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 Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:52 pm
But, she reminded herself, winter wasn't ever lasting.
Giving her thick curls a small shake, the mare delicately picked her way over the hills in search of water. She knew of a small river not far from her small family's territory, though whether or not it would be frozen solid she could only guess. It was rather hit or miss with its swift flowing waters but regardless, she would make the journey. It wasn't long enough, really, or so she mused her thoughts heavy over the course of her life.
Funny how life never turned out like the fairy tales of her youth. She had always dreamed of grand adventure, of seeing the world, of escaping the prejudice of her father. . . . but here she was, a mare locked up in a proverbial tower with no escape. Miki had already long disappeared, having been swept up in the embrace of some stallion and gotten lost in her own romance.
No . . . Zara couldn't leave, not yet. Her baby sister Rupali needed her, and further it would break her father's heart. Oh yes, Zara still blindly saw her father as a great stallion who loved her the best out of all of his children. The favorite, if you would, and she took pride in keeping him happy. Unforutnately, that meant obeying his rules. . .
She had lost many of her friends due to his strict views; if he hadn't run them off himself, than they had been unable to stay and wait. Where Melancholy had gone, she knew not. . . where Taigi had gone, she hadn't a clue. Even her flutter friend, Laures, had disappeared after their adventure in the cave. . . .
Strange how life kept moving and yet she felt as if she were standing still. Everyone else surrounded her, everyone else was really living and she lived a life in pause. Heaving a small sigh, the mare shook her head. She'd grown more melancholy and distant since winter and knew not how to shake such feelings. A little reserved, perhaps, but she didn't dare find more friends. . . .
She'd grow attached and then they'd bid adieu. No, she wanted no more heart break and lonliness. . . Zara was tired of thinking about all the "what if's " . . . Perhaps today she just plum wouldn't think at all.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:17 am
Vatsa nosed at the thin trickle of water he could see running under the ice, his breath making puffing clouds of white. He back up a little, made sure he had a firm footing on the bank and then hit the ice hard with a hoof, hearing it make a loud cracking noise as he did so.
He pushed the broken pieces to one side, slowly making a hole, breaking it again with his hoof and smoothing the edges of his ice hole so that neither he, nor anyone else that used it after him would cut themselves on the sharp, cold sides.
That done, he took a long drink, before standing up and looking around him, ears twitching as he listened to his surroundings. He didn't recall being in this area before, and had seen neither sight nor sign of any other Soquili. Then again, the weather wasn't exactly good for casual encounters.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:32 am
The mare's ears twitched as she heard a loud snap and crack in the distance. It sounded like either a branch heavy with ice broke or something just went through the ice. Her overactive imagination could only think of some helpless creature struggling and it instantly put the mare in to action.
Trotting forward, ears alert the mare made it over the snow bank and through a small line of trees. She knew the river wasn't far, but was unsure what scene she might come face to face with. The waters were often fast-flowing and she could only hope that the creature might not be pulled under so soon. Darting through the snows, the pink and silver mare slammed on the breaks when she came face with the source of the noise. . .
A soquili, and a very purple coloured one at that!
Tearing her eyes off the stranger for just a moment, she glanced over at the river and saw that it was completely solid. The only hole present was a small one made at the edge of the water near shore, one that looked to be used for drinking. Relief caused her shoulders to relax and Zara turned back to the stranger in question.
"Was that you making such noises?" She questioned, tilting her head as a small smile graced her features. "I was worried something other than your hoof fell through!" She added, giving her tail a light swish behind her. It wasn't exactly the most proper way to introduce herself, but it would explain her hasty arrival without any cause for alarm or confusion.
Rudeness aside, she'd introduce herself properly if the stallion wasn't just leaving.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:26 am
'Hello.' Vatsa said, looking at the sudden and beautiful addition to the scenery.
'Noises? Oh yes, sorry if I alarmed you, that was me making a waterhole in the ice.'
He smiled at the mare, noticing the slim horn that adorned her graceful head. A unicorn! Like him, but unlike, for he could just see her tail, and it was completely different from his or his mothers. How strange! He was however not about to leave, for not only was she lovely, but she was the first unicorn he'd met that wasn't his silent mother.
'I'm Vatsa.' he said, walking over to her and bumping his nose against hers.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:48 am
The mare watched the other, curiosity burning behind her magenta gaze. It was fortuitous that the stallion in question was indeed a unicorn, though she did notice he didn't sport a unicorn tail. It meant his blood was mixed somewhere, and while it didn't bother or concern Zara, she could already hear her father snorting his disgust.
Really. . . . It amazed her that he had been some Casanova before becoming entranced with his mother. Surely a Casanova couldn't be that particular with the mares lest he never find an escort for the day! Still, her upbringing was hard to shake and in reality she was far more pleased with Vatsa because of his tail.
Purity wasn't something she required in her company, thank you!
