|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 10:25 pm
 Faelon was walking through the trees, a great ol' grin on his chubby little face surely bright enough to lighten up anyfaun's day who saw it. Sure, many would have become a little upset following the absence of their father due so supposed treason, but not this little one! In fact, he was surprisingly understanding of the situation as it was explained to him by his mommy; daddy had misbehaved, so he was going to be in timeout for a while and would come back to play with him and his little brother once that timeout was over. Everyfaun makes mistakes though, and mistakes had to be made up for.
That said, couldn't wait to see his daddy again and asked the great spirits each and every night that his timeout would be over the next morning!
It certainly had taken a really long time for it to finish, which has piqued an interesting sort of curiosity in the boy. Why was talking to those outside of the tree not allowed; why was it dangerous out there; what kind of faun were these 'angels' and 'demons?'
Were they really all as bad as Chieftain Rais said they were?
As his reading lessons progressed, he'd taken to trying to read what little he could on the subject around the tree, but everything remained more-or-less above his reading abilities. Instead, he tried to talk to all the faun that looked different from the other faun.
Like the faun with the large, leafless horns and leathery wings in the distance. He'd never seen her before!
Grinning, he quickened his pace to a near skip to walk in her direction, waving excitedly once he'd closed the gap by about half.
"Hi! I'm Faelon! I like your wings! Who're you?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:07 pm
 Almost time to go.
At the time, it had made sense to complete her recovery at Laisidhiel. Silvana had been too weak to maintain her normal patrol duties in the south, but she couldn't spend another day sitting around that Healing House doing nothing. At least, with her mortal connection to the Tree, perhaps staying close would help her regain her strength more quickly. She got the feeling her mother had had ulterior motives as well at the time. Seeming distracted, the deity had insisted she move to the Tree, despite the obvious issues they were having of their own. Perhaps she felt strength in numbers, they would all be safer together. She hadn't said as much, but Silvana had inferred it before the goddess had left her here to return to some 'hunt' she had mentioned only briefly.
She had not seen her mother since.
Clearly, all was not well in Laisidhiel either. Following the explosion, the increased security, suspicion, and fear led the demonic demi-goddess to take up a secluded post in one of the upper level alcoves. Though some of the older residents, especially those who had journeyed here seasons ago with her mother, Artemis, remembered her and knew of her, there were many, many residents to whom she was a stranger. And given the circumstances, a terrifying sight to behold within Laisidhiel. Rather than try to explain and keep causing a commotion, she had retreated to an alcove to stay out of the way until she finished her recovery, relying on the kindness of those who knew her to deliver meals and water as she needed.
Again, she had grown tired of relying on others to take care of her. She was antsy and if she could not do her part here to help, she needed to return to her forest to resume her patrols. She suspected the antsy, anxious feeling that had grown steadily within her was not just a result of too much time indoors. Something was wrong. She needed to get back.
Normally, she would consider the trip a single day's sprint, but perhaps she should be a bit more cautious. Best not to over-estimate her own abilities nor the possible dangers or diversions she might run into along the way. She'd need a couple of days rations at least. Once she reached her home again, she'd be more than self-sufficient. The Quiet Woods took good care of its mistress.
Taking the risk upon herself, she headed down to the lower level of the Tree with a travel satchel, intending to stop by and get some provisions from Mojo and Bronson, as well as a couple of other supplies for the trip. She mentally prepared herself for any startled residents questioning her presence, steeling herself for the initial outrage or fear, and trying to have answers ready for any questions that might come her way.
She didn't expect the sort of response that came from the sunny little Faun child.
Halting in her tracks, she turned a neutral, if curious gaze towards the boy. Friendly little kid, wasn't he? Looked...just a bit familiar... It took her a moment before she recognized him from that awful business sometime back. Shortly after she'd come here, when she was staying out of sight and out of mind. The grey Faun who had defied curfew...though there had been more to it than that, she remembered. This was...his son, if she recalled. Or one of them. Oh, that poor family...
