|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 2:39 pm
As the pair neared the tree, Celestia let go of Faroth's arm to allow him to move on his own, using the rough trunk of the tree instead to steady herself. it hadn't been but moments, just as she was reaching up to pluck one for herself, when he offered one to her instead. Letting her hand drop, she shrugged lightly, smiling, and she took it from him. "Thank you, my good sir~" Turning around and slouching down beside him, she shined the fruit on her arm before taking a bite.
"What a grand feast we have!"
She hummed ever so lightly to herself, very much enjoying the sweet juices as they filled her mouth and the crunch with each movement of her jaw. Even though she did not speak, it was clear just how content she had become with their situation. It was as if that horrible trap was but a nightmare, forgotten in the past.
Glancing up as she finished her apple, core and all, the princess tilted her head slightly at Raina's return. Her eyes then flickered to Faroth as he spoke, a certain curiousness about them, as she awaited for his certain explanation. A soft smile broke on her lips as it came. "Oh, is that so? It will be simply wonderful to clean myself again." Her eyes looked to an arm momentarily before she broke out into some giggles. "I think, following another apple, I shall consider myself ready to be off once more."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 6:34 am
"Sounds like a plan," Faroth replied easily. Just a short rest and some food to regain their energy, then he'd feel a bit better about attempting the descent. Depending on what they saw at the cliff's edge anyway.
A couple of apples down, Faroth stretched and started preparations to move again. First of all, such bounty could not be ignored. There was still room in the pack and they had a ways to go yet. Kneeling and opening the pack, he started removing items, trying to stack them neatly to reorganize the messy chaos he'd made of the bag in his hurry to pack and leave the underground. He loaded up the empty space in the pack with several more apples, paying little attention as the pile of supplies toppled over.
Only when he began repacking did he notice the scattered parchments. Strange writings and pictures from the rubbings at the altar stared back, but also some other parchments that had been mixed in with the lot. Hurriedly, he stacked them, shooting a side glance at Celestia, likely still busy eating, or so he hoped, before rolling them and tucking them along the side of the pack, out of sight. The momentary panic was waning as he told himself, if anything was said, he had no idea how those other drawings had gotten mixed in with the rest...
Ugh, he was a terrible liar.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, he took a drink from the canteen to cover before standing and shouldering the pack. He held out his hand to Celestia casually to help her stand. "Shall we be off?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:46 am
The princess only passed a momentary glance in the direction of Faroth and the bag as he began to mess around with it before returning her eyes ahead of her. It was quite calming, really, to be among the trees again. To hear to bird's calls, to feel the rustling of the wind through the leaves. It had been much too long, leaving an almost nostalgia to the things she had taken for granted.
Who knew how long this new-felt appreciation might last again?
Looking at him again as he cleared his throat, she reached forward to take his hand and stand. "Thanks~" Dusting off her knees and butt from stray pieces of dirt and grass that had decided to stick to her skin, she lifted each of her hooves to make sure they were (relatively) clean before moving to take his arm again. "I approve of this suggestion of yours. Let us continue on."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:08 pm
Faroth took the princess on his arm with a smile, missing the sigh and eye-rolling of his canine companion as she turned to lead the way. Raina's steps were light over the earth, leaving nary a paw print in her wake. If one watched closely, it seemed as if her paws barely touched the ground at all.
The ravine rose into sight where the trees grew sparse and the trio's pace slowed as they neared. Faroth stepped away to peer over the edge, Raina following. 'There, the path starts and winds down the wall towards the bottom. I went partway; it seems safe enough, if there are a few loose patches to watch out for.'
Faroth frowned, staring. "I dunno...seems iffy, but...I suppose we can give it a shot. We'll just take it slow to be safe." He turned towards Celestia again, holding out a hand. "If you're willing, of course, lets give this a go." He smiled reassuringly, even if he held some of his own doubts. Had they really recovered enough to try this? He felt reasonably okay today. The fruit had helped, as had a good night's sleep. And it was much easier travel with the princess at his side rather than in his arms. Still, if either of them fell...
No, no, no time for thoughts like that. They'd be fine. They'd take it slow and be careful and they'd be fine.
Raina led the way, light steps testing the path before the heavier faun followed. Faroth followed behind, one hand always either holding Celestia's hand to help her down the steeper portions of the path, or holding her arm for stability. He never let her out of reach. Part of his brain told him he was being silly; she had wings for Earth's sake. Yet, he also knew she was still weak from practically starving herself for his sake. He'd be damned if she got hurt if he could have done something to prevent it.
