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 Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:39 pm
Bella trotted over the plains, pausing now and then to pick at the grasses. Winter hadn't left completely, but spring was fighting for its proper return. One day it was beautiful with sunlight only to be overwhelmed by yet another blizzard and frozen afternoon. Winter refused to yield but there was hope. . . The dead grasses were turning greener and sweeter; and a few flowers had poked their heads up from the grounds. Birds had readily returned and had begun to greet the morning with song, while the sunshine had stained the world longer and longer.
Spring was almost here. . . and it was a seasons Bella readily looked forward to!
It was amazing how far she'd come since her foalhood; not only was she full grown, but her life had been a roller coaster of events. She had met Azumoth who had changed and challanged her life; he had stolen her heart, though the mare understood it would always be unrequited. She had met pain and hurt and darkness from the kalona and shadowed beast Amaroq; but perhaps most importantly she had rescued an abandoned basket and had help to raise a foal, Raphe. The white unicorn had touched her heart and blessed her life in ways she never would have guessed or imagined. She was a mother. . . . and oh how she adored it.
Still, part of the mare constantly worried and fretted; her son was a wanderer like she, and she couldn't be there for him every moment of every day. Darkness lurked behind many a face, and the scars on her body proved it; but there was good too, and Bella could only hope he'd meet more of the good than the bad. Perhaps what broke her heart more than fear was a knowledge that he was growing. . . . and fast. Already he was much larger than he'd been since peeking out of his basket. He was practically independent and would someday leave her side completely. . .
He'd make new friends, he'd eventually fall in love, and then have a family of his own! Her precious, most beautiful Raphe. . . . . She wanted him to find nothing but joy, and yet. . . a small, selfish side didn't want him to grow and leave. Subconciously the mare had never had anyone in her life - she had grown alone, she had learned alone, and even know she mothered alone. Azu was perhaps her only friend, and he had left. . . . Though he'd always be her beloved son, she knew that someday he'd find others. That was just the course of things. . . . And if he was happy, she'd wish him nothing more. But he'd always be her baby, regardless.
Lost in thought, a bit dreamy, Bella heaved a sigh and continued to graze.
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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:46 pm
He was growing up well, now able to see over his mother's back without stretching his neck. The unicorn colt had managed to retain his delicate grace despite the growth spurt, his longer stride demonstrated the same light-footed ease as his abandoned childish prancing, and with some lean muscle he was starting to look more like a young stallion than a little foal. He still wasn't ready to actually be considered a young stallion, but he was getting there.
The white colt had grown in maturity as well as the winter receded. At the most basic level he had learned that he was indeed pretty enough to avoid abandonment, and that events that did not flatter his appearance were not signs that his little world would fall apart at the seams. The unconditional adoration from his mother had been a secure starting point for his confidence and kindness to bloom. Oddly enough, it was thanks to his skewed perspective on love and friendship that his ego hadn't grown in proportion to his prettiness, his desire to please others with his appearance had also led him to understand the importance of kindness and good deeds.
He was truly growing up to be a knight in shining armor, even if his armor was an unusual mix of egotistical innocence.
With a soft, happy laugh, Raphe circled back to where his mother stood and affectionately bumped against her side. "Mother, are we going to the river today?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:33 am
The young mare felt the nudge against her side, and her stream of heavy thoughts was quickly broken. She glanced down at her growing son and couldn't help but smile, amber eyes alight with affection and love. She adored it that he still offered her affectionate nuzzles and wasn't too old yet to show his love. Bella did very much enjoy the thought of being loved, and Raphe ceaselessly provided her such things. He was her pride and joy, and she knew she was blessed to have found him in her life.
Reaching out, the young mare nosed him fondly in return, pausing to lip lightly at his shoulder but ever careful not to mess up his hair. The little white unicorn seemed to hate to be a mess and was always dutifully keeping himself preened and clean. He didn't panic half as much as he used to when dirt stained his fetlocks or the wind blew his hair a mess, but she understood fully that looks were incredibly important to him. Bella didn't quite understand where such a need for beauty came from, but then again, she knew little about his biological parents to know what they were like. Nature versus nurture and all that. . .
"I was thinking that we might head that way. With how mild the days have been, most of the ice should be melted. Are you up for such a trip or did you have some where else in mind?" Ever listening, she continued her lazy steps onward, prepared to change direction should her son request it.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:47 pm
Raphe shook his head with a contented smile. "I would like to go to the river, if we can stay where the rocks are. I want to be really clean today."
