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 Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:20 pm
A meeting PRP between Me (~Latonia de la Courtel~) and Uta, featuring my Aureate and her Eponine. (Who are very, very old friends.)
((Edit: This pair have maxed stats, FYI. This way to Lat's Teepee))
Aureate was amazed how much things changed with nothing more than time. Time moved all of them to her will, bowed great trees, tore down mountains, brought foals up to adulthood and down again with age... All around him he could see his homeland changing. First with the coming of the settlers who viewed this place as their 'new world', arriving on their great ships on the ocean and unloading horses wearing strange trappings... Then again with the strange horses of the sea, and all that had entailed. And the horror of Skinwalkers, their attacks on the land. The arrival of strange Soquili from many lands, in all colors, each baring tales of their lives and loves elsewhere... Most recently with the Kalona herd and the destruction they had wrought.
Time changed much... Brought him out of his basket as an exuberant foal, let him revel in his strength as a (somewhat outrageous) showoff of a young stallion... Led him to one lovely lady for a time and then another who he thought meant forever... Time gave him several beautiful foals he watched rise to adulthood and go in search of their own happily ever-afters...
And now he walked among paths he knew as a colt and mused over it all... Because that was what old Soquili did, didn't they?
"Oh Featherhead..." He huffed to himself, in absence of some of his oldest friends... "If they were here, they'd kick you... You're not dead yet..."
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 11:28 am
Ah, but she had been a foolish girl. For all the good, there was pain in her memories -- her brothers feud and constant fight, her father's struggle with past mistakes, and of course, her own foolishness. The choices she had made when so very young, her comfort of Ezriel which had lead to children; the loss of her son and abandonment by Ezriel, and of course, her greatest sin, her overwhelming depression and shame over her daughter, Cassiel. Oh, what a monster she was at heart. . . .for all that she had tried to forgive herself. She had tried her best to raise her daughter right, with the help of her family, but their relationship had always been strained. The mare had been born with a heart as tragic as Ezriel's, and by the time Eponine had strength of will to make amends, Cassiel had left her, too.
Oh, how she had ruined everything. . . and yet, years later, as a much older mare, she still couldn't help but feel a fool. It had taken her far too long to find her independence, to find her voice. She had once believed in all the fairy tales her mother had told her, but reality was far different. She didn't blame it, it had simply been a shock to her system. . .
Coming back to these lands had not really been her intention, but here she was. There was no Ezriel. There was no Raiju. There were no ghosts of stallions that had once tried to pursue her, or promised her that they would be different, for none of them were. Love did not come easily for the mare, and after Raiju's abandonment, she had decided that she was happier and far better alone. There was no shame in being the spinster, or the old maid. . . not everyone could be a Cinderella, after all, and there was no shame in that.
So it was, the mare picked her way down familiar roads, trying to seek out the good memories, and tuck away the bad. The pain of regret would never leave her heart, but . . . . there was also no use of dwelling. It was her life, and she had lived it the best she'd been able. Many a lesson had been learned, if not too late. . .
So it was, Eponine picked her way down the path, oblivious to the knowledge that an old familiar friend was no far along.
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Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2014 10:22 am
Aureate tossed his head, sending his black mane flying with the movement. It was pleasant to wander the old paths again, trails his heart and hooves still knew so very well. He had spent quite a bit of time soaring over the beloved lands, dipping a wing to graze the tree tops with his hooves for the challenge of it, then soaring low to dance over meadows and plains. He had even enjoyed the taste of familiar spring water when he'd landed to rest, splashing in the clear waters like a colt.
Visiting distant places was interesting enough, but there was something to be said for "home". And while wandering had kept him and his out of danger when the Kalona Herd attacked, he viewed the damage and began to worry. The village was rebuilding, but there was still evidence of loss, and fire, and pain. Seeing it all, he worried that not all of his friends were so fortunate as he to stay out of harm's way.
"Please let them be well." He asked softly of any who may be listening. "Even if we've not met since our youth, I wish them all safety and happiness in their lives."
Aureate had his fair share of sorrows, and more than his fair share of joy as he reckoned it. There were mistakes made in his youth that he could not correct now, but he'd made peace with his mis-steps as well as he could. He was settled now, older and likely wiser (he hoped at least). He had raised a family and was proud of them, content to step back and let his daughters weave music and dance for the joy of the crowds if they wished.
