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 Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:51 am
[[Private roleplay between Epine's "Penance" and Uta's "Numielle - please do not post without permission or invitation~!]] 
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:20 am
His father hadn't been kidding when he had informed his son that the Lowlands were filled with peculiar creatures. Ranging from Soquili to humans, not one of these individuals was completely alike. Very few held the same mindset as he did, the majority even seemed to lack a proper upbringing! Such was the case of one particular encounter that had left him rather self concious for a brief period. Having been mistaken for a Kalona, he was now more determined than ever to keep his leathery wings pressed firmly at his sides. His intention was to ensure that they remained hidden in the long grasses - that way the same misunderstanding wouldn't occur twice...
Nevertheless, having excused himself from the rather uncomfortable encounter between the mare and himself. He had moved swiftly onwards until he had stumbled upon the Kawani village. The sheer concentration of so many of one creature in one area had been intriguing to him but it was their rituals that had caught his attention. Nothing had captured his imagination in such the same way before, not even his mother (and grand mother's) tales of heroics. What he had witnessed was something very special, even if he couldn't understand what the humans said he knew by how they reacted that this wasn't just a simple meeting.
They had been completely unaware of his interest in them and had dismissed his existance entirely but they had given him a wonderful idea. It should have come of no surprise that he soon embraced this and sought out the necessary help in achieving what he wanted. The colt, now nearly two years of age had anticipated that the price would be high for such a thing but he had been surprised. All that had been needed was an explanation of why he wanted something so strange - within the three days that followed the forest creatures had worked busily and had produced exactly what he wanted (and more).
They'd made him a necklace...
Bidding him much luck in what he endeavoured to do, they had waved him off and this now brought him to the present time. Glancing briefly at the necklace that he had tugged carefully into his own necklace, he felt warmed by what he had in mind. Admittedly he hadn't seen her in quite some time, his father hadn't permitted him or his brother to leave the confines of the forest for quite some time and as such, their paths hadn't crossed since.
Would she remember him?
He still remembered the promises they had made to one another. Innocent at the time, they still rang clearly in his ears as well as in his chest. He had sworn an oath that he would find her again, that even if she was lost he would come for her. What he hadn't factored in was how difficult it was to find someone in such a large expanse. Thus he had little choice other than to place his faith firmly in the hands of the spirits. If it was meant to be then it would happen, partically educated by his Grandfather, Penance was aware of at least this much. As a result, the colt continued to wander.
Glowing amber eyes flicked across the horizon every now and again, taking in to account the various creatures in the area. There were none of note, there were no familiar faces and so he continued on - long limbs making quick and easy work of the long grasses that opposed him.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:55 am
She had grown. The mare that had stared at her from the lake hadn't looked at all like she had fast become accustomed to! At first Numielle had thought herself staring face to face at an elusive mer or kelpie. . . but after speaking to the white and red haired mare and finding that the fish-soquili spoke exactly like her and said the exact same thing. . . . Realization slowly began to dawn upon the young filly.
She wasn't so young or small anymore.
Outside of her crimson mane and the sprouting of her horn, other things had changed. Her pure white skin had dappled ever so faintly with splotches of grey and, stranger still, her muzzle had been stained ebony. Though she matched her father and Ennuie, more and more Numielle believed her nose to be stained black by her absolute bestest-best friend in the world. . .
Penance.
Considering she had had a white nose during her youth, it was only after Penance entered her life that black hairs had begun to sprout. Coincidence? Not in Numielle's world! All of her nuzzling had obviously meant she inherited some of his colour. . . . And that made him even more special.
Now if only she could find him again? Time had passed. . . a long time as far as the red haired mare could fathom. Sometimes she went out looking for him, searching all the woods and hoping to spot the little black and golden eyed colt. But one woodland looked like the next and she never could quite remember his exact location. . . .it also didn't help that she was literally searching for a foal and not a grown stallion. Everyday she thought about her bestest buddy, and everyday she hoped would be the day she'd meet him again. . . .
Ever the optimist, even after so many disappointments, Numielle had yet to give up on Penny. They had delcared themselves to be best-friends, he had allowed her to play with a bear. . . . Those were memories the black and blue eyed mare couldn't help but cherish. She would find him again, even if it took a lifetime.
Four wings spread wide as she gave them a great stretch. Numielle wasn't the greatest flier - it wasn't easy learning from Nimue and learning from other winds was awkward. It was different flying with four wings compared to two, but the young mare did her best. She could fly short distances and had become a pro when it came to gliding down to land. The actual landing part usually hurt, and she often stumbled and tripped, but the mutant angeni was slowly beginning to make progress. . .
Turning her head, standing firmly in open, she began to preen her wings. They were getting ready to molt and were starting to itch something fierce. "Silly, silly wing things," she murmured softly, wincing as she pulled out a few feathers prematurely. "Always giving Numi trouble, always, always. . ."
