had alerted him as she deemed necessary and he had been aware of her existence so she was at least happy to see he hadn't attempted to kill her yet. That being said, as she fixed her amber gaze upon the blue roan she couldn't help but wonder what in the world was lying underneath his legs.
...Being raised in a herd that was segregated from humans she had never seen a basket before and was completely unaware that a baby lurked within. In fact, if she were to be told such a thing her reaction would probably have been comical as she attempted to uncover how you got it in and how you got it back out again!
"Good afternoon," She offered after a few moments as she turned back to look at the torn pathway and then towards the male again. Well now it made sense, the cracking had been that basket...
"I'm sorry I thought someone was hurt, most soquili don't tend to be quite so loud when moving through a forest," She mused.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:28 am
His ears flickered at her greeting, stance never wavering. Were he on his own, he'd probably let his guard go down and curiously investigate this new soquili with an opened mind, but as it turns out, he is no longer responsible for just himself anymore. It was almost required for him to be more cautious than normal. With that in mind, he keeps his ground, but continued to speak with the mare with a half-grin, amused [and completely agreeing] with her latest comment.
"Indeed, I'm not very fond of this...new way of traveling, so to speak." Like her, he had also been raised in a herd far from people, and true to his word was not used to housing foals after birth. When he was first sought out for baby-sitting duty, he found himself incredulous when given the basket. Surely, the foal is not inside it? How strange these humans take care of their young.
"It certainly makes my position blatantly obvious, doesn't it?" He tilted his head, gazing at her curiously. "Lucky for me, I am not injured just yet. Thank you for your concern, Miss....?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:48 am
"Just a little," Ashura's smile grew a little as she resisted the urge to chuckle. At least the stallion had a sense of humour despite her rather rude intrusion and her little white lie, she had been curious first and foremost but he had sounded injured. "My mother called me Ashura but most call me Ash, choose which you prefer," She offered after a few moments, returning to his previous question.
"Is there no simpler way to carry that...?" Well she didn't know what it was called! Granted she should probably ask but there were times when she would rather not look a fool. She was sure that in these lands such a thing must have an obvious name but she was new and would rather not risk being laughed at just yet. She was vulnerable enough as it was already!
"Uum...wouldn't it have been easier to maybe leave that somewhere else?" She added faintly, still unaware that there was a little foal inside the basket. She'd always be taught that babies came from a female's belly, not a basket.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:04 am
Nicknames were always something that Brannon felt should be between those who knew each other very well; they had an affectionate quality about them [or sometimes cruel, depending on whom], and therefore, should not be something he would acquire right away and use with someone he had only met minutes before. Taking her name, he rolled it around in thought before giving his own. "Pleasant to meet you, Ashura, I'm Brannon. Nobody has felt it adequately long enough to slice just yet, but feel free to call me whatever you like, so long as it isn't something like...oh...'old fart', yes?" He grinned.
He didn't catch on to her falter, and continued the conversation as though she knew perfectly well what the basket was and entailed. "No, not really. I've been thinking about formulating a strap to attach it to, but alas, I can't find any materials to do so. That, and hooves have a tendency to have difficulty in those kinds of matters...this is strictly man-made. It has room for improvement, and I hope that maybe they'll learn in the next generation."
An eyebrow curved upwards at the mention of keeping it elsewhere. "Of course not, then it'd be completely vulnerable to, well, anything!" Hmm, perhaps this mare is letting on more than she knows. "I suppose I could leave it in a safe, hidden place nearby water for me to drink, but who'd want to be anchored to one place for weeks?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:29 pm
Alright, so why would a big woven thing be vulnerable? She had seen humans leave those big woven things alone all the time so what made this one so special? Did it have some treasures or perhaps even a gift for someone he admired? Swivelling her ears at the slightest of sounds, she allowed her tail to brush lazily against her flank.
She needed to know.
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you, Brannon," She offered at last before releasing a sigh and canting her head to the side. Her mother had always told her lying was undesirable and she couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Swallowing her pride, she opted instead to ask outright.
"I apologise but I don't understand...what could be vulnerable? It is just reeds?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:23 am
Ah, there it is. Brannon wasn't surprised to hear her curiousity burst through, and he couldn't really blame her. Basket-babies are an odd and questionable concept, even he had trouble grasping its convenience when he was first told of their use.
"Well, partly. It's made of reeds, but it houses something with a little more significance." He stepped back, allowing the mare to have full view of the dark bundle. Lowering his head, he gently nudged it on its side with his muzzle, immediately receiving a bulge from the woven edges, as though something had kicked from inside.
