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"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with...L?" The red mare swivelled her ears and released a sigh as no reply came. In theory, her lack of company was not down to her anti-social behavior but more due to the personalities of the pair of stallions which made their home at her teepee - she had Paramekia who had his head rather far up his own backside and Cloud who was more concerned with moping in a corner than with being even remotely sociable.

She couldn't win.

Nay, as the regal stallion had pointed out rather cooly, she was a foal at heart and simply couldn't help but strive for a little bit of fun. So far, the only playmates she had ever found were the foals of other herds but she wasn't complaining, one day she would eventually bump into a stallion who was so versed in selective hearing that he could handle her.

"Was leaf, in case you were wondering." She added, glancing at the fish as it swam by her. Having taken to following the river at a somewhat relaxed pace she was well on her way to the lakeside but she was hardly going to rush herself today...

The chatter of the disgruntled squirrel did not take long to reach her ears. In fact, said squirrel had made it it's duty to spread a rather stern warning to all its companions in the hope that they would not have to endure the same disrespect that he had. Glancing up, her eyes fixed on the fluffy tail and the flailing paws briefly before she shook her head, they always did enjoy exagerating.

Still, she couldn't help but submit to the curiosity brewing in her belly as she moved away from the chittering rodents and continued on her way along the river that just happened to be meandering rather lazily as it approached the forest's edge. Step by step, the light began to break through the now scattered canopy until at last there were simply no trees at either side.

She didn't move that fast did she?

Arching her neck, she took the opportunity to have a few well needed stretches and pursed her lips. When she was suitably comfortable once more she at last began to take in her new surroundings, ears swivelling round like minature satellites in the hopes of hearing any tell tale signs of company but it was her eyes that sighted the critter first.

...Now why did he look so familiar? He was awfully small to be someone that she knew.

Well, he was certainly not subtle. It was odd for this mare to be stunned, but the foal managed to do this and for a while she simply stared at him. Perhaps it was because she was so unused to being asked so many questions at once or perhaps...

No.

"In answer to your questions," she began softly, continuing to look over the young colt's form, "My name is Yei Umeko and it is a pleasure to meet you, Kalani." Introductions were always best, first and foremost it would help her in remembering who he was but that name was completely unfamiliar to him.

"As for what I am doing -" She hesitated for a few moments, canting her head to the side as she glanced the foal up and own once more, taking particular interest in the markings upon his legs - she had seen those somewhere before but her mind clearly was not cooperating with her when it came to recalling where from.

"Nothing really, I was looking for something to do myself." She confessed and flicked her gaze away from the colt to admire the given location, "It's terribly boring today, isn't it?"

"Yes, you may." Yei found it quite refreshing to have a foal so lively around her. Granted, he had wings which troubled her slightly but she always managed to push her dislike for the exotic aside when it came to children. Perhaps it was because she believed she could change them, ensure that they didn't become so pompous but she could never be so sure of that.

"And, I promise I will not tell, Kali." She added, her tone completely honest as she was completely unaware of who 'Kali' was. She may have passed her during her exploration of the land but she had never stopped to speak with her - if kalani was anything to go by, she would know exactly why she had spoken to her.

Wings.

However, up until this point she had evaded his question about what she had been looking at. She would rather not have responded for fear of insult but on the other hand, refusing to insult may cause harm too. Besides...it was rude to stare and she wouldn't be so hypocritical as to cast her own views aside.

"As for what I was looking at, your markings look similar to another I know... I just found it rather interesting."

"I just wasn't aware that others could have those markings, they're rather exotic." She confessed, still guarding her words for fear of jumping to conclusions and perhaps upsetting him. He had made no reference to a father so she was uncertain as to whether they really were related... how many soquili in this world had the same markings as the soquili she was thinking of?

"And..." She paused, glancing at her own coat calmly. To her it was a little too vibrant, the swirls that she had once loved had grown a little irritating - all for a good reason, she blamed her colour and her lack of wings for her lack of well...anything?

Still, she had never received a compliment in such a carefree fashion before and regardless of his age, it made her smile. The fact that someone else had spoken of their appreciation somehow made her feel a lot better.

"Thank you." Was all the mare could afford as a reply, canting her head to the side as she observed Kalani in an almost bemused fashion, "Who is Kali anyway?" She asked in a conspiratorial fashion.

"I see." Yei didn't see entirely but she found it rather amusing to watch as the foal crept around. It was almost as though he was frightened at the prospect of being discovered or overheard. She really was curious to find out how though, unless of course his mother had links to every creature within the forest so that she might know...

"And why would she be angry?" She enquired, lowering her head and arching a brow questioningly. She made sure to keep her voice soft to show she could keep a 'secret' and offered a slight smile - there was a part of her that hoped that when she had children they would be quite as entertaining but another part of her worried ever so slightly.

Wa he trying to tell her he had run away?

