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 Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:52 pm
He found himself quite enjoying the conversation, which wasn't altogether unusual, but at the same time, it pleased him. More, she seemed to think they were getting along well, as she was offering to spend time with him outside of this one meeting. The thought of chasing fireflies was an entertaining one, but it would be better with company. Despite her intense dedication, Tsuki was proving to be the kind of mare who could also relax and have fun - someone Jonquil would definitely like to get to know better.
"When summer comes and the fireflies wake up, I'll come looking for you first." As they walked they began to approach the treeline, though it was thin and there was obviously a path between them. It was the one Jonquil had followed to arrive in the clearing, and though he rarely took the same path twice in one day, it was a little cold for them to be wandering for too long.
Lifting his head, eyes scanning the sky, he noted the clouds. They were drifting away, which meant they wouldn't have a heavy snowfall that night. While it was good in the sense that more exploring would be possible, the tracks of the day would still be visible in the morning. Jonquil loved the serenity of a blank landscape, the feeling that it had been untouched by others even if for just a short time.
"My brother is purple as well. Most of our family is, come to think of it. It's rare for me to see someone with a coat like mine if they aren't related to me, though I'm sure there are others out there." Glancing over, he added, "I haven't seen Tobias in a while, though. I should spend more time with him, I think."
In the path before them a branch had twisted and broken, burdened by a heavy clutch of snow, and it lay across, barring their progress. Quickening his pace a bit, he stretched his neck and bit down on the end, lifting the branch high above so that Tsuki could walk through.
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:07 pm
Ah, so she would have a playmate when the time permitted and the weather arrived? That was an exciting thought when she realized it! She only nodded at him happily while noticing the changing landscape in front of them. When she noticed him change his pace, she did her best to keep up and not let him down. It was nice to not know where she was going for once in her life. It made her focus on the conversation more, since that was most important right now.
"I'll be sure to remember that you have many purple family members." she then commented, while giggling lightly at the abundant purple gene. "I think it's nice to look different. You can always tell who you're family is, and it helps one stick out in their own way." she gave a light nod and thanked him when he acted very gentlemanly with the branch. She didn't even notice it until he helped her out!
She honestly didn't know any better, but she was being treated as a princess right now!
"So do you have a family of you're own, Jonquil?" It was a simple question to ask, since most of the soquili Tsuki had met were planning on starting families and what not. "I need to catch up with my own siblings as well, since I'd never know if they started relationships or had children." Though, the thought of either of her siblings having their own kidlets felt very strange to Tsuki's mind.
But, it was something that many did very naturally and easily. To Tsuki she had never considered it personally since such a relationship had never developed. Plus, it was wintertime, and Tsuki assumed all that stuff only happened in the warmer months. Though, when she saw foals running around in the present days she would remind herself that soquili could have children whenever they wanted! Some were just more particular then others. Ah well.
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:26 pm
Once she had passed through he dropped the branch, clicking his teeth to rid his mouth of the strong taste of pine. It was one Jonquil had never developed a liking to, and he did his best to avoid ingesting pine needles if at all possible, but he considered the simple act he'd performed only moments ago a necessary one. After all, he couldn't ask her to hop over it when his own path was clear, and to make her walk behind him was something that didn't even cross his mind.
Jonquil believed in all creates being equal, from the youngest foal to the oldest adult. Oh, more respect was to be given to the elders, and more patience to the young ones, but all in all they deserved to be treated with the same basic level of kindness and consideration. He would no more ask his father to walk behind him than he would a perfect stranger; it was simply the way he was.
Falling into step with her again, his shoulder brushing hers briefly, he considered her words. A family of his own? He assumed she meant a mate and children, which was what most considered when they mentioned starting a family. Of course he would always have his parents and siblings, and distant relatives on either side of the family line, but it was true that once anyone reached adulthood it seemed the prime objective was finding a mate to spend their later years with, and for most, to bear children. He hadn't thought about it much, being more concerned with enjoying his life to the fullest as it came along, but as he lapsed into a thoughtful silence, he realized that he would like that.
A mate. Someone to turn to for the good times and the bad, a sympathetic shoulder or a warm side to lay against. Someone to laugh with, cry with, become angry with, love with everything that he had. Comfort and stability, a constant in a life that was otherwise filled with exploration and adventure. The security of knowing that there was at least one other in the world who could live without him but chose not to. A best friend, in every sense of the word. Not the other half, because together they would have to be a duo, but the complementary soul to his own.
