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 Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 11:31 pm
Night had long since fallen and Bella ran. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, blood singing in her ears and heart thudding in her chest. She was sore, she was ragged, sweating, and had yet to stop to clean herself off. Her cream fur was tangled and dirtied, sticky and taught with dry blood. . . .
But still she ran.
Her lungs screamed for breath, sides heaving with effort as she pushed onward. . . Her muscles were taught and knotted, her terror and paranoia causing her to be as edgy as the shadows of the forest! Every noise made her jump, every flicker of stars caused her to push faster to her destination. . .
She wouldn't stop, not until she got there, not until she knew she was close enough to be safe.
Bella could have gone with Meshach but she refused. She could hardly stand the black and striped male near without jerking away, too afraid to be exposed, too afraid to feel that shock of pain again. Tears had ran down her cheeks, blown away by the wind against her coat, and she wanted to further sob but . . . the mare didn't dare.
She couldn't afford to be blinded by such emotion, she couldn't afford to look any weaker than she already was. Instinct told her the smell of blood would attract predators, would announce her need. . . . But no matter where she went, no matter where she traveled that was a risk she had to take. She had to get there. . . . She had to be close. . .
All the mare wanted was one moment to feel safe. And, despite his warnings, despite the knowledge that she knew she'd upset him, that he'd grow angry with her for returning yet again. . .
Bella didn't have anywhere else to go.
Hardly pausing as the edge of the woods, his woods loomed before her, Bella looked over her shoulder. She could almost hear the flap of wings, she could almost feel the popping of her flesh as teeth and hoof dug in to her. But. . . .
then again. . . .part of her knew that while she was a threat to herself with her open wounds and blood spill, she knew that she'd bring danger IN TO his woods if she entered too far.
Slowing her run, Bella tripped over the ground, crying out in pain as her ankle further objected. She was warm, body flushed with fever from exertion of her strength and the evenings panic. Tonight was not a ogod night for the mare. . . . But she had enough sense and control to keep her fear within herself, to be silent, and to be aware of those in her close proximity.
Childhood fears as a filly overwhelmed her as she pushed her way in to the trees, the darkness reminding her of the things that went bump in the night. . . . But this was Azu's forest. He already knew she was there, didn't he? He was probably upset as it was, angry at her disobeying again. . . . . But if Azu came, then that would mean Malice would stay away - wouldn't it?
He'd know if a stranger entered. . . He'd know if the dark monster still chased.
Finding a moment to catch her brother, the mare couldn't stand to be on her hooves any further. Close to the edge of the woods, not daring and unable to pull herself any further, Bella's legs buckled for a second time that evening and she rolled to her side.
It wasn't any more comfortable a position. Horses and soquili alike weren't meant to be on the ground for long periods of time. . . but her hooves just couldn't take it, her swollen ankle especially. Gasping in ragged breath as quietly as she could, the mare closed her eyes.
Never had she hurt so much. . . .
The physical wounds were painful, yes, but it was the betrayal of her land, the crumbling of her beliefs that were agonizing. Azumoth had his defenses, his walls, his hurt. . . . but he had NEVER touched a hair upon her head or made Bella feel as . . . . terrible as Malice had.
That . . . that thing had maimed only because she could. She would have killed her had Meshach not been there - there was no way the mare could have defended herself! Her wounds admitted that much. . . . Against a kalona Bella was a sitting duck.
She wanted to cry - her throat was clenched and her eyes stung. . . But she couldn't. . . . She'd have to apologize to Azumoth or one of his allies for throwing her burden on them all. She'd have to apologize for running to the first place she felt safe. . .
But that's all she wanted right now. To catch her breath, to know she wasn't going to be eaten alive.
. . . . . maybe she ought to have waited outside the treeline instead of on the in? Lifting her neck despite the sizzle of bites and torn scabs, the mare grunted as she tried to roll herself back to her feet. If she could just pull herself backwards a few feet get back out to the starts of the lowland. . .
Nope.
Wasn't going to happen quite yet. . . .
She needed a break. She really was in no position to do much anymore but wait.
" . . . . I'm s-sorry. . . " And she was. Guilt ate at her even in pain. What if Malice came rushing in at this very moment? What if she got Azumoth, or Moppet, or Horne or Nono hurt!?
Frustration snarled at her fumbled logic. She hadn't thought it through. . .she'd been impulsive . . . .It had sounded like a good idea, it had sounded like the only plan that could work. . . And look at where it got her. Alone. And endangering the very few she cared about.
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:28 am
That being said, tonight was a rare occasion in which the stallion was not at the very heart of his woods. Following his encounter with his previous victim, the unicorn, he had been left with much to think about. As a mark of respect it seemed as though the Spirits had provided him with a number of weeks to review everything that occurred. There had been no visitors, no disturbances and the usual scavengers had avoided the forest like a plague.
It was one o those rare occasions when he thought himself blessed.
However, as he perched on the outcroppings at the very top of his forest, shrouded by the low lying fog that frequently masked their existence he knew that something had gone very, very wrong. He wasn't sure how he knew...the unicorn's referral to meddling voices came to mind as something in the fog whispered with a renewed sense of urgency. Up at this height he couldn't smell anything and due to the relative peace of his forest it had been incredibly quiet but now...
The stallion furrowed his brow and shifted his amber eyes down into the depths of the hidden canopies. While his gaze alone couldn't penetrate them those 'voices' either confirmed or rejected his thoughts. As he continued to move from the heart to the outer edges of his territory they kept whispering in that unusual fashion until his eyes at last hit a certain point.
"There..."
As though one voice as opposed to many, those whispers in the fog caused him to arch a brow inquisitively. Bizarrely he wasn't angry, he hadn't had time to be angry as of late and hadn't had the urge to be either. Yes, something incredibly strange had occurred in the last few weeks thanks to the help of that mare. While some had called her emotionally disturbed he had seen her point - most of all she had forgiven him.
