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 Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:16 am
 A lot had changed in the last few months. Oloneric had grown into a young stallion, he had started to find more things in life to occupy himself with other than insects and he had even meet Whisper again since first seeing her as a foal. Now he spent a lot of time near the mountain shrine that Whisper called home and looked forward to every moment he could spent with the mare. Today however he had a lot of time to himself, Whisper was busy and would be for a few days, so he took this opportunity to come home to where his family lived. He was glad he did because his mother had recently had baskets and they would be opening any day now. Olo was very excited to have more siblings even if they didn't share the same father that he and Syrrin had. He would love them no matter what.
Taking some time to relax in the large meadow Olo was looking for things to bring back so his siblings would have some things to play with when they came out of their baskets. But what exactly could he bring back? Whatever it was it would need to be special, to show them how much he cared for them. So he busied himself searching every inch of the meadow looking for two very special objects.
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:58 am
It had been a long while since she and her mate had visited this area and as they were passing through both of them had thought it would be nice to stop and find out how their Usdia friends were doing - though the friendship had started out with just Olo they had come to know more of the herd in their resulting visits. In fact the last time they had stopped by Olo had not even been their..from what the other herd members had told him the young stallion had found himself a girl to occupy his time.
Jarita had been glad to hear this - for the boy needed something other then bugs to be interested in. Bugs were gross. "Do you anyone?" Jarita called out to her mate Eversong as they circled the meadow, peering down at the waving grass in the vain hopes of spotting one of the little horses moving about. She was far to impatient to stay still long enough to take a really good look however and kept darting off to look elsewhere when a quick glance did not reveal someone right off the bat. "I'm not sure exactly" Eversong responded as he flapped his wings to hover in place and craned his neck to look downwards. usdia were very small and they could be hard to spot from this high up in the air - unless of course they were brightly colored which most of their friends were not.
"Maybe" He allowed after a few moments "there something green down there which dosen't quite match the grass" He told his mate, diving a bit closer to the ground for a better look. Sure enough as he drew closer the stallion made out the brightly colored lime green skull markings that decorated their friend Olo and he called out in excitement..both to let Jarita know that he'd found someone and to announce their presence to the stallion below while he came in for a sharp landing and tucked his wings against his side with a snort. "Olo!" He called out again as he trotted forward "It's so good to see you again. Jarita he knew would soon be on the ground and following him.
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:07 am
Had he not been so preoccupied then Olo might have noticed the two shadows floating about the meadow. Probably a good thing that those shadows were not some predator like a batwalker looking for an easy meal. Turning upon hearing his name Olo spotted Eversong landing and then a moment later his mate Jarita. With a big smile Olo trotted over towards the pair. "Eversong! Jarita!" Oh it had been quite some time since he had seen them. "It's so good to see you guys as well." Honestly he had wondered what had become of the pair in the last few months and had been sad to find out that he had missed a visit from them because he was with Whisper, but such was the way of life.
Looking over the two they hadn't really changed much since the last time he had seen them. He knew that he had changed. Last time he saw them he was still a foal, only started to grow more towards adulthood. But now he was full grown, and while still a bit on the small side even for Usdia, he knew he wouldn't get any bigger. "How have you guys been?" Now they could hopefully catch up on everything that had happened recently. "Will you be staying a while?" He would understand if they could only stay a short time, usually when they came by they were traveling and could only stay for a little but before moving on. But any time spent with them would be great and Olo couldn't help but smile again at the couple.
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:38 am
At Eversong call Jarita swooped around from where she had flitted off to look at a differant part of the meadow and dashed back to where he mate was already landing as fast as her wings could carry her. As she was a faster flyer then her mate this meant that she landed not long after he had and with a few quick strides caught up with him just as he greeted their friend. Olo certainly had changed since the last time she had seen him - he'd gotten so big.
