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 Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:31 pm
 Well, she was doing much better, but you couldn't take out the essence of what made Inali what she was. She was feeling particularly argumentative today, though the mood was quickly fading. It was hard not to smile at birds frisking in the light rain, skimming along the surface of the lake. The mist was beautiful, adding an otherworldly feel to the whole scene. It was one that even Inali could appreciate.
Her bad mood fading, a soft grin rose to take its place. Inali visibly softened, her red body relaxing muscle by muscle until she stood with one hoof back, staring out into the fog. It formed shapes, fantastical dragons and beasts before collapsing back in on itself. Perhaps those with less of an imagination could not see it, but it was as clear as day to Inali.
Unbidden, a song rose from her throat. She couldn't recall where she had heard it, or what it even meant, really. Her singing was rough and not skilled, though the intent was there, and the haunting words and melody seemed to be appropriate given the weather.
"O I forbid you, maidens all,
That wear gold in your hair,
To come or go by Carterhaugh,
For young Tam Lin is there."
What did that even all mean? Inali certainly couldn't say. Oh well. It was one of life's mysteries, as mysterious as the snakes of fog that curled around her ankles and up her body, tickling her with its damp coldness.
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:00 pm
Emerald orbs stared off into the distance as Callan submerged himself in thought. Just as he had expected today was just as yesterday had been and the day before. His diaphragm stretched in an exasperated sigh. He hadn’t a clue as to why he anticipated his days to be different; he never tried doing anything that was out of the ordinary. Yet again, dragging his rear hooves, he made his way up to his favorite tree that was now shrouded in a strange mist. His ears flicked back and he stared into it penetratingly. Something was hidden within the ominous clouds of gray, something he had yet to encounter. Arching his proud neck he walked into the fog without fear or hesitation, it wasn’t long before an unfamiliar scent filtered into his nostrils. His ears swiveled yet again as a ghostly song reached them, somehow he knew he had heard the song before but he couldn’t place where.
Curiosity welled up in his mind and he trekked further into the mists to find the owner of said voice. His hooves remained silent as they touched down upon the dew laden grass and his breath was taken in with the utmost care. His first thought was that it was a human come to try and befriend him. Then the musky scent of another soquili eased his tension. At least he could reckon with another of his kind. Venturing further he was appreciative for his creamy hide that prevented him from sticking out as much.
Finally a form came into his view; it was shrouded in the haze and seemingly motionless. His steps halted and he stared upon the figure, considering on his next move would be. He could either turn his back and trot away like a coward or be the knight that he claimed he was. Straightening up he puffed out his armored chest and approached. The jingle of chains followed him with every step, it was blatantly obvious that he no longer had an intention of hiding.
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:04 pm
Startled by the jingling chains, Inali's voice faltered and her song tailed off. She didn't like being caught, but she supposed it was something that couldn't be avoided. She had been quiet, but not /that/ quiet. For all she knew, she had woken this other soquili up, or was intruding on his or her territory. Fantastic.
Lifting her head, Inali quickly made out the other emerging from the myst like some ghost of yore. His jangling chains only added to the illusion, leaving the red mare wholly spooked. He was even pale, much like a ghost, but his sides rose with reassuringly lively breath, and his mane had hue. He wasn't a ghost after all- she was just being silly, her overactive imagination not helping her.
Ever polite, Inali inclined her head to the newcomer, some inner part of her rejoicing that he had similar markings to her. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you. I reckoned myself to be alone- a mistake, I think." She gave a wan smile, not truly feeling up to it. Her heart was still beating too fast, fear making her want to fear. Fear of ghosts, fear of stallions, fear of being hurt... Some days it was all too much, but she would stay on. The mare was nothing, if not strong.
"I'm Inali. Do you live around here?" Observing the stallion's armor, Inali turned her head slightly, wanting to ask but knowing it wasn't entirely proper. She had never seen one dressed as him before. It was very exotic.
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:19 pm
He was startled by the sound of a feminine voice each muscle in his body rippled as he fought the urge to rear. Just a moment before he had seen a flash of crimson that reminded him of blood. Taking in a deep breath he drew nearer the mare until he was able to see her more clearly. Her mane was the color of moonbeams, her eyes a very light shade of blue. He found himself mostly drawn to the tattoo in silver upon her rump. It was another Celtic symbol similar to his own. Drawing his eyes to meet hers he dipped his head politely in return.
