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 Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:25 pm
He had just told her that the most frightening enemy Kalona had ever faced were going to be coming to her forest. And, additionally, he wouldn't be there when they did. That was what he was saying. That he was going to leave her here to die so that he could find suitable new blood. And if she stayed in her forest, she would die. "Why did you say that? Why would you say that? Why don't I just kill myself now, and save them the trouble?" And... of course she'd fight, she wouldn't just lay down and die, but what hope could she possibly have of facing such an implacable enemy?
"That was cruel, Keiran." Letting her know that she was sure to fail, no matter how hard she tried... when she knew he didn't intend to stay. When she had no way of getting into contact with her family? What was he about? ... She was more than a little upset, because she was... terrified. And he had made her terrified. "I don't know what the point of that was except to prove that you are right, but if I'm going to have to prepare for this... sitting around and talking is a waste of my time." And she had to think about herself, right now. Without another word, she darted off into the forest, winding her way back to her lair.
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:58 pm
Keiran blinked. What. . . had he done this time? She was angry, she was clearly upset, and before he had a chance to get in a word she was off! The stallion didn't have but a moment to move, and her took off after her, doing his best to keep eyes on the pale figure, and hoping upon hope that he might not lose her again.
He wasn't very good at this . . . "Wait, just hold on!" He called out after, hoping she might slow or stop. His brain was scrabbling to put the pieces together, to figure out what he had done to spook the Ghost Claw mare. Granted, she was alone, and he had just told her of this great enemy of the kalona. . . an enemy that was, someday, sure to find their way to her lands. But. While they were monsters, while they were hard to kill and destroy, and generally bad news, they also weren't the be all end all. They were a threat to take seriously, a threat to prepare for. . .
That's all he wanted her to know. That they were formidable. That they would not go down as easy a lesser, and even lesser's were a threat all their own! He had wanted her to know what was out there, to consider finding her herd, or . . . .or at least considering keeping on guard against this enemy. "I just wanted you to be aware! I never said I was going to leave you to this fate. I have no intention of leaving here anytime soon and we might--" he grunted, trying to weave through the trees, and only managing to get smacked by unruly limbs as he pushed his way through. "Might get you better prepared if I do."
He simply wanted her to know. Besides, could he not go seek out her missing Ghost Claws? Could he not at least try to help make sure her woods were better fortified against the enemy? At least make sure she knew how to prepare against them? "They're not . . . not impossible to destroy. Just difficult. " He wasn't sure that was actually going to assure her. Where was she going, anyway? If only she'd stop running so he could properly speak.
He truly hadn't meant to upset her in such a manner, or to be so cruel. He was not heartless, his mother had taught him better. But apparently he wasn't doing a very good job in how he went on informing the mare of things she should know. Maybe this is why he often bit his tongue and kept to himself -- communicating well wasn't exactly his strong point. At least the severity of the situation had sunk in.
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:29 pm
He was chasing after her, tromping through her forest like a bull in a china shop. Like he wasn't afraid of anything more than he was afraid of frightening and offending her. Arian didn't answer, not for a long time, not until she was safely ensconced in her cave. "If you didn't mean that they were impossible to destroy, then why did you say it like that? Like I could throw everything at them that I had and maybe it wouldn't be enough?" She lurked in the darkness, pouting and aware that he could probably still see her. ... The nightshade that grew around the cave were probably a dead giveaway, but they were also a warning, and they discouraged intruders.
She pouted, annoyed at him, and even more annoyed that she was so frightened. "How do you think it feels, knowing that these things might come, and I'd have no way of contacting my grandsire? That I might well face them alone?" She needed a trap. Many traps. She needed... to plan, to figure out how to face them. She'd never seen them before in her life. He had said, now, that he didn't intend to leave her to her fate, but she wasn't sure about that. He, after all, was looking for new blood. He'd traveled this far, what would stop him from continuing on his quest?
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:21 pm
Thankfully, their chase through the woods came to a stop, and Keiran was allowed to halt in his tearing after her. He gave himself a small shake, removing any leaves or branches that might have come along for the ride in his mane or horns and wings. Unlike the stream, and the woods, he was now standing not far from a cave, one that was strewn with belladonna. It was good she was offered some protection, and the purple flowers would only double help keep her safe. . .
But.
