|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:06 pm
 It was late evening; the last lingering rays of sunlight were doing their best to ward off the night, but it was an attempt that was, as always, failing miserably. The fall of darkness was as constant and inevitable as ever, unaffected by the wishes of any. After all, just because someone wanted longer days didn't mean they'd actually get them; nope, the night pressed on, unchanging and oppressive.
Perhaps that was why Rynia didn't like it. But, like so much else in her life, there was nothing she could do about it.
On the positive side, the sole advantage to this time of day was that she knew it was hers, hers and only hers. Twilight was the time of day when Ladius was on the hunt, stalking stallions on the prowl for fun and kicking their asses to prove that she still 'had it'. No time to worry about wayward daughters when you were on a mission, after all!
So Rynia was taking full advantage, in her own way: lying on the bank of a small pond a moderate flight away from her mom's stomping grounds, mulling the advent of night and thinking how very very much she wished it weren't so...oppressive.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:03 pm
Oh, the heavens harbored so much good and so much potential. . . and yet. . . some of that good was desperately needed down below. The world looked dark and bleak with new enemies arising each day. . .a soquili had it bad enough without having to worry about kalona, or skinwalker, or the fallen. There was enough darkness created in the hearts of others without real enemies plaguing the world. . . .
Thankfully though, it was always darkest before the dawn. And though she ws but one, Kaiya liked to believe she was a sliver of sunshine that might mark the great and glorious mornings to come. There was hope out there, and the angeni had come to spread such news, to love the unloved, and to heal the most shattered of hearts.
Needless to say she certainly had her work cut out for her.
A soft tingling of bells could be heard as Kaiya approached. She had taken to walking this evening, even though the beautiful night called her name. Kaiya did enjoy flight but she was a mare on a mission and had found it was much easier crossing paths with the living while all four hooves were on land. . .
Pushing her way quietly through the foliage, the hodge-podge angeni was beckoned by the scent of water. A drink was in order before her discovery of the kawani lands was in order and a hunt for the broken and the damned. Ah, but tonight luck was with her, for even as she bridged the distance between herself and the edge of the pond, a form caught her gaze. It was far enough away to appear a bit like a lump, and she suspected it might be that of another soquili.
Hrm. . . .
Ever careful of giving Rynia her space, she had fast learned that some didn't take kindly to being approached instantly, the mare made her way closer to the bank and the waters edge. "A fine evening to you," she spoke gently, her words soft and gentle.
Kaiya understood her looks were a bit intimidating, and a little out of place. Some were curious about her, while others looked upon her with confusion and an even smaller few fear! Ah, but such a feeling was almost second nature in a dog-eat-dog world. . . .
Maybe this one would be receptive and enjoy a quiet evening with her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:40 pm
Had she been around to witness the arrival of the angeni, Ladius would have been disgusted beyond measure, quite probably sinking her daughter yet another notch or two in the matriarch's estimation. The secret to survival in the wilderness, to say nothing of life, was constant vigilance, constant awareness. One should always be on the alert and never allow themself to be surprised, for to be surprised could very well be the difference between life and death. With all of Rynia's faults, Ladius had at least been sure that Rynia was vigilant.
And Rynia had always thought herself, yet here she was, being addressed by a stranger that had appeared from the shadows without a sound...and what a stranger!
Upon being greeted, Rynia's first reaction was to tense up and look at the ground with lowered eyes, the perfect example of well-trained submission. After a moment, though, common sense prevailed and she realized that one, this wasn't her mother, and two, lowered eyes meant lowered defenses and one should never lower one's defenses unless in the presence of trusted friends...and sometimes not even then!
The moment she lifted her head, though, Rynia wished she'd stayed looking at the ground. She remained silent, but her eyes widened in fear and her body tensed even further as though preparing to flee...which she quite likely was.
Good god, what sort of Soquili WAS this? She had two sets of wings, one of which seemed to be transparent; her tail was wrapped in what looked like bloody bandages, and her eyes...they were so pale that they looked to have no color at all. In spite of having spent her whole life facing down the most terrifying Soqs she thought could exist (her parents), she'd just learned that she had been very, very wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:55 am
((Apologies for the shortness! No feeling so hot all a sudden. x_x And gotta get ready for work. <3 )) Kaiya had made her way over to the waters edge, but had looked back towards the mare she had passed on her way. There was a good distance between the pair but not enough that Kaiya couldn't see the submissive behavior of the mare.
