|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:29 pm
 Being played as a foal. Eridanus ducked under a low hanging branch and carefully pulled his "wings" after him. There was a light snow on the ground the trees above blocking the worst of the weather. He knew he wasn't supposed too wander off, but another afternoon of not exactly speaking with his mother was to much to bear. It wasn't that she didn't love him, she told him she did, but there was hesitation in it, he didn't know why though. Maybe it was his eyes...she always seemed about to mention someone when she mentioned his red eyes, but deep down he was sure it was his wings, on more then one occasion he'd come close to cutting her and his back and sides where covered with little nicks from his lack of control of them.
A surge of anger welled up inside of him and he felt the sudden urge to cry. He stamped his off trying to keep the feeling a bay. Little colts didn't cry! He didn't know why but he was sure of that fact. Instead he lashed out with his scythe like wings towards a tree, sinking them deep into the trunk. He tried to pull them out but had to strangle a pained yelp. He tried to wedge one out but again found that it just made the other one hurt worse. He struggled for a few more minutes before letting out a strangled cry.
"Momma!" he yelled. "Momma, help!" he cried out helplessly, knowing she was to far away to hear him and come to his rescue this time.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:31 pm
 Aruhe was out roaming the forest enjoying the snowy scenery, she had yet to experience snow and she fond it to be very beautiful. She did miss seeing all the flowers and most of the animals were hibernating or huddling inside their trees for warmth but she could understand the beauty and peace the snow brought as well and how it seemed very refreshing when it would melt.
She had gone out while her mother and father had gone off to their 'special hide-away' and her brother Kohaku was off stumbling over himself with Lumi. She was bored around being alone so she decided to explore the forest she loved so much. She had been exploring for quite sometime and was surprised she hadn't encountered anyone, but after a few more steps she stopped and her ear twitched.
She concentrated and focused on the sound and finally gave a light gasp as it came from someone in trouble. She followed the noise and finally found its source was coming from a young foal with his unusual wing stuck in the trunk of a tree. He seemed very frustrated and upset, she couldn't help but give him a calm smile and approach looking over him to make sure he wasn't injured. With kind glowing eyes she bent her head down and spoke in a gentle voice. "Calm yourself, dont struggle you could hurt yourself. Can I help maybe? My name is Aruhe."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:53 pm
Eridanus' jumped at the sound of a voice, which only resulted in jarring his wings. He hissed and he turned his head quickly, red eyes wide with fear, knowing the voice most certainly wasn't his mother's and unsure if he was about to regret sneaking off. Although he'd never seen one, he'd been warned about dangers in the forest both in the tree tops and the undergrowth.
He looked over the other figure quickly, taking in the soft glowing eyes and most importantly the horn. It was different from his mother's and his own, and he had to think hard in his current state to remember what she was. "You're...a...um...a unicorn..." he managed to get out his voice cracking a bit. He sniffed and looked helpless back towards the tree. "I'm stuck...and it hurts." he said trying to do as she said and relax. While different, she seemed to have the same soothing quality that his mother did when he got nervous and flailed about with his wings. "It's nice to meet you, Aruhe." he said, knowing it would be rude to not continue the conversation no matter what the situation. His mother had taught him that much. "I'm...Eridanus." His wings loosening slightly in the grooves as he stopped putting tension on them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:05 am
Aruhe continued to smile gently as the foal started to calm a bit. "Let me help, hold still....", she said softly as she gently grabbed the edge of his wing with her mouth and carefully pulled back. With a few gentle tugs his wing came loose and she let go looking over him to make sure it wasn't hurt. "There that's better. Eridanus, that is a very handsome name. Where is your family, you shouldn't be wondering around on your own. Your mom is probably getting worried." She continued smiling down at him in a reassuring manner as to comfort him in a way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:50 pm
The freed wing flapped awkwardly as he worked to refold it against his back. He tried to keep the motions small afraid he was going to cut the mare. He was sure he nearly did as he swung outward just a touch to far as he finally got the one side settled. "I'm sorry!" he said quickly. "I don't mean to...if I cut you that is. It's hard...and I...I'm not very good with them yet..."
He looked back to his other stuck wing and took a few steps forward and out releasing the other side and swung it around in a wide arc not needing to watch out for anyone. In the process he clinked lightly against his little horns and lightly scratched one of his ears drawing blood which he didn't seem to notice.
