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 Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 11:44 pm
"Oh!" She exclaims at the sight of the waterfall et all. Her voice a reverant whisper, "it's beautiful." Then there was another sight distracting her from the scenery. He was magnificent. The only thing that saved her from getting hit by apples was the fact that she'd stopped when he starte running to watch the play of powerful muscles and the grace of motion with purpose. The golden fruit didn't really even register as she just stands there looking at him, murmering again, "beautiful." Specastein, who had to this point been following along fairly quietly huffs and buzzes in front of her eyes, "don't look at the briggand like that!" Lihi blinks at her friend then laughs and brushes past him, moving to look up at Nos. "You're really very good at that."
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:47 am
“Practice my dear!” He calls to her before plunging with a great splash, hooves first, into the pool below. Centuries of erosion has carved several feet out of the base of the falls, creating a perfect spot for one to swim, if so inclined. And, Nostalion loves it. He kicks and turns water with his hooves, rolling over to look up from the bottom of the pool. His vision is filled with tiny bubbles, but after a couple seconds he spots one of his prizes, bobbing at the surface. Pushing off the smooth stone, he rockets up, grabbing an apple. Nostalion climbs out of the water and vigorously shakes his leafy mane. Satisfied, he approaches Lihi and offers her the piece of fruit.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:30 pm
Lihi stands, transfixed. The water glistens, tiny rainbows dripping from him as the sunlight hits the water at just the right angle through the trees. It takes her several blinks to realize he'# offering her an apple. And another blink to get her thoughts back on track and remember to breath. "I . . . Thank you." Her face heating with a blush, Lihi reaches out to take the apple. It brought her so close, her breath merging with his. But she took a bite from the apple, crunching as she pulls away. After swallowing, she nods, not really sure what to say. Taking a step back, Lihi stumbles over a fallen branch and ends up sitting down rather awkwardly. Her head droops, face red, as she closes her eyes. Here was a magnificent stallion and she couldn't manage basic walking. To be honest, she'd never really been around many other soquili, and most of them her family. So she didn't have any social graces. Mostly she'd treated everyone like a sibling before, but Lihi found herself thinking of Nostalion in a different way. And she had no idea what to do with that. Anyone other time she would have laughed at her hooves or mock scolded the vranch that tripped her. Something funny and light. This time she just wished she were far away. Somewhere Nostalion wouldn't have seen the fall.
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:37 am
“Are you alright?” Somewhat concerned, Nostalion takes a knee next to the fallen mare. “I know they’re amazing, but I've never seen anyone fall down after trying one.” He chortles, offering her an antler to grip onto, “let me help you up. You must be exhausted after your journey.” After a moment, he proposes, “if you like, you can stay here in the grove, for a while…” With a slight blush, he quickly adds, “until you regain your strength, I mean.” Remembering the rest of the downed apples, he blurts, “Apples! I should go get those before they wash downstream! It’d be a shame to let them go to waste!” Nostalion gallops along the shore to intercept the delicious bobbing treats. Scooping up the apples, he wonders: what is it about this mare? I'm leading her around, letting my guard down, my heart is racing!
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:28 am
"I . . . Yes, I'm okay. Just a bit fumble hooved." She let's him help her up, both mortified and exhilerated. She was grateful and disappointed when he dashed off, but it gave her a moment to clear her head and think. What was this? Was it the apples? The long journey? Was she really so tired? Actually, she was pretty worn out. And even after the apple and a halF, rather hungry and thirsty. She hadn't been very good at fending for herself. One of the golden apples bobbed temptingly near by. And Nostalion was distracted by the others so she didn't feel rude going for it. Of course, the only way to get to it was to wade into the water. The clear, cool water felt amazing as she drinks before entering. But stepping in, it was rather bracingly cold to her. She was accustomed to warmer weather and warmer water. Her breath gasping for a moment as her body adjusts to the cold, Lihi finds new appreciation for the stallion's effortless physique. Reaching the apple, it takes her a few tries to figure out how to snag it from the water. By then she's rather wet. Her forelock dripping in her eyes she crunches the fruit and smiles. It really is quite good. Dipping her head back under the water, Lihi shakes her hair back out of her eyes as she resurfaces. Looking around for another apple she sees Nostalion has returned. How long had he been back? How had she missed noticing? Has he seen her awkward fumbling? Taking a deep breath, the cold water letting her thoughts flow more quickly, Lihi smiles. "Thank you very much for sharing your home and these apples. They really are quite good. You have been very kind. I only wish I had some oranges to share with you." She starts heading back towards him, the water slowing her slightly with it's depth and unknown footing. Maybe she had made a bad impression before, but Lihi thought she might get to make up for that and at least have a friend. At least? What was she thinking? What else could he be besides . . . Lihi stops, right there at the edge of the water, still in almost to her knees. Dripping, she stares at him as it finally clicks, her thoughts catching up to her feelings. She blinks once . . . Twice. "Ah, no. No . . . No, no. This . . . Oh . . . This is such . . . Wow. You're . . . I . . . Um . . . " a hard swallow and she closes her eyes, the heat of her blush counteracting the chill of the water. After a moment her eyes open and seek his. "I think I would like to stay here . . . For a bit. I . . . I . . . yes, that would be nice. Thank you."
