[IC] =Meeki's Teepee=

[Epine de Rose]

"You really shouldn't deem age to be a bad thing," Achak smiled coolly as he ducked under a particularly low branch and made his way towards the slopes leading towards the mountain base - it was around this area that a certain moss grew in abundance due to the damp nature of the caves and rocks.

"For example, I grow in age each year but I become suitably wiser." He flashed a grin and fiddled with the strap of his bag thoughtfully for a few moments, "I seem to be aging well if I'm honest but you my dear, can't possibly age at all!" He shook his head and very calmly adjusted his stride to match the changing steepness of the forest floor.

"Nevertheless I'll have to be sure to keep you away from anything that will scar you."

---

"Oh - well," She paused thoughtfully and took a few moments to consider whether or not there was anything terribly different up on the mountainsides, if she were entirely honest very little came to mind as Echo seemed to prove her wrong in one assumption, "I always thought that Lions stayed in the Mountains but apparently they don't!" She cooed and shook her head.

"I think bears are more common as well but it's more of what you can see while up there that is unique." She gave a shiver and lifted her eyes towards the mists at the peaks of the mountains, "For example, in those mists there is a forest that's said to be haunted by spirits but if you can navigate through it and reach the top you can see wondrous things." She murmured softly before turning her attention back towards the stallion.

"You can see everything up there but it's terribly cold, that's why I live half way up just under one of the ridges that provide shelter against the winds."  

[Meeki]

Meeki couldn't resist a laugh. Achak really made her feel good about herself sometimes, something she didn't believe was possible at all. "I am sure when age catches up to me, it will do so with one swift kick instead of the subtle changes that others experience."

Meeki looked around at the plants as she walked with Achak. It was almost like looking at them for the first time. She has wandered by so many throughout her life but really had no idea what other purposes they could hold. Curiously she asked, "What exactly are you looking for?"

-----

Whisper snorted in response to the comment about Echo. "You are probably right. Echo's always marched to the beat of her own drum. She's definately not your normal mountain lion." Whisper chuckled a bit before adding, "I wouldn't have it any other way, either!"

Whisper glanced over at the mountains and tried to peer at the top. "Haunted you say? Maybe it would be worth the journey to see such wondrous things. Of course, I don't handle the cold very well." Whisper felt so boring and normal compared to Yei. "Is the view still good from half way up? I would like to know what it's like to look down at this land."  

[Librra]

exclaim
After a while of searching isi finally found meeki's teepee. She looked to see if she was around and decided that she would just leave this sinew bag she made as a thank you, in the entrence of the teepee. She then quietly started to head home.
 

[Shariea]

The sun shown brilliantly along the peaks, raining through thr clouds in dappled patterns across the landscape below her. It was this breath taking sight that High flyer so adored. Her wings buzzled behind her as she zipped back and forth, a little stream of colored sparkles falling off the tips of her wings as she went. Her teal mane and tail streamed behind her like a fan fare. Puffing up her chest she slowly exhauled, scanning the landscape below her. She was Searching for a winged colt.

Her wing beats seemed to slow for a moment as she caught movement down below. A gleeful whinny escaped her and she rose her front hooves into the air, pawing at the very clouds themselves. "Hello down there!" she called, doubtful they could hear her cry.

With a determined look set upon her face she tucked her wings and began a controlled fall to earth. Her sleek form aiming for the two specks upon the horrizon, one brown and one a deep purple hue.

High flyer pulled herself short and gracefully touched her hooves to the green grass. She held her small head high and grinned at the children. Her tail gave one quick flick before she lightly trotted over the last crest of the hill to watch them play.  

[Epine de Rose]

"A certain type of moss," Achak's eyes still twinkled as he held back the urge to argue with her in relation to her comment about aging and instead he started to brief her on precisely what he was hunting for, "It's rather nice when cooked with meat but it also has rather nice properties for creating -" He paused briefly and shook his head, "The pulps it can be used to make are good for healing wounds." He explained simply, although his lips did flick into a grin.

