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 Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:13 pm
 The past couple of nights, no matter how long he had stayed out, proved to be of little use for Aitumn and his mission to gather information on the brute Zaknafein. It seemed not many came this way towards the beach, and as such he had very little Nequus to talk to and request information. So as it was, the blood bay Jala had taken the guilty pleasure of falling asleep with his little family, instead of going out to gather information. That was yesterday, however, and now the new dusk of a new night was begining to form in the skies above. He was feeling refreshed, better, and all around energized when it came to his body. Though, his mind was a completely different story. There was still that uncertainty of what might have been, and even now the wondering if Zak was skulking around in the shadows.
As much as Aitumn enjoyed spending the night with Cressida, Tucker, and Rhea, he didn't want to have Zak sneak up on them in the night. Best to be off once more, best to keep himself alert and at the ready. Aitumn had to admit, after several times being injured and hindered by the green brute, and then the tree experiance, he had lost quite of a bit of muscle tone he was rather proud to have. Yet, after nights of galloping on the sands, and searching feverishly for information, he was begining to get back on track to the body his years of unceasing wandering had gotten him. Which was good, he would need to be fit, especially if he were to come across the brute unexpectedly.
With a flick of his lengthy midnight tail, he took a single glance back in the direction he had just come, knowing full well that his little family was some ways away already; before pressing on into a light jog across the sands. Best to keep moving.
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:49 pm
 Unfortunatly for Sanue, his chance at getting and gathering information was rather dry and at first there was nothing at all. Which was rather disheartening for the stallion in need of something to do. nonetheless, it occupied his time and he at least had something to do other than fishing. Not that he didn't take breaks to do so, for the hippogriff did get hungry flying around, jogging, and all about patrolling the stretch of beaches. It took quite a bit of effort you see, and often times he found flying to be the quickest way to get it done. Unfortunatly he couldn't sustain the flight forever, and was forced to run or jog along the beaches.
Those were the days before. At the moment he was in the middle of such a flight, however his sharp hawk-like gaze wasn't looking for signs of Zak, they were searching for the dark figure of Aitumn. He had some news to tell, some news he was sure would be taken as good or bad, but either way it was certainly something that needed to be shared with the other stallion. Upon a burst of chilled wind, Sanue tipped his feathered wings upwards and caught the draft, carrying himself higher into the air so he may be able to see a farther distance.
That was, until his olive eyes caught sight of the dark figure along the beach. Even from his height he was able to detect the lengthy mane and tail, the dark coat, and what he was fairly sure to be feathered wings. If it wasn't Aitumn, then oh well he'd keep looking and not bother with whoever the fool was; lest he be chased. That would simply warrant a beating for whoever it was. To grab attention though? That would be more useful, he wouldn't need to fly down and ask if the nequus ran away at the sight of him in the sky. Yes, that was certainly a good idea. Gathering air into his lungs and clearing his throat, the hippogriff released an echoed rumble of voice that was quite like an eagle's scream; fairly sure it would carry down to the beach below.
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:09 pm
And indeed such a voice and such a scream caught the attention of the blood bay, his gait swiftly coming to a stop as his heels dug into the ground, spraying send in every which direction. It may have just been a bird, but it sounded rather large, and fairly close, and if it was a bird it was one he had never seen before. The stalion's dark hallow gaze shifted upwards as he searched the skies for who it belonged too, spotting the silver figure not too far off. Nope, it definatly wasn't a bird. The body seemed to be that of a nequus, for he spotted rather easily the hind legs that stuck out and the arched neck of one in flight. He was fairly sure there were feathered wings as well, but the details were lost to him.
Who did he know that was silver in color, and reminded him of a bird? "SANUE?" he questioned in the form of a shout, attempting to have his voice carry up to the creature above him. Aitumn was fairly sure that's who it was, the feathered nequus might even have found something out? That, or the eagle's scream was simply a 'hello' for Sanue. Aitumn wasn't quite sure, as he hadn't spent enough time around the other to catch onto any differences in tone, pitch, and even voice. After all, in their last encounter, Sanue had had a rather soft voice.
