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 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:00 pm
Marut almost jumped at his immediate exclamation; damnit all, how had she managed to do that again? But maybe..she listened with half an ear as he spoke again, mulling over her own thoughts all the while. Maybe it wasn't her who was the problem, maybe it was just how he was around others.
'So I don't annoy you then, I just exasperate you?' she asked, a grin not far from her face as she looked at him.
'Because? Because I'd like to get to know you, and I don't know how to do that. Being my silly self doesn't seem to help, so I thought. I don't know. I thought if I acted slightly more ladylike (whatever that is!), that we might get on better. I was obviously wrong.' she let out a long breath, falling silent again as he continued to speak.
'That's a good thing then? I do that, I stand apart from the rest?' Marut didn't know how she seemed to others, of course no one really did until they were told.
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Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:14 am
"There is very little that annoys me," Raniero replied calmly, raising a brow as she attempted to better understand him. She wasn't very subtle in her approach to such things and as such he could have dodged them if necessary. Given that very few could truly grasp his habits and quirks though, he found the entire thing pointless and remained as he was. He was always somewhat blunt, he had his manners but they were more practical than mild.
"What does annoy me is always noted and pointed out, I do not make any secrets of my distaste for something," the stallion pointed out. He wasn't lying either, he possessed the rather good skill of a 'death glare' - anything that received it generally knew they weren't welcome. He tossed his mane out of his eyes at this point and quivered. With the chill of the wind on his back he was just a little uncomfortable - no doubt when the fur had dried he would be fine but he should have known. Remaining out on an open plain with wet fur and a cold wind even when in possession of a winter coat was not particularly smart. That being said, it was more of a flinch than a quiver and he quickly regained control.
Discipline had it's benefits.
"Let me be frank with you, Marut..." he addressed her at last and released a soft sigh. With a shake of his head, his expression became more bemused than exasperated. "With such a love for active games, you are most certainly not lady like. If you are to try and know of me, then why bother being something you are not?" he flicked his tail against his flank and gave his neck a soft crack. "It is hardly fair to expect an acquaintance to open up to you, when you are not being truthful with them - correct?"
"It is a good thing to possess your own quirks and to be comfortable with each. If everyone were alike we should have a very bland time of everything," he pointed out. With this in mind he fell silent and permitted the mare the opportunity to mull over his words.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:04 am
'Well I guess that's good to know.' Marut hoped he was being as truthful as he seemed. Casting her mind back to their first meeting, she did recall he was plainly spoken, but his appearance, and then the winged musician had driven out much of her recollections of most of the meeting.
The self-same stiff breeze made her shiver slightly, she wasn't adverse to doing so because she didn't think that being cold was weak. Everyone felt the cold to some degree after all! Neither was she a big chicken like her sister, so shivering was okay in her book.
'Hmm? So ladies don't tear around, and get into fights eh? Thought as much.' she'd never thought of herself as a lady, and that simply confirmed it. She nodded thoughtfully.
'I guess you are right Raniero. I shall be myself,' and with that she poked her tongue at him, an expression of pure cheek on her face.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:11 pm
Raniero was not one to 'mince' words in terms of trivial conversation and he most certainly didn't flatter. To assume he would fabricate any lies or paint pretty pictures for those around him was unrealistic. It was impractical and required too much effort that could be used elsewhere. In time perhaps Marut would recognise this and realise that from his point of view, he had no reason or desire to lie. In a manner of speaking lies were for cowards - but he was an individual who understood that on occasions deviations for the truth (or white lies) were perfectly acceptable. He had afterall, dressed as a woman and been deliberately deceptive in pursuit of his knowledge to an extent...
However the persistance of the wind upon his damp form was serving no purpose other than to annoy him. He can handle discomfort to a degree but the continuous onslaught of the chilled bite of autumn was trying his patience. To say he was happy that the mare had shivered was an absolute understatement - it gave him the excuse to move under the guise that it benefited them both. It wasn't that he considered shows of discomfort to be a weakness, but he was obssessed with maintaining his composure and shivering spoiled it. Provided he had the excuse of 'aiding' another it worked out better.
