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 Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:41 am
Elizabeth had always considered herself to be an independent and responsible mare; however, she had also been raised to respect the judgment and follow the lead of her mate. Perhaps it was an outdated worldview, but it was what she knew and what she was used to. This didn't mean that she would allow herself to be walked over or dictated to by any and all, but it DID mean that when he was around, she would trust Ambroise to be the final say in.
And right now, having him be that final say was a load off of her mind; having only spent a brief amount of time in the Islagiatt before, she wanted to be sure that she understood the customs of the land before she was off on her own. Even more important at the moment, she wanted to get used to her in-laws before spending time alone with THEM!
She trusted that that wouldn't take long, especially with Yei. Grencia would be more of a wild card, but hopefully as he saw she and Ambroise settle into their new life he too would come to be accepting of their relationship, as well as she herself.
As Yei returned with the basket of food, Elizabeth realized belatedly that she should have offered to assist with the food and hadn't; further, she realized that if she would have been thinking she would have seen if she could have brought one or both of her own reed panniers from the compound. Seeing Yei with the basket reminded her, with no small amount of chagrin, that without her panniers it would be virtually impossible for her to transport anything she couldn't carry in her mouth. Personal note, she would have to see about getting those baskets before too much time passed.
Domestic thoughts occupying her mind, she almost missed Yei's statement about disowning. Mild as Yei's voice had been, the thought of anyone being disowned was enough to snap Elizabeth's thoughts back to the conversation, her eyes widening in shock at the idea. That shock quickly gave way to shock of another kind, as Yei followed that declaration with giggling and humor. As idealized as family was to Elizabeth, the idea of anyone treating such a delicate subject lightly was...well, unsettling.
But as neither Grencia nor Ambroise made any comment on it, Elizabeth quickly composed her thoughts and returned her attention to the food. If they weren't concerned, then she probably shouldn't be either.
Besides, the food needed all of her concentration right now. At Grencia's offer, she had peered into the basket to see foodstuffs of a very unfamiliar nature; no grasses or fruits to be seen. Obviously she would have to get used to many things about her new home!
After a few moments of consideration, she selected one of the options and crunched down on it. A bit drier than a fruit, but not too bad! "Thank you."
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:43 am
To be disowned - it was a topic that rarely came up in Islagiatt and was more often than not a very sorry state of affairs. To the knowledge of the vast majority of members, there had never been an instance in which one family had been forced to cast aside a member. There were individuals who had been estranged of course, sons and daughters who had never been heard of again or rarely came to visit but they hadn't been shunned. One might have said that Yei Umeko's behaviour in relation to the subject was inappropriate but it was better to make the best of a situation on occasions. The event had clearly taken it's toll on Grencia and Yei's gentle teasing was perhaps the only way to settle his somewhat unsettled demeanour.
Unsurprisingly, Ambroise wasn't entirely aware of how to broach the subject either. Having been raised in such a supportive family (despite his quirks) he could never dream of a moment in which he would be forced to cast one of his family aside. His father's obvious discomfort indicated that while he had put on a brave face, he was decidedly unhappy. Whatever events had transgressed when the couple had returned to their old herd hadn't been entirely pleasant. Ambroise could only hope that his father's recovery would be swift, perhaps once the shock had warn off then he would feel less...flat?
"I see," was all that he could manage as he regarded the meal his mother had conjured and Elizabeth's initial sample. She seemed almost surprised by the taste of the foods and a small smile teased at the corner of his lips. Perhaps that would be one of the first things that he would do, introduce her to some of the foods available on the slopes so that she could locate and prepare them herself.
"It was for the best," Grencia replied simply and stared pointily at his mate, she had nudged him to be mindful of his manners and now she was being particularly picky over her own choice! The humming and haa-ing was just a touch exasperating when his own stomach was snarling and growling for attention. Sometimes he believed the mare was doing it on purpose and deliberately teased him along until he was about to burst. She drove him batty but he was rather grateful for the distraction on occasions.
He was in luck, Yei eventually chose a rather simple set of nuts, nudging them about on the ground beneath her before proceeding to stomp on them. A mild crack from each nut and they lay crushed but the sweet insides were then available for her to eat. Suffice to say, it was easy to see that Grencia was thanking his lucky stars that she hadn't chosen any of his pine nuts!
"Would you like your pine nuts?" Ambroise enquired mildly, reading his father perfectly.
"Obviously," Grencia replied in equal tones before snapping up his beloved treat. It was only after he was settled happily by his mat's side that Ambroise selected his own food and surpressed the urge to laugh - the entire thing was just a touch comical. He was accustomed to handling pressure, tension... and yet here he was on the bring of hysteria. Clearly there was a reason why he had remained a bachelor for years, he didn't handle this sort of pressure well or perhaps it was his father's expectations?
