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 Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:55 pm
It wasn't that he hated the other seasons. They all had a certain appeal about them, but it seemed that with spring came life. That everything magnified threefold. He was glad that he had come back home. His new siblings were adorable and his family always brought a warmth to his chest. However, he always enjoyed being on the move and couldn't resist a stroll in the nearby woods. He had heard that there was a nice clearing within it and he wanted to check it out.
Daemon nodded his head in greeting as a fox peered out curiously from behind a tree. The fox didn't seem interested though and scurried about on his way. It was nice that the animals were comfortable with his presence. Perhaps they could tell the nice sort from the bad sort easily enough. He would not -- could not -- bring harm to another, unless it was self defense. Life was meant to be enjoyed and as cliche as it might sound, he wanted to bring joy to those around him. He believed that one's actions reflect on them and what goes around comes around.
"Ah," he stated to himself as he spotted the little clearing coming up. He was almost there. He hoped it was as nice as he had heard.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 4:35 pm
 A tunnel of green hemmed her in. Watery green light filtered here and there through the dense emerald roof curving over her crouched body. Some quite large and succulent grapes dangled from a stem in her mouth. She was... a rabbit. Yes, that was it. A brer-rabbit, hiding in her brambley home. Delightedly she looked ahead at the entrance to her 'den' where it broke out into sunshine in a glen. Her wide snotrils inhaled the scent of grapes and living plants, some of the foliage giving off a pungent fragerance as she crushed it beneath her hooves.
It was a very uncomfortable position, granted, and rather unflattering, but she had found out that this was the only way to what she'd come to think of as her secret vineyard. She could have waded through the brush and vines to get to it, she supposed, but that would have set the insects to flying everywhere and would have destroyed all sorts of homes for the wild things. No, this method was much more fun.
But just as she had almost wiggled and scrambled her way out of the tunnel of greenery, she heard hooves approaching at a slow and leisurely pace. She froze as those hooves came itno sight in the bright sunshine. Wide-eyed, she stayed crouched in the low , choked pathway. She was completely hidden, or so she hoped. What was she to do now?
As she deliberated, though, a denizen of her tunnel scurried out. She didn't notice the little thing right away, as she was ag wrapped up in her wild thoughts scattering to the four winds. But when the small creature leapt from a nearby branch and clung to her huge clump of grapes, she took note. It was a very small brown mouse, who was delighted to have food brought to his doorstep so conveniently. He chittered his thanks to Zoet, standing on his hind legs on the bunch and placing his front paws on her nose to peer up happily at her.
Needless to say, Zoet was not pleased. These were her grapes! She tried huffing her breath quietly at him, trying to scare him off. But the mouse merely waved his tail and began to nibble off a sizable clump of the delicious fruit. Irritated, she snorted louder, trying to blow him off. When this didn't work, she began to forget that she was trying to hide. She shook her head vigorously, sending the mouse flying with his mewly won meal, and rustling the brush around her mightily.
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 6:12 am
Right as he had stepped into the small clearing, something whizzed past his knees. He cocked his head to the side and saw a little mouse rolling to a stop. The little creature looked dizzy and seemed to be holding onto some fruit with dear life. Just as quickly, he whipped his head around towards the direction the little critter had come from. Hidden in some brambles seemed to be a mare. However did she fit in there?
"Are you stuck?," he asked incredulously. He found it hard to keep himself from grinning. The poor thing looked so awkward. "Careful, you don't want to get your hair tangled up." The thought of that happening nearly made him wince and he was not the one in that predicament! He wasn't really expecting her to reply since her mouth seemed rather occupied at the moment. He had to admit, the grapes did look inviting. It was easy to piece together just what had taken place between this mare and the mouse.
"I suppose I could turn around," he teased, "so I don't make you more uncomfortable, eh?" Surely it would be easier for her to get out if she didn't have eyes on her, scrutinizing her every movement. Such things always made him more paranoid. He walked further into the clearing and turned his back to her. "Perhaps when you're untangled, you'd be kind enough to show me where you got those grapes?" He was probably pushing it but really, it was unavoidable. He found the situation hilarious.
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:01 am
All she could do was stare wide-eyed in consternation as what turned out to be a stallion peered in at her. Just great. She threw a glare at the mouse as it scurried, or staggered, away. Making sure her grip on the grape stem was firm, she began to inch her way forward, but stopped when he offered to turn his back. Peering up at him, she at first couldn't tell if he was teasing or not. His eyes were laughing... but then he actually did turn his back! Shaking her head a bit, she continued crawling out.
