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 Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 10:19 am
Aquitaine returned Agave's nuzzle. Hearing those words...it made everything she had been through the last few days worth it. Agave needed closure, he deserved it, and now after all this time he would finally get it. "I only ever want to see you happy." She told him softly. "And I know how much she meant to you." Supreme had been the light in Agave's very dark childhood and she was glad to have been a part in reuniting them together.
Glancing back towards Ironforge and Supreme hiding behind him, Aquitaine now knew it was time for the two to get reacquainted. "Why don't you go say hello." She knew Supreme would likely be nervous about this, even after seeing that Agave had changed, but they couldn't just spend the whole time away from each other.
Eadric looked back at Ipswich as she tried to hurry him along. They had no idea what waited them and yet she wanted to run in blind. He let out a snort. "No rushing." He told her firmly. But the truth was, he wanted to hurry and see what was happening. But he didn't want to leave Prism behind either, just in case something bad was going on further down the beach.
Prism was doing his best with keeping up with the two siblings, but his leg wasn't really up to running just yet. When Eadric looked back towards Ipswich, he could see the concern in the younger stallions eyes. He was holding them up. "Go ahead." He encouraged them. "I'll catch up."
Hearing Prism's words he nodded to the stallion. "Come on." He told his sister and then set off at a full trot. It didn't take them long to come upon the group. He saw them from a distance, but a quick look told him there was no fighting. If anything, they all seemed to be standing around talking. Still, he wanted to be there for his family.
As he got closer he noticed his mother was back. Had she come with the group? Well they would find out soon enough. Eadric's pace slowed as he came nearer the group. His gaze went back to his sister, the returned to the group. "What's going on?" He asked now that he was almost at his parents. His eyes moved towards the group standing a short distance away.
Seeing her children approaching, Aquitaine was relieved that things had turned out so well. She would be upset if her children were caught up in an old unresolved conflict between Agave and these knights. She smiled at Eadric's question. "Nothing much, just some...old friends visited your father unexpectedly." She explained. If Agave wanted to tell their children the truth later that was up to him, but she would not tell them the real relationship that these Soquili had once had with their father.
She turned her attention to the group. "These are two of our children. Eadric and Ipswich." She nodded to them in turn.
With a bit of effort Prism managed to keep a steady pace. The siblings had outrun him, but thanks to the cushioning sand he was able to catch up after a short time. His leg would likely bother him later for it, but he wanted to see what was going on. As he limped his way up to the group he let his gaze roam over everyone. "So, what did I miss?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 8:17 am
"Mom!" Ipswich called out as they caught sight of the group, ignoring her brothers look she dashed forward and nuzzled both of her parents. "I'm so glad your back!" She rushed out completely oblivious to any tension in the air. However when her mother statedthat the Soquili with her were her fathers friends she glanced at them in wonder..her father had had..friends?
I mean sure she supposed he must have at some point, he couldn't have always been the hermit he was now right? Honestly her father never really wanted to talk about his past and she and her brothers knew very little about it. "Ah, well..welcome to the beach!" She called out to them with a warm look.
Ironforge was glad that things had alreayd been somewhat figured out before the younger pair and the limping stallion had arrived, while they hardly constituted an army he would have hated to react badly and without cause to their sudden appearance. Honestly he really shouldn't be surprised Aquitaine had mentioned several time that she lived on the beach with her family.
It was just hard to believe that the Pirata's son, the previous green monster had managed to have a family..a seemingly well adjusted and happy one at that. Wonders never cease he supposed and he nodded his head at the three as they arrived.
"Thank you." He told the one called Ipswich as she welcomed him to the beach. "It seems quite lovely."
"Yes it really is, I can't wait to see it closer..are the waves always so noisy?" Mercy chimed in, moving forward to speak with Ipswich closer, she rather liked the happy go lucky mare right off the bat and since things were obviously going well she figured there was no harm in getting to know them all better.
Seeing Mercy moving forward to mingle Ironforge glanced to Supreme and gave her a nudge of encouragement. "You've come this far - you might as well go and speak to him." He told her quietly "I'm sure that it is safe." He further assured her.
"If you are sure." Supreme responded, glancing between Ironforge and the group. Seeing Agave with his family..and children! Made her heart soar somewhat, she had always known that he was not the stallion his mother had wanted him to be but seeing such proof of it was more then she had ever hoped for.
