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 Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 6:28 pm
 The sun was rapidly setting and while she probably should have turned back by now Aleara was too darned stubborn to do so. She had nearly reached the spot she had seen earlier and wouldn't let a little darkness stand in her way from obtaining what she had traveled out this way for. Alaera was a collector of things among her other hobbies, and when she spotted something new that she just had to have, there was little that could stop her from obtaining it. And it it belonged to another, well then she would do her best to convince the other that the item would be better off with her than him.
Today she traveled alone, Nitor had decided to stay behind with the herd for some reason or another. She hadn't meant to go this far, but when she saw a small glint of light in the distance she just had to investigate. Aleara had finally spotted the object some time ago, but there was ravine between her and it so she had to take an extra long path to get there. Pushing through some thick growth Alaera was certain she would find it just ahead. Ah there was the glint again! Right between those two large bolders. Coming to a stop Alaera studied the situation trying to find the best way to fish out the object and finally see it clearly.
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 6:44 pm
 Nighttime was his element, when he found himself most useful and at peace. With his lantern carried in his jaws Hypnos set out as the sun began it's dip below the horizon. Putti may not be known for their guardian skills, but to Hypnos it was part of his life and his duty. Since he was a foal he had a skill at calming those who were hurt or lost and then as he grew older he also learned how to guide them back to where they belonged. So in a way he was like a guardian, he didn't fight, though he would if absolutely necessary, but his ever gentle voice and calm presence could be used to help those in need. His first stop was always along the borders, where he may find a few stragglers that may not have made it all the way back to the herd before the sun fully set.
Tonight he did not find anyone that close. So he began to wander further, his lantern lighting his way, acting as a beacon to those who may be in the distance. Oh it could attract the wrong kind of attention as well, like predators, but that was the chance he needed to take to ensure the others got home safe. He had been lucky so far that he had not run into anything dangerous in these new lands...yet. As he ventured further and further and the sky became darker Hypnos caught movement in the distant. Stopping to get a better look Hypnos' eye settled upon a purple Imp mare. Just what was she doing way out here so late? Well just in case she was lost he had best go talk to her. So he picked up the pace a bit and headed to where the mare was standing in front of two large boulders.
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:03 pm
Alaera tipped her head to one side, then the other. She couldn't see just how big the hidden object what, or it's exact shape so exactly how she would get it out from between the two boulders was still a mystery. If only she could reach in there and grab it, but the gap between the boulders was not large enough for her head to fit through. And an even bigger problem was the fact that she was quickly running out of daylight. Even now she could barely see. Glancing around Alaera tried to see if there was anything at all she could use to reach it. There was a bunch of other rocks, they wouldn't do much good, trees, well they were huge and therefore useless. Trotting a short distance away Alaera dug through the underbrush until she found something that may work. A long stick that may just do the trick.
With a bit of a tug she freed it and went back over to the boulders. Carefully she placed it between them, lowering until it touched ground and then dragged it towards her. The first time proved unsuccessful. But she was persistent and tried again. Aha! This time her try was rewarded by the object slipping out between boulders. That was the good news. The bad news is it was now too dark to see what it was. Frowning slightly Alaera went to pick it up so that it could be stored in her pouch until morning, but then an odd glow illuminated the area and her head snapped up to see a Putti carrying a lantern. She recognized him from the herd but couldn't remember his name at this point.
"Oh I wasn't expecting anyone else out here. Though I have to admit you came along at just the right time." She said with a smile and then turned her attention back to the object. Now that she could see it clearly Alaera found out that it was a black stone which had tiny flecks of red within it, and these red flecks were what she had seen from a distance earlier as they twinkled in the light of the stallions lantern.
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:22 pm
Hypnos had stopped just short of the mare as she began poking a stick in between the two boulders. He was a bit curious as to what exactly she was trying to do. Has she somehow dropped something in between them? But then the question became how had she gotten on top of them to even drop something down there? Well he wasn't one to question things like that, but if this mare needed help then he would be her guide. As she spoke Hypnos smiled. "Hypnos." He said with a slight bob of his head. Before he could say anymore her attention turned away and to something on the ground. He too looked and gazed upon the interesting looking rock.
