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 Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:29 pm
A fair amount of time had passed. Azumoth's warning to stay safe had been heeded, but it had been only shortly after his disappearance that things had turned a bit complicated. With the changing of the seasons she had fallen trap to the wicked non-kalona; the beast that lurked behind a kind smile, behind a gentler exterior. Though broken he had appeared, his darkness had reigned despite her highest uncertainty. She hadn't meant to travel where her presence had been unwelcome, she hadn't meant to succumb to his hooves and strength.
Trouble seemed to follow the mare everywhere, but she hoped desperately that the black stallion would indeed be her last. The scars he had laid upon her body had caused her physical bruising and harm, but it had been the emotional wounds that affected her greatly. Where Malice had shoved darkness and pain in to her world, Amaroq had shown her shame and reminded her of her fear.
No one could be trusted. Not even those that looked gentle. How could one trust a kind smile when a demon might indeed be lurking behind their eyes? Yes, where Malice had looked dangerous, Amaroq had not. The stallion had been larger than she, and swifter. She had fought back hard, desperately, but had been cornered. Where she had struck him, hard, and desperately remembered the teachings of Azu, it hadn't been enough. He hadn't killed her, but a small sliver of Bella had wished he had.
Haunted by his form and fearful for her life, or worse, the mare had taken sanctuary in her small home. Though she yearned for comfort, Bella also understood that she couldn't so easily face Azumoth had he been near. She feared his rejection completely, feared upsetting him so terribly as she had last time. And Bella couldn't find the words to admit or explain exactly what had taken place. No, too fragile, the mare had all but disappeared in to the confines of the willows. They had been her savior. . . .
That, and a small abandoned basket.
Enter Raphe.
Another change, but one that helped soothe her wounds if not heal her completely. Thankfully the young unicorn had never questioned her fresh scars and bruises; thankfully the young unicorn had never learned to interpret shame as one might have seen in her gaze. Raphe was her son, completely, even if his beauty and unicorn features were quite unlike her own. She had watched him, guarded him as best she could and he had forced her back in to the world.
For now though, the young colt was away on his explorations. He was growing, and though he wandered he had yet to leave completely. She had informed him of her absence, but hastily drove to remind him she would be home swiftly and wasn't going far. No, it was time to revisit an old friend. . . Her wounds had all but healed, save for new scars. But it was more than just Moppet. . . . More than just loneliness that drove her to the grove.
Despite everything, she often found her thoughts lingering over a particular black stallion. Where had he found himself. . .? His absence remained a mystery to her, though she did wish him well. He was a strong stallion though, and could easily take care of himself (unlike she, apparently). But the thought that he was gone. . . that he wasn't around or within a days run. Oh, it bothered her and Bella knew such a thought was completely, and utterly atrocious.
It wasn't as if she owned him, or even a piece of him! But there was comfort in the knowledge that he was near, just a forest away. There was comfort that she could reach out and find him, even if her own joy seemed to bring him endless amounts of frustration. He littered her dreams, when nightmares didn't cause her to stir awake.
Yes, Bella anxiously awaited his return. . . .
Selfish as it was, she wanted to go to his grove just to remember where he so often had retired and been groomed. To embrace a small piece of his life and his family was almost like embracing a small piece of him. And that was exactly what Bella craved.
She surprised herself that she remembered the way to the woods, even after such an absence. Looking in to its shadows, she knew there was little fear. . . . Though it wasn't quite the same with Azu gone. Another was now in his place, his mentor, wasn't it? Perhaps she might find him. . . . Oooh, but she did hope that Moppet wasn't away. Shaking out her curls, the young mare stepped inside, on a mission to revisit those dear to her life.
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:59 pm
It was different, but then again Bella had never seen the Grove during spring. Always one to find him in the depths of winter, she had never had the opportunity to see the flowers spring to life beneath the ferns and she had never been permitted to hear the song birds as they declared that they were in fact back from their vacation and as a result they would quite like their trees back. To say the forest was significantly louder would have been an understatement.
