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 Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 7:14 pm
There was possibly nothing better in Gaston's mind then enjoying a rather relaxing moment making sure that everything was in pristine order. He grunted at the small pockmarks that his encounter with rosebushes had caused before sighing. Time would heal those wounds soon enough. Unless they were really deep there would effectively be no mark at all. The marks that bothered him the most were the long, narrow scars that told of his attempt to trust a Kalona. Gaston had lost track of Xelloss and with all the misfortune that he had amassed in his travels one would assume that the stallion's name would be pushed back far into Gaston's subconscious. One look at his marred skin would draw that name back into the forefront of his mind. The rage that surged with each re-emergence shocked Gaston. He dearly wanted to inflict his own wrath on the Kalona.
These episodes of remembering/forgetting were getting more and more frequent. Why could he not find any pleasant company in these lands? Just what key ingredient did he seem to be missing? Tugging at the corner of the garment on his back Gaston sighed before straightening out his posture. The cloth was as presentable as his could make it. His mane and tail gleamed softly in the morning sun. A new day was dawning. He would need time to satiate his growing hunger and thirst with a quick trip to a nearby river before exploring some more. Maybe today would be a day where he could meet the acquaintance of another Soquili, preferably a mare that would not wish him any sort of ill will. This sense of hope seemed to be the only thing that kept Gaston to stick with his morning ritual of primping before setting out to explore. One had to look his best every day.
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 6:17 am
Kamiki's Teepee
Earlier that evening, Kumiho had made a meal of a pronghorn. Unable to tolerate being dirty and bloody for long, she made her way to a river near to where she was hunting and had bathed herself thoroughly. Now she was on the soft grass of the bank, fussing with pelt and fur, trying to get them completely dry and smooth. She looked at her poor, mangled tail- just one of her seven - but still made her boil with rage. It was still incredibly tender as the stub that was left, but at least now it has stopped bleeding all over herself. But the physical pain was only secondary to the burning beating her vanity and ego were taking. Her tails were exceptionally precious to her, and the thought that Cerberus was out there somewhere - probably hanging it on the wall of her cave like some kind of a trophy.
She sneered at the thought. One day, she would get revenge. But not today. No, she had to recover and hatch a plan. She could not go claw-to-claw with someone as strong as Cerberus, but instead she would need to find some other way to really make him suffer.
But for now there were more immediate concerns. Finding a new territory for starters. And of course, finishing her bath. She ran a paw through the long, silken black hair of her mane that was still visible under her pelt. She made no attempts to hide herself - what kind of a fool would dare interrupt her anyway?
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:17 am
Whistling what he thought was a jaunty tune the burly stallion stopped at a small intersection on the path that he traveled down. Gaston snorted softly as his inner voice began a new argument. How metaphoric, a fork in the road of sorts, just the thing I've been thinking about. Gaston's face took on a momentarily blank look before a heavy sigh was released from his frame. His hooves carried him down the left path as once again he made another choice in the tapestry of his life. Another choice made. Oh well. I have to start trying not to analyze everything and just live in the now. Gaston nodded succinctly at this last thought and decided just to enjoy the day.
The sunlight that had begun peaking over the horizon now warmed his skin and the stallion grinned. It looked like today would be a fine day indeed. As the river came into view Gaston's focus narrowed. His eyes went to the path that led to the water and he gingerly picked his way over the rocky beach before lowering his muzzle into the cold liquid. This was one thing that Gaston would never tire of. The water back home had been tepid at the very least and sometimes not worthy to drink. Here the water seemed to always run cold. It truly was enough to sate a creature's thirst on the first quench. Gaston spent a few precious moments enjoying the feeling of cold spread down his throat as the liquid flowed towards his stomach. Quaffing one last gulp of the river Gaston pulled his muzzle away from the surface and his image reflected back to him. He tilted his head to examine it before something flashed in the corner of his eye.
Gaston's gaze turned towards the flash and what he saw made his green eyes widen in interest. Someone else shared his watering hole this morning it seemed. He took in the slight features of the stranger before silently deciding a mare hid under the vast amount of pelt she had draped over herself. Gaston was definitely intrigued. It was summer so why would a mare need such a covering? Ignoring the small voice in the back of his head that warned him to stay away Gaston took a hesitant step forward and then another. He placed a smile on his face before letting his voice carry towards the mare; after all he did not wish to spook such a beauty. "Good morning miss."