With that heavy burden off his chest he almost seemed content for the time being.
Of course, he hadn't really though about how he looked...that only ever happened when he had company so no doubt that little complex would pop up again in time.
Nevertheless, refraining from delaying the inevitable any longer the mutant unfurled his wings and dropped unceremoniously from the outcroppings. He plummeted for a few moments and then as his wings billowed out he was thrown back into the air. Much to his pleasure he soon discovered that the air currents kept him afloat with very little motion of his wings - it was relatively easy to soar with only the occasional beat.
That being said it wasn't a particularly long time before the stallion approached the forest's edge. Descending from a great height to a lower one made the journey faster as was and so he soon began to beat his wings at a tilt to slow his descent down. Braided and whip like tail brushing against the grass initially, it wasn't long before he was able to settle himself firmly on all four hooves. There he gave himself a little shake to remove the dew from his pelt and drifted idly back into his forest.
...Well, it was easier to go in from the edge if that's where the problem was anyway.
And then, on no uncertain terms, it hit him. That putrid combination of blood and sweat caused his nostrils to flare and he was instantly aware of the issue at hand. The disturbance he had felt and had been warned in relation to had been a matter of urgency (or some such). While he wasn't certain of what it was as of yet he steeled himself on and silenced the Kalona blood writhing in his veins.
Unfortunately, there was something about blood that made that little bit of him quiver in anticipation.
A few more steps, the occasional pause to double check the various bushes and that was when he caught sight of her. If it was possible for the stallion to pale he would have, the sight of the scabby, blood and grime coloured coat just a little too much. Sure, he had seen injuries that bad (he'd even caused them) but she was barely recognisable and he could hardly fathom how anyone could launch an assault so brutal.
It dawned on him in that moment that while he had made his threats and blew off steam, she had met another who had a very nasty bite. He wasn't sure what but if he found them they would know what pain was. He'd rip them apart limb from limb and make sure they were alive when he ripped their hard out in the final blow!
"...Bella?" He murmured gently, his voice a little more tender than it usually was. For all his faults he knew when he had to be tentative, his mother had taught him how to recognise that much at least.
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:49 am
The voice broke through her groggy throughts and the mare knew exactly who it was. Another spike of panic, of being helpless and throwing herself on him and his woods. . . . And though his words weren't harsh or demanding, her imagination and paranoia reminded her of everything the stallion had preached. He wasn't cruel . . .
But that didn't mean he'd be happy about this.
The girl threw open her eyes, quickly struggling to rise again. Now would be a good time to do that, wouldn't it? It wasn't as if she could just lie there all night anyway. . . . Besides - what if Malice had been following her? What if that horned, winged beast had waited for her to fall to make her move? It wasn't as if she were hard to spot so close to the edge. . . Malice could have had her with one bite.
. . . . such a fool she was.
Nothing was going right this day it seemed. Nothing at all.
"I'm - I'm sorry!" She gasped as she made the awkward - and ever painful - maneuver to get to her hooves. The mare paused upon rolling to a sitting position, hooves underneath her. Now all she had to do was stand which. . . . which would be the difficult part. Her muscles hurt, just sitting hurt. . . The cuts on her right legs from Malice's hooves didn't make standing very fun, and neither did her twisted ankle.
Unable to look up at him, too ashamed of her state and her thoughtlessness, Bella just didn't know what to do. She refused to go back to her plain, she wanted to be here certainly and yet. . . and yet she had now snatched the stallion away from his duties. . . AND put his family in danger!
. . . oh sure, Malice was no where to be seen and hadn't been since her exit - but Bella didn't know and couldn't be sure. All she knew was that thing had attacked her once - who was to say it wouldn't do it again?
Her head lowered, nose resting on her front hooves as she panted. The remorse she felt was obvious amongst her exhausted fear, her small apology ever so since. Trying to swallow back tears, and putting up an admirable fight, the mare stared solely at her bloodied and muddied hooves. She could only imagine what the rest of her looked like. . . .
"I . . . I j-j-just had to-to-to come," she did her best to explain, to try to tell Azumoth the reasoning behind her logic. From what she knew of the stallion he didn't like visitors or intruders on any level and he probably didn't want his woods to become some new refuge for the unfortunate. But it was the only place she could go, the only place she felt an inkling of safety besides her own. . . .
And safety was something she needed. "I . . .she . . . " Her voice cracked, a glance up at the stoic stallion and that was it. She hoped any of her tears went unnoticed. . . . But she just couldn't hold it in any longer. "I w-w-won't st-stay long. . . I p-promise."
There.
At least he knew.
As soon as she caught her breath she'd leave - or at least settle just outside of the woods. Did she want to leave? HELL NO! Did she want to go back out their again this night? Oh no, no no. . . .
But it wasn't fair of her to have come to him.
But he was all she had beside her beloved but betraying plains.
Whether or not he realized it.
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:36 pm
He'd never seen a distraught female before, at least not when he was in such a calm state of mind and when he wasn't the cause of it. To say that it left him a little taken aback was a complete understatement and he could do nothing more than stare as she made her valiant attempts to shift and move away. She was in so much pain and yet she insisted on apologising - why was it now that the stubborn little creature decided she wouldn't be a burden?
Women really were a puzzle.
That being said the panic in her words was enough for his ears to flatten against his head and he slowly shook it. It was perhaps one of those rare moments when it was needed, she was trying to explain but her tale was disjointed and vague...It wasn't his place to question someone who was so incredibly hurt and in what seemed to be a lot of pain. Sure, his pain threshold was through the roof given he'd endured so much but this petite and fragile little creature hadn't experienced what he had.
She seemed positively terrified!