Granted, the forest still held it's haunting beauty...the twisted and warped trees along the border remained uncertain but to those who unlocked its secrets the forest embraced them. Only the trusted could see, only the trusted could hear, smell and touched what it had to offer. Really, things were bound to change in spring but something else had changed too. The creatures couldn't deny that they remained protected by yet another fierce guardian but the forest seemed quieter without a certain somewhat sauntering through it during the evenings.
Nevertheless, they knew of his quest and of the circumstances that had led to it. There were many rumours circulating - some claimed he did it for love, some said he did it to pursue an enemy and others simply claimed it was a voyage of self discovery. Ironically it was all three of these though few had been capable of piecing together the puzzle given that his 'immediate' family had remained secretive about the entire thing.
This didn't mean he was not missed.
But what he had chosen to do was done out of necessity.
However, the pathways remained the same if only a little greener. The smell of the forest much more fragrant and welcoming than it had been. Aha, it would have been times like these that a certain someone would have buried his nose in the flowers and taken a deep breath...if only to calm his exasperation at his insane family. Counting to ten had never worked for him, much to his displeasure.
At least she knew her way, right?
"Dun ye be tellin' me how te do 'is 'air!" The voice was unmistakable, high pitched and indignant it was clear that the furry mother of goodness knows how many little kittens was in the middle of a very important discussion. It would be of no surprise that it was in relation to hair as well, given her expertise was in such a department.
Her adversary this afternoon was a spider...Laughable to some but it was a complicated issue. It had been the duty of spiders for many years to care and tend to Azumoth's mentor's hair, they'd tried as well. They had bound it in webs to hold it in place and yet they left much to be desired. Moppet however, had better skills and while the spiders saw this pride got in their way.
"I'ma braid 'is 'air even if I 'ave te shove ye under a rock," she warned again, her tone grave as she continued to bicker with such a soft voice that it was difficult to hear from a distance. "I be thinkin' tha' I 'ave plenty of 'sperience...I be raisin' a boy with 'air sproutin' up all over the place!" Somewhat true, but no one could claim Azumoth had an afro, his hair just happened to drape...everywhere, when it was unbound.
"Ye can kiss me furry behind fer all a' care."
"Pfft."
"Now, now..." A soft sigh and a different voice spoke up. Soft but obviously male, it sounded as though it had just woken up out of a doze. This was probably very possible given that Cyn did a lot of a sleeping - some claimed he was sloth like but generally speaking he was usually bored...and arguably sleep did pass the time. "Allow her to do my hair, you already keep my coat in pristine condition."
There seemed to be a protest from somewhere.
"You forget your legs cannot grasp as many strands, her braids will - "
Another pause.
"Then you may go on strike," The male replied patiently at the scarcely audible voice.
"Ye 'ave odd staff Cyn..." the raccoon could be heard making her observation.
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:20 pm
Bella hesitated, pausing upon her approach as her ears strained to hear the conversation. Eavesdropping wasn't something she often did, but it wasn't exactly hard to ignore the chattering Moppet. Even if, from her end, the conversation was a bit one-sided. Someone was getting his hair done, and it appeared some mysterious creature was offering his or her silent objections. It was oddly entertaining, but Bella had come to a crossroad.
Did she stay or did she go?
Moppet seemed rather tied up at the moment, and the sleepy voice was incredibly unfamiliar. Still, there was no reason to be shy now. The grove was a sanctuary, she had no reason to be so coy or fearful. Here she was protected. . . . even with Azu gone. Right?
. . . maybe.
Glancing nervously around her, the mare decided that she hadn't come all this way for nothing. Pausing on the outskirts of the grove, she cleared her throat softly. "Moppet. . .? I . . . " I what? Well first off, she didn't want to startle whoever else might be there with her. And part of her was unsure whether or not her voice would be familiar or welcome. "It's me, Bella and I . . . I don't mean to disturb." She halfway apologized, suddenly feeling a little odd about intruding.
It hadn't been her intention to bother the raccoon, and yet she didn't want to leave unknown. Bella had no objections about coming back another time, certainly, but part of her did long to come face to face with the familiar. She needed it now more than ever.
"I can come back another time though, really," she added swiftly, a soft chuckle in her voice. That way all Moppet had to do was agree to reschedule and she could be on her way back to Raphe. This visit could wait, couldn't it? No need to interrupt the beings already within.