"So that is what you were trying to dig out." He chuckled slightly. Honestly he didn't know what was so special about the rock, sure it looked interesting enough but that was it. Well whatever she wanted with the rock that was her business. Right now he needed to make sure she could find her way back to the herd or if she needed help. "We should both be getting back to the herd now. We still are not aware of the dangers this new land possesses. I can show you the way back."
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:44 pm
Ah yes Hypnos, that was his name! How had she not remembered that? "Alaera." She told him as she returned her attention to the stallion now that she had a good look at the stone. "Oh, yes I saw it some time ago when I was out earlier. I just needed a closer look. And thanks to your lantern I didn't have to wait until morning to do so." Before she did anything else now, Alaera lowered her head, picking up the stone she used her nose to lift the flack of her pouch before tucking it in there safely. Then and only then did she turn her attention back to Hypnos. His mention of the unknown dangers reminded her of just how far she had traveled today. And now that she thought about it, with a quick glance around in the now darkened area, Alaera realized she didn't exactly know where she was or how to get back.
Letting out a bit of a nervous laugh Alaera looked to Hypnos. "Funny you should offer to show me the way back, because I suddenly find myself lost." Has Nitor come along with her then she likely never would have wandered this far, and would have certainly returned home before dark, but on her own it was easy to let the time slip away.
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:17 pm
Hypnos bowed his head in greeting to Alaera. She had come all this way out here for a stone. Perhaps to her stones had a special meaning, or she collected them as a hobby. There were a few others within the herds that collected items, treasures or trinkets that were in a way special to them. He himself had his lantern and Hypnos wasn't sure what he would do without it. How could he guide lost herd members home if neither of them could see? Items had their importance in life even if it was only the owner of said item that knew it.
He couldn't help but laugh when she had revealed that she was suddenly lost. Even though they were new to these lands Hypnos knew the way back. He had an excellent memory and could follow a path he had taken during the day again in the middle of the night with only his lantern proving the light. "Well let us start heading back then. It is a long walk and it will only get darker now." His lantern could only provide so much light. Turning he began to lead her towards the path he had taken to get here, soon enough they would get back to the safety of the herd. "Watch your step here, these rocks can be a bit slippery, don't want you to fall." The last thing he wanted for her to get injured while he led her back.
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Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:24 pm
Falling in behind the stallion as he began to lead the way back home Alaera was quite glad he carried that lantern with him. Without it they would likely be stumbling around in the dark and there were plenty of trees and rocks in the area, and not to mention a big ravine, that could prove dangerous if not seen ahead of time. "I really must thank you for guiding me back. I had no idea I wandered so far today. Sometimes I get too distracted by my searches to realize I have traveled such a great distance." She admitted with a chuckle and then carefully picked her way across the slippery rocks. Once or twice her hooves slipped slightly but thanks to the light from Hypnos' lantern she was able to catch her footing again before it slipped completely off of the rock.
Not one to remain quiet for long Alaera spoke again once she was done navigating the rocks. "So just what were you doing all this way out here anyways?" Had the herd been alerted to her absence and sent the stallion looking for her or had he simply been walking about and stumbled upon her location. Either way she was grateful to have him bring her back, by now Nitor was probably having a fit that she hadn't returned yet.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:30 pm
Hypnos knew that feeling well. When he was a colt many things distracted him and he often found himself lost or running late. It wasn't until he had nearly reached adulthood that Hypnos had taken on a more serious look towards life and it was his childhood experiences as well as a bit of guidance that led him to the life he led now. Though it wasn't until he had acquired his lantern that he moved to a more nighttime routine and helped others in the confusion and darkness of night. "It's quite alright. I am more than happy to help." He said as he continued to walk on now that she had navigated those rocks.
