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 Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:59 am
"La la lu
La la lu
Oh, my little star sweeper
I'll sweep the stardust for you"
Bella murmured the song softly, having taken refuge in her gentle abode. Though winter was still fast upon them, the young, cream mare had refused to leave since . . . . since that day. Oh, how the embarrassment and utter humiliation had tormented her - in fact, the weight was so great that she could hardly dream of finding the one stallion that might make it right.
No - her wounds were too visible, and on top of it, it pained her to walk. Though Malice had been bad, her run in with the crazed stallion had wound up even worse. No, she refused to show her wounds to Azu this time - and to top it off, the young mare was doubly afraid. Though her heart yearned to find some sort of comfort with the black one, she feared his wrath and his judgment. How might he look at her differently if he found out the entire extent of what happened?
Would he laugh? Would he sneer? Would he crinkle his brow and stare at her, turning blame on her inability to fight? Oh, she couldn't stand such humiliation - not now, regardless how desperately bad she wanted to. Perhaps when she felt she could hide such a secret. . . Perhaps when the new set of bruises and cuts disappeared from her form.
Maybe then she could visit. But such dark thoughts would soon forever have to be forced from her mind - it hadn't been long after her attack. She had snuck out of the small embrace of the woodlands, she had actually gone out of cover from the weeping willows that surrounded her favored home on the plains, and not far from the river she had found something partially covered in snow. It was almost easy to miss, had she not spotted the strange black patterns on the side of the basket.
"La la lu
La la lu
Little soft fluffy sleeper
Here comes a pink cloud for you"
Yes, it had been a basket, and one seemingly abandoned. She had uncovered it carefully, and had settled beside it to keep it warm. Surely the parents would be back after realizing their err - surely they would have to have been in the area!
But the mare had waited. . . and waited. . and waited.
As the afternoon had turned to night, with the chill in the air and the moon high above, Bella began to doubt. The mare had waited one more day beside the frozen stream before realizing that the little one, who was still quite alive as she felt it shift and move from time to time, had been abandoned. To Bella, there had been no other choice or option - the little one would need a home, would it not, and a mother to care for.
She would be it.
And so, though it broke her heart to wonder what indeed had happened to his true family, Bella had taken the basket back to her refuge. They would need not to travel far, and the nearby willow trees and pines would offer protection from the worst of winter. There was a small stream, frozen, that ran through as well - and in the spring there would be flowers and lush grasses. Yes, the little one would find everything he needed here with her. . . .
And Bella would refuse to let the little one down.
"La la lu
La la lu
Little wandering angel
Fold up your wings, close your eyes
The young mare continued with her soft song, reaching over to rest her head gently a top of the basket. Thus far it had been quiet and still, and she wondered what the little one might have thought. Ah, already she considered the basket her own, and would be hard pressed to give it up now. Was there a colt or a filly within? Would they see her as mother at such a tender age or might they realize that she was but a surrogate?
Oh, it would be difficult to tell them the truth - but Bella had decided that should they ask, she would be honest. She had been abandoned as a filly, and unlike the little one she cared for now, she had none to turn to. She had lived life as best as she could, and for better or worse, had turned out naive and silly.
Ah, but there was little harm in that. . . . Well, almost.
Old wounds, as well as new, reminded her that trust and love didn't often get a mare where they believed. Sometimes it a was better off to be avoidant and shy, sometimes it was much better to stay away. Oh, but how she hoped the fate and world of the little one she now guarded might be happier than her own. May he or she never have to go through the tough lessons she had learned - and may he or she never have to experience the sort of cruelties she had.
No.
Her heart would hope for this one. Where her own life and ignorance and naivety failed, she knew this little one would succeed. This one would become something great, something wondrous and glorious and Bella would make sure he or she lacked no amount of love and attention and affection. She would give him or her the world if she could, and would make sure they never lacked in anything so long as she could help it.
Ah, maternal instinct ran strong in the mare. It was yet another reason she couldn't trek off to see Azumoth. Her attentions had been momentarily preoccupied by the little one - heaven forbid the basket open whilst she was away. No. . . she would visit Azu as soon as her emotions had settled and her embarrassment waned, and on top of it, as soon as the little one be able to journey so far.