Given Yei's age, it was safe to say that Kalani was in reasonably safe hooves. She may not have been a mother herself but she had guided enough foals to know of the dangers. Freedom was one thing but encouraging a child to enter dangerous territory was another and she was not one to be so irresponsible. Granted, she had quite a few faults of her own but a lack of care to the vulnerable was not one of those faults.

Still, it was clear that despite his curiosity he had a very intelligent mind and that made him all the more interesting. Although he appeared to be a rebel this mare had a suspicion that deep down, he was smart enough to know when something was a bad idea. In this regard, his mother would have to be commended.

"I'm not sure I would be angry." Yei mused at last, pushing her thoughts to the side as she kept her gaze on the foal. "I suspect I would be more worried and disappointed than angry...provided you came home safely." She added, furrowing a brow at the possibility of an injured foal - if she found her own children injured she'd be out for blood.

"Even so, I promise I won't tell anyone you strayed as long as you promise to stay out of trouble." She shot a side glance towards the slopes and shook her head, "And provided you do not try to nose dive into the lake." She added as she glanced at his wings.

"Regardless of how fun the hawks may claim it to be. Deal?"

"Well they almost do." Yei admitted, swivelling her ears at the slight sounds about her. She should have confessed that she was exaggerating a little but she knew of a few questionable individuals who would gladly hurl themselves into a lake head first...anything for a 'buzz' or adrenaline rush.

"I've noticed a lot of boys enjoy doing it as well though." She smiled teasingly and shook her head, "Although it looks rather painful to simply jump in, the water makes a nasty crack when your tummy hits it." She continued, canting her head to the side as she continued to watch the child - a child that was drifting further away from her each minute.

Did children ever sit still?

"It's easier to wade in. Have you ever swam before?" She continued. If there was one thing she wanted to do, it was to teach her own children how to swim...it was a handy skill to have on fiendishly warm days!

"Oh! Of course it's fun!" Yei positively beamed at the question and released a whicker. Of all her hobbies, swimming was one of those she favoured most after herbalism. There was nothing like the feel of cool water against overheated fur to relax the muscles and soothe sore limbs - more to the point, it was a great deal of fun to have water fights too!

"There is a great deal of potential in swimming - you can have races, water fights..." She gave a shake of her mane and approached the foal, "Then you can dive under for tiny amounts of time to find pretty, yet rare flowers." She canted her head to the side and pursed her lips. It was during this time that she looked the young colt up and down as thought to assess whether or not he was capable of what else she was about to mention.

"Then of course, there is fishing." She added at last.

Ah, there was nothing like sibling rivalry to encourage a child to do new things. The newly felt anticipation within the foal was somewhat infectious and with a delighted smile the mare swung round and began to drift towards the direction of the lake. This wasn't exactly difficult to do, given that all she had to do was follow the flow of the water and therefore she could afford to talk a little more.

"Well fishing is good for working on your speed and strength." She explained, her ears swivelled round at each sound that brushed by. "It also encourages patience. You don't eat the fish, simply catch them and then release them again." She glanced round and then released a chuckle, how was she supposed to confess that she'd never tried eating the flowers before?

"As for the flowers, they certainly look pretty...perhaps you could gather some as a gift for your mother at some point. If she was angry, she will be certain to forgive you when she sees them!"

There was definitely something in the water - she didn't know what it was but with each passing day she saw more and more younglings spring up. In the words of her new nephew (who was recently born), they seemed to pop up like daisies! A part of her was delighted by the new births, it would give her nephew a chance to socialise with those of his own age and she was certain the families were overjoyed but...

Meh.

Just Meh.

A part of her felt a little jealous, how long had she been in these lands and she was still without a mate? She hadn't even had a bloody fling! A one night stand - she was, in every manner of word...Untouched. Now had she been a mother herself and her daughter was as untouched as she then she would be positively delighted but while in her own hooves and at her age it just wasn't fair.

Releasing a snort, the mare trudged through the forest, making short work of the undergrowth before her. Admittedly, the leaves stuck to her winter coat but she was satisfied in the knowledge that it was moulting - just a few more weeks and she would be free of it. Nevertheless despite her relatively unstable mood she was craving for a little bit of attention.

Even the company of a raccoon would do.

Well, they weren't raccoons but they didn't instil her with a great deal of pleasure either. Even so, the mare didn't pull a face and watched the pair briefly as they traipsed through the forest in a rather erratic fashion. Like her, Ti'ran seemed to be in a particularly irritable mood and much to her surprise...even A'ier seemed a lot more subdued.

How long had it been anyway?

Quite some time, she had been in the mountains for much longer than she could recall. She had missed a lot of drama, a lot of gossip and felt rather out of sorts in relation to a number of individuals - all of whom had their own widespread problems that she was unaware of. Regardless, even if Ti'ran appeared to be of the antisocial type, his companion was entertaining (or so she recalled).

