|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:37 pm
... despair. x'D *couldn't fit it all in title*
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:38 pm
Evelyn paused, poised with statuesque grace as her stunning lavender eyes flickered to and fro. She scanned the underbrush with meticulous care, peering at every rock and tree as though it might suddenly jump aside to reveal her eldest son.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are..." her singsong tease was elevated to a tantalizing lure by her melodic voice.
A smile tugging upon her well-formed lips, she waited for the inevitable response, the perfect picture of harmonic patience.
No stallion could resist such a call, even if that alluring taunt came from the voice of his own mother.
Connor stepped out from behind a tall oak tree, his mane teased into a ravishing display of texture and form by the slight wind. "Here I am, mother." His voice was rich and pure, seasoned with the raw masculinity not even his well-trained courtier's manners could diminish.
Even as his mother's eyes lit up with sheer joy, he did not react. He did not grin; he did not smirk; his ears did not twitch. He remained passive, only his flawless lavender eyes showing any sign of emotion.
As he had grown, he had retreated ever further behind his apathetic mask. Using Kureno's deadpan expression and distant carriage as inspiration, he had formed for himself an outward cocoon that was as alluring as it was infuriating. Shifting like the tides, it revealed tantalizing glimpses of the warm-hearted beau beneath that would drive any sane mare to madness. How could anyone keep their wits about them, when hanging on his every expression, his every careless word, hoping for just one touch of pleasure in his voice- just the tiniest hint of a smile gracing his well-crafted features?
He moved forward with the grace of a predator, his hooves shifting with feline fluidity over the rocky terrain.
"How did you know it was me?"
She closed the distant between them, her eyes softening as she smiled warmly. "Because..." Pressing herself gently forward, she nuzzled his neck fondly. "... you have a way about you."
Her eyes sparkling with mischief, she withdrew that oh-so-tender touch. "Besides, I heard you sneeze."
Seeing her sons' scandalized look framed by his heuristic eyes, she laughed, the velvety sound floating up to the heavens and mocking the beloved angels' choir with its exquisite melody.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:53 pm
A muffled grunt and a muttered curse sounded from within the dense foliage of the sparse forest, dimmed azure hues slightly unfocused as the wounded stallion stumbled through the rocky terrain. Blood dripped from his mouth, the wound on his chest, his damaged wing, and a variety of other cuts and slashes gained from the viscious unikalona's attack, leaving a trail of crimson behind him as he forced himself onward. One ebony-feathered wing dragged on the ground beside him, useless, as torn feathers littered the dirt beside his blood trail.
Why had he saved his father? The question was something that even he did not know the answer to. He felt no obligation to Troilus as kin, and he personally did not care if the flutter stallion decided to get himself killed that night. Still... he had always strived to make his mother happy... and Troilus seemed to be able to do what Kureno could not. This also brought Kureno into the heart of his new problem.
His mother was pregnant.
Having a little brother or sister was something he was indifferent to... or would be, if his mother wasn't so goddamned happy about her pregnancy. Had Troilus changed her that much? He had known that she had never intended to have children before he or Sorai happened, and had accepted it in time... but what was different now? Did she really love the stallion that called himself his father? And their new foals... their love children... they would replace him and Sorai, would they not? He wasn't foolish enough to believe that his mother's recent change of heart would warrant a complete turnaround towards him, but he had been hopeful that she would show him more affection... that seemed impossible, now.
A soft groan followed the uneasy conclusion of his thoughts, vision flickering as he visibly swayed from side to side. The blood loss was getting to him, evidently... but he didn't want to stop. If he stopped, he would be forced to think... and thinking would lead to morbid thoughts of seclusion from the only family he had ever known. So he pressed onward, barely noticing the ringing of familiar voices in the near vicinity. He dragged himself into a small clearing, a limp hindering his walk, and abruptly stopped at the two familiar forms that greeted his blurred vision.
Eve and... Bliss?
