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 Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:54 am
Nivriti scented the air, turning her head this way and that, trying to see if she could hear or smell Althalus anywhere nearby. His scent was heavy around here, but only because it was his birthland, she couldn't yet detect a fresher scent that would let her know if he'd been around today.
She'd gone home to see her mother, a few weeks after meeting his own mother, Yei. She'd talked to Aishwarya about how Althalus and her were now mated, and asked her a few questions about what happened after that...because she'd started feeling different. Often times slightly nauseous, and when she wasn't feeling queasy she was very hungry.
Aishwarya had said that it was most likely to be one thing, especially as she was having relations with a stallion. Nivriti had been stunned; she knew that they had spoken of children, but so soon? Not that she wasn't happy as well, just worried about Althalus's reaction when she gave him the news.
So all in all, she was eager to find him after her return, but felt a great deal of trepidation as well.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:29 am
It hadn't been fun with Nivriti away; the young stallion had found that a part of him felt empty without the ebony haired mare near to him, that something was continuously out of place. Oh, he understood her reasons to leave and had wished her a well and safe journey home - he hadn't gone for a variety of reasons, but mostly because being grounded meant he was slave to the land. It was one of the few times in his life he had wished the spirits had blessed him with wings. . . .
But c'est la vie. She had gone and he had found new ways to occupy his time.
For the most part the sunset stallion kept near to his family, or at least the members that actually showed up. For a few days he had wandered Islagiatt and investigated his old stomping grounds as well as discover what changes had occurred over the years he'd been gone. Memories of his first winter, of sliding on the ice with Porsche and climbing the drifts with Nituna had littered his thoughts. . . .
Ah, but despite all the memories, they weren't enough to keep Nivriti away. Everyday he caught himself searching the sky and horizon, hoping to spot his most beloveds return. Oh how she had changed him. . . . While he had dabbled once with the hearts of others, while he had painted beautiful words and images for each and every one he met his heart was forever and only Nivriti's. He spoke less of his sweetness and spent even less time in strangers company. . .
No, Althalus was fiercely loyal and could see no other but the memory of his mate. Everyday was torment, and after his encounter with Vidia, it left the stallion even more upset. The cream mare had left upset and angry and he hadn't a chance to follow. . . A great wakeup call had been enforced within the stallion and he realized only too late that he had left a trail of broken hearts behind him before Nivriti had entered his life.
Careless he'd been. . . thoughtless. . . . But there was nothing he could do to change the past.
Worse yet was Aiolos and Caelyndei were no where to be found; none had seen his dearest friends for many a moon and he could only wonder where they might have traveled. Coupled with Vidia's reaction to his news of Niv, and his mate gone home, the week was hell for Althalus. . . .
So it was only today that the male would find some sort of reprieve. As chance would have it, wandering back from his foal hood racing grounds he had traveled with Aiolos the stallion caught trail of a scent incredibly familiar. Ears pricking, pausing dead in his tracks he sniffed the air again and was once again struck by a perfume that caused his heart to sing.
He knew Nivriti's scent anywhere and though he carried it on him and close to him. . . . this trail was brand new.
She was here.
She was home!
Tracking it like a hound, the sunset male could hardly contain his joy as he pushed his way through the underbrush. He walked carelessly, allowing his steps to be heard so she might hear his approach and know. Silver eyes searched hte woods and the spirits smiled upon him - it was soon that he caught sight of a rich brown paired with soft cream; ebony hair that fell down around her like a fount and the most beautiful golden eyes that would rival any sun or star; violet stained ankles and beautiful wings completed his mate. . . . .
And oh the joy he felt!
"Nivriti!" He gasped, calling out as he stared upon her form. She was beautiful and such a word was an understatement. Seeing her made him realize just how much he had missed her. . . . Needless to say he wasted no time in bridging the distance. Nuzzling her cheek and neck, the stallion wrapped his neck lovingly around hers, pulling her in to an equine embrace. "If it isn't my most beloved, my most lovely mate. . . " Pull away from her? Hardly.
He had to make up for lost time - he wasn't letting her go so soon.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:27 am
Nivriti had too missed Althalus, but only at first. Now it felt like there was a piece of her missing, and despite the anxiety that gnawed inside at having to tell him that they were going to be parents already, she longed to see him also.
She tilted her head, ears moving, twitching as she carried on listening for anyone approaching. She froze, hearing the sound of hooves landing heavily, leaves being crunched underhoof. Was it? She was upwind from Althalus and so couldn't catch his scent until he emerged before her, and she broke into a broad smile at this first sight of her lifemate for a while.