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:28 am
Kumiho was putting the finishing touches on her grooming - adjusting her delicate hairpiece and straightening her silk obi. Indeed, to those ignorant of the ways of the skinwalkers she would have been quite a beauty to see. Now clean, her fur was snow white and her piercing gold eyes were lined with a coal-like severity. Her foxish pet was thick and full; glimmering like metallic silver in the summer sun. She had adored herself with fine silk accoutrements in purple and scarlet. Her mane was jet-black and thick, shining in the sun like a oil slick.
Her tails were exotic and fluffy, laying over the rocks near the river like a waterfall. Perhaps the only tarnish on her otherwise impeccable appearance was one of the tails which looked recently dismembered, leaving only about a twelve-inch stump that was scarring over.
She had noticed another figure approaching - her hearing and sense of smell matched that of a skilled predator - but hadn't bothered to do anything. If they challenged her, they would face death. And if they let her be, well, she was feeling generous enough today to let them live. But he was getting closer and though she appeared to continue to groom herself, she was indeed getting ready to strike; her ears swiveled towards the stranger and mentally tracking his approach.
But then his voice rang out and it wasn't a threat or a challenge. It sounded like a pleasantry! She whipped her head towards him and stared him down with her gleaming eyes. "Excuse me?" she snapped, not comprehending that he wasn't being sarcastic.
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:55 am
The bite in which his response was met with confused Gaston at first. The caustic reply and the coldness that seemed to surround the mare warned Gaston to be careful with his approach. Had this lovely creature not had a gentleman address her as friendly as he had? Gaston's eyes traveled over the mare's form and the accessories she had adorned herself with. She definitely would turn anyone's head, his included it seemed. The stallion stopped as the mare turned golden eyes on him. He froze before shaking his head a little. Something inside warned the stallion to remove himself from this area. It went ignored as Gaston spoke again. He could set this first contact right again.
"I wished you a pleasant morning. If I have offended you by doing so I do apologize."
Gaston noted the ends of the covering that draped over the mare appeared to be tails. There were six that seemed pristine and intact and one that didn't look like the former before it. The stallion shifted before meeting the mare's eyes again. Should he try to mend his apparent faux pas or just steam on ahead? Gaston executed a small bow towards the mare by inclining his head before chuckling. "Who do I have the pleasure of addressing this fine day?"
Gaston's thoughts were busy firing as he studied the mare again. Easy does it, he told himself, just get her talking and maybe she'll warm up a little.
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:10 am
The mare's gold eyes narrowed as she took in the ignorant stallion. He didn't seem to be using sarcasm; nor did he seem like much of a threat. He wasn't weak looking; on the contrary Kumiho did make note of his rather muscled and thick physique, but he lacked claws, horns, fangs, spikes, or wings: usually the true indicators of someone looking for trouble.
She relaxed her posture a bit. Was he for real? Talking to her like some kind of a normal Soquili? If she wasn't a purewalker, she may have been touched by the gesture. But be things as they were, her mouth turned up in a smile. She had undoubtedly met too much failure over the last few weeks, and it was about time she had some fun.
"I'm sorry," she said with her mock-sincere voice. "You startled me is all," she lied. "My name is Kumiho," she said, bowing her head and smiling at him. Her tails began to sway...in anticipation.
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:28 am
As the mare spoke Gaston felt a thrill go through him. He blinked green eyes in confusion though as the mare returned his apology. The voice in which she spoke seemed to hint that she was sincere. The smile that accompanied her words had Gaston relaxing slightly. As he listened and caught her name he gave the tails another look. They appeared to have moved. Even though there wasn't a breeze in the air. That was strange. The question that now plagued him was how to keep Kumiho's interest. The stallion would ask about the strange tails later if he could bring it up in a tactful manner.
Knowing the mare's name made it easier to converse it seemed. Gaston let the sun's rays relax him a little as he continued to watch Kumiho's every movement. He caught the smile that had appeared and gave one back. "I'm sorry that I startled you then Kumiho. It was not my intent to do so. Although I have to admit that I'd be even sorrier had I not met your acquaintance."
Gaston straightened his posture as his inner voice chided his abrupt change in demeanor. Once again he'd gone from curious to down right smooth talking the mare. "I guess I shall introduce myself as well. I'm known to all as Gaston."
Kamiki Heading out for a while. I'll be back later on.
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:46 am
Kumiho was not intimately familiar with 'typical' romance. Indeed, she had bore foals of her own twice now, but that was hardly a romantic gesture. However, she knew bits of the ends and out - after all she loved using Soquili's fascinations against them. Once she had given a lovesick stallion a hairpin tainted with corpse powder to give to his mare - causing her to turn when he accidentally pricked her skin with the infected clasp.
She smiled at the memory.
