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Quicksilver the Archangel
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 Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:42 pm
 How had the stars risen to their position in the sky? It was only one of the many questions that the brown mare had of her world, and though Alyssum had recently grown into adulthood, she still knew so little. She had thought that when she reached the same size as her parents that she would have their knowledge as well; obviously, she had been wrong. She still didn't know how the twinkling lights appeared in every velveteen night sky or how certain flowers bloomed only in the pale, moon light and not in the richness of the sun.
She slapped a nipping mosquito away from her dappled rear as she trotted through the thick cattails near the river's edge, trying carefully to avoid running into the water. She had decided that she knew so little about the night because she had always been asleep soon after the sunset, not due to any curfew given by her parents, but simply because after a long day of exploration and playing with her siblings she had been exhausted! Now, however, she had forced herself to stay awake so that she could enter a new area of discovery: the night.
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:25 am
 Anger bubbled up within Estelle as she stomped down the rocky path; the sun was low in the sky indicating that night would soon be upon her yet even that notion did not brighten her mood. Thinking of the occurrences from merely hour’s prior she was filled with an overwhelming dread towards all living things, what was the point of everything? Clip, clop, clip, clop. Her feet continued to stomp in their continuous rhythm as she walked in no particular direction away from the mountains mighty face. Betrayal was something she had never witnessed before, the feeling of being completely alone in the world was an all too familiar bitter taste that stung the back of her throat as she recalled the very day that had caused her to travel in the first place. Her father had pushed her away, while her mother offered no support so she ran, through the night and the day until she was as far away from them as her small fragile frilly legs could manage. Yet now here she stood, a young adult and sight to be seen. Her markings had captivated many an audience on her journey as she told endless stories about the adventures of the stars almost as if she too had been apart of them, yet there was no truth in her words, just a fickle enthusiasm.
The sun began to set on her heartbreaking day and as night slowly descended she paused to look at the beauty above. The stars had always calmed her down, dragging her attention to a higher form. She had spent many a night glancing at them, inventing tales of valour and chivalry that both captivated and disappointed. After all, the stars were one place she could never go except in her dreams. Listening to the night settle she heard the bustle of nearby animals as well as the trickling of a nearby brook. Her pace calmed as she trotted gently toward it, her thirst realised as it gripped her throat in a flurry of sudden dryness. Before drinking she always gazed at the reflexion of the world around her, It surface was sleek and agile, as the colours merged and swirled as one to their eventual destination.
Lowering her head she sipped faintly at the cool refreshing liquid, it soothed the battle within her throat making it comfortable once more. It had been a long day, and a day she did not care to repeat any time soon. Sitting down near the brooks edge she ran the events through her mind again and again, when suddenly a small bird flew towards her and landed on her head. It gripped her main tenderly singing its harmonious song that instantaneously lifted her spirits. It was a reminder that there was still beauty in the world; perhaps she was too early to judge the entire world on the actions of a single individual. A small smile snuck its ways on to her lips, peeling gentle until her teeth sparkled in the shimmering light of the sunset as night captured and dismissed that last of the days light.
Stars began to twinkle with their gentle ambiance high above her, plummeting the world into a blanket of night. Looking up she noted that the moon was full; this made her smile, as she knew that the full moon usually brought good fortune to those who gazed upon it.
Clambering to her feet once more she began to walk away at a slow pace down the river, following each meandering turn as the cooling liquid stumbled and collided over the rocks, splashing at the bank like an icy tongue. The ground was soft beneath her feet and every now and then her foot would sink slightly into it causing her to pause to shake it free. By this time night was fully settled over the land, the stars singing their song above, the moon happy to have stolen the suns light for one more night and the wind gently whistling through the trees in perfect harmony. It was a fantastic evening.
Ahead of her she saw a darkened figure in the dullness of the night, it looked like another Soquili of some description, her memories flooded back from that morning and she wandered what she should do, perhaps this one was in partnership with the other, out to hurt her still deeper. NO! Shaking away that thought she desperately tried to remember the bird and its song, it was her reminder, life was good, and there was still kindness and beauty in the world around her. With this newfound encouragement she called forward to the creature. "Hello?" It wasn’t often she found another creature who also loved the night, so that intrigued her slightly. Surely anyone who enjoyed the night was a good person. This simple way of thinking boomed with her naivety, after all she had a long way to grow up.
