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 Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:23 pm
 The sunset was breath-takingly brilliant. Behind him were strewn wisps in fanciful shapes, stained pink and yellow and orange. One appeared to be the head of a wolf, and another a twining dragon. Then over there was a lioness, running through tufts of savannah grass. But in front of him was the real spectacle. Fiery colors lit the layers of clouds above the horizon, stunning the eyes and marveling the brain. In complete awe, he stared as the sun sank lower, seeming to melt behind the mountain range.
But as the sun sank, he noticed how the land fell into shadow, and the clouds above and behind him darkend to deep charcoal against the sapphire sky. He stood on a bluff that still somehow caught the last rays of brilliant sunlight, but the area below him was falling into such deep shadow that he was intrigued. What would it be like to plunge into that blackness? His mind played out a rather dramatic scene where the hero bravely threw himself from the lands of light and into the dangerous depths of darkness.
Thus inspired, he pranced to the edge of the bluff, tossing his head against the brisk warm breeze. He ignored the rumble of what might be thunder in the distance, merely gazing downwards as the light faded from the clouds and the colors bled away. Ignoring the fact that the sunlight no longer gave a clear line between him and the ravine below, he gave a snort, pawing the ground, preparing himself. It was steep, but he could do it!
With a mighty neigh he leapt over the crown of the bluff, mane and tail streaming impressively. It was only when his hooves touched the steep sides of the incline that he realized... the ground was quite soft. Too soft! He gave a squeal of surprise and exasperation as he was forced to plant both forehooves, squat on his haunches, and basically slide down the hillside on his rear end.
The hillside was steep enough that he kept sliding, even when it began leveling off. He was just going too fast to dare move a hoof. He was still squatting and sliding at a terrific rate when he went zooming past a grove of trees, pulling a cloud of fireflies from the underbrush and into a wobbling, weaving trail of light behind him as the last of the light faded from the sky. With a last neigh of desperation, Leigh's right hoof caught on a clump of clover, sending him tumbling muzzle-first into a meadow of soft turf, a cloud of fireflies all swooping after him.
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:07 pm
 Some Soquili would stare at the sunset with its intricate colors, become swept away in its dance. Mares were especially weak against such chromatic displays, their hearts and souls bleeding out to mingle with the background. But not Alyssum.
In contrast to the stillness of the coming night, the brown mare thundered through the meadow grass, her mane and tail twin blurs of cream as she snapped her head from side to side. Bits of light surrounded her, baubles that she had originally believed to be baby stars too young to reach the full night sky. Her illusion had been shattered, however, when a series had landed on the blaze of her nose, tickling the sensitive area and making her snort. Bugs! Tiny little insects! They were what she snapped at with her teeth, determined not to be outrun or outdone by exoskeltons filled with guts!
Her run was interrupted by a loud squeal, one that made her stop in her tracks, sliding slightly from the inertia. Her violet eyes narrowed as she spotted a dark shape in the distance, one nearly the size of herself. Another Soquili? Or something else... something more deadly?
Pawing the earth and tensing her muscles to flee at the first sign of true danger, she neighed a question, part inquiry and part challenge, "Just who are you supposed to be?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:58 am
Having slid to a complete stop, muzzle plants in the rich earth, he righted himself, spit out a clump of dirt, and answered, "Mud pie, apparently." His tone was chock full of wry humor at himself. It was then that he took note of whom it was that was speaking, and immediately groaned inwardly. It was a mare, of course. How is it he had such a knack of making a fool of himself when there was a mare around? Even if he didn't know there was one, he still managed to accomplish the feat.
Still somewhat crumpled in a heap, he shook his head and blew hard through his nostrils, trying to rid himself of as much earthiness as he could. Random blades of grass had scattered through his mane, and his muzzle was now stained a deeper brown than usual. Blowing self-conciously, he clambered to his hooves and swished his tail embarassedly.
"I'm sorry, I'm Leigh. I was... ah...," he fumbled for a way to explain what he'd been doing without making a further fool of himself, but failed to find the appropriate words. The trail of swirling fireflies was slowly catching up, so that they danced around him and lit his mortified experssion. Exasperated, he blew at them, only to have them swirl more merrily around his head.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:58 pm
Alyssum couldn't help but whinny in amusement at the appearance of this dirty stallion, stopping her defensive strikes to the grounds based on his embarassed words. This guy was no threat!
