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 Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:46 am
Honey was adverse to the idea of asking another to come back, an invitation was one thing but requesting seemed a little cruel. It bound another to a promise that they may not necessarily desire to keep. An invitation was more subtle and revealed that the creature in question was not adverse to your company. In a manner of speaking Honeycomb was quite the diplomat and strove to extend the hand of friendship without placing the weight of responsibility on another. She encouraged people to visit her if they had time but asked for no more than that - every creature was free to lead their own life and there was no way she would stop it.
Nevertheless as the mare made reference to the various types of Soquili that Honeycomb had met, she smiled a little. Honeycomb had met a great deal of Soquili, all shapes and sizes. From Usdia to Kalona, she had received the opportunity to interact with them to one degree or another. The only creature she hadn't met (and she was blessed by this) was a Skinwalker, for it was a certain death for her if she ever did. Thus, Xai's question was rather easy...if a little long winded to answer.
"There are many types of Soquili within Islagiatt," Honey replied at last, referring to her herd with a great deal of fondness within her voice. "My aunt's mate is winged, the Seer himself has eight sets of wings. I've had the opportunity to see many kinds of Soquili - even Kalona." Admittedly the only Kalona she had met was Venom, a Kalona who had struck an unlikely deal with the leaders of Islagiatt. It wasn't the most conventional or honourable deal they had made, but it was practical and destined to succeed.
"Sometimes it just takes a little while to meet them I supposed, I just got lucky being born in to such an extensive family. It is full of variety."
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:25 pm
Islagiatt. A name that Xaivary was neither very familiar with, nor entirely clueless about. She heard it, here and there, though that was about it. Wandering betwixt herd lands, often on the borders to keep from stepping on any inhospitable toes to safe herself some hassle, it wasn't something that she'd paid a great deal of attention to. She had never really experienced "family", much less "herd", so she'd not been concerned with seeking out any encounters with one. Her existence was enough, at least for now. But the idea that there might be more interesting encounters to be had did pique her curiosity. More "daily adventures" was something she always looked forward to, even if it didn't show.
"You think they'd be all right with a lone stranger passing through?" Xaivy fixed one goggled eye upon Honey's face and quirked a brow. "I promise I'll behave." She grinned a bit again at that, though it faded as another thought crossed her mind.
"If you've got such a big herd... why are you out here by yourself? Pardon the assumption... you do't seem like the loner type." It was the impression Xaivary had gotten from their conversation thus far. Honey certainly wasn't a loner anywhere near Xaivy's level, in any case... though there didn't really seem to be that many who were.
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:15 am
Ah, it was a little of a probing question and for a short while Honeycomb remained silent as she dwelled on the most appropriate way to address her own issues. The truth of the matter was that Honeycomb couldn't walk very well, she stumbled frequently over the smallest of obstacles. Tripping over her hair and own legs were frequent and as such, she had to tread with extreme care. Living on a mountain was simply too dangerous for one who could lose their balance at any given time and hurl off a cliff face - in a manner of speaking it upset her to be so far apart from her own family but it was unavoidable and then did come to visit her.
"You're right, I love company," she agreed after a little while, the small smile returning to her equine lips as she fixed her gaze on the mare. "But living in the mountains is too dangerous for me, I would get hurt too easily," she explained softly. "I don't have a lot of balance and I would end up falling too often. There's not a lot of room for clumsiness on the slopes so I live down here," she tilted her head to the side and chuckled softly, offering a loose and haphazard shrug.
"That's why they come to visit me instead, they move faster and easier than me so I'm never really alone..." she took a breath at this point and mulled over the mare's next remark. She was sure that many of her herd would be happy for a visitor but there were some that might pose a few problems. "If you promise to behave and avoid the Kalona guard then I expect you would be more than welcome to pass through...though there is a dead forest nearby the desert that needs to be avoided - one of the herdmates in particular really doesn't like visitors, you know?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:08 am
All people had their own quirks, strengths, and weaknesses. What those things were... didn't really make a lot of difference to Xaivary, one way or the other. She did tease people once in a while if she was in a playful mood, but generally speaking people were how they were, and as long as that didn't cause harm to her or her friends of the moment she was happy to let them be.
"Well... yeah makes sense. If your legs think what direction they're going is better than where you want them to go that would pose a bit of a problem up there, hmm?" Xaivary hadn't been to the mountains, either... though she'd heard stories. It wasn't the sort of place those with unsure footing lasted in for very long.
As Honey spoke further to address her question of visiting the Islagiatt lands Xaivary's tail gave a bit of an excited twitch before she flicked it across her flank. Mountains, a dead forest, desert, and a Kalona? It was too bad she'd probably have to avoid the last three, there, but still... this family and their lands certainly seemed an interesting experience. "If I accidentally stumble onto this forest I'll excuse myself quietly. But yeah... I'd be good. It's usually healthier, anyway."