He had certainly gotten over his fear of running water, and even started to prefer it over ponds when it came to bathing. He could let the water wash away the dirt on it's own, without worrying about stirring up more filth than he was shedding. The discovery of rocky areas of the river bank were an added bonus, especially now that the frost on the ground was disappearing and bathing often involved a trek through mud before you could even reach the water. The colt with his nimble feet and cloven hooves rarely worried about taking a fall on slippery stone, so the benefit was obvious.
Despite his apparent eagerness to bathe, Raphe still disliked being wet. In his mind the only more wretched state than being soaked through was being muddy, and every time he thought about that necessary evil it was a struggle to remind himself that it was for the good of his cleanliness that he go through with it. Thankfully today his joys over his growing mane were keeping most of his displeasure at bay, so his contented smile was genuine, and not yet tinged with that picturesque air of quiet suffering that usually appeared when he knew it was time for a bath.
The white unicorn didn't seem to be in any hurry to get to the river, and he matched his mother's pace for once without trotting ahead or lagging behind out of avoidance. He had not yet grown out of wanting to show his mother how pretty he could be, but he was growing out of the need to run and play instead of being satisfied with a walk and companionship.
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:19 am
((Go me and my lateness. Again. -_-; I'm usually not so horrid with responses. Gah. *hopes you'll forgive for the umpteenth time.*))
Bella chuckled softly, reaching over to gently nose her son's side. "Then to the river we shall trek, and do our best to avoid the slick spots." With that, the cream mare switched direction and began to trot down towards the banks. She never would understand where Raphe inherited a need to be clean and consistently beautiful. Though she often commented on his appearance (in the most positive way, of course) she made sure to praise him even when he was muddy or out of sorts.
The mare understood he'd be beautiful to her no matter what his state; bald and disheveled, or covered in mud! She loved him not because of his lithe nature and appearance, but because of who he was. Raphe was her son, regardless of no actual inherited blood between them. Family was more than relation though. . . And outside of Azumoth and Moppet, whom the young mare was quite unsure what to label them as, Raphe was the only family she knew.
The journey wasn't long, and Bella stayed fairly quiet. Thankfully for Raphe, she did understand the art of some social graces, and though she never would be nearly as balanced and perfect in grace as he, she wasn't one to ruin the peace of the day either. She didn't need incessant chatter to keep her amused or occupied. .. instead she enjoyed the day, the sunshine, and the quiet companionship of Raphe.
It didn't take the pair long to reach the river. The splashing and running water could be heard before it was seen, and while the long grasses of the plains were damp, and there was some mud upon the hooves, Bella lead them towards the rocks where they could carefully avoid the worst of it. "Spring's almost here," she commented, passing a few sprouting greens struggling to fight the last of the cold.
Flowers and greens would be in full swing soon, or so the mare desperately hoped.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:47 pm
"Will there be flowers soon?" Raphe asked curiously, glancing at the new growth. He had heard from a friend that spring brought flowers, and after all this time he was horribly eager to see one. "And are they good to eat, or just good to look at? I really liked that green stuff we found the other day, it tasted a lot better than the usual winter grass."
Although he had been optimistic and cheery up until that point, the little unicorn finally hesitated once they had reached the rocky edge. Such a struggle, every time... He finally took an almost forlorn sigh, and slowly waded into the cold water with an expression that would have been described as melodramatic if he wasn't always so honest about his emotions. It was a horrible feeling, being wet, but he was determined to suffer through it if only so he could be really clean and better show off his prettier mane.
He shivered as he waded up to his belly, careful to stay in the calmer waters where the strong spring currents wouldn't wash him away. The little foal wasn't as little as he had been, but at some level the river still scared him, and he seemed aware enough of how dangerous the river could be. Raphe only rarely went there to bathe when he wasn't with his mother, and only if he was exceptionally dirty or exceptionally careful.
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:00 pm
Bella gave a little smile and nod of her head, following her son to the river. "There will be many flowers soon, and sweet grasses to eat as well. Most flowers are better to look and smell than eat. . . though there are some that make a tasty treat." Bella looked forward to the first blooms, certain Raphe would appreciate the beauty that they possessed. There were a great many things Bella looked forward to teaching the pale unicorn. . . . being a mother certainly was something great.
