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Azimene was greatly relieved when the winged stallion didn't object to her goal. In fact, she seemed to beam all the brighter at the stallions words-- anymore and she'd likely light up the whole mountain side! Truly though, the pale mare could almost taste victory. They still had a few more hills to get over before the mare felt she might be comfortably out of the reach of her family but it was a start! And if things continued as well as they were going, she'd be in the lowlands before Sylph could cry foul!

It was perfect.

The spirits were truly favoring her this day. Still, the ebony maned female knew she shouldn't get too cocky. Goodness knew even the trees had ears in her fathers home, and there was still a good chance someone was already seeking her. Best not to dawdle, right?

"Well, my friend," she took a moment to let the word fall from her lips, eyes bright with good humor and joy. He really was her first friend, one of many she hoped to gather once she made it down in to the hills! "There's enough sadness and doubt in this world, I do try to find that silver lining." She wanted to boast proudly that she likely inherited from her mother but she wasn't blind, nor deaf. She knew well enough that the stallion before her wasn't exactly close to his mother, so she let that point slide. Honestly, Azimene couldn't imagine that aspect of Guirien's life. She was very close with her family, even if she desperately wanted a little freedom and less protection. To not be close to ones mother or father . . . . well . . .it really didn't sound pleasant.

A shame things hadn't turned out differently for the wind.

"Besides which, a smile never hurt anyone, right?" And the spirits knew how often she had cried as a foal, how sick she had been, how . . . lonely and secretly jealous of her siblings. She still hated the fact that she was weaker and still had problems with her health. She hated being alone in the mountains, with no adventures or friends, nothing but her imagination. So now that she was out, now that she was with good company, how could she not be happy? Oh, she always did try to be sunny but . . . . it was harder while alone. At least now, here with the small, pink wind, she had a legitimate reason to smile. And someone to smile for!

Ducking past his pointed wing, the mare gave a little chuckle and shake of her head. "Okay, okay. I promise, if I start to feel wobbly on my hooves or need a breather, I'll let you know. No need to fuss so much." She smiled again, to take any potential sting out of her words. Tossing some of her hair over her shoulder she added proudly, "I'll do the worrying, you just enjoy the scenery!" And with that, she began the path that would lead them over the last few hills and take them downstream, closer to the plains.

Even though she really didn't feel very well. . . there was no way she was going to fess up to it. Nope. No here, not now.

((I'm sort of assuming Epee can jump in with Azumoth at any point from here on out. xD I figure I'll toss her a PM or IM and let her know it's game for whenever he wants to make his entrance, if that's all right. Until then though we can just keep on RPing as we've done. n_n ))

So they both had their little secrets. Azimene really didn't peg the pink stallion as the sort who was down. She had been given hints, small facets of something darker or at least more bitter within the other, but it wasn't something the girl was going to call out. Especially when she had her own secrets and shadows. Of course, Azimene was often a happy and outgoing individual, but there were some days when she felt overwhelming alone, or at least downtrodden. She had her own jealousies and desires, though she preferred such negativity to surface only when alone.

It didn't always work that way, as her immediate family was incredibly intuitive, as well as nosy, but she did her best. She didn't like to be a downer, and did her best to be as joyful a girl as possible. Especially around her new friend! Nothing was going to get her down this day, nothing at all! Not only was she very close to finally getting to prove to her family that she was strong and tough enough to make it on her own, but she had made her very first friend! A real living creature, not just one of her imagination. Truly she'd been blessed this day.

So she might have been counting her chickens before they hatched, that was all right. The fact that Sylph or Tempest hadn't barged in on her and herded her back up the mountains was definitely a good sign. Maybe then her family would be less restrictive. Maybe then she could prove that she was healthy and well . . .or at least able.

Unfortunately, Azimene was a pro when it came to being delusional. The fact that her body was objecting to her long trip, as well as her soak in the frigid waters was something she was doing her best to ignore. She had swallowed most of her phlegm and blood that had built up earlier, though her throat was still sore and swollen. Furthermore, her bones ached and she could already tell her fever wasn't getting any better. The female knew she should rest else exacerbate her situation, but she couldn't! If she stopped down, she'd be weak, and likely found out. And what if Guirien decided he didn't want to travel with her anymore down to the lowlands?

