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 Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:07 pm
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:19 pm
It was growing late, with the last of the summers sun dipping beneath the hills and ridges of the surrounding plains. The western skies were stained a rich pink and orange, with darker violets and blues painting the land to the east. Night would fall upon them soon, and just as it had for the weeks they had traveled together.
"How're you holding up, m'lady?" Hadrian questioned softly, turning his blue eyes on the mare that accompanied him.
Every time he looked at the mare, he couldn't help but feel his heartbeat quicken and his stomach churn. It was almost embarrassing, just how smitten he had become, but he truly hoped the mare didn't notice. He honestly didn't want to act a fool in front of her, nor scare her away from his side. Hadrian was walking upon unfamiliar territory, having never felt such feelings for another. He didn't know how to go through the motions of courtship, and what was worse, he wasn't entirely sure how Zara felt!
Sure, they were friends and had grown closer in the past weeks they spent together, but . . . a close friendship didn't necessarily mean interest or . . . or love. Unfortunately for the blue stallion, he found himself falling more and more everyday . . . but he had no way to tell her, or show her, and wasn't even certain if he should.
How strange that he had been at one time best friends with her sister, Miki, and hardly gave Zara much thought or recognition. . . and now, after years had passed, he found himself thinking of none other!
Oh, curse his training. He was a prince of the sea, after all, and a knight at that. To be so strong physically, to be knowledgeable in the way of war and defense and battle . . .and yet to feel so weak in the presence of a mare. It was humiliating! And yet . . . .did other stallions feel the same? Bah!
That was neither here nor there. For now, his focus was only on her.
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:39 pm
The spirits worked in amazing ways, and while Hadrian struggled to come to an understanding of his thoughts and feelings, Zara was doing the same. Never in a million years would she have expected bumping in to the blue coated stallion beside her; never in a million years would she have thought her sisters old, foal-hood friend would have grown up so handsome and stunning; and lastly, never in a million years, would she have found herself on cloud nine in his company.
Hadrian was a living representation of her dream stallion, and here he stood before her. They were friends, perhaps closer than even her sister MIki had been with him during their youth! She found him charming, polite, and chivalrous; he was everything a knight should be and what was even better, he was a prince! Given, she'd always known such a thing, but he actually looked and acted the part now that he was older and more mature. He had been such a gangly little colt when he hung around Miki . . . .and yet . . . now he was here with her.
So she was a sucker for a good looking stallion. She inherited that from her father. But Zara appreciated Hadrian more than just what she saw in him physically. She'd never met such a dedicated and committed stallion. His love for his family, his adoration for his mother and respect for his father was obvious. The fact he spoke so fondly of his home at the sea, of the good in others, the mare couldn't help but be impressed. He was . . genuine and he was always so formal, so polite around her.
It was wonderful and infuriating at the same time! On the one hand, his charms and formalities were hard to resist. On the other hand, she feared that perhaps it was a sign. He was so kind, so courteous, would she be able to confront him about her feelings? She couldn't read him well, couldn't tell if he was even remotely interested in her. Sure, neither had parted the others side in weeks, but she knew they couldn't stay like this forever. He would have to return to the sea, and she to her family. . . .
That was another problem. Even if he might be interested, he wasn't entirely pure. His blood was tainted with that of wind. . . and yet, for all her fathers prejudices, Zara didn't care. She'd always thought her father foolish and bigoted to be so demanding. . . if Baldev ever found out about his line (and the glaring proof in his solid hooves) all hell would break loose.
But could Baldev truly turn her away from love?
Looking up at the stallion, the mare gave a small chuckle and nod. "M'lady? Will I ever be able to convince you to retire your formalities?" She teased him gently, her eyes bright with good humor. "Well, my fine sir, to answer your question . . . I am holding up well, I assure you." Dipping her head cordially, she added, "Though I think perhaps we should find some gentle pasture to retire upon. "
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:41 pm
Hadrian watched as the mare dipped her head, blue curls falling over her mane and pooling by her hooves. It seemed as if she were the epitome of perfection; the way her mane, though thick and curled, always seemed to fall perfectly. The way her eyes sparkled with good humor and mirth, or her cheeky smile she often could wear whilst in conversation. Ugh. His brother would likely laugh at him for being so terribly smitten! When had this happened? HOW had it happened!?