But in cases like that she was usually the outside influence...not the direct target. She wondered if she could pull it off, and willingly accepted the challenge. "Oh, Gaston, the pleasure is all mine," she purred back at him. tefla Whenever you're ready smile
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:56 pm
The pleasure was all hers? Gaston, if it was at all possible, stood a little straighter. Here, it seemed, was someone who wouldn't object to his presence. Gaston shuffled his hooves a little before stilling his movement. Now that he was in the presence of a mare that did not seem to wish to have nothing to with him Gaston was seemingly at a loss for words.
Why couldn't he find the smooth words that he always relied on? Was it because Kumiho had shown interest back in response?
He scuffed at the grass that grew underneath his feet before turning his gaze back to Kumiho. What was going through her mind at the moment? Those tails and the pelt still intrigued him, just where had she found such an item? Gaston gave Kumiho another smile before sighing softly. "So Kumiho, I do not believe I've seen you around before. Have you traveled far?"Kamiki Inane chatter from Gaston. I apologize. Lol. And random short post too.
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:08 pm
"Very far," she said, watching him carefully. "From beyond the seas, from a very far away land called the Orient. That's where I'm from. I, however, am always looking for new adventures, and I had the opportunity to catch a boat to he new world, so I did." Kumiho had almost forgotten what her voice could found like when she wasn't barking orders or screaming in rage. It was deep, throaty; but not unpleasant; like a deep red wine.
"And you? Are you a local, or...?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 12:34 pm
Gaston started at Kumiho's words. Her voice wrapped around him as she told her tale. She had come to this land on a boat? How very intriguing. To come so far seeking adventures Kumiho must have been brave enough to face a great unknown. Apparently the mare had traveled farther than the stallion could have imagined. Gaston's own journey seemed to pale in comparison. Gaston's mind was whirling around this learned information. It took him a moment to realize that Kumiho had asked a question of him in return.
"I would love to classify myself as a local but I am still new to this land myself. I left the lands of my birth and stumbled across this place."
Gaston sighed before looking at Kumiho straight on. There was respect in his gaze as he uttered his next words. The words themselves were layered with a honeyed smoothness. Gaston couldn't change his ways in a single meeting. "I can't imagine a creature as lovely as you making such a long journey."
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 6:06 pm
"Ah, a stranger in a strange land yourself," she said with a false smile. "Well, I've been here for many many seasons, so I've learned my way around, more or less."
She was amused by his honeyed words. "Oh, are you referring to me?" she said with mock modesty. She was beautiful, and she knew it, but it was rare she actually got to hear it someone else say it to her. "Well, I'm glad I did it, regardless."
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 8:41 pm
Gaston blinked his eyes in realization. He was still a stranger. The perils in which this land held was a lot different from the ones back home. Gaston sighed dramatically before nodding simply to Kumiho's statement. "I still apparently need to learn my own way around. I have not had the best of luck in that regards."
Having someone that knew the lands better than he did would be beneficial and it didn't seem as if Kumiho was in objection to his presence. Gaston had an idea forming in his mind and it was a grand idea. He didn't voice that idea though at the moment. Perhaps it was too soon to mention what he was thinking?
"I was referring to you Kumiho. I've never met anyone with your caliber of beauty."
Ah what the hell, Gaston plunged headfirst into voicing what he thought was a grand idea. "I don't know if it agrees with you but would you like to show me around? I mean since you seem to know the lands better than I do."
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 5:45 am
"Well, aren't you a brave one," she said, laughing inwardly at the double meaning. It seemed obvious that this silly stallion had never encountered, or even heard the legends, of a true skinwalker. Or perhaps he was just expecting some mangy, rotting, stinking creature with a ratty corpse on its back? Either way, she was excited to be having so much fun.
What exactly to do with this new little morsel. Outright killing him would be too boring and too easy at this point. No no, he had to pay for his naivete somehow.
"Oh, I'm sure I could try. I've never been to this particular territory before, but hey, maybe we can explore it together yes?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 5:27 pm
Gaston couldn't help the grin that appeared. He would have done a little dance of happiness if he wasn't afraid it would scare away Kumiho. Finally here was a mare that wasn't telling him to get lost. The stallion had to wonder why this was the case but the thought of exploring together with the mare was overwhelming his sense of logical thought.
"I don't know if brave is the right word to use. Is it?"
Gaston eyes widened a little more at Kumiho's next words. She was just as much a stranger in this territory and she was suggesting that they explore it together. He paused in the internal celebration going on in his head before standing just a little bit straighter. "I would be honored to explore this region with you Kumiho."
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