Without showing any of her passing thoughts in her expression, she turned a calm, friendly expression on the child. "Well, a pleasure to meet you, Faelon. I'm Silvana. Thank you very much. I like your antlers. They remind me of the trees in autumn," she smiled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:25 pm
Faelon giggled and reached up to lightly touch his antlers. He was clearly so very flattered by the little compliment that it was if he needed a moment to compose himself again. Grinning, he answered in a single, delighted word: "Yeah...~~" Letting one hand drop, he pointed at her own 'antlers,' his expression unchanging. "Yours are pretty too Miss Si'vana. How come they don't have any leaves... or branches..." he paused, gasping. "Did they already fall off?!" He'd heard from a pae that such things happened when it grew cold.
Gasping, his attention moved from her antlers to her feet, an excited sort of giggle coming from his lips as he pointed to them instead. "Woah! You have so many hooves! That's..." he looked up a her, a huge grin lighting up his face, "...so cool! Can we be friends Miss Si'vana?" He'd have to tell Haldir about this later, he certainly had to. Just as he did with just about every mundane thing he happened upon in his wanderings of the tree, regardless if his brother cared to hear about them or not.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:58 pm
Silvana was certainly used to her appearance drawing attention and not always in a good way here in Laisidhiel. Not that she didn't understand, given the circumstances. It was why she chose to withdraw and stay out of sight rather than make waves.
However, this sort of attention was unusual and if she had to admit it...a pleasant change. A smile tugging at her lip, she glanced around, then knelt to put herself on the boy's height and dropped her satchel on the floor. She tilted her head forward in case he wanted to inspect her horns...or antlers...better. "No, they didn't fall off. I don't have any leaves on mine. They always look like this." She was puzzled for a moment by the comment about having so many hooves until it clicked. "Heh...they're not hooves, Faelon. They're called 'feet'. And those are 'toes'," she explained, pointing and wiggling the digits in question. She leaned on her knee, amusement clear as she took in the boy's vibrant enthusiasm.
With so many somber faces, it was refreshing to see so much light and life in a single child of the Tree. Especially given general circumstances...let alone the personal ones of this boy if her memory served correctly.
"Of course, we can be friends," she answered, cheek resting on her hand, her elbow on her knee. "I bet you have a lot of friends, Faelon. I'd be happy to be one of them."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 4:20 pm
It was hard to believe this kid's smile could grow any brighter, yet it seemed to as Silvana knelt down to his height. He paused a moment as he reached out for her horn, glancing to her to make sure it was okay, before extending his hand fully to touch them. "Whoa....!" He gasped, pulling his hand back. "It's so smooth. And cold. Is that why there's no leaves?"
If he had been excited to learn about those 'antlers,' he was ecstatic to see toes move around for the first time. He jumped up once in said excitement before crouching down himself to see them closer. "Feet... and toes...?" he bent even more forward to look at his own hooves. So some faun had feet and toes too.
Looking back to her, he shook his head. "I don't have any friends 'cept Haldir and Ranuin and Ayala, and my momma and daddy, and my aunties and uncles and cousins. And sometimes Wellspring. Sometimes. He's a bitta grumpy pants." He didn't seemed off put by his statement at all as he continued in a matter-of-fact way, his smile only slightly fading. "Daddy's in time-out right now down there..." he made a motion down, indicating the roots, "...and 'cause of that, a lotta faun don't like me so much. But that's 'kay. I love my family. And I've got a new friend now!" his grin returned in full force and he stood up.
He was excited to have made a new friend.
Just wait until he told Haldir later; maybe she could be friends with him too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:23 pm
The child was a delight. Every little thing was a source for excitement and enthusiasm. It was cheering to the demi-goddess' heart to interact with such a delight after seclusion for so long amongst those worn by worry and fear. And by the Tree, so many questions!