His upper lip curled back at the sight, and his brain registered that something was different about the stallion... but his thoughts refused to keep up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:16 am
She saw the change in his eyes, that subtle shift from bemused son to alert stallion. Her brow furrowed as a slight frown puckered her silver-grey lips. "Son? What ails you, son?" He did not react. His eyes remained glazed, his stance predatory. "Connor, what has gotten into you...?" She followed the path of his vision... and gasped.
Connor felt the anger bubbling up inside him like a volcano waiting to explode, rolling waves of hatred pouring out of him like poison.
He had not been certain, at first... but those eyes. There was no doubt about it; this was him- the reason for his parents' feud, the cause of his mother's anguish, the source of all that confusion he had suffered as a young foal struggling to grasp why his mother looked upon his father with nothing less than whole-hearted regret...
... and the only stallion he had ever looked up to.
Lavender eyes blown wide open in astonishment, her face frozen in shocked dismay, the dappled mare took a few faltering steps forward.
The blood.
So much blood.
"Kureno... what?" the sight of those torn wings was anguish to her; his staggering gait, agony. Her eyes traced the frenzy of gaping wounds upon his chest and flank, following the flow of that crimson tide rushing free of his torn skin.
Connor felt his mother falter, her balance unsteady. The shock was almost too much for her- her eyelids fluttered uselessly against her pale cheek as she threatened to collapse, a low moan issuing forth from her parted lips as she struggled to maintain control.
He stood solidly by her side, bearing her weight with stoic determination, though his eyes never left the form of that wounded stallion.
That anger, that rage, boiling- rushing- free!
"Who." He spat the word, the very fires of hell burning in his turbulent eyes.
There was no doubt about what had transpired. Kureno had been attacked. He had been wounded.
And now Connor would extract the price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:32 am
His mind cleared enough for a moment to blink in slight confusion- that mane... that voice... it was not Bliss that greeted him, but Connor. The colt that he had looked upon as his charge, and still did. Though he would never admit it, he was fond of the young stallion, perhaps in a familial way, if pressed to confess it.
His question finally registered in his hazy thoughts, and Kureno fought the unsteady sway of his body, rather unsuccessfully. The thought of the yonger soquili finding the unikalona mare to extract revenge for his own injuries almost made him smile, and a flicker of affectionate warmth grazed the depths of his cerulean hues before he shook his head in slight reprimand at the implication of his intentions.
"It's of no matter, Connor."
The raspiness of his own voice almost made him wince- he probably sounded worse than he looked... wait, was he still bleeding? Perhaps he sounded a little better than he looked, then... Evelyn's own reaction was proof enough of that, and he hastened to reassure her that he was fine, taking a wobbly step forward...
-Only to feel his front legs buckle beneath the staggering weight that they had borne unwillingly up the path, away from his home. He hissed another curse, struggling to right himself as he found his weight on his knees. This was beyond humiliating, to find himself at weakness like this, displaying such vulnerability before the two souls that he had made it his own business to protect... what kind of protector was he, now?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:53 am
Connor stiffened, torn between supporting his swooning mother and rushing to his idol's aid.
"Mother." His whisper came out harsher than he had intended. "Mother, control yourself. He is alive- is that not enough?" he hissed the words, speaking in a low undertone with just a hint of brass. "Mother! Mother!"
Mother!
Who's calling...? No, no, I do not wish to leave this place... this floating bliss, so serene and...
Mother!
Mother!
Evelyn gasped, her thoughts torn asunder by the words. Connor! Frantic, insistant... she must fight! She must do as he asked- such urgency in his voice!
With visible effort, she righted herself, her eyelids shooting open with all due haste.
Kureno!
She moved forwards in a rush, effortless grace diminished only by her pungent fear.
Connor nodded with grim satisfaction, silently applauding his mother's quick reaction. One problem taken care of, he stalked forward to deal with the next.