"I know," he murmured soothingly, choosing to 'ignore' the tears in her eyes though he had seen them. It was strange but it seemed his mother was right in her assumption that for all his fierce ways, he possessed a rare quality about him. While dangerous, the very fact that he was the guardian of his own lands (and a good one) made others seek out that sanctuary that he maintained. Really he should have taken it as a compliment...
"Calm down," he advised in the same gentle tone. He was all to aware of how necessary it was for her to relax, if she became over excitable in any sense of the word then she would do herself an even greater injury. First and foremost, using the survival instincts he had developed over the year he went through an almost mental checklist.
She needed food, warmth, water and she needed to calm down. That of course required only one location and it would force her to walk.
"Goddamnit," he muttered under his breath, not really towards anyone in particular but it was clear he wasn't thrilled with the options that were open to him. If she had been a foal he would have carried her on his back but he was not built to carry a full grown mare.
First and foremost though...
"You will stay as long as is required," he stated in a matter-of-fact tone, drawing nearer the mare and her unusual position, oddly enough it looked rather painful. With the bruises marring her fur and limbs she definitely didn't have a great deal of strength. It just made him all the more angry - how dare anything do that!
"...But you need to stand up," his voice became firm and he narrowed his eyes, nudging at her cheek lightly with his nose, "The outer rims of the forest are too open, we need to get you inside." As if to emphasize this point he dropped a wing and unfurled it so that it arch over the mare's shoulder in an almost protective fashion - in truth it was simply a tool intended to be used as added support if she fell to his right.
"Now."
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:47 pm
The mare stared down at her hooves, blindly studying the cacked on mud and blood that transformed her hooves. The delicate hairs were tangled and stained, an ugly sight even from her exhausted perspective. A few tears trickled down her face, crashing on to the matted fur but doing little to wash away the grime.
Ugh. . . she needed to stop the tears. The mare hated to cry - oh it absolutely drove her insane with annoyance. She wasn't proud and she wasn't vain but she didn't ever like to show herself so . . . . . broken. Sometimes tears were necessary, certainly, but not now - not in front of Azumoth and not where the shadows, the night, and the monsters that lurked could see.
Sniffing as quietly as possible, reaching up one of her front legs to rub at her face, all the mare managed to do was send streak her face with a red-tinted dirt. And still a few tears came.
"Goddamnit."
The word was quietly spoken, and though she was wrong in her assumption that it was directed at her, she had no reason to believe otherwise. Bella understood completely that she was a bit of a pest, a varmint for Azumoth to do his hardest to get rid of. He refused to believe in her friendship and had set his walls against her from day one.
Not that she blamed him.
With as long and twisted and torturous a life the black male had lived he absolutely had every right to be. . . wary.
Bella knew what she had tangled herself up in and knew it would be war. Azumoth was far from a typical stallion in both personality and appearance - he didn't like to be bothered or harassed or shaken from his duties. . . .
And tonight, the third strike against her, she had done that very thing. How could he not be mad at her? Not only had she interrupted his solitude for the umpteenth time and gone against his words, but she came weak, broken, and smeared with blood. . . .
She had disturbed him and had transformed herself from simple nuisance to obligation.
And that bothered her too.
But she surely didn't blame the stallion, not one bit. She was in his debt countless times - from saving her from her confusion to sheltering her from the storm and now. . . now this. What did she give him but headaches and frustration? No wonder he didn't want her around!
Her tears waned as she blinked the blur from her eyes, though her throat was still taught and the wall of tears threatened to come crashing down. She didn't have time for that. . . not here, not now. Besides - it was wasting precious energy that she truly wasn't feeling. Best to save regret for later and deal with it on her own time.
Heaving a breath, Bella nodded at the next command, closing her eyes as she adjusted her weight beneath her. Could she do it? She had no choice. . .
It took a few try's but eventually the female staggered to her feet. It was a good thing the stallion's wing was there - without putting as much weight on her hind leg, it caused the shaky mare to become even more unstable. Without being able to use her hind hoof in rising, she shifted heavily to her right and used his wing as support.
Smart thinking on his part. . . . And Bella was ever grateful.
Limping a step forward, the mare made sure she was good to walk. Again - did she have a choice? No. But she could hobble and limp along about as well as one would expect in her state - it was slow, and occasionally unsteady, but at least she was moving again.
Cream ears twitched nervously as the sounds of the night began to register. No, it wasn't Malice. . . . . Azumoth wouldn't let something so horrible enter his lands. . . . Right? She glanced up at the male, amber eyes usually ever so bright nothing but dull, weary and blood shot. If eyes were the window to the soul than someone had just cracked what had once been an almost flawlessly smooth surface and drawn tight the blinds.*
"I'm . . . ..r-ready," she whispered, tensing up at the sound of a snapping twig. It was nothing but a rummaging opossum, of course, but it wasn't surprising she was feeling on edge. It was difficult for her to see, even with Azumoth and his orb ever nearby.
Amazing how things changed - this is what she had wanted, of course, the only place she could go with the betrayal of her lands. And yet. . . and yet now that she was here she felt nothing but guilt.
Azumoth was right to think that women were puzzles, even to themselves.
*Note: No - that's not meant to imply perfection. *grins* Just her optimism and inward light really. . . . *promise she's not that vain* xD
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:32 am
Please stop crying...
His mind positively screamed out in protest at the distraught female and her show of emotion. Generally accustomed to the constant and often irritating optimism of the females he met, it caused him great discomfort to see one in such a state. Sure, he yelled at them a lot and could probably make most burst into tears but by the gods, it almost seemed to be worse when he wasn't the cause of it!
Please...?
And then it happened, with only the slightest bit of 'encouragement' she had pulled herself up and had choked back her sobs. Wobbling uncertainly by his side, he had no other choice than to cup his wing around her tiny form more firmly and only then did he began to move at what could only be described as a snail's pace. Well, he'd still beat a snail in a race but in comparison to his usual stride he was barely making any headway.
