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 Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:15 pm
 Run, run, run. Had to get away, had to make everything stop hurting. But now his legs throbbed, his lungs ached, and the colt was gasping for breath even as he blindly ran through the underbrush. The strange colt had been doing this for hours now. Just when he thought he couldn't run anymore and his legs would bring him to a graceless, jarring halt, the angry words of his mother would flash through his mind once more. How much of a burden he was, what a monster he was... and Diriel would feel sick and terrified all at once, dashing through the forbidden forests to try and escape everything. He didn't want to upset his mother--not even his father. But he hadn't asked to be like this. He wished the strange, leafy appendages rippling down his spine and twisting his mouth were gone, that he was normal and he wouldn't see the disgust in his mother's eyes whenever she looked at him. Low branches slapped reprimandingly against his body, but he hardly felt them as he barreled on. Fine, fine! He'd vanish, if that's what they wanted so damn badly! He wouldn't stay and weigh them down anymore--even though they were supposed to be his parents. Weren't they supposed to love him? He thought they had, and the thought was beginning to make his heart hurt again. Gritting his gnarled maw, Diriel lowered his head as he ran, as though to better block out the workings of his racing mind. He never even saw the vindictive root that reached up to smash into tiny cobalt hooves, send him sprawling with a choked sound. He hit the ground hard enough to see stars, the chaotic scrabbling and crashing finally coming to a merciless halt as he lay on his side. Mud caked against his trembling legs while his chest heaved with each breath. And then there was a weird burning sensation in his slitted eyes, strong enough to make him grit his teeth against it to try and hold it back. He wasn't gonna cry. Monsters weren't supposed to cry.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:28 pm
She had taken the long way round. Her vacation had ended early following a quiet discussion with the elders of her former herd. They had conferred with her, graced her with their congratulations on her momentous transformation and most of all... they had apologised. She had long ago forgiven them for their decision to announce her death but it still warmed her heart to know of their genuine regret at their inaccuracy. That being said they had made valid points regarding her role as an Elder in the Kawani and while she would have loved to stay for longer to converse with her peers it was not to be. Yei Umeko had bade them farewell and made her way home to the Kawani alone - leaving her mate to catch up with his companions and to discuss other matters that she lacked the time to address. They were a team and as such she trusted him implicity.
Still, she already missed him and as she drifted through the forest her nose twitched just a little in a valiant yet unsuccessful attempt to catch his scent. He would be back soon, she knew that much! However it had been the longest they had been separated since she had confessed her love for him. It was a heavy burden to bear indeed - but she would do it! Mark her words she was a stronger mare than that and she didn't need her hubby to hold her own! Nevertheless, she hadn't really expected to come across what she did as she wandered home...
It would have been comical had the expression on the young foal's face been so grim. Even though his expression was warped, transfigured into something unique by the bark-like nature of his skin she could see the tears in his eyes and more to the point... The pain in his limbs. Suffice to say the tumble was enough to raise her concerns but the rasping and sudden aura of defeat that pulsed from his limbs upon landing stirred something within her. It was a feeling that only a mother could truly relate to, that overwhelming urge to make the pain go away, the one thing nearly all mother's sought for their children and for others.
Pursing her lips softly the red mare quietly approached the foal and with a small chuckle she lowered her head to his level. It wasn't a malicious laugh, instead it was the one she always used for her own children. Everytime they tumbled or scratched their limbs she would giggle and kiss them better... It was better than crying, laughter was the fastest and most powerful medicene after all.
"You took quite the tumble, Little One!" she announced gently and permitted the warm smile to clamber onto her lips. He was certainly not a soquili she had ever seen before, his features were beyond her recognition. That being said she had seen enough oddities in her time to remain largely unphased by it - an individuals appearance gave them their identity after all and no two were the same.
"No scratches under that mud I hope, hm?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:17 pm
A soft sound was enough to shock him out of his daze, awkwardly twisting his small head to catch a glimpse of something bright, red, and a lot closer than he'd realized. His breath stilled for a moment, suddenly fearing the stories that had accompanied these forests held more merit, but he realized that it was no monster, but a mare. She was laughing, but he didn't find himself shying away from the tone. It was almost... a nice sound. Tears were 'blinked' away as quickly as he could manage, and his ears tipped back a little at her words. Was she going to scold him, then? Mother would have. He would have just been slowing them down again, and her patience would have been wearing thin.
