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 Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:54 am
  Many pondering questions ran through the earth colored stallion as he trotted along the forest's end without any reason. That 'happy fest' that he found himself drawn to not a few days ago left him wondering who that strange mare really was. She was hiding something, no doubt...everyone was. But her secret was more deep and more meaningful then anything he could make out. The mare was something other then the kind soquili she played herself out to be.
It was creatures like her that wowed Bairn. It was their hidden mysteriousness that made him want to be more like them rather then his overly hyper parents. Why did he have to be born into such a family, yet be so different from them? All three of the children were so well opposite from their parents...Aruna, Artemis and Bairn. All were calm, secretive and independent. And all had love that they really didn't need, but wanted.
That last meeting made the earth colored stallion wish he'd of stayed longer and talked to whatever her name was after the fact. He wanted to know a lot more about who she really was, just to figure out how the darker side of these lands ticked...just to figure out where he truly belonged.
It was times like these Bairn wished he wasn't Bairn.
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:09 am
Nostalgia, for once, was glad to have clothing on. The bleak winter in this new land was certainly cold, and her dress gave her some comfort of warmth.
Dragging her chained legs along, she stayed close to the forest's edge. She liked the darkness it provided, for she was used to living in darkness, with her lantern and horn as the only lights to guide her. She had begun to rethink her decison of walking among true Soquilis now... however was she going to fit in being a ghost? And not even a ghost of a former Soquili that walked the Earth...but a ghost that had been formed and made into a ghost from the beginning, thanks to those lazy Spirits who didn't want the job of guarding Christmas Past themselves.
Sighing, she trudged on, and twitched her transparent wings, annoyed that she couldn't walk any faster. She definitely wasn't in a flying mood.
Looking up, she noticed a brown figure walking in her direction. Squinting, the stallion looked familiar... could that be Bairn? She smiled; Bairn seemed like a nice enough horse to get along with. She knew he was curious about her... maybe he could be a horse she could finally confide in?
She tried to trot faster to catch up to him, but her chains prevented her from doing so, so instead, she gently called out "Hello there, friend!"
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:19 am
He was lost in thought about the strange mare...which he couldn't remember the name of. He only caught it for a moment, and the stallion definitely wasn't the type to remember stuff like that. His mind usually focused on the detail, like personality, or specific words...but in the mare's case it was her wings, and her chains. And her horn...it let off a small light...it glowed. Normal unicorns or whatever they were called didn't have glowing horns.
She was different, but why?
It took a moment for Bairn to realize someone was calling out to him. 'Friend' he heard and it made him laugh. Who would honestly dare to even say that word to him? It was such an overused phrase, it didn't mean anything. Shrugging it off, the earth colored stallion looked up and found himself looking at the mare he was just thinking about. Sparing her of the time to come up to him, Bairn made his way over to her and bowed.
"Hello." He spoke in a very deep voice, filling it witht the tone of curiousity. "I was just thinking about you. Pardon my...ignorance if you will...but I seem to have forgotten your name."
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:42 am
She was pleasantly surprised that Bairn had trotted up to her; she had figured he would have been the type to walk by and ignore her. He bowed as he reached her presence, and she tilted her horn in a return greeting.
Hearing that he had forgotten her name didn't surprise her... she, in fact, was used to forgetting her own name sometimes, from the lack of use it had during her duties as more or less one of the Spirits' henchmen. She was just glad that Bairn was willing to speak with her again, being partially worried that he would find her abnormal and want nothing more to do with her.
"Nostalgia. My name's Nostalgia." She said, smiling. "But, if it helps, you're welcome to call me Nos for short."
One of her braids fell down in front of her vision, and she jerked her head up to toss the braid back into place. Glancing back in his direction, Nos continued to smile, more intrigued than ever now about this mysterious, secretive stallion. "You were thinking about me, were you? May I pry and ask what exactly you were thinking?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:56 am
Her horn stuck out again, as he glanced up and watched as she tilted it. It wasn't anything bad, the way he looked at her...it wasn't ever bad. She was different, just like him and it made him smile. "Nostalgia, eh? I'm terribly sorry I forgot...but if you don't mind Nostalgia is what I'll call you. I'm terribly annoyed with nicknames. It's childish." The earth colored stallion nodded slowly, and then watched as her braid fell.
Her hair was beautiful, and it wasn't like Bairn to ever admit something like that...but the truth was always what he spoke...so it fit. Nostalgia's hair flowed perfectly, almost like she was meant to look that way...instead of wanting too. Yes, that was it...her image was something that was a burden...not a wish.
"Don't worry my dear, it wasn't anything bad. I was just thinking about your mysterious ways I noticed the other day. I realize your secret and do not wish to talk about it...but it makes me very curious."
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:10 pm
"There's nothing wrong with being childish every once in a while," Nos said sweetly, giving Bairn a wink and then a soft giggle. "But I understand if you prefer to call me by my full name. Whatever makes you feel more comfortable."
She watched as he seemed entranced by her hair, and her cheeks colored slightly, hoping that she looked presentable... she hadn't seen her reflection in quite some time and was afraid she might look a bit messy to other Soquilis. She never had to worry, really, about her appearance until now, and she wanted, as always to make a good impression.
When he mentioned "her secret", she froze. Had he figured out what she was? What did he know? Her eyes widened in surprise, and she stammered out "M..my secret? What do you mean?"
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 7:57 am
"Yes, there is. It makes someone seem weak and pathetic." The wink and giggle that Nostalgia gave him was only proof that everyone was the same, deep down. She may seem dark...but she was still like his parents and everyone else he met. "Thank you, Nostalgia...it means a lot to me." Then the earth colored stallion decided it best to return her smile.
Oh, so he was right about one thing...she had a secret. He knew that all along she had something to hide...it was in her aura, the way she acted, the way she looked. "Your past? Am I correct?" Again, Bairn gave her another warm smile. "I'm not asking you to explain, everyone has skeleton's in their closet that they do not wish to speak about. Even me."
Ah yes, the skeleton. He sighed, his was probably the worst one of all, for it was the stupidiest reason ever. He might act tough and seem strong, but he was scared. Scared of everything...scared of what might be, scared of what might not be. Scared of the past, the present and the future. Scared of whomever and whatever, scared of himself.
But most of all he was scared to show it. It wasn't much that he was afraid of others opinions of him, but he was too prideful. Ah yes, pride...the worst sin of all seven. His pride, his dignity wouldn't let him show his emotions.
"Your aura just makes me very curious." Bairn said finally, tilting his head down slightly.
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:26 am
"So much for trying to repel him away," Nostalgia sighed to herself. She had hoped by acting a bit foalish that perhaps Bairn might find an excuse to back off... he was getting too close to knowing her past, and now it seemed that he already knew something was up. Should she tell him all of her past? