|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:28 pm
This is a private roleplay for Paramekia Darkheart's Ambroise and Lady Evelyn Nyht's Vidia.
In the southern forest.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:39 pm
 Vidia was as far as she could possibly get from both family and where she'd last seen him. She felt like her heart was breaking into smaller and smaller pieces. She wasn't even noticing where she was going, just running full kilt through the trees. Water droplets flew like tiny little jewels from her charging through the rivers just to get away!
If she'd had the wings, she would have flown from him on the spot, flown to an isolated mountain to gather herself back together. But her only option left to her was to run, run away and not look back. She left out a pained whiny as froth began to collect along her flanks. She was pushing herself to her breaking point and would have to slow down before she did.
She slowed to a walk and continued to berate herself on being five kinds of a ninny, her bracelets making light clicking noises as she walked. The sounds soothed her to where she could finally stop crying and look around her surroundings. She'd never been this far south, never been in this forest before. Cyan eyes searched around her, fear pricking down her spine. "H-h-hello?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:57 pm
Ambroise had never been this far south either, if he was entirely honest he had never left the slopes. The circumstances in which he had come to be in the lowlands were unfortunate. He had been the only one of his siblings chosen to defend the slopes, his brothers and sister had been permitted to wander and he had been subjected to training. While that training had ultimately paid off the severe knock to his head as he plummeted from the canopy had taken it's toll and the outcome of the conflict and his trial remained unknown. He had passed said trial but failing to recollect this he had made the decision not to return home until he was certain of the outcome.
Nevertheless, he had initially fallen from the skies to the north and had since wandered southwards in an almost absentminded manner. Taking little consideration for the direction he had chosen to wander in, one might have deemed him to be no more than a bumbling idiots. Admittedly he would have rather approved of such a title but those who glanced at him took note of the sharp eyes and quickly drew other conclusions. He might have been a wanderer but his 'aura' was rather abrupt.
Alas he had always been somewhat lacking in the social department. It was a quirk of his and one he was proud of. Granted his abrasive behaviour unsettled the majority of the visitors who wandered the slopes but at least they knew who was boss - correct?
He wasn't permitted to dwell on such thoughts for long however as a ratehr quiet voice interrupted his reverie. He had entered the forest a few hours ago and since then had wandered in circles. Accustomed to the chatter of other wildlife, he had expected to hear the whicker of a female or the familiar scent of another soquili nearby. In fact he was nearly positive that he had distanced himself from as many as possible...he wasn't a fan of company, they didn't really take to him! That being said etiquette had been battered in to him from a young age and he was aware that it would be incredibly rude to keep to himself after the hand (metaphorically speaking) had been extended.
Thus, it was with a somewhat disgruntled sigh and a ruffle of his vibrant pinions that he began to make his way in the direction of the mare. Pale eyes remaining fixed upon the tree trunks, he only opted to speak up when he could see the faint outline of the pale soquili in his peripheral vision. He knew it was a female given the tone of voice and he knew that she was unsettled but he was a rather great fan of his personal space.
"Good afternoon," he replied in ever cool tones, drawing to a halt between two trees. If anyone failed to spot something quite as bright as him then he would have advised they seek a unicorn out...promptly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:09 pm
She jumped, her entire body shuddered and forced her to turn slightly at the direction of the sound. She let out an automatic sigh of relieve to see another Soquili that didn't mean her bodily harm, but her head lowered as her gaze locked with the leaf-strewn grass. "I-I-I thought I h-h-heard s-s-something. I-I-I'm sorry if-if I-I-I'm intruding."
It wasn't that she was afraid of him, she was just generally very reserved and leery of all others, like she had been months ago. Her confidence was shattered all over again and so she felt worthless in the presence of others--a burden.
From her submissive position, she glanced upwards at him, but no quite meeting his eyes. Something seemed familiar about him, but she knew she'd never met such a color stallion as him before. She'd have remembered the brightly hued wings and the way his pelt reminded her of the sun after a rain shower. But something nagged at her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:34 pm
It took him a little while to fully comprehend what the mare was saying. Having never encountered an individual that possessed a stutter it was an entirely new experience (and thus a struggle) for him. His expression remained stoic though, and eventually a flicker of comprehension appeared in his pale eyes as he observed the mare more closely. Apparently her stutter was a little more than nerves, that uncertainty had deeper roots but it was not his place to pry. Instead he would take her words into account and address them as though he were completely 'oblivious' to her quirk.