Children. He hadn't been around many, but he liked them. He knew he'd like to have them. Colts or fillies, he would love them all the same and try to teach them the things he'd learned in his own life. The importance of family, be it your own or someone else's. Respect for all living things both above and below one's own sphere of existence. Patience and tolerance, balanced evenly with fun and silliness. How to manage a temper, and try never to bruise another heart.
Both of those sounded very nice.
Angling his head toward her, eyes soft with his thoughts, he replied, "I don't have a mate or children, no. I was just thinking that it would be nice, but no one like that has come along just yet."
Turning his gaze forward again, he added, "I'm not really looking, but I think that's the way it should be. The one we're meant to be with will find us regardless of whether or not we spend our whole lives searching - and even if we do, perhaps we'll pass them by, because we don't think they're just what we need. I'd much rather have it happen slowly and naturally, and leave myself open to any opportunity."
He was being completely honest. Jonquil had no idea what sort of mare would capture his heart, but he was confident that in time, she would appear to him. He may not recognize her for what she could be to him, at least not right away, but things had a way of working out. He believed that with everything that he had inside of him, and so he knew that it would be true.
Curious, he glanced back to her. "What about you, Tsuki? Do you have a mate, any children?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:35 am
She could tell he was very deep in his thoughts. She wasn't entirely surprised since she had asked a question that required a lot of thought and consideration. She would have liked to have the same kind of mindset as Jonquil, one that believed in a moment that could come some day for everybody. A moment where a soquili would find someone they were destined to be with. It felt sort of fairy-tale like when she thought about it. But hm, it certainly worked out that way for many of the soquili out there.
This situation of happiness had never felt entirely natural in her own family. But, in truth she had never considered the circumstances of her parents. Her parents may not have enjoyed the 'conventional' way of meeting and staying together, but all that mattered was that they were together, and that they were happy. So, did a fairy tale exist in every situation? Or was the love that brought two beings together the most important aspect of any bond or relationship?
Tsuki always assumed that her own fairy tale was impossible, since her family had been a strange circumstance altogether! But that was no good. She couldn't lock her thoughts away forever. She could wait just like everyone else was!
When Jonquil did finally answer, she snapped her mind back into the conversation and smiled at his words. "It would be nice." she then agreed, while listening to him further. He wasn't looking for anyone? That was surprising, but when he gave his explanation she smiled even wider and nodded at his words. "I think I'd rather have it that way too. Sometimes things just happen, life just changes ever so quickly. I think that's what makes life so wonderful. We can never predict exactly what's going to happen." So hey, there was no reason to constantly search and exhaust oneself!
When she was asked to comment on her own family matters, she only shook her head and chuckled. "No mate, no kids. Just like you I've never really looked. But I still like to hope, even if that could be a bit childish." If her parents could find happiness, then she had a reason to as well.
She then decided to add her own tid-bit of exclamation since it felt appropriate for the mood of the day. "Then I hope for the sake of both of us that we find the happiness we deserve someday." she smiled at her friend and bobbed her head lightly. And hey, they both would someday! Since they had the attitude that could make anything happen.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:53 am
"I don't think hope is childish." As the path narrowed before them, he mulled her words over in his head, considered them. Many would think that hope in something such as a happily-ever-after with a mate and children was naive, but Jonquil didn't see it that way, even if his parents hadn't decided to stay together. What was important in his mind was that there was mutual affection regardless of how the relationship turned out, and that the children were loved. Growing up, he had never felt that either of his parents didn't care for him, and in his mind, that was the way things ought to be.
He stepped over a pine cone and added, "And even if it is, everyone needs to be a little childish once in a while."
The place he was leading Tsuki was a pretty one, one that he thought she would enjoy, but the path to get there got increasingly narrow. It would be a little bit tighter with the two of them walking side by side, but it wasn't so small that it would require them to be single-file; they would remain roughly the same distance they had been, but he could see and feel the trees closing in around them. It didn't make him nervous, but he wondered if she would be all right with it.
"The path gets a little narrow ahead before it widens out again." Snow crunched beneath his hooves, joining the sounds of the forest in winter. "And I hope we both find that happiness as well. Who knows what form it will take?" Thinking of his mother and her love for Guilian, he added, "Some don't need the label of mate to be happy. For others, it's completely essential."