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:53 pm
He had a problem, it had started off as a small niggle and now positively seemed to explode inside of his head. He hadn't seen her in so long, he was sure he would know her when he saw her (instantly at that) but what was he meant to say? He had made a promise and for all he knew the filly, who was now a mare, might declare he hadn't kept it for all he knew. It was by far his worst nightmare... it hadn't been his intention to take so long but then again he hadn't really taken his father's opinion into consideration. Friendships were all well and good but his father's greatest concern had been for his children and their safety. Unfortunately not every Soquili understood this given the complex nature of their relationships with often failing and dsyfunctional families.
The more he thought about it, the more nervous he became. He hadn't initially considered the prospect that he might be rejected. No wonder the tiny creatures had wished him luck! They may have thought his gesture was terribly sweet but apparently they had foreseen the potential for disaster. He hadn't really inherited his mother's occasional irrational worry but he was starting to understand why some times she may jump to conclusions - he was doing it right now after all!
"Oh gods..." he declared more so to himself. Coming to a halt he gulp down a number of deep breaths to came his nerves. He remained stationery for a time, closing his eyes and carefully negotiating with the illogical part of his mind. After a few moments of quiet internal monologue he regained control and coaxed himself forward. Admittedly from this point on his pace was slower but he had reigned in the uncontrolled nerves in his stomach - there was no guarantee he would even find her today.
Alas, the spirits disagreed.
"Silly, silly wing things..."
He knew that voice.
Well, technically speaking he knew a voice similar to it but the sing-song quality and manner in which the words drifted through the air were terribly familiar. He came to another abrupt halt, ears pivoting this way and that as he attempted to discern the origin of this voice. It was only when it spoke again that he found it and swung his head in the appropriate direction. What he was greeted with was not something he had expected though - on the contrary he had never anticipated that his heart would give a dramatic thump and then abandon ship. He'd never seen anything quite like it and his amber orbs failed to recognise exactly who he was looking at.
Before him stood the most beautiful mare, scarlet locks cascading down her neck in delicate and loose ringlets. She was petite, but despite this maintained a serene an gentle aura about her. Curiosity dominating his immediate psychy the stallion took a few inquisitive steps forward intent on a closer look. Closer, closer... and then he saw it - as the grasses parted that spiked tail and the glint of a 'bloodied' horn in the afternoon sun.
The spirits were kidding right?
His best friend had become...this?
He was at a loss for words, he knew that all creatures matured and took on different appearances as they develoepd but this was on an entirely different level! Nevertheless, manners did kick in and he promptly shook his head to regain control of his thoughts - it was rude to stare even if you were marvelling over an individuals form. He had to make sure...
"Numielle, is that you...?" he enquired, his tone much deeper than it had once been as a foal.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:42 pm
Still picking at her wings, occasionally pausing to watch as crimson and ebony stained feathers fell softly to the ground, she never noticed Penance's approach. She was too focused on speaking to her wings, preening out her feathers, and losing herself to daydreams. Numielle had never been a particularly focused individual and such a facet had followed her through maturity. Easily distracted, often lost in her own little world and imagination, it was almost amazing she had made it as long as she had on her own.
Thankfully the spirits took good care to look after her; if Ezriel wasn't around to keep dangers at bay, thankfully her appearance was too often a turn off to potential predators. If she wasn't some holy angel (which many didn't dare meddle with), she had a bloodied horn and spiked tail to prove her 'fierce' nature. Again, many a creature would prefer to leave one such as Numielle alone. . . . Which often caused the mare no end of heart ache. Yes it kept that bad ones at bay (along with ungodly amounts of luck) but her appearance often was judged by the softies of the soquili world as well.
"Wing things shouldn't hurt so much," she gently reprimanded, ever oblivious to Penance even as he stood so close. "Numi doesn't like to be - - - "
"Numielle, is that you...?"
A deep voice broke her concentration, causing pale ears to swivel. Her head wasn't long to follow, a few rogue feathers hanging haphazardly out of her mouth as black eyes fell swiftly upon the source. There, seemingly appeared out of no where, was a black stallion.
He had thick leathery wings, and long pale-tipped hair. He looked to be a kalona at first guess, but a decided lack of horns caused her assumptions to waver. She'd never met an actual kalona before, and almost felt a wave of disappointment. Besides, there was something unusually familiar about the stranger she gazed upon. First and foremost he knew her name, her full name which not many had access to. Secondly, his golden eyes glowed in a way she'd seen but once before. . . .
Slowly, slowly, the cogs of understanding began to churn. Penance had glowing eyes, but Penance was just a little foal. . . This one had glowing eyes and leathery wings to match but he was so much bigger than her friend. There was no way he could be it unless. . . .
Unless. . . . .
Unless . . . .
Finally it hit her. If she had grown over time than it might be possible he had grown too! What if Penny wasn't still a little spunky foal but a glowing eyed, devilishly handsome adult? Could it be? Could this really be. . . ?
Yep. It had to be.
"PENNY~!!!!!!" The mare's blank and almost confused expression suddenly transformed in to a radiant smile. Half rearing, her tail swishing wildly behind her the mare forgot all about preening her wings. Tossing feathers to the wayside, she bridged the distance between herself and her best friend and left absolute no room for doubt in the stallions mind. Ever snuggly and affectionate, it was as if no time had passed since their last meeting and now. Cuddling close, she wrapped her wings around Penance to pull him closer to her embrace, burying her face against his neck as she cooed her pleasure. "Numielle can't believe it's you! You . . you . . you got big!" Black and blue eyes stared up at him as she paused in her nuzzle, smile still wide as the world. "Numi got big to, yes she did, but you got even bigger!" Yes, she was terribly impressed with his growth. . .