But there, he was teasing her again! For just a moment, a flash of anger flared up. Here she was, a damsel in distress, and all he could do was make fun! Zoet was not a foul tempered mare, however, and the irritation melted away as she finally stood upright again. Bits of green leaves and curling vines had snagged in her mane and lodged in her tail, but she didn't feel a mess. Instead, she set the grapes down and posed in what she thought a nymph might look like. "I feel like the princess of the wood, loved and adored by all the flora...," she glanced around for the mouse, "and fauna." She flashed him with a grin.
"If you want to see where the secret treasure of the forest lays, you must pass the test of humility by submitting yourself to the whims of all living things that thrive here." She tossed her head, her thick mane shedding a few leaves. "And trust me, they make sure you are completely unrespectable by the tiem you wrest your prize from their grasp!" She whickered a laugh and nodded her head in greeting. "Now that you know I have no dignity whatsoever," her eyes twinkled, "let me introduce myself. I'm Zoet, daughter of Eloran. And you are welcome to share my treasure here, if you like." She glanced back at the low tunnel of foliage. "One trip through that a day is enough, I think!"
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:47 am
"You certainly look like a princess of the wood," he began as he turned back around. "You seem to have a bit of that flora all over you. As for the fauna," he had to pause as a bout of laughter came over him, "I think that is up for debate." He still couldn't get the scene with the mouse out of his head.
He peered at her curiously, "Are you telling me that the grapes are down there? In that bramble patch?" It made sense though, what else would she be doing in them? He wasn't sure he wanted to go through there, even for delicious grapes. He was much bigger than the mare before him and if she had a bit of trouble, he'd surely get stuck!
"Zoet, daughter of Eloran, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Daemon. Uh, son of Ghost and Hesperos. Brother of Porsche, Everhart, Shade, Spook and Seyx. Grandson of Spectre and Allariana. Nephew of Boo and Banshee. Cousin of.. well.. you get the picture." He had quite a family, after all.
"Now about that treasure.." he started as he walked around her and attempted to peer into the brambles, "Do you think we could just find an apple tree somewhere? As inviting as grapes sound, I don't think I could fit in there, even if I tried. Especially with the awkwardness of my wings." Oh, what he would give to be a flutter and be able to decrease his size. Of course, then he wouldn't be able to grab a large bundle of grapes, would he? He tried to fold his wings back as tightly as he could, but it didn't seem to help his size much.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 2:48 pm
She couldn't help looking slightly dismayed as he named off his mother, siblings, and extended family. Her mother was NOT in her good graces, having abandoned her and her father when she was still in her basket. And she knew she had brothers, but neither had ever sought her or their father out. A dark shadow passed over her normally sunny expression, but she shook her head as if flies were buzzing her ears, and left the past behind her.
"It's not really as prickly as it looks, but," and she eyed his wings, even tucked in tightly. "Yeah, you might have a tougher time. I suppose you could just fly over the brush." Her voice was dubious though. Truth be told, she was enjoying his company, and would rather not suggest a method of snacking that would require him going where she couldn't. The company was pleasant and she'd not spoken to many lately.
"Here, let me share instead," she offered brightly, stepping over to her deposited grape bunch. Neatly she snipped it into two roughly equal halves with her teeth. "It was a rather big bunch anyway, so there is plenty for a bit of sweet for us both." She nosed both bunches and raised her head to smile at him. "Feel free to pick your favorite... stem-side or non-stem-side!" She stepped back, swishing her tail and scattering more bits of leaves and twigs around.
As he chose, she commented quietly, "It must be nice having such a large and wonderful family. It's just me and my Dad, mostly. Though he tends to stay in his section of forest, which," she glanced around inquiringly before continuing, "isn't really very close to here."
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:23 am
He raised an eyebrow at her offer of sharing. Was this indeed the same mare he had spoken to moments before? At least he was a step above that mouse, he thought with a smile before lowering his head in gratitude. "My thanks are in order," he stated in as noble a tone as he could muster. "I would be honored to partake of your grapes, M'lady."
It looked closely at the grapes, trying to take in the number of them. If he was going to share, the least he could do was take the one with the least amount but she had done a great job of equaling them out. Deciding that it really didn't matter, he grabbed the one on the left as it was closer to him.