He felt his heart leap into his throat every time he felt loose pebbles beneath his hooves, hearing them tumble down towards the ground so far below. But, aside from a tense moment here and there, the river below slowly grew nearer and nearer.
Raina finished the descent with a leap, bounding towards the flowing water. Normally quite swift, the river widened here, slowing the normally white-capped current to a smoother, bubbling flow that washed over the water-worn stones beneath.
Faroth's relief was evident as he set hoof on what he considered firm ground once more. The bank wasn't that wide between the water and the ravine wall, but it was at least as wide as three faun were tall. "And, back on solid ground," he said with visible relief, still staying by Celestia for assistance, despite the childish urge to rush towards the water and jump in. Didn't mean he wasn't heading that way as swiftly as possible. Fresh water to drink, and heck, even enough to wash themselves reasonably clean if they wished. He never realized how such freedoms could feel like such luxury.
He headed towards the water, chuckling softly. "I believe someone ordered a bath?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:52 pm
It had become quite reassuring to feel Faroth's skin against her own, and due to this she unconsciously moved ever so closer to him with each time they moved together. Not enough to notice between once or twice, but enough that, by now, it would have been clear that they walked more as a couple might, rather than a guide and their guided.
As they came to a stop, the princess moved to peer over his shoulder at the path and the bank below, a small frown forming on her lips as she did so. "Are you positive we have the strength to do such a thing...?" It sounded a bit silly to ask this, particularly given that she should be able to just fly down there without a second thought, but they were still weak.
Well... she was still weak.
Faroth was very much in better physical shape. Or, at least, he appeared to be. Backing up quickly and stumbling a bit over her hooves in the process as he turned back to face her. The princess glanced away, seeming to ponder something, before sighing and looking back to him with a small smile. With that sort of attitude, was there any way she could actually say no? "If you say it as such, how am I to disagree?" Taking his hand gently, she returned the nod. "Though, should I fall, you must catch me of course." At this, she allowed him to lead.
For the most part, the princess held onto Faroth with one hand and to the side of the pass with the other to balance herself. It wasn't particularly tight, this grip, but it did noticeably tighten whenever he jolted or she felt a near misstep in her footing. It would be a relief to return to the ground.
How silly was that? Just a day before they were dreaming of climbing up, and this day they were making their way back down. Funny how the spirits work at times.
"Not a moment too soon, I do agree." There were hardly a few moments to ground herself before the princess felt his pace quicken, pulling her with it to the water. Not that she minded. Laughing in turn, she opened her wings behind her. "Yes, I do believe so; a bath for two." The water was a pleasant cool as it wrapped around her hooves, providing immediate relief from the stress the decent had caused. She moved until it came just below her knees before sitting in it, sighing. "This feels superb."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 3:38 pm
Faroth chuckled, smoothly dropping the pack from his shoulder as they headed for the water. He nearly responded to the 'bath for two' comment, then held his tongue, only shaking his head with amusement. No, no, keep your passing questionable thoughts to yourself, Faroth.
He strode into the water, offering his hand to Celestia as she took a seat, then moving a short distance away before crouching into the waters himself. Not too far; within reach if need be, but just a bit further into the current where it got a little deeper. The waters were cool, just short of being chilly and staying on the 'refreshing' and 'invigorating' side of things, as far as the grey Faun was concerned. And hopefully he'd be grey again soon.
Already, his hooves and legs were being washed clean in the current. He dipped his hands into the water, watching in fascination as the dirt and dust seemed to wash free, floating off in a strange underwater cloud before disappearing downstream. Alright, enough introspection. Getting clean. He scrubbed his hands together, then his arms and face, even going so far finally to simply duck down and dip his head back, shaking out his hair in the water. A quick once-over served as 'good enough' for now and he rose dripping from the cool waters. A quick shake of his head threw water from his hair, which made him grin then apologize belatedly, considering he'd probably just flung water everywhere. "Ha ha, sorry, but that feels so much better," he chuckled, standing still and watching the waters around him for a moment until they ran clean and clear again. Then he cupped his now-clean hands in the stream, lifting them to his mouth to drink.
He'd never tasted water so delicious that he could remember. He'd nearly forgotten that it didn't always taste of earth.