Raising his head upwards, he looked for her reaction, giving her time to come to her own conclusion on the matter. While they have only spoke for what seems to be about fifteen minutes, he can tell that he isn't dealing with a dull mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:03 am
More significance?
Still she didn't understand but as he demonstrated her amber eyes widened. In response to his gentle nudge, it seemed something inside had moved which led her to believe... Oh how strange! Why in the name of the Spirits did they put something alive in the basket? Wasn't it rather close and uncomfortable in there?
"Oh!" She exclaimed, moving ever so slightly closer to the basket. She stayed a little away though having not been invited to approach but she did need to inspect more closely. Even at this distance it was hard to fathom how such a thing could exist inside a basket and more to the point...the reason for being in a basket. That being said, she had to admit that close up the details on the little thing were lovely.
"It's a live?" All right so that sounded a little bit thick, "I mean - what's inside?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:51 am
It was interesting to watch someone investigate their curiousity, and this situation was certainly no exemption. She reminded him of foals, thirsty to investigate the world around them with wide, innocent eyes. Not to call her foal-ish, or innocent by no means; this was definitely a trait that he admired. You aren't ever too old to learn new things, to question old theories.
Brannon chuckles lightly, a warm and gentle sound to the ears. He was certainly becoming more trusting towards the stranger. "Yes, very much so. The humans here have a strange habit of putting newborns in these baskets for protection."
[I have a dentist appointment in an hour, and afterwards I'll be fixing a leak in my car, just to warn you! Most likely I won't be able to reply until tonight or tomorrow morning. ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 5:38 am
"That's what a parent is for though!" Ashura still couldn't fathom why a person would slip one of her kind into a basket. It appeared cramped and very uncomfortable, wouldn't the little babe be squished into a tight ball when it came out. Oh! And what if it got stuck in that shape? It wasn't exactly the most logical train of thought she had ever had but the whole concept was incredibly bizarre.
"No no, this won't do." She mused, tutting like a mother hen as she continued to observe the tiny basket from a distance. While she understood the need to protect a baby this method was just stupid - after all, this method would put the parent in jeopardy too!
"So...how do you get it out, exactly?" She mused at last, her tone somewhat non-plused by the entire thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:39 am
"I suppose the humans feel that the newborn foal is too weak and vulnerable to move around on its own, for some reason, and needs encased protection," he tried to explain. He's still new to this development, having never had offspring of his own before. While he had observed other couples and gained his own ideas, this would be the first time actually experiencing this.
Shrugging, he moved on. "Well, it seems to have worked pretty well so far. I've never seen a foal affected in any negative way from it...they all 'hatch' healthy." He looked down at the basket, almost expecting it to pop open from the conversation. "I guess I just wait. It'll come out when it's ready, at which point I will have it visit its parents. They should be delighted."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:23 am
So it wasn't his? That was even more unusual and the mare simply starred at him for the time being. She wasn't entirely certain she would every understand the logic behind the people and soquili of these lands. So the parents had obviously bestowed the care of this child upon him - a fine honour and one to be proud of...but in the process he was expected to lug it about like a giant sack?
Hardly fair.
"But that in itself makes you more vulnerable," She pointed out at last. She wouldn't have found things quite so questionable if he had been accompanied, another could have guarded him but alas...What if he was ambushed? What if he died and then what, the baby would be left alone or worse, devoured whole.
She shuddered at the very thought, she saw more logic in keeping the babies where she could see them regardless of whether or not she had been a mother before.
"These lands are very strange, your customs make very little sense." She confessed smoothly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 12:02 pm
Your customs?
This assumption caused the stallion to choke in his own laughter, shaking his head back and forth as he tried to explain. "Oh no, no, I am just as astonished by these circumstances as you are. If it were my way, I would wait until Vilinia's had the foal for a few weeks before taking over my charge."
He sighs, amused by his predicament. "It certainly does make me more vulnerable, but what can I do? I was entrusted to care for their child, and I will do my best, just as they are doing theirs to keep the sibling safe. They are good friends of mine." He flicked his tail. "I will honor them to my best of abilities. With any luck, it won't take too long for her, or him - " he shrugged, not knowing the outcome of gender, "to topple the lid over and move around on its own. Should be easier then."
At this point, he had become comfortable with Ash's presence, and no longer felt that she could be a hidden threat. Tilting his head, he looked over the mare and questions, "So what were you doing nearby until I ungracefully made my location known?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
