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 Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:53 pm
The white haired girl was soaked, though it wasn't necessarily by choice. Out and about as usual, roaming the lands, the skies that had been gray since morning finally opened up and released their tears. Eponine hadn't been surprised by the rain, of course, the gray clouds had taken up permanent residence overhead since before dawn. But what she hadn't expected was just how cold the droplets were! This was no caress of an April shower, this was no refreshing August storm. . . This was. . . This was . . .cold. If drear and bleak could choose a physical form, Eponine was for certain the kiss of November rain would be it.
If any had wondered about winters approach, the icy rain served as a reminder of what would soon come. And even though she was a little on the cold side, Eponine knew winter would be a hundred times worse!
Shaking out the bedraggled locks of her bangs, the girl chuckled as she continued her trot. The plains were mighty empty this afternoon, but the girl couldn't blame those that fled - where the woods or mountains offered some protection from the cold, the plains left one exposed.
Eponine herself wasn't looking for an escape from the weather. Oh no, not only was she unfamiliar with WHERE a woodland area may be, she was having too much fun splashing through the puddles. It wouldn't be long now before puddles would transform in to slush, and the slush in to ice that wasn't so easy to splash in. . . . Slipping and sliding became the name of the game, so Eponine intended to enjoy the rain while she could!
Laughing, oblivious to the world, the blue touched mare danced within the rain. Carefree and light hearted as always, she let her imagination soar and dreamed the dreary day away.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:09 pm
Since the early morning had reared its head with its darkened clouds above, Yiska had spent the entire time since he had awoken running. Galloping through the woods, streaking across plains and thundering down familiar pathways. Almost as if he were trying to outrun the cold winter months that had started to settle into the lands.
His first winter would soon be upon him. And...the young stallion had no clue how he would fair. Would he survive? What trials would he face? His mother had offered her little grove amongst the woods for him to stay. But after a long time of decision making, he had decided it best if he faced it without her. Though he would make often visits to let her know he was ok. It was the best he could offer at the moment.
Muscles burned as he continued to race along. Hooves pounding deeply into the dampened earth and kicking up dry grass and mud. Long curls from his mane stuck to his pale face as the feathers attached to his ear flailed in the breeze. Muscles burned hot, while water droplets raced along his dark body only to be tossed into chilly air. As he came upon yet another plain, he raced along until he reached the center. Coming to a slow canter and then stopping. His chest heaved heavily as he tried to catch his breath.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:26 pm
Eponine was lost in her own little world.
Oh, how she could fast fall in to the tides of a dream if given such an opportunity. This afternoon, with none but her shadow as company, the blue mare had let herself truly detach from the world. Though she continued to prance and dance underneath the rain, the young lady wasn't pouncing through puddles of cold and slick mud - she was hopping from cloud to cloud. Instead of dead grasses beneath her hoove, there was a land thousands of feet below. . . . Imaginary wings spread wide as she feigned the life of a Wind, truly free from all the constraints of the world.
Dance forgotten, the girl whirled around and laughed as she took off like a rocket. Long lashed eyes closed as she let herself bound freely over the open plains. The rain was nothing but the drizzly dew of the clouds around her, breaking up the imaginary puffs as she continued to 'soar'.
Ah, what would she have given to have a set of wings?
Or even a horn. . . . something to make her unique and beautiful, something to make her special.
Even though she wasn't blessed with such an appearance, that didn't mean Eponine couldn't pretend. Her wings were the most beautiful of all, or so she thought, because they never tired, they never weakened, and they could change their colour daily.
Over the small hill, Eponine allowed her gaze to open. And good thing too! Up ahead there was a shadowed form upon the horizon, slowing form what looked to be a run of his own. Her flight changed from a graceful soar to a hop - from puddle to puddle, sending up a spray of water as she approached.
She made sure to give the stranger his space, but Eponine was far from shy. Hops turning in to a trot - she didn't want to spray him with water or mud - the disheveled mare chuckled. "Lovely w-w-weather we're having, isn't it?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:34 pm
First his ears turned, and not soon after his head as the sound of splashing water drifted to his ears. Light green eyes caught the sight of a blue mare heading in his direction. Had she been there all this time? He wasn't sure. Not that he had been paying much attention to who or what was around him.
Giving a quick shake of his head. Smooth pieces of his mane flopped against his neck and forehead. It seemed getting them back into place would be fruitless until it was all dry.
His breath slowed as she grew near. The sound of his heart no longer pounding in his ears as his head lifted up high. A small charm filled smile encompassing his maw. A quick quirk of an eyebrow soon came afterward as she spoke. A few stuttered words, but he could still at least make out what she was trying to say. "Yes. It is quite lovely really. Though some would say quite the opposite. I rather like it when the sun is hiding. Everything seems to have a different look to it. Plus it isn't quite as hot as it normally is in the summer time."
