|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 2:51 pm
Felina simply nodded at the other mares praise, she didn't hunt the monsters of the night because she wanted thanks, she did it for revenge. One day she would find the stallion that killed her mother... and until then she would do with practising on others of his kind. Even if she ended up hunting them all to extinction.
As the foal asked her question Felina found herself panicking, she didn't know any stories.... what would she tell? She supposed she could tell the story of her first kill if she had to? Yet as she watched the child she couldn't help but hope that she would fall asleep on Kaida's shoulder meaning that Felina would never have to share a story.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:34 am
Sophia's eyes nearly popped out of her head as she listened and watched the two strangers in fascination. Suddenly she didn't care about the cold wind that was starting to howl around them, or the soft patter of rain as it crashed through the canopy towards them.... no... she was transfixed with the very idea of a story or two. Adventure.... she longed to go on one, to be strong enough to hold her own. And from the looks of the two mares sat with her she was sure they had seen their fair share of the worlds horrors and wonders. Envy was beginning to be an emotion that Sophia was all too familar with.
As Kaida gave her the options the niavity of her youth shone through, "Two herds? You mean there are more than mine?" She had never considered the possibility of other herds like the Miakoda herd, sure she knew Kristan lived with his family, but that wasn't a herd to her.... to her only the Miakoda herd fit the bill. Excitment bubbled at the possibility of learning something new. "I would like to hear that one please." She said, snuggling in closer to the soft feathered side of her companion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:41 am
Kaida couldn't help but chuckle at the small foals words. "Yes. There are lots of herds. Some are like family, some are all friends, some are groups of lots of familys... and some just come together due to a common goal." She found they were most common with Kalona groups, their need to be the most dominate not allowing most to remain in a herd for long.
With Sophia's excitment Kaida found she couldn't help but join in, and what better way but to tell her tale as excitedly as possible? "In a land far away, where the mist always hits the land.... there are two herds. The Sword and the Dagger. These two herds had been rivals for years, competitions and wars breaking out spontaniously throughout history." She paused for effect, noticing that although the torn Kalona-Kirin near her seemed to want to be left alone she was listening as fully as the small foal.... interesting.
"In the Sword herd there was a mare called Serenity...." This was the name her mother had considered giving her at birth until her father had said 'no'. He swore he could sence that she would be anything but Serene... of course, Kaida had no intention of sharing that with the group. "...she was considered beautiful, but had a tendancy to get into scraps with the boys. Day after day she came home with a new cut, or dried blood on her pelt. Her father disapproved of this...."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:47 am
Felina couldn't help her reaction.... she supposed it was because her mother had been taken from her too soon, that she had never really got over the phase of enjoying stories. She smiled slightly, so small that most would have missed the slight upturn of her lips.
The tone of the blue mares voice was enchanting, and the web of words she weaved make Felina feel as if she was actually in the story. It was no wonder that the small foal nestled into Kaida's side was looking up at her all starry eyes and full of wonder. She envied the small foals innocence.... but that was something Felina had long lost in her private war.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:57 am
Sophia was wide-eyed as the story unfolded before her. She 'ooo'ed and 'ahhhh'ed at appropriate places, wondering what it would be like to 'Serenity'.
Inside of her a thousand questions started to bubble up. Could she fight boys? Would her Mummy approve of that or would she only get into more trouble? Did it matter that she was ill all the time? Could she be strong?
Sophia longed to find something she was good at.... and although she secretly admitted to herself that it was not the same as Serenity in the story she couldn't help but pretend that it was. That her strength was being strong and not letting anyone walk over her, to be able to get a big cut without feeling the need to get a cuddle from her mother, Alice. In truth Sophia was far to soft for such things, she loved the simple things, the delicate flowers and songs she could hear on the breeze. The harmony of the world around her.... she wondered if she liked such delicately balanced things because they reminded her of her own life? After all.... she was sickly all the time, only better for a short while and so just like the brightest blooming flower she took full advantage whenever she was deemed 'well enough' to go and play.
Snuggling closer to Kaida she let her mind drift to images of the story unfolding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:07 am
Kaida's grin widened with the reaction of the other two, and although she wasn't completely sure she thought she had seen Felina's face change to a smile.
