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 Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:23 pm
 He liked the rain but this was ridiculous...
Black storm clouds had been hanging over the land since sun-up, the light remained dull and cold as the grey skies refused to let the warmth of the sun bathe the land below. Instead, like an invading army, the thick cloud had marched across the heavens, growing thicker and darker until midday felt more like late evening.
A chill wind had sprung into life, growing in strength under the cover of its brother clouds. That wind now roared across the plains, smashing into the forests to tear limbs from trees. Leaves scattered like so much flotsam in a storm surge. Within that wind, a lone figure struggled. Blue hide made navy by the downpour of chilled rain.
Cloud snorted, clearing the water from his nose as he shook his great head, normally upright blue mane pressed flat against arched neck with the weight of water and wind. Rump to the wind he carefully picked his way along the sodden path, water blinding him, filling his ears so he could hear only the roaring of the wind around him. His soaked tail whipped against his hind legs, mattered feathers coloured black with mud.
The trail wove along the base of a small cliff, half way along there was a large crack in the cliff face that led to a large cavern. It was there that the blue stallion was headed, to take shelter while the storm passed.
Eventually careful hooves reached the opening and with relief the large stallion slipped through the gap and stepped into the relatively warm, dry interior of the cave. Solid hooves planted wide before the stallion shook himself, sending water spraying. With a snort he flicked his tail and moved further into the gloom, still trying to shake the water form his ears.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:48 pm
 She had been flying when the wind began to pick up, trying to make it back to either her mother's side or Mordecai's. She hadn't meant to be gone for long but after her last run-in with her father she'd needed to clear her mind. There were so many things that she was no longer sure of... But she should have known better.
The wind beat at her, pulling at feathers as it pushed her back. As if the wind alone hadn't been bad enough it began to rain. The cold droplets stung her skin as the wind pelted it against her coat. She was forced to land, unable to see past the end of her nose... It wasn't safe to be flying. I should have known better...
She pulled her wings protectively against her sides, not wanting her soft skin to take any more abuse than it already had. She fought against the wind and the rain until she came to a small cave, closing her eyes tightly as she entered it. It was so dark... The rain was everywhere with no sign of ending. "... I should have known better..." She murmured softly.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:26 pm
The stinging sensation left by the wind-powered rain slowly started to ease from his chilled body. Though the cave wasn't warm it felt like it was simply due to the absence of the biting wind.
Taking a deep breath he snorted softly, water running from his coat to form a puddle where he stood. Ears still flicking he shook his head half-heartedly before stepping away from the draughty entrance. It was just in time too as the sound of hooves reached him seconds before the dark shape of another filled the cave entrance.
Ears pricking forwards he stays still, his body hidden in the shadows. The only source of light into the cave partly blocked by the newcomer. Naturally curious he didn't flee, but instead watched as the figure slipped through the tunnel-like entrance into the main cave. It was quiet enough that the slightest sound carried on the still air inside the rock shelter.
A voice.. it sounded soft, female. Though Cloud had learnt that even females could be dangerous, or at least those that run around with leather wings or fur on their heads were.... this one sounded to be of the more gentle persuasion. Intrigued and ever-friendly he stepped forward a pace, ears pricked as he tried to see past the light that surrounded the female's body. It was like a halo around her, mysterious and ethereal. Squinting slightly he purposely scraped a hoof against the rock so she would know he was there.
"Greetings on this dreary eve." He called softly.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:53 pm
She nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of the other's movement, ready to bolt right back out into the rain if it hadn't been for the fact that the voice sounded soft... Nice...
She opened her eyes, brow furrowing slightly as she let her eyes adjust to the darkness, turning her head just enough that she could see the other... Or try to see the other. "I-I'm sorry. I d-didn't mean to intrude... It was just so... Cold out there. The rain... And the wind." She turned to glance over her shoulder, pulling her wings closer to her body at the very thought of going back out into the storm.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:16 pm
Cloud smiled softly, instantly sensing the nervousness in that gentle voice. "Oh no, not at all. I only just arrived as well. It is a foul evening." He agreed, carefully, slowly stepping forward. The dull light that managed to find it's way into the cavern slowly illuminated more of the blue-coated stallion as he moved forwards. Dark storm-grey eyes were warm and friendly, blue coat streaked dark navy from the rivulets of water that ran over short fur. The white of the stallion's chest almost glowed faintly in the shadows, revealing the odd cloud marking on his chest even in the dimness.
