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 Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:49 am
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Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 7:07 am
There was something about time that now seemed obvious to Neo. When she was younger she would jump into each day not processing any changes around her and within herself. She had moved way too fast and it was no wonder she was always exhausted until the next day. Perhaps now it was in some maturity that she was noticing the slowness of each of her days, and she was also enjoying all of the experiences she felt throughout those memories.
Her introspection lately was actually something she now praised within herself. She had become more independent only because her child's dream of finding her 'one true herd' was not successful... But even with that reality, she had not become as depressed as she had thought. She would meet strangers here and there and establish any connections she could. But any herds she encountered did not excite her as much as she had imagined. It was as if she needed to experience the challenge of meeting others to finally understand what a connection was.
This particular morning when she woke up she was focused on one vivid memory, and on a connection she wanted to relive again.
It took her a few tries and getting comfortable through a familiar forest, but she was hoping to catch up with someone she had considered her first friend. She remembered when she walked away that day she had told herself he was the lucky dragon. She must have driven him crazy instead of praising him for his Kirin heritage. He still was the only Kirin or 'magical dragon' she had ever met. She bounced excitedly at the thought of even catching him for a conversation again. She had seriously had too much fun meeting him...
Now if only she could focus ahead of her and pay attention to which way she should go. She chuckled lightly and realized she was probably lost due to her memories of the stallion getting her all pumped up. "I'll find you." she muttered lightly, while bouncing ahead.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:53 am
As a recluse, one would have expected the Kirin to remain isolated from the dramatic conflict that had caused such havoc. In truth, Nikandros had attempted to do so and had refrained from stepping out on to the battlefields. Alas, as fate would have it, he was not permitted to ignore it completely and when he had failed to seek the conflict out, it had come to him. His forest had been invaded, the smaller creatures sent into a panic and his solace was all but shattered. With no other choice presented to him the stallion had at last stood up, revealed his existence to the world, and promptly disposed of the scout that had entered his home.
It had been neither brutal or bloody, if anything the scout had been granted and honourable but quick death. He had been impaled through the eye in what had been an instant end to the encounter, and then the Kirin had cut his throat to ensure that no devil might make use of him after. All in all, the 'conflict' had ended as quickly has it had begun and NIkandros had intended to return to his lake...had it not been for the victims of war that now lay gasping for aid.
He had never been a healer, but he wouldn't ignore them either.
Thus the Kirin had provided assistance to those nearby and when he had finished he had wandered back into his forest. Unfortunately, with his mind so loud and indignant, he had been unable to settle in his usual fashion. A walk had therefore been in order, and that was precisely where Neo would find him. Having taken to wandering the outer paths of his home as he gathered his thought, he was not as hard to find on this particular day...
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 9:59 am
The area around her continued to seem familiar, but that wasn't helping when she needed to make decisions on veering left or right. A part of her felt like she was walking in circles at certain moments. At least she was keeping herself entertained through the process. A little laughter always saved everything.
She felt herself stop instantly when she heard grass or leaves rustling. Her first instinct was to hide behind a tree, so she did just that and got out of plain site. What if there was an enemy nearby? One couldn't be too careful anymore. She had survived this long on her own by always being cautious.
Her ears flicked looking for the source, and before she knew it she saw a shadow slowly making its way on the trail she was just on. As the movement came closer, her eyes lit up as she realized who the figure was. "Nikandros!"
Like an excited child she bounced away from the tree. "Do you remember me?" For all she knew she too could have startled him completely, but she was so excited that she actually found him. No reason to use proper manners in this situation!
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 2:46 pm
What few thoughts he had managed to gather quickly scattered as Neo bounded back into his life. He blinked rapidly as she approached, taking longer than usual to grasp the situation and who was stood before him. Nevertheless, her puppy-ish excitement and optimistic tone were recognisable and after a second or two to gather his composure he offered a warm, if somewhat dazed smile. He hadn't expected to receive any visitors, let alone one so bubbly as this...particularly given how the region had faired as of lately.
So she had survived? She was most fortunate indeed.
"Neo," he replied with ease, his smile deepening as he regarded the mare. He took the opportunity to assess her, ensuring that the mare hadn't been harmed in a manner that required any medical attention. Fortunately she seemed to be in good health and spirit; how she had managed to evade the Kalona was still a mystery, but he could be thankful for small favours. Perhaps it was true what they said, about how fortune favoured those who were more optimistic.
"How has your search progressed?" he said at last and tilted his head to the side. "I see you are well."
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:07 pm
Besides her own family, this may have been the first time another not only remembered her so quickly, but also seemed pleased with seeing her again. The mare danced forward so she was closer to the stallion and felt relieved that this was all happening in such good spirits. "It is good to see you again!" He was just as she had remembered.
At his question she could only pause and calm her excited expression down. "The search... has been good for my own growth." She nodded and puffed her shoulders out lightly. "I haven't found a herd but I think I'm doing better without one... if that makes any sense!" There was something to be said for being positive, and although she hadn't had great success, she was finding herself in the process. That was proving to be the best part. And who knew it could be so much fun?
