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 Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:02 pm
"Why, hello there, little one!"
The feathery voice was but a whisper, but anyone that would have been close enough to hear could have easily discerned the purity and innocent wonder of it. The mare who had uttered the words stood quietly, hunched over a small nest of birds that had recently hatched. The small nest was on an unusually low limb, allowing the curious mare to arch her neck high enough to see the scrawny hatch-lings. Though the birds might have seemed ugly, and perhaps repulsive, to any other being, Liella found beauty in their half-naked forms. She had always found beauty even in the simplest things, because to her, nothing was quite as simple as it seemed. Everything had a purpose, and because of that, it was beautiful.
She finally took her leave of the birds, allowing herself to back away and leave them to their mother. "Fly strong," she whispered, then turned away, heading deeper into the trees from whence she had came.
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:14 am
 "Why am I even here?" The voice, though pleasing to the ears and as smooth as silk, had a disturbed and gruff quality to it. The owner, a stallion as pure as snow, could be seen kicking his front left leg to dislodge a bit of vine that had wrapped itself around his leg. Vines from a different tree had woven themselves into his hair, a place that he could not reach. How he longed for thumbs at the time! He detested humans and their dirtiness, but at least they could reach their own damn heads.
Continuing along his way back to his plains, his clean and tidy homeland, Ritalin heard a soft voice whispering something to someone. A mother speaking to a foal? No, a mother would call her foal something like "dear" or "sweetie", if said mother had a voice as soft as this. The voice was beautiful, and surely its owner would be as well. Ritalin decided he would find the owner of the voice, determined to look upon beauty. Perhaps this beauty even rivaled his own.
He found the source not too far away, a beautiful white mare with an ebony mane speaking to a nest of... ugh, new born birds. Birds, for an Angeni's sake. The newborns, having not flown yet, were the cleanest of the filthy species, yet the egg gunk covering their featherless bodies was not appealing whatsoever. He figured the beautiful mare in front of him was just being nice, or something like that.
She left the nest after telling the birds to "fly strong." What a fool, she obviously had no clue that by flying, birds collected dirt and diseases in their feathers. They were as filthy as rats! It seemed to Ritalin that beauty was often not accompanied by brains... but he could put that aside.
"Hello, madame. I do believe I heard an angel's voice earlier, greeting a little one/ Would you know where this angel is?" Cheesy, yes. Effective, probably. Ritalin stepped closer to the mare and dipped his head in greeting, turning the charm all the way up. He was a sucker for white mares.
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:03 pm
Liella's dance-like stride halted as she heard the voice behind her, and her head spun around gracefully as she looked for the newcomer. Of course, it took less than a second to see him--he was pure white, almost glowing against the background of the darker trees, and his features had a certain handsomeness about them. His eyes seemed clear and cool, yet for a moment, Liella believed that she had seen something deeper, something darker beneath their sparkling surfaces. Of course, she was not one to judge those whom she had just met, or just anyone in particular.
Her brows rose at his question, and for a second, she blundered, "An angel? I... I'm not sure..." And then the intention of his words became clear to her, and her fair cheeks gained the lightest of pink colors as she blushed.
"Oh, no, sir. Surely you do not mean me?" she murmured, taken aback and yet slightly invigorated by his meaning. "I am no angel, of that you can see." A light and kind smile lit her face as she shrugged her shoulders.
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:38 pm
Smarter than she looked, this one. That was a good thing, Ritalin wasn't fond of conversing with bimbos. He enjoyed her reaction, seeing her blush like that. It was very cute, and a step towards her becoming addicted to him. He had learned from an early age that women love compliments, and he would use the technique to his advantage. After all, women were more pleasing to addict than men.
"Oh but madame, you voice is certainly that of an angel's. Tell me, did you take singing lessons from mermaids? I digress, however. My name is Ritalin, wanderer of the plains. May I inquire as to the fair maiden's name?" That was right, he just had to play it up. Surely she'd drink it up like water.
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Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:11 pm
Liella could only gaze at him, surprised, as he complimented her. She had never had another Soquili lather such attention upon her, and for a moment, could only bask in it like the sun, for it seemed to warm her heart and make her muscles feel weak. But then came that small conscience, the voice of caution that her father had so kindly bestowed upon her when she was young. 'Do not trust those who are quick with their words,' he once said, her beautiful and wise father. Now that she remembered these words, something did strike her as strange about this stallion, though she couldn't quite figure it out. But he was quick with his words, and those magical phrases seemed to weaken her as easily as the seduction of drowsiness.
"My voice? I... well, I--I am not certain of what to say," she stuttered, laughing nervously. But he seemed kind enough, and even told her his name. Now what could be so uncertain about that?