"It's quite all right really. Probably for the best, as I really wasn't keen on the idea of taking a swim in such cold water," Oh, she would have jumped in in a heart beat should something have fallen in and needed help but that was besides the point. If nothing was in dire need than Zara was more than content to enjoy her afternoon dry. Besides, water always made her look horribly unsettled and rumpled. . . and she could only hear Baldev nit-picking over her appearance.
But there was always a silver lining, was there not? "And the noises did bring up this unexpected meeting." She added with a small smile. Yes, everything had worked out quite all right. Though she'd never admit it, Zara was glad to meet another. . . Her walks with but her shadow as a companion were a bit lonesome and though she was far too proper to genuinely sulk, she certainly wouldn't turn away this fortuitous meeting!
Zara was pleased when the violet stallion approached, taking a moment to memorize his name. "Vatsa its - - - " She paused though, taking an involuntary step back in confusion as he bumped his nose against her own. ". . . a pleasure. . . " She added though the confusion that graced her features was acute. Her tail swished a bit quicker behind her as she moved away to give herself a little bit of personal space.
It wasn't that Zara was opposed to affection, it was just something that she wasn't used to. Her father taught them to be prim and proper and a bit distant and prejudiced; her mother, much more affectionate, was still reserved now that they were older. And while Zara loved to dance and play and cuddle with her sisters, it wasn't the same with a stranger.
Still. . . no harm done and she didn't want to look displeased despite the flush behind her features. Apparently he was a touchy-feely sort. Well, so long as he wasn't a creep things would work out just fine. "I'm sorry, I just . . .wasn't expecting such a greeting. You may call me Zara." She dipped her head and gave a graceful bow to the stallion before her, trying to regain her composure and grace in his presence.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:49 am
Vatsa would have been amazed had she voiced her thoughts about him being mixed blood, as far as he was concerned is mother was a pure Unicorn, and she'd never told him anything different - though that didn't mean anything as far as Sohalia was concerned!
Vatsa chuckled after stepping away again, noting her reaction to his small show of affection and wondering why she wouldn't be used to it. Such a pretty mare would have a mate wouldn't she? But, he would be sure not to be so forward with her and be sparingly tactile until she was used to him.
'Not a good idea to go into such cold water unless absolutely necessary, you'd cramp up quite quickly.'
This time he gave her a bow, his mane falling around his eyes until he straightened again.
'It's a pleasure to meet you Zara, I too am glad I am a noisy fellow.'
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:31 am
Zara couldn't help but smile up at the stallion, her eyes glowing with good humor as he mentioned cramping in the water. "Hmmm. . . . But at the same rate, it might lead to something epic! All I'd need was to start flailing and perhaps the fates would grant me a great rescue with someone all things charming," she giggled, her tail wagging gently behind her. She thought about the moment, of meeting some rogue in a chance and rather cold meeting. But then there would be an instant spark and some torrid affair would soon follow and it would lead to a happily-ever-after and a great story to tell her children and grandchildren.
Maybe.
Zara did prefer such happy endings, though her imagination also pointed out that she would MORE than likely drown a frigid death. And her spirit would then haunt the very spot and sing warning to the foolish who jumped in to such streams.
Such an imagination she. "Then again, the fates can be fickle creatures, can't they?" She inquired with a good-natured smile. "And as I'd prefer not to drown in the name of epicness, on the land I shall surely stay." Laughing lightly the mare shook her head and dipped her neck apologetically. "I'm sorry - I shouldn't let my imagination carry me away so. . . especially in the presence of a stranger! Forgive my slight," her father would have been livid for being so rude and so female and silly.
Not proper formality at all!
Looking back up, she flicked some of her hair over her neck and shoulder, before offering a small smile. What did one do now. . .? If she were younger she might attack him with questions and games, but as a grown mare, she realized her role as lady and good hostess. This made things difficult. . . . "I don't think I've seen you in these lands before. If the good sir doesn't mind my inquiry, are you new here? A rogue passing through, perhaps, or is there a different purpose behind your travels?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:13 am
'I think you could be right, it would be a dramatic way to meet someone.' Vatsa smiled, having similar thoughts about a grateful mare who would remain forever faithful to her knight errant. But life wasn't always like that...though something had led to their meeting one another. If it hadn't been icy, he wouldn't have broken said ice, and she wouldn't have come running. But they had only just met, time enough to see whether he could thank the fates properly for him being noisy.
'It would be a good idea for you not to drown, I agree.' he smiled at her, and then raised a brow.
'Why would you apologise for that? An imagination is nothing to be sorry for. As long as you don't go imagining I'm a, a spotted frog or something!' he laughed.
'I'm just travelling around.' he replied. He might have said he was looking for something, but it was a thing best saved for one you knew better. He didn't yet want to get into how he'd met a mare he thought he could raise a family with but they had parted ways. Best to just be gregarious for now until he knew the lady better.
