[IC] =Epine de Rose's Teepee= (Paramekia)

[Epine de Rose]

Memoir #9

Does infatuation last this long? It has got to have been longer than just a month or two since I have had the opportunity to observe my Princess and yet she's still here. I don't mean literally of course, but she continues to exist within my dreams and one might say that is troublesome. I lack the ability to return to the Kawani at all, let alone kneel and act as her knight in this state so why pursue endless dreams...

I no longer wish to play this game.

Or perhaps this is further punishment, I swore to bear the brunt of whatever games they may have do maybe this is all a part of it.

Remind me again why I agreed to be quite so noble? In future, I would like to request that those within my immediate vicinity slam my head against the nearest rock if I mention it again.

Thank you in advance.  

[Epine de Rose]

In the Shadow of the Mountains of Ice...

"You can open your eyes now..." The gruff voice interrupted his reverie and the red stallion gave a grunt to show his disapproval. They'd never been able to communicate at all unless it was through touch. The gruff voice of the Inuit difficult for the soquili to translate, while the Inuit had never been one to be in the company of a Soquili up until the day in which he had found the stallion in quite a dire state and in serious need of aid. Had it not been for the intervention of this particular male it was highly likely the odd, whickering creature would have been dead. Admittedly the Inuits had long since grown accustomed to 'selfish' animals given the landscape they lived within but this was not to be the case with this Soquili - he hadn't left, on the contrary he had remained perfectly content to assist in their travels.

Thus his treatment had been easy and over the months the Inuit had ensured that the Soquili had been kept in good condition. With his vulnerable eyes shielded against the worst of weather, they had been granted the opportunity to recover from the onslaught of the blizzard. He had been fed well, his muscles had grown considerably and the winter pelt had thickened to the point that he even rivalled some of their dogs in 'puffiness'. For all intents and purposes his people had done well to care for the creature in their midst and in return the Soquili had shown them ample care and affection.

But now...?

As the Inuit knelt down to unravel the leather straps from around the Soquili's eyes he was greeted with a fluttering of eyelids...and a squint. It was hardly the most dignified of expressions to be greeted with, but the human could excuse the Soquili in the sense that for months he had remained in the dark. However, when the soquili had opened his eyes fully the Inuit did withdraw slightly - the eyes were kind yes, but startled.

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They had never been able to understand each other, Feng had always communicated through touch and waited patiently for the hands to guide and direct him. Instructions and communication between Soquili and human had always been slow, but as the months had progressed Fenghuang had developed a level of patience that could rival his brother, Ambroise's. He had adapted and slowly worked through his issues to come to the terms with the fact he was completely blind - and yet now he was to find out he could see? He recoiled from the light the instance his eyes had opened and yet as he realised that he could see the light, his eyes had widened and his gaze had been met by that of the human who had become his 'owner'.

He was in half a mind to shout, scream at the top of his lungs in delight and yet the other half could do nothing more than stare around in wonder at the myriad of colours that assaulted his senses and caused him to reel in surprise. The masked mare had said he would have to lose his sight to permit...

"Anelisse," he murmured softly, his brow furrowing as he drew himself to his full height and gazed around at the completely unknown world he now faced. It was barren, though warmer than the wastelands - as he continued to move in a circle it was revealed to him that he stood within a valley not a lot different from his own home. Sheltered from the worst of the weather by the ice bound slopes and embraced by the warmth of the fur slung across his back in much the same fashion of a second coat.

...He wasn't blind.

"You did this," he returned his gaze to the human who stood by him, blindfold still in hand and snorted warm air against his cheek. Now that he had time to observe the human he wasn't that unlike his mother's bonded. Pale, tall and usually covered in fur to keep in the heat - perhaps they were of the same kind? He knew not but as he gazed down on the human and attempted to find the most beneficial way to express his thanks, he hoped at the very least the human would possess the ability to see the thanks in his eyes. Perhaps that was not something the Kawani tribes possessed on their own.

They'd done so much for him...

The human's hand had lifted to his muzzle and it was with a smile that the human seemed to return his gesture. They often said that an individual did not need a reason to help someone, they also said that aid came from the strangest places and when you least expected it. Yet, it had all worked to the advantage of the spirits and that mare who had sent him northbound - had she known that this would happen? He was fairly certain that only a very select few possessed such a power of foresight but...

