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 Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 10:46 pm
((This RP is open but I don't want too many people joining, please. So if two people have already replied please ask me before jumping in. Large roleplays are difficult to keep up with. ^^; )) Bright eyes of yellow-green veered around the available lines of sight as the autumn colored mare stepped lightly between the trees and carefully clipped fresh leaf shoots from the foliage. There had been no signs of predators in the area for three days now but that was no reason to drop her guard.
A sound in the bushes a few yards off saw her jerking her head up and swiveling her ears for any sign of further movement as she strained her eyes for the same. Finally a small rodent showed itself nosing around for insects and she uttered a near-silent sigh of relief and gave a small shudder. Jumpy... why was she feeling so jumpy today?
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:24 am
 Stupid sister... stupid dam... Myrrith's thoughts were trubulent as he stomped through the bushes, taking pleasure in squishing the flowers and plants with his sharp little baby hooves, relieving some of the frustration he was feeling. Finally escaping from Helki and Rajah's notice, the colt decided that things would be much more interesting on the mainland.
All I ever get told to do is be quiet, stop making so much noise, stop bothering your sister, Myrrith, don't touch that Myrrith, well I've had enough!
The little colt tosses his head, four wings tucked neatly at his sides. A particularly stubborn flower resists his attempts to flatten it, and the colt snorts and rips the plant out of the ground with his teeth, tossing it as hard as he could into the forest, entirely oblivious to anyone else who may be nearby.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 7:48 am
Harbinger had resumed her sporatic grazing once the rodent had been identified, but once she heard more rustling in the bushes along with angry footfalls she shifted back to high alert. The rodent followed suit, but it had much more reason to fear than she and turned to bolt away. The mare was set to follow when she heard the colt's snort and paused.
That sounded like a Kirin. And a young one at that. Come to think of it those stomping sounds had not been loud enough for a grown Kirin... and if it had been a hunting cat it would not likely have been so easy to hear. Then a torn up flower made the latter half of an arch as it fell after being tossed from the other side of a bush, and curiosity got the better of her. She had to go look now.
Harbinger peered around a tree and was greeted with the sight of the golden colt. Her mind began whirring at the sight trying to figure out where he might have come from. There had been no sign of any of the Kirindae but herself here for quite some time either...
Well, she was not likely to find answers if she stood here staring dumbly at the small bewinged creature. "I seem to have found a golden colt wandering alone in quite a temper. This suggests to me you have managed to wander away after becoming quite peeved with someone at home. Would I be far off the mark?"
Her tone was simply curious and conversational. She was not one to speak in silly tones or be condescending to a foal. Harbinger was of the belief that children deserved to be spoken to plainly, if granted more patience than an adult. Children were more intellegent than they were often given credit for; if they didn't know something it was because they had not discovered it or had it explained yet. Developing good sense, however, unfortunately seemed to require them being scared out of their wits a few times before they truly learned better. Such is life.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:25 am
Myrrith lets out a startled squeal which cuts off as abruptly as it began, whirling around to face the mare. His ears flick forward and back with indecision, wings fluffed out to make him look bigger... not that he could match the mare's size by any stretch of the imagination.
"I..I'm not alone." Myrrith tosses his head, little crystal antler nubs glittering. "I just decided to go where I'm not being told what to do all the time." Harbinger's remarks had hit a little too close to the truth. " Who are you?" He asks, with directness of youth. The colt was curious, this was the first Kirin he had met that wasn't part of his small family herd. She certainly didn't look dangerous... but then again, she didn't exactly fit Myrrith's concept of what a Kirin mare should look like, either.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 6:05 pm
While in a more general sense it would be incorrect for one to assume Harbinger was not dangerous, as far as the colt was concerned she was essentially harmless. None the less she approved of him following his defensive instincts and trying to appear larger than he was.
She let his claim that he was not alone pass with nothing more than a nod of confirmation. Harbinger sincerely doubted the colt's parents actually knew his where abouts at the moment, but the odds were high that they were within a relatively close location. Also, whether he realized it or not, he had landed himself in Harbinger's keeping until those he actually belonged to showed up to retrieve him.
"Where you aren't being told what to do all the time? I take it your parents are as fond of "because I said so" as mine were." The autumn colored mare shook her head and snorted softly. "I think I'd have gone mad when I was your age if my uncle had not taken the time to explain why I was supposed to do as I was told. Though I must admit even then it didn't all make sense at the time."