"But I also want to hunt down some elderflower, it would be handy for a later date." He mused thoughtfully and shook his head, "I'm sorry I didn't explain before hand, it's a habit for me and I forget that not everyone is as eccentric as me."

---

"Oh yes, you can just see more from the peaks!" Yei loved the mountains and was enthusiastic about every part of them regardless of the hazards that lurked in certain areas, the thought of even going half way up caused a flurry of excitement...especially if he intended to go up but she wasn't entirely sure why.

"And it's really not that warm if you hide under the alcoves to shelter yourself from the winds." She explained, making a mental note that there was very little in the way of cover at the top of the mountains.

"They also have more pretty flowers half-way up...they taste nice but only appear in spring."  

[Meeki]

As Bandit walked along in the woods, she came across a little basket. What an odd thing to be left alone. At first she was going to abandon it but guilt nagged her. Sighing reluctantly, she began to nudge the basket in the direction of the teepee she knew was nearby. That two-legger seemed to take care of many Soquili, regardless of if they wanted the care or not. Perhaps she would know what to do with the basket.

It took awhile as the basket was quite heavy to nudge but soon it was placed beside the teepee. The two legger didn't seem around though but it was still better than where the basket had been previously.

"Good luck, little one," Bandit whispered before she quietly left the area, continuing her search through the forest.  

[Meeki]

The little basket wobbled and out popped a little female flutter foal onto the soft ground. Slowly she opened her eyes to look at the world around her... and prompty squealed in fright from the flood of colors, scents and sounds. She tried to stand but her legs didn't quite have the strength in them yet. She quickly turned and lowered her head back into the basket to hide.  

[Meeki]

As Scar turned a corner, he noticed the Soquili that was a high flyer. He was torn between continuing chasing the little female foal or going to talk to the great flyer again.

When he turned away from High Flyer to continue chasing after Chitsa, he noticed a large rock was coming at him quickly and instinctively he flew high into the air to dodge it. "Wow, that was close," he mumbled.

It took him a few moments to realize that he was indeed flying. It seemed to take little effort in the end, as if his wings always had the strength but he did not have the true confidance needed. "I can fly!" he screamed at the top of his lungs to anyone that would care to listen.

He was still a little wobbly in flight but he was indeed flying. Now that he got up.. how exactly would he.. get back down?  

[Meeki]

Meeki smiled and nodded. She really had no idea what she was looking for and would most likely pretend to be searching around for stuff while he did the real work. It was nice just being here with him.

"You know so much about plants." She stated simply. She really admired his vast knowledge. Something that was able to heal wounds is important indeed, especially if it worked on animals as well as people.

-------

"Would you take me there now, Yei? I would love to see the mountains. You always seem so happy when you talk of them. I would like to know what it's like to be so high and look down at this land from above." Whisper closed his eyes and tried to imagine what it would look like but simply had no idea.

"I promised you an escort home anyway, didn't I? So there's even more reason we should go!" Whisper was excited at the idea of visiting the mountain. He really wanted to experience more things in his life and being afraid would not accomplish anything.  

[Meeki]

((Meeki's First Clearing Visit))

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius smiled at the newcomers and winked at Fancy Free who had joined them. "the occasion? there needs to be an occasion to dance and have fun??" he laughed heartily and wiggled his back end, enjoying his time with these others who he had never met before. With a strut he changed his song and strutted...paused....strutted...paused....then he looked like he was all over the place with 4 legs...was this soquili break dancing? or was he trying to dance like the new modern singers as of late? a truly crazy soquili was he XD

Meeki

Meeki wondered what the other Soquili were doing. They seemed to be shaking and moving about all crazily. Perhaps that was the way they were supposed to act. Meeki began to mimic them and began to walk while moving around like the others. After a few steps she tumbled to the ground.

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius watched the small foal mimic them and rushed to her when she fell. He nuzzled her softly, attempting to help her back to her feet. "come on little one....you'll get the hang of it" and then Cassius danced and galloped and skipped and hopped...and then moon strutted backwards.