"So, have you any idea where you intend to settle? There are some lovely patches around the waterfalls but it may be too cold at this time of year," Yei murmured. It was obvious that the bubbly mare wasn't being malicious, she was merely making an observation that Elizabeth's coat wasn't thick enough even with spring approaching fast.
"Mmmm, I was more inclined to head further down the slopes towards the forests, there are a suitable number of cave dwellings there and plenty of shelter -"
"Oooh and it smells heavenly," Yei mused with a sigh.
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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 5:05 pm
Elizabeth was pretty sure that what she had chosen was bark of some kind, but it has surprised her with its pleasant nutty taste. Obviously she would have to get used to this food; as she watched Yei, Grencia, and Ambroise each select their own choices, that belief was reinforced. She couldn't suppress her own fascination as she watched Yei crack the nuts, filing away that useful knowledge for if and when she encountered them herself. As the domestic type, she was fully looking forward to foraging and providing food for her family, as and when it grew...
Really, she should ask Yei for assistance on that. Undoubtedly as a long-term resident of the area, mate, and mother of many she knew all about foraging and providing a comfortable home for her family. Elizabeth also liked the idea of getting to know her mother-in-law; Ambroise wouldn't be around all the time, and it would be nice to have someone else to socialize with from time to time!
Though she was taken up a bit short as Ambroise calmly declared the idea of living down near the forests. She didn't have the area even close to memorized yet, but it sounded as though he was thinking of living closer to the lowlands than she had thought possible! At that, she smiled, delighted at the thought of being able to visit Caj-ji on even a semi-regular basis; at the same time, a slight nagging worry caught up with her. "Are you sure that living so far down the mountain won't be troubling for you, Ambroise?"
It would take some time for her to get over her natural worry of being an inconvenience, and this had all the trappings of just such occurring. Her mate was a busy stallion with many demands on his time, the last thing she wanted was for him to be at a distance from his obligations.
Though hastily, realizing that she was questioning his judgment, she corrected herself with a quickly added, "I'm sure that anywhere would be lovely, and I will learn to adapt no matter where I am. I may not look it, but I've managed it before!"
This declaration was accompanied by a slight smile and a light blush as she reflected on her previous life, when she had been an elaborately dressed companion horse for a wealthy family back before she had come into the Kawani lands; then, she had stubbornly clung to the relics of her past life, both physical and mental. It was embarrassing to think of how she had fought the inevitable destruction of her gown, finding shame in having her bare body visible to the eyes of all...a body that had attracted far more attention covered than it ever had bare!
No, she would not repeat the same mistakes as before. Time with the Kawani had changed her, and she now felt more than up to the challenge of life on the slopes.
She hoped.
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:39 am
Ambroise regarded his consort for quite a few moments as she expressed her concerns. She truly was an individual who preferred not to be an inconvenience - this was a bit of a novelty to him but not by much. It wasn't that Islagiatt mares were an inconvenience, they rarely were, but they simply didn't consider the issue very often. They had definitely been raised in a manner that ensured they had good etiquette but he was fairly certain none of them would have brought this up in conversation. Then again, he didn't know any mare in the Islagiatt herd that had been subject to an 'arranged marriage' so to speak. Perhaps if the situation had been different they may have brought this subject up as well.
"It is far easier for one such as yourself to adapt to the climate gradually," he pointed out gently. He would never assume the mare was an idiot and he had no intention of implying such a thing either. "I would sooner you didn't catch any chills if it can be avoided, I possess wings and can make use of them to bridge the distance," he explained. It was true, he could cover more distance through the air than on land as was and to move wasn't a terrible hassle for him.
"If the time comes that you feel you wish to move further up the slopes or I find that there may be issue with the distance then we can consider the alternatives," he added. While he didn't mind making many of the decisions there would be those he would need to discuss fully with Elizabeth. Depending on circumstances some things could be beneficial at one point in their lives but problematic at a later stage. Needless to say, Ambroise may have been described as a bit of a 'plank' by his mother on occasions but he could recognise this.
...Besides, she was his equal and had a right to her say!
"It's my duty to ensure you settle comfortably, I have no intention of making things a trial - you may have to adapt but I would prefer if you didn't have to 'manage' anything too extreme."
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:17 pm
Elizabeth wasn't quite sure how she had expected that particular exchange to go. That she had been right to question his comment she didn't doubt; after all, she stood to benefit a great deal more than he did from their arrangement, and the last thing that she wanted was for him to feel compelled to do something he didn't want (like relocate) for her sake. Verifying his resolution was only polite, even if they weren't lifemates; the fact that they were, or would be, only made that verification more important.
But his response both surprised and pleased her. She had pegged him as an upright individual from the get-go, but shamefully had to admit to herself that she hadn't expected quite this degree of solicitousness. Though he was probably right about gradual acclimation; it would hardly help anyone if she caught hypothermia, and it would hardly endear her to those that had to nurse her! Especially if the only reason she was there in the first place was her own misguided self-confidence.