"La la lu
La la lu
And may love be your keeper
La la lu
La la lu
La la lu"
With an affectionate sigh, she kept her ears pricked and closed her eyes. Though she had no great a voice, she could at least hope it offered the little foal some comfort.
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:10 pm
The little colt in the white basket had been very aware of himself and his world, yet not painfully so.
His life up to this point had been simple, the dark basket was his home while he napped and gathered his strength. There had been only the smallest pinprick of light to puzzle his sensitive eyes, streaming from an equally small gap in the basket's otherwise seamless weave, but like his lack of desire to pop the lid of his little nest, he didn't think of trying to peek out from that little hole. It would have been too small anyway.
When the light came through that hole he sometimes shifted so it lit up his fur, white and grey, and sometimes he turned around so he could sleep untroubled by it's brightness. When there was no light it got colder than usual, but the little one didn't mind the cold too much, he just tucked his tail around him and curled up tighter.
For a time there had been a soft voice nearby, one he quickly associated as 'mother'. He thought it had been a kind voice, he had perked his little ears attentively as the voice said he would grow up to be very pretty indeed. The gentle voice had made him feel all happy inside when it said things to him. The voice usually stayed nearby even while he slept, and when the little spot of light went away and things got cold he would feel most comfortable on the side of the basket warmed by what he believed to be his mother's body.
But he must have done too much sleeping, because one day when he woke up the basket was cold. His mother-voice never left him alone for too long, so he anticipated the return that would bring warmth and kind words back to him. But the day wore on, and the little spot of light went away, and poking the little hole with his nose yielded no answers for the confused colt. He fell asleep shivering that night, puzzled over the cold and his mother's unusual disappearance.
The next morning the pinprick of light was weak and dim. It had snowed overnight and partially covered the basket, and with the absence of light the little colt slept until he was woken up by something brush his basket. His ears perked, wondering if it was his mother, but he hadn't recognized the voice...
But the new voice kept his basket warm again, and even when he was moved to a place where the light no longer peeked through the little hole, the voice was gentle and even sang little songs that lulled him back to sleep. The comfort and caring was enough to outweigh his confusion and sadness over his mother's disappearance, and after some time he perked his ears to listen to his new caretaker rather than for signs of his mother's return.
That had been a big step for the little colt, yet bigger still was the decision to resist the calming lullaby and carefully press his nose against the top of his basket. He was starting to get so curious, and it only intensified as the lid passively resisted his small push. He poked it again, maybe his caretaker would feel it through the basket's weave and let him out.
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:31 pm
Bella's ears pricked as the little one within the basket stirred, and she lifted her head off the basket. She had felt the small poke at the top, and her tail swished some in anticipation. Was the small one merely shifting or did perhaps it want. . . out? Amber eyes studied the basket curiously, waiting to see what its next action may be.
"Are you going to come out, little one?" She encouraged gently, lowering her head to peer curiously at the basket. Part of Bella was unsure what her next move should be - did she help loosen the lid or did she wait? Having broken out of her basket herself the young mare was unsure what role the parent or caretaker might play in the arrival of a little foal.
Still, her amber eyes found light and a soft sense of joy as she peeked down at the little basket. Hesitantly at first, she nosed at the edge of the top. She didn't want to open it completely, but part of her did want to loosen it some - that way the little one inside could decide when it felt called to come out. Ooooh - the anticipation was killing her. . . .
Was this what all mothers felt when they were settled with the baskets? Or was this, perhaps, her own sentiments alone? No - it couldn't be. For the first time ever the young cream mare was going to witness a small foals first steps in the world - though she often wandered past happy families, she herself had never had one.
And though unrelated by blood to whatever might lie in the basket, that didn't mean she felt any fond of it. Already she couldn't help but think of the basket as her own - but, deep down, part of her felt it was her duty to keep an eye on anyone whom might be related. Had the parents ever come back. . .? Should she have stayed at the spot longer?
. . . Perhaps she had been in err to move it, but Bella had felt it was the right thing to do. Especially with as fickle weather as winter often provided. Satisfied that the lid was loosened, Bella held her breath to see what the little one might next do. . . .
