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 Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:54 pm
His legs are so awkward and gangling he scarcely seems to know what to do with them, but he manages, clumsily, to propel himself into a gallop. It's a long, loping stride, with his tufted little tail flagging behind him, and his head raised with a contented pride only a foal his age could manage. He's terribly young yet, and to him, the world is still a mystery, hiding adventure in every cranny. Adventure he belatedly realizes may be difficult to take in at his current pace.
Giving his nose a joyous toss, wind whipping through his little fluff of a mane, he reigns his gait, ambling into a walk yards later. Here he is then, he supposes - the start of his soon-to-be-discovered journey. The colt lifts his head to better observe the land he's found himself in, his bi-colored eyes sweeping across it as he ignores the fatigued heave of his sides.
If he must be honest with himself, here is very much like there had been. Green grass sweeps over numerous rolling hills - most quite like the one he's just crested - and the horizon is still exactly where he left it. A line of trees strings lazily in the distance, but looks so much like the forest near his home, he has no desire to investigate it. He gives a dissatisfied snort, turning his attention on his immediate vicinity instead.
Here, the stalks brush his knees; his adventure has plenty of places for hiding. This is, of course, a challenge, and not a dissuasion. For the moment, Apollo is a colt of indomitable spirit, and takes on his new found obstacle... by plunging his horned head into the grasses.
His first few attempts reward him with bugs, crawling heedlessly along, doing whatever it is bugs do in their daily lives. One is interesting enough to warrant a curious sniff - it's colorful, and intricately patterned - but it flies off when he nears, and he can't be bothered with chasing it. He presses onward instead, burrowing a path through the plains, until the blades turn so short, they hardly brush over his ankles.
He finds a hole here, nestled amidst a small clump of flora. It's bigger than he first imagined, he's coming to realize as he nears, one slow step after another. Bigger than his skull, in fact... Or just as big, at least. It smells strongly of earth and moisture, and.... definitely something else; something he can't quite place. Ever curious, the colt plunges his nose inside for investigation.
The hole awards him with a quite furious-sounding growl, and a scraping, rustling sort of noise. He decides in very short order he doesn't want to stick around and find out what that means, and jerks his head out of what he now knows is a burrow, giving a disgruntled snort. When the noise (and the growling) persist, Apollo comes to understand this is probably not the best place to linger. He scrambles backward, shuffling gracelessly before finally managing to turn and again barrel across the fields. Haphazardly, this time.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:37 am
Hakumei giggled to herself as she trotted along. She had successfully escaped from under her parents watchful, and she knew, loving gaze to start her own adventure. Her parents were napping along with her two siblings, but for the young filly, the last thing she wanted to do was sleep. After all, she had done nothing but sleep in her basket for weeks and now, after finally escaping the safety of her old wicker home, she had no intention of wasting any more time with it.
Cresting the small hilltop she glanced back at the large tree her family were resting beneath, next to the small thirst-quenching river. There was no way she would be able to get lost. All she had to do was follow the scent of water, and once at the river, she would see the tree that marked her families' current home. Giggling she flicked her fluffy little tail and with a kick of her heals, she fell into an easy canter. Long twig-like limbs had proved to be surprisingly graceful and obedient at this speed and it had become the filly’s preferred method of moving about. Even if the occasional tumble she took hurt all the more because of it.
Moving through the long grass that almost brushed her belly, she threaded her way around tall robust weeds and the occasional flower as she cantered down the hillside. It was one of the most glorious days she had ever experienced, the warmth on her twilight-coloured coat was wondrous, and the fresh summer air almost looked like a liquid gold she should drink, rather than breathe. Tiny slender ears pricked forwards as she ran, head turning this way and that to take in everything around her. A brightly coloured butterfly whizzed past her muzzle, making her shy away to one side in surprise before letting out a high sweet peal of laughter. A bird of prey screamed high above, causing the little filly to toss her head back, muzzle pointed skywards as she watched it, unusual eyes alight with the sense of adventure and wonderment all youths should feel.
