|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:18 pm
He couldn't stand it anymore. He hadn't felt very inclined to share his delicately blooming feelings with his blunt and worldly sister. He knew her well enough to realize she wasn't likely to understand how fragile these new sensations of his were. He practically felt like he could break at any momrent, shattering his dream-turned-reality. His mother wasn't any more likely to understand, though she did have more tact. He simply didn't want to explain himself when he wasn't entirely sure of what was going on himself. Well, he knew, but he had no words for it all!
And of course, speaking to his father about Gemma was impossible. His bold father who had known so many mares and yet never fallen into love with any one of them, at least not in the long-lasting sense. To speak of his tentative love for Gemma with Guilian would somehow sully the purity Leon felt existed right now between them.
Thus driven mad by his swirling feelings, it finally rose to a point that he could no longer stand. Giving up his constant pacing and nervous nibbling at grass he couldn't taste, he turned his nose towards the human village and started out. He had to find her. He had to reassure himself that this was real. And buried beneath his uncertainty and excitement was a worry... he needed to reassure himself that she too felt this way for him.
He HAD to find her!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:29 pm
It seemed as if Gemma was a little more calm about things than Leon considering the mare was calmly walking around in an attempt to find the stallion. The talk with her mother had calmed her nerves completely - well, not completely, but more than they had been - and she trusted Hienna to prepare her father well.
The village was a smart place for Leon to start, considering she went by there at least once a day, but today she was only going to pass through. She was actually walking away from it when the familiar purple caught her attention and she smiled.
"Leon!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:54 pm
At the sound of her voice, his breath froze in his chest. He had just been berating himself, that this couldn't be all that serious, since they hadn't known each other that long, that he must simply be embellishing the truth again, as was his wont when he got to daydreaming. But the sound of her sweet voice banished all doubts and thoughts of uncertainty. If anything, it had gotten worse since he last saw her. Without even touching him, she could make his being ripple.
After that breathless moment of stillness and joy, he was suddenly bounding towards her, neighing a heartfelt greeting of happiness. His hooves pounded the ground and he felt as if he had wings like his sister. Was this what it was like to fly? So flew he did, until he was so close he had to pull up with a snort and a slide. Once he regained his balance, he immediately moved to her side and nuzzled her with shy affection. "I have been missing seeing you, Gemma," he said quietly, leaning gently into her. His own boldness still shocked him, but he couldn't help expressing how he felt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:03 pm
Gemma felt as though her heart was soaring at seeing the stallion again and as he ran toward her, she trotted forward - having to take a few steps back when he skidded to a stop. "I've missed you too, Leon," she said confidently, wings flaring to drape over him gently.
"I'm sorry I ran," Gemma apologized quietly, turning her head in to give him a nuzzle of her own, "I had to talk to my mother. I'm...I've got to tell you something."
Nerves immediately clutched the wind's body and she shivered just a little bit, taking a breath, "I think I'm in love with you."
The breath was held, scared to death of Leon's reaction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:18 pm
Oh, how he savored the embrace of her wings! The soft brush of her feathers against his hide was heaven to the stallion. Even lost in this ecstacy, though, he didn't miss the solemness of her tone as she apologized. He saw nothing wrong with her need to leave to think and become more settled with how she felt, and he opened his mouth to tell her so immediately, but stopped when she said she had soemthing to tell him. His heart was beating far too fast to even think that she might be rejecting him, not now of all times! The thought never even crossed his mind. Instead, he closed his mouth and listened patiently, though her slight tremble concerned him slightly. Was everything alright?
But what tumbled out of her mouth was such a welcome shock that his mouth fell back open again. He looked like a stunned deer, caught out in the open by a hunter. She loved him! Or did she? Her "I think," threw him for a loop all of four heartbeats before the joy took hold again. She loved him! His breath rushed inwards with a great whoosh, and he was suddenly nuzzling her face, her neck, her wings, her shoulders. "Nothing," he murmured ecstatically. "Nothing in this great and wonderful world could make me happier than hearing those words from you, Gemma." He halted his loving embrace and caressing of her to stare into her big, beautiful eyes. "I love you, Gemma, with all my heart can give." That very ehart squeezed tightly at having voiced such a deep and personal sentiment. Last time this had happened, the mare had practically laughed at him. But he felt no fear now. "I love you, and am so very glad you love me too."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:25 pm
The look he gave at her words almost caused her to back down and run again. In fact, she looked like she was about ready to turn tail and bolt! He didn't feel the same! He didn't. And she'd just made a fool out of herself and said it first and said it too soo---Oh. Now he was nuzzling at her and his words wrapped around her in a warm, beautiful blanket that was much better than any that a two legger could give her!
Joy took hold and she looked up into his eyes, breathing heavily. Such a weight had been lifted off her chest and she felt...relieved. Absolutely relieved. "Oh thank god," she all but gushed, "I was so afraid you'd tell me to go away or something equally as horrible."