Snuffling only once under his breath, he tentatively made to move his legs to roll to his side. They throbbed, but he didn't think they were cut. Maybe just swollen from bashing into that root so hard... "I... I don't think so." His throat felt thick, but he managed to force the words out anyway as he staggered to his feet. He felt woozy, and the sickish feeling was still lingering, but he was trying not to focus on it right now. No, this mare was making him shrink away a little, shoulders hunched and posture awkward. Had she not seen him properly? Kindness was something foreign, and the last thing he wanted--or needed--was to scare her away because of what he looked like.
He'd have changed himself if he could, given anything for it.
"No cuts." He repeated uncertainly, his chin slumped down on his chest while slitted eyes uneasily took her in through his bangs. Still, it was hard to hide the rings etched against his hide, or the roots rippling across his back to sprout miniature trees. But he'd never seen someone so... He didn't even know how to describe her. She looked so wise somehow, and nurturing in a way that made his chest hurt all over again.
Still, now that he could see her so closely, that meant she could see him as well. He almost debated limping off towards the trees, but knew it would be rude. So he stood shakily before her, half-fearful, half-expectant as he waited for her reaction with the occasional timid glance.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:43 pm
"Hmmm," the mare was skeptical of his response and after he had clambered to his hooves she lowered her head a little more. It was with a bustling and very mothrely manner that she closed the gap between him completely and nudged at each of his legs one by one. Now and again she would release a little tisk or a little tut as though she didn't quite accept his confirmation that he was okay. Still, it wasn't long before she came to the conclusion that he hadn't broken any bones and there was no lasting damage in regards to his physical condition - she wasn't so sure about the emotional though. It was with this in mind that she backed away a little once more and lifted her head again so that she could hold it at a more comfortable height - needless to say with a mud tinged nose and a small smile on her lips she hardly looked daunting at all!
"Mmm, well underneath all that mud I'm not so sure," she pointed out gently. "No broken bones which is a good thing but plenty of bumps and bruises, you took quite the plunge!" She released another small chuckle at this, treating his tumble as though it would have been a performance worth of applause. Another of her techniques of course, derived from her youngest and most insane son who had walked precariously on the borders of adrenaline junkie and suicidal as a colt. It was a wonder she had no grey hairs from raising him.
"But it would be better if we were sure, wouldn't it?" she continued. She shook her head a little, snorting the long locks of hair from her eyes in the process. The occasional strand became stuck on her muddy nuzzle and she gave that a small tut but she had more important things to do. "Now I'm sure those pet trees of yours need watering," she nodded towards his back and the growths he appeared to have. She wasn't jesting either, for all she knew they were his pets and he simply carried them around with him - she'd seen odder hobbies than that. "So why don't we get them to some water so you can feed them and clean off those legs of yours, hm? That way we can make sure you have no cuts and if you do then we can get them patched up before they get infected - how's that sound?"
If he had been looking for some form of reprimand or disgust he would be in for a shock. To this particular mare he was no more than another baby who was in need of her attention. A child who had taken a tumble in the forest and who needed a little cleaning up though she would handle his tears and uncertainty a little more when he was more comfortable in her presence. One step at a time, patience was a virtue of course even if her hubby often had to remind her of that regarding certain topics...
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:01 am
...Nothing? No reaction, and the smile was still there too? Diriel was beyond confused. But as if that wasn't enough, she actually began to approach him, ducking her head to nose gently at his sore legs. It didn't even occur to him that she was making sure she was all right--he was too horrified at the thought that she'd be getting all that mud on her face! But even when she backed away, she was still smiling. Diriel felt his mouth twitching, tentatively pulling itself into a faint and feeble smile in return. She did look sort of silly... That still didn't explain why she hadn't commented on his condition. Even Rosie had reacted... well, shown some sort of reaction to the way he looked.
"I didn't even see it." He muttered, more than a little abashed to have been seen during such a ferocious fit of tumbling. For whatever reason though, she still didn't sound annoyed, and Diriel was encouraged to slowly lift his head to better look at her. He hurt enough to knew he'd bruised, but he hadn't considered that he'd ever even broken anything. And if he'd done that to himself, what hope was there of healing right?