Hmm...

Shaking the leaves from her mane she slapped a small smile onto her equine lips and calmly slipped out from the trees nearby. She wasn't right in front of them, but her red coat was certainly more visible from her new position to say the least.

"Am I to assume, the feather lost your favour?" She inquired delicately. making reference to their previous meeting.

Yei arched her neck graciously as A'ier took the time to greet her, the silence had been rather uncomfortable to say the least. In fact, it seemed that the world had gone quiet in expectation of the exchange and she mentally sighed with relief - she hadn't known the mood was that dire when she had watched from a distance...

"Yes, it has." Yei confirmed smoothly, her tone surprisingly warm considering the frosty temper the stallion seemed to have developed. With a face like thunder and eyes that were clearly of a stormy quality he reminded her of the somewhat troublesome blizzards in the midst of winter - the slopes were dangerous enough, she didn't need an irritable stallion to remind her of them.

"And fate treats me in a gentle manner." She reassured A'ier, offering a small smile as she returned her gaze to the wolf. If anything, he was much easier to talk to and seemed to appreciate company...his companion on the other hand was questionable - they were a highly odd pair.

Nevertheless, as she spoke those words her eyes brightened and with it her mood seemed to lighten. Puffing herself up proudly, she gave a toss of her mane and motioned slightly northward. "The fates have been gentle indeed, I was recently blessed with a nephew and two nieces - my adoptive brother's mate gave birth recently." She announced, clearly proud of her family in that regard and also delighted at the prospect of children (which she loved).

"Regardless..." She shook her head and canted her head to the side, "I would return the question but it seems it has been answered, truly the fates have not been quite so bitter to you recently?"

Yei was well aware when soquili were not prepared to speak of their problems but she was at least a little pleased when they explained ever so slightly. She hadn't asked and yet they had at least given her a little explanation - given the circumstances they appeared to be under...she was fairly certain she understood why they wouldn't wish to speak further.

...Family matters were best kept within the family.

"It is unfortunate that you are suffering in such a manner." She offered at last and shook her head, "Nevertheless, spring is approaching and perhaps things will begin to brighten in all aspects - even if it takes longer than one might anticipate." She continued, clearing her throat as she swung round briefly to scratch an itch with her muzzle.

Having done this, she turned round once more and cocked her head to the side. Her eyes were already twinkling again as she recalled the new additions to her family - perhaps the pair were not ready to talk about their family matters (given the nature of them) but she was most certainly prepared to talk about hers - the entire world should know of the new foals...she was biased, but could she be blamed?

Maybe her mood would even help to soften the pair presented to her as well. Regardless, it was worth a shot.

"The youngest of the trio, the colt is called Biscuit - he's terribly adventurous you know." She began, flicking her tail against her flank as she drew nearer. Closing the distance was a second nature to her, she disliked raising her voice when it wasn't required anyway.

"Highly curious...you are right when you say I have my hooves full A'ier! If anything he exhausts me more than any other I have met...Although sometimes I wish there was a way to keep him quiet. He asks so many questions and he never seems to sleep - I do not suppose you know of any methods?" She mused thoughtfully.

"You don't like foals?" Yei's expression became troubled as she recalled a number and foals that she had encountered. Each time she had spoken to one, guided them...they had always made reference to their parents never being about. It was a troubling trend and she simply couldn't understand how the adults could just leave a child to fend for itself.

Actually, it was worse than irresponsible.

"What is the point in siring foals if you have no time to teach and guide them?" She enquired darkly, her tone one that emphasised her lack of appreciation for his stance. "They are meant to be loved, nurtured and cared for...not just left at the backside of a -" She froze mid sentence and simply eyed Ran for a rather long time.

In their previous meeting she had thought he had potential to be a good father, she had thought he would excel and that he was different from other 'exotic' soquili but really...

"You are no better than the rest." She mused at last, her voice grim as she averted her gaze and shook her head sadly. "Perhaps in future you should keep your fiendish desires to yourself." She added, jutting out her chin as she contemplated the situation they had now fallen into - he disliked foals and the one thing she was positively delighted by at this moment in time was a foal.

...Sticking a feather on his horn was not something that would amuse her.

"Or, a your manner is so unchanging...perhaps that is something that will not change either." She observed coolly, indirectly referring to him as something much worse than a cad.

"Then why did he do it?" Yei clearly was not buying the genuine surprise at this moment in time. It wasn't that she was dense, more than she was being led by anger at the apparent act of dishonour. Perhaps, after a while she would replay the reaction in her head and would realise that he was being honest - all the same, that time was not one that would approach soon.

"Why did he sire a young foal?" She continued, her eyes narrowed as she kept them on the unicorn. All in all, she it had taken her quite sometime to put all the pieces of the puzzle together - she hadn't been expecting to bump into that colt but it had happened and he had been so very familiar.

...In looks at least.