No. The show had to go on and she was going to grit her teeth and bear it. She'd have all day to rest and relax once she made it to the foothills! Of course, she didn't realize Guirien was watching her form, though she was quite accustomed to her family fretting and fussing. So she did what she knew best - to distract! Or at least attempt to distract.

"Oh I know how that goes. I mean, we've all had our bad days or negativity, even me," she laughed a bit, though it did turn in to a cough. Clearing her throat, she quickly added, "But I always find some reason for my spirits to soar again, or a shoulder to help pick me up out of my mood." Despite her families overprotective nature, they did care and she did love them greatly. How often had her mother, father, or siblings let her cry on them, or offer advise and hope? Sure, she had her moments where being with them was the last places she wanted to be, but she'd always return. Even now, with her desire to explore, she never had any intention of abandoning them. She just wanted a little room to grow.

Glancing back at her friend, she gave a little nod. "Nah, I'm easy to read. You'll know if I really start to feel unwell or exhausted. But here! Look!" Distraction from that line of conversation. Pausing in her walk, she nodded down at a few paw prints within the ground. "Looks like a mountain lion, since a lynx would have a smaller print. And fresh too. I don't see mountain lions as often as I do bears, so it's nice to see that they're still in the area." Bear. Yeah, Azimene wouldn't be nearly as pleased if she saw bear-tracks. All she needed was Fluffy-Fluff to run in to them, or Giruvegan!

Ugh.

Still, who knew if the owner of this print wasn't told to track her down by Sylph? Hmm. Maybe it was best if they hurried, if only to be safe. The difference from this 'escape' as opposed to her earlier tries throughout her lifetime was the fact she hadn't been called out for it yet. It was new territory for the female, and she couldn't help but wonder and worry at the same time. "Ah, but we've a long a way yet. Silly of me to stop and talk about animal tracks. Guess I just get easily excited," she grinned again, and gave a small, apologetic shrug.

"If I have to warn you about exhaustion though, you need to warn me of hunger or if you need a rest. I've walked hills and slopes all of my life, but I know the consistent up and down and steep slopes can be a bit daunting on others." Sure, he had wings, and he was welcome to use them if he wanted an easy trip down but unfortunately for Azimene, she was and always would be grounded.

It was a strange sort of game the two were involuntarily playing. Guirien was using Azimene as a distraction from his worries and concerns, from the darkness that threatened to overwhelm him due to his family life and she was using him as a distraction away from her family, as an excuse to get down in to the lowlands. Well, she wasn't using him, as she would have gone regardless, but he did make a great excuse to go. Oh what a small world it was, that two strangers could walk unknown parallels.

"There aren't many wolves near my home, but that's likely because the steep hills make for minimal prey. Now and then I'll hear their song, but . . . it's a rare thing. Bears though, I've seen many bears and raccoons! But then, my sister-in-law has a daughter that's a bear . . . Fluffy-Fluffy is her name; and of course, my grandmother Moppet the Raccoon has many friends and family in the area. I guess you could say we're an odd bunch, but . . . . You can't pick who your family is!" Besides, Azimene felt blessed to have such a large and extensive family.

As she picked her way down the slopes with Guirien, she let an easy silence fall. She wasn't one that had to fill the quiet in with chatter, and there wasn't much to say. Besides, she really wasn't feeling well. Her limbs were sore, and her bones ached, and she still kept feeling cold and hot. Still, how hard the mare tried to ignore the signs. She didn't want to look weak, especially in front of her new friend, so she'd push herself to her limits if necessary.

Today she was not going to get sick. Today she was going to follow her dreams and make it to the lowlands without her brothers stopping her. Today was going to be that day, damnit, so her fever could forget about raining on her parade.