Was it time for it to come out and see the world? Or was this nothing but a false alarm. Either way, Bella was ready. "You can come out, little one - come and see what you've been sleeping through."
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:00 pm
The colt swished his tail, and held back a couple seconds to listen to his caretaker's reaction. A new crack of light was briefly opened along the top of the basket and made him squint, but he sat very still and blinked away the afterimage until he heard her speak up again. It must be okay, and he really did want to see what was out there.
With a decisive little intake of breath, the little one nudged the edge of the basket lid near where the crack of light had appeared. The lid tipped up, and then slid backwards off the basket to expose him to the bright light, cold drafts, and probably the inspection of his caretaker while he squinted and blinked.
It took him less time than he expected for his eyes to adjust, and before giving his surroundings so much as a glance he silently looked up at his caretaker. She was very pale, like himself, but warmer somehow. She had such a long, soft looking mane, and her golden-brown eyes said so much to the little colt. Were all those emotions because of him?
He made no move to scramble to his feet or stumble out of his basket, he just quietly, contentedly took in every single feature belonging to the voice that had cared for him. This was what kindness looked like, and it made him happy.
"Are you my mother?" He asked quietly after a time, finally speaking up. The little one knew she was not his mother, but if she would be his mother he would accept her as such. The thought of being cold and alone again made his little heart ache.
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:31 pm
It didn't take much for a pale nose to poke at the light - and sure enough, the lid of the basket slowly slid off and away. Bella had held her breath, eyes sparkling with delight as she herself was able to get the first sight at the little one. The foal was male, a colt, and could easily have been made up of powdered snow! He was the purest of white, and held soft grey markings down his back, similiar to the branches of trees. My, but was he not adorable with silver eyes and such a gentle expression. It took her but a moment to realize that something was indeed different about him, at least in comparison to her - besides his colouring, there was a small horn that jutted from his forhead, and his tail was not at all like her own.
A unicorn!
Her thoughts drifted towards Meshach, her foolish and brash friend who had also been of uni-blood. He had that catlike tail, and such a horn. . . . But truly, when it came to beauty, held nothing at all to this little colt before her. If she had been shy to regard the little colt with love and affection, such emotion was now released. The tenderness and care for the basket she had felt earlier was quickly surrounded by a love and need to protect and care.
Her features softened as he spoke, an adoring smile crossing her features. She could wait no more, and ever so gingerly did she lean down to nuzzle the little white colt. He was so small and fragile in comparison, but she knew he would grow and fast. Pausing in the nuzzle, she turned and studied him for a moment, hesitating only long enough to give him her answer. If he knew not now, he would as he grew - but now was not a time to explain such things. Right now, it was time to bond.
"I am," she explained softly, with no regret and all the love she could harbor thickening her voice. She made no move herself, quite happily content to be snuggled close to the basket. "And aren't you but the loveliest colt to have been blessed upon this world." He truly was beautiful, and that was her unbiased opinion! Every mother might have thought their foals to be most gorgeous, but truly. . . TRULY . . . this young one was it.
Unable to resist, she smiled broadly and reached over to nuzzle the little one again. No, this was her son now. . . and she would forever treat him as such.
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:26 pm
That was all the little one needed to hear, that she would be his mother and she thought he was lovely. He showed her a smile for the first time, and returned the nuzzle with enthusiasm. He never thought his mother would be so big, no wonder she seemed content to stay outside his basket all this time. She would have never fit.
After another look at his mother he turned to look at the world from the safety of his basket. It was bigger than he expected too, the light came from really high overhead, and beyond the trees that sheltered them he could see more trees. How big was the world, really?
Making up his mind to investigate this new train of thought, the little unicorn carefully arranged his scrawny legs and pushed himself into a wobbly standing position. He glanced over at his mother to make sure he wouldn't receive any surprise nuzzles that would knock him over, and then shifted his weight within the confines of his basket before lifting a delicate white hoof to step out. Slowly he followed with the other three hooves, even as young as he was he didn't want to take an ungraceful stumble. His mother said he was lovely, he wanted to be as lovely as he could for her.