...Even if it did take him an hour to translate what had been said.
Ruffling his wings, he waited with patience for the mare to lift her gaze. However, with each passing moment it was more and more apparent that such a thing was unlikely to occur. Her gaze had risen, but it was scarcely enough to look at him in any genuine manner. She resembled a disciplined subordinate who had been all but humiliated by their superior and he hadn't said anything to result in that. Apparently the lowlands were crueller than he had first anticipated.
"There is a lot to hear in a forest, m'lady..." he pointed out calmly. His tone wasn't intended to cause offence or to humiliate but given his somewhat abrasive nature, he wouldn't have been surprised if it happened anyway. His ability to swipe down individuals who pointed out the obvious remained uncontested, even if it was unintentional. "However it is unlikely that you have intruded upon anyone's territory..."
Again he fell silent, extending a wing to shake out the lose pinions at the itched against the others. There was a certain amount of discomfort he could handle, but when it reached that level he had to remove it. Satisfied he soon withdrew his wing once more and released a soft sigh.
"I can assure you I have yet to see another Soquili other than yourself."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:50 pm
She dropped her gaze again to the ground when he pointed out the obvious, something she was very familiar with, but still felt the sting of a reprimand in his choice of words. But his next words had her peeking up at him once more through the light colored fringe over her cyan eyes that seemed brighter against her tear-stained fur.
"Th-then you-you don't clai-claim these lands," she questioned. The last thing she really wanted was to step on the hooves of another Wind that found her to be something less because of her inherited condition. And it seemed some like her still preferred to love one that did have wings--no, she wouldn't think about that.
She felt the tension each a bit from her withers. No one had followed her, no one would find her down here. Thank the skies for that. The last thing she needed was for anyone she knew to find her at this moment. It was bad enough that she'd happened upon a Wind of all things right after she'd seen her world crumble. Part of her wanted to just hide away, excuse herself to leave this stallion alone as he seemed to want, but she'd been raised better. "I-I'm Vidia," she said as she nervously hopped from hoof to hoof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:57 am
She seemed petrified and he couldn't for the life of him figure out why. He hadn't sprouted horns or fangs, seemed completely tame in comparison to a Kalona and yet she seemed scared. He was aware that he could be intimidating, his height and demeanour permitted him no 'favours' in this but this didn't mean that people acted quite so... He wasn't aware of what to call it. He had never been taught how to socialise, therefore her stuttering and uncertainty were both foreign and confusing to him. Alas it was most definitely not her fault, even he knew this.
Nevertheless even he was aware of his manners and of the expectations his parents had on him from a young age. They had taught all their children to be polite, Ambroise may not have excelled at conversation but he could at the very least...meet and greet. He could bow courteously, lower his head in respect for a visitor. Abrasive as he might of been there was a gentleman in there somewhere...even if it wasn't often seen.
"My family call me Ambroise," he offered after a few moments. Shifting his weight from one hoof to the other he observed her skittish behaviour for a little while longer before sighing. "And these lands are most certainly not mine..."
"However if I cause you such discomfort I can take my leave if necessary," he added softly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:57 am
She honestly didn't know what she wanted what she needed. She could feel her demeanor starting to crumble and a few tears slid down her pale cheeks. Was she about to go into a hysterical fit? Skies, help her remain strong!
Before she knew what she was doing, she took several long steps towards him and buried her face against his body close to where the wings joined to his frame. It was the same action she'd done with her father so many moons ago as a filly when she'd hurt herself.
She was completely unaware of his wish to keep personal distance, but all she needed at this moment was something that would just let her cry and mourn what she'd never have. Her withers shook with the racking sobs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:22 am
What in the name of all that was good a holy had he walked in to! He stiffened considerably as the mare bridged the gap between them, preparing for a potential assault and then he saw it. Those tears that slid down her cheeks almost controllably. He'd never been great in this department, he'd favoured combat training to 'how to be a gentleman' lessons and as a result he was simply at a loss for words. The situation grew steadily worse as the mare buried herself in his pinions and began to weep with considerably more vigour.
Surely he couldn't have done this?
She hadn't made any attempts to answer any of his questions, had all but dismissed his offer to leave and now? He floundered at the very fact that his personal space had been torn from him. In mere seconds his sense of security and valued privacy had been stolen. It was just a little disconcerting and took much strength and discipline for him not to step back in 'horror'. No, even he knew that stepping back as another sobbed was far more than rude...it was cruel.