Raina stayed on the shore, pacing back and forth near their pack before walking in a circle and curling up beside it. With a yawn, she stretched, then lay her head down on her paws to watch the faun frolic in the water. Yeah, have fun with that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 3:50 pm
Laughing as Faroth joined her in the water, she knelt onto her knees, letting the water come to her stomach before she began cupping it in her hands and pouring it on her shoulder. It was almost fascinating to watch the streams of brown flow down, revealing the pristine white skin below. Her hair was draped over the opposite shoulder from the side she washed, the ends catching the water and sinking just below its surface. Faded colors returned to their vibrancy, and continues as she carefully moved it to the other.
When she was satisfied with the other, she arched her back, spreading her wings out to full length and dipping them in the current. Ah... That felt so nice, and she could feel the dirt washing off. A few flaps helped that as well.
Bending back forward, she then brought the water to wash her chest, carefully cupping it so that it reached the crevasses of her clavicles and that her neck was not forgotten in the process. Nor was her face, which she cleaned by bending close to the surface and softly splashing the liquid onto. Sitting back off, she rubbed her eyes dry for but a moment before water splashed onto her, flung by Faroth's shaking. Repeating the motion, the princess couldn't help but laugh before shrugging and dunking her whole scalp in as well. Man... Had water ever felt so good?
When she lifted her head back up, the wet hair nearly covered the entirety of her face as it pulled back down, and she couldn't help but break out into a series of giggles again. "What is your opinion of my new look? Trendy, is it not?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:25 pm
Faroth turned towards her voice with a grin, ready to make a quick quip...then hesitated. He seemed frozen, if only for a moment, staring at his companion. After so much time in close quarters, with rough living conditions, unable to afford the luxury of worrying about unnecessary things such as grooming, they had put aside titles and protocols first, eventually becoming closer as only friends, trying to survive. There was no place for concerns about society levels or differences in background when survival was the only concern of the day.
He had gotten used to their casual relationship, forgetting just how beautiful and dignified she was normally.
Well, beautiful at least, he thought with amusement. He seemed to shake himself from his stupor as her question and giggles drew his attention to her 'new look.' With a chuckle, he neared and reached up to lift a lock of wet hair, lowering his head to look her in the eye with a grin. "I'm sure all the lovely young faunesses will be trying to copy your look come next spring."
He hadn't realized they'd gotten so close until he caught himself thinking, 'Hey...has she always had purple eyes...?' Not that he hadn't noticed before, though it wasn't exactly a common color, it just seemed so striking at the moment. Maybe against her soft, sleek white fur, the contrast was enhanced after so long covered in dust and dirt. Of course, now that they were clean...
He could clearly see the individual droplets of water, beading and dripping from her hair, running down the gentle curve of her shoulder, continuing its wandering path down to rejoin the river. He realized his thoughts had taken a sudden turn south as well and hurriedly flicked his gaze back up again. The cool river waters were doing little to battle the warmth that crept up from his neck. His eyes focused on a droplet of water, dripping from her hair to her cheek, running down to her gently smiling lips...
Not helping.
'No no no, this isn't right...' He started to pull back, aware he'd been staring at her awkwardly for far too long to be normal.
'Why not? What's wrong with finding her attractive?' He wondered if that was Raina's voice...but no, just her words from earlier, echoing from his memory. It made him pause for a moment. No, there was nothing wrong with finding her attractive. But that was just his opinion. He didn't need to share it.
Besides, if he acted on those feelings, and she didn't share them... Of course, she didn't share them. Why would she be attracted to a common Faun like him? Surely a princess had had many suitors in her homeland. How could he compete with that?
Wait...why did he care?
Because...he considered her a friend. And if he ruined that for such a selfish reason, he'd never forgive himself.
Even with the decision made, he was conflicted. Faroth swallowed hard, lamely trying to cover for the extended silence and awkwardness with a smile and a shrug, even with no hope that it would work. He needed a good excuse.
Up on the bank, Raina silently dropped one paw over her eyes to rest on her muzzle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:38 am
Her eyes, rather than her face, looked up to meet his own as he came closer and took her hair in his hands. She could see the water flowing from it between his silvery fingers before falling periodically as little drops. Her ears folded down slightly, as her eyes averted and her cheeks colored themselves rose, her grin becoming more sheepish in the process. "Must you always flatter me so?"
Her senses were acutely aware of his presence, of how close his face was to her own, the heat of his breath brushing against and adding to the growing heat in her cheeks. She could almost feel the little hairs of his hand against her skin, the wind that gently blew past the part of her face he had uncovered. One of her hands moved to support the other's elbow as she pulled the remaining portion so that it fell onto her back and between her wings before looking back up at him. How long was he going to stay there...?