A moment's hesitation would follow her rhetorical question before the colt nodded reluctantly, starting a little when she mentioned pets. What on earth...? But a glance behind him had his heart sinking a little, and he felt the need to correct her before she could get the wrong idea. "They... They aren't pets. They're attached..." He winced a little, having almost been torn between lying. But that would make him feel worse, especially if she believed him. "...But okay." His voice was softer now, a quiet sort of rasp that came from him simply not being able to handle the thought of more rejection right now. Not after she'd been so kind for no reason.
"Um. I'm Diriel." The colt said after a moment, swallowing before he took a hesitant step towards her. She sounded like she knew where the water was, and his throat was burning from all the running he'd done. Still, Akahi had shivered too many times with disgust or revulsion when he'd done the same thing, and it was enough to make the azure foal pause for a moment. Maybe she'd change her mind. That was okay, too. At least now he knew there was water nearby.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:45 am
They were attached? Well obviously, there was no way they could sit on his back without being attached to him somehow. She chuckled again at his explanation as her own form of logic dealt with his explanation. "Some pets do attach themselves to their friends," she pointed out gently, waiting patiently for him to come to her side. After his tumble and that apparent limp in his leg she wasn't content to move until he was in her sight completely. It was all well and good for a healthy foal to fall a little behind his parents to examine something here and there but when said child was hurt it was unwise to permit him to leave the adult's sight. Goodness only knew what would happen to him if he fell behind in this state.
"In fact, there's one particular soquili in my herd who converses often with trees and another even has a pet leaf that sings with him," she continued merrily. Ah yes, there was no denying that Toujour's was particularly eccentric in how he conversed with certain individuals, nor was there any hope of denying that Zhu had his talents but to the outside world they were just as odd (if not odder) than Diriel was. That being said she did pop her lips thoughtfully and lowered her head again to inspect the blue plants - they were almost crystaline, very pretty plants indeed. Maybe they had originally been born from the mists on the slopes!
Ooooh now that would be impressive...
Still, he had the courage to introduce himself before Yei had pryed and her smile deepened considerably at his manners. He was a tentative young creature, evidently one who had experienced hardships that someone his age should never have encountered. "Well, I'm Yei Umeko but most creatures tend to shorten that or given me a nickname like "Crazy Red Mare"." she replied calmly. She wasn't exactly crazy but she was a little over excitable when all was well in the world. Luckily for Diriel he had encountered her in a much more managable and tame mood. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Little Diriel - that saves me calling you 'blue foal' until you tell me your name, nyah?"
Aware that it was inappropriate for one in his condition to dwell on such things though she was the one who closed the gap between the two and she nudged his neck encouragingly. "Water is this way, it's a little bit of a climb but it won't take long to reach," she reassured him quietly and with that she began to move off at a rather slow pace, permitting the foal to keep up with her without any strain on his part.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:44 am
Pets. ...Pets? Diriel might have broken his neck with how fast he whipped his head around, scrutinizing the growths to try and see just how she'd mistaken them for something as nice as a pet. As though sensing his words, they twitched innocently, and he had to suppress a sigh. Why did mom and this mare see so differently? He wasn't sure if he was intrigued, or just puzzled. Still, he listened carefully as she spoke, perhaps more fascinated than he should have been when a Soquili who talked to trees was mentioned. "It sings? ...None of the leaves I've seen have ever sang." That sounded like something special!
Yei Umeko... It rolled nicely off his tongue, though he didn't dare speak it out loud for fear of messing it up. That, and he wasn't sure on just how he should address her. She was obviously much older than he was--an adult. He'd met a smattering of foals before, but never someone as big as his mother or father! "C-Crazy?...Well.... That isn't nice. I don't think you're crazy, Miss Yei..." She had said some creatures shortened her name, though hopefully she wouldn't mind him doing it as well. "Nice to meet you too." And it was, now that he thought about it. It WAS nice.