She let herself relax a bit as she smiled. "I am Liella, a wanderer of the forests. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ritalin." She nodded her head in a graceful sort of curtsy, then straightened, and a curious look came to her face. "But the plains are quite a ways from here. What could it be that you seek beneath the trees, sir Ritalin?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 9:20 pm
She seemed...cautious? The way she laughed and her body language said it was so. Could he, Ritalin, be failing? Of course not. Ritalin was a professional with a tongue quicker than quicksilver, a master of charisma. Not only could he sweep a mare into his metaphoric arms in one fell swoop, he could keep them coming. He was Ritalin, the Sedater! He made Soquili antsy by leaving their presence, and calmed them by showing himself to them once more.
"Liella, what a beautiful name. Tell me, who named you; your father or your mother? For surely they were bestowed by the knowledge of the gods at the time." He began to canter around Liella, scanning her body as he did so. She seemed as near to perfect as he was - were those flowers tied into her mane and tail real? Did she know how dirty those could be? How terrifying.
"I seek a refuge of sorts, from a threat that is littered about my plains at the moment. This threat used to reside in this canopy, yet it has left for the time being." Hints of disgust and unpleasantness came from Ritalin's mouth as he spoke, his eyes looking toward all the bird's nests in the canopy. They would be back soon, very soon.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:55 pm
Liella's eyes widened slightly as the stallion continues to compliment her. She had never experienced this sort of attention, and though there seemed to be a darker intent behind the words, it seemed that she could not pull herself away from their meaning. This stallion truly knew how to impress, and indeed, was she impressed.
"I believe that both of my parents named me..." she murmured, almost dazedly, as she watched him look her over. Perhaps if any other male had done that, she might have skittered away, or blushed in embarrassment. But the feeling that this horse caused her to feel was far from disturbing... in fact, it was like a warm tingle that ran over her fur and down her spine. Pleasant, almost...
"A threat? I haven't heard of anything so threatening as to drive horses from the plains... though I do not communicate with others very often, so I suppose I could have missed that." She watched as he gazed up at the treetops, and when she followed his gaze, saw the nest that lay nearly hidden in the branches. Still, she didn't understand what he was so wary of, and brushed it off as a minor strangeness.
"Ritalin... you are quite the gentleman. Never have I heard such words from another being... And yet, it is not often that such a charmer has completely innocent intentions. Tell me... do you say these things to many mares?" She wasn't sure why she chose those words--caution, perhaps? Memories of her father's warnings? Or maybe, just maybe... she was slightly jealous at the thought that these words were not only meant for her. Just thinking about it made her cheeks turn a pale shade of red, and she glanced away to regain her bearings.
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 12:01 am
"most...would not see it as a threat, no. For most are not beautiful, and most do not pay mind to the fact that if one is surrounded by ugliness, he becomes ugly." That nest...it was dripping with disease. He wished to end the lives of the future disease-spreaders then and there, grinding their tiny bodies to nothingness with his hooves. But to commit such a gory act in front of another beautiful horse, a mare at that, would not be so beautiful.
Oh, there was the question. That one question, oft asked by wary mares, caused even the most experienced of charmers to trip up and lose their hold over their prey. Fortunately, Ritalin did not see Liella as prey, and would gladly tell her the truth.
"My dear lady, I only utter such sweet nothings to those mares of great beauty, as to test their intellect. If they can pierce the shroud, they are surely beautiful on the outside, and their mind is beautiful. I test integrity as well, and you've passed with flying colors. You are perfect, as I am perfect." He started off sweet, but began to get a grind to his voice as he neared the end of his explanation. Ritalin was showing part of himself to her, the part of him that took a horse and turned them into an addict. If he could manage this, he could manage to force her to his whims. Oh what whims he had!
"However, I feel you need a little more education on beauty, as to be as beautiful as I. Strip yourself of those flowers, m'dear. They suit you quite fine, but the filth they carry does not." A command, not a request. If his influence was great enough, she would do it. Ritalin never failed.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:57 pm
"I've passed the test?" she mumbled, almost incoherently, and to herself. Indeed, his voice was intoxicating, but the choice of words was becoming a bit off, as if he really did have other intentions. True, she was not an intelligent mare--she knew of those who studied day and night, tucked away in their lamp-lit niches with books beneath their noses. They were the intelligent of mind. But though she had not ever read a book, her wise father had taught her many things, and she felt that she was intelligent in sense of her surroundings, if not in worldly facts. She was definitely smart enough to realize that this Ritalin might not be the friend she had been hoping him to be...
His last comment hit her like a blow to the face. How dare he have the nerve to ORDER her to do something? And strip her mane of her flowers, no less? And... and... call them filth? She had worn these flowers in her mane ever since she was a foal. They represented everything about her: Her love of nature, her beauty, her brightness, her resilience, and her will to live. And he would dare to call them filth? Was she no better than they were?
Rarely did anger engulf her, but at this moment, she felt like she could slap him in the face--no matter how seductive he was.
"Excuse me, Ritalin, but you insult me! Being of the plains, you do not understand the importance of these simple adornments. They are more beautiful to me than any other thing in this forest. And you would call them filthy! How dare you. You understand nothing."
She grimaced as the words left her, knowing that anger polluted the soul like toxins polluted the waters of white-human villages. But she had to say it, had to defend herself. Why should she listen to this stranger? He knew nothing of her!