In the off chance that this nequus was not the one he was looking for, he may very have the chance of gathering information again. Hopefully. Aitumn didn't have time to deal with hot-tempered fools in need a good fight.
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:38 pm
Not much of a wait for his question to be answered, though he had to admit at the spray of sand he was sure the nequus down below was going to turn tail and run. Nope, not what happened. It was surprising to find that the Nequus was actually glancing up at the sky, as if something incredible had just happened- well okay, something incredible did just happen. He was sure his voice could have used some fine tuning, but it was close enough, right? "YE-AARHHhhhH!" Aaaand that's what happened when he tried to shout and speak at the same time, that freakin voice of his always took on the pitches of birds and the like. Absolutely wonderful.
But at least it was Aitumn down below, and as such the hippogriff quickly arched his back and dropped his muzzle down past his folded forelegs, kicking his hindlegs upwards. All the while Sanue spilled the wind from beneath his wings and tucked them in towards his sides, diving down breathlessly from the stretches of cloud cover. Best not keep Aitumn waiting, not with the kind of news he had to share; that and it was always rather fun to go into such high risk dives. Considering it had taken quite some time to perfect, he was rather proud of himself and his aerial techniques.
Upon getting close enough to the sands, but not quite beyond redemption in aerial height, he easily transitioned into a into a hollowed back position and the raising of his head; once more opening his wings smoothly to glide the rest of the distance towards Aitumn just below ten feet from the ground. He presumed anyway, he never really was too good at judging distances in actual distance format... if that even made sense. Sanue allowed the thought to slip, knowing full well it would only confuse himself.
Once close enough to Aitumn, he lowered himself to the sands below to allow for a loping touch down. "I've got some news for you, Son of Jala, however I'd advise that we move back towards the shoreline and away from the grasses that cease to be the beach." Yes, that would surely be smart in light of what he knew, and Sanue didn't bother to await an answer, for he was already loping down to the wet sands of the shore.
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:32 am
He wasn't quite sure what was said as the creature above hurled its voice down once more, but he assumed it was indeed Sanue, considering it had responded. If not, well, then Aitumn would need get out of the way and quickly, for his hallow eyes didn't miss the diving of the feathered creature from the clouds. Perhaps it was dusk that kept him from seeing the details, maybe it was the distance between them, but until the creature actually started gliding just feet above the ground he wasn't able to be sure. Yup, it was definatly Sanue.
In light of this, Aitumn's posture relaxed considerably, however his ears were still pricked and alert for anything. After all, the hippogriff nequus was still a relative stranger, and Aitumn wasn't quite sure what motive he had in helping him out. A product of boredom? As much as he'd like to believe that, the past couple of months had brought Aitumn to a more devious conclusion. Devious, for he believed the other had another agenda, however he would keep such thoughts to himself for now.
An odd look crossed his face when Sanue mentioned they should continue down towards the beach, but Aitumn didn't object to it either. There was some hope that he had indeed found something out about Zaknafein, which may or may not be a good thing for Aitumn. Either way, best to keep towards the ocean, he figured. With a quick change in gaits, which would happen to be standing to gallop, he sprinted after the quick creature of feathers; already fairly behind.
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:15 am
The silence of Aitumn was a bit unnerving, but he supposed it was better than mindless conversation, especially since he had just communicated the need not to speak of the issue until they reached the shoreline. Though, the only reason he knew Aitumn was following was because of the blood bay's strides in the sand, and how they made a dull thud with every pace forward. As unsettling as the other's silence was, the hippogriff concluded that it was a good tactic, and thusly did not speak until he reached the edge of the water. Upon reaching there, Sanue slowed his pace and trotted a bit of a ways out to the water, so he could feel the rising of the water against his talons with every new wave.
