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 Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 5:40 pm
 The wind had quivered down from the mountains, and a single flake caught itself in the lashes of a great eye. Baellian shook his neck and mane and lifted his head, turning his attention upward, towards the passes. Winter and all it entailed was no stranger to him. In fact it was more a comfort than anything. He was born of the breath of ice and snow, but even he wasn't so foolish as to tempt fate when it came to an incoming blizzard. He did, however, trudge his way Northward instead of Southward, to better keep tabs upon the developing clouds that were thick and grey, and as the short time between when he first took note of the encroaching storm he'd covered an impressive amount of ground. A cave was the most ideal place to wait out the storm. It may not be the best way to stay warm, but dry was better than burdened with heavy and wet snow, despite his thick coat. He could feel the howl of wind echo in the hollow of his bones and found confirmation therein that this storm would be bad, even though he'd known well before this point. He huffed a great breath and continued to plod his way through the thickened amount of snow at the base of the mountain, the unmalting rime upon his legs catching more snow. It was difficult, but doable, and by the time he saw a cave, the snowstorm was in full effect, turning the world to shimmering, dangerous white swirls amidst a bit of dimming light for how thick the cloud cover was. He gave his body a shake as he approached the cave, ears flicking to and fro in a caution that had been well-earned for all he'd been through. wordcount: 298
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 6:04 pm
Philippe wasn't particularly unfamiliar with the turns the weather could take with little warning. But he'd thought, at first, that surely everything would have mostly stabilized this late into the season. It was hardly the first warm day they'd seen - the one that always gave one a little hope that Spring had come early and then was immediate followed by a cold snap so chilly that you were likely to injure your neck because you reeled so suddenly. They'd already had their Fool's Spring and their Spring of Deception. Surely it was time for Actual Spring now!
And then the first snowflake had landed on his nose.
At first, he'd been convinced he was merely seeing things. There just couldn't be more snow coming. But then there had been another snowflake. And another one. And the shift in the air was just ominous enough that even with his boundless optimism, Philippe had feared that his blanket wouldn't be enough to see him through this snowfall.
So he'd sought out shelter in the nearest place that looked promising, trotting along at a brisk pace until he found an unoccupied cave tucked in the shelter of the mountainside. It was dry enough, and further in there was a good spot to shelter from the wind. He'd hardly settled himself before his ears perked up at the sound of someone else trudging through the snow. Looking for shelter, no doubt. And there really wasn't any reason he shouldn't head back to the entrance to the cave to welcome them, so he did just that.
He doubted he looked very intimidating. He hardly came up to the stranger's belly - and his blanket was just large enough that it was practically wearing him.
"Oh, hello there! Come on in. There's a good place to shelter from the wind a bit further in."Word Count: 307
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 6:32 pm
The clip and clop of hooves upon stone floor were just audible, and the Cerynei stallion drew to a halt. An ear had cocked back, but when the smaller Usdia popped into view both pinned themselves as far back as they could go. He was not sure what surprised him more: the short stature or the blanket that covered the - admittedly - friendly little fellow. Though the whites of his eyes flashed and he felt a shudder of adrenaline wash through his body he soon calmed. The Usdia might be a threat, but he'd slowly started to come around that not everyone was a trap lying in wait. A great gust of breath passed through flared nostrils before he dipped his head a little. His ears relaxed towards a more upright position, one rotating back and forth to listen to the world around them and any other potential hoof or paw falls closing in. "I see." The other ear trained itself upon the blanket-clad pony. "That's good to know. You're fine with sharing space, then..?" Baellian wasn't entirely sure he was. Still, as he'd thought before, there was no point in staying out in what was arguably the worst blizzard these lands had seen in a while. wordcount: 298 + 208 = 506
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 6:45 pm
It was obvious enough from body language alone that Philippe had startled the other stallion - and he was definitely anxious. Poor fellow. He must have been through something terrible if he thought someone like him could be a threat!
He wouldn't let that bother him, though. There were much more important things right now - things like surviving a rather unseasonable blizzard when it should have been starting to get sunny and warm and everything should having been just starting to get a little green again. Really, as much as he enjoyed the winter, it was terribly inconvenient for it to last this long! He'd need to wander farther and farther to find enough food to fill his belly, and he didn't exactly have long legs to cover all that distance.
But food was a problem for future him.
He's careful to keep his own body language relaxed - ears forward and no tension in sight. No need to give the other stallion a fright when they were going to be sharing space until it was safe to go outside.
"Oh, of course! I wouldn't make you head back out there. It's starting to get pretty bad, after all. And my sister would be furious with me if I refused to share such a big shelter and chased some poor fellow out there to catch their death of cold! Good manners are really important to her." He paused, his little head cocking to one side as his gaze went distant for just a moment. "She's not here, though. So I guess she wouldn't have to know."