Suddenly her headlong, unguided canter was interrupted by something rather large and furry. Tumbling head over heals through the grass she collapsed in a heap, long limbs tangled hopelessly. Blinking wide, surprised eyes she lifted her head and peered back at what ever it was that she had collided with, even as she worked at untangling her disobedient limbs.
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 4:33 pm
The colt plummets through the short grasses, his tender ears honed on the growling as it fades behind him. Ten, eleven, twelve strides... He can hardly hear it now. Tentatively, he steals a glance over his shoulder, at the burrow in the distance.
A stout, broad creature stands guard over it. Its fur is short, dense, and mostly grey, with black and white markings - not unlike his own coloring, he realizes. Apollo can tell it's bristling, angrily, and wagers it's no spring pixie even without the additional bulk. He's glad it's over there, and he's over here, and resolves not to stick his nose down strange holes... for now, at least.
Heaving a sigh of relief, the foal straightens himself, turning his attention more fully on the invisible path before him.
And on whatever that is in his way. He blinks, surprised. It wasn't there a moment ago... Having established as much, and that it is, in fact, there now, he gathers his limbs and attempts veering around it. With limited success. On one hand, he hadn't crashed directly into it. On the other, he will crash anyway, to which his failing limbs can attest. Try as he might to steady them, he can still feel his legs buckle beneath him.
The dun hits the grassy earth with a muffled "oof!", skidding more than he'd care to admit. That hurt, but it isn't his first fall, and surely won't be the last either... He rubs his nose on a folded foreleg, and attempts standing once he's determined he is in fact still in one piece. With little more than a few bruises to show for it, hopefully he won't have much explaining to do...
"Er, sorry. Are you okay?" he asks suddenly, straightening himself as he peers at the untangling lump behind him.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:54 pm
The sudden tumble had been a total surprise, as golden gaze had been fixed on the hawk hovering high over head, the filly entranced by the easy way the creature stayed suspended in the air with only an occasional lazy flap of its wings. Now laying sprawled out on her side, slender rib cage heaving as she sucked in much needed air she blinked wide eyed at the stranger whom she had almost flattened.
Gasping to get her winded breath back she nodded at the sudden, slightly startled sounding question. "Yes, I’m fine, are you? I’m really sorry about that, I was watching the bird up above and didn't see you. I didn't hurt you did I?" She snapped her rambling jaw shut with a blush but grinned at the other foal.
With a snort she shifted then sprang to her feet, forelegs crossed and hind-legs played wide to keep her balance. Gingerly she carefully stepped forwards and corrected her legs before straightening as her balance was restored along with her confidence.
Trotting over she circled round the colt to stand in front of him, fuzzy tail wagging, ears pricked. Excited she smiled brightly at him, he was the first one like her (that was to say, short) other than her siblings, she had met. "Oh, I’m Hakumei. What's your name?" She asked hopefully, her unusual eyes of amber on pitch friendly.
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:15 pm
"Oh, I'm alright," the colt tells her, nodding soberly over his shoulder. Truthfully, he's hardier than his small, thin frame would suggest, and it will take more than a tumble to keep him down. But it's also true he is an independent sort, averse to sharing his flaws and to depending on others, despite his young age, and probably wouldn't admit it even if he wasn't fine.
"Anyway, it was nothin'." He shakes his head dismissively, smoothing over his own fault as much as he is hers. After all, he'd been doing everything except watching where he was going, as he should have been, and he'd rather not remind himself - it's no matter now.
The unicorn falls silent, standing steadfast and watching as she paces 'round him, following her with his bicolored eyes. "It's Apollo," he offers softly, lifting his head with some measure of jovial pride. His mother told him it's a strong name, once; when he says it, he can't help hoping it suits him.
"Were you goin' somewhere?" He hates to hold her up if she had been...
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:32 pm
The filly didn't seem to have come to any harm either, other than her fluffy mane having picked up a few bits of grass. Though she didn't seem to notice, or if she had, to care.
"That’s good. I do have a habit of bumping into things.. Mom says I’m too adventure for my own good." She grins, evidently pleased with that fact. Pausing her ears p***k forwards again as she studies the colt before her, her own gaze drawn to his.