“No need to be sorry láir.” He replied simply.
Her smile was lovely but he did not return it as was custom. It had been a long while since Callan had smiled, ever since his precious Anela. Inwardly pushing those thoughts aside he relaxed even further and shifted his weight to his left hind leg so that his back was angled strangely. Lowering his head in a bow he introduced himself.
“I am Callan and I do indeed have a residence here.”
He again found himself looking over her unique colors and wondering what her lineage was. Surely she must have a bit of Irish to her, not everyone had a knot upon them. He wanted to look back at his own proudly but thought that to be a bit rude. Now was not the time to show pride in marks upon his body.
“Was it you I heard singing such a sorrowful melody?”
{láir=mare in Gaelic.}
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:19 am
Had Callan asked Inali about her personal background, he would have been sorely disappointed. Prior to coming to soquili lands she could recall nothing- only that she wasn't born here. It had been far, far away, but the exact location was unknown even to her. There were only misty memories that could not quite make themselves solid and real. Maybe that was where the song had come from.
"Yes, that was me singing. But I don't know where it came from." Inali frowned slightly, though her small smile soon returned. "That doesn't matter, I suppose. I don't think I remember much more of it." If there was more of it to know.
Still feeling guilty that she had disturbed Callan, Inali inclined her head again, silver mane falling into equally silver eyes. He was a handsome stallion, and the thought made her jumpy. Does my distrust run that deep? He hasn't done anything at all, Inali's mind told her. Yet another part of her line, deeper and darker, replied with simply one word: Yet.
No, she wouldn't mistrust him just yet. He seemed nice enough, and there was something so interesting about him. "Where... Where did you get what you wear on your body?" Inali asked shyly, no longer able to resist. She didn't know what armor was, but it was shiny and strange to her, and ever so tempting to ask about.
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 11:32 am
Callan perked his ears and looked at the mare strangely. She had been singing a song but she hadn't know where it originated from, it was a bit odd but fascinating none the less. He thought on his next words carefully for he was attempting to remain polite and keep his darker side from revealing itself. Naturally he liked to be alone but when the occasion rose for conversation he was obligated to be kind. The armor he wore was a symbol of that and it is why he never removed it. Taking in a deep breath he looked again at the mare that, for some reason, it wasn't hard to be a gentleman to.
"Though you do not know the origin, you sing it well."
Turning his head he looked deeper into the mist as thoughts of his own past enveloped him. This song had been one that he had heard long ago, perhaps that was why he had followed it to her. He was interrupted by her soft voice questioning him about the cold steel that covered his breast. For a moment he debated on whether or not he truly wanted to tell her. It was a memory of his past that he didn't really wish to delve into, but chivalry taught a knight to be honest to a lady. His eyes looked down at the plates that clasped his tendons so protectively.
“This?” He stated dreamily.
His gaze met hers and he thought how to form the answer. What was he supposed to say? It was given to him by a human? He despised humans and all of their tricks to get mares and stallions alike to serve them. Could he tell her that he had trained with humans to kill others? Shaking his head he decided to take the easy way out.
“My armor was a family heirloom of the old country. You see, though I live in this strange place I did not come from it.”
Looking around the green valleys and the large mountains that bowled them in he couldn’t help buy miss the sea. Though the grass was lush here it was even better where he had come from. He no longer was able to enjoy the scent of salty air or the feel of it lifting each strand of his hair and pushing it back.
“My home is, and always will be, Ireland. Though my feet have carried me far from it.” He replied in an accent laden voice.
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:33 pm
Ireland. The name was hauntingly familiar to Inali. It was not her home, but she had been somewhere close, somewhere familiar... Ireland, what was next to Ireland? A long journey, a frightened young mare hiding in the bowels of a ship, the ship crashing against the rocks, a frightening swim to shore... Then she was alone, so alone. Memories triggered, the name of where she had been born rose to mind, for the first time in Inali's life in soquili lands.