The nudge almost made him stumble, more surprised by the physical contact than anything, though he tried to make up for it by nodding a bit more than he should have. A climb would pale in comparison to that fall, he was sure! Still, he moved with her as best he could, grateful for the slow pace and hanging close to her side.
"My... Mom never saw them as pets." It still bothered him. Maybe he shouldn't have brought it up, but he liked this Yei Umeko a lot already. She seemed to know more than he could have imagined. And if that was the case, she might be able to help him with the way he looked, and why...
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:11 am
"Just Yei, no 'miss' needed!" Yei corrected him briskly and grinned. "There's no need to be so formal around one like me, okay?" She fell quiet after that and continued to wander towards her specified location. Brushing foliage to one side here and there, creating paths that were easier to walk through than clambering over ferns. A typical mother's instincts, forging paths to ensure her babies got through safely and without exhausting themselves for no good reason. Ah, it brought back so many memories that warmed her heart and she once again found herself craving after her mate. He had his reasons for his absence of course, but it didn't make it any easier on the mare who desired to do nothing mroe than dote on every creature in existence. It seemed Diriel would be the target of her affections for the next while provided he stayed in her company!
"But Zhu's leaf does indeed sing when he tickles it," she explained gently, breaking the silence in the process. She gave a small toss of her tri-coloured mane as she recalled the wandering 'prince'. His parents had been royalty in a former herd but fate had brought them to find safety in the Kawani. Soon after the children had been born and in that bunch had been Zhu, the bard. "I've tried to emulate him but I just don't have the same connection that he does with those leaves," she pointed out wistfully. A small sigh escaped from her lips and then she shot the foal a small smile. The little walk was proving good for his limbs and would ease the aching muscles back into a more comfortable state. "Every creature in the world has their own talent, his is music while others are better at games or competitions, you know?"
"...It's what makes us special," she continued. She chose not to directly respond to his remark about his mother and instead sought to discuss it in a more subtle way. He was certainly different from others but that didn't necessarily mean it was a bad thing. The circumstances of his birth remained a mystery to her but she could gather from his words that his mother wasn't the most pleasant - she'd never been able to understand those mares, nor could she forgive them. A mother who had brought a child into the world had no reason to regard them with scorn - those children hadn't asked to be born.
"Some have pets like you and Zhu to keep them company, some see spirits and nymphs that others can't. Some hear voices that few others understand, some are incredibly tall while others some bear mighty appendages upon their backs and heads. The spirits all give us something different to make us more interesting, you know?" She fell quiet after that and flicked her pale gaze towards the rippling water that lay ahead. It was a small river but deep enough for a foal to bathe in without being swept away in the current. A quick dip to get him clean and then she would nudge him out again before he got a chill - simple enough.
"The way I see it," she nudged him gently towards the water and gave a half smile, but it was no less genuine. "If they've been with you all your life and have never left your side even when things have gotten bad then they're your pets, better yet they're steadfast friends that you can rely on."
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:26 am
"Yei." Diriel corrected himself abashedly, though a feeble smile tugged at his mouth as it were. He nodded before he plodded along after her, ignoring the occasional throb in his legs as she wove her way through the forest. He felt safer with an adult nearby, because the forests had always been a place he wasn't allowed to venture. To be honest, he still wasn't sure of the exact reason. He'd heard his parents muttering worriedly, something about the relatives on his father's side... but from the way they'd treated him, Diriel sometimes wondered why they hadn't left him behind. His mother never wanted to upset his father, that much was true. But still, it left a funny taste in his mouth.
A singing leaf... He almost wanted to ask her where he could find this Zhu, if only to see such a feat with his own eyes. For now, however, maybe he'd be okay with just knowing it was true. At least, Yei said it was! But her explanation of talents made him slow for a moment, hollowed-out eyes widening as best they could as the meaning of her words sunk in. Special.
"...So even if we might think it's weird... it just means we can all do different things. And then nobody's weird, we're just--special." That word again. He liked the sound of it, plaintively fascinated by the thought of being special instead of. Well. Anything like a monster. And then she spoke of the plants in a way that made his stomach churn with guilt, slowly turning to regard the trees whom rustled patiently underneath the attention. As always.