With vehement assertiveness, he glared at the older stallion, his lips curling in a slight snarl. "Of no matter? Your state- the wounds- why should an attack such as this go un-punished?" His smooth voice was twisted into a feral growl. "You... to see you like this, after so long..."
He bent, desperately needing to do something- anything! Placing himself to Kureno's left, he offered himself fully, taut muscles preparing to take on the burden of the wounded stallion's weight.
Evelyn hesitated, ready to dismiss Connor's rash demands with a glare... and felt that she whole-heartedly agreed with him. She let it be, turning her attentions fully onto the form of the only stallion she had ever cared to call friend.
"Ah, Kureno..." she whispered, lavender eyes stricken with pain. She reached forwards gently, brushing away a trickle of blood from his cheek with her soft nose. The crimson stain shimmered brightly upon her silver skin.
"... what monstrosity turned its sights upon you?" My fine friend... my Knight... my love?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:12 am
His vision dimmed and flickered under the weight of unconsciousness pressing in, threatening to steal the life that shone through the fierce cerulean hues. Kureno fought it, insistently pushing away the darkness that crowded around the outsides of his sight- he suspected that if he were to simply lay down and sleep as his body was demanding right now, it was likely that he would never get up again.
He felt Eve's gentle touch against his cheek, Connor's steady presence against his side, bringing warmth back into his skin- he felt frigid, all of the sudden. Taking in a deep, shuddering breath, he withheld his grunt of pain as he reluctantly leaned against the smaller stallion's weight, just enough to hoist himself to his feet- when had Connor gotten so tall?- but instead found all four of his legs giving out beneath the heavy strain in a pained exhale.
He nearly gave up on the effort of standing, taking a moment to gather his wits, but struggled to get his hooves under him again stubbornly, refusing to give in to this weakness. A haggard cough was expelled from his lungs, and small droplets of crimson liquid littered the ground where they had fallen from his throat, but still he managed to drag himself onto all four feet.
Refocusing his azure hues on the dark stallion at his side, he made sure to meet the familiar lavender gaze as he spoke again, softer this time, inhaling raspy breaths in small intervals of his speech. "It is... not your responsibility to punish my offenders... I would not allow for you to get hurt on my behalf." The words were stoic, but his expression was not- in a rare display of warmth, he offered the younger soquili a half-smile, fleeting as it was. "Although... I do appreciate it."
Evelyn's soft voice drew his attention from her son, though it took him a moment to focus again, swallowing the bitter taste of blood and humiliation in his defeat. "It was... just that. A monstrosity." He didn't elaborate further, hoping that the matter would be dropped. The last thing he needed was for them to go chasing after a kalona hybrid that had single-handedly brought down more than half their herd with nary a sweat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:30 pm
Connor steeled himself, widening his stance to spread the extra weight evenly over all four hooves. He eyes downcast in stalwart obedience, he yielded to the other's will. That smile, partial though it was, played a great role in his decision to abandon his thoughts of revenge... for now.
His answering smile was somewhat stiff, as though the muscles had gone slack from long disuse. His warm eyes made of for the lack of an enthusiastic grin.
"... As you wish."
Evelyn's heart lurched every time Kureno faltered, feeling every racking cough as though it had been torn from her own chest.
Sensing his guarded sentiments beneath his brief reply, she let the matter drop with the ease of long practice.
"... we must find you a healer. If not..." she faltered, hesitating "... the blood loss could cause lasting damage." With anxiety, she stared at his now-useless ebony wing. Would he ever fly again?
She peered imploringly at Connor, knowing in her heart that she would have to be the one to go. Kureno would be unable to travel in his current state. That he had made it this far was astonishing. This meant that they would have to bring a healer to him... and she could not support Kureno's physical weight with her love.
... For the moment, all he could do was wait out his body's anguish, struggling to mend itself even as the wounds were torn open again and again by a seemingly endless stream of blood...
Aloe would soothe his pain.
