|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 9:54 am
 Rosales had been wandering for a long time now, or at least it felt like a long time - long enough that the traumatic pain of loosing his sister and mother had become less sharp. more of a dull ache now. Rosales wasn't really up to date on how much time should have passed for that sharp pain to fade...but he was fairly sure it was a while and in any case he didn't really think it mattered.
It had become clear that he wasn't going to find them and lately he had been trying to come up with a 'what now' for his future. So far he'd not been able to come up with anything he thought worth pursuing..to be honest Rosales did not want to go out into the big wide world and find his own way..he wanted to go home, to be taken care of, to feel safe again. Sadly he didn't think that was going to happen..and it was looking more and more like he was going to have to venture away from this stream he'd been following and brave the outside world. He wasn't looking forward to this..he wasn't looking forward to this at all.
Well..he could push it away for a little bit longer right? I mean there was no time limit on when one had to stop hoping and give up right? It didn't seem like there should be. No a few more days of wandering by the waterside couldn't hurt.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 7:03 am
 Things were quiet in the Flock today, which gave Lhiannon a bit of free time. After checking in to make sure she wasn't needed for a while the mare began to talk a leisurely walk across the Flock lands. She was still getting used to her role as a Sacred Mother, still had training to keep up with, but every now and then she found a few hours of the day to have to herself. As she crossed the lands she would stop now and then to speak with a few of the mares, some were newer members while others were among the first to settle on these lands. Once Lhiannon made it past the main territory and into the wide meadow lands she kept an eye out for plants that would be useful to not only herself in the role of Scared Mother but to others in the Flock as well. She would make mental notes of where these plants were and gather them on her way back.
It was a fairly nice day out and she gave her wings a quick stretch. Perhaps she would go for a small flight but for now she was content to remain on the ground, her claws digging lightly into the dirt as she walked. As she moved nearer the border beyond it she could see a Soquili wandering along the river. With a brightly colored pelt it was hard not to notice. Intrigued she moved closer until she could see some distinctive features, claws on the front feet, feathers for a mane and tail, a beak-like mouth and what she believed were scales near the shoulders. As she came to realize that the stranger was male she also realized he was not from the Flock, a male so boldly colored she would remember if he already lived within their boundaries. The thought of capturing this male filled her mind, she had not yet had the opportunity to capture a male, perhaps today would be the day she did so. Casting a glance over her shoulder to ensure no other female would beat her to the male she began to move towards him with more purpose, though kept her body relaxed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 7:16 am
Rosales was quite caught up in his own world, indeed he was spending most of his time staring down into the water, watching the way it swirled and bubbled and reflected the colors of the forest around them. Pretty really.
But suddenly something in the reflection did not match the surrounding colors and started Rosales realized that what he was seeing was the moving form of another. Jerking his head up in surprise his eyes darted towards the stranger with hope..was it? Could it be? The colors had not been right of course but that did not stop his mind from hoping. Alas when his eyes settled upon the mare his hope died with the sight of her. She was not his sibling, nor his mother. Just a stranger.
But she was a female stranger and he politely ducked his head as his mother had taught him a gentlemanly stallion ought to do when meeting a lady. He probably ought to introduce himself somehow..or say something..anything really..but he was unused to being the one to start a conversation, it had always been the others whom had done that. In the end he managed mumble out a fairly hesitant "Hello"
Which made him sound like an idiot and so he quickly added a "Milady." To it in an attempt to sound at least somewhat civil and well raised.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 7:37 am
Lhiannon came to a stop a short distance away from the stallion just in time to hear his half mumbled hello. A small smile crossed her lips, he seemed shy but also had good manners, adding 'Milady' after the hello. She wasn't used to speaking to those outside of the Flock, in fact other than perhaps two individuals in her lifetime all her remembered interactions were with Flock members, not outsiders. As such she wasn't entirely sure how to approach this. Oh she would need to get past the greetings and normal chatter but it was the actual capturing that made her a bit nervous. Some of the mares in the Flock were naturals at these things easily talking with mares or stallions, bringing them into the fold and socializing as if it was bred into them. But Lhiannon wasn't all that outgoing so she had never made a previous attempt to capture a stallion, instead concentrating on her studies to become a Scared Mother.
"Good morning." She greeted him with a nod of her head. Realizing he looks a bit uncomfortable she decided to try to get him talking a bit. "I am Lhiannon, a member of the Flock, what is your name?" There, that was a good start. "Have you traveled far to get here?" She doubted the Flock was his intended destination but he was in the area so the question was valid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 1:57 pm
Well it seemed like he had done well enough with his greeting - or at the very least it didn't seem like the mare was angry with him which was a good sign and gave Rosales a bit more confidence, why..from the corner of his eye he was even pretty sure that she had smiled. Rosales liked it when he could make a mare smile, it reminded him of the looks his sister and mother had given him whenever he made them proud.
