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 Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:58 pm
It was a bright, crisp fall afternoon in the clearing Zaphiro and Hienna called home. A chill breeze and the leaveless trees announced the soon-to-come winter, but otherwise hints of summer persisted in the form of green grass and bright sunlight. It was the sort of day that was meant to be enjoyed before it was too late, and Zaphiro was out taking advantage.
At the moment, the dark blue stallion lay stretched out in the grass beside the pond, his body glittering in the sunlight. Wings extended, eyes closed, he was the ultimate picture of ‘Soquili at rest’. With good reason, too; he’d just finished his usual afternoon swim. Were his mate around, she would have no doubt rolled her eyes, seeing Zaphiro in the chilly water on a day this cold, but there was nothing that appealed to him quite as much as a brisk swim. Go figure, right?
But he hadn’t had to worry about rolling eyes or anything else distracting him today, as Hienna had been off on her own since Zaphiro had woken up. No big surprise there; though the two still adored each other, they sometimes needed time to themselves. She’d be back soonish, and then maybe they could get some food.
And in the meantime…he’d just sun and dry out.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:06 pm
Oh, yes. Hienna had been out - but for a very good reason. Gemma had come pounding into their clearing the day before and they'd had a very long talk in which Hie gave some very valuable advice to their little girl. This afternoon, though, Hienna had decided she had to get her OWN thoughts straight. Gemma looked...so scared, so confused, and so utterly happy that it had caught the unicorn off guard.
It hadn't quite sunk in yet that her little girl was in love and the walk was to help that settle into her brain. When it finally had - or at least wormed its way in just a bit - Hienna returned back to their little home.
"Zaphiro?" She called, seeing her mate laying beside the pond. A smile touched her face at the beautiful blue and gold shimmering in the light - a sight that never failed to take her breath away. Her mate. Sometimes she didn't believe she was that lucky.
Hienna continued forward until she was standing in front of him and cocked her head to the side, "We need to talk."
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:19 pm
"Hrm?" At the sound of Hienna's voice, Zaphiro opened the eyes that was NOT against the ground, giving her a curious look before he straightened up a bit with a yawn. "Do we, now? In that case, I'm guessing that you've had a more exciting walk than I anticipated." However, the fact that she didn't seem that worried, excited, or troubled told Zaphiro that whatever it was they needed to talk about, it wasn't something Hienna was TOO worked up about...which meant he probably wouldn't have to get worked up, either.
Rising to his feet, Zaphiro shook the last clingly water droplets from his mane, knowing that Hie didn't care to be chilled by inadvertant bits of water, then gave his mate a nuzzle. "What do we need to talk about?" As he asked, he couldn't help but glance down at her midsection; the last time he'd gotten that lead-in, she'd told him she was expecting. However, her stomach looked as trim as ever, so that probably wasn't the case. "You've got me in the dark, love."
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:25 pm
Were it as simple as that she wouldn't be so...Well, she didn't exactly know what she was. The nuzzle was returned lovingly, eyes shifting closed. Ah, how would he react to his little girl growing up in such a way?
"I'm not expecting, if that's the reason you glanced down to my stomach," Hienna teased lightly, "Though I wish it was. I'd like some more little ones," a pause, "That's beside the point, though. Zaphiro, it's about Gemma."
There was a little tiny hint of something indescribable in her voice, though. Not fear, not really worry or anything one could put a label on. Mostly because Hie still had no idea how to take it. Calm, though, that was for sure. Hienna was usually pretty calm.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:30 pm
Smiling ruefully at being so pegged, Zaphiro gave his mate a chuckle. "Well, I've got to at least attempt to guess, Hie, and I had to go with what I knew. Perhaps I'm optimistic as well." Draping a wing over his mate's back, Zaphiro pulled her snuggly against his still-damp side, preferring to continue the conversation from close at hand. That was one thing about them that even now their children liked to tease them about; after all the time they'd been together, they were as openly affectionate as when they were newlymates.
Hearing that the subject was about Gemma, though, did nothing to assuage his curiousity. If anything, it made him even more curious, as Hie's body language told him nothing. His first thought was that something had happened to her on one of her missions of mercy, but had that been the case, Hie would be in a frenzy. As it was, her serenity was almost a taunt. "So...are you going to tell me what ABOUT Gemma, or are you going to charade it to me?"