Hmm. . . . . Given, some souls were more fragile than others, while even more merely had skewed ideas of etiquette. But it was when the wind looked up and finally noticed her that Kaiya almost regretted stepping out at all. Rynia's body language was more than easy to read, with a sudden stiffening of her position and her eyes growing wide as she stared.
Why had she been given such a look~!
Turning round to better face Rynia, drink put on hold for the moment, Kaiya lowered her head meekly, allowing a few strands of her hair to fall over her features. Her wings were pulled closer against her sides so as not to appear so intimidating, and her features were carved in to a very gentle smile. "Please," she called out, voice gentle and full of warmth, "Do not be afraid. I mean you no harm and apologize for disrupting your evening." It hadn't been her intentions to upset the mare or cause her alarm, but such a thing wasn't easy.
Apparently the wind was a bit fragile.
If such were the case, than perhaps this meeting might have been written in the stars. Perhaps there was a reason their paths crossed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:48 pm
The strange mare sounded nice enough. Unlike her mother's harsh, barked commands, the oddly winged, strangely patterned mare's voice was calm, soothing. Without realizing she was doing it, Rynia found herself looking at the mare with a bit less fear, a bit more curiousity...for about thirty seconds. Then the barking tone was back, albeit in her brain rather than literally in the air.
~Never let your guard down. Enemies come in all guises, all appearances; just because someone looks nice, talks nice, and seems like they're not out to do you harm doesn't mean they aren't. You always were rather pathetic in that sense, Rynia; one of these days, that trusting nature of yours is going to result in you getting maimed, killed, and devoured, mark my words.~
That was motherly wisdom for you; however, it did its job in once again striking total abject terror into Rynia's heart. Was this mare one of those 'enemies' that tried to get past one's defenses with gentle words?
She wanted to run away, but odds were that this mare was faster than her, too. Stand and fight seemed the best course of action. Or it would, if she knew how to fight. Which she really didn't.
But maybe if the other mare saw that she wasn't an unassuming mare, she would leave her be. Trying to draw confidence from that thought, Rynia drew herself up and said, "Don't worry about it, I'm merely...resting." That seemed safe enough. Or did it reveal MORE weakness?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:09 am
The angeni gave a gentle nod at Rynia's words. There was still something that lingered over the young mare, something Kaiya couldn't entirely place. She wasn't quaking or shivering with fear, she didn't seem to be hurt, but there was something. . . else. . . Perhaps it was just the reservation with how she was met. It wasn't surprising when a stranger had to warm up to the idea of being greeted by an angel. . . And her looks were far from stereotypical. She wasn't laden in white, she wasn't a perfectly formed being that encompassed beauty.
No.
Kaiya was a little bit of this mixed with a little bit of that. She was a walking night and day, partially stained mixed with partially pure. Like a creature that had adapted to its environment, Kaiya had taken on a form that wasn't entirely pure. Her heart was pure, certainly, but she wasn't easily placed in the looks department. Sadly, first impressions always began with a look...
"Well you've certainly chosen a lovely place to retire," Kaiya complimented, taking her pale duo-toned eyes off of the mare to give the surrounding nature a little once over. The gentle bank of the pond falling in to shadow as night fast approached. A few dragonflies flit about on wing, and it wouldn't be long before the toads and crickets began their evening melodies. Glancing back to the wind, drink still put on hold, the mare dipped herself low in a respectful bow.
"I'm Kaiya," she introduced herself, "and tis a great pleasure to meet you. Again, please don't hasten yourself to leave on my affair. I promise I shant stay long." Her words were once again chalk full of assurance, having pulled the young wind up to her hooves and away from her rest. Kaiya honestly hoped that Rynia hadn't an intention to leave just because she stepped forth for a drink. . .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:58 am
In many ways it was amusing and in others it was sad, the two sets of completely converse and unrelated thoughts that were moving through the minds of the two mares. To Rynia, Kaiya was different, larger than life, and unlike anything she'd ever seen before; however, she'd seen so little in her life than anything that didn't look identical to herself, her sister, or her parents would likely fall into that 'unknown' category. It wasn't the way that strangers looked that spoke to Rynia's anxieties, it was the very fact that they were unknown.
Still, at the same time that she was standing skittishly, watching the mare and preparing to flee the second it seemed plausible, Rynia found herself feeling a rather pronounced mix of emotions. Fear was there, as it always was; fear and anxiety and distrust that never seemed to go away. But at the same time, there was something...something...
Soothing. It was difficult to place, because it wasn't something that she usually experienced. No one could call her parents soothing, after all. But there was just something about the mare, something in her gentle, refined speech and her mild looks that seemed to be putting Rynia at ease in spite of herself. She might be trying to lure Rynia into a false sense of security...