Suddenly, her expression soften and with a sigh she looked away. She may have been angry, but the thought of such an adorable colt being left alone because of the lack of responsibility from his father was...Was...Urgh!

"His name is Kalani if you must know," She began softly, lifting her azure gaze to fix it on the stallion once more, "I met him quite sometime ago, looked so very like you, even had the same markings." She continued and shook her head. "Very sociable - I suppose in that regard he is most certainly not like you..."

"I cannot recall the precise time in which I met him. It was quite a while ago but I assure you he was most definitely your son." She snapped. She would admit that his personal life was none of her business but the life of a foal was - she knew his mother cared for him well but she did not agree with the father being entirely absent from the life of a child.

"With the exception of his wings he had almost exactly the same markings as you." She continued, pulling herself to her full height as she gave a toss of her mane. She would stand her ground on this, she knew she was right in her assumptions - it had taken her a while, but putting two and two together must certainly made four in this case.

"And I assure you Ti'ran, your markings are quite rare...for another to simply have them on a whim is unlikely." She took a deep breath and regathered her thoughts for a few moments, carefully considering whether or not it was appropriate to make another verbal blow against him but decided against it.

"I would also think that the horn atop his head would agree with me too."

So he was a coward as well? Yei couldn't puff out her chest any more but her expression became all the more thunderous. She clearly was not buying the 'I have a twin' excuse for the simple reason that it sounded so completely and utterly far fetched.

"You have a twin." She repeated flatly. She wasn't quite sure how to respond to this one. She had heard a lot of excuses in her time but she had seriously thought that this stallion had a little more intelligence. Evidently she was wrong.

Still, as she was about to open her mouth to speak once more her eyes swivelled to A'ier. His comment was perhaps one of the most unusual things she had ever heard. Actually, when she took the time to consider it, it made absolutely no sense...

None at all.

Unless they were identical.

"What do you mean it would be 'just like him'?" She enquired at last, her temper was still not of a desirable quality but at least some sort of sense was returning to her. "And who is 'Kali'?"

"Kali is Kalani's mother." Yei informed him, her tone matter of fact as she continued to eye the unicorn critically. However, as the minutes passed her glare was beginning to soften and her anger began to waver - there was something clearly wrong, regardless of how similar the foal and Ti'ran looked...

He seemed genuinely confused and each time she presented him with her accusations he appeared baffled. She had seen many good actors in her time, but to hold out this long and to look so genuine was beginning to concern her. It really was as though he had no idea what she was talking about but his excuse was so difficult to believe.

A twin!

"And I suppose this twin of yours is completely identical to you, in every way?" She asked, her tone much more steady and calm than it had been previously. Clearly she was beginning to take all his words into consideration and it was about time too!

"Oh..." Yei was rather quite for quite a while, taking all that she had been told into account before replying. Admittedly, Kalani had a pale pelt, but it was not white - rather, it held a green hue, almost similar to the small tressle of hair upon Ran's mane. In fact, if she could have placed the pair together she really would have said that they were related.

Even so, she shuffled her hooves and much to her own surprise...she wasn't entirely certain as to whether or not she should push the matter further. She was adamant that Kalani was his son, the similarities were uncanny but...

At last she lifted her head and released a deep sigh, choosing only to shake her ruffled mane. Perhaps when it came to this particular encounter, now was a good time to hold her tongue. Recently she had come to realise that she was letting her prejudices get in the way - just because he was 'exotic' didn't mean she should automatically assume that he was in the wrong.

As much as she wanted to believe he was.

"I doubt I will go out of my way to find him, it is not my place." She murmured at last, almost begrudgingly. It was clear that she wasn't satisfied but equally, she had no intention of forcing him into an even smaller corner than she had before.

"However if I should meet him..." She hesitated and shook her head once more. "Then we shall see." She mused, lifting her gaze and offering a somewhat meek smile.

"Maybe if you had met the foal you would understand my confusion...I suppose. Although I guess I owe you an apology."

Yei hated admitting she was wrong, it came with the territory of being female. Still, what made it all the worse was the fact that she truly believed that she was right in this instance - unfortunately for her, she had no way of proving that she was. It left a bitter taste in her mouth, swallowing her own pride when that knowledge remained lodged firmly at the forefront of her mind but she settled herself by informing her own head that the sacrifice would prove a good one in the long term.

Flicking her tail against her flank, she took a few moments to absorb his reply (taking careful measures not explode) and pursed her lips. All in all, she was reasonably nosey and being informed quite bluntly that she was not to involve herself in his personal life was a kick to the teeth. Then again...

Well, they weren't exactly close friends were they?

She had only met him once and although the encounter had been an amusing one, perhaps one that had shown a rare side to him, it was not enough to draw them into that type of bond. Admittedly, befriending a unicorn in such a manner would have been ironic given her apparent dislike for the exotic but she was learning...there was always more to an individual than met the eye.

