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 Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 9:39 am
He smiled as he imagined what his aunt must be like. Somehow in his mind she was rainbow-colored and glowing, and angel brought to life. She saw her as ethereal and unreal, dreamlike as Naamah described. As his grandmother grew quiet he too fell into somber silence. It seemed a loss to the world that Berith should be gone. It hardly seemed fair that Xeria would never meet her. He didn't want to believe she was dead, and caught himself almost saying that there was hope. Naamah couldn't handle hope; he could see it in her eyes. She was tired and lost. Instead he looked out into the night, listening to the quiet noises of the nocturnal creatures as they called out in the night. He could relate. There they were in darkness calling out into the void, trying to connect to their loved ones. Suddenly he shook his head violently. He was becoming as morose as Agares! That wouldn't do.
"What about your parents? Where are they?"
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 9:44 am
She was retreating into herself, losing herself to her grief once more. She felt it pulling her under into darkness, but just before it could truly claim her Xeria broke the silence with his inquiry. It was almost jarring, going from thinking about her lost mate and child to thinking about her parents, and it took her a moment to collect herself. "My parents? I haven't thought about them in years to be honest. They weren't really around and my brother and I sort of raised ourselves." She shrugged, half chuckling. "I'm afraid I don't know much about them, and they died when we were still fairly young. I couldn't tell you where my brother is now. He left as soon as I was independent enough to survive, presumably to make his own life. We actually weren't that close, despite our situation." She shrugged. She didn't really think that part of her family was particularly important. "But now it's your turn. Tell me about you!"
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 9:48 am
It was his turn to be uncomfortable. What could he say? He led a mostly solitary life. He protected the grove his father dwelt in from intruders, providing aid to good-hearted soquili and chasing away the bad. He once had a mate, but their love wasn't true and she and he parted ways. He was alone, always wondering what had happened to their family. His brothers were gone, his sisters too. Only Nita had at least given him the courtesy of telling him what her purpose in travelling was and who she had left with. She visited occasionally as well. But most of the time Xeria was alone.
"There isn't much to tell, I'm afraid. I watch over my father. That's more or less it. The rest of the family have moved on to other things, and it's left Agares and I alone. Nita, my sister, occasionally visits. There's not really much else to tell but that. I had been in love once, but that is over." He shrugged, smiling sheepishly.
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:26 am
The fire was flickering softly, casting their shadows upon the walls of the cave, causing them to dance. Naamah watched them for a while, listening to Xeria. It seemed in the absence of her and her mate the family had become a broken thing. Had it ever been intact? Were they cursed? She chewed her lip in thought. "I would like to meet Nita someday," she said finally. "And her mate. I wonder if they would ever settle back here?" She didn't expect Xeria to have the answer to hat question, but it felt good to talk of potential future plans. She hadn't allowed herself to settle anywhere or to make plans since becoming separated from Samael. She sighed deeply. This was life now and she had to accept it and try to rebuild. "I would like for Agares to forgive me. Do you think... do you think you can help me, truly?"
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:34 am
Xeria fiddled with the wood he has gathered, adding another bit of sticks and a sizeable log on the fire. He watched as the fire roared up briefly before settling back down. The warmth flowed over him in waves, combating the chill of the night. He settled back down and thought over what Naamah had said. "I imagine Nita and Galahad may settle here, at least for a time, once she becomes pregnant. She's always said she'd want her kids raised here." He dug his hoof into the ground. "I can do what I can with my father, but he's a stubborn creature." Still, he had to believe that Agares longed for reconciliation. Who wouldn't want to reconcile with their own mother? He nodded to himself. "I think he'll come around."
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:40 am
She blinked against the brightness of the fire as it flared up with Xeria's attentions. The warmth was uncomfortable for a moment, then relaxed. She blinked her eyes a few more times to readjust. She thought about the idea of Nita having children, making Naamah a great-grandmother. How much had she missed, truly? She hoped she could be here for the next set of foals to grace the family. She started to feel somewhat hopeful for the future again.
"Agares gets that stubborn streak from his father, but I know how to handle it. I'm not going to go anywhere until he's ready to accept me." Or ever again. She was never leaving his side again.
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:50 am
He was happy to see how much happier his grandmother seemed. She was settling nicely into the little cave, and the fire was going nicely. He was beginning to get a bit drowsy, his eyelids becoming a bit heavy. He yawned and stretched out his limbs. "We can settle the issues with my father in the morning. Or more likely the late afternoon." He chuckled slightly. He liked to stay up most of the night and sleep half the day away. He knew his father was of a similar schedule. "I'm sure if I go with you this time he might at least let you tell your story. It's worth a try anyway." He shrugged. There was no need to rush, really. Naamah was here to stay and all would be well in time.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:35 am
She shared in his drowsy feelings, her eyelids getting heavy also. She started to relax for the first time in years, content in the knowledge she was surrounded by family once more. Her heart ached for her mate and daughter, but in the pursuit of them she had lost her son as well. She had been a young, foolish mare but she would rectify those mistakes. She chuckled softly at his sleep schedule, not surprised. Agares had always favored the night and slept away the days. She had missed that sleepy colt dearly. She signed again, having had enough guilt for one night.
"This place is beautiful," she observed with approval. "You've picked such a lovely place for yourselves. I look forward to truly settling in."
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:41 am
He stretched languidly, slowly rising. He didn't want to leave her, but he had his own place to go to and preferred to sleep in his own bed. Some small part of him felt it was because of the lingering presence of his mate, who was long gone physically, but not emotionally from the stallion's life. He wondered if he had issues connecting to anyone due to his family's fragmentation. He decided that was a thought to explore on another day. He still had to swing by his father's place to see if he can't convince him to meet with Naamah the following day. His work was never done. He stretched again, prepping for the journey.
"I'l come back tomorrow and take you to my father's grove. We'll make him listen, I promise!" He smiled encouragingly to her. He knew they'd be able to reunite the two.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:44 am
Despite her aching old bones she rose to bid her grandson goodbye. Even though they had plans for the following day she felt a pang of profound sadness at his impending departure, as if a part of her went with him. She supposed that was the curse of family. They take pieces of you with them forever. She smiled at him and embraced him warmly.
"I appreciate everything you've done for me Xeria. Truly. There is nothing I desire more than reuniting as a family." Even if it was without some of its members. The failure of losing her mate was deep within her, and some part of her cried out to find comfort in another. She tapped it down for the consideration of another day. For now, her focus was her family.
"Farewell and good night. I'll see you tomorrow."
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:48 am
He returned her embrace eagerly, happy to have her around. He'd missed a feminine influence on their family for years, since his mother had left. Would all mares leave him? He shook his head as he parted from his grandmother to clear it of negative thoughts. This was a new day, a new time for their family. Things would look up from now on.
"Don't mention it. It's the least I can do, really. I want our family to be whole just as much as you do trust me." He grinned at her. He would miss her, he realized, though they had only really just met. She was part of him, a part he never knew but was always there. He could't wait to get to know her more.
"Good night Grandmother! I'm so happy you're here!" He embraced her one more time before turning back down the path they had come down. His work was not done yet, but even though he was tired he was happy to be doing it.
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