"Ireland... I haven't been there. But I've been close. There were cliffs, and an old castle where I would sometimes go, trailing along my parents. I think... Cornwall. Does that sound familiar to you?" She suddenly found Callan's company that much more captivating. It stirred memories deep in her, and besides, he wasn't hard to look upon.
"Whatever the case... It's lovely. Armor." Inali tried out the word, rolling it about in her mouth. Armor. That did sound vaguely familiar as well, though there was no rush of memory this time to accompany the word.
Listening to Callan's accent, Inali belatedly realized he had given her a compliment. "My voice is fairly awful, but thank you. I think I remember some more of it, if you don't mind hearing." While Inali didn't wait for an answer, she did look bashful enough to make up for it.
"There's none that goes by Carterhaugh
But they leave him a wad,
Either their rings, or green mantles,
Or else their maidenhead."
The words didn't make much sense, but it didn't matter. Inali was relaxing slowly, enjoying the company of this strange stallion who reminded her of home.
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:39 pm
Callan closed his eyes in thought as he mulled over the name she had just given him. When living in Ireland he wasn't really that much of a traveler, save for where his master took him. That word sent a vile feeling into the pit of his stomach and he tried not to dwell upon the daily cart rides that the human enjoyed. The crack of the whip and the sting of it's bite as it sunk into his flesh. Flaring his nostrils he took in a deep breath and again began focusing on this Cornwall she had mentioned. It sounded familiar but he had blocked out too much of his younger life to remember.
"I am unable to say that the name you gave me rings any bells. I may know it but have just forgotten." He replied quietly.
He knew the location of Cornwall but he couldn't truly say the he knew it. In his mind he had never gone there but that didn't mean that he hadn't at least once. Again the thoughts of whips came into his mind and he shrugged off an uncharacteristic shiver. Returning his thoughts back to the present he found that she had just commented on his armor. It wasn't very often that he was complimented for he spent most of his time alone. Shaking his head to buy him time he thought of the right response. Had it really been that long?
"You have my thanks." Was the only thing he could think of.
Before he could reply to her next comment she had begun to sing. Swirving his ears forward he listened to the rise and fall of the tune as it escaped in the sound of her voice. It wasn't as bad as she thought it was. Her voice reminded him of a bell ringing out through the crisp morning air to wake all those that remained sleeping with a gentle song. Looking upward through the mist he stared at the moon as he listened to the versus. When she stopped he lowered his chin and bowed his head to her.
"Yet again, you sing it wonderfully."
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:29 pm
Though Inali thought it was sheer flattery subconsciously, she was able to clear that nagging little voice away, for once. Callan didn't seem like the type to say something unless he thought it true, and though the red mare knew better than to make character judgements right off the bat, she did all the same. There was something refreshingly honest about the Irish stallion. It felt nice, just to talk to him, though his reflexive shiver hadn't gone unnoticed.
Sorely tempted to comment about that shiver, Inali instead held back, not even arching a silver brow. If he did not wish to tell her, he did not. If he felt the need, she thought he would. Some scars were far too deep to ever reveal, and most were deep enough that a near stranger didn't need to know about them.
"Thank you for your compliments. And for helping me remember. That's more than I have recalled in years." Again she smiled, this time locking eyes briefly with him. It was hard to maintain eye contact, she found- not when it made her want to turn bright red and hide behind her silver forelock.
"I think I can recall more of it, if you want to hear. I don't want to bother you though." It was a strange first meeting, but was anything ever normal with Inali?
"I... I enjoy your company though. If I confess as much." Again a shy smile, this time accompanied by a small twinkle in the eyes that indicated that Inali had decided Callan meant no harm to her.
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:53 pm
"They were duely deserved m'lady. As for helping you to remember, I am glad that I was a assist you, but I do not know how I did." Her statement about remembering had confused him. What had he done to enable her to enter into a deeper part of herself. Another question, why had she forgotten? He was not one to claim that memories were great. To him they meant nothing more than pain and an ache within his head. Perhaps she had pushed it all away just as he had or it had just been too long ago. As he looked into those deep pools of steely silver he could tell that something had indeed changed about her. Naturally he was happy to be of service, that had been what he was trained for after all.
