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 Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 11:49 am
 Cergen stood at the edge of the pool as water cascaded down from the waterfall. Gazing at his reflection it was hard to believe that he was the same scared, scrawny and ugly colt that had come running into the forest all those years ago. He had ran to escape the unkind words, the laughter. He had never expected to be gone this long. There had been days at the beginning when he wondered if his parents would come looking for him, yet as the weeks came and went he realized that he was truly on his own. Had his parents even bothered to look? Well he couldn't say for certain, if they had they had not searched very far from their beach side home, for Cergen could only be found in the deep of the jungle with only a monkey to keep him company.
Staring at his reflecting, his glossy long hair as perfect as ever Cergen was still surprised at the transformation that had happened over the years. The monkey had been a big help, whom had been dubbed Clever Hands by Cergen a few weeks after the pair had come together. His gaze lifted to the trees surrounding him, Clever Hands was resting up in the shady branches avoiding the midday heat. Looking back at the pool Cergen began to think back to that day it had all started, the day he had fled his home and wound up here.
Back then he was just a foal, playing, laughing and trying desperately to fit in. He was a gangly thing, his legs too long, his tail too thick and his mane was so scraggly that it was hard to do anything with. The other foals took notice of this immediately and began to poke fun at him. Cergen had tried to ignore it but they never let up. The worst part was, with his thicker than normal tail he had a hard time balancing on land, yet his trouble grew whenever he entered the water. That big tail was hard to control and often he found himself swimming out of control or accidentally hitting one of the other foals with it.
He had stuck through it for a long time, trying his best to ignore those harsh words the other foals threw his way. One day he thought he had finally gotten over it, the other foals hadn't said much about him lately, though granted he had barely been on the beach for the last week, so he ventured out looking forward to a day in the sand. He strode out with confidence, his head held high, his tail behind him unmoving (he had finally mastered keeping it under control) and all was going well until he tripped over a piece of driftwood half buried in the sand. The laughter came immediately, and all Cergen wanted to do was bury his head in the sand. But instead he picked himself up, and tried to brush it off. But the laughter continued. He tried to look like it didn't hurt him to have them laughing at him again, but when his eyes rested upon a filly laughing along with the rest of them Cergen's resolve broke. He had thought she was better than the others but this day proved him wrong. Without thinking he turned and ran into the jungle.
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 11:58 am
A sigh broke the memory and Cergen was once again staring at his current self. He was handsome, he knew that well. Yet had the years of hiding done him any good other than allow his mane to grow in thick and giving him time to truly master his bulky tail? Only time would tell. He would never know the answer if he continued to remain here hidden away like the frightened foal he had been. Rustling in the tree above him drew his attention up to see his faithful monkey Clever Hands climbing down. "I hope you had a good nap my friend." He told the monkey, even though there was a distinct language barrier between them. Still even though he couldn't understand the monkey, and based upon that the monkey couldn't understand him, Cergen made it a point to talk to his friend. Clever Hands let out a few happy sounding chirps as he made his way over to the edge of the water to get a drink.
The first time he had seen Clever Hands was after he had ran away from his home. He was extremely thankful for all the monkey had done for him, befriending the scared colt, working tirelessly on his mane and just sitting there listening to he talk of things. His mind wandered again to the day they met.
He had ran so far, so fast that he knew he wouldn't go back. His parents would worry but he could not face them again. Days he ran, ran until his legs just couldn't go anymore. And when he finally collapsed he found himself in the middle of the jungle surrounded by large trees, beautiful flowers, chirping birds and a hidden waterfall. As he recovered his breath a monkey came down the tree above him, making all kinds of noise. At first Cergen had been scared, and he cringed as the monkey moved closer. But then as he closed his eyes, afraid to see his end. To his surprise the monkey did not attack, instead he began running his fingers through the colts mane, chattering away. The monkey did not mock his appearance, but he did seem determined to make Cergen's mane just a bit more unruly.
The pair had become quick friends and while Cergen could never understand what the monkey was chattering about they worked together day and night. Cergen trained to get his tail to no longer be a burden. The monkey worked tirelessly on his mane, which slowly grew longer and thicker with time. Soon enough Cergen decided the monkey needed a name, simply calling him 'Monkey' or 'Friend' didn't seem enough. So one day he called him Clever Hands, which the monkey seemed to approve of, and so from that day on the monkey was called by his name, or occasionally simply 'friend'. Clever Hands was important to the growing foal for a number of reasons, not only did he work on Cergen's mane day in and day out but also taught the colt which plants and fruits were safe to eat, where to find the best shade in the hottest part of the day and most importantly of all was the friend the colt so desperately needed.
