|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:51 pm
It was evening time, where the sun was setting on the horizon with it's blood red color spilling out into the sky. The first of the stars were appearing in the midnight blue portion. Alas, the mare who was the colors of the sunrise on a quiet morning gave a small snort and plunged into the trees, where the light became even scarcer.
The forest was quiet, with the exception of the occasional scurry or flutter as the other animals got ready for the night. Even the taunting voice remained quiet, leaving Neva to be in a quiet peace for once. She stepped carefully over the odd branches on the ground, and just simply wandered. It was rare that she actually got to simply walk about in such quiet. And it almost made her happy. Just almost. Deep down, she knew that this quiet would end, just like it always does. Perhaps maybe, she might be lucky this one time, and be able to enjoy the peace. Just maybe.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:26 pm
 Dark Maroon ears swiveled at the sound of branches crunching under hooves, and an eyebrow raised as he tried to spot what roused him from his catnap without moving, not wishing to be spotted from where he lay
At first he didn't spot anything, but then a pale mix of white and pastels moving through the dark woods towards him drew his attention. A wind Soquili in my woods? Hmn, a Mare.. The Woods were rather tight, so he pondered whether she'd be able to take off in fright should he startle her early on and ruin his fun. Chuckling, he grinned,continue to lay as still as possible within the branches leaf litter he had covered himself in, wondering how close she would get before he had to say something or stand to prevent being stepped upon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:39 pm
So far nothing had interrupted the mare's quiet, and for that she was amazed. It was a record really. She kept walking as quietly as she could amongst the trees, her wings pulled in tightly against her sides. The closeness of the trees did not bother her at all, and not being able to take off into the skies did not even cross her mind. Her wings were basically a useless decoration in her mind.
Using her wings was a once in blue moon deal, and usually only if she was amusing herself by tormenting some scared little grounded thing. Her wings reminded her of the family she came from. 'Skydancers' they called themselves, and Neva hated it. At the mere thought of that dreaded word, she couldn't help but shudder slightly in annoyance and anger. To absorbed in her thoughts, she never noticed anything hiding in the forest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:51 am
Watching her approach for a little bit, Tulgey finally decided she was close enough, poking his head out of the brush that was poking slightly into the usual game trail, a wide grin on his face, "Pardon me, love, I appear to be in your way."
His accent was subtle, a lilt that just softened his deep voice a little as he rose just as suddenly out of the cover, shaking leaves from his body, brows vanished in thick green hair, trying to turn on the charm: It had been a while since he had gotten to play with anyone. Well, except for sending that dolt Chantesuta off on another Snipe Hunt, but that was dull and boring.
"I apologize for intruding on your silent wandering, however you should be careful -- there have been some predators prowling this game trail. I've been hoping to catch one of them off guard myself, cloaking my smell in the leaf litter, but I wouldn't want one of them to sink their claws and fangs into your throat as you enjoy the night."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:59 am
Just as she was about to give a small sigh of content, a rustle of leaves and then a voice appeared. Well there went her quiet night. Why couldn't it ever just stay quiet? Just once, she'd like to go a whole night without someone coming near her.
Neva looked at the thing that was now standing up out of the leaf area it had been laying in. Great. A stallion. Stupid things they were. She gave a snort of irritation as she pawed at the ground with her hoof. "Predators? Why would that matter to me. I can fend for myself thankyouverymuch." Her voice was harsh as she spoke to the thing in front of her.
"Now if you'll excuse me. I'm going to leave now." She turned away from the stallion and started to walk away. Maybe if she left now, he wouldn't follow her. Just maybe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:15 am
Tulgey chuckled, standing his ground as she passed -- even if she left now, he was sure he could find her to have a 'chance encounter' again.
"Just thought I'd warn you. Especially since the terrain further ahead is rough -- many a Soquili unfamiliar to these woods of mine have tumbled and broken their wings and legs in hidden burrows and sudden drop offs, especially on nights like these where they hide the best in the brush and paths, stuck there till they either died of thirst and starvation, or killed off much sooner by predators.." He hummed softly, flicking his tail clean of debris, "Though, I'm sure a mare like yourself could find your way safely. Though, if not I'll be sure you suffer a quick death rather then a slow one if you don't break your neck in the fall as you continue down this path."