"I suggest we find warmer quarters," he observed calmly, swivelling his head to the left as he glanced towards the forests. The canopies still remained thick, though the leaves were reddening and as such would provide ample shelter. Warmth was warmth though and Raniero was not going to be fussy - granted there were other means of achieving warmth but now wasn't the time and he was not going to have any races to 'warm his blood' either. This in mind, he turned in the direction and began to move towards his chosen location - making reference to Marut's further comments as he went.
"Generally speaking a 'lady' does not take part in destructive activities, no. Anything that may jeopardise their appearance is rarely appreciated," pausing, he glanced over his shoulder and arched a brow. Marut had made no secret of her love for activity and her lack of interest in her own appearance. "However sometimes it is not always desirable to be solely interested in one's appearance - a quirk never hurt and as a mare who possesses many quirks you will ensure that very few are ever bored with your company..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:09 pm
Marut's teeth chattered again, and she nodded gratefully;
'Good idea! I was beginning to make my own music with my teeth.' she joked, following Raniero towards the shelter that the forest offered. Obviously she might have suggested something more strenous but he wasn't going to be participating so she merely followed him.
'So you've known lots of ladies then, that you know about them?' she asked, stamping her hooves a bit harder as she walked to get her circulation going.
She quite liked the fact that it wasn't boring to be with her, that was one of those compliment things she kept getting though wasn't it?
'Umm, thanks?' she ventured. She didn't know what else to do when someone not related to her said something nice. If it was her brother she would have just thumped him with her tail.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:23 pm
"You are welcome," the stallion replied, unphased by her obvious lack of experience when it came to compliments. This wasn't 'My Fair Lady' and as such he wouldn't be teaching her the specifics. He had no desire to turn a tomboyish mare into a lady, though if he really though about it he was sure it would make a fascinating subject choice at some point or another. Perhaps when his research was finished he might set about musing over such an idea... It certainly had potential, but it would also require and ridiculous amount of patience.
So long as she demonstrated some form of gratitude he was content.
"In regards to knowing many mares," he mused over this for a time being. The vast majority of his conversation had come from research as opposed to immediate encounters but he had ample experience in that department as well. However, he was not about to go into such details with a naive mare - particularly when he suspected that she would be more than happy to make a joke of it. To be entirely honest he suspected that she would make a joke out of everything but that was beside the point.
"I know enough," he replied at last with a hint of finality within his voice. Alas as he breached the forest's edge and slipped into the depths his muscles instantly loosened. The warmth of the forest in comparison to the bite of the open plains was striking. He closed his eyes and took a number of deep breaths, savouring the loving embraced of the canopy. One might say he opted to savour the peace and quiet for the time being as well, given that he suspected that a particular mare didn't reveal revel in silence a lot.
"Though perhaps if you were more observant to those of a the same sex you might also note such traits as well," he pointed out quietly. It was perhaps the closest he had come to pointing out that she probably spent most of her time around men and as such, had long since failed to grasp typical female behaviour...
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:25 am
Marut wasn't warm enough to pry any further, and even she understood that a tone of voice like that meant she would probably actually annoy him if she did ask anything more on that subject. Did he know the ladies well, was he romantically involved? Those questions were there in the fore of her mind for asking but she chose tact for once.
The wind whistled on the outside now, the remaining leaves, the trunks and the branches of the trees making a good 'wall' and the air underneath was warmer, if slightly gloomier.
'I like who I hang out with, stallions are more likely to want to do what I do.' she said, her teeth chattering less.
'Besides, I have only one sister, and she isn't a typical lady either really.'
She wasn't very sure of that, but her sister was skittish, and not outgoing at all. Though Maharet did make sure she was always tidy, and wasn't one for getting dirty and liking it.
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:26 am
Well, she was warming up at the very least. The embrace of the forest had ensured that her soggy coat would dry quickly. Apparently they had entered shelter just in time as well, given that the heavens opened and the rain pounded against the ground without a semblance of mercy. That being said, it was Autumn and therefore completely reasonable for Mother Nature to thrust such tempermental weather upon her children. In a manner of speaking, it was rather refreshing to experience the drop in temperature and humidity. The stifling heat of the summer was dispersed and respite was provided to those who disliked extreme heat - Raniero had always been a winter child, even since birth.