Yes, she would accept Ambroise's word on the subject. He was the experienced one, after all!
After considering his words for what she felt a reasonable amount of time, Elizabeth finally inclined her head in acquiescence. "You are undoubtably correct. It is simple enough for me to say that I can manage, but it would be something entirely different to actually experience it. The lower region sounds like a well-thought out home."
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 2:55 am
"I am always correct," Ambroise informed her with a hint of a smile.
"Lies and slander," his mother interjected with a waggle of her brow before returning to her meal. Regardless, the interruption was enough for Ambroise to lose his otherwise calm demeanour and cast a mild look of annoyance towards her. It wasn't that he didn't adore his mother (quite the opposite) but she seemed to make it her duty to regularly take him down a notch. If there was one thing his mother was a master of, it was ensuring that all her children were always grounded and aware that they weren't infallible. Ambroise was definitely right in a lot of things but his approaches and some of his opinions may have caused controversy on occasions.
"You wound me with your words, mother," he replied mildly and lifted a brow. That being said, he didn't seem terribly hurt or affected by her remarks and was all too aware that she had meant them as a very gentle and teasing prod. If she'd meant them maliciously it was unlikely that the family bonds she was so proud of would have existed. Nevertheless he returned his attention to Elizabeth, satisfied that his brief exchange with his mother was now over. Even Yei recognised when it was better for her to stay hushed and to be frank, she was preoccupied with her food at that moment.
"As I said, if there comes a time when there is reason to move to a higher altitude then we will consider the positives and the negatives -"
"Pros and cons..."
"Mother."
"Sorry, sorry - can't help myself."
"It will be an informed decision rather than one that either of us demands," he shrugged loosely and then heaved a sigh. There was a pause, almost as though he were checking for further interruptions from his mother but none seemed forthcoming. "Besides, I was of the impression that you were rather fond of your human and it would be inconsiderate of me to make visits nigh on impossible if you," he wasn't completely blind to the obvious and he had recognised the bond she possessed with the human in the lowlands. His mother possessed a bond with the oddball hermit up here as well, he'd never quite understood it but he had never disregarded it either.
"If you had a specific place in mind that you had seen in passing, then I am open to suggestions in terms of where you would prefer to stay, otherwise we will have to look around."
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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:12 am
It would definitely take some time to get used to the familial give-and-take. Elizabeth was a bit surprised at the mother/son exchange, because it was so very at odds with the serious and stoic Ambroise she had gotten used to. That Yei was an... enthusiastic mare had been established during Liz's last visit; this was something new.
Yet it was pleasant at the same time; though Ambroise's serious demeanor appealed to Elizabeth's more reflective and quiet nature, seeing him willing to banter with his mother presented new possibilities for the future. Elizabeth harbored no illusions about her marriage; it would be a stretch to say it was bred of affection of any kind, let alone love. Her goal was to be a dutiful consort, and in return would have companionship and, hopefully, motherhood. Beyond that?
But perhaps there could be something beyond that. If one could be affable with their family, then they could surely be affable with their mate...right?
These thoughts were certainly cheery, and Liz couldn't help but smile as she nodded another acquiescence to Ambroise's suggestion. "It sounds like an excellent plan. I must confess that I wasn't looking for living space during our journey, but I'm excited about the prospect of looking for some." After all, she hadn't expected to be involved in the home-finding process, so this was even better. "Whenever you wish to begin."
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:34 am
[[Finishing post!]]
"Tomorrow morning then, I would say we have travelled more than enough for the time being," Ambroise replied after a few moments of consideration. He wasn't exhausted from the journey, nor would he have considered himself tired, however, it would have been unreasonable for him to expect that Elizabeth would be prepared to walk any further. She was entitled to a rest and the best place for it would be with his parents - afterall, his mother did have a human and perhaps his presence would help her settle in.
...Ambroise would just have to hope he wasn't smashing any pots or grinding stone into dust again. Frankly, the stallion had never quite understood why the human did that, but his mother seemed completely unphased by it. Suffice to say, he had merely taken this for a generic 'all humans are this weird' sort of thing.
"Perhaps the afternoon when it is warmer," he added as an after thought. He gave his wings a ruffle and regarded his meal for a few moments before picking through bits and pieces until he had found the parts he wanted most. Rest assured he would eat it all eventually but he did have his own methods dining. Unfortunately, though Ambroise was rather different from his parents he hadn't avoided picking up some sort of eccentricity - that was in the genes, he couldn't escape it.
"I would suggest musing over what you would most prefer and we well discuss it in the morning, if you have anything your want in particular than hopefully there will be locations that can accomodate this.2
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