One thing was for sure though, if she met his 'brother' she would not take kindly to his charms. She may lose her temper now and again but she was not as stupid as she came across.

"It seems your brother is quite a handful, if he is a twin like you declare..." She paused briefly and canted her head to the side, a feeble smile creeping onto her lips, "Have you never considered tying his horn to a tree and leaving him there?" She enquired. Truly, she would never consider doing something quite so brutal but it would certainly give Ran a head start if he were to run for it.

It seemed that A'ier was digging his own grave at a steady rate in the corner (figuratively speaking) but even so, his comments did make Yei smile. Despite the tense atmosphere, the predator was doing his best to elevate the mood. They were tiny steps, almost tentative but his words did ring with a truth that reminded her of their previous encounter.

"Ah, but he would get along with bears methinks." Yei pointed out smoothly, her comment a veiled reference to the last bear that Ti'ran had encountered. A'ier would no doubt recall, it had resulted in a feather becoming impaled on his horn...she wasn't surprised to see that it had disappeared. If she was honest, the disappearance of the feather was a pity, orange brightened him up considerably.

"Raccoons are not hard to befriend though...just offer them gossip every now and then and POOF!" She gave a toss of her head, enough for mane to billow out slightly. "They return frequently, in exchange for words they provide you with aid..." She was clearly speaking from experience and a small twinkle appeared in her eye.

Not that she had tied any horns to trees lately, but she had thought about it a few times.

"Regardless, perhaps if I take a dislike to him then I shall do it! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned -" She paused and gave a small chuckle, "Or so they say at least." She added hurriedly for she wasn't the type of soquili to be so cruel regardless of who the creature might have been.

Nevertheless, as she once again allowed her muscles to relax she seemed to shrink in height. She was a rather tall soquili, but rarely held herself to attention - it was terribly uncomfortable to do so and left her neck with a creak in it. Similarly, she hated to look quite so imposing, as sociable as she was...imposing wasn't quite as inviting as her usually calm demeanour.

Funny how that always evaporated around the 'exotic'.

"I have a suspicion that Gully would take offence at that comment." Yei pointed out quietly, her tone serious although her expression revealed otherwise. Even so, as both appeared to round on her in relation to a certain 'evil' twin brother she was rather taken aback. Granted, she could understand A'ier and his forwardness but Ran's was a little out of sorts.

Or maybe it wasn't - she had a suspicion that Ran's concerns lay more in the abuse that she had given him only moments ago. To take an apparent like to his twin would be an affront. There was a part of her that could see his point but having an immediate dislike to his brother...

Something bugged her about that. Automatically assuming that another was bad based upon the words of another. Granted, she often held the exotic to be suspicious and untrustworthy but choosing to listen to the words of one over another? It was strange and just a little unsettling, placing her in a position that she didn't appreciate.

Perhaps it was an attempt to deter her, but encouraging her to avoid his brother only made her more curious. If she hadn't desired to see him, she most certainly was now - if only to draw her own conclusions, without biased and perhaps his twin wasn't quite as secretive?

"Raccoons respond to bribery, it's in their nature." She replied at last, keeping her own thoughts hidden as she picked up on the discussion once more. "And they're quick, quick enough to place another feather on your horn." She mused, a mischievous twinkle returning to her eyes.

"Something I suspect you wouldn't mind as much as you let on."

Yei could do embarrassment, she enjoyed jesting with her friends but she knew when public humiliation was not required. His character came under this category and she could only assume that he would be unable to cope with the attention should she do anything in public. The opportunity would never present itself though, Ti'ran seemed to avoid social encounters with every possible part of his being.

Unfortunate that, it could have done him good to get out more.

Even so, as he mentioned feathers in a rather derogatory manner she couldn't help but cast a glance towards her backside, where a pair of feathers hung at her tail. She knew that the feather in her ear was still there, but attempting to look at that was positively ridiculous - what was wrong with them? She felt a little put out by that comment but perhaps (and if she chose to give him the benefit of the doubt) he had been referring only to himself.

"You view befriending raccoons in that manner to be exploitative?" She enquired softly, avoiding the tentative subject of her own appearance. She had received quite enough comments on her pelt to be certain she would avoid it at all costs. "It is no different than befriending some mares..."

Romantically disloyal? Well Yei wasn't that sort of mare but the manner in which he automatically made the assumption did more than irk her. If she had any feathers, she would have been ruffled but instead she just let out a snort of warm air from her nostrils. Romantically disloyal indeed! The way to befriend her was often to mention some interesting gossip.

Gossip usually equated to a rather interesting topic of conversation, common grounds were found...friendships forged and so on. She puffed out her cheeks briefly as the thoughts whirred about in her mind before releasing a small 'cluck' of her tongue. She had known Ti'ran was socially inept but never had she suspected he was this bad.