An ear twitched slightly as he let a small chuckle rumble deep within his chest. He was rambling before any serious conversation had started. Bowing lightly, as his father had taught him and his brother, the same smile made an almost permanent residance on his face. "I beg your pardon for rambling momentarily, miss. I am Yiska. And you are?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:58 pm
So he was going to respond! Oh, it pleased her so that he seemed actually interested in a moments conversation. Though many Eponine had met were kind and patient, there were just as many that turned up their noses when it came to speaking with a stranger, or one that stuttered as she. Luckily, this black and green swirled stallion seemed more than happy to respond.
So it was, she stopped in her trot and turned to face the male. She had all afternoon to daydream - her imaginary wings snapped shut and she once again found herself back on the ground and face to face with reality. So - he did like the rain? Eponine chuckled and gave a a nod of her head, smile bright and eyes dancing with good humor. "The sun is k-kind in what l-l-light and warmth it provides, but I t-t-too prefer darker days. I couldn't imagine a l-l-life without the chorus and pitter-patter of rain . . .or snow! I can hardly wait for wint-t-ter!"
This would be her first winter as well, but it would not be her first encounter with cold or snow. She had been born high within the peeks of the mountains, and her first fond memories of life outside the cave had been filled with snow. Her mother, Cosette, looked like an ice touched angel, and Eponine also liked to pretend she had inherited such a look.
Though times were rough during winter, and food would be scarce, Eponine had no fear. Her family had survived within the mountains - there was no reason she couldn't survive a winter in the plains.
If Eponine had noticed that his words were rambling, she gave no sign. In reality, the mare minded not! It pleased her that he would be so kind to talk so freely with her, especially after growing up with Marius and Zevach! Marius had to be begged in to conversation and Zevach had been the rowdy fighting spirit, too wild for idle conversations.
So it was with a radiant smile she responded. At his bow - she'd never had a stallion do that to her before, save Aureate! - she dipped low herself. Shaking aside some of her waterlogged white locks, the mare chuckled herself. "Please, d-d-don't apologize. T-too often do many walk by without a w-word or shy away - it's nice to not have to fight for a spot of c-conversation. It's a pl-pleasure to meet you, Sir! I'm Eponine." Ah-ha! At least she hadn't stuttered and stammered through her name. If only her parents hadn't given her such a name. . . . Though really she had Zevach and Marius to blame!
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:07 pm
A contemplative flick of his tail soon came as he listened to her carefully. Not wanting to misunderstand anything she had said. Perhaps it was a bit difficult to understand, but he'd try his best to. Besides, one could not just turn away an opportunity to converse with another just because of the way one spoke. Many Soquili had 'accents' or odd mannerisms of speech. If they were just cast aside because of such floybles there would be no variety at all in the world. Such as the same if all Soquili were either black or white. Yiska himself did quite enjoy the variety.
Nodding lightly, an ear twitched absentmindedly. "Yes, the warmth is nice. When it is not overbearing. One such as myself with such a dark coat can only stand to be in the heat for very long. Such as to why I prefer more over cast days." Another chuckle rumbled as his smile grew at her excitement. "It surely will be interesting to see. I've never experienced snow or winter myself just yet as this will be my first, but from what I've heard it will be an interesting change to the lands."
He thoughts of what was to come mulled over in his moment for only a moment before he turned his attention back to her as she continued to speak. Ears perking high as he listened to her next words. "The pleasure is mine, Eponine. Its nice to see that I'm not the only one who is out and about today."
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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:39 pm
The young mare watched Yiska curiously, taking a moment memorize his coat pattern and his name. It wouldn't be too difficult to confuse the black and green touched male - his curls reminded her of Leon and the green was reminiscent of Foalan and even her father, though both could be considered more teal. Still, the masked male seemed an amicable sort despite the drear and cold which made him even more memorable to her.
The mare's smile brightened some as she looked over his black coat, before giving a soft chuckle and shake of her head. Though she stood out like a sore thumb most days of the year save come winter's snow, at least she didn't have to worry about being cooked alive come summer! Even the darkest blue upon her coat didn't aborb the heat as terrible as a true black would. But every thing had it's perks and it's weaknesses. . . . "At least you n-n-needn't worry about being sp-spotted come dark," she reminded. "And, f-f-for better or worse, you may stand out as a b-b-beacon come winter!"
Unless he was trying to avoid being seen.