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:32 pm
An abrupt silence fell within the Grove, the bickering ceased immediately and it was with a squeal that Moppet could be heard scurry about like the mad raccoon she was. In modern days she might be accused of having rabies but in truth, that was just who she was. Nevertheless the mention of Bella's name had stirred curiosity in the unfamiliar voice as well.
Bella. Bella? He'd heard that name before!
"Which Bella would that be?" He enquired dubiously, his voice still yawn filled and sleepy as he poked his head through the ivy to take a peak. This move was largely for show though, given that the mass of hair across his face made it physically impossible to see the poor mare in the first place. He looked left, then right before releasing a snort that lifted up the strands of hair above his muzzle for a short period of time.
"It be tha' Bella," it was obviously a conversation they'd had before as the raccoon bounded across the stallion's back and threw herself onto his head. Her paws wrapped round his horn for support and no sooner were they visible than her bright eyes and furry face soon followed - huge smile included of course.
"Oh that Bella," he paused briefly as he adjusted to the excess weight on his head before snorting again, "Lift my hair!" he declared in a similar voice to that of a being declaring their targets, aims and objectives for the next year. Moppet of course obeyed and her paws carefully separated the hair of his forelock so that one eye could soon see between the thick strands. It blinked at the light, waited for its vision to focus and then blinked again upon viewing the mare. "Well it all makes sense now." The stallion mused.
"Te be sure!" Moppet replied enthusiastically, dropping the strands to bounce across the gap and straight onto the mare's neck. "Now where ye been keepin' yerself, ye be a stranger te the Grove after so long darlin'!
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:52 pm
The mare almost winced as a hush fell through the grove. For a mere breath, the young mare almost felt as if the entire woods had paused to stare at her, to accuse her of being so rude as to interrupt Moppet and her guest. But before she had a chance to let her spirits deflate fully, there was a squeal and a sudden inquiry. Which Bella? Which Bella!? For a brief moment the young mare felt a touch hurt that she could have so easily been forgotten, until common sense reminded her that this stranger was indeed that - a stranger! She had never met any but Horne, Nono and Moppet outside of Azumoth's graces, so of course the one she was speaking to couldn't know of her, therefor couldn't be blamed for not knowing.
Much relieved that his inquiry hadn't infected all of the grove, it was with a slight surprise that a black maned head poked out of the lush ivy. She almost took an involuntary step back, surprised first and foremost by the dazzling amount of hair that covered his features. She questioned how he could see anything at all for just a moment until the young mare realized that he really couldn't. It took a good gust of wind or a pair of helping paws to assist the male and his sight. Still. . . .
Never in her life had she seen one with such elegant locks. Azumoth had a lot of hair, but from little she could see of the black stallion, he held the winning vote when it came to mass of mane. Maybe it was a Grove thing. . .?
That Bella? Though Moppet wore a smile - an expression Bella couldn't help but reciprocate tenfold - a small sliver of her was partially concerned. That implied that her name had come in previous discussions; but what could that imply? That as in the friend of the family? That as in the naive youngling that needed all the help she could get? That as in Azumoth's pesky friend? That, that, that! Such a term could mean a million different things, and Bella doubted she'd ever know. Still, to receive such an ecstatic reaction from Azumoth's mother, any doubts were swiftly relieved.
It all made sense? What did? Bella canted her head ever so slightly to the side, sneaking a glance down at her feet briefly to see if she wore a sign or some sort of signal that said "Sense Maker". If the other two were assured of mysterious reasons, Bella was oblivious as always. But what did such things matter now?
Eyes glowing warmly, the cream mare chuckled as Moppet hopped to her neck. Nickering happily, she craned her head in an attempt to nuzzle some part of the raccoon, even if it were just her bushy tail. "I've been busy, that's all, a bit distracted if you will. But I shan't keep myself away too long next time, promise," she assured with complete sincerity.
Next time, with any luck, life wouldn't go crazy with ups and downs and everything in between. And now that Raphe was growing, she'd be easier accessible.