He grinned, then turned away from her, relaxed that smile of his never leaving his lips, "Good luck, love, enjoy your... 'Trip'. Meanwhile, my cover was blown, so I'll be traveling on a safer path around." He flipped his tail, walking slowly into the tightest press of woods, footsteps soft. He'd likely follow her, at a distance.
Especially since if she did break a leg he could sit and laugh at her. It was easier to tell the truth and have people think you are a liar then to tell lies and have them be right, sometimes, when one wanted others to fall for ones tricks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:29 am
At the mention of him saying these woods of mine, she almost stopped and turned around to say something back at him. But instead she kept going on forward, ignoring the words he said. Neva wasn't going to get hurt out in the woods. If she could fight Kalonas, she could handle a bit of woods in her opinion.
Now the thought of that arrogant angeni popped into her head. Oh how she hated him. Claimed the forest was his, and now this egotistical idiot was claiming these woods as his own. What was it with stallions? They all seemed to think they owned something huge and massive. "Stupid stallions. They should all just go jump off a cliff." she muttered irritably as she picked her way amongst the forest, being extra careful as she did. There was no way she was going to prove that egotistical thing right.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:02 pm
Unfortunately, the pathway did get rougher, the woods close to the mountain range of the north, the soil rocky and unstable, large twisting roots trying their best to hold it together, but just as dangerous in their own way. And the occasional hint of scavenged Soquili bones.
There was a snap up ahead as the green haired, striped ground soquili crossed her path, somehow managing to travel through the seemingly tight bramble of the woods faster then down the clear path. "Careful -- there's a sudden drop off the other side of the bushes up ahead. a difficult climb down into a dry stream which could flood soon with the melting snow further north and the spring rains..." He shook his shoulders, "And still too tight to fly in. There is a bridge this direction though. So perhaps I'll be seeing you on the other side. Or perhaps not." He laughed, vanishing into the woods once more.
He pondered if he had time to steal some food from a local hermit's garden before seeing if she made it across the river. It was rather entertaining watching her tread on stubbornly. Like a mule. Ha, I wonder what would happen if I sent that stubborn idiot Chantesuta after her for his next 'quest'. Amused, he continued his walk, one ear turned to listen to the mares progress.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:28 pm
Hearing the snap, Neva's head whirled in the direction of the sound, but gave an irritated sigh as she saw it was that thing she had left behind. It never crossed her mind that he somehow had gotten out here around the same time she did, if not before her.
"Why don't you go fall off a cliff?" She muttered as she watched him walk away once more. Her hooves were starting to catch the roots that twisted across the path, and her mane and tail were littered with dead twigs that snagged as she proceeded through the woods. A sudden drop eh? Well then, perhaps if she didn't get herself killed she could bring her mother up here. A plan was forming in her head, as she picked her way along the path.
Reaching the bushes, she was carefully peered over them, and saw the drop. It was quite a drop, and there was still no room for her to open her wings if she should lose control down the climb. Neva stood there and pondered a while, because she did not want to take the advice that stallion and find that bridge. So there she stood, pondering and waiting for the solution to appear in her mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:32 pm
"Long way down, isn't it?" Tulgey had returned to her side quietly, practically sneaking up as she stared down at the angry waters below. He smiled softly, sedate and serene, "I believe we started off on the wrong hoof -- your disdain with me is near tangible." He chuckled, stepping back, "What, with your wishing me to fall off a cliff and all that."
He stood in silence for a while, staying a good distance from the crumbly edge of the ravine, watching her with that wickedly gleeful expression of his, "Perhaps it was at calling these woods "mine", as in "Tulgey's Woods". I have no staked claim in the territory, this is just my usual haunts. I know the woods well, and thus they are mine, just as they are that of the other creatures that live and die here." His tail flicks, "Or perhaps it was simply because I couldn't just let you step on me and felt I should warn you of the dangers of this part of the woods."
