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 Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:15 pm
It snowed and the snowed some more. Najinca wondered some days and nights if spring would come soon. At the moment, it seemed unlikely. He shook and snow flew off of him. The snow was not heavy, no it was a light fall. Usually Najinca would find shelter but he had to go and see it, it was his weekly ritual. He was close to it.
The paint stallion slowly climbed the hill, slipping every few steps. The snow was deep, it was difficult to trudge through it. But Najinca continued his climb. Reaching the top, he smiled. There it was. Even in winter the old willow tree was beautiful. With all the snow and ice clinging to the tree, it created a pretty picture. It was during the summer when Najinca had come across this tree. The sun had been bright and a slight breeze had whipped easily through his short white blond hair. At the time Najinca had been new to these lands and the tree provided him with much needed warmth and protection.
Najinca had come to these lands by the choice of another and unfortunately it had been challenging for him, being in a new land and so alone. The willow tree had helped, in its own way. Now Najinca came every week to bow his head to the tree and give his thanks. Sometimes he would murmur his fears and hopes.
Reaching the tree, Najinca ran his green eyes over the old willow. His ears twitched. A fluttering noise caused a gasp to spill from his mouth. In worry, he looked around, his green eyes scanning the area quickly. Two birds flew past him, landing in some snow a yard away. Magpies? Was that what they were called? He shook his head, chuckling.
He had no reason to worry, after all.
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:00 pm
 She'd heard about it about a week ago. A willow tree, old and proud, and a very beautiful sight; how could she not check it out? She'd brave the snow, knowing fully well that it might try to swallow her like it had a few weeks ago.
Shrugging a shoulder, the mare shook her mane out and peered up the hill. Her eyes widened a bit when she saw the tracks already carved into the side of the slope, and the very obvious parts where the creature had slipped. That didn't bode well.
Ah, well. She'd gone through deep, horrible snow before. Nakanadi sucked in a breath and made her way up the hill.
It was a long struggle for her, considering her size, but after trial and error, she'd learned how to properly make her way through deep snow - in this case, very carefully. Finally, snow clinging to her hair and already very cold, she paused at the top of the hill to catch her breath.
When she looked up, she saw not only the grand willow, but another soquili.
She might have missed him, on an autumn day. He bore the type of coloring that she was used to seeing, and didn't seem to hold much of a presence. Quiet. She forgot about the tree momentarily as she inspected him.
Making her way over, Nakanadi approached him with a bit of caution, knowing from experience that not every creature was friendly. Her eyes were lit with curiosity, and she kept on glancing from the tree to him. Had he come just to see the tree, too? She smiled.
"Hello," she said, tail swishing a bit and ears flicking at the rustle of birds in the tree. A teeny bit of snow fell to the already covered ground once the birds took off, and she watched them go. "This is my first time seeing such a large tree," she began again, bringing her chin back down to peer at him.
"I'm sorry - my name is Nakanadi." Nodding her head in greeting, she turned it to look up at the tree again.
It was... comforting.
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:02 am
Najinca inclined his head back toward the tree. His eyes slid shut, green eyes disappearing. He bowed his head to the tree, thinking. This would be his last visit to the tree. It was time to move on and see more of the world. It wasn't right to stay in one location all the time for how was he ever to improve his knowledge of these lands if he never left?
Najinca knew there was more to these lands then this area. He had heard of mountains, deserts, lush forests, oceans and so much more. He wanted to see the world and yet he was frightened about it. This place was a safe haven for him, a known location. The rest of the world besides his old home was unknown to him still and that scared him. But he would do it. He had to.
His eyes opened. His head rose to observe the tree. "Thank you." He whispered. His ears flicked, but Najinca did not pay much attention to the slight sounds of noise. He assumed it was only those birds again. He assumed wrong.
He gave a start as he heard the voice of someone talking to him. A little 'oh' escaped his mouth. Turning his head to the side, he looked over the mare near him. Giving her a nervous smile in response. Najinca was worried. Was this her spot too? Najinca had never encountered another horse at this location. he hadn't realized others knew of this willow. But then the willow was beautiful so perhaps it was well-known.