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Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:40 am
[[u_u Give me a lil while to get back into the swing of arpee and my posts will get better again xD]]
"Aye it seems it be mighty busy everywhere," Moppet agreed, toying with the busy mane of the mare as she made herself comfortable. This caused a number of issues to arise - now that her paws no longer held Cyn's hair away from his eyes he very quickly found that he was blind again. This didn't bother him a great deal but the bemused smile on his lips looked even more adorable when all that could be seen was his nose!
"If'fn it ain't me own family gettin' bigger, Azubaby be wanderin' off inte the outlands and ye be goin' away!" Ever the talkative one, she spent very little time dwelling on the slight discomfort the mare had felt and went about her daily business. "Now dun ye be gettin' me wrong, I be lovin' braidin' Cyn's hair and all tha' but he jes' likes it down!" She shook her head as though she found little sense in the stallion's love for being blind but it seemed father and son were very much alike in that regard. They always seemed to have the oddest likes and dislikes, these likes didn't have to be practical but they were there just the same.
"Oh by the way, this be Azubaby's daddy," she waved a paw to Cyn and grinned as the ears pricked underneath the mountain of hair covering his head. "E's a bit of a wierd one, got an awful sense o' humour but he's completely harmless, I be promisin' ye tha' much," continuing to flatten and braid at the cream mane she now had access to, she seemed to be very comfortable with her position from this point forward. Particularly given that a spider had now dropped down from the stallion's horn and appeared to be eyeing Moppet's handiwork in a critical fashion.
"I meant no disrespect, you understand?" Cyn spoke up at last, a six sense warning him that world war 191 was about to commence if his eight legged companion so much as opened her mouth. "I have heard such a great deal about you though I must confess I am horrid with names," he continued. Unlike Moppet, he had no accent and instead he seemed to speak in the same manner as Azumoth. Each word was enunciated, there was little room for misunderstandings but there was something else...
He seemed frightening to glance at in the shadows but his body language was significantly lighter than that of his 'son'.
He was also much more perceptive even if he couldn't see.
"I simply had to confirm that you were that very mare that is spoken so highly of," he flashed another of his smiles, shaking his head somewhat abruptly. "Apparently my assumptions were right, you have made quite the impact upon those who live within these forests."
"Aye she 'as, specially with me baby!"
"It is my pleasure to meet you at last, Bella." He murmured.
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Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:09 am
((No worries luffie! You're just fine! <3 ))
Bella almost regretted spending such a long time away from Moppet and Azu's grove. Given, she had her own hooves full after the situation with Amaroq, and then discovering Raphe's abandoned basket, but the young mare understood she could have attempted to make some time. Just because Azu had left didn't mean that Moppet would have rejected her so swiftly. . . Ah, but she couldn't turn back the clock or the hands of fate. Life had overwhelmed the mare since Azumoth's absence, but at least she was making right of it now. With Moppet fiddling with her hair, and the large, long-haired stallion before her Bella found her worries swiftly disappearing.
The grove had brought her happiness during her young adult life. It didn't always seem that way, but it was the truth. Even with the awkward moments, with rousing her friends annoyance and anger, this place had forever changed her. Not only had she conquered her fears of the woods, but she had found the closest thing to family. And for that, the young mare was grateful. She hoped to introduce Moppet to Raphe one of these days, now that the gentle boy was growing and old enough to make the journey.
Amber eyes turned towards the black stallion; the mannerisms of his words did indeed remind her of her occasionally grumpy companion. But he seemed to hold a different stance, something she couldn't directly place. Either way, this was the stallion Azu had warned her about and with Moppet's easy air she couldn't find him frightening. Especially with the mop of hair in his face, and that etched smile upon his features!
The spiders were . . . interesting. . . but to each his own.
At the compliments, Bella's nose flushed a deeper red, and she dipped her head ever so slightly, careful not to dislodge or upset Moppet. "Ah. . . well. . . " Bella was unsure how to respond, so swiftly changed the subject. Changing her coy dip of uncertainty in to a bit of a bow - regardless if he could or couldn't see - Bella smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, sir. Azumoth gave mention to you before you'd left, so it truly is an honor." She was ever sincere, pleased that she might have met the father figure within her dear friend's life.