Even he was amazed at how quickly he got used to being up and about, the moment his last leg was free of the basket he took a couple prancing steps towards the closest tree trunk, and then a few back towards his mother.
"It's cold out here, and really big," he said, prancing off in another direction and returning in short order. He really wanted to see everything, but he didn't want to leave and risk his mother not being there when he returned. It wasn't long though before he had trotted a full circle around his mother and his basket in his eagerness to take in everything.
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:39 am
Bella held her breath as the little colt before her gingerly began to step out. He seemed a bit shaky at first, a bit uncertain, but it seemed as if the little white unicorn was beginning to understand the basics of walking easily. Certain that he wasn't about to plow in to the soft snow surrounding them and hurt himself, the cream mare heaved a soft breath of relief.
Phew.
Amber eyes studied the little angel before her, watching him carefully in his games. Even though he seemed fairly confident on his thin legs, that didn't mean she couldn't stop the worry that clutched at her heart. He was doing excedingly well on his own feet, but Bella suspected that such a concern for his well-being might very well never leave. Was this a feeling all parents had or was this just her own. . . .?
Hmph. A shame she knew none others that held families. Her thoughts drifted over to Azu and his daughters - but Bella was unsure if she should ask. Heaven forbid he believe her unfit for such a task. Ah well.
The mare shook such thoughts from her head and couldn't help but grin down at the white one. The young unicorn had returned to her side, studying both her and the basket as he pranced around lightly in a circle. Her tail swished and she gave a chuckle, delighted at the young ones fascination. It didn't seem so long ago that she was just his age, innocent and harboring an insatiable curiosity. My how times did change. . . . And in her heart of hearts, the mare knew it wouldn't be long until even this newborn foal was grown.
They never seemed to stay babes for long. "It is cold, darling, but it won't last for long. It's winter, and though perhaps the most bitter of months, with the world carpeted in snow it is perhaps one of the most beautiful." Eyes bright, she carefully rolled to her feet, pausing a moment to stretch before swishing her tail. "Most of the year, though, is much warmer and more comfortable." Lowering her head so she was eye level with the little one, she grinned. ". . . . do you want to explore some, love? For the world is much larger than what lies within this small grove."
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:06 am
The colt nodded brightly, almost in awe of his mother's height now that she had to lean down to look him dead on. If he wanted, he probably could have ducked his head and walked right under her belly.
"I want to go see winter," he said, prancing right to the very edge of their little home before turning around and returning to Bella's side. Little thoughts were stirring in his head, he wanted to see the beauty of winter for himself. His mother thought it was the most beautiful... And it wouldn't last long so he had better go out and see it all today.
His next small foray found him poking his head out past the willow's cover, before trotting back to his mother. Then out of nowhere, his enthusiasm for adventure seemed to wilt. There had been food in his basket for as long as he remembered being in there, but it had dwindled as he grew, and he had never concerned himself with what happened when it ran out. But he had happily finished the rest off before coming out of his basket, and now found himself hungry and unsure what to do about it. His little stomach had even rumbled at him, and he found that most unpleasant.
Instead of running off again the unicorn foal nuzzled Bella's foreleg with his nose, as if unsure of himself. "I'm hungry..."
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:18 am
Bella watched with a growing delight and fervor as her little colt stepped close to the edge of the willows and peeked out his head. Oh, she both was amused and concerned for the little one - but a mothers fear was never sedated, was it? The wonderful experiences he might experience, the joy and fascination he might discover bordered the pain that every foal learned to experience - be it physical, mental or emotional. Lonliness had been her largest downfall though it only truly succumbed upon her at night. But Bella refused to let the beautiful snow white colt before her ever have to feel such an emotion - at least not to the extent she had! She refused to let him live a life alone.
Instead of bolting off, like she had almost expected, the white unicorn returned and nuzzled her leg. Oh, how she could but cry in the delight the small one gave her. Motherhood had never been something she'd thought possible, considering she had few friends and surely no mate, but oddly enough here she was - mother and son bonding in the first delicate moments of life. Two cream ears twitched and pressed forward as she heard the resounding rumble in his stomach. . . .