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Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:11 pm
“Excellent!” Nostalion exclaims, almost leaping out of the pool, “it's really no problem,” he quickly adds. The air grows cooler as the birds begin to sing their final song for the day. Looking to the treeline and the rapidly sinking sun, he ponders for a moment, there are so many things I would like to ask her… “It’s getting dark; we should dry off,” he abruptly starts for the shore. “There’s an old cavern, over here.” The big leafy stallion half gallops out of the water, nearly losing his balance on the slick rocks underhoof. “One second, I’ll be right back,” The final remnants of the evening sun cast a fiery glow over the misty grove. Nostalion trots over to the edge of the cascading orange curtain of water and disappears behind it. A thick carpet of green moss covers either side of the rocky path leading up into the cavern. Multiple natural chimneys open up to the heavens, in this cave, illuminating the passageway. On his way up the path, he pauses to examine a patch of small fragrant herbs sprouting from the damp rocks. No. These will not do. His mind wanders, maybe that root… He hurries along to the inner chamber, a dusty cave with painted walls adorned with feathers and beads on strings of leather. In the center of the room, underneath a crack in the ceiling, is a ring of scorched smooth stones surrounding a small pile of dry sticks and birch rind. Nostalion sets to work, vigorously rubbing a small stick into a piece of dry wood with his hooves: a trick he learned from a human visitor who wandered into the grove a couple winters ago. Wisps of smoke emerge from the tinder and, with a little coaxing, quickly blossoms into a bright, warm camp fire. The flickering light emanating from the small fire dances over the room, bringing the cave paintings to life. I wish I had time to tidy up, he thinks, rummaging through the cozy room. Various woven baskets filled with dried leaves, flowers, fruits, roots, and other miscellaneous items line the walls. A particular smell catches his attention and he retrieves a curled piece of bark. Yes, this is the one. He pushes it to the side and grabs an empty basket for the apples before heading back for his guest.
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Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:36 pm
While he's gone she finishes climbing out of the water, giving herself a good shake to at least dry off a little. Trying to make sure her mane is laying properly and not looking too bedraggled, she sighs. Her eyes close. What was she thinking? What was she going to do. He was so nice and noble and she was just a silly mare who couldn't even find her way in the forest. It wasn't like he'd really even noticed her, beyond being polite. Maybe this was all a bad idea and she should leave before making things worse. But she didn't want to leave. She wanted . . . Actually, she wasn't sure what romance was supposed to be like. But the thought of his strong muscles and what they might feel like if she leaned against him . . . That was not good, not good to be thinking that way. Well, surely there was something she could do while she waited, something helpful. It was cold, and they were wet. Maybe . . . There were many more fallen leaves around this forest than the glades of her home. But she knew leaves made good, soft, warm beds. Beds, plural, she reminded herself sharply as she started trying to gather dry leaves in a pile.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 1:17 pm
A sliver of sun remains on the horizon, painting the sky a vibrant cerise when Nostalion returns with his basket. “I am sorry for the wait,” He sincerely apologizes. “You didn’t plan on sleeping out here?” Seeing her mound of leaves, he gives the mare an incredulous look. “I have a surprise for you if you’ll come up to my cave,” he says with a sheepish grin as he gathers the small pile of apples into his basket. “It’s not far,” he beckons her to follow him once again.