One long leg at a time was stretched before Xaivary began walking idly in a slow circle. She wasn't quite ready to leave, but her subconscious was also ready to move on, if not necessarily from the general area then from this particular spot. Honey had been sweet, though, and interesting to talk to besides, so she wanted to stick around a little longer at least. "What's around here, anyway? I never been to the coast before."
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Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:59 am
That was certainly one way to put it - to explain a disability as the limbs having a mind of their own. Really she simply had poor balance and stumbled as a result but somehow the other mare's explanation seemed more appropriate. It made more sense and it made it seem less silly - perhaps if Honey used such an explanation in future then creatures would understand her a little more. She didn't mean to stumble, her legs simply had a mind of their own - yes, she approved of such a concept.
Nevertheless as the mare mulled over Honey's description of Islagiatt she couldn't help but smile. Despite rarely having the opportunity to visit it, Honey was fond of the place she had been born. She couldn't say much against it and nor did she find reason in deterring people from meeting her family. Save a very few individuals, most were very sociable and more than happy for the company of another soquili.
However she wasn't really permitted very much time to dwell on such topics as Xai brought her back to the present. Enquiring as to watch wonders or palces of note the coast might possess - it was a legitimate question from one who wasn't accustomed to such a place. Really though there was no set answer, it was hard for the pale mare to explain what lay along the shoreline. "Aside from Kelpi, Mersoquili, food and shells..." she shrugged loosely and sighed.
"Really the coast is a place where one can reflect, what you find of value here is based purely on your own thoughts and desires. Some find fulfillment and others don't, you know?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:40 pm
Xaivary might have been amused, and perhaps even a little proud of herself had she known about Honey's musings over her commentary on the stumbling problem. Alas, she was not telepathically inclined, and wound up simply staring into the distance over the sea once again.
She remained that way even for a few moments after Honey spoke again, the blonde mare's words giving Xaivary a reason to mull over some thoughts herself. Fullfillment based on one's own thoughts and desires?... Xaivary did like it here. Just to stand and listen and be still. She felt calm and quiet in truth and not just appearance, or from lack of any reason to act differently. But she didn't know why. Normally she didn't give much thought to things beyond the whim of the moment; and interesting flash of color, a patch of tasty grass, a random encounter with another creature. It felt peculiar to be contemplating the why of something for a mare who normally just existed in the moment simply because she was there.
"It makes me feel... quiet." She canted her head and shook the strange contemplative moment away. Xaivary would come back another time, when she'd had more time to think and other curiosities weren't calling her away. As it was the needs of the moment were encroaching once again as her stomach announced it was time to go find something to eat. "Lunch time. Any suggestions?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:27 am
Now there was a sound that Honey knew all too well - it was just like her father. Always one to visit on an empty stomach, half way through recalling an adventure he would declare that he was hungry. Honeycomb had become so accustomed to this behaviour that she did nothing more than giggle and sway somewhat on her hooves. The delicacies of the coast were not for everyone and usually required a particular palette of tastebuds but she always encouraged a visitor to try something at least once. Dune grass was simply too predictable but there were other things. Honeycomb had become so accustomed to her life by the sea that she had adapted splendidly - this was her opportunity to prove herself a good hostess.
Musing over the potential foods available to the mare before her, she dismissed a number of the more odd ones and came to a conclusion. It was at this point that she blew her long, sandy covered mane away from her eyes and fixed her gaze back on the mare again. She seemed like a reasonably laid back individual, a mare that took everything in her stride so perhaps she would be more than happy to sample some of the delights. Honey was rather against offering dune grass given it's rough texture and lack of any nutritious value whatsoever (that and it tasted horrible).
"Well, there is seaweed or mosses..." she offered quietly. "Really I would encourage a visitor to try both, they are tasty and certainly different from the usual fodder," she explained. She would of course retrieve both, she was more than happy to do so given that both things existed in the ocean. As a strong swimmer she was in her true element out at sea and would be delighted at the opportunity to accomodate someone - this way she couldn't even be clumsy!
"But do you prefer your food moist or slightly drier...?" she enquired curiously.
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:16 pm
Honey's giggle caused Xaivy to fix her attention a bit more firmly on the other mare, wondering what precisly about her question had caused the reaction. She just as quickly shrugged off; there didn't seem to be any real reason to bother with an inquiry. The fact that her hostess seemed to be in a good mood about her presense when most others she had attempted genuine interaction with would probably have become uncomfortable or irritated with her behavior by this point was satisfactory enough. Really, she should have tried traveling so much farther from her habitual lands sooner, the people seemed far less uptight.