"Well...I don't know. They've always been like that," she admitted with a shrug, sitting back. "Mother's antlers were larger, more curved and with more points, but similar to mine otherwise. They're more like...deer antlers, I suppose, than Faun branch antlers," she mused aloud. Then, shrugging at Faelon again, repeated, "But nope, no leaves. Never have had them."
Though she kept her smile, she felt her mood sober somewhat as the child continued. Not many friends? How could such a friendly little boy not have many friends? He certainly seemed to have a large family though. She understood as he continued, however. What a shame. For the fear and panic to spread so far as to cause others to treat a child as such, simply because his father was at fault. Though she had sworn to protect this place and its people, she did not feel she had any right to criticize its customs. She was from the outside; she grew up with different thoughts and cultures. In fact, she grew up outside most of the common societies, so she frequently felt like an outside in most company. That being said, she respected the Faun way of life and their culture. But, to treat a child so...
The poor boy.
Focusing on the positive, Silvana took a lesson from the young one and kept smiling while she answered. "Wow, it sounds like you have a really big family though. I bet that's nice, right? I don't see mine much. I mean, Mother brought me here just a while back, but well..." Nope, sounding negative again. Hurriedly, she changed her tone and direction. "Of course, in a way, everyone in the Tree is also family, right? So, we're never really alone."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 6:45 am
Deer... antlers? Was that what Silvana's cold and smooth antlers were? He wondered for a moment what they would look like if they had grown leaves, but it took only a second for the child's imagination to determine it would look silly indeed! Antlers didn't need leaves.
Nodding once, Faelon agreed with her statement about his family. "Mhm! It's super big and everyone is super nice and there's Auntie Luna and Cadence and Uncle Mo and Shining Armor. And then there's also Wild Moon and Sweetie Belle and Twinkletoes and..." he went on for a moment, more-or-less listing every one of his (known) extended family members that could be found in the tree. He stopped and pouted some as Silvana referenced her mother. "You don't get to see your mom...? Is she in time-out too?" Lot's of adults musta been making mistakes these days.
That said, his smile returned (though not quite as vigorously as before) at the next comment. "I didn't ever think 'bout it that way! So are you my sister then... Or... maybe an auntie...? ...a cousin...?" The boy's head was spinning somewhat is he tried to piece one and one together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 2:24 pm
As the list went on, Silvana's eyes widened just slightly. She recognized at least a couple of names on that list. A large family, yes, with some prestigious names in it, as far as the Tree was concerned. Well, if the Chief's Second was the boy's uncle, he wasn't likely going to suffer any serious mistreatment by its residents, that was for sure. Though, for such a bright, interactive child, perhaps being ignored and shunned was one of the worst punishments of all.
"Oh no, she's not in time out," she corrected gently with a smile. "She's just traveling. She had some work to do, so she's just busy. I'm sure she'll be back soon." Not that she saw overly much of her mother to begin with. Deity were busy beings it seemed. She'd been surprised to wake in the Healing Houses and find her Mother terrorizing the fairies there. She'd been furious over the attack and her daughter's condition, demanding answers from those who didn't have them to give. In an odd way, it had been reassuring to see the deity so full of protective fury...over her.
Perhaps she should be more careful of what she said to the boy though. He seemed to take everything so literally...and others could open up awkward lines of questions if she didn't tread lightly. It wasn't as though she was used to dealing with children, however. It wasn't a skill involved in her normal line of work. "Err...well, I'm not sure we're family quite like that. I'm not sure there are appropriate titles or anything," she tried to explain, feeling awkward. Wow, this wasn't exactly what she'd been thinking, but she could see how a small child might come to that conclusion. "It's more like...we all look out for each other? We take care of one another, like family does. Just like the Great Tree takes care of us? Like your mommy takes care of you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 11:23 am
Faelon brought both of his hands to his mouth, audibly gasping as Silvana mentioned that her mother was outside of the tree. It wasn't that he made any connections from that and her lovely, distinct wings, but rather one of wonderment. "Your mom gets'ta leave the tree?!" he paused, bringing his hands to his chest and looking down at them for a moment before looking up with her with wide, excited eyes. "HOW COOL!" He grinned. "Can I meet'er when she comes back? PleasePleasePlease~? I bet she's got all sorts of stories, and she must'be super duper nice if she's your mom! Oh! If she's gonna tell stories, I hafta bring Haldir too; he LOVES reading scrolls!" Oh boy, Faelon simply couldn't wait to meet her some day.
