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 Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 2:23 am
Had her ears deceived her or had the words 'hot spring' escaped from his lips? If there was one thing that could pique her interests, beyond the realm of pine cones and shrunken heads, it was something that radiated with warmth. At least, in the given circumstances there was nothing more appealing than sitting beside a bubbling radiator and dozing - she'd be a fool to pass up that opportunity even if her mother might have had a mild heart attack at the thought of her daughter taking refuge in a male's home. Then again, Francesca had been travelling with a stallion for a while now (an Angeni but even so) and she'd been just fine.
She wasn't that reckless.
"I'll be cold just about anywhere in this place at the moment, coat really isn't thick enough for the winters up here," she explained with a small chuckle. She was certainly uncomfortable, but a part of it was down to her poor choice and timing. In a manner of speaking the spotted mare had made her bed and would have to lie in it (in a sense). "Regardless of the time of day I'm going to shiver like a naked sheep!" she added with another grin. Satisfied with her immediate response, the mare then tilted her head to the side and mused over his offer. Whether she cared to admit it or not it was getting late and it would be unwise for her to travel in even worse temperatures - besides, she was still curious about this stallion.
"I'd be an idiot to say no to an offer like that," she said finally and raised a brow. "But why are you apologising?" she enquired in a tone that implied mild confusion, "You have no reason to be sorry for holding a conversation, if I'd been bored I would have left ages ago rather than drag it out for the both of us!" she pointed out.
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Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 9:39 am
Biddulphia nods, "There are, upon occasion, matters other than conversation to be aware of when dealing with others. Had my conversation kept you overlong, regardless of the enjoyment gained, I would be at fault for not assuring you had anticipated the delay and it would not cause undue pain for anyone. I am relieved this is not the case."
More than anything, the idea that she wanted to take him up on his offer warmed Dulph. He hadn't been cold, but now he was warmer than he ever remembered the hot spring heating him. This mare was amazing, though he was still unsure how she effected these changes in him.
Remembering that she didn't know the way to the cave, Biddulphia mentally berated himself for keeping her out in the cold a moment longer than was needed. "The cave is not far from where we first met, if you would care to follow me there." Dulph started to move back the way they came, but tried to be aware of where she was in relation to him so that he could block the brunt of the wind from her.
"I have some old canvas that I had found back in the cave. I have been using it to help carry food and supplies back to the cave for winter preparation. It might be possible to secure it as a second coat for you when you leave to help with combat the cold. Though I suspect we will need Iroxide's help in that regard." Dulph walks as he talks, partially musing aloud in his eagerness to help Fran.
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:16 am
He worried too much, or perhaps it was that she didn't consider these particular issues to be of importance. Whatever the case might have been, she would have been quick to dismiss his concerns about keeping her too long. She was a simple sort; if she was bored or didn't like something then she proceeded to find a more constructive way to pass the time. She didn't hang around and if she enjoyed someone's company then it was usually them that had to dismiss her! All this could be confirmed by her travelling companion who had, on more than one occasion, been required to drag her away forcably by the tail.
Nevertheless she refrained from commenting and it was with a whicker of appreciation that she followed him towards his home. Being of a slightly smaller stature than him ensured that his attempts to act as a wind block did work reasonably well. Every now and then she would be subject to some exposure but it wasn't quite as bad as it could have been. All things considered, the trip was rather comfortable despite the bite of the air - something he couldn't protect her against.
However, when he made reference to the canvas she quickly shook her head. She wasn't going to put anyone out, particularly when he had other more sensible uses for the item. True, she was chilly, but eventually she would warm up again when she'd finished her visit and moved to more comfortable climates. The canvas would provide her with brief respite, but eventually it wouldn't be of use to her anymore...