What was he looking at so intently? Her eyes studied him, her lips pursing together for a moment before she sucked the bottom one in, wetting it. The way he looked at her... What was it he was thinking...? It didn't appear he saw a spot she had missed, but rather... It was like...
It was like that moment in the room, long ago, when she had almost... wanted to... When they had almost...
Tensions rising, the princess could feel the pulsing of her heart increasing as she swallowed, her hands moving to fall limply against her side. Why did he hesitate? No. No, he must have some other reason for continuing to look at her, that was it. There was nothing that should be meant of this, it was all in her head, it was she that made the time pass longer, not him. Her eyes looked away, shyly, then back, almost expectantly.
Was it because she was a princess?
No. No, there was nothing. He felt nothing. It was all in her head, would always be in her head. Nobody had ever sought after her, long would be the day someone would think to do such a thing. It was a bit sad, yes, but that was her life. Someone meant to lead, meant as an example of others, but whom others did not wish to become close to. How could a couple of weeks change that?
It couldn't.
She smiled lightly, almost sadly, as he started to back up. There was her answer, plain at the day. The princess reached up to pull the rest of her hair back before sighing and shrugging back at him. "Perhaps we should continue on, now...? Yes?" she suggested as she stood up and delicately shook her limply-hanging tail and 'mane" out before placing her hands behind her back in a simple manner.
The sooner they returned to the tree and their old circumstances, the better it would be for them both.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:14 pm
Faroth wasn't sure if it was more relief or disappointment that he felt as Celestia pulled away. He tore his eyes away from staring at her lips, banishing the stray thoughts from his mind with shame. No, he couldn't let some silly, hormonal impulse endanger their friendship. She'd likely never forgive him if he insulted her by acting on his stupid, foolish urges. She'd certainly never look at him the same way. Best he just not make an a** of himself at all; then they'd not have to awkwardly pretend it never happened for the rest of the journey back to the Tree.
He backed away as she stood, eyes downcast. "Err...yeah, that's probably a good idea," he muttered in agreement, reaching up to wring out his hair. "I'll uh...get our things," he explained, heading for the shore. He took a moment to shake most of the water from his fur as he climbed out on the smooth river stones. As he neared the pack, he noticed he was being greeted by a snarling wolf. 'Really? REALLY?!?'
Faroth cringed at her tone, but didn't back down from the wolf. He lowered his voice to answer so that Celestia wouldn't hear, "Drop it; I don't need your attitude."
'And I don't need yours, boy! Your damn negative vibes are bleeding over and pissing me off. You're BOTH as dense as the morning fog and it's giving me a headache just to watch this nonsense!'
He had been about to grab the pack and storm off, but now he hesitated. Glaring at Raina, Faroth made the motion of checking the pack as an excuse to keep talking. "What the hell are you talking about, fluffball?"
Raina snorted, somehow glaring down her nose at the faun. 'You're moaning about one-sided attraction to her, but I've been watching you both for about a day now. If you're not watching her when you think she's not looking, she's watching you when she thinks you're not. How thick are you both?'
Faroth flushed, flustered and about to snap something back, but the words wouldn't come. He just gaped with his mouth open for a moment, then closed it with a grunt, turning his attention back to fussing with the pack. It wasn't possible, what she was saying. She was just having fun at his expense. Though...what would that gain her in this situation except only more frustration as his own bled over to her through their bond? Could Celestia...could she really...? Had he really missed something obvious? Or was he only trying to see what he wanted to see? After he took a moment more to sort his thoughts, he stared at the ground while muttering, "But...it's only been a couple of weeks. That's not nearly enough time to..."
'Oh for spirits' sake, man, I'm not saying propose to her! Geez...we're talking attraction and interest, not 'true love', you thickhead. That doesn't take nearly the same amount of time.'
Faroth bit back a retort, settling for glaring instead.
Raina rolled her eyes. 'I haven't seen you act like this with a lady in a long time. And there's plenty of pretty faun about that you don't give a second glance. So if you're acting this goofy now, there's gotta' be something more to it. Why does this one seem more attractive to you than all the other pretty ones, eh?
Faroth hesitated, biting his lip. Was that it? Was it something more than just...physical attraction? It was certainly a factor, yes. But, was that all it was? Like Raina said, there were lots of pretty single lady faun at the Tree. Why hadn't he given them more than a casual, appreciative glance? He supposed that he and Celestia had something in common; enduring a harsh survival situation together, sacrificing for one another. He still felt she had sacrificed more for his sake...
"Well, just what is it you expect me to do then?" he asked quietly at last, resignation in his voice.