Gathering her haunches beneath her, she darted off with a powerful leap, returning moments later with a spikey leaf clenched between her pearly-white teeth. Squeezing gently to cause some of the healing gel to rise to the surface, she reached forward and gently began to apply it to his wounds.
Once she had finished, she would begin the search for an accomplished healer. Her herb remedies were no match for a Unicorn's restorative powers.
Connor watched furtively as his mother ran off, wondering what had gotten in to her- when he saw her trot back with that familiar leaf clutched between her teeth, he understood: she had used aloe many a time when he was young, to heal the cuts and scrapes that seemed attracted to young colts.
"It is Aloe... it will help." he explained in a low voice, emollient voice pleading with Kureno to let Evelyn do what she could for him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:41 pm
His muscles relaxed slightly in relief at Connor's compliance- reluctant though it was- and heaved a shaky sigh as he fought to keep his balance. It was more off his mind than he would have admitted to know that the young stallion would not be rushing off to his death- especially on his own behalf- and that he and Eve would be safe from the rampage of the deadly hybrid that had wreaked so much havoc on his own family.
Evelyn's gentle imploring of the need to find a healer made him pause, the words distantly registering in his mind with a less than enthusiastic reaction. He scowled visibly- he hoped that she didn't mean a two-legger's help. They had never done anything for him before, and his mother seemed to hold a passionate hate for their kind. He didn't know any unicorns, either- aside from the very attacker that had inflicted his wounds. He wondered absently if she even held the ability to heal- it would be a contradiction of her existence, if she did.
Startled from his thoughts as the silver mare bolted from his line of vision, he watched in consternation as she returned with a familiar plant clenched in her jaws. Connor's explanation was met with a slight reproving glance- he knew what it was, thank you very much- and he hissed as the soft substance touched his side, where a deep cut marred the surface.
It was beyond embarassing, and a deep blow to his pride that the two of them were forced to care for him, tend to his wounds... but he was not without gratitude. He doubted anyone but his mother would leap to his aid as they had, and she was quite preoccupied with her own injuries, as well as the news of her pregnancy. She had his father to care for her, so he wasn't worried, but he was uncomfortable with the prospect of being tended to like this by anyone.
"Thank you," was the soft mutter he managed in return for the care he was provided, casting a glance towards Eve as he saw her turn, undoubtedly to find him further aid. "A healer is not necessary. I will live." He hesitated a moment, shakily opening his one working wing in her direction with meticulous care. "Don't worry."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:47 pm
Evelyn flinched, visibly hurt by his curt response. His thanks were pleasant enough, but... was he so proud that he would dismiss the readily-given aid of a breed destined to heal?
Connor frowned thoughtfully, his carefully-tended mask cast aside.
He had snapped his mouth shut at the older stallion's pointed glance; it had been naive of him to assume that Kureno would not recognize such a common remedy.
... did he simply not realize the extent of the damage? Or was he simply hesitant to except the help of a total stranger?
A vague memory lurked at the edges of his thoughts- A memory of Connor himself, head low in defeat as though he had accepted the weight of the world upon his shoulders when embarrassment had beat upon his self-control like fists; he had slipped upon a muddied surface in the presence of a stunning crimson mare, when he had hoped to present himself with effortless grace. He had not been able to meet the mare's eyes after that.
Perhaps...? Connor peered at Kureno curiously, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
Perhaps his stoic role-model was ashamed of his current state?
Evelyn's frigid lavender eyes fixed upon the stallion's cerulean gaze. In a voice of arctic wind, as condemning as it was unforgiving, she poised a question no stallion could answer with grace.
"You would rather I turn my sights upon another?" Of course, she was being completely ridiculous. Refusing her aid was not the same thing as refusing her love... but when she had poured such tenderness, such fond devotion, into her halting suggestion... she could not help but feel the bitter sting of his refusal.
Connor stared at his mother in astonishment, his jaw slack. Had she gone insane? Did she have no respect for a stallion's pride?