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Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:36 am
"Would this be the 'avoid the old fart in the corner' advice that all children give about their parents?" Cyn replied, his tone one of good humour as he recalled the very disgruntled child he remembered from the past. His son had changed considerably during that time, in a way Cyn had wished he had disagreed with the spirits and hadn't fallen into his slumber but alas... While Azumoth may have become warped to a point, he was a strong stallion and when he had completed his quest Cyn had no doubt in his mind that his son would become someone great.
Not that he wasn't already...
However an individual who was strong, confident and secure in themselves was also far stronger. Cyn was aware of his son's strengths but he was weighted down by so many weaknesses that he hadn't reached his full potential. This didn't mean he wasn't proud of what Azumoth had achieved...but he expected better. Now was Azumoth's time, and his family waited patiently for that faithful day when everything would come to fruition.
Moppet didn't like the idea, Cyn deemed it necessary. The outcome wasn't particularly pleasant but in the long term it would benefit so many...most especially the stallion that was forced to endure such trials.
"I must apologise for Azumoth's absence though," Breaking away from his own train of thought the stallion turned his head towards the mare and silenced the humming that Moppet had proceeded to do as he continued his conversation with the mare. He loved his 'wife' so to speak, she kept the place breezy and happy but sometimes he needed to drown out the chatter of the ever present house keeper to remain sane.
"We had not anticipated that he would leave so soon," he shook his head in recollection of how the stallion had handled it. Abruptly - for want of a better word. He had outlined his plans, said his goodbyes and well...Cyn wasn't entirely sure if he'd even had the decency to say farewell to the mare that now stood before him. Actually, Cyn had been wanting to meet this little female since the day Moppet had opened her mouth.
She had cast no spells, she didn't seem like the sort but she had spurred on something deep inside his son to make a stand. From deep down he had found that rare form of courage and had chosen to face his demons. Cyn wasn't entirely sure how to begin with but now he had seen those eyes, he thought he might have found a little bit of an understanding.
A shame his son hadn't spat out his true feelings though.
"I must also apologise for his lack of manners in saying farewell to you as well..."
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Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:14 pm
Bella blinked, giving Cyn a double take at his comment, before her nose flushed a darker shade of pink. "Oh - oh no! Not at all!" She quickly breathed, though her eyes gleamed with mischief and humor. "He mere assured me that there would be no cause for alarm should I happen upon you within his grove." Bella couldn't help but chuckle despite herself, her long fluff of curls twitching slightly behind her.
Perhaps that was a great difference between Azu and Cyn - where she was certain the black stallion held some sort of humor within him, this mighty, feathered creature before her seemed to hold a much lighter disposition. Given, compared to Azumoth, just about anything might harbor such a temperament but such was the way of things. Azu was who he was, and Bella wouldn't change it for the world.
As Cyn continued to speak, as he apologized for his son's behavior, Bella's expression softened. She thought briefly upon the familiar form - his sharp and cold looking armor, his silken mask and cape, his thick mop of hair and braids, and the horns that twisted high from his brow. No, to some he might appear a monster, and others still a beast - but to Bella such a form meant more than beauty and handsomeness. It meant more than the cliche notion of attractiveness, for he was. . . at least to her. None could quite compare, even if it were her own secret, her own fantasy that would never quite come true.
He liked her, she remember. But that was far from care or . . . love.
Ah, but so long as he was happy, that was all that mattered. "Oh, please don't apologize for him," she softly assured, shaking aside her thoughts and memories of Azumoth and their last moments together. "He sought me out himself, and told me of his absence. . . I was blessed to have been able to wish him well on is journey. I will say, it isn't quite the same with him gone, though I'm quite sure you all know better than I!" She chuckled softly, pawing lightly at the ground. ". . . . But I do wish him a swift return.. I hope he understands he's missed." She knew not where he had gone, or for how long. He hadn't exactly given her details or painted her a picture, and perhaps that was for the best.