"...I don't think I've been very nice to them." He whispered, ears pinning back slowly with the realization. Yes, they'd stayed with him the entire time, hadn't they? And just as he didn't ask to be what he was, they certainly didn't ask to be attached to him! But they'd never complained. Slowly, he shifted towards the water before he tentatively hopped in. Cold! He gasped a little with surprise, ducking his head to quickly try and shove off any stubborn bits of mud off his legs.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:56 pm
"Everybody finds something wierd, everyone finds something foreign and unusual that they're not used to," Yei kept her eye on the foal as he approached the water and continued to watch him as he bathed, it was when she was positive that he had his balance that she continued. "But what an individual thinks is strange isn't necessarily wierd to another person they might meet. Like our appearances, our views on the world and everything in it can be very different as well," she pointed out wisely. She gave a nod and approached the river bank, settling her hooves just at the edge of the water where it lapped in an endless sliver along the contours of both limbs. For a time she was quiet and seemed to be contemplating the subject - once upon a time, she had thought she was the strangest creature in the world.
"That is what makes us all so interesting," her smile reappeared on her lips and she chuckled softly. "With so many unique appearances and interesting hobbies we can fill one another's days with entertainment. Without those differences in opinion and appearance conversation would be very boring and life would become very routine," she added. Suffice to say she was a mare who had lived by spontaneity for the longest time and to this day she still pursued it. Her mate provided the stability in her life, he kept her grounded and yet encouraged her to do exactly as she pleased. It was 'ideal' in a way and to her he was the perfect mate but if she had fallen for a more excitable being then there was a risk that her life could have been very different. If she had favoured a more reckless stallion she could have even lost her life!
"So yes, our differences make us special and ensure the world is never boring," she finally agreed to his statement and released a small sigh. She lifted her gaze to examine the forest canopy above their heads, squinting a little at the flecks of light that occasional invaded the canopy through the small gaps within the leaves. It was nice to be back in familiar territory, in the place she called home even if she hadn't initially anticipated that she would be spending one of her first days back in the Kawani with a distressed foal. That being said all things happened for a reason and it was fate that had brought her to him in his time of need.
Nevertheless, conversation seemed to halt at this point and only the faint splash of Diriel's limbs in the water could be heard. It was only after he had considered her words a little more that he spoke again and her ears swivelled to attention. She tilted her head somewhat at them and his expression of guilt before shaking her head slowly. "Think about it," she encouraged him gently. "They've been with you this whole time, don't you think they would understand why you acted the way you did?" She offered.
"I think they understand and even though I can't talk to those trees, I think they'd forgive you no matter what you do because you're a good Soquili, you know?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:54 pm
Why did everything this mare say seem to make sense to him? Maybe it was because she sounded like she had experience rather than just telling him nice things. Either way, he paused in his bathing to offer a slow nod. "'Cause appearances don't have to mean everything. And I guess... even if we find things strange, we can get used to them." After all, hadn't Yei been strange to him, with her fearlessness and kindness? Strange didn't have to mean bad. Snorting softly to himself, Diriel waded back to the shore where she was standing and hauled himself up after a moment of difficulty. Well, she wanted to check out his legs, right...? He glanced them over to, peering for any stray slices.
"Yeah..." It was weird, to be thinking this way. He would have given anything to look normal, if only so his mother would look at him with a smile, like Yei did. But that brought up a whole slew of ugly, conflicting feelings, and Diriel pushed them away. He didn't want to think about it right now. She was his mother, and he loved her. Sometimes, he just wish she showed him that she loved him too.
"...They... They might." He replied quietly after a moment, glancing over his shoulder once more at the odd appendages. "...A good Soquili..." Well, he was, wasn't he? He'd never meant to hurt anyone, not even if he looked like a monster. It didn't mean he was a monster at all! Not on the inside. Blowing out a sigh that ruffled his bangs, the colt gave a weary nod. "I hope so. S'not fair to them either, to not like them just 'cause of what they are..."
One hoof scratched uncertainly at the ground before he spoke up again. "...Thank you for helping me 'n stuff. You didn't have to." But she had. And that meant a lot to him, for her to take time out of her day to make sure he was all right.