Stepping out from behind Ironforge, Supreme slightly away from the group. "Agave?" She called, her voice almost unsure, as though she still couldn't quite believe that it was him even with him standing right there in front of her.
Agave nuzzled his children as they approached, and glanced at RPism "Just some guests it appears." He told the stallion, attempting to calm what was left of his frayed nerves and seem relatively normal. Agave did not want his children to think anything other then an unexpected visit had happened and he surely didn't want them to learn to much information about his past - hopefully their 'guests' would be discreet..or he would have some explaining to do.
Ah well..it was a possibility he had always known might happen someday, he wasn't sure if he was prepared for it but you can't change what life throws at you - merely adapt to it right? Hearing Supreme's voice he sighed slightly and glanced at Aquitaine "Yes..yes I suppose it is long past due that I speak with her." He agreed, giving her one last nuzzle before moving towards the brown mare.
"Yes..its me, its really me." He assured her as he approached "I can't believe it's really you..." He went on, his voice trailing off as the pair moved out of hearing range to talk.
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:24 am
Aquitaine nuzzled Ipswich and then Eadric once he got closer. Things had worked out in the end and now her children would get to see some long overdue interaction between their father and those who touched his life in various ways. Turning her attention to Prism Aquitaine studied the stallion. His limp seemed a bit more pronounced that before, but the way he had hurried up to the group it's not wonder.
"This is Prism." She said to the group. "He's been staying with us while he recovers from his injuries."
Eadric returned his parents nuzzles and then turned his attention back to the group. "Welcome to our home." Looking them over, they just didn't match the imagine in his head of the type of Soquili his father would know from his past. Then again, they knew so little about his past that it was hard to know for sure what he did and who he know. They knew little tidbits, but father never really spoke much about it and mother always said if any of them wanted to know, they would have to wait until father was ready to talk about it. Seeing this group though, Eadric was growing more curious. Perhaps he could pry some information out of father later regarding this visitors.
He turned his attention to the mare with pink mane. "You get used to it after a while. I barely hear it anymore." Then he smirked. "Though it does a good job of drowning my annoying sister at times." He would never miss an opportunity to poke good fun at his sister. "Why don't we take her to go see it up close." He suggested to Ipswich, feeling that it would probably be best to leave the adults alone to talk and catch up a bit.
Prism nodded his greetings to the group. "I have Aquitaine and Ipswich to thank for me being here." He said to the group, for some reason wanting to share how much he appreciated this strange yet generous family. "I was surely going to die when they came along. Aquitaine nursed me back to health enough for me to travel here. I owe their family so much, not everyone would let someone live with them for several weeks, asking nothing in return."
Kale listened to the conversations going on around him. Strange how quickly things had changed from a stressful unknown to everyone talking as if they'd known each other for years. It had all worked out in the end, and now they could see that Aquitaine had indeed been telling the truth all along. No one could put on an act this well for this long without their true being shining through just a bit. He was surprised by Agave's changes. He had been the one to battle Agave that day, and while he had seen a glimmer of somethign in the stallion then, it wasn't until now that he could see that that glimmer had grown into something much bigger.
He moved closer to Mercy and the siblings. "Can you swim in it?" He asked, looking out towards the ocean. It looked too large to even think about swimming, yet there were aquatic species who lived out there their entire lives.
Aquitaine smiled at Prism. "You returning to full health is all I need." She told the stallion. She expected no payment for the time and herbs she had put into healing him. She did it because he had needed help and she had been the first one there. The same applied to any other Soquili she helped.
Watching Agave and Supreme finally talking, Aquitaine let out a happy sigh. Finally, they would get to speak and sort a few things out. With her children occupying Mercy and Kale, Aquitaine turned to Ironforge. "Perhaps we could speak for a moment."
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:20 am
"Oh yes! We swim in it all the time, its wonderful exercise and mother even uses it to help injured Soquili like Prism there recuperate since they can exercise the muscles without to much strain i the water. I wouldn't recommend drinking it though." She told the brightly colored Rainbow stallion with a slight laugh before bobbing her head at her brothers suggestion.
