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 Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:58 pm
 Finally grown. It felt good to stretch her long legs and it also felt she had been small much too long. Though this was one of the first times she’d actually left her father’s side, with him knowing about it at least. That one other time didn’t count since she hadn’t gone very far and she’d found her best friend too. Now that she was grown and officially an adult, she was on her own. No dad to run back to if she got scared. No dad to come save her if she got into trouble. She was alone. That in itself was a scary realization.
Lina wasn’t really much of a wanderer but there really wasn’t much else to do. Her brothers were happy to leave and she knew her parents wanted their alone time so that left her out by herself. No family, and no friends. Today she was wandering through a nearby forest, looking for any other signs of life other than the occasional bird or squirrel. Not that she was good with others anyway. She’d most likely still shy away from anyone she didn’t know. What was she thinking going out alone? She didn’t belong out here. Then again…where did she belong?
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:14 am
Parents often chose the 'right' time to grant their children freedom. Casting them into the world unexpectantly - some were grown when this happened, but others were not. Generally speaking, all parents chose to grant such freedoms when their children bordered on adulthood. Kiyoshi might have been a father and a Grandfather, but he had chosen before the child was even born to 'free' it. This had of course ended in failure in the sense that Kiyoshi had underestimated his son and had consequently been defeated. That being said, in the conflict Azumoth had locked away a great deal of his own power and as a consequence, was of little use to his father anymore.
Instead, his Grandchildren held his interest.
The Mutant had been in the process of building up his forces for a few years since his defeat. As his grandchildren grew, Kiyoshi constructed his army and prepared. He called out to both Penance and Azuell, whispering in their dreams. One day they would come to him, the meeting would not be peaceful but provided that Kiyoshi had all the necessary 'tools' he would be the one to be successful. Over the course of the last few months his spies had gathered a considerable amount of information regarding the pair. In particular was the news that one of them was in love...Ah, but kidnap plots were for another time.
The mutant's immediate concern was not the acquisition of his Grandchild's love affair, it was instead the pursuit of another experiment. It linked to his army and his desire to sire an heir that he considered deserving. After much musing he had opted to pursue unicorns (or creatures of their lineage) to create the ultimate 'weapon'. It would acquire his specimens (or mares) by whatever means possible. If necessary he had even decided he would act sickeningly sweet if it ensured success. It made him ill to even think about it, but a creature of thick skin would do anything to ensure success. He was a good actor and painting false pictures was his specialty.
Thus, the dark stallion had taken to exploring the forests in search of potential 'targets'. He wasn't fussy about pelts, about immediate beauty...provided they had the horn he wanted. It might have sounded somewhat hypocritical for a stallion who coveted beauty to lack so much interest in it at this time. However, he was a strategist and an opportunist - when it came to creating his weapons he wouldn't be fussy provided they worked.
As of yet he hadn't uncovered any individuals... He had started in the very depths of the forests, away from their edges and as a result the more innocent and sociable Soquili had yet to bump into him. A shame really, as such dark places were perfect for little rendezvous.
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Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:41 pm
As the white, rainbow speckled unicorn continued on into the forest, she wasn’t unaware about the fact of it growing darker and darker with every step she took through the trees. Soon it would most likely become too intimidating for her and she would have to turn back before panic set in but for the time being she was alright. At least she hoped so.
Just as Lina was about to turn back something caught her eye in the distance between the trees. As she peered closer it became clear it was another Soquili such as herself but this one was far from being like her. Bright glowing eyes that shot through the darkness along with a necklace that had the same matching glow. The largest wings she’d ever seen in her life with feathers possibly longer than her hair. These features combined with his midnight black coat should have screamed bad and evil. But separate, especially the wings, were beautiful in their own way. Looks weren’t everything, as she learned earlier in her young life. Someone who look like something the could have crawled out of a nightmare helped her when she was in need and this individual could be just as kind deep down. Just like her brother, except he was the opposite. He was bright just the rest of their family but his personality made him seem like an idiot sometimes. But even if this dark stallion wasn’t nice it was too late to try and run or hide now, her bright coat stuck out like black cloud in the middle of a bright blue sky.
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:49 am
Kiyoshi had always been fond of his looks and had celebrated the unique quirks and traits he possessed. What most would have deemed nightmarish still held a mysterious qulity. In doing so, he often found that his appearance was one of his most valuable weapons. It caught the eye, attracted the attention of those around him and caused such intrigue that he could capture them completely and utterly. By definition he wasn't a violent creature - rather, he was a manipulative one. He very rarely caused immediate harm to those he encountered in order to gauge their potential. Alas, harm and violence came when the individual he had 'locked on to' had treated him with an extreme level of disrespect.
