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 Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:48 am
 
Maharet paused only long enough to try and stop her chest from heaving as bad as it was, her eyes were rimmed in white, and she couldn't stop the nervous pounding of her heart. She found me! She found me!
The thought kept whirling around in the crazy mess that was her mind right at that moment, and at a slight sound she was off again, running on trembling legs, stumbling every few yards. She tried to make herself run better, but her whole body was wracked with fright and she was lucky to be moving at all....
A short time before..
Maharet was happy that she'd found her younger brother Vartan, and was strolling slowly back home. She was possibly been more relaxed than she should have been during her journey, and had therefore did not hear the stranger until she'd landed with a hard thud on the ground mere steps away from the winged mare.
Maharet's heart about stopped as she took in how the newcomer looked; the horns, the clawed wings, and the slithering, snake like tail that beat the ground in a whip-like fashion.
'Hello pretty..' Izusa slithered, closing the distance between them quickly, enjoying the shaking that she could see now she was closer to the winged mare.
'Why so frightened? I havent bitten you..yet.'
The Kalona's nostrils flared as she took in Maharet's scent.
'I know that smell.'
Maharet swallowed thickly, nailed to the floor by crashing waves of fear.
'Child of my child..daughter of my daughter.' Izusa hissed close to the mares ear, running her mouth down past her neck, teeth hovering close to the skin.
'Dirty, fouled blood!' Izusa lashed out with a wing, scoring a tear down her granddaughters side, and she latched onto one of Maharet's wings, tugging hard and pulling it so that the mare span around helplessly, crashing into a heap. She spat out a mouthful of feathers, smiling coldly at the mare whose wing hung uselessly at her side, rattling her tail as she decided what exactly she would do to this worthless addition to her bloodline.
'P..please..' Maharet had managed to stand, her words coming out in between her panted sobs for breath.
'Please?' Izusa mimicked the mare in a cruel, mock pitiful voice.
'There is no begging..only my sport and how long it takes you to die..' she flicked at a fang.
'Run little rabbit..I feel like a chase.'
Izusa smirked, closing her eyes and beginning to count loudly, as if they were just two foals playing hide and seek. Maharet took off headlessly, so scared that she fled in the opposite direction to her home and her mother.
'10..' Izusa's eyes slid open and she trotted off at a casual pace for the frightened mare's trail was far too easy to follow.
Maharet tripped again, her ears straining for any new sounds. She didn't yet know that Izusa had taken to the wing, was in fact lazily skimming through the air a small distance back, waiting for the ideal and cruellest moment to drop from the air like a deadly stone.
Maharet stumbled onwards, trying to call for help now, knowing that would help Izusa find her but she was running out of options. Her throat was dry with fear and her shouts came out weakly.
'Please..' she wanted to stop, but only her fear kept her going. There had to be someone who could hear her!
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:23 am
It was a normal day, except for the fact that he was lost.
What had begun as a routine adventure had turned into something more when he'd taken a tumble and ended up at the bottom of a steep incline, covered in dirt and greenery, dazed and a little disoriented. He'd taken a moment, looked around, and realized he was lost. Going back up the way he'd fallen was out of the question, so he'd simply decided that further exploration was in order, and had set out.
It was a pretty place, and he was glad to be walking through it. As he did so, he shook his mane in front of himself, nibbling at the leaves that were tangled in it. It wasn't the most elegant thing to do, but then again, no one was around.
Or were they?
Ears pricking at shuffling noises ahead, he spat out his mane and trotted toward them, a friendly and confident expression on his face. It wasn't until the words that the other spoke filtered through him that his smile dropped and worry clouded his face.
A distress call?
Glancing around quickly, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice, he called out, "I can hear you! I'm a friend, don't worry!" and began to make his way through the brush to where he could hear the sound of a voice.
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:00 am
Maharet stumbled again, nearly falling right to the ground but managed to right herself. Her heart was pounding in her ears, and she could barely process her thoughts let alone hear, but she thought she caught the sound of something...a voice?
'Hello?' her voice croaked at first, barely audible to herself, and as she struggled onwards she licked her dry mouth and gave a cough to try and make a throat work.
'Hello? Is someone out there? Please, please help me?' she begged.
Izusa's ears pricked at the sound of her prey calling out. She smirked, unworried that her grand daughter would get away. It would take a pretty strong Soquili to prevent her from her days work, and she doubted any with that kind of strength would go out of their way to help the mewling, pathetic mare that was desperately trying to get away from her.
She skimmed upwards, rising on the thermals and watched..
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:46 am
It wasn't exactly easy to find the one in need, as their voice was low and breaking, but Jonquil had good ears. While most would have taken a moment's pause, considered whether they were walking into a trap or not, Jonquil was fairly confident that he could escape whatever was before him if the situation turned bad. He would rather attempt to come to someone's aid and end up tricked than just leave a distressed Soquili in the dust, after all.