"Not everyone who enjoys gossip is romantically disloyal." Yei replied testily, arching a brow as she observed the unicorn. She wasn't about to lose her cool completely (yet again) but she wasn't about to let him put her into that category either!

"Gossip is an essential part of social interaction, it's natural!"

A'ier and his question had her rather stumped. She hadn't really thought about that, it had never been important. Then again, ifs he really took time to consider it, she never required gossip to strike up a conversation...it just helped. Especially if common grounds were hard to find until the familiar barriers had been dropped between individuals.

So why did she tolerate individuals who clearly had no intention of opening up? Similarly, why did she insist on being near by a creature when she could scarcely stand what he was? Hm, perhaps A'ier wouldn't fully comprehend what he had done but the mare was now a damn sight more confused than she had been before.

Was it manners, or was it something else?

...And what did squirrels have to do with anything!

"Squirrels indeed." She replied in a rather peculiar tone, partially lost in her own thoughts. "And I must confess that you would make a very interesting topic of conversation A'ier, I just doubt that Ti'ran would appreciate the undivided attention of other mares. My mere presence is enough to frazzle him I suspect." She pointed out in a good natured manner.

"Only you A'ier." Yei replied smoothly, shaking out the kinks in her mane. She had meant them both collectively but humouring the wolf was suitably more entertaining than jesting with his companion. Perhaps that was why she was so inclined towards them, perhaps it was A'ier that bridged the divide and made the company bearable?

"Although I must admit, I am not sure you would be 'mate material' for many of the mares on the plains A'ier." She teased, a small smile creeping onto her equine lips. She had always wondered what it would be like to have a companion, she suspected it would have been an enjoyable experience or at least educational to say the least.

Unfortunately, their wires had crossed yet again though for Yei had not been discussing squirrels, she had been discussing raccoons!

Men. They never listened!

"Are you insinuating that I do not have that effect on you?" She didn't dwell on their crossed wires for long it appeared, "I really rather was hoping to have that 'frazzle' factor that everyone seems to be talking about." She mused and then, without warning she jumped into an entirely different topic.

"As for the gossip... Oh well you know, it can be anything from the latest accessories to the newest stud on the plains." She explained, canting her head to the side thoughtfully. "Although things have been quiet as of late, much to my disappointment."

She knew when something was a lost cause and arguing with a stallion about something so silly would be ridiculous. Even so, she felt her mood lift considerably at the knowledge that she was right and she could have pointed this out if she wanted to. However, she was still treading cautiously and she suspected her teasing would not be taken in quite as good a nature as a more relaxed stallion.

"I would be inclined to agree." Yei bobbed her head to emphasis this and canted her head to the side, "Your wit and handsome visage are incomparable to those on the plains. I suspect you could have any mare you wanted if you tried." She cooed, although the prospect of a wolf trying to 'woo' a soquili was a rather amusing image.

...Ah, if only such strange things occurred in this world, it would make interesting viewing to say the least.

"Although I suspect that if you really worked hard and were so inclined, you could persuade any mare to try their luck with your companion." She added, clearly teasing. The likelihood of Ti'ran ever becoming romantically involved was slim and a flirtacious Ran was even more unlikely - if anything she suspected he might just...stare.

"But I suppose that 'crazy' will do just as well as frazzled." She added, "Maybe I can work on that one, hm?"

Yei wasn't quite certain that she followed what Ti'ran meant either. He was truly a puzzle to her and she sincerely doubted she would ever figure him out. He would be like one of those irritating catacombs within the mountains that seemed to go on forever - with more dead ends in them than there were alternative routes.

Sometimes she really hated those types of puzzles but Ran was a little different. For a start he was alive, flesh and blood and couldn't be kicked out of frustration...Then there was the fact that she was so certain he had other qualities he just liked to hide - no normal puzzle had those.

Still, he was nice to have A'ier play along with her. If anything, he ensured that those around his companion were not always overwhelmed by his rather indifferent manner. The anti-social aura could be somewhat brushed aside by the warmth of the fluffy wolf...This was a point she was somewhat envious of as she suspected having a companion like A'ier was indeed an invaluable thing to have.

Nevertheless, back to the topic at hand...

"Oh A'ier, I really think you should at least give it a try." Yei grinned, finding the image of A'ier attempting to 'woo' a mare to be rather amusing. If anything, she knew A'ier wouldn't take offence at their rejections but would get as much amusement from their reactions as she would!

"It could be your chance to find your one true love!"

Yei took a few moments to watch the interaction between stallion and wolf. There never seemed to be a dull moment around the pair when they were in the company of another; but she was rather curious as to how they were when someone such as she was not around. Were they quiet? Did they laugh and joke?

Somehow, Yei doubted that even in privacy the uni-soquili could joke particularly well.

