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 Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 6:33 pm
 It was difficult, at first, to keep her mind from wandering. Although Aquene was a bit more level-headed and serene than most, she was not exactly well-practiced in the art of meditation. It was all too easy to simply let her thoughts spill into the quiet stillness she sought, away from pain, bitterness and despair, pulling her back into the tumultuous whirlwind that had once almost been her undoing. To her own credit, over the years those thoughts had quieted, morphing themselves into something that she could look upon almost fondly, but the potential to slip back into that dark place always lurked beneath the surface.
Now, though, her golden eyes sought the distant horizon with a single-minded need to see the sunset, in all its magnificence and splendor.
Was it odd, to have forgotten that this world could produce such beauty? For so long, her eyes had only seen dull, muted colors where the golden rays lit the sky with shades of purple, pink and orange, only taken care to avoid the sun's harsh light where its brilliance put all other brightness to shame. It made her feel selfish, to have denounced the joys of life for a desire to hide amongst the shadows, to have given so little credence to what the world was willing to give. Of course there had been moments of happiness- she loved her children, loved her family and her herd- but it was always shadowed by a persistent heaviness that dogged her even in the brightest of times.
Now... now she could feel the gentle breeze in her feathers, smell the salty ocean air gracing the wind, even smile at the sunset before her and the dirt beneath her hooves. It was a wispy, flighty thing, but it felt good- familiar. The burden she carried was one that she feared would never entirely leave her, but her slim shoulders felt lighter than they had in years. Where once a bleeding, gaping wound had been in her heart, there was now only a sizeable scar. Sometimes it bled, and those were the nights when she sought out her daughter- harsh though she may be, Cetra had a way of soothing the fears that the world had somehow betrayed her, reminded Aquene that the rays of light she had given to the world were more than worth the mistakes she had made.
She had made many.
An exasperated, but good-natured sigh escaped the winged mare as she realized that she had let her thoughts run off on her- again- and felt a tiny smile quirk at the corner of her mouth as she imagined the scolding her failure would most likely prompt from Father. He wouldn't mean it, of course, but the return to some semblance of the normalcy she had once enjoyed was something she had sorely needed. Nanaki had not known how to soothe her pain, but had recognized the unspoken need for an escape from what she had created- what she had unintentionally buried herself in- and she adored him for it, as she always had.
Yes, there were still many beautiful things in this world.
Azure feathered wings twitched at her sides as another gentle breeze swept through her mane, eyes sliding closed as one functional and one disfigured wing unfolded, imagining that she was amongst the clouds, soaring through the brilliantly-lit sky as she often dreamed.
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 7:57 pm
So it was, the feathered stallion allowed himself to return to the ocean, to be serenaded by its waves lapping upon the shore, and taste the salt upon his tongue. To see the waters ablaze in oranges and yellows, as if the great sun herself melted in to the sea, truly it was a sight beyond compare. Nature was a great mistress. . . demanding at times, but forever cloaked in beauty.
Having flown most of the day, and desiring to actually watch the days end, as opposed to worrying about where he was flying and where the next thermal might push him, Aethon finally turned inward and coasted regally back to the shore. He was no show off, though it was easy to tell he was a master of the skies. There was no need to be flashy, after all . . . Though he was young, he wasn't proud , and he had more sense than some stallions his age.
As he came closer to the shore, the yellow eyes caught sight of what looked to be another soquili. Long hair whipped in the ocean breezes, two blue wings adorned her sides, and her coat looked pale. Granted, the brazen sunset dyed her with touches of orange and yellow, but it mattered not. Another admirer of nature? Perhaps . . .perhaps. . .
He was too far away to notice the details of her lame wing, and so it was, the stallion decided he might as well pay the stranger a visit. Landing gracefully upon the shore, kicking up some sand as he settled himself, Aethon gave a shake of his head. His mane was wind blown and disheveled, a few feathers tangled, but the sunset male quickly sought out his present company.
