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 Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:45 pm
Shikouten tilted his wings and glided towards the shimmering lake, his great tail fanned behind him like so many rays of sun. He landed gracefully and dipped his head, his golden muzzle toying with the water before taking a long drink.
When he rose his head a few moments later, he was refreshed. He turned his gaze upwards and breathed a gentle sigh, appreciating the fine day. It was not too hot, not too cold- a charming mid-day, balancing on perfection.
He paused, tilting his majestic head as he pondered the meaning of perfection. Why, it was nothing more than what was pleasing, was it not? The epitome of whatever it was supposed to be- a perfect day, a perfect moment, a perfect feather.
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Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:03 pm
 The perfect day...not exactly what Rashmi was having. The hippogryff had been flying through the forest, keeping an eye out for a bit of prey or some nice berries, fairly flexible with what she ate, when she saw something that looked promising. She had dipped into a dive and...well that branch had come out of no where really. Rashmi had managed to avoid it, but it had ruined her dive and she had been forced into an untimely landing. Now, a bit more battered that she would have liked, and fairly certain she had jammed a talon, she was resolutely not limping toward the lake. Chanda had checked in on her, made sure that she was okay, and then returned to her hunting, leaving her to her own devices. The bit of loose dirt and sand lining the water's edge made it hard for her to get there, and she was so focused on maneuvering on terrain that her forelegs were not designed for that she almost did not notice the other soquili that was already there until she finally looked up and started. Trying to regain her composure she spoke up quickly. "Sorry I didn't see you there. Is this your lake?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:45 pm
Shikouten smiled in greeting. "Why, no... I have no claim to this lake." He stepped aside to allow her access to the water's edge, should she so desire, and his brow furrowed in concern. She seemed a tad... ruffled... if to put it so bluntly would not be rude. He had noted her stoic determination in her approach, her concentration so great that she seemed not to notice him until she spoke. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance; my name is Shikouten." To give his name was a mere formality, and perhaps an unwelcome one (he knew not whether his company was a welcome surprise or a hindrance to some planned quiet afternoon) but protocol dictates that one must offer one's name upon the first meeting.
Her talon-ed fore-limbs did not seem to be made to stride through sands, and he delayed offering his assistance in case what he thought was a limp was merely a natural movement for the mare. He had encountered those with unique gaits before, and did not wish to insult her.
Crimson eyes met emerald as he waited for her response; if she did not wish to converse, he would bid her a good day and quietly make his departure. He found himself hoping that she would indeed value his company, and examined the unusual thought curiously as he awaited her title.
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 1:24 pm
Rashmi's beak was already dipping toward the water when he introduced himself and she paused for a moment. Should she continue to get her drink and then give her name? Or would it only be right if she gave her name before she took a drink? But when she looked at him he was looking at her, waiting, and that helped with the decision that she needed to make. "I'm Rashmi. It's nice to meet you," then she took the drink she was looking for, which helped to cool her parched throat.
She tried not to really give away what she was doing, but she was sidling into the lake until he talon was in the water, which felt wonderfully refreshing on it. As she did she was looking at him curiously, she had never seen a feathered tail quite like that, and he seemed to have a strong pair of wings. Hippogryphs might not be the best flyers, but it was something that she certainly enjoyed, and she was curious if he was better than her. But she probably did not want to challenge him to a race. Even though it might be fun. But he might not like it. Or he could love to race.
Trying to just avoid that decision she tried to concentrate on something else. "If you have no claim to the lake are you from somewhere else?" she asked, looking around. It seemed like a pleasant sort of lake, and the area seemed to have plenty of food about. That thought reminded her that she was somewhat hungry, and soon enough she would have to return to the hunt.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:24 am
Shikouten's expression softened as she gave her name, and he seemed to relax as she made her willingness to converse clear. Rashmi... her name was full of light- a hard syllable followed by the sounds of water, trailed by a lilting sigh. He averted his gaze as she drunk, though it was difficult to look away from the enchanting creature, allowing her some privacy.
"I have no territory to call home." he murmured, glancing up at the sky as a smile broadened the corners of his lips "... though the sky, my constant companion, offers the solace of a familiar beloved place." He loved to fly, and found that he often sought refuge in the sky above, no matter what land lay beneath his hooves. The sky had been everywhere he'd ever known, and as he did not spend much time in caves or dense forests he had never been denied access to it.
Though he understood their desire, he found it odd that some beings wished to claim entire swathes of land solely for themselves. If one found something in which to find great joy, should it not be shared among all who would seek it?
