|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:17 pm
"Swimming doesn't necessarily equal life, you know." he said, with a weary sigh. But he was distracted from pondering a speech when Pakpao had asked him his own question.
"Isn't it obvious?" he then said, with a light chuckle. "I just keep on living with the same jazz I always have, just because something came and bit me in the a** when I was younger, doesn't mean my life is over..."
Of course, that was easier said done for him, since he didn't witness a close companion who died or something.
"I grew up in a pond, which was a very lazy atmosphere. It was nothing like what you and Aganthi speak of, with your merlocks and stuff. It was just other Kelpis, who were lazy and in our own world. I decided to venture away, since I was more energetic then the other Kelpis. I saw more in life, I suppose. There was more beyond the pond, but no one believed me. And, as a foal, since they saw me as a threat for some apparent reason, they threw me out." Thinking about it didn't remind him of the happiest of times. "Just threw me away like garbage I suppose."
"So, the sea that we are in was very far from the pond. At first it didn't really hit me, that everything I had grown up on was taken away from me like that. So, as I walked through a forest, in a timespan that felt like weeks, I would see other 'land dwellers' who would either taunt me, or fear me, since apparently I looked like a monster. Anything different feared them, and I suppose I must have been a nightmare in their foolish eyes. Its not like I harmed anybody, but I guess I just looked different.
Looking back, I really should have kicked all of their butts. Land dwellers are such disgusting things.." he then said, with a light snarl. "But, once I found the ocean, I decided to put it in the past, and make my own home. And, that's where I am today." Life was too short to only think of the negatives! And, maybe it was easier for him, since he had always just.. been by himself.
He glanced back at her, and kept his same cheery attitude. "So yes, you could keep on swimming I suppose, or you could just keep on living Pakpao!" Cause, that was the simple answer he was looking for!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:25 pm
Her heart went out to the stallion, and she shook her head. He never had anyone close to him? On one hand, she could see the benefits of it. No one to have to watch after, take care of, worry about. But on the other hand, without someone close... who did you share all your secrets with? All your hidden desires? Your emotions?
"Thrown... out?" she echoed, speechless. It was amazing that this vibrant Kelpi who seemed to have only happy and optimistic words in his vocabulary went through such a rejection. She knew what it was like to look the part of the 'freak', so she felt in common with him, as he spoke of the vulgar land dwellers who were cruel to him.
"But... how can you stay so happy when everything went so badly?" she asked, genuinely confused. If this stallion can be happy after horrible things happened to him... couldn't the same go for her?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:33 pm
"Ya, the elders in the pond had spoken once about throwing others out, but we never realized it could ever happen. Or at least, I never thought I would be the imbecile that went through it!"
At Pakpao's next question, Kuval only moved his mouth into a wider grin. "Well, there is no secret there! If I hadn't have gotten kicked out of that lazy pond, who knew how boring my life would be! I took something horrible, and decided to dwell on how thankful I was to leave. It was sort of like a fresh start, and I left all of the sadness behind with me"
"It all depends on how one can handle things. It has nothing to do about how extreme a circumstance was, or how weak or strong someone was. Everything is based off of an individual level, and I basically looked at myself and decided I wanted to be happy."
Now he felt like he was ranting, and he wondered if he was even making sense. "So that's why I keep asking you, what do you want to do now?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:41 pm
"I want..."
Wait. What did she want? Ask her a week, a month, even a year ago and she would have answered that all she wanted was to be left alone, in peace. But there never was any peace... just guilt and forlorn sorrow. She hadn't felt like she deserved to have happiness, not after what happened with Calantha. But it truly wasn't her fault, was it? She had no control over the Leviathan, just as she had had no control over her brightly colored body. Calantha wouldn't have wanted her to mope around, not at all. She was bright and cheerful, just like Kuval, now that Pakpao thought about it. Perhaps that was why she was so harsh to him, compared to others she came across. He reminded her of the Merlock she would never see again, who would never give her affection, attention, and tell her how wonderful she was just being the way she was. It was time to put things from the past back in the past, and live for today, live for now.
"I want.... to be happy." she finally stammered out.