"I'm unsure as to how you would take this, but I feel it is important news nonetheless", he began as soon as the blood bay was beside him, retracting his claws into the moist sand so as to feel it against his hard skin. "I had been combing the beaches not too long ago this noon, and have had the luck of spotting what may have been your Zaknafein. However, I was unable to get a good view, and I had no intentions of chasing after him into the dense brush." It never was good for the hippogriff to leave his beach, and most assuredly he would not leave it to get a better look at someone. With a raise of his crest feathers atop his head he continued, "Large, green coat, looked to be like swirls upon his hide, and a short tail I'm sure. His wings, I'm fairly positive had a membrane, and I concluded he was too large to be Reya."
Indeed he hadn't a clue how Aitumn would take this, but that wasn't Sanue's problem. He had done what he said he would, and he wasn't possibly going to fight someone's battles for them. That was just... disrespectful of another's strength, he was sure. Not to mention a crying shame if Aitumn couldn't do it himself.
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:59 pm
He was about to inquire what Sanue had discovered when the feathered stallion began on his own, and almost immediatly Aitumn could have guessed what it was that happened. Zaknafein. If not a Nequus that looked an awful lot like him, but either way Aitumn wasn't about to take a backseat in the situation. No, he would not allow himself to be caught unprepared again, and if there was an off chance that hadn't been Zak, well, then he would still be prepared. Still. Urin wasn't a small place, it was unlikely Zak would have found them out so soon on his own, and that just irked the possibility of there being more out there like him. Indeed, it was very disturbing news for the blood bay.
"I'm quite sure that was him." Even as he spoke the bay's ears flicked back and forth in an uneasy manner, thoughtful, but still uneasy. There were many questions that swarmed his mind at this point, that of which being if Zak already knew they were there, or if it had been luck that he happened upon the same beach as Aitumn, Cressida, Rhea, and Tucker. Was it certain he knew? If so, why would he have gone back into the forest? No, perhaps it was just luck, and Aitumn would have to rely on that for the time being. However, the question now was, what to do about it? He still needed to speak with Zak, still needed him, and yet every impulse in his brain and every twitch of his muscles told him to simply beat the drekhallah down. Without mercy, without means, without the chance to explain anything. Just simply rip him apart for what he had done and what he threatened to do to Aitumn's little hold on the happiness he had.
"Thankyou Sanue, I appreciate the effort on your part. It is a great deal off my mind to know what I do now." Indeed it was, for now he knew Zak was in the area, and Aitumn would need to stick closer to this family. No more going off on his own. No more.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:31 pm
 How glorious a feeling was it to wake up one morning, finally get a look at yourself in the refelctive surface of the ocean's waters, and find that you looked much, much different? It had been her first glance at herself since that time in Ryuten when the dark-haired two-legger colt had brought her a bowl of water to drink, and considering she had spent a fair amount of time at the beach... well one could gather that it was quite to suprise to find yourself looking much more defined. Not to mention larger. Gosh, her forehead had been so sleek! Oh but that forelock, that horrible forelock, it still demanded its place right between her eyes and often times slipped into just the right spot. She liked having a full view of what was in front of her, thank you very much!
Of course, the full of energy filly had grown into a rather wildly rambuncious mare. Energy? She couldn't quite get enough of it, especially now after her discovery just this morning. Poor Scabbers! The Zrun had fallen alseep practically a moon's stride across the sky and a half ago!
No matter, Mecriana was quite pleased with her body and the fact she had finally figured out how to run. Heh, not that she still didn't consider herself the fastest thing on hooves as she had as a filly, but know she knew she was much faster. A quick and sudden look away from the water's edge, and the paintaloosa mare was off like a firecracker, spraying sand from under her hooves as they dug into the depths of the beach. She absolutely loved running! Loved it! No questions asked! No smiting doubt that-
WHAT'S THAT?! The two dark figures down the stretch of beach caught her pale gaze as if her mind suddenly snapped to attention. Which just may have been the case with Mecriana. Go down and meet who ever it was? Ha! With no hesitation she veered off into their direction, filled with an exceptional glee that seemed to counter any of the 'voices' in her head Scabbers often called a concious.