"What about you? I am surprised to see you out and about." Neo had not been involved in any of the danger so many had faced. She had encountered some injured and heard of the terrors through their stories, but it really was a miracle that her constant traveling seemed to lead her out of danger at the right time. If she had been in a herd it would have been a much different path, and that she was sure of.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 1:04 pm
He squinted somewhat at her query, electing to ignore it for the time being. Instead he focused on her, her search and her apparent growth - if her words were to be taken seriously then she was finding herself and her independence in the process. He could begrudge no one that; if she was beginning to discover who she was and her 'purpose', then he could do nothing more than smile and hope that she continued to find the answers she sought. If he had been honest, he had been concerned with the desperation for a home and acceptance that she had exhibited... after all, one couldn't find either and be fulfilled without having a sense of self.
...Right?
He was fairly certain that was correct but that was something he was not well versed in, he had spurned herd life after all.
He nodded, his smile deepening somewhat as she spoke; yes, he could be satisfied by her success and wish for her to achieve more. If there was any being in the world who deserved it, it would be her! "I know what you mean," he said at last and chuckled softly, if a little tiredly. "At least I think I do," he confessed and cleared his throat. "While you might still find a home, you do not necessarily seek it out so desperately any more," he finished, his best guess.
As to how he was... He hesitated for a moment and shook his head.
"I am alive," he replied softly and cast his gaze behind him briefly. "Which I cannot say for many of those I have stumbled on lately," he murmured. "I am rather relieved to see that you are not one of them."
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Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:37 pm
She could see the exhaustion in his expression. So he had been a part of this gruesome violence she had heard about from the others? Just thinking about it gave her the chills. She had never seen war or death, she had a hard enough time dealing with small cuts and scrapes of her own. "I guess for once I am grateful to be invisible, as to not get caught up with the Kalonas..." she lowered her eyes feeling a bit shameful she was not there to help anybody, but for all she knew she'd just get in the way. "What happened? I am grateful to see no injury." She surveyed him lightly and regarded his familiar scales.
She could imagine the emotional damage was not easy to accept. Perhaps it was just remembering the visuals of everything he'd seen... "If you were walking somewhere right now, how about I join you for a little while? Maybe I can help get your mind off of everything that's happened." Or maybe he wanted to be alone?
Something didn't feel right with her for him to keep walking onwards by himself. No matter how strong someone was, it was always good to have a friend. "What do you say? If I get too annoying you can shoo me away." She really wasn't kidding about that.
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Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:14 am
Matter-of-fact as always, Nikandros regarded the mare for a short while before releasing a small chuckle and shaking his head. What had happened? Well, he wasn't about to mince his words and paint a pleasant picture; he had only entered on the tail end and defended his home as necessary, but he was certain others could have regaled her with a few horror stories.
"A scout came too close," he murmured simply and shrugged his shoulders. "He caused panic, and so I removed him so that the residents of this forest might find solace," he finished. He cast another sideways glance towards her and then shook his head once more, beyond that, had he done anything else worth mentioning? He'd helped find a healer for two individuals who had been wounded badly in the conflict, but beyond that...?
"Save for helping a small number of individuals before I returned, I do not have a dramatic story to tell," he confessed and cleared his throat. "I sought only to maintain peace here, there are more well suited individuals who can help the wounded," he pointed out, indicating that his razor sharp horn was by no means suited to poking and prodding from a more 'pleasant' and delicate point of view!
"You are however welcome to join me if you wish, I was only wandering the perimeter to settle my thoughts," he continued and hazarded a quick smile. "My mind has been somewhat vocal regarding the injustices and brutality I was exposed to - I had grown naive to the knowledge that there is cruelty in every part of the world, not just my homeland."
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Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 1:25 pm
"The fact that you stepped in to help others in your community... that is very heroic!" She regarded him with her bright and shiny eyes. "Those like me who are weak are grateful for folks like you... You maintained the peace. Others were safe thanks to you. That is a big burden and I'm just glad you were ok through it all." He may have been talking it down, but she wouldn't accept that. Helping others was a big deal, and he needed to be proud of everything he did. "Thank you for protecting the peace."
The first time she met him he was quiet and calm in his safe haven. Instead of hiding amongst the pond, he used his dragon-like strength to save others and not just himself. Yet another reason she regarded him so highly. Maybe he really was a super hero?
She was grateful he allowed her to join in his introspective time, and she listened quietly as they ventured forward, while calming her own childish thoughts. "I've only heard terrible stories as to maintain my own safety." she quickly added, and wondered why the world allowed such creatures to exist in such large numbers."Was there a lot of cruelty in your homeland? I hope we are all allowed some peace before any evils decide to strike again..." she shuddered lightly at mention of such a thing.
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Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:57 pm
He afforded himself an amused glanced towards Neo as she persisted in her view that he was heroic. Perhaps to some he was, he supposed that there were those in the world who associated heroism with bravery, but he had simply deemed it a necessity. After all, if he had not stepped in when he had then it would only delay the interruption - they would still have found him, and at great expense to the forest. He was no better in some respects, than a territorial wild cat; they had entered his territory and he had chased them off... the fact he had aided those who lived there was simply convenience?