With a sigh and a spread of his wings, Aure prepared to take flight again, but hesitated at the sound of steps further up the trail. The hoofbeats seemed to be approaching rather than departing, so the wind stallion folded his wings to his side and waited to see who was approaching. A good thing he had choosen to remain on the ground, as the sight of an old friend would have surely knocked him out of the sky.
"Well if it isn't the loveliest piece of fallen sky that I've met in all my life." He greeted with a laugh, overjoyed at the sight of his oldest friend. "Still fair and fine, lady of the mist and clouds... But do you remember an old songbird you used to know?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 5:30 pm
Of all the soquili Eponine might have expected to see, Aureate was not one of them. In fact, the mare hadn't intended to meet anyone on this journey through the plains, through her old familiar homelands. Where her family was, she was unsure. . . ad she certainly had lost tabs on Ezriel's whereabouts, as well as her daughter, Cassiel. Oh, how she had taken many a wrong turn as a youth, and how it had taken years to learn to forgive herself for her mistakes. She certainly had never meant to hurt her daughter, or her family, but she had been young, naive, and scared. It was no excuse, but it was a burden she could no less lighten. All she could do was . . . cope.
But that was seemingly unimportant. Not with a very familiar figure standing before her! How could she forget that dark coat, that mask marking, those yellow tipped wings, and that yellow rose? It may have been years since they'd last crossed paths, but it was none other than her foal-hood companion! "Aureate!? S-s-pirits above b-but it is you!" Her gasp of shock was quickly replaced by a delighted and warm smile, blue eyes sparkling in good humor.
My, but did he remind her of a time long ago. Back before she had met Ezriel, before she had lost a son to a mare she'd never met, or a daughter to her own depression. Back before life had grown bleak and worrisome, before the regrets had outnumbered the hope, before she had well and truly messed up. Though she had tried to find acceptance in herself, though she could try to forgive herself, her regret for what could have been was great. . . And possibly something she would never get over.
"Ah, b-but how could I f-f-forget such a silver-t-t-tongued friend?" She laughed, the sound foreign to her ears. It had been a long time since she'd laughed, but it was nice to find a reason once more. "My b-but it's hard to believe you're not some g-g-ghost. How have you b-b-been, Aureate?" She took a few steps closer, absolutely thrilled to see the older stallion.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 5:58 pm
He could sense she was surprised to see him, and that was not really news at all... After all, he had not expected her to come wandering along the trail, but he would not return such a gift as that which was granted to him. He was thrilled to see her again, and it seemed she at least was pleased to run into him as well. The world was funny, sometimes... And while it moved in ways that were beyond his understanding, Aureate was thankful for this latest twist in the path that was his life. There was nothing like an old friendship renewed!
"Aye, that indeed it is." He agreed, sweeping his wings wide and offering her one of his most graceful bows. He stretched one foreleg out and tucked the other under his chest, bowing his head low for a moment before straightening to give her another grin. "A pleasure to once again meet you, oh Fairest of Ladies."
He smiled as he straightened and found her in such good spirits as she recognized him. And while his words were sweet and flattering, there was a younger stallion buried somewhere that meant every word. He still thought she was one of the loveliest sights he'd ever seen, though she seemed weighted by sorrows unspoken. Aureate had lived an adventurous life... He knew well enough how to recognize the weight of sorrows. It heavied his heart to see her so saddened, and he knew that in part she was holding her failures against herself.... He too had been there, had felt that burden. But he had overcome it, and sincerely hoped she would to.
"You flatter an old songbird with such a compliment." He chuffed at her affectionately, ducking his head in playful shyness. Her laughter was sweet to his ears, affection and memory welling up as he remembered their time spent playing in their youth.
"Not a ghost yet, SkyLady, though a few Kalona have tried!" He retorted cheerfully, dancing about on his hooves for a moment before darting close enough to nose her cheek and then gliding away again. The gesture was affectionate and proof he was solid, but he gave her a rougish wink on the off chance it may spark another laugh.
"Alive to see another dawn and dance for another sunset..." The Phantom stallion replied with a grin. "And to sing all hours in between, if life is fortunate. I am well as can be, and better still to see you again. I hope I am not keeping you from anything, and we might make the most of this delightful chance?"
He stilled on his hooves and gave her a look of honesty and affection. "I would dearly like to catch up a little, if you've the time, Epo."