The mare seemed nice, however. Though from past experiences Najinca knew that seeming nice was a lot different than actually being nice. For all he knew it could all be an act, a trick. But still Najinca didn't think this mare was mean, her presence was kind.
"Hello," he mumbled. "Is that so? I've come here many times. It's an exquisite place." His head looked around, looking at that area he was in. Yes, it was exquisite. Captivating.
"How did you hear of this place?" Najinca was curious if many horses came to these parts. If so, why hadn't he seen them before? Was it that he only just missed them? Or maybe they were shyer than he was? He wondered.
"Nakanadi is a lovely name." He smiled, becoming less nervous. She did sound nice, pleasant. "My name begins with an N also." Was that something others normally mentioned? Najinca just found it interesting. He hadn't met someone that had a name that began with the same letter as his did before.
"I am known as Najinca. Meaning Stampede." It was a strange name meaning but Najinca could see how it somewhat fit him. In a way he ran away a lot, not always literally. He never stood up to anyone, never said no. If he faced an internal problem, he would sooner do what someone else said that figuring out things for himself. "Does Nakanadi stand for something?" Name meanings were always big in his old home but perhaps not so much here?
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:15 pm
While he talked, and even before that, Nakanadi had been studying him quietly. She had heard a very subtle "thank you" from him, and could only guess that he was talking to the tree. It didn't seem strange to her that he would be talking to a tree; some were closer to nature than others, and she couldn't really think of a Soquili that wasn't, anyway. When he responded, she tilted her head a bit, coming back to the present.
"I heard from a passing bird," Nakanadi replied, now eyeing him curiously. He seemed to be a very quiet individual, but had a strange sort of charm that allowed him to hold a conversation without seeming too shy. She was silently thankful for that - one-sided conversations were never fun. "She spoke of the most beautiful tree she had ever seen, in all of her travels." She chuckled softly. "I had to see it for myself."
Her body quivered with a sudden chill, the snow melting into her fur no doubt. Even though it was horribly cold, she didn't regret coming out that day. A new face was always welcome. She was naive like that.
At his mention of the similarity in their names, she laughed quietly, amused by his discovery. Already, she hadn't met anyone like him. "Stampede... it's a strong name. Mine..."
She paused to ponder her namesake. It was a lovely meaning, but she had yet to figure out how the meaning... suited her. "It means 'river of Heaven'." With that, she lifted her head to the sky and tried to peer through the clouds, to no avail. "I don't know what a river in the clouds would look like.
"This place..." She looked back to the tree, then to Najinca, ears flicking. "Is this your place?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:07 am
A bird? She was rather in touch with nature or at the very least with other birds and perhaps animals as well. Najinca understood that he could interact with other animals but usually he did not. There was always a worry at the back of his mind that he'd offend or say something inappropriate. After all, not every other creature out there thought or acted the same way horses did. Even so, admittedly Najinca had his own quirks and ways of doing things that differed from other soquili.
But bird's songs were beautiful. Najinca enjoyed listening to their chirping during the spring and summer and even autumn seasons. There were times that he saw birds used as messengers or a scout for danger. Fish or other undersea critters had given Najinca a view of the sea without ever going under it himself. Raccoons and rabbits were kind companions, they could also easily find food. Najinca saw the good things in other animals but mostly his fears won in the end and he tried to avoid. He wondered if they thought of him as rude. That would pain him if so.
"Birds tell many tales. Once or twice I have heard of stories of wonderful places. I'd like to go and see them but perhaps without wings it would be difficult." He chuckled. Was his worries so foolish? Idiotic even?
"Do you ever wonder if what we say to other animals, birds, fish, are offensive? Rude? Inappropriate?" He inquired, curious what her thoughts were. Maybe he thought too long and hard on subjects that needed no or very little thinking at all? But he enjoyed thinking.
