|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 12:53 am
--------------THE NEXT DAY--------------
Chandra looked over at two of her three daughters, stirring slowly from her sleep. She smiled at them. Zaniah and Auva, two little stars that needed her, two little stars that she could never abandon or give second best too. Their eldest sister Heze was likely sleeping next to Haki again, the two had seemed inseperable lately, but given how Haki didn't seem to speak much of their language and was still healing she wasn't surprised. She turned to look at a sleeping Sonnet before slipping free and wandering towards her daughters. "My dears. Did you sleep well?" She kissed each of them, a smile upon her face even as her thoughts raced with fear and dread... her father wanted to leave.... she had to accept that, but it was beyond difficult.
Auva stirred at her mothers words and the brief kiss upon her forehead, looking up and blinking at her mother before smiling softly. She nodded her head as a silent 'morning' and turned to look at Zaniah, nuzzling her sister's cheek as a 'good morning' also. She was affectionate with her family despite her shyness.
Zaniah wiggled from under the fluff which was her sister and stretched with a long, "yawwwwwn."
She turned to her mother and nodded, she had not yet found her voice. The feeling on her mothers peck lingered on her head, it tickled.
And soon she was attacked with even more signs of affection from her sister,"hehe, good morning." She turned back to her mother and asked," Who else is up?" Her belly rumbled and all she could think of was breakfast.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:03 am
Chandra smiled softly at them both, it seemed they were both alike in the mornings. Quiet. She couldn't help but grin at them, even if it turned a little sad and dark with her turbulant thoughts. "It is just us girls I believe, I am sure your Father will wake up soon." She heard Zaniah's stomach growl and chuckled. "It seems someone is hungry. Shall we find some food?" She wanted to add we need to talk but couldn't, no, for now she would keep her dark thoughts to herself.
Auva yawned and stretched after her sisters good morning, smiling softly between her mother and sister before getting to her hooves. Food sounded good, she had to admit she was rather glad her mother had suggested it since Auva would have remained silent, as always, on the topic. She looked to Zaniah, a silent question of 'Are you ok' in her eyes.
Zaniah smiled weakly,"that's okay mother."
She stretched and yawned again slowly standing up, when her belly grumbled she blushed,"sorry." She didn't want to wake anyone else,"yes please. I think my stomach growl had already answered that." To her this night was like every other night, everything innocent and calm.
Zaniah looked at her sister and tilted her head, it was a shame that maybe Auva got Zaniah's concentration face too much, but after the lightbulb over her head pinged she nodded and bent down to nuzzle her sisters neck,"I think so."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:04 am
Chandra kept things simple. Food. She could manage food. "Come on then my lovelies, I think the patch of sweetgrass we planted last year is in full harvest right now." She liked indulging her children, they, in many ways, were a vent for her emotions and feelings. And right now, when the rest of her world seemed to be crumbling, she needed them. "This way my darlings." She chirped happily before setting them in the right direction.
Auva nodded at her sisters reply before turning to their mother and nodding at her too. Auva was a follower, she would follow any and all instructions that she could, of course, often with a slight hesitation. Look at the healing of Haki for example, while she had tried her best she had been reluctant to try and heal him at first.... perhaps confidence and strength would come with experience and growth? She didn't know. Her world was silent, and Auva rather liked it that way.
The smell of sweet grass filled her nose not too long later, and very much like a filly in spring she leaped and bound towards it. Her tummy growling in a similar fashion to Zaniah's. Yum!
Zaniah looked at her mother half suspiciously, she would always have a look of worry or would space out when she had something on her mind. This morning in particular she did seem hesitant, but she thought it rude to ask.
"Are you feeling okay Auva?" She asked in politeness and concern,
she'd also seemed in thought, but she assumed that was because she could only hear her own voice in her head.
Zaniah followed them both out to the grass and asked her mother,"we are getting so big now. We should plant more grass seeds than ever before for this time next year!" She bent her head down to the grass and nibbled at the blades.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:05 am
Chandra looked at her girls as they spoke to each other, no matter how much she worried about shy and silent Auva she was thankful that her other two were so understaning and patient. After all, she was well aware how difficult it was holding a one side conversation. She let them play and talk.... until Zaniah's words had her frozen. Next year. Chandra didn't even know what tomorrow would bring let alone next year, the stability she had known since foalhood here slowly collapsing at her hooves... and for her children it was worst, they knew nothing but this... would they be ok if they did leave? Or should Chandra stay so that they could continue to keep living the life they were used to?