"So tell me, Guirien," she began as they started to climb another hill. "What's the - - " The mare stopped as the tickle in her throat became a cough, which turned in to a fit of coughs. Oh bother all! Turning here head away, the mare struggled to regain her comosure and dismiss the coughs. Not only were they stirring up phlegm and blood, but each cough caused her headache to flare and pain to shoot through her. By the end of it, she was going to feel like hell.

When all was said and done, Azimene felt a wreck. Groaning some, the mare gave an irritated swish of her tail before glancing sheepishly back at the stallion. "Sorry. I just can't seem to shake this cold." Not only was her mouth once again dripping blood, but her right ear was too.

Leave it to Azimene to shake up the party. Lowering herself down, she added, "Just give me a minute, if you will. That was kind of painful," she tried to laugh some, but even that hurt. Damnit no! NO! She would not give up, she would not surrender!

The conversation had not been a pretty one, in fact, one would have needed to be blind an deaf in order to ensure they failed to recognise both the fury and concern that had blanketed the Grove. Suffice to say that it had been a matter of urgency that the issue was raised in the first place but, when it became apparent that the individual behind this topic of conversation was nowhere to be found - well, if panic alarms had existed then one would have sounded. Multiple members of family had scrambled; the intention, to locate the wayward mare.

To locate a very sick mare.

One might have argued that fortune had smiled upon Azimene that day in the sense that she was found so swiftly. However, life was all about balance and it was to her considerable misfortune that it was one of the more unforgiving individuals that found her. The identity of this individual would be obvious with in an instant, for the moment he opened his mouth and roared, he made his identity clear.

"Azimene, may the spirits be merciful to you for I will not be!"

It was her father.

"You were told," he continued, his voice drawing nearer and the beat of wings now more evident. "You were instructed to stay where you were!" he snapped. His tone delivered the words with considerable force and there was no mistaking the fury that seemed to weigh heavily on the air. It was with another mighty flat that the shadow finally cast themselves upon the pair and then, finally, descended. A massive 'thump' followed as the bestial stallion landed in front of them; his amber gaze fixed firmly on his daughter.

"You have thirty seconds to explain to me why I shouldn't batter you senseless," he snarled, completely disregarding Guirien's presence for the time being. "How could you be so inconsiderate?" he demanded and shook his head, heavy braids smacking violently against his neck. "Have you any idea of the concern you have caused, do you!"

At various points in his life, Guirien had been appreciative of the fact that his uncle's family was a bunch of kalonas. Exposure to them had taught him many important lessons, such as the overly cruel view of kalonas held by most Soquili, that just because something is unfair means that it doesn't exist for a reason, the importance of being in good physical shape, how to be crafty when only in possession of feathered wings and standard hooves and teeth when in a fight. But until this moment, he'd never considered the fact that knowing them might have acclimated him to things that many other Soquili would consider big and scary.

Because darnitall, Azimene's father was HUGE! Huge, and quite possibly the scariest creature he'd ever beheld, up to and including his pureblooded kalona aunt Lessy when she was in a temper.

It made sense that a mare as comparatively large and physically unique as Azimene would have large and/or unique parents, so he wasn't exactly surprised in that fact. In fact, if he were asked straight out what it was about Azumoth that was surprising him he wouldn't exactly be able to put his hoof on any one point. More than anything else, it had to be the suddenness. The sudden appearance, the sudden burst of his voice, the sudden arrival of such pronounced rage, the swiftness with which the whole father/daughter reunion was going down...it was all enough to make any Soquili's head whirl. Guirien merely considered himself fortunate that he didn't have to add massive fear on his own part to the equation...though he was fine with being ignored at first by the other stallion. It gave him time to adjust!

But he was listening the whole while, and from Azumoth's words and Azimene's meek replies, he was quickly piecing together more of Azimene's story. He had been right, that blood hadn't been normal. From the sound of it, it wasn't merely the protectiveness of brothers and father to the only girl that she had to deal with, it was the weakness of her own body that was the root of everything. Based on what her father was saying, it was a serious illness; his alarm seemed too authentic to be exaggerated. He could understand that kind of concern.