Of course thinking upon them also made him sad, a dull ache that Rosales was sure would always be with him to some degree. It was an old hurt however and the stallion was well used to it by now. Able to keep it from overwhelming him. "My mother named me Rosales." He answered the mares question "It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Lhiannon...I'm afraid I do not know how far I have traveled, nor how long it has been, my mother and sister kept up with such things. Nor have I heard of your Flock..again I am afraid it was they who handled diplomacy..I hope I have not offended anyone with my traveling..it was not my intention..." He stated, suddenly aware that her mention of a herd meant that he might have unintentionally done something wrong, angered the locals in some way. Perhaps he should try to appeae her..to explain.
"I am sorry Milady, you see my Mother, who led our family strongly was none the less no match for mother nature and along with my sister were swept away in a flash flood during the last storm. I searched for them..I did but I could not find them anywhere and at last thought perhaps it was best to keep following the stream as they had intended to do..I thought perhaps if they had come ashore and could not find me they would continue along the intended path and I might find them that way..but it has been a very long time Milady..I fear they did not come ashore at all and I am at loss truly on what to do now. I have never been without my Mother and my Sister's guidance."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:28 pm
lhiannon bobbed her head as he introduced himself. "It is good to meet you as well Rosales. You have quite a lovely name." And it seemed to fit him as well. His colors and swirling pattern reminded her vaguely of flowers and that made his name perfect. As he explained that he didn't know how long he had been traveling or of the Flock she nodded. "There are many who do not know of the Flock Rosales, we are large but fairly hidden away." She smiled softly at him again. "You seem to be handling yourself quite diplomatically at the moment. Some of your mother and sisters diplomacy must have rubbed off on you. Do not fear, you have not crossed into the Flock borders as of yet and we are quite welcoming as long as outsiders do not have ill intentions." And she doubted Rosales had ill intentions. Oh true, sometimes ones looks could be deceiving and a pretty face hide a devious heart but Lhiannon didn't think that applied to Rosales.
His story about how his mother and sister disappeared and he had not found them since nearly broke her heart. "Oh you poor thing." She said stepping forward and touching her nose softly to his shoulder in a silent moment of support. "I am so sorry to hear that. I wish that I could say that myself or another Flock member had seen them but I have heard nothing of any strangers near our border in quite some time." His story was so sad, and yet he had found the strength and courage to keep going on, to try to find them even if his searches were likely in vain. Lhiannon just wanted to take him home and give him a place where he could belong again, but upbringing made him a perfect addition to the Flock. Now wait a minute, she could do just that, she could offer to bring him into the Flock, make him one of their members and give him a home that he deserved. Yes, she would offer than, but first she wanted to make sure he was okay first, that must be a terrible thing losing both a mother and sister in such a violent and sudden manner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:50 pm
"Your words are very kind." Rosales told the mare as she complimented the way he was handling himself, wouldn't his mother be proud? She had spent a good deal of time ensuring he knew the proper way to behave and it was only right that he make sure her lessons carry on with him now that she was gone. Becoming the stallion she had wanted him to be seemed like the best way Rosales had to honor her memory.
It seemed that words were not the only kindness this mare had however and Rosales was quite taken by her compassionate nudge, even if her news was not what he had been hoping for. Still he gave her a soft look to let her know he appreciated the gesture. "I wish that such news would come as well Milady...but each days brings less of a chance for it and it has been long enough now that the pain is more like a dull ache and I begin to wonder what I will do now, without them it seems I will have to make my own way and I have never done so before, I don't much like this world when I'm all alone in it." He confessed to the mare, sure it might make him seem a coward but Rosales did not think this was the type of mare to say or think such a thing of him. She belonged to a herd..surely she would know how dangerous this world was when you were on your own..or at least she would be able to imagine it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 1:01 pm
A smile returned to her lips. Rosales, while suffering from a great lose, was well behaved and very polite. This was exactly the type of stallion for her to capture and bring to the Flock, what better match for the Flock that a stallion who was used to being around females and letting them take charge. Why it was as if fate was smiling down upon Lhiannon today. She had not yet captured a stallion, as a large portion of her time was spent first with training to become a Sacred Mother, and then attending to those duties. Yes, it was fate she had the afternoon free of duties so that she may meet Rosales and bring him to her home.