"I wouldn't mind hearing what it is I have helped you unlock. That is, if you do not find it too prying of me. It isn't honestly fair though, for my past is something I dare not speak of."
Pausing he looked at his black hooves that rested so heavily upon the soil. His past was something that he had forgotten, or at least attempted to. Never again would he drudge up the subject of Anela or of his life as a servant. Not wanting to show any weakness or remorse he lifted his head and arched his neck proudly.
"I will not exchange information with you. If that seems an unfair trade to you then I need not hear of your past."
In no way did he mean to sound gruff, but being blunt was one of his more redeeming features.
"I am glad that I am not a discomfort to you. I do not spend much time with others so I fear that I am rather rugged when it comes to being social."
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:15 pm
"A trade would scarcely be fair. If you don't wish to give me information, I shall not press it from you." Inali offered another smile, smaller this time, with understanding behind it. She knew all too well that feeling, though her own emotional trials had been nothing like what Callan had experienced. He did not know that though, and neither did she.
"As to what stirred my memory... It was the place name, I think. Ireland. I've heard of it before. It's somewhat close to my home now- a short trip across the sea, I think, though I've never been there myself. My father was from that country though. My mother was from Cornwall, and we stayed there when my father went back to your green lands. He described it fondly. I was sorry to see him leave, but he was under the tyranny of two-leggers." Inali too had no fondness for humans, though she had found the natives of this land to be more kind and understanding in general.
"I don't remember much of my past due to a storm and a blow to the head when I first came here. I was in... in a ship, I think that's what they are called. It crashed against the rocks, and when I woke up, I was here. I couldn't recall anything about life before this, and there are still hazy bits. I don't remember if I ever had any siblings, or the face of my mother. I recall my father, though barely. I know my mother gave me my markings." Inali shrugged once, fluidly.
"And your social skills are more than adequate- at least to me. But I've been rather antisocial myself lately. It's a hard spot to drag yourself out of." Would he require more explanation? Inali would give it, being the open type of mare she was, but only if he would take it.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 4:57 pm
Thoughts ran rampant in his already whirring mind. It was strange that one would offer up information about them and ask none in return. The thought of a trap entered his mind and stuck there, refusing to budge no matter how he tried. Could she be, in a manner, trying to lure him into saying something? Or was she being sincere? Sincerity was something that scarecely existed in this day and age. Eyeing her carefully he listened to her story, there didn't seem to be a trap behind her words, but one could never be one hundred percent sure either. Why had he not been more skeptical when they had first began speaking? Perhaps he was but it was unbeknownst to himself. Perhaps he had been lulled into a sense of false security by the similarity between them.
"A ship you say?" All of his thoughts of betrayal were temporarily pushed aside. He was generally interested in what this mare had to tell. Though he had never been on a ship he knew what they were and that mostly they carried cargo such a food and items to build what humans liked to call 'homes'. He was curious as to how they carried animals. The only boats he had seen in Ireland were small little things with sticks used to propel them.
When she mentioned that she had lost her memories he wondered why she seemed downtrodden. He would give anything to forget about the things that he had gone through in his past. The heartache, the death, the harsh words. All of it meant nothing to him and he would have gladly intentionally hit his head to rid himself of it.
"You say your ma gave you those?" He said while motioining with his nose toward the knots. He had gotten his from his all too caring father. He remembered the day he left home how his father had told him to never let life get you down. Rolling his shoulders he inwardly laughed at those supposed words of wisdom. Did his father think that everything would be happiness and rum?
Lifting his head he snorted. "Why drag yerself out at all?" He stated simply. He had been content remaining in his awkward social phase. He had had friends once, many of them. In the end they all deserted him to go off and make heroes of themselves and ignore him. That was just the way everyone seemed to work nowadays.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:07 pm
Inali paused, pondering Callan's question for several long moments. Why drag herself out at all? Why did she? Why, when all it seemed to do was cause more heartache and pain for her?
"Hope. I haven't lost all of it, I suppose, though I often say I have. Hope that one day perhaps I'll meet someone who will make me forget the hurts of the past. Someone who I can feel an immediate bond with. No one can take away pain, but others can certainly help lighten the load." That was her story, more or less. The details didn't seem to matter- only the emotions associated with the incidents.
