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 Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:22 pm
She didn't know how long she had been standing in the darkness, but she figured with the rim of the sky turning a bright purple that sunrise wasn't too far off from now. She hadn't liked staying in the area all night, slipping in and out of restless sleep as best she could, but the chocolate mare couldn't quite order her body to move. It was far too painful to attempt, and it was hard enough just to keep herself pright. As much as she hated to admit it, her strength was dwendling down close to nothing and it would take the strain away from her already exhausted reserves if she just laid down. She was assuming since she hadn't been attacked during the night that the danger had passed, it'd be safe to lay down now, just for a little bit. At least that's what the mare told herself.
With this in mind the flaxen-maned mare slowly began to set her body down into the soft layer of frost that covered the ground, and instantly regretted the action. Her wounds had stopped bleeding, for the most part, over night, but as she bent her body toward the ground she could feel the sharp pains as the cuts and bites reopened partially. She didn't need to look at her reflection to know she was in bad shape. Covered in wounds from muzzle to tail, and dried blood caking her hide. If ever she had been in a sorrier state she couldn't remember.
Oh well. Unable to stop herself halfway from laying down, the mare simply followed out the rest of the action until she had gotten herself safely on the ground. It was a relief really, to finally be off her hooves and give her aching legs a break. She'd only lay down for a little bit she told herself, only long enough to gather up her strength and move on. And yet as she thought this, the mare couldn't help but shift to her side, far too exhausted to keep her head off the ground now that she had given in to her tiredness.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:27 pm
It was early morning. Frost, dew, and a rather nippy air all around, set about a slightly gloomy morning to be, as far as Ashia saw it. She was having an off day, in a way. The world wasn't as bright. Perhaps it was simply because she wasn't used to being awake for so long. However she couldn't sleep. To many nagging in her mind. This happened from time to time. She'd get antsy, worried, and spend many days awake, looking for a poor foal to save, or lay to rest. So, despite the lack of sleep, the little mare was more alert then ever. Her eyes darted around in the dim light as the sun began to just give her visibility. She really needed to find some way to see better at night. Sometimes the stars just were not enough, and the moon hidden behind clouds. But alas, she shook her head to clear the thoughts and her eyes drifted across the land in front of her.
It wasn't long before the little mare, items jingling softly, happily, caught something out of the corner of her eye. She froze, her entire body tensing. Her breathe fogged around her head as her legs twitched. Slowly, she moved towards the shape she saw. It was larger then a foal. Larger then a yearling, she was certain. It was an adult, it seemed. And as she neared she could smell blood. Mostly dry, as the scent wasn't as fresh. The poor thing was laying down... Either dead, or close to it. Ashia sprung into action, suddenly alive with limitless energy, it would have seemed to a passerby.
"Hello there, Can you hear me? I am Ashia, and I am hear to help. Can you speak?" She moved to the side of the other mare quickly and looked down at her, anxious to get to work, however not wanting to startle the mare into lashing out and causing herself more harm. She spoke softly, her voice holding a calming air to it. It worked on foals, she knew, but she didn't often run into an adult who needed her help, so she was not sure how well it would work...
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:47 pm
It felt so good just to be off her hooves, as if the aching of her body wasn't enough to upset the feeling of relief she got from her legs. Normally she was use to standing up all night, sleeping that way with her knees locked, but she was feeling excessively weak. That was to be expected though, wasn't? Sure, with everything that happened who wouldn't want to just take a load off? The mare was about to drift off into light sleep, bitterness and a cold, seething disappointment clinging to her thoughts and emotions, when a voice surprised her into rousing.
Yellow eyes stared out into the darkness, hazy with exhaustion and visually blurry from the light feeling in her head, but she did see the figure of something, a horse, near her. The chocolate mare attempted to raise her head off the ground, possibly roll over to her stomach, but merely succeeded in lifting her muzzle and head off the ground before it flopped back to the ground with a soft 'thunk'. She grunted at her unsuccessful attempt with annoyance and disdain.
"Yes," she managed, although her voice was rather gruff sounding and gravely, which she didn't like at all. There. An answer to all the stranger's questions and she didn't even have to waste her breath. Didn't she feel proud? Her eyes felt tired, heavy, it would feel so good just to close them right now.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:33 pm
"Oh thank goodness." Ashia said softly. The mare was alive. She shook her back hard and everything but the blanket tumbled to the ground. "Can you tell me your name?" She asked. She knew the mare was badly hurt, but she didn't know how badly, as the light was still less then ideal. But she had to keep the mare talking until she had fully assessed the damage. "I have things that will help. Can you please lift your head?" She asked softly, getting her Evergreen bundles to place under the mare's head. The moister on the ground could easily cause illness if the mare inhaled to much of it. And that was something she wasn't skilled in treating. Only time and nature could cure something inside, no matter how many herbs she made the mare eat.
Ashia's eyes strained in the darkness to see the damage, however poorly. Assessment early on was important, she knew. The little brown mare was happy to have just stocked up on food and herbs. So long as there was no gaping wound, she should be able to patch the mare up easily. Least, she hoped. She really needed to see the mare's other side, but asking her to roll over before she knew the extent of damages on this side would not be a smart move.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:48 pm
A name? Well, that was a rather odd question to be asking now wasn't it? Or at least she thought so, but then again the flaxen-maned mare was also very light headed at the moment. Things just didn't seem to make much sense in the swirling drifts her thoughts were taking her. Were these thoughts at all even? They didn't seem to take her anywhere, and even when something coherent- oh wait, a name, that was right. "Spook", she replied, although somewhat hesitantly. Somehow that alias didn't seem to fit anymore, but she certainly wasn't going to go back to calling herself 'Raspuita' again.
It was somewhat difficult to concentrate on what the other was saying, for some reason it sounded as if the other mare, Ashia, was talking too quickly. Or maybe she was just slow in hearing? Did that make sense? However she did understand that she needed to lift her head from the ground, and though she had failed miserably before, Spook figured she could give it one more go. "Sure, I'm just really-", her voice was cut off with a grunt and a snort as she did her best to jerk her head upwards, managing to do a better job of it than she had orginally. "Tired." she finished, catching up to the rest of the sentence finally. There was also the searing stings of pain anytime she moved, but it didn't occur to the chocolate mare to speak up about it.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:33 am
The little mare slipped one of the bundles under the mare's head. "There, that will keep the moisture out of your lungs and keep you from getting sick inside." She explained slowly, hoping the mare would understand. So far it seemed she was understanding everything well enough, which was a good sign." Ashia moved back, getting her pouch of herbs and food. She had to have something in here full of water... Ah! She pulled out a fresh branch of leaves and berries. It wasn't much, but it would be better then nothing. She set it aside and began to pull herbs out.
"I'm sure you are, Spook, but you can't sleep just yet. Your vary hurt and sleep might sound nice but if you sleep, you might not wake up." She tried to explain. "Now, I'm going to help, but you have to keep talking to me. Tell me what happened, where the hurt is the worst, and what your feeling." She could only help the mare as much as Spook let her. It was so frusterating, but it was the way it had to be. She willed the sun to rise faster so the light could reveal more of what she was working with. It was much easier to see, which she was happy about, but shadows were still being cast and it made things appear diffrent then reality. "Yes, tell me where it hurts, how much and what your feeling. Also, if your hungry, or thirsty. I have some things you can eat to help with your strength." She informed the mare. "And a blanket, if you are cold."
She realized that Spook was to large for her to pull to safety... whatever did this to the mare... Ashia hoped to all that was powerful that it was gone.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:02 am
So much talking, were the words just swirling around her from all sides? That of course brought back the memories of the day before, the surrounding devils and their demon teeth grabbing at whatever she couldn't guard in time. The mare tensed at the very thought of it, of the fury and terror that had gripped her during that battle. Of course, she reminded herself, that was the day before, it was over, and relaxed once again. Much to the pleasure of her tired muscles. Slowly the words began to sink in and though she hadn't understood at the time they were spoken, she grasped their meaning as they sunk past her weariness. Sleep she couldn't ever wake up from? That wouldn't be good, but oh, she was just so tired.
