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 Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:09 pm
Luca had agreed to let Cassiel stay with them as long as she liked, which completely thrilled the outgoing purple colt. He was tending to forget his brother, unfortunately, but he tended to feel that the timid filly needed him more. So it was that he rarely left her side. It was his habit to keep up a steady stream of chatter without bothering her with expectations for her to speak up, though he listened attentively when she did, and beamed happily at her all the while. She had become his mission. He wanted to see her happy and content. Every soquili deserved that, but most especially Cassiel.
Today they had wandred out into a wide and grassy meadow. The snows had melted swiftly in these lower fields, and green things had sprouted joyfully beneath the spring sun. Not very much had grown yet, though, with winter still nipping at them in the north wind. Even so, things looked a lot different than it had when they'd first met.
Excitedly Tobi trotted sideways, tossing his head repeatedly as he chattered to his friend. "Mama says soon there'll be flowers, an bees, an rabbits, an lots of other critters that hide-er-nate during winter! Won't that be fun? She says they make t'riffic playmates!" His pale mane rippled and floated on the brisk wind like clouds ripped across the sky. He gave a happy squeal and did a high buck, kicking his heels to the blue, blue sky. "Just think of playin hide n' seek wif squirrels (they scramble in trees, Mama says), an chasin rabbits (Mama says them is reeeeeeeaally fast, but I bet I'm faster!), an finding other foals t'play wif!"
So excited was he, that he didn't quite manage to keep his hooves under him as the land dipped suddenly. He stumbled as his legs began to fold under him unexpectedly. With a startled snort, he lost the battle with gravity and tumbled head over heels down the short hill, landing in a mud puddle at the bottom.
As he staggered dizzily to his feet, a bray of rude laughter nearby made first his ears, then his head swivel. A troop of three colts stood nearby, lazily flipping their short brush tails and looking down their noses at him. "Haha, we should call that one Fumblefoot, eh Brady?" A pibald colt gave a larger chestnut a hard shove with his nose, snorting nasally in laughter. The third, a dark bay, brayed again in laughter, sounding more like a donkey than a soquili.
Tobi's eyes widened, then he gave a snort, shaking himself from nose to tail, shedding some of the mud. He gave the three a disdainful look and then turned his back on them, moving away from them and towards Cassiel. His whole body spoke of his indignation, from his tail and head held high to his stiff, jerky movements.
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:48 pm
Cassiel had found herself enjoying the company of Luca and her son. It was a bit overwhelming, from time to time, but for the most part the young filly had found her spirits lifted. With them she wasn't reminded of her faults, of her place; though Eponine and Twilight adored her, the young filly found herself reminded every day that she plum wasn't the same. . . There was a hurt that decorated her mother's expression that Cassiel saw every day; so to be with Luca she could temporarily forget about such pain.
Being with the purple family allowed her to forget about her negligent father and his wrath, his obsession. Ezriel had thought only of himself, only of this Nimue, and had left without much of a care. She hardly saw him, and though she loved him, he was also laced with hurt. Such pain reflected upon her own heart, and her own darkness was particularly susceptible.
Finally, there was Tobi - her first dear friend, and one that didn't seem to mind her quiet companionship. He reminded her of her brother, Rue, though such a colt was long since gone. He was but a ghost to her, a mystery she never had the opportunity to know. With Tobias, though, she had a new companion in her life. He was protective and caring and had enough energy and stories to carry on for the two of them.
. . . . she liked that.
It was easy to forget about past mistakes and regret that haunted her. It was easier to breathe, easier to live, and easier to forget there was a family waiting her return. Though she was broken, Cassiel wanted only to be with her new friends and thus had refused to return.
The afternoon was no exception.
Walking with the purple and white haired colt, Cassiel said nothing in the way of conversation. She was quiet but much preferred to listen; she had her opinions, certainly, but she found herself entranced by the way in which her bestest friend spoke. He often had stories to share, or could prattle on and on for hours about a particular subject in a way which the pink and white filly couldn't imagine. Where she took notice of a leaf or of stars, he seemed to find himself lost in a jungle or perhaps flying through the air like a wind. Everything was so much greater and much more wonderful and happy with little Tobias around. . . .
And Cassiel liked it.