Her question made him chuckle a bit. "I guess you could say I was doing my job. I know it's not a typical role for us but I feel like I was destined to do this." Putti's weren't known to follow this type of work so it was quite unusual in a way. "I make a habit of patrolling the edges of the herds territory as night begins to set in. Just so happened I saw you at a distance and made my way over to make sure you were alright." He continued on for a few steps before turning his head to look back at her. "Plus I have to admit I was a bit curious as to what you were doing as well." It wasn't every day one came across another trying to poke their head between two large boulders.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:42 pm
As she continued to follow along and listen to Hypnos she wondered just why he had chose the job that he had within the herd. Certainly Putti's weren't known to be much for guard types. Though asking about it may not be overly polite. She didn't like to pry into others lives much like she hated when others wished to know every little detail about her life. Perhaps if she happened to run into him again then she would ask. Besides Alaera didn't want to distract him from guiding her back home. It would do neither of them any good if he ended up getting lost as well.
"Well I'm lucky you are so diligent in your duties or I may still be wandering about out there trying to find my way back." He seemed to be extremely calm and happy with the things, and it kept her from worrying that they might not make it back. Alaera let out a laugh. "I suppose I did look pretty silly when you first saw me." At least she hadn't done something completely foolish like getting her head stuck between those boulders trying to get out that rock. Then she would have been mighty embarrassed to have him stumble upon her then.
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:36 pm
He had to admit that she had looked pretty silly when he had first saw her, but he would never say that even if she herself had just admitted to that fact. Sometimes individuals would get upset if certain information about them was repeated back or acknowledged about them even if they were the ones who had said it in the first place. The trip back to the herd had gone much faster than he had expected. Of course usually when he stumbled across a lost member they were scared and hesitant to follow even if it was one of their own. Often times he would need to stop an reassure them several times along the way. But Alaera had been chipper and happy to keep and steady pace the whole time.
"We are nearly there." He stated reached a stand of trees that marked a spot not far from the herds territory. Moving caught his attention off to the side. Hypnos brought his hooves to a stop and turned his attention. The small and sleek outline of a Nixie could be seen just beyond the light from his lantern. A patrol of the herd. The Nixie gave the pair a nod of acknowledgment and then continued along it's way. "Just a patrol." He told Alaera though he was certain that she too had seen the Nixie. And so he continued along and in no time he could see the herd, as spread out as they were, some individuals were sleeping and others were milling around in the dark. "Here we are, safe and sound back home." And with that he brought his hooves to a stop and looked over at Alaera.
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:46 pm
Alaera was quite surprised when he said they were almost back. It had taken her so long, or so it seemed, to end up where she had been when Hypnos had found her and yet here they were almost back home already. She caught the movement about the same time as Hypnos did a let out a snort. Whatever was lurking in the shadows would not get her treasure that she had so painstakingly found. Never mind the fact that it could be something dangerous. And then the Nixie came into view for a moment. Blasted patrols sneaking about in the dark. The Nixie's were a sneaky bunch, small, agile, able to travel by both land and water. Not that Alaera didn't appreciate what they did for the herd but some days she could do without seeing them.
Plus their aquatic features always creeped her out for some reason.
As the Nixie moved off Alaera followed Hypnos until they could see the bulk of the herd. A familiar voice drifted to her ears. It was her mate Nitor asking if anyone had seen her lately. Alaera couldn't help but smile at that. "That's my mate. I best let him know I'm alright. Thanks again for leading my back." And with a smile and goodbye nod Alaera trotted over to where the stallion was paced about.
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:03 pm
Hypnos gave Alaera a nod. "It was no trouble at all. I am glad to see any member back safely. Say hello to your mate for me." He knew Nitor, had spoken to the stallion a few times, especially while they were traveling to these new lands. He would have to make a habit of speaking with him again sometime, but for now he let Alaera go off and have some alone time with the stallion. He watched the pair for a moment, the way the lovingly nuzzled each other and began to speak about what had happened during their time apart. One day perhaps he would have something like that, but Hypnos was not one to look for love, instead he devoted his time his work.
Turning the stallion began to work his way back out towards the far outskirts of the herds territory. He had returned one member back successfully tonight but that did not mean that he could rest. Others may also be lost in the dark and he would never let himself dismiss his duties so easily. With a nod to one of the guards as he passed by Hypnos found the trail he had been traveling earlier and disappeared into the night, the faint light of his lantern the only indicator of his location.
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