But wasn't it equally possible that she was just nice? There HAD to be real, honest, ordinary nice Soquilis out there, no matter what her mother said.
After a few agonizing minutes of internal debate, Rynia finally decided that she would give the mare the benefit of the doubt, at least for the moment. Having reached that rather monumental moment, she gave the mare a small, somewhat timid smile before saying, "Thank you, I really like this place myself. I'm Rynia." A small gesture, but a start.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:00 am
There was a tension in the air, that much Kaiya could sense. There was something not entirely right about Rynia, though exactly what the source and cause of such a dissonance could be was still a mystery. Such was the sadness that hung high over the kawani lands, such was the state that Kaiya had chosen to pursue. Yes, she had been sent in particular to save the damned, to give them hope and love those that were dubbed wretched and unworthy, but those weren't the only souls she catered to; oh no, any that hurt, that found their life overwhelmed by grief or shadow.
In Rynia's case, perhaps it was shyness or social-anxiety. The demons of the world came in a variety of colours, shapes and forms; not all were so obvious as a kalona or skinwalker.
Still, despite the mares obvious shyness, Kaiya couldn't help but feel glad that to see the gap between them bridging. Though they looked nothing alike, though Kaiya understood she was a bit other-worldly, the coy mare that seemed about ready to high tail it out of the vicinity actually offered a smile and a name. Baby steps was all it took. . . .
Rynia, that was her name, could almost be described as fragile and Kaiya didn't want to jeopardize the scenario. Giving her mane a little toss, shaking away her bangs from her eyes, her smile grew as she looked warmly upon the wind and offered a little nod. "Rynia. . . " She practiced it a moment, committing a name to the face, adding sincerely, "Tis a beautiful name." And it was. The wind before her, though fragile in spirit, was every lovely albeit a bit haunted and easily spooked. But perhaps that was just another facet that made her lovely. Not wanting to make the mare uncomfortable Kaiya swiftly changed the conversation back to neutral ground. "There's something peaceful about the area, something soothing to the soul. It's a pleasant abode; if I weren't ever wandering, I might be hard pressed to leave and rest awhile myself. You've certainly chosen a lovely home."
Ooooh, and wasn't that a glaring error of the evening! Ah, though Kaiya did her best not to assume anything about anyone, today she slipped on purpose. Given, she had no idea whether or not Rynia was passing through or if this was indeed a slice of her home, but to assume at the moment was perhaps the only way to get Rynia to speak. She wanted the mare to relax and perhaps open up; but to open up, one had to communicate, and to communicate one had to actually speak! As it was, their conversation would be short lived if they were destined to have one at all, but Kaiya refused to give in so easy.
If this was her home, than perhaps Rynia would be happy to speak about such a thing; there was pride in choosing a home and speaking of things that weren't revolved around Rynia might ease the mares concern. Then again, if this wasn't her home, perhaps she might correct Kaiya and they could thus pursue a conversation to follow. . . .
Either way, it worked out well for Kaiya unless Rynia flatly refused to talk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:55 am
In one sense, Kaiya's plot was a crafty one, backing Rynia into a corner where she either had to talk or else might very well provoke the mare into a fit of rage (if she was prone to fits of rage, that was). As poorly versed in the art of conversation as Rynia was, she was slowly but surely becoming aware of the fact that by acknowledging this mare she herself had been 'trapped' by her own pleasantries!
Still, even though she didn't necessarily look it, this meeting was showcasing Rynia at her boldest and most daring. If she still seemed like she migth flee at the slightest provocation...well, that was because she WOULD flee at the slightest provocation. It was up to Kaiya to make sure that the meeting stayed non-threatening, but so far, she was doing well. Emphasis on 'so far'.
Talking wasn't Rynia's strong suit, but she did manage a small nod of acknowledgement of at what seemed to be compliments.
~I can't believe that a daughter of mine could be so flimsy and weak. Your father is neither, I myself am neither, so there is certainly no excuse for you to be so...pathetic. You shame us both with your trembles and whimpers more than words can describe. You aren't fit to be a 'Ryn'; from now on, you will be RynIA, a suitably frilly, girly, and weak name for a frilly, girly, and weak mare.~
Kaiya had no way of knowing that what were meant to be compliments were in fact barbs, pointed barbs reminding Rynia what a failure she was to her parents' ideal. Her name was pretty to others, maybe, but in that prettiness she was exemplifying weakness, or so her mother had said. Mares shouldn't be vain in their looks, for looks are inconstant, change with time, and are uncontrolable. Mares who take too much pride in their looks are only looking for stallions to admire them, firmly establishing mares as the 'weaker' gender with their ridiculous behavior. To be pretty was to be nothing, and to have a home...