She lifted her head and scanned the area carefully. There had been no sign of predators in the area for these past days, but she did not know precisely how far the colt had travelled and what other creatures might have had their attention drawn by his tantrum. She had more than ample reason for caution now as far as she was concerned.
"My name is Harbinger. I've taken up residence in the area for the past few weeks. Until now I had thought the area to be uninhabited." She returned to a normal posture and examined the colt for a moment. "What is your name, golden one?"
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 7:11 pm
His ears tilt forward and his short little foal tail flicks happily as she addresses him. Here was a grownup who wasn't going to order him about and make him sit under a tree all the time, what good fortune!
"I'm Myrrith. My dam is Helki, sired by Rajah, and sib to stupid 'Shana the fuzz-brain." He snorts and makes a very silly looking face at the last part, obviously thinking very poorly of his clutch-mate.
"We live over there," He points across the shallow coastal shoals with one wing, towards a large island. "But I like it on the mainland better, there's more room to explore and I'm not always being told to be quiet by my dam." The colt lowers his head, ears drooping, and mutters, "Sometimes I don't think she likes me very much... and I don't know why I have to be quiet all the time, there's nothing bigger than a tree-springer living on the island 'cept my herd, and they're harmless; worst they can do is bite you, but they always run away first."
He pauses for a breath, words tumbling over each other in his eagerness to share with the first sympathetic being he had met in his short life. "I don't like Shoshana much 'cause she bites me, hard, on the wings, and my dam doesn't even scold her for it. It's not fair!" He stomps a dainty cloven hoof. "Her teeth hurt, and when I yell, mum rails on both of us to stop making so much noise and then we get put under our trees and have to sit there, it's soooo boring!"
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 8:00 am
((Llia's going to toss one of her Kirin into the RP a bit further in, just so you know. 4laugh ))
Harbinger smiled faintly at the face the colt made in reference to his sister. She was quite certain she'd made that face at least once in reference to her own brothers. She glanced to the island he pointed at as she continued to listen, noting as Myrrith continued that it seemed that his parents, or at the very least his dam, did not offer any explanations for their expectations of their children's behavior. Or any explanation for their own. Nothing substantial enough to suit a foal's need to know why things were supposed to be a certain way when it otherwise made no sense to them at least.
"It could perhaps be an attempt to instill good habits in you in regards to being quiet, but I can not speak for your dam. Has she ever told you why she wants you to be quiet?" There were any number of reasons for such a thing, and the one Helki had chosen may well have been beyond Harbinger's knowledge. "And has she seen Shoshana bite you? Does your sire ever do anything about it? Parents can be woefully unobservant creatures at times, in spite of how they almost always seem to catch you when you want to go exploring." Another unfortunate fact of life was that sometimes parents tended to disbelieve one child would so torment the other unless they saw it for themselves. And the colt didn't even mention his father in regards to these issues... that hardly seemed fair to either of the foals.
Harbinger knew she could hardly solve all of the foals problems, but perhaps if she found out a bit more about the situation she could at least offer some sound advice. The fact remained, though, that his parents were likely to come searching for him before too long. He would likely be in a great deal of trouble, and she had no idea how well her own presense would be recieved. One step at a time, though. Perhaps once he had alleviated his frustration and perhaps found some entertainment he would be willing to return on his own before his parents found him and dragged him back.
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 11:16 am
((s'all good, another Kirin would do nicely in here. wink ))
Myrrith tilted his head sideways a bit, looking rather goofy as he considered Harbringer's words. Despite his foalish short temper, he was a decent soul underneath, with a curious mind. "Hm... maaaybe... mum's grumpy most of the time, she never wants to play or anything, so I'm stuck with 'Shana, and since our noise makes her mad, we can't play too close. So either I have to be squeaker-quiet, or I have to play with 'Shana... and I don't like either one."
Another bout of frustration makes itself evident in the colt's rambunctious bounding and bucking, ending with a full body shake of his wings and feathers.