He was careful not to approach quickly, and had left a good amount of space between them when he landed. He knew his species was . . . different, at best. Particularly, his large claws were of some concern; while Aethon did eat some meat, he was omnivorous, and completely harmless. That didn't mean strangers took well to company, though.
Dipping his head formally, the stallion gave Aquene a gentle smile. "I see I'm not the only one drawn to the shore this day. Greetings, m'lady fair." He was ever a gentleman, had always been raised to be. His accent was foreign, of course, but he was still fluent in the language of the land.
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 8:42 pm
Though the crashing of the ocean waves was too near to her feet to imagine herself far above the wispy clouds, a small smile grew upon Aquene's ivorn maw as her thoughts simply guided her to skim her hooves along the water's surface, feathered wings twitching in longing, in remembered joy and familiarity. Though her lame wing draped lower than it should have and the distant ache in her bones reminded her of her disability, of her loss, it did not prevent the appendages from spreading to feel the cool breeze against her flight feathers, her weight shifting anxiously from her back hooves to her front, as if simply leaning into the wind would carry her away. The memories of smiles and laughter, of racing games and playful nudges were not a burden this time, but a fond remembrance, and she smiled in her mind's eye.
Perhaps her feet would never leave the ground in this way again... but her heart might learn to take flight again, yet.
Her eyes cracked open at the thought, pleased at the progression into optimism. It was a far cry from her mindset even a few months ago, though the occasional relapse was never too far around the corner. Her family had been becoming more successful at curbing them recently, however, and the rest of the herd had seemed to jump in where they felt they were needed. Merric had been attempting to help her re-learn to socialize after her years of withdrawal, and bless his heart he was earnest about it... but he didn't exactly have an aptitude for teaching. Or self-restraint, for that matter. Her dear half-brother (she still could not wrap her head around Freyr's origins, that Father had... well, that was for another time) had tried his best to be comforting without condescension, and in the end his comforting presence was a boon even in silence, but he had an odd habit of sticking his hoof in his mouth. Even Sukari had offered her support, though unsurprisingly in silence- though it was more peaceful and content than Freyr's awkward pauses.
Aquene was lucky to have them by her side, to help her in this endeavor... even luckier to have begun to make the journey from the pit of blackness she had dug herself into years ago. Cetra saw fit to remind her, on the rare occasions that she offered praise, that not all would make it this far. There was still a long journey to be had, and even now she felt the heaviness of discouragement over how little progress she had made in so long a time, but there was hope there where there once was none. Her heart consumed it eagerly, hungry for more, for the barest glimpse of brightness on the horizon. For now, she was content to know it was there, but the thirst to lay eyes upon it was always upon her, and it seemed to linger just out of her reach. Someday.
The sound of sand stirring brought her out of her musings with a visible start, ears twitching back before her head turned to look at what had caused the disturbance. She had thought herself alone, but perhaps she wouldn't mind the opportunity of putting some of Merric's refresher lessons (convoluted and confusing as they were) to use, if only to further distract herself from her thoughts. Meditation was a lost cause at this point.
The sight of an unfamiliar stallion gave her pause. His strange appearance didn't unsettle her so much as the sudden uneasiness at being faced with a stranger again, though at his articulately worded greeting, she managed a tremulous smile. Where was this nervousness coming from? She did not think him hostile, or he would not have made her aware of his presence so readily- he clearly did not wish her ill, if the pleasant welcome was any indication. So why, now, did her knees tremble?
Swallowing what she hoped was simple shyness and unfamiliarity, Aquene turned to dip her head in a formal salutations, voice softer than she could remember it being.
"Good evening, kind sir."
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:13 am
Kyaishi ((Forgive me for the delay! <3 ))
Though the Kawani was filled with life and color, sometimes it also felt terribly empty. The freedom his kind had been granted came with a price; no longer were they bound together, with company never far off. With their freedom came a new loneliness, an ache, an emptiness that that wasn't always so easily settled. For a social creature such as Aethon, meeting Aquene would be absolutely refreshing.
