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 Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:26 pm
She had found that twilight seemed the most soothing time for her to wander, freed from scrutnizing glances of others and the harsh beams of sunlight that made her blood-soaked body feel stiff and unnatural. It was also when they came to visit her the most. While others found her strange and unnatural, they were always fascinated by her ability to "see" them, to hear their stories and speak with them as though they were still a part of this world. As it was, the young mare would dreamily converse with just about anyone who decided to stick around long enough, whether they actually existed or not. She was largely unaffected by cruel comments and disgusted looks, often humming some silly sort of tune before she often paused to chatter at the air and whatever spirits she imagined to be lurking there. Her filthy mane and tail was snared and tangled by various brambles she'd trudged through, and the blood that seeped from her cuts blended in with the mess that already had been made of her pale form. "Will I get to meet your friends?" She questioned the particularly lively ghost that had decided to be her guide this evening. The sounds of the night were her only answer. "Oh, that's very nice... I do like friends..." Kusabi murmured idly as she made to keep up, weaving through thorny branches that raked against her sides like eager hands. Eventually, the unkind wood parted to make way for a gurgling brook--filled with all sorts of water nymphs and other divine shades, from what she could see. She greeted them kindly in turn, bobbing her head with an absent sort of way before she paused to drink. Yes, the dusk was a very nice time to set out and wander... Her ghostly companion bobbed aimlessly near her face as though to confirm as much. He vanished without warning when she suddenly paused to try and take a better look--but that was all right. She was used to that, too. "It's a shame they never stay for very long." She sighed to the squabbling spirits, observing the riverside with practiced patience. Just what matter of creature, she mused in the quiet, might she happen upon tonight?
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:57 am
 It was exceptionally warm this evening. Though it hadn't been long since his last drink, he found himself making his way back to the water hole. Though it wasn't much of a hole, more like a stream or brook of sorts. He never did understand that term since the only 'hole' in the land was the big lake but that was out of his way. The brook would do. He hated summer. It was entirely too hot but at least the sun was making its journey home. He found the evenings much more enjoyable. For one, it started to finally cool off in the evenings. Secondly, the sun was no longer around to burn his sensitive eyes and beat down upon his back. He was far more sensitive to it than his siblings appeared to be. It wasn't as if they shared their secrets. He barely talked to his brother and sister. His sister seemed to hate all males anyway. Crazy a** female. He also liked how contradicting the evenings were. While at first glance, one would think it was more peaceful, that all the creatures were nestling down for the night, it couldn't be more untrue. The land came every bit as alive at night as it had been that day. It seemed the land had an entirely new set of creatures that only came about at night. Perhaps he felt he had more in common with them since he preferred to be more active at night as well. On the exceptionally hot days, he usually tried to sleep through it in the shade as long as he could. Today had been one of those days. A nice, cold drink would get him settled into the evening quite well, he thought to himself. A good start to what he hoped would be a good night. When he neared the stream though, he realized he was not only visitor that night. Nearby seemed to be a mare that looked to be talking to herself? Babbling like a brook, he thought with an amused smile. She hadn't seemed to notice him yet so he ventured forward and lowered his head for a nice, soothing drink.
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:51 am
She'd been patiently listening to the uproarious battle from the water crowd, staring so intently that she almost missed the arrival of another. Horse-shaped? Sanguine eyes fell upon him with polite, if open curiosity. Oh! Well, she wasn't used to seeing many other Soquili, and certainly not ones that roamed about in the night! Not nice ones, anyway. "Oh, hello." Came the distant murmur while a smile pulled at her muzzle. Why, he was nearly as pale as she was... That was a very good thing, yes. And his eyes!
"They're lovely." She confided to the now-attentive water spirits. "You've got lovely eyes... I bet you can see all sorts with them..." She drifted off in dreamy fascination, sidling closer on bloody hooves to a distance more easy for conversation with this stranger. What was that, dangling off of his horn? My, and his hair was two different shades! "Lovely... Wouldn't you say so?" Yes, it'd be better to include the group! "Have you met him before?" The river only gurgled and cicadas hummed lazily in answer. "I see... No, I don't think I've seen him either. It's a pleasure to meet you." Her attention shifted back to the stallion, again taking a peek into his eyes. Simply lovely. Such a deep shade of red they were! And red was a wonderful color...
"I'm Kusabi." The mare introduced herself as an absent afterthought,. "Do you usually come out here at night? I wonder if you were called... They're cheeky things, but they mean well." She glanced fondly at the nymphs, who were listening with rapt attention. They did like being talked about, the silly, preening things.