"I erm..." he cleared his throat and flicked his pale eyes towards the shivering form at his side. Loosening his wing slightly so that she didn't apply quite so much pressure to the joints. He truly hadn't the slightest idea hwo to approach the situation or of how to react to it. He could have considered what his parents would say but they hadn't exactly had to take care of any weeping individuals while he had been growing up.
It was with such thoughts in his mind that he came to the conclusion that silence was the most viable option. Thus, he released a small sigh and forced himself to relax...he could only hope that eventually she would withdraw.
Maybe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:36 am
The shaking slowly subsided and she disjointedly wondered if she'd run out of tears finally. It took her a few long moments to finally register that she'd just cried on some strange stallion that didn't know anything about! When that finally registered in her mind (and it took some time between all other thoughts), she took several steps back glancing briefly at his eyes before dropping hers.
"I-I-I-I-I'm s-s-s-sorry," she stammered out quickly, dropping her head low once more to rub her face against a foreleg. A few more tears glistened at the corners, almost ready to jump out and start the whole ordeal over again.
Vidia took a very deep and cleanse breath as her tightened chest could muster, then took another when she wasn't sure she could hold herself together. "It-it-it was another th-that caused such," she trailed off, unsure of even what words she could use. She didn't blame Althalus completely. She'd been a fool too, but she didn't know what else to say.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:54 am
Was it over? Surely it was over... The stallion remained completely still as the mare withdrew and ensured his expression remained neutral. His gaze continued to stay on the mare and he made short work of 'translating' her behaviour. While she may have pulled away from him, something still caused considerable pain to her. As much as he hated to admit it the distress stirred up emotions he would have rather dismissed - he wasn't his father and he wasn't a hero.
Leave the damsels to his brothers.
He had his responsibilities and his duties were on the slopes. He had his directive, to uphold peace and to maintain the safety of those present within his parents' lands. He was a protector in waiting, charged with the task of adopting the role of guardian when his parents deemed it time to 'settle down'. A part of him suspected that would be soon given that his trial had been recent...it was simply a shame he couldn't remember the outcome. He had no idea if he had succeeded or if he was ready.
Nevertheless as she attempted to explain herself he roughly translated her stuttered sentences and shook his head in an almost dismissive fashion. His rather vibrant mane brushed idly against his neck and cascading across one of his eyes until he snorted and thrust it from its undesired setting point.
"You have no need to apologise," he spoke up at last aware that a part of him argued this wasn't true. She had stolen his personal space without considering how he felt but on the other side of the coin - she seemed reckless and unsure of what to do. What he simply couldn't fathom though, was how anyone could cause such suffering to someone. Had she been beaten or attacked?
Bullied quite possibly given that stutter.
"My mother always did say that it was best to let such things out, I never quite comprehended such a phrase," he mused before releasing a small snort. "I think I may now."
"I hope you are in slightly better spirits..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:07 pm
A small smile leaked out at his words. Well, that was a relief that she'd eventually be happier than she was currently--after a large amount of healing and piecing everything back together. "My m-mother used to s-say the same-the same thing."
She had to think over his next question. Was she in better spirits? Not really. Her heart had been ripped out and left in pieces. All those beliefs that had been whispered in her ear by that Wind were confirmed and she was a waste of horseflesh. Her ears were pinned back and she slowly lifted her head about half-way. "I don't know," she said to his question finally.
She honestly wasn't sure if she'd ever be anything close to her parents' happiness. She took another deep breath feeling another wave threatening to break her again. Her cyan eyes closed in pain, she could literally feel the holes that seemed to be in her very chest. "H-have you ever b-b-been heckled for what you-you are?"
She didn't know what had prompted her question, but she needed more answers that just what her family, Wild Wind, and Althalus had told her. She needed more outside sources, answers. Maybe that would help her instead?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:28 pm
It was one of the oddest questions he had been asked. Having grown up in a family like his, heckling was not the sort of thing he was accustomed to. His parents were proud soquili and he was too - he could only assume that any individual who even tried to heckle him would be dismissed...painfully if necessary. Nevertheless he did nothing more than raise a brow for a while as he mulled her question over in his mind. No, it was safe to assume that he had never been heckled, where he came from respect was paramount.
Why would anyone heckle him?