Still, she appeared coy. Her words were soft, quiet, as if she were shy. And perhaps that was indeed the case; not everyone was as gregarious as himself. Still, he did not wish to frighten her, or drive her away. So it was, he let his smile grow. "I hope you might forgive my approach, and I dare say, I hope I am not distracting you from nature's most glorious display." He glanced over at the sun, watching it dip ever closer to the horizon. "Such beauty, I find, is best viewed when shared." He spoke gently, ever alert. He knew he should introduce himself, but if the mare continued to look uncomfortable, or even ducked away, he would respect her wishes. He didn't want her to feel obligated to linger in his presence, or interrupt her. Perhaps she preferred to be alone. . . .if that was the case, he would grant her her wish.
Deep down though, the stallion did hope that this stranger, this mare of the dawn, might merely be . . . shy. Timid. Perhaps with the right amount of patience, with the right words, he might be able to draw her out of her shell. Not every individual wished to be alone, of course, and some required merely a little patience. They were strangers, she had every right to be wary, especially since he was . . . different, at least when it came to species. Either way, he'd wait and see. The spirits had brought him, and her, to this beach. . . perhaps they crossed paths for a reason?
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:31 pm
Although in this moment, Aquene was fraught with uncertainty and self-consciousness; there was something in particular about this meeting that seemed to set her innermost fears at ease. It wasn't the stallion himself- though his kind mannerism certainly didn't hurt- or in the coincidental circumstances of this encounter, but something she could not quite describe. It was as if some higher power had plucked him from the sky- radiant hues of sunlight and all- to admire the setting sun with her, just as thoughts of her insecurities and disparaging thoughts had begun to creep back in the outer recesses of her consciousness. Had she not, only just a moment ago, been awed by the newly-realized beauty that this world possessed... only to have this stallion, who embodied the very essence of the beauty she admired, swoop down and offer to share in her reverence?
Aquene had never truly believed in fate, but she supposed now was a good a time as any to give the thought credence. She would be glad of the company, even if the endeavor of conversation seemed slightly unsettling.
Eying him a moment more, unable to dispel her wariness completely, the petite mare nonetheless allowed a much brighter, more sincere smile to grace her ivorn features, dipping her head slightly in acknowledgement. "Indeed it is." Words had deserted her as he had descended upon her secluded place on the beach, but now they began to return- slowly, haltingly, but easily coming to her tongue. "Would you care to join me?" The dulcet tones of her voice were slightly hoarse from disuse and soft from unending hesitance, but noticeably more confident than only a moment ago. If the higher powers that be sought to grant her a gift- even if she chose not to believe in them- who was she to turn a blind eye?
Clearing her throat, suddenly shy again in the face of his bright presence, the winged mare took a step to the side and gestured invitingly with a wingtip. "Forgive my ineptitude, kind sir, it has been some time since I have had the company of anyone other than my family." Her golden eyes darted towards the sunset, briefly, before alighting upon him again, curious now at the strange features she had been too distracted a moment ago to notice. She did not believe she had ever seen a breed of Soquili with claws, or even heard of them, though it felt too rude to inquire after, so she held her tongue. It didn't seem appropriate to gawk, either, so at the moment of realization, her gaze snapped up to meet his, and her smile turned sheepish at her own rudeness.
"My name is Aquene."
What little conversation she could manage seemed stilted, slightly unnatural, but she suspected that it would only improve with time. She thought to ask his name in return, but the offer of her own seemed rather self-explanatory of what was generally expected. Was it appropriate to say anything more, or simply expect the introductions to progress on their own? Aquene was aware that she was thinking too hard about this, but the uneasiness of being thrust back into a social encounter was more taxing than she had initially expected.
