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 Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 3:40 pm
The desert mare had regained her composure, at least as best as she could. The circumstances surrounding her arrival in to the Kawani had been incredibly unfortunate and unpleasant but she was determined to survive. It wasn't like her to give up, it wasn't like her to throw in the towel just because everything was so foreign. Even so close to death, the spirits had gathered together and allowed the moon spirit to assist her. . . . Truly that meant she had some larger purpose, that it wasn't her time to fade, so she had to embrace this fact. She wouldn't let Anyaa'ily's kindness and generosity be in vain.
Step by step, the mare carefully followed the ebony stallion. She paused now and then, hesitated when the path grew steeper than she was accustomed to, but over all she managed. Sort of. She didn't take any tumbles, even if her hooves occasionally slipped. Thankfully though, the spirits were guiding her, and she felt better for that.
Ignorance was bliss, after all, and Azzinoth was an unknown placebo for the mare. He wasn't truly a spirit, but his presence gave her great comfort despite her loss. Surely he understood everything that happened, her plight that had taken her so far away from everything she'd ever known.
The silence didn't bother Nephthys in the least. She couldn't communicate as readily as she wished, and therefor felt much more comfortable by taking things slow and silently There was nothing more to say, and she couldn't find the words even if she wanted to! Her Kawani was so broken and unfamiliar, the less said, the better. Still, her ears did p***k and her head rose some as Anyaa'ily broke the quiet. He didn't look particularly happy with his grimace, and she bit her lower lip.
Was she okay?
No. She was terrified, she was unsure about her future, and she knew NOTHING about the land. She could survive in the desert just fine, but these lands were so unfamiliar. . . But how could she express her ignorance? How could she explain? Surely Anyaa'ily knew. . . .but. . . he likely wasn't asking about any of that. Was she OK right now?
Sure. Why not.
Giving a small nod, she forced another faint smile. "Of course. Anyaa'ily's here." Truly she couldn't be in any better company than that of a spirit, right? Therefor she needn't fear or worry about her fate, not . . . not entirely. He was a benevolent spirit, and all the pain of her past could be temporarily forgotten in his kind presence.
At least with the spirit there, she didn't have to feel so utterly alone.
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Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 6:15 am
She was lying - from the hesitance in her response to the forced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. There was no hope in those eyes, only a sad acceptance of whatever fate she seemed to think waited for her beyond the slopes. It wasn't a pleasant reply for the stallion but he wasn't surprised by it either - it would have been foolish for the ebony male to assume that in one night the world would seem much more welcoming and positive for the mare.
Whatever circumstances had been forced upon her, they hadn't been an experience she wished to relive. She had been uprooted from her own lands, a fact evident in her broken language skills and foreign appearance. Her hesitance to communicate and her naivity towards a landscape that really should have killed her. She had been saved the previous evening and while he had played a part, had it not been for the intervention of the real spirits he probably wouldn't have found her.
...It would take time for her to realise that a more positive life awaited.
Hopefully.
This was excluding all possible threats such as cannibalistic mutants and skinwalkers, then the more violent soquili with foul behavioural issues and the inclination to cause harm. His stomach gave a twist at this, it was one of those rare moments in which he questioned whether or not letting her go solo was the right thing to do. He could argue that it was from a medical point of view but really, he knew it was more of a moral dilemma - she could be killed and it would be because she knew no better.
However, all soquili needed to branch out into the world on their own and to experience their lives without apron strings. He had the same stance on Esper and he had turned out fine (eventually). This mare was to be no exception, or at least he would hope as much - the spirits were mysterious and if they favoured her then she would be safe.
Unfortunately her 'positive' response was received but probably not in the manner she wished it to be. She had tried the forced smile and in reply, the stallion lifted a brow to indicate that he didn't by it. Luckily for Neph, he knew when it was unwise to question and instead he allowed his internal monologues and disputes to continue. She wasn't happy but time had a way of healing these wounds, she wasn't okay now, but she would be. Right?
Right.