Well...okay big might be a bit of a relative term..but he was certainly bigger then he had been when they first met him - or even since the last time they had seen him thought thinking back she knew that there had been signs of his coming maturity even then. "My...you've grown up to be quite a handsome fellow" She complimented him with a warm look "A far cry from that bedraggled little foal Eversong pulled from the creek" She added with a laugh as she nudged her mate.
Casting an amused look at Jarita for her comments about Olo's growth and the predicaments of their first meeting Eversong snorted his agreement and returned his mates nudge before turning his attention back to Olo. "And we've heard you have found yourself a girl now" He added with a slight wink of manly acknowledgment.
"I think we can stay for a while, we were just passing by and thought to check in and see how things were going here while we did - but we are in no real hurry" He told the stallion. "We've been good" He allowed after a few moments and a glance at Jarita. In truth things were not the greatest lately - true the couple still loved one another but the stress of attempting to create a real family was starting to wear on them. They had been trying for so long with no results that it was getting a bit disheartening truth be told. Of course he did not want to burden Olo with such things so he kept such thoughts to himself for the time being.
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:06 am
Olo couldn't help but let out a laugh at Jarita's words. "I guess I have grown quite a bit since then." Of course had it not been for them running into him while he struggled in the river when he was a foal he likely wouldn't have been around today. But that was not something he thought of often. He was here and he had them to thank for it, nor sense in thinking about what could have happened. As Eversong mention him finding a girl Olo couldn't help but smile shyly. "Well...yes I have. We met as foals once and well we now spend a lot of our time together." He wasn't sure if he was blushing or not, but Olo did feel a bit of warmth come to his face.
"If you're in no real hurry then maybe you can stay for a day or two. Theres something I kind of want to show you." It was hard not to immediately shout out that he had siblings in baskets, but showing them might make it more exciting. If only he knew that they were trying so desperately to have a family of their own then Olo would not mention the baskets at all, but no knowing these things he was excited to share the news. "I'm here for a few days anyways while Whisper is busy." A smile crept upon his face at the mention of Whisper only to realize they might not know who Whisper is. "Whisper is...uh...the mare I spend my time with." Once again he smiled sheepishly, almost embarrassed to talk of such things.
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:25 am
Jarita was likely more interested in the mare that Olo was spending time with then Eversong was - if only because she was a touch more of a gossip then her mate an so interested in such things. Or perhaps it was because she found herself a bit protective of their small friend "Well I hope she knows what a lucky mare she is" Jarita stated deciding to ignore the look Eversong gave her when he stated they were fine. Like the large stallion she did not wish to burden their young friend with such troubles.
In any case it wasn't like telling him would really change anything now would it? Eversong had suggested a healer but Jarita was wary of such things to be honest, her mother hadn't had to visit a healer..heck her mother had only seen the stallion once! Perhaps it was simply something that was meant to happen when it happened and tha'ts just the way it was going to be.
Her ears pricked slightly when Olo stated he hd something to show them - they had seen much of the herds lands already and were now quite familiar with the area so Jarita was curious about what the colt could possibly show them that they hadn't already seen before. "Whisper is a very pretty name" She stated when the colt explained and it was..it was very lady like sounding and Jarita approved of lady like things.
Eversong laughed a little bit at the stallions obvious harassment though Jarita didn't seem to notice it and nudged Olo with his large head in good humor. "Nothing t be embarrassed about" He assured the stallion quietly "Honestly at your age..you should be spending time with females, its just natural" He continued on and then recalling the rather wild days of his own youth - before Jarita hd settled him down he added rather sheepishly "as long as she's a nice and decent mare of course" Wouldn't do to give the colt a bad impression now would it. He'd never heard the end of it from Jarita if he did.
"Oh?" He asked, like his mate rather curious about what olo could want to show them. "Well then by all means lead the way" He invited with a motion of his head. At least now the usdia was big enough that they wouldn't loose him in the grass if he got more then a couple feet ahead of them.