Life could be a terrible bother sometimes, so could nagging voices but instead of disputing their words as he often did he simply released a soft sigh and ensured he kept his gaze trained ahead. Every now and then his amber eyes would flick to the side to check on the mare but for the time being he suspected that the mare might prefer some form of privacy...
...Never once had he been told that sometimes they just needed a great big hug.
That being said he would usually opt for the first, turning his eyes away as opposed to providing a 'hug' for fear that it might be the wrong thing to do. They may take it the wrong way, be repulsed at his touch - while he may have been reasonably content as of late those thoughts always lurked in the depths of his mind. A pity really, one tiny reminder of those inferior features and slight issues could cast a grey cloud over his head and the storm clouds would brew again.
However, much to Bella's luck his mind was so firmly focused on her well being that he had little time to consider the close proximity. No doubt when she was safely curled up in his Grove, tended to by his mother then he would wander about. A few moments would pass and then in a rather comical manner he would probably release a string of curses and smack his head off a tree. It wasn't a matter of punishing himself, but if he'd already lost enough brain cells to forget about the closeness then he could afford to lose some more!
It really was ironic that she had received her wish at this precise moment in time. She had wanted barriers to drop and for him to find some closeness and yet now all she wanted to do was fade away. While he hadn't actually considered this fact (he deemed it trivial at present) he was far more disturbed with just how badly she had been affected on a mental level.
The wounds were bad yes, but the emotional scars were horrendous.
"You know..." he began in an almost thoughtful fashion, his lips pursing briefly as though he were considering his words. If any one didn't know him any better they'd swear he was being sociable...not really the most appropriate of times. "You look much better when you smile," he continued after a few moments and released a small chuckle as his mother's words sprang to mind.
"...If you are not careful your face may very well stick that way," it was his attempt at teasing, a slight chance to lighten the mood but perhaps a little bit misplaced.
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:07 pm
Even if Azumoth wasn't experienced in the 'hug' department, the terrified mare was comforted by his close proximity. Despite his occasional grumpy nature, the black stallion was one of the very few she trusted, one of the very few that had touched her life. Besides Meshach and the few foal-hood companions from her memory, Azumoth was it.
Amazing really - for how social she could be it wasn't the easiest to track down trusting companions.
And after what had happened with Malice. . . . . Well. . . . She had learned a very big lesson when it came to trusting others intentions. She had always known that one must tread gently around strangers until their intentions were clear - but even her gentle treading hadn't been enough to keep the kalona away.
Never had she believed one creature could possess so much hate and sick pleasure.
. . . . so the saying was true, she had most certainly learned something new this day.
The pace was slow but it was all Bella could do without collapsing. She did her best to let exhaustion numb the pain, to try to 'tolerate' it but it surely was no easy task. Never had the female been in so much pain. . . Oh, sure, she'd fallen many a time in her younger years, and had been stung and even nipped before! But nothing like this. . . .
And by gods did she never want to have to go through it again!
Maybe she was weak and a pansy but. . . but. . . . not everyone was born to be tough and strong. Bella had her strengths, certainly, but they surely were far from physical. And so the girl stumbled on, naturally drawing close to the black stallion as she shuddered under his wing.
It was a comfort to know he was there and that he wouldn't let Malice, or any other kalona, suddenly appear and eat her. He might be upset by her presence and this new obligation to deal with her, but. . . . but she could thank and apologize later.
For now this was all she wanted.
A little bit of comfort.
And whether or not the black stallion realized he was doing it, Bella devoured what little she could find.
Ears twitched as his voice broke through the silence. It took her just a moment to realize exactly what he had said, and though perhaps it was a little misplaced in time, surprisingly his words worked.
Beautifully.
His chuckle elicited a small laugh of her own. Maybe she was just a touch hysterical, but it felt so good - in a painful way - to be able to laugh. Her weak giggles helped to reassure her spirit, despite the occasional wince. "I'm afraid - I'm afraid I probably don't. . . . don't pull off the maimed look very well. . . . even with a smile," she giggled, a snort sneaking up in her laughter. It surprised the mare but made her laugh even more - oh how silly and pathetic she was this night!
"Oh gods it hurts," she laughed, unable to help it. Yes, even laughing hurt. . . . . but such was her state for the moment. It would get better soon. . . wouldn't it?
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:43 pm
Perhaps he really was a natural! Really, he could have had such fun had he the confidence and known of this apparent skill. Then again, had he been aware of it there was little doubt that it would have become warped and corrupt in some rakish manner. It was his complex personality that made him who he was and perhaps it was his oblivious nature in relation to such a skill that made it all the more endearing. In truth, had he known about about this and the world of opportunity it presented...he would have been rather curious to know how mares would react.
Would they swoon in response to his charm?
Well, at least it was an amusing thought and perhaps one day he could crack a smile at his own disillusions. A part of him would have loved to have such confidence and yet another was perfectly content the way he was. Admittedly he would have struggled to return to the life of a complete hermit following the meddling of the spirit but the occasional encounter (though a hindrance) did break up his day and sometimes brought entertainment.
As much as he loathed to say, he would miss the occasional disturbance. It did break up his monotonous day even if he was left wondering how in the name of the gods some individuals were so incredibly stupid. Not to mention names but more often than not, the stallions he encountered were complete and utter morons.
...The mare's just gave him a headache (as usual).
Nevertheless, despite the almost hysterical quality of the laughter escape her lips it did bring some form of relief to the stallion who in their brief encounters had grown accustomed to her wit. While naive her continued optimism had both irritated and amused him, yet the manner in which they merged made her who she was. Unfortunately, it had taken a great deal of restraint to not be taken in by this optimism but when it was gone...
Well, the phrase 'you do not know what you have lost until it is gone' came to mind.
Strange how life worked.