"Thank you, though...about my name and all." he said getting himself settled into the least dangerous position for himself and the mare. "It's the name of a star...I think...least that's what my momma told me." he paused and then shook his head. "I...don't think she'll have noticed, really. Sometimes, we just," he stopped and seemed to be considering if he should continue. "I only have my momma." he said changing the subject. "I have a big sister too somewhere, and some brothers, and momma thinks I have some siblings my own age, and a daddy I suppose, but," he stopped again. "You have very pretty eyes." he said finally, once again changing the topic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:40 pm
She smiled seeing his wing flex about and it somewhat settling into place, but as he did so it came close to scratching her, but she didn't flinch or move she just smiled kindly down at him. She could see the fright in his eyes, he was very unsure of himself and his movements were timid and nervous in a way. "No worries young Eri, you did not nick me. I can imagine they are a little odd at times, but they are part of you and nothing to be ashamed of. Have more confidence, know that they are part of you and you are not part of them."
She watched as he then was able to get more leverage and space to free the other wing and he nicked himself as he did so. He didn't seem to notice the new scratch and it was then she noticed the other little scratches and scars he had. She frowned a bit, feeling sorry a bit for him but was happy to see him be completely free of his early predicament. She tried not to make a big fuss as the young foal continued the conversation.
She leaned her head down to better look the foal in the eyes as he spoke and smiled wider at mention of the stars, but frowned as he continued on about his mother. "I think your mother will have noticed, she is your mother and Im sure she worries all the time for her children. Life sometimes hands you difficult situations and sometimes it may take us awhile to release not all is as bad as it seems. I have a philosophy rather my family does....Everything happens for a reason. We may not understand why things happen, may ask why they happen to us, but in the end at the end of the road we are stronger and wiser for it."
She changed the subject a bit after that and looked to the sky where the stars would shine. They may not be visible at the moment, but they were still there. "As for your name, it is the name of a star, not just that an entire constellation. It is supposed to be a great river that flows through the ocean of time and space. It is very special to be named after something so great. My mother and father have a great connection to the stars, as such so do my older brother and me. My parents named me for their love and connection to the sky and they tell me that my name translates to mean "Heaven Wards".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:05 pm
"That sounds sort of confusing." he said considering that. They were his wings after all, and they should be more under his control, at least his mother thought it would come with time, but sometimes it just seemed like they had a mind of their own. "They just, sort of scare me sometimes." he admitted in a small voice.
He flicked his eyes to the ground and scuffed a hoof against the frozen ground, taking a moment to notice the mare's glowing hooves. They reminded him a bit of his mothers, except that these were definitely prettier. He wondered absently if there was a way to make his own glow. He looked back up again, meeting those glowing blue eyes, and felt a shiver go down his back. "I guess." he admitted nodding slowly in agreement. It was likely his mother had noticed he was missing, but she probably didn't know where to look for him. He screwed up his face at the last part though. It was just all just a little over his head. "I, I guess...I never thought about it?" he said hoping he sounded like he understood. For some reason he wanted her to think he understood.
He blinked when she started talking about the stars though. He'd only heard his mother talk about them in passing, and she only seemed to know a bit. Aruhe seemed to know lots more though! "I didn't know that. I think she just picked it because she liked it. I think lots of her family were named for stars, or somethin' like that because she's Deneb, and she says I have a brother named Antares." he frowned slightly at mentioning his older brother who seemed a tender subject with his mother. He looked back up at Aruhe and smiled brightly. "Your name's really pretty though! It suits you." he said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:39 am
Aruhe gave a light laugh as she realized how confusing her words could be at times, she was her mother's daughter and sometimes had a weird way of explaining things. Not being around foals much also has kept her from really knowing the right way to communicate on their level. "My apologies, I can see how that can be a tad confusing...one day it'll make sense.", she said with another light laugh at herself.
"There is nothing to be afraid though, they are your wings and though unique there is no reason for anyone to assume you or they are dangerous or to be a hazard. Your still young, you'll grow into them with confidence. My big brother had trouble with his wings, unsure how to use them, how to fly...or so Im told. Having unique wings like yours are no different.", she said before giving another smile down at the foal. Her eyes gave of a glowing 'twinkle' as she continued to listen to him speak....as he mentioned his family she could see an unsure emotion, sadness. Seeing it almost made her heart break.
She listened to his mention of his brother and mothers name and saw his frown confirming that it was a touchy thought/subject. With more mention of the stars it was a brighter conversation."My mother and father are very educated in the stars and constellations, especially my mother and they both have taught me well. I find them beautiful and mysterious and it calms the soul when I look at them. My father is also named for a Constellation in the sky, Monoceros-the unicorn. I think it an honor to be named after something so grand and your name suits a handsome foal such as yourself and fits you perfectly as well." she said with a larger smile as she finally saw Eri smile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:10 am
"Oh, it kinda does. I just need to think about it a bit." he said with a nod. He smiled again when she laughed. Laughter was something that wasn't very common in the little clearing where he and his mother were staying and it seemed to make the chilly day far warmer. He also had to admit that Aruhe was very pretty when she laughed. It seemed to brighten up the whole area, or maybe it was just his imagination, either way he wanted to see if he could make her laugh more.