So many decisions, and she knew it was not something she could decide alone. She would talk to Sonnet about it, together they would decide what to do, together they would live with the consquences. "Maybe my dove," she said softly to Zaniah, walking towards them and the grass, happy to see them dance and play. In that moment Chandra wasn't ready to break this fragile slice of peace. What if it was the last?
Auva looked at her sister and nodded softly, she was fine, a little sleepy still perhaps but fine all the same. As Zaniah spoke of planting more she couldn't help but dnace giddily on the spot, she totally agreed! Sweet grass was yummy, so more just had to be better!
Zaniah looked at the grass and it all looked so yummy, she didn't know which patch of grass to eat. Her eating habits had always been fussy and Heze had always protected Auva's grass from Zaniah because it always looked so much more yummy to her than her own patch of grass.
Maybe she was greedy, she didn't know. All she felt mainly was hunger.
When her sister started dancing she hopped around with her, it'd be something more to do together, she knew that her family collected dry grass seeds to plant, although sometimes the wind would often do it's own work and sew the seeds itself! Maybe it was a suggestion of greed but she was still thinking of others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:09 am
Seeing Zaniah and Auva dance sent Chandra's heart fluttering in her chest. They were so elegant, their wings and bodies graceful and built for this. Auva was much smaller, even her wings, than the other two but still she had a quiet grace and beauty to her. One day, Chandra was sure, Auva would find her 'voice'. Maybe not literally, but in something she did, in some act.... she would find her way.
After watching them for a moment she couldn't help but move towards them, stopping their movement by wrapping her wings around them. She would ask one question, one little question. "How would you like to travel my little darlings?"
Auva danced with her sister, happy and a little surprised. Even more so when their mother approached and held them. The words that escaped her lips made her blink. Travel? She had never really considered travelling before. She blinked in surprise, the only real repsonce she gave.
Zaniah danced with her sister and around her mother with the occasional hop. She knew her sister was made for this more than her, she looked like a klutz next to her grace.
She stopped dancing when her mother asked a question,"you mean like a holiday?" Zaniah frowned and wasn't sure if it was the best thing to do, her father had always told her that it was safer here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:10 am
Chandra felt her heart break a little at Zaniah's question, would they ever return here if they did leave? Would they even leave? She was so confused that she was sure it read all over her face. To distract herself she pulled her girls closer into a hug using her wings, kissing their foreheads softly before answering. "Sort of. We would go together, see new places and things. Wouldn't you like that?"
Auva snuggled into to the warmth of their mother, happy and content to be there. At least until she heard her mother speak again. Why were they talking about travelling? Auva liked it here. Here she was safe and protected, her family around her all understanding her little quirks without pushing too hard.... would she even like where they travelled? Would there be a moment when she wasn't scared and checking every shadow with a jump and a fright? In the end she found herself nodding into her mothers feather. If they were all going it would be ok... right? She trusted and loved her family after all.
"Is it safe?" Zaniah wasn't so sure, maybe it might make her a little more cultured or wiser for her age, she just didn't and couldn't see much beyond her family's patch of land.
"Your suggestion mother? Change of scenery?" Zaniah didn't know what it'd be like traveling. Would it mean less freedom? Would anyone be left behind? Would she make new friends? "Am I going to make new friends? Which direction would we be going? Ooooh could we visit the mountains one day? Grandfather has told me what it's like up there and I'd like to see for myself!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:12 am
Chandra smiled a little sadly at Zaniah's question, she kissed her again, the fact was that Chandra didn't know, she could only hope thatthings turned out well, that things turned out for the best..... still.... she turned and looked back towards Sonnet, it was still undecided.
Putting a smile on her face she forced the smallest of chuckles escape her. "You are perfect Zaniah, I am sure you will make more friends than you can count or keep track of in the future." At least Chandra could hope. With a smile she looked at them both again, "Do not fear my darlings, I would never allow harm to come to you. Any of you." Smoothers them both in kisses not wanting to let them go.
Auva blinked in surprise, considering for the first time seeing new things, new foods and flowers and pretty things, of making new friends... or rather a first proper friend.... she thought of Haki and Heze, woudl she get that one day? She didn't know. Still she had faith in her mother, when she said they will safe she knew it was truth.