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:39 pm
The twitters of night time insects assaulted Alyssum's ears, along with the croaks of matring frogs and the splash of fish snapping at the rapidly appearing lightening bugs. She huffed. Maybe the river wasn't the best place to have begun her observation of the night. The stillness of the forest would have felt better, with the dots of light above appearing mosaic-like through the treetops. But, no use worrying about the past.
The soft call from another creature took the mare offguard, and she spun to face the direction of the sound. Squinting in the pale light, she could see a lighter colored Soquili with a large, dark splotch on her rear that matched her darker mane and tail. A threat? She wasn't inclined to think so - after all, the stranger could have attacked her immediatly if she'd wanted to. Er... well, Alyssum thought it was a she, at least - it was a bit hard to tell in the darkness.
"Hello, Night Stranger. What're you doing up this late?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:58 am
Estelle gulped to herself almost silently as she considered the situation she had dragged herself into, it was clear that the other Soquili was not as used to the light as herself which would have given her the advantage to flee if she had chosen to. Yet now the she had been spotted there was no turning back. The bitter taste of betrayal twanged the back of her throat faintly; she knew that the memories would always be painful yet she needed to push forward to carry on. This was her test. She simply needed to be strong, stronger than she had ever forced herself to be before.
Calmly she spoke, a small smile forced upon her lips as a gesture of kindness. "I love the night." Slowly continuing to move towards the stranger she noted that she was a dainty mare, a pretty little thing and although her colourations where hard to make out in such light she imagined that they where browns and greys as the shone a tender darkened shade under the moons endless glow and watchful eyes. She wondered if there was need to say more about the night, after all she had met very few individuals who enjoyed it like she did. "The stars and the moon fascinate me."
With each step she advanced, until finally she could make out most of the features upon the mares delicate face. "Now, I could ask you the same." She paused before adding, "stranger."
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:43 pm
Alyssum found herself relaxing as the other mare spoke, her ears perking attentively to the words. Someone who loved the night? Was fascinated by the celestial bodies? Maybe this was someone who could help her better understand it all!
As her eyes adjusted more to the light, she could make out a bit more of the features of the Soquili she spoke to, noting the light swirl that rested on what she had thought was a solid dark spot on her flank. The mane too was more elborately decorated than her own, braided masses with multpile feathers attached. She blinked at being designated 'stranger,' with no other special sentiment attached. To one such as her, who pulled so much from names, it felt... isolating. Cold. However, Alyssum had to admit that her designation wasn't much better, and she quickly set to right this by furthering the conversation.
"I'm not a stranger - I'm Alyssum. Like the flower, and I'm up to learn stuff about the night. What about you?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:37 am
The stars flickered unfaltering above her as the gentle ambiance calmed her spirits, watching the mare before her intently she noted the softest shifted in her body language as if she had done or said something that hand caused her offence, yet she did not know the specifics. She smiled softly, her lips curling to reveal several gleaming white teeth before falling back into an almost none existent smile once more.
Her eyes waved from the mare to look at the stars, Alyssum meant flowers and represented her unwavering connection with the earth, however her own meant Stars and reflected the very place she could never venture to, no matte her hearts true desires. Lowering her head once more she looked at the newcomer, before speaking in a soft and enchanting voice. "My name is Estelle." She felt that Alyssum would have little use for its meaning though after a moments deliberation determined it may be of some interest to share, "it means stars."
Although there was one question that confused her slightly 'what about you' she wasn’t sure if she was being asked her name or if she was being asked to explain her reasons for being out. She had already shared her name, so anything additional would only add to the criteria.
Concentrating on her words she pounded the right terminology to use, words were not her forte although there had been a time when she had happily shared her thoughts and feelings with those around her with little hesitation. But that had change all to quickly for her emotions to have time to settle and readjust. Sensitive and with the overwhelming sensation of being abandoned even the stars didn’t offer their usual comfort.
In an effort to distract herself she addressed the mare once more, she seemed a plain yet pretty young thing, most likely a similar age to herself. "Do you like the night?"
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:55 pm
Alyssum's eyes widened until the whites made her purple irises smaller than ever, and she whinnied in delight. Estelle, Estelle that meant star. If anyone would know about the nature of the shiny baubles in the sky or who put them there, it would be this mare! Could she be any luckier?
She trotted closer in her enthusiasm, her tail swishing playfully as she tagged the mare with a new name, "I'm not sure, Star Lady. The stars are pretty, but I don't know what they do. Or how they got there. All the animals are noisy. Or bright and annoying, like the fake stars. But... it's different."