"My sire's not around too often, he's usually off hunting for food. Isn't much on the island that's a decent size. Sometimes 'Shana goes with him, if it's not far... I'm supposed to be learning flying with mum, but my wings are too little still. So I followed Rajah this morning, I want to go hunting too!" He lets out a long sigh. "Where's your herd, Harbinger? Are you out hunting as well?" It never occurred to the young foal that another Kirin would be without a family group, by circumstance or choice.
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 9:49 am
It was difficult to be a child with parents who did not understand how to deal with children. Equally difficult for the parents. Harbinger mused to herself for a moment before shaking herself lightly. "Perhaps another option will present itself. Life is full of changes, both large and small. If not else I should be around somewhere if you decide to come over here more often." Although she wasn't sure how his parents would feel about that.
She watched him vent his frustration with a faint smile, partly sympathetic and partly amused. Her situation with her own family had not been too entirely different when she was a foal. She could have dealt with it if things had remained that way. It was when one of life's less pleasant changes struck her herd as she neared adulthood that had driven her away...
"Well at least exercising your wings will make them that much stronger for when you can start flying. Still though, it would probably do you good you try and learn more about hunting from your sire until you reach that point. Perhaps you should ask him about it when he returns." She had every intention of listening to Myrr, but she was growing thirsty and her thoughts began to drift slightly. The river wasn't too from here, was it? She had drifted much closer to the shoreline than usual today...
His queeries about her herd and her activities jerked her full attention back rather soundly. "My herd? I could not say where they are. There were some problems between some of them... particularly after my uncle and my parents died. I left some time ago... I am currently on my own." She smiled with amusement before answering the other half of his question by nipping some leaves off the nearby bush. "And I am a Sylrin. I prefer the taste of plants. Flesh has never really appealed to me."
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 5:42 pm
For the first time in her fairly short life, Nerissa was facing the possibility that she'd never see her brother again.
That was when she spotted the trail of stomped flowers and brine, leading off into the forest that began abruptly where the beach ended. Could Mother have thrown Septimus on the beach before her, and maybe he'd gone to explore?
***
Rats, she thought as she spotted the golden colt and his radiant friend, finally realising the source of the unfamiliar Kirin scent attached to the trail.
Still. Nerissa didn't really like interacting with other Kirin much, but she needed to find her brother, goofball as he was. Lately she'd been thinking she was better off without him, and maybe the Sea had heard her wishes... and taken him, making it all her fault.
Summoning up the courage after observing them for a long while - they didn't seem dangerous - Nerissa approached them.
"Excuse me. Have either of you seen my brother?"
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 7:52 pm
"I guess so.." Myrrith looked at his wings dubiously, as if doubting their ability to carry him at all. "Right now they're only good for making me bigger than 'Shana, which gets her tail in a knot." I satisfied smirk crosses the colt's face. "I followed my sire hoping he'd teach me too... " The colt looks wistfully at the forest, leapfrogging along on his gangly legs, until her last two statements brought him to an abrupt halt.
"Leaves are okay... I like the yellow round fruits best. Some of the stuff Rajah brings home is good too, so long as it's not fish." The foal wrinkles his nose, as if having bitten into something unpleasant. "No herd? You're by yourself? Isn't that dangerous..?" The colt snorted softly, looking somewhat impressed that Harbinger was a rogue. "Mum says it's not safe to be about by yourself when the sun goes down, that.. THINGS come out of the forest, down the hills to hunt." His expression alternated between fearful and excited.
The sudden voice behind him makes the colt squeak and puff up like a ball of feathers, dainty legs carrying him right under Harbinger in a mad scramble to put something, anything, between him and the sudden "monster".
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 10:04 am
Harbinger offered a merry chuckle as Myrr smirked. "Well, at least they're good for something, hmm?" She leaned down to give a near wing a gentle little friendly bump with her nose. "They'll catch up to you as you get older, I've seen it happen with birds."
Her ear flicked as he mentioned following his sire out in hope of hunting lessons. It would seem her supposition that he had not informed anyone of his intentions when he left was correct. "Your attempt would probably have been more effective if he had known you were following him." His energy was quite infectious as well, she was growing quite tempted to bound around with him when he stopped to respond to her statements about her herd and diet.
"Fruits are very good, indeed. I have found a number of them I like quite a lot. Most of them aren't ripe quite yet, so I'm happy enough with the leaves." She found her smiling and chuckling again at his expression when he mentioned the fish. "Well if I ever do decide to try meat again I shall remember to stay away from the fish!" She wouldn't try meat again, not unless the circumstances were dire. If things were that bad she probably wouldn't care if it was fish or not, but no need to go into all the gory details with the colt.
