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 Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:00 pm
xxxxxKintori continued traveling through the forest, not wishing to call out for fear of making her search for him look intentional. Soon enough her ventures led her to the mouth of a cave. Tori's eyes lit up both excitedly and warmly as she recalled the last time she'd seen the inside of this same cave. Although her time here previously had been incredible and, well, life-altering, as the mare looked around she realized she may have read the signs all wrong. Was it really possible that Soren hadn't felt the same thing? Her eyes peered through the darkness, sweeping over the immediate inside of the cave in search of the glinting gold eyes of Soren. "Oh..." As Kintori's search had turned up no results, she sighed despairingly and walked over to the edge of the cave, leaning against the wall and staring into its depths. That night spent here with Soren had changed her. He'd brought out of he a whole other person; one slightly less self-absorbed and actually concerned with others. The handsome stallion had caused her to realize that although her flirtations with Helberd had been fun and, well, fruitful, he wasn't the one she loved. Soren was. Kintori had expected to find Soren milling about the forest in waiting for her - she recalled him saying something about not having something to anchor him to oneplace for more than a moment. She'd anticipated that that one night had been enough for him to hang around for her. To wait for her. Was it really possible she'd been wrong?
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:29 pm
xxxxxThe golden-eyed stallion sighed as he walked back to his cave from the grassy spot he had found that morning. Since he had met Kintori, he had been bound to the forest area surrounding their cave. He was not used to staying in one spot for so long, which caused him to find everything about a daily routine interesting. He would wake up, patrol the area in hopes of finding a trace of a certain beautiful mare, graze, then wander back to the cave. It was a beautiful day outside. Soren would have been an idiot to waste it, but all he felt like doing was sleeping. As he walked, an alarming scent filled his nostrils. He stopped in his tracks, abruptly throwing his head into the air and inhaling as deeply as possible. It was familiar. Oddly familiar. He took off at a trot toward the cave, every inch of his body tingling with excitement.
xxxxxSoren's heart nearly stopped as he spotted her lithe form leaning against the cave wall. Her hind was to him, but he knew. He barely realized that he was walking forward until his muzzle prodded her hind leg. "Looking for someone, miss?" And it was then that he could not help but grin at her. Kintori looked more beautiful than ever before - her golden coloring really matching the beauty of the day. He moved so he could brush muzzles with her, slowly so as not to overstep any boundaries. "You look great, Kintori. How are you doing?" He wanted to ask why she had left. Why she hadn't stayed with him longer, yet she came back after a few days to make his life perfect once more. But all he could do was press himself up to her and love every moment they shared.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:14 pm
xxxxxThe mare sighed softly, knowing she'd been a dolt in thinking he'd had stuck around. Although she knew he'd shared with her in feeling some degree of affection, she'd contemplated on her travels back whether or not he was quite so smitten with her as she was with him. Even though whatever she felt in her heart was enough for her to take the long journey back, she may not have been enough to make him stay. Kintori was about to give up all hope when soft stirrings in the grass caught her ears, only seconds before she felt pressure on her hind leg and heard his voice. His voice! Kintori's heart filled with elation and was about to whip her head around so she could look at Soren when she remembered how cool she'd planned to play it. She could remain cool and calm. That was, until her pressed his muzzle to hers. The mare's face burned at the touch, her smile that must've previously looked maniacally happy softened.
xxxxxHe was back and he hadn't left her and he complimented her. All of Kintori's thoughts were running together in one uninhibited stream of consciousness. Nothing seemed to make sense to her anymore; she could've swore he was gone! How had she missed his scent, so fresh and heavy in their cave? "Soren..." she spoke softly, marveling at the handsome stallion before her. He looked so different now that she was single. But he didn't know that, now did he? Obviously, she was allowed a bit more fun before she admitted to him her true reason for returning. Tossing her mane, she continued, "Thank you! I'm doing fantastically, and do hope you're much the same. I was just in the area with Helberd; we separated to try and find shelter in case the storms came again. I should be meeting him up soon! I expected... you wouldn't be here any longer. I recall something about you having nothing holding you back. My apologies if I'm intruding!" Her words were formal, not something foreign to her tongue but something she found unnecessary and garish around Soren. He was different; he was someone she could let her walls down around. Hopefully the stallions didn't take too harshly Kintori's ploy.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:34 pm
xxxxxHappiness filled every bit of Soren when the beautiful mare spoke his name and he couldn't help but quiver. She was all too perfect. She began to speak in a much more formal tone than she had the last time they were together. Had he overstepped his boundaries? It was only when she spoke another name that he flicked his ears back in confusion. Helberd. Was it the name of her mate? He nearly frowned, yet kept it from ruining his bright smile. It was not a time for sadness, though he couldn't help but allow himself to become disappointed once more. "I have been great! I decided that I would stay around a bit longer. I was hoping I would see you again." His golden eyes drifted from hers to the ground and he softly shrugged his giant shoulders. He stood taller than her by a hand or two - not abnormal considering he was exceptionally large, even for a young stallion.
xxxxxHe moved his eyes back to her own and heaved out a sigh of relief. 'She's here.' Nothing was more perfect than that. "You are always welcome with me, Kintori. You know that! If you want me to leave so you two can be alone, I'd be fine with it. Whatever makes you more comfortable." Of course, he wasn't about to leave without her outright saying it. Why would he miss the chance to spend some time with the gorgeous mare? He would sit around all day in the cave with her and her mate if it was what it took. Soren breathed in her smell and shut his eyes. He was going to remember it, so that if a day would ever come that he could not see her, he would still be happy. "I missed you, you know," he muttered softly.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:58 pm
xxxxxAt first, the stallion seemed content simply wallowing in her presence. Then, an almost imperceptible change happened. His smile softened; drooped a bit, even. It didn't go unnoticed by Kintori - although she'd taken on an air of superficial importance, she remained studying him intently. Her muzzle lowered, smile softened. He'd figured out that "Helberd" was in reference to her ex-mate, but... was willing to stay anyway? As if something of that caliber would go over well. His voice softened as he continued murmuring sweet things to her, and Kintori felt bad for causing him even the slightest bit of anguish. "I'm sorry I left, you know. I just... I was so confused! I didn't know what to do, and then you came along and made it even worse... I'm just really bad with goodbyes and couldn't face..." She shook her head sadly, her eyes growing regretful. Then her face flickered up, and Kintori grinned. Helberd wasn't a part of her any more. She was free to do what she wished.
xxxxxSuddenly, Kintori realized the power she had over this stallion. Although still equivalent to a stranger, she could make or break his heart with a few simple words. Luckily, she was feeling a tad more loving today. Her tail curled and flicked slightly and she moved toward him, pressing her nose softly against him, grinning. "I missed you, too, silly." Silvery-gray eyes gazed into those golden ones of his, full of happiness. Suddenly, she backed up, her hind hitting the cave wall a bit, her grin widening maddeningly. "I knew it! I knew I wasn't wrong!" She giggled, thinking of how she must look to him. "I figured I... was reason enough for you to stick around for a few more days. I'm very. very glad I was right." Moving forward once more, she rubbed her muzzle against his, inhaling his scent, overwhelmed at how happy she was that Helberd had moved on without her.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:20 pm
xxxxxAn apology, of all things, was uttered to him. Why would she apologize? He understood. She had a life outside of random stallions that she met during storms. It was really an interesting concept to him. The whole idea of him liking this mare so much. But he found himself clinging to every word she spoke like it was all he had left. He cocked his head slightly as she spoke of confusion. Why would she be confused? And how had he made it worse?! Instantly, a wave of sadness hit him. He hadn't meant to make anything worse for her! "I am really sorry for whatever I made worse. If... if I could go back and fix whatever I did, I would. He looked at her, hoping with all his heart that she did not resent him for making things worse for her. "If you don't like goodbyes, you should never have to face them. You should just... stay with me." Soren's intentions were pure, though he hadn't realized they may have sounded otherwise. He wanted his friend to be with him for a longer span of time. He didn't want to wake up and be all alone again.