And, well, if it was a predator trying to lure a meal in... he could rouse himself to fight if he had to, long enough to get away. He dearly hoped that wasn't the case, though. He detested fighting, and only did it when he absolutely had to. In most cases, he found that aggressors could be reasoned with - and if not, finding other ways to occupy his time was much more preferred than exchanging blows.
Right now, though, his top priority was seeing who was in trouble, and how they'd gotten there. The closer he got, he realized it was a mare, and his slow and forgiving temper peaked a bit at the idea that anyone would terrorize a harmless mare.
Drawing closer, he nosed through the thick foliage and called out again, "How badly are you hurt? Can you find your way to me?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:56 am
'I don't know, I don't,' Maharet called back, casting around, trying to find out who had called to her, who was out there that sounded like they wanted to help. It was a male voice, and she hoped she wasn't wrong in thinking that they would help her, that they were friendly. Her mind couldn't even process what she would do if her Grandmother had merely been herding her into a trap.
'I can't find you!' she yelled, after a while of searching on trembling legs. Her mouth was still dry, her mind starting to go numb from terror. Where was he? Would he help her? Where was Izusa?
'Please..can you find me..'
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:25 pm
Luckily for both of them, Jonquil was scanning the right area of the forest at just the right time, and he saw a flash of movement. It was dark, and he almost missed her, but he quickly backtracked and saw that there was a mare standing - no, shaking - in the midst of brambles and branches. Surely this was the mare who had been seeking help!
Without hesitating, he lowered his head and pushed through the branches, hopping over a fallen log and all but stumbling out in front of her. Though his shoulders were covered in superficial scratches from making his way hastily through the woods, he was by no means hurt seriously.
This mare, though, looked like she had been through hell. Concern washing over his face, though he was still wary, he approached her on slow, quiet hooves.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you." Ears forward, he scanned the area, searching for the source of her panic and injury. "I'm a friend. What happened?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:43 pm
The sudden movement, rustling and then when the stallion jumped out before her sent Maharet stumbling back, her heart jumping up into her throat at this new fright. Of course he didn't mean to do so, was just coming in answer to her cries for help, but with her mind overloaded with fear, flight was her first response. Her hooves took her backwards involuntarily, and that was when Izusa struck, diving down swiftly.
Maharet cried out in pain and terror as her Grandmother struck. Izusa had dropped like a hawk, landing beside her, tearing at the mare's feathered wings and side, kicking at her legs so that she crumpled to the ground. The Kalona mare sneered at the stallion, and then took to the wing again, a new plan forming in her twisted mind.
As her Grandmother took off, Maharet keened with hurt from the floor, wings splayed out around her, shaking and crying now.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:11 pm
It all happened so fast that Jonquil had barely any time to react. A Kalona, from what he could see, swooped down out of the sky and attacked the mare. Obviously this was who had been plaguing her, and though he was a fully grown stallion capable of defending himself, he knew he'd end up on the wrong end of the Kalona's natural weapons. However, she didn't seem keen on sticking around - rather, she sneered and him and took flight again, just when the adrenaline had begun to pump through him and he'd braced himself for a fight.
Was this her game? He hadn't ever met a Kalona, so he didn't know if they were prone to mindgames or just hunting games, but either way, it was cruel. He felt nervous himself, and ready to spring at the slightest provocation - which wouldn't help the mare at his hooves at all.
Approaching the mare with caution, because he didn't want to cause more harm than she'd already suffered, he tried to examine her wounds as best he could without touching her. Still, he kept an ear cocked for the noises of anyone approaching.
"Miss, I'm sorry..." Voice soft despite the urgency of the situation, he circled around her, taking in her wounds and trying to decide if he could help her to her feet. "I hate to ask this, but can you try to stand?"
The last thing her mind, he was sure, would be getting up and running off with a stranger, but he knew it was all too dangerous to remain in place. After all, the Kalona knew where she was, and would no doubt be back to continue to torment her.
"I'll help you. We need to get out of here, to safety."
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:38 am
Maharet shied away at first, hiding her face with a wing, feel wretched and pathetic. He was still there! Had he been the one who had scared her Grandmother away? She couldn't imagine that...but why had Izusa taken off when he arrived? She dropped the wing, looking up at her rescuer.
He was a grounded, interesting colours and a kind face, his tone worried as he spoke to her, words that took a while to sink in.
'I can..' her brow wrinkled.
'I think.'
She pushed herself upwards, wincing slighty as she stood, bruising already forming on her legs. There were a few broken feathers in her wings, none of the fine bones of the structure had been damaged though.