"Well, I don't spend as much time with them as my other siblings do," he started, lowering his head to take a couple grapes in his mouth. They were so delicious and juicy. "Perhaps it's the size that pushed me to wander about the land. I love my family, don't get me wrong, but it's always a crowd. I like to come and go as I please. Are you and your dad close or do you spend most of your time alone? And if alone, do you at least enjoy it?"
He knew that it could get lonely being alone all the time. It's why he liked to travel back and visit with his family off and on, but he also liked traveling and living his life alone, not having to answer to anyone. He wasn't sure if he would like it as much if he didn't have a family to visit during those pangs of loneliness.
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:29 pm
She waited until he'd taken some of his chosen cluster to eat before she bent her nead to nibble at her own. They were scrumptiously sweet, but so hard to get that she usually savored them slowly. It was no attempt at delicacy that had her nibbling them in such a manner. It was appreciation, pure and simple. As a consequence, she was rather glad of her small bite when he promptly asked her a question after she'd bitten them off.
She chose to finish chewing as she would normally, letting the juice run across her tongue. She did take some care that she not dribble out the corner of her mouth, though. She might not be the most prim and proper of mares, but even she found that rather unladylike. Once finished, she answered him thoughftully.
"We are close, though I spend my time wandering the lands now." Quite honestly, she hadn't much thought about returning to visit him. She more felt pangs on his behalf than her own when it came to loneliness. "I meet new soquili and keep company with this one or that," she continued, brows furrowed as she clearly thought through how she felt and viewed her own situation. "So I'm not exactly alone. But my father... ," she sighed sadly, "has noone but me. I really should go back to keep him company."
Despite her words, her eyes had the faraway look of a born wanderer, someone who loved to explore, discover, investigate. But within her beat a soft heart. "He's had some unhappy things in his past, and he tends to keep to himself now, you see," she explained, her gaze returning to his. "When I left to explore the world, he might not have seen very many others of our kind, if any at all." She bit her lip, feeling guilty. "I probably shouldn't have left him at all." Her heart was heavy, torn by a sense of love and duty to her father, pulling against her own desires to travel and meet new folks.
She suddenly flushed warm, realizing she'd been babbling on about a rather private and personal matter. "I'm sorry, I've been hogging the spotlight." Rather firmly, she squared herself to face him and gave him a bright smile, which while sincere also clearly was meant to banish her own shadowy conerns. "Now that you know my secret hiding place with its sweet treasure, do you have anywhere you like to hide out that you've stumbled upon in your travels?" There, that was a safe enough change of subject, right?
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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:26 pm
Daemon nodded quietly and lowered his head to grab another bite of grapes from the vine held firm beneath his hooves. It must be hard having such a small family. She seemed to handle it quite well. She appeared to have quite a bit of friends and that was always a good thing.
When she mentioned that his father had no one but her, that brought a pang of sadness forth. That was part of the reason he was happy for his parents having more foals now that he and his siblings had grown. Even in his absence, they would never be alone. It brought him peace of mind. Would he be so content to wander if his parents had no one but himself? Probably not. He would no doubt visit home a lot more often.
"Perhaps you should visit him?," Daemon finally offered after a moment of silence. "You might feel better afterwards." Though he understood her guilt all too well, he also knew that if she had stayed with her father, she would have been unhappy. Love was not enough when the wind called one to roam. Though he loved his family, he would feel like a trapped beast if he was never allowed to travel. It was not the kind of life someone like him could live. "I am sure he understands."
He shook his head and smiled warmly, "Nothing to be sorry for. My family is quite big. My parents recently had another batch of foals. They are quite occupied, I imagine. As for the treasure, well, there's an apple grove I go to that's rather delicious. It's easier to get to by air, but not impossible to get to by land. There's one trail I spotted from above it." He lowered his head and finished off the grapes. Though he loved apples, the grapes were a wonderful change. He wished he knew of a grove that had something rarer than apples but none came to mind at the moment.
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:22 pm
She set her teeth into her lip, considering his words. Of course, he was right. She should visit him more often, but he would also be very undertanding. "He spoils me," she commented. "He always taught me right from wrong, but endeavored to get me whatever it was I desired." She smiled a bit sadly, glancing at Daemon. "Probably because of what happened with my mother." She hadn't turned out spoiled, she didn't think. But she probably had gotten more of what she wanted than most foals.
