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 Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:54 pm
Inali had finally let Toujour's words sink in. Maybe she did need to take more responsibility for herself and be less fatalistic. But doing so was so difficult. It had sounded so easy, but Inali found it hard to drop long held beliefs and grudges. It was not so easy to change one's self as some made it seem.
Heaving a sigh, she eyed her reflection in a small pond, surrounded all around by peaceful forest trees. She didn't see anything displeasing in it. Externally, she had nothing to change. In fact, she was rather vain about her appearance. It pleased her, even it apparently pleased few others. Ah well. Perhaps that was what finding that inner beauty nonsense out. That too was something she would have to work on.
No matter how positively she was trying to think, Inali still felt a deep routed depression. When had she become like this? When had she lost all her vitality and fierce independence? A long time ago, if she remembered correctly, and it was not soon in coming back, and she felt as though nothing would bring it back at this point.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:13 pm
"Sure, and it's about time."
Smiling pleasantly, Elizabeth stood atop a small knoll beside a particularly specimen of forest tree, watching as a dark blue sparkle grew smaller, smaller, and finally fade from sight. Having satisfied herself that there would be no returns, she then turned and started off through the trees once again, her step assured and her pace quick.
She was on her way home, back to the teepee by the lake after an extended visit with her dear friend Zaphiro and his family. It had taken some adjusting, accepting that her old friend was a mate and father, but the only real issue that she had these days was how incredibly far away their home was from hers. Not all Soquili out there had wings, after all!
Still, she'd come to love the trek; forest and meadow were old friends now, and, unlike the timid mare she used to be, she felt no fear while out on her way.
Zaphiro didn't share that impression, which was why she had, up until just now, been escorted by his familiar, Zaris; an oversized hawk with a upright nature that rivalled Zaphiro's, Zaris took his responsibility of escorting Elizabeth seriously. VERY seriously. Which was why she was amazed that he'd finally given in and let her continue on on her own, and left her suspicious that he was actually following her where she couldn't see him. Still, one had to take solace in small favors.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:29 pm
Inali perked her ears forward as she heard a noise, delicate wing beats and even more delicate steps across the forest floor. She was lucky that the leaves were starting to fall, or Inali would not have heard anything. Was she going to be so defenseless? She was opening herself up to attack, though she doubted the pair going through now had any bad intentions. They would have made more of an effort to cover up their noises if they had.
"You two are quite a pair." Coming out from between the trees, it was difficult to miss Inali, with her bright red coat and falsely cheery tone. But they were an odd pairing- hawk and unicorn mare, lovely at that. The hawk almost appeared to be leading her, though it was difficult to make that judgement. One went faster and more easily on wings than they did on mere hooves.
"Not to be the bearer of ill omens, but you should be more quiet. Not everything in the forest is so kind." Again, Inali sounded morose. Truly, there was nothing evil here, but it was a warning that would serve them well one day. Having had enough experience with the darker sort of soquili herself, Inali didn't want to see someone else fall prey to their strange and twisted desires.
"I'm Inali." Your friendly local hermit, she added bitterly to herself. Please pass through, and forget I exist.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:43 pm
"Two?" Elizabeth should have been more surprised at the sudden, unexpected greeting than she actualy was; however, it was a testiment to her comfort with the forest world that the only thing about the other mare's arrival that threw her off was the 'pair' comment. In spite of herself, she looked around once again for a sign of the recently abandoned hawk, then smiled. Not a speck of blue to be seen anywhere; obviously the red mare had been watching a few minutes before, before Zaris had left. He knew better than to turn up so soon after dismissal, after all!
Having reassured herself on that front, she gave the red mare a smile. "So you caught sight of my loyal bodyguard, is that it? He's a pleasant enough sort, I concede, if one enjoys being nagged by a bird." That she didn't have to deal with his nagging was neither here nor there; THAT side of Zaris' personality was reserved for Zaphiro's children, not other adults!
"But anyway, it is a pleasure to meet you, Inali, and my thanks for the notice. I'm well aware of the potential hazards of this forest, but you might say that we've grown accustomed to each other; and short of curling up and never going anywhere, we are guaranteed to expose ourselves to danger at some time, wouldn't you say? But regardless." Shaking back her curls, Elizabeth gave the other mare a smile and light bow of greeting, offering, "I'm Elizabeth. Are you just passing through as well?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:11 pm
Well, the hawk wasn't there anymore. He had been there, but by the time Inali drew up close, he was gone, and she had spoken too late. Ah well. More the fool she then, to miss such a large detail in the overall picture.
"I can't imagine being nagged by a bird holds much dignity." Despite herself, Inali found herself cracking a grin. This mysterious mare sounded and spoke much like herself, which gave her a degree of happiness she had not held in a long, long time.
And she was right, of course. You couldn't avoid danger, unless you purposefully never left. Even then, danger had a funny way of finding you. Life liked to throw odd things at you, leaving you always on the very tips of your hooves.