He returned his gaze to her, and noted that she had submerged her fore-claw in water. He hoped it was merely a way to seek refreshment, and not indicative of some wound... though at the first sign of pain, he would lend what aid he could. "I remember no familial home.... and yourself, Rashmi?" He could not help but say her name. He... liked it. "From what lands do you hail, if you do not mind my asking?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 5:57 pm
She could understand that a bit. She was a wanderer, and she liked it somewhat. Maybe someday there would be a place to call "home" but for now? For now she was exploring, and getting out there and doing something with herself. That was one of the first decisions she had made...or more aptly, that Chanda had made for her. "The sky," she echoed, looking up at it herself. She enjoyed flying, letting the wind decide where to take her, not really making those decisions. But she was also partially grounded, by choice, by the companion that she chose to travel with.
She ceased her musing when he spoke, and focused in on his words. "Quite a ways from here, near the mountains. I found Chanda when I was a yearling and we've been traveling ever since," she glanced around, realizing that Chanda was no where to be seen. "Oh I don't know where she's run off to, but Chanda's my familiar." She felt as if she should just go ahead and clarify that point now since there could be no formal introduction at the moment.
Her stomach was beginning to send her signals that really, it was hungry, and she thought about simply ignoring it. To distract herself she tested putting weight on her talon and while it would hold it was still sore, so with a slight wince she shifted her weight away from it. "Do you know if the fishing here is any good? Or if there is a good place to get fruit?" Her eyes lit up for just a moment. "Or perhaps a two-legger village?" Two-leggers seemed to always have food somewhere, and it was just so easy to sneak in and take it while it was all laid out, drying and curing in the sun.
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Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:16 am
He smiled gently, pleased that this mare did not live a solitary life. Though there was much to be said for time for quiet contemplation, companionship was a valuable necessity through trying times. The loyalty of a familiar would serve any Soquili well, and a shared bond could make even the harshest winters tolerable. "I am sure she is doing quite well..." he murmured, meant to be a reassurance though she did not seem to perturbed by Chandra's absence.
He could not help but wonder what manner of creature this Chandra was. Did she soar through the skies with her bonded? Or did this cherished being lead a grounded life?
His curiosity could wait...
His brow furrowed as he noted her wince as she attempted to bear weight on her claw, and with a single smooth movement he angled himself to be of service. Though it may have seemed a rather intimate gesture, he was merely offering what aid he could; a solid body to help ease her pain. He was still far enough away to avoid intruding upon her personal space, but close enough that if she were to so chose, she could use a wing slung across his shoulders to offset her weight.
"There is a dwelling of the two-leggeds not far off..." He had considered her question carefully, and believed that it would be best to trust to the generosity of the two-legged beings that live beneath those animal-skin homes... perhaps there would be something to spare for an injured newcomer to the lands? He was not hungry, and though he would have hunted for her he did not wish to accentuate her need for recovery. Shikouten was among those who believed that even the minor ailments of others needed to be fully healed before resuming normal activities, while he would push his own body to its limits and beyond to aid those who may have been able to help themselves.
He had spotted the small cluster of dwelling-places while flying over the lands, and it was not far from here. It would be quickest to fly, and then she would not need to agitate her claw further... "May I escort you there?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:02 pm
The stallion settled in beside her in what seemed to be an open gesture of help. As much as she was loathe to admit she needed it, it was simply better to take his offer than to further injure herself. It took only a moment or two of indecision before she put her wing out for support, moving closer to him. Since it was offered she did not think about the intrusion of space until she had actually settled her wing over his back. It was at that time that she was slightly flustered about it, and for some other reason than that she might appear weak. "Thank you," she murmured quietly, grateful to be able to move a bit, even if slowly to match him, and not risk putting her full wait on the talon.
"There is a dwelling then? I would..." she paused, clearly debating her choice. "Yes, we should go. Sometimes two-leggers leave out prey to dry and it is easy to take." She seemed to perk up a bit as she spoke about it before her look quickly passed to one of regret. "Though just taking it might be wrong...it is okay since I am injured though, right?" Her last statement seemed to put her quandary at ease for the moment. She deserved the food the two-leggers carelessly left out!
Edit: Just realized how short that post actually was XD Sorry!
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:40 pm
He was relieved that she had accepted his help; it was the least he could do.
"It is my ple-" the stallion quickly smothered his look of mingled shock and disbelief as he processed her later comments "-asure..." To take what was not one's own? Take? Not ask, query politely, question whether or not there were plans for such a thing.... but to simply claim it? Though she had shown uncertainty, her words...