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:11 am
"Precisely, sometimes it takes a while to get used to something but when you do... everything works out," she shrugged loosely at this and lowered her head to inspect his limbs when he found his way out of the river. Luckily there were no lasting injuries, a few tiny scrapes here and there but they would recover in due course. She was satisfied though in the sense that he wasn't bleeding and better yet, he wasn't in tears anymore. A little tender care had never hurt anyone and eventually the mare provided him with a gentle nudge and lifted her head again. All seemed to be in order even if he did appear slightly lame for the time being until his muscles recovered from the rather dramatic impact upon they had received.
"No lasting injuries," she announced another smile flickering onto her lips. She gave a small chuckle and then came to an abrupt halt as he thanked her. Really now, she could fathom why so many were so surprised at a little bit of aid. It seemed that the generations in the low lands really had changed, there was no such thing as assistance anymore or rather, there wasn't any unless it came for a price. "Diriel," she began at last and released a soft sigh, it wasn't one of exasperation but one to gather her thoughts about her. "No one in this world truly needs a reason to help someone," she spoke with a slight sadness as though a little unimpressed by how the lowlands behaved. No wonder her children always came back to the slopes.
"You are right, I didn't have to help you but that doesn't mean I wouldn't," she sighed again and tilted her head to the side. "The way I see it, if you can help another when they truly need it then you should because they may live by your example and help others when they need a little push too. The world is a better place when it is filled with consideration for others, it's a kinder place," she added a little more sternly. Oh, she wasn't scolding him and was more so scolding the spirits in the lowlands for permitting her kind to become quite so selfish and hostile - what example was that to set for their children?
"Nevermind," she shook her head and the smile reappeared on her lips, the lowlands weren't her home and for those who sought solace from the ill nature of the lowlands then the slopes would welcome them - provided they respected the rules and traditions that existed up there of course. "I'm sure you would do the same for me if you had realised I was in need of help," she didn't need confirmation on this and pursed her lips briefly. A few stray strands of her mane fell into her eyes and she snorted them away after a few moments.
"So, I assume you're feeling a little better now after you're tumble? There's no more tears in those eyes you want to share before you decide to leave me...?" She wouldn't push him to discuss anything but she was no idiot, the tumble would have hurt but there were other things on the little one's mind.
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:55 am
As she peeked over his legs, Diriel tried to straighten them out so she could see them better. All good? The nudge seemed to say as much, and the leafy limbs attached to his back twitched faintly with pleasure. They were still sore, but he'd never thought they could get infected or anything--it was a relief to know he'd be fine. Still though, he'd quickly picked up on the fact that the laughter in her throat had died at his words, and the resulting silence was enough to make his ears slowly tip back.
No one needed a reason...He wasn't sure if he could grapple that, shaking his head slowly as though to make sense of the words. "I... think I get it." He understood better than he realized. But all the colt could remember were times of rejection and even disgust offered instead of kindness. "...I think it's because I look different. Maybe people don't think I'm nice because of that." And he could prove them wrong, couldn't he? Maybe then they wouldn't... act like that if they ever found another who looked just a little different.
The smile was enough to lift his ears again, and he blew out a breath even as he nodded. "If... If I could help with someone, I'd try. And I'd go get my parents if I couldn't..." His parents. Diriel 's voice trailed off a little as though just realizing what he'd said, feeling his heart beginning to flip-flop all over again. But he couldn't go back and ask them for help anymore, that was the problem. And then Yei spoke of leaving...
Leaving her. And where did he plan on going after that? He couldn't go back home. His stomach dropped a little, and the colt hunched his shoulders, trying to think but overwhelmed by the wave of despair that threatened to wash over him."...My momma hates me." He heard himself choking out, his gaze immediately going fuzzy with tears again. "I-I don't want her to hate me no more, but s-she wanted me to go away, so I did." The wound felt so raw now that he had stop fleeing from it, but turned to assess the damage. It almost made him wish he hadn't, but all he could do now was stand there, trembling. "I scare her...."
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:39 am
As a mother, Yei Umeko could never fathom leaving her children behind. When they were heartbroken and in pain she echoed their sentiments - when they wept, she wept too. A mother wasn't meant to cast aside her child because life was difficult for them, they were meant to embrace, support and protect them from things they couldn't! Her son's hadn't lied when they indicated that such occurances were becoming more frequent and her eyes clouded briefly in fury at the mother who had been so callous to her own child - enough to send him rushing off into the unknown. What if he had been killed, would she have celebrated? Suffice to say, Yei Umeko wanted to wring the mare's neck and wouldn't have been against setting a skinwalker on the pitiful excuse for a soquili.