"Wolves", she replied, snorting out the word in very clear hatred of it. But she supposed she could explain a little bit more, as that might not be self-explanitory she thought. Common sense usually took care of certain words like that, to the point most mustangs woulds know what you were talking about just by uttering those few words, but to Spook in this state she really wasn't quite sure if it would sufficent. "Four or five of them, I got one of the devils- should still be lying around here somewhere- but the others gave up." For now, she reminded herself, and the reason why she didn't want to lie down all night came flooding back to her. Balls. She was lying down now, wasn't she?
As soon as she got her strength up Spook would make a show of standing, as she wasn't liking the idea of being in the same area as the attack, and being vulnerable while lying down. Not to mention Ashia was here... but she had a feeling the demons would go after her- the free meal, before they attempted another attack on a healthy horse. Oh, right, she was suppose to be telling Ashia where it hurt. "Everywhere, everything hurts. ... Mostly my neck though." That made sense didn't it? They would try to go for her neck.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 1:35 pm
Wolves? Uh oh. Ashia's ears perked and she took a moment to look around. Ah... there wast he one Spook mentioned. She looked back at the hurt mare. "I see, then good thing it is morning. They'll be off somewhere else now." She said, unsure weather the other mare was still worried about the attackers being near, or not. "But we need to get you moved before the day is over, or else they might come back to see if your still here." She glanced at the new morning sky. All day. Such a long time, and yet, it would fly by, she was certain. It always did. "The light is getting better so I can see your wounds more. I have herbs that I can put in the worst of the wounds. And leaves to cover minor scratches. It will sting, maybe hurt some, but trust me, it will save your life." She promised.
She set to work, nudging little herb leaves and tiny berries into bite wounds, and covering scratches with a leaf and sap covering. However, the mare was in bad shape, and this was only one side. Ashia began to fret a bit. If she didn't have enough, she couldn't leave the mare to go find more. And if she didn't take care of whatever was on the other side, the ground would soon sneak into Spook's body with sickness. Then there would be a problem. "Spook, I need you to sit up. There are sure to be more wounds on your other side and if I cannot cover the worst of them, they will draw bad things into you and make you vary sick." She hoped that was enough motivation to get the other mare up. If not she'd have to push her up, which wouldn't happen easily.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:20 pm
Well that was a relief. She didn't quite feel like dealing with the bags of fleas a second time, as she was certain it wouldn't go as well as the first. That was a bit of humor in itself, obviously with how she had ended up after their little run-in. Eurgh. If ever there was a creature to be disliked on this green earth, it was wolves and their kind. That... and other mustangs. Not all of them, certainly not all of them, but the spineless, back-stabbing, cowards of the plains certainly drew no love from the flaxen-maned mare. Especially not after yesterday. Her mind sub-sided into itself upon reaching this certain discussion point, for Spook was doing her best to ignore the sting of the 'herbs' that touched the open wounds.
Her loathing thoughts were interrupted by Ashia's voice once more and the chocolate mare gave a snort, almost humorous in nature. "Figures, can't have that. Alright then, give me a minute." It'd take a little bit for Spook to gather her strength in order to attempt the roll to her stomach, but in that time and the time she had spent talking with the other mare her head had begun to clear somewhat. Although talking was a rather loose term to apply to Spook at this point, as she wasn't saying much at all in comparison to normal. Truth was, now that her mind was starting to clear she realized Ashia didn't have to help her at all. In fact, she was lucky the other mare had stumbled upon her at all, and even luckier she was so willing to help without being asked to do so. It kinda made her wonder, but curiousity would need to be taken care of later.
First she had to get herself up far enough so Ashia could see her other side, and that was going to take some doing. After a moment of gathering her energy, or what remained of it, Spook lurched herself upward and to the side, folding her legs under her in order to roll onto her belly. That in itself was met with a great deal of effort on her part, and left her feeling somewhat light headed. "Is this good? I won't lie, I'm feeling pretty weak right now." Well, Ashia did say to tell her everything she felt, right? If not, than she just made herself sound like a fool, wonderful.