"This will b-b-be my first winter too," Eponine added, a hint of her earlier excitement flaring in her eyes and tugging her smile a smidge broader. "But not my first experience with s-s-snow. I was b-b-born up in the mountains where th-th-the winter lingers. For as cr-cruel as the weather can b-be, it's quite a beautiful sight to s-see!" Chuckling, she threw Yiska a playful wink. "Hard to t-tell I'm a little excited, isn't it?" She poked fun at what was the tip of the iceberg of gushing passion.
Eponine had waited all year long for winter, and now it was fast approaching. Even though she wasn't particularly fond of the cold, she would take it just because of the white wonderland to come.
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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:26 pm
Yiska flashed her a silly grin to her comment. Shuffling his hooves momentarily in place. "That may be true. But as you can see as clear as the nose on my face. The white marking I inherited from my own father doesn't quite blend very well into the shadows. Its an easy target to spot unless I rubbed dirt all over my face. And then that would just seem kind of silly."
Tilting his head slightly, he raised a curious, thick eyebrow. "A beacon? I'm not quite sure I understand exactly what you mean by that. Though I figure it is something good?"
His smile grew wider. "Ah, your first winter as well? Then we have something in common. I'm a little worried myself as I've never braved it on my own before, but I feel I will do fine. My mother on the other hand..." Letting a small sigh escape his lips, he shook his head lightly.
Lifting his eyes towards the tall mountains in the distance, he imagined what it might be like there. Where the snow rarely melted and the chilly winds blew constantly before his eyes moved back to lock with her own. "It must of been a wonderful experience growing up there. And quite different I'm sure than it would have been growing up down here in the plains like I myself did." Yiska caught her wink and grinned. "Oh no. I can hardly hear the excitement in your voice." He teased her lightly.
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:29 pm
Eponine giggled softly at the image of the curly haired stallion dirtying his face. The white mark wasn't so very apparent, even caught within the shadows. But compared to the rest of the, the mare had to agree that it might be more easily spotted.
Smile still painted upon her features, the young mare gave a small nod of her head as he expressed his confusion. "With such a d-dark coat you'd stand out easily admist the sn-sn-snows. B-b-because of this, you could easily be seen and followed within the sn-snows. . . . A beacon!" She laughed and gave her shoulders a small shrug, allowing the subject to drop. Hopefully he wouldn't be insulted by the label.
Either way, he was correct in assuming it was a good thing. Unless, of course, he wanted to avoid being spotted. Then it could be a bit of a problem. . .
Eponine studied the male before her, inwardly surprised that the winter might concern him. Perhaps it was her optimism and natural assumption that things would work out for the best, or maybe that memories of her first days in the world, adjusting and living with the cold and snows. Either way, the mare found no intimidation for winter - just an excitement of the season to come! "Oh, I'm more than c-c-confident you'll be just fine! From what I remember, it was c-c-cold, but it could be endured. Th-th-the same with food. . . " Sure, it wasn't easy to graze in the mountains, especially with the thick drifts of snow, but the young family had made it. . . . and to Eponine, that meant anyone could.
The girl was set upon a cross road, of course, when he mentioned his mother. Ears pricked and pressed forward before she cocked her head to the side, expression softening. "D-d-does she fear for you or herself?" The words slipped before she had a chance to stop the, and the girl dipped her head apologetically.
If she was poking and prying in to a personal affair, she was sure he would let her know one way or another. The mare could only hope he wasn't mad if she had indeed over stepped the borders of familiarity.
Imagination piqued, the young female allowed her gaze to travel off Yiska and over to the mountains. She stared at the looming hills, their peaks already donned in white, and she sighed. It was beautiful, but rugged. . . "I grew up in both places - we left th-th-the mountains when I w-w-was young. But I still c-call it my home. . . Even if I'm quite cont-t-tent here in the plains! It was a d-d-different life up there but I'm happy for such an experience."
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:38 pm
A thoughtful look washed over his face as he pondered this idea. Being easily seen in the snow could have its advantages. He could help out lost herds or wandering foals that had gotten separated from their families. Yiska very much liked that idea, very much indeed.
"Of course, I would need others to follow me. And I'm not the most well known stallion around nor the most heroic really, or the smartest to know where different trails lead...." Pursing his lips for a moment, he let out a soft popping noise as they relaxed. "So...I'm not sure how well that would work out. But its a good idea none the less! I would have never thought of that myself." He let that thought trail off for the moment.
Yiska listened to her brief description of the winters and snow up in the mountains. It sounded like a magical place really. Not something he had ever seen of course. But he got the general picture of it. "I suppose your right. I mean...your living proof that anyone could survive the harsh winter. Hopefully you won't take that in an offensive way. I just mean, well..." And now he was at a slight loss for words. Having tried to not make it sound like she was stupid or anything. And that any dunder head could make it through the winter. Not that she was one, no. She seemed more intelligent than that! Crap...he was thinking to himself a bit too much now.