Zaniah was pulled into the group hug without any warning, she snuggled into the side of her mother. "What's wrong mother?" She'd been studying her face now but couldn't quite see it properly from her new angle. "I am not perfect, and I will never claim to be, I will try my best to just be me though and try to be the best I can be", she smiled,"maybe, but what is lots of friends to the few good ones who'll stand by you? Like Haki and Heze?"
Zaniah knew her parents would do their best and that their father would pull an even tighter ship than before, she wondered if Haki would be coming to, although it was probably a silly thing to wonder.
Her only friends where Heze and Auva, although Heze always had things to do and more recent Haki to be with so she had always spent a little more time around Auva or her own company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:13 am
Chandra chuckled and shhhed her daughter, "To me, you are all perfect. Each in your own little ways. I could not have asked for more." Truth, each and every word. She was proud of her daughters, proud of their courage and attitudes. They had grown up to be very nice young adults, what was not to be proud of? She laced them both kisses, unable to stop herself.
"You are wise though, one or two good friends are far better than many fickle friends." Still, her earlier comment had been a way of justifying it all to her, considering the benefits of moving over the disadvantages of it. It would be a big change, and one she was nervous about possibly doing.
Pulling back from the hug she looked to both of her girls, "Speaking of Haki and Heze, I think we should bring them a treat today, it seems Haki has started to move on his own again but Carlisle is worried about him going too fast right now... how about we take them some sweet grass as a treat? Maybe you two can go off in search of some sweet apples to accompany it?" She smiled at them both more, it was smile or cry, so smile it was. "What do you say?"
Auva listened to Zaniah's words, unable to stop herself from wondering if she would ever make a single friend let alone a group. No one outside of the herd and her family seemed willing to give the quiet mare the time of day or night to talk to her... then again, Auva couldn't blame them, what was the point in talking to a mare who stayed silent with the belief that nothing she could say was worth saying. Her shy nature had practically overrode her life in this regard but it was hard to break out of the mould she had formed around herself. Still, as her mother spoke she listened and nodded in reply. She was more than happy to try and help Heze, and Haki had proven to be nice... even if she did have difficulty understanding him with his accent and the mistakes he often made when speaking... what was it like to know two languages? Part of her wanted to learn it too... but what was the point? She never spoke the one she knew.
Zaniah closed her eyes and fussed a little about her mothers kisses with a groan.
"I don't know if I can do that on a short holiday though. Holiday friends don't last, and neither do many traveling friends, I'd never seen them again." She shook out one of her wings on the uncovered side because it was bothering her.
"…oh…okay",she blinked feeling suddenly deserted because she was n longer in the warmth of her mother's embrace. Zaniah frowned for a moment, she felt she never knew the true story of anything and was just being dragged along for the ride. "We will get some apples then?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:16 am
Chandra looked at her daughters, still torn with her emotions. She would do what was best for them. That was the only solution she could live with. Trying her best to act 'normal' she kept the conversation going. "Even friends who only see you for a little while have an impact. Did I ever tell you about Alistair? He was a friend I met as a filly," she chuckled remembering, "an Angeni who couldn't fly just like me... well, we went frog hunting, tried kissing all the frogs by the lake to see if they would change into princess and princes. They didn't, but it was fun... well, he remembered me, even as an adult and came back to find me." She had been growing closer to Sonnet at that time, and when she had been left with a choice between the two stallions she had followed her heart... it had lead her straight to the wings of Sonnet. "So, do not underestimate the impact you can have upon others. No matter how brief and passing you can change someone's life with your words or actions, a smile can make all the difference." She didn't mean to lecture and so stopped herself from rambling more.
"Yes, Apples. I would like you girls to go together, ok? I need to wake and talk to your father."
Auva listened to the story, suddenly feeling as if she didn't know her mother... another male beside Daddy? Really? She had never know, of course she had never asked either. Auva was just a little disappointed when the topic was changed back to apples, she wanted to hear more stories... as always she kept her wishes to herself.
Zaniah looked disgusted at the frog story and stepped back a little,"ew! Yucky!" She hoped they were non-poisonous ones, but it was evidently so seeing as her mother was fine, but something so slimy didn't appeal to her.
"We are so little. Little, little things. And the world is so big. People meet so many others, I'm not sure that everything we do contributes to change or everyone we meet will remember us, but I will try not to Mother. Sometimes a smile can even get you killed these day though. So many strange people about."
She started to preen her wings a little now,"some people are so miserable they hate you for being happy. But sometimes it's infectious too. I suppose." Zaniah eyed her mother and sister, a nod followed soon after,"okay then. Apples it is."