All she knew was he had gone. . . and oh how did she sorely miss him.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 6:26 am
Oh so he did have manners! Cyn had to give credit where credit was due and pursed his lips briefly. Apparently Moppet had been right when she had informed him that this particular mare had caused a shift in his son's views. Cyn was accustomed to a stallion who stormed off without the slightest thought for another - no, in years gone by his son had simply expected them to know he would be back eventually.
But now...
He had changed, he had deliberately sought out this particular young mare and said farewell. Azumoth could lie all he wanted about coincidences and no doubt Bella would believe them but Cyn could see right through his son - even if he wasn't looking straight at him. That had been far from a coincidence... Azumoth did not just land on foreign plains without reason and Cyn knew this.
However, it was not for the father of such a stubborn child to give away his child's secrets. He could push, nudge and give hints but ultimately it was Cyn's belief that this particular pursuit of happiness needed to be the responsibility of his son. A tiny part of him sincerely hoped that his son would act on this sooner rather than later - simply because soquili could not wait around forever to hear three small words.
Unfortunately, this was something that Cyn was a cynic towards.
"You are correct in assuming it is not the same without him here," Cyn mused after a few moments, a devilish smile appearing on his lips. "It's significantly brighter to say the least."
"CYN!" Moppet cried in horror, pausing in her braiding to eye the fluffball.
"I do of course say that with the greatest love, but the thunderclouds seem to have followed him on his trip."
"You're a horrid father."
"Maybe he'll travel over a desert," it was evident that Cyn rather enjoyed torturing his house keeper on a regular basis, simply because he could keep his voice so serious while teasing. Moppet, ever the gullible one in some regards, fell for them nearly every time.
"Cyn!"
"I am just teasing."
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:11 pm
Bella couldn't help but be both horrified and thoroughly entertained by the good humored nature of Cyn. Moppet's reaction tickled the mare pink, and she felt her nose flush crimson in embarressment as she turned her head to laugh. She stifled her chuckles as best she could, somehwat horrified that the winged one could be so flippant about his son's brooding behavior, but he was his father. . . .
"Oh that's awful," Bella admonished in the gentlest of manners. Amber eyes glint with amusement as her thick curly tail swished back and forth behind her. It probably wasn't fair picking upon the great stallion, especially in his absense; but she'd never admit this was perhaps one of the only excuses she had to converse about the stallion. If she couldn't be with him than at least she could speak of him. Not quite the same, but enough to keep her content.
Pawing lightly at the ground, the blond mare dipped her head and gave a little snort. She glanced up at the winged stallion in front of her before peeking fondly at the surrounding grove. The place was riddled with memories, most good, and each one special. The woods itself was a reminder of that fateful eve, of their parting fight, and of everything that happened from then on. The storm, the sanctuary, her battle, their fight. . . . . A shame he couldn't be there now.
A sliver of her wondered if she had imprinted her hoof upon him in any manner, outside of annoyance. He liked her - that she could cherish. But he probably didn't see the world through her rose coloured glasses. . .
"Ah, but we should behave as he hasn't any way to properly defend himself." She mused, feeling a bit guilty for poking fun. "I do look forward to his return, rainclouds and all."
Bella did have another reason to wish for his return - she wanted to properly introduce Raphe to him. The little pale unicorn son of hers had heard enough of Azu to make them half-way related! It would only do Raphe good to meet the one that frequented her lips and put a face to such a fondly spoken name. Exactly how that meeting would go, she hadn't a clue but seemingly all the time in the world to imagine.
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:32 am
"I would argue that it is a good thing he is not here to defend himself," had Cyn been human he would have waved a hand dismissively but the ridiculous smile still lined his lips as he adjusted his weight from one leg to the other. He loved his son dearly, had done what he could to make him strong (despite his own absence)...but he could also see his 'quirks' and found pleasure in teasing them in the hope that something would spur a slight change. Unfortunately, Azumoth often lacked that sixth sense and as a result he rarely caught the telepathic suggestions sent to him by his father.
Nevertheless, as the mare attempted to hold back her giggles the stallion made a quiet tut. He did his best to mimic Moppet in that regard, though his already humourous tone of voice all but wrecked the attempt. Ah, but to hear a mare laugh was something to be treasured and he was somewhat put out by the fact that she couldn't laugh openly. Was she stifled or incapable of expressing herself fully?