Why in fact as she was thinking just that Rosale was talking about how he wasn't sure what to do, that he had never been alone before and how he would need to make his own way. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to tell him about the Flock and offer him a place within it. "I understand your concern about it, something like that can be hard to adjust to. I myself could not image going from being in the Flock to out there and alone." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Rosales, forgive if this sounds a bit too forward, but perhaps you would consider joining the Flock. As I mentioned we are a fairly large group, females make up the majority of the members though there are a good number of stallions as well. You would be well taken care of and protected here, and there are a number of roles you could fill among our ranks. Given what little you have told me about your mother and sister and how you were raised I think it's safe to say that the Flock seems like a perfect fit for you." She paused again allowing him a moment to absorb all of this before she added. "I know it is a rather large decision but as you say you have never been alone before and this would give you everything you could need and want. I understand if you decline my offer, but I can't help but think this is where you belong, with us, with the Flock."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:28 am
Just as Rosales suspected the kindly mare made no derogatory comments towards him, nor did any hint in her gaze give the stallion the suspicion that she was even thinking such things. Rather Rosales was even more convinced that Lhiannon was as kind as he had previously suspected. Why..she sort of reminded him of his sister, whom had always been the kind one in the family. Not that his mother had been cruel...banish the thought! But she had been strict and firm, it was his sister whom had always seen to his hurts or soothed wounded feelings when they arose. Lhiannon seemed like the kind to do such things.
Despite her kindness however Rosales was completely taken aback by her offer. He never would have asked or suspected that such a generous thing would be handed to him. To have a home again? To have others to speak with and help? Why it would almost be a return to normal..almost..but not quite, Rosales was sure there would be differences but his mother had always told him he shouldn't fear change..merely accept it for what it was. Rosales had not been living up to that advice as of late, his life had changed and he had spent a great deal of time trying to change it back.
But perhaps that was fate, if he had not continued to hold out hope for so long it's unlikely he would have continued to follow the river as he had and even more unlikely that he would have run across this kind mare with her kind offer. "Do..do you think they would have me?" He asked quietly but hopefully, he was quite sure the mare wouldn't have offered if they wouldn't but he anted to make sure it was true, that he wasn't getting his hope up only to have them dashed again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:59 am
Lhiannon waited for his response, she didn't expect him to reply immediately, for this was something fairly large to consider and even if he was thinking about it he would likely need time to do so. So when he finally spoke she couldn't help but let out a small laugh at his words, not that she was mocking him but more than she found it reassuring that he wouldn't jump right into it, that he needed confirmation that it wasn't a trick. "Oh my dear Rosales of course they would have you. If there is one thing that can be said about me it's that I am truthful. I would never make such an offer if I knew the Flock wasn't going to back it up." Not to mention it would make her look bad and the last thing she wanted to do was falsely recruit someone, especially when ti came to capturing her first stallion.
She paused and considered what to say next. While she didn't want to pressure him into any decision Lhiannon thought that perhaps it would be best if he could see what she was offering him before he made a decision. "Though the Flock will openly accept you the decision will fall to you whether you join us or not. I want you to know as much as there is about the Flock before you say yes or no." He really did belong here, she could feel it in her bones, his background, his dependence on his mother and sister, his shy quiet and respectful demeanor it all added up to a perfect Flock stallion. "How about I show you around some of the areas? There are only a few areas that will be off limits as they are strictly for higher ranking official members but it will let you see what all there is here and learn more about us. And any questions you have don't hesitate to ask, I'd be happy to answer them."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:23 am
"Oh!..yes of course." Rosales was quick to reply, a slightly worried look crossing his features. "I did not mean to imply you were being untruthful Milady. It was simply...a..a need to make sure?" He finished a little bit lamely, to be honest Rosales wasn't entirely sure he knew how to explain his need to double check this offer, he just hoped that the mare would understand. She didn't seem angry..so he was sure that she did but the apology was offered anyways.
"I would love to see your herd." He went on to answer her offer, it seemed like a wonderful idea to him, a way to check and see that this herd was indeed somewhere he might like to call home and it was yet another perfect example to his mind of why he should not continue to wander about by himself. He wouldn't have thought of such a brilliant idea.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:32 am
Lhiannon let out another soft chuckle. "Don't worry Rosales, I did not think you were implying I was lying to you. It is good that you are wary, it shows that you don't rush into decisions, especially big ones such as this. Don't think of it as a flaw but as a very strong characteristic to who you are." If she were faced with a similar situation such as his she too would want to make sure that everything was as it seemed with such an offer and would not rush headlong into it. Yes indeed, it was this slightly hesitant thinking side of him that would prove to be useful to the Flock if he so chose to join. They could not afford to have a bunch of blundering idiots among them, though thankfully Rosales could not be placed in such a category. Yes, he would need time to adjust if he joined but that would only help to make him feel truly at home.
A smile grew on her lips as he accepted her offer to see the Flock grounds. "Excellent. We are a bit of a way past the border now so we can start out here and work our way in." She paused to glance around them before continuing. "It's important to know what lies outside of our borders just as much as it is to know what is found within. Come then Rosales, let me show you the lands of the Flock." With a flick of her tail she began to lead him away from the river and towards the border of the land. There was plenty to show him and she looked forward to introducing him to other members so that he could see that they were all welcoming.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