As a foal he'd always had his eyes on her darker maned sister, Miki. They had been so close, she had considered him her knight! And for awhile, one could almost say they were sweethearts. Of course, they were young and foolish, but for a while it was Miki that had called to him. As a young one, he had thought they would be together forever but such was not the case. They had grown, parted ways, with Miki and her family wandering away. Despite his promises, he had lost contact with the pink and silver mare and she with him.
Strange how the world worked, and how small a place it was!
"Well, I do believe there's a small pond not far from here. I saw it when we crested the ridge back there," he gave a flick of his head and nodded in the direction they came. Grinning, he bowed and added cheekily, "If the lady wouldn't mind me guiding her, I think I know of a perfect place." Where wouldn't he guide her, after all? Where she wished to go, he would take care. If she wanted the moon, all she had to do was ask. And yet. . .. she had no idea, no clue of the passion within his heart.
Damnit. That was going to have to change but . . but how? And when? Would he make a fool of himself if she rejected him? Or should he keep his feelings strictly a secret? He just didn't know.
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:58 pm
Zara gave a smile as Hadrian dipped his head once again, before tossing her mane back over her shoulder and standing tall and proud. "All right then, my fine and handsome sir," she kept her words light and mirthful, good humor painting her lips as she teased. "Lead the way and I will happily follow."
There really wasn't much to say this night, as the blue stallion picked his way through the plains. The grasses were soft, the sun had descended, and darkness was slowly overcoming the land. There was beauty in the dusk, and without a cloud in the sky, it wouldn't be long before the stars would twinkle above them. It was, in a way, romantic and Zara couldn't help but wish she was walking with a lover.
It was something she'd never had, something she'd always yearned for and wanted. For some reason, she couldn't find a single stallion interested in her nor one that she was interested in return! Too often they left her, found a better love, or just weren't the sort to keep her interested in the grand scheme of things. There were a few stallions in her past that she had cared for, but for some reason, the timing was never right or the sparks just never developed!
Matters of the heart were always complicated, or so her mother had always said. But Zara couldn't understand why others so easily found love and a devoted mate, a family when she had beauty of heart AND soul! Oh, all right, so she could stand some modesty but was it such a crime to think one beautiful?
Heaving a sigh, the mare trotted a bit so she came to walk next to Hadrian, giving her tail a little flick now and then and letting it brush up against his own. He stood taller than she, and was heavier due to a larger bone structure. He was a draft stallion, in a way, and fit to be a knight. "Why so quiet tonight?" She finally questioned, glancing over and giving him a small, encouraging nudge. "A penny for your thoughts or am I prying?" She hoped he would share, she really wanted to know what kept her friend so pensive.
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:18 am
Hadrian took the lead and headed towards a small clearing and the pond he had witnessed. Night was falling fast with dusky purples and blues of night overwhelming the world. The first stars were beginning to twinkle and it wouldn't be long before darkness covered the land. Unfortunately, the stallion was struggling to appreciate the nature around him, for his thoughts were being led far astray by his companion.
She had trotted up next to him, and now was questioning what was on his mind. Part of the blue stallion was unsure how to respond - did he answer her honestly or avoid bringing up the awkward conversation that would soon follow? He didn't want to lie to her, or refuse to bring up the truth. On the other hoof, he did fear jeopardizing their friendship. . . . Unfortunately, Zara was only making things more difficult with how she gave him a gentle nudge, and how her tail brushed against his own.
Slowing his walk, the stallion gave a small chuckle, allowing his own tail to entwine with her own. It was a small gesture, a way to test the waters and see how she felt about such contact. Glancing over at the pink coated mare, he gave a small smile, attempting to lighten the mood. "I suppose I have a few things on my mind, but I . . . never meant for it to weigh down the mood." He also was still unsure about how the mare might respond. They were friends, certainly, and she seemed to enjoy his company but . . . at the same rate. . . .he'd never actually admitted feelings to a mare before. For all the posturing and strutting around Miki as a colt, they had been nothing more than friends.
