|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:10 pm
T'Cora nudged her darkling son into the gleaming pool of water. This was fresh water, unlike the brackish pools that lingered from the ocean's highest waves. A few tiny, ticklish fish lived in this pool, but nothing more. She herself loved the ocean, but acknowledged that fresh water gave life as the ocean did not.
His siblings were off playing in a meadow not far away. They both could hear the distant laughter and neighing as the two played under the watchful eye of Mystre. The wolf had long since become accustomed to their new family situation, and had welcomed the foals with as much delight as the mare could have hoped. Now he was quite content to play babysitter whenever T'Cora or Darius asked. He doted on the foals like a loving uncle, nevermind the difference in species. T'Cora was firm in her determination that her children would be raised to consider all creatures equal and worthy of attention and love.
Today was to be a special day for Hadrian, though. Each of the foals was being taken aside for a day by one of their parents. What went on during that day was kept just between them, but she and Darius had already discussed at least the general intent of these excursions. It was a chance for them to pass on, in a meaningful fashion, the important things of life. She quite honestly hadn't any idea what Darius had planned for little Hadrian today, but she knew her mate well, and was sure the colt would enjoy himself, but also hopefully learn something.
"There now, get yourself all clean," she instructed him, nosing the water as if showing him. Oh, he was old enough to know how to clean himself up properly, but a mother's ihstruction never seemed done. "Be sure to get your tail-tuft clean. You'd be surprised the dirt that ends up there. All that dust raised by your hooves gets caught in that fur on the end." She watched him carefully, both to ensure proper cleanliness as to ensure safety. "Papa should be arriving soon, and we want you to be ready."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:51 am
Hadrian did as instructed, though his mind was easily distracted by the water. He couldn't help but splash a bit, cautious of his mother of course, and a sliver of the foal wanted no more than to just play and swim. He adored the water thanks to their ocean side residence and little Hadrian would waste no time when it came to swimming. This fresh water had a different feel to it, in all honesty; not just good to drink but good to bathe in too! It didn't make his coat feel crusty and it was much, much nicer to accidentally swallow.
BUT he wasn't supposed to be playing, as a cautious glance at his mother reminded him. Cleaning was the task at hand, even while his brother and sister rolled around in the meadow with reckless abandon. Today he was going out with his papa . . . but where. . and why . . he just didn't know. All attempts at getting any information out of his mother had failed, but that didn't mean he'd give up hope of finding out. So long as this wasn't a you're in trouble sort of outing, he'd be happy! "So are we going somewhere far?" He asked as casually and offhand as possible, craning his neck to try to dig at his tail tuft to make sure it was extra clean. Maybe his mother would know that much at the very least.
An outing with his father. . . . and just him! There would be no siblings around to steal his thunder or his papa's attention. Not that any of the foals lacked in love, of course not! But sibling rivalry was apparent in every bundle of children, and T'Cora and Darius' three were no exception. Hadrian wanted to look his very best this day. . . and he would!
Giving a few more splishes and splashes, the little coat shook out his mane before looking up at his mother, standing knee deep in the water. "How's this, Mama?" He asked, blue eyes bright. He grinned up at her, his little, water-logged tail tip slowly swishing and making ripples behind him. Hadrian felt clean. . . but then he would have felt clean even if he'd just stuck in one hoof!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:40 pm
She watched him studiously bathe, with a few playful splashes about. Who could blame him? It was a beautiful, warm day, and the idea of frolicking in the water appealed even to her, though her choice would have been in the ocean, along the beach that their home range touched. However, she did not mind staying here in the warm sun with her children either. They were such joys! She was surprised with the amount of love that swelled her once aloof heart. Had she known, so long ago, what love could really be, what love could do, she would have sought it before Darius had sought her. But there, things had happened as they had for a reason, for there was no denying their love was strong.
She smiled at Hadrian as he asked his question. Every curious, ever inquiring. The questions never stopped when you had three young ones. "I don't know, my darling, but it will certainly be no longer than overnight," she answered rather unhelpfully. "It's no use asking me, you know. Your Papa hasn't told me where he is taking you. It's a surprise." She reached to nibble gently at the white spot of mane near his withers and then stepped back with an approving nod. "Very handsome, and quite clean. Now come dry in the sun while we wait for Papa to arrive."
Darius regularly took flights on his own. They had already had long talks about his desire to fly, but his desire for her to experience it all with him, and the impossibility of doing both at once. They had settled on an agreeable arrangement between them. He flew off daily, stretching his wings and exploring the land. Where he went was nevera mystery for long, however, since every night he and she would take a walk, whispering and nuzzling, talking beneath the stars about where he'd gone and what he'd seen, and about how her day had gone as well.
For now, she led her little darkling colt down a soft grassy trail, away from the sounds of his siblings. They climbed up a trail that opened suddenly upon a bluff, overlooking where the land slowly rolled down to meet the sea. This was where she often awaited her mate's return, for from here she could see the sky all around, save for beyond the shoulder of mountains that lumbered low and close to the sea nearby.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:00 am
The little colt couldn't help but be excited about this day. Though he was going to miss playing with his brother and sister, and he knew for sure he'd miss his momma, this was a special day. He was getting all cleaned up for it and had to look his very best- this truly was some special outing. And just for him and Papa!
As he followed his mother up to the bluff, Hadrian stole a few glances up to the sky above. Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to fly - two of his siblings could, but he was special and looked just like his momma. Still, he wasn't jealous, just curious what it was like way up there. A small part of Hadrian wondered if it were ever frightening - to be so high up with no ground beneath ones hooves! Ooooo. . . . .maybe it was good he didn't have wings.
Shaking his head, he hurried up ahead of his mother (but was mindful of the edge of the bluff, no need to get in trouble right before his great adventure!). His tail swishes happily back and forth behind him as he looked out ahead. All right. . . . Which way would Papa be coming from? He was big and blue and had lots of hair so that could only mean he'd be noticeable. Squinting, he tried to see as far out upon the horizon as he could. . . . no blue speck there.
Or over there.
His little butt wriggled a bit in anticipation, dancing from hoof to hoof. Somewhere his father was on his way, and all for him! If that didn't make a soquili feel good, Hadrian just plum didn't know what would.
"I don't see him yet, Mama." Ah, Hadrian's powers of observation were absolutely astounding. But he was young, so it was easily excusable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:23 pm
He watched with amusement for a moment from beneath the treeline as his mate and son traipsed up to the bluff's edge, eyes turned to the skies to watch for him. He let them wait a while longer before he finally emerged. Even beneath the sun's bright light, they did not see him. Their eyes were still scanning clouds and horizons for some sign of him.
His chuckle, however, brought them round for sure. He walked on four hooves towards them, tail in glittering sheath swishing contentedly behind him. He greeted T'Cora with a gentle nuzzle and a moment spent gazing adoringly into her seafoam eyes. It wasn't long, however, before he turned his attention to his eager son.
"Are you ready, Hadrian?" Darius' deep and gentle voice still held his amusement at their surprise that he had not flown in. "It is time for our day to start. Let's go." He sent a grin to his mate before turning and heading back the way he had come, letting the colt follow as he may.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