He blinked, shook his head once, and his voice became firm as his brow furrowed in somber adamancy. Perhaps this mare was as a foal, yet untutored in the ways of fairness and justice. (Though to him, such things were as natural as breathing...) "To take what is not one's own without care is a grave misdeed.." he confirmed her ponderous inquiry in a stern yet kind tone. "One may be pilfering the last of the coming winter's stores for a mother scrounging to feed her young, or taking what was meant for an elderly neighbor..." a gentle sigh accompanied a softening of his expression. "Though you may be injured... to take without asking, without the chance for generosity to be met with gratitude expressed politely," he had found a slow inclination of the head of gentle sharing of breath to suffice with the two-legged kind "would not be right."
In truth, no being had any way of knowing the intentions of another unless they were to communicate. Though emotion may be read plainly on another's face, the innermost workings of the mind were beyond such observation. Without communication, anything was possible.
His stomach was not made to ingest meat; though he was strong, fresh, and able-bodied his physical reality was such that he fed upon grasses, fruits, and some select grains alone. Though taking life was displeasing to him, he did it when necessity arose, and if the two-leggeds were scrounging for food and had none to share he would be more than willing to... hunt.... to feed Rashmi.
"Perhaps the two-leggeds shall be willing to share?" he suggested, offering her a heart-warming smile as his golden tresses caught the light.
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:43 pm
As his tone met her ears, not unkind but certainly stern she seemed to deflate ever so slightly, looking rather abashed, though it was possibly more due to being caught than actually feeling bad. Then he began to explain his reasoning and she really did feel a sense of shame. She had just been thinking about her own needs, not considering that the two-leggers would not have plenty on their own. She found herself nodding slowly in agreement the more she thought about it. That and the way he smiled, sunlight causing almost a glow from the light reflected to surround him when she looked up at him. "I guess it would not hurt to ask," she agreed. Or wait, would it? "But you are sure that the two-leggers will not try to trick me? If they see that I'm injured they might take it as a sign of weakness." That would not work for her, not at all. Shikouten seemed trustworthy though, and he probably would not have suggested that she go to them if he thought they were a danger. "If you escort me there will you stay while I ask them?" Now that idea wasn't half bad. If Shikouten went with her and the two-leggers turned on her there would be a better chance to escape, but she could also be putting him in danger by dragging him along. "Or maybe I should just try to find some fruit." The way she said the word, and her face, clearly reflected that she did not like fruit. It was edible, but it was not enjoyable, not like meat was. For her kind it was a preference between the two, and she preferred to be as carnivorous as her familiar. Really, for something that should have been simple she was starting to see more and more paths to take, and was not really settled on any of them. Her uncertainty was blatant as she tried to decide which was the lesser of two evils. Apotropaics Again, so so so so so sorry about the delay here QQ
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:45 pm
The proud stallion nodded once.
Her mistrust in the two-leggeds was perhaps misplaced, but he could not argue against caution. Although he would throw himself headlong into the most precarious situations to save another, he found risking the well-being of others quite preposterous.
"There are those who would take advantage of physical ailments, and there are those who would do everything in their power to ensure your strength and vitality. As the Uni are the healers of our kind, there are two-leggeds whose herbal poultices would bend minor ills. Not magic, just knowledge applied with generosity."
His heart warmed at her simple request, and her offered her another smile as he responded.
"It would be my pleasure to accompany you for as long as you desire." Whatever the circumstances, he would not turn from her lest she requested it. His loyalty was not wrought of obsession, rather borne of simple kindness.
Her distaste for fruit was quite obvious from her tone; he found himself wondering whether it was the sweetness, tartness, or if she found the texture displeasing. Her preferences mattered to him, and though he had no way of knowing that she merely preferred a carnivorous diet he did wonder at her displeasure.
One limp rose as he began the first movement that would set them off towards the two-legged dwelling, concern for her possibly waning strength (she needed energy to mend) prompting his decision to begin the rather short trip. He tilted his head, a silent query as to whether she was ready to begin.
Shall we?
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 12:09 pm
Rashmi glanced down at her injured talon as he spoke about healing, regarding it for a moment thoughtfully. "I don't know if I need that sort of healing, it will probably heal on its own in a day or two. If they are willing to part with food that should be enough." Really, it was almost embarrassing that she had been injured in the first place, and now she was relying on a stranger's generous assistance for what was in reality a simple injury. But with an injured talon it was difficult to get the running start necessary to fly, and walking was awkward enough without the injury. Reliance it was. She fluttered her the wing not slung across him a touch nervously, not entirely sure why, but just feeling even more embarrassed because he was being so entirely caring for her even though she just met him. "I hope I am not keeping you from anything then," she said quietly before following his lead, favoring her leg and leaning against him slightly. It was not until they were actually moving that she realized how much she really needed to rely on his strength, and she hoped that it was not too much of an inconvenience for him. "You seem to know much about two-leggers Shikouten. Have you had dealings with them before?"
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