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:46 pm
Eponine couldn’t help but smile at her old friend and his antics. Though they were both older and more experienced in the ways of the world, it seemed the ebony stallion hadn’t lost his charm or his humor. He had always been a kind sort, had always been far too kind to her, and she was grateful such a thing. Of all the stallions she’d known, Aureate was the only one who had yet to truly let her down. Granted, she didn’t have a long history with other males – but two broken hearts later, with Raiju’s abandonment particularly unexpected and painful – she was glad to be reminded of a friendly face. Still, Eponine did not begrudge Ezriel or Raiju their due. . . they both had their reasons and life, as always, carried on. She was stronger for it, or so everyone liked to say; it was only a shame she didn’t always feel so strong.
Ah, but that was neither here nor there. She didn’t need to reflect on the pain points of the past. She was content enough in her life, roaming the lands, visiting what family still remained. She had made many a mistake, and often wondered where her Cassiel had gotten to, but. . . there was no way to know where she might have found herself. She could not keep sitting on the past… moving on and finding a new purpose though, now that was the difficult part. She was alone, but perhaps that was what was needed. She had once been a dreamer, but such naiveté was long gone. All she could hope was for another day and a happier future.
“Ah, still ever t-t-he charmer, I see. If I d-d-didn’t know any better, I’d say you hadn’t ch-ch-changed a day since we were foals,” she gently teased, her blue eyes warm with pleasure. She was truly glad to see her friend, and could only hope that he had the happiest of lives and better tidings might be bestowed upon him. So it was, she dipped down in a bow herself, returning the gentleman’s bow with one all her own. It was the least she could do, after all.
His proof of solid form did catch the mare off guard – the little nuzzle to the cheek, however brief, surprised her. Still, she gave a laugh, and a dismissive shake of her head. The surprise of it was enough to remind Eponine that she’d been away from others far too long. Contact of any sort caused her uncertainty, if not surprise, and yet, another part of her craved it. Perhaps she ought to seek out her father, mother, or brothers. . . the company was well needed. “I am g-glad of it, Aureate,” she spoke with amicable fondness, pleased that the stallion looked no worse for wear. Even if he had run ins with Kalona or other ruffians, he looked healthy and well. “Rest assured, g-g-good Songbird, you are interrupting noth-th-thing. I have no where t-to be, and the d-d-days and nights are all my own. If you wish to walk for a spell, I am m-m-more than happy to accompany you.” She could not fly, and she doubted she could dance. But she could walk, and perhaps, Aureate would not begrudge her for it. “I would d-dearly like to know what g-g-grand adventures you’ve had over th-these years. . . m-might you share a story with an eager listener?”
Better him talk of herself. She did not wish to confess to the trouble that seemed to make up the foundation of her life. She had not yet done enough to even out the difficult beginnings, to prove that she was stronger, or changed. Old wounds had not yet been healed, but the mare hoped to remedy that. . .was trying to remedy it.
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:10 pm
 Aureate grinned as he noted Eponine's smile. He'd made her smile again! Granted it was her 'Oh you glorious idiot why are we friends again?' sort of smile... But it was still a smile, it still counted. To make an old friend smile again, it was worth quite a bit in the way of the world.
He'd have to mention that he'd seen her to Sibalto, the next time they talked. The silver stallion was well aware of how fond of the mare Aure was, and after so long without seeing her he had begun to worry a bit. Which meant Sib heard about it, it might brighten his day to know that Aure had seen her again and therefore would not be fretting... At least, not for awhile.
"Oh, not so charming as all that... I'm sure there are several of these youngsters that can talk, dance, sing and fly circles around a dusty old songbird like me." He teased her with a grin and a shrug of one black wing. "It'd be downright depressing if it wasn't just a fact of life. As for the not changing, I am sure there are a few that would agree with you. There are days I feel no wiser."
He huffs a sigh. "Especially when trying to council either of my daughters. Then I feel dumb as a rock, and goofier than when I was a foal."
Aure admitted that he was glad to hear he was not interrupting her with his presence, and that she welcomed his company as he did hers. "Adventures? Well if such a lovely lady will deign to join me for a walk, I can think of an adventure or three. If you promise not to laugh, I'll tell you about the time I dove through the forest thinking to impress the audience. Got myself tangled in those cursed vines, I did. Wrestled with them half of the day, getting myself even more tangled by the minute."