'Just say something. Be honest, tell her you like her, tell her you think she's pretty, I don't care! Be a man!' The wolf huffed, standing now and striding off, eager to get moving again. Stupid bonded. Had to go and complicate the hell out of things for no reason. She still didn't understand; if the male had interest in a female, why not show it? She didn't get it at all.
Faroth watched her go, glancing back from his doubled-over crouch at the water where Celestia waited. Then he sighed, standing and hoisting the pack once more. He wasn't about to do anything too rash...but he had some new thoughts to consider. Things felt tense, like an unseen weight on his shoulders, so when he neared the water again, he attempted to smile as he held his arm out for Celestia. It wasn't a giddy grin or anything, but hopefully it would be enough to serve as an apology to signal that everything was alright between them.
Everything would be alright between them...he hoped. If he was quieter than normal when they began to travel again, it was because he'd grown distracted by the new thoughts planted in his mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 8:15 am
The princess nodded silently, occupying herself with wringing her own hair out. That, alone, would take a reasonably long time due to its thickness and (absurd) length. As she did, her eyes remained downcast for the most part, only flickering up to sneak glances at Faroth and Raina. It would be nice to understand what conversation they had with one another, wouldn't it?
Not that he left information out when he explained it to her afterwards. Or, at least, she trusted that he didn't. It would be easy enough to if he wanted, but friends wouldn't want to lie to one another, right?
Sighing, she pushed her hair back behind her and slowly walked towards the shore. Normally she might have gone faster, but the combination of residual weakness and the water's current kept her from doing so. He should have had the time to gather their things by then. Smiling lightly, albeit awkwardly, as she came closer, she motioned with her head in the direction the water flowed. "We are going in this direction, yes?" She placed her hands behind her back as she asked, rather than taking his arm. "The water was quite refreshing... I think I can walk on my own here for a bit." Taking a few steps ahead of him, she turned back with a nearly silent laugh. "When I again feel weakened, that arm best remain ready."
Or, as she really meant: when the atmosphere returns to before, I'll hold onto you again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:43 am
While he had believed he'd been doing so solely for her benefit, Faroth was mildly surprised by the disappointment he felt when she refused his arm. He'd grown more used to their contact than he'd realized. It had been such a gradual thing, he'd never noticed, and yet now, when it was refused, it felt as if something reassuring had been ripped away.
He kept the disappointment from his expression as best he could, only nodding and awkwardly reaching to hold the strap of the pack instead rather than leave his arm extended; he needed to do something with it. "Of course," he answered with all the warmth he could muster. While he didn't want to acknowledge that something had occurred between them, it was obvious from both of their behaviors that something had changed.
Doubt plagued his new thoughts suddenly. Was this just a sign that what Raina had said was wrong? An immediate signal from the universe to cease and desist before he made a colossal blunder? Distracted, he nodded up the river. "The water flows from the lake to the sea, so we'll be heading upstream, against the current." His hooves tapped lightly on the river rocks as he started in the direction indicated. Raina had run up ahead and paused, looking back with a weary expression.
Faroth didn't meet her gaze, or Celestia's, focusing instead on the path ahead, or his own hooves. Was he pondering making what could turn out to be a horrible mistake? If only he could have some sign, one way or another...unless that's what this was. He tried to think back over the past two weeks and all of their interactions together. Was there something between them? Or was he just seeing what he wanted to see?
They'd been in close quarters for a while. Sleeping usually resulted in one of them waking in the other's arms...but, that had been dismissed as an automatic response, seeking warmth against the night's chill. It'd even stopped being so awkward after a while. They dismissed it and it had become normal. And yet, while that contact had become normal, any action that brought them close while waking, usually resulted in tension, awkwardness, and his bumbling attempts to retreat before he did or said something stupid.
What if...? What if he didn't pull away? What if...he held his ground? Would Celestia push him away still? His mind traveled back to the scene in the formerly lavish quarters and the acts that they had witnessed in the vision. He thought about afterwards, when he and the princess had found themselves so close, the look in her eyes, the expression on her face...
What would have happened if the lights hadn't gone out?
Maybe that was the answer. He had been debating the best way to proceed, but all options presented some level of risk. Maybe he could limit that risk though, make a subtle change, just to see. Get some sign...
What if the next time they got close, he didn't pull away? Of course, if Celestia pulled away instead, he'd have his answer. But if not...