Mudpie. No, wait, that was a silly name, a self-deprecation. Leigh. Yes. He was called Leigh. Her purple eyes narrowed in thought as she considered this, weighing it against the few that she knew. Shorter than hers, shorter than anyone in her family, aside from Daddy, but pleasant enough to the ear with its heavy vowels.
Seeing how the insects teased Leigh by dancing merrily around him even when he tried to poof them away, she nodded knowingly and completed his sentence, "You were chasing after the fake stars too, right? They're pretty, but really annoying."
She accentuated her words with a flick of her tail, sending the fireflies around her flying.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:27 pm
Heaving a great sigh, he rose to his hooves, shaking his entire body to remove any loose dirt and turf that might be there. He paused at her description of the fireflies. He supposed from a distance they could indeed resemble stars, but having only recently come in contact with them on another adventure, he'd never considered that possibility.
He shook his head, scattering delicate grass blades. "Actually... I was being a tragic knight, plunging into the darkness for the good of all." He sort of mumbled this, feeling markedly ridiculous. He was rather old to be playing colt-games like that, but he had been taught to value truth, and refused to give in to half-truths now.
"And yes, they are a bit annoying." He pinned his ears ferociously and snapped at one, clicking his teeth shut around one. He gave a close-mouthed chuckle, a mere rumble in his throat, then grinned toothily at his new companion. The flickering light of the bug lit his teeth from within, giving them an eeerie outline in the swiftly thickening darkness of night.
With a full-throated neigh, he blew the firefly out of his mouth. "Let that be a lesson to all of you! I may just decide to collect the lot of you to make my teeth bright and shiny!"
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:15 pm
Alyssum's nostrils flared at the sudden cloud of dirt that surrounded her, sneezing and giving a couple of large sniffs before flicking an ear to caetch Leigh's words. A knight? Well, she wasn't sure what that was, but she liked the thought of someone challenging the darkness. She nodded her head in approval, her mane flopping in response, "That sounds like a good idea. The darkness hides danger and predators; someone -should- be on the look out for others. You never know when something could happen."
Her eyes widened with disbelief, and the sharp snap of teeth made her take two steps back. He was eating the fake stars? But... they were nothing but guts! Gossamer wing and guts! Her disgust receded, however, when the glowing smile was revealed and she realized what he was trying to do. She whinnied in delight at the clever trick, stepping forward again to investigate further when the firefly, shot from the stallion's mouth, bounced off of her forehead! "Gross!"
She bent to rub her head against the grass to remove any potential bug bits from herself. Just because Leigh was dirty didn't mean that she had to be! She snorted at his bravado, but... well, hadn't she been basically saying the same thing to herself when she was chasing the fake stars down? She added her voice to his, stomping her hoof to emphasize her words, "Or I'll chase you down and send you spinning off into space where you belong! And trust me, you don't want Alyssum after you!"
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Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:56 am
He gave another trumpeting neigh and tossed his head up and down excitedly, hooves dancing in the broken earth, before settling down and casting his new companion an amused look. "Have issues with the fireflies too, do you?" He blew wetly, rubbing his nose against the inside of his knee, trying to get some of the dirt off. He had some success, but whatever was left behind blended into his brown nose in the darkness of full night.
He glanced around thoughtfully. "It seems the darkness has won yet again, though tonight it feels less brooding and more friendly." He cocked one bright eye her direction. "Don't you think?" He was arching his neck again, swishing his tail, hoping to recover from his stunningly embarassing moment of clumsiness. His new companion certainly was a pretty thing; Leigh always had an eye for the ladies and their individual beauties. Even so, his interest was almost juvenile, an innocent and playful thing of fun and teasing, rather than the more sensual and alluring attraction of older, more mature stallions. For him, the enjoyment was in getting to know the girls, flirting and boasting, chasing and teasing. Thus far, nothing had ever become serious enough to change his attitude.
For now, his sights were solidly on Alyssum. "Shall we take a walk on the friendly dark side?" he invited with a charming grin. "I promise to protect you, should monsters from the more evil depths of darkness emerge to harry us." His eyes shone with starlight as he waxed eloquent about imagined dangers, and laughter seemed to dance just beneath the surface of his expression.
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Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:52 pm
Fireflies? Alyssum cocked her head in her classic pose of confusion, but glancing around her brain connected two and two. The fake stars DID look sort of like tiny wisps of flying flame, and this revelation excited her all the more, as she whinnied, "Fireflies! That's the real name of the fake stars, huh? It's pretty."