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 8:18 am
Olo smiled widely at the pair. At least they were understanding and didn't poke fun at his embarrassment on the subject. He was certain that Whisper knew she was lucky, he knew that he felt especially lucky to have a mare like Whisper. Giving his head a firm nod Olo turned his attention to Eversong. "Whisper is nice and decent." He wouldn't spend time with a mare who wasn't. What he wanted was a relationship that was real, full of love and that is what he would get with Whisper. It sort of reminded him in a way of the relationship that Eversong and Jarita had.
"This way." He said and then turned around walking towards the larger group of trees that the herd took shelter in at night where the surprises lay. On the way he decided to talk a bit more about Whisper since he really did like her and talking about her would prevent him from ruining the surprise. "I think you would really like Whisper. Her and her adopted mother live in a shrine in the mountains. They help those who need it there or show those around who are just there to visit. It's really beautiful there." Glancing back at the two larger Soquili Olo smiled. "Maybe one day you can stop by there and I can introduce you to Whisper." He had told Whisper about the pair on many occasions so it would be nice for her to get to meet them as well.
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 8:28 am
Jarita was glad to hear that the mare Olo was spending time with seemed like a good and wholesome mare - then again the young stallion had had a very good upbringing despite the mostly lack of a father figure. Oh sure she knew that Olo's father visited when he could but for the most part the mare attributed his good temperament to his mother and grandfather. She should have known that he would make sure to find a good mare to make a life with - well if thats what they ended up doing anyways. Young love could sometimes be hard and even harder to keep together.
"A shrine?" She questioned as they made their way towards the trees "What is it a shrine to?" She continued, more then a little bit curious - Jarita and Eversong often visited such places, if only to say that they had seen them and now she was wondering if perhaps they had stopped there once without knowing it.
"I"m sure we would" Eversong agreed with Olo "If you find her so nice then there is little question that we would as well" He assured the young stallion - olo had a good head on his shoulders and Eversong trusted him to use it even when spending time with girls, something which he himself had not always done at his age.
"Perhaps we will" The Stallion continued on with a glance at Jarita and taking note of her curiosity "We always like to visit new places.. especially beautiful ones" He concluded as they made their way into the shade of the trees. "Of course you'll have to give us directions..or show us the way" He added as an after thought though most of his attention seemed to be in looking for this mysterious surprise that Olo was leading them towards, thinking perhaps that it would be hidden here in the trees.
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 8:36 am
As the entered the trees Olo looked back at Jarita, looking a bit embarrassed. In truth he wasn't sure what exactly the shrine was to, he had never thought to ask to be honest, he just knew there was a shrine and Whisper and her mother lives and worked at it. "Well...I'm not sure. I thought all shrines were the same really. Guess I will have to ask Whisper next time I see her." He couldn't believe an important detail like that had been overlooked. "Though she mentions healing a lot, so perhaps it's a shrine to healing." He added with a bit of a nod of his head.
Turning his attention to Eversong he laughed a bit. "I could show you guys the way in a couple of days when I head back if you don't mind the wait." Then he let them into a smaller grove within the large one. "Mother?" He called out but she wasn't here. "Looks like she went out for a bit. Well I can show you anyways." With a smile Olo led them to the back corner of the grove. There nestled together under a tree were two tiny baskets. One light grey, the other darker, both with green markings on them. "There was three...but the father wanted to take one." He was sad that he would likely never know his third sibling, but having two to love and spoil made up for it.
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 8:48 am
Jarita laughed slightly as Olo admited that he wasn't entirely sure what the shrine ws for - trust a stallion not to ask that sort of question when there was a pretty mare around to distract him. Then again Jarita wasn't sure if Eversong would ask that sort of question even if she or another mare wasn't around to distract him. Stallions just didn't always think of things like that.
