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 Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:26 pm
Inali was once more enjoying leaving the plains, today going towards the dark forest of the soquili lands. Well, maybe not so dark, but it was different. The mountains loomed above her, casting shadows on all the trees. Suddenly apprehensive of her little adventure, Inali nearly gave up on herself right at the start. No, she was no coward! She would take on this dark forest.
Rearing up onto her hind legs, Inali plunged into the darkness, feeling branches grab at her. Eck, this was awful! Well, no one was perfect- we all have moments of pure idiocy, and plunging into a forest was Inali's.
Finally pausing in her long run to defeat her own demons, Inali looked about herself. Dark forest, dark trees- why, she could hardly see the sky at all! This was unsettling, to say the least. Snorting, Inali opened her silver eyes as wide as possible, as if that could help her any. The only light here seemed to come from her own mane and tail, causing her to shudder. It was like she couldn't breathe here.
"Calm down. You aren't lost. You're just disoriented. You don't get lost. You're Inali." Talking out loud to herself, the red mare straightened her spine, trying to appear noble and indifferent to her own situation.
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:53 pm
"I'm bored," was the sound that split the silence, though it would have been too far for the mare to hear.
"You're always bored." There was a half-hearted sigh, perhaps more exasperated than irritated.
"- I am not!" the companion insisted, and though it was difficult to see through the shadows, his expression was obstinate.
"Find something to do then. It's not my fault you have no appreciation for a casual stroll."
"Maybe if that wasn't all you ever did..." Ai'er paused briefly, calculating his options. It wasn't a bad offer, really. "Alright then, I will. Are you coming?," he questioned as he started off, glancing over his shoulder.
The unicorn sighed again, softer this time. "I suppose." He hadn't much better to do, after all. What harm was there?
At that, they were off, heedless of Ai'er's penchant for mischief. It wasn't like there was opportunity for trouble here. The forest was most always a deserted one, save for the stray chirps of wildlife and their drifting conversation. What even kept them there was a mystery; the area was nothing short of dull.
Except for those occasional wanderers, often misguided or disoriented.
The wolf's ears perked at the voice, and a grin tugged at his maw as he started toward it. He did enjoy the wanderers. "Don't get lost, you say?" A'ier had arrived just in time to hear the end. "Are you sure?" he queried, pulling himself into a beam of light cast through the canopy.
"Don't mind him," the soquili interrupted, trailing not far behind. "He doesn't have much chance for company." The voice might have been difficult to place at first, with his dark form blending so well in the shadows. Those curious runes though... They glowed a bit in the darkness, just barely casting a pale blue light. "Anyway, were you needing assistance...?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:02 pm
Too preoccupied in her own present state of confusion to notice the two intruders, Inali almost missed the wolf speaking to her. Finally she looked down, and nearly bolted. "WOLF! WOLF! OH GODS IT'S GOING TO EAT ME!" She shied and whinnied, looking completely idiotic as her front hooves pawed the air, black and white markings alternating in a frenzy of frightened emotions.
It was then she saw the soquili, and realized her mistake. She had heard that some took on 'familiars', as they were called, but she had no idea that something that would potentially eat a soquili foal would be one such creature.
"Er... I'm sorry for that horrible display of... er...." Inali's voice trialed off. What could she call that? "Foalish behavior." Yes, that would do. Of course it would.
"And I don't get lost. I get temporarily misguided." Trying to regain composure, the mare failed utterly. Instead, she seemed to collapse in on herself, looking rather pathetic. "Yes... I'm sure." But it was a weak statement, not truly meant.
Inali's eyes then refocused upon the soquili himself, and the horn growing from his brow. "Doesn't that get in the way? Your horn, I mean." She was always meaning to ask someone, and now she had the oppurtunity. Nearly forgetting she was lost, Inali offered a small grin. "It's like having a branch on your head, only more pretty. I've never seen one of your kind before. What if you get tangled in a bush?" Ah, how talkative this mare could be!
Still glancing warily at the wolf, Inali inclined her head. "How rude of me not to introduce myself earlier. I'm Inali, and any assistance granted would be quite kind of you, much as I hate to admit it. I apologize once more for my earlier behavior... I suppose one can't get rid of their instincts as easily as one thinks!" Though the soquili laughed, it was a weak one, without much humor held in it. Failure, of any sort, was not something Inali admitted to happily, or with much regularity.
