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 Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:44 pm
Was he awake?
Every part of his body ached, every muscle screamed in agony as he shifted against the weight of his own wings. Positioned against a tree stump for support, he stared ahead of him and squinted at the world that now chose to spin around him. He could barely even remember the last few moments, the last few minutes or was it hours? He had taken his trial and to his amazement he was alive but the outcome remained a complete mystery to him.
He had so many questions, never one who enjoyed uncertainty it placed him in a rather 'foul' mood. His version of foul was hardly normal though, at most it simply caused him to grimace and squint further as he attempted to recount those last few moments before he lost his footing and the world went black - he recalled the dark angel, he recalled his battle too but how he had managed to survive...
It was this uncertainty that had otherwise caused him to forget about any potential broken limbs or shattered wings but the spirits had favoured him in this and the canopy had broken his fall. He was stiff, scratched and a little bruised but with a little more rest the rainbow stallion would be able to unfurl his rainbow wings and fly away - or that's how it worked in theory.
Releasing a sigh, he swallowed softly and rested his head against the stump. His eyes continued to drift shut then flick open abruptly, exhausted from the events that had transgressed but all too aware of the unfamiliar territory, he simply couldn't sleep. Well, at least he had exacted all his moves - those well practised skills that he had beaten into him from a child had been used and he was fairly certain of at least striking a decent blow.
"Urgh," releasing a snort he took a deep breath soon after and made a decision to find a more secluded spot. Heaving himself to his feet, he staggered somewhat and shook his head, after everything he had been through he sincerely hoped he had passed that trial however knowing his mentor, there would be more!
Flicking the foliage from his tail he at last moved forward and began to make his way through the undergrowth towards more desirable climates.
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:01 pm
Her hooves moved slowly, she had been traveling for days on end it seemed. Quietly, one hoof, then the other. It had been weeks since she had left her home to the east, weeks since she began her journey to make her way back to the lands of her childhood.
She found herself on familiar grounds, traveling through a thick wood that barely allowed any light to shine through to the soil beneath. Her ears flickered at every little sound, she knew these grounds use to be the stomping grounds of kalona. She wondered had they moved on?
The birds seemed to stop singing, and the sun only barely broke the surface. Misaki was a little unsure now, she should have gone around. She heard a grunt and snort in the distance, she stopped abruptly. The mare remained calm and composed, she could only hope that whatever was coming, was friendly..
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:24 pm
Well, he was as friendly as an individual could be given the circumstances. He wasn't accustomed to socialising with soquili outside of his family but he knew the general etiquette, most of which involved around not eating the soquili, insulting it or otherwise starting a fight with it without due reason. All three of these things were activities that he could easily avoid given that he was a vegetarian and was disciplined enough to show begrudging respect to anything or anyone he might encounter.
However, what he had not accounted for was the unfamiliar territory and his heightened senses. Still aching and uncertain from his previous encounter it was more than likely that he would be a lot more defensive than he usually was. Contrary to belief, despite his upbringing as a warrior he was not an individual who possessed the qualities of a soldier - he was not flighty and did not leap to conclusions, instead he waited and was generally calm.
A little disconcerting to his opponents but did he care?
No.
Nevertheless, he continued to make his way through the undergrowth until the faint 'whisp' of a scent caught his nostrils and he flicked his gaze up. His head turned in the direction of the scent and he remained still, waiting expectantly for the appearance of whatever the scent belonged to. He continued to wait and then after a period of time came to the conclusion that either the other creature had heard him and stopped or it had moved on.
"I know you are out there," he called out coolly, his voice somewhat distant and aloof. He was completely unaware that this was the most inappropriate tone to use when starting a conversation but alas, his family accepted it and he knew no better...it was who he was. "I can smell you," he warned.
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:19 pm
Her ears pricked, alert and tilted to the voice in the distance. The voice didn't sound very friendly, nor did it sound particularly threatening though. She decided it would only be in her best interest to answer. She would hate to be mistaken for a threat herself, she was no match to another, especially a stallion.
"And I, I can hear you." was her simple reply. "I do not come with foul intent, merely passing through." she stated in a matter of fact tone. She hoped that it would be enough to be granted passage if this was the territory of another.
"Are you Kalona?" she knew this was only asking for trouble if the voice did belong to a wicked beast, she almost held her breath while waiting for the answer.
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Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:17 am
A kalona? Really, it probably would have been more useful for him in the previous series of events if he had been kalona but then again, it wouldn't have been his trial. Pausing briefly to assess the situation and the female's response, it was only have careful consideration that he deemed it appropriate to stagger forward to inspect whatever owned the voice more carefully.
If she was simply passing through, she wouldn't mind!
However, while he had staggered from the outset it appeared that the longer he was granted the time to recover, the stronger his legs became. After a few moments of wandering he was able to move each limb without much of an ache. Yes, there were moments when he would twist the wrong way but at least he was able to twitch his wings and walk with a reasonably strong stride.