She nodded her head sharply at his question, however, with enough vigor to cause the dreamcatcher lying against her chest to nod along with her, "I don't really mind the fa- the fireflies, from a distance. They're soft and pretty, like the real stars. But then they get up close and they tickle you and then zoom off, just like that, like you can't possibly catch them! That's why I was running after them in the first place."
Taking a breath after her long explanation, the mare's ears pricked at his next question, and this time... she had to think. Certainly the night had dangers, as she had mentioned earlier, but she had never found it unwelcoming. Just like the day, it had it's own promises, rewards, beauty. Still, maybe there was something to what he was saying - that the night seemed better when enjoyed in the company of others, especially family and friends. A smile crept across her black muzzle as she remembered nights spent with her parents and siblings, and certainly those nights had felt better than nights when she was alone.
Before she could even comment on that, however, her entire expression changed, gentle fondness replaced by an expression of surprise. Him? Protect her? From what?! She was more than capable of looking after herself! Alyssum pawed the earth with one black hoof, huffing warm breath through her nostrils until she studied his expression. She knew that hidden energy too well, and she felt her own tail begin to swish as she matched his grin, "Protect me? I think you'd need to catch me first!"
And that was all the warning Leigh was given before the brown mare put her powerful legs to use, keeping her pace between a gallop and a canter - not too fast so as to leave the stallion completely behind, but fast enough to keep the chase fun.
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:32 pm
A squeal of surprise escaped him as she suddenly made her sassy remark and darted away. He danced in place for a moment before digging deep into the soft turf to leap after her. Summer was drawing to a close, so nights were growing more cool, especially up as high as they were. Mist crept between trees with tendrils stretching out onto the grass like reverse shadows. He squealed again and shied sideways, lashing out at the tendrils with his hooves as he passed.
He glanced ahead to her fleet form, plunging towards the thickest of the misty area. Giving a bugle of alarm, he put on a burst of speed, passing her right by. He gave a buck and landed with all four hooves deep in the creeping fog. Rearing, he struck at the ground, dispelling the aerial moisture from around his hooves. "Ware of these shadows of trapped souls, seeking our warmth!" he cried aloud, both clearly playing and clearly enjoying the odd role he'd cast for himself. "I think they have me! I feel their icy fingers creeping up my legs!"
He danced sideways through the thickening mist, tossing his head and neighing in what he hoped was a dashing and noble way. "Save yourself! Flee to the lands of sunlight and safety! I'm done for!" He was backing away from her now, tripping and stumbling over what he couldn't see beneath his hooves. However, just as he cried this last melodramatic line, his heels caught on a tree root firmly and he tumbled backwards down a short incline and fell into a small stream with as dramatic a splash as any hero might ask for.
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:17 pm
Alyssum glanced back once, twice, to make sure that the stallion was following, whinnying in delight when she saw him pursue. A game! Just like playing with her brother, except... well, this guy was sure to have some new moves she'd never seen! The thought thrilled her as she increased her pace, intent on making the moment last as long as there was still a glimmer of light.
When Leigh shot ahead of her and began to paw at the fog, she skidded to a halt, nostrils flaring as she was put on immediate alert. She eyed the tendrils of white with apprehension, and the chill brought by the ending of the day, coupled with the sight of her new companion apparently fighting a foe, made her shiver slightly. Icy fingers... grasping, clutching...
As the stallion seemed to start losing his fight, however, her jawline hardened, and she plunged forward to deal with the threat! Leigh's stumble made her stop in her tracks, and she only narrowly missed tripping over the same root that had sent him tumbling down. Now emmersed in the fog, however, she found that... they were harmless! Totally harmless! Just what Leigh been going on about?
Nickering in amusement, the brown mare trotted casually down the incline, her mane a small wave of cream as she tossed it to the side. "And I suppose the icy fingers made you do that too?"
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:13 pm
Astonishing. Twice he'd made a complete fool of himself, and this mare wasn't upset with him! Oh, he could see she was laughing alright, but more in amusement than mocking or any other sort of laugh he'd heard thus far. She didn't seem to think him a fool. The whole notion made him grin at her, flopped languidly in the water with his mane tangled across his face. "Of course!" he agreed brightly. "What else would do taht? Everyone knows trees don't move."
He remained sprawled in place, cool water burbling to itself as it flowed beneath him between the rocks that lined the bottom of the stream. It wasn't terribly comfortable, but not so uncomfortable that he was in a hurry to scramble up. "They've gotten me, you know. And since you didn't flee for your life, and I'm seeing you here with me, that must mean they've gotten you too." He rolled gamely to a kneeling reclined position. "That means that it can't hurt us anymore." His smile was playfully serene. "Dont' you feel at peace?" He snorted wetly, this time scattering droplets of water rather than mud. As a random note, he suddenly commented, " I think my muzzle is clean again."