The mention of flying gave him pause. He'd never considered flight and he looked back at his wings stretching one out slightly and gave a hesitant flapping motion. He shook his head and returned it to the folded position. Flapping just didn't seem like a natural motion, not like when he'd struck out at the tree. "I don't think I'll be able to fly." he said looking back at her. "It doesn't feel right, not like," he paused unsure if he wanted to admit that offensive gestures were far more natural. From what he understood of unicorns from his mother they were supposed to be peacekeepers like kirin. "Well, like when I hit the tree." he said. "Maybe I'm just being rebellious." He said in what he hoped sounded teasing and nonthreatening, because it certainly didn't in his mind.
He had to blush though when she called him handsome. No one had ever done so before, and he felt a little thrill go through his little body. "I'd love to go look at the stars sometime with you." he said quickly, then realized how bold that sounded but continued on anyway. "You can't really see them from the clearing we're staying in, cuz of all the trees, but maybe we could go sometime...outside the forest." he looked up at her hopefully. He'd never been outside the woods before, and the desire to see the open sky was very strong. It was just a bonus if he got to go with the pretty unicorn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:34 pm
She shifted on her hooves as she watched and listened to Eri and gave a small nod and smile when he said he merely had to think a bit about what she said to grasp it. He seemed like a very bright young foal and she didn't doubt he would understand sooner then most. She watched with encouraging eyes as he carefully stretched and flexed his wings at the thought and mention of flying.
She could tell it felt a bit too odd with the motion of flight. He then seemed a bit embarrassed or ashamed when he mentioned his wings getting stuck in the tree earlier, but he brightened up a bit as he mentioned being rebellious and she couldn't help but chuckle. "Flying isn't for everyone, I dont even have wings but even if I did I think Id still find the ground a better match for me. Its ok that some things feel right over others, there is no harm in that. As for being rebellious.....a little rebellion is good for the soul I think.", she said with a chuckle again over her last statement.
When he blushed she couldn't help but smile wider, it made him even more handsome and was just very cute. As she continued listening he went on to mention the stars, he was indeed a tad bold with his statement but it made her happy to hear it. "I would be honored to watch the stars with you, my mother showed me an open field where flowers only bloom at night under the moon and stars that give one of the most spectacular views of the stars. I go there every evening and watch the sun set and the Moon awakens. I wouldn't give up that view for anything. I feel most at home under the stars. If we were to go to see the stars in or out of the forest I would need your mothers permission. If you were to go off at dusk and not come back till later in the night, well I wouldn't want her to worry or you get in trouble. I would really enjoy that, and Id love to be able to share my special place with someone else. It would be just even more special sharing it with you.", she said not realizing how her words could be taken but she did feel comfortable with the young foal. She didnt have many friends as mostly she is up at night with the stars and most others are sleeping. She felt as though she truly was making friends with Eridanus, she could foresee a great friendship and bond they would share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:46 pm
He let out a small sigh of relief as she didn't seem taken aback by his comments about his wings. "I guess you're right. Just would be one of those things that I wish I could do once. Look down at the world and see everything the way birds do, and then you could get really close to the stars and all." he said wistfully.
He frowned just a touch when she said he'd need his mother's permission to go with her to watch the stars, but he could see the point, even if he didn't like it. He wished for a moment he was grown and could do whatever he wanted, even run away with Aruhe and never go back to the grove ever again. It was so much more fun to laugh and smile than the constant tension between him and his mother. But such things would just have to wait if they ever came about at all.
He sighed wistfully at her description of the meadow where she watched the stars. "It sounds wonderful. Like magic or something. I really wanna go with you sometime, Aruhe." he said looking up at her with big wide eyes. "I promise I'll ask Momma, though." he said. Although in his mind he'd already made the decision to go with her whether she allowed it or not. Anything to spend more time with her and feel more accepted than as a monster to be feared.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:49 am
She was still smiling at him, she couldn't seem to stop smiling around him, she was starting to think her face may get stuck that way...but it wouldn't be all bad. "Being able to be close to the stars, that would be the only thing Id be interested in. My mother has often spoke of her first traveling to these lands, soaring through the skies with just the moon as her guide and the stars as company. But I am content with keeping all four hooves on the solid ground.", she said with a bright smile and laugh.
There were times she wished she could fly, but for the most part she loved being on the ground and in the forest with the plants and animals surrounding her. And now she also had Eridanus as well and she didnt like the thought of being able to fly without him luckily its not something she had to worry about. She then continued on after his comment about coming with her. "I can see there is an odd tension you may have with your mother, but Im sure she would worry if you were gone too long especially after dark. It is my favorite place to go, it really is my escape at times. It really calms me and it is very magical, when my mother spoke of flowers that bloomed only under the moonlight I couldn't wait to see it. It was the most enchanting thing I've seen and I can't wait to show you."