"Well I think they are all mostly for the same thing" Jarita confirmed "Generlly to give thanks or ask for help of some sort..a healing shrine is not uncommon so you are likely right" She told him after considering all the knowledge that she had acquired during their previous trips. She could not recall visiting a healing shrine in the mountains any time in recent history however so it was unlikely that she and Eversong had ever been there. Considering their current predicament...maybe they ought to.
Something that was brought to the very forefront of her mind when Olo pointed out the two tiny baskets nestled safety in the trees. The winged mare blinked back tears..although she did not want Olo to see them and quickly shook her head, plastering on a smile. She was glad for Olo and his family of course..and to be truthful she had never before seen such tiny and adorable baskets so her voice was sincere when she finally composed herself enough to speak. "They're absolutely darling!"
Eversong nodded his head slightly as Olo stated that he could show them the way in a couple of days - a bit less interested in the shrine now that he was certain they were so close to the mysterious surprise. Of course when Olo pointed them out Eversong glanced quickly at his mate and then turned to Olo in hopes of covering for her until she composed herself enough to speak. Of course the first question that popped into his head might not be the most diplomatic of questions. "The father did not wish to stay?"
Ah well..hopefully Olo and he were friends enough that he would take it as simple curiosity and not as any sort of insult. He simply couldn't imagine a father walking off from two of his children he supposed., then again maybe he was a bit more sensitive to the subject then he normally would be given he and Jarita's situation.
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:00 am
Olo gave his head a nod at Jarita. Yes, he had heard of many other healing shrines so likely the one Whisper worked at was dedicated to healing. Either way he would be certain to ask her when he returned in a few days. As the conversation and attention turned to the baskets Olo couldn't help but smile even wider. He didn't see Jarita's initial reaction to them, but had he then Olo would have done what he could to have made it up to her. He didn't want his friends sad for any reason, but not knowing their current situation it was hard. Looking towards Eversong he gave his head a shake. "No, he didn't. I guess he lives in a herd some ways off and they would raise the basket there." One day he might venture out to find this sibling but for now he was here for these two.
"They should be popping out any day now." He told Jarita with a smile. "Of course grandpa says mom isn't allowed to go on any adventures for a while because she keeps coming back with baskets." He let out a bit of a laugh. That may not be entirely true, but he found it a bit funny. One of the baskets wiggled for a moment, Olo immediately stepped forward and nuzzled the basket while speaking softly to it. "You have some friends here visiting you little ones. So stay on your best behavior." He was really looking forward to when his siblings finally officially arrived. Olo planned to be the best big brother out there.
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:14 am
Jarita was thankful to Eversong for distracting Olo with his question, she didn't want to ruin what was obviously a happy moment with her own selfish problems. Studying the baskets in more detail she had to laugh a little bit at Olo's joking explanation of how they had come to be. "I'm sure the other foal will be well looked after with his fathers herd" Jarita assured Olo as he nuzzled one of the baskets.
She could see the family resemblance in many of the markings making themselves know on the basket - and a few that were different and which she assumed much come from the fathers side of the family.
Despite being torn about seeing baskets and foals when she so desperately wanted some of her own Jarita couldn't help but want to stay around if they were as close to hatching as Olo said they were. Of course she didn't want to intrude either so she decided to ask Olol what he thought. "Any day? Do you think your mother would mind...if we stuck around to see them?"
Eversong nodded slightly as Olo spoke of the father - perhaps he would come and visit these two some day. In any case they would grow up with a loving family regardless and were certainly lucky foals. he was somewhat surprised when Jarita asked if they could stay to see the foals when they emerged from their baskets but he gave her an encouraging smile.
"that would be lovely" He agreed "As long as we wouldn't be in the way of course..and afterwards perhaps we can visit this shrine where your Whisper mare resides" He suggested. It made sense really and would certainly make this trip all the more special..seeing not only Olo's new siblings but his lady friend as well.