He shook his head, the blackened strands clapping softly against his neck and eventually he proceeded down the slope again. His tail tightened around her leg at particularly risky areas and then slowly but surely the way seemed to pan out and the strain lessened. The inclines were becoming less steep and the round beneath was less likely to crumble. They would hit the treeline of the lower forests soon and even now, Azzinoth could sense the rise in temperature - an affect that could only be produced by the approaching canopy.
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Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:25 pm
Nephthys caught his raised brow expression, and part of her felt ashamed for not being completely honest. But what was she supposed to do? She couldn't complain, she couldn't cry about her lot, and she certainly couldn't return to the desert. Even if she were blessed by the sands, even if she once more could run freely through the heat of the day, she would still be alone.
Her people, her friends, the horses she had known all her life were dead. There were very few who had escaped, why her own life had been spared she would never know. Returning would do nothing for her heavy heart and thoughts. Here was just as good as any place, since there was no one waiting for her, no one to discover.
This was her life. . . and she would have to accept that.
Ever silent, the mare thought little of Azzinoth. While she appreciated that the shaky ground became less and less a problem, and that there was more warmth to be found in the climate, he mare could hardly find herself excited. They would soon arrive, and her spirit would return to the moon. She would be alone, and she would have to figure the world out.
Thankfully, she wasn't entirely naive. She knew of grass and of some of the greens some horses had spoken of once. Greens were such a rare treat within the heart of the desert that to find herself amidst a land full of it. . . well. . . she'd be in for a surprise. Still, Nephthys knew that she couldn't just lay down and die . . .
She had to live. She had too much spirit to just give up, and it would cause her shame before the spirits. Though she was hurting emotionally, she would be strong. She would be strong so she might remember those who hadn't escaped with their lives. She would be strong because it was right to do . . .i was the only thing TO do. She wouldn't take Anyaa'ily's assistance for granted.
She would live because of him.
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 2:46 am
[[Should wrap this one up soonish. *Chuckles* I think these two did quite well for minimal dialogue. xDDDD ]]
There it was, the long and erratic 'line' of trees that stated their claim to the foothills of the slopes. Towering high, the trunks facing the more harsh and exposed regions of the slopes revealed their wear and told their own stories. Battered, bruised but otherwise strong, they had endured through the ages to shield and nurture the other more vulnerable trees that lay deeper within the forest. It was quite a mighty sight, with conifers and deciduous trees 'shoulder to shoulder' against the force of the spirits' and their unpredictable nature.
The closer the unicorn drew, the more aware he became of the rising heat and his flanks gave a quiver of appreciation as he breached the borders and slipped into the more forgiving and benevolent lands that the slopes had to offer. Admittedly, there was still more to be had and the further they would continue down the slope, the warmer it would become. Fortunately for both doctor and patient, Neph hadn't been as high up as she could have and as a consequence her journey down wouldn't take much longer - in no time at all she would be introduced to her new home.
A tiny part of him felt the faintest flurry of satisfaction and pleasure at this.
This happened frequently, though the healer preferred to remain modest and accept that while he had helped, it had been the spirits who had ultimately decided to spare her. He was satisfied she would be safe and eventually she would settle.
Nevertheless, now that the terrain was much kinder he was able to unwind his tail from her leg. He gave it a flick, wagged it from side to side and eventually flexed it here and there to increase the blood flow. It was of no surprise to the stallion that it was stiff and it's usual flexibility had been lost for the time being. He wouldn't relish the moments when the pins and needles would start but such things were necessary evils in his line of work - there was a reason he had this appendage!
Bit by bit progress was made and in time the stallion came to a halt, swivelled his ears and snorted appreciatively in the direction of the sound of running water. In a forest of this warmth the ice wouldn't settle and fresh water would flow freely - he couldn't be certain for the lowlands as not all the regions were sheltered but it was a start, perhaps she would favour the forests over plains, no?
"Hungry?" he asked at last, aware they had been travelling for some time. It would likely be the last meal they did share together, but it would give him another opportunity to introduce her to some foods in the area so that she might select them for herself at a later date. All part of the service as it were, he definitely took pride in his work.
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:30 pm
The landscape surrounding them truly was different. While the mountains still had thick layers of snow and pine, the longer they walked, the less strain she felt on her legs. The hills were evening out, flattening, and the pine trees were suddenly being dotted with other sorts of vegetation and greenery.
Everything was so . . . . so crowded. Sort of. There was no sand, no dunes, nothing. It was colorful even in the dead of winter (she'd get a supreme shock come spring and summer) but even now there was much to look at. Nephthys was both terribly homesick and curious at the same time. She knew she could never go back . . . but that didn't make her miss it any less. Still, these new lands offered new scents, new wildlife, new everything and she found herself slightly distracted as they continued to walk.
The rushing water was the biggest surprise. Yes, there were oasis out in the jungles, but they were few and far between. Even their own water supplies were often scarce or dug deep from the earth. Nepthys never really questioned how the two-legged ones did it, but they were always provided with adequate drink. To see and hear the sound of the rushing water was . . . strange to her.
She didn't quite know what it was, though she could smell it heavy on the air. Water was a rarity where she came from . . . to realize that this land was so rich in moisture was going to become a huge surprise to the mare. In some ways her life would be much more comfortably lived within the Kawani . . . but it was going to be quite the adjustment.
Looking around, her body ever alert, Nephthys gave a small nod when he spoke. Hungry . . yes. . . . her stomach was already churning and groaning. How she wished for the roots and grains she was given daily. Foraging wasn't something she was truly acclimated in. Oh, instinct could and would guide her, but she had been slightly pampered in the desert.
Looking around, the mare wondered exactly what she would get to eat. She didn't remember much about the roots and foods she had devoured earlier, but she had been quite out of it. Exactly what would be on the menu was a mystery . . . but one she knew wouldn't last long.
This . . . this looked to be the lands she would be left in. The moon spirit would soon be away, to go back to the moon. And she would be here, alone. . . no camp fires . . . no songs . . no laugher . . . just her and her shadow. But no. She would be grateful. Anyaa'ily Haly'a had saved her life, that was not something she could or would ever spurn. She had a duty to repay the spirits . . . but how?
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Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:42 pm
Living in the desert would certainly have been a peculiar experience for Azzinoth. Though he may have travelled regularly, he was never in a land where such vital necessities were not in abundance. He'd always moved to the sound of running water, keeping it within his range as he travelled so that he wouldn't want for nothing. To think that Neph had lived in a world where it wasn't always nearby would have been utterly baffling to the unicorn - Alas, regardless of age, he still had a great deal to learn about certain lands. He was no adventurer and as a consequence he had never had the opportunity to experience the varying climates and so forth.
Still, if there was one thing he was good at, it was teaching others how to forage. In this particular region it would be very easy for him. Even in winter, there was still plenty for a soquili to eat in the lowlands. The forests shielded the most valuable and nutritious plants from the worst of the weather and as a result, they were always accessible. This in mind, he fully intended to show Neph where these particular plants were. It was his intention to educate her in a manner that would ensure her she would recognise them and know they were good. He would do his best to show her what couldn't be eaten as well, but given that some would not be in bloom yet, he couldn't show her all of them.
...The rest would be trial and error for her.
He sent a silent prayer to the gods to ensure that she did not dine on anything poisonous. If he were to find her slain through such means he would be deeply upset. Not that he would want her slain in any way of course!
It was with a curt nod that he motioned for her to follow and quickly navigated his way through the trees. Weaving between the trunks, he made quick work of the various obstacles in his path and eventually led her to the river.
It wasn't a particularly large river, cutting through the forest, it had yet to erode any further into the soil and so, was only three foot across at most. Nevertheless it was a constant and fresh water supply that she could probably track back to if she was ever in need. Around the river were a variety of plants, from the reids that popped up in clumps along the 'shore' to the ferns, grasses and occasional winter flowers that took refuge in the cracks of rocks or beneath the trees nearby.