"Ooooooh..." his mouth hung slightly ajar and his hands fell further to cross over his stomach as he put two-and-two together. She meant the big faun family - he'd definitely been taught about this before, maybe twice - not his family. He closed his mouth and nodded twice, almost looking serious, before his characteristic smile returned. How silly of him to have missed that! "Yeah, everyfaun is one bi-i-i-ig family! I kinda forgot, but I remember now."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 3:54 pm
Oh, goodness. Of course, that would be a touchy subject to bring up, wouldn't it? Especially considering what had happened to the enthusiastic little boy's father. How to explain so that she didn't confuse him further...?
As usual, having little experience with small children, Silvana simply settled on the truth. "Well, my mother doesn't actually live here in the Tree." Neither of them do, she thought to herself. "In fact, I don't either most of the time. I live in a forest to the south of here. It's a large area with much smaller trees than Laisidhiel, but lots of them. I'm really just here visiting right now." It could be implied that she'd come to help. No need to explain that she'd come here needing help herself. "But, even if I don't live here all the time, I serve Laisidhiel just like everyone else. I live far away in my forest, keeping watch for trouble and chasing off any bad guys and bullies who even think about trying to cause problems up here." She couldn't help but smile as her tone shifted, like she was telling a story about some fairy tale hero in a far away land. Ha! Not that she saw herself that way, of course.
As if bullies were the worst of the dark things she helped keep at bay.
Her thoughts shifted to her mother, Artemis. Super duper nice, huh? She wasn't sure about that. She supposed the deity had her moments, rare thought they might be, where she dropped her guard long enough to surprise mortals with the realization that she did indeed have a sense of humor. Just...Silvana hadn't seen that side lately. Maybe, if she finished whatever 'hunt' it was that she'd rushed off on, just maybe she'd stop seeming so distant and distracted when she visited.
"Maaaaybe," she answered, drawing out the word with a smile and a wink. "If you're good, maybe she'll come visit. You know, though, in the meantime...if you didn't want to wait for her stories, you could ask your Uncle Mo. I hear that a long time ago, he knew my mother as well. Back before either of them came here to Laisidhiel. Maybe he has a few stories about her he could share." She had to admit, that if the Faun Adviser did have stories...even she might be curious to hear them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 7:48 pm
"If you fight to keep the bad guys and stuff away, does that mean you're like Chieftain Rais? Does that mean you're super important?! Woah! I must be the luckiest faun EVER if I'm getting to meet a super duper important protector of the tree! I'm gonna hafta tell EVERYFAUN later that I got to meet you; I bet they're all gonna be super jealous. 'Specially Haldir." He nodded once before pressing on.
"Whats'ta forest like? What kinda trees do the faun there live in? Can I see it from here? Can I come visit you someday...?" There seemed to be no end to his childlike curiosity from the slew of questions that flew from his lips.
At the mention of her mother coming to visit, he grinned and nodded, his hands moving to hold themselves behind his back. "I'm always good!" Just another reason to keep being this way; not only would it keep him from being sent to time-out, but this way he could hear stories from Silvana's mom too. Things were just getting better and better. He hadn't expected to hear that his uncle might know her mom and some stories too, or that he wasn't from Laisidhiel at all! How surprising! He had the branchlers and everything, even if they looked funny, so Faelon had simply assumed he'd always been here. Did that mean he was from Equestria too? And that would mean that Silvana's mom was a fauny... so maybe his mom and auntie would know her too? But he thought that Uncle Mo had been here for a lot longer than his mom and auntie, so that couldn't mean he was a fauny... What then...