"Well if you didn't mind I'd love to borrow it for this evening but I really wouldn't want to put you out permanently," she replied with a smile. "You have other uses for it and I'd only need it temporarily so it's best you keep it. My fur will grow out eventually and at some point I'll be back in more pleasant climates so I'll be more comfortable," she explained. It was only after a brief pause that she tilted her head to the side inquisitively, "Who is Iroxide?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:46 am
Biddulphia didn't really think about Iroxide much, unless he had a task for his little friend. It was much too cold for them to travel together, but Iroxide had his own job to do while Dulph was out gathering. He hadn't even thought about not having mentioned his familiar before to Fran until she asked.
"Iroxide is a lizard. Rather over-sized and quite intelligent. The weather is too cold for him to be active out side right now. He watches over the supplies and discourages pests from settling in the cave. He is very useful to have around." Dulph continued to walk, getting closer to the cave.
"As for the canvas, I have several pieces and only use one at a time, so it is no inconvenience. I believe it must have been part of the sails of a ship, though I do not know how accurate I am in this belief. It was in the cave with me when I awoke without my memories."
Now that they were further up into the mountains, Biddulphia was taking care not only to block the wind, but to keep some of the loose stones from rolling back toward Fran as he walked over them. "Be cautious through here, the footing is solid, but some of the detritus on the path is loose. We are almost there. If you look, you can see the opening of the cave just past that boulder ahead."
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:49 am
A lizard sounded like a very useful thing to have if a creature was of a fixed abode. Keeping the pests at bay and acting as some form of security for supplies was surely an invaluable thing. At present Fran would have no use for a companion like that, but she did tuck away the information for future use. Some day she might choose to settle down and when she did, she might look in to the idea of a permanent companion in that respect – beside; she’d heard from a reliable source that they were quite good at tending to hair too! From a purely vain (and perhaps very female perspective) this was a significant bonus to.
...Or it would be, if she had time to pretty herself up.
She nodded appreciatively at this explanation and then pursed her lips briefly as he progressed on to the next topic. It was only when he mentioned ‘sails’ that her expression belied her confusion. Her brow had furrowed and her lips had parted as she racked her brain for an explanation as to what this might be. She knew what cloth was as she’d seen it before, but a sail was not in her vocabulary and as a consequence she couldn’t figure out what it meant – more importantly, she’d never heard of a ‘ship’ either. This stallion was getting more and more interesting as the moments drew on, despite his amnesia, it was clear he’d seen some very exotic things!
“What exactly is a sail?” she asked, casting her gaze down as she was advised to be mindful of her footing. “And a ship, I’ve never heard of those things before,” she continued, a curious lilt in her voice as she spoke. Every now and then she would pause to gather her wits, and then progress after him once more. The footing wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t perfect either.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:49 am
It had not occurred to Biddulphia that Fran might not know what a ship was. Though, thinking about it, he wasn't entirely certain how he knew what a ship was. But he did have a strong mental image associated with the word.
Continuing to move towards the cave, Dulph did his best to stay between her and the wind, but with the twists of the path, it was more difficult to do so safely now and he didn't always manage it.
"A ship is a boat, a larger version of a canoe that is built to carry many people and things across large waters. Sails are large expanses of cloth used to catch the wind, when secured to the ship, the wind pulls the vessel across the water." Biddulphia gave the description blandly, still wondering if it was something he should know. But while he mused, he could access a clear memory of standing on a sandy beach, next to a great ocean with a ship at anchor in the distance.
Before he could think on it further, they had reached the entrance of the cave. Putting the thought aside, Dulph paused to knock the ground in front of the cave four times to let Iroxide know it was him coming in.
The cave didn't look very deep, and while there was a small mound of less than impressive supplies gathered against one wall, it would barely be enough to keep Biddulphia fed for the winter, let alone him and a familiar. But there was no cloth laying about and no signs of bedding or habitation.Then a lizard comes scurrying from around a rock and only then is the natural illusion broken. What seems to be a back wall doesn't go all the way across the cave. Instead, the cave seems to turn there and continue further back into the mountain.