Nothing Yet

From the corner of his eye, Murphy saw a smaller Soquili tumbling about in her attempt to copy their actions. She looked different from all the other foals he'd seen - those things on her hooves must be terribly uncomfortable to walk in, he thought. He broke away from all of the dancing, curious, and trotted over to where the little foal was having a bit of trouble, it seemed.

Gently, he nudged her to assist her in standing, as he'd seen a few parent Soquili doing to help their own children, and waited to see if she'd crumple to the ground again.

bran-chan

"careful little one" she told the foal as tumbled. "You've not quite gotten the hang of your legs yet." She returned Cassius's wink watching them all help the young foal up.

Meeki

Meeki didn't know quite what to think. She definately appreciated the help though. As she rose back up to a standing position, still wobbling slightly, she looked up at he sheer height of them. They were even more huge up close! "Th..Th..Thank.. y..you," she whispered to them both. She wondered if she would ever be that big one day.

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius smiled as she rose to her feet. "come now small one! join us in the fun and wiggle those hips!" He flipped his hair in his eyes and grinned as he danced about quite spontaneously and looking rather odd and...kinda like he had lost it...but in his mind he was having fun.

Nothing Yet

With a little chuckle, Murphy continued to watch the foal instead of going back with the other Soquili to dance. She looked so frightened, and seemed to need company.

"Why so timid?" He asked, tilting his head to one side, trying not to look so intimidating. He was sure that if he were as small as she, that he'd be pretty standoffish if a large creature headed in his direction. "There's not anything to be afraid of, you know."

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius sang to the small foal and winked as he smiled at the other who styed by her side...perhaps he'd do a little dance to make her laugh and ease up a bit...."yeah Let the music free ya yeah Ba da dat dat da da da It`s all about that freedom yeah Gotta move my feet now yeah Gotta hit that beat now yeah Ba da dat dat da..." and he continued singing away, wailing and doing his little dance for the small foal. "I gotta go hit the floor I know I`ll make it so I dance Dance dance Everybody dance When you feel that rhythm you should dance dance dance."

Meeki

Meeki gazed up at Murphy from behind her brown bangs. "I.. came out of my basket. There's a lot.. around. Everything.. big." Some things came naturally to her and she didn't understand it but other things were completely new to her. "You.. big," she whispered to Murphy.

Nothing Yet

Ah, that explained a lot of things. She was probably just getting used to things...he'd been a bit afraid when he'd first seem other Soquili, and though he'd not been around here for very long, he'd warmed up to them after a bit of conversation. He's luckily not met any with ill-will towards him yet.

"Yeah, I guess I'm pretty big, huh? But you don't have to worry about me being a scary big. I won't eat you or something. I don't eat other Soquili." He said with a laugh, realizing that might have sounded a little scarier than he'd intended. "I'm Murphy. See, now that you know my name, you don't have to be scared of me anymore."

Meeki

"Murfee", Meeki repeated and nodded. "Murfee nice." She turned to look at the strangly colored one that still seemed to be convulsing around as he moved. "Mu-sic?" The little foal wondered what such a thing was. This one was just as big as Murphey and seemed to talk a lot. "Dance," she repeated. "Dance dance dance dance, ebrybody dance."

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius stopped and grinned, spinning on a dime and bowing before the small foal. "my pleasure to be your entertainment.." he winked to her and sang" Dance dance dance to the musiiiiccc." He then clapped all 4 hooves together, looking rather odd with all 4 in 1 spot "there's no place like home!." and then her socks on her feet caught his eye. "oh those are pretty!" He laid down in th grass next to her and Murphy, a huge grin plastered on his face and his silky mane in his eyes again. "my name is Cassius"

Meeki

"Cass-sea-us," the foal repeated. She hoped she could remember all the names. "I'm Meeki. You like my socks? I like my socks. They are soft." Meeki liked the colors of Cassius's coat. It kind of reminded her of her wings. "You pretty," she commented innocently.