Fenghuang hesitated, turning his gaze towards the camp that had become his home over the course of the last few months. Curious faces that now peaked at him, feminine hands that had no doubt tended to his coat and hair. They'd become a family to him and through their generosity he had lived to see another day. He had grown to learn that even when things were bad, there were ways to survive and move on. More to the point he had learned of the devastating affect the loss of one's sight could have - and when it was taken by force it was even more painful to endure. There was no true way to express his thanks towards these people - for a start he couldn't even talk to them!

His ears swivelled and as if by fate his gaze shifted to the cliff faces nearby, the words of the masked mare echoing in his ears...

"It takes refuge in the shadows of the mountains of ice..."

Lowering his gaze again, the stallion released a soft and almost bitter chuckle. A snort escaped his nostrils and he shook his head. How many times had he been told not to question the spirits? How many times had he been reassured that things always worked out in the end? Memories of his childhood flooded back with his mother often pointing out such things. Odd how kids always forgot some of the most valuable lessons in their life when they needed them most.

However the fact still remained - did he even wish to pursue this jewel anymore? It wasn't his right to dictate how another lived, Anelisse was entitled to live in her bubble as she saw fit but at the same time... He'd come this far and while the humans may not have realised they had led him to his final destination. Aziza had said that he would have a 'choice', he would be able to decide if he would proceed with his quest. This in mind he was still curious of what this jewel might be and it was with a gentle whicker that he nudged the human lightly aside and proceeded towards the glacier.

There was no harm in looking at something, a little closure never hurt anyone.

And so, it was with tentative steps and a mild squint in his dark eyes that the stallion continued along the base of the glacier towards the shadows beneath. It was there that he found the cavern and determined only to complete his quest so far as to uncover the mystery he drew upon his strength to enter and wander into the labyrinth that lay in the midst of the mountain of ice...  

[Epine de Rose]

Memoir #10

Would you be surprised if I told you there had been nothing in that labyrinth save for an underground lake? Somehow, I wouldn't have been surprised by this revelation either, had I heard it from another's lips. There was no treasure within the shadow of the mountains and so I can only assume that the 'treasure' she spoke of were simply the experiences that one gains from events that occur in their life. Perhaps it is a rather cliche ending to such a tale but in the face of the trials I have endured I will accept such an ending with open arms. It seems that I was not entirely aware of just how far the embrace of the spirits reaches but without them, I would not have understood what I do now.

...You will be pleased to know that I am on my way home with a few momentos at my side though I will not deny that I will miss those humans that guided me with such love and care. In a manner of speaking they became a part of my family and I will remain eternally grateful for their hospitality. Perhaps if fate wills it we will meet again but I came to the conclusion that it was time for me to return home...where I belong, with the family I love and to those I have sworn to protect. Yes, there's another thing I should let you know about - but now I am certain of it and why I choose to do it. You don't need to understand and I don't ask you to but accept my decision in this... I can keep her safe.

Her bubble is her's to live in and I will never pursue her into it's depths but I will remain on the outside to ensure that her world isn't shattered, nor will it fate until she is absolutely ready to see reality. Such is the way free will works, I begin to suspect that if I had shattered her illusions in such a way then her reaction may have been similar to the horror I felt at my own lack of sight. The shock will be less, if she does it for herself and I will merely make sure I am on the outside to welcome her. Alas, even if she chooses to stay in this world and live in ignorance of what is real then I'll still be there.

Of course it doesn't make sense, it isn't meant to make sense to you...Then again, love is a strange thing isn't it?

Even though nothing may come of it, I don't mind. It all started with a desire to protect the vulnerable and then I saw that light, if the most I can do is admire it then I will and maybe one day that star will grace us with it's presence in the night sky.

You may laugh at the soppiness of it all but think about it (really hard)...You are talking to a rogue here and since when has a rogue not admired such shiny things?

...I guess it's a good thing I'm patient, huh?

I'll see you all when I return home but instead of telling this time around the campfire, I think it would be best if we kept this just between you and I. No one needs to know or truly understand why I choose to do this, it would ruin the enigmatic/mystery stallion image I'm aiming for - You know?

...Good.

I'm glad we had this talk.