"Sea...weed?" She canted her head thoughtfully and nodded. The fact of the matter was that Xaivary would probably try just about anything once as long as it didn't seem detrimental to her health. "I prefer my food not sopping wet and not so dry it's gone brittle?" She was also all right with eating it pretty much how she found it. Pickiness was not something to be found among Xaivy's list of faults and virtues.
"I'm guessing it's not the same sort of moss you find on trees?" She'd never actually thought to try that, either, though now she was curious. Sure, she realized some might balk at such strange sounding food... but she would have tried it simply because it was part of the experience of the day even if she had been leery.
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:13 am
"Hm, well the mosses look similar but taste very different, these ones taste far more salty than those you find snuggled against tree trunks," Honeycomb explained, moving away from the mare slowly. Her hoofsteps were carefully calculated as she made her way towards the tiny pools of water that had been founded over the course of many years. Repeated lulls and tides had ensured that even plant life had made its way into the shallow pools to grow and 'socialise' with the sea life that had chosen to join it until the next high tide.
It was then that she fixed her gaze upon the pool and with a small sniff, lowered her muzzle to wade it through the pool. Careful as not to disturb the inhabitants, she selected an already lose strand of thick seaweed and cave it an abrupt tug. This was definitely not one of her finer moments and without the cushioning support of the ocean's waves she found she quickly lost her balance. A yelp, a stumble and she found herself on her backside - it was just as well that the seaweed was intact even if she had lost her dignity again. That being said, the loss of her dignity was nothing new and she had long since grown accustomed to her own unsteady legs.
Alas she didn't dwell on such a tumble for long and with a sigh she pulled herself to her hooves again and gave her head a slight shake. The sand cascaded from her blond locks and when she was certain that most of it had been removed she made her way towards the mare and presented her with the albeit slimey looking food. It continued to drip onto the sand, though according to the look of the plant it would take more than a few minutes for it to dry sufficiently to become as she has specified... somewhat moist but not soggy.
"Seaweed," Honey announced with her mouth half full.
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:39 pm
Xaivary was slightly overcome by curiosity and followed Honey closer to the tide pools, watching intently as the mare rooted around in the water. She shifted backward involuntarily, ears straight up in alert posture due to suprise, as the other mare subsequently tumbled backward. "'M glad it's not too rocky around here."
Bemused as Xaivary was feeling right at the moment with the situation and all her restless energy she refrained from any real teasing about Honey's tumble. Good natured as it might have been, it wouldn't have been much of a return when Honey was trying so hard to maintain a kind and helpful to her guest in spite of her long-suffering issues with equilibrium.
The brown mare shifted to relieve Honeycomb of her soggy green burden, giving it a prefunctory prodding with her tongue once the seaweed was secured in her mouth. No need to make the other stand there and hold the thing until it dried off a bit, right? And it had quite the curious flavor... quite salty, for one. Xaivy had been a bit leary of trying to drink the ocean water going on smell alone, but this had decided her. But while saltier than she was used to, she still found the flavor pleasant enough.
"So wha's yeh fav'ite?" Xaivary tried to ask around her mouthful, giving the seaweed a shake for emphasis. Honey was obviously quite at home around here, so why not ask the resident about her opinions of the local quisine while the subject was prominent?
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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:12 am
Sometimes Honey would have preferred if people did laugh, it was better than polite glances and winces when she did fall. They didn't hurt and she was never in pain, she just looked a tad ridiculous when she fell on her rump. It was unavoidable, especially with the length of her own mane and tail - hazards in themselves she often fell over them when attempting to 'rush' back and forth. A trot was difficult for her and while she often toppled this didn't harm her optimimsm, it was something she dealt with and would have preferred if other would accept this. Besides, she aimed to entertain and make others feel at home...laughter was one of the best things for that, right?
Nevertheless she was relieved when the mare aided her with the seaweed and took the 'plunge' so to speak. Handling her own soggy food, the expression on Xai's face was not necessarily one of disgust so much as curiosity. Seaweed was definitely one of those love/hate foods and as the mare sampled it (albeit prematurely) she was being introduced to one of the many exotic delicacies that existed within the world. It was just as well that Honey had warned about the rather strong taste but for the time being Xai seemed just fine to handle her own food.
Though what was Honey's favourite...?
"Hrm," she mused softly and tilted her head to the side. She wasn't a fan of dune grass at all and seaweed was something she required a particular mood for. It also depended on season too, more often than not she drifted inland to the lakes during winter to where it was warmer and during the summer months resided here. "Honestly I prefer apples, they are more accessible near the lakes and I find them during their most ripened state...though in summer I'm partial to mosses too."