Oooooh it just made her so mad!
Her cheeks puffed out as she surpressed her anger and she hopped from hoof to hoof. Sometimes her composure was a bit hard to regain, sometimes she missed her hubby all the more - he would have been perfect for this. While she spouted off potentially inappropriate content for children and stormed about in circles he would have calmly dealt with the child and made the situation all better. Then when she'd blown off enough steam so would she! Unfortunately, Grencia was not available at this moment in time and she knew that it would be wholely inappropriate for her to explode while the foal was in tears. Right now he didn't need to hear insults about his mother to make him feel better, what he needed was something a little more gentle.
"Oh sweetpea," she murmured at last, lowering her head to nuzzle at his weeping form reassuringly. "If the soquili you meet run away from you it's their loss, your true friends are those who stay with you through everything," she began. Nosing at the top of his head, she tidied up his short mane and offered a warm smile. No chuckles at the moment, she needed to have a bit more tact.
"Sometimes parents do things that children and even some adults don't understand, everyone is different. I'm sure you just wanted to make her happy so you did what she asked -" she paused briefly and made a mental note to clout any mare she found that seemed to look like him, or at least she would after querying them regarding missing foals. May the gods have mercy on their souls if they said they had misplaced a foal...
"But you definitely don't scare me," she announced in a matter-of-fact tone and grinned. "I think it's pretty damn cool that you have your own personal garden on your back and such a good smile." She was firm in this. Frankly she'd never encountered a soquili with a garden on their back - apparently her grand-daughter had her own walking soquili-tree but this little one was even more special. Still, where was he meant to go at this age, if his mother had literally terrorised him to the point that he had fled in such pain?
Well duh - he was coming with her.
What a surprise Grencia would get when he got home, she giggled at the prospect of his bemused expression and canted her head to the side as she eyed Diriel playfully. "If you would like it, you can come home with me. I know my family would be more than delighted to meet someone as sweet as you..."
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:09 am
He was blinded by the hot, stinging tears that refused to stop, even when he gritted his teeth and shook his head as though to scare them away. The reaction of Yei was lost on him, only able to eventually hear her gentle words and feel her warmth. It was enough to make him huddle close to her for comfort, trying to bite back his sobs while his body shook with the force of his misery. But he couldn't keep crying, not when she was talking again, and his flattened ears reluctantly swiveled to listen. True friends... It made him think of the small filly he'd met, the one who smelled so strongly of roses. She hadn't run away from him--in fact, she'd even taught him games that he could play. But then she'd had to leave, and Diriel was almost surprised to remember the pang in his chest when he realized he'd been left all alone again.
"I tried." The foal finally managed to say, sniffing softly every once in a while, but having managed to get himself under control again. He'd tried so hard to make her proud, but never knew quite how to do it, or what she'd ever really wanted. It'd never been the right thing to do, whatever he tried. But even when he grew discouraged... well, she was his mother. He loved her. 'Blinking' a little, the colt twisted his head up to stare at the mare, a little stunned and not really sure how to react to the compliments. Eventually, his gnarled mouth trembled into a tiny smile as though doing it just for her, and the branches on his back rustled softly.
"I...I c-could?" She was really quite good at knocking the earth out from under his feet, and Diriel had to shake his head slowly to keep his thoughts from racing around anymore. He knew he couldn't go back home, not wanting to disappoint his mother anymore. And she'd be furious, because his father would probably be mad at her... No, no, it would be better overall if he just disappeared. Taking a deep breath, Diriel glanced back up to try and meet her gaze before he nodded slowly.
"Um. I'd like that... a lot." And he meant it. He was tired of running through his place without a clue of where he was going, and Yei'd been so nice to him... Maybe after he'd rested a little, and if they didn't want him to stay, he could venture out into new parts of the land he'd never seen before. But the thought of a place like home... Well, Diriel certainly wouldn't object to heading that way.
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