"That's an excellent idea, it's really something you guys need to experience." She encouraged, motioning with her muzzle towards the pathway down to the beach.
"Interesting." Mercy mused, glancing at Kale as he joined them, going down to see the ocean up close seemed like a grand idea to her - I mean how could you come so close and not actually check it out? Wait until she went home and told her family about it - they would never believe how big and endless it seemed to be.
"I would love to see it up close." She told the siblings, looking from one to another - she could see the traces of their parents in them, and yet they were still quite different from one another. "Come on Kale." She stated, glancing at the older stallion with a warm look "Lets go and see, everyone else is busy talking I doubt they'll care." She encouraged.
Glancing at the group as it split up an began to talk, almost like a cordial meeting rather then the potential fight it had almost been, the stallion was grateful that things had turned out for the better - it was good that he had been careful, it was never good to take anything for granted when it came to Pirata but he could still be grateful that all of his preparations and worrying had been for nothing. Hearing the story from Prism whose limp seemed to indicate a leg injury of some sort Ironforge was finally completely convinced that Aquitaine was truly the mare that she said she was. "You are fortunate indeed." He told the stallion. It was an intriguing sounding story, perhaps later if he got the chance he would find out more.
He was almost surprised when the mare Aquitaine came up to speak with him, he had assumed that she would be less them eager to do so after the way he had been dealing with things. With one last glance at Mercy and Kale - who seemed ot be occupied by the siblings and then Supreme who was speaking with Agave some distance away he nodded to the mare
"If you wish."
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:54 am
Prism nodded to the large shaggy stallion. He was fortunate. Who knew what would have happened if Aquitaine hadn't come to help him when she had. Well, he probably would have died a long suffering death at the bottom of that ravine. But now he had his life back and a few more weeks of gaining his strength back and he would be able to search the lands.
Sensing that Aquitaine would like some alone time with the stallion, he motioned towards the siblings. "I think I'll go with them."
Eadric was fairly certain that if this mare lived nearby, that she and his sister would become the best of friends. But he wasn't sure how far away they lived, perhaps they would keep in touch once they left. "Oh come on, everyone needs to experience the horror that is drinking ocean water once in their lives." He told his sister when she adviced Kale and Mercy not to drink it. He remembered being told as a young foal to not drink it, he had tried to listen, but his curiosity had gotten the better of him and one day he gulped some down. It took hours to get that taste out of his mouth.
"Come on." He said and began to walk towards the ocean. It was kind of nice to have so many visitors around.
While Kale was somewhat interested in seeing the ocean ip close, he could tell that Mercy was the one who truly wanted to see and experience it. This just might be a good learning experience for them, and not just with what had lef up to this moment, but about the ocean and those who live near and in it as well. "Well, let's go then."
Aquitaine watched as the majority of the group broke off to talk and explore. She couldn't help but smile at how easily her children had taken to the visitors and were showing them their world. She began to walk down the beach. "I'm not going to blame you for what you did. You had every right to assume I was with Pirata. If I were in your place, I might have acted similarly. But I am hoping that you also learned something from this, that not every Soquili can be judged by their looks alone." Surely he had realized this by now.
"I've spent a good chunk of my life being judged because of what I look like and it was what spurred me into devoting my life to helping those like me find acceptance in this world. I also work to change others opinions regarding those with mutated blood. We don't have a lot of control over what we look like, but we don't have to be ruled by that either. I've seen fear and anger in strangers eyes because they think I am a monster. Some were willing to stick around long enough to see the real me, others fled at the sight of me and a few have tried to kill me." She was rambling and getting further from the real reason she had wanted to speak with him. "I hope, that next time you encounter someone different, that you give them a chance. And more importantly, understand that they can change as well. Look at how far Agave has come. Not everyone is willing to change, but they will never be able to if no one gives them a chance. It all starts with Soquili like you and me letting them be who they are, not showing fear but understanding. Yes, there will still be those who are evil and refuse to give that up. But maybe some of them had no say in that decision, like Agave who was trained that way from day one, and if given a chance and enough encouragement they will be able to choose another path."
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:15 am
Ironforge watched as the group fractured into its own activities, like any gathering those who had similar interests or attitudes tended to attract each other. This would be good for Surpeme he was sure of it and by the looks of it, it might be good for Mercy and Kale as well. It was always good to learn about new lands and see new things - you never knew when such information might come in handy.