Though at the same time, he felt for Azimene. At this moment, he realized how, with all his own issues to deal with, he was very fortunate; he had the ability to go, to climb and fly and move about without anyone worrying. At that thought, though, his mouth twitched once again into that wry, painful smile he sported so often these days; Azimene's parents worried about her. Would his even care if they knew he was gone? Doubtful.

But this wasn't about him. He wanted to help his friend, but seriously doubted how anything he could say at the moment would help and not actually make things worse. He was no public speaker, and merely knew (most of the time) when it made sense to shut his yap. So he, after a moment of consideration, decided it would just be best to leave the father out of the equation. Azimene knew what was going on, he himself didn't, there was no sense in him trying to get involved.

So instead, he gave Azimene his kindest smile. "It looks like you'll be getting that rest for sure now, Azimene, and I hope it really helps you. It's too bad you aren't feeling up to any sort of walkabout, so I guess that I'll just have to mosey through your place and you can give me a tour of that, instead." It was a bit of a bold move, inviting himself to their home in front of a father he'd never met, but from Azimene's dejected tone and posture he really wanted to let her know that they'd still be able to be friends. Later would be time enough to help her break out of the spider's web and see the world...he hoped.

Azimene was crushed. She knew that it had been too much to think she might have been given some allowance to leave. While it might have been selfish of her to take off so suddenly, she never had expected to go far, and certainly hadn't planned on leaving permanently! Just a little walk down the hills, a day trip even . . . .That was all she wanted. But no matter how she asked, no matter how she pleaded, she always seemed to be told some fashion of no. Maybe's never amounted to much, and next times were just a simple placebo. . . With her father so enraged, she knew that she'd really put her hoof in it. She'd be watched like a hawk and worse, would have to suffer through and attempt to regain her family and father's trust.

She wasn't trying to betray their kindness but . . . dammit, she just wanted to prove she could take care of herself! Azimene couldn't help but hate herself just a little. She abhored the fact that her uncle had to constantly tend to her fevers, her colds, her hard-of-breathing, her hemorrhaging. . . How much her parents had worried over her, how protective her brothers were. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate their love for her, but she wished only to ease their concerns, not exacerbate them!

So far, she hadn't picked the wisest of choices. But she was young, and she did come from a long line of stubborn individuals. Unfortunately, she possessed her mothers optimism and her fathers iron will. No matter how much she believed herself to be well, it . . . just wasn't going to happen.

Ears flat and head still hanging low, the mare had lost her previous rather joyful glow. All excitement was smashed and humiliation was weighing her down. Humiliation and shame, for she did feel terrible about putting her family through such fear and worries. It had seemed a good idea at the time, but then, that had been desperation talking. Obviously she'd been nothing but a fool.

Her ears twitched a bit at Guirien's words. At least he was still here. . . The fact he hadn't run in terror was a good sign, even better that he hadn't run his mouth or risen up to protect her. Azumoth wouldn't have taken kindly to being accosted. . . friend of Azimene's or not. "Yeah. . . s-sure Guirien. It was nice meeting you, either way. I'm . . sorry I messed up." And she really was. She should have been honest and straightforward with the stallion from the moment she met him, but instead she kept her secrets and fudged the truth. She had never lied just . . . downplayed everything.

Staring hard at her cloven hooves, the mare scurried as quickly as her weakened body would let her, past Guirien and past her father. She said nothing, no words needed at this time. Her father had driven in the point, and she would owe all in her family a massive apology. Azumoth could see clearly that his words had been severe and had dashed her hopes. She was the guilty party, she'd been caught red-handed sneaking out, and . . . she would face the consequences of her actions head on.

It would be a very long walk back to the grove. Even with Guirien's promise, Azimene understood clearly that it was quite unlikely for him to keep up his word. Later . . . yeah. . .that was just an easy way of saying never-again. He didn't know where she lived, and it was unlikely Azumoth would want him showing up in his woods. Still, it was a nice gesture on his part. . . . even if it was hollow.