'I have relations, mother, father, siblings, that sort of thing. I like to see new place though. And you? Are you out here other than to rescue clumsy folk from the ice?'
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:04 am
The mare chuckled lightly, trying to imagine the stranger as a spotted frog! He certainly would make a funny looking creature, especially if he remained so vibrantly purple with flecks of gold. Grinning impishly up at him, she canted her head to the side and couldn't help but ask, "And why would imagining you as a spotted frog be off limits? Do you have something against the creatures?" Mind, she much preferred him to stay a stallion thankyouvermuch, but the idea of him hopping around and croaking was entertaining. "Or is it perhaps the spots?"
Still, her tail gently wagged hypnotically back and forth behind her as she chattered with the amicable stallion. Really, the day had been turning out quite pleasant - it wasn't everyday she met a stranger. Still, she reminded herself that this was just another chance meeting - they would converse and even spend a little time together, then they would part ways and that would be that.
It was the story of her life.
So he was merely passing through. No great mission, no desire to seek fortune or rescue damsels or fight kalona. . . . Nothing at all like the great epic stories her mother and sister spoke of. But be that as it may, it wasn't as if she was judging the stranger, oh no! She herself lived a very quiet life. . . the adventures of her youth were long past and she found herself trapped by duties and obligation to her family.
Chuckling gently, the delicate mare gave a small shake of her head> "Rescuing clumsy creatures is only a side job," she grinned. "I live with my family as well, my two sisters and parents not too far from here. But I do like to wander and see the world and new places too." Her tone took on an almost wistful edge, as if she'd never truly been away. Honestly, such a thing was true. . . for though she roamed, she could never truly get away.
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 3:06 pm
'Ribbit..' Vatsa intoned, trying to sound very serious but failing as his eyes were full of mischief.
'No, but really, I have met someone who thought I was a ghost or some such, I found it slightly peculiar,' he said with a soft chuckle.
'I'm sure frogs are very nice creatures, I just don't wish to be one. I like being who I am.'
He caught sight of her tail swishing about, and he wondered if that was nervous thing, or a happy thing. He hadn't known Zara long enough to decide but she wasn't coming off as nervous, so he plumped for the latter.
'Two sisters huh? I have a brother and a sister.' he gave a small nod, adding;
'Which I've not seen for a while, so eventually I will drift home again, see if they are around.'
He looked at the mare, catching the note in her voice.
'When was the last time you roamed around?'
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:44 pm
Zara blinked, her eyes going wide for a second as the stallion before her actually croaked. The mare's expression suddenly broadened in to a great and broad grin and she had to resist from wriggling her rear in glee. That wasn't very lady like in the least!
"Not very convincing," she gently criticized, but the delight that was present took away any sting that he might have felt. "But I commend you for my efforts, good sir." What an entertaining fellow. In fact, he reminded her ever so slightly of how she used to act as a filly, before she'd been carefully taught and told exactly how she was expected to act.
"Is home far from here?" She questioned, canting her head lightly. It pleased her that he enjoyed spending time with his family. She could certainly relate, though it wasn't entirely by her choice. Her family was all she had and unfortunately was the only stability in her life. No friends, no romance. . . . Though she had her sisters and parents, as well as her imagination, her life was ridiculously plain. "I . . . I really haven't roamed long at all. I tend to stay in this area due to my family's close proximity. They. . . They don't think its proper. . . Not for a lady, at any rate. Though I've always dreamed of it, and my mother used to roam long before she met my father." She smiled softly, trying to keep the wistfulness out of her voice.
It wasn't that she was unhappy she just . . never had the opportunity to really travel. She'd roamed a bit when younger but as an adult it just wasn't allowed.
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:11 am
'But if I was anymore convincing than you might actually think I was a frog, in a unicorn's clothing.' Vatsa laughed, noting the smile that had spread across her face at his impersination. It lit her lovely face up, she needed to feel that joy more often he thought privately.
'Uhh, it could be?' he tried to work out in his head where they were in relation to his home. It would probably take a day or so of travelling, mostly because he'd kind of stumbled on this area, and so wasn't particularly knowledgable about it.
'This is my first time in this area.' he grinned, and then flicked his ears, wondering about what she had just said.
'How not proper?'
He couldn't understand how a mare having proper experiences of life, and the world could not be proper. Didn't things like that help one grow into a rounded individual?
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:52 am
Zara blinked up at Vatsa before giggling delightedly. Oh, what a charming notion! It reminded her of stories her mother and sister often wove, about princes in disguise and fairy-tale romance and curses and witches and all sorts of fun things. Still, the mare couldn't help but add (albeit drolly), "You'd have to be one large frog to fill out your form," she added, taking a moment to look the violet coated stallion over. He was much larger than the largest toad she'd ever seen! "I think I like you just as you are, sans frogs and all."