xxxxxSoren's tail swished as she moved to touch noses with him. His stomach seemed to fall and all of his troubles were gone instantly. The normally calm stallion was filled with butterflies which were obstructing his way of thinking. Could she really have that much of a hold over him? He just smiled and let out a chuckle at her random outburst. "Of course you are reason enough. I wouldn't have stayed here for any other mare." He almost let himself nuzzle her back, but as quickly as the good thoughts came, so did the bad. He didn't move his head, rather, he simply dropped his content smile and grew serious for moment. "Why are you... being affectionate toward me? It is not that I don't enjoy it. I - I love it, Tori. But don't... Don't you have a family?" If it came between him breaking up a family or being alone, he would rather be alone He was not the kind of stallion to destroy the happiness of others, no matter how selfish he wished he could be. His golden eyes searched her own for answers, hoping she could tell that he wished for nothing more than to burrow his head into her and whisper sweet things to the beautiful mare until she drifted off into a nap.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:42 pm
xxxxxAt his words, Kintori's tail started moving about quicker, as if a whole other entity from her body. Although she knew he meant well, it was a little off-putting that the stallion was so willing to place himself within Kintori's apparent relationship with Helberd presumably just so he could be with her. Although it was sweet that he would go through so much to remain in her company, it was unsettling that he would want to intrude on her supposed relationship. Nevertheless, she shrugged it off. She was not in the position to find flaws in this stallion already; instead she focused on how sweet he was being. That's who he seemed to be - a genuinely sweet guy. It was strange; out of all the guys she'd ever flirted with, he was one of the only ones who'd shown further interest in her. Even further, he pursued her romantically, which was great considering the connection she felt with him.
xxxxx"Soren, it's alright. You made everything worse and crazier and even more confusing! But you also fixed everything." Kintori grinned, feeling her stomach flip before dropping completely at his rather unwarranted response to her own affections. "Oh, darling..." She laughed a bit, realizing she hadn't quite let him in on the recent happenings within her life. "Yes, I have a family. Three beautiful fillies all grown up, as I've heard. As for the 'mate' part in 'family,' well..." She shot him a meaningful look, completed with a wink. This was all so strange to her. She wasn't sure of the protocol for this situation; especially due to her lack of finesse in dealing with feelings and emotions. Kintori found herself completely unsure of how much flirting could be done without it seeming ingenuine, tossing in the wink only as a side thought. It was all surreal, really; only a few days ago had they met, and yet already she was sure she wished to be surrounded by him forever.
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:22 am
xxxxxSoren was so confused. Kintori was an enigma. She was a mystery to him in every way possible. She swooped into his life and immediately stole his heart. He was acting differently because of her and he just felt like he was losing it. Soren flicked his tail as she spoke, not really sure of what he had fixed. How had he fixed something he was ignorant to? He wished he was not so oblivious to things sometimes. "I'm glad I could help you." His golden eyes looked at her with nothing but sincerity. He loved helping - it was probably one of the only things he was good at. Helping others was what made life worth while. He perked his ears up as her voice rang out once more and he found himself being lost in her every word. Three fillies. That was rare - three baskets was rare, let alone three fillies. He couldn't help but wonder how old she was to have grown up fillies. Of course, he hardly saw her as being any older than he was.
xxxxxHe had so many questions for her. What were they like? What were their names? When did she decide she wanted baskets? The meaningful look he received from her only managed to confuse him more. Either she was telling him that she was single or that she thought her mate was very attractive. But the wink... She couldn't have meant that she was single. Mares like her just couldn't be. He pressed his nose to her neck in a comforting way, wondering what he could ask without getting too personal. "What... what happened? Is that why you left?" He shifted his weight once more so he could prop one of his back legs. He was comfortable and intended to stay that way.