"Of course it is going to hurt, you have been beaten to a pulp," he pointed out. Typical Azumoth, about as subtle and tactful as a sledge hammer across the head. Then again he never had been one to pander to the whims of a female to the point that they giggled and swooned, he'd tried it once when he was younger and it had bitten him on the a**. He would reassure when necessary but to delude the individual was cruel - he had suffered that same thing before.
"You are maimed, a shadow of your former self and probably have a few cracked ribs," it was a little like a runaway train, sometimes he just had no control of his mouth, "That being said..."
Was he going to redeem himself perhaps?
"Laughing is infectious and the more you snort the more I shall laugh - so if you desire not to subject yourself to further pain I suggest you desist with your giggle-snorting," he advised in a matter-of-fact tone. While his expression remained passive his eyes twinkled with a tiny little bit of amusement. It seemed everyone found something funny, it was just a shame that Azumoth had god awful timing.
That being said, it wasn't long before the vines and the rocky outcropping came into view. Of course she would recognise it but as autumn approached it was much colder outside than it had been previously.
"Ladies first, of course."
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:42 pm
The girl was far from bothered by the black stallions lack of tact. There was no reason for him to lie to her much less waste his breath with petty reassurances of appearance. Bella needn't see her reflection in the lake to know she was a mess. . . . Just from studying her legs alone it was safe to tell she was just a smidgen broke.
Malice certainly had had her way with her. . . . Though if it hadn't been for Meshach she would have been nothing but a cold corpse scattered over her plain. Would any have noticed. . . . ?
. . . probably not.
But such was the way of life. Nothing lasted forever and eventually everything would be washed away with time.
From dust to dust was how the phrase went. . . Though Bella understood she wasn't going to live forever that didn't mean she needed to be reminded of her mortality. It wasn't something she cared to think about - though death didn't frighten the mare it wasn't . . . pleasant to think upon. To lose loved ones hurt even though in certain scenarios it was necessary. Bella hated to hurt any thing. . . so it upset her some to know that someday, regardless of her best intentions, she would.
It was life's one and only guarantee.
Azumoth's words - despite their serious tone - only added fuel to her giggles. How could he be so . . . so . . somber? Well, it was Azumoth. . . . but still! Giggles and laughter weren't something to be tamed, to be reigned in and controlled. She couldn't laugh on command and thus the mare couldn't stop. . . Besides, this was Azumoth's fault. . . . He was the one who had started it!
"I . . I can't help it though," she managed to choke out between her giggles (and the occasional snort), "Desisting is easier said than . . . than done! Besides," she added, doing her best to stop the partial-hysterical humor coursing through her. Gasping for breath, the mare finally managed to speak in a more level tone. For a moment. "they say laughter is the best medicine. . . . and I don't know about you, Azumoth, but I could really stand a hit. I mean. . . .I mean look at me!" Another bout of snickers, quite aware of her desperate foolishness, before she sighed, settled and . . . . calmed herself.
At least that had passed some of the time and had helped assuage some of her mind from the pain.
As they drew closer to his grove, Bella was finally stricken with two thoughts - true relief at being able to soon rest and a shot of exactly how cold it was out here! Her laughter, along with the closeness of Azumoth, had helped her neglect to notice a drop in temperature.
But fall was in the air and the shadowed woods and grove would be the first to feel its dramatic chill. Oh, but it didn't matter. Bella delighted in all of the seasons, from summer to winter, and had no preference over heat or cold. So long as she was comfortable the mare was happy.
Stepping out from under his wing (and instantly regretting it - so much for being nice and warm ; ; ) Bella graced Azumoth with a much more Bella-like smile. The walk from the edge of the woods to his grove had settled her nerves significantly, and though there was but a hint of a tremble in her step that had nothing to do with her limb, she at least was . . . . happier.
"Just don't laugh too hard when I topple," she teased, pushing her way through the vines in an almost desperate maneuver. The sad thing was was her tease was partially truth - the mare just didn't know how much longer she could stand. Everything was an effort tonight.
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:58 pm
"I would never do such a thing," the stallion stated flatly as he trailed into the empty grove after her. He was aware that his mother was out this evening, choosing to visit her biological children and the recent additions to the family. According to her flushed and very fluffy form, one of her many children had produced a glorious litter! To say that Moppet was proud of this news was a little bit of an understatement...To expect her not to visit them was just stupid.
And so, Azumoth wasn't even phased by the absence of the chatter in his grove as he nudged the vines back into place like a giant curtain. In doing so, he once again blocked out the cool air and savoured the warmth that washed over him. All in all, the closeness of the foliage and the ferns and moss lining the ground beneath his hooves certainly warmed the place up - it was no wonder he often flopped down and fell fast asleep.
"As the saying goes, hell would freeze over before I would laugh," now this line held a hint of sarcasm in it, his words a slight drawl as though he found them to be just a little insulting. While he didn't present a very sociable front to strangers he could laugh and to be thought of as completely depressing was annoying. Granted, he brought the entire thing on himself and it was a vicious cycle but still...
He was entitled to be stupid in this, this was his grove...he made the rules!
"The temperature even drops when I smile," he continued before at last dropping the topic in favour of watching the mare. She had settled considerably in the brief time he had been near her, while he was fairly certain this had more to do with this 'safety' aspect than him personally it was of great relief. While she was still skittish (excusable), that hint of a smile and that ability to laugh was still there. He was satisfied with this, it meant she wasn't beyond recovering with the added benefit of learning something new about the world.
He had warned her that life wasn't a bunch of roses.
He wasn't going to remind her though.
"Might I also add that I have looked at you, I usually do look at you and am very well aware of your current condition," he arched a brow as his tone became hard to decipher. He had only just realised how loaded those words were in that moment and had to take a few moments to mentally slap himself before proceeding. "I've seen worse," he added at last, refraining from elaborating further in case his grave got any deeper than it already was.
"I suggest you lie near the pool though, it will mean less effort when you require a drink," he murmured, his tone returning to its soft quality. He hadn't reverted back to hiding behind his 'barriers' as of yet, seemingly empowered by how he had aided the damsel in distress but he hadn't made any effort to magically transform himself into a singing and dancing entertainer either.
No, for all intents and purposes he was as practical as ever.
"And then you tell me exactly how you ended up in this position in the first place."
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:16 pm
To be perfectly frank Bella was a bit disappointed to not see the raccoon within the comfy confines of the Grove. Though in all practicality the little raccoon probably frequently was out and about, attending her own mammalian business, Bella had looked forward to seeing the little lady. There was a maternal quality about Moppet, a quality the mare found herself drawn too and envious of Azumoth for. It wasn't that she didn't have parents or family out there. . . somewhere. . . . but it would have been nice to have known them.
As it was, after their previous encounter, it was safe to say the mare had been smitten by the raccoon. Her personality was bubbly and energetic and her nature sweet. Though, considering her current condition, perhaps it was best Moppet was absent.
Limping slowly over to the pool, the mare flicked her ears at the stallions sarcasm. "So that must be the chill in the air I feel," she mused softly, her own words laced with a matching sarcasm. Though he perhaps didn't smile often, there were times his stoic expression wavered in to something. . . lighter. There was more to the black stallion than he let on, and more than he allowed himself to see. "I must have confused your earlier laughter with congestion," her tone was contrite, almost apologetic as she slowly wobbled up to the edge of the lake.
Water never looked so good. . . .
Until she spotted her reflection.
Falling quiet, tail swishing, the mare took a long moment to stare within the pool. Her face, besides being grimy and splattered with blood, was relatively in one piece. But her neck - no wonder there was pain! She couldn't see her entire self but quickly the cream lady realized she didn't want to.
There was nothing to look at, nothing to see that she didn't know was there. Lowering her head, she drank, quenching a thirst she'd partially forgotten. The cool water was almost too cold for her fevered self, a drastic change in temperature. Of course the drink was short lived - she truly couldn't bear to stand any further.
The temptation was far too great.
Biting back a groan, the mare tried to settle herself as slowly and gently as possible. It didn't work. She had no strength or control over her aching, stinging muscles and her back leg . . . well. . . she almost wished to plum chew it off! In a less than graceful maneuver, she settled herself beside the water, only now realizing that she was settled. . . .
and safe.
Here she was, cradled within the grove, able to rest free from worry about the outside world. Azumoth wouldn't let anything happen, would he? No, no, of course not. . . . Why would she have bolted to him first if she'd thought otherwise? Her eyes stung, sleep beckoning. . . .
And yet she couldn't sleep. Not only was it uncomfortable no matter what position she shifted to, but every time she shut her eyes she saw that ugly figure of Malice. The fear of being attacked, of being eaten alive was too great. . . . Logic told her she was safe, but fear still worried. . . . About Malice, about the woods, about Azumoth and his Grove. Had she doomed them all? Inconvenienced the male, yes. . . . but by the gods she hoped he could forgive her.
It took her a moment to register and remember she was due to tell Azumoth the story. Part of her feared remembering, talking about it, admitting her stupidity. . . . But what other choice did she have? She'd have to spit it out somehow. . . . Best tell him now before details were forgotten.
Golden eyes drifted over to the black stallion, studying him passively, a look of embarrassment or shame highlight her gaze. Though some may question why she felt so troubled to admit to the fight, perhaps it was because Azumoth was so strong. He had been through a lot - and god only knew what he hadn't told her! But now her weaknesses would only shine through - and though she sincerely doubted he'd point out her stupidity for never having learned to fight - it still put her at an even more humiliating position.
So much for being strong spirited. . . .
Heaving a sight, she dropped her gaze and studied the ground. "There's not much to t-tell, I'm afraid," she finally broke through the silence, voice about as small as she felt. "I . . . I was out for a run, and bumped in to a friend of mine, Meshach. We talked for a few moments before he spotted something strange on the cliffs. . . . Her."
She shuddered, unsure of exactly WHO it was that had ripped them to pieces, but clearly able to visualize Malice's form. Bella took a moment, contemplating her words, encouraging herself to continue. "She - she came down and . . . and asked which of us was to die f-first. Um . . . " The mare closed her eyes, trying to remember exactly what had been said, what had happened.
Things had happened soooo very fast! All Bella remembered was the fight, and even then the details were faded in to one another. "I tried to apologize for upsetting her so, hoping to retreat but Meshach he. . . " she frowned, still very upset by the unicorns behavior and choice of actions, "but he mocked her! He . . . He laughed at her, Azumoth, he laughed!" A flicker of her earlier horror, recalling just how she'd felt when the striped unicorn had chosen such a wrong path!
Not that Bella's retreat would have served them any better but. . . . but to provoke the horned beast! Ugh! How could he be so . . . so. . . . . .
No. She couldn't blame him. It was just a bout of bad timing and luck. "She was on him fast, and . . .and jumped off after gouging his neck. I . . I remember trying to defend, I remember kicking out at her because. . . because. . . because we had no other choice," she admitted hardly above a whisper, throat threatening to close up and choke her up again.
No - she wasn't ready to cry - but she didn't like remembering and she didn't like admitting her weakness and inability to properly fight or defend. "She came at me next and I . . . I remember dropping to the ground, hoping to hold her down so Meshach could stab him with his horn but. . ." I don't know. It was over so fast. . . . "
Repeating it now the girl almost whimpered. Not out of fear or physical pain but because of how stupid it sounded! It hadn't been a great battle, it hadn't been an epic fight. . . . It had been a skirmish in the grand scheme of things and Bella knew it.
Ears falling back, she swallowed and sighed. "It's . . . it's pretty sad, I know," she admitted. "I . . . . . I didn't think she - " Well, not thinking was her first problem. Her optimism couldn't have held her afloat forever. That alone made the sting of tears threaten, amber gaze hurt more by the results and revelations of the fight than the physical wounds alone.
As light as her mood had been it yet again was eclipsed by Malice's wrath.
". . . . On top of it all I . . . . . I can't fight. Not well. Not against her," she whispered. " . . . not against anyone, I fear."
A colt could kick her butt. Memories of Ezriel proved that it almost had been so! The little colt with the dual temperament had almost got the best of her.
Pathetic really.
That's what Malice had shown her. Not only was her sheild of hope and love tattered, but she had been witness to her own failures and weaknesses first hand. Love didn't always conquer, good didn't always win no matter how hard Bella argued for it.
Malice showed her evil could smile its toothy smile and laugh at the pain it caused.
Who was Bella but a fool amongst fools. . . and a dreadfully weak one at that.
" . . . I tried to help him, I tried my best." But her state proved it wasn't good enough - just look at where it had gotten her?
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:19 am
So it had been a Kalona, that much he had gathered from the description and his expression clouded briefly as he considered his words. He absolutely loathed the very fact that Kalona existed, while he could rant and rage about them in private it was inappropriate to do so now. No, today was one of those days when Moppet would have encouraged him to consider the feelings on the victim before him and act accordingly. While this wasn't an entirely foreign concept for it, he had always struggled to comfort others...
"I consider it more unfortunate than sad," he mused after a few more moments of silence, moving with ease towards the small pool to glance down at his reflection. It was one of those 'thoughtful' actions as opposed to one of self loathing but he did quirk a brow as he caught sight of his face. Recently he'd been doing that a lot. "You were incredibly unlucky in encountering something so foul and dangerous...but everything happens for a reason," well he could comfort to a point at least.
"Perhaps now you might realise why there are those that resent those such as myself," he wasn't attempting to point out his own failings or his own appearance to start another argument but this was a very rare opportunity for him to make her see things in a different light. She had wondered why people often judged by appearance and now she might begin to understand why - at the very least she would be less ignorant about the entire thing than she had been before.
"That being said, you have no place excusing the actions of another," he was obviously referring to the unicorn. For someone he had never met, he had definitely gone down in the mutant's estimations and had once again confirmed that all Lowland stallions were absolute idiots. Had Azumoth had the chance to meet him, well, he wasn't sure what he would have done but there would be no pleasantries.
Provoking the bloody Kalona indeed!
"He was an utter fool, any creature that chooses to provoke a dangerous beast while threatening the life of another is nothing but a coward..." Oh he was angry and he couldn't really grasp why he was so furious either. Yes, the little mare had been hurt and he had rather liked her optimism and the rare light she shone on his life when she appeared but he'd never been this angry about any one before - he even rolled his eyes when Moppet declared she had a tummy ache.
And she was his MOTHER!
"If anything he should have been the one in such a condition, not you." Tone sharp, his eyes narrowed to mere slits as he felt that strange pulse of heat. The rage coursing through his blood was once again tending to the darkened desires that lay deep within his heart. That mutated blood that he fought so hard to contain once again threatened to boil to the surface and a part of him, for one fleeting moment, was tempted to let.
If there was one dark vice that Azumoth did have, his sense of 'honour' was often warped by visions of utter torture when one he was fond of was hurt. While protective stallions in the lowland would spout endless words and swear their protection...Azumoth wanted to do more. Sure, he could swear oaths of protection until the sun rolled behind the slopes again but the desire for blood, to hear the pain racked sobs and to see the twitch of shattered limbs.
...Now that was revenge, that was a lesson that would never be forgotten.
Unfortunately, he had every right to believe that if Bella so much as got wind of that her 'pure' nature would come to the forefront and he would end up with a ridiculous headache. She would plead for her 'friend' and his innocence (though he had no leg to stand on), would request he wasn't hurt and much to the mutant's fury he would do as he was bloody well told.
No, there was only one thing to be done.
A rather different way of dealing with things...
"It will not happen again," he stated at last after a few moments, eyes still narrowed as he continued to watch his reflection in the pool. His entire form was somewhat warped in the darkness of the grove, illuminated only by the now very lively orb in his chest. That never-ending pulsing seemed to have increased by epic proportions and the light in his chest struggled to break free.
...Just like his dark desires.
"You will learn how to kill a Kalona, if absolutely necessary." He finished darkly.
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:55 am
The mare lay sitll, ignoring the aches and pains of her condition as best as she were able. It would get worse before it got better - wasn't that the saying? - but Bella knew with the gentle touch of time she'd be well. . . . The bruises would fade, the throbbing would dull, and the sting and burn of flesh would heal.
. . . a shame that time couldn't be persuaded to come sooner.
The cogs of her mind churned over Azumoth's words, allowing the mare to focus on something else other than the winged nightmare. The sooner she tucked the memory of Malice away the sooner her emotions and spirit could heal. It would take time and the mare doubted what sleep she'd find this eve. . . . . but if she had someone to speak to, someone to listen to, someone to focus on then the memories were kept at bay.
Thankfully her mind was open to the idea to learn, to seek out the reasons for the mishap. As she had thought while Meshach had apologized everything happened for a reason. Nothing was left to chance and circumstance, oh no. . . .
No matter how horrible or cruel a predicament.
Resting her head on her hooves, the mare shuddered another sigh. There was little pride that was left standing to get in her way, and the young mare could only nod her agreement. Azumoth had been right on a few levels - not everyone could be trusted, not everything was easily placed in black or white. . . . "I knew th-there were. . . . evils out there," she quietly explained. "But just because I was aware didn't mean I . . . didn't mean I fully understood."