He wondered which he would be. He supposed he would only know when the mare came along.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:35 am
The changing pathway didn't bother Tsuki too badly, and she moved around and adjusted herself easily to accommodate the situation. She rather liked how this was becoming both a good conversation and a bit of an adventure. That made it something entirely different then what she was used to. "The pathway won't be a problem!" she then answered, while glancing her eyes back and forth ever so quickly. There was a lot to see and take in, and every once in awhile she'd look back and forward to make sure the purple stallion was still in front of her. His color was so very refreshing against the dullness that surrounded them!
"You are very wise, Jonquil." she then stated while staring off into the random abyss. "A part of me is jealous, I'd love to have such a sophisticated view and intelligence on everything. But those who carry such minds definitely wear them well." Heh, indeed. Her sister was certainly the brain-bearer in her own family, but in that sense it worked out well. Tsuki couldn't imagine herself being any other way.
"Essential, eh?" she then continued, while letting the word sink into her mind. "I guess a part of me also likes to remember that there aren't any standard rules to life. We all are here to do as we wish- no one can stop us but ourselves. And, maybe our parents." she giggled then and wondered if she sounded funny in that sense. "Maybe looking at life that way makes me a rebel or something!"
She felt the ground under her become a bit slippery, and within seconds she slid forward and bumped into poor Jonquil. "Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!" she was NEVER that unstable, ever ever. She wobbled herself back into position and shook her head frantically. "I've never done something so silly! It seems as though I was lost in the moment or something."
Well, luckily she didn't injure Jonquil at all. But alas, how embarrassed she was. To make such a stupid and irrational mistake... Tsuki wondered where the heck her mind was! Her cheeks were flushed with redness and her eyes were lowered only to the snow. Stupid legs, they've never let her down before!
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:57 am
Jonquil was a little surprised by the bump, but he was steady enough on his feet that it didn't do much at all to him. If anything, he eyed her keenly to make sure that she was all right, and had been prepared to completely dismiss the situation without a moment's concern. He was surprised by her reaction, however, and blinked at her, wondering why her face was so flushed and she seemed intent on looking at the ground.
"Hey, it's fine." To back up his words he leaned over, nudging just under her chin lightly with his nose. "No one was hurt, and mistakes happen. The ground can be slippery."
To him, it really wasn't a big deal. He was more concerned with her reaction, and it made him wonder if she had experience with others getting angry over such trivial things. Personally, he couldn't understand becoming irritated over an accident, but he'd met a few relatively short-tempered Soquili who seemed to be offended by nearly anything. To live like that... he thought it would be rather tiring.
Regardless, he wasn't that kind of stallion. Life was too short to spend it angry.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:19 am
Tsuki face became even redder as Jonquil's nose touched her chin. What-what was this?! She'd never received such a treatment from anyone before- not even her father! He was awfully strange with cuddling or nuzzling so she was new to the whole touchy-feeling thing. But hey, its not like she was complaining! Jonquil's nose was soft and warm, and it lit her face up entirely.
"O-ookay!" she frantically answered, while hoping she could hide her face from him some more. She had forgotten about the actual incident at this point and was overjoyed at his kindness. Plus hey, he didn't seem mad at her for slipping and falling towards him. He was very genuine in his words and answers!
"Sorry again though, I'll be more careful!" she then admitted, while focusing her eyes on her legs and the ground. The ground felt as stable as it was before, and no slippery spots would distract her anymore!
"So, how much farther until our destination?" Her question was to hopefully distract Jonquil from the earlier 'situation', and she peered her eyes forward and kept her mind focused on something else. Noticing it now, she really was very scattered brained! Never had she acted so strange in front of a stallion, let alone a stranger!
"This walk has been very pleasant." she added once again, and she tried to tell her mind to shut up instead of psyching herself out like before.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:56 pm
Satisfied that she really was fine, Jonquil began to walk again, a little bemused by her reaction overall. He supposed that someone as dedicated to their training and fitness as Tsuki would consider it very embarrassing to lose her balance, and worse to bump into someone as a result of that. The best thing he could do for her, then, would be to drop the subject.
Stepping carefully over a fallen log, he glanced over and replied, "We're almost there. I think you'll like this place."
True to his word, soon the trees began to thin out once more, the view between them becoming increasingly pretty. During the warmer months, Jonquil often came to the little clearing inside the woods to relax. Then, the small pool was clear and often warmed by sunlight, and ringed by beautiful flowers. In the winter it was frozen over, but the effect was still pretty.