... well... probably not, considering how she had dealt with Bliss' continuing affections...
... but, well, still! She... she'd just... what?
His normal eloquence had faded away into the sputtering indignation of a foal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:52 pm
Oceanic hues widened in abrupt bewilderment and confusion at Evelyn's outburst, running his own words through his head several times in attempt to find the reason behind her apparent misunderstanding of his meaning. Would he rather she offer her aid, in tenderness and care, to someone else? Of course not! His hatred of Bliss should have been answer enough to that question. He could not say so out loud, however... to do so would undermine everything that he was, and Evelyn had never wanted him to change before... had she changed her mind, now?
He opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to question whether or not she knew what asking that question meant to him... but instead said nothing, shutting his jaw and looking pointedly at the ground. For a moment, he considered not answering at all- but she would undoubtedly take that badly, if she had already taken his refusal of her help this badly.
"Don't you know me better than that?"
His voice was low, gruff, and shaky, but a twinge of something colored his tone, lifting dimmed irises to meet hers in silent inquiry. He wasn't generally in the habit of answering a question with another question, but he sought to make a point- she should already know the answer. It wasn't because he didn't want her love or her tenderness, it was because he couldn't simply forget his tendencies avoid dependency... and his pride.
For so long, his pride was all he had. Without friends, without a loving family, without a real home, he took pride in knowing that he relied only on himself. She had to understand that after all this time, he couldn't simply give that up, didn't she?
Lowering his head in defeat, he stole a glance at Connor for a brief moment before leaning away and allowing his four legs to fold under the strain of his weight. Shame colored azure eyes at his weakness, at his giving in, but he could not tolerate being the cause of any upset in Eve, if he could help it. Gently as he could, he withheld a hiss of pain as he shifted his weight to a more comfortable position lying prostrate on the ground.
He refused to meet either pairs of eyes as he simply lay and wait for Eve to continue what she wished to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:22 pm
A queer giggle rose from her throat, its aria tinged with madness. It ended abruptly, as though smothered into silence.
With listless complacency, she collapsed beside him, resting her head on the ground before him, her eyes level with his prone form. "I hardly know myself anymore." Her whispered words would have gone unheard had they not been carried to unwilling ears by the slight breeze.
Connor stared at the two adults laying upon the ground in disbelief. Had the world gone mad?
... or just me?
With a shaky breath, she regained that ethereal majesty she had possessed on the day they had first met. Twelve shades of grey sparkled against her cool flank with aerial grace, her lavender eyes twirling with an inner light akin to the jewel upon her chest.
On wings of madness, let love take flight
Free of reason; jammed with plight
"Kureno..." her voice was smooth, lacking all obscenities, flawless and yet wound with emotion "... I beg your forgiveness."
... For my rash words.
... For my faulty decisions.
... For my...
Her eyes flickered to Connor.
... fling.
Her pregnancy had unleashed her emotions, allowing them to control her every move as they had once governed her lavender eyes. She had never quite locked them away again, carefully tending her children as only a dotting mother could, watching with pleasure as they grew while clinging to fond memories of the past.
... she would never be the same. She could never wander the lands, forlorn and alone, tired of this life and seeking some small release from her omnipresent boredom.
... and, knowing this, she always ran to him. To that sun-kissed stallion whose stoic and reserved persona had brought such light into her life.
Did her really deserve to have her cling to him as though he was her life-raft in a great ocean of despair? Even now, when he lay bleeding upon the ground, when her rash and senseless words had spouted forth from nothing greater than wounded pride, did she really need to bother him with her apologetic whining?
She knew in her heart that she could never stop seeking his presence, for that one moment in which his eyes would twinkle and a tiny twitch of a smile would light up his face. Even just being beside him was enough. That was all she wanted. That was all she had ever needed.
Just him.