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius giggled like a small foal, and perhaps in his mind he had not quite grown up yet. "yes i love your socks. Are they soft? May I feel how soft they are? " He smiled and flipped his long, black silk mane out of his face so he could see her better. "Thank you, you have a pretty name Meeki." Cassius was just overjoyed to have possibly made a friend. At this point he had not grown up around other soquili much although he had spent alot of time with many a wild animal, usually young ones, so it was no wonder his mind hadn't matured yet. He was having too much fun enjoying life and every game that came along.

Meeki

Meeki lifted her two front legs and placed them on Cassius while keeping the two hind legs on the ground. The socks were thick and soft so made the touch barely noticeable. "See? Soft."

The foal smiled at the compliment. She knew her name was pretty, she stole it afterall from a two-legger because it sounded pretty. At least, she thought that was the two-leggers name. Still, it sounded pretty too her. "Cass-sea-us nice too," she commended simply. "Big but nice," she added. At least he didn't seem quite so big while on the ground.

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius giggled some more. The socks touched him lightly but they felt soft from the small hooves upon him. He closed his eyes and nuzzled the right sock softly against his cheek. "Oh that feels nice" He opened his eyes and smiled, his eyes shining with happiness and pure child-like delight. "maybe I will get something soft like featehrs for my feet!." He blushed softly at the compliments, sweet and innocent in mind like her. "thank you. Meeki you may be small now, but you will grow big like me one day. " he smiled and decided he wanted to always have a friend around. "do you want to be my friend? we can hang out and play and have fun!"

Meeki

Meeki climbed off Cassius and appeared to be pondering what he said. She wasn't quite sure what a friend was but if it came with words such as play and fun, it had to be good! "Yes, I will be friend. You be friend too? I no have to walk like you to be friend?" Meeki really didn't want to shake around like before. She preferred to be as stable on her feet as possible so she hoped this 'dancing' wouldn't be permanent.

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius grinned widely and his eyes sparkled with excitement. "of course I would be your friend! Friends are a good thing. They play with you and hang out and they are there when you need to talk or just need someone to listen...and and...well playing is fun! I like to dance, do you?" He listened to everythign she said and chuckled softly. "no you don' have to walk to be my friend. but you will learn. I know you will be strong! What do you like to do?"

Meeki

Meeki squinted her eyes as she thought, trying to think of something she liked to do. After a few seconds she exclaimed, "I like to sleep!" As if on cue, the little foal yawned before closing her eyes. "I'm sleepy now. Big day." Without another word, she fell asleep on the ground nearby Cassius.

~Mialee!~XD

Cassius blinked in surprise but he himself was getting sleepy and the sky was growing dark. He decided to stay with his new little friend, after all to be small and alone at night asleep in the open would make an easy prey for predators. Cassius moved over so he was alongside her and allowed his long mane to fall over her like a blanket as he laid his head down to sleep. Soon he was breathing deeply as he fell into a deep sleep and out of consciousness. It was a rather cute sight for any to see...and one might even assume he looked like a protective father with a foal, although this was far from the truth. He drempt happy dreams, frolicking and playing with his new friend and a smile crept onto his face as they slept side by side.

 

[Epine de Rose]

"I know enough, but I would like to know more." Achak confessed with a hint of embarassment lingering in his tone. He had spent more than ten years of his life up on the slopes uncovering new properties of the plant life around him and yet, so far he had only covered a very small portion - there were just so many plants to be found and he was not infallible.

"A lot more, but I have to remember to take one step at a time." His smile grew as he stepped over a fallen tree trunk and caught sight of the rather damp grove a little further on, where the darkened and moist boulders could be seen just beneath what appeared to be a very small cliff face.

"The moss is brown by the way, but the green moss makes for an interesting meal."

---

"Now?" Yei seemed rather startled at the request but having thought about it she had actually been on her way home when she had discovered this particular stallion. It wasn't an action she regretted as she really did enjoy his company but there was absolutely no logic in declining his request.

"An escort would be nice." She agreed softly and gave a nod of her head, offering one of her equine smiles as she gave a small whicker and turned her gaze up towards the mountainside. Granted she could recognise some of the locations but they would become clearer once she reached them.