How wonderful the word 'home' sounded, evoking thoughts of happiness and warmth and positivity. But this wasn't home for Rynia; nowhere was home for Rynia. Her family didn't have a 'home'; her mother had a 'territory', her father had a 'region', and she herself had nothing. No region, because she couldn't get away to find one; no territory, because she couldn't defend one, and no home, because she hadn't been born into one. This place, this one small place, was all that she had, all that she could even wistfully call her own. Sometimes.
All of these thoughts flitted through her mind as she gave the other mare her bow, the look in her eyes slightly sad as she replied in her very soft voice, "This isn't my home. I don't have a home...but this is a nice sitting place."
She was so very bold, speaking such a long string of words all at once! She was both pleased and terrified, and on that note managed to continue, "you can rest if you want."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 1:41 pm
Kaiya's ears pushed forward as she attempted to hear Rynia's words. Her voice was so quiet and the expression that shadowed her gaze. . . Oh, the mare was positively sure her heart was going to break. Though the wind mare before her was no blood-thirsty fallen (or so she could confidently assume) that still didn't mean she was all right. As the angeni well understood, not everyone was broken in the same way; though she frequently searched for the cruelest and most fallen of creatures, Rynia was a prime example of one such soul that was in dire need of saving without being an immediate threat to those around her. She wasn't entirely whole, this one, and Kaiya had no understanding of why.
Such was her task to discover. . . but already Kaiya understood it was going to take work. The wind that stood before her was delicate and the slightest provocation might ruin the whole encounter. There was no rush - the angeni was sincere in wanting to get to know the mare. A new friend could be good for them both.
"No home?" She inquired softly, brows raising in . "Well, that makes two of us then," she finally responded with a nod to her head, giving her disheveled and bandaged tail a little shake. Home was something Kaiya understood, was something she looked forward to seeing in groups of others bonded together, but was something she herself hadn't a chance to discover outside of her foalhood. Home was where the heart was, or so the saying went, but her heart belonged to those whom couldn't find or discover such love for themselves.
She didn't have a set place to rest or such stability. . . Her home was wherever her mission lead her. But what of Miss Rynia? What was keeping her from acquiring such a place to call her own?
"I think perhaps I shall rest for awhile before continuing on my travels. It isn't often I get both pleasant company as well as a peaceful surrounding."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 2:48 pm
Though she might not have realized it, Kaiya's admission that she too lacked a true home struck a powerful chord with Rynia. All her life she had been saturated with the belief that there was power in sameness; in the wrong kinds of sameness there was weakness, but in healthy samenessess there was strength; allies to draw on in times of need, as it were. Whatever Kaiya's reason for being homeless, in that fact she and Rynia were the same.
And that fact suddenly made Kaiya a bit less intimidating.
It was that fact that made her smile again, still slight, still timid, but a smile it was nonetheless as the larger mare spoke of resting for a little while. "Well, it is a very peaceful place to rest, so I hope you enjoy yourself." Having said that, she once again clammed up but stood there, still watching the other mare with the barest hint of happiness.
Theirs had been a brief acquaintance, but it was so different from anything Rynia had ever known that it was almost intoxicating. Here was a conversation where she wasn't being criticized or tested, a simple, pleasant chat. It was wonderful!
Still, she couldn't help but wonder where the catch was. There was always a catch. After all, what did she know of this mare, really, and her motives? Everyone had motives, her parents said so.
Oh, it was all so confusing!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:22 am
The mare watched Rynia, wondering what chains kept te mare so subdued and secluded. The way shyness seemed to overwhelm her, the way she was hesitant to speak or linger. There was an unspoken tension in the air and it wasn't residing from Kaiya. Like so many in the world, before her stood another of the broken, albeit her body wasn't physically deformed or scarred. . . .
Kaiya understood intrinsically that the mare in front of her needed some healing but any further detail was a mystery. As an angeni of redemption, she easily saw those that needed hope and saving; the quiet mare before her was one of them.
A shame there was little Kaiya could do to help outside of what she offered now. An offer of friendship, a kind word and conversation. There was healing that could happen in such a thing but like any soquili, to truly help, one needed to invest time. And while the angeni had all the time in the world, she knew that eventually the mare would retreat and be called away. Eventually they would part ways and it would be up to Kaiya to pursue. Well, like all those she attempted to save, if such a thing was what was required than so be it . . . she wouldn't forget her timid companion, oh no, most certainly not.