"Ah no, I live here. Most of the time anyway. I'm Inali. It's a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth." Looking about the forest, Inali attempted to see herself as the unicorn mare must have seen her. A lonely existence, this deep in this part of the forest. A brightly colored mare, standing out even as she tried to hide among the foliage. It must have made an odd picture.
"It's a lonely existence, but it's mine, and it's the lot I chose in life." Inali found herself almost growing defensive, anticipating some sort of comment that would put down the lifestyle she had chosen to live. Being a hermit was perfectly fine, thank you very much. Even if it got terribly, terribly lonely.
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:34 am
"Well, if nothing else, the bird itself is a very dignified creature and DOES have noble intentions." With a pleasant nod, Elizabeth returned Inali's smile, glad to see a cheery countenance once again. It was always too bad to see gloom on the faces of others, even strangers! Ever the maternal sort, if there was one thing Liz liked to do, it was be a positive influence!
Even if she couldn't necessarily claim being an influence in this case.
Irregardless of Inali's fears, criticism or mockery of her chosen way of life was not even on Liz's mind as she listened to the other mare; after all, who was she to criticize when she herself dwelled with a Kawani? She had seen many Soquili come and go at the teepee, knew that many of them would make their way back again from time to time, but knew in her heart that it was only she who truly LIVED there, watching the days and weeks and months and years pass by with only the quiet companionship of one Kawani maid. It was a peaceful life that Liz didn't regret, but even she was not immune from wondering 'what could have been'.
But these things didn't even occur to the mare as she nodded, giving Inali a thoughtful look. "Well, you have a lovely home, Inali. I have to say that even though I don't come this way too terribly often, I always enjoy this place. There's a comfortable feeling of serenity and timelessness out here." Pausing, she quickly interjected, "Though I do hope I'm not intruding on you in any way; I didn't intentionally trespass, and DO hope that you're not offended."
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:05 pm
At the mare's implicit approval, or lack of disapproval, at Inali's living conditions, the red mare relaxed further, visibly. Her tail was not held so high against her body, and her tense muscles loosened to allow another fleeting grin across her face. It was so nice to have company, after such a long time alone. Usually she had to go out and seek companionship herself. This was a pleasant change.
"Of course I'm not offended!" What Elizabeth suggested was rather silly. Why would Inali be offended that she had a visitor? And a polite one to boot. Polite companion was always welcome, though she supposed that she didn't really have any signs that said so.
"It's lovely and comfortable here, yes, but it also gets terribly lonely. Usually I have to go out and find others if I want to be sociable. It's nice to have someone come to me, for once, inadvertently or not!" Ah yes, this was the type of companionship she truly needed. Another female of a like mind, with a calming tone of voice. And Elizabeth was quite pretty, with her necklace and her unicorn features. Inali wondered what it was like to wear jewelry, but couldn't phrase it in a way that didn't sound rude. Finally she managed to choke something out.
"Where did you get your necklace? Forgive me if I seem a bit forward. I just haven't seen very many of our kind that have had two-legger accessories. It's rather lovely." Wearing any sort of human clothing was always interesting. Inali rather wished she had some of her own then, though with her bright red coat very few clothes would match. Plus, where would she find some without having to meet with a two-legger? No thank you!
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:26 pm
Well, that was a relief; it would be exceding problematic if she had managed to offend, because not only would she have that weight on her conscience, she'd have to figure out a new way to get to Zaphiro's, one that took even longer than trekking through the woods. Not a prospect she relished, much as she loved the countryside.
So she gave the other mare a grateful smile. "Well, I'm glad to hear it; the last thing I wanted when we planned out this route was to intrude on someone's privacy. And it's always a pleasure to meet someone new, provided that someone is of a pleasant and non-violent disposition. Thus far, you seem to be neither!" Chuckling lightly, Liz glanced down at the necklace around her neck, considering it at Inali's comment with a fond look. "This?"
The truth was, the necklace had been a gift from Cajji in their first year together. Cajji was a craftsperson, and see made trinkets, dreamcatchers, and feather ornaments for all the Soquili of her 'herd'. Only Liz sported the handstrung beads, and it was Liz's favorite possession. "It was a present from my two-legger; I forget how long I've had it now, but I've had it for years. I used to have a two-legger garment as well, one that I had before I came to this land, but that long since wore out and tattered to nothingness." THAT had taken some getting used to, having no body-covering at all, but now she was quite comfortable in her own tan skin. "On a similar note, was your dreamcatcher from a two-legger?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:36 pm
"I think I manage to be pleasant most of the time." Not at all, a nasty part of her mind added. And especially not lately. Inali ignored that part of her, quashing it down successfully for the first time in a few weeks. It felt good to be able to ignore that part of her that sought constantly to bring her down to a depressed state.
Inali nodded as she listened to Elizabeth's story. That was what she thought- it had to have been a gift from a two-legger. Perhaps it was time to revise her opinion of them once again. Moving into the Kawani village with her former guardian, Swift Deer, would certainly make her life more exciting. But could she live like that again, in such close proximity to so many others? Inali had grown to like her solitude, thank you very much.