Harbinger's own expression grew gravely serious as he told her of the things his mother had said about the dangers of being alone. "It is very dangerous, Myrrith. I am very lucky. I had to fight off a hunting cat during my journey here from further inland. Apparently they dislike being kicked in the face." She shivered a bit at the memory. It had really been a lucky shot, and she'd turned and bolted after. "I was little safer with what was left of my herd, honestly, or I probably would not have set out like I did. But they do not seem to travel this close to the coast... or at least into this area. Perhaps because of your sire."
The conversation was interrupted quite suddenly and in a rather amusing fashion as the new arrival made herself known with a queery and Myrr dove beneath Harbinger for safety. Harbinger was a bit startled herself, she'd been so absorbed that she hadn't seen the other approaching any more than the colt. She gave herself a shake and a moment for her mind to exit fight or flight mode before answering.
"I've seen no one but this colt and yourself for some time, sadly. And do pardon his reaction, we were just speaking about being attacked by hunting cats. One can never be too careful." She brushed Myrr's reaction off as if it were no big deal and not at all something to be ashamed of. Hopefully it would spare him some embarrassement. "I was a bit startled myself, it would seem I'm not paying enough attention to my surroundings. Now, what is this about your brother? Is he missing?"
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 6:43 pm
Nerissa was highly amused at Myrrith's reaction, and couldn't help but grin... possibly making the poisonous-looking mare appear even more nefarious than usual.
"Hunting cats, eh?" She quipped, peering at the colt, who was cowering below. Round ears, sleek tail. All he needed to do was purr. "Are you quite sure one isn't already here?"
She straightened up, grin disappearing. There were so many "maybe"s. Maybe Septimus hadn't come ashore at all. Maybe he'd been attacked by a hunting cat, and was lying wounded somewhere. Maybe he'd gotten tired of her, too. Maybe a mare had lured him away.
"Oh, to me he's missing. I don't know if he considers himself missing. Perhaps he vanished voluntarily." Nerissa tossed her head irritably, wondering why she bothered; and then decided not to bother anymore. "Either way, I've decided not to look for him any longer."
The more she thought about it, the more it seemed she was better off without him. He never believed the sea was their mother. He was always doing the daftest things that common sense and caution would advise against.
Whatever. She could forge a new life.
"So. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Nerissa."
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 6:57 pm
Myrrith peeked out from behind Harbinger's legs, his feathers smoothing themselves back to their normal sleekness. "I'm not a hunting cat, I'm a Pryrin." The colt tosses his head, little baby antler nubs poking through his furry coat.
"Nerrissa... " He rolls the name around in his mouth as if tasting it, before trotting up to the new mare, staring up at her curiously. "You're probably better off without your sib. They're nothing but trouble, biting and whining and tattling on you to your dam." He nods sagely, noting Nerissa's wet coat. She must have been swimming. Wonder why we've never met before?
A rustle in the bushes catches Myrrith's attention, along with a flash of tawny orange. "Rajah? Hey wait, it's me! Come back!" The colt bounds out from between the two adults, leaping over a bush and into the forest beyond, chasing after the fleeting glimpse of motion.
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 9:47 pm
Harbinger was quite curious about the other mare. Nerrissa was indeed very wet, and smelled very much of the sea and almost nothing of the shore. It seemed there would be time to find out more about her, however, as she seemed intent on staying for at least a little while.
She listened intently to the reasoning behind her search for her brother... and perhaps to a taste of the frustration leading to her statement that she wasn't going to continue. It seemed sad to Harbinger, and in spite of Myrrith's amusing child antics she was intent on saying something of the like when the colt suddenly turned and darted off after what he thought was his father.
But surely if it had been Rajah he would have recognized his own colt? Or at least wanted to know why there were two strange mares this close to what Myrr had said was their home? She had a bad feeling about this.
She turned to chase after the colt, offering a call of "Sorry!" back to Nerrissa before disappearing into the foliage behind him. "Myrrith! Wait! It might not be your sire, it could be something dangerous!" She hoped, she really hoped it was actually the colt's father. She feared for what it might be, otherwise.
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