She was soon stood by Auva's side,"tell us more of your foalhood one day?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:18 am
Chandra couldn't help but feel a soft sadness at her daughters words, it was almost as if she had been brought up in too harsh a world... why was it that Zaniah knew of such things? Why was it that she even had to worry about them. Then again, since they had lived here the thread from Kalonas, Skinwalkers and other beasts had haunted them, most seeking her father and the power of the herd, but some had simply stumbled here for fun. Would they be safer leaving? Would they ever be safe? So many questions, too many questions. What was she meant to do? Think? She didn't know... she really needed to talk to Sonnet. He would help her sort her thoughts.
With a smile Chandra nodded, "Of course my dears, how about we set a date. On the next full moon we shall sit together and have a girly night? Food, drink and gossip. We shall even see if Heze will join us, though perhaps we will have to accept Haki among us for the night since Heze is so.... drawn to him." Again, Chandra understood, but perhaps some fun would do them all good, including Haki.
"Yes. Apples." She chirped, more like her normal self as she spoke. "Make sure to pick up enough to share, but mainly they are for Haki and Heze." She pulled her wings to her side, folding them elegantly. "I love you." She said, turning her attention from Auva to Zaniah. "Both of you." Her smile widened. "Don't you ever forget it."
Auva nipped her sisters mane as she came closer, a sign of affection and something she had picked up from watching her mother. Still, in her world of silence touch was something that helped her express herself.
She agreed with Zaniah, more stories would be great, and when their mother suggested a girly night her tail wagged from side to side in very much the fashion of a puppy with a bone. She wanted that! She wanted to sit and listen and play and have fun with them all, it had been so long since their last one. In that moment Auva found herself looking forward to it... the next full moon, that was... two weeks?
Zaniah had always felt safe when rooted to her home, but remembering what happened to some of her grandmother's family and also hearing about her grandfather's sister kimi unsettled her, she knew they'd been under attack before. She wondered what happened if she came back and no-one was there, the walker may feel cheated?
Zaniah's ears twitched to her mother's words, the sound of a girly night made her giggle. "I'm not sure about gossip, but it does sound fun. Haki can be the only one though! An honorary girl." She loved the sound of something a little more light hearted and merry, she had felt something like this may have been coming along soon, she just didn't know when.
"Haki and Heze", she repeated with a concentrated nod, upon her mother's words she snapped back into reality,"I love you too mum, and I never will."
She turned to her sister when the soft tug of her mane was felt,"don't you forget I love you too Auva." She smiled,"you look so happy."
She signalled to her mother her leave and took Auva with her,"lets go and get some apples then?" She skipped around her sister.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:20 am
Chandra couldn't help but smile at her two youngest as they went off to get apples for Haki and Heze, in truth she hoped that the hunt would serve as a distraction so that her talk with Sonnet would go undisturbed, after all... it was probably one of the most serious talks they had ever had, and it was all too closed followed to the last one. Auva and the incident still burnt in her mind and she couldn't stop feeling as if these lands were cursed... after all, the neighbouring herd didn't live that far away, a short run if you knew the way. Then there were teh dangers that the Miakoda herd had directly, each time they had been lucky... and the last time Haki had nearly died. Would death follow next? Had they pushed their luck?
These were the thoughts that swirled and churned endlessly in her mind as she ventured back to where she had left Sonnet sleeping. It seemed he was stirring, or maybe already awake, she couldn't see much since he had his back to her. "My love." She said softly as she approached. Seeing him gave her strength, gave her the courage to do what was needed. Her father had once told her that to be brave you had to be afraid... and boy, was she afraid right now.
"Yes North Star?" Lifting his head, not having been asleep, just waiting for her to come back since she left with the girls, not sure what they had talked about, but with all the troubles that there had been lately he had left her to have some mother daughter time. Smiling gently at Chandra as he stands, knowing a serious talk is looming and laying down was not a way to have those.p
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:21 am
She watched as he stood, there was a silent grace about each and every one of his movements, sometimes she wondered if he was aware of just how elegant he could be at times. Of just how.... she stopped that train of thought there was now a huge grin upon her face despite the thoughts that lingered in her minds. Unable to stop herself she walked towards him and kissed him softly before giving him a hug. The warmth that greeted her was enough to sooth her very soul. She loved this, wanted this, couldn't live without it.