Trotting out into the midst of the clearing, he turned in a half-circle, smiling at her. "Here it is. One of the places I go to admire nature. In the spring, it's lovely, and full of flowers."
It wasn't like him to be self-conscious, so he didn't think twice about expressing a love of the more delicate aspects of nature. Remembering their earlier conversation, he added, "Butterflies flock to this place, both for the flowers and the peaceful atmosphere."
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:06 pm
Ah, so they really were close to the destined area? Tsuki bounced happily and noticed a dramatic change in the landscape. She also noticed Jonquil's presentation of the area, and she was wide-eyed and excited of course! It was absolutely stunning. Ice was very beautiful when it was holding precious bits of spring, and she took a few steps past Jonquil to embrace the entire area on her own.
"Wow! I can see why you love this place." She tried hard to envision everything melted and green, and although it seemed hard she found it fit rather easily. "I love little areas like this, where only a few know about it's existence." That made it sort of like a secret base, and after that realization, she turned and looked at Jonquil with bright eyes.
"Oh my, is this your own secret area? I promise I won't tell anyone else about it!" A usual smile returned to her face, and she glanced back and forth before rushing closer the Jonquil. "Plus I want to come back here when its warmer." With Jonquil preferably!
She believed in the power of secret areas. She was raised in a relatively unknown portion of the mountains, but that's what made her childhood so special. No one was there to disturb her homeland or cause unnecessary dangers. So, if this place was something special to Jonquil, she would cherish it as much as he did.
"It'd be nice if the butterflies were here today." she sighed lightly but then realized another fun fact. "At least you and I are bright enough to lighten up the area. Us standing here kinda brings some spring cheer into the crystal colors!"
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:06 pm
In a sense, he supposed it was his own secret area. He'd stumbled upon it during one of his many solitary adventures, and it was one of the few places he'd found himself coming back to time and again in varying seasons. He hadn't shared it with any others thus far not out of a need to keep it secret, but a lack of opportunity and desire. It had seemed natural to take Tsuki there, as they were close to the area and both walking the same way, so he hadn't thought twice about it. It seemed to make her happy, though, and that made his smile widen.
He watched her do a quick survey of the area, and as she did, he admired her orange coat. He really was a fan of bright colors, not necessarily preferring them to others on Soquili alone, but because they reminded him of flowers. It was rare that he met a Soquili as vibrant as Tsuki, in both coloring and personality. The fact that she wanted to go back to the clearing pleased him; if they didn't go there together, then perhaps he would meet her there.
When she settled, he canted his head, a small smile on his face. "If it was my place, I'd be more than happy to share it. It's beautiful in the spring, but sometimes it takes more than one to fully appreciate something like that." Pawing at the snow, he offered, "If you wanted to come back in the spring, I'd like to come with you. I think it'd be fun."
For the time being, however, he walked over to a very large log, one that had fallen ages ago and lay across the center of the clearing. He could remember lying next to it, letting the sun warm him as he dozed in out of naps. For now, it was covered in snow, and he nosed it lightly, his breath forcing the snow to flutter away from the log.
Ah, there it was.
Stepping back, snowflakes still decorating his nose, he proclaimed, "I've found the true attraction of this place."
Stepping around the log, he nosed the ground until the snow piled up on either side of him, revealing pure ice. The pond had frozen over, and the recent snowfall had covered it, but not too heavily.
Looking up at the orange mare, humor in his face, he asked, "Want to go skating?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:50 pm
She took a deep breath in when he mentioned hanging out with her again. She needed the air to distract her from smiling too much! But in truth she was incredibly happy. It was a happiness she hadn't felt in ages, though it was one she desired all of the time. Was this what gaining a friend felt like? Why didn't she do it sooner?!
When he spoke of his love for the area, she could only watch him silently. It really was so nice to have a special place. She hoped that she could show him the same kind of area sometime when she found one worthy enough! In the meantime she could search around when the weather became nice enough.
Her brief space-out was interrupted when he asked a surprising question. Skating? She had heard of the 'event', but had never seen it or tried it for herself. So, in with a curious expression, she walked closer to him and looked around.
"This may be weird to admit, but, I've never skated before!" with a pause, she shrugged her shoulders and identified the ice for herself. "I've watched others do it though. It looks so fun!" So with that, she decided to just go for it. "Let's do it!"