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 2:38 pm
xxxxxAlthough confusion was stark on his face, Kintori could do nothing but laugh at the stallion. In no way did she feel pity or empathy towards him; just because Soren didn't realize what she was talking about didn't mean he deserved to be treated like a child. Besides, Tori found it nothing but cute and opportunistic. Really, from here, she could only lift his spirits. Even though he seemed elated, soaking in her being, she could tell his confusion at whether or not Helberd was still in the picture still clung to him like rain upon a leaf. Kintori basked in his affection - the kind that was pure and simple, not flirtatious and faux. He truly loved her in a way Helberd never had; it was a refreshing feeling for the mare, and one that she was in no way taking for granted. Being loved felt so good that she knew she'd made the right choice in coming back. But really, was it ever a choice? Wasn't she always meant to return to him?
xxxxxThe stallion's questions were superficial, only scratching the surface of everything. She decided to get it all out now. "Well, yes. I knew I had to go back to Helberd. You..." She sucked in her breath, contemplating how to continue. "You stirred up foreign feelings within me and my baskets came to mind and I knew I had to return. I had children, Soren. I'd abandoned them the moment I could escape, leaving Helberd to fend for himself and the girls. I never wanted baskets, Soren. I didn't love Helberd and he didn't love me; we'd flirted and that was how it ended up. But guilt and duty drove me back to him. I had to try to make things right." She sighed, wanting to continue but not wanting to monopolize conversation. Regardless, she stormed on, wanting to let him know what happened. "I didn't meet them. My kids, I mean - Aurushi, Verdanah, and Gala, their names are. When I found Helberd he told me he'd taken to another mare and it was all very clear to the both of us. We weren't ever mates; we just happened to end up with baskets. He had his life together, and I had to put mine back together." Kintori breathed deeply, turning to press her nose into his once more. "I had to find you."
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:37 pm
xxxxxSoren sighed heavily as she began to speak. It was not a sigh of discontentment, but one of relief. He lowered his head until it was at her level, ears perked excitedly. His breathing halted momentarily while she spoke, every bit of him intent on her story. She had baskets which she had... abandoned? Never would he have assumed she was the kind of mare to leave her baskets. He tilted his head in confusion, not quite understanding why in the world she would have done that. Everyone had their reasons so he was not about to ask, rather he just nodded as she spoke. All of her daughters had interesting names and he didn't doubt that they were just as beautiful as she was. Basically, what the gorgeous mare was saying was that she had never had a mate. She had gone through a fling and produced three beautiful baskets, but wasn't in a commited relationship to Helberd. He couldn't help but feel a bit relieved.
xxxxxHis nose pressed into hers and he nuzzled her affectionately. "I'm glad you found me." Soren smiled at her, a question playing on his lips. "Will you stay this time, Kintori?" He looked down bashfully, staring at his massive hooves. He would convince her one day if she disagreed. He would make her want to stay. "I always wanted kids one day. Do you think you want any more one day?" Without much thought, he tossed his head and backed up, exiting the cave entirely. "Let's go on a walk." Soren smiled down at her, hoping she wasn't all too tired from her travels. He started walking off, raising his voice so she could hear him clearly. "I'm going to be honest with you. I kind of felt like a lost foal while you were gone. I would never have waited around for anyone else." He shrugged, his large body moving near silently. He was a big believer of honesty and not keeping any sort of emotions in. So why not tell her?