He took a few steps, letting the image sink in for a moment, then continued blandly. "A she-fox had to rescue me. Called me seven shades of stupid as she chewed her way through the vines. Declared my name was "Featherhead" and wouldn't let me tell her any different."
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 1:25 pm
Ah, her old friend. He hadn't changed at all since she'd first met him when they were both foals! Well, perhaps that wasn't true; he was older, more mature, but he seemed as young at heart as any. He always had been a fleet-footed songbird, and she was reminded of happier days when he was around. She'd always loved her friend, and was glad they were able to walk awhile, to catch up. They had strayed over the years -- Eponine blamed herself for that -- but it did her heart good to know he was well.
"Oh, but let th-th-the youngsters show off, as they f-feel they must," she laughed, giving a little shake of her tail. "I know you c-c-could show them a thing or two if you needed, and they'd be-be-be foolish not to listen." He had always been elegant in the sky, and Eponine had always wished she too might have been blessed with wings. What an adventure that would have been. . . to take flight as her winged companion did so easily. To see the world from high above, to dive and wheel and turn as she had witnessed winds and angeni in the past. Instead, all she could do was keep her hooves firmly on the earth, and admire such displays from afar.
Thankfully, she had friends like Aureate to tell her stories. Even if they involved getting stuck in vines.
"Ah, how pr-priceless that must have been," she laughed again, blue eyes delighted as she tried to imagine her friend stuck in such a position. "I am only gl-gl-glad you were able to find help out. I w-w-would have hated for you to have become someth-th-things lunch." And wasn't that the truth. Getting caught in vines didn't sound like an ideal situation for anyone, but she was glad that the story had a happy enough ending. Even if it meant that her friend had walked away with a name like Featherhead.
"Perhaps you have learnt to be less hasty when showing off such fine aerial d-d-displays," she added with a teasing grin.
Eponine had recalled running into Aureate years prior, when he spoke of having a daughter. The fact that it was no plural made him wonder if he was speaking of the ones he had before, or if his family had grown since. She supposed it would be no surprise -- he was a handsome stallion, charming, silly, and ever kind. She hoped he had been blessed with many foals and a very lovely family . . . even if the subject was a sore one with Eponine. "Ah, b-but daughters can be d-d-fifficult to council, no matter the p-parent. I am sure you have raised them well, regardless of how you f-f-feel you did," she stated firmly. She doubted Aureate had inadvertently driven off one daughter, or watched a lifemate walk away. "I do hope your f-family is a happy one." Between them both, one of them had to have found their happily-ever-after... and as Eponine wasn't it, she could only wish such a thing on Aureate himself.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 8:42 pm
"The youngsters do show off indeed, in spite of what any old hand might caution them about. So I'm afraid I've all but given up hope." The wind stallion retorted in a teasing voice. "They insist they know better than I, but to be fair I was much the same back in my day."
He laughed. "I suppose I could... But I think I'll save all the best moves for a very special audience, and not waste them on whippersnappers."
Sibalto had told him he was an idiot, probably three times over. Told him to speak more plainly when he opened his mouth, to make sure to say what he meant in a way that couldn't be misunderstood. If he'd known how right the silver stallion was about it all, he probably would have done so. But apparently he'd not spoken plainly enough when he had the chance, and he'd seen Epo walk off to be happy with someone else. He'd lost in that, and there was no going back or changing it, no matter how he might wish. So to find her here, so obviously saddened, made him want to pin his ears and kick the guilty party... (Although, part of the blame lay in himself, so perhaps that would prove ineffective.) However, he just wasn't sure how to go about it, so he quashed the impulse and did his best to be as lighthearted as she remembered him.
"So that's the last time I dove through the woods on a daredevil stunt, though sadly not the last time I got caught in vines or called Featherhead." He sighed softly, giving her a mournful look that disappeared under a grin the next moment. "So you could say I have mostly learned? Though there is the matter of trying to fly in a storm and getting myself so darn soaked I couldn't even fly anymore. My landing was less grace and hooves and more chin-meets-dirt... I was a sorry sight, by the end of it. All mud and twigs. Well, you can imagine."
He tsked sorrowfully, but winked at her.
As they paced a long and Aureate shared his stories, the black stallion allowed himself a prancing, side-pass lope. He wanted to sprint circles around Epo and tease her into laughter, or to throw himself skyward and perform a loop or three just for her amusement. But it was better still to remain at her side, sharing stories and trying to lift away the sadness that lay on her like a shadow.