The lizard pauses as he catches sight of an unexpected Usdia. Looking at Dulph, then at Fran, Iroxide determines that she is not threatening and is a guest. Stretching his front legs to raise his head further from the ground, Iroxide gives Fran a slight bow of his head. He doesn't say anything, but instead moves back behind the wall to give the two Usdia time to get into the cave.Buddulphia doesn't act as though this behavior is strange and makes his way back towards the 'hidden' section of the cave himself. It doesn't occur to him that Fran doesn't know the cave or its secrets.
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Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 4:31 am
Well that was handy. It was all very cloak and dagger on the surface, but given the scarce resources in the mountain and Dulph's peculiar nature, it made some sort of sense. She would've been lying if she hadn't had her doubts to begin with and alarm bells probably would have gone off if the shallow cave had been what it seemed on the surface. However, her decision to hold her peace was rewarded as she was welcomed into Dulph's real home.
He hadn't been lying about how sheltered it was!
She took a few moments to examine her surroundings, casting her attention towards the tunnel she had just come through, to the now dim cave she was stood in. It was suitably cosy, completely sheltered against the worst of the wind in comparison to other locations. If she had possessed the appropriate appendages she would have applauded but the most she could provide was a rather impressed mewl.
"Well this is quite a unique abode," she said at last and chuckled. "You had me worried for a moment there! I'd thought I'd been had," she teased merrily. It was only once she relaxed that she reverted to the previous conversation and pursed her lips, "Those sound fascinating," she pondered and then shook her head. "They're near the sea right? I'll have to investigate at some point and see them for myself!"
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Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:23 am
Once past the turn, the cave has a narrow tunnel before quickly opening into a larger space. A small bubbling sound comes from the hot spring at the back, the water gathers there in a small depression, then spills over into a channel that takes it back to a larger, cooler looking pool. Another small channel leads away from the second pool and under some rocks and disappears. The air is warmed and moistened by the waters but there is not much mold or mildew.
A series of stalactites and stalagmites forms a natural wall shortly past the larger pool of water. A space between some of the formations is just large enough for an Usdia to navigate. Behind that barrier is what seems to be the real stores Biddulphia has set aside. A few rock shelves as well as most of the floor is taken over by the provisions that have been stored back there. Likely a small herd could comfortably survive the winter and have extra left over for the spring with all the food stuff set aside.
A pile of torn bits of cloth seems to make comfortable bedding against the far wall between the two pools of water. Iroxide has set himself up on a large rock that protrudes halfway into the waters of the hot spring. A more neatly stacked pile of cloth sits next to the opening to the storage area. There look to be approximately half a dozen pieces of canvas large enough to make a decent blanket. The top couple show the wear of having been dragged along the ground with some form of weight on them.
Biddulphia looks over at Fran as she speaks and in that moment realizing he hadn't warned the mare that the cave had its own form of security and hidden secrets. He felt a bit bad about causing her worry, but noted she did not seem distressed for long. Iroxide rolled his eyes and turned around on his rock, well accustomed to Dulph's oddness.
"Yes, they are indeed sea or ocean going vessels. The ships sit too deeply in the water to travel in rivers. I am uncertain how populous they are. My memories of them are somewhat vague, but I am certain they are created by men." Biddulphia would have continued with the various facts he knew of ships, and the theories he derived from those facts, but at that point, Iroxide decided to interject.
With a flick of his tail that send a few droplets of water towards Biddulphia, Iroxide made an odd chirping croak and looked intently at Dulph, then at Fran, then back at Dulph.
Biddulphia blinked for a moment, "Oh, Iroxide, this is Francesca, but she has mentioned that everyone calls her Fran. Fran, this is Iroxide."
Iroxide performed another slight bow and an obvious friendly smile. Looking at Dulph again, Iroxide apparently determines that his friend has no idea how to treat a guest and takes over that role. With a slight scurry, he moves to the pile of neatly stacked cloth and quickly puts aside the more worn pieces before moving the rest to a clear area of the cave. Piling them up in what seems to him a comfortable bed, Iroxide then moves quickly to the storage area.