He noticed her shiver. "Are you cold?" He asked, concerned. Najinca would feel guilty, keeping her occupied for so long if she was freezing. It was cold, he could feel it against his body and around the bottom of his legs where they were hidden amongst the snow, but Najinca had to come today. Regardless of the cold.
It was kind of Nakanadi to say that his name was strong, no one had ever said that about his name. He was always looked down upon as weaker than the others because he was guided by his heart and emotions more than with logic and reasoning. Though he did think, he drew conclusions more on his own than around others. When others were around he did not think as clearly. He trusted too easily and unfortunately had gotten hurt in the past by it.
"Thank you." He bowed his head to the mare, smiling. Rising his head slowly, she looked to be in deep thought. "I am sure your name meaning is very lovely." It sounded lovely, a roll off the tongue.
River of Heaven. It was indeed enchanting. He watched, curiously, as she looked at the sky. He thought on her name. "Perhaps it does not refer to clouds but instead of what Heaven symbolizes. Bliss, happiness, peace." Najinca looked at the sky also, considering. "Perhaps you emit bliss and happiness and it affects others around you. Rivers flow and so your happiness will forever be flowing." He wasn't someone that believed in Gods or even the Heaven. It wasn't something he fully understood. But he respected others views and opinions.
He chuckled. "I apologize if my interpretation is silly. It was the first thing I thought of."
His eyes flickered over to the tree too. "I do not live here, I enjoy this place but it isn't my place." Though Najinca did feel closely connected to this particular willow. "But I don't think anyone can consider a place as fully their's since there are many other Soquili and animals that may pass by and find pleasure in the place, for many different reasons. And they may consider it as their place too but I don't think one Soquili could fully own it." He flushed, he usually didn't talk so much but he found Nakanadi's presence comforting and easy to talk to.
"Do you live around here with family? Friends?" Was that nosy? Najinca wished to know more about other Soquili of these parts and what they were like and if family, friends, other things like intelligence, speed, strength were important or not.
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:55 pm
Rolling a shoulder gently, Nakanadi brought her gaze to the snow-covered ground, pondering the animal they knew broadly as "bird." True, they didn't have wings like the flying creatures did; she had seen a soquili that had wings, and had thought it was wonderful, but also had to stifle her jealousy. She didn't know what she'd do with wings... fly over mountaintops, so low over the ocean's surface that her hooves would graze the top of the water... A dreamy sigh escaped her.
"I think it is too easy to offend anyone," she began, bringing her eyes back up with a smile. "I'm certain I have offended other creatures before... I'm told I am too blunt." She gave him a sheepish look, tucking her chin in a bit. "I think that everything that is capable of thought is capable of feeling, and therefore, is capable of being offended. Do you know," she started again, taking a step forward; she was getting into their conversation, and had, for a moment, forgotten that she might scare off Najinca. "That mares are rumored to be much more easily offended than stallions? I, personally, don't see it, but I'm sure there are those of both sexes that get burs in their hair far too easily."
Oh, yes, she'd met a few. It was always a shock to be met with hostility, especially to the mare - she never intended to offend anyone, ever. When someone reacted badly to something she said, she was always caught off guard. Nevertheless, she took it in stride. How would someone as sensitive as Najinca take such a reaction? She eyed him, trying to imagine someone blowing up on the gentle stallion. She shook her head. Couldn't see it. At his comment about her shivering, she tried to look nonchalant, tossing her mane absently. "Me, cold? Oh, of course, but you get used to it... it comes with getting out of bed in the morning."
Her brow lifted in surprise; she'd never had anyone analyze her name in such a manner, and the flattering imagery he provided made her blush. Secretly pleased, she brought up a hoof and lightly stamped it down, her tail flicking. "I hope it is as you say, Najinca," she mused, smiling up at him. "You flatter me, though. I don't think I'm worthy to uphold such a name, if that is to be the meaning."
She shook her head. "It wasn't silly. You... have a deep mind, don't you? I never know what you're going to say next." She desperately wanted to pick his brain apart, but she didn't want to come off too strongly, either. It was so difficult to find such a good half of a conversation. How ironic; the shyest stallion she'd met was the best talker.
Tilting her head a bit, Nakanadi considered what he was saying. Yes, it was true that no one thing could claim something to be completely theirs - not when it was nature. Face breaking into a grin, she edged closer, outwardly pleased to find someone who dwelled on the same ideas as her. His face had white on it, and, although she chose not to comment on it, she could see the poor stallion flushing. Was it because of the cold, or was he embarrassed over something? Either way it was a sight, and her grin shifted to a soft smile.
"Yes, I agree." Bringing up each hoof, one at a time, she slowly shook the snow off. "I know fish live in the river, and birds in the grass, and soquili on the grass and in the forests, but while we claim these to be our homelands, we never claim them to be ours directly. Things are always subject to change. We may move, our herd moving on, or something may cause us to leave our home. I have a place..." She paused, smiling a bit. "I found it when the sun was high and flowers were in full bloom. I don't claim it to be mine, but it's a very lovely glade that I would gladly share with anyone. It is comforting to me, and I think I understand how you feel about this place."
Ah, how exhilarating it was to finally have someone to truly talk to. She was as happy as a clam; no one had ever engaged her in such a conversation, and she had never spoken with anyone so deeply about anything. Best of all, it was just talking. It didn't have to be about anything deep, it could have been the weather for all she cared. She felt a strange connection to the way Najinca thought, and wanted the conversation to last forever.
"My herd is nearby," Nakanadi said with a nod. "My father, a wise and strong elder," her eyes glowed, "and mother..." She trailed off, not wanting to spoil her mood. "And my sisters and brothers... But you know..." She pawed at the ground, once again staring back down at it. "I don't know how long I want to stay with them. It's not that I... don't like my family, no, I love them with all of my heart. But..."
Bringing her head up, she stared out at the mountains, the wind picking up as she did so. She had to blink through her bangs, and eventually decided to turn her head back around to shield her eyes from the cold breeze. "Tell me, Najinca... do you ever... want to leave?"
It may have been a strange question to some, but she trusted him to take it into full consideration. She trusted him with her deepest concerns. "I... I have always wanted to travel, to start my own life. The farthest I've wandered away is a few days, but I've always come back. I want to see the world, Najinca!" She tossed her mane, eyes closing. "I want to see all it has to offer. I don't know when, or how, but someday, I think I'm just going to wake up and leave. Is that a bad thing?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:01 am
Nakanadi was blunt? Najinca had trouble seeing it. But it was true that he did not know her for long. It was a possibility that his interpretation of her was completely inaccurate. “If you are too blunt than I am too cowardly.” For all his kindness and gentle disposition, Najinca was cowardly in his usual avoidance of creatures he was unfamiliar with. He needed to be more brave, more friendly but he was shy and worried too much about causing pain to another. More outspoken, blunt? Then was Nakanadi somewhat blunt? She had, after all been the one to start talking. But Najinca still did not see it.
Her step forward went unnoticed as Najinca concentrated more on the thoughts flowing through his head. “Well,” he paused, mulling over his choice of words, “I agree that both sexes can become offended and easily too depending on who they are or how offensive they find you.” But admittedly he had heard stories of mares becoming more easily upset. Though his experiences could very well be limited. It wasn’t as if he had met every single being out there.
He smiled in response to the smile Nakanadi gave him. Smiling was contagious but Najinca was pleased to see her smile at his words, it made him happy as well. Nakanadi did not seem to think she was worthy of her names. Najinca, on the other hand, thought so. She was so kind to him, he appreciated it. Yes, he did not know her long but the time with her as of yet, he enjoyed her company. She was easy to communicate with and it was easy for him to be comfortable.
“Everyone is destined for one name, or at least that is what I think. Nakanadi was given to you and you are worthy of it.” He nodded and smiled.