"I'm not too sure. I know she worries about my siblings and I. But...well. My father hasn't really been around all that much lately, and I know she gets lonely by herself. I guess I'm more worried about how she'd fair than she worrying about me." Another soft chuckle rumbled from his chest as his chin drew inward. A small shake of his head sending curls tousling about his ears.
A nod of his head soon came after ward as he glanced at Eponine. One could say that at a glance, her own colors reflected the look of a wintry day. So cold and icy looking, but he knew in his head that she was not made of ice. "Its only natural that you would feel that it is still your home. You lived there for a while and it is what your are comfortable with. Same as it is for the forests in where my mother dwells. I may not be there all the time like I was as a foal. But it is still my home no matter where I go. It and my memories of the times there will always be in my memory and heart. As it is in yours, I'm sure."
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 3:17 pm
Eponine couldn't help but chuckle as the male tried to assure her that his compliment wasn't maeant to be an underhanded derogatory statement. She knew what he meant - if she could survive through the rough winters in the mountains, than shouldn't they be able to handle a winter on the plain? The poor stallion - fumbling and putting his hoof in his mouth. Dipping her head, the girl tossed him a good humored wink. "I know what you m-m-mean," she assured with a smile. "It's not easy, b-b-but with a l-l-little shelter it's worth it. Winter m-m-may not have th-the same beauty as summer - but it's l-l-lovely just the same."
The young mare heaved a small sigh as he spoke of his mother. It was apparent he worried over her safety, and Eponine briefly thought of her own family. At least Twilight and Cosette were near inseparable! It was rare that one would be found without the other, and even when such was the case, it never seemed to last very long. Twas a shame though that Yiska's family mighten't work the same.
Were they perhaps more like Leon's family? Wanderers until the very end. . .? Not quite for it seemed as if his mother was the one being left alone. What a shame! There was nothing worse than loneliness, especially when a loved one was supposed to be near! Dipping her head, the young mare offered a small smile. "I'm sorry t-t-to hear loneliness cr-creeps near somet-times. . but," she added with an optimistic light entering her voice, "At least you c-c-can find her and bring her company! Even in the c-c-coldest and meanest of winter days, a loved one near can warm th-the season." Yiska might not be his father, but that didn't mean his company would be turned away. . or so Eponine could hope.
If he were worried about his mother, at least he could check up on her from time to time.
"Th-they do say home is where th-the heart is," she chuckled, flicking her braided but disheveled tail behind her. "No m-matter how far I roam, it's nice t-t-to only have to th-think back on such fond memories and remember." With a dreamy sigh, the mare's gaze blurred as she thought of her family and their time as foals.
Life moved far too quickly. . . When had the last time she'd seen Aureate? Or Marius or Zevach for that matter! Where were her closest friends and allies. . . .? Grown and cattered, like dust in the wind.
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:05 pm
Well, at least it seemed she understood what he meant. He surely didn't want to offend her. Yiska had come across enough temperamental mares in his young existence to try and tip toe around certain subjects. What to and not to say.
"Ah. A shelter. Right." With a careful glance around, he nibbled on his bottom lip. The thought of shelter had really skipped his thoughts. The stallion had been on the move since he had left home that he rarely had any permanent residence he could hunker down in during the winter. "That would probably be a good idea." How silly it seemed. That he would forget one of the most important things to this wintry survival. Turning his attention back to her, he flashed another smile. "I look forward to seeing it then. If it is as beautiful as you claim it so to be."
The thought of his mother flooded his thoughts for a second. He knew she was strong, she had survived this long with such long tides of time between his father and her meetings. Would it still be the same? Or course. At this moment, Yiska had no clue that his parents were having one of their fateful meetings.
"I know she would enjoy my company. But I believe my own father's company would fill her heart with more joy than anything. From what I know, they've had their rough patches in the past. I won't go into much detail, but eventually it all lead up to my siblings and I being born." He grinned and chuckled slightly. A quick shake of his head. "How interesting it is when those kinds of circumstances bring about unexpected things.
His ears perked thoughtfully at her little saying. "Home is where the heart is....yes. I think that describes it beautifully and exactly to the point." It had been quite a while since he had seen some of his own childhood friends. Raum was apparently a father now. But still, even in their last meeting they each had that playful spark they had grown to share as foals. Not matter how much Raum tried to be the tough guy. He was a fun one to tease. A few other colts and fillies came to mind, but he had seen even less of them as time had passed. Some days he longed for those careless times.