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:42 am
Coming back from a short break of watching her baskets closely Syn was delighted to see that their friends Eversong and Jarita had come by. Entering the small clearing mid-conversation Syn immediately pipped up. "I wouldn't mind at all if you stayed, in fact I would encourage it. You two are practically family anyways." Syn trotted over to where Olo stood protectively by the baskets and gave her son a nuzzle before turning her attention back to the pair. "It's good to see you both again."
Olo let a smile cross his lips and nodded his head. Yes Jarita was right, the other basket would be well taken care of by the father and perhaps one day he and his siblings would get to meet this other foal. Until then his attention and love would be focused on these two. Before he could say anything else his mother made her appearance. Returning her nuzzle Olo beamed a smile at the larger pair. "I knew she would be okay with you staying. His gaze swiveled to Eversong. "I like the sound of that. Whisper will want to know when the baskets pop anyways, so I will be heading back there a day or two after they do."
He fell silent for a moment thinking on something that his mother had just said before speaking again. "Yeah, you guys could be the aunt and uncle of these baskets. We have a running tradition of large winged Soquili being our aunts and uncles in this herd." He said with a chuckle. First his aunt Mercy and now these two. It made sense in a way, because like his mother said, they were practically family as far as the herd was concerned.
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:56 am
Syn's arrival was hardly unexpected Jarita reflected - they were after all standing right over top what she likely considered the most precious things in the world at the moment. None the less she was more then happy to see the mare and nodded her head in greeting. "That would be delightful..and we're flattered really, we think much the same of you and your family" She went on.
And it was true really, ever since they had stopped and rescued a far younger Olo from drowning all those many months ago both she and Eversong had been very close to the colt and his family. It would be lovely to be here when that family grew..and Jarita supposed if she couldn't have foals herself - which was starting to be a true worry for her - then being the Aunt of Olo's new siblings would be the next best thing. The thought almost made her tear up just a little bit.
Seeing that Jarita was about to get all mushy over the offer placed before them Eversong endevoured to pull the attention away from his weepy mate for a moment or so and let her compose herself again. "Indeed we're honored that we can stay and be a part of this" He told the two Usdia "Your family means a great deal to us both" He added with a large mile..although he couldn't help but chuckle at olo's last comment "Your herd does seem to like adopting us odd sorts who wander in don't they?" He supposed it said a great deal about the herd - that they welcomed those who were so very different from themselves with such open and kind minds.
It made Eversong want to raise his children here some day - a midst such thoughtful Soquili - and while Jarita might be questioning the chances of that Eversong was still trying to cling to at least a little bit of hope in that department. So what if they had been trying for years? Some times it just worked out that way, surely someday they would be blessed right?
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:11 am
It wasn't hard to see Jarita getting a bit teary eyed. Even if they mare tried to hide it Syn hadn't missed it. The mare just seemed to be the semi-emotional type, but Syn couldn't fault her for that. Every Soquili was different and as long as they treated others around them right who was to say they weren't allowed to have some type of small fault or weakness. If anything if gave them more character anyways. With a smile Syn spoke to the pair. "You are both always welcome here, that's what being part of this fmaily is all about. You may not live with us, but there will always be a place for you to stay whenever you do stop by." Perhaps one day she could take her children and travel to where Jarita and Eversong called home just to see the place, but for right now her place was here with her baskets.
Lifting his shoulders up in a shrug Olo let out a bit of a laugh. "It's not like we could stop anyone from coming in if they wanted to." He joked, but really they were extremely lucky where they lived. Only a few travelers ever passed through this area and they had all been very friendly, danger just didn't seem to find it's way here to their well protected home. He had always been taught to accept others as long as they were nice, so he did just that, and in turn he was nice to everyone he met in hopes they would do the same.
He gave his head a nod at his mothers word. "That clearing you stayed in before is open. I think it's only ever used when you two come and visit." So in a way they were more a part of the herd than they might realize. They had their own clearing saved just for them, because honestly some of the more readily used clearings by the herd members were small and the two larger Soquili may have a hard time getting in and out of them.
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