'Althalus..' she said his name softly, letting it carry on the air towards him. He was quickly beside her, and she led his heady and now very familiar scent wrap around her, as she allowed him to pull her close to him. Her wings fluttered at her side, and she lowered them as a feathery barrier around her belly. She knew that a gentle bump from his side didn't matter, they were safe inside her, but she still felt incredibly protective of their children.
'My love,' she replied, pressing her mouth against him and giving Althalus a tender n** on his pelt.
'I am glad to be home.'
And home it was, wherever Althalus was, that was home.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:43 am
Things had finally fallen back in to place. The missing piece of his heart, the small emptiness that he felt without his love near had finally been filled and the stallion could truly smile again. He had fallen hard for the young mare and only with her absence had he truly felt the pangs of love and desire. He had adored her before, but it was without her near that he could truly come to understand just how much he needed her.
Absence made the heart grow fonder, or so the saying went, and Althalus was now a firm believer in such a fact!
He didn't notice the defensive movement of her wings around her belly, too caught up in offering her gentle affections and losing himself in her touch. Silver eyes closed as she returned his nuzzle, his red tail swishing happily behind him as he savored the moment. "You were greatly missed," he finally stated the obvious, opening his eyes and craning his neck to peer down at her, good humor and love lighting his eyes.
"Tell me, love, how was your journey? Your family? Do you thirst or require rest from such a flight?" If he was fussing over her now just wait until he found out the news of her 'condition'. Still, he wanted nothing more than to make her happy, make her comfortable, and give her anything she desired and yearned. If she wanted the moon, he'd come up with some scheme to acquire such a prize for his most cherished and beloved.
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:37 pm
She could have stood there all day in that embrace with Althalus..were it not for her current condition that she had yet to tell him of. She grew tired far swifter than previously, and she had flown back, pushing herself more than she should have in fact so that she would return before sundown.
'As were you.' Nivriti smiled, gently moving so that she stood more comfortably, without it seeming as though she were pushing away from him. This meeting after being apart for a length of time, no matter how short it had been, felt almost tentative. She worried that if she made a wrong move, or said the wrong thing he might doubt her heart feelings. Or maybe she was just hormonal!
'It was okay, uneventful journey. My mother was as expected, incredibly happy that I found a mate.' she chuckled, shaking her head. Maybe it would be easy telling him. How to bring it up though?
'No, I'm not in need of a drink, just somewhere to lay I think.'
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:55 pm
The young stallion had no idea what news was soon to cross his path. Though Nivriti and he had both desired a family, and though there had been brief discussions of such a prospect, the sunset male had never guessed he would be a father so soon. The spirits had apparently coordinated with his mother to device such a plan...
Thankfully though, for the moment, Althalus was still blind to such a fact. Ignorance was bliss, afterall.
Still overjoyed that his most beloved had returned, the red maned stallion kept his focus solely on Nivriti. It didn't bother him that she move away; better she distance herself than allow him to smother her with his love. The fact that she had returned and seemed just as pleased to see him was all that he desired to see and know. . . "I'm pleased to know such news," he informed with a little chuckle and rueful grin. "I'm just pleased I had the opportunity to meet her before whisking you off on such a journey!" Having been raised in a close knit herd, Althalus understood the unspoken rules of courtship - he wanted her parents approval and at least could now say that the violet and black haired Aish held no objections.
Nivriti's father, on the other hand, was another story entirely.
The sunset male gave Nivriti one final nuzzle against her cheek and neck before turning to retreat further in to the woods embrace. "Well then let us make haste to our retreat; the sooner you can rest the better." Just because she had flown didn't mean her travel was any less exhausting; a swifter mode of transportation, certainly, but he had to imagine it was incredibly tiring. "Aside from breaking such news to your mother, did you enjoy your journey, uneventful as it might've been?" Tossing his silver gaze over his shoulders to capture her own golden regard, the stallion winked. "A well needed reprieve from my side, I suspect." He teased her gently with all the love in the world.
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Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:05 pm
'If you hadn't have met her, nor I said anything before I left with you, all would have been forgiven when I returned and told her of my being mated. And being happy.' Nivriti added with a soft smile.
'Though she would have insisted on coming back with me to meet you, so maybe it was good that you did meet her already.' she grinned, her eyes sparkling.
'As to my father, well, I imagine you will meet him in time, and mother has promised to talk you up in the mean time. Though I said there wasn't any need, you were wonderful enough.' she giggled, teasing him gently.
'It didn't pass swiftly enough, I kept wanting to be here already. I didn't rest the entire journey either, I wanted it done in one go. Which I am already regretting.' she answered as she followed him.