"Indeed, daughters can be difficult." He sighed softly. "And I wouldn't trade my three for anything... I have a far better relationship with them than what could have been, at any rate. The two I see nearly all the time and the third I visit with regularly... The same cannot be said for my sons, whom I seem to have failed most spectacularly."
He sighed, sadness welling up for a moment. There were no words for how those relationships -or the lack there of- hurt him... Having once been close with his parents, he had thought he would be better at it. But his falling out with them, and then his own issues with his sons, it seemed that it was all continuing in a downward spiral. At least he had done right by the girls, was doing right, anyway...
"Most days, I think so." He offered, his walk now sedate and voice soft. "I am happy with my girls, at least... The rest. Well, that is not a light topic and therefore not one I should delve into. I trust you and yours have been well enough? Have found some measure of happiness in the passing years? At least I hope that is the case. You are too dear to me to think otherwise, Eponine."
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Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 10:46 am
Eponine gave a small shake of her head, and a flick of her tail as Aureate went into yet another tale of his troubles. She could only imagine what he must have looked like, water-logged and likely covered in mud. The poor stallion seemed to have a penchant for trouble, though she knew he was simply pulling out the silly stories for her benefit. These sorts of problems were likely the exception and certainly not the rule. "Ah, Aureate. It sounds as if you need someone t-to keep an eye on you. . . or at least k-k-keep your wings from getting you in t-trouble!' Still, she smiled at the other, her blue eyes gentle, not wanting him to think she thought poorly of him for sharing such stories. "I shall hope, for your benefit, that you find nothing but dry weather and c-clear patches of plains to soar over to your heart's cont-t-tent."
Eponine was genuinely glad that her friend seemed to have cultivated healthy relationships with his daughters. Still, her blue ears did p***k in surprise as he appeared to hint at some troubles with his family . . . She was surprised that something went awry with the raising of his sons. A small part of her wanted to ask of those troubles, wanted to let him now that she was here to listen if he needed to talk. . . . but. . . . would it be right? They were friends, but they had drifted years ago. She had made a terrible mistake when meeting Ezriel, and that had turned her life completely upside down. The mare wasn't sure she'd quite recovered even after all these years -- between the loss of her son, the fallout with her daughter, and a second mate's heartbreaking betrayal -- the mare hardly knew where she stood.
"I c-confess I had hoped you would have b-been blessed by nothing short of happiness," she stated, a small, worried frown crossing her features. Her own sadness was replaced by concern for her ebony companion. "I suppose such hope was naive of me. Life isn't a f-f-fairytale like I once believed,' she added, giving a small self-deprecating chuckle at her foolish youth. How young she had been, how . . . . stupid, really. Ah well. There was no changing the path she'd already walked. All she could do was try to learn from it.
"As for me, I . . . " she hesitated a moment, pondering whether she should be forthright and honest, or if it would do her better to sugar coat the matters. "I have struggled some th-th-these years," she slowly confessed. She didn't dare want to go into detail, didn't want Aureate to know of how many mistakes she had made, of how much of a fool she truly had been. She feared his judgment, feared he might look upon her more poorly than he did now if he knew how terrible of a mother she had been, and how (seemingly0 terrible of a mate. Her ears flattened for a moment, before she forced a smile. "B-b-but it is no matter. I am t-trying to find a new p-p-purpose, and perhaps hap-p-p-piness will f-f-follow." Her stutter picked up as her anxiety heightened over the topic. It wasn't that she didn't want him to know, she just simply was afraid that she would lose a friend if he knew the full story.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 10:57 am
Watching her laugh, Aure felt pride brew in his chest, and settled into quiet pleasure as they continued to walk along. She had caught onto his game, of that he had little doubt, but she appeared to be enjoying it enough to let him get away with it. True enough, sooner or later he'd run out of his woeful (silly) tales to tell her, which would be a shame indeed. But he was far less hopeless than he had been as a young stallion, which meant tales were somewhat in short supply. Then again, he could always offer to sing for her if he ran out of tales to make her laugh. As long as they were able to spend time together, he didn't much mind the topic of discussion.
"Someone aught to." He agreed with a soft chuckle. "But I've not found anyone who has had much success with such a task. I'm beginning to think it is a bit too daunting for anyone to want to try their hoof at."