"The mannerisms of a lady come in many forms. It simply depends on the individual and how they choose to present themselves," Raniero explained quietly, turning his amber gaze to watch the rain for a short while. His mother was a Lady for all intents and purposes, yet she wasn't fascinated by her appearance or terribly sociable. She was content to simply live in his father's shadow and dote upon him from there...yet she had always carried herself with a demure beauty - his aunt on the other hand was much different. Aware of her beauty she was a social butterfly, yet maintained that poise that a true lady had within them.
The only thing the two had in common was probably tidiness.
"However if your preference is to remain in the company of stallions then again, that is your perogative... Though I can say from experience that you are not the only tomboyish mare in existence," he smiled knowingly and rolled his shoulders. Glancing briefly at the mare, he attempted to discern the flickering expressions upon her features but opted to leave it be. If she was choosing now of all times to display tact then so be it. Admittedly this was the wrong decision given he was perhaps a little more accessible in this state but he couldn't fault her for it. After all, he was difficult to read and subsequently she would be on guard.
"As to using the excuse that you have more brother's than sisters... One might say that the point is moot. I possess only one brother and that does not explain my choices in the slightest." He released a soft sigh and once again returned his gaze to the forest's edge, his amber orbs fixed firmly on the droplets of water cascading from the leaves nearby. "Then again, in a manner of speaking every individual is different so my point is moot."
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:35 am
'I don't suppose I am,' Marut replied, looking out at the rain. They'd taken shelter in the nick of time, if they'd been caught out in that she would definately have caught a chill. And then her mother would have even more to complain about.
'I've just never met one like me so far.' she grinned, looking sidelong at him,
'And yes, I know that will be hard if I do only hang out with males.' she decided to get that in before he pointed it out.
'If I was more girly, I don't think I could survive my four brothers, and their squabbles. I want to bite them sometimes.'
Or grab their ears and bang all their heads together, she thought idly. Something had to happen.
'Do you fight with your brother? Argue with him I mean.'
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:47 am
"No, we have no reason to argue..." Raniero replied softly, his expression loosening a little at the mention of his family. Really, his family had so many differing personalities that disagreements were rare. His brother had developed the amiable nature of his mother, while Raniero had adopted a slightly more studious manner than his father. Without the stresses of running a herd to weigh heavily upon his shoulders, Raniero had been granted a surprising amount of freedom and as such... He had no stresses to infuriate him.
Bar subjects.
Interruptions...
"My brother is amiable and permits me to do as I please without interruptions. Disputes were not someting that occured often when I was a foal," he smiled rely and shook his head. When he was a foal he had been just as playful as his brother, if not more so. Then curiosity had piqued and he had found his calling in knowledge. It was just as well really given that he wasn't the best at sports and didn't excel at them in a the slightest - he would lose a race to a child if tested.
"That being said you do not need to be more 'girly' to do anything," he raised a brow and turned his head to eye the mare. He shook his head and at this point released a soft snort. "Just be yourself, you have enough quirks to attract anyone you wish to meet," a pause and he shifted his gaze away again, equine lips pursing somewhat. "However even if you adopted a more tidy appearance this doesn't make you capable of biting anything."
"...You still have your teeth, after all."
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:55 am
'You were lucky then,' Marut mumbled, her expression clouding over, her mood falling for a moment. Though she didn't stay that way for long, it really wasn't in her nature. But the family thing was slowly wearing on her. It seemed like only herself and her mother were any semblance of normal or didn't have some uncalled for grudge going on.
She showed her teeth after he'd finished speaking, making a little snapping motion with them at Raniero, and them smiled properly, not from humour but from what small affection had grown from getting to know him better.
'I like you Raniero.'
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:27 am
It wasn't his place to pry, even as her mood fell due to the current topic of conversation. It was none of his concern until it was directed at him, he wasn't one to invade on another's privacy (in a manner of speaking). He could read them, watch them and draw conclusions on immediate behaviour but he never delved deeper. If there were underlying currents, unrest in a family; then that was as far as it went. They would be dealt with by the individual, not him...and then he would document the immediate affects.
It was simple.
