|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:04 am
 Normally by this time in the morning Hypnos would have found a nice shady grove to sleep in. Such was the life of having a night time routine. Honestly he wouldn't trade his nightly duties for anything, it was his life and he couldn't imagine doing anything else. Besides seeing the gratitude on the faces of those lost herds members as he brought them back to safety was enough to keep him going each day - well night. Still there was one thing he missed out on, and that was the more social aspect of life. Yes he chatted with those he found in the dark as they made their way back but rarely did he actually get to go about and chat with a multitude of the herd members as the others did during the day. And there was one in particular that he wished to talk to. This was the reason he had stayed awake.
Lately she had been distracted with helping to heal a Nixie stallion who had suffered an injury before they traveled to these new lands. He had seen them once or twice interacting and he hated the way the stallion was always so rude to her. However, that stallion had gone off, to who knows where, and finally had given him the opportunity he had waited for. It wasn't until a few days after though that he actually took the chance, the nights where he was extra busy meant by the time morning came he was exhausted and unable to keep his eyes open. But last night had been slow and left him with enough energy to seek her out. So at the edge of the clearing Hypnos carefully hung his lantern on a short low branch and trotted out into the grass his eyes open, looking for her.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:35 am
 Oke thought it somewhat odd to feel sad that Dendro had left the herd - he had been a horribly cranky little beast and had certainly not appreciated the care and time she had put into helping him feel better..but she'd grown used to the time they spent together and even thought of him as a friend..so it was somewhat sad to see him go.
Plus now she didn't really have anyone to talk with or care for and Oke was always a little bit lost when there was no one under her care. Ah well she thought to herself...sooner or later someone would come along with a problem for her to solve or an injury that she could treat - and perhaps this time around it would be an injury she could actually help. She hadn't been able to do much for Dendro's.
Pondering she own thoughts she dipped her head down to take a drink from the stream, completely unaware that someone was looking for her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:43 am
It took a few moments to find her, but when he finally spotted her she was at the edge of the stream. For a moment he wondered if Dendro had come back. News reached him slowly as he was often asleep while the others chatted about the current happening of the herd. So he stopped and watched her for a moment. She didn't look to be arguing with anything and that was as good of sign as any that Dendro was still gone. As she lowered her head to drink Hypnos continued forward. He aimed for a spot on the stream several feet away so as to not sneak up on her suddenly. Once there he lowered his head and took a small drink as well before looking over at her.
"Looks like it will be a nice day." He finally said, though he realized that breaking the ice by talking about the weather was a fairly lame thing to do. Ah he could have done much worse, so he would just have to deal with it. A light breeze blew across the meadow, bringing with it a hint of a chill in the air. Though it was pleasantly warm out right now there were hints that fall was starting to come to the land. Certainly it was refreshing after that heat wave that they endured a couple of weeks back. Even the nights had been almost unbearable hot then.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:12 pm
Oke was not surprised when another came up to take a drink at the stream beside her - it was a fairly well used watering hole after all and traffic to and from the stream was rather commonplace. What did surprise her however was just whom it was that came up - and that he spoke to her. She didn't know him personally but she recognized him as one of the herds night guards....which made it unusual for him to be up this late in the morning.
"It does indeed" She responded to the stallion cheerfully "I'm afraid I don't know your name but your one of the night guards yes? I'm Okelani, a healer - though most just call me Oke" She introduced herself. There you see! Only moments ago she'd been worried about not having much of anything to do for the moment and here came a new Soquili to speak with. He seemed to be of a decent temper too nd unhurt which meant this was unlikely a healing call. Merely a conversation around the water which was fine with Oke.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:23 pm
He smiled at her cheery tone, glad that the boring old weather talk hadn't killed their conversation before it started. Of course Hypnos already knew her name, but he decided not to mention that, instead he gave a nice bob of his head. "Yes I am one of the night guards. Well more of a lookout than a guard really." He wasn't sure he could fight off an intruder, but it was amazing what one could do sometimes. Still it was nice to be mostly recognized. "It is a pleasure to meet you Okelani. My name is Hypnos, and most call me that." He let out a laugh and gave his head a shake at his lame joke. He was certain she would appreciate it anyways.
He gave a small look around before settling his eyes back on the mare. "You appear to be a healer without a patient to attend to. Perhaps I can keep you company for a little while, I don't often get to talk to others due to my work schedule." He would understand if she did have something to do, but having finally worked up the courage to talk to her and her currently being alone he did truly hope she would stay and chat, even if it was for only a few moments. "How do you find the new lands?" He asked her curiously, most seem to have settled in fairly easily but some members of the herd still yearned for their old home even knowing it was filled with dangers like two-leggers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:33 pm
"Well" she told him in a smug tone "We could always call you Hyp..if you didn't want to be left out of the cool nickname circle" She teased him and hoped he wouldn't take offense - she didn't think he would. He didn't really look like the type to get annoyed with a little bit of harmless joking around.