He took a step back, the wound around a tree to head back into the woods, "There used to be a fallen tree that spanned this river right there -- thick, almost like a bridge. It was used by many of the creatures hunting to travel across the ravine, but a bad rain washed it away. However, now that its gone, the gametrail leads many soquili and humans to their doom. I will not lead you, not will I request you follow me to safety. However, I am heading to raid a hermits garden for sweet herbs and tasty fresh shoots, and if you decide to follow out of curiosities sake, I will not stop you from doing so under your own power and free will."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:18 pm
"No one being can own a whole forest. It's impossible." The mare snorted irritably as she muttered something about an egotistical angeni. "Dangers are nothing to me. If I die I die. It'd be the greatest revenge upon my family." She glared at the stallion as she thought over her choices. To stay here and attempt to climb down this cliff, turn around and go back, or follow this...thing.
If she climbed down, she'd probably die, and that would be to simple of a death for her. Going back wasn't an option because there were more things that could annoy her out in the open. So that left her with following this idiotic stallion. An option she was not pleased about. How did she get herself into these situations? Why did she deserve such annoying companions?
"As much as it pains me to say this. I will follow you to this..hermit's place. I have no interest but if I went back, I would most likely be bombarded by others, and I prefer to keep mostly to myself. So. Lead on." Neva gave an annoyed sigh as she finished speaking. This was going to be a long night. Why did she do this to herself? Why?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:16 pm
The Stallion didn't respond, simply stepping back into the gnarled roots of the forest, stepping lightly on the thick roots as he worked his way through, clearing a path. Eventually he turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow, the mad sparkle momentary gone, his voice soft and musical as he spoke, "I never said I owned the forest. It's just my home."
He paused slightly at the sound of rattling up ahead, and turned to the side to avoid a rattlesnake they had spooked. It took about fifteen minutes from there, left in silence before they reached a creaky rope and rood bridge made of twisted bindings. It looked both old and new at the same time, installed in relatively recently by man. The river dropped into a sharp incline in the area, but it was far enough down that only the worst of floods would drag of the bridge itself.
Looking over his shoulder to make sure she was still there, Tulgey's mad gleam was back, "Do we dare travel it at once, or should we take turns crossing?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:25 pm
Neva ignored the stallions comment about not owning the forest and followed him. The rattling of the snake intrigued her, and she had wanted to stop for a closer look but continued following this stallion. She remained quiet along their traveling, and she was neither happy nor angry about her situation. Just simply annoyed. At least he kept to himself, so she couldn't be upset about that. Anyone else would have tried to butt into her own personal life and tried to make everything all better.
Looking now at the bridge, she shook her head and glanced at Tulgey. "Travel at once. Get it done and out of the way. Unless you had other ideas."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:35 pm
Chuckling, Tulgey grinned, "Ah, well its as good of a day to die as any if it fails. I never did fully trust human creations." shaking some twigs from his mane, he stretched then began to trot across the bridge, tail raised up in a cheerful angle, making a soft noise as it began to bounce with him, slowing to a simple walk. Unlike his current companion, he lacked wings to have a remote chance of even gliding to safety, and despite his usually being unbothered by heights, it was still a bit too wiggly for his tastes.
However, perhaps because of his caution, he stepped onto solid ground on the other side, turning to face Neva, "I suppose this is where we part paths?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:11 am
Neva hated that bridge. Just absolutly hated it. With it's bouncing and swinging. It was so unstable! And made her feel sick to her stomach, which by the time she reached the other side, the winged mare had to lower her head a few moments. If she could, she would hurt this thing for making her come across the bridge. It had been his idea. But instead she raised her head and glared at the stallion.
"Part paths? What goes in these either directions that you'll want to caution me against, making it so I end up following you?" Her voice was harsh as she spoke, annoyed at having been seen as weak with slight sickness in front of another.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