He swept her another playful bow, flaring his wings to draw attention to the gesture. "I appreciate your kind wishes for my flight weather and scenery. Surely with a lady such as you wishing me well, Fate can spare me her ill will."
He resumed his walk easily enough, not wishing to dwell too long in the shadows of his past, or the troubles within his family. Some things appeared to be genetic, and poor relations from father to son was a legacy of his bloodline. One he had desperately wished to resolve in his own lifetime, but seemed to have failed in.
"You are very kind to wish such things for someone who so carelessly let our friendship fade." He returned with gentle sorrow. "I am sorry that I did not do better with maintaining our friendship... Perhaps if I had done many things differently, we would be standing here having a different discussion. As it stands, life is not a fairytale, but it is good.. And sometimes it is magic."
Like finding someone you thought was lost to you from many years ago. "I am sorry that you have struggled, and even if I could not help, I am sorry I was not there to listen. You know that for all I talk, I am good at that too."
Hearing how the stammer in her words increased as she spoke, Aure reached out with one wing, gliding it over her back in an affectionate gesture. He hoped it would be soothing as well as convey how fond he was of her. "I wish you all the luck of both, and find myself doing the same. There is much still out there in the world for us to enjoy."
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:36 am
~Latonia de la Courtel~ So my computer restarted about the time I was finishing this up . . . so I had to rewrite it. It might suck. I'm kind of angry. xD
Still, she was not a bitter mare, not . . . not really. Her heart ached, yes, and she wore scars on her soul that she never would truly shake, but that didn't mean she still didn't hope for happily-ever-afters for others. They were not a thing for her, but she could only hope that Rue and Cassiel had found joy. Her poor children - one taken, the other a runaway -- were never far from her thoughts. Perhaps that was where the shift of her hopes and dreams did so most acutely -- instead of dreaming about herself, the mare now put every wish and fantasy and happily-ever-after into those of her missing children.
Still, just because she had woken from the daydreams of her past, didn't mean that life was uncomfortable. There were still sunsets, rainstorms, crick serenades, and stars in the night sky; there was still beauty in the world, despite the demons that haunted the blue coated mare. Those demons were her own to fight, her own to keep secret, and hers to well and truly own. She had made mistakes. . . it was only right she suffer for them.
So it was, the blue mare offered her friend a sad smile. "You are q-q-quite right, I'm afraid -- life is no fairy-tale. I'm afraid you and I know th-th-that too well." Oh, if only Aureate knew how his words stung. The old pain of losing a friend all those years, of missing his stories, his infectious laughter, his songs. Ah, but that was a long time ago . . . years past. "But the world can be kind as it c-c-can be cruel. It still gives us memories, and it c-can give us second-chances t-t-to make things right."
Like right now. Who would have thought she would have met her friend from long ago? Who would have though they might reconnect and, perhaps, stay friends?
Still, to hear him apologize, as if it were solely his fault. No. She shook her head. "Oh, Aure, I do regret having lost your f-f-friendship, b-b-but you have no need to apologize." Blue eyes looked up at the stallion, and she gently added, "I left you, if you remember. I l-l-left everyone for quite some time." It was the truth. How different things might have been if she hadn't tried to heal the heart of her brother's friend. How very different things might have been if she hadn't gotten so caught up in his words, in his need. She had thought she was doing right, but how quickly over her head had she found herself.
Oh, the shame of it all. . . and he still left her, as broken and damaged as himself.
By the time she'd returned, Cassiel in tow, she had no idea where Aureate had gone to, and had been too ashamed to leave her immediate families side for months after.
Her ears flattened a touch in shame. "I t-truly am sorry for leaving without word. I wish--" Ah, but what did her wishes matter? One couldn't change the past. "I hope you m-might forgive me such neglect. And I hope we might f-forget a rekindled friendship on the ashes of our youth." She gave a small self-deprecating laugh. "D-dramatic as that sounds."
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 6:20 pm
As a colt he had beheld the world with a great deal more wonder than he did now. Too much strife perhaps, friction with his family and the fall out with the mares that he had once cherished. He knew all too well how fast the tide could turn or the wind shift, in one's favor or against it. He had experienced that himself, a time or three.
It was true that life wasn't a fairy tale, though Aure had done his best to shield his children from the general cruelties of the world. There had been nothing more important to him than protecting his daughters, ensuring they were safe and happy in spite of any issues had with their mothers. For the most part he felt like he had been successful, a pity he had not had better luck with his sons.