She paused to bat at another mesquito, frowning as though she had figured out something (though in fact it had been obvious), "But you really like the night."
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Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:15 pm
Estelle watched in increased enthusiasm as the mare seemed to be running over some notion in her mind, she imaged a waterfall crashing over the cliff to land sharply in the gushing lake below. Perhaps that was how other people thought? Though not her, her mind was more like a collection of bees, all buzzing softly around the hive trying to get attention, when suddenly one hits a particular point triggering a memory or feeling sending her into utter chaos. She wasn’t exactly the easiest person to always understand as her mind often wandered to new topics without much warning.
Yet here before her was a timid little creature who shared an interest in stars, although her knowledge was somewhat limited it was at least a start. She smiled happily at the mare, when the next thing she knew she was being tagged, it caught her off guard throwing her slightly unawares. A sharp tingle brewed in her neck as the muscles tensed and compressed around the impact point. Resisting the urge to shout out in mild pain she concealed baring the only evidence in a rough smile that peeled across her lips.
As she ignored her throbbing impact point she contemplated the questions that had rolled towards her with such glee. "I must admit my knowledge is not perfect" there was something almost humiliating in admitting that, she had not stayed at home long enough for her father to teach her everything, so she happily lapped up information whenever she was around interesting company. In a way it was her ongoing research, yet to admit her insufficiencies to another was almost unbearable after the day she had had. She recalled the very first tale she had ever heard, her mother had told her it as she attempted to drift off to sleep, the excitement of the night buzzing erratically around her mind. It was her tale of hope. "They say that a great Sharman once roamed the land, he could command the elements and all the different breeds of Soquili showed him respect. His name was never spoken of in common tongue, although many had begun to call him the star maker." She paused, her mind playing the story over and over again like a motion picture. "You see as he travelled he would pick the most worthy and noble of all the different creatures to immortalise them forever in the night sky, a memorial to their achievements. And so the first stars were born. The first was the Great bear, the next was sly scorpion, until eventually most of the animals where accountable for." She always found the next part rather upsetting; after all it meant that she would never be able to visit the place she held so dear in her heart. Taking a deep breath she continued, "One day though the cunning fox skulked towards the Sharman, desperately attempting to prove himself only to be rejected. It was in that moment that the creature was overwhelmed with a flaming hatred that he tore open the Sharman’s neck. Preventing him from making stars of any other creatures." It was for this reason that she was always weary of Foxes. She smiled softly, she would answer all of the other questions in time, for now she just wanted to see the reaction of the timid mare towards one of her favourite bed time stories.
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:52 pm
Alyssum noticed her companion's unease to her physical touch, and she tilted her head in response. She had only gently touched her with her nose... why was the Star Lady so jumpy? 'Maybe... maybe I'm not supposed to touch her. Like the stars. You aren't supposed to touch them - otherwise, why they be so far up?'
Satisifed with this explanation, the brown mare took a step back in order to give Estelle some room, her eager ears swivveling to take in the story being told to her. She chuffed slightly, liking the sound of this Star Maker. Her imagination created a powerful horse shape like herself, twinkling with stars and a mane and tail that flowed like dark clouds as he ran with mother-of-pearl hooves across the sky. She could easily picture such a creature creating the beacons of light with the animal names.
Upon hearing of the fox's betrayal, she tossed her head in disagreement, her anger flaring. Why... why had he done it? He had killed the Star Maker, taken him away! She pounded the soil in frustration, crying out, "Why? Why would someone DO that?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 2:56 am
Observing Alyssum every movement it was clear that something within her was unsure of what to make of her, yet it wasn’t fear that billowed behind her eyes but something different, more like a gentle confusion. Yet she did not have the social skills to completely understand what exactly it was that she was doing to cause such emotions to stare. Sighing gently she allowed the thoughts to pass her by, almost like the mighty wind was subsiding over her mind leaving the bright sun to shine in its place.
Alyssum stepped back; it was an insignificant relief in the grand scheme of things. Yet it did calm her smile so that it was no longer being forced. Looking to the stars she wondered if there was a creature similar to herself there, yet she knew she would be happy to have a single star named after her rather than a constellation. Her eyes blinked, the light gleamed merrily above her. Forcing herself to return to Earth she lowered her head to once again face the creature who called herself Alyssum.