Blinking she smiles as he offers his name in return. "Apollo? That’s a very grown-up sounding name. It suits you." She confirmed with a dip of her head before her gaze caught on the dark horn adorning his brow.
His question distracted her from it and she blinks again. "Oh, not really. I’m on an adventure!" Beaming she grins at him a moment before looking back up at his horn. Her tail flicks, ears twitching with curiosity. But her mom had told her asking too many questions was rude.. and she had already asked a lot. But..... she really wanted to know!
"What’s that?!" She finally burst out, amber eyes wide as she stared at his horn with a mix of awe and curiosity.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:25 pm
A habit of bumping into things, she says. That is surely not something Apollo makes routine, and admittedly, he is a little baffled she'd so openly confess she does. If being 'too adventurous' comes along with it, though... Well, maybe it might not be so bad after all. His own mother has certainly never accused him of being too adventurous, and he's at least willing to concede it almost sounds decent. After all, adventure can't be bad; unexpected mishaps are half the point!... He realizes it might be something to remind himself of, next time he feels compelled to investigate... unfamiliar territory.
But her remark - no, her compliment - toward his name catches him unaware. He blinks, and after a moment, finally manages a "thanks." His surprise surfaces as slight hesitation, but it's a pleasant sort of surprise; the kind he's experiencing because he hadn't been even half prepared to hear what he actually wanted. Even if, truthfully, he doesn't consider himself at all 'grown-up', and doesn't yet want to be, anyway. He'll just be ready for it when he does! "Yours is nice too," he adds, sincerely, recalling his manners only a little belatedly.
"Oh, I am too." Apollo's dark ears tip forward as he regards her, his formerly neutral expression cracking into something of a lopsided grin. It almost seems like he's ready to say something else, too, but she stops him short. Now, he can't help noticing the filly's not really looking at him, but... Yes, he decides, she's staring. He's never seen someone stare before, much less experienced it, but his mother has warned him against it, and he supposes he'd know.
His ears fold, and briefly, bafflement overtakes the dun's features. "What's what?" Does he have something on him he shouldn't? Or, worse yet, could something be wrong? But he feels normal enough... And he supposes he looks normal enough too, from what he last remembers. Forced to conclude it may not be that after all, he reevaluates their circumstance, and attempts following her gaze with his two-toned eyes. "You mean my horn?..."
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Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:21 am
The pause almost made her wonder if she had said something wrong, she wasn't used to meeting others around her age, having only being with her family and siblings, and really.. you can't compare how you act with siblings to how you treat others, especially strangers.
Finally he spoke, and he didn't seem upset! She felt relief sweep through her at that, having worried he would turn and leave. Like any youngster she wanted to make friends and with this colt being the first she had met, that thought was high in her mind, even if it was still a subconscious one. Smiling brightly as he returned the compliment she dropped her amber gaze briefly, a faint blush touching her cheeks though it blended fairly well with her markings.
She recovered swiftly though, with that resilience that all children possess. Her grin was returned with a bright smile, delicate blue ears pricking forwards again. A light giggle slips free as the colt seeks to see his own horn, though his expression draws her attention to his eyes momentarily. So many tings about him were different! She was fairly bursting with questions and curiosity, but she forced them down, quite certain she would go from possible friend to the irritating pest her siblings sometimes called her.
His question, after he finally located the source of her fascination, was answered with a fast nod. "Yes!" She chirped, fuzzy tail wiggling. "I haven't seen anyone with one before..."
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Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:01 am
So, 'that' is his horn after all. Having been born with it, and with two brothers (and a father!) who were also born with one, horns hardly seem like an object of fascination to him. If she's never seen one before, though... This must be what his mother had meant by 'different sorts'. His own family is fairly diverse, he thinks - he and his brothers are very different! - but there must be an awful lot out there he has yet to learn.
"My dad's a unicorn... I guess I am too," he offers, thinking it an adequate explanation. "But Mom is a wind, so I'm really only half..." Aiakos and Kalani have wings and a horn, but he must not consider it relevant; he doesn't mention either one. "Well, you have now," he adds, supportively, trying distract his sense of awkwardness.
