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 Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 10:50 pm
  Early dawn broke across the snow. By noon, the snow would glitter from that light. It's going to be a beautiful day.
Icefyre stretched his head up to the sun. His eyes shut. The feeling of the light burning at the back of his eye lids, a pleasant one. Beside him, stood ZhenHui. Only recently, had he crossed paths with her. For reason only fate knew, she was still here today. Gathered knowledge, had told him that she might benefit from a few things he could teach her. Stories were told of her parents, and a deceased father. The likes of which, had taken any Kirin knowledge to his grave with him. Unfortunate. Fortunate however, that she was here now, with a Dragon that claimed to be older that any Kirin in the land. For Icefyre only aged in the winter time. The ice he slept in for the rest of the seasons, preserved his body. However, his mind was ageless, never ending. Mentally, he grew year round. He willingly, would share all he knew. She wouldn't be here now, and have these stories, if it wasn't meant to be otherwise.
Opening his eyes, he turned and smiled at her with them. The rest of his face, very calm and still.. The light he noticed, played on her coat, energizing and glinting. Her coloration could best be compared to a night sky, right after the twilight, at dusk. A pleasant specimen. Observations later.
Without breaking eye contact, he began to speak in his deep, aged voice. He didn't spare a moment, and went right into where he believed, the beginning should be.
ZhenHui, first you must know, that I am not a wise dragon on a mountain---I am a living thing, just like you. I participate in life. I move freely, and journey beside life, through self-meditation. There is no time, except for the one we create along the way.
There are many questions for which you might seek answers:
"What is the meaning of my life?"
"How can one find peace?"
Icefyre didn't wait for her to answer the questions.
I invite you, ZhenHui, daughter of both a Kirin, and a Wind, to find those answers yourself, through meditation. I can help you with the form, but the method will be of your making. You are your own journey, I am but a guide.
Turning his head, again not waiting for a response, he walked away.
Come. We will walk quietly to the mountains edge. he spoke with a firm tone. He was not rude, but he was not suggestive that it was a question either. When in flight, ones mind was focused on where it was going. It took far more energy, than a quiet walk.
Setting his stride at a medium pace, he strode up the mountain.
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:18 am
The chill morning air was refreshingly crisp and clear. Zhen Hui drew in a deep, appreciative breath and arched her neck, feeling invigorated, her senses sharpened. She gazed around in delight at the shimmering snow that dusted everything with a pristine coat of white. Everything seemed brand new and full of possibility. An auspicious start to the day.
Out of the corner of her eye she watched as Icefyre stretched, seemingly enjoying the gentle benediction cast by the rising sun. He was an impressive and imposing figure, as pure a white as the gleaming snow outside, looking every inch a powerful legend come to life. His bewhiskered face was strong with deep blue eyes that were dark pools of wisdom. The fact that he was willing to share some of that wisdom with her was a continuing source of wonder. Surely he had better things to do than indulge a half breed who didn’t even know what it meant to be a kirin. If only her father had lived…
…a voice, rich and deep, as ready to laugh as to scold…a solid shape standing steadfast between his loved ones and a sharp-taloned foe…shimmering blue scales torn and splattered with dusky red blood as he bought time for his winged mate and their precious foal to escape…a scared young filly trying desperately to keep up with her grief-stricken mother’s vain attempts to out fly her grief…
Zhen Hui shook her mane, banishing the sad memories to the deepest depths of her heart. That terrified, confused filly was a thing of the past. She was a self-sufficient explorer who had flown across the land, searching for knowledge and other kirin. Whatever inner prompting had called her to this frozen expanse, she had found a wise and understanding mentor to teach her the mysterious ways of the kirin. She stole another glance at the huge dragon at her side. Of course, the fact that he was also a very stunningly magnificent stallion was a definite plus…
Her pleasant thoughts were interrupted as the great dragon began to speak. She focused all of her considerable attention to his words, marking them in her mind for later musing. He spoke with strength but also with humility, reminding her that he was but a guide and she would be learning her own path. She was nonplussed by his desire for them to walk up the mountain. After all, they did both have perfectly good wings. But he was the mentor and she wanted desperately to learn what he had to teach, so she would follow his lead.
Stepping lightly, she gracefully trotted at the side of the giant dragon as he led her up the mountain.
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 8:49 pm
As the two walked in silence, the uncanny sound of their hooves crunching through the snow, pounded in the air with a methodical beat. The snow marked each step in perfect form. Icefyre did not spare one side glance, keeping his eyes forward, on where they were going, not where they had come from.
After some time, and many steps, the snow began to ice and clump around the bottom of his legs. It chilled his legs, but he quite enjoyed the sensation. Did Zhen-hui think so too though, or were her legs near freezing by this point? The trek became steeper as they wanned on. Steep enough to make his front legs have to bend, and his back legs stretch to even his body with the terrain. He bobbed his head to the ground and back up with each pushing step. This helped the momentum of the climb.
Icefyre wasn't perfect... One of his steps up, a hoof hit a rogue ice patch under the snow, and his hoof slipped off a rock. Only a short misstep, and one he paid no mind. Without loosing his pace, he kept on. It didn't matter if Zhen had caught it or not, he showed no sign of stopping.
A wall of rock and scrawny evergreens met them halfway, as they slowly approached it's face. Icefyre deep in thought, wondered how much more of the walking the young mare could take. Most winds weren't accustomed to this terrain at all, and would simply fly to their destination. This is key though. Swiftly, Fyre made a few leaps up the rock terrain. His tail whipped and wriggled with the motion, keeping him in balance.
Once at the top, he turned around towards Zhen Hui. His face however, looked out over her with a peaceful expression. If he looked at her, it might suggest doubt, or intimidation, maybe even impatience. He could wait as long as it took, for her to either muster the will to climb the rocks, or break his request and fly to the top. Not being a mind reader, he couldn't decide which she would do. Heck, she might throw a rock at him, call him crazy, and fly off. Still her own choice.
The air around them, calm, equally as chilled as the white dragon, did nothing to disturb them.
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Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:32 pm
Carefully placing one cloven hoof after another on the rocky terrain, Zhen-Hui trudged slowly behind the great ice dragon, breathing heavily at the unaccustomed exertion. Her own legs felt half frozen from scrabbling through the snow, but nothing seemed to affect Icefyre. Even a small slip of a hoof didn't cause him to break stride!
The way grew even steeper, causing Zhen to bless the lighter bones she inherited from her wind mother. While she wasn't used to this sort of climbing, she was still able to move rather lightly across the snow and rocks. Fortunately there wasn't much wind to cut through them and drain their strength.
Her golden eyes widened as their labors lead them towards a solid wall of rock. A few pathetic bushes clung precariously to the side of the formation, looking as if they would prefer to be anywhere else. She stopped in her tracks, her star charms jingling softly as she shook her head. Surely he didn't expect them to climb over that wall??
To her chagrin, the ice dragon easily bounded over the rocks. Sighing deeply, Zhen gathered her strength and determination. There was no way she was going to give up. She was kirin as well as wind. Gritting her teeth she lowered her head and followed her mentor across the rocks. No mere mountain would defeat her. She WOULD prevail!
One last defiant burst of energy carried her over the last rocks to bring her in tired triumph to the side of the great dragon. She tossed her mane and flagged her tail tuft. She had made it!
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