... even when she hadn't yet known his name.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:49 pm
The odd giggle made him open his eyes wearily, the irises coloring with concern as he lifted his head to observe what exactly prompted the strange sound. He was only further confused by her shifting onto the ground beside him, and the barely audible response that floated along the wind to his ears.
An almost pained expression briefly flitted across his features- though it was not from his wounds- as he raised his eyes to meet her own, shining with that same strange light he had come to associate with her and only her. No one else he knew had such life, will and joy shining in them. It was why he... no, he wouldn't think of that now.
He blinked slightly at her words, considering what she could possibly be apologizing for. Wounding his pride? Yes, it was rather difficult to overcome his pride... but it wasn't something she should feel strongly enough to apologize for. For what, then? He had only ever desired for her to be happy, and left her to make her own decisions. Yes, Bliss was a part of her life that he could do without... but if Bliss made her happy, then Kureno would tolerate him.
Reaching out with a trembling nuzzle to her neck, he withdrew quickly, but left a lingering whisper of, "There is nothing to forgive."
Never once had he blamed her for anything. Her pregnancy had been sudden and unexpected, but as long as it made her happy, he had been willing to support her. Her decision to remain with Bliss made him upset, and angry with the stallion... but he respected her loyalty, and left her to her own devices. She loved Connor, he could plainly see that, and he had grown into a fine young stallion.
As long as she was happy, he was content.
His posture wavered slightly, and upon moving back his head, he was swept away by a wave of dizziness. Leaning his head on the nearest available surface, which happened to be her shoulder, he forced out his next words, doubling his fight for consciousness as blackness pressed in around the outsides of his vision once again.
"I... never once... blamed you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:47 pm
A tiny smile curved her lips upwards, ardor melting away the fear that lingered in her lavender eyes.
Theirs was a relationship that had never needed words. They had communicated using only the intricate labyrinth of body language that could only be navigated by those who knew exactly what to look for. In the beginning, there had been greetings exchanged... commendable efforts on both parts to make small talk, senseless chatter that served no true purpose beyond filling silence with pleasurable sounds.
... but sometimes... the finality of the spoken word was cherished beyond all else.
You, too?
Connor frowned, shifting his weight from hoof to hoof. Concern furrowed his brow; nerves quickened the pace of his beating heart.
Her thoughts returned to the present, to the warmth of his head resting upon her quivering shoulder.
Eyes smoldering with compassion, she lowered her voice to a scant whisper. There was none of the earlier insistence in her voice, only concern. "Is there not anything we can do?" Perhaps what he needed now was rest... or perhaps hunger clutched his stomach with its barbed talons?
Though he had turned her down once before... it never hurt to try again. Perhaps his pride would allow him to beg one small favor?
... though, she would never make him beg. Anything his heart desired was his for the taking.
Connor's ears perked, his entire body stiffening as he awaited Kureno's response. Whatever it was- Whatever he needed- Connor was determined to provide!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:21 pm
A slow blink followed her concerned inquiry, trying to regain his bearings enough to balance himself. Withdrawing his head from its resting place against her petite frame, he shook it slightly in attempt to clear his vision. A brief flash of a night remembered with another mare, flitted through his hazy thoughts, and a visible grimace distorted his features for a split second. There was no need to think of that. Evelyn was here, now, even if she wasn't before. He would content himself with this moment, instead of wondering how long that would last.
Breathing another soft sigh, he met her lavender gaze with more tenderness than he showed anyone else, despite his misgivings of such emotions. He considered her question for a moment, and began to shake his head before he thought better of it.
Offering a scant nod and an affectionate glimmer towards the stallion he considered family and the mare he considered more, so eager to help him despite his own stubbornness and pride; he gestured with his good wing, punctuating his words with a sweep of the feathered appendage to his side. "Just... stay here with me, for a little while?" They could worry about his injuries, the rest of the world, and everything else later.
For now, he could simply enjoy the feeling of being cared for... and perhaps even loved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