As he walked in silence, he made the decision to start tonight, when they stopped to rest. It was a lesser risk than other options, yet still, anxiety began to grow in the pit of his stomach. Just handle the situation delicately, and hopefully, little damage would be done if things did go badly...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 11:29 am
There was something very off, very wrong, about this whole atmosphere. They had lived together for two weeks with no others, had worked in their own ways for their freedoms, had grown so close... The princess had felt, perhaps for the first time ever, that she could truly say anything, and he would still love her. Platonically, of course, but still a genuine love. Why was it...?
Why now, despite all of that, why did he feel so far away? Why did she have to create this distance between them to keep what was most important? Why did it hurt so terribly bad to do so?
Why did he continue to lead her and her silly thoughts on?
How could he be so cruel? Was is because she was not good enough for him; because she was different from him; because she had too many problems for him? Was she not beautiful enough? Strong enough?
Perhaps she had tainted herself with that taboo marriage with Aquos... Defiled herself by choosing to help in raising a daughter rather than seeking immediate annulment. Was this how the spirits intended to punish her? It was simply too cruel...
Laughing lightly as he mentioned the correct way to be moving, it was unlikely he would even notice anything different. Her expressions, however, were carefully maintained, too perfect to be natural. They remained polite, yet distant, concealing anything that she might be thinking. Even her eyes seemed emotionless as she caught up, walking just behind him.
Soon enough they could return to the tree, and she could carefully sort through and rid herself of these feelings. It is not befitting for a princess to let herself become smitten with another and lose the ability to think and act rationally. Better to feel nothing at all then. Better to return to herself, and to that act again.
Always the kind, benevolent leader. Always being watched, being judged, having to live to everyone else's standards and expectations. It had been so in Equestria, it remained so in the Tree, among her closest friends. Even her mellon was constantly reminding her of how low she really was.
It would have been better if they were still in that hole. Better to have perished as herself than being allowed a taste of the freedom and had it taken back.
How long had they been walking now?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 11:47 am
Though they had traveled in silence before, it had been a comfortable silence, where nothing needed to be said to enjoy the moment. Now...it was as if some ominous cloud hung over their heads and eventually, it began to eat at Faroth through his distracted thoughts. He shot a sideways glance at Celestia once or twice, but nothing seemed obviously amiss. Nothing...except this strange, new feeling of aloofness.
It was only early afternoon, but when an over-cropping appeared in the cliffside, Faroth paused. It wasn't a deep crevasse in the wall, but there was enough of an overhang to serve as shelter if it rained. It was as much shelter as they were likely to find for the night. "Maybe we should stop to make camp. We've made good progress today, but no need to push ourselves too hard too quickly." He spared a glance at Celestia, still unsettled by her distant expression.
He'd been preoccupied with turning over in his mind all the 'what ifs' that dealt with him going too far, her rejection if she was insulted by his forwardness. But, a new thought occurred to him. What if Raina was right? What if...it was a remote possibility, but...what if Celestia actually felt something for him...and instead, it seemed that he kept pushing her away? How could she feel?
It still seemed like something beyond belief, but hey, he could be pretty oblivious...and he knew it.
While he'd felt like stalling before, now a sense of urgency to resolve the issue seemed to be growing in his gut. He'd worried about upsetting her before, but it seemed that things were already starting to sour between them. Could he really make it much worse? Maybe, but maybe he could find a way to make things better.
Glancing around the chosen campsite for a moment, he slid the pack from his shoulders, but grasped the strap in hand, not setting it down yet. After a moment of hesitation, he looked at Celestia again. "I mean...if that's alright with you, of course." A beat, then he blurted what he really wanted to ask.
"Are...you okay?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 12:02 pm
The princess's eyes looked up and to him as she noticed him slow, taking the moment to steady herself on the nearby rocks. It may have been her sheer distraction that had helped her continue on, but walking alone like that had really begun to tire her. Yet, she still could not bring herself to get closer again. Nodding once, her eyes looked to what would be their setting for the night, her expression remaining unchanged. "It is fine with me... My hooves have grown tired, and I am sure an afternoon rest would help with that." With a perfectly placed, perfectly toned laugh, she added. "Though, perhaps I remain accustomed to strange hours of sleep since."
Biting her lip lightly, her expression changing for only a moment she looked away, breathing in and out once before returning her eyes, the calmness again about her. "I am not aware of any injury...?" Turning around once, looking over herself, she tilted her head and shrugged. "Yes. I am fine."
Really, she would rather just continue walking until her body fell from weariness, but the princess was not alone on this expedition. No. There were two others whom she had to consider the needs of.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