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:33 pm
Ashia smiled warmly at the mare. "Yes, that's wonderful, good job. If you can just keep yourself like that while I work, it would be wonderful." She was so happy the other mare was alert still, and seemed to be growing more so. She was responding quicker, which was a good sign. "And that is vary good, you telling me, I mean. Keep that up. I have some berries and leaves you can eat, if you like. It should help a little bit with the weakness." She moved to the mare's other side, setting to work once more. Normally, she talked while she worked. And as she started on this side she realized she hadn't been speaking to much. How rude of her. And dangerous. If Spook began to slip off, and she just let her... well.. She shook her head at the thought. She had to keep the mare occupied.
"Those wolves did a number on you. Were you alone? Its dangerous to travel alone." Ok she was one to talk. But she was prepared for that risk, for who else would be there to save those who had gotten lost, separated, or left behind? So she had a perfectly good reason to be alone. And she tried to stay in places that were safe, at night. She was vary curious as to why this mare was in such a bad shape. Why had she been attacked? Was someone looking for her? And where would she take her after the mare could walk? Certainly not to the safe haven...
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Hmm, she did have the munchies now that Ashia brought that up. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? "Thanks, I could eat." Huh. Odd how life would throw her something- someone like Ashia almost right after what had happened last night. Perhaps it was the world's way of appolizing? Or maybe it was just her own dumb luck. Either way, Spook knew she fallen into something good right now. Hopefully. At least the other mare didn't seem two-faced, as far as she could tell any way. Concpiring thoughts aside, Spook found herself taking a liking to the other mare... and vaguely wondered what she looked like. It was still somewhat shadowy for early morning, and her blurry vision wasn't helping too much in that department. As far as Spook saw it, she just needed a few moment to regain her head and her senses, for they were all rather dulled at this point and simply needed a chance to catch up. That was her theory at least.
"I'm usually alone", the flaxen-maned mare replied, doing her best to crane her neck around to look at her morning's companion. "Though you're right, it is dangerous." It's also dangerous to trust strangers... and apparently your own brother, she couldn't help but think to herself. It was getting easier to understand everything Ashia was saying now, at least it didn't take as much effort to pay attention any more. The worst part would be getting up though, as she wasn't sure she'd be able to do that without fighting her body the entire way through. To tell the truth, Spook had never been in this bad of a condition before, and it was almost scary to even think about it. "I've been meaning to fix that though, just not many herds-" she paused as her throat started to feel scratchy and dry, clearing it up with a snort or two. "Just not many herds I'm willing to let myself be brought into." She'd find one eventually, and if not then damn it all she'd start her own. Now that would be a sight.
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:31 pm
"Let me get them for you then." She moved to her bag before bringing the mare some little branches with leaves and berries. "You can eat all of that, even the twigs, it will help with hunger and thirst you might be having." She smiled at Spook. Ashia took a moment to be glad that this mare was so friendly and accepting the help with such ease. Adults were not always willing to be helped, due to pride, fear, or just misunderstanding. Foals were much more trusting, which made her job easier. "Your such a good patient. Much more then a lot of other adults I have tried to help in my time." Ashia voiced. "Apparently a little mare like me is vary scary." She giggled softly. It was so strange to her that so many larger horses would be so scared when she tried to help, which happened more then she liked.
"hmm?" She listened to the mare, nodding as she moved to set to work again. "Yes, perhaps you should find a travel companion at the least? Until you find a herd whom you agree with?" She hadn't run into to many herds around here. Well... she tried to think. Just one, and judging from how this mare was from the short time she'd spoke with her, and the situation Ashia had found her in, she didn't think that the herd she had met would be willing to let her into their ranks, nor would she be happy to join. "Yes, a travel companion could prove useful. And it doesn't even have to be a strong stallion. Another set of hooves could be useful if you get caught in a bad situation again." She nodded, her feather bobbing.
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 2:18 pm
You know, Ashia actually brought up a good point, one that Spook's muddled mind hadn't even possibly considered in its state. Why was she so trusting to the mare who had offered to help her along? Hadn't she just paid the price for being betrayed by a stranger? Spook thought about this, and allowed it to roll in her mind a bit, but couldn't really bring herself to think that way toward Ashia. Not even the least bit of suspision jumped out at her. Huh, weird. Those that's didn't last long though, as the chocolate mare's attention brought her to the twigs and little nummies that had been placed before her. They certainly looked good, that's for sure.