Eventually he did break through the undergrowth - his fiery orange coat and rainbow wings were most certainly not the hardest of colours to miss against the darkened forest. On the contrary, one could say he almost stuck out like a sore thumb, particularly when someone might have anticipated that an individual with such an extravagant coat would be more... happy? Pleasant? Wistful?
Unfortunately he fitted none of these descriptions and continued to sport the stoic and otherwise 'unimpressed' look on his handsome features. His friend had always teased him about cracking a smile once and a while, but really he had never gotten round to trying it.
To say he was surprised by what he saw though was a little bit of an understatement, his expression may have remained unchanging but he was rather taken aback by the exotic soquili he saw before him. Oh, he had seen unicorns in his life...one of his friends was one but he had never seen on that was quite so, colourful?
Shaking off this feeling of surprise, he fixed his gaze on the mare and arched a brow.
"Do I look like a Kalona to you?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:34 pm
She could hear the leaves and branches moving about in the general direction of the stranger's voice. She could only assume that he was moving towards her, she remained calm.
As her eyes peered out into the trees and bushes, she spotted a vibrant patch of moving color. A wind stallion. She watched as he seemed to struggle with a few movements, she wondered what had happened to him.
She watched him carefully, blessed be he wasn't Kalona. She offered a warm smile as he spoke, she hardly ever made an introduction without a smile on her face.
"Thankfully, no. But, you do look injured." She took two steps toward the stallion, "If you would accept it, I could help."
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Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:07 am
Unfortunately both she and Ambroise were in the same boat in regards to exactly what had happened. He recalled bits and pieces, he remembered conflicts and disputes but how he had landed in such a heap was still somewhat unclear. While asking him wouldn't offend him, it wouldn't mean he would be able to respond in a satisfactory manner either. Truly, it was not his day.
But help...?
For a long time he simply stared at the mare. He had heard of unicorns possessing the ability to heal another and he was fairly certain that it was the truth. However, given the circumstances that surrounded his injuries he was uncertain as to whether or not it would be 'appropriate' to permit another to heal his aches and pains. To him, these muscle spasms and aches were further connected to his trial - they would fade in time.
"While the offer is appreciated," it was unsurprising that the expression on his face didn't quite support his words. "It is more fitting that the aches and 'injuries' heal of their own accord, it would be..." he paused for a few moments to consider his own words. He was aware that in certain situations it was better to word things carefully and even he could do that despite his lack of social etiquette. "It would be inappropriate to request the aid of one I do not know."
"You understand, yes?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:24 pm
Misaki did not find it to be her place to inquire what had happened to the stallion, she merely nodded her head at his decline to her aid. "It wouldn't be requesting, only accepting," she stopped, her ears flickered quickly, "But, I can understand that help from a stranger is not always appropriate."
Misaki noted that he seemed a bit distant, an uncommon trait compared to most soquili she encountered. "You're traveling alone I take?" she didn't see signs of a companion with the injured stallion. Even though he clearly didn't want her help, she thought she would stay close for a bit in case his condition declined.
"I'm Misaki," she offered softly, "Now, I'm no longer a stranger. At least now, you know my name." she waited patiently to see if the Wind would offer his in return.
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Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:12 am
Was it a habit of all females to correct his slip ups in the exact same fashion that his mother would? It was rare that he stumbled over his words but when he did his mother had often corrected him with a smile and a gentle nudge. This mare hadn't nudged him but the manner in which she had pointed out his mild slip up did resemble his mother to a certain extent. Perhaps that was why he chose to let it slip...
"You make a fair point," he admitted. Years of training had conditioned him to the point that he understood when an individual had to admit defeat. It didn't matter on what level this defeat was, but for the time being she had bested him and he was not inclined to pursue the issue any further. "And you are accurate in your assumption," he added after a few moments delay.
However, as she offered her name he could do nothing more than grimace lightly. It was not his intention to make friends, he didn't have the time! It was his duty to complete his trial, regain the memories he had lost and return home but now... Urgh, he knew what this meant. Cyn and his father had battered the manners into him - he was going to have to return the favour AND he was going to have to be polite about it.
'Polite' though, was not a concept he grasped completely as of yet.
"I am Ambroise," he introduced himself, tone reverting to the former cool quality as he continued to examine the mare. "However you still remain a stranger, names are trivial in comparison to actions and familiarity."
Somewhere in the hills, he could just envision either his father or Cyn smacking their head off a cliff face out of pure exasperation.
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Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:25 am
She laughed softly at his reasoning behind the fact that she was indeed still a stranger to him. "Less of a stranger at least, a total stranger I was a few moments ago."
She just continued to smile and moved along to another topic of discussion. She would accept the fact that this soquili apparently didn't befriend easily. She had dealt with the type before, few, but she knew they were out there.
Misaki studied the stallion casually, she wondered just how wounded he truely was. It seemed to be more of his pride than his body that was hurt. Unfortunately, prides were one thing she could not heal with her abilities. "Would you mind accompanying me a bit further to the edge of the wood? I'm afraid this is no place I should have wandered alone."
Misaki didn't mind traveling alone, that's how most of her journeys took place. She did, however, want to keep an eye on this stallion for just a bit longer. She could only hope he would take the bait of a 'distressed' mare.