... Anyway, he's being silly. She hasn't called him anything mean, and he has no reason at all to feel as uncomfortable as he does. He scoffs inwardly at himself, attempting to bolster his confidence. "Are your parents both... like you, then?" he asks, tentatively, almost stumbling over his words, but recovering soon enough he hopes it doesn't sound too unnatural. It's plain he hadn't meant any harm by it, regardless.
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Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:29 am
She tilted her head, listing to Apollo attentively. "A.. Unicorn?" She copies carefully. Never having met one before she could only assume Apollo was telling her the truth, and that all 'unicorns' looked like him. After a moment she blinked and giggled, head bobbing. "I guess I have." She agreed with a smile.
Bobbing her head at his question she seems not to notice his reserved manner. Clearly outgoing she was happy to have someone new to chat to and question. There were still so many questions floating around in her head.
"Yup.. at least, mostly. Dad is all blue, and he smells like the sea.. so I’m told. I've not scented the sea myself so I can't really tell.. but its cool and salty. Mum is all warm and bright, like the sunset. My brother is more like mom, and my sister is almost exactly like dad. But none of us have horns.. or tails like you.. Though, dad's is all.. wavy.. and .. floaty.." She frowns, struggling to describe what the water stallion, her father, was like. It was hard to someone who didn't just.. know.
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Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 3:52 am
"Yup," he repeats, grinning lopsidedly. Not to say he's met one either - his own family doesn't really count - but his parents told him so, and he has no reason yet to question them. There may come a time he will, deciding he needs to see and learn things for himself, but for now he is content to take their word, and to set off discovering everything they don't tell him.
It's beginning to sound like it will take longer than he first expected.
"Oh," he replies, inadequately. "My tail's like Dad's." He gives it a deliberate flick, swaying its tufted tip. But she says her father's is floaty... like the clouds are floaty, he wonders? It's a brief wondering, though; his thoughts drift quickly back to her talk of the sea. "What's a sea?" He knows lots about his forest home; things like what's good to eat, what makes one itchy when touched, and which flowers smell good!... But he's never heard of a sea before, and he's quite sure he's never seen it himself, if it's supposed to be salty and cool.
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Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:08 am
Hakumei, distracted by the flicking tail, dipped her head and peered unceremoniously underneath the colt to stare at it as it moved. "Oooh... " She gasped softly in awe-struck wonder. ".. can you like.. use it for stuff?" She peeked up at Apollo without lifting her head, slightly surprised when she sees only his chest, and at rather close quarters too... Stepping back she stands upright again. "I think that would be really cool.. if you could! Like, you could pick things up with it, or hit my brother when he is being a brat.." She giggled, wishing she had a tail like his just for that purpose. Her own fluffy appendage really wasn't much good for anything other than vague annoyance.
"The sea?" She copied, looking momentarily lost. "Uhh... Mum says its big, and blue. Like the sky, only it stretches across the land, and as far as you can see.. its all blue. Though its also dangerous.. when it leaps up with white tops." She frowned faintly, trying to remember anything else that her parents had told her about it. "We are travailing there.. it's where Dad came from."
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Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:53 pm
Apollo blinks, dumbstruck. At a loss as to what he should do as she ducks to watch his tail, he... stands there, and does nothing. "Um..." the colt starts, deciding quickly this is more awkward than he'd care to experience. "I don't think so... I never tried though." He wouldn't want to hit anybody with it, anyway; he likes his brothers.
"... It's water?" Well, the sea certainly sounds like water, though that's not at all what he had been expecting. It seems like a really, really big... lake. No, that's not as exciting as he'd hoped at all. His expression almost wilts, but catches himself just in time. "The sea leaps?" Actually leaps, like the frogs he's seen on the riverbanks? Apollo doesn't understand what white tops have to do anything, but that, at least, sounds interesting.
Some day, he supposes he'd like to see that. Maybe he can convince Mother and Father to let him go!... But no, that wouldn't work. Not yet, when he's still so young. It's a wonder he's able even to sneak out as long as he does. Or so he thinks - little does he know. "Will you stay once you get there?" he asks instead, seemingly oblivious to his barrage of questions.
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