Or taken better care of his friends. But apologies were given, and attempts at making amends would be too, and the rest he could merely hope for success.
"Still, it does have its moments where it approaches something like one." Shifting slightly on his hooves, he gave a soft sigh and glanced at her. "Truly, I am sorry I was not there for you, was not a better friend to you. I let myself get swept away by things, and I can't help but think matters may have been different if I had been here."
He shifted his wings, ducking his head faintly. "I know you left, but I should have said something.. Maybe I should have followed, or stayed until you returned... You left, and then I did, and that meant I wasn't here for you when you came back. Made sure you weren't alone, that things were okay, like a real friend would have."
There was no point in dwelling in all the ways they had gone wrong, though the urge to do so was strong. Shaking himself from nose to tail in an effort to chase away the chill of failure, he used his wing to coax her closer to his side.
"It is forgiven and forgotten, I promise." He smiled widely at her. "Dramatic is good, it suits us in a strange way. For all the twists and turns our paths have taken, it seems to me our story would be the delight of a stage, with or without the addition of music. Not that I would want to be the one to sing of it."
Aureate shook his head, giving a faint grin. "If our apologies are behind us, perhaps we should look forward. So then, my dearest Eponine, what could I do to bring a smile to that face?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:39 am
Eponine couldn't help but lean into the other as they walked. She felt safe beneath his wing, and she treasured this moment's closeness with her long-lost companion. Even after all these years, Eponine had never stopped thinking fondly of the black songbird; he had been her first true friend, and had always treated her so well. How their paths had twisted and turned . . . but she was grateful the spirits allowed them to reconnect at long last.
"You were always a d-dear friend. I had simply b-b-been young and more than a bit f-foolish. If I had not b-b-been so proud, I would have sought you out at th-the first sign of trouble." Would things have been different with Ezriel -- and her children -- had she sought out Aureate? Would she have been less burdened with shame? "I suppose we could spend an entire lifet-t-time thinking about how d-different things could have been," she added, giving a small laugh as she attempted to brush off the woes of the past.
"But like you, I think, perhaps, instead, we c-c-could simply enjoy what we have now." To not worry about what tomorrow would bring or angst about the past. They could simply enjoy what they had. . . and at the exact moment, they had one another.
When Aureate asked what he might do, the mare considered his words. It was hard to be too down trodden when he was near. "Perhaps we might stay awhile t-t-together?" She turned a shy blue eye upon him, before quickly glancing ahead at their path. "It need not be a long while," she hastened to add, "B-b-but we have been apart so long I . . . I would not wish us t-t-to part soon."
It was good to be with Aureate again. They were always good friends . . .and yet . . . Eponine knew, deep down, past her fears, her shyness, and her reservations, that she felt more strongly for the songbird than was her right. But she would keep it secret for now. . . Their friendship was more important; and if her care for him ran deep, than that was her business, and hers alone.
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 2:01 pm
Approaching something like contentment for the first time in a long while, Aure stretched his wing slightly and pulled the pale-coated mare closer to his side as they walked along. It was pleasant to have someone to talk to, but even more so to be close to her again. Eponine was different, special, but she always had been. Even when he'd been young and foolish and given up far too soon.
A mistake he wouldn't make again, since he still felt foolish from the first time.
"I am honored you still consider me a friend." Aure murmured, smiling down at her. "I still feel like I left too early, which was not a thing a friend should do. Maybe I should have been around to say something, and I could have stopped trouble from even happening? But yes, you are right in that... A dozen different decisions could have been made, there is no way to guess now at all the ways a single choice or moment could have changed things."
All in all, living in the now did seem like a better alternative. Plucking a random wildflower and tucking it behind Eponine's ear, the stallion gave a grin. "It sounds far more reasonable and clever when you say it."
He grinned wide and fluttered his wings when she suggested they stay together for awhile, pleased as anything with the idea. Wandering was guaranteed to be far more pleasant with Eponine at his side, even without any given destination in mind.
"I would be delighted indeed to spend time in your company, however you wish to pass the days I am sure it will be delightful. So then, is there a place you wish to see or somewhere you'd like to go? I'll be happy to tell stories as we journey there." He paused and then nosed her cheek gently. "You are most dear to me, I would be glad to spend all the time I can with you."
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