Joining Aquitaine as they walked along the path Ironforge listened in silence to her speech, what she said was true, the stallion was well aware that he might have judged her more harshly then he would have had she arrived looking some other way, Pirata's penchant for attracting and drawing in those who looked like Aquitaine was a well known quirk of the spider queen and while he had every right to be caution he also knew he had been somewhat unfair. When the mare had finished speaking Ironforge replied.
"I have been in many battles in my lifetime - some of them, in the past, for reasons that were not good ones although I had no idea of it at the time, it has instilled in me a lack of trust..which is a character fault I am well aware of and yet it rears its ugly head from time to time. It is true I judged your harshly, the combination of our knowledge of Pirata and her preferences and your inquiry about Supreme seemed like a close fit...but I should have listened more, Mercy was sure you were telling the truth but I could not see past my preconceived opinions . It is something I shall work on - it seems even those of us who are older and experienced can learn new things if we are willing to do so."
It was not exactly and apology, Ironforge still felt somewhat justified in his attempts to protect Supreme from possible danger - but it was a promise to do it better next time if nothing else and Aquitaine would just have to be happy with that.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:39 am
"I am glad to hear that." She said with a smile. "No one is perfect, Ironforge. We are all flawed in different ways, but knowing about our flaws and learning from them is an important part to growing. I have learned much because of my own flaws, but from the flaws of others as well." She paused to look back towards the group, namely where Mercy and her children were. "Mercy has a good heart. She obviously sees things much differently than others, we could both learn something from here. Acceptance is an important aspect of life and I think Mercy has that down perfectly."
"Look at them, all so happy, like they have know each other for some time and are finally getting a chance to see each other again after a long absence." This was exactly how she envisioned things should be. If all the world could get along so well, then things would be perfect. Aquitaine had certainly been making an effort to spread the word of acceptance to all who would listen. While Ironforge and his group protected the weak and innocents from the evils of the lands. Together, they were creating a good life for others, like Supreme and Agave, who had been placed in unfortunate circumstances and needed to be freed in different respects. There was still much work to do in that respect, but Aquitaine could see some of the results already and it warmed her heart.
"I have this vision of creating a sanctuary for those like myself, Agave and our children. Those who look different but are normal on the inside. A place of acceptance and love, where second chances can be given." Her gaze swung back to Ironforge. "I have extended an invitation to many of the Soquili I have met and helped along the way that if they ever need a safe place to stay or something to listen to them, that they will always find what they need here. Perhaps, you can help spread word of this place. That if you meet a Soquili with twisted blood who is struggling, that you can tell them to come here and get the help that need and they might not find elsewhere. And, should I encounter any Soquili in my travels that have dreams of becoming a knight, I can send them to you." It was an alliance of sorts, one that she was hoping Ironforge would accept, as it would benefit them both - but more so the Soquili that they would meet.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:58 am
Listening to the mares dream Ironforge had to admit it was a pretty good one - indeed it was much like the one he had for all of those in his own herd, if only the world did not need those like himself or Aquitaine to bring about this reality, a place without the evil and sinister minded trying to ruin it. It was a nice dream and maybe someday it would be a reality - but only if they kept fighting for it, he in his way and Aquitaine in her's.
An Alliance of the two herds seemed ot make sense and by the looks of things Mercy was well on her way to establishing a friendship or two..and perhaps Supreme would enjoy keeping in touch with Agave and his family now that they had had a chance to reunite.
"It is a good idea, there is no reason that our two herds should not help one another as we both have similar goals..a world of peace and safety for all of those who wish it. I will agree to send those you seek towards you when they are encountered and will accept any potential knights that you send me..but now I will ask another thing from you..the world you wish to build can not only come from peaceful negotiation, it is preferable of course..but not always possible - much like Supreme, Agave's freedom could not have been won without force and in such battles many suffer. I have warriors and Knights..spies...guards and safe lands for those who need to hide but I lack a true healer, Mercy almost died in that battle with Agave's mother, bitten by one of her spiders, our healers barely saved her, they are not as experienced as you are, nor as worldly - should such a thing ever happen again can I call upon you for aid?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 10:27 am
And just like that, an alliance was born. Aquitaine was thrilled. Now there were two potential places for those she met to go if they needed guidance, training or simply a place to rest for a time. Aquitaine nodded, Ironforge was right, not every situation could be settled in a peaceful manner, unfortunately force was a necessary tool at times. "I would be more than happy to help out in such a situation." She told the stallion. "In fact, Mercy had shown an interest in learning to heal earlier. I can certainly put in some time teaching her how to use herbs and perhaps even help unlock her natural powers." There was no guarantee of how much power Mercy would have with her mixed blood, but even just a bit would go a long way.