Her wings went around him again and she breathed in, trying to steady herself, "My momma and papa want to meet you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:38 pm
The warmth of her body against his was pure bliss, her wings the most welcome of caresses. He closed his eyes and breathed in her scent, losing himself in the moment of shared discovery of their love. Nothing could shatter this moment, nothing at.... all?
The menthion of her parents wanting to meet him was like a sudden downpour of icy water. Her momma? And her PAPA? He audibly gulped, eyes snapping open wide. "Th-th-they d-do?" He cast her a pitifully wild look. He gulped again and tried to get ahold of himself. This was LOVE they were talking about! What was a fierce papa in the face of their love? He gave his whole hide one massive shudder and took a deep breath. Time to be brave. Time to be honest. Time to face the music.
He again looked at the mare at his side, and felt his heart melt all over again. If anyone was worth it, she certainly was. "I'm sorry Gemma," he said meekly, with a faintly sheepish duck of his head. "I just... well, papas are the bane of every suitor." He paused thoughtfully, a faint frown on his face. "Or so I've heard," he mused aloud, clearly at a loss at having not experienced it himself before. Shaking it off, he snorted and squared his shoulders. "But if they raised a mare like you, they must be wonderful soquili indeed." He tried to smile winningly, but kinda ended up with a watery, endearingly somewhat uncertain smile. In truth, he was still just as terrified as the first moment she'd said it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:42 pm
Gemma nodded her head, trying not to laugh at the comical expression of fear on her love's face, "Yes. Momma talked to papa to prepare him for us coming and my papa isn't very scary. It's the damn bird you have to be afraid of." Those golden eyes glimmered with mischief, "But I'm sure Zaris will behave himself. Besides, he may be off keeping an eye on my brothers." A long pause as she looked at him, "You don't have to, if you don't want to, Leon."
She would have liked him to meet the family, of course, but she wouldn't make him. And it wasn't like her brothers were going to be there! The mare took a little step forward and nuzzled into his neck affectionately, "But I promise he won't bite."
Hopefully that would help calm the stallion's nerves just a little bit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:52 pm
The idea of her papa biting him made his hide twitch randomly across his body, but he had to admit, the idea of that big blue bird being the fierce one made him smile a bit more. He huffed softly through his nostrils, his muzzle pressed to her neck, breath stirring her lovely mane. "No, no," he said steadily, gaining control of his wildly galloping imagination of an irate father. "I want to go and meet them." He took a breath, inhaling a few of her hairs, but not minding the tickle at all. "Just revive me if I happen to faint at the sight of your father, will ya?" He gave her a more confident smile this time, pulling back to show her he meant what he said about going. "When do we meet them, then?"
Inwardly, he still felt a trembling thrill of electricity at the thought that he was going to meet his love's parents! Then it dawned on him... were they... mates? Was that what this meant? He stopped and gave her a very long and thoughtful look, warmth in his eyes and a sense of awe. Was he willing to devote himsefl forever to this mare? One part of him shied away HARD from this idea. He'd already tried that once, and though it didn't still hurt, he very much feared the same reaction this time. Another part of him reached eagerly for the idea, the warmth she gave him fueling a sense of sureness.
Thus confused by his own reactions, he shook his head with a faint sigh. What was he doing? Why question the ramifications of their relationship, when he should be thanking his stars that she even cared so for him, on any level! What a fool he'd be to push for more than she had given him already. He swung in next to her, ready to head wherever she led, whether it was to her parents or to the end of the world. The love she gave him was enough, mates or no mates.
Briefly he wondered if this was what Amary felt with each and every stallion?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:01 pm
"Mm, sure. I'll kiss my sleeping beauty and wake him up after the attack of the horrible monster father. Promise." she giggled childishly and pressed her muzzle to his before slowly allowing him to pull away, "Tonight," she said with a grin, "Come on."
And off Gemma went, backtracking the way she came and toward the clearing where she'd grown up. It was a beautiful place - and surprisingly enough it was entirely her family's. No other Soquili had decided to make it their home as well. It had been her little safe haven with the pond and willow trees and the cave.
~~~
Hienna was pacing back and forth - Gemma should be there soon. Hopefully. She'd been waiting for...Well, she didn't know how long she'd been waiting but the mare was anxious. Her daughter was coming and bringing the stallion she was in love with. Her first love. She didn't know if he was going to be permanent or not but it seemed like it with the way she talked about him.
"Zaphiro, are they here yet?!"
Please let them hurry up. She couldn't take much more of this wait!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:08 pm
"No, Hie, and I can practically promise you that the speed or amount of your pacing has nothing to do with their speed of arrival. She might not have found him right away, after all."
While Zaphiro himself was anxious about this meeting, he was approaching the situation with a much more laid back attitude than Hienna. He hadn't spoken to Gemma, after all, and perhaps that had something to do with his lack of care.