She begun to lightly lean against a nearby small tree, but she straightened up after a few moments. This resulted in a small pile of snow to fall atop her head and nose just as she was beginning to say something else. "I really do feel more alive......." Once it hit she just kinda stood there and after several seconds she shook her head dispersing the snow which made a chill run down her spine. What she didn't realize though was in her shaking the snow off, a good portion ended up now of Eri's head and suddenly she just bust into laughter. It was uncontrollable but in between laughing as she took short breathes she managed to get a few words out. "Oh...Eri...Im...so sorry..." and she continued to laugh for a few more minutes but finally was able to calm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:13 am
"That sounds really hard. Your mother must be really brave to have done that all by herself." he tried to think of Deneb doing anything brave, and failed. He just couldn't see it, although sometimes when she was in a better mood she could be playful, witty, and full of life, but it did really seem that something or perhaps someone had sucked a good portion of her will from her. Maybe the father of his older siblings, since, at least according to her, she was sure that he and they didn't share the same parentage. Eri shook his head just slightly to clear out that train of thought. It was all way too beyond him to understand anyway, and sort of made him sad, not only for his mother but a bit for himself as well.
Eri nodded just a bit. "Yeah, it is 'odd', I guess that's a nice way to put it. And you're right, she would worry, she does try to be a good momma, I just think it's hard for her for some reason." he listened to her talk more about the meadow with it's mystical flowers. "I've never seen a flower at all. Everything was dying or dead when I came out of my basket, so it all sounds fantastical to me." he said with a smile instantly cheering back up at hearing her speak so fondly of the beloved place.
He watched her lean slightly against the tree and was about to warn her of low hanging snow, but it was already too late. His mouth twisted as he tried not to laugh at her misfortune. He'd already learned early on that a head full of snow was absolutely no fun. He was about to take a few steps back when a portion from her fell on his own head. He froze for a moment feeling the wet slide down his face and neck, and when she began to laugh he felt humiliated. She was so nice, why did she have to laugh at him? It was then her apology registered and he realized she was laughing not at him but at the shared situation. She hadn't meant to, no more than he'd meant to come so dangerously close to her with his blades when getting free, while not exactly the same it made sense to him. And it was kinda funny, he had to admit. Feeling better he finally allowed himself to smile up at her and shake the snow off his own head. "It's okay Aruhe." he said with a laugh. "I was going to warn you, but it was too late. And it's not the first time I've had snow on my head."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:53 pm
She was still smiling and still had a few chuckles in her as she managed to speak without any breaks. "Im sorry Eri, I didn't mean to laugh but from me to you it was kinda funny how it happened and you looked so cute with the snow on your head." She then paused and cocked her head a bit realizing that she was calling Eridanus Eri and she didnt ask if he minded. "Oh my apologizes I just realized I was calling you Eri, do mind or would you rather I call you by your full name? I get carried away sometimes and forget to ask permission with things."
She smiled apologetically at him hoping she didnt offend him. She then wondered what it would be like to have just come out of her basket with no flowers in bloom. It was kinda sad to her, but she knew there are some flowers and plants that stayed during the colder season they were sometimes just hard to find. "So you've never seen a flower, there are a few that you can find in the winter but they are rare around here. The clearing has some still in bloom but once spring comes around we can go together and see them all. I can't compare the sight to anything else, its got the best of both worlds for me. Sweet flowers that can cheer almost anyone up and a clear view of the stars that are soothing to the heart."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 4:08 pm
He blushed again, "It was kinda funny." he said agreeing with her. He blinked when she suddenly asked him permission to use the shorter name. He hadn't even noticed that she was, and honestly it didn't bother him at all. In fact she could have called him just about anything and he would have been okay with it. "You can call me whatever you want, Aru." he said mischievously shortening her own name. His eyes sparkled in an impish way and he waited to see what she'd say to that.
"There are flowers that bloom in winter?" he said tilting his head. "Are they pretty?" he asked looking around the empty forest. Even though he'd been told that most plants and a lot of animals were sleeping this time of year, it was hard to imagine anything pretty growing right now. Oh there were the pine trees, but they smelled nice more than anything else. "I mean everything is kinda pretty right now," he said gesturing around the frost covered trees and undergrowth. "But that's just the snow and stuff being pretty, not the plants." he was excited at the future prospect of going to see things in the spring with her. Then again he was beginning to feel that if she wanted to go look at boring old stones, it would still be exciting. "It sounds nice." he said with a nod.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