Ah - food! She had suspected he might be hungry, and Bella leaned down to affectionately nuzzled his neck and head. Lipping softly at his mane - it amazed her just how small and petite the foal was! - she smiled. "You're in luck. . . er . . " And then it hit her.
He hadn't a name! Well, at least she didn't think he had a name. That was her job to do, wasn't it? Oh dear - whatever did one go about naming their children? With all the anticipation of seeing the white foal before her, she had completely forgotten that he would indeed need to be called something else besides love and dearest and darling. The cogs of her mind began to work and she chuckled, remembering her tongue. "We can both see winter and eat. Here, let me show you."
The ground was warmer within the embrace of the small abode, the trees surrounding them providing to be an ideal wind breaker. There was still snow, of course, but not nearly as heavily as it was outside the touch of the willows limbs. "Grass is our primary source of sustenance," she softly explained, "But it's hidden in winter by snow. If ever you're hungry, all you have to do is dig, lovely. Just like this." Scraping away the soft layer of snow, she exposed the green and partially dead grass beneath. No, it wasn't the greatest treat, but that's what spring and summer were for.
Hmmm - perhaps she'd do something taboo as well. The poor little colt seemed awfully exposed to the elements and his slight frame didn't give her much confidence in the matter. A few of the kawani villages were generous to her kind - and though she was wild and free a spirit, perhaps she could be gifted with a few treats for her foal. For now though, she'd show him the tricks of grazing and the art of quite literally digging up a meal.
"You try now," she encouraged softly, amber eyes unable to leave him. While he grazed at the grasses within, she could mull of a name. What would be fitting, what would be well? Yes, she would show him winter, but first she would figure out exactly what she might call him.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:52 am
The little colt smiled again when he felt the gentle toying with his mane. This felt so much more real than his time in the basket had, out here he could be touched and nuzzled and looked at... He felt like he was the center of his mother's world. He was already starting to forget what seemed like his past life, where it was all dark and there had been a different voice to call him pretty. Was that why his mother liked to touch him and look at him? Because he was pretty?
He watched with an attentive, focused expression as she pawed at the fluffy white powder and revealed the grass underneath. Immediately his expression brightened. "I would have found it on my own if it wasn't under all that white stuff," he commented happily, and pranced over to an untouched area of snow to paw through it.
When he hit green his ears perked delightedly. "I found some here too!" He promptly dropped his muzzle to graze, but the grass was cold and tasteless, and the white stuff got in his mouth and up his nose. He snorted and backed up a couple steps. But he didn't want to ask his mother to do everything for him, so he eyed his mother's demonstration, and then his own little hole in the snow. His would need to be lots bigger.
With his pretty little tail swishing happily, he went back to pawing at the snow. If he was careful, he could even keep the snow from getting in the long fur above his hooves. In his first few minutes out of his basket he had learned to be dainty.
With a greatly enlarged hole his second attempt was much better than the first, and the delicate little unicorn was able to nibble enough to quell the gnawing hunger in his belly. He proudly trotted back to his mother's side. "The food isn't everywhere under the snow, is it?" He asked, noting that the snow also rested on things that didn't look very good for eating.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:40 am
Bella watched with a growing fondness as her little son mimicked her actions. She couldn't help but be proud of him, pleased that he took it upon himself to dig through the snow even though his first attempt had ended in a sneeze. Not only was he gorgeous to behold, but he walked with a natural grace that she could never hope to mimic.
Truly he was her little star. . . . For only a wish so wonderful could have fallen and landed in her lot. Someone, be it the spirits or just fate herself, was keeping a good eye on her. For every agony she had suffered lately, her spirit and secret pain could at least be hidden by the sight of the snow white unicorn foal before her. . . .
Though he had little power in his horn, he had already begun to help heal her soul.
Smiling softly, she leaned down and took a bite of grass herself, wishing that spring could appear much swifter than it was currently. Her son deserved to taste the sweeter grasses of the season, deserved to roll around in the gentleness that was spring, to admire flowers and be serenaded by birds. Though winter held a glorious white and frigid beauty, spring came softly and beckoned new life and growth. . . A beauty in its own right.