If only - - Thoughts suddenly stopped as she looked up from her hooves to see her friend tumble down and forward. Ebony eyes widened and with a little lurch, the white and red filly navigated her way down the small hill. There she found a very muddy Tobias, and three others. . . . others that didn't look very nice either.
Shyness and anxiety began to overwhelm the filly and she found herself quite unsure on what to do. Did she stay or did she go? Did she wait for Tobias to approach or did she say something to the strange colts? unable to help herself, the white and crimson little lady reached out ever so shyly to nose at Tobias. If it was one thing she had learned well from her foal hood experiences, it was how to ignore the world. Tail swishing anxiously behind her, she waited for Tobias to respond, more than ready to take her leave.
But life wasn't so easy. A chestnut colt, the largest of the three and self-proclaimed leader gave a little sneer. Pushing past his friends, he was pleased to see that it was not just one purple Fumblefoot, but two! "Fumblefoot is right! You'd think a colt his age would be able to walk. . " Eyes danced between filly and colt before a wicked little smile crossed his features. "Awwwww - look at that, boys! Fumblefoot here has a friend! I'nt it sweet?" His sneer was as ruthless as young ones could be, and just as unforgiving.
Already Brady had decided he didn't like this purple 'Fumblefoot' character - and the same went with the girl he was with! One covered in mud, the other with ugly eyes. . . . What a pair they made!
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:26 pm
"Just ignore them, Cassiel," the purple colt told her stoutly, casting a glare back at the bullies before beginning to herd his friend back up the hill. If only it were that simple.
Brady caught the glare, and took it as a challenge. "Maybe they aren't just friends, boys. Maybe Fumblefoot has a thing for Miss Ugly Eyes." His sneer brought more guffaws from his companions. Encouraged and enboldened by their backup, he strutted up past the two smaller foals, blocking their way. "Though why he'd want Miss Ugly Eyes for a girlfriend, I can't figure out." He snorted wetly in disdain and peered down his nose at the pink and white filly.
The smaller but strong body of Tobi was trembling with fury by now. He could feel Cassiel cringing beside him, on the verge of fleeing entirely. Much as he wanted to yell for Mama, he instinctively knew this was not the time for that. It was time for him to be a stallion!
He again placed himself in front of Cassiel, head thrown high, ears pinned, jaw squared. "You stop talking about her that way and 'pologize, mister," he demanded. "We ain't done nuthin to you ta make you say such meanness." He threw his chest out and glared up into the bully's eyes. "Yer just makin trouble."
His only sign of uncertainty was one ear flicking as he heard the other two coming up the hill to join their buddy. They weren't laughing any more. Trouble was most definitely in the making.
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:50 pm
Cassiel could feel the tension in the air. Part of her was growing more and more upset by the entire confrontation, her gentle spirit quivering with confusion and fear. Why were they picking on them? Like Tobi had said, they weren't bothering anyone. So why the mean names? Why the laughter directed at them? Why. . . why everything?
Nostrils flaring, ears pinned, a sliver of the girl was growing angry. She wanted to yell at them, to throw herself upon them and call them mean and ugly names back! She wanted to have them feel the hurt and pain, she wanted to know if they liked it any better.
But she couldn't, and didn't dare budge.
She wasn't her father, a fighter. She wasn't her grandfather and would never be molded in to something fierce. Though sometimes her heart wavered in darkness, though sometimes she struggled with pain and rage and bitterness, Cassiel harbored much of her mothers spirit. It kept her soft, shy, and afraid; it was a barrier that firmly kept any violent temper or cruelty at bay.
In short, the young filly was harmless.
Everything was going from bad to worse. This Brady character was mean somethin' awful, and she could hardly find her tongue! Her? Girlfriend? Ugly eyes? She blinked, brows furrowing as she bit her lower lip. . . .
Well. . . she'd had a bit of a shady beginning, but she'd never thought of herself as ugly. Not until he now mentioned it. Her eyes were those of her fathers; her brother harbored a similar darkness. It was an odd appearance but she made due. . . But until this Brady character pointed out it was ugly, Cassiel had never thought twice about it!
