|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:18 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:25 pm
Zalashi stepped carefully through the undergrowth, frowning a bit that his tail got caught in every scrawny bush and on every fallen limb he came across. Perhaps his mother had been correct that this was a bad idea, but he felt it had been long enough and he had a right to know his father. Approaching some of the stagnant water of the swamp, the young stallion gratefully strode in, happy to have something somewhat familiar in the brackish water around his legs. He did find some small pleasure in knowing his father's herd enjoyed swamps as much as his own.
Stepping up out of the water, Zalashji leaned his head down and nipped off the few leaches from his leg before continuing on. He did not have a clear notion of where his father's herd was, but he new they were in the direction he was headed and hoped that, when he finally came upon them, they would be at least civil if not welcoming.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:45 pm
Atal'ai, in an effort to not upset his mother and sister, aimed to spend the day walking circles around the perimeter of their home. In his mind, it wasn't taking long for each loop. He was already on his fourth journey around after all. Of course, he was also lost deep in thought and quiet conversation with the Loa that haunted his mind.
The sound of something moving through the water quickly brought him back to his senses. It wasn't just water, there were branches and bushes being pushed aside as well. Pricking his ears forward, the stallion slowly proceeded towards the noise. He was half-expecting a gator or his nephew, not an unusual looking stallion of similar coloration. Only he reminded Atal'ai of his own exiled son.
"Stop. Don't come any closer. Outsiders are not welcome here without grave importance of seeing someone."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 3:13 pm
The young stallion froze at the voice, tensed in fight or flight mode. Glowing teal eyes peered at the owner of the voice, a stallion that was not unlike himself, save the obvious naga traits. His mother had told him of a brother that was supposedly not naga enough, but this male seemed too old to be him. That only left...
"Atal'ai?" Zalashji called to the other stallion. If this was not him, then the stallion might at least know him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 5:20 pm
The stallion stood in silence for a long while, debating whether or not to answer to his name. Where had this other come from, how did he know his name and why? He didn't look injured enough to need a healer's help.
"...yes. What do you want? I'm not a healer, I can't help you." He said, getting ready to retaliate if the other decided to attack for any reason.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 5:50 pm
So, he had been right. Zalashji took a deep breath, trying to think how to approach the situation. "I am not in need a a healer. You are who I came to see. My mother told me you would be here. She said, should I see you, to let you know the starfish grew its arm back if you'd like to come pull it off again."
The young stallion paused, gauging the other's reaction. His mother had warned him also that his father could be unpredictable, but that was a message he would keep to himself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 7:09 pm
The older stallion frowned at the mention of the starfish he once dismembered. It had been a long while since that day, and just as long since he second meeting with the strange snake-mare from the beach.
Mother though? This was his other son? He looked him over, not really appreciating the fact he looked like he did, nor that he came to the swamp to find him. "....so the snake-mare is your mother. How does she know you're my son? I have a few children now..." He knew it had to be, but he didn't want to believe it. He was fairly certain his last meeting with a mare had resulted in 'normal' offspring after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 7:19 pm
"You are not serious," Zalashji scoffed, shaking his head incredulously. His mother had also warned him his father had the thickest skull in all the Soquili lands. He gestured between himself and his father. "We are much alike and mother has had no other relations since you were with her." He gave a slight shrug, causing a ripple through the fins on his back, an idle gesture inherited from his mother.
"I did not come seeking to replace your other children or to get anything from you. I only wanted to meet you and know my other side," the stallion said. "I also thought... you might know what became of my brother."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 7:27 pm
Atal'ai snorted at him, debating whether or not to be offended at his tone of voice suggesting he was stupid. "If she has not been with another, then yes, you're mine." He eyed the ripple in the fins and fell silent as he thought about Darkspine for a while. She had spoke to him in much the same way before...clearly she had thought him stupid as well. Perhaps she still did. He noted to make a point to try and hunt her down and prove it otherwise.
"Good, because you're not welcome on the grounds here. Mama will see to that." He stated, turning to go back through the thick overgrowth and get away from him. "And he is not welcome here either. He has been banished and you will not find him here." He finished, glancing back at his son.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 7:39 pm
"Banished? Why?" Zalashji asked, his brow furrowing. "Did he do something to hurt your herd?"
He noticed his father was moving to go. "Wait, please. Do not go. I still do not know anything about you or your herd. Mother mentioned you worship something called voodoo, but she could not tell me what it was." He sighed, his head crest drooping slightly. "I just wanted to know you, and then I'll go."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 8:01 pm
Atal'ai huffed and turned back to face him, not really in the mood to play the questions game all day. However, he figured if telling him what he wanted to know would make him leave, then the sooner the better. "He was banished because he does not follow our beliefs. He has no useful place here. Mama wanted him gone and so he is. I don't know where, I don't care to seek him out, you can." He finished, pushing the other child to the back of his mind.
"...we 'worship' the Loa spirits. Not voodoo, that is what we do." He stated, trying to remember if he ever told Darkspine what it was to begin with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 8:11 pm
"Loa," the young stallion repeated, familiarizing himself with the word. "What sort of spirits are they? In our herd, we honor the sea itself and the spirits associated with it. Are the Loa like that?"
The news of his brother dismayed him a bit, but seeing that his father was agitated about him, Zalashji decided not to push the issue.... much. "Your mama, she makes the rules for your herd? I can guess she would not like me much. I had hoped to meet her as well and your family, but I will keep my distance if it will be better for you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 4:34 pm
He stood in contemplation for a while, trying to think of how the Loa compared to the sea spirits. He realized he really didn't know much about the sea, or it's supposed spirits. He had never really bothered to learn too much about them at the time. It's not like it mattered in the long run. They were nowhere near the ocean after all.
"I don't know." Atal'ai told him. It was as simple as that. "And no. Mama does not want your or your kind around without good reason. She will only allow you in if you or another is gravely injured.....and even then she may still reject you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:19 pm
"Even though I am her grandson?" Zalashji asked, more curious than disappointed. Rejection was something he'd grown used to over time. He was sensing some of it now, too, from his father. Figuring he would not get much more out of Atal'ai, the young stallion moved to go. "I am not sure yet if I am glad we met, but I suppose this was worth the journey. Goodbye, Father." He slinked off into the shadows, pausing momentarily to look back. "I think sometimes she still misses you. You should go visit her. There are more of us now, and she still seems lonely." He began heading back toward the directon for the long walk home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:08 pm
"Even though you're my son, it doesn't matter if you will not follow our beliefs and protect the herd." He told him. He narrowed his eyes slightly as Zala made his farewells and started to leave. For being natural to the water, the boy was sure clumsy with roots and bushes.
Atal'ai sighed to himself and began to follow after him. It couldn't hurt, and it was still a reason to stay out of his sister's way for the rest of the day. "The Loa are guardian spirits to us and our beliefs. They are both good and evil. Guardians of life, death, love, family...anything..." He murmured, coming up alongside the younger stallion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