Yes, happiness. A fleeting dream, now a possible future?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:48 pm
What a relief! Kuval moved closer to her, and without even thinking nuzzled her nose affectionately. "I want you to be happy, too! I am so relieved to hear you say that" When he finally realized what he had done, he took a step back and shook it off nonchalantly. He had to play it cool, always.
"So what kind of things make you happy?" Because, strangely he had never asked her that before. He had only heard the things that bothered her.. so this really was a good change for Pakpao.
It was time they switched gears to happier things, so he could try and surprise Paku with something nice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:58 pm
She was stunned by his gentle, reassuring affection, and blushed as she watched him quickly step back, as if questioning his own actions. What had brought that on? His words continued to echo in her ears. He wanted her to be happy. He, someone she has threatened, snapped at, told off, looked past her words and still wanted to ensure that she was happy? It was almost too much to bear!
Pakpao shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. "Makes me happy? Well, honestly, I've never really given thought to it before now." The mare laughed, feeling a bit awkward. "Umm... What do you like to do Kuval? Maybe I can find something enjoyable out of that?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 1:12 pm
He thought if anything, she was quite aware of all of the things that made him happy. "I am most happy when I am around someone else, that's why I always come bother you." It would be too strange to let Paku know that he cared about her as well, and the mare didn't seem ready for that kind of information.
She was just adjusting to a new way of thinking, so he didn't want to overload her too badly. Why else would he stride out to find her all the time? He was sort of attached.
"I also enjoy finding pretty reefs, and occasionally playing on the beach. Though I tend to be wary when I go and water out of the ocean.. I really hate seeing land-dwellers."
He sighed once more and glanced back at Paku. "I dunno, simple things make me happy. I just like being entertained by stupid things."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 1:22 pm
"It is beautiful down here," she said thoughtfully, glancing about at their surroundings. "It's hard to believe that there are others out there who prefer to live OUT of the water, you know?"
She laughed, enjoying the feeling. "But I guess most of those are less fortunate and can't live under the water like us, eh?"
She avoided commenting about him going out of his way to find her... she didn't know what to say to that. Deep down inside, she knew she liked Kuval, as obnoxiously happy as he was, but she didn't know what to think of those feelings. Was there something deeper there that she couldn't put her hoof on? Or was it just a passing fancy, some deep appreciation she had for him for always being there for her, for helping her out?
Another eyebrow raised as she listened to him sigh, her attention reverting itself back towards him. She was getting good at the eyebrow-raise 'look', and she had no doubt that the longer she stayed around Kuval, the better she'd get.
"Those aren't stupid things, Kuval," she objected, her voice growing a little quieter. It was odd, being nice, when she was so used to snapping and walking off. Definitely would take some getting used to. "In fact, I think we should go play on the beach right now!"
She did her best imitation of him that she could manage (having no fins proved difficult to accomplish), and she leapt up in the water with a bounce, only to soon find herself planting her hooves on the ocean floor once again. Her cheeks reddened again, and she gave an embarrassed laugh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:01 pm
With his smile brought back on his face, he laughed lightly at her cute effort. "Nice Paku is.. strange. I'll have to get used to it!" he then said, with a goofy grin. "Though I believe you are starting to act like yourself, and you are quickly learning that you can be much happier then you thought, ne?"
What great progress, he really was stunned that she was actually listening! She was putting in the energy to make her life better, and it was uplifting for even Kuval to watch. He saw nothing of that sort when he talked to Aganthi, so he was hopeful now with Paku.
"Beach isn't far at all." he then said, with a light snort. "Just follow me." since, he did know where they were in the first place! The only place that Pakpao had really wandered off to, was an area that, if continued on, got shallower while then turning into land!
"Yep, its just up this way! I think you will enjoy the change of scenery."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:11 pm
Her eyes narrowed and she snapped out, "I am NOT strange, you goofy stallion!"
She continued to stare at him, laughter attempting to escape from her mouth from her quick outburst. While things were changing, some things were destined to never change.
Raising her head up, she continued airily, "But yes.... I apparently can be."
She gave him a big grin to match his own, then nodded her head and began to follow. "Lead the way then, Kuval. But if this is some kind of trick and we don't go to the beach, it'll be your tail on the line!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:44 pm
He shook his head at her usual aggressive behavior, and continued to move on the ocean floor with a fast pace. He was well aware now of the limitations that Pakpao had when it came to swimming, but luckily their destination was easy to reach by the means of trotting!