Luckily for this particular mare he was in a good mood. Amiable as he would ever be, he was what his cohorts would have described as 'harmless'. This was a largely inaccurate description but it did mean he was less likely to harm those around him. This stance had been adopted for a reason, given that his primary targets were gentle creatures. Unicorns didn't thrive on violence and if word got back that he was at fault then it would jeopardise his plans completely. As a result he was behaving and he was doing it relatively well!
Nevertheless her movements hadn't gone unnoticed and the mutant narrowed his eyes somewhat. He had seen the flash of a white coat as he walked and had disregarded it up until this point. However, the fact that it hadn't chosen to move in sometime had caused suspicion. Thus, he turned round and with a slight snort, paid heed to the creature before him. What he discovered was no rodent or wandering creature but instead, it was exactly what he was looking for.
A unicorn.
"Well, well, well..." he murmured softly, more to satiate his own amusement than to greet her. "What in the world would a creature like you be doing in a world quite so dark as this, hm?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:46 pm
Lina paused for a moment when he spoke to her and had to sort through her brain for a moment for an actual answer. “I…Don’t really know. I thought that maybe I could find someone to talk to or um…Find a new friend.” She took a small step back away from him, just in case. She usually kept her distance from most everyone but considering the way he had snorted and now the way he was speaking to her didn’t seem at all friendly. Maybe it really wasn’t such a good idea to stay here any longer. If he meant harm to her, there would be no chance at her escaping in time. She wasn’t the fastest among her family but then again he did have big wings to weigh him down, which in turn could slow him down. But once out of the forest he could just take flight after her…None of these thoughts were helping to calm her down and she still didn’t know him enough to judge just by a few words he had said.
She tried to stand her ground and not make any more movements to retreat but with how little courage she had, she wasn’t very confident she could do it. “So..um…Why’re you here? Do dark creatures just like dark places?” Her head tilted in honest curiosity as she studied his face and features.
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:09 am
She was a shy one, vulnerable in nearly every way he could have wanted. Unfortunately, while this made her an easy target it also meant that he had to behave in a very specific way too. He had to be patient and gentle... He had to show that he wasn't as fierce as his dark persona seemed to indicate. This would have been difficult for those with leathered wings but he at the very least could play upon the fact that he had feathered wings - he was but an angel who was misunderstood for his appearance. He might have looked dark but he wouldn't harm a fly.
Completely untrue but this was beside the point.
Nevertheless as she spoke to him and backed away from him to a point he did bow his head slightly. It was a matter of respect in his eyes, if he were to bow slightly and accept her decision to remain at a distance then she would feel safer. After all, he was recognising her desire to remain seperate and was prepared to understand she was nervous without taking insult. Oh ho he was a 'good' stallion, was he not? Although his act was all but superficial it came off as completely generous to another - he had spent years mastering the art of deceit after all.
"Not exactly the most obvious of choices to locate a 'new friend'..." he agreed at last, musing over her words as he kept his gaze fixed upon her. "Perhaps a little dangerous but few are aware of how deep they walk," he would provide her with a good excuse, one she could use. Feigning ignorance (or being truly ignorant) was often the best way to explain how you had ended up in an oddball situation. Her 'wanderings' hadn't been calculated and as a result she had simply walked too far...it was perfectly reasonable.
"As to your question, I would have to say it is a matter of coincidence that I was wandering in this region," he offered a wry smile and flexed his wings loosely. "I dwell on the slopes more often than not, though some might say that stereotypically...the dark is attracted to the dark." He merely shook his head at this assumption and snorted. Personally he preferred the sunlight to the shadows, hiding like a coward in the depths of a forest was a waste of time and patience. "I was merely passing through - though if you are lost I would be more than happy to assist in returning you to safer lands?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:21 am
Lina watched and listened to him carefully, making sure he wasn’t planning on jumping at her when she least expected it. He seemed genuine, at least from the way he spoke, and he wasn’t trying to get closer to her. If he kept this up he was surely trustworthy, right? Even if he was being considerate about giving her her space, she still remained at a distance for the time being.
“I-I didn’t mean to stereotype, really. I…I just haven’t met anyone like you before, I didn’t know.” Her ears went back a bit, thinking she’d already offended him in some way and she’d barely said a few sentences to him. Figures. Hopefully he wasn’t too upset with her to do something horrible.