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:20 pm
If only one could hear him roll his eyes, she might take a moment to reprimand his rudeness. As it were though, noone was the wiser, and A'ier had a moment to straighten his composure (lest Ti'ran take notice and remind him how). "I'm not hungry. And even if I was, I think he'd have a thing or two to say about it," the wolf rebuked, motioning to the soquili over his shoulder.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." It was, perhaps, not the most graceful approach to his intentions, but it was his way of saying not to worry.
"You looked pretty lost to me," he scoffed, but the wolf dropped the topic quickly.
What a sudden, and odd question. "Not really." It wasn't like he could just take it off if it did happen to be troublesome. "I don't get tangled in bushes." Of course he didn't; he had more sense than that. How clumsy would one have to be? "Ti'ran," he replied simply. "And that's A'ier."
In a moment of uncharictaristic consideration, the wolf turned to Inali and offered what he thought was common curteousy. "You're welcome to call us whatever you can think of - provided it's nothing too outlandish, of course. I know our names can be a mouthful."
"Speak for yourself." Ti'ran snorted his displeasure, but offered no further objection. "What sort of assistance did you have in mind?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:17 pm
Realizing that this unicorn stallion must have thought her an absolute idiot, Inali felt at once ashamed at herself. Was she a silly filly, to say whatever came to her mind? Of course not! "No, no, I didn't need any assistance. Thank you for your time."
With those words, she crashed off into the bushes, making loud tromping noises for a good five minutes. She was perfectly lost, of course, but she thought as long as she kept in the same general direction... Five minutes later, she stood before Ti'ran and his wolf familiar again, blinking her eyes. "Wasn't I... just here?"
Damn, she was lost. But to admit to it was failure. Simple failure. "Er... maybe you could show me... the general direction on how to leave here. And not abandon me. That would be nice." It would be just like a stallion, Inali thought, to lead her to a random place and just meld back into the bushes. Not that she could lose his blue markings. Taking a full moment, she eyed the stallion secretely, though perhaps it was a bit more obvious than she would have liked. He was handsome though, in a strange sort of way. He seemed like an ancient drawing, though he looked young.
"I like your coat," she blurted out, before ducking her head again in shame.
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:54 pm
To say he thought her an idiot would have been an unfair statement. She did seem a bit odd, but... Who was he to pass judgement so carelessly? Surely she was at least a little lost and confused, and didn't everyone have their moments of weakness? "Inali..." he started, dumbstruck by her sudden departure. "... are you sure?" The conclusion was whispered to noone in particular, and it faded quickly in the forest's murmer.
"You're such an idiot," A'ier chided shamelessly. His tone was surprisingly flat; he would have sounded almost serious, had the unicorn not known better. "Now what are you going to do?" Flicking his tail, he turned to set his gaze on the soquili.
"No worse than you." Ti'ran scuffed a hoof against the ground, kicking a fallen leaf or two at his companion (who shook them off as the settled on his coat). "We're going to wait."
"What for?"
"No sense chasing after her. She wouldn't have our help anyway." Leave it to him to sour virtually any encounter. What was worse, she seemed honestly lost. It didn't matter though. Even if they found her, she would surely chase them off. And he wasn't one to force unwanted assistance, anyway. "She might be back."
... And sure enough, there she was. "Maybe," the wolf replied with a grin.
Abandon her? Ti'ran seemed quite taken back at that, and for a moment, his expressionless visage cracked. "I'd be glad to." The unicorn was certain to recompose himself before responding, though that was easier said than done. Ignoring her stare wasn't particularly simple.
"Thank you." The stallion flicked his tail uncertainly, and took a moment to decide on a proper response. Wasn't he supposed to return the favor with that sort of thing?... But he couldn't find it in himself to compliment. "Nothing wrong with saying you like something; don't worry about it," he said instead, trying to soothe her shame.
"Should we find our way out of here... Or would you rather sightsee first?" After all, she had wandered here for a reason, right?
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:42 pm
"It's just... er..." Well, he had saved her face, it seemed. Inali was at once grateful towards the unicorn stallion, letting the feeling wash over her. What humiliation would she face in front of these two though? It was only two... but still. Inali snorted once, pawing her hoof sheepishly in the dirt.
"I came here to see what sort of soquili live here... you apparently." Inali grinned weakly, though she was still upset at having made a fool out herself. So much for first impressions. Maybe her second or third would be better. If there was a chance for such, of course.
"I think I've sightseen enough... But if you'd like to show me around, I would not say no." Trying not to sound coy or flirty, Inali felt once more like sinking in on herself. Nothing out her mouth today had come out right. It was so frustrating! "Please forgive me for my earlier behavior... I feel I cannot make apologies profuse enough."