And it was terribly hard to stop looking at him. Had it been so long since they last met? Maybe it was just the newness of his height.
Yep, that absolutely had to be it.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:08 pm
It was terribly cute. The splits seconds in which she had stared at him with wide eyes and a feather filled mouth. The entire scene couldn't have been planned and the expression upon her faith couldn't have been emulated. Once again he felt a rather sudden thump in his chest and he swallowed as time around him slowed and came to an abrupt halt. The sounds of Soquili and animal alike were drowned out through the mere shock that he had been right. Standing before him in the most adorable pose ever, was his childhood friend - one might thank his dark fur for hiding the blush that threatened to rise up and turn him scarlet!
Unfortunately as fate would have it the gawking that had occured between the pair really had only lasted a few seconds and before he could even dodge out of her way, the mare had planted herself at his side. The entire action had come as a blur to him and he remained numb further still as she cuddled againsth im and coiled her feather wing around his form. In a manner of speaking she had 'pinned' him, given that he couldn't unfurl his own leathered wings for fear of leaving her embrace. Then again he was in such a state of shock that he couldn't really place a coherent thought together - to make matters worse he was only half listening to her.
He'd heard his name...if that counted for anything.
Really, he could find no words to express himself. He was delighted that he had found her but at the same time he was astonished. As a colt he had never really recognised females as just that, but now it was just a little different. The gods had truly blessed the mare with incredible beauty even if it did pose the problem of making the stallion's heart throb and seemed to make his tongue swell so that he couldn't speak. He wasn't aware of what love and attraction were bubt he was getting the distinct impression that this was it - although something told him his father didn't have the same problem.
Speak you idiot! His inner voice roared as Numielle fell quiet (if only for a few moments).
"I uh -" he cleared his throat and at last turned his gaze to the mare, shifting his head a little so that she could nuzzle at his cheek. Admittedly he felt somewhat 'impure' at such a thing given that the motion wasn't exactly as innocent to him as it was to her but still...
Oh dear, this wasn't what he intended.
"So this - this really is you?" he took a few deep breaths and finally found the smile that had been long in coming. His eyes creased slightly in an expression of genuine affection and he nudged gently back at the ever happy mare. Will at the very least that hadn't changed even if she seemed to have developed far more than he had anticipated. "And of course I grew bigger, I couldn't stay small forever...especially if I needed to protect you," he pointed out quietly.
"Oh!" It was then that he remembered and very carefully pulled the necklace from his own, displaying the piece of jewellery very carefully in his teeth - enough to hold it and enough to speak at the same time at least. "I uh... I got this for you..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:43 pm
Numielle still could believe her good luck and great fortune. Though years had passed and both had changed in appearance, the feelings of friendship she had felt for the stallion hadn't changed or wavered. Not once had she believed their devotion to one another to be false or failing; not once did she think she might never see her friend because he had promised to protect her! He had told her if she had gotten lost he would seek her out and find her. . . .
Well, it had taken two years but he had done it, hadn't he? They had finally been reunited and she couldn't possibly be more joyous.
Black and blue eyes shone with an inner light reserved only for the most cherished moments. Like time spent with her mother and father, like the many adventures she went on with her sisters, and now, being with Penance, the clumsy angeni couldn't help but glow.
Did she ever have news to bring back to her sisters! They would never guess whom she had found. . . she could hardly believe it herself! "Of course this is me, silly!" The mare giggled, dipping her head lightly with a sudden sense of shyness. Personal space was yet another thing Numielle had yet to learn and so it was that she refused to move. Oh no, she didn't want to let him go considering she had two years of cuddles waiting just for him! "Numi is Numi, even with the longer hair and spikier horn!" Her assurances were genuine as she leaned up to nuzzle his cheek. She still looked all the same, just with fluffier fur and a black nose.
Wait a minute. . .black nose. . . Penance. "Eeee! Do you see? Do you see, do you see, do you see?" Her rump wriggled with renewed glee, her delicate cloven hoof reaching out to gently paw at the stallion. She waited a breath, a half a moment before her excitement was unable to stay still. "Numi's nose is black, just like you!" Such pride in her voice as she showed off her nose, "Your fur stained it such a shade, and I think I look beautiful with it. So thank you, Penny! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Yes, she honestly believed she had been graced with such a feature because of him. And no, she didn't dare want to know otherwise.
By the spirits, this day was wonderful for the young mare. To be reunited with her champion and friend was absolutely incredible; furthermore, he had grown just to protect her! Always thoughtful, Penance was; he truly was her most special friend. But if the young mutant believed her day to be well by meeting Penance once again, he put the icing on the cake by offering her the necklace.
