|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:23 pm
Azkadellia was flummoxed. There must be some part of the stallion standing before her that saw her as something she wasn't. It was disconcerting. Azkadellia ducked her head briefly. It seemed that Shalar was thinking about what she had said earlier. That was a good sign. Perhaps though it'd be clearer to Az to know just what Shalar thought that she was. Just as she was about to ask though Shalar threw out another curve ball at her.
"What is your price? Surely you will demand something in return?"
Okay. Now what was this? Azkadellia stared blankly at Shalar. That was the last thing that she thought someone might ask of her. Maybe now it was time to clear the air. Azkadellia never thought that her game would result in something this confusing. The mare sighed softly. How could she go about announcing the truth to this seemingly 'broken' soul? Azkadellia didn't know if she was helping anymore when she spoke softly.
"If you could tell me what you think I am to you that would be helpful. But I do believe it is not my right to demand something that I do not deserve," Azkadellia paused and let that sink in. "I've never been put in this position to not know what is going on."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:42 am
Shalar considered her words carefully, in part they made sence, after all he had never really considered his inner darkness to be a part of him.... but something that he wanted to dismiss, though he now saw that wasn't the case. So he spoke what his confused heart had managed to decide through this encounter, "You are a part of me, intergrated into my every breath and thought." He looked into her eyes, finding them stangely calming.
He supposed she had never been put in a position where she didn't know what was going on, after all Shalar had always considered her in charge or him at times, controlling his actions far more than he had ever liked.... he thought of the Kalona again and winced. How could he truely accept that part of himself?
Letting out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding he said; "I am as lost as you." He looked to the ground again, "but...." His brow creased as he stopped talking, could he truely say the next words that lay upon his tongue? 'but.... perhaps together we can figure it out?' He decided against it and moved quickly on. "Azkadellia," The word rolled of his tongue like a gentle caress, a soft purr of notes, "Why do we meet now? Why this day?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:46 am
Azkadellia could not help but feel a little relieved at the information that Shalar had given her. Apparently the confused stallion believed that she was a part of him given life. It was definitely the oddest sensation to be told that she admitted that much freely. But now what would happen if she were to shatter the illusion that this stallion had created? Would he attack? The question now was did she wish to play along. Somewhere down the line Shalar might figure out that his own truth about her. The mischievous side of Azkadellia was tempted to keep this going. The mare couldn't decide and it left her looking a little confused.
"I am a part of you," it was asked more like a question towards Shalar. The confession that Shalar was just as lost as she was well that wasn't true. Azkadellia knew physically were she stood. It was her home. But Shalar's proclamation that she was seemingly a physical manifestation of his inner darkness had her feeling just as lost as he proclaimed himself to be. Azkadellia tilted her head to the side trying to peer deeper inside of Shalar as he asked why they had met now. She honestly didn't know if her answer would help or hurt this stallion even more.
"We met now on this day because I deemed it to be. You intrigue me deeply Shalar. Even though I may not be what you think I am your words drew me out from hiding. You may not think that you are anything special but I would have to disagree."
With that said Azkadellia took a step forward and another until she stood inches away from Shalar. With a tentative gesture she stretched her neck out and gently nuzzled Shalar's side before stepping back. It was meant to be more of a comforting touch but Azkadellia merely blinked her eyes towards Shalar. Depending on his reaction ... she'd take it. Her gaze burned into his as she watched for any signs that her move was unwelcome.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:10 am
Many thoughts swirled around Shalar's mind... was it not surel that his inner darkness take such a form? He could not harm a woman, even one who meant him harm. Perhaps that was why it took such a form, a survival instinct? Shalar didn't comment or say anything as Azkadellia asked her questions and made her comments. Especially since she soon moved to stand before him, very close....
His breath caught. He could smell the soft and delicate scent of flowers and natural perfumes of the flesh. Delicate and enticing.... a tease to all the sences.
His body stiffened slightly as she nuzzled him, no one other than his sisters had ever dared such a move. He relaxed a moment later, especially as she stepped back to look at him. He could feel the warmth of her breath as he looked down into his eyes; it looked as if they were made of a living fire, purple caresses of light and orbs that danced and flickered, softening her darker features instantly.
Still, Shalar said nothing. Nor did he make attempts to move.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:31 pm
Azkadellia was worried. It had been a few minutes since she had gently nuzzled Shalar. Since then he had not said anything nor moved a single muscle. Had she broken him? Her eyes took in the stallion's motionless form before sighing softly. What could she do to get a reaction from him? Azkadellia thought about this for a minute before settling on what she thought was an appropriate solution. Shalar's gaze had not left her so she knew that he was watching her and could see.
