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 Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:31 pm
Hienna blinked once, and then again, before bursting out into a fit of giggles. For some reason his teasing didn't grate her nerves like most others did. Perhaps it was the fact she knew he didn't mean it as an insult.
It was a minute or two before her giggles settled down and she coughed, serious face slowly coming back into play. Good thing, too, considering the words that came out of his mouth next.
"Less savory types?...Kalonas? Is that what you mean?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:42 pm
It was so amusing to watch Hienna laugh that Zaphiro was chuckling as well before too long; how pleasant to be able to share something as simple as laughter with a friend! However, her query about kalonas sobered him up immeadiately, and it was with a sigh of regret he returned to the more serious subject.
"Possibly, though I haven't seen any myself. To my knowledge, there aren't any in this part of the woods, but that doesn't mean that they can't come. But what I was referring to was a bit less specific, more subtle. I simply meant that there are those..."
He pursed his lips, trying to think of a way to explain without flat-out shocking. Because he knew that there were a few who frequented this area whose tempers and tendencies were downright dangerous; and there were also those who, while not physically dangerous, could be just as bad...in other ways. What on earth had he been thinking to being Hienna here? It was definitely not teneble that she stay here by herself! He'd have to figure out another place for her to make her temporary residence...
"I'm sorry, Hienna. Obviously I wasn't thinking about long-term when I brought you here, or I would have remembered that this isn't a good place for an unattended mare." And the look on his face as he spoke was profoundly apologetic; she had seemed so happy with it, too!
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:48 pm
The mare blinked and raised a brow, "...Those...? Unattended mares?" Hienna sighed softly and shook her head. And she was having such a good time, too! Perhaps...Perhaps he just didn't want anything to happen to her.
"Please do not think me unable to defend myself, Zaphiro, I have been on my own for a long time before my mother did pass." A long pause as she tried her best not to sound offending, "I am not an innocent foal. Naive in some aspects, perhaps, but...I do not need to be shielded from knowledge nor do I need to constantly have someone tending to me."
Perhaps it came out a bit wrong despite her careful choosing of words, but Hienna did need to let him know that she was not helpless. Thoughtful and careful about her words, perhaps, but if needed she was capable of quick thought. Not that it was needed often in her experience. Never, actually, but she was sure she could take care of herself if the situation warranted.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:02 pm
Now it was Zaphiro's turn to blush, realizing belatedly how easily his words could have been construed as an insult. Just because he tended to be paranoid about the dangers of the world, just because he'd had to jump in and help out a few mares with dangerous situations in the past didn't mean that Hienna wasn't perfectly capable of handling herself without him meddling. He felt chastened, that much was certain.
"You're right, and I apologize, Hienna. It's not my place to draw assumptions about you, and even if I were to it should be to categorize you as distinct from the other mares of my acquaintance; your conversation skills alone set you apart, so why should I draw inferences about your ability to defend yourself?"
Stepping back slightly with one leg, Zaphiro offered Hienna a bow of apology, giving her a sheepish smile. "I guess this means it would be out of order to offer my services as a continued companion, then."
He wasn't really sure what provoked that last comment; a parting joke, most likely, as an attempt to recover himself after that horrible faux pas earlier. Either way, no sooner had he finished speaking than he was blushing again. Good grief, that was horrible!
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:07 pm
The apology sufficed nicely and after his bow she took a few steps forward to give him a friendly nosing, "Hmph. Silly, stallion. Just because you said something that did not need to be said does not mean I do not want you as a continued companion. As I said..."
The mare stepped away and offered a small smile, "I do enjoy your company. So long as you do not make assumptions aloud about my ability to protect myself I foresee absolutely no problems between us. I would enjoy it if our friendship, or what I see as a friendship, continues."
Hopefully Hienna hadn't driven him off by her previous words. She would definitely be a more than a little upset at losing the first companion that could match her thoughtfulness.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:14 pm
At Hienna's reassurance and nuzzle, Zaphiro started chuckling again, this time at his own overreaction. Obviously he had a lot to learn in dealing with mares as friends rather than viewing them as younger siblings, that much was certain!
Still chuckling, he returned the nuzzle affectionately and stepped back, giving Hienna a warm smile. "Fair enough, Hienna; in the future, I'll keep any aspersions completely to myself. Though I have to warn you, as long as I'm with you I have to protect you if the need arises, as per our earlier agreement."
Yes, it was nice to have awkwardness dealt with!
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:23 pm
It was indeed nice to have the awkwardness removed from the otherwise pleasant situation. "Oh, I would never think on breaking an agreement. I must admit it's nice to know I do have protection should the need arise." Hienna beamed at him before looking upwards. It was getting dark and the sun was dipping lower, casting long shadows.