Staring at the gift, Numielle's eyes went wide as her expression fell in confusion. A gift? For . . . for her? He had to be kidding - no body ever got her jewelry! Furthermore, she hadn't gotten him anything much less carried it around for him. Uh-oh. . . . would he think her a terrible friend? "Oh Penance," she breathed, obviously stunned by his thoughtfulness. "Is it really for me?" No one had ever gifted the mare before, and thus it pushed her in to untrodden territory.
"I . . .It's absolutely beautiful," she spoke, and it was obvious such a thing were true. But slowly, slowly her wings fell from their tight embrace aorund him and it didn't take long to avert her gaze. "But. . ." She bit her lower lip, dipping her head with shame (though ever careful of her horn and his close proximity). Allowing some of her long tresses to fall over her face, she ever so softly admitted, "Numi was bad and didn't think of getting Penny something. . . Numielle doesn't deserve such a pretty from such a special friend."
Oh how thoughtless was she! Shame on her for not thinking of him when he so obviously had thought of her. Oh, she wanted the necklace more than anything in the world but the mutant also understood that it wouldn't be fair if she accepted. What had she given him? He was her bestfriend and protector. . . . Maybe it was she who wasn't doing a very good job on the friendship front.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:05 pm
Oh dear gods, she didn't like it did she? His face fell and the necklace tumbled from his mouth as he listened to her. At first she had seemed positively delighted at the presentation of a gift but now a part of him suspected it had been an act. Perhaps she was attempting to soften the blow by saying that she was at fault, that she had been thoughtless when really...he simply hadn't found something to her taste! His stomach began to churn at such a thing and he hesitated, running purely on autopilot as he lowered his head again to recover the jewel. Really the creatures had worked so hard on it that it was wrong to drop it quite like that - so instead he simply slipped it back into his own neck piece.
...Now what did he do?
All his worst fears had been realised and the luck that the creatures had given to him hadn't worked. She didn't like it! Argh and he had thougth that it was such a good idea. It was clear that the traditions and rituals of lowland soquili were far different from his own. Admittedly his family didn't really give gifts but he had tried to find a connection, some semblance of common ground to meet on as opposed to expecting her to meet him half way. He gave an inward groan and shifted uneasily, turning his face away for a few moments. He had the decency to look sheepish though.
"You don't have to get me anything Numi, that's...that's not the point of a gift," he murmured after a few moments, blowing his silver locks away from his eyes. Shaking his head he shifted his amber gaze back to the mare and offered a somewhat wry smile. "It's okay to say you don't want something either," he reassured her. He could do this, he could take the brunt of the rejection and still smile. That was what growing up was all about right? He'd be a stronger person for it even if he felt like he had died and had his corpse trampled over (all right, so that was an exageration). "If - if you don't like it I can uh... I can find something else more suitable? You can tell me and whatever it is, I'll find it," he continued, offering an emphatic nod in the process.
Nevertheless after he had spoken in regards to such things, he took a deep breath and attempted to shift back to more light hearted topics. He hadn't seen her in such a long time and he was sure she had been through much, enough to fill days with stories at the very least. His smile even deepened somewhat as she made reference to his muzzle 'staining' hers, it was certainly a unique view on how one acquired such a marking even if it was (strictly speaking) inaccurate. However long ago he had sworn not to shatter her dreams, that promise had come when she had spoken of her family and he had long since decided it encompassed more than just that.
...He'd be happy if she just smiled.
"I agree, you look absolutely beautiful, Numi..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:47 pm
Numielle blinked in horror as the necklace dropped from out of his mouth, landing in a small heap on the ground close to her nose. Oh noes. . . . Oh noes, oh noes, oh noes! Numielle visibly winced, half jerking her head back as if it were a physical blow, and she couldn't stop the clenching of her throat. She didn't dare look up at the stallion, couldn't dare imagine what he must be thinking or saying. . . .
Somehow, somewhere, she had made him mad. She hadn't meant to upset him, she hadn't meant to cause him to toss the gift so precariously to the ground. That was her gift, meant just for her, and somehow she had caused some sort of upset and tension to crackle in the air. The cogs of her mind tried hard to understand what happened, how a moment so lovely had transformed in to something strangely awkward. . . To see the precious jewels knocked to the ground hurt because he obviously had changed his mind.
Didn't he know she wanted it? Didn't he know how touched she felt that he had thought of her even after such a long absence? Given, her minute understanding included her right to deny his gift because it wouldn't be fair to take something from him without giving him anything in return. But . . . but why did she upset him? She was only trying to be fair, trying not to be a selfish Numielle. . . .
And then it hit her. He was upset because she hadn't had a gift to give him! That absolutely had to be it. He was hurt because he had been thoughtful and she had been thoughtless. . . Oh, there was no other way around it. She had hurt her friend by not thinking! Bad Numielle, bad Numi! Why oh why hadn't she come up with a special gift just for him? Gods only knew she thought of her little foal hood friend everyday and yet today, when she was most unprepared, was the day he entered her life again. . . .
No wonder he was cross with her. No wonder he would take back his gift.