'Oh yes, it is very easy to tire of being loved,' she reached and nipped him.
'Silly stallion, if I hadn't needed to go, I wouldn't have left your side.'
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:41 pm
Althalus lead Nivriti further in to the woods, guiding his most beloved to the small grove they had settled upon. The end of summer was already beginning to touch the woods, and being higher up in the foothills and mountains meant that the cooler season was fast to approach. Snow was only another month or two away, and the land would be fully transformed. Though it would be cold, and occasionally a bit unbearable, Althalus found himself anxious for such weather. He would have his most beloved to warm the days and pass the time.
Such a lucky stallion was he~!
"As selfish as it sounds, my love, though it doesn't please me to see you in such discomfort I am thoroughly delighted to have you back within reach. A shame there is such distance between our loved ones," he mused, leading Nivriti back to their small and temporary home, lifting aside some far reaching foliage to allow her entrance. "Rest your hooves and wings, Nivriti sweet. You've no more worry or concern to carry."
And wasn't that the truth. The stallion wanted nothing more than to see his golden eyed angel to smile and feel loved. He wanted her to know that she had nothing to fear or worry about, he would care for her, forever and always.
Two orange ears did p***k lightly as Nivriti responded to his gentle teasing. If she hadn't needed to go? Hmm. . .well. . . it made sense that she might yearn to be reunited with her family. He had hawked his mother upon the mare, why shouldn't she miss her own? "You know you need no excuse to go where you please, m'lady," he reminded with a grin. "But regardless the reasons, regardless the choice, just know you'll always be terribly missed."
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:09 pm
'The journey would have been nothing if I wasn't..' Nivriti shut her mouth abruptly. Spirits! She hadn't meant to let it slip like that, she just found talking to Althalus so easy that it had just come out, as though chatting about the weather.
'I mean..'
Nope, there really wasn't a recovery from that, she couldn't think of a way to end that sentence without using the word 'pregnant'. She paused, waiting for him to question what she'd said, looking at his back.
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:10 pm
Althalus had no idea what news was about to hit him. This was the countdown of his most blessed and happy ignorance - in a few moments his life would forever change and the young, happy stallion would face one of the biggest hurtles (and joys) in a soquili's life. Each and ever breath that he could call his own soon would be more than just his. . . . Though he shared his life with Nivriti, though he happily would do anything for the mare, she was the only one he felt a need to share it with. She was the star in his sky, the reason for his being. . . .
But very soon his world would be shaken and instead of living just for her, he would have to live for the life he helped create. It wasn't as if he didn't know that children were a possibility. . . but so soon? They were a young couple, and had moved fast even while in love. So perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise that the pair would just as quickly begin to raise a family.
Honestly, could Althalus truly believe he was immune to the meddling of the spirits!?
Canting his head to the side, staring a moment at his beloved mate, the sunset male reached over to rest his nose against her neck. Something wasn't right, he was beginning to realize, the way she looked away from him, the way she stopped. . . . "Nothing if you weren't what, love?" An anxiety began to cause his stomach to churn, his brows knitting slightly as he tried to find the answer of what it was she might say.
Was she questioning their relationship? She couldn't be, not with how much she claimed to have missed him. . . . Was she not well? Was she unhappy? Was she afraid, concerned, unsure? Half-holding his breath, he waited for her to speak.
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:34 pm
Nivriti would have cursed..if she knew any words like that, or any appropriate ones. How could she have let it slip like that! She wanted to gradually tell him in sweet words when they were resting together. But, the cat was out of the bag - almost. Time to loosen the strings all the way.
'Pregnant,' she whispered, finding the ground to be exceedingly interesting and helpful to look at as she told him. What if he was even the smallest bit upset by her fecundity?
'We're having, I'm. I'm pregnant.' she repeated it, louder still, but her eyes hadn't managed to look up further than his hooves.
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:39 pm
Pregnant.
Althalus lost any urge to breathe as the words tickled his ears. Pregnant. The word continued to repeat over and over again as his mind did its best to grasp such a concept. Nivriti was pregnant. Pregnancy meant babies and babies meant parental responabilities and a changing of ones life. FOREVER.
Babies.
Foals.
Colts.
Fillies.
Foals that looked like him. Foals that looked like her.
Grandparents, which would be Yei, Grencia, Shikoba and Aishwarya.
Babies.
Oh. My. God.
The silver eyed stallion said nothing for a moment, staring at Nivriti as he tried his best to understand how such a thing happened. Well, logically he knew how things worked out. . . Nivriti and him had been rather close since admitting their love to one another, there was no reason this should be a surprise.