"You'll have to stay close to stay warm." She murmured after a few moments.  

[Shariea]

High flyer smiled with glee as she watched the little colt turn from her nad dart after his friend. She noted the little flutter was one of Shaylee's children, such a small world, yet how many other flutters where there anyway? She blinked as this thought crossed her mind. She'd only ever met shaylee, and she had a beau named Azure. These her offspring...she blinked once more and chuckled. She'd never ever recalled seeing a male flutter before. Perhaps her kin where rare.

With a toss of her mane she dismissed these thoughts and trotted lightly over the creast of the hill, her mane and tall lightly blowing upon the gentle breeze that greeted her. As the wind toyed with her teal tresses, she closed her eyes and sighed. The scent of freash spring flowers wafted upon the breeze towards her. Winter had finally realsed its grasp and spring was starting to show her colors.

As the little flutter opened her eyes she has to blink again in astonishment. The little colt was flying! "Great Job!" she nickered, very pleased to have witnessed what she guessed was his first flight. She Whickered lightly, and reared up on her hind legs, her front hooves pawing at the air. Her wings fluttered behind her as her prancing hooves touched the soft grass once more. "That was Very good!" she exclaimed, proud of her new found friend.

She trotted down the landscape, past the bolder that he hand lept over, following him on the ground as he stuggled above her with uncertanty. "Dont worry about the ground, Just fly as long as you can before your wings start to ache." she tried to point out helpfully. She glanced around for the other filly, trying to see where she'd gone off to. Could Shaylee's young fly as well?  

[Meeki]

Meeki shook her head. She didn't even know moss could be brown. Nor did she know the green moss was edible. But he did say an interesting meal.

"Brown moss, understood." Meeki kept a closs look in the ground, scanning as she walked. She nearly tripped over the fallen tree trunk but caught herself just in time. How embarassing. She felt like such a clutz.

Once over the trunk, she rushed to catch up with Achak, keeping just a foot or so behind him. "You know so much, surely your head will start to swell if you learn any more," Meeki jested.

-------------

Whisper nodded and moved over to walk beside Yei. Every so often he would brush up against her and suddenly step to the side again. He didn't want to get too close but his body seemed to move instinctively to fill the gap between them. He didn't really like the interruption as his mind kept going back to the mountain, what it would be like, feel like, sound like.. smell like and of course, what he wanted to know most, what the land looks like from up there!

"It seems like such a long walk. Do you leave the mountain often Yei? Do you stay away from it for lengthy periods or do you make the trek daily?" He found it to be quite a lot to do on a daily basis but Yei's body did seem muscular and in shape. Perhaps this very thing is what helped tone her body so well.  

[Meeki]

Scar had waited his entire life for this moment. Okay, so it wasn't a long wait, but still, it felt like a long time to him. As he flew haphazardly, he felt more alive than ever before. It didn't take him long to spot High Flyer just a little bit below him and yellwed triumphantly, "It's not very high but it's a start!"

He was worried about landing though.. and worse, crashing into something. He shook his head and concentrated on flying and as each minute passed, he seemed to become more stable in the air. He wasn't quite sure how to land but he had to try something. He simply stopped flying but kept his wings out in an attempt to glide which worked well. It wasn't long before he found himself on the ground and running towards High Flyer.

"I did it! Did you see me? I did it!" He jumped in the air around the mare, so excited. He was so happy that he ignored the pain that came from the muscles in his wings and from his shoulder areas. A few more flights and the muscles would loosen up better.  

[Meeki]

Bandit walked away from the teepee. She had stayed long enough to see the foal come out. It seemed to be one of those little butterfly types. Bandit felt bad for leaving the little thing all alone but it wasn't her place to care for the young ones.

"Be safe, youngun," she whispered into the wind once the teepee was officially out of sight, before she started off in the direction of where she believed a water source would be. Two-leggers never seemed to live too far from drinkable water. Neither did the Soquilis, Bandit mused.