While the tree line left the river exposed to light, the canopy still acted as an effective windbreaker against the worst of the gusts and as a result, the location was quite pleasant. Or rather, it was as pleasant as an area could get in the current season!
Azzinoth didn't hesitate and once he had settled into this particular location he quickly trotted towards a particular fern. It was here that he motioned with his tail and smiled encouragingly. The taste would be a little bitter, the leaves hardened against the cold, but the juice and nutrients inside were worth it (at least in his books).
"Food," he offered gently.
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:55 am
Everything was so unlike her homelands! Nephthys had never seen so much life in one area, full of plants and animals and water! It was like a never ending oasis, really, and its lush life was unlike anything she could have imagined. Truly, this land had been favored by the spirits and gods, it was no wonder Anyaa'ily had brought her here!
Quietly, the mare picked her way after the spirit, knowing that very soon he would return to his life in the sky. Surely he couldn't stay with her forever, but perhaps he would keep an eye on her from the heavens, in case she ever came of need. The world was so different it was so different from the desert, she couldn't help but be uncertain! Still, Nephthys was glad that the spirits had sent down the moon to aide her. She would have surely been frozen or starved had she been left to the hills alone.
The flowing river was of great interest to Nephthys, who couldn't help but peek in to the cold waters. The land was so fertile, and the river so big! The water they drank from often appeared in pools and never flowed so freely. This river traveled so far it disappeared beyond the bends! How far did it go? Nephthys wondered if she might travel it someday to find out, but for now, she was going to stay in this area. She was too weak for much travel, and too frightened by what might be out there. Still, her attention turned back to Anyaa'ily when he pointed at some odd looking leaf.
Food. "Food." She spoke, her accent coloring her words. Slowly, hesitantly, she reached out and took a bite of the plant. It was bitter and had little flavor, but them are was accustomed to such cuisine. Outside of the rare sweet grains she'd occasionally be treated to, (something she missed dearly), most of the food and sustenance was lacklustre in flavor. Sometimes the near oasis would offer sweeter tasting greens, but desert faire was truly different from these lands. Nephthys would be in for a great surprise come spring!
As soon as she swallowed the bitter leaf, her body begged for a little more. Still, she didn't want to seem too forward, though already her eye was seeking out where similar plants resided. She'd want to know where they grew and where they might reside just in case her spirit left prematurely.
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Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 7:00 am
You know, if there was one thing that Azzinoth benefited from when it came to his occupation, it was years worth of experiences. In the time he had treated the patients of these lands and his home, he had come to realise that the vast majority of female patients seemed to be a lot more 'shy'. The males were always much more forward, if they were hungry then they ate their fill, if they were thirsty then they drank the riverbeds dry. It was both amusing and exasperating in equal measure for the doctor who had little regard for niceties when it came to a patient's wellbeing.
In all honesty, the male would have been significantly more happy if Nephthys had casted manners to the wayside and eaten everything in her line of sight. She needed the sustenance and if she didn't receive it then she would never regain her strength. This in mind, he stepped away from the food so that she might gain access to anything that he might have been an obstacle too. Ferns, vines, leaves...anything she might have been interested in, he ensured he was well out of its way.
Now if only she would experiment!
"Eat!" he encouraged with a nod of his head. It was then that his tail thrust out and waved to the immediate area, his brow lifting searchingly. "Hungry - eat," he added, as if to clarify what he meant, although his words hadn't really been elaborated on at all. Satisfied that he had made his point, the ebony stallion then coiled his tail around his hindleg again and regarded the mare with interest - hopefully she'd get the point.
Regardless, until the stallion was satisfied that she had taken her fill, he wasn't going to leave her unintended. When she had fed herself, watered herself and perhaps bathed a little, then he would offer his best wishes and exit the stage but she would at least have him for another thirty minutes or so - at least until she had satisfied his immediate concerns!
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 11:28 pm
Eat.