The mare once again neared Shalar's form before whispering softly in his ear. "Shalar ... it's time to come back now. You've gone somewhere far away. Time to return."
Azkadellia grimaced. The game she had played had gone too far. Why had she revealed herself to this stallion and none of the other Soquili that she had fooled before? What was it about Shalar? Azkadellia gave the motionless stallion another look before slowly backing away. Maybe she should leave. Perhaps it would be better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:00 pm
Shalar blinked as she came closer again, her scent filling his nostrils. Then all too soon she had moved, taking steps away as if he had made her uncomfortable. It wasn't too much of a surprise, he often had that effect... but usually because he wanted to scare them away.... but this time? He wasn't sure.
He growled under his breath, and as just as Azkadellia looked as if she was about to leave he barked out, "Wait." He didn't know what he was doing, but a part of him knew that he couldn't let her walk away, that he coldn't return to the way things had been before.... with the darkness consuming his every waking thought, his desperation to attempt to control everything, to contain the darkness with his fierce nature.
Of course, after he asked her not to go, he had no idea what to do next.... to say he was social awkward was no exaggeration. He had always drove people away before.
He closed his eyes, in reality it was no more than a blink but in that blink he decided to act. He stepped towards her, with a confident swagger he didn't really understand.... until he was just before her. He took a deep breath, and then said something he had never imagined in a million years of saying; "I.... have no idea what I am doing." His brow furrowed for a moment before he burst out laughing, "You confuse the hell out of me!" He admitted, looking to the ground as his chuckle died out.
Part of him understood what was happening... he was attracted to the mare before him, to the inner darkness that had tormented him for so long.... surely that made him sick in the head!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:28 pm
As she was about to step out of sight Azkadellia heard Shalar bark out for her to wait. She stopped almost instinctively before turning around to face Shalar again. So it seemed that he wasn't totally out of it. But what had she seen when he was so still before? Why had he frozen like that? As Shalar closed the distance between them with a swagger in his step Azkadellia canted her head to the side. This was perhaps a new side to Shalar that she was seeing. That assumption flew out the window with his admission that he had no idea what he was doing. Well now - that made two of them. Azkadellia didn't know what she was doing either.
When Shalar laughed though Azkadellia felt a little sting of guilt. What was she doing? Her games that she played ... no one had ever learned the truth before. And now she had this stallion who she was intrigued by still. Shaking her head at Shalar's admittance Azkadellia sighed with remorse. Her voice was quiet as she spoke. "You also confuse me Shalar. I have no idea what to make of you. You seem to see me as something that I am not. Why is this?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:45 pm
Shalar contemplated her answer for a moment, trying to decide how best to answer; in the end he simply said the truth. "Because.... seeing you.... gives me hope." He didn't know how to explain it, but it was true.... sure he had always feared the darkness within him, had run from it most of his life. But his mother had always told him that Angenis were the purest of creatures.... and the darkness before him was certainly of that breed, four wings and an elegant figure. So... if his inner darkness took the form of an Angeni, didn't that mean that he wasn't completely evil? That there was more to himself and the darkness he had once feared would control him?
He had no idea what caused him to act next, but he stepped even closer towards her, closing his eyes for a moment and inching his head closer until... it made contact with her warm flesh. He was unpractised, but since she had been with him since the start of time she would understand that -at least he hoped so. He nuzzled her for a moment, returning the affectionate gesture she had given to him mere moments earlier.
After a moment he pulled back, looking at her features, her eyes, her hair, the balls of fire that danced and flickered around her. He commited each and every detail to memory in the fear that it would only take a single blink of his eye for her to vanish once more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:08 am
"Because seeing you ... gives me hope."
Azkadellia gave a soft sound of surprise at that sentence from Shalar. A tremor ran through her body. Could anyone simply walk away after hearing that coming from a total stranger? She knew that she couldn't. There was something in the way the words had come from Shalar that had her rooted to the spot. How could she even begin to respond to that? Utterly clueless was not a state that she liked to be in and yet this stallion had taken her mind there a few times since their encounter began.