Black eyes glanced up, briefly, shyly as he reached down to retrieve the necklace. He placed it back amongst his own, taking back the gift he had offered her. Oh, already she was pushing her friend away and she had only just gotten him back. Her mind began to panic, attempting to find a way to salvage the precious moments that they had so recently shared. Insecurity wondered if perhaps she had somehow upset him before when they were foals, and that's why they had stayed apart for so long. . . And then it occurred to her.
He had given her a gift the first time they met - he had introduced her to Giruvegan the bear. . . . And what had she given him in return? Nothing. Forgiveable then, considering they were newly friends, but to now spurn him twice?
No. This was her fault, all her fault, and it was because she had been unprepared. He was going to take back his friendship just like he would the necklace and she would be left without a bestest-best friend in the entire universe. Unable to bear such a thought, black and blue eyes blurred as a foreign stinging sensation overwhelmed her throat and eyes. It didn't take long for tears to run down her face, falling down to the ground close to her hooves and staining her hair.
"Numi's sorry... so, so sorry," she breathed, words trembling as she continued to avoid looking upon him. Her ears flattened in shame, and her wings drooped pathetically to her sides. Would there be no way to fix this? "Numi didn't mean to not get you a gift. . . She just forgets things sometimes and . . and . . . she didn't mean to hurt you! Numielle doesn't want to hurt her bestest-best friend. . . She doesn't want you to take that away too!" She couldn't help but be honest, burying her face in her hair even as her mind tried to make sense of his words.
He said she didn't have to get him something but he was wrong - it wasn't nice to always take gifts and never give them. Penance deserved all sorts of gifts. . . And now he somehow thought she didn't like the necklace! Oh both - but she had called it so beautiful, she had told him just what she saw. . . .so why would he think she didn't like it? Was she not impressed enough? Did she not look grateful?
Shaking her head, tears still falling freely, the angeni tried to object. "But I do like the necklace! It's special-special because it was made by you and . . . and. . . and . . . ." She gulped, trying to remember to breathe but also sorting through the panic in her mind. "Numi doesn't want to not have the necklace or not have her friend either - please don't take it back. I'll. . . I'll be sure to find you something extra special too!"
Tear stained eyes finally looked up at him, pleadingly, desperate as if he might very well tell her no. Not that she'd blame him. . . . She had no bear to give, nor any ability to create jewelry. All she could give were flowers or pine cones or silly trinkets, nothing truly worth all that he meant to her. She would have to find him the most perfect nad special gift. . . .but what? And what if he was too mad by her thoughtlessness to give her time to find it?
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 4:09 pm
Penance had been raised not to swear by his family under the guise that it indicated a lack of vocabulary. However as the tears began to stream from the mare's eyes, curse words all but thundered through his mind like a violent waterfall. Clearly he had misinterpretted and in doing so had indirectly upset the mare. It had never been his intention to do this, hell it hadn't even been his intention to stay away for so long but it appeared that things just weren't working out for him today. Her beauty had caught him off guard and now he was beind beyond inconsiderate. Having listened to his own personal views instead of keeping an open mind he had insulted the mare to the point of tears and sent out a very, very inaccurate message. How was it possible for her to compare a friendship to a simple gift...?
He was both startled and taken aback as he watched the mare's optimism crumble before him and to see he wasn't appalled by his own behaviour was an understatement. Perhaps mishaps and miscommunication ran in his family given that his father was notorious for sending the wrong signals to his mother. However his father had been blessed with a mare who grinned, beared it and slowly but surely made him realise he was an idiot. Deep down his mother knew he didn't mean it...unfortunately it appeared Numielle hadn't reached that point yet. Then again they barely knew each other (technically speaking) so it was impossible for him to take such a skill for granted.
Oh gods, what have I done...
The stallion struggled to find the appropriate words to recover the situation, to tentatively patch it up and coax it into more desirable territory. He had never realised he could be so inconsiderate, so obssessed with his own feelings and thoughts that he wouldn't take into consideration those around him. More to the point he should have known to be wary of Numielle's innocence given how she was raised, he had never forgotten that! All those stories, that lack of a functioning family and that inherent innocence. In these circumstances a simple apology was not going to work, was it?
"Numielle," he offered hesitantly, creeping forward to close the gap between the two. It was then that he withdrew the necklace from his own again and very carefully slit it round her neck. The creatures he had encountered had been careful to place cricks and twists near the shoulders to hold it in place so that he didn't require assistance to bind it. That being said, there were small vines attached so that it could be secured more firmly at a later date. Remaining silent for a short while, he withdrew again and cleared his throat - he had heard her the first time when she had said it was pretty, so why had he acted so irrationally?
He was an idiot, that was why.
"Please don't cry," he continued softly, a sheepish smile on his lips as he tried his best to keep his gaze upon her despite the discomfort he felt at her tear streaked face. He had always been relatively good with words up until this point, educated rather well by all sides of the family, but when it really mattered it seemed he hit an invisible wall. He had to find away around it, climb over it or in the worst case scenario he could turn back... But that really wasn't an option. At a loss, it was through pure luck that something tweaked in his mind.
"I don't need any gifts from you Numi, you already gave me the greatest gift in the world," his ears swivelled somewhat and he adjusted his weight from one side to the other. "No trinket on this earth could be more special than your friendship with me. The only thing I could ever ask of you is that you smile for me - that's all I need," he explained quietly. Averting his gaze again, the stallion released a soft sigh and shut his eyes in an attempt to recover his composure.