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Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:31 pm
The orange eyed stallion kept his gaze on Aquene as she spoke, and it would have been a lie to say her shyness didn't surprise him. While he understood that not every creature was blessed with extroversion, that certain paths might take a soul down questionable roads, and perhaps such experience might grant an introversion. . . . but this stranger seemed nothing but cordial. She was soft-spoken, seemingly genteel in nature, and he certainly didn't find her threatening in any way. When she mentioned that it had been long since she'd been around others who were not family, was even more surprising to him.
The first thing Aethon wished to know was why? What kept her hidden from the world? Was it force or choice? Was it that initial shyness that kept her from meeting others, or another fear? He didn't think poorly of her, not at all, but he couldn't help but wonder. This stranger that stood on the shore was nothing short of a vision of loveliness, having been kissed by the dawn. While he was closer, he did notice her wing looked a little. . . . off . . . was that a clue to his wonder? Or merely a coincidence?
Either way, the stallion bowed his head at her, before slowly bridging the distance between the two. "I would be most honored to enjoy the setting of the sun with you this evening, m'lady." He spoke gently, his words sincere. There was no mockery in his attitude, or his countenance, as he stepped closer to her. Though he was younger than she, he was nothing if not a gentleman. Besides which, it would be his great honor, especially if she was as reserved as she both looked and claimed. "I am pleased that the spirits allowed our paths to cross this night, Aquene." He tested the roll of her name on his tongue, and found it both fitting and delightful.
Aquene.
He would do good to remember it.
"You may call me Aethon, and it truly is a pleasure. Watching nature in all its splendour is, more often than not, much better when shared with others." And it was true. He had enjoyed his time in the sky, and would have indulged in the nature of the world quite happily alone. But the spirits had granted him company, and he wasn't going to waste the opportunity. Aquene's presence would easily make the night more memorable than if he had simply admired alone.
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Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 8:09 pm
While his presence at her side was wholly unfamiliar, it was not altogether an unpleasant feeling, despite the strangeness. His proximity might have put her on edge, had he not soothed her wariness with kind words, a graceful bow. Despite herself, Aquene did feel her face begin to grow warm under his scrutiny- naive though she may be, oblivious she was not, and the admiration in his eyes was not dissimilar to the reverence he had paid the sunset sky only moments ago. It was strange, to think that the outside world thought no different of her than before she had been broken- but she wondered if he would look at her the same if he discovered the cracks beneath.
Clearing her throat with slight discomfort at the thought, Aquene gave a slight shake of her head to chase off the remnants of self-doubt, resolving to focus solely on the unexpected, but not unwelcome presence at her side. Offering another smile to the winged and clawed stallion with a polite dip of her own head, she spoke again with a more confident lilt to her voice, though it wasn't completely devoid of shyness. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Aethon." She said nothing of his mention of spirits- it was not her place to question beliefs, though she was curious of exactly what higher powers he was referring to. She, of course, did not begrudge anyone of their beliefs, but it was fascinating all the same to learn about the differences of each.
Perhaps she would ask her half-brother about his again, when he was more willing to divulge what little about his upbringing he felt comfortable with sharing.
Ah, she was getting distracted again. Perhaps Merric's social lessons had passed on a few things that she hadn't wished them to. She smothered a sheepish laugh at the thought, turning her attention back to the sunset stallion and swallowing the urge to take a step back at his closeness.
She had to admit that it was lovely, his colors against the sunlight... as if he could simply melt into the sky. Her own gaze wasn't devoid of appreciation, though it was, in some ways, distant. Detached. It was splendid to have company, someone to share in her reverence of all this natural beauty, but somehow, she could not seem to share in his enthusiasm. Was it apathy? Or was it bitterness? She fought the urge to sigh in frustration at the sudden downturn of her thoughts, wings fluttering agitatedly as her weight shifted. She hoped he wouldn't notice, she didn't wish to scare off the first bit of company she'd had in years at one of her mood swings, but this shadow persisted.
Eager to distract herself, her mouth seemed to run off before she could curb her desire to be free of this ridiculous self-consciousness.
"What are you, exactly?"