At this point in their day, she had embarrassed herself enough. If skating meant risking a bad fall or a goofy slip and slide, she'd only laugh it off like she did before and hope that Jonquil would forgive her like always!
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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:47 pm
Smiling when she came closer, he leaned over and bumped shoulders with her, a friendly and affectionate move. "It's fun. Of course, you want to be sure you're skating on a safe surface so that you don't fall through... but I know this pool, and we'll be fine."
As he spoke, he rapped a hoof against the ice, satisfied by the solid thunk that responded. If he had a means of testing it, he wouldn't be surprised if the entire pool was frozen straight through - it really wasn't that deep, and with how cold it had been, he was sure they would be fine. Jonquil was the type who wouldn't suggest something dangerous just as a means to amuse himself, though there was the distinct possibility one or both of them were going to fall and hurt their rumps.
With that in mind, he paused before stepping out. "Chances are good that you'll fall a few times when you're trying to learn how. I bruised my rump pretty good the first time, actually," He added, a laugh in his tone. "I haven't done it in a while, though, so I'm probably going to fall, too."
So saying, he grinned and stepped onto the ice, his hooves immediately slipping forward on the smooth surface. He used his back feet to kick off, gliding across the surface of the lake with no excess of grace; truly, he was a large purple animal attempting to ice skate. The results weren't necessarily pretty, but his laugh proved that they were fun.
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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 10:41 am
A part of her was hesitant at first. That was a natural reaction for anyone really, but Tsuki was always a bit more cautious then most. When he described his own lessons of falling she could only chuckle happily. Well, she wouldn't be the first to fall, then. That in itself was convincing for her at least! "Then it's definitely worth a try." she then answered, but her eyes were glued to his testing of the ice.
When Jonquil did make it on to the surface, she watched as he slide forward, and her instinct was to dart forward and help him. She breathed again when she noticed him balancing himself, and that he wasn't frowning or complaining. Even if he said he was rusty with the skill, he was doing a fine job balancing on the ice! "You are great, Jonquil!" she then said with an impressed tone.
So with that, Tsuki realized it was probably her turn to try. She quietly put one of her front legs on to the ice to get a feeling of the texture. When she was satisfied with her own experiment, she put both of her front legs up and felt the slippery sensation that most did on ice. So... should she do it? She was a tough mare, and if anything she could handle the worst case scenario. And if she did fall, she would most certainly be fine! She'd fallen doing many of other crazy things, so this wouldn't be the first bruise to land on her body.
With a lunge forward, Tsuki then slid for many seconds until finally moving her legs in all directions and plopping on the ice. She blinked at the sheer speed of it all happening, and could only do one thing afterwards. Laugh.
"Haha! I guess the secret behind skating is being able to control all of your legs at once." she finally said, while somehow making her way up from the slippery mess. "How long did it take you to get used to the ice, Jonquil?" she then asked while still laughing lightly.
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:11 pm
Doing his best to keep his balance, which was a feat in and of itself, Jonquil missed Tsuki's first steps onto the ice. He was focused on his feet, attempting not to stare at his front two hooves as they skidded across the surface, and doing his best to keep his legs moving in tandem. From his own experience, he could remember that the hardest part was keeping one's legs from going in all directions at once, which would inevitably rob you of balance and send you tumbling to the ice.
The sound of her laughter caught his attention, however, and he glanced over his shoulder, blinking when he didn't immediately see her. His eyes darted to the surface of the ice, and he saw she'd fallen, but didn't appear to be hurt - if anything, there was humor on her face, and from the sound of things, she was enjoying herself. Unfortunately, the distraction proved to be too much for him, and when he opened his mouth to respond to her, his breath was quickly stolen from him.
Front legs sliding to the left and back legs sliding to the right, he was helpless to do anything but let out a startled neigh as he did a quick spin on the ice. His footing didn't hold for long, and before he knew it he was moving across the ice again, though this time it was his butt making tracks instead of his hooves.
Blowing his bangs out of his eyes, laughing at himself, he smacked his front hooves down and tried to stop his movement. His fall had landed him in front of her, back legs sticking out to either side of him, the bulk of his weight braced on his front legs.
A laugh in his eyes and tone, he replied, "All winter. And it seems like I have to relearn every time I try it." Chuckling, he attempted to rise to his own feet, but slipped again, landing on his side this time.
Looking up, he added, "And you, my fine friend, are a natural. Getting back up is the hardest part."
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