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:45 am
It was just Xaivary's policy not to laugh at someone who was genuinely being nice unless they did something that was supposed to be laughed at. More often than not people got offended if she did not stick to this policy; but then again the majority of Soquili she'd really come in contact with were a rather stiff bunch. Maybe sometime after today's meeting she'd find herself somewhat impressed with Honey's open-heartedness toward a stranger, when she actually paused to reflect on the event. Maybe it would give her another reason to seek out more of Honey's herd and see if she could find more Soquili who weren't so easily put off by her quirky personality. Or maybe she'd just shrug it off and proceed out of curiosity alone as per usual.
The seaweed was proving to be at least something Xaivary felt she could enjoy when she was in the area, though perhaps not something she would set out to the seaside for the sole purpose of getting more. It seemed to have stopped dripping quite so enthusiastically, and while it was far wetter a dish than she would normally have inland... well, nothing she usually ate inland came in a natural state of such sogginess. So after a moment's contemplation and a bit of a grin to herself she decided to go ahead and actually eat it.
She chewed thoughtfully as Honey spoke, nodding a bit in agreement to the apples but refraining from speaking while her mouth was occupied. Once finished however, she gave herself a light shake. "Mmm. Apples. Heh, I want some now. Or some sort of fruit... not really the right season for any good fruit though."
Xaivary glanced up and down the duny beach, still not quite ready to up and leave but not feeling particularly content with remaining idle. "Where do you sleep out here? Just where ever?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:17 pm
Seasons?
Well the mare had a point, it would be difficult to find ripe fruit at this time of year. In a few months time she may find it easier but for now she would have to subject herself to the usual grass, hay and the occasional shard of bark that remained accessible. That being said, Honey had never had a huge problem with her food and often considered the variety each season to be very special and unique, it gave her something to look forward to as the days moved on. An apple here, a berry there - seaweed and mosses chosen as a suitable dinner another week. While there were those in the world who sought out things of more interest such as competitions and adventure she was perfectly happy with the mundane. After all, she lived a modest life and expected little in return.
Although she wouldn't say no to a little more company...
"Where do I sleep?" She repeated vaguely as she drifted out of her own thoughts and clucked her tongue thoughtfully. It was a reasonable question and perhaps a good one. Sleeping in the wrong place on the coast could be dangerous and maybe if she could educate Xaivary to where the best places were then there would be less mishaps. One step at a time, things would always get better step by step. There was no need to rush but at the same time the work still had to be done.
"Um, there are some cliffs near by that have ledges leading to caves. They're high enough to avoid the tide and enclosed enough to avoid the winds," she explained after a while. "But I can really sleep wherever I please provided I ensure the tide can't reach me and won't swallow me up while I'm resting, you know?"
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Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:09 am
Caves? She'd never been in a cave. Xaivary was seven kinds of curious to go and see these caves now, but before she could really ask another intruiging queery came to mind with the rest of Honey's reply.
"Tides?" She glanced out at the water, ear flicking as Honey mentioned being swallowed up. "It moves? Not just the waves, but the whole thing?" Obviously... she did not know. Perhaps suprising, perhaps not, but this was her first time to the seaside and she certainly hadn't met anyone before who'd been well traveled enough to say more than 'the sea is made of lots and lots of water'. For all her wanderings it was only recently she'd really decided to leave altogether the area she'd grown up in.
This new concept tickled her curiosity and made her nervous all at once. "Does it go very fast, when it moves?" Xaivary just wanted to know if she needed to... back up, or something.
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:51 am
"Mhm!" Honey gave a nod of confirmation at her question, very few soquili stayed the entire day on the coast and therefore they rarely saw the water creep up. She didn't know how or why it did it, all she knew was that when evening closed in the water seemed to creep further and furthre up the shore. It didn't really make sense to her if she was honest but she always made sure to move to safe ground before it made certain regions inpassable. Admittedly it had it's benefits as well, after all - seaweed and mosses often became washed up and made for easy harvesting...even if she did have to nudge the occasional starfish back into the water when it was unlucky enough to catch the ride back out to sea.
"I don't know why but the water comes all the way up the sand - see how some of the sand is wet and other bits are dry?" She motioned to the different 'shades' in the sand and giggled softly. "Every night the water creeps up to that point on the sand, it can sometimes come fast and other times it's sort of slow...so it's usually best to move up well in advance," she nodded sagely. If there was one thing she had learnt as a baby it had been how powerful the pull of the waves was, if it hadn't been for her father's intervention she would be blubbing at the bottom of the sea by now.
"But once you get used to how it behaves it's pretty easy to predict, you know?"
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