Immediately, she flushed with embarrassment, appalled at her own rudeness. "My sincerest apologies... I meant to say, I have never seen another Soquili with... claws. Are you some manner of... um, hawk breed?" Her weight shifted again, and this time her ears flattened against her head in shame. It was far too forward to ask this sort of question without preamble- this was exactly the sort of thing she scolded Cetra for. Her mother had bred politeness into her, and she had used diplomacy as a skill. It was one her father implemented wherever possible, and one she admired.
It seemed she had rather failed at that, too.
"I deeply apologize. My mouth seems to have run away with me again in my curiosity. You do not have to answer if you do not wish it."
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 2:00 pm
If the stallion picked up on her moments agitation, the bit of awkwardness within the oceans air, he said something and gave no comment. He could tell she was a shy individual, a creature that might not be so extroverted, so open to company, especially his. He would stay polite and ever formal, and wait to see if the dawn mare might relax. Thankfully, Aethon was known for his great amount of patience, and he wasn't in any rush on spoiling this new meeting.
The spirits were kind enough to offer him a reprieve from his solitude, and he was going to take it.
So he let the silence linger, keeping his gaze on the sun and the lapping waves against the shore. Everything had transformed in to a series of oranges, golds, and yellows, with the purples of dusk beginning to stain the skies. It would not be long now before night settled upon the lands, and the world would begin to settle down and rest. It also very likely would mean a parting of the two of them, and he would resume his solitude with nothing but his wings as a companion. Such was the way of the world, he figured, as after the spell had released his kin from their home in the desert, everyone had fled. For better, for worse. . . Aethon appreciated the new freedom given him, but every now and then, he yearned to belong somewhere, somewhen. So it was, the 'gryph was only too happy to appreciate this momentary lull in his usual loneliness.
When Aquene spoke, her question almost as surprising to him as it seemed to be to her, he couldn't stop the amused smile from crossing his features. The older mare looked so abashed, as if she had done something wrong. While he appreciated the fact she appeared to want to be polite, the stallion couldn't help but chuckle and attempt to ease her fears. Lifting up on his front legs, he allowed her to better see the claws that adorned his feet. "It's a good question," he grinned, not at all offended. "You're not the only one to wonder, I assure you, though you're one of the few who has the gall enough inquire. I am known as a hippo'gryph, and all of my pure kin look about the same. Some have feathers for manes and tails, in my case, I inherited a more traditional look." His tail wriggled some, as if to show proof. "We are rather new to these lands, I must admit, but are mostly harmless."
Their beak-like snouts could do damage if they decided to bite, and of course, his talons were formidable if he felt threatened. . . but for the most part? Completely and utterly peaceful. "I grew up trapped in the desert, so to find a new land and a new freedom among your kind is . . . . most refreshing a change."
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:44 pm
Although still thoroughly abashed at her unexpected outburst, the stallion's warm chuckle did much to put her at ease, despite the stubborn heat that remained in her cheeks. Almost unwillingly, her tensed shoulders began to relax beneath the soothing calm of his voice, put at ease under his easy stare and kind words. A sheepish grin replaced the horrified expression that she wore, although Aquene could not shake entirely the vestiges of shame that came with breaking decorum. It was strange to think that he minded so little and she so much- had she completely forgotten what normal conversation was like, or was it simply that she was holding herself to impractical standards?
In any case, her blunder was momentarily forgotten as the stallion readily introduced his... oddities, and identified himself as a new breed. The winged mare was taken aback that there was an entirely new creature occupying the lands that she had once called home. Golden hues raised to look at him in a new, glittering light as she took in a more detailed view of his slightly different wings, claws and beak. It was certainly different, to be sure... but not at all unattractive. Unbidden, she blushed at the thought, clearing her throat in hopes that the expression went unnoticed.