As Shalar moved closer towards her Az's wings flared suddenly in trepidation. What was he doing? She was all but ready to flee when the stallion's gentle caress froze her limbs. Shock was the first emotion to wash over her. What did this mean? Azkadellia blinked curiously at Shalar as he stood back and gazed over her features. It took a few minutes for her mind to remember what was going on. Once clear of the shock Azkadellia tried finding the words that she wanted before giving up on saying something eloquent. "I don't think anyone's ever said that to me. Thank you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:07 am
He smiled at her softly, and nodded in reaction to her words but said nought else, Shalar rarely spoke to others though she was hardly 'other' and he had found words flowing from his lips far to easily.... it was quite disconcerting, the effect she had on him.
Shalar was about to move further away from her when he heard something. Instinct too over. He froze, his sences flarring to life as he tried to pick up the scent on the breeze.... but it was being carried in the wrong direction, announcing their presence, he could hear slight creaks and snaps of the odd branch or two and the crunching of dried leaves. Whoever it was seemed to be making no effort to hide their appearance, but that didn't automatically speak 'friendly'... at least not to Shalar.
His eyes narrowed as he located the direction of the sound. And in a blink of an eye he acted. Moving with a practised grace as he placed himself between Azkadellia and the source. His wings snapped open to cover her mostly from view.... now he simply had to wait. The noise was getting louder and he knew the source would be revealed in moments. Shalar didn't question why he was compelled to protect the mare at his back, nor did it wonder why he trusted her enough to be in such a place.... in the past he had helped others but always kept them in view.
The butterflies that usually floated in an out of exsistance around him started floating towards his rump as if they too senced a threat... or maybe they were just reacting to Shalar's own emotions. He had never understood them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 12:37 pm
Azkadellia sought solace in the silence that ensued as Shalar took in her words with a quick smile and nod. She couldn't help but wonder exactly what she was doing in lingering about. Her game was up and she'd let her target see her. It appeared though to her that Shalar seemed to crave her company. Confusion was abundant on both sides. There was something else at work though between the two. Perhaps it was in the quick fleeting nuzzles that they'd given each other. Was something born in those moments?
Azkadellia was about to question Shalar about this and found something surprising. The words refused to come. She caught Shalar's look before he stiffened. The mare then realized that the forest had gone eerily silent. Even during this season there would be the faint rustlings of little creatures moving to and fro but now ... silence. Absolute stillness. Her ears twitched sporadically at the sound of something large moving about and she almost broke the silence before she found Shalar shielding her from sight.
"What?"
It was the only word she got out before she tried peering out from behind Shalar's wings. His butterflies floated back towards her and she sighed before her own wings settled against her back. If Shalar was trying to hide her from view it would only be right to minimize the amount of area that she took up and folding her wings provided that option. Now it seemed all she could do would be wait.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:47 pm
 Barker Hook stomped through the forest, his metal hoof clinking and clanking as the joints twisted and turned to give him the flexibility he needed. He had had the thing for so long now that he didn't even consider it as an alien part of his body, it was as much a part of him as his living parts. He had left the carnival in search of something... either something he had lost or something to replace it. Barker prided himself on his freaks, they were the best in the buisness, and he was the only leader who was crazy enough to attempt to hold a skinwalker. Of course, the trick was capturing them BEFORE they changed, far more.... placid, if the word would ever actually have a place in the same sentance as a skinwalker. He sighed, Terra was gone, escaped like a ghost as if never there.... or at least that was how he remembered it. The forest went quite around him. As if they knew he was on the hunt for new 'freaks'. He grinned, the slightest of movements that would probably only be noticable if someone knew him. He past tree after tree after tree, and almost missed the..... there was the slightest of widenings as his eyes took in the features of a stunning creature, unlike any he had ever seen. Patterned wings that drew in the eyes, eyes that couldn't quite decide where to linger. He was utterly consumed... and one idea flashed across his mind as his face changed to one of calculating mischief.... How do I make it mine?Shalar kept his eyes focused, and as the creature came into view he couldn't surpress the growl that escaped his lips, it was a protective impulse that he couldn't quite understand. He didn't speak or move, and hoped that the lovely creature of darkness stood behind him didn't attempt to make herself know... though something told him that would be too much to hope for.
He spotted the familar features of a kalona, but they seemed twisted somehow.... warped. And Shalar didn't really know how to register what he was looking at. Wings made of... human leather? He had never seen such a thing, and as far as Shalar was concerned it made the beast all the more threatening. His voice however showed known of this, he simply spoke in a steady tone, one that would not be ignored but was not overly threatening. "You are not welcome here. I suggest you leave." Shalar kept his wings open, hoping they would at least serve their purpose as a the perfect distraction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:08 am
Azkadellia stood silently behind the protective stance Shalar had. His wings might have hidden her from view but they also obstructed her own sight. She had no idea what was causing Shalar to be so rigid in his stance. Her curiosity as a result was piqued. However she remained firmly ensconced behind the stallion. The new arrival had yet to speak. Shalar's own growled out sentence startled the mare. She sidled back and forth before realizing that she might give away her location. It was a fine line that she walked. What could she do without revealing herself?