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:43 pm
Cergen had nearly everything he could ever want here, plenty of food, water to drink, shelter from the sun and rain, yet open enough he could sun bath from time to time, and a monkey to befriend him. And yet Cergen had to admit he wasn't entirely happy. There was something missing from his life. It was funny how living in paradise could open ones eyes to what they were missing, yet it had taken him so long to realize it. The thing was it wouldn't be easy to do what he knew he would need to do. Would this be a good move to make? Would there be acceptance or more laughter at his return? Had he lost too much time hidden away in the jungle? So many questions swirled around his head and he took a step towards the water for a drink. Clever Hands looked up and chattered something to him, which made the stallion smile. Did the monkey sense a change coming or that his friend was lost in thought today? It was possible, Clever Hands had been fairly receptive to his ways after all this time.
After taking a long drink Cergen lifted his head and looked out among the jungle that surrounded them. Nearly his whole life up to this point had been spent here, and now he was thinking about leaving it all to return to the place and individuals who had made him run in the first place. He must be crazy. But no, there was one good reason he wanted to go back. Would she still be there? Possibly, Cergen hoped so. Would she see him as a new stallion r the awkward foal from before? Cergen could only hope it was not the latter. He had put the past behind him long ago but that did not mean he had completely forgotten his roots. And his parents, would they still be there? What would he say to them if they were? Perhaps he would ask why they didn't find him, and whether they had even bothered to look.
The first day he saw a change in himself had been such an uplifting experience. Cergen was on the cusp of adulthood, not quite out of his awkward foal stage and yet not quite an adult either. After months of work he had gotten his tail under control, it no longer jerked wildly when he tried to move it, swimming was a soothing experience and even the weight and bulkiness of it was no longer an issue. It was a powerful thing, yet he could manipulate it so delicately that it shocked him. Clever Hands had been a big help with that, setting up rocks and other objects on top of a tree stump so Cergen could train himself to move the objects using his tail in order to gain good dexterity with it. That day he had woke up, looked at his reflection in the water and knew deep in his heart that everything would be good from here on out.
While still a bit short his mane had grown in thickly, there were no longer patches along his neck where it was completely missing. Cergen could see the potential for his handsome looks that were just starting to come in, yes his adulthood was certainly looking up. He still had a ways to go, but at least he was starting to feel and look normal. At that time he had no thought or desire to return home, this was his home and he would stay here forever. Cergen could not have known how much that thought would change as time went on, but in that moment he was at his happiest.
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:02 pm
Looking back he had been naive to think he would live here the rest of his life without anyone but Clever Hands. Oh he cared for the monkey deeply, was in fact indebted to him for all his hard works over the years, but he alone was not enough. Cergen knew that spending too much longer here hidden away would only turn him into someone he did not want to be, a hermit, an unsocial creature that chased off any who entered his domain. He didn't want that. In fact he wanted to opposite. He wanted to return to the place that have drove him away, to show the others that he was no longer afraid, that he had grown and matured and most importantly deserved to be there. Now he had his mind made up, he would return for better or for worse. He would never know what could happen if he remained here. And should it not be what he hoped for then he could always return and live out the rest of his days in peaceful solitude knowing he had at least tried.
"There is something important I need to tell you." Cergen looked towards his primate friend. Clever Hands sat down, he always paid attention when the stallion spoke even if the words came to him unintelligibly. "It's time I go back home, this place is wonderful but I really need to return. There is...someone I need to see." Perhaps it was the way he said it or Clever Hands bond with him but he monkey nodded and made some smart sounding chirps. Cergen smiled, would it be possible to bring his friend with him, would Clever Hands want to leave the jungle? "You have been a good friend to me over these years, I would not have survived without you. I'd like you to come with me, we can explore this together and we can always return if need be." Cergen's gaze shifted, looking behind him where they ocean lay miles away, out of site through the thick jungle. "The ocean is calling me home, and I must answer her call. And I must find the one I have thought about all this time." Her, he was going home to see her.
As if suddenly understanding Clever Hands got up, chirping away as he hurried over to a nearby tree. Up the trunk he went, disappearing into the foliage. So he would make the trip on his own, Cergen admittedly was quite disappointed. As he turned to begin the slow, long walk home a rustling overhead caught his attention. A moment later Clever Hands swung down from the branch above and gentle deposited himself on the stallions back. The monkey held up an orange comb and chirped triumphantly. Seems his friend was coming along after all. "Alright Clever Hands, let's go. Our destiny awaits." With a smile the large Kelpi began to first leg of his journey happy his friend had chose to come along.
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