She gave her coat a brief shudder, as if shaking off her negative feelings. "Well, time enough for that, I think. For now, are you still hungry? I admit, I'm curious about your apple sanctuary, but if you aren't wanting any, I'd rather not press you about it." She gave him a small but bright smile. "If not apples, then perhaps just a stroll?" She was enjoying his company, and hardly wanted to part company just yet. Perhaps it was a bit flirty and forward of her, but why not ask? She saw no reason to stand on tradition for a male to be the one to direct a conversation or to invite the famale for a walk. She was much more independant than that, and had yet to meet a stallion who was terribly put off by it. Of course, there could always be a first time!
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:26 am
Daemon nodded in thought, "It sounds like you had a good father," he complimented. "If I had a single daughter, I am sure I would spoil her as well. It would be hard to avoid," he grinned before continuing, "Can I ask what happened with your mother or is that 'do not speak of' territory?" He had to admit, he was curious. Something seemed to have drawn that family apart. It was so opposite than his family.
His question was easily forgotten though when she mentioned the apples, "It takes more than a few grapes to fill my big belly," he laughed. "I'd love to take you to it. It will be interesting to find that trail. I've never walked it before. Heck, it'll be a bit of a stroll just to get to it. I'm sure we'll work up an appetite along the way." Though flying made things faster, he found himself thankful that she didn't have wings. He didn't want to rush this trip as he was finding the company quite enjoyable.
"I'll lead the way, m'lady princess of the wood," he teased playfully as he lowered his head into a bow. Then he turned to start the trek to the apple grove.
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:19 pm
She smiled at his jesting about his belly, grinning sideways at him in amusement. She loved it how he could joke about himself that way. It never did to be too terribly serious about one's self, she didn't think. She was glad he wanted to show her the way, though really, they would be discovering the way together. Her tail flagged happily at the prospect of an exploring meander.
She chuckled at his mocking tease, tipping her nose into the air to stare down her long muzzle at him aloofly. "You do that, good sir, and I shall trail elegantly in your wake." Then she made a terrific face, ruining the image of being a lady, and darted to start out at his side, rather than in his wake, as she'd teased. Luaghing, she settled down into a decent pace beside him as they headed in the right direction.
After a few moments of pleasant walking through sun-dappled forest, she took a breath and gave him a slight smile. "You asked about my mother earlier," she began. "It isn't a taboo subject, but it is an emotional one for me." She swished her tail with a little more energy than was called for, ears flicking with her thoughts. She allowed herself a few moments to collect herself before she continued. "My father fell head over heels in love for a pretty wild mare. She stole his heart, and he happily showed her his home among the two-leggers. They lived happily for a time, and he confessed his love for her, asking her to be his mate." She paused, staring absently at the ground before them.
"My mother demurred and didn't give him an answer right away. But their love took on the form of her becoming pregnant. My father was delighted, and proud as could be. In his heart, he considered her his mate, even if she hadn't accepted his plea to bind herself to him. She was his whole world, aside from his human caretaker. Then came the day we were born." She swallowed the lump in her throat, clearing it a few times before she said more. "I don't know why, but my mother had decided that she'd had enough. That night, while my father slept, she slipped away, taking two of their three baskets with her. When my father awoke, he was devestated. He simply couldn't understand why the love of his life had chosen to whisk their children away and leave him. He waited for her, hoping she would return, but she never did."
She bit her lip. "Then worse happened. My father's two-legger grew ill and died. Bereft and hurting, he took me, just a very young filly then, and escaped to the forest." She looked up at him then, a fire in her eyes. "I don't know what happened to my siblings, but neither has tried to find their father. I have never attempted to find my mother, either, because if I did...," the fires in her gaze flared up fiercely for a moment, then died down. "Well, I don't know what I'd do, but it wouldn't be nice. She destroyed our family, without an apology or even giving a reason for abandoning us like that." Her ears pinned as she thought of her mother. "I wish my father had found someone else to love him, but for now, I'm all he's got, and I love him with every fiber of my being." Her ears relaxed as she declared her love for her parent, but then seemed to come back to herself, glancing at her companion.