"I don't know if you noticed but we are slowly going up hill." he then said, with a light smirk as he turned behind to look at her.
"Look up and tell me if I am lying? There are no tricks up this sleeve!"
And with that, it was clear to see that above them had become much brighter, and the sky was slightly visible through the moving current. "Beautiful, ain't it? I love this view." It was only a bit more of a climb before they would emerge onto a sand bar, and then make it onto the shore.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:59 pm
She returned his smirk with a sly grin of her own as she began to trot forward, catching up to walk by his side. "You don't have sleeves to begin with, so perhaps you're hiding those tricks elsewhere?"
Turning her head, the mare glanced up to where the stallion was looking at. The sunlight shining above the ripples of the surface was a sight to see. Kuval was right, it was a beautiful view. Too bad the beauty of the land above had to be spoiled by those land-dwelling horses and two leggers. She didn't know any of them personally, and she didn't WANT to get to know them. From what she had seen previously on the beaches before, they were nothing but silly goofy creatures.
"But then again, first appearances can be deceiving," Pakpao thought to herself as she stole a glance at the Kelpi beside her. After all, hadn't she thought the same of Kuval?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:09 pm
With a few trudges forward, it was clear to see that the water above them was right over their heads! Within seconds, Kuval popped his head out of the water, and squinted at the horrible sun. "GAAAAH, why couldn't we come on a cloudy day!" With a grumpy snort, he continued squinting while looking at the female. "I usually only make my way on to the land when it is incredibly foggy, since I hate how bright it is. What are these stupid land-dwellers thinking?!"
But today he would make an exception, since he was with Pakpao of course! Plus, after a few minutes, he was able to get used to the brightness, somewhat.
"And here we are, the beach!" Their bodies had pratically made it out of the water, and both were dripping wet, and that was something that Pakpao was probably not used to. "Doesn't air feel strange for the first time?" He had hoped she wasn't too weirded out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:17 pm
She grinned as he whined, herself attempting to adjust to the feel of now having weight. It was heavy, now having to hold up her own weight as she walked, instead of the water aiding her. "Perhaps that's the problem... these land-dwellers are too stupid to know what's good for them?"
Her headfins began to droop, droplets of water streaming down her face as she herself had to acquaint her eyes to the bright sun and the lack of water. She took a deep breath, and her lungs and gills found themselves confused with the fact no water was being filtered through them. Though the water-free world had it's difficulties getting used to, it was a exotic beauty all the same. All around her she could see tall green kelpi plants with brown bottoms, and the green strands of kelpi were growing EVERYWHERE across the ground where the sand stopped.
The sand itself, was a sight to behold, as it seemed to want to cling to her more than it ever did under the water. Shaking one hoof, she attempted to clean off the sticky particles, but eventually gave up, as when she returned the hoof to the ground, the sand began its clinging once more.
"I'm not some guppy, Kuval." she snorted, tempted to kick some of this sticky sand his way and see if it clung to the rest of his body, "I've been up here before. Just... not alot. Or recently."
True, she had made the trip once or twice before, but moreso just to scare some silly foals away from entering her territory. She hadn't taken the time to actually take in the sights around her, and she was beginning to regret not having done so when she had the chance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:34 pm
"Heh maybe it is better," he then said, while scoping out the area for any unwanted guests. Luckily, there were none. "That you haven't come up here a lot. Maybe I come up here too much, since there are so many memories I would like to remake." Was that weird, that he liked to remake memories into new thoughts? It felt soothing for him, and he had never revealed that to anyone until now. "Man I have been all over as an adult, but only once did I run into someone, and it was a stingy Unicorn. It looked so stupid with a horn on its head." he chuckled lightly and remembered how angry the female was at him.
"And yeah, you have to wait for your body to dry off, before the sand will then fall. It only clings because we are sopping wet."
He felt almost needed for once, and it was nice to be knowledgeable about something. "Now, were to go.." he hadn't been on their current edge of the ocean before, so he was as interested as she was, looking at all of the scenery with new eyes. "And I thought I had been to this spot before.." Knowing him, he popped his head out to see how bright it was, and returned to the water quickly!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