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:25 pm
Did…she just say no? Had Ritalin truly heard her defy his orders? That was impossible! Ritalin’s techniques were flawless. To think that he hadn’t had a strong enough hold on this one…she was truly strong willed. He could call that will ugliness, yet he didn’t think of it as ugly. The willpower it took to overcome his seduction had to be immense. Would he take her defiance lying down, however? No. He was beyond cowardice and submitting. Submitting to one you were trying to seduce was ugly. What would he do then? He would insult her intellect, try and tear her down. He would attempt to cast her to rock bottom, destroying her pride and inner beauty along the way. And if he could…he would rebuild her to be as beautiful as himself.
“Oh, but I do understand. I understand many things, you filthy piece of trash. If those flowers of yours are so precious to you, you are the same as them. Filthy.” He dropped all the coating that was on his words, his voice became harsh and scratchy. “It is you that does not understand, trash. The plains are the epitome of beauty.” He advanced on her, making sure that his movements were threatening. “But you’re precious birds litter them with their feathers and biological waste. They relieve themselves with no care for whom or what they may mar.” His breath was hot now, his eyes glaring. “Your sense of beauty is flawed, blurred, shattered even. I can fix that for you, but why should I waste my time on a filthy bid lover?”
When he was a hair’s length away from her face, Ritalin whipped himself around, beginning to walk the other way – towards the birds nest that Liella had been paying attention to earlier. He eyed the featherless hatchlings covered in their egg goop. Their mother had not returned yet. That was just as well, as she would only complicate things.
“I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself, filth. Strip yourself of those flowers, or these young ones will go to Hell early.” He kicked the tree, shaking the branches. The nest now teetered on the edge of its branch. Another kick would seal the fate of the young birds, who were chirping wildly. How annoying.
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:22 pm
Liella felt hot tears bite at the corners of her eyes as the white stallion turned on her. She wouldn't allow them to fall, but her heart was beating quickly and creating a dull ache in her chest. She hadn't expected such a meeting to turn out so badly, but she hadn't the ability to fix it. What was done was done. She was alone, and had to settle this problem herself, for her parents were no longer by her side.
She backed up as he advanced, her sides trembling as her breathing quickened. His words were like daggers to her heart... But would he physically hurt her? She had never been in a threatening situation, and doubted that she could defend herself for long. She only hoped that he would leave, and just leave her alone.
She grimaced as he neared, his nose so close that she could feel his hot breath. She was certain that he would attack her... until he whipped around, and advanced on the newborn birds instead. Her eyes widened, and her heart dropped within her chest. Not them! Anything but them!
"I... I..." she began, her voice trembling. Her eyes flitted back and forth between Ritalin and the nest, and her mind panicked mind worked to find a solution to the problem. She had to remove her flowers... that was the only way to save the birds. But her parents themselves had given these flowers to her, and the embodiment of their love was hidden in the silken petals. She couldn't discard them... she couldn't... but what would she do to save the newborns?
Her head drooped, and her eyes closed in anguish. There was only one thing she could do--but her parents had warned her excessively about it. It could destroy her, pollute her mind and soil her soul. But it was the only way...
She whipped her head up, her eyes hardening. "NO!" she shouted, and surged forward, throwing every ounce of strength she had into the charge. Her smaller body crashed into his, sending them both stumbling away from the tree and onto the forest floor.
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Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 8:48 pm
Shocked by yet another cry of defiance, Ritalin had no time to react as he was charged by the mare, who was at least a head smaller than him and weighed at least thirty pounds less than he – but because he was caught by surprise, he tumbled to the filthy earth, mucking up his hide, mane, tail, and hooves. Grass and mud became accessories for his mane, dirt clumped in his tail, and his hide was stained and smeared with the guts of the bugs that crawled along the dirt. As if to add insult to injury, the mother bird had come back, and relieved herself right over Ritalin. The white stallion was furious now, and pushed himself off the forest floor in a thrashing manner, not bothering to fix the mess that was currently his state of appearance. With a great snort, he stomped a hoof on the hair of the assaulting mare, hot air billowing from his nostrils, electric blue eyes shooting scathing hot daggers into his assailant’s trembling eyes.
“I will end you, you filthy whore!” With a loud whiny, he reared himself up on his hind legs, staring into her ice blue orbs. He could end her, here and now. It would just take the forces of gravity and momentum, plus his own weight, and her face would be a bloody shell of what her living self used to be. He could completely devastate this mare in a single moment, and walk away to let the vermin of the forest turn her into carrion. Yet he couldn’t, for her physical beauty was far too great. For him to mar, no matter what she had done to him. He could wash himself, make himself beautiful again. Death would not look good on this mare, not in the least. He would let her live, for today. If she ever charged him again, however…
He let his hooves fall on one of the flowers that had fallen out of her hair, shattering the filthy flora to smithereens. He dug his hoof into it, burying it in the dirt and grime. He snorted, flicked his tail, and turned away. He began at a steady canter, then increased to a run. He wanted to be rid of the filth.
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