Still, as A'ier chastised her for considering his love life she feigned guilt and shook her head, hiding her eyes under her long mane. Of course, it would be cute to see baby A'iers running around but she suspected he had a point. She just couldn't picture Ti'ran as any form of uncle or care taker for puppies - especially if they were as loud and as outspoken as she was!

"Perhaps she would be, although it would be amusing if you found that your soul mate was just as free spirited as you were, don't you think?" She mused at last, canting her head to the side at Ran's question...there were some times when Ran caused her to smile secretively inside. For all his lack of social graces, there were occasions when something definitely shone through the cracks in his façade - it was a shame he didn't let that show more often.

"To the mare I suspect, if she knew that you were just a hermit." Yei offered wistfully.

After the cold and hard of winter, Isilme longed to see the sun and feel it's warmth. The crisp morning air was intoxicating, and she found herself waking up earlier and earlier to wander and watch the sunrise; a pleasant change from the previous month, when one could almost never feel truly warm.

The early morning mist rose in a small field not too far from where she had slept with Loki, and the dew was heavy lay heavy on the shoots of grass, the perfect treat for the mare. The sunrise permeated the mists only slightly...later on, it would erase all traces of the fog, but for now Isilme was just a gray-brown shape, more ghost than solid creature. Like any spring-mad mare, she was skittery and nervous just for the sake of bolting at any noise and kicking up her heels, and she had done so several times this morning, bucking and galloping and making a general spectacle of herself. Her sons would probably have been surprised if they had seen, she thought with an inner smile, then settled in to cropping the short grass, and waiting for Loki to awaken and find her.

The passing years had been good to both of them, seemingly: Isilme had accumulated only a minor scar or two, tribute to a mustang's rough life. But she had filled out, and lost her truly young, long-legged filly look: she was now stockier, more fit, and more laid-back. Motherhood and the last few years had been kind to her.

The sound of someone coming closer does make her shy, skittering off a few paces and flicking up her ears, nostrils widening as she tries to negotiate through the nearby smells. The heavy scent of wet grass is the most prominent, of course, but under that is a trickle of something very familiar, and very warming to her heart.

Isilme had been surprised at the turn of events her life had given her. After her early years, being in a herd had held no taste for her; but Loki and her sons could hardly be called a herd. She had settled into this life with surprising ease, comfortable among her family and pleased to have found a niche in life. Occasionally, she did wonder what lay beyond these lands...but it was a question that was bothering her less and less these days, and she was only able to muster a kind of remote curiousity about foreign lands and places.

She still dutifully kept up her religion; that was one thing that would never change.

Alta even stayed around, but she would disappear for weeks or even months at a time. She could not be relegated to one place for long; only her bond of friendship kept her near at all. Despite loving the falcon, Isilme was glad to have equine company...the falcon's personality as a carnivore made her almost feel like a stranger at times, and she would say or do things beyond Isilme's comprehension.

"Loki," she calls out softly through the fog, her ears pricked forward. She smiled at him, ducking her head in a slightly shy fashion as he approaches. Lady. It wasn't something she had ever heard before Loki, or even knew the meaning to; but she loved it.

Isilme moves closer, to nuzzle her mate's cheek gently before pulling back, eyes bright with welcome. "Morning, sleepy."

She smiled at him, but there's a bit of mischief behind that smile. "I'm only looking out for your best interests, dear. You'd probably die from shock, and I couldn't well have that on my conscience, could I?"

She clamps her muzzle immediately after around a yawn; yawns are particularly contagious in the morning, and she doesn't want him to think that she may be a bit sleepy in the morning, too. She wonders idly where the boys have run off to...although full-grown, she still had a tendancy to worry about them. Which was silly, really, when she thought of the things she'd been getting into at their age. She supposed that being a mother didn't necessarily mean that one had to be sensible. They certainly seemed like they were...both Kael and Kyer seemed to have good heads on their shoulders, and it was a bit of a relief to know that she and Loki had done a decent job in raising them.

"Mmm," she ays in the affirmative, shaking out her curly mane. "I could get used to this weather all-year round, makes me feel like a little filly again. Have you seen anything of the boys this morning?"

The mare chuckled quietly, quivering. "I'll keep that in mind," she responds, looking bemused.

"'m not yawning, I was just taking in the nice fresh morning air," she says, with a haughty sniff. Her actions and her poise - like an offended queen - make it clear that she's just returning the tease, for she dissolved into another chuckle, shaking herself in another minute. "Surely even you would grant me that. It's a lovely morning out, anyway, and it doesn't look like it'll rain for a few days yet."

"Mm, they'll be back whenever they feel like it, the ruffians," she says in response to his answer, forcing herself to relax. Unlike Loki, though, Isilme would probably have had kittens if either Kyer or Kael was gone for long enough...she just worried. Along with motherhood, her high-strung nature seemed to have dropped away from almost everything except her children; she was placid and easy-going, having mellowed, but she still fretted about her full-grown children. It's hard, being a mother.