It was one of the few words that she had learned within the small amount of time the moon spirit had accompanied her. She understood its meaning, and as he stepped back and waves his tail around she understood what it was he wished her to do. Unfortunately, it was still very strange for the mare. Such greenery was not something she as accustomed to, with the lands still so foreign. She was used to being fed and given grains and oats and various roots. Green grasses were rare treats found only near the oasis of the land, and the current greens surrounding them (they weren't really that green at all due to the weather) were foreign.
But, she was hungry and still half-starved. "Eat." She spoke slowly, mimicking his intonation and the way he pronounced the words. They still felt foreign on her tongue, but it was good to speak the language of the spirits. Giving a little nod, she stepped forward and dropped her head, ripping up some grasses and nearby weeds, doing what soquili and horses were quite frequently meant to do - graze.
The flavors and textures were strange, and some of the food she began to eat was hardly flavorful or tasty. Some even made her cringe, but the moment the first few bites hit her stomach, Nephthys couldn't help but find herself ravenous. In fact, she almost forgot about her present company, so intent to discover nutrients in the land around her.
Already she was beginning to feel better, and the stream nearby would easily quench her thirst. This land was a good land and she was very grateful for the moon spirit to take time to guide her to such a land. It was very far from home, yes, but . . . . there really was no home for her to go back to, even if she could. Ah, but that was neither here nor there. For now, she would focus only on this one task.
Thinking about the desert, about her old life, would only bring her tears.
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Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:39 am
Perfect.
Neph had done exactly as the doctor had ordered and taken her first bite. Azzinoth was surprised by what followed, as the mare found herself unable to stop and proceeded to eat as much as she could manage. While rude in certain circles, manners had no place in the life of a sick individual and as a consequence, this brought satisfaction to the unicorn rather than revulsion. If she had an apetite like this then it was a good sign, she could be dainty when she had taken her fill and her strength had returned!
However, as it stood, the mare had settled comfortably into the location and had all the necessary food and water to sustain her for as long as she wished to stay there. With no additional injuries on her body, there was no real reason for the ebony stallion to stay. His more protective instincts demanded he stay, but logic stated that this protective stance was unnecessary - he only felt protective based on her size, stature and gender, she didn't really need him.
It was with this in mind that he very quietly took his leave, backing away from her immediate vicinity and back into the forests. He would wander back towards the slopes, back to his own chosen vantage abode, where he could be comfortable. Perhaps in time he would encounter her again but she was no child and didn't need him to watch over her! Yes, it was better he head home and relax - if anyone ever really needed his help, he always seemed to have a knack for showing up at the right moment.
...Hopefully it would be the same for her too.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:36 am
Nepthys was so busy picking at the greenery around her, that she was unaware of Azzinoth's retreat. It was likely for the best, as seeing him part might have caused her a look of upset. She knew the moon spirit would have to return to his home, far above, to the spirit realm but it wouldn't be any easier saying goodbye. When the edge of her hunger subsided, the mare finally lifted her head to allow the food to settle. She didn't want to over eat, as that wouldn't be good either, but these late-winter grasses were still difficult to resist.
Brown eyes searched to he right, then her left, before glancing behind her. Anyaa'ily was gone. Poofed. Disappeared. So he had taken his leave of her, had returned to face the shadow of the moon. She glanced up, even though she knew the moon was hidden from view, sleeping. There was still too much day left before the moon would rise. Well, she figured he had to be exhausted. Even as a spirit, it couldn't be easy aiding mortals especially those close to death.
She owed the spirits her life, and she would do all that she could to give thanks to the moon as her quiet protector. And whiles he was glad to know that they had honored her, she still couldn't help but feel terribly, terribly alone. The world was still so different than her home land. The greenery and foliage surrounding her, the bird cries in the trees, the hard land upon her hooves. Without Anyaa'ily, she was alone. Truly alone.
Ears flattening some, the more picked her way over to the waters edge and drank. For now, she could distract herself with survival. Eating, drinking, and resting. For now, this place was blessed by the moon spirit, and Nephthys was too afraid to wander far from it.
"Goodbye, Anyaa'ily. . .," she murmured in her native tongue. "May you guide me in all that I do."
((And I think that's a wrap?))
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