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 1:55 pm
The meeting between the stallions seemed to draw to a close as Aitumn seemed to have nothing more to add onto the subject. Yes, the hippogriff was rather interested in seeing how this played out, but he wasn't going to go sticking his beak into a matter like this. Definatly not. A bob of his head and the feathered stallion was about to turn on his heels and head back to his rock-cliff hideaway where he liked to spend his nights and his days when he wasn't fishing or patrolling the area for inturders. Such a look-out as his, was no doubt desireable to others in need of such a place.
As the hippogriff went to step on his way, a figure racing in the sand towards them caught him off his guard and startled. Yes it was dark outside, but Sanue was able to see rather easily, at lease, easier than most at least, for his hawk-like eyes were pin-point perceptive. Instantly he saw, dark, Jala, adult. Not the Zak guy, but that didn't mean this one wasn't attempting to attack them either. Neck arching, foreclaws digging into the sand and hind legs dancing in place the hippogriff balked and stretched his wings in a warning.
"Watch it, Aitumn!" Not wanting to let the other be caught off his guard, but not about to protect him either Sanue prepared himself for what might come next. Strangers running up to you were never a good thing, which he had learned quite quickly on his own.
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 2:11 pm
Indeed the encounter was over. They had said what needed to be said, and Aitumn was in quite the mood to get back to his family with the knowledge of Zaknafein being in the area. Aitumn himself had already begun to turn and be on his way back to the stretch of beach, however he was unuse to the idea of leaving such a helpful individual on such terms as this. No matter, he would owe Sanue a favor in the future, anything at all and Aitumn would gladly do it.
That is, until he heard the rockus from over his shoulder. A glance backwards and a sudden start from his own hooves in a sort of surprised leap- fully expecting to see Zak barreling up behind them -and the stallion's dark eyes quickly scanned the area. No giant brute behind him, nothing to the horizon, however he did notice the figure galloping in the sand towards them. Stranger? Aitumn whorrled on his heels to face the same way as Sanue, ears pricked and muscles tense, but not as threatening as the hippogriff. For all he knew it was someone in need of something, and he wasn't one to turn away someone in need. Ater all, hadn't he himself approached strangers in his desperation for information? Surely. Lifting his muzzle to the air he sniffed slightly at the incoming breeze, instantly relaxing at the scent. "Calm yourself, friend. It is merely a soul I've known from times past."
A tint of surprise was on his voice as he stepped forwards in the sand, easily breaking into a trot to meet the approaching figure half way. Ho geez, hadn't she just been a filly the last time he met her?
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 2:35 pm
It didn't quite cross her mind that the figures ahead would be upset at her rushing towards them, after all she never did listen to Scabbers when he tried to tell her stuff like this. It just wasn't important. Loving the feel of the sand under her hooves, she just couldn't help but run full sprint in the direction of her interest. Whatever they were, whoever they were, whatever they were doing she was just too full of glee to care. They were adults, and she was going to have her first encounter as an adult with adults. The very thought of it made her whinny high to the sky!
However, the sudden movements of the lighter colored figure had her throwing her head up in surprise and confusion. Had she spooked him? Huh, that wasn't what she wanted at all! Feeling a bit uncertain now that she was close enough to spot his posture, the paintaloosa flicked her ears back and settled into a smooth lope, hoping to come up with something before she got too close. Gosh, this wasn't what she was expecting at all-
... "Aitumn?!" Was it truely the blood bay stallion? It smelled like him, it sounded like his voice, and he was coming to meet her. It was Aitumn! This was going to turn out to be the greatest first meeting as an adult ever! She respected the stallion, almost as much as she did Scabbers. "Aitumn! Aitumn! Looky, looky!" Okay, so maybe her vocabulary could use some work, but the previous filly had some slack in the area considering her recent growth.
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 2:57 pm
Fully ready to intercept the stranger with open claws, as he was far more pessimestic than the blood bay, he was quite startled to hear what he heard next. Calm himself? Calm himself? Honestly, such careless words spoken to the hippogriff had his feather's ruffling in aggitation. He wasn't going to take any sort of order from a relative stranger, whether it be a friend or someone wishing to make him move from his spot just because they were disgusted to look at him. Hardly able to keep himself from allowing a rumble to escape his throat he watched as Aitumn moved ahead. However it was the voice of the stranger, a mare, that caught his attention. She knew the blood bay name? Instantly his head jerked upwards as his wings settled, glancing indecisively towards Aitumn. It seemed they knew each other...