The answer came to her instantly. As long as Shalar kept shielding her perhaps she could snare the intruder's attention another way and lead them off. It was worth a try. Concentrating deeply Azkadellia summoned her light again so it floated before her. Without knowing where exactly the intruder stood she would have to let her light fly around the clearing blindly. Her light floated gently before rising up from behind Shalar's wingspan. It hovered above the stallion before circling in the air high above. Azkadellia watched it as it circled around three times before it lowered to shoulder level. She repeated the circling pattern before she had light pause directly in front of Shalar. The light then suddenly sped off in the direction that he was facing. Azkadellia let her concentration fade as she could not tell if her bait had been taken.
Huffing as silent as she could be she had to wonder when the standoff would end. Azkadellia was also wondering if she should reveal her presence or not. Having someone that protected you was handy but what was she being protected from? Not knowing the answer to that was starting to chafe at Azkadellia's patience. She wanted to know just exactly who was out there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:08 am
Barker raised an eyebrow, half interested by the gaul of the creature before him.... few ever had the courage to stand up to him. And those that did usually had a reason.... it was then that Barker noted that his wings were spread wide... hiding something? He grinned, and tutted softly under his breath... "Did you think...." He started, but then something caught his attention.
A light.... it seemed to demand his attention as it floated up from behind the strange creature and towards him.... Barkers eyes refused to leave it, as if doing so would destroy the fragile magic of it. How was this possible? And more importantly.... HOW COULD HE POSSESS IT? The idea was a roar in his mind, and it became the most important thing in the world. He would come back for this strange stallion.... but for now he sought an even rarer magic. Barker's mind was roaring with ideas of how to capture the light but none seemed possible....
Then it buzzed away, swirling away from the strange creature with painted eyes on his wings. In that moment he had a decision... follow or stay. He growled, hating that it was out of his control... but as his hooves made to turn and follow he couldn't help for a moment to feel like a sucker. The clinking and clanking echoed around him. But he was determined.
Shalar didn't release the breath he was holding, not until he was certain the evil creature had turned to leave.... when the strange clinking was quieter and more distant he turned around to face Azkadellia. "We must leave now." He had worried for a moment that she had disappeared, that she had scarficed herself in that orb of light to lead the strange Kalona away from them... and it was a relief that she was still with him. He didn't question or explore that thought, simply let it shine through his eyes.... he would have hated to find her gone. "Are you hurt?" He asked, wondering if losing a part of herself like she had would hurt her? If that was the case he would be sure to hunt down that creature and reclaim her missing fragment.....
There was a growl, and it took Shalar a moment to realise it was coming from him. He blinked. And blinked again. He didn't apologise however....
"Let's go...." He said, turning once more to check the creature hadn't returned. He heard an almight growl in the distance and wondered why... what had changed? It didn't matter... they couldn't stay here, that was for sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:33 am
It seemed all Azkadellia could do was wait. She had finally heard another voice in the clearing besides her own and Shalar's - so logic drew her conclusion that this was what Shalar was protecting her from. The whirring and clanking noises startled the mare as she had no knowledge of any creature in her area of the woods that would make such noise. A visitor perhaps? Why had he seemed so interested? Millions of questions were cropping up and Azkadellia almost seemed overwhelmed. It was Shalar's soft voice that broke through her mental paralysis. He seemed genuinely worried about her safety. Breaking away from her frozen position Azkadellia flared her wings open again as she stared at the destruction to the nearby foliage. A semi-rank odor lingered as she turned her gaze back to Shalar.
"I am unharmed. Who was that Shalar? What did he want?"
As she spoke she allowed herself to register that once again Shalar had actually growled. What was going on? This would be another question that Azkadellia would have to get answered. Shalar had seemed genuinely shocked at their first meeting and now he was being overprotective of her and keeping her hidden from view. Although it was strange the mare found it endearing as well.
As she turned to follow Shalar out of the clearing she too picked up the sound of an anguished growl. Her range must have been off and the light must have disappeared already. She sighed softly before her wings fluttered softly. A loose feather fell to the ground as she waited for Shalar to lead the way. He'd know where they were going ... right?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