"I already promised I would never leave you, didn't I? I'll be here for you and nothing will get in the way of that..."
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:45 am
The mare couldn't help but imagine what her lifei would be like should she truly drive her dearest friend away. They had shared a blissful moment in the woods so many a year ago and and he had given the mare hope; by vowing to be her dearest friend, he had saved her from an overwhelming lonliness and rejection in the outside world.
Penance had given her hope before she realized she had ever been lacking such a thing. Even though time had passed and the pair had grown up and away from one another, the ebony stallion had never left her thoughts. She frequently spoke of her friend and continuously had wondered how he might have fared. So for the fates to bring him back to her side while she was thoroughly unprepared was most unfortunate and unfair. To give her such a thrill only to take it away because she foolishly hadn't a gift of her own. . . .
No. . . . .It hurt too much to think about.
As far as Numielle were concerned she was an atrocious friend.
Penance approached, and the mares ears flattened as she prepared for the worst. He had been angry and hurt before, she was most certain that such emotion couldn't be so easily shaken. Whatever could she say to keep him her friend? Whatever could she do to make him stay?
The mare was unable to look at him, though she did hear him. He didn't want her to cry. . . and most amazingly enough he had put the necklace upon her neck! The action alone caused her to pause in her sniffles, lifting her head partially as she attempting to get a clearer view of the necklace that hung form her neck. It truly was beautiful and she was far too unworthyy for such a thing. . . but it was hers. He had given it to her and she was meant to keep it forever and ever and ever and ever and ever.
Now that it sat upon her neck, she would refuse to yeild or part ways with it. Not only did Penance give it to her, but it was her first real gift. Amazing, really, how the ebony stallion was a living, breathing history of firsts for the mare. . . . . Such was the storie of their life, or so it seemed to go.
Tear stained eyes lifted, attempting to shyly capture his own golden regard. He looked edgy, nervous, and incredibly uncomfortable and that alone caused Numielle to fidget. She didn't want him to feel upset or obligated, she wanted him to back in their happy-happy place. Her spiked tail swished behind her anxiously as his words pierced her heart - he didn't need gifts from her? She'd already given him one?
No way. . . when? She didn't remember getting him anything though she truly, truly wanted to. She'd given him a bit of a hard time this afternoon, and some conversation, but those couldn't really be considered gifts. THankfully Penance cleared up the mystery by confirming it was her friendship that was so special. . . .
No way. Could that really be considered a gift? Furthermore, could her smile truly be worth that much? It was just an expression, just her face. . . . Sides heaving as she tried to regain her composure, as she tried to not hide her face with shame in her wings, the young mare studied Penance as her mind grappled with this idea that her smile was important.
But if he wanted it. . . who was she to deny him? "I know you pr-pr-promised Numi. . . .but. . . . " she swallowed hard, glancing down at again and letting her hair once again shadow her face. "But it would be easy to forget." Shaking her head, giving one lest trembling breath, she forced a more cheery smile upon her face.
It looked odd with tear-stained eyes but it would have to do. "But I'll smile for you, Penny. . . . I'll smile all the time for you and just for you! That way you'll never have to ask for it again." Maybe that would be a good gift for this day. . . maybe he wouldn't look so uncomfortable now that she was smiling.
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Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:38 am
Penance had been raised in a family where material possessions were not the most treasured thing. Support, love and many other emotions and expressions of affection were far more valuable. A little trinket was nice every now and again but he would much prefer the continued contact of another and the reassurance that they were happy. A smile spoke volumes, a gift wasn't always guaranteed to bring a true smile to their lips. But if they were genuinely happy and he didn't screw up then that smile meant the world to him, especially if it was Numielle - true he hadn't seen her in many a year but even as a child he wouldn't want her to cry!
Thus, even though it was with swollen eyes and tear stained cheeks that she smiled, his spirits lifted just a little. He had done more than enough damage for the day and her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, but it warmed him to know that she was trying. It was here and now that he swore that he wouldn't make her cry again, he would think things through carefully before speaking. Even if it took him five minutes to croak out a response he would make sure that he hadn't misinterpreted anything. Hopefully in doing this he would never have to look at this rather pained expression again.
Regaining his composure, he forced his body to relax and he slowly but surely ceased in his fidgeting. His expression softened and he offered a small smile of his own as she recovered her composure. It wasn't be much and the petite angeni still seemed uncomfortable but it was something. He stretched out his neck and very gently ruffled the scarlet hair about her neck with his muzzle, withdrawing again after a few moments to observe her again. Was this what his father had felt like when his mother had burst in to tears?
...It was really very awkward.
"Numielle it is not easy to forget you," he pointed out quietly, shaking his head slowly. "I would never forget you, I always wondered where you had gone but..." he released a soft sigh, hesitating briefly as he recalled his father's words. Penance had not been permitted to leave the Grove until he was strong enough to defend himself. Admittedly the black stallion hadn't been happy with his father as a colt, but he had obeyed him. "I wasn't allowed to leave when I was younger," he explained somewhat sheepishly.