"I'm not . . . I mean we're not . . ." Her words came out in her eternal whisper, though they were half-choked and not quite strong. Before she had a chance to explain, a purple form had once again pushed his way between herself and the glaring colt.
Retreating a few steps, to give Tobias some room, the girl noticed the approach of the other pair. The toadies. . . the lackeys. . . Oh bother. Why didn't Tobias just be quiet? He didn't have to make them apologize, she doubted they would anyway! Oh no . . . things were looking more and more bleak by the minute! Leaning over, she gave Tobias a little nudge with her head, as if to try to entice him to budge. "Tobie . . . please. . . Let's just go, ok?" It was a desperate whisper, though her gaze continued to dance from each of the little gang.
With Brady staring down Tobias and at the lead, the other two had managed to go around either side. They were surrounded, at least partially so, and all laughter had subdued. "Hey Brady - didja hear that? Ugly Eyes thinks they're gonna' go some where~!"
"Highly unlikely!" Brayed the third, his heeing and hawing laughter cutting through obnoxiously.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:59 pm
Fighting down surges of growing fright, Tobias sidled closer to Cassiel, ears now flicking like mad as he glanced from one to another. They weren't going to be nice and behave like gentlestallions, obviously. So what now? He tried to ignore the fierce beating of his heart as he and his friend were surrounded, but he really was lighter built than these buffoons. He felt small and was beginning to feel helpless as well.
But Cassiel's frightened whisper and their mocking of her once more began to banish the fear with outrage again. But the last straw came from a startled cry of fear and pain from the filly. He spun to see one of the bullies had a muzzle-full of her lovely black tail, and was tugging on it. His eyes widened at the injustice of it, and something shifted inside him. With a warning bugle of fury, he gave one great leap towards the one with his teeth set in the long hairs of her tail, and rose up on his hind legs.
Small he might be, but he was quick and strong. His forehooves flashed in the sunlight, striking the older colt on the head and neck and sensitive muzzle. The small, flint-hard hooves made audible thumps as they connected. Tobias himself was a sight to behold, with his ears pinned and teeth bared fiercely.
Almost instantly, the other colt let go with a cry, falling back in surprise and dismay. It wasn't so much that he couldn't have trounced this small purple upstart, but he simply wasn't used to be defied. He stumbled backward, his poor muzzle smarting from the thrashing. "Get back there and fight him, Rasher!" cried Brady, but Rasher had had enough of this. He turned and fled, and could have been heard in the distance bawling for his mother. The third colt looked positively unnerved, but Brady looked murderous.
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Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:09 pm
Cassiel hadn't seen the bully sneak up from behind but she certainly felt it! Gasping in surprise and a bit of pain, she turned to see her little black tail being tugged and pulled upon by one of the bullies and did her best to squirm away.
It was rather pathetic.
Cassiel wasn't a particularly strong filly, taking more after her mother's side than her father's, and at such a tender age her negative spirit hadn't allowed her much spunk. Thankfully though, Cassiel wasn't abandoned or left alone to such devastation and torment. Black eyes pinned as a flash of purple suddenly seemed to rise up and plow in to Rasher. Her tail was released, and Cassiel spun 'round, jerking away from the little colt lest he try to get her again.
Part of Cassiel was in awe. . .
Had Tobias just defended her? Had he actually come to her aid and knock the bully away? It surprised the filly, who had half expected her friend to run away while given the chance, or at least force her to figure out a way to get her own tail back. In fact, she was so stunned with him that she almost didn't know what to do. . . That is, until Brady called out and ruined her moment.
Cringing, she pushed herself as close to Tobias as he dared, half hissing in her whispered voice, "Toby~! Let's go! Let's go now, before we get hurt!" It broke her heart as she realized that Tobias could very well get kicked in the face just like he had the little bully colt. . . and it would be her fault if she did!
Somehow, no matter the logic (or lack there of) it would be her fault.
Thankfully, after seeing Rash get bruised, Tavu wasn't quite so sure he was feeling up to a fight. There were two of them, afterall, and now they were down one facing a colt who seemed very much prepared to fight. "You better w-watch it! You're gonna pay!" If Brady wanted to fight than fine. . .but Tavu would happily stand BESIDE his pal, not in front of him.