'She's gone?' she asked quietly, standing and going close to this stranger, her knight errant. Her trembling still hadn't stopped, she wasn't sure if it ever would this day.
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:46 pm
He was relieved that she'd been able to stand, but he didn't want to waste any time. Who knew how long she could hold her hooves, after all, and he had no means of getting her to safety if she couldn't walk there herself. Of course, he wouldn't leave her behind, but he wasn't exactly keen on going head to head with the Kalona mare if she decided to come back.
"For now, it looks that way." It was difficult to keep the urgency from his tone, but Jonquil knew that the mare needed patience, kindness. Wouldn't anyway, after an experience like that?
When she came closer, he didn't think of it, simply shifted so that their bodies were parallel. Standing, he could better see the extent of her injuries, and it caused a cold, hard mass to ball in his stomach. Whoever she was, she didn't deserve to be attacked and thrown about for sport - and it seemed to him that there had been no other reason, as the Kalona had left when he arrived.
Careful to mind her wings, he nevertheless remained close, hoping his presence would be a comfort. "I think if we follow this line of tress we'll be out in the open, and close to where I've been staying. There's a two legger there, and she'll tend your wounds better than I could. Will you come with me?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:57 am
A small amount of relief flooded her body; but it left again as quickly. After all, her grandmother had wings, and was swift on them it would seem. Just because he couldn't see or hear Izusa..well, it would do no good to worry her rescuer! She was just happy not to be on her own, despite feeling like curling in as small a ball her body would allow and having a cry.
A two-legger huh? Well, she'd never been close to one before, but she would simply have to trust him, which was a large leap of faith as she didn't know him.
'I will.' she gave a tentative nod, as she was starting to feel like one large bruise.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:03 am
"Good." Relief was on his face, but that didn't mean he wasn't still listening for sounds of a Kalona - overhead or on hoof, whichever means of approach she intended to take. While not the best fighter in the world, Jonquil could at least hope to distract the Kalona long enough for her to make it to safety.
Beginning his walk, making certain that their shoulders stayed close though not touching, he cast about in his mind for the best way to handle the situation. Surely she was hurting, and the silence would give her little to do but focus on the hurt and the fear. That was the last thing he wanted.
Glancing toward her, an ear cocked in her direction, he asked easily, "I haven't introduced myself, have I? I'm Jonquil. I wish we'd met under cheerier circumstances, but at least you're coming to stay for a time. I promise, we have fresh grass and the bluest water you've ever seen."
Maybe it seemed a little lame, but if he could get her distracted enough to talk about pleasant things, well... it would be better, wouldn't it?
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:07 am
'Maharet,' she replied, concentrating on walking without bumping into him, but staying close enough so that he was a reassuring presence at all times.
'It sounds lovely. Is it safe?' she added, giving him a quick sidelong look. She most heartily wished they were meeting under better circumstances, she wouldn't feel in pain, and slightly scared out of her wits.
She fell silent and then spoke again;
'That was my grandmother..'
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:13 am
Maharet. Such a pretty name, and under better circumstances, he was certain she was quite the fetching mare. Not that her beauty was something that came and went on a whim, he thought, but when the light of panic left her eyes and she was able to smile, he imagined her face would hold more charm. He'd have to see if his suspicions were true; he'd made it his mission of sorts, now that he'd taken her under his metaphorical wing.
"Safe as safe can be," he replied, thinking of the skinny little two-legger who watched over the mismatched group that came and went from the teepee. Though some looked fiercer than others, she seemed more than capable of handling them, and he'd watched her chase away wolves with a spear in the night when they threatened the injured. Small and frail she might look, but the two legger was capable of defending that which she chose to.
His eyes widened at her next words, and he mulled it over in his head, not really understanding. He had a large and loving family, albeit scattered, and though he hadn't been in contact with many of them in recent months, he knew in his heart that none would try to hurt him in the way that her own grandmother had just abused her.
Though silent for a few beats, when he spoke, his voice was low and steady; the comforting sound of a stallion who intended to protect, though he didn't realize it. "You'll be safe with me. Family or not, I can't stand back and watch a friend be tossed about and wounded by anyone."
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:24 am
Bruised and battered as she was, Maharet couldn't conceive at that moment that she would look pretty to anyone. Not that she thought much on her looks usually, she saw few people beyond her family and they didn't feel the need to comment on it.
'Thank you, for this, for looking after me.' she said, looking at him properly, she even offered a small smile.
'I knew she was a danger..I've spent my life shying at shadows, scared that I'll meet her.' she let out a shudder.
'I always knew she'd find me.' Maharet had never blamed her mother for falling in love with their father, for having them. But if she hadn't, if her mother had followed her roots and formed a relationship with a Kalona, they would have been safe.
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