"Though as soon as I was old enough I came to find you, it just took longer than expected," he continued. His smile deepened somewhat and he cleared his throat, tilting his head to one side as he watched her examine the necklace. Apparently she really did like it and if he was honest this made him feel ridiculously proud of himself. Perhaps observing the peculiar traditions of other cultures did pay off to a certain degree!
"So Twinks," he opted to use her nickname and flashed one of his more boyish grins, "Where have you been hiding all this time, eh?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:37 pm
She was beginning to feel better. Heaving a last few sniffles, the pale coated mare gave a little shake of her head to rid the tears from her eyes, and with a small sigh blew some of her curled bangs out of her face. Slowly, slowly she lifted her head to better study her friend, who also looked much more relaxed. . . .
Maybe her smiles really were so important. That thought, along with a memory of his words, caused the young mutant to glow inside; a warmth spread throughout her, casting aside the last of the awkward tension and anxiety that had lain claim to her heart. Everything would be okay. . . .all it would take was a little time.
Until then, on to bigger and better and much more pleasant things.
Shuffling her wings, allowing them to resettle against her sides, the young mare focused her attention back upon Penance. She focused hard on his words, wanting to remember them for always; he said she wasn't easy to forget her (though a sliver of Numielle wanted to object) and it pleased her to know that he thought so highly of her. It seemed as if their bond of friendship wasn't entirely one sided. . . . Oh, Numi never once doubted his friendship, but the young mare also understood that not everyone felt as vehement as she about certain matters; though they were friends, he might have looked upon her as more of an acquaintance than a dear friend. . . . It was nice to know he'd held her in such esteem even after all the years had passed.
Her smile deepended and the tip of her spiked tail swished happily behind her. "Ooooooooh - well no wonder I couldn't find you then!" So it hadn't been that he had avoided her, he had been trapped by his father! Well, the young angeni knew all about rules and how strict ones parents could be when smaller. Giggling lightly, she pawed at the ground with one of her delicate cloven hooves. "I'm glad you didn't come find me then, I wouldn't have wanted to get you in to trouble, nope, nope nope!" She remember Azumoth; the stallion had been huge and much more fierce looking than Penny. . . .
If he was anything like Ezriel she understood expliceitly that not listening could mean endless amount of trouble. And parental trouble, she'd learned, was easiest to handle by not summoning it to you in the first place!
Good for Penance to listen.
"I'm just glad you found me again, oh yes I am! Sometimes I'd wondered if I'd ever cross paths with you. . . and then, out of no where, here you are!" Her rump wriggled a bit in excitement, her smile radiating her pleasure. Tears? What tears. . . . Just talking to Penance was once again making her the happiest mare in the world!
Twinks. . . That was her! She couldn't forget the nickname he had given her, even though it still confused her as to why he had transformed Numielle in to Twinks BUT it was hers. And just like the necklace he had given her and the memories, it was hers and solely hers. . . . And he was the only one who could use it! "I haven't been hiding, silly," she added with a smile, reaching over to nuzzle his neck.
Bridging the distance, her typical clinginess resumed and she happily tucked herself against his chest, resting her head on his shoulder with little regard to his personal space. Even as a mare she hadn't lost her need and crave for touch. "Numi's been doing what she usually does. . . singing. . . flying. . . crashing. . . Oh! Also keeping an eye out for the sisters, yep, yep!" Which was true - she liked to follow Ennuiel and Minuet . . .
While Penance had been trapped in the Grove, Numielle had kept herself entertained with her sisters. "Numi's gotten lost a few times too. . . but she's always gotten back home in one piece!" And wasn't that the truth.
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Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:04 am
"Not hiding, hm?" Penance arched a brow and shifted somewhat as the mare once again closed the gap between them. He was just a tad unaccustomed to such affection given that his brother and he weren't snuggly so much as brawlers. That was their affection, their father's was often a 'nudge' in the right direction and their mother was the nuzzler. Thus, to have a mare snuggle up to him was something entirely new - granted he had probably cuddled up to his mother in younger years but this was a bit different. Numielle wasn't his mother and his mother didn't make his stomach do somersaults. In a manner of speaking this was definitely a brand new experience for the stallion and while he chose to savour it he also had to have a very long winded discussion with his own head. The general subject was that he had to behave...
Thus it was a delayed response but after a few moments he did slowly unfurl his wings and 'looped' them round. In a manner of speaking one might have said that their actions resembled hands, given that they soon enveloped the mare in a shadowed embrace. Although he did have to admit that it was terribly convenient to have a mare small enough to do that. No doubt there would be onlookers who would be appreciative of such things - coming of age and young romances always were highly entertaining to watch (Moppet could vouch for this). It was a shame that it was a bit one sided, but growing up was so very hard!
"If you hadn't been hiding then I would have found you far faster," he teased softly, glowing amber orbs regarding her fondly. She was in a league of her own, the ability to recover so swiftly from misunderstandings. She had the inate ability to forgive transgressions and more so to 'forget' them, these troublesome events a thing of the past that could be swept aside by optimism. It was an envious quality to possess, to a degree at least.