Soaked ears pricked forwards, though they kept flicking to the side, the water still within a source of irritation to the male. "Please, don't mind me. Stay here in the dry for a little while. I would hate to be the reason you caught a chill if you went out again right now." Standing in the half-light, Cloud smiled gently. Short tail dripping loudly, puddles forming from his soaked feathers where he now stood. Having left behind a trail of small puddles.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:44 pm
"It's so dark..." She murmured softly, eyes lingering on the mouth of the cave before drifting back towards the stallion. Strands of dark, damp mane were clinging to her neck. tiny trail of water streaming down along the contours of muscles that moved slightly with every breath she took. Safe from the wind in this little gave she wasn't nearly as cold as she had been...
"T-thank you..." A slight smile tried to curve the corners of her mouth, bringing a bit of light to her otherwise soggy, distraught face. "M-my name... Is Nyx." She shouldn't feel as close to panic as she did... Perhaps this had just all been too much. One thing after another... Being away from home and then this storm. "The storm just... Started. Wind everywhere and rain. It's terrible."
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:09 pm
Cloud smiled gently, and gave a slow nod of his head. His sodden mane was slowly starting to stand up again as the excess water dripped from it. "It is a pleasure to meet you Nyx. I'm Cloud Runner, though please just call me Cloud."
He watcher her a moment, grey eyes squinting slightly as she still stood close to the entrance and the light behind her blocked most of his view. "Once your eyes get used to it, you will be able to see better.. though it is very dark I agree." His voice was soft and calm, soothing yet still light and friendly. He stepped his hind quarters round and looked back further into the cave. "I have been here before. There is a fresh water pool a short way back, with a sandy area that is great for rolling. It will help dry us off faster and warm us up.. if you wished?"
He took a slow step closer, hoping to encourage her to move away from the entrance where the wind could still reach her. She was soaked and skittish, and he wanted to at least help calm her a little. It was easy to catch a chill in such weather.
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:39 pm
She took a slight step back away from the entrance, letting a bit more light peek around her although she didn't seem keen on moving further than that. She wanted to be able to tell the moment that the rain let up, not caring for being in the cave all that much even if there were accommodations to make things nicer just a bit farther down.
"I'll... Wait here. The rain can't last forever and I... I really shouldn't stay long after it lets up." She murmured softly as she glanced back over her shoulder once more. "Th-they're probably worried about me. I shouldn't have gone off so far on my own." She seemed so young as she said that and maybe the stallion would notice at this time that she was rather young. Even though she was roughly the size of a full grown mare her flight feathers had just recently finished filling out and she still had the mind frame of a little lost filly.
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:27 pm
Cloud nodded softly. "Thats ok, the and won't go anywhere if you change your mind." He smiled warmly as he walked over, soaked feathers making soft slapping sounds against his hard hooves. Her youth was obvious in her voice and he felt like he should be guarding her or something. So innocent.
Slowly he moved up next to her, his body between her and the worst of the wind, though he was careful to not cut off her exit in case she disliked him being so close and paniced. "I am sure your family would understand, they would want you to find shelter in this storm. I can not fly mysyelf, but its hard enough walking out there right now... I suspect that it would actually be rather dangerous to fly. I am sure the storm will pass swiftly, the wind spirit seems to be very energetic this eve."
He eyed the water dripping from her feathers and her coat. "If you will let me, I can warm you up a little..." Streatching out his neck he gently huffed a warm breath over her shoulder, the least sensative place, in hopes that it wouldn't scare her. His muscled body was warm and the water was slowly drying from his coat as he had been at the shelter a little longer than the young mare.