But now? A family already? They had only just stepped down the path of love together - now they were going to have foals too!?
This was all Yei's doing. . . Oh yes, it had to be. Given, they had briefly spoken of children and he understood her desire for a family when the time was right; even he had no objection to a family and looked forward to such a day he could play the proud and beaming father. And yet he couldn't imagine it was happening now. . . Apparently his sense of timing had been off and the spirits, and his mother, had decided otherwise.
"You're pregnant?" He whispered, the idea of her carring his children within her. Glancing away from her he turned his head to study her stomach, as if he might see some form of proof. It was too soon yet but just the knowledge of what was growing within her caused the stallion to lose any and all thought on what to say or do.
"Oh Nivriti, love," he finally breathed, turning to bury his nose tenderly against her neck and cheek. He almost flinched, not wanting to hurt her in any way or upset the fragile beings growing within her. He didn't know how the baby-growing process actually worked, but she was doing it, and Althalus suddenly felt more love and a fierce sense of protectiveness over her than he had before. "You're going to . . . I'm gonna be. . . We're going to have a family all our own!" The knowledge was still shocking, but the idea of it was fast growing on the male.
Children.
Grandpa Grencia and Grandma Yei. . . .
Mother Nivriti, Father Althalus.
"You should rest! You really shouldn't be on your hooves, love, please. Lie down, let me get you something to nibble upon. Do you care for berries or fruits? I could always go down to the nearby villages and see if they won't offer me some sugar cubes or salt? Are you feeling all right? Really, there must be something I could do. . . " Doting was the only role a father-to-be could do. He had no idea how a woman made a baby, but Nivriti was working on that end of the family aspect the least he could do was offer her gifts and cause her to be as comfortable as possible.
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:54 pm
Nivriti had managed to make herself look at him now, chewing hard on her bottom lip as she looked at his expression. Was he going to fall down? Was he? If he did she could scarcely help him up again, she had just the energy to stay on her own hooves.
She did not suspect his grandmother of 'making' this happen, but knew that this was lain squarely at their door, at the passion that their love had excited, the..well, the relations and the children she now carried were the direct result of said private time together.
Thank you! she thought fervently, to any spirits listening as Althalus finally spoke, his whispered question swiftly followed by a rush of affection.
'Yes a family.' she replied, speaking in almost hushed tones, as if saying it louder might break the lovely spell.
'I. Well. Well rest yes. Somewhere else than out in the open maybe?' she suggested, trying now not to laugh at the outpouring of attention.
'I'm not feeling hungry, but thank you.' her mouth twitched and she let out a giggle.
'Breathe maybe? I don't want my mate passing out.'
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:43 am
"Whatever you need, love, whatever you want consider it yours." It wasn't as if such a concept was new when it came to Nivriti; but the fact that she was now carrying their future, their children, somehow made him need to remind her of such a thing. There was nothing Althalus wouldn't do for his most beloved, no task too great, no need too much an inconvenience. He adored her and was desperate for her to know such a thing. Though their relationship still felt new to the stallion, he wanted her to be most certain that he was at her every will and command. . .
Wrapped around her hoof? That could be considered the understatement of the year.
Glancing around at their small grove, the stallion canted his head to the side. "If you would prefer a more enclosed sanctuary, my love, there are caves and crevices that could be a perfect fit. The trip isn't long, but I also understand how exhausted you must be. . . " He glanced around at the small abode of trees - if she wished to rest here he would stand guard and stay close.
Anywhere she wanted to be, he would guard, protect and follow. Food was off the menu for now, but he would be sure to stock up on all sorts of goodies just in case she ever changed her mind. Nivriti would lack in nothing and every comfort he could possibly imagine would be hers. Logic reminded him not to smother, of course, but it was so damned hard to resist.
She was carrying their children and would soon be a mother; oh, the love he felt for her was making the sunset stallion delirious with pleasure. "Breathing, breathing, I got it, promise." He added as an afterthought, still ready to fuss and move at her every command. The stallion allowed himself to take a few pointed gasps of air. . . but his silver eyes never left Nivriti.
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:11 am
'Don't worry, I have enough energy to get somewhere sheltered, and secluded.' Nivriti giggled at Althalus, mostly out of relief. She loved how attentive he'd become since she'd divulged her current condition, but hoped he wouldn't go too far and become stifling. Much as she loved him, she didn't need to be coddled. Her mother had done this birthing thing, and she would do it just as well.
'Yes please.' she added, listening to his harsh breathing, on purpose for her benefit?
'Really my love, take it easy. Our children need their father.'
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