Somehow Inali doubted the wolf would forgive her so easily, but perhaps the unicorn would. Maybe....
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:02 pm
Humiliation was self-percieved. It wasn't some impression they forced on her, or even a feeling they harbored secretly. If only she could convince herself, maybe she would realize they weren't against her, nor searching for her faults. "It's nothing," Ti'ran assured, his tone soft and almost gentle.
"Pretty much." A'ier was happy to interject. "It's rare to see others pass through here... Can't imagine why. It's a charming place, don't you think?" It was difficult to tell if he was being honest or sarcastic, but the latter was probably a safer guess.
The stallion wasn't one to read into things. In fact, at times, he failed at even reading between the lines; he thought nothing of the comment. "Nothing to apologize for." Shuffling his weight between his hooves, he flicked his tail again. There was nothing to forgive, either.
"Are you sure you don't want to take a look around? It's not as bad as it looks!" It was perhaps the first sign of it, but A'ier didn't always present himself with bitterness. In fact, he sounded almost... cheerful? Not so much his tail wagged, though. It idly brushed the ground.
Ti'ran considered calling him out; telling him not to push her to something she obviously wasn't keen on. On second thought though, maybe a look around wasn't such a bad idea. It was a beautiful area, albeit forboding in places. "Your call. It's no matter either way."
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:18 pm
Not knowing whether the wolf was being sarcastic or serious, Inali kept her face serious. Charming... well, that was one word for it. Dark, dangerous, unpleasant... just three more that fell off the top of her head. Charming... if you liked unseen plants snagging at you until you thought they were a predator on your back.
Looking around... well, maybe there was something to this forest, something beyond this harsh appearance. After all, many spoke of the forest's charms, and though Inali had yet to see them, they still could exist. "Well all right. I'll go see the rest of your forest." Watching the wolf's tail sort of give a half-wave, Inali grinned. "As long as you don't eat me," she said playfully.
"I'll go. I'd be more than happy to look around. After all, I feel a bit safer knowing I'm looking around with a wolf and a soquili with a sharp thing on his forehead." Inali wasn't sure whether Ti'ran could use his horn as a weapon, and preferred not to find out.
"Well, show me this forest isn't all fear and forboding." More comfortable now, Inali smiled softly, her silver eyes softening for the first time, looking much like moonlight.
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:42 pm
"Sounds like you're not quite sold," A'ier replied. "But you will be, I'm sure. They always are." These 'they' were left undescribed though, as he carried on. "I'm still not planning on eating you. You don't even look very tasty." The wolf eyed her briefly, one brow arched.
Ti'ran in turn gave his companion an unappreciative glance, to which he dropped his play and disappeared into the shadows. "A horn, not a sharp thing."
"Actually, it is a sharp thing. You just call it a horn 'cause you think it sounds better. After all, you are a unicorn. It's only becoming of your race; we know you can't help it." A'ier didn't hesitate to remind them he was still hanging around. "Don't you mean 'a wolf that might eat me' though?"
"Does it look as ridiculous as it sounds?" the stallion asked suddenly, dropping his apathetic nature for a moment. There was a brief pause before he continued. "I find it's better for healing." No, horns were not his choice in self defense. The thought of blood dripping down it, pooling and running off his face was not easily forgotten, and the smell was even more repulsive.
"'Ran," the wolf called, knowing all too well the sudden silence. He could see the other's deatched expression without actually seeing it. "Let's go." Hopefully the mare wouldn't notice.
"Right. We'll try." Though Ti'ran did not return the eased expression, he was glad to see her relax. Where would they go, though? 'The forest', as it were, wasn't just a small clearing with a spot of interest or two. It's expanse was massive, with places surely even they hadn't seen.
What better place to start than the beginning? With that thought, Ai'ier took the lead, knowing without checking the soquilis would follow.
"What brought you here, anyway?" When they first saw her, she didn't particularly seem to be enjoying the scenery.
((Feel free to choose the destination, or I can in my next post. Whichever))
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:12 pm
The way that A'ier and Ti'ran talked made Inali laugh quitely, though she tried to stifle it. Their easy companionship, and apparent knowledge of each other, made her a bit envious. To know someone that well must have been fantastic. A bond... she couldn't even contemplate it, and found it best not to.
"No, your horn does not look ridiculous at all." Inali grinned, a soft smile that reached her eyes. "When I first heard of horned ones, I thought they would look silly, but they don't. It looks perfectly natural." Inali was curious about the horn, about what it was made of. It could heal?!