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:54 am
The feel of his breath against her shoulder was warm, yes, but it sent a strange chill along her body, causing her to step slightly to the side. "I... I'm warming up j-just fine out of the wind. Thank you anyways." She managed a slight smile, tilting her head towards the mouth of the cave. It was dangerous out there... She hoped that any others who might be flying were not doing so; that Mordecai was all right and that Acheron was somewhere safe with Kalosyni. Friends... She missed them.
"They might understand... But that doesn't mean they won't worry." Her nose wrinkled slightly as she shook her head. "I don't want them to worry about me when I'm gone, especially not my mother."
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:09 am
He didn't press, but let her move away. At least it was away further into the cave and away from the chilling wind that licked at the entrance, ruffling his blue coat and sending chills down his spine. Soft grey eyes watched the flighty mare, calm and comforting.
"Of course your family will worry, they care about you and want you safe. I am sure you mother will be happy to see you returned, but later and safe is better than sooner and injured, is it not?" He asked gently, wet tail flicking slightly against his equally damp legs, making him grimse slightly at the sodden slap.
"The wind is sharp, it would be a short storm. Be patient just a short while and then it should be safe to fly." He paused and studied her, eyes warm, slightly curious. "What is it like... to fly?" He asked softly, an almost childish curiosity in his gaze.
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Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:48 am
"To... Fly?" His question distracted her momentarily from her worry, eyes closing as she pondered. "When the wind is gentle and the night is cool... It is almost like swimming through a crystal pond, only your movements aren't as hindered. The sky and the land stretches out forever and every... And sometimes I think that I wouldn't come back down if it weren't for my wings getting tired. You can see everything from the sky."
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:18 am
Great blue head tiled slightly, watching the delicate filly's expression. She might have been a fully grown mare on the outside, but her soul was still sweet and pure, and young.
He couldn't help the soft, wistful smile that touched his muzzle at her words. "It sounds like heaven... " He replied softly, voice almost dreamy. Turning his head he gazed out at the fury that was the storm beyond their shelter. The wind tugged at his heart, a siren’s call to his soul.
Come with me. Follow where I lead, there is so much to see, so many places to go.... come, follow....
Giving his head a quick shake he turned back to Nyx, grey eyes reflecting the storm outside with their colour. He was wild, a soquili without family, without ties. Here for a brief while, yet like the storm, he would be gone. A dream passing in the howling wind of nature.
Yet that gaze was gentle, the power of the storm tempered with patience and kindness. He was at ease with who and what he was, and thus, at ease with the rest of the world.
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:38 pm
"Oh, it is..." She murmured softly. "It's probably the closest to heaven that one can get without going to rest with the spirits. It's... It's something that I wish I could share with everyone... Yet I know that there are things on the earth just as pleasant; just as nice."
Sighing softly she lowered her head. "I heard it said once that the rains could not last forever... A good thing, I think. Much like the snow... Only not as cold, and a good bit wetter."
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Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:42 am
His voice was a deep rumbling murmur of agreement at her words. Was not part of the reason he wandered was so that he would feel alive? Testing himself against the Mother Earth that had birthed him and who cradled his life in her eternal wisdom. He would give back willingly what she had gifted him with, but he would make the most of that gift the short time he had to enjoy it. Smiling softly he bobbed his head slowly to the mare, admiring her for her pure spirit and honesty. So rare in his wanderings.
"You do share it with us, every time you soar with the stars, every time the wind caresses your feathers and lifts you high... you take the hearts and souls of those like me with you. Keep flying little one, keep sharing your joy of the sky with those that can not follow you in the flesh."
Shifting a hoof he stepped to one side, leaving four puddles where the water had streamed down his fur to pool around his hooves. Head tilting he chuckled at her comment. "Who ever said that was wise indeed. Nothing in this life can last. Even Mother Earth has her cycles, her seasons. Us, her children, are given life, we live that life, and then we give it back. It makes sense that her gifts are just as fleeting."
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