That, and Hienna was worrying enough for both of them. Zaphiro simply remained as he was, leaning against the larger of the pond's willows. "They'll be here before too long, I'm sure, or at least Gemma will to tell us there'll be a delay. Come on, love; you'll wear yourself out with all the pacing, and then Gemma's young stallion will be too distressed that you've passed out to show us how pleasant he is."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:27 pm
Content to be by her side, Leon walked close to Gemma, not saying anything. Partly that was out of fear that he'd make a fool of himself, what with the impending meeting just moments away. Partly it was because he was so comfortable with the lovely mare. He felt they didn't always need words. Not now, anyway. He felt secure in silence with her, which was an astonishingly huge step. That had never been true before. The only one he'd ever endured silences with comfortably was his sister, and she was gabby enough most of the time that he knew eventually she'd fill the silence with her merry words.
When they came upon the pond surrounded by willow trees, his first thought was what a lovely and romantic spot it was. A couple steps later his eyes focused on the smaller details... like the stallion and mare waiting for them. For a moment, he stopped short, heart pounding crazily. He sent Gemma worried, mildly panicked look and managed to blurt in a whisper, "What if they don't like me?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:32 pm
"They'll love you as much as I do," Gemma whispered reassuringly at the stallion beside her and gave him a fond nuzzle. Golden eyes shifted to her father who was quite lazily lounging against the willow looking content and not in the least bit worried...and then to her mother who looked like she was waiting for her to come home from one of her medical crusades.
Home. "Momma? Papa?" Gemma called, taking a few steps in and her entire face lighting up at the sight of them, "I have someone I'd like you to meet."
"Ha ha ha, very funny, Zaphiro. Aren't you in the least bit nervous?" She frowned as she tried to stop her pacing and calm down. She didn't have to wait long, though, as she heard her daughter's voice and her head shot up immediately before trotting over toward them.
"Gemma. I'm glad you made it," Hienna said warmly, leaning in and nuzzling against her daughter's cheek gently before turning her gaze on Leon. "And you must be Leon. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Finally? She'd only heard about him three nights ago! "I'm Hienna. Welcome to our home." Pause...pause..."Zaphiro!"
Man, she was impatient when nervous, wasn't she?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:46 pm
As soon as Zaphiro caught sight of his daughter, he was smiling; however, it took only seconds for his attention to slip from Gemma to the stallion at his side. So this was the love of his daughter's life, hrm? Well, they'd see how that went.
First, though, he let Hienna break the ice, staying as he was until Hienna finally called him. Then, still smiling, he walked over to the three others, giving his mate a smile and his daughter an affectionate nuzzle. "You look bright as a new penny, sweetie; it's great to have you home again, especially after you blew me off last time for your mother." Though there was a slight hint of censure in his tone, Zaphiro was smiling as he looked from Gemma to Leon, his gaze firm and direct as he met the other stallion's eyes. "And this must be your young stallion. Well, on behalf of both Hienna and myself, welcome to our home."
Having said that, Zaphiro shifted slightly to stand at Hienna's side, draping a wing over her back and looking at the younger two. "Did you have any troubles getting here? Hienna was starting to think you'd gotten lost or eaten by a bear or something!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:37 pm
Leon felt rocked to his core. Gemma's mother was a beauty to rival his own mother! Consequently he felt a sudden rush of tenderness of rhte sweet-faced unicorn mare. But all too soon, the formidable figure of her father was approaching. Leon gulped, more quietly this time, and tried not to look quite so terrified. A corner of his mind noted with appreciation who affectionate the family was with each other. It pleased him for some reason that both Gemma and her parents weren't afraid of open physical affection. But time enough for thought on that later.
He met Zaphiro's eyes a bit nervously, feeling sweat prickly along his crest, making his mane itch. Unconciously he sidled closer to Gemma, not so much in uneasiness, but in an attempt to bolster his confidence with her support. His shoulder brushed her wing, and relaxed a little, taking a deep breath. "Thank you for your kind welcome, sir," he managed to say reasonably smoothly, avoiding the embarassment of a nervous stumbling over words. "It is a pleasure to meet you both." He then smiled gently at Gemma's mother, Hienna. Daring to speak truth once more, he spoke to her. "You remind me of my mother, who also is a lovely purple mare, though she lacks your horn," he complimented her sincerely, his tone full of genuine admiration.
He then turned his attention to Zaphiro and his question. "It took us a little time to find each other, but all was well." He flicked an amused glance at Gemma, neglecting to mention that it had taken a bit of time to reassure and convince him that her father wouldn't eat him alive. And in that moment, as he looked between her and her parents, he felt a sharp twinge of regret that he did not have the wings to so embrace his love, as Zaphiro did. What was he but a normal stallion? The sense of being lesser-than was sharp and sudden, but he fought it off inwardly. This wasn't about him... or was it? A bit wide-eyed again, he sidled closer again to Gemma, trying very hard not to feel inferior.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