"It is getting dark," Hienna said, making the obvious observation. Sunset was a beautiful time and one of her favorites. Not only were the colors gorgeous, it meant sleep would soon come and with it dreams.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:27 pm
Still smiling, Zaphiro cast his eyes upwards as well, noting the reddening of the sky. "Naturally. And indeed it is; sadly, the trees around this place seem to obstruct the sunset, for which I am a bit apologetic; you mentioned earlier you love the sunset, didn't you? But the stars are quite lovely on clear nights, and the breezes marvelous."
The fact it was getting dark reminded him that it would soon be time to settle down for the night, and that in turn reminded him that Hienna wasn't familiar with the location. "Hrm...do you move in your sleep, Hienna?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:35 pm
"The sunset may be obstructed, but the coloring is still at least slightly visible and that is something I can deal with. Besides, if I really wish to look I can just wander out to watch it."
Hienna was rather proud of that logic. After all, if one was too lazy to do a simple walk then they did not deserve to watch the beauty that was the sunset. Besides, stars were just as pretty.
"Hm? Move in my sleep? Well...If I have nightmares I shift around, yes. What do you mean by move?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:50 pm
"True, although it can be a long walk back in the dark." Still, Hienna's logic made sense, and Zaphiro found himself nodding in agreement. But he was caught up short at her answer to his question, and for a moment could do no more than stare at her quizzically before he finally figured out what she meant.
"Oh, that shouldnt' be a problem, then. I was thinking more along the lines of rolling over, in which case you might not want to pick a sleeping space too close to the water. I, at least, never relished being woken up to a midnight soaking."
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:52 pm
Hienna cracked a smile at that, "While I do enjoy the occasional swim, I concur. Being woken up by cold water in the middle of the night would not be conductive to a healthy life, indeed."
A pause, "Will you be taking a long walk back in the dark, Zaphiro? It will begin to get dark rapidly now, I fear, and perhaps that means our meeting must come to an end?"
The thought that it would end so soon saddened the unicorn but at the same time running into sharp pointy branches could not be conductive to good health either.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:57 pm
"Unless you're one of those that ascribes frequent baths to a healthy lifestyle, I'm inclined to agree. And while I do believe in the importance of bathing...I, at least, have always liked to be awake."
Returning smile for smile, Zaphiro was once again tossed a curveball in the form of her question, and he was more than a little surprised. Hadn't they just hammered that out? Or had she not understood?
"Well, in my case it would be a flight; like most others that frequent this place, I fly in and out for the most part. But there won't be any walks or flights tonight, regardless...unless you want me to leave?" It was possible he'd misinterpretted what she'd said earlier, after all; even with a great deal of space available for each to acquire, he supposed she might not be comfortable with that idea. "I can, if that's the case; though I was planning on staying here, to be frank."
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:00 pm
"Oh! No!" She blinked, "I don't want you to leave. I'm not familiar with flight, really. Honestly, I think it's safer to keep your feet on the ground, so to say, especially in the dark. I..."
Now she was babbling which was something she rarely ever did. Hienna hadn't chosen her words well the last time and..."I'd like you to stay."
Better save face and just stop talking lest she make a bigger fool of herself.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:07 pm
Though he'd been anxious at first, seeing Hienna try and backstep had Zaphiro smiling in amusement once again. Obviously he hadn't been correct in his assumption that she wanted her privacy, and it seemed very much as though she were trying not to offend him, which was certainly not the case!
Still, he was quick to try and put her at ease. "Actually, dusk and night are marvelous times to be up in the air; especially on clear nights, you can see for miles; bodies of water tend to glisten, and the moon is absolutely enormous...but your concern is nevertheless appreciated. And it would be my pleasure to stay."
Once again, he was smiling at her in his warm, genuine fashion; it was just so nice, this accord. The thought that she'd wanted to get rid of him after all had been jarring, to say the least!
But now that that was dealt with, he glanced once more skywards, noting the darkening of the sky's colors. "It might be a good time for you to stake out a place to sleep now, before it gets too dark. I'd hate to have to fish you out of a pond!"
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:16 pm
"I wish I could fly, then," she said softly, "So I could experience such a thing. Ah, well, at least I have the beauties of the ground to marvel at, yes? After all, the view from above may be beautiful but it is from far away."
That was consolation enough, she supposed. No use lamenting about what you didn't have!
"You do not like to fish, hm? Well, then I shall make sure my little place to sleep will keep you from having to reel me out." The mare trotted away from the water and looked until she found a comfortable looking spot clear of any stones or twigs and settled herself down right there. "Will this suffice?"
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