He feared it would not be enough. "Because it's very possible that is exactly what will happen. I don't doubt you are strong, you are cunning, you are clever and swift. You could potentially hold your own, for a small while, but these monsters know nothing but death. Some are weaker than others, but they are all a relentless terror."
How long could an independent stay alive with a skinwalker in their territory? At least gathering in numbers could help ward off the enemy. They were stronger, together, than they were apart. It was a clear advantage they had over Skinwalkers. . . but lone kalona such as Arianwyn? How much of a chance would she stand?
When she questioned how he might consider her feelings, the stallion did just that. It was not a pleasant situation for her, and not one that would end well if she stayed so alone. If only her herd would return, or her grandsire. Keiran did not think her so weak as to need coddling, of course not, but . . . with lessers in the area, on top of potential skinwalkers, she truly should have someone or something there. "It is an unfortunate thing. It is ... unpleasant, I know." And he did, for did not those same fears touch him every time he thought of how his training might all be in vain. "You were alone, but are not now. If I must seek out these other Ghost Claws, I shall; if I must find your grandsire, I shall. Our kind is rare enough, I will not simply abandon you to this fate."
No. Keiran had his own sort of honor and duty, at least to those pures that he found deserving. He was faithful, loyal, and chose when and where to set his devotions. He had never expected to find such a small kalona, but, she was here, and she was clearly alone. She could take care of herself but that did not mean it was in her best interest to continue to do so...especially because of the threats that were out there. He would help, for all that he was certain she would reject such an idea. He was a stranger, and all kalona had their pride. But help was not a weakness. . . . not. . . . all the time, at any rate.
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:47 pm
"... You would do that for me?" Arianwyn asked, and padded forward just a little into the light. "But I thought you had said that you weren't going to stay." Maybe that had been a misunderstanding. Maybe she hadn't... hadn't quite gotten what he'd meant. She was still scared. She hated being scared, being made to fear. It was shameful. She was far too proud to accept it. But... he was trying to be reassuring, and she hadn't had any kind of reassurance in a long time, and it was easy to fall prey to it. So, the young mare peered out from beneath the nightshade, and tilted her head to watch the stallion who had come onto her lands.
"I don't know how to contact my grandsire. I don't know how to find him. He didn't tell me where he was going," she said, and there was a definite trace of a sulk, there. A sulk of longstanding. He hadn't told her, so she couldn't follow after him. Maybe that had been his reasoning to begin with. It did make her feel a little better to know that he didn't mean to leave her there by herself to face that terrible threat. Just a little better.
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:04 pm
Red eyes watched as her pale figure crept slightly out of the shadows of the cave. Peeking out at him, wreathed by the nightshade, Keiran truly took in just how small she was, and just how young she appeared. While he was young, she was younger, and certainly in need of . . . of something.
Protection. Assurance. Safety. That was what Black Skull offered the foals of the world, but despite their pride, it was something they offered other kalona, as well. It was something they could offer her, had she lived closer. . . but it was also something Keiran could offer her now. He was here, and she was not in a good spot. Unlike other independents, it seemed she was stuck and tied down to these woodlands, at least until her grandsire returned.
If he returned at all. Ah, but now was not the time to discuss such things. "I would, and I shall." He gave his word, giving a nod to the mare. He still kept his distance, did his best to remember that he was a stranger, and a large one at that. She had no reason to trust his word, but he would be sure to keep it. "I will leave. I cannot stay here forever, but," he added swiftly, confidently, "This does not mean I am in a rush to part ways so soon. I would like to settle here for a spell, and during that time, I will help keep your borders secure. I will track for rumors of skinwalkers in the neighboring territories, I will do what I can to find news of your grandsire and herd. One way or another, I will make sure you will be safe, whether I am here or not." And if he found no herd? If he found no grandsire? If she refused to leave? Well, that would be up for deliberation later. He didn't know what the morning would bring. "There is no time table for me. I can linger as long as necessary, and I will make sure you are secure, when that time comes."
Lingering would absolutely be necessary. He still did not know her well, and if he did wish to . . . attempt to woo her, attempt to catch her interest, or at least her respect, he would need commit time. Even if this was all for naught, even if he walked away empty hooved, Keiran would remain faithful to his word. There was no sense in leaving such a young mare to a bleak ending. No, she would thrive, one way or another, Kalona willing.
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