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:17 am
It wasn't an issue of pride so much as that he didn't know any better, a lack of social gatherings and playtime as a child had taken their toll. His inability to see her logic and compare it to his own was evident but also unavoidable. It would take many gatherings, many soquili and perhaps a few blunt truths before he would begin to adapt to the world in the manner his mother desired him to.
His father had promised his mother that after his trial he would be ready but he wasn't even sure he had succeeded in his trial! He remembered a conflict but the outcome was blurry and this troubled him - if he was capable of a foul mood he would have been in one at this moment in time. Unfortunately, a suitable array of emotions was another little thing he would need to develop over time. Ideally he simply needed his father or his mentor to land by his side and simply confirm...it would have made all the difference!
Nevertheless, he wasn't granted the opportunity to develop and further emotions or thought processes as she interrupted his reverie and caused him to return his gaze to her rather bright form. Her stance was casual, unassuming and she was of no considerable threat to him but there was something not quite right. Had he been more aware of his 'male instincts' he would have known that she was manipulating him in a very mild form.
So he had denied her aid, but she was still going to give it to him whether he liked it or not.
Somewhere, someone would be laughing.
This laughter would grow and become infectious as Ambroise fell for the ploy and released a disgruntled sigh. He had manners, they were begruding and hardy - they were untamed and very rusty but they were there. As a result, her request for company to safer climates could not be denied and Ambroise afforded himself a stiff nod as he approached the mare and then continued onwards in the direction he felt inclined towards.
"You are granted my company for this escort," he confirmed quietly.
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:08 pm
Her smiled widened just slightly as the stallion accepted her 'plea'. Misaki knew that it was his choice to deny her help, but she would have felt terribly guilty has she left him in his current state. One thing that her family believed firmly in was compassion for others.
She took up stride next to Ambroise as he decided the direction they would take out of the wood. She hadn't really tried to manipulate him, not in a negative sense at least.
"You've quite the," she paused, thinking carefully of how to word her statement, "quite the way with words, Ambroise." She looked over casting a friendly expression his way. "What brings you to the woods today?"
Little did she know that this very well may be none of her, nor anyone else's business.
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:49 am
Was she making small talk? Ambroise had long since concluded that she was very much like his mother, it was only in a slight way but it was there. That subtle ability to make him do exactly as he was told, the compassion and that smile. It was all there and while it was difficult for him to spot, had he sensed it he would have found it somewhat infuriating. Ah, it would be a sad day when he realised the majority of females were much the same.
All had skills in some form of manipulation!
"You make it sound as though you would prefer me to be quiet," Ambroise observed in that still sot tone. Apparently, he refrained from speaking at all loud and merely raised a brow as he flicked his gaze towards the mare. She had phrased that statement so carefully and now she desired to make small talk - was it only him or did she make absolutely no sense whatsoever?
He concluded she made no sense.
However, there was no use in being so ill mannered as to ignore her question and it was with a soft sigh that he gave his response. "I did not come by choice," he explained in the dutiful manner her had been trained to speak in. "I fell."
It was a fairly blunt explanation, but by now it should have been apparent that blunt was something that could easily be linekd to him.
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:15 pm
"From the skies?" she asked, a shocked look on her face. She assumed the sky due to his wings, and the fact that there was no other real explination of 'falling' into the wood.
"And, no," she laughed softly, she would try to right her last statement to him. She hadn't meant for him to take it in such a way. "I didn't mean I didn't wish for you to speak. I was merely noting that you socialize differently than the vast majority of soquili I've happened upon." she looked over to Ambroise, and almost appologetic look on her face.
"You are well reserved. Calm and collected one would say." she paused for a moment, "It's not often that you meet one with that temperment." Misaki had often run into the 'bubbly' type soquili or the ones that would rather have eatten her for dinner. It was nice to not have to deal with the hyperness of the younger generations for now.
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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:48 am
[[o_O Wow I had quite a few typos in my other post.]]
"That is what I said," Ambroise came to a halt and eyed the mare as she repeated his answer. Was it so difficult to 'understand' his words - he was relatively certain that his accent was mild and his tone loud enough to hear. Unfortunately for Ambroise he had yet to gain an understanding of the emotions of 'shock' and 'astonishment' when it was in relation to other soquili - they repeated it out of surprise and mild disbelief...it wasn't because they needed it to be restated.
Nevertheless after a few moments he did begin to move once more, leaning his head to the left and then the right to stretch out his limbs. Perhaps some day he would be considerably more talkative but having being trained for so long in combat, the general aim of his classes were to fight and not to talk - generally speaking you couldn't do both at the same time, you lost sight of what was important if you did.
"Perhaps those of the mountains are considerably different from those who lurk in the lowlands," he replied at last, well aware that this statement was not strictly true given the mindset of his mother. His mother was undeniably, a social butterfly and she loved it. However, he was not prepared to admit that he was quite unlike anything the mare had encountered before - there was nothing wrong with him and this was who he was!
"I fail to see why I need to talk more than is necessary."
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