The hippogriff would have been filled with shame if he wasn't as prideful as they came. He was prepared to lay the smack down to anyone who dared attack him, and this would have been no exception had the situation suddenly came to a direct 180 at the fork in the road. A flick of his stubby tail and the silver stallion settled where he was, unwilling to come closer. He may have gotten along well with Aitumn, but that was merely because the stallion had yet to mention or care about his appearance. This stranger though, it may very well be a different situation.
A small snort from his beaked nostrils and he considered leaving the two for meeting. Best not to get involved anyway, as not many shared the views of Aitumn, and very close to most of the majority would rather insult him than get to know him. Considering it would be rude of him to push back against Aitumn's friend, the hippogriff decided it was before for him to leave without a word said. Thusly, Sanue turned back into the other direction, prepared to take to flight for his long way home.
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:16 pm
So it was Mecriana. That energetic filly had grown since he had last seen her, and he wasn't quite sure if that was a good thing or not. Would her hyperness carry into her adulthood- ah. No need to ask such a question as that, she answered the question for him right off the bat with her repetition of words. Visably relaxed now that the excitement was over, Aitumn gave a shake of his sleek head. "Yes I see. Hardly recogonise ya now", he smirked, having the urge to tussle her forelock as if she were a foal. Yeah... okay, since he had learned about her father and what happened to her he had started to see himself as a sort of makeshift dad, but he had gotten over that quickly. Scabbers obviously filled that spot.
He didn't quite forget about Sanue though, for as the hippogriff tried to sneak off the stallion threw a voice over his shoulder. "Mec, this is Sanue, a nice guy and helpful friend," he explained. Despite the subject of earlier, he didn't want to bring the filly down with what was on his mind. Best not to get others involved, after all.
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:53 pm
She grinned fully at the remark, her ears pricked upwards and her head tossing elegantly; sending her braided forelock flopping behind her ear. It had been annoying at first, but the human colt had done it and she didn't quite mind it now. She should probably get back to him soon though... Scabbers didn't like leaving their 'home' for a very long time. Oh well, back to Aitumn! "Oh I know! I didn't even think it was me when I saw my reflecting in the water. You shoulda seen Scabbers!" she exclaimed rather quickly, jutting her nose out to blow into the sand as if to send it on its way. "He freaked out, but it was worth seeing his face."
Then the subject changed and she instantly remembered the second figure she had spotted out in the sand. The silver stallion that had first shown hastiness at her arrival. Her muzzle snapped up and her gaze glanced past Aitumn, spotting the nequus behind him. It was dark, and there was distance between them, so she didn't quite get to see his face or his claws. "Nice to meet you Sanue, do you know Aitumn well?" Yeah, she'd be nice, despite his first reaction.
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 4:09 pm
Yeah, they definatly knew each other. It wasn't in his nature to be overly social, and just talking with Aitumn and helping him out had been pushing it for the hippogriff stallion. Pacing up the sandy dune so he could spread his wings and lift off into the sky, he all but shuddered as his name was mentioned to the stranger-mare. Mec apparently. He wasn't sure if it was her full name or if it was a nickname but he didn't want to stick around long enough to ask either. Hurry then, take off before they can say anything else, get his arse in the gear before she could address him- well it had been a good plan at least.
With a heavy sigh he stopped long enough to look back over his shoulder towards the two, stretching out his feathered wings in preperation for his flight. "You as well. I do not know Aitumn well, however I do not regret our meeting or the favor I offered him", that was all. He had no desire to continue the encounter with two relative strangers, so the hippogriff gave a respectful bob of his head before leaping into the air, catching himself with a flap of his wings and heading off into the sky. Flying for him was nearly effortless, as he was able to do without thought almost. Another flick of his silver wings, and he was carried off into the night sky.
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