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 8:47 am
This trip had certainly turned out differently then Ironforge had first envisioned, indeed it was almost comical when he thought about it - he had come here expecting a fight and in stead had acquired the use of a healer and a beach side alliance with the most unlikely of sources. Imagine how irritated Pirata would be to learn that her son was now in league with them! The thought almost made the stallion smile - but the knowledge that such information could never get back to the spider queen without harming Aquitaine and her family was enough to keep it at bay. Indeed the stallion had already decided that the knowledge of Pirata's son's location must never be leaked.
Pushing such thoughts aside for later consideration the stallion returned his attention to Aquitaine. "None of us know exactly how much unicorn blood Mercy has - although she looks to have a great deal..as you have pointed out during this trip, looks can be deceiving but if she is willing to learn the herbals and perhaps test her innate abilities then I won't mind - provided of course that it does not interfere with her Knight training." Glancing down the beach towards the younger members of the group he added "It looks like she wouldn't mind spending some time here in any case and it would be good for her to have friends outside her family and my herd. "
Knowing that an agreement had been settled upon Ironforge turned back towards the main group "I expect we should head back and share the news then."
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 8:56 am
Aquitaine nodded. "It is difficult to tell just how much power she will have. But we won't know for certain until we have her try to use it. Regardless, knowledge of herbs can go a long way in expanding her healing and also giving you another healer in your herd should an occasion arise that I am not able to make it to you in time." After all, it was a fairly decent length journey from the beach to where Ironforge's herd was, and in some medical situations time was of the essence. So having another healer, even if it was only using herbs, would be a great asset to most of them. "I wouldn't dream of interrupting her knight training for this. I'm certain that we can work out a schedule for her to come and learn about herbs when she is not required to be training with you." Her eyes drifted to the group a bit further down the beach. "I think it will do us all some good to have visitors like Mercy and yourself come on a regular basis." There was a lot they could still learn from each other, and this alliance was just the beginning.
"Yes, I suppose we should." Aquitaine agreed and then began to walk towards where the others were. "Perhaps you can stay the night. It has been a long day for all of us and you have a fairly long journey back to your home. A good nights rest would do us all some good." Plus it would give them all time to chat some more before they went their separate ways. "There is plenty of room for you here." It was one of the benefits to where she had made her home, there was a vast amount of groves within the trees that could serve both as temporary and permanent sleep areas for those that needed them.
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:05 am
Glancing at the suns position in the sky Ironforge noted how late it was getting - starting back home now seemed rather pointless, they would barely get anywhere before being forced to set up camp for the night anyways. "I might take you up on that, it's rather late to start back tonight." He agreed "And it will give us time to work out a schedule for Mercy if she agrees to do some healing training."
It would be beneficial for everyone if she did but Ironforge would let Mercy decide in the end, he wasn't going to force her into anything she wasn't interested in pursuing. In any case it seemed they would be spending the night on the beach, talking and arranging the particulars of this new Allience as well as allowing friendships to develop and old acquaintances to get to know each other again - all in all a much more pleasant trip then any of them had expected. In the morning they would return home and return to the daily grind to which they had become accustomed but for tonight Ironforge decided, he would give himself permission to relax..just a little bit..and enjoy the evening by the beach along with the others.
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:10 am
"Of course, it will all depend on what she choose to do." While Mercy had shown an interest in healing before, she would make sure the mare still wanted to pursue that before actually going ahead and working out the how and when she would learn.
She continued to walk beside Ironforge as they made their way towards the group. It would be good to have this extra time to work things out and allow everyone to socialize more. And that's exactly what they would do now, chat among themselves, let the group know that they would be staying the night and then hash out the details later.
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