"Do many of you live in the desert? It doesn't seem a particularly hospitable place to call home." There were exceptions, of course- her thoughts dwelled on her father's origins, her half-brother had made a home for himself in the harsh environment, but for a creature of the sky... it hardly seemed appropriate. "You must have traveled far."
She wondered what had brought him here, to this cliff in particular- perhaps he sought the same freedom that she did in the winds, though their methods of achieving that freedom would admittedly be quite different. Did he find solace in the sunset sky, as she did? Did he long for the feel of the wind in his feathers? She wondered if his kind were better fliers, if his wings could take him further than hers would if she still possessed the sky as an ally. Part of her longed to ask, but the remembrance that it would do little more than inflame her wistfulness over her disability stayed her tongue. Instead, she only smiled at him, sunset hues glittering as she imagined his own sun-kissed feathers fluttering upon the wind.
"Was it a pleasant journey?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:44 pm
Kyaishi Lawl. Slowest tagger ever! Sorry dear. :c
Was it a natural shyness? Or had she simply suffered from the actions of another? Either way, it mattered not. It was a refreshing change to meet someone who did not either throw themselves at him for attention, or sneer at him for being so peculiar in features. Not all in the Kawani were so welcoming.
Lucky him, then, that the spirts allowed their paths to meet.
"It wasn't particularly hospitable, but there were a great many of us." He fell quiet for a moment, considering the lands in which they shared with the ulun'suti. The elemental creatures had great magic, but they were not often so accomodating with the fairer boned gryphs. And, what was worse, the lands within the desert rarely changed for long. "We were rather . . . stuck. A portion of the land had been created to keep our kind in, and the rest of the world out. Needless to say, that finally changed, and now . . . my kin, and the other desert folk can wander freely. And oh, you cannot imagine how wonderful this freedom is," he sighed, gazing out at the endless expanse of water. It was still most brilliant to him, to see new faces, colors, plants and animals the likes of which he'd never imagined! "I don't miss the desert." Though, every now and then, his lot was a touch lonely. No longer were there ties to bond and he had lost contact of all his relations. Not that it mattered. . . It had been his choice to leave the familiar sands, after all, and he could not have it both ways. No, he had left. . . and dulled the ache with the colors and mysteries of this new world.
"But I do love this ocean. . . What of you, m'lady?" He questioned, turning back to look at the mare beside him. "Have you lived in these parts your whole life? Or are you a wanderer like I?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 6:58 pm
Although she was no stranger to sadness or tragedy, unwittingly, the mare's heart softened towards this new stallion at the mention of his harsh beginnings, at the implied loneliness that came with living in a world separate from everything else. She couldn't relate- not really, since her family was a shelter that she had chosen of her own volition after the outside world had spurned her- but that didn't mean she couldn't imagine, or sympathize. She chose to live in a prison of her own making- these poor souls had no such choice.
"That sounds... difficult. I cannot fathom such a fate. I'm so sorry."
Golden eyes, where they had been hesitant and shy before, now met his with a softness that was borne of shared pain, and now shared contentment. 'Freedom' was a concept that she had once taken for granted, and probably held in a different regard, but the joy that this kind stallion took in the simplicity of it touched her. For so long, freedom had been something she shied away from- even the idea of freedom from her past had brought with it a fear of change, of letting go- but now, she thought she might share in his wonder at it, the thought that she could be free again, and it brought a smile to her face.
"I am glad that you and your people now have your freedom, it sounds as if it was well-deserved." Her eyes left his to look out towards the setting sun once again, any remaining tenseness bleeding out of her with a soft whisper of a sigh. "The desert has its beauty too, but it is not a place I would imagine one could make a home for themselves. Or," she paused, thoughts once again alighting on her father and half-brother, "not everyone, at least."
At his question into her own origins, her eyes clouded over, although this time it was in recollection rather than sadness. "My beginnings were here- my family has made its home nearby, but at one time, I fancied myself an adventurer." A small smile at the remembrance of her younger and more adventurous self had her shifting to glance over towards Aethon as she spoke, no longer wary of sharing with him. "I left home to travel by the side of a dear friend, taking flight and exploring wherever my wings took me." A pause here, not in hesitance, but in question of how to delicately broach the subject of her heart's demise and her return home without dampening the atmosphere.