"Is your horn magic then? It can heal?" Inali was almost tempted to cause some small injury to herself to see this healing magic, but decided that all though she was a silly mare, she was not that silly.
Jolted about her own reverie by Ti'ran's question, Inali thought for a moment. "If there's a creek, or some sort of water, I would like to stop there, and get a drink. I enjoy the sound of running water as well." Inali was a curious creature- certain noises calmed her or excited her.
Following A'ier in the few moments of silence, Inali turned to regard Ti'ran again as he spoke to her. "I wanted to see the forest..." It was rather embarrassing. "It frightened me, so I thought to conquer my fear by plunging into it without looking. It was a horrid mistake, obviously. But maybe the forest isn't too bad... at least it's inhabitants aren't."
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:55 pm
"You don't have to be curteous. 'Ran knows how to appreciate brutal honesty." He was being sarcastic, of course, but the diversion was a relief (for Ti'ran, at least).
"Something like that." The unicorn was unwilling to elaborate though. In truth, it had been so long since he tried, he wasn't certain he still could. Healing seemed something of a lost art among his kin, and perhaps he was no exception.
A'ier picked up where the stallion left off. "I thought as much. Almost there," he offered cheerfully. Before long, the sound of water running over stones babbled not far off, and the wolf's path headed in that general direction. "How about a river?"
And a waterfall, Ti'ran noted to himself. It was further off though, out of earshot. He'd have to show her later; it was a welcome break in the forest's shadows. "Willingness to face you fears is noteworthy." He turned his pale gaze to her. "Overcoming them is admirable."
"Some of us aren't too bad!... Others are," the familiar drawled. One could tell he was jabbing Ti'ran, even without a proper address, but the stallion paid him no heed. "Anyway, here we are." As they broke through the dense foliage, 'here' quickly presented itself as a not-so-modest river, its width at least the length of a grown soquili.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:55 pm
A comfortable silence descended over Inali as she listened to the two friends argue and chatter while they walked. It was like bird song... well, not really, but it was the best comparison that Inali could think of.
"This forest does not seem quite as forboding with company." Inali was still ashamed to admit her fear, but she was quickly getting over that.
"A river sounds fantastic." Actually, it sounded a bit large, but that could be an adventure in and of itself.
Hearing Ti'ran speak, Inali swiveled her head again, and inclined her head in embarrassment. "Thank you..." She found herself somewhat uncomfortable in his gaze, in a strange way she did not know what to call.
"Well, both of you are fine." Inali gazed gratefully at Ti'ran, knowing that his familiar was teasing him. Then there was the river-rather large, flowing rapidly, though it seemed merry. Inali could almost see the sky and the sun, and felt grateful for it. Bending her graceful neck to take a sip of water, she felt the breeze lift and tease her mane so that it blew like silver cobwebs.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:42 pm
"I'd say that depends on your company," the familar commented absently. It was clear by then he was far more a conversationalist than his companion. And perhaps that he enjoyed playing the devil's advocate.
"I nearly forgot your mastery of the obvious." Ti'ran sighed and shook his head briefly. He turned his gaze from the mare though, in light of what seemed like discomfort. "You should thank yourself. I'm not the one that did it." The stallion never was graceful with compliments. Dismissing them was the best he knew how to manage, even when they were of his own creation.
A'ier glanced over his shoulder as he pulled ahead. "Thanks!" Though it was tempting, he overlooked the opportunity to take another stab at Ti'ran and pulled himself to the water's edge instead.
The unicorn eyed him warily, but didn't take long to follow suit. He too dipped his head as he neared the banks, and lipped placidly at the water. He would have been content continuing too, but the wolf invited himself into the river's flow, and seemed to make a game of splash-the-unicorn. "Don't get swept away," he snorted as he backed away.
"I won't," A'ier assured with utmost confidence (and threw in another splash for good measure).
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:52 pm
Seeing that Ti'ran looked somewhat uncomfortable, Inali lapsed once more into silence. It was so difficult to understand stallions sometimes. Mares were easier to read, it seemed, than stallions who hid within themselves under layers of facade like a blanket.
Watching A'ier jump into the water and splash Ti'ran, Inali laughed. "I think Ai'er wants something. A good soaking." With her front hoof, she gave the water a mighty splash in the wolf's general direction. This was fun!
Of course, she couldn't leave Ti'ran dry and boring, now could she? Turning to face the black and blue unicorn quickly, she gave a kick of the water, enough to soak him if he didn't move fast enough. Knowing that retiliation would soon come from at least one of the pair, Inali swiftly danced away.
Oh, she was defintely having fun!
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