Unlike some fathers, who worried the second they heard their child's name, Zaphiro preferred worrying only when there was reason. Right now, there was only curiousity, nothing more.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:34 pm
"Mm, we can always try again in a bit," she teased her mate, turning her head to give him a small, affectionate nosing, "But for now...Gemma came to talk to me yesterday. Frantic, shaking. Wild eyed and confused. We had a very long talk - which is why I came to bed so late. She met a stallion who has completely taken her by storm."
Hienna smiled, then, just a bit fondly, "After listening to her ramble for a bit, I've come to the conclusion that she's very much in love with this male. And, from the sound of it, he is in love with her as well. She sounds like me when I talk about you, my love. I think it's serious."
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:46 pm
Burying his nose in Hienna's mane, Zaphiro attempted to hide his smile as he listened to what Hienna was saying. So his little girl was in love, huh? Apparently she wasn't quite so little as he liked to think, as least not any more. Nuzzling Hie's cheek, he took a moment to digest what she was telling him, then finally pulled away to look at her. "Well, if she sounds anything like you do, then I'd say perhaps what we're seeing is the real deal. I only hope that you're right and that this stallion feels the same way about her; I would hate for Gemma to have to experience heartbreak."
At THAT idea, Zaphiro's jaw set slightly; if he learned that someone was simply taking advantage of his daughter, there would DEFINITELY be some action taken. But in the meantime...
"So, when do you suppose we'll get to meet this stallion?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:52 pm
"I don't know. She asked me to prepare you and her brothers for such a thing. You know how Raph is protective of our little girl, and Aedel as well, though he's more soft spoken about it." Hienna was glad that Zaphiro was taking it so well, though. So many fathers would have been up in arms about it - but not her mate.
Christ, she loved him!
And, of course, she hated doing it but she was leaving important details out. Gemma had confided in her about who this stallion was, and who his father was. Hie wasn't exactly happy but she knew, perhaps better than anyone else, that children were not their parents. She was not her mother and she'd hate being compared to her - so she'd agreed to give him a chance. Zaphiro, on the other hand, she knew wouldn't be so agreeable. Silently, she prayed that he wouldn't be upset with her if he found out she knew and didn't say anything.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:59 pm
"You make it sound as though I OUGHT to have an issue with it." Still, Zaphiro was smiling as he spoke; he could understand what a big step it would be for Gemma to bring home her new young stallion to meet her family, and, just knowing what he did about Soquili in general, fathers tended to assume that their little girls were little grls forever! "If he's a good stallion and cares about her and she loves him, then I see no reason why I wouldn't be happy, Hie. It's my fondest wish that all of our children find someone who can make them as happy as you've made me."
Taking advantage of the obligatory sappy moment, Zaphiro wrapped both wings around Hienna and held her close, his chin resting on her neck and his eyes closed that he might more enjoy the closeness. Because he did adore her, more than anything else; if Gemma had found someone that might be that person for her, well...
Still holding the embrace, he did break the silence for one comment. "I think that it might be better to wait a bit before the boys know, though. It might be a little daunting for this young stallion to meet the whole family at once, and while I'm no slacker when it comes to caring for my little girl, I think her brothers are a bit more...intense."
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:08 pm
Hienna wisely remained silent, choosing not to lie to Zaphiro. At least she could say she never did that. Which she was instantly glad over when those sappy words came and she nestled close to her mate. "After all this time you can still find the words to take my breath away," she murmured sweetly toward him, adoring the feeling of his closeness. And to think she'd run away from him! Twice!
Or was it three times? She'd lost count. It didn't much matter, though. For the most part the unicorn had managed to keep that little ghost out of her life. Hopefully it would stay away.
"I agree. She said she'd be back this evening to see how everything went." Heaven forbid all three males of the 'house' jumped on the poor boy at once.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:17 pm
"What can I say, you inspire me to feats of poetry, Hie." And he meant it, cliched as it sounded. She meant enough to him that he was willing to do whatever it took, spar with a world of demons, even, to have her at his side.