"It... ended poorly. I was crippled, and then spurned, and I returned to my family's support." She held out her disfigured wing in explanation, relaxing slightly as she glanced over the subject of Belial's abandonment. For the first time, the subject didn't send her into a tailspin as it had before, and for the first time, she found that her tongue was loose, and she felt lighter for speaking of it. "It has... been a long time since I contemplated my own freedom, but I find it much more appealing than I once did."
A long pause followed the descent into much heavier territory than she was sure that the bird-like stallion intended, and she offered a sheepish grin. "My apologies for making this more somber than intended, I'm sure you mean to enjoy your chance to be social. Did you travel with anyone, or leave anyone behind?"
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 10:28 am
Aethon was glad that he had found such a lovely companion to watch the sunset. Not only was the good lady a beauty on the eyes, but her words were soft, and ever considerate. She was polite, and not like some of the uppity or crass mares he had lived with while suck in he desert! "It was a great adventure to be free of the curse upon our kind. . . but I do not miss the desert lands. I shall never return to them if I might help it," he confessed with a grin, eyes bright, and his pleasure obvious. "That is a part of my story I will happily leave behind." All it was good for was to color his foundation on who he was now, and where he was going. . . even if he knew not where his wings would take him, the one certainty was it would NOT be the desert!
The hippogryph stallion listened to he mare's story, allowing her words to sink in and be considered. It certainly sounded as if the mare had as colorful a history to her as she did a vibrant coat! Unfortunately, though, it also sounded as if she had some great troubles. The stallion could hear the touch of pain and regret in her words, and the somberness of her adventuring days ending in an inability to fly, and rejection. . . The stallion felt a sharp stab of grief for the mare's loss, but also a surge of anger at those that spurned her. His feathers puffed out in response, and he gave a small cluck of dismay, staring hard at the ocean while trying to filter his words.
"I am so sorry that such a fate has struck you," he finally spoke when his anger had ebbed. He did glance at her wing, but quickly turned to look her in the eye. "I am only glad that you did have a family to return to, to support you during what I must imagine to have been your hardest days." What else could he say? What words could he speak that someone else may not have told her? He did not wish to dwell upon her wounds, but he also did not want her to think that he thought little of her story or plight. "I do hope, one day, you might find some sort of wind beneath your wings once more." If not physically, than perhaps spiritually, emotionally. . . perhaps some joy might make her heart fly, even if her body could not. And oh, how Aethon hoped the spirits would hear such a prayer!
"Ah, but I dare say, I am glad you are free. I shall hope one day you will be free of the pain and sorrow that haunts you, that one day, only joy and happiness might seek your company." He smiled at her again, eyes bright, before he laughed, a sound that was some mix of a cluck and chirp. "I suppose I am a fool bird, for I know that life is a mix of light and dark, good and bad, pain and pleasure -- but I still shall hope for your sake all the same." And wasn't that the truth!
When the mare apologized, and asked about his travels, he gave a small whistle and a shake of his head. "Ah, m'lady, do not apologize. I wish to know more about you, and while I regret that life has been unkind, I do not mind at all where the subject might take us. For I already know much about me -- listening to you, finding a new friend in a stranger by the beach -- the is far more appealing than anything I might say. Still," he knew he should best answer her questions. The more they spoke the longer they were able to linger. "I traveled alone. I have family back in the desert, or did, but we had spent so long together that freedom was far more appealing. We were close, but I do not deceive myself in thinking I might see them again. We wished one another our love, our blessings, our hopes, before we scattered in different directions. I fly solo now, or at least travel alone. I have not found many willing to travel with me, or take me in for long. . . but I don't mind. I suppose part of the problem is not having a good enough reason to fold my wings and stay."
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