...Yes, he'd go with that.
"Why do you perceive yourself to be weak?" he enquired mildly as he regarded her. "Your limbs are intact and you are healthy, is this another instance when one is ranked based on physical strength?" he mused before shaking his head. Alas, when she made reference to his home he paused for thought, was it a hesitation, or merely that he needed time to formulate the response?
"I think, a more accurate term, would be indoctrination," he said finally and pursed her lips. "The land itself is at peace, at the expense of two elected individuals. It is those two individuals who conduct themselves in a most brutal manner."
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:40 am
At his question Neo wrinkled her nose in discomfort. He called it perceiving... but she knew the truth. "Well sure I may be healthy, but I am weak physically. I could never protect others. I hid during that entire time because I knew I would have run into trouble, or probably caused more trouble if someone tried to help me." With a light shrug, she looked at her walking companion with more ease. "It's really not a big deal. But mentally I am strong so I'll always have that!" Or at least she liked to tell herself that.
The stallion's other statement left her feeling cold. "I'm not sure who those individuals are, but they sound scary." Neo was always at a disconnect only because she remained hidden for her own survival. It was rare for her to run into anyone dangerous. Or run into anyone else or new for that matter. "Have you met these individuals before?" Her eyes lit up with fear. "I hope I never do."
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 5:34 am
Should he lie?
He paused as she expressed her fear at encountering one of the 'individuals' who had acted in the manner he spoke. He had never been one to lie, but a selfish part of him would rather he kept her company. Very few came to visit him and those who did, often sought to ensure he was mentally stable i.e. Shizukii, who had been the first to help him come to terms with what he had been. Indoctrination was still a fascinating concept to him, though he was grateful to have escaped its grasp on a personal level.
"Yes," he said at last with a small sigh, his lips pursing as he examined the mare. Selfish thoughts aside, he was a principled being and to abandon them now would cause problems in the long term. It was a slippery slope, he could not permit himself to lose ground when he knew he would begin to make exceptions every time...
"I have met them," he continued slowly and tilted his head to the side, his eyes fell for a few moments and then he took a breath. "And I apologise for being unable to protect you from an introduction," he murmured. "But I am one of those individuals," he finished. A flick of his ears and he looked away, clearing his throat as he began to walk away once more. Would he count the moments before she fled? Probably not, that was a touch melodramatic for his tastes, but he would have a semblance of regret for being honest if she did so.
"As for your strength," he called out over his shoulder. "Sometimes a sound mind and ample intelligence are the difference between life and death - brute strength will often get you killed."
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:24 am
If there was a way to stop time, the stallion certainly did in the mare's head. For many moments, absolutely nothing made sense. She must have looked like a ghost with her jaw wide open.
How could he possibly be one of those individuals? She wondered if perhaps this was a guilt thing? But the stallion was much too true to a situation to play any games...
With a light gulp, Neo blinked and brought her self back into the reality of the situation, where the stallion was already walking away from her, saying a lesson about strength. Was he serious? Did he think this was proper right now?
"ENOUGH!" The mare finally said, while lowering her ears and stomping towards the stallion. Yes, she may have been weak. Yes, she may have been a complete goofball most of the time, and YES, she may not have been the smartest creature alive. But right now she was hurt at his choice of actions.
She put herself so she was right in front of the stallion's tracks and stopped his movements. "You are my friend. First of all, you owe it to me to explain." She took a much needed gulp of air before continuing. "Second of all, do you think its ok to leave me like this? I came here today looking for you because I was excited to see you!" She supposed she was sounding childish at the moment, but this was how she expressed her inner passion for a situation. "Third. I don't believe you." And with that, she unblocked the stallion from his tracks and closed her eyes with a much needed break of loud talking.
"I may not understand a lot, but I live in the present. I don't know your past or things you may have done, but I do know that you are a good individual. Doesn't it mean something if I believe that as a friend? Your friend?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:36 am
To say he was surprised was an understatement - for one who had claimed she was so weak she certainly had a way of making her opinion known. Once she dismissed physical fitness as a deciding factor in strength, she would be more than just a touch formidable. For a brief moment his expression was comical, set between bemusement and a grim awareness that the mare, to her credit, was deserving of some form of explanation. His choice of words had not been ideal...
"This region is perfectly safe," he replied quietly and shook his head. "To leave you here would not has put risk upon you," he pointed out, nevertheless he did suck in a breath as he took note of each point. She had been succinct (surprisingly so), and he would at least be able to answer each of her points in turn, though what she aimed to achieve from this was beyond him. Was he to summon forth some unknown god to rewrite his own history?
"What would you have me explain?" he inquired after she had lapsed in to silence and released a sigh. "It is perfectly acceptable to live in the present, but to dismiss ones past is to disregard what shaped them into the individuals they are today," he pointed out. "I will not dispute that I am not what I once was, but nor will I accept that I am all that is honourable and good - do not be naive to assume that I do not have a temper..." he remarked.
"You indicated that you never wished to meet one of those I describe... Fortunately, as only one of two that are alive, the odds of meeting a second is slim."
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