Slowly he shook his head again as an initial response to her enquiry and adjusted his stance. She had put distance between them (thankfully) and he could relax a little. This wasn't to say he wasn't aware of his surroundings or of the creatures that lurked in the forest, but his 'aura' would be suitably less hostile. Granted it would remain imposing, it was something he found impossible to shift but all the same...at least he could say that he made attempts and that he tried at the right times.
"No, I cannot say that anyone has heckled me where I come from," he spoke the words slowly, as though considering them carefully. "I sincerely doubt that anyone who had such disrespect for another would survive for long anyway." While it was a rather vague comment there was a slight hint of a sinister tone in his voice. He came from a family renowned for their honor and hospitality, anyone who placed that name in disripute or challenged it would be dealt with.
By him.
Personally.
"Why do you ask?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:45 pm
She seemed to visibly wilt with his words. Was in only her that had been put down in such a way? Of course, she'd only been bullied by one particular stallion, but what had been said to her at such and impressionable age was always difficult to overlook. She'd wished she'd come from a stronger family, one that had been better protected instead of so divided.
She finally looked him directly in the eyes. Those eyes seemed very familiar in shade, but not with the tone. She saw happy crinkled ones in replacement that caused her to shake her head to get rid of the vision. Maybe he'd effect her more than she'd thought. "Just-just curious," she said quietly.
She wasn't sure she was ready to open up the same way she'd opened up to that sunset stallion. She wasn't ready to open up those wounds again, not when they were still so fresh. But it wouldn't do Ambroise justice just to try and shrug off her reasoning.
"I-I-I had a stallion once t-t-tell me moons ago th-that be-because of my m-mixed l-lineage, I-I-I-I would never h-h-have a place to put m-m-my hoof in. My-my father is a Wind, his-his first love will always be the skies. My-my mother doesn't h-h-have wings, but-but has great patience with my-my father. I-I-I have an older sister who-who has my father's wings and my-my mother's looks. I-I-I'm more like him. And-and because of that m-mixed line, I-I'll never be accepted by-by anyone."
She turned her gaze away from them, feeling the tears begin to collect once more. She really didn't want to talk about what had recently happened, but like it was stated, sometimes it's better to get it out there. "I-I met a-a-another stallion who helped me-me see that I sh-sh-shouldn't believe such pre-prejudice. He called me beautiful, p-painted such a pre-pretty picture, but he picked a mate. He-he had the same m-mixed lineage as-as me. I-I-I thought he understood and truthfully be-believed wha-what he'd t-t-told me. But-but his mate had-has wings. She-she's more than-than I could ever be."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:09 pm
Aha, so there they were. He vaguely recalled a story his mother had told him as a child, a tale of how his father and mother had come to be mates. For a time his mother had held similar views to that of the battered mare. Her eyes were clouded by prejudices and hatred of those who had viewed her as inferior...and it had been through the patience of his father that she had remembered the truth. The story was decidedly more complex, but he had grasped from the tale that beauty and love went beyond the skin and the personal 'qualities' a soquili possessed.
Ambroise had never shown any preference towards mares, he had seen them for what they were. To him they were merely females, they wandered his lands and greeted him with pleasant smiles. He of course returned them as etiquette went but lust and physical attraction...even flirtation were foreign to him. The concept of 'wooing' a mare wasn't something her grasp but he was aware that there were certain things a stallion simply couldn't say to a mare without causing hasle.
He made an assumption then and there that the crossed wires had occured between this 'stallion' and the mare at a young age. The stallion had attempted to be courteous and perhaps even gentlemanly only to have it blow up in his face. This was one of the many reasons the vibrant stallion had chosen to cast aside such charms. He didn't need charm to fight, he didn't need a rakish smile and he didn't need a mare at his side. He was blunt, concise and thus...
"Love is in the eyes of the beholder, it is not necessarily wings that will pull two creatures together." He offered coolly, his brow raising as he grew more accustomed to her stuttering and translated her words with much more ease. "My parents can attest to that given than my mother has no wings and my father does." He was not adverse to informing those around him of his mixed lineage, few could argue that his heritage was poor. If they did...he'd simply dismiss them and treat them as the subordinate.
He knew how to play that game too.
"However I will not deny that you encountered a very foolish male," he finished abruptly. Granted he had long since come to the conclusion that both had been foolish but the male more so. The male had pandered to the mares distress, had 'saved' her...given her age the outcome was inevitable. It was ironic that he hadn't the slightest idea it was his brother who was responsible for the pain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