"My last patient left the herd not to long ago - poor creature, he was quite bitter because he lost the hearing in one ear but I hope he managed to adapt and find peace somewhere" Oke shook her head slightly and sighed, such was the role of a healer - sometimes there just wasn't much of anything you could do. Sometimes it was up to the indivucual to heal themselves and they either did or they did not. "I would love some company " She told him in delight, glad for the change of topic and ceasing it easily enough. "So far they seem far less troublesome then our old seemed to be - at least we have yet to run across any danger "
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:24 am
Hypnos couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh. "Hyp is certainly interesting sounding, but I think I can live without being a part of the cool nickname circle." Sure it had a nice ring to it, but it just didn't feel right. Some names were meant to be shortened and others, like his own, should remain in tact. Though he had to give Oke credit for trying. He would have said something regarding Dendro but honestly Hypnos didn't want their conversation to dwell on her old patient and so he simply smiled and was glad to see she accepted his change of subject.
Giving his head a nod Hypnos couldn't help but agree. "We are extremely fortunate that no dangers have come across the herd yet." He knew they were out there, lurking in the shadows, no matter how nice any land was there were always going to be dangers and predators that they would need to look out for. So far the herd was safe from any new dangers but he feared the day that they made their appearance. In a way the herd was walking blindly about, avoiding predators by chance so far, but one day they wold know what dangers were truly out there and they would need to adjust to these. "And the land is not all that different from out old home, so it has been quite easy to adjust to." The landscapes they had encountered so far were the types seen in their old home, though certainly many areas were much larger, which would indicate many larger creatures lived here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:32 am
"Well the offer is always open if you change your mind" She told him cheerfully, although Hypno's unlike her own name was not all that troublesome to say to begin with and really it was true there was little point in shortening it more then it already was.
In any case she had to agree that they had been fortunate so far - anytime one traveled into the unknown it was always a bit of a crap shoot about the type of area they would wind up in, why they could have just as easily found themselves in a harsh environment like a desert at the end of this journey - the fact that things were fairly close to the same as home, but without the killer two leggers was a nice surprise. "This is true" She agreed 'Though we have only begun to explore this area, surely there are some predators out there we will run across eventually...but this is a nice start and a good sign none the less"
Pausing for a few moments she regarded the stallion "Will you be staying with the main herd do you think?" Several groups had broken off to find their own way now that they had arrived - Oke wasn't sure herself what she wanted to do, perhaps talking about it with someone else would help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:44 am
Hypnos gave his head a firm nod. "I'm sure that the scouts will inform us of any dangers the moment they find them." It was the scouts job to do so and it was why they were so highly regarded by the herd. They risked their lives to search the area around the herds territory and ensure nothing bad made it to the others and to give warning of approaching danger when needed. "It certainly is a good sign so far. I will admit I was worried when we first started the journey. It's not always the wisest thing to move such a large number of individuals into the unknown, but it's not like we had much choice." Sure they knew the dangers of their old lands but it was getting to the point that even they couldn't live there, so facing new and unknown dangers was the only option.
Thinking on his answer for a few moments Hypnos finally looked over at Oke once more. "To be perfectly honest I haven't decided. I know that what I do serves the herd, yet the more we spread out in these lands the less I can do for those lost in the night. I think for now I will be staying with the herd since the bulk of us are still close by, in the future I'm not sure." He wished he had a better answer for him but truly he was torn by this decision. Sticking where most of the herd was was the best thing right now. He couldn't exactly try to keep up with all the families and small groups that broke away and ensure they were all safe during the night. He could only do so much himself. "I suppose if I had to make a decision this very moment I would go wherever my services were needed the most, be it with the main herd or one of the smaller groups." He couldn't imagine being in another type of role so he would go where the work was and be happy with that. "What about you?" He asked her curiously. She was a healer without a patient right now, would that mean she would move off with others who may need her or stay here where she could serve the herd as a whole.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:55 am
That was true..there were always the scouts out there to give them warning and they worked both day and night to keep an eye out for potential dangers - at least at the moment they did as the herd was large enough still to have enough scouts to do so. Once the herd started breaking up more then perhaps it would be a different story...of course by that time Oke hoped they knew enough about their new home that they would be able to survive without quite so many scouts.