"....her father wanted her to be a true girl, dainty and good to look at. Preparing food, and keep the home clean while her mate wandered off to protect the herd. But she couldn't do it, deep in her heart she knew that whatever the boys could do she could do better. She asked to train, the herds alpha refused at first but she kept trying until she was offered a chance." Kaida remembered the events well. Remembered the look on the alpha's face when he saw her fired determination. He had called her an inferno, and so despite her fathers wishes allowed her to start training.
"Serenity worked hard. Doing her best to out do the males, to get stronger, to run faster.... and it was all going so well until one night. The clouds tumbled over the land, a storm erupting so bad that many whispered that it was a curse of the Gods." Tears threatened to form as she remembered what happened next.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 11:24 am
Felina felt for the mare in the story.... trying so hard to find her way. Felina could see reflection to her own life. She had always wanted to 'belong', longed to be part of a family.... but her life was harsh from the moment her mother had been killed. The imprint of blood would forever be on her mind, the way her mothers blood smelt, the way it flowed from her limp cooling body and down the mountain cave they called home.
Felina could remember sitting in the blood soaked mess for hours, ignoring the chunks of her mother that were missing.... that the beast had taken with him. Perhaps that was what angered Felina so much.... that the foal skinwalker had only attacked her mother for fun rather than food, mutilating her form simply as a sign of power. It had done the job.... Felina had felt so powerless tucked into the hole her mother had used to hide her before covering her own scent over the entrance to put off the predator she knew she had no hope of escaping.
It was then that Felina looked away from the pair, they seemed so lost in the wonder of Kaida's story.... while Felina was trapped in the darkness of the past.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:39 am
Sophia heard each word, and each sunk within her heart she couldn't help but want to outshine everyone in something too.... ok, she was too dainty to become a herd protector, and she would probably only get in the way anyway! But surely, there was something, a small slice of life that she could grasp with all four hooves and NEVER let go of?
She smiled, snuggling deeper into Kaida's side, the winds were starting to hiss and howl around them.... and she had to admit she was a little scared, she had never been in a bad storm before and everyone had been saying that this one would be particularly awful. She looked to the sky, was this storm a curse as well? Just like the one in the story? Voice shaking slightly she found herself voicing words to the idea; "A curse? Is this strom a curse too?"
Sophia didn't know much about curses but she understood they were bad things, and they could taint someones life so that only bad and evil things happened to them. She looked to the sky nervously, her ear wings flattening to her head.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:45 am
Kaida had been lost in the moment, and she almost missed Sophia's reaction. Pausing for a moment she nuzzled the young mare, reassuring her; "This is not a curse, just mother nature letting off some steam. Nothing to be worried about Sophia. After all, you are well protected here." She smiled reassuringly down at her, and then decided she needed to continue the story so that she could distract Sophia... and get that look of sadness out of her eyes. No foal should ever look so sad, at least that was Kaida's oppinion.
"So.... Serenity was given a choice. Leave or halt the path she had started. The herd feared that continuing would only make the Gods hate them, that what she was doing went against nature.... and had to be stopped." She remembered as if it was yesterday, a young mare just into adulthood given the worst choice in the world.... family or her dream. It had been the hardest decision of her life, but one she did not regret. "Serenity held her head up high and left, but before she did she said 'One day you will need me, and I shall return.' After all, Serenity loved her herd, she was doing this to protect them, and eventhough they had let their fear get the better of them it didn't mean that she would stop." After all... was it possible to give up part of your heart? Fighting was a much a part of her as it was for the males.
Kaida smiled, recalling what happened next....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:48 am
Felina heard the small fillys words, and her instinct to 'nurture' flared to life. She didn't act on it, in truth it scared the hell out of her! She had never been maternal, but perhaps that was simply because she had been so focused on the task she had assigned herself? To closed minded to truely see the world around her, she never interacted beyond what was needed.... and even this close contact was making her skin iche uncomfortable. She had long been a solitary creature.
Letting out a breath she lowered her head and placed it upon her two hooves. In part she was fainting disinterest, but her ears listened to every word, listened with an eagerness she didn't understand. And deep down she hoped everything worked out for Serenity....
...perhaps the reason was simple? If Serenity failed and was exhiled, then surely Felina's own efforts would one day be shunned too? She frowned considering that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:53 am
Sophia found comfort in Kaida's reassurance, and even found herself snuggling closer into the warmth of the blue mare. Her eyes shutting as the world being described played in her mind. She could see it all, could smell the freshness of the nature around Serenity.... perhaps even feel the gentle breeze around her? Anything to forget! To forget that she was currently sat in a storm and feeling extremely vunderable.