He shivered. It was cold. Colder now, perhaps. Remaining in a single spot for so long, he could feel the cold seeping into his pelt. His green eyes swept over the old willow tree appraisingly. By this time he would of left, his weekly ritual being over. Looking over at Nakanadi, Najinca wondered. Would she care to walk with him?
He nervously shrugged at her comment about having a deep mind. “I suppose I do. I enjoy thinking but I usually overanalyze.” This usually brought about worries. Unpleasant things.
Najinca wondered what her place was like. It sounded beautiful and peaceful and well, wonderful. But he could not ask her to one day show him her place. Wouldn’t that be pushy of him? Forward, even? His want to see all he could see was pressing but he respected that it was her place and he didn’t want to intrude on her place. Though wasn’t that completely contradictory to what he was saying before? About nature not belonging to anyone?
Najinca sighed, shaking his head. He had to put a stop to all his reluctance, his worries. How was he supposed to know whether Nakanadi would say no or if she would find it strange to show him her place?
Listening as Nakanadi talked about her family, Najinca thought of his. His parents had died when he was young, causing him to be brought up by other horses. Other foals were in the same situation as him and so, he supposed, they were like his brothers and sisters. Truthfully, Najinca had never felt strong familial bonds towards the other foals and his caregivers. They were merely a group of orphans; being fed, provided with water and shelter by the same caregivers. There wasn’t any semblance of love and affection that Najinca would expect with a family.
What was it like to see your family all the time? To live with them and to be with them? He longed to ask Nakanadi more but felt it was best not to. Her father seemed like a good stallion, Najinca could not gauge what her mother was like for Nakanadi did not provide much on her. Was it possible that Nakanadi and her mother did not get along well? His last and only memory of his mother was that she was kind and liked flowers. He liked flowers as well. They were pretty; he assumed his mother was too. Unfortunately her appearance was difficult to recall now. Same with his father’s.
He was curious about how many siblings Nakanadi had. Whether they all got along or if there was tension. Najinca didn’t always get along with the other foals, he was easily picked on. He didn’t enjoy fighting, being passive.
“An elder.” He never personally knew any elders. Najinca pondered what they were like. Probably wise and strong, like Nakanadi said, but maybe kind and brave also?
Najinca followed her gaze towards the mountains. “I will be leaving soon, actually.” Today was to be the last day he was to come to his willow tree, for months. It saddened him. Not just from missing the tree and this meadow but also from being away from Nakanadi. He only met her today but he felt a friendship already forming. Did Nakanadi think so too?
“In a few days, I will likely go.” He continued. “It will be nice to see the world. The sea, in particular. I have heard it is very beautiful.”
Najinca blinked in surprise at her words. Nakanadi wanted to see the world. Like he did. He was happy to hear it but what of her family? Najinca had thought she would prefer to stay with them. He was so wrong.
“Not a bad thing at all.” He assured her. It was not as if she wanted to leave forever, right? Travelling was probably amazing to experience but to forget all you left behind, Najinca did not agree with that. So long as you visited every now and then, it would be good. Right?
He shivered again. “Walk with me?” He already started walking, trying to regain some feeling in his legs. “Where is it you want to go, Nakanadi?” He asked. If they were to go the same route, should Nakanadi decide to travel, could they go together?
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Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 5:32 pm
Taken aback by his statement, Nakanadi rolled her eyes and snorted. She hadn't meant to come off rudely, but this stallion? Cowardly? She hadn't seen any sign of him being a coward, although they had just met. Smiling good-naturedly, she decided to give him the benefit of a doubt, as she did everyone else. "I don't think you're a coward. You can tell when someone is a coward. Not you."
She could tell he seemed to constantly be battling with himself inwardly, having trouble choosing what to say or how to approach the conversation. She didn't mind. It was a nice change, to have someone who actually thought about what he said instead of blurting things out on a whim. Pawing at the ground sheepishly, she wished she had that kind of consideration. It was so easy to just say what was on her mind, although there were times she was certain she offended someone. But they had already spoken about offending creatures, and it would look dumb to bring it up again.