Still, her son would see all the seasons with time. He would grow and, with luck, learn to appreciate them for the gifts they bestowed and the changes they brought to the world. Chuckling softly, Bella gave a little shake of her head. "Not everything, no The green and brown grasses are primarily our source of food these days, as well as leaves from the trees and plants. Generally speaking, if it is green - as is the grass beneath us - it is usually edible. But there are harder things, such as rocks. . . " She brushed aside the snow and found one, delicately picking it up in her teeth so he might better see. Certain he got a good luck, she set it down before adding, "You'll want to avoid eating them. And fallen twigs and branches aren't the easiest to eat either." In turn, she gestured to the surrounding, dead foliage so he could know.
A shame she had no fruit to show him, no apples to offer him, or grain. A trip to the village might indeed be necessary, if only to spoil him with treats.
Walking past the small one, Bella pushed through the long, outstretched limbs that helped hide their small abode. "Raphe, darling, come this way for a bit. . . Come see the plains which shall be your home and playing field."
Raphe.
Part of the mare had wondered over her silent dilemma. The young cold needed a name and Darling couldn't be it. Though she'd gone over a few in her head, this one seemed to strike her like non other. Raphe.
Hmm.
She did like the way it sounded, and it seemed even more fitting as she had called out to him with it. Yes, her son finally had a name. . . One just as beautiful and lovely as he deserved.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:16 am
The unicorn watched with what was becoming a usual attentiveness, and made a mental note that green was best. The rock didn't look very tasty at all, nor did the sticks lying here and there, visible under the shelter of the willows. Even the brown grass wasn't as tasty as the green grass, but that wasn't saying much, really.
When his mother parted the curtain of willow branches he was quick to pick up on the name, and just as quick to understand it's significance. That name wasn't just a pet name, it was for him alone. Something special and individual to mark him as special and individual.
"Okay, mother," he replied, wearing a bright, winsome smile as he daintily trotted outside the willows and into deeper snow. Immediately he slowed to a crawl. It was very hard trying to place his hooves daintily when he had to struggle through so much snow, and when he tried just wading through it, it made him feel clumsy. His happy, warm, newly-named feelings were quickly replaced by a slight anxiety over his threatened prettiness, and determination to conquer this threat.
Raphe tried to pick up his feet higher, and that was a bit better, until he noticed how all the snow already clumped and matted in his little fetlocks. And his tail had gotten in the snow and suffered a similar fate. He had tried to put on a brave face for the little challenges he had faced and thus far his attempts had ended in success, but this was too much for him.
"Mother... I can't be pretty out here," he said unhappily, with a face that seemed to express every childhood woe possible. He didn't want to have to stay inside the shelter of the willows forever, but at least there he could be pretty and feel loved.
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:01 am
Bella grinned as the little colt took his first steps out of their small grove, watching as he did his best to be dainty about the process. It was indeed easier to walk within the embrace of the willows, as the biting cold and snow were guarded some by the long, reaching branches. Her own digging and walking around had also helped crush the snow, unlike outside where it had only been allowed to pile up and up. Raphe was indeed very beautiful, mixing in with the surrounding white and grey wonderland as if it were indeed his domain.
Prince of the winter, is what he looked like, though she also understood that he could just as easily get lost within the white stuff. Should a blizzard fall upon them, or should he wander out and get caught, that meant extra danger lest she not find him again! Mmph - the very thought caused the mare's heart to skip a beat, so she made sure not to focus on the what if's to stress caution. For now, they were together and he didn't seem like the overly rambunctious sort that would just take off like a light without telling her.
Golden eyes watched as he suddenly turned up to face her, his happy and joyous expression looking completely miserable! What on earth. . . ? Her brows furrowed in concern as he spoke of his woes, before that expression transformed in to a reassuring and affectionate smile. Chuckling, she gave a small shake of her head, reaching over to give the small one a gentle nuzzle with her nose. "Whatever do you mean? You are the most beautiful colt that has ever been seen, even within the snow. Sometimes, Raphe, beauty isn't meant to be made out of perfection all the time. Look at how the snow upon her hooves curls the hair, how it matches. A little snow never hurt anyone, darling - and your beauty always shines through."