"I'm very sorry... I tend to get worked up when I talk about my mother or father." She gave a more gentle swish of her tail and heaved a deep breath, sighing it out as if to clear out the bad memories and feelings. "It is far from a perfect family, but we don't get to choose our parents, do we?" It was a rehtorical question, but she still smiled at him ruefully. "So I try to make up for that by choosing good friends." That definitely changed her expression to one of teasing. "Do you think you qualify, mister?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:52 am
He couldn't help but laugh at the face she made. He was sure if she had seen it, it would have put a stop to her future face-making entirely. As such, he took it upon himself, as his sworn duty, to keep that knowledge from her. Besides, there was a cuteness to it that he had found rather endearing.
He walked in silence as he listened to her speak of her mother. The story brought a sadness about in him that he had not felt before. How could such a thing be possible? Though he understood the calling, not wanting to be a part of the two-leggers area as that was very difficult for the wild type to truly call home, why split up the baskets? Why leave without talking to the partner? He could understand her resentment. He did not know the mare and he wanted to join in on it.
"Your father has my respect," he stated finally, breaking his silence. "He has experienced great hardships and handled them responsibily. Though that's the expected route for one to take, it's very rare that it's actually taken. Many flee from them. Though I am not one to really judge as I do not know your parents, I would venture to guess that it's what your mother had done. Fled from the hardship instead of trying to find away to work with it or around it. Not many are strong enough to do the right thing, for often the right thing is the most difficult path to take."
He silently hoped that her father would find someone else as well. He knew of many in the land that had found happiness with others despite experiencing similar pains. It wasn't impossible though it could be very hard to learn to trust again. There were also two sides to every story so the mother could have a good reason for leaving that night, but then again, he couldn't understand what good reason could exist that didn't at least warrant an explanation.
"There is nothing for you to apologize for, Zoet. I cannot say I wouldn't feel the same if I had experienced the same things. I can see why you and your father are so attached now, though. It is good that you have one another." When the conversation turned playful, he bounded forward and turned to bow once more.
"What better friend for the princess of the wood than a noble knight?," he asked. "I would like to think that I qualify quite well. Why, I'll prove it the next time you get accosted by a mouse. Of that, you have my word!"
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:54 pm
His first words after her tale startled her. She paused to blink at him in surprise. He... respected Eloran? That was the first time she'd gotten that particular response. The reasons he gave only made her stare even more thoughtfully at him, for they were the very reasons she herself held her father in such high regard. The stallion's sentiment touched her heart, and thus warmed her attitude towards him. The change was sublte, but it showed most in her gaze, which softened and grew more heartfelt than ever.
As he leapt forward to mock bow and playact with her, she grinned delightedly. How she appreciated having someone to act silly with, without worrying about appearing foolish. "But good sir, you have not a lance with which to deter the mad beast," she exclaimed in mock chagrin. "Let thy lady solve such a shameful oversight!" With that, she primly trotted over to a dead bush not far from them. The leaves had long fallen from it's branches, so it was quick work to set her teeth against a branch and snap one off. She trotted back to him, just a primly, her head held properly high and aloof. She solemnly placed the long and gnarled branch before him and gave a small bow. "Thy weapon, my knight, for dissuading that awful monster from invading my leafy kingdom ever again!"
She then ruined the mock-serious effect by suddenly flashing a bright and merry smile before breaking into mad giggles. "Oh my... such fun!" she gasped around her laughter. "Ah, I haven't had such fun in so long." She beamed at him. "Your family must be quite a happy group to be around, if you are the result."
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:49 pm
If only he had a unicorn horn like some of his family members. It would have made a fine lance. That thought quickly faded when she presented him with a 'lance' to use. "Ah, my princess, what a fine lance you have offered. This is a fine weapon indeed." He bowed once more and lowered his head to pick the small branch up with his teeth.
He gave it a shake for good measure before putting it back down. It would be impossible to talk with the branch taking up the majority of his mouth. "Perhaps I'll just scare away the beast with my looks," he teased. "It seems to work nine times out of ten." At that, he scrunched his face up to look as ugly as possible. It faded a moment later when his laugh broke it. It was hard to take it seriously.
He took pride in her compliment. Though he felt a little guilty at having such a large family, he knew they were a big part of how he came to be. He had a great fondness for them and they really were a loving family, for the most part. His brother was a little moody at times. It was rather strange at times and he was never sure what caused it. Generally though, his family was quite adorable, or so he liked to think.
"I'd like you to meet them one day, though I should not introduce you to them. You see, they'd never let you go. To think, you might be stuck with me permanently." He grinned and turned to continue leading her to the apple grove. "Really though, I think they would be quite taken by you. We usually think similarly when it comes to such things."
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