He could have opted for the 'shy' excuse too.
However, he gave a mighty shake of his head, sending a ripple across the many strands of hair that cascaded down his neck. He unseated a number of unlikely residents too, each giving a tiny and barely audible squeal as they swung out from his main, mimicked Indiana Jones and swung back into the safety and warmth that his hair provided. It wasn't that he was inconsiderate but it was so very easy to knock anything out of his way...
"After all, he would simply create yet another thundercloud in response to the jest - a cyclone," he was of course exaggerating but even Bella had to admit that Azumoth often overreacted to a lot of things. A simple jest at his personality could be the difference between a bemused Azumoth and a manic depressant one. "I could not place such a weight on the forest, or on me for the death glares would surely kill me where I stand."
"Cyn, ye are so cruel!" Moppet chastised, waving a tiny paw at the wistful stallion as he began to approach the mare. It was at a lumbering pace, steady and sure despite his inability to see. Coming to a halt, he lowered his head so his nose was almost to her's and did the most peculiar thing - he blew on her muzzle.
"You are aware that we do not chastise anyone for laughing, it is healthy for the soul...?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:16 am
Bella understood Azumoth enough to know that the poor male wasn't as easy going and light hearted as most. A simple jest might very well turn in to a horrid affair of snarling or grousing or glaring. . . It was something she hoped she might be able to change with enough persistence, but then again, it was a dangerous task to attempt. . . Azumoth had seen too much hurt, pain and rejection and his pride was easily offended. So any change she might hope to make was to be done subtly. . . very, very subtly.
But Bella refused to laugh out right, even if Cyn's observations were dead on. Her ears pricked in a moments confusion as he called her out on her stifled giggles, and she felt her nose turn a bit pink. Glancing away, Bella's tail swished lightly in nervousness, as if she'd been caught red handed for some crime. "Ah," she stammered lightly, tossing back her curls, unable to peek up at the stallion. "I know, it's no crime to laugh. . .I suppose I'm used to hiding my smiles because of such defensive behavior. I mean. . ." She started, not wanting to give the wrong impression on his family, "Don't get me wrong, please, I know how to laugh. But something keeps me from wanting to upset him even when he's not here." She chuckled a bit at herself, her nose darkening even more at the admittance.
Ah. . . crap. She was digging herself in a hole again and this time the black stallion wasn't even present! Maybe that was her default virtue and sin. . . put her hoof in her mouth or start speaking too much and out of turn. How stupid she sounded and the mare wishes to just take back her words and not speak again.
"Ah, but Moppet," she hastily changed the subject, turning her golden gaze on to the little raccoon. "I may need some advice when it comes to playing mother. . . I found an abandoned one near the river and have been raising him as my own since. He's a little unicorn colt, Raphe, and I would so dearly love for him to someday meet you." And Azumoth, of course, but such a thing wouldn't happen until he returned.
His journey seemed to be taking forever. . .where was he? Who was he with and what misadventure might he find? Was he finding what he needed. . . . was someone breaking down his walls and defenses? Selfishly, but secretly, the mare hoped thta he'd return alone. . .
What if he found the key to his heart out there? What if he found his worthy companion? Surely if she could see past his looks a number of other mares would too. Ooooh, but such a day she could also rejoice in, couldn't she? Even if it hurt. . . . so long as he was happy, afterall. Bella did want the black stallion to heal and find peace and joy in his life. . . . and if it wasn't with her, than so be it. But someone, somewhere out there would be readily accepted in his life. . . and Bella would make sure she didn't let her own selfish tears get in the way.
Right now he could be with someone . . . What chance did she stand against the exotic beauties of the world? Not a lot. . . especially when the stallion hardly thought of you as anything more than a fairly-tolerable nuisance! He liked her. . . but that didn't mean anything more than acceptance.
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:32 am
It was a hasty change of subjects but it's content was enough to interest the little raccoon. The mention of another little foal also caused the stallion's ears to perk considerably - it had been a while since he had even heard the giggle of a child within his wake. Actually, it had been a very long time given that the childish Azumoth had chosen to stop 'giggling' at a very young age...