Her concentration was broken by his words. "You, too?" she asked, lifting her head in surprise. "The world is such an amazing place," she gushed, feeling herself grow excited for the first time in a while. "There are strange creatures that I have never seen or heard of, and oceans deeper than the tallest mountains..."
A smile lit her face as she pictured those places. What would they be like? Would Najinca want to be alone in his travels? Her whole life, she had wanted to go and meet the world. See what it had to offer. But she had been traveling alone for too long. Her tail flicked to the side a bit as she considered asking, biting her lip.
Once he started walking, she blinked and followed, making sure she remained next to him and not behind. Her legs were already partially numbing, and it took a bit of effort to keep up, but she didn't mind. She could walk all day in the snow if she had to.
Glancing at the ground, Nakanadi stared at the white surface. "I want to go... everywhere. I want to see everything. I wish I had a set place in mind, but..." She looked over, smiling a little. "I don't."
Glancing back down again, she sucked in a breath and asked, "What of you, Najinca?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:06 pm
"You are too kind to me Nakanadi." He bowed his head in thanks. He smiled at her again. He didn't completely agree with Nakanadi's words but he did appreciate them. Najinca was told before he was a coward, he had run many times in the past though he was stronger now. He had grown stronger over the years, making sure he was ready when it was his time to leave. When it came, Najina was so happy and so pleased with himself. He had done it. He had succeeded. Now he was traveling on his own, learning all that he could learn. Meeting with so many different animals and birds, it was a good experience. So far anyway.
To hear Nakanadi's words about the world, in such a happy way, made Najinca's smile larger. How lucky of him to have met her. Again he had thought she may not be intrigued by traveling, what with her family but to hear her take on the world and what it offered, it changed his view completely. Najinca wondered if she would rather travel alone or with others. If she preferred the company of others, was it a large or small group? Najinca would rather travel in the company of only one to three others but not everyone thought the same.
"I apologize for moving." He said to her when Nakanadi caught up to him. "It is a very cold day. Don't you think?"
Was Nakanadi nervous? The way she kept on glancing up and down but maybe not. Najinca thought about her words. She wanted to travel, he was to leave soon in a few days. He had no real destination in mind, he had possibilities but nothing set, neither did she.
"I am like you. I want to see the world but I do not know exactly where I will go next. I suppose somewhere warmer." He laughed. "Coming here, it is cold. Though not unlike where I am from. It is cold in winter too." Najinca thought of his home. Some days he missed it but he made a choice and Najinca would stick to it. He wouldn't give up.
"If we both are thinking the same...." He paused. Najinca shook his head. "Never mind." He doubted she would of said yes, she would likely prefer to go with other horses. Ones who were more entertaining than he was, more outgoing.
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:05 pm
Smiling sheepishly over at him, Nakanadi blew out a puff of air, watching it cloud and dissipate in front of her face. Her body was shaking considerably, but she wouldn't let it deter her in her progression through the snow. Determined to prove that she could keep up with Najinca, she doubled her efforts to pick up her hooves and carry them over the clinging, freezing snow. Walking was keeping her slightly warm, but it was a struggle.
"Yes, it is very cold," she replied, trying to keep her teeth from chattering. Somewhere warmer? She attempted a laugh, but the cold dissolved it to a giggle. "Winters can be very terrible in the Kawani lands. I remember my younger days, when the snow would rise above my height!" She paused, remembering winters ago. When she would play with her sisters, albeit rarely, and the world was huge and mysterious. The latter, at least, still held today. Now she rarely saw her sisters, if at all. It seemed the family was falling apart, almost.
"Hm?" Her ear flicked toward him, and she cocked her head to match is movement. "I'm sorry, I was lost in thought. You were saying something?" She had the habit of drifting off into thought, not used to having an actual walking companion. Now she had to divide her attention between the stallion and her own thoughts, which shouldn't have been a difficult task. Still, years of only herself for company had their effect on her.
She smiled, tilting her head a bit to the side with a sudden shiver. "I'm a bit of an airhead sometimes. Forgive me if I drift off like that."
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