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:25 am
Alyssum snorted, half-prancing along the edge of the stream as she waited for her new playmate to get back on his hooves. "I wasn't gotten! The icy fingers just floated away... you must have scared them off with your attack. Or they were worried about me stomping them to death. Maybe they're just cowards all around."
The mare backed up a few steps when Leigh rolled to his knees, not particularly wanting to get soaked herself and wanting to give him plenty of room to rise. At his comment, she tilted her head, peering at the darker muzzle, "How can you tell? Unless you don't feel like a mudpie anymore?"
Her words were curious, not mocking, and her leg muscles twitched in a desire to resume the play that had been interrupted. A twinkling of mischief entered her eyes as she took a step forward, "I chase you this time?"
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:09 pm
Looking upwards at her as she leaned forward, then took a step towards him, her pale forelock falling across her lovely features, his mood shifted. He whickered softly at her, his inner appreciation for a pretty mare coming out. Things had been kept light by their playing, but now... Despite his dripping wet state, his eyes fixed on her an a gentle but slightly silly expression settles across his face.
"You are really pretty, you know that?" He continued smiling up at her, making no move to get up, but merely savoring the moment. Oh, it wasn't anything anyone might have called romantic, but for him, it was perfection. Joyful play and sincere admiration with and for a lovely female. Even so, his flirtation was at its core very innocent and naive. There were no deeper suggestions in his words, no ulterior motive. In fact, he full expected her to stomp water in his face and storm off, or snort and ignore his comment. Most mares did, after all. He was used to it. He always said the wrong thing at the wrong time, and ended up being laughable instead of lovable. But he didn't let that stop him, no sirree.
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:09 pm
Alyssum tilted her head in confusion at the sudden compliment, violet eyes filled with questioning rather than happiness at being flattered. She knew she was pretty; she saw herself in the water every time she took a drink, had heard it often enough from her mother and father to assume it to be true. He may as well have said that fish swim or that the sun was warm - all of the facts were equally self-evident to the chocolate mare.
So, in response, she bobbed her head, her voice explanatory rather than cocky or vain. "Yes; that's why Momma and Daddy named me after a flower. That's waht alyssum is, a white flower." Then, remembering her manners, "Thank you, though, for saying so."
She paused at the water's edge, her tail swishing in thought as she asked, "Is a 'leigh' something your Momma named you after too?"
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:17 pm
Leigh was never known for being particularly well focused. Her comment about her name and subsequent question about his name almost entirely distracted him from the point he'd been trying to make. He blinked up at her in surprised interest at the revelation about her name. "It is? You are a flower? I didn't know there was a flower named that." His mind hopped, skipped, and jumped through several thoughts at this point. She certainly was a flower in his eyes!... What did the flower look like?... Why was she named after a white flower when she herself wasn't white?...
But her following question sent his mind tumbling in a new direction. "You know, I don't know why she named me Leigh. There is indeed a lea, but that's not the same as my name. It's spelled L-E-I-G-H, instead of L-E-A. But Leigh isn't my full name. Leigh Sebelt is the whole thing, which to my knowledge carries no significance. But, it's mine, so I guess that's all that's important, don't you think?" He beamed up at her, again noticing how beautiful she was, with the moonlight dappling her hide and gleaming against her mane. "It must be awfully nice to have a name with meaning," he murmured, almost wistfully, though whether he was wistful to have his own name mean something, or whether he was wistful about how her name suited her, not even Leigh knew. It was all wrapped into one big blob of emotion.
He gazed at her another few moments, adoring and besotted in the completely detatched, almost coltish way before heaving a great sigh and lurching to his hooves. He carefully shuddered his hide to rid himself of the excess water without showering his companion. Before he could climb out of the stream, though, a strange expression came over his face. Inhaling slowly, he braced all four hooves, paused a moment, and then gave a great sneeze, nearly dipping his muzzle back in the water with the force of it. A moment to catch his breath, and then he grinned dazzlingly up at her again. "Okay, all done. Ready for that run?" His smile stretched into a wicked grin. "I've never had a mare chase me. It's usually the other way around!" He winked playfully before dipping his nose in the water, tossing a spray her direction, and taking off in a random direction, which happened to be upstream.
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