Though they looked nothing alike, and though Raphe had always been concerned about his parents, Bella loved him like none other. He was the center of her world and all he had to do was ask. . . In a sense she was wrapped around his hoof and had no problem with such a position. The seed of maternal instinct had been planted and Bella could only hope that someday she might have more additions to the family. . . .
Poor Raphe needed some sort of father figure in his life and yet the cream mare understood that might never happen. No stallions appealed to her save one, and the black, mutant shadow seemed to hate her. No. . . no hate. More as if everytime she crossed his path she upset him in someway or some how. There was no way she was pretty enough, or bright enough to capture his heart. . .
No, Azumoth needed someone extraordinary. Someone great. She was lucky to have his friendship and trust of his mother, Moppet, and the mare didn't dare ask for anything more. So a father figure might be a difficult thing to find, especially considering the mare had no eyes for any other.
Bella hid a smile as Raphe tentatively made his way in to the water. The poor boy - he looked absolutely miserable cleaning up - with how concerned with his appearance he was she found it funny he seemed to detest the cleaning process. Sure, water made things stick and curl but in the end it was what helped him shine.
"How's the water?" She asked, eyes gleaming with good humor. Bella herself stepped up to the edge and lowered her head for a drink. She had to resist tossing a small splash in Raphe's direction - no need to make him miserable, especially with how much he detested the water already!
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:07 pm
"It is truly horrible," Raphe muttered quietly in response, shaking himself to allow the water to thoroughly clean his coat. The cold and wet felt simply awful, and there was no getting away from the loud sound of the rushing water so long as he was standing in the middle of it. Dunking his pretty little head drowned out some of the noise, but also made it sound thicker, heavier in a way.
He came back up for air, not wanting to wet his mane for longer than necessary. Since it had grown in length, it would also take more time to fully dry and return to it's normal silky texture. He didn't want it to appear so horribly un-beautiful for too long.
With one last shake and some foot stomping to free as much dirt from his coat as possible, Raphe began wading out of the water. He mostly walked upstream so the current would continue to push his long fur and fetlocks in the right direction, taking only the slightest of angles until he was back out on dry land. If a wet coat in the water was bad, all that fur clinging to his body was worse. Especially with the way the water ran down his tail and legs, he couldn't help but shudder at those horrible little droplets.
He only briefly glanced over at Bella, wearing an "I'm awfully hideous, please don't trouble yourself looking at me" expression with an intensity that matched his earlier woeful face. Perhaps the only thing worse than knowing he looked like a drowned rat was the knowledge that someone else saw him looking like a drowned rat. With an almost shy tilt to his head, he turned away from Bella.
"Mother, please don't look," he said, longing for the day when he was old enough to trust the river to let him bathe on his own, when nobody would be around to see him in such a state. Not that he was ashamed or self-depreciating, since bathing was indeed a necessity, he just hated appearing in a sub-par fashion.
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:56 pm
Bella never quite understood her unicorn sons' desire to pleased on the physical front. Though he was born of a beautiful breed, so pale with his soft gray tones and delicate features, it wasn't his form that made him love her. The young, cream mare adored him for his personality, for his thoughts, for his company, for his love. Sometimes she wondered if perhaps their physical differences kept him away, if he didn't love her quite as much because she obviously wasn't his dam, but such thoughts only lurked in the deepest recesses of her heart and mind. If Raphe was taking such pains in his appearance to please her, Bella could only hope he knew and understood that she loved him regardless of what he looked like. . . .
Compared to him, she felt like a chubby, graceless oaf!
While Raphe bathed, Bella took the opportunity to step in to the water herself. She wasn't going to bathe so thoroughly, but she did wade deep enough so her legs were soaked clean. She also dipped her head to drink, enjoying the refreshing waters that passed. Satisfied, the mare looked up and watched as her son left the embrace of the water. . . He looked purely miserable.
Her heart went out to him - if only he wasn't so stubborn; if only he could realize that everyone had 'bad hair days' and looked poorly from time to time. There was more to beauty than the physical. . . . Ah, but such an idea would take time. A lot of time, perhaps, in Raphe's case.
"Raphe, darling, you look beautiful, even when you're all wet. I wish you wouldn't worry so, love." But, doing as instructed, the mare turned to give her son some time to dry himself. Chuckling lightly, she too waded out of the water and gave herself a little shake, legs and thick tail dripping wet. "If you think you look poorly, I fear what wretched state you must think me!" She teased softly, glancing down at the puddles she now created with every step and movement.
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