He reappears with a plank of wood that he has piled various food stuffs on and puts it next to the newly piled cloths. Another trip to the storage area and he returns with a wooden bowl. Dipping it into the larger pool of water, he then carefully pushes it over next to the plank of food, barely spilling any water along the way. All of this he accomplishes quickly and efficiently, and then smiles at Fran. He gives another chirping croak, this time of invitation.
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Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:20 pm
She had listened to his general explanation of the vessels with interest and, unsurprisingly, filed it away for future reference. There would come a time when she and Solstice found themselves facing such an object and she would greatly enjoy the moment when she could educate him! After that, she'd be certain to come back and thank Dulph for enabling her to do such a thing in the first place. Well, this was provided she could find him again! For all she knew, he may move about during the seasons.
Still, the conversation soon shifted to introductions and she regarded the lizard with interest before flashing a warm smile. He, like Dulph, had a rather unusual name - they complimented each other in that respect. However, introductions soon set to the side, she was then introduced to the true Iroxide and his apparent skill set. It should have come at no surprise that her eyes widened in an incredulous manner at just how much the lizard could do.
Iroxide definitely had deft hands.
Green eyes trailed after him as he made a bed, set out a meal and then filled a bowl (which she assumed he had scavenged from somewhere) and presented her with a place to rest her head for the night. Manners and composure forgotten, her jaw dropped open for an instant and then she quickly shut it again. She had never in all her life had the opportunity to sleep in such comfort, she was used to roughing it, as all adventurers were accustomed to.
"Wow," she squeaked eventually and shook her head. "Where did you learn to do all that?" She enquired curiously before turning her gaze to Dulph. "Where on earth did you find him?" she added.
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:28 am
Iroxide did his best to shrug, then smiled and looked expectantly to Dulph.
"Oh, Iroxide is incapable of speech. I found him near here, it appeared as though something tried to eat him. From what I could gather, a flying creature picked him up in its talons and carried him away. I am unsure where he resided before. It seems he managed to wiggle free and was dropped. He lay wounded in some brush up trail a ways when I was out exploring shortly after I awoke without solid memories. It took some time to bring him back to the cave, but the canvas pieces helped with that. More pieces were used to help staunch his bleeding, they have been discarded for sanitary reasons. He was quite fortunate that the claw mark which scored his neck and vocal chords seemed to have missed any major blood vessels. I am not skilled in medicine, but Iroxide proved strong and resilient. When he healed, we both agreed that he was safer here and would be of assistance in protecting the stores here. It is a very beneficial relationship for us both." Biddulphia recounted the story without emotion or inflection. So far, his voice hasn't seemed capable of either.
Iroxide listened, his eyes slightly haunted. When Dulph is finished speaking, the lizard nods, performs another odd bow, and returns to his rock by the hot spring.
[[for the record - he moved the cloth by mouth, though did use his hands some to help arrange it in a nest - the board was carried by mouth, though the food seems to have been set on the board by a somewhat clumsy hand - and the bowl was dropped in and fished back out by awkward use of both front hands - then pushed with his nose]]
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:32 am
[[*Noddles* I figured it would be something like that, but my normal stands he's very good at what he does! =D ]]
The tale that was recounted wasn't one that the Usdia mare had been expecting. When it came to familiars the story was usually a comical or light hearted one, typically filled with theft and hot pursuit if one were of the pawed variety. At least this was what the stereotype liked everyone to believe and no one made reference to the potentially insane and emotionally disturrbed creatures that existed. She'd seen those sort and while they had been fascinating to watch from a distance she had no intention of closing the gap!
"I see," she murmured slowly, regarding Iroxide with a level of respect that she rarely afforded anyone. Any creature who could survive through that sort of assault and recover to continue a fulfilled life was deserving of such a thing. The fact that he had come to live with a soquili was irrelevant, as she had observed before, the pair complimented each other well in certain respects.