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:10 pm
xxxxxSoren's nuzzle elated Kintori, her smile growing wider and warmer as the time passed. "I'm glad I found you, too," Kintori responded. And she meant it - never had she been so sure of herself than in her decision to return to him. Their connection remained a complete mystery to her, but it was undeniable nonetheless and something she was, of course, pursuing. "Oh, Soren!" Kintori giggled at his ignorant question and bashful way of inquiring. "Of course I'll stay! And I believe, yes, one day I'd like to have foals I could actually help grow into the world." With that, she watched him rear and dash out of the cave, her laughter echoing behind him. He was an odd creature - a gentle giant, as it were. She'd always pictured herself with someone mirroring her own personality, or a stallion who was fiery and slightly angry. She found anger-turned-passion to be an attractive trait, and so Soren was everything she'd never imagined. And she couldn't be loving it any more.
xxxxxSoon enough, she followed him out of the cave, bumping into his hind slightly before ignoring it and striding up next to him. Matching his slightly larger steps, the mare strutted alongside her newfound beau. Kintori's laugh rang out softly as he spoke, bobbing her head. "I figured! When you spoke of never having an anchor, I kind of... figured I'd end up being the one you never expected to find. I'm rather glad you stuck around!" Although her assurance had faltered once she'd reached the cave, her entire journey back she'd been positive of his remaining in the area. It was incredible how they could go from strangers one day to, well, whatever this was the next. Not that Kintori was complaining; there seemed to be an extra spring in her step as she walked next to the stallion, her tail curling in on itself contentedly. The sun had since emerged from the clouds completely and was blindingly bright, illuminating the area and encouraging the warm sensation filling Kintori's body.
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:16 pm
xxxxxIt was times like these that Soren could do nothing but smile. She was going to stay with him. That was all he needed to know. As they walked side by side, he flicked his tail over, swatting her playfully and gently. Kintori was the kind of company that pretty much everyone loved to have around. Funny, flirtatious, kind, gentle. She was the epitome of a perfect mare. "Well, since you're going to stay around I guess we should probably learn the basics. I love the night time, wind, the rain and the pretty much everything else about where we are. Except for snow." The stallion rolled his eyes at the thought. Snow. All it did was make you cold and wet. Although, it was quite fun to play in. He thought about it momentarily before glancing toward Kintori. The sun hit her coat in a way that made her look more like an angel than she already did and he immediately felt his stomach do a flip. "I, uh, also enjoy the two-leggers. Not to an extent to where I will hang around so they can play 'Pet the Pony', but they do tend to give out some pretty cool things." He puffed out his chest, hoping to make the arrow-head necklace around the base of his neck more prominent.
xxxxxHe swished his tail again, though careful not to hit Kintori this time. His golden eyes searched the area, yet landed on her time and time again. "What about you? Likes, dislikes, pet peeves?" He smiled down at her and pressed his nose to her ear closest to him, poking conversation her way. He would have been content with just staying with her forever, but they did have to learn about each other eventually. He was a rather uninteresting stallion. There wasn't much he could say about himself. He was rather quiet when it came to talking about himself, really. She was interesting enough, and seemed to love herself enough, that if he asked her questions, she could go on a bit longer than he could.
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Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:48 pm
xxxxxThe mare's eyes lit up as his tail flicked hers. Although he at first seemed very strict and gentleman-like in his ways, she noticed how he was loosening up around her, being freer with physical interaction, such as the nuzzling and the tail swat. Not that she minded one bit. Kintori's ears flicked at his interests. "I don't like two-legs very much, and I love snow!" She laughed loudly, genuinely, at their differences. "I also love the night, wind, and rain. I adore you, I suppose," she giggled out, winking at him, a glint in her eyes. She then noticed that his chest seemed larger than previously, and noticed the arrowhead hanging there. How had she not seen it before? "It matches your eyes," she noticed aloud, nodding her nose towards the arrowhead around his neck. It was peculiar, how the arrowhead and its thread each matched his features flawlessly. "Is there a story behind it?" She inquired as to the necklace because it intrigued her; she'd not heard very kind things about the two-leggers and found it curious that they'd crafted something so beautiful specifically for Soren. Had he a close relationship with one of the strange two-leggers?
xxxxxWhen his nose pressed to her ear, she flicked it, her ear twitching and her head bouncing about in response to her tinkling laughter. "That tickles!" She managed to get out just before he asked her the question. A puzzling look came over her face as her features all scrunched together. "I... don't really know." Kintori's head tilted as she considered his inquiry. "I like... traveling, I suppose. Handsome stallions, certainly! I dislike being tied down. To one person, one place..." Her looks strayed away from him before she began again. "I've never really thought about it. But I'll continue thinking, okay?" She looked at him once more and smiled softly, hoping to encourage him rather than allow her statements to dampen his spirits.