Hypno's answer to her question of course did little to help her make up her own mind - it seemed the stallion was in much the same dilemma that she was at the moment. "I'm not sure either" She told him with a small smile "Like you I expect I'm needed more here for the moment - where there are the most amount of Soquili for me to help should something happen..but in the future once everyone starts to spread out more then that might change"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:07 am
Hypnos wasn't positive but he thought he saw a flash of uncertainty in Oke's eyes when he gave her his answer. Perhaps she was looking for something different than what he had told her. But a decision such as that was an important one and it was one that he really couldn't make without a considerable amount of thought. He figured that Oke may have been looking for some advice on whether to stay with the herd or to venture off with some of the others, and unfortunately Hypnos did not have the answer for that. "While the others who go off on their own may need a healer I think your services and presence would be best suited to the main herd." Not only would a healer do better when many others were around to tend to if needed, Hypnos also personally didn't want Oke to leave. If she left, well he might end up following her to ensure she were safe.
Giving her a wide smile Hypnos continued. "I think you will be a great asset to wherever you end up staying." And he meant that, healers would an essential part of herds and even smaller groups. "I suppose it will be easier to make any kind of decision regarding this in the future, when we both better know what the herd is planning to do and can use those facts to help us make the right decision."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:13 am
"and when we come to know a little bit more about this new land" She agreed with a slight bob of her head - several of the splinter groups had asked her to go with them and while she recognized their desire for a healer she had also been just a bit to uncertain about wanding with a smaller group into lands that were still just a bit too unknown to be comfortable in. She had cautioned all the splinter groups to be careful but had regretfully told them she couldn't go with them - of course at the time she'd had a patient to care for and that had made the decision a bit easier. Now that he was gone..well she'd been a bit more lost decision wise and feeling a little bit guilty about letting those other groups go off without a healer.
It was nice to hear Hypno's agree with her somewhat..and state that he thought she could do the most good here with the main herd. "I rather hope that most of us stay fairly close - atl east within easy traveling distance..I wouldn't mind traveling between several good sized herds to do my healing"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:31 pm
A smile crossed his lips. "Exactly. We don't completely know what all is out there beyond the borders, and so it is best to serve the herd as a whole until we have a better understanding of these lands and what they mean for us." So far everything seemed good in these new lands, they had escaped the threat of the two-leggers, yet this land was not free from evil. There were beasts and even larger Soquili rumored to live here and prey on the small or weak. That was why Hypnos was extra vigilant at night, to ensure everyone made it safely back home before a predator could snatch them away. It was hard to see some of the members break off and go their own way, it meant he could not keep an eye out on them, and yet he understood their need and want to strike out on their own and live a life similar to what they had before coming here.
Hypnos gave his head a nod. "Perhaps some will stay close to the main herd. At least for the time being. I know one group settled not far from here, certainly you could travel there and back in a single day, yet it's far enough that they feel like they are separate from the herd." He hoped telling Oke this would let her know that she could offer her services elsewhere while doing the bulk of her healing and living in the main herd. "I can show you the way some time, I'm sure they would appreciate knowing that a healer could relatively easily be called upon when needed." Doing so, would also allow him to spend a bit more time with her and get to know her better. That was the major downfall of living on a schedule opposite of the herd, he rarely got to interact with any of it's members unless they were out and about at night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 3:32 pm
"Surely things can't be as dangerous here as they were back...there" She stated with a slight frown which was unusual for her - but the old problems had caused them to leave their homes and take this journey to begin with, it would be terribly disheartening to find out they had not found a safe harbor in which to call home after all. Shaking her head slightly she attempted to banish such thoughts from her mind.
And thankfully Hypnos seemed to come up with another topic of discussion - one that she was far more pleased to discuss. "That would be wonderful!" She told the stallion in a pleased tone "I certainly don't want to journey out on my own..but it pains me to think of a group out there with no assess to a healer" She admitted "why you could be my very own guide" she told him with a happy chirp.
"Well that is if you wanted to be of course" She added in a slightly embarrassed tone - she didn't want the stallion to think he was obligated if he didn't want to of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:35 am
Hypnos nodded a bit. "Well, I think considering how well things have gone so far we can rest a bit easier than we did back there. Though that doesn't mean these new lands are empty of dangers, no land is. Once we know what is out there we will be able to adapt and learn to live with the dangers." He had heard a few things from Soquili he had met in the night, that there were some beasts that preyed upon any living creature about, but he didn't want to frighten Oke by telling her these things. The herd would find out, he would make sure they did, but that was no reason to strike fear in their hearts so soon after moving here.
Oke's sadness faded quickly enough and so Hypnos wasn't worried that he had said the wrong thing to her. Honestly it was good to see her getting excited over the prospect of see that broken off group and more importantly, to him at least, that she liked the idea of having him guide her there. "I'm sure they will appreciate you going to see them." He encouraged with a big smile before letting out a laugh. "Well of course I want to guide you there. I wouldn't have offered to if I didn't. Perhaps we can go tomorrow? I you don't have any plans. I would offer to take you today but it is already quite late for me." Living on a sleep during the day awake at night schedule meant he was way overdue for going to bed, however finally getting a chance to speak with Oke was certainly worth the lack of sleep he would get today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