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:15 am
Well, it didn't take long to realize the babbling was only the beginning. This mare was piss a** insane and Bedlam couldn't help but find it enjoyable. How different it was from the mundane actions of the others. The soquilis he had been around seemed so rehearsed, like they knew where their life would take them the moment they were birthed out of their mother. This mare.. this one was different.
"Kusabi," he greeted in return. "I am Bedlam. Are you going to introduce me to your friends?" He was certainly going to take advantage of the situation and go along with it. It would be a shame to put an end to perhaps the only thing exciting that seemed to be going on in this godforsaken land. Though it was probably just coincidence, it almost seemed like the river and bugs did respond to her. Of course, it wasn't really possible but it certainly was interesting.
"I don't always come out here," he started, "but I do always come out at night. I tend to go to different places here and there. You know, I did hear a faint calling, but it was so very faint you see. I'm sure it came from there though. Where else could it have been? This seems to be the happening spot of the night. So whoever invited me," he yelled out loud, "my thanks are in order. Do you often come here at night, Kusabi?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:15 am
He knew his manners. A smile pulled itself at her muzzle as he introduced himself and then wanted to be introduced in turn to her companions. My, she couldn't remember anyone ever thinking to include them before! And from their pleased murmurs, she knew he'd already done quite well for themselves. "Why, of course! This is Bedlam, though I'm sure you heard him yourselves." She announced to the silent riverbed, listening intently for a moment before she laughed. "They're pleased to meet you, but goodness, they have so many questions! They haven't met too many interesting strangers before." None that ever paid them any mind, as it were.
"The night is a wonderful time to come out--much better than the day." She agreed with a dreamy sort of musing. "It's not quite so bright, nor nearly as hot." It also made her smell something atrocious, or so she'd been told. Her ears flicked forward with interest as he mentioned that he had been called, emitting a soft huff of excitement. So he really could hear them!
She laughed delightedly as he even moved to address the spirits themselves, having never before met someone so... well, in-tune with his surroundings! "I do usually. The ones who've drowned have so many interesting stories to tell! Though," She dropped her voice to murmur and leaned forward so they wouldn't be able to hear what she was saying, "They are a bit vain. Nevertheless," Kusabi straightened and spoke normally again, "It's a very soothing place, wouldn't you say so?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:42 am
He couldn't remember the last time he had grinned from ear to ear, which he was doing now. He was sure that if he had, it had been when he was a foal. As an adult, he had been rather morose really. "Oh, I don't think I'm very interesting at all. Maybe in appearance but that's really blind luck and having a good set of parents. I'm quite boring, I assure you."
He paused briefly to look up at the moon. It was a very beautiful night but that was common in these parts. "The sun and I don't always agree with one another," he admitted honestly. "I find my eyes sensitive to its light and the heat seems to bother me more than it does my siblings. The moon is more gentle to my eyes and body."
So, the mare talked to dead things? Ghosts, spirits and the like? He had heard many tales of such entities existing but he had never seen one. Some said that there were some parts of the woods that were haunted. For such stories to exist, there had to be some merit to them. Who could say if this mare really saw such things or not. She certainly believed she did. He leaned forward to whisper back, "When you've been dead as long as they have, your memories are about all you have. So it's no wonder they come off that way." Then he stepped back and agreed, "It's very relaxing here, so tranquil and beautiful. Much like the company it keeps." Smooth, Bedlam, he thought to himself rather dryly. He would have to work on his compliments.
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:32 am
What an interesting night this was turning out to be! This must have been more than just a chance happening, and she eyed a giggling bunch of shades with amusement. Ohh, she should have scolded them, the naughty dears, but it was so rare that they got to have any fun... She realized belatedly that he was speaking and turned her attention back, sanguine eyes widening with shock. "Boring? Why, that's simply not true. You're the most interesting creature I've ever met! Well, you know, who's alive." And truthfully, she hadn't met many people at all, but they'd never stayed for long.
"Opposing elements..." She murmured absently to herself, nodding with sympathetic understanding. Siblings, did he say? Yes, yes, kin was a good thing! "It suits you very well--fitting for someone so attuned to the spirits. It's almost as if you..." She trailed off to study him a bit more closely before pronouncing in a satisfied way, "...glow!"