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:34 pm
Zara walked next to her friend, and was pleasantly surprised when he wrapped his tail around her own. It was something only her sisters and she did, a sign of affection and reassurance. But the young mare was glad that the stallion had taken such initiative. While she didn't want to read much in to it, she also didn't want him to pull away so soon. Walking tail in tail, she stepped just a touch closer, allowing her hip and shoulder to brush up against his own.
Part of the mares stomach was beginning to flutter at their close proximity. What on earth was wrong with her? She'd hung around countless other stallions, and while many had attempted to sweep her off her hooves, none had ever succeeded. Certainly, some of them had been incredibly sweet, but . . .it was only after reuniting with her sisters old friend that she actually found herself smitten. The only question that remained was whether or not he found any interest in her. . . .
So far, with his tail wrapped around her own, she would take that as a good sign. "I wouldn't say it's weighing you down," she spoke lightly, eyes bright. "But I can certainly tell you're thinking of something. If you'd like to speak your mind, you know I'll happily listen. But . . .if you'd rather keep it to yourself, I won't pressure you to speak. Promise I won't pry."
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:22 pm
Hadrian was pleased that Zara didn't pull away, though he was doubly surprised at how close she walked. It was quite clear that she didn't mind their closeness, and that gave the stallion a sense of encouragement.
While he did worry about losing her, or making their time together awkward, he also didn't want to keep his feelings to himself. She had a right to know, didn't she? While she might let him down or reject his advances, it was entirely possible that she might also reciprocate such feelings. He didn't want to get his hopes up, but at the same rate, why would she walk so closely, or keep her tail entwined with his own?
Approaching the pond, the stallion glanced around as the last of day faded. Night had embraced the land, though there was still enough light of dusk to make out forms and figures. All was quiet, save the soft chirp of crickets and cicadas, a rather perfect setting to admit ones feelings if he did think so himself.
Falling quiet, Hadrian considered how to say what he needed to say without sounding unsure. How did one tell another that they thought highly of them, that they . . . they were falling in love with them? This was love, wasn't it? The fact that his stomach fluttered when she grew near, the fact that he wanted to know her every thought, her every feeling? He worried about her when she was absent, and cared about her more than any other soquili he'd met. He'd give her the moon if she asked for it. . . .
And yet. . "Well Zara," he started slowly, quietly, trying to iron out his thoughts. "We've known each other a long time. . . but have only really learned about one another recently. And I . . . I have to be honest, you are . . .amazing to me. I . . I know we were just supposed to be travelling a small time together but I find . . . I find I don't want our companionship to end." Swallowing, he knew what to he had to say, though he couldn't bring his blue eyes to meet her own. "Zara, I think I . . . I love you."
While he stood still, unable to breathe, he waited for her reaction and her response. He worried though. . . to be so vulnerable, to have opened up so freely, was it too much? Was it too soon? Was it actually love or purely lust or . . . No, the words had felt right. In fact, he wanted to say it again, and again, and again. . . .but. . . . he couldn't. Not until he knew where she stood.
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:31 pm
The area that Hadrian had chose to settle in for the night was indeed beautiful. The grasses were soft, the pond would offer them drink, and a million stars would soon greet them, as soon as night fell fully upon them. But Zara's eyes were focused only on the stallion beside her, watching him as he struggled to speak.
Perhaps it wasn't the most lavish of explanations; perhaps he didn't fawn over her or speak her praises . . . he didn't need to. His words were enough, and more beautiful and wonderful than she could have ever hoped. She could hear the emotion behind them, could tell they were surely no trick or manipulation. Besides which, they were the words Zara had desperately wanted to hear.
At his every word, a joy entered her soul and she couldn't suppress the smile that colored her features. Poor Hadrian. . . It was the most insecure she had ever witnessed him, the way he avoided her gaze, how his ears had partially flattened and the uncertainty within his gaze. It was endearing really. . . . And she wanted nothing more than to ease his fears.
Untwining her tail with his own, she took a few steps ahead before turning around to face him, nose to nose. "Ah, my dear Hadrian. How I had longed to hear such words from you. I too, do not wish for our partnership to end. Where you travel is where I wish to be. . . because I know I am in love with you." Pressing her nose against his own, she couldn't help but seek out his gaze, the affection within easily apparent.
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