A little reluctantly she pulled back and looked at him, they both knew what was ahead of them... still it was hard saying the first words that needed to be spoken. "What are we going to do?" She tore her gaze away from him for a moment, a slightly painful expression covering her features. "I am starting to think that these lands are cursed, and that staying here will only lead to more pain and suffering." It may have sounded daft, but it was truthfully how she felt and she trusted Sonnet not to laugh. Looking back up at him for a moment she tried to smile, "Before I say more... what do you think?"
Sonnet smiled and hugged her back, lettign her step away. His smile reassuring as she told him of her fears. Nuzzling her and kissing her softly. "Chandra, I don't believe in curses... but this herd has been here a long time, with so many not going anywhere trouble will eventually know where to find you." Not thinkign that curses weren't possible, they just seemed far away. Besides this kind of curse, was that really possible? Not sure what she wanted to know bout his tohughts, he had thought many things in the last few months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:26 am
She nodded at his answer, though not completely convinced by his words. Still she pushed forward. "I guess the real question, the only question... so we stay or do we leave with my father?" Blunt and to the point, but in that moment Chandra saw no reason to beat around the bush.
Suddenly she remembered something they had hinted at the night before in their sleepy states. "A meeting. Shall we summon a herd meeting? See what everyone else thinks?" Chandra wasn't afraid of standing before the herd, even if it was semi-official business, what she was afraid of was the reaction they might get when they revealed that Maion, one of the core foundations of the herd was leaving. Would they feel abandoned?
Nodding he gives her the reassuring smile again. "They will need to decide for themselves what they do. Most are here because of Maion, he has served us all selflessly for a long time, it is only fair that he be permitted to have time to himself when he needs it. And he needs it... I don't know whats happened..." Looking around, not sure what to say really, he needed more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:27 am
She nodded, agreeing with him that they should decide, "I asked.... do you think we should leave?" Her questioning had started out a little more selfishly, she needed to sort out in her head what her immediate family were doing then she could look to the rest. She would never abandon any of them but sometimes things were just out of her control... and it helped to work small and work your way out, a good foundation created a good building after all.
She smiled, shifting a little as she thought some more, "I hinted to the girls that we might go travelling, while they didn't seem overly keen I don't think either of them hated it. Plus Haki is getting stronger by the day and I am sure he might like to stay with Heze...." She was rambling so clamped her jaw shut to prevent more from spilling forth.
Sonnet watched her quietly for a time before answering. "The girls are old enough now to do what they choose to, and while I hate admitting that its the truth, if any wished to stay here my father would look after them, you know that, besides I doubt they will leave, if we go with Maion we go as a family... And yes I'll even tolerate Haki, while I do not like the idea of a stallion interested in my daughter he has not done anything for me to doubt his intentions.... Besides I can't protect everyone alone...." That was the sad truth, he needed help protecting his family, especially if more than just the 7 of them left. "Lets call a meeting and see where the land lies and we can go from there, maybe others will have useful ideas as well."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:28 am
Chandra nodded, "Ok." She knew her mate wasn't overly pleased with his daughters growing up, she couldn't say she was thrilled but she had accepted they were getting older, would probably have families of their own before too long.... she just wanted to be there for them, with them. "Together." If they left she wanted to make sure it was together, not willing to leave without them all. Not wanting to lose any of her family... though that was a silly notion, by following her father she would leave her mother behind.
"Let's go gather everyone then. We can meet by the lake side as soon as possible, I don't think we should sit on this too long." She leaned over and kissed Sonnet, indulging for a moment in the closeness before leaving in search of the other members of the herd. Or most at least.
----------
It didn't take Chandra too long to find several of her family and friends, and as she stood at the side of the lake waiting for the last to gather and for her mate to return she smiled out at them all. Her heart doing odd nervous flips in her chest, she really wasn't sure how everyone was going to take this.
Crown sat next to Kyran, they had just had a heart to heart and the desicion to leave to go travelling was one he found himself excited by, if nothing else it would mean he got to have some quality time with Kyran... and like he said before, they could always come back later, right now they just needed some them time. "I wonder what this is about." He asked Kyran softly.
Auva sat silently to the left of her mother, watching the group as they sat chatting together. Her mother didn't usually call such meetings so Auva was a little nervous about the meaning behind such a meeting now. Was something wrong?
Sonnet wandered along not long after the last few of Chandras group had arrived, behind him trailed some of the others. Letting them settle into the group as he moved to stand beside his mate, giving her a reassuring nuzzle and a small smile, he would always be there for her, but he was not the one who would be Alpha she was.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