Finishing her story, her words faded as she saw the first glimpse of passion in the mare before her. It was fascinating to see. Her anger satisfied her, she too felt a blinded distaste for the betraying Fox, and it was somehow comforting. Her own betrayal lingered in the air still like a mist that simply clouded her vision. Yet here was someone who also disliked the very concept of betrayal, her smile widened in relief. "He was consumed" she paused, "by his desire to be like the other creatures that had become stars, yet that is no excuse." She allowed her eyes to wander to the stars, before speaking in a low voice. "Would you have asked to be a star?" Rumour had it that anyone who asked to be a star was not worthy of being so, yet she felt that even a subconscious desire to be star would be classed as asking, that counted her out automatically. A shame, it was the one place she longed to visit, as if there was some unknown connection between herself and the stars that twinkled so magnificently in the sky above.
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:46 pm
Alyssum refused to accept this excuse, her muscles twitching beneath her velvet coat as she continued to think about the fox. You didn't lash out just because you weren't like everybody else or didn't get something someone else had; when she had tried to snatch a prized apple away from one of her siblings with a bite or admired the qualities, her parents had reprimanded her, telling her to love what she had. How else... could she ever be herself?
Her anger dissolved into confusion as Estelle asked her a question, and she tilted her head again in consideration. Would she have asked to be a star? She turned her violet eyes up towards the heavens, thoroughly examining the tiny lights for the first time. Just what, exactly, did she know about them? Well, they were small. And bright. Shiny. And had been made after other animals, she knew that now. Pretty and interesting. Plenty of good things.
But on the other hand... she'd have to leave Momma, Daddy, Bramble, and Nettle. She'd never get to run around the forests again, feeling the grass under her hooves as she cantered through the trees. Never hear the birds sing, never eat delicious clovers, never warm her coat in the sunshine. Never watch the flowers bloom. All bad things.
Finally, she gave a toss of her mane, blurting the answer out, "No! I couldn't leave to go away so far, leave everything behind." Then with a sudden joy, she whinnied, "But you could, Star Lady! You could make Star Maker come back and go up into the sky... or you could BE Star Maker! And make more stars, lots more! You know all about them. It's perfect!"
She grinned, obviously excited about her plan as she gave another happy neigh, stamping her hooves with energy. "We just need to figure out how to get you UP there!"
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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:06 am
Although a glimmer of exciting welled up from the depths of her heart it would not be possible, she could never ask to be a Star or she too would be refused. Would her anger boiled up within her also? Enough to take someone's life? She shook her main crying out in bitterness "NO!" She knew that would not be possible, she would feel hurt but such rejection would simply make her feel worthless on the grand scheme of things. She continued to list to Alyssum ideas, her naivety was realised, there was no way anyone could replace the Star Maker, for he was a great Sharman who never expressed his methodology to anyone but those that now shone as stars, it was impossible for her to replicated no matter how many stories she knew. A shame.
Formulating in her mind what to say next she lowered her head for a brief moment before raising it again, "It would never be possible, since I want to be a star I can not." It pained her to put that into words, more so than thinking it, after all it was admitting her weakness and downfall. Attempting to smile happily she stomped her hoof softly on the soft ground, it was calming although she imagined it looks slightly aggressive. "It's a nice thought though, if only it was possible. We do not know the original Star makers secret after all."
Looking to the stars she shook her head softly so her mane flickered in the soft breeze to be carried in no particular direction. They shone with a magnificent she had not noticed before, as if calling her to them, evidently only in her dreams. Then she saw the moon, it was a sliver of silver tonight, almost like a cheeky grin smiling pleasantly down upon the world as if hoping to express something still unknown to her. It reminded her about yet another story, as she continued to watch the moon she spoke, her voice almost as if in a light trance. "Do you know why we can see the moon? After all it does not produce any light of its own."
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:42 pm
The shriek of no fell heavy on Alyssum's ears, causing them to half-lower even as her excited motions still. Why not? Estelle seemed the perfect choice to replace Star Maker, someone who knew all about the origins and properties of stars. She wanted to touch the other mare with her blazed muzzle once again, nudge her into accepting what was (to the natural colored mare, at least) her natural future. However, the memory of the reaction to her first touch held her still.
She listened in disappointment to the rest of the mare's explanation, a frown forming on her dark lips. Why could one who wanted so badly to be a star not becoome one? Why could she, who wanted only to stay connected to the earth and her familiar surroundings, be allowed to become a star? It wasn't fair...