Nevertheless he was adapting quickly to the rather unusual embrace and after a few moments of silence he tilted his head to the side and listened to her explanation of what she had been doing. He hadn't heard her sing in years! That being said his immediate concern was not so much for the singing and more so to do with the crashing - it didn't take much for him to realise that she was lumping the flight and crashing all in to one issue. He would have been horrified to learn that she hadn't learnt to fly yet if she hadn't 'reminded' him of her less than conventional family. Of course, with a family like that and a mother who forgot you on a regular basis then how would you know how to fly..?
"Eh Twinks," he lowered his head and ruffled the mane at the base of her neck. It was the only portion of it he could reach given the angle but it's served its purpose. "I made a promise I would always come and find you, it just took a little longer than expected," he pointed out with a small smile. "But if you want me to teach you how to fly then I can, I don't think you need to be scraping your knees through crash landings on a regular basis - you know?" he continued. Admittedly his wings were far different than her's. His wings even functioned in a different way than feathered wings but he had done enough observing to know how other types functioned. In particular he knew how to work an Angeni's, given that his Grandfather had the same number of wings!
"Of course, that's only if you want me to. I completely understand if you would prefer to pass..." He added quickly, still wary that he may overstep the mark or cause offence. Baby steps were better in cases like this, he wasn't about to have another necklace incident right after it had occured. However, he also had to note that if he remained in this position for too long it might be troublesome. Having something else to distract him (such as passing on valuable life skills) might prove more beneficial than remaining perfectly still while a very attractive mare snuggled against his chest. He did possess some of his father's discipline but Azumoth also had experience and age on his side - he had years to practice indifference and Penance had only had months. For this reason, he was failing miserably in this department.
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Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:57 am
The mutant angeni was oblivious to what her actions were doing to the poor stallion; though her sisters and parents were far less inclined to cuddle, Numielle hardly noticed her actions. She trusted others innately and had never understood the rule of personal space; to dote upon one, to cuddle them, to nuzzle them, and otherwise adore them from the get go was something Numielle didn't do on purpose. . .it just. . kind of. . happened.
She adored the touch and affection, she had yet to run across someone who couldn't appreciate its worth. And though the young mare couldn't read Penance's mind, the fact that he wrapped his own leathery wings delicately around her made her spirit sour. Oh, she had such a wonderful friend! He even possessed the ability to cuddle her back!
Eeeee! Or so went her fluttering heart.
"Even if I had been hiding," she gave a good natured grin, "clearly you should have searched harder!" Ah-ha, so she wasn't purely innocent and did occasionally harbor moments of clarity. Numielle hadn't been cursed like her sisters to keep others out, to be dubbed 'freak' or 'mutant' and be hurt by it; she hadn't been like Minuet and developed the horrifying scars and wounds over her face, cursed by the spirits for her parents union. Though she had inherited the goodness of both her parents, she seemed to walk in a world all her own, filled with daydreams and innocence, naivety and other wise a confusion that was fast to over shadow her thoughts and feelings. Sometime she spoke in third spoken, similar to her mother, while other times she had trouble understanding even the most basic of tasks.
No, none of the children had gone completely unscathed by the spirits, but at least Penance could look past what some might consider were aggravating traits.
Giggling lightly, the mare turned her head to gently nuzzle Penance's cheek, pushing herself closer to enjoy the warmth he exuded. There was something ridiculously pleasant about being with him, even after their little fight. She felt the necklace around her neck, and her smile grew - ooooh, wouldn't her parents and sisters be so pleased! Her first gift!
"Truly though," she added as an after thought, not wanting Penance to believe her cross with the time it took to reunite. It wasn't his fault and it wasn't hers - as she had stated before, she had done a lot of wandering, flying and crashing, but she probably hadn't been anywhere near where he roamed. "Numi's glad to be reunited, even if it took so long. I'd do it all again, too, if it meant that after we part you'll be sure to come back. I don't mind waiting for a good thing." She added with a happy smile, her black and blue eyes glowing bright.
Shuffling her wings a bit, the mare craned her neck to glance behind her, as if examine the pinions which caused her so much grief. Numielle had been taught the basics of flight, but she wasn't exactly a fast learner. Others had tried to help her get off her hooves, but it was different with four sets of wings instead of two; where winds had only one to worry about, and Penny had his leather pair, dealing with four was just a little more complicated.
Nimue had tried but sometimes was unable to keep herself focused; then there had been Knight, but that hadn't followed through, and a handful of others. She was awkward as a filly, and to learn now as a mare somehow the spirits wondered if she'd be just as graceless. Numielle certainly wasn't known for her poise. . . . "Ooooh, they cause me endless trouble!" She added with a little giggle, swishing her spiked tail behind her. "I don't often crash though cause I don't often fly," she admitted, hoping to cheer up Penance's fear of her consistence bruising. "But I would love it, love it, love it if you could help me learn!" She could putz around in the air and usually take off without a hitch, it was just flying long distances or higher up that caused her grief, catching thermals and landing. . . .
Yes, Numielle knew the basics of flight but her skills were so rusty they didn't do her a whole heck of a lot of good.
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