“I know the forest can be dangerous but I didn’t know where else to go. The forest was the closest place. I was going to turn back soon anyway but then I came across you.” She honestly really wasn’t paying attention to how far in she had been going, just at how dark it got as she went in further. She also didn’t know if she even could find her way back out. Maybe she could use some help to get out of this place, he had offered after all. “If it isn’t too much trouble for you then I’d like that. I’d probably just get myself more lost if I tried to get back myself.” She looked around for a bit before nodding in one direction. “I think I came from that direction.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:39 am
Kiyoshi had heard a lot worse in terms of insults. To be stereotyped was water off a duck's back for the mutant. He had been called many things and it was inevitable that creatures would leap to conclusions based on appearance. It was only natural after all, appearance was the first thing a creature became aware of unless they had a disability. If they were blind then they used other senses and instincts but generally speaking it was sight - how honourable he was therefore, to forgive her for her little mishap.
A pleasant smile appeared on his features as she attempted to explain herself and after a few moments he simply chuckled. A shake of the head, he dismissed her remarks and at last deemed it appropriate to speak. "It is only natural to draw conclusions based on appearance, we all do it," he once again offered her the easy way out. By the manner in which she was acting towards him it was clear that she remained unaware of his true intentions. Ah yes, he could always be the knight when he needed to. The spirits simply confirmed their favour in him when she continued to explain how she had ended up here.
So she did need his assistance.
He offered a small bow of his head to indicate he was aware of her situation and slowly but surely began to move in the direction she had motioned. His pace was that of a slow saunter, easily brushing the undergrowth away from his hooves as he moved forward. His gait remained reasonable so that she wouldn't stray from him. It was simple enough and was a gesture of good manners in regards to his own behaviour.
"Very well, allow me to be of assistance," he offered smoothly as he glanced over his shoulder and smiled. "One would be very irresponsible if he left you here alone."
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:23 am
Lina managed a smile as she turned to follow and walk beside him, still keeping a few feet away from him as a precaution. “Not irresponsible. I’m not your charge, I’m nothing to you. This is just an act of kindness, showing me out. I’m sure you have more important things to do anyway.” She strolled along through the trees, making sure to keep pace with him, and tried to find any landmarks that might have stuck out in her mind that she had passed earlier. But no such luck. A tree looked like every other tree and a rock looked like every other rock in sight. Guess he was leading her out the whole way.
Walking in silence didn’t make things any better and she wasn’t much for starting conversations. He didn’t seem all that talkative either. “Do you have family and friends mister…?” she asked as she glanced up to him as the walked. She could see it now in her mind, a big clan of large winged, glowing eyed Soquili. What a sight that would be to see.
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:41 am
Did he have any family? It hadn't really been something he considered in any great depth or with interest. For years he had wandered the world without concern for what he had left behind. Long ago he had set aside his herd and set out on an 'adventure' of his own - he'd never come home. He had left this herd and his parents behind without the slightest regret and even now, remained unphased by the distance between himself and his former life. So with that in mind could he really consider them his family any more? It was something to be mused over at a later date he supposed, when he wasn't at war or causing havoc. Alas, it was rude to simply disregard a question...especially with what he was intending to do.
"I have parents and one son, if you can call that family," he offered at last, rolling his shoulders gently as though these relationships were not of great interest. "I haven't seen my parents since I was a teenager and my son tried to kill me, that in mind I am not sure that is the correct definition of 'family'," he chuckled softly. All right, so he had been vague on the details regarding his son and the reasons behind Azumoth's attack against him. However, he hadn't been lying when Azumoth had attempted to kill him and therefore could remain completely guiltless - then again he was always guiltless.
"As for my assistance, an act of kindness still requires a certain degree of responsibility," he pointed out patiently. He was adapting surprisingly well to the 'heroic' persona. He had no intention of becoming completely 'good' but something that was neutral and otherwise approachable was suitable. Admittedly such roles came easy to him given how closely he had studied them, it was just a shame they rarely lasted long when he finally had his fun. Ah, how lucky this little unicorn was that he had a use for her. Ironically, the reference to the things he had to do this afternoon were related to her...
"What about yourself, surely you have a family?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:45 pm
Lina just looked at him like he'd slapped her. "Your son tried to kill you??...Why..why would he do that? That doesn't sound like a good family, no offense. And I'm sorry you haven't seen your parents." She'd always figured, family was family and they came first but it didn't seem the same in his case. He really didn't have a family at all. That in itself made her feel bad for him, not knowing the love a family gives. "Sure I have a family. My parents and my two brothers. But my brothers left, they were really anxious to get out and try their wings, and my parents want some alone time since us kids have been around so long. I guess that's why I came out here, I didn't know where else to go." Her ears tilted back a bit at the thought. Being left out to be by herself so sudden after spending all her time with her family was tough and she missed them tremendously.