What would it be like to be brave like Serenity?
Sophia did find herself frowning though.... would Serenity's family ever take her back? She could imagine what it would be like not to be welcome in the Miakoda herd? To be exhaled from the protective gaze of Maion and the other protectors. No.... she didn't like that thought one bit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:01 am
Kaida simply continued the story. Noticing the sudden weight of Sophia beside her, would the young filly be asleep soon? She remembered how her father had once told her stories until she had fallen asleep. She had always asked for the same... warriors, dragons....
"Serernity left. Head held high.... but once she was in the world she felt lost and so very small. Her flutter blood allowed her to shrink a little but in truth she was still visable which made her a target. For a week she struggled.... struggled for warmth, shelter, protection was the roaring winds and battering rains." Kaida's smile widened; "Then one day, while she was looking not unlike a drowned rat she stumbled across a wandering stallion. His name was Hunter." Kaida had literally stumbled into his trap, hanging upside down for hours until he had come to check on his traps. She had practically glowed red from embarassment. "He took pity on her, giving he some of his precious little food and allowing her to stay. Hunter taught Serenity many things, like trap making, travelling in the forest secretely, track reading.... all very useful skills for a hunter." It had been nice not to be looked down upon simply because of her gender.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:05 am
Felina couldn't associate with that.... those who had 'trapped' her had ripped her, scared her and done their best to destroy her from the outside in. Perhaps that was simply because of her Kalona blood? She didn't know of her father but the basic knowlegde she had showed her that it didn't matter what breed he was -though she suspected he was a kalona too- since she held the basic features of a Kalona. Even with her tattered wings others ran from her... though it was possible that her tattered wings had that effect? Made her look like a threat when really she was only a thread to one breed? Skinwalkers.... they had no right to draw breath.
Sighing she continued to listen.
What would it have been like? To have someone to teach her all those skills rather than forcing her to figure it all out for herself? Of course her mother had taught her things before her life had been ripped from her, but they had gone slow, believing foolishly that they would have far more time together.
Life.... was not fair. That was a lesson she had learnt VERY young.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 4:15 am
A gasp escaped Sophia, "Serenity is so brave!" She chirped, a look of pure awe upon her features. One day.... one day! She would go on an adventure! She just had to.... she couldn't stay here forever, could she? No! She would go and explore.... maybe Kristan would come with her? Kristan had been so brave for her last time, and he hadn't even known her.
A huge grin spread on her features as she thought of exploring the world with Kristan. There was a rumor going around that she would one day be asked to mate into the herd so that an alliance could be formed... and part of her secretly hoped it was to Kristan! He was... lovely. She blushed at her thoughts, she was far too young to be thinking such things.... but every day she saw happy couples. Mummy and Daddy, Alpha Sengdroma and Maion, Aunty Renesme and Uncle Rune, Tuli and Haishan Fai, Drashi and Arrianna... yes... she was surrounded by happy couples and family, what girl wouldn't want that for herself?
Returning her thoughts to the story she asked, "Did Serenity ever return?" For some reason it was important to Sophia that she did.... because she wanted to return home too if she ever went wandering.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 4:39 am
Kaida smiled at Sophia, the look upon the young mares features spoke volumes about how sheltered she had been. There was a strange scent around her told Kaida that Sophia had just gotten over being ill... perhaps that was caused by her shelterness or was the shelterness caused by being ill? She didn't know, nor would she ever ask. No... tonight was about distracting the young filly from the storm that would soon rage around them all.
"Well... eventually. But first...." She said with a soft wink to Sophia at her question. "You see Serenity found herself following a trail through the land she and Hunter usually used. It seems oddly familar... but at the same time different. She followed it for three days, and then it started to rain, worried she would lose the trail before she figured out who was wandering around the land she increased her pace.... and nearly ran straight into the stallion who had formed it. His name was Echo." She smiled softly at the memory of stumbling into the prince from the other herd.... the herd her own was at war with. "Now Echo didn't seem to know Serenity, but considering she was wet and covered in mud that wasn't surprising. What was surprising was that Echo offered her shelter and kindness. That was of course until they started to talk. You see, it turned out that Echo and Serenity where from opposite herds...." She frowned a little at the memory, she had thought him about to kiss her.... but then he had realised what her words had meant.... enermy. The rage that had flickered onto his face couldn't be disguised.
"Serenity panicked, and doing the only thing she could she ran from him."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