But now he was losing track of the target. "That sounds like an excellant plan, love; we can talk to her together, then perhaps she can bring her young stallion around to meet us. I know for a fact that Raphael won't be around for a while; he's gone off on an 'exploring' jaunt." Which actually made Zaphiro feel rather strange. Aedelstan had always been a bit of a loner, but Raphael had usually been at least nearby. These days, neither son was around much, and Gemma was off being little miss health...
"Zaris is with Raphael, though, and he's also periodically checking up on Ae. I'm sure they love that." There was a hint of humor in Zaphiro's voice as he mentioned his hawk; though loyal, Zaris had a tendency to be overbearing, and the only child that really got along with him was Raphael (in rare moments). But knowing that he was out there with their kids helped Zaphiro rest easier at night, and that was good. "And since Ae isn't due to return home for a while yet, this would be a great time to meet Gemma's friend."
In the meantime, though, it was just the two of them....how strange. Thinking on that, Zaphiro chuckled, giving Hie another nuzzle. "It's almost like we're newlymates all over again, isn't it? No familiars, no kids, just you and me."
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:27 pm
"My own personal poet! Lucky me." It was still amazing how they could act in such a way. They knew each other backwards and forwards, had five children together, been through ups and downs that had completely ravaged them and brought them down to the foundation - but they'd always built it back up. Hie had never thought she'd have this.
"Mmm, Raphael's gone off has he? I was wondering why he wasn't here. And why I didn't hear the squawking of your familiar around." Hienna didn't mind Zaris so much, honestly, but she did enjoy poking fun at the over serious bird. "I'm sure you've inflicted them with the worst torture they can imagine, Zaphiro. How fatherly of you."
Newlymates all over again? Well, it certainly was, wasn't it? Golden eyes lit up and opened, "Just you and me. It's not been that way for some time. It's odd, isn't it?" a smirk, "But definitely appreciated."
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:39 pm
"Hey, Zaris is a good bird. He might be a little zealous, but at least we know he'd cross the earth in order to keep us or the children safe." Still, Zaphiro was grinning as he spoke; he'd rescused Zaris when the bird was in danger of death after he'd inadvertantly provoked a mother cougar. Zaphiro had rescued the bird, and out of gratitude Zaris had sworn himself Zaph's familiar...much to the chagrin of the kids he badgered. But Zaph knew he meant well, and was ultimately fond of him.
Chuckling, he glanced sideways into the water, where he and Hienna were clearly shown in their embracing reflections. "It's rather funny, isn't it? How much things change. First we were each alone, then we found each other, then we had kids, and now we're contemplating one of our children moving on with her life...and at the same time, we're alone again. Time is a strange thing."
Though he wasn't going to knock it, not when he could look at his own life and see so many positives. Stepping back from his mate, Zaphiro smiled and stroked her cheek. "You're an angel, Hie, did you know that?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:54 pm
"Yes, love, I know he's a good bird. You know I just enjoy ruffling his feathers when I can." She did appreciate it that he took time to take care of them and would hate anything happening to the bird, indeed.
Zaph's musings made her smile, "It's the cycle of life, my darling love. But it's...a good cycle. I'm content - though if I have my way, our alone time won't be entirely long. I hope you don't mind. I've been getting empty nest syndrome just a bit." Her head leaned against his again, careful of her horn, and rested it there until he pulled away and instead she leaned into that wing brushing across her cheek.
"And you're my prince," Hienna murmured, gold meeting gold, "My everything. I love you, my Zaphiro."
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:01 pm
At Hie's confession, Zaphiro could only laugh; he knew very well that no one was as fond of Zaris as he himself was, at least to the point of not making fun. But Hienna understood; he could tell even without saying anything.
Moving to stand beside her, Zaphiro once again covered her with his wing, her lither body fitting perfectyl against his side. "Well, we might be becoming grandparents in the forseeable future, Hie, but I agree; I'm not ready to step into the sole role of grandfather, at least not yet." His gold eyes sparkling with mischief, Zaphiro turned to give his mate a querying look. "So perhaps, seeing as how we're both in agreement, we ought to take advantage of having the place to ourselfs until tonight..."
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