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Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:21 am
Eponine smiled up at Yiska, taking a moment to shake out her coat a little. It didn't do much, considering how hard the rain poured, but at least the cold droplets of water were removed for but a moment. "I know some th-that stay away from shelters, even in w-w-winter," she added, giving a little shrug of her shoulders. "But others prefer a n-nice respite fr-from the cold." She glanced around them, eyes bright despite the cold rainfall surrounding them. "S-speaking of which. . . . C-c-care to g-get out of the rain?"
Eponine was about as prepared for winter as she could be. She could always go back with her family, of course, but being independent and grown she had her own little spot of land. Though she didn't have as luxurous a cave as the one up in the mountains of her home, there was a small opening just large enough to fit two, and an over hang of a rock crevice to offer protection from falling rain or snow - or even offer shade during the cooler months.
Thus far no one had objected to her claiming it as her own. . . . Though the mare was sticking closer and closer to it now that the cold months were fast approaching.
Eponine mulled over Yiska's next response. She figured that it did make sense - wouldn't Twilight be much happier to be in Cosette's presence if given the option? Or the other way around, for that matter. Even her brothers seemed much more attached to their mares and lady friends than they did to her. . . .
The girl wasn't the jealous type, but she was protective of her family. And sometimes change wasn't easy to adapt to, especially when everyone seemed to be caught up in their own lives. Still, she couldn't help but grin as he explained (briefly) the story of his parents and how he an his siblings came to be. "Aww," she cooed softly, imagining what it might be like to meet a stranger that could forever change a soquili's world or heart. It happened - look at her parents, or Amary and Zevach, and thank the spirits that it did. The world wold be an awful place to live if everything was stagnant. "But isn't th-th-that all the world is? Ch-chance meetings, here and th-there, everyone r-r-reacting to a set of surprises th-that lay upon the horizon?" Grinning, she pawed softly at the ground. "I know th-that's what k-keeps me g-getting up in the morning."
Something new was waiting. . . and Eponine was the sort to want to discover what it might be!
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Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:17 pm
"That seems almost insane really. To not want to have a warm shelter for winter. But I suppose some others just...enjoy being cold. I myself, would rather be all snuggled up and warm." He grinned again. A more docile and charming grin than his normal wide one. The cold of the rain smacking him across the face again. He hadn't really noticed it till she spoke of it. "Yea. Thats a pretty good idea. Don't want to get sick or anything..." Nibbling on his bottom lip, he glanced around. "To where though? The trees don't offer all that much protection anymore."
Yiska himself had not claimed any land since he set off on his own. He hadn't really thought much about it, nor really had any need to do so. Why worry about others coming and going when you yourself could just do the same and find a new bed each night. But it seemed the winter months would change that soon.
An ear twitched as she spoke once more, another thoughtful look washing over his pale face. "I'd guess your right. But sometimes, getting so caught up in waiting for those chances can get a bit dull. I'd rather go out and meet those fated times head on." His tail moved slightly as he thought a little more. Jeez, this was the most he'd actually thought about many things at once. Some Soquili were just so...one topic orientated.
"Are you waiting for those chance meetings then?" The stallion asked curiously with a raised eyebrow. "Something new and exciting to come across your path?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:22 pm
Eponine chuckled, agreeing whole heartedly about being snuggled up nice and warm. Though she adored the cold, there were times (like now) when it became a little much - even for her! Those who traveled all year without shelter were strong sorts. . . . or just crazy. . . . but Eponine wasn't too proud to admit she needed a little something to keep the ice and snow off her back. "I know a pl-place!" She assured with a chuckle, giving her wet mane and coat one more little shake. "It's not m-m-much b-but it should suffice," she warned, taking a few steps forward before tossing the male a glance to see if he'd follow.
Two blue ears pricked as he spoke of waiting for chances and fate. Chuckling to herself, the mare dipped her head playfully, giving a small shake and soft snort. "Th-though I believe that the spirits will bl-bless me when th-the time is right, I d-don't like to think I'm just sitting b-back and waiting. If I was th-that sort, I d-don't think I'd be out d-dancing in the rain!" As if to prove it, she hopped from puddle to puddle, only to whirl around and face him, eyes vivid with light despite the evening drear.
"Even s-s-searching cant become old," she added with a little shrug, tossing him a wink. "B-but that's where my dreams and im-imagination come in to play."
Oh, her life was never boring or dull regardless what she chose to do. No matter if the adventure and chances were real or just a facet of her creative mind, it didn't matter. . . . The girl was an adventurer at heart and would forever be!
((Sorry for the shorty! D: ))
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