"Little?" Spook swung her head around again, attempting to discern what the blurry mass of brown looked like. She couldn't help a bit of dried up chuckle, her voice crackling a bit from her scratchy throat. "I can't even tell. Course just about anything looks bigger than me while I'm down here." Spook was a rather large mustang, standing at about 15.1 hands at the shoulders, and filled out with firm muscles that she liked to keep in shape. She had naturally assumed Ashia was bigger than her, but then when you're looked at someone about knee level, they would look that way now wouldn't they?
"I really have no use for a strong stallion anyhow, but a traveling companion would certainly be a nice change of pace," the muscular mare replied, pondering over that little tidbit. She had yet to meet up with anyone who had been willing enough to stay in her company for longer than a day, anything more and Spook thought she'd hit the jackpot on luck. So finding such a mustang to travel with might as well turn out as challenging as finding a herd she could live with. "Out of curiousity, you wouldn't happen to know anyone whose looking for such a companion, or even a herd?" she snorted, bemused by the thought. She didn't expect Ashia to really know anyone, or any herd, but it was nice to just keep the conversation up. It felt like it starting to clear her head up, even. Maybe. Kinda.
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:49 pm
Ashia smiled. "Oh yes, I'm rather on the small side. I didn't have a fine diet to help me grow large and strong, since I was always sickly in my early foal days. Oh but that doesn't matter." She shook her head. She giggled at Spook's comment. "Well of course I'd look bigger with you on the ground. Even a rabbit would look bigger if they stood over you." Spook seemed a vary nice mare, and the conversation was something Ashia looked for. It was a good sign and by golly, good signs just made her all giddy inside.
"Oh of course, and perhaps save you from another encounter like your previous one." Ashia nodded, finishing up the last of her leafy bandages. She looked around before moving to take a spot on the ground in front of Spook. The other mare wouldn't be ready to be moved, she was certain, and the little mare was in no hurry to risk it anyway. "You just lay there and we'll rest for a bit before finding you a suitable place to heal properly." She explained. While she wished there was more for her to do, there just wasn't. And it was frustrating, but waiting was needed.
"Hmm, lets see... I don't know any herd's you could join... travel companions... well there was a mare, named Faerin. She's a nice girl, vary thick boned. And smart. Oh but I don't know where she would be to introduce her to you. She was traveling and thinking about a herd, I think. Or was that someone else? Oh well." She shook her head. "Have you been traveling alone for a while?" The little mare offered a question to keep Spook talking.
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:01 pm
Spook watched as Ashia moved around to the front of her, and was much relieved to find herself eye to eye with the other mare finally, for her neck hadn't liked being outstretched and craned around in such a way before. "Maybe, but only if they're not as trusting as I am", she replied, giving her head a shake. Although she was rather grateful for the fact the little mare was actually sticking around, even after she had patched up the wounds. Spook always did like a horse that was willing to talk and spend time with a stranger, especially since the chocolate mare was far from anti-social. Heck, she considered an encounter with a disagreeable and down-right angsty mustang to be a good social workout. Mostly anyway. She wasn't too happy with the backstabbing type as of late.
"I am curious, what do you think about society? Are mustangs usually... good? Like in their intentions and stuff?" She didn't even know if that would make sense to Ashia, but it was on her mind and had been for the entire night. Why not talk about it? Perhaps Ashia could help her understand such things. And if not maybe it would help to just unmuddle her mind a bit, and wrap her undertanding around what had happened last night. To say the least it royally pissed her off, but she wasn't about to pour that on to Ashia. The little mare was just so friendly and helpful. On the other hoof, if she ever caught up with Desmona... it'd be a different story.
She pricked her ears as Ashia spoke up once more, and Spook mentally tried to memorize the name. "Hmm, if I ever come across a mare with that name, I'll bring it up to her." That may or may not happen, but who knows, perhaps her luck would proceed her. "Ah, about two years or so, I'm not really counting." She spoke, chuckling slightly. It was actually getting somewhat easier to talk, but the sprigs and leaves grabbed her attention again, and the mare couldn't help but reach down to nibble on them.
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