Grudges or not, they didn't affect him. Perhaps things would have been different if she was his responsibility but she wasn't. She was her own being and by previous observations, she was very independent. No doubt in time she would deal with her own issues and perhaps then, she wouldn't be so glum. In a manner of speaking he really was lucky to avoid such family politics... after all, Paramekia had been more than strict when it came to such things. He had come from an unsettled line, one riddled with turmoil and wouldn't permit his children to live the same way.
Nevertheless it wasn't long before she did recover her composure and his brow raised higher as she snapped her teeth towards him. It was an inoffensive motion, even he could recognise this, but still...there was something comedic about her expression at that moment. However it was when she smiled that something seemed different, it really was true what they said. When an individual gave a true smile, they shone. Turmoil or not, she would be fine.
Though when she said that...
"Oh you do, do you?" he enquired softly, pursing his lips for a few moments. An individual without many acquaintances, he wasn't one to respond in the typical way. While most would celebrate he remained somewhat doubtful. He could logically see how one might like a certain side of him, but that didn't encompass all that he was. Alas, he still had his manners and after this considerable pause he did smirk somewhat and release a soft snort.
"Thank you." He finished at last.
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:50 pm
Marut reached out, pulling a branch down towards her and letting it go again, the water that had gathered on the leaves flying out into the open. She chuckled and nodded at Raniero.
'Yup. I do.' she looked at him for a moment, before turning her head away, looking back out at the rain. She wondered what he would actually say to it, and so was pleased when all he did was acknowledge the sentiment.
'You're so very welcome,' she replied, giving him a playful nudge, not a very forceful one, just a knock with her head against his shoulder.
'I wonder how long it will rain.' she murmured, an offhand comment. She wouldn't mind however long they were sheltering under the trees for, she just wasn't sure how long he could survive her company.
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 4:05 pm
It was complex, Raniero could survive in the company of another for many hours (even days) if he was allowed to drift into his own thoughts. However, Marut was much more talkative and as such it was unlikely he would be permitted to remain in a constant reverie. The issue of how long he could last in her company was therefore open to discussion - really it depended entirely on how she behaved and how long his patience lasted. He had a lot of patience but he wasn't a saint, particularly if she chose to wander into unchartered territory and asked him to explain certain things.
He was a male for goodness sake, he could only hold on to his composure for so long before cracking! It was just as well that she had previously changed the subject and hadn't pondered over any relationships he might have had. That being said the stallion would have pointed out this was utterly ridiculous and any union would have been purely for pleasure... not that this would serve any purpose other than to stun her for a short while but it was the principle of the matter. Push the right buttons and he would leave in a heartbeat, tread carefully and he would remain in her company for hours if need be.
It was with a toss of his mane that he turned his head away from the mare as she flicked the water across their immediate vicinity. Shielding his eyes from the droplets, he only turned his head back to it's starting position after he was certain she had finished playing. Honestly, he was wet enough and didn't require more droplets of water. He wasn't a stallion for games either and as such a water fight was out of the question - any dramatic shakes and he would resemble a very fat and fluffy panda.
...And he wasn't fat.
At all.
Nevertheless her nudge did startle him out of his thoughts and he was vaguely aware of her reference to their previous topic. Unaccustomed to such contact, he blinked twice and cleared his throat to regain composure and to catch up on the current situation. He had only missed a split second and had somehow warranted being nudged in an affectionate manner. Really was that necessary simply for expressing gratitude? It didn't seem like her. It was best for him to simply avoid blurting this out and instead he chose to respond to her next statement which was a bit vague and seemed to be nothing more than a filler.
"Please tell me that was rhetorical and that you do not expect me to answer it with any remote chance of accuracy..."
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 4:16 pm
Marut gave him a long, and for her, hard stare at his reply to her comment on the weather. Really, did she strike him as that unintelligent?
'Yes Raniero,' she eventually answered.
'I think that along with everything else you know alot about, that you can accurately predict what the weather will do.'
She didn't often use sarcasm, but she felt that warranted it. Then she laughed again, at him mostly.
'Really? I was talking mostly to myself just then. Wondering out loud. I didn't think you would be able to give me an actual answer.'
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