Giving her double set of wings a good stretch, Kaiya chose to take an even more submissive stance. Lowering herself to the ground, the mare tucked her hooves beneath her. Shaking a few golden locks of hair from her eyes, she looked back upon the mare with a warm smile. "Oh, I already am," she admitted with a nod, settling comfortably upon the soft evening grasses. "If it isn't an inconvenience, won't you rest awhile with me?" She offered, uncertain how the mare would respond. "It isn't often I get to meet such kindness, and I was the one who had interrupted your earlier rest. There's more than enough room," she added with a little chuckle, taking a moment to look around a the surrounding land.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:11 pm
Kaiya was only too right in thinking that Rynia would be called away, though not through any means of her own making. Though timid and reserved, she was hardly a weak and ignorant mare. Within her own sphere, she was actually quite knowledgeable. Unfortunately, that sphere was extremely limited in scope. It was only a matter of time before the sun had completely set, and once full dark arrived, she would need to leave.
That was a thought she considered with both relief and disappointment. For all of her initial and ongoing misgivings, the strange mare hadn't done anything to warrant any nervousness on Rynia's part. Indeed, she had been pleasant and kind, very easy to be around without getting too nervous (by Rynia's standards, naturally)...it was really very enjoyable, this meeting.
Which was why it was best to end soon; too much enjoyment would only weaken her resolve in the future, only result in her losing her wariness and consequently being vulnerable to attack in the future. On top of that, if she were to fail to appear in her mother's clearing on time, then Ladius would be displeased. Even more than that, she would come looking for her. Neither thought gave Rynia much pleasure, if she were being honest with herself...
Yes, it was best that this meeting was ending soon. In the meantime, though, it wasn't wrong to enjoy it, was it? No, of course it wasn't!
That thought gave Rynia all the confidence that she needed to reply to Kaiya's invitation with a nod of her own. Once again displaying a great deal more boldness than she felt, she folded up her wings and settled down on the ground a comfortable (but still close) distance from Kaiya. "That would be very nice."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:41 am
Kaiya could only keep the smile upon her features as Rynia finally did decide to settle. Ah, the brown and white mare was indeed a tender spirit, but the angeni could only hope that today might allow the mare to understand she didn't always have to live in fear. There was no need for defenses here, and though Kaiya could understand living cautiously, the poor wind only seemed to live in fear.
Fear of strangers, fear of . . . well. . . who knew. The mare was unable to actually learn much about Rynia from one sitting and Kaiya made a resolution to take the young one under her wing. It would take work and dedication, but the broken weren't always made up of the cruel and the hateful. Yes, Rynia had met a self-proposed guardian, but everything would take time and need to be delicate. One meeting wouldn't be enough. . . so already the angeni was mulling over how and when she should seek out Rynia once again.
Comfortable within the silence of the evening, Kaiya turned now and then to preen a set of her feathered wings. It was the bandaged and disheveled layer that often caused her the most trouble, constantly molting or leaving a trail of feathers behind her. "You're quite lucky you know," she chuckled, breaking the gentle silence to give Rynia a smile. "You've been blessed with a single set of wings, and healthy ones at that! Dealing with two can be quite troublesome," she sighed, though never lost her smile before pulling out a few more broken feathers.
Kaiya could fly but frequently didn't; she wasn't as fast as some angeni, nor quite as agile on wing. Dealing with a broken set just plum didn't assist her; they were more a nuisance than anything else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:16 pm
It was comfortable, to sit in silence with someone else who didn't think that inactivity was the devil. Really, Rynia could almost get used to this sort of thing...provided it wasn't TOO common. Over-familiarity bred a lack of watchfulness, and she couldn't deny that there was logic in that argument. It would be a terrible thing to prove her mother right in that respect, she would rather stay whole and unharmed, suitably watchful of her surroundings and wary of her companions.
Still, it was possible to be wary and to be comfortable at the same time, in moderation.
Whether she knew it herself or not, though, she WAS getting used to Kaiya's presence. In the sense that she could answer her now without first starting round-eyed and shuffling her feet anxiously. Indeed, she only showed a moment's surprise at being addressed before she looked at her own wings, ducking her head modestly. "My wings have always been my friends."
As she spoke, she actually looked at Kaiya's wings for the first time, noting how curiously they were arranged and how...unwell the lower set looked. Almost in spite of herself, she ventured forth a question, her first of the entire meeting. "Did you hurt yours in something?" Not a very interesting question, to be sure; anyone who saw bandages would have naturally assumed that such was the case. However, baby steps were a start!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