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:24 am
She looks up at him, blinking. His cave. He said his cave. To sleep. Wait, surprise? That . . . That might not be quite . . . "Oh, ah, sure." Not brilliant. So very not brilliant. What if Speck was right? What if he was a brigand? No. He's not a brigand. He's nice and helpful and amazing. And if he was a brigand . . . What would that mean, anyway? And, would it be such a bad thing? "Nostalion, I . . . That would be nice, I think. I . . . It's safe, right? You aren't going to . . . Do . . . Something . . . Ah . . . Right. Cave. Cave is good. We can take the leaves? They could be . . . warm . . ." Closing her eyes, Lihi takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm kind of nervous. I mean . . . I don't know what I mean. Back home I never really met anyone who wasn't family or who I didn't grow up with. And I think I'm so worried because . . . I don't want you to think I'm just some brainless, helpless mare. Not that you didn't rescue me, you really did. And it . . . You . . . are awesome. I don't know what I'm even saying." Shaking her head she takes a couple steps back. "I should go. You've been so kind. But, I shouldn't impose. I . . . ". She has no more words. Her skin shivers a bit, like it would to discourage a fly. Then she turns, keeping her eyes down, afraid to look at him.
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Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 3:00 pm
The stallion’s face flushes bright red, he starts fidgeting, and stammers, “I didn’t--Hmmm--It’s really no trouble… and I assure you that I don’t mean you any harm… or see you as brainless.” Averting his gaze, he continues, “The cave is quite hospitable, it was abandoned by humans before I found it… There’s enough room for several soquili, in there, and I can keep my distance if I’m making you nervous.” Noting her shivering with a measure of concern, he adds “It’s dry and as warm as summer.”
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Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:48 pm
She just stops, not turning back, not quite. Her voice soft, "It . . . it isn't that you're . . . I . . ." Turning her head just enough to look at him through half lidded eyes, "I'm nervous. But it's not because you aren't being a gentlesoq. You have been very gracious." Taking a deep breath, she turns back. "I am cold, and wet. And warm sounds very nice. But I don't want you to feel unwanted in your own home. To . . . your distance isn't really something I'm interested in, truth be told." Her pale coat shows her blush quite clearly. "I'm not usually such a ninny, really I'm not. Do you think . . . do you think we can go get warm and rest and maybe in the morning try this all again? I promise to try and think in straight lines again tomorrow." She gives him a hopeful if slightly shy half-smile.
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 3:22 pm
Nostalion smiles in kind and replies, “yes, absolutely.” Glancing at the rapidly darkening evening sky, he hooks the old wicker basket of apples to his shoulder with one of his antlers, and quickly starts for the cave. “We best make haste or we’ll be crawling up the path in the dark!” He pauses at the edge of the waterfall and hidden cave entrance, “watch your step, now. The path is pretty slippery in places.” Leading the way behind the falls, Nostalion takes care to point out a few particularly treacherous sections: loose stones, smooth rocks, slick with green moss and algae nurtured by fleeting pillars of light with the water trickling down from the ceiling.
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 3:47 pm
Lihi carefully follows. She mutters soft thank yous for the guidance, but otherwise stays fairly quiet, subdued. Though as they go further into the caves, she blinks, not used to caves at all. They aren't found around her home and this was her first venture into the wide world. The dark, close walls had her nervously moving closer and closer to Nostalion, her source of safety in this strange place. She was nearly on top of him before she realized how close she was. The smell of him overcoming the earth and wet smells. Her voice quivering a bit, "Is it . . . is it all like this? It's so . . . heavy. Is it going to fall on us?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 4:12 pm
Looking to the rocky ceiling, Nostalion cautiously concedes, “perhaps... there are several places where the ground above has collapsed in the past. It’s highly unlikely, though. This cave was hewn long before I came here.” The path winds on another ways opening up to an ancient chamber partially exposed to the dusky, late evening sky. Fragrant, dark green herbs grow here, lightly rooted into several wide cracks in the stone wall. “I’ve only actually seen one place collapse.” He offers her a little sprig of the strong minty herb. “Several seasons ago, the grove was visited by an unusually strong storm. The rivers and streams flooded, washing away great patches of earth. I took refuge here at night for fear of a tree falling on me in my sleep.” Nostalion chuckles, “The chamber I resided in was unscathed, but on my way out, I was greeted by sunlight in a passage previously unknown to it.” A faint smell of wood smoke wafts into the chamber and he sighs. “We’re almost there, now. I think a draft has ruined my surprise, though.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:40 pm
At the confirmation that it might actually collapse, she moves even closer, pressing against him for protection. She takes the sprig to taste, but doesn't say anything, too afraid. When the smoke drifts by, "Fire! There's a fire in here! It's all going to bury us and burn us and we're going to die!" And in a total panic, she turns to flee. Of course, she doesn't really know the way out so she only gets to the nearest branch in the cave before she stops, confused. Sides heaving with heavy breathing and eyes showing whites, she trembles nervously.
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