Her naivetee was almost painful, and to step back and look upon herself the mare wasn't sure if she should be pleased or disgusted. It wasn't bad to be ever chipper and light. . . . but she had been a fool to believe that light would always prevail. She could see why appearances could be deceiving - one would think her crazy to run from one kalona only to seek out what appeared to be another!
But Azumoth was NOT a monster or nightmare - there was more to him than just 'mutant'.
She understood he was dark, broken, and not at all like any other stallion she'd met. . . but at the same time it was that touch of night, that touch of coarseness that made him who he was. Not everything good was pure and not everything bad was prime evil.
"He didn't walk away unscathed," she defended the unicorn weakly but it was easy to tell it was about all the defending she was capable of. He had fought . . about as well as her . . . but had it not been for his horn they both would have been dead! She forgave his loose tongue, certainly, but that didn't mean she still didn't want to clock him in the face with her hoof!
Maybe next time he'd know better . . . but may the spirits not allow a 'next time'.
The anger the ebbed off Azumoth was easy to see. Except it was a different sort of anger, she noticed, one she had yet to witness. Controlled, of course, but the glare in his eyes was unlike his typical annoyance. He'd been upset with her on more than one occasion but . . . but his aggravation had been nothing like this.
Of course she couldn't tell exactly HOW upset he was. . . . . and if she had to have guessed it would have (probably) been an understatement.
Bella's subdued nature surprisingly didn't argue or raise defense about learning 'how to kill'. Though she didn't want to assume every last one of them were such vicious beasts, the mare also wanted to be able to defend herself in case. . . well, in case the spirits decided she needed a rematch.
"I'll be more. . . careful. . . " She added, though she truly hadn't done anything wrong. All she had been was running through her plains as carefree as ever. Malice had been the one to approach them, Malice had been the one to threaten. . . . . She didn't want to become paranoid but she may think twice about approaching a soquili with such horns and wings. . . .
It made her sick to judge but . . . sometimes it was the only way to survive.
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 1:58 pm
"He should be dead!" Azumoth roared, his voice rising considerably as he lost control of his temper. His eyes flashed and he looked at the girl in what could only be described as a death glare. Truly he had heard of many things, was aware of the naivety in the world but there were times when he just couldn't handle it. Her continued defence of someone who could have gotten her killed was ridiculous.
"Evidently you avoided the strongest of Kalona, I assure you I would have torn the horn from his head!" Shaking his own head he looked away from the mare and released a bitter laugh as the images flashed into his head. As grotesque as they might have been they brought some satisfaction to the otherwise infuriated male. Never in all his life had he been so irresponsible and never would he excuse someone for that either.
"She was merciful," he hissed, his words almost threatening as he kept his distance from the otherwise weakened mare, "One uncertain of her ways and her strength - a unicorn is easy to kill and it takes very little effort." A twisted smile appeared on his lips and he flicked his gaze towards the vines that presented themselves as a divide between this world and another darker one... One that would have fit his mood a lot better.
"Pin them," he began, his voice somewhat smooth and seductive as he revelled in the image, "And crush them." What she got from that was entirely up to her but the image in his mind was clear - all it required was one brutal tackle. The spikes on his wings would ram themselves against the neck and sides of his prey and his horns would press and push until the struggling subsided.
...Until he heard that sickening 'crunch' before him.
Until that last breath left their lips.
"A horn with healing properties is useless if you cannot reach the wound," he was really getting rather snappy and then, as though he had been snapped into conciousness again he shook his head and his angry expression vanished. The stoic, granite like slab fell down and he became as unreadable as he had been the day she met him.
"I doubt you will be any more careful than you already are," his voice was so cold and sharp that he looked away and released what might have been an exasperated sigh at the mare's apparent stupidity. "It is not a quality you possess in droves, you even say as such yourself and seem incapable of realising it until it is too late..."
"That is why you must learn how to kill, and you will begin learning tomorrow."
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:05 pm
The more angry Azumoth got, the more Bella's guilt grew. He'd gone from soft spoken to literally roaring with indignation - as if she'd somehow insulted him, as if she'd somehow directed a blow to him. She hadn't meant to aggravate the male. . . . But, as was customary to her visits, it wouldn't be Azumoth without her pissing him off in some form or another.
Except tonight he seemed exceptionally feral.
Keeping silent, partially afraid to speak again yet throw him in to a further tantrum, Bella stared blindly in to the edge of the water. My but he was enraged. She understood explicitely that Azumoth knew how to kill - he was no fool and he was surely far from weak. But the things he spoke about . . . tackling them to the ground, pinning them. . .
Sure, she had tried to know Malice down but it . . .it hadn't worked. Not as well as she'd hoped.
She didn't know how to fight like a killer and part of her didn't want to know. It was a concept forced on to her this day that it was a kill-or-be-killed sort of world; if she didn't do it than someone might her. And if one kalona sought them out who was to say she wouldn't meet another down the road?
. . . . to kill them though?
Bella wasn't sure she had it in her.
But she dared not argue much less utter a sound. Let the stallion roar and rage - maybe he'd feel better after he got it all out. Dropping her gaze from the waters edge to her hooves, the girl said nothing as Azumoth finished. What was there to say? No wasn't much an option and, even if it was she doubted she had the guts to say it.
No need to upset him further. She'd done that already.
Taking a breath - she hadn't realized she'd stopped - Bella finally found her voice. ". . yes sir. . ." It sounded small to her, and inwardly she grimaced. Could she do nothing right tonight. . .? Apparently not. Curling herself up a bit tighter, regardless of the pain, Bella had nothing more to say.
Speaking seemed irrelevent at this point, so the mare rested. Exhaustion screamed that she sleep but Morpheus was far from the mare this eve. Counting her breaths, mind numb to everything, Bella waited. . . .
No doubt she'd need sleep, especially if tomorrow she . . . . learned. Maybe if she were lucky it would come.
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