"Everything seems so dark sometimes, like I'll never come out. But I want so desperately to believe that there is someone out there for me, that I'm not condemned to forever be lonely, so I keep trying." Shrugging her red shoulders, Inali did not look bashful this time- instead she was resolute, silver eyes locked forward onto Callan's.
"And yes, my mother gave me her marking. It's a heart, underneath it all. I suppose that symbolizes how foolish I am, and how silly my hopes are. It's just a cruel way to rub in that which I can never have." Her life story laid out, more or less. Again, details were not important. She had a feeling Callan would get it. They seemed similar in many ways, though Inali was always wary.
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:00 pm
"Hope."
The word left a most vile taste in the back of his throat after he had spoken it aloud. What was the difference between hope and fantasy? Leading yourself to believe that something was going to happen was just one step below completely imagining a senario. Hope, basically, was fooling oneself into believeing that something better would come along, or that their lives would dramatically change based on a simple wish. Why hope to find another when all anyone ever thought of was personal gain? He had been guilty of this many a times as well. He had hoped that some day the sun would rise and he would finally be able to enjoy its light, that water would truly refresh him once again, or even that grass could once again be as sweet. He had tricked himself into believeing that these things would come to pass and even to this day they had not. The sun was still dull, the water chilled and unkind and the grass bitter with the pain of being torn from its roots.
"Why fool yourself? Do you have that much faith in those around you?" Snorting he focused off into the distance. The grass was blowing gently in the wind and the sky above had become even further lit with stars. This mare in front of him seemed more of a dreamer than he had ever seen. Of course, he wasn't saying that she couldn't find another. It was entirely possible for someone to bump into the person they were meant to spend the rest of their life with, but hoping? Foolish. Hope was a mechanism used to keep creatures from seeing the negative side of life. Look on the brightside, was the saying. For every dark there is a light. Ha! Perhaps there is only darkness and we fool ourselves into thinking there is light. Turning again to meet her eyes he cocked a brow and looked at her long and hard.
"I will not prate about something I know nothing of." Lowering his head he closed his eyes and sucked in a silent yet deep breath. Who was he to tell her how to feel? What emotions she should express? If everyone on this planet were as he was this world would be doomed to live in the shadow of their lives forever. Accepting the logic of her response he lifted his head again and loosened his expression.
"Pay no mind to me. Hope has forever gone from my life, therefore I condemn those who believe in it."
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:10 am
Callan reminded Inali of herself but a few weeks ago. Her heart twisted painfully and strangely in her chest, the first signs of empathy unfurling its wings. Was it possible to relate to him? In a small way she was finding she did, more and more as time went on. Perhaps their meeting was fated to be, though she wasn't so fanciful as to believe in that. There was no fate or logic to life- you had to construct of it what you would, rather than wait for something good to happen.
Turning her head slightly, Inali regarded Callan again with her cool silver eyes, trying to figure out what she could say. In reality, there was probably little that could come from her lips that would provide comfort- that had to come from within Callan. But there had to be something she could do, some philosophical discussion she could bring up that would at least get him to /think/, damn it.
"I am inclined to agree with you, most of the time. I sneer upon those who hope, yet hold it in myself. It makes me a hypocrite, but sometimes we cannot help what we inherently are." Again she turned her head, this time shaking her forelock out of her eyes, still serene and gentle. He needed that sort of attitude, she guessed, though perhaps in better times he would be a cheerful stallion.
"Do you not hold hope for anything yourself? Even deep within yourself, there is no recess that longs for the light? Time can heal many things, and though scars may last, you can find good memories to help tide over the bad." Ah, the hypocrisy of it all! It was almost enough to make Inali laugh, if the mood had not been so somber.
"I do not know what you have lost hope for, and I will not pretend to be relate. But I myself hope for the day when I will not be hurt time and time again, when I can confess my love and have it accepted and returned. There's quite a large possibility that that will never happen, and that I will forever be the playthings of stallions, to be thrown away when they are bored of me. I do not like to hope, but I still do. I like to pretend I don't need a knight, but oftentimes I do."
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