Iroxide was hospitable while Dulph lacked a certain finesse. However, Dulph seemed to have a practicality about him that made everything seem so simple. Okay, so he didn't seem to quite connect with things on the same level that she did, but he could look at things in a way she never could have done, a prime example of this was the fact he hadn't been affronted by his own nickname! Scum indeed...
"Well I'm very glad you were there to find him, you both seem to live very well alongside each other," she observed. Pursing her lips, she did afford a quick glance at all the supplies and did have to admit that there was enough to feed a small army. "Forgive me for any offence that might come from this but," she raised a brow and turned her gaze back to Dulph. "Do you two really eat that much that you needed stock levels this size..?"
She knew Sol ate a lot, but even he would have difficulty with this!
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:42 am
Biddulphia followed her gaze and stayed silent for a long moment. From what she had seen of him so far, the pause was longer than was normal. "No. I have no reason for collecting as much as I have. I can understand a need to collect some more than might be needed in case of spoilage or loss, however, this is more than that. I do not know why I collected as much as I did, but I feel compelled to do so. I sometimes wonder if it is something I did before I lost my memories. But when I think about why I would do such a thing, none of the reasons seem likely."
His voice is still without inflection or emotion, but the fact that he is puzzled by his actions is obvious. Biddulphia slowly turned his head away from the stores. "The food will not be wasted. When the weather becomes such that food is hard to acquire, I will seek out those in need and share the excess." That last seemed to be directed toward himself.
Iroxide watched Dulph with eyes bright with some unknown emotion.
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:54 am
Generous.
He may not have completely recognised it but that was precisely what the usdia was. While the explanation of why he had collected so many supplies was an unusual one, his intend to share what he had gathered was evident. He might argue it was logical, but she knew of many soquili who would happily hoard all of their goods until the spring regardless of how much of it might spoil in the process. All in all, it was an impressive revelation and she had no doubt that the creatures in the immediate vicinity would be absolutely grateful for his assistance.
"That's really kind of you," she said finally, another of her smiles flitting on to her lips as she leant down to take a sip of water. It was surprisingly tastey, but then again any form of liquid was when you travelled so often. If it could replenish your reserves and quench your thirst then it tasted gorgeous and she was speaking from experience!
"It could be muscle memory though," she mused once she was comfortable again and pursed her lips. "Could very well have been something you did before you lost your memory - some form of routine that you simply kept up without realising the full reason for it," she continued. She then shrugged, not the most dignified of gestures but it was an indication that she was no 'brain box' and that was about as far of her knowledge of such things went.
"Sorry, medical sciences aren't really my forte so that's the best I can offer," she explained sheepishly.
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Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:53 am
Biddulphia nods, "It is the best answer I can find as well. Though I can find no reason to have done so in my limited memories." With a sigh, he also shrugs.
"It does not matter why. I have done this and now must be responsible for it. I do not think it is kindness to share. But rather the duty and responsibility of anyone who can to help those who can not. That seems more philosophical than is my norm, but to waste all this food is an act of destruction. And helping those who can not help themselves is the only course I can find that negates such destruction."
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 7:59 am
Well she hadn't expected that response. Either the usdia stallion had hit his head very hard or he was simply naive to the way the vast majority of soquili operated. After all, it was common knowledge in these parts that unless you were with family or part of a larger herd, most soquili tended to be selfish and inconsiderate when it came to the resources they possessed. She could speak from experience in this respect, in her reasonably short life she had met more than her fair share of them - it hadn't be a pleasant experience for her.
...Although it had been funny to watch the usually quiet Solstice face off against some of them!
"Well you may regard it as a responsibility, Dulph," she began after a moment to recover from her surprise. "But the reality is that not all soquili would be of the same mind, most of them would protect their own resources with their lives regardless of whether or not others needed those things more," she continued and shook her head. A small smile clambered onto her lips and she released a sigh.
"So whether you like it or not, by definition you are being generous and you should take some form of pride in that."
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