"I really don't understand what you mean but I won't say another word. I appreciate your help and with my luck if I keep pestering you you'd end up changing your mind and leaving again, which wouldn't be good in my favor." She tried to smile at him and found that she was adjusting quite well to being around someone new. Perhaps just because she craved someone to talk to. Either way, at this moment in time, she was glad she'd stumbled upon him.
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 7:46 am
"None taken," he was referring to her apology and seemed relatively unphased by her reaction. He'd heard it all before, the horrified gasps and the questions that followed. None of it was new to him and as a result he often found that responding to such things was a rather mundance process. To those in the Soquili lands (particularly the naive), the fact that his son had attempted to dispatch of him was horrid. However he would have encouraged them to meet Kalona and Skinwalker alike to realise that 'family' was interpretted in an entirely different manner. How you perceived a family to be was based entirely on perception - he did have a family, it was just dsyfunctional!
"As to why he attempted to dispose of me..." he shrugged loosely and offered a bemused smile. A ruffle of his wings and he continued on for a period in silence. A part of it was to let her guess for a little while longer, the other was that he was weaving in between trees that had particularly small gaps between them. It was a wonder he even fit through the space in between some. "We had differing opinions in regards to particular topics, his reaction to our disagreements was that of hostility. Such things are to be expected though, I have no reason to be sorry and nor to I require the pity of others."
...In essence, he was chastising her for apologising for his circumstances.
"Perhaps in time you will understand the complexities of the world, it seems you have had a very wonderful up bringing," the thought could have made him gag but instead he merely chuckled and continued on. Glowing eyes remained fixed ahead of him and he smirked as the 'light of day' appeared through the splits in the thinning canopy. "I have a little more patience than you assume, you see..."
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:22 pm
"It seems I do have much to learn about this crazy world and all who inhabit it." She left it at that and continued on in silence. This particular stallion sure was an interesting one with an interesting history. But she wouldn't question him anymore. She just seemed to say the wrong things and give him the wrong ideas. For now she would remain silent and grateful for his help in returning her back to the clear fields.
Their small conversations had made the majority of the time pass quickly and the time of silence passed slowly but she could see the light at the end where the forest broke into grassy fields. "I think I can find my way from here. Thank you so much for your help, I am in your debt. Who knows how long it would have taken me to get out myself." She bowed her head politely with a smile. "I never did catch your name, kind sir."
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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:49 pm
Already?
The mutant made a mental note to himself to attempt to at least 'slow down' his pace during such encounters. It had been his intention to keep her further but any attempts now would have raised suspicion. In a manner of speaking this threw a spanner in the works for the stallion who had already sighted the mare as a candidate for his experiments. Her naivety and extreme level of vulnerability was positively screaming at him - she was nearly perfect.
Aha but he had led her to the forest's edge oh so quickly and he had little choice other than to bow out and admit that this afternoon would not be the day in which he would gain further access to her. He was grateful for his years of experience, he had such a strking level of control over his own expression that none would have suspected he was chastising himself. In the future he would weave back and forth endlessly in other to delay a return to safety - if it provided that key necessary to opening that door of absolute trust...
Hmph!
This was truly a situation he disliked being in and yet he could sense that he was missing a fundamental piece of information. The ebony mutant had already sighted her as a candidate and a wandering candidate was useless - he needed to know where she lived. There was no doubt in the stallion's mind that he could arrange for a 'surprise' meeting at some point or another. He would have her and she would be the tool necessary to succeed in one of his experiments.
A small smile flickered onto his lips, exposing his fangs for all to see as he returned his glowing gaze to the mare. "They call me Kiyoshi," he replied at last, tilting his head to the side so that the long tendrils of hair cascaded and veiled his eyes so that only a faint glow could be seen beneath. "And you are...?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:22 pm
“Kiyoshi,” she repeated mostly to herself. “Nice name. Pleasure meeting you. Name’s Adalina, my family calls me Lina though. I don’t really mind either way what I’m called. If there’s any way I can repay you for helping me, just let me know. I’m usually somewhere around this area since I’m not much of a traveler.” Normally the fangs would cause alarms to go off in her head but she’d gotten over the dangerous looks of this stallion, he’d proven himself a gentleman in her eyes and she was still grateful he came across her and not someone else.
But now she was out of the big bad forest…and couldn’t go home. She’d still be alone when he left and who knows what she’d do. She probably would turn into some sort of wanderer just because she had nowhere to go. “If you’d like you’re welcome to accompany me someplace. Maybe find something to eat. I really don’t have anything to do and being alone doesn’t seem all that great again. But if you’re busy and have other things to do I understand. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again.” She gave him one more polite smile and another bow of the head as she turned to head off.
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