Grinning she took a step forward. It was easier for her to walk within the snow because of her height. But as a foal. . . hm. "If wading through it doesn't seem feasible, perhaps you could leap?" She herself gave a bit of a pounce forward, awkward thanks to her large and much heavier form than his own. Unlike some mares, Bella was less petite and more heavy in bone and figure. she'd long given up wondering why she was such a way. . . .
but Raphe, if anything, at this point in time looked far the opposite. He held grace and lightness of hoof. He might very well have that all his life - she would see with time.
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:57 pm
Raphe was fairly oblivious to all the motherly concern going on for his benefit, at that point he couldn't even imagine the kinds of things anyone could be concerned about beyond what he had already encountered. Abandonment was a concern, and being even prettier than winter itself, but his ignorance let him be lighthearted when his immediate fears were soothed.
He couldn't dwell on being wretched for very long when his mother was so quick to comfort him. Even the reassuring touch lightened his heart. And to be reminded of his own prettiness in such a context, when he felt so clumsy and unhappy, it was all he needed to restore his thoughtfully inquisitive mood.
"Beauty doesn't have to be perfect?" The little unicorn asked hesitantly, picking up a hoof and taking a better look at how the snow clung to his fur. He still didn't like it, but he had to agree that it did match. It stood out against his darker fetlocks, but not in an abrasive or ugly manner. At least it wasn't as matted as he first thought. The snow was light enough to fall from his fur when he gave his foot a shake.
He turned his silver gaze back up, and smiled brightly. "I'll try to leap, but don't laugh if it doesn't work. I've never done this before." Perhaps he was a little concerned about his leaping being even less graceful than his walking, because he swished his tail and gave Bella a very self-conscious glance before tensing for his first jump. He shouldn't have worried in the slightest. His first spring was only a little awkward, but with another few attempts he was laughing and bouncing around with more grace than would have been expected from a foal so soon out of his basket.
Now that he had conquered the snow, he found he quite enjoyed it.
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:16 pm
Bella watched with pleasure as the little white unicorn peered critically at his hooves. She was fast beginning to notice he seemed a wee bit on the prim and proper side - beauty seemed to hold some sort of weight to the little foal. It was early yet, and Bella wasn't sure exactly how deep an emotion was carved, but she'd keep it in mind. He seemed to enjoy being told how lovely and beautiful he was - though Bella didn't find herself anything worth gaping at, she could easily see how lovely her son was. He would indeed grow up handsome, and it wasn't merely her maternal bias either!
Regardless, she'd do her best to make sure he didn't grow up superficial. No, she would never stop adoring him as she saw little wrong in helping her son grow in to a healthy set of confidence, but she alos understood that too much confidence could easily transform in to vanity and pride. Ah - but why worry over such things now?
He was young, he was sickeningly adorable, and Bella was ever so thankful to be given an opportunity to raise him. She loved him like a mother would a son, and could only hope that he would in time love her with such a bond. "No, Raphe," she responded softly, taking a few further steps ahead. "Beauty does not have to be perfect. That's the tricky part about it," she explained with a small laugh, shaking a few of her curls. "Some see beauty as only one way, but you can find it almost anywhere if you know where to look. It's just finding a different perspective, that's all."
Tail swishing behind her, she smiled softly as he took his first leaps within the snow. He was easy on his feet, and she was thankful. If he often fell or flailed, she couldn't imagine what sort of worry and anxiety she'd feel! Thankfully though - he seemed quite all right. "Ah, fear not, baby. Everyone has to begin somewhere to learn. . . " Eyes twinkling in delight, she steadied herself, and mimicked the prancing foal. She wasn't nearly as delicate upon her hooves, nor was she full of grace, but she pranced a few steps forward herself, kicking up the powder in her wake.
"I dare say you have me beat when it comes to jumping," she chuckled, taking another hop after the son. It was a weak chase, but she was bridging the distance despite her awkward leaping. Now, so long as she herself didn't slip, they'd be quite all right.
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