"Ye gots yerself a wee one?" Moppet surpressed a squeal and fixed her gaze on Bella as though assessing the current situation. Cyn would have opted not to read her train of thought but it wasn't particularly complex as it was. Really, it was very simple...she had once again acquired images of giggling foals in her head and was mulling over the prospect of her own 'son' being the adoptive father of yet another child.
Hell, if Azumoth didn't find himself a mate soon Moppet would stud him out personally!
"Ooo, but I be lovin' te see the little tyke," she squealed at this, wagging her bushy tail appreciatively as she bounded across the mares back and leapt onto the small ledge lining the pool of water within the grove. "How old he be now?" she had so many questions and so little time to voice them all. "Ye be knowin' tha' when 'e comes he'll be a part 'o the family, aye?"
Of course he would be.
Azumoth would have the obvious reaction. He would first question how the child got here, who the child belonged to and upon finding out that Bella was the 'mother' he would begrudingly (but automatically) accept that there would be yet another child in his life. That would bring the total to three and not one of them was biologically linked to him...there were few stallions who could claim to have that many children without even bedding a mare.
...Not that he didn't crave that type of company or anything.
"Even if we be crazy and 'e be wonderin' why ye chose to let him meet us?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:09 am
The mare gave a chuckle, her nose staining a bit pink at Moppet's reaction. She had never believed that the little raccoon would be anything but accepting of the knowledge of Raphe, but to hear it from the little furry one herself was a genuine joy. It warmed her heart already to know that the small family had truly accepted her and would do just the same for the white unicorn.
Now if only she could find her son and get him to come! A shame she was so limited in her travels. Even now, she should be back along the coast, awaiting Azumoth's return. But there were reasons for the visit, and loneliness was only one of them.
"I would have brought him along sooner," she spoke gently, her words laced thickly with affection. "But he's a bit of the independent sort, starting to come in to his own." She gave a little shrug and a soft sigh, not entirely liking the thought of Raphe being out there and so very much alone! Yes, he was growing, but she didn't want him away. . . She wanted him with her where she could always look out for him, always be there for him. And though that would never change no matter the distance it was exceedingly more difficult to tend to him when she hadn't a clue what he was up to or where he roamed!
"He's growing fast, though," she explained, golden eyes shadowing slightly. "I feel like I'd only found him yesterday! And now he's independent enough to not need me there constantly, to be off and exploring the world and new adventures. Do they all grow so swiftly or was I just too unobservant?"
Moppet had been a mother with raccoon cubs, Azumoth and Nono and Horne. If anyone was a mother than the little black pawed lady was it and Bella couldn't be more pleased to get a few tips. It was strange but throughout her worry, the cream mare couldn't help but wonder if she'd been good enough to Raphe. If she'd helped mold him in to the wonderful foal she knew him to be and if her instruction, devotion and love would be enough for him. . . enough to see him through to all his dreams and motivations. It hadn't always been easy, but now that little one wasn't quite so little. . . .
And that was a harder adjustment than Bella had ever realized it to be.
"I want him to be part of the family," she giggled her admittance, fluffy tail swishing back and forth. "It would mean the world to me if he could and I know he'd absolutely adore you both!" She glanced over at Cyn, gracing the blinded one with a smile he wouldn't see. "His name's Raphe and he's the most beautiful unicorn you'd ever see! He looks absolutely nothing like me," she chuckled, tossing Moppet a wink. "No surprise there. But he's pale as snow and is ever delicate. I think he'd like your grooming tactics very much!" She nodded to the mother over the grove, whom was always looking to play with and straighten or braid somebody's hair!
The mare was glad she had come. Yes, she might have been safer staying within her hidden abode near the coast but for awhile the smell of salt had caused her to miss the scent of soil and moss something terrible. Furthermore, she absolutely positively craved the sweeter grasses of the woodlands and surprisingly enough, desired the taste of bark as well. She assumed her long stay on the coast had driven such cravings. . . the good lord knew she was gaining weight like none other!
"Oh, it's so good to be back, even for a little while. I can't stay long, mind, but I missed it here something terrible."
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