Kusabi nodded vaguely at his words, knowing they were true. "If they could boast about their accomplishments as much as they'd like to, I think I'd go mad." She laughed again--not realizing the irony of her own words. Now the compliment, that was something she was unused to hearing. "They're very beautiful, aren't they?" Her eyes roamed again to the preening spirits, overjoyed to see them so happy. "That's very sweet of you, you know." Buttering up those who needed it most... "I think you only add to the atmosphere." Kusabi confided with a chuckle.
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:29 am
The stallion couldn't help but grin. He felt a surge of emotion at her treating him like he was something special. She didn't see him as boring. That was a first. He had to watch himself around this mare or else he'd end up with an ego to match his family. Of course, he knew nothing she said was true but it still filled him with pride knowing she believed it nonetheless.
Glow? Now she was speaking of outrageous things.. though in the moonlight, he wouldn't be surprised if that effect did take place. He never really got a good look at himself but his coat was similar enough to his fathers that it could be assumed the same effect would take place? Though he was sure it wasn't as obvious as his dads. His father's coat was a lot more silvery while his more of a shiny white. A glow though, that wasn't very good. The last thing he wanted was to attract attention. There was all kinds of predators in these lands. What if one stumbled upon them? What if Kusabi ended up hurt because he enticed the wrong kind of attention? Well, that was it, he'd have to stay with the mare until morning just to assure her safety. Most of the dangerous creatures came out at night.
"No doubt," he agreed with a smile, turning his attention back on the mare. No need to worry her as well. Did the compliment just go over her head? It took so much of his will-power to keep from laughing loudly on the spot. Well, perhaps she wasn't like most mares and he could relax a bit instead of stick to whatever social protocol dictated. He had never talked to a mare outside of his family before, really, so he wasn't sure how to act.
"Tell me, Kusabi, do you have any family?" He find himself so curious about the mare. He couldn't help but wonder if a lifetime of loneliness could somehow be behind her.. beliefs. Then again, she could have quite a large family and still believe what she did. Not that there was anything wrong with it. She -- and her friends -- seemed quite harmless.
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:18 pm
She listened calmly to the question her posed, her ears flicking forward with curiosity before she set to puzzling over a proper response. "Oh, no, I don't think so. I mean, I'm sure I must have a mother and a father, but I've never met them." Or had she? It'd been a very long time ago, and Kusabi shifted her weight quietly while trying to remember. The ghouls chittered and moaned, encouraging her to at least speak of what she did recall.
"I've been with two-leggers for as long as I can remember." She murmured dreamily. They'd been kind to her, though eventually she'd been old enough that they'd turned her loose and left to her own devices. "They were very fond of how white I was... They understood that I had a special connection to the spirits." Kusabi smiled at him for a moment. That was what she thought they 'understood'. "They made sacrifices to the spirits through me with the kills they made." The mare glanced down at her bloodied legs as though idly studying them. It used to bother her a great deal, but she'd become so accustomed to the thought that it hardly even phased her anymore.
"What about you, Bedlam? I know you mentioned siblings... They're still with us, I presume?" Kusabi chuckled lightly and watched him, seeming to finally notice the red marking upon his flank. Was that an 'A'? "Oh, stop that..." She clucked reprovingly at a few mischevious spirits that were attempting to chew on the bangles that were around his tail. Egotistical little darlings.
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:58 pm
He wasn't surprised that she did not have a normal childhood. He wasn't really that great of a judge of character but she did seem to be a bit mad and loneliness had a way of forcing one to find friendships where it would otherwise be lacking. Of course, he hadn't completely struck out the fact that she could possibly see them. He was simply hoping there would be more realistic and logical explanations. Things that would be easier to believe.
He grew genuinely interested at her mentioning of two-leggers. He would occasionally let them play with his hair. They were the ones that gave him the braids he had come to love. "I like the two-leggers," he admitted. He knew that a lot of the soquilis in the land avoided and distrusted the two-leggers but all the ones he had met had been really friendly and gentle with him. Almost as if they respected him. "Sacrifices to the spirits through kills? Hold on, what?" His jaw dropped slightly and he arched a brow as much as he could. "What did they do, exactly?"
"I have both a father and a mother. They are both unicorns though vastly different in appearance. My mother is completely red and my father is a silvery right. You'd fit in well around them, I'd think, with your coloring. I have a brother that's entirely pink, I kid you not but he doesn't come off as girly. It's the damndest thing. My sister, I don't see her much. She avoids us. Hates me, my brother and father for being male. I don't understand it. We didn't do anything to her." He shrugged. If Berenice wanted to be a total b***h, he wouldn't stop her.