Yes, he was a coward, but he wasn't stupid. Maybe this fight wasn't such a good idea afterall, not with one that was willing to fight back.
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:39 pm
Tobias stared after the fleeing colt, and saw the fear in the other colt's eyes. Even their leader looked uncertain and vaguely alarmed. The young male wasn't sure how he felt about this. In fact, it nearly frightened him as badly as it had the bullies. Had he really hurt another? For a moment he qualied at the thought of his actions, but an inward voice rose in protest. They had been hurting Cassiel, after all! He'd had to protect her. His moment of uncertainty faded, and he squared his shoulders and stood taller. He glared back at Brady defiantly. "We are going now," he informed him in a high but steady voice. "My mother wants us back in time for darkfall." He spoke slowly and firmly, careful to say his words properly so that his meaning would be taken seriously. "Goodbye."
With that he turned and nudged Cassiel ahead of him, towards home. As they moved away, he glanced back towards the remaining two foals. Brady had turned on his hapless friend and was giving him vicious nips with furious squeals. Tobi dearly hoped they'd never meet again, not even as adults. That Brady was going to grow up to be a nasty sort. They faded from sight, as the golden rays of sunset began to gild the trees and turn the clouds beautiful colors.
He moved closer to his friend, nickering encouragingly to her. "You were very brave, Cassie. Thanks for not leaving me there to face them all by m'self." He reached to nuzzle her affectionately. "We make a good team." He trotted on beside her for a bit before adding in a confidential manner, "Dun worry... I'll never let anythin' bad happen to you. Yer m'friend, and that's worth more than even life itself, m"Mum says." His attitude reflected that he too believed what his mother had taught him.
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:02 pm
Cassiel wasted no time to turn from the remaining bullies. She heard the whines and squeals of protest as Brady took out his aggression in other means; deep in her heart she was more than relieved neither had to have faced him. Though Cassiel was shy and though she felt heartache deep in her heart and even a sense of resentment, she was surely no bully. Why another foal had to be so blatantly mean she just didn't know. . . . but didn't want to find out.
Hurrying away, she made sure Tobias was close and refused to walk too far ahead. The mean foals had given the little filly quite a start - she didn't like to be picked on, no siree. But with Tobias around, well, after seeing what he did just to rescue her poor tail she had no doubt that he'd make sure no others bullies bothered them this afternoon.
He really was her hero.
Cassiel glanced over at her friend as he nickered to her, admitting his own thanks in having her around. Surprise laced her ebony gaze, causing her a moments confusion. Why was he thanking her? She didn't do anything except encourage him to run and get her tail pulled. . . . She would never have abandoned him to face them alone though! And had a big fight really broken out, well, it was safe to say Cassiel would have tried her best to have helped her friend as much as she could.
His little nuzzle did cause her pause, and she dipped her head almost in shame. Why did he have to be so nice to her? She didn't deserve as such a good friend as him. . .not in the least. She was nothing but a downer, a pit of despair and a creator of trouble. . . so why was he defending her and saying such nice things? Still, the young mare didn't dare say anything else break such a fragile moment. Worth more than life itself?
Oh. . . Luca might very well think that's what friendship was about, but Cassiel wasn't worth more than someones life, ESPECIALLY Tobias'. He was the most important, the most special. . . and she didn't ever want to get him in trouble again. And if he was willing to risk his life for her, if he thought their friendship was that special. . .
No. That couldn't be right and Cassiel couldn't risk such a thing. To put him in harms way would be the ultimate worst thing she could do. He deserved good friends, sweet friends, nice friends. . . . He deserved someone just as special as himself. Maybe it wasn't good if she stayed . . . . maybe he and Luca would be better off without her.
Ah, but such a secret promise of escape was one she'd make only to herself. To protect those that had cared for her more than anyone, she'd have to get away. Even if she'd miss them horribly. Gulping back what felt like a sob (Cassiel refused to cry) she gave a little shake of her head and offered a tentative and very shy nuzzle back, breaking it off quickly in case he grew upset. ". . . . you're my very best friend, Tobi. . . I'm glad I . . . I met you. . Thank you. . .for everything."
If she were to truly save her friend. . . .
She'd have to cut her ties and leave. Run. It was the only way he'd truly be happy.
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