"Okay! I'll ask him then!" Quickest way to find out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 10:36 am
Super important? Her? Silvana's mirthful laughter built up and spilled out without warning, full of amusement at the thought. She never really focused much thought on what she did for the Tree. She didn't do any of it for fame or recognition, so hearing herself compared to 'super important' Faun like the Chief was momentarily baffling. She did what she did because it was her duty. Her responsibility. She didn't think little of what she did, of course. She was doing her job because only she could. Reflecting upon that, she supposed in a way that her duty to the Tree was 'super important.'
It was just odd to receive more glory and recognition for that work in the last few minutes from this one little Faun child than from all other sources combined.
Silvana's cheeks were practically glowing as her laughter subsided. "You know what, Faelon? I suppose I am a super duper protector then. Keeping all the bad guys in the south away from the Tree. Which is why," she hesitated a moment, her mood sobering a bit, "...I have to be getting back very soon. I've got a job to do." A shame she couldn't have met the little child sooner in her stay. He could have made her stay so much more pleasant. He was like a bright light cutting through all the doom and gloom.
Unsure of how to answer, she chose the cop out option and answered, "Maybe someday you can visit. It's a long way from here, so maybe when you're older, hmm? You can't see it from here, but it's very different from being here in Laisidhiel. Instead of one really big tree, the there are lots of little trees. They're much smaller, but there are more of them than any faun could possibly count. You can pick a tree to settle down in, or you can wander the forest instead if you prefer. You can sleep beneath the watchful boughs of the trees, or journey up into the branches where the stars shine above."
Feeling herself waxing poetic about her home, Silvana chuckled to herself and rested her cheek in her hand. "And that's why I need to get back soon. I was just going to see if the kitchens would let me take a few supplies for the journey. Want to help me see if we can convince Bronson to part with a few tasty treats for my trip?" She stood, straightening her limbs with a brief stretch after being crouched for so long. She reached for the strap of her pack and smiled at Faelon, not expecting the child to turn down the invitation to accompany her, at least for a bit longer.
"Oh, and if your Uncle Mo shares any really good stories, you promise you'll remember them and share them with me later, right Faelon?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 5:49 pm
A frown appeared on the child's features as she said she would be going away. "WHAAAAAAT?! Ohhhhh NOOOO" A childlike whine at its finest as little tears touched the tips of his eyes. "But I want you to stay here in the tree with me!" It'd been a while since he'd had someone outside of the family to talk to for so long, it wouldn't be selfish of him to want her to stay for a bit longer, right? Surely mama wouldn't get mad at him for that...
But as Silvana continued to talk about the forest, his whining stopped and his frown softened into more of a pout. His eyes looked down and away, unable to meet hers. Even he, a child, could tell how much she loved it there, and he felt like he'd just said something kind of mean.
His eyes were still downcast as she asked if he'd like to come with her to Bronson's, but he gave a firm nod. It wasn't until she continued talking about his Uncle Mo that he looked back up. "Mhm...!" Biting his lip, he shook his head violently as he reached an arm up to wipe away the remaining tears before giving her another nod and a smile.
"Mhm! I promise! And I can come see you again when I'm big, right?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:08 pm
"Of course, you can," Silvana smiled, hoping she wasn't setting herself up for trouble with this kid. She did not need angry adult family members coming after her when their kid explained he'd run off cause she said he could come visit. Especially not the Chief's Second. "You stay here and I can come visit until you grow up all big and strong, then you can come see me. Deal?" Hopefully that would do it.
She hoped.
She offered Faelon her hand, making a note to see if Bronson could spare an extra sweet or two for the kid once she got her travel supplies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:47 am
Smiling brightly at their compromise, reaching up to grab her hand with a single word:
"Deal!"
Oh how he couldn't wait to grow up!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