But they were adults, and she felt guilty if she smothered them. The balance seemed to work out most of the time...but if they were truly in trouble, it's doubtful Isilme would let them out of her sight for weeks.

"Hmph," she responds to that, sticking out her tongue for a brief moment and feeling like a giddy young filly all over again. She leans in to the nibble, however, taking the moment to grab onto and tug a lock of his mane. "Ruffian," she tells him, fondly. "No wonder where our two get it such wild manners."

At Loki's next statement, she has to laugh; the boys are almost as large as their father now, and there are two of them to his one self. Isilme can just picture the scene...and her amusement doubles. She gives her mate a playful shove with her shoulder. "Pretty soon, if not already, they'll be able to drag you around without too much fuss! I'd be nice to them, one day they'll realize it and use it to their advantage when dealing with their poor papa."

Isilme gives another toss of her curly mane, her neck arching a little as she eyes him throw her unruly forelock of hair. "And what do you propose, sir?"

"Of course I am," she replies, no sting in the retort. "However, I do believe you may be correct about the contribution...I think we're lucky they didn't come out any worse than they are." She's only half-joking, this time; the boys were much better-behaved than she remembers being as a youngling, with probably more sense. She blew out through her nose, then rubbed her muzzle against her side, absently, then rolled her eyes in mock amazement at his protestations. "Sure, sure. You just keep thinking that. Let me know if you ever decide to go up against them in something; I want to be there to watch." She bestows a sweet grin on him.

The next question gives her a bit of a pause. She wasn't particularly hungry...her morning foraging had taken the edge off her hunger, and she was willing to go for some hours yet without settling down to the important business of feeding that's so intricate to an equine's life. And Loki was right. She shouldn't be worrying...or, at least, if she couldn't help that, she should try to find some other distraction. She tugs a lock of his mane, then drops it.

"Trust the creative female to think of something to do," she says, suddenly looking just a touch more smug than she probably should be. But the smugness slowly dissolves as she ponders the situation. "We could always take a little trip through the mountain pass; I've never been up that way, and we're close enough that it won't be too much of a trek. If weather gets bad, we can head back here or find someplace in the mountains to hole up...there's got to be caves and overhangs along the way." The grullo paint mare cocks an ear at him. "What do you think?"

"No. That's something I'll agree with," she says, slipping back to the teasing at hand, but in seriousness, even though she smiles. "And of course I'd root for you, I'm rather hurt that you'd think I wouldn't." She pulls a face at him, despite the fact that she had previously made it clear that she'd quite cheerfully watch his demise.

Ears perk. "Laziness must be catching. I certainly haven't done much of anything lately..." She seems rather disgruntled after having voiced the fact aloud.

Loki's final statement seems to draw her out of herself; where she looked like an indulgent, albeit teasing mare seconds before, her gaze slips into the glossy-eyed, thrilled look of the young. It's hard to deny something so eager; she actually kicks up her heels, rearing a little off the ground and throwing her head so that her curly mane slaps against her neck. "Of course! Come on, lazy, let's get going before we both run to fat!" With a gleeful snort, quite unbecoming to someone her age, she turns neatly on a hoof and gallops up the slope of the nearest hill, inserting little bucks of pure good spring humor into her step, and pausing only at the top to look back over her shoulder.

She only laughs back at him for the statement, calling: "Oblivious, of course, my poor Loki." She watches him eat up the ground with his stride; not as gleeful as her, clearly, but willing to tolerate her excitement. It's part of the reason she loves him so much; another male might not be so willing to put up with her. She dances on the ridge, fidgeting and ready to be off again...which appears to be at least partially for show, for she does still wait for him as he comes closer. She noses him.

"Fair enough, you're the very perfection of soquili," she says, in a slight tease. "As am I, and now we're off to discover something more about the world. C'mon, Loki." She curves her neck, eyeing him, then trots off down the slope, further onward into the foothills.

Hours later, they're still in the foothills; but now moving into the mountain pass, the massive structures looming over them.The sun has already begun to set, and, thanks to the peaks, darkness is already settling over the land. Here, day is almost shorter: the mountain blocks out the sun longer in both the morning and in the evening.

Isilme's able to keep up a good pace (they are mustangs, after all) but it's getting evening, and the barking of coyotes not far off makes her halt in her tracks, her grullo body darker against the colorful, sunset-strewn sky. Her ears twitch nervously, and she darts a look to the stallion. "Perhaps we'd best look for some shelter," she murmurs. She's not unduly worried about a coyote pack...they were small creatures, after all. But where coyotes roamed, wolves could be. It meant there was enough prey around here to support a coyote pack, and possibly a wolf pack as well. The mare doesn't particularly want one or both of them to be on the menu. She glances about, squinting into the hills. It's fairly bare...the hills are grassy, and further above the ground becomes rocky; the treeline is several hundred yards up. "Have any suggestions?"