So, he was new then, and probably just passing through. It didn't exactly surprise the mare as she was rather knowledgeable about this are and the surrounding pastures. She knew what families called the area home, and was quite certain that she would have remembered a violet unicorn prancing about. "Well welcome to the neighborhood," she bowed formally, though the smile on her features was true. "I've lived here all my life, so if you need any guidance or suggestions just let me know."
Her ears pricked lightly and her lion's tail gave a slight flick in concentration. The detailed mare went thoughtful for a moment, glancing away as she tried her best to figure out her father's reasons. "Well, he's a bit old-fashioned. I'm to be a proper lady, after all, and no daughter of his should be gallivanting across the territory. He keeps us on a pretty short leash. . ." She shrugged lightly, her joy wavering slightly as she thought about Baldev. She loved him, truly she did, but sometimes he frustrated her so. "He's so old fashioned he'd probably throw a fit that I was even conversing with you due to your tail." She gave a snort and pawed at the ground. "But while I try to mind him, there are some views of his that I refuse to accept. His prejudices being one of them."
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Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 3:50 am
'Ribbit..' he said softly, not wanting the happy smile to leave her face. No one that looked as she did should ever be sad, or even mildly unhappy, but he realised that not everyone was as free to do as they liked as he was.
'Thanks, I've not yet decided how long I'll stay in this area, maybe it might be a long stay if I don't remember the way home.' Vatsa joked, smiling at her warmly, his eyes taking in the change in mood that flitted across her lovely face as she talked of her father.
'I don't see what purpose that would serve.' he said, picking his words carefully, so as not to tread on hooves and unintentionally insult her father to her.
'Someone that's well adjusted has seen something of the world.' his forehead wrinkled at her mention of his tail. What was wrong with his tail? He turned on the spot trying to look at.
'What's wrong with my tail?' he asked, his tone slightly plaintive and he gave her what could be described as puppy eyes, before grinning.
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:24 am
Zara listened to the stallion, a smile forming on her features as he croaked once more. Such a silly unicorn, not at all proud or vain like she might have expected. Her family was slightly proud, and Baldev was very proud, so proud it clouded his vision of right and wrong. But he loved his girls and did his best, something Zara could ask any more of. . .
Smiling up at the violet stallion as he spoke, she gave a light laugh and a small cant of her head. "Well here's hoping that you decide to linger for at least a little while. It isn't often we get strangers passing through, much less such personable ones!" The mare couldn't help it - she was a figurative damsel stuck in a tower. She couldn't get out due to her father's tight leash and with Miki gone she also felt obligated to keep her much more shy sister company. Still, gypsy blood ran in her veins and sometimes the mare wished she could just . . . leave. To not think about what hse left behind and travel to see the world.
Strange how she'd been so carefree as a filly and yet since she'd grown she was stifled down with obligations to family. Zara had always thought her life would be something glorious and epic. . . . and yet. . . . here she was. A homebody with no prospects and nothing to show of her life. No friends remembered her, no acquaintances lingered. All she had WAS Baldev, Jaslyn and her sisters.
Somehow though that . . . wasn't entirely good enough.
"I know it's a little strange but I'll be the first to admit some of my father's views are highly conservative in nature. But it's what he believes. He's old-fashioned and doesn't want us taken advantage of by strangers or worse of all, men," she chuckled with a small shrug. "I guess in reality he just doesn't want to lose us and while there are no chains to hold me I . . . . well. . . . He has a pretty severe temper and, unfortunately, I fear would completely stifle my younger sister. She's shy enough without him never letting her out of sight should she get courage to roam."
Perhaps he'd change his tune if she had a mate and someone to 'look out for her' (not that she needed it, of course) but to keep her father happy. She figured that was the only way he'd let her go for long. Unfortunately, with the way she made friends, she was highly certain she'd be an old spinster the rest of her days.
"I think one could be well adjusted even if they were a homebody though. It just depends what one makes of their life, really, and though travel is good for some it isn't their calling.
"As for your tail. . . well. . . " She gave a little chuckle and pawed gently at the ground. "While I do think it's absolutely lovely, my father would probably be rude and call you a half-breed. He believes in keeping the lines pure, so to find me conversing with something less than a pure-bred unicorn is scandalous. Though you are a unicorn, without a lions tail, my father unfortunately wouldn't think much of you." She sighed, grimacing lightly as she realized once again her father's views would more than likely irritate this stranger if not drive him away completely. She was much more open minded, but the fact that her friends weren't good enough was always on her mind.
Furthermore, she knew Baldev's threats. . .had heard him speaking to Jaslyn about it after hearing of Miki's friendship with the half-breed Hadrian. He threatened to disown them, though a small part of her hoped such a thing wasn't true. Surely her father couldn't be that hateful. . . right?
Right.
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