At the unicorn's question, Inali glanced down at her own dark dreamcatcher, silver eyebrows furrowing. "I'm not entirely sure. It's made of leather, I think, so it's stood up all these years. I've had it since I came to these lands, but I don't remember my life prior to that. I suppose it must have come from a two-legger. No soquili could manage such an intricate thing. But I've never really thought of it." The dreamcatcher barely caught Inali's notice, most days. It had become such an integral part of her that she would only notice it if it was missing. Ah, this was a puzzle.
"Now I wish I could remember. But I don't recall anything of life before here. To be honest, I'm not even sure how old I am." Still quite young, Inali thought, but old enough that she shouldn't do half the stupid things she did. She wasn't near the age she would be considered respectable yet. Yes, that sounded about right. "At least I know who I am though. A name is enough for me, or was when I came here." She had a name, and she had her personality. What more could she want?
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:51 pm
"Ah...well, regardless, it's a lovely dreamcatcher. Cajji, the Kawani I live with, makes dreamcatchers for all of the Soquili that come through our teepee, though I'm the only one that lives there full time. I'm actually on my way back there from visiting a friend of mine; aside of these little side trips, I'm pretty much a full-time teepee dweller. I must say, it's a very interesting thing to meet someone who lives so differently from me, if you don't mind the weird tone of that statement." Smiling, Liz brushed off the potential weirdness; as soon as she'd said the words, they'd had the ring of patronizing aloofness, which was NOT what she'd meant. Hopefully Inali wouldn't take it that way!
She hoped that wasn't the case, though some of Inali's comments made her unsure. It might just be their different mannerisms, but it seemed almost like Inali was on the defensive about something. Strange, really, but who was she to complain or criticize? To each their own.
At any rate, obviously what Inali had worked for her. "Well, a name and a sense of self is all you really need to get established, don't you think? Age is merely a number, and has never reflected anything of significance to the greater world. I mean, look at the two of us, Inali; we're both full-grown, graceful, attractive mares in our prime, obviously not fillies but definitely nowhere near old crones. Rather than try to measure out our lives, isn't it better to enjoy what we have, what we are, in the present?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:03 pm
It was interesting to meet a soquili who lived such a different life from her own, and Inali nodded in agreement to that sentiment. "Oh, it's terribly interesting for me as well. I used to live with two-leggers, but it really didn't suit me. I can't say why- it just wasn't a life style I was ever fully comfortable with. This is marginally better, but I intend to join a herd. One day." The last two words being the operative ones. It was difficult for Inali to believe that any herd would fully accept her, or that she would ever get used to life constantly surrounded by others of her kind. But time would tell, wouldn't it?
Shifting her weight once more slightly, Inali tried to lessen her own initial defensiveness towards the other mare. Was this who she had become? Her mood seemed to swing wildly now, between her general amiable but sharp-tongued nature, to a mare with something dark resting over her heart. Today she was pleasant enough, but would this change? Even Inali had difficulty understanding her own changes, and this conversation was making her realize that she would have to put the effort in herself if she ever wanted to get out of this self-imposed funk.
"Oh, I agree with you there. Having anything beyond those two is almost excessive, when you start out. It's something you have to build up through life experiences." Ah yes, Inali was a bit of a hypocrite as well, always longing to discover the key to her own past, yet never finding it. But perhaps it didn't matter. Her obsessive dwelling on the past was beginning to take its toll, as evidenced by the recent encounters she had had with various soquili.
"That's a wise philosophy, and one I should work on getting myself used to." Grinning at Elizabeth, Inali again nodded in agreement. "I tend to dwell on the past, but I'll have to try harder not to. You're absolutely right. I'm old enough and pretty enough to not care about past failures. It just creates more trouble down the road. Nice looking mares like us shouldn't have any trouble with anyone!" Including stallions, she silently added to herself.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:30 am
"Well, I wish you the best of luck in finding a herd you feel compatible with. I know that my time with me herd, for what it was, certainly proved fulfilling; it also provided me with many strong friendships, even though we've never been a herd in the traditional sense. But regardless." Speaking in her typical brisk but gentle manner, Elizabeth was doing her best to steer the conversation towards what seemed to be less stressful topics; as she had no idea what was affecting Inali's behavior, though, it was all intuition and guesswork.
But they could at least make an effort, and the least she personally could do was try to be mannerly and understanding.
It seemed like Inali was of the same mindset, though, if her last comment was any indication, and Liz returned her grin with a smile. "Exactly, because too much negativity is unhealthy, and if we expect life to always be easy...well, I don't know about you, but I can't say my life hasn't been without hardships at times. I like to think that I've made the best of them, though." And now she was moralizing. How very shocking!
"But anyway, do you do much traveling, Inali? Perhaps you've been near my home once or twice, near the lake?"
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