There's a long pause, before he eventually realized how that might sound. And suddenly he was floundering again, dancing his front hooves back and forth. "N-not that I'd do that, mind you! I would never! I'm just saying she wouldn't be here to know about it! Oh goodness me, I'm doing a terrible job at being a good host, aren't I?"Word Count: 325
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:18 pm
Baellian's gaze lingered on the Usdia, watching in a way that bespoke guarded observance even though he'd since started to relax. He gathered his legs more solidly beneath himself in a couple ponderous steps as the Usdia started to babble. And babble. His head slowly tipped to the side as he listened to the smaller male come to the conclusion that his sister, a paragon of politeness, wouldn't know as she wasn't there. The Cerynei waited with a slight hitch of his brow and wondered just how long it would take for his impromptu companion to realize he'd insinuated that he could bully the larger male out of the shelter. ...and that could certainly be the case, given the larger stallion's initial reaction, even if it ultimately wasn't terribly likely. "Not terrible," He offered. "But not great. It would almost be worth seeing you try to chase me away." He lowered his head and blew the flakes that would move away, and then lifted his head once again. "Let's go out of the wind, then," Baellian supplied with a slight motion of his head towards the Usdia, and back into the dark of the cave. He stepped forward at the same time in encouragement, but to mostly move the little one along and away from his fretting. The excess snow fell in small clumps as he found more sturdy footing on the cave floor, more bereft of snow. The further in, the better things came to be in terms of being out of the wind and snow, and he found himself taking deep inhalations to try and catch any lingering or present scents beyond his companion. Thankfully, they seemed to be quite alone. wordcount: 298 + 208 + 283 = 789
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:25 pm
Distracted as he was by the realization that he really was being quite the poor host, it takes Philippe a long moment to realize the other stallion had just suggested something. And quite a wise suggestion it was!
"Right! Of course! Come on in!"
Thankfully the few steps and gentle teasing seemed to snap him out of his fretting, and he brightened up just as quickly as he'd started to panic. Ever stride the other stallion takes is two strides for his much smaller companion, but Philippe doesn't seem to mind as he trots further in, pulling ahead to lead the other into the small shelter he'd tucked himself away in. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was dry and sure enough the turn that had allowed him to remain hidden from view when he'd first approached likewise offered shelter from the wind.
"I'm Philippe, by the way - Philippe Bellerose!" And a bit of a chatterbox, as the other stallion has surely noticed by now. "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer, but if you don't mind huddling up, we could share my blanket? It's quite warm and I think it's big enough that we could both fit under it if we laid it out."Word Count: 206
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:42 pm
That seemed to help move things right along, and the plucky Usdia trotted off ahead. He certainly seemed to be a merry little fellow, and generous. And generally polite. It seemed as though it was a combination of respect for his sister and his own temperament that helped to round out the manners he displayed, and it also did not take much for him to bounce back to a good mood despite his earlier panic. "Baellian." He responded to the introduction in due course. The offer of sharing the blanket made the Cerynei pause and deliberate a few moments as to why he would offer. Aside from the obvious fact it was a polite gesture of good will. "I am not sure that is necessary, but it is kind of you to offer." He bobbed his head and provided what he hoped was a good compromise. "I may reconsider if it becomes too cold, if that helps." The sure-footed stallion paced in a few circles before settling into a comfortable stand, one rear hoof cocked to rest the limb while the others took his weight. "I would not have expected an Usdia to be near the base of the mountains at this time of year, but it at least seems you have some shelter from the elements with your blanket...and leg wraps." The more they conversed, be it at his own behest or the chipper companion that was all too happy to chatter away, Baellian found himself relaxing still more. Waiting out the blizzard with a companion..? Not so bad after all. wordcount: 298 + 208 + 283 + 262 = 1051
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:54 pm
Philippe couldn't say he was too surprised that the other stallion - Baellian - didn't immediately jump to accept his offer. His blanket was sized for him, after all, and even if it would likely be big enough for the both of them, it would require laying on the ground and huddling pretty close if they were both to fit under it. And not everyone would be keen on doing that with someone they just met! But it was only polite to offer to share it, especially if it got much colder.
"Of course. Just let me know if you change your mind." He bobbed his head in agreement, going back to the spot he'd been occupying before he heard Baellian approaching. And rather than remain standing, he took a moment to carefully fold his legs, lowering himself down until he was able to settle into a comfortable little loaf with his blanket sheltering the rest of his body.
"Oh, my family just loves the winter. It's Bellerose tradition! My sister even skates, you see - but I just like how snow tends to bring everyone together." Just like it had brought the two of them together! And with any luck he'd make it out of this blizzard none the worse for wear and with a new friend to show for it. Good company always made times like these pass just a little bit quicker, after all.
And Philippe could just tell Baellian would turn out to be great company once he started to open up. All he had to do was keep chatting and they'd be out of here in no time.Word Count: 270
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