Instinctively, he swished his tail when he caught her looking at it. It seemed she had turned her attention back momentarily on her 'friends'. "Can you tell me what the two-leggers did, please?". He had not forgotten his original train of thought. He still wanted to know. It was strange, she had mentioned kills?
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:41 am
Oh, he hadn't run away yet, not even after her less-than-soothing tale. It certainly had its happy ending, of course; this was how she'd found all her friends! "They mean well." Kusabi agreed with an affectionate hum. "But I'd never cross them in a bad way, oh no. They can be dangerous too..." Oh, dear, now he was looking a little flabberghasted, though she couldn't. "They're fearsome hunters when they want to be, the humans. They take only what they need, but... They'd drain the blood of their hunt onto me. It was usually at night, with fires roaring all around... They'd dance then and sing for the spirits. Why, and it must have worked, because I can see them now!" She smiled at him, suddenly proud and pleased all at once to find that he was so curious. "Oh, but I've never told that to anyone before... I'm afraid they thought I was lying." Kusabi laughed.
Unicorns! Healers and kindly spirits, from what little she knew. "Oh, pretty." Came the absent murmur, and sanguine eyes glazed for a moment as she sought to picture noble beasts of such shades. "You're a perfect blend of them then. My, and pink? I'm sure it's a fetching shade on him!" The mare flicked her tail with amusement, though stilled as Bedlam then spoke of his sister. "For being male?" She looked puzzled, craning her neck forward to peer a little better at his face for apparent flaws.
"How silly... Well, I'm afraid I don't know why she'd think like that... You're a lovely stallion, and I'm sure your brother and father are as well." Really, it was fascinating to think that hatred could be born from simply being the opposite sex. "I wouldn't worry too terribly much about it." Kusabi nodded absently, a smile tugging at her muzzle as the spirits made to chase his swishing tail to-and-fro. "You're a sensible sort...and the spirits like you very much. So do I." She offered him another smile, dreamily content with how this was playing out. "You're the first four-legged creature I've talked to in a long time."
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Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:44 am
Well, it was no wonder she was crazy. He felt sorry for her though he was glad that she seemed genuinely happy about it all. He avoided the two leggers and their crazy practices but he had heard enough about them that her story seemed true enough to him. How long did she have to endure such behavior? Having the blood of so many creatures poured onto her? How could anyone that had to experience that not go crazy? To be honest, he was sure she handled it better than most would have been able to. Perhaps she could see the spirits. Perhaps she simply needed to believe it to make what she went through worth something. While he had been playing along for amusement earlier, he realized he would now do so for her own peace of mind.
"I don't really understand my sister," he offered in a half-hearted apology. His sister was strange and it wasn't even in a good way, like with the mare before him. His sister felt more of a stranger to him than Kusabi as well. "I don't talk with many of our kind either, outside of my family. Hell, I don't really talk to my family that much."
He lowered his head to drink from the water before raising his head to look at the moon long and hard. "How long have you been away from the two-leggers?" Did she still visit them? Did she plan to go back if not? Did she run away? A lot of questions floated in and out of his thoughts.
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Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:52 pm
"I suppose I wouldn't either, really... but I have no siblings. It's hard to have problems with people when they don't exist." She chuckled wryly and gave her head a gentle shake. The bloodsoaked tips had accidentally fallen into the river at this point, and a few nymphs bravely ventured forth to tug at the matted strands. Her ears pricked with quiet curiosity, a fond smile still on her lips as they made a game of tangling themselves within her locks. As long as they didn't yank, she didn't mind. "Oh, is that so?" Kusabi murmured absently, glancing at him a bit curiously. "It's very nice to be by yourself too, I understand. Besides, if you're in touch with the spirit world, you have friends wherever you go." She sighed contentedly.
How long had she been away? "Well, I don't quite remember. It couldn't have been terribly long ago--I only just started chatting with you all when I found this river, hm?" She said to the nymphs, who simply ignored her. They seemed to have grown bored of her hair, using the current to drift away from the two horses. "I still visit though, oh yes. They're quite kind, but I don't think they need me so much anymore."
Kusabi paused then to take a drink herself, giving herself another shake. A dreamy sort of hum drifted from her lips even as she continued to watch Bedlam, apparently unaware that such scrutinty could be awkward. "I suppose you could call the two-leggers my family... but I don't talk to them much either." She chuckled, looking amused at the thought. "They can't understand me at all, mm no... but you all can, and that's what counts." The spirits hissed and whispered among themselves, and she found herself distracted by their conversations.
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