And, despite her true hatred of betrayal, Alyssum thought she had a glimmering of understanding as to the situation of the fox. All he wanted was to be as all others around him, to join the twinkling masses as they danced, every night, across the canvas of the sky. And, for wanting nothing more than to fit in, he had been denied. Had she been in his place, she would've lashed out as well, not to the point of killing, no, but enough to let her disagreement be known. It wasn't fair! No matter how good the Star Maker had been, how wise, how powerful... it just wasn't fair.
Her thoughts were interrupted, however, when Estelle looked towards something else in the sky, and Alyssum followed her gaze to the tiny bit of moon that still remained. The moon, with it's constantly changing shape, shrinking and growing had delighted the brown mare when she had been younger, and she eagerly jumped at the chance to hear another story from the wise mare she had stumbled across in the night, "No... I always thought the moon was just further away. Like... how fake stars look really dim in the distance, but really bright up close."
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:39 am
Attempting to suppress her emotions once more in a desperate attempt to regain her composure she gulped once. Washing away all her feelings, it didn't matter what this mare felt or thought about her, it just mattered what she felt and knew about herself. Her betray still stung in the air, a constant reminder not to trust others with her feelings anymore. She made a promise to keep herself to herself from this day forward.
Watching the mares reaction she was slightly curious as to her thoughts, she still seemed to have the buzz of excitement towards the night, at least that much was comforting.
She lowered her head slightly to see that Alyssum was also looking at the sliver of the shining moon. Listening to her words Estelle felt momentarily confused. What did she mean by a 'fake star'? Shaking off her confusion she thought briefly about the Moons story before talking in a soft voice once more. "Well it is said that the Moon and Sun are brother and sister, the Sun gained the favour of the Elders a long time ago and they granted her the ability to shine all day long, but she felt sorry for her brother. He had no light of his own, just a dull surface that could not been seen by those on the little world so far away. This made her sad and she longed to help her brother." She thought for a moment of her own family, she had been driven away and somehow felt resentment towards them, perhaps that was how the Moon felt to the Elders gift of light? Continuing she began to speak once more, "So the Sun spoke to the Moon one night, offering to lend him her light. Overjoyed the Moon accepted, and shone with a clear magnificent in the sky, so much so that even the shadows from his scars where visible. Yet as the dawn started to roll in the Moon found he liked his new found brightness, so much so he did not want to give the Sun back her light but instead keep it all for himself. This upset the Sun even more. She called for the Elders help who removed the light from the Moon to give it back to the Sun. She shone brightly once more, her warmth caressing the land like a warm breeze. This made the Moon sad again, so he begged his sister to lend him her light once more. At first she refused," once again that reminded her of her own family, how her Father had been so cold and calculating towards her, he had planned out her entire life without taking into consideration her feelings. As her mind wandered she remembered she was in the mists of telling a story, pausing for only a moment to recall were she had got to she began her tale once more. "After much begging and apologising the Sun agreed to help him, but as a punishment he would only be given a small amount of light."
Adjusting her stance a little she continued to look at the mare before her, her patterned seemed to shine brightly in the days glorious light. "That is why the Moon appears in different shapes, it depends how nice he has been to his sister the Sun."
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:49 pm
Alyssum listened intently to this newest tale, visualizing the scenes once more in her mind. The Sun transformed into a mare of glittering gold, bright sun-flower wings holding her aloft in the sky, while her poor, scarred brother hid his grayness away, secretly longing for her light. Despite her continued interest, she could not suppress a small yawn, shaking her head a bit to keep herself awake. Darn the night time for taking so long to come! Would she always feel too tired to properly explore it?
As Estelle told the ending of her tale, the frown that had previously appeared on Alyssum's black-tipped muzzle only deepened, and this time she allowed her new companion insight to her thoughts as she asked, "Why didn't the Elders just split the light equally between the Sun and the Moon? That's what Momma and Daddy always did with us - we shared everything."
As her thoughts began to process more, she became increasingly disturbed, lifting her head in a sharp movement that made the dream catcher on her chest bounce slightly, "It isn't fair, is it, that the Moon can't have any light of his own? And it's awfully mean for the Sun to take backsies, just because her brother might've done something bad. Brothers and sisters are supposed to love each other. Right?"
And even as she said this, Alyssum didn't really want to believe that the Sun was mean. She liked the Sun, liked the way it felt against her pelt, how it opened up the flowers and made pretty colors when it rose and sank again. And she liked the moon too, for it's gentle light, the softness it gave to everything, gilding the world in silver. She didn't want to think that one was happier than the other, that one wasn't equal to the other. They were both just different, weren't they? "It's all so confusing..."
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