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Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:28 pm
xxxxxSoren's ears flickered slightly as she spoke of their differences. How did they get along with so many differences? Their personalities were similar, but the obvious outward parts of the two of them were nothing but different. He smirked as she spoke of what she adored. "Well I adore you, too, Kintori." He leaned his head down once more to listen to her compliment his arrowhead necklace. It did match his eyes. It was crafted to match them. He contemplated on how best to tell her his story. It wasn't a long one, nor one that was very interesting. But since she seemed honestly interested, why not tell her? "When I was younger, I wandered off from my sister while she was asleep. I guess I wandered into the village. All that I could see was the bonfire they were holding that night, so I started walking closer to it. One of them looked up and, in the dark, all they could see were my eyes in the firelight. They immediately had a bit of a panic attack and thought I was some sort of devil, which frightened me. I bolted away, toward the outskirts of their village and settled down for the night. I figured there wouldn't be any two-legs around there. When I woke up in the morning, one of them was kneeling in front of me, holding it out." He paused, losing himself in his own speech.
xxxxx"So the two-leg draped it around my neck and patted me. After that, I went back every few days to visit him. We developed a relationship that was on good terms, but he grew to be too bold and assumed I would be another simple village horse that would let him all over me. At this point in time, I visit him every so often, but not enough that he gets any ideas." He nodded in amusement, enjoying the light breeze that blew over him and ruffled his mane. His golden eyes looked toward Kintori and he inhaled her scent, enjoying her company. She was honest with him. He loved that. Honesty was so difficult to come by that when someone was totally honest, it was a blessing. "Goals, dreams and ambitions for the future?" It was quite a simple question, but also one that involved some thinking. And it was good for learning more about the gorgeous little mare.
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:26 pm
xxxxxKintori nuzzle into his muzzle when he lowered his head to hers. Immediately afterward, her ears pricked and swiveled toward him as he told her the tale of his arrowhead, given to him by a two-legger. She listened intently, brows furrowing inward as he continued. Soren allowed a two-legger near him? And it tried to ride him? Kintori nearly gasped at the idea of forming a bond with a two-legger. How ridiculous! She tossed her mane haughtily, saying, "I can't believe you-" before blinking, remembering herself and who she was with, and closing her mouth. "He was nice, though? You met a nice two-legger. Untrustworthy, though..." She trailed off, concentrating hard on a tree in the distance. Never could she imagine the possibility of befriending a two-legger. Even worse was the image of one trying to mount her back. The two-legger wouldn't be so friendly once she lashed out at him with everything she had, now would it? A smirk crossed her face at the though. One was never allowed to touch Kintori without permission. Save for Soren, of course.
xxxxxKintori glanced back up at the stallion, wondering what he was to her. She knew how she felt about him, but she was left completely clueless as to his title. Was he her mate? It was awful soon for something like that, wasn't it? Tori blinked away the thought before flicking her ear at his question. "Hm," she contemplated slowly, dragging out the syllable with everything she had before erupting into giggles. "I don't know! I'm simple, I suppose. I'd like to achieve perfection." Kintori grinned, knowing she was way beyond perfect. "I'd like to meet my kids. Meet their family... I could be a grandmother!" she gasped in surprised and laughed heartily. It was strange; she certainly didn't feel old, but it was possible. "Then... I'd like to settle down, I guess. Have baskets again, and actually... raise them, this time." Kintori smiled up at him hopefully, gently flicking his hind with her tail. 'Hint hint.' "I suppose that's it. I told you; simple. What have you to say of yourself? Do you have any grand plans for the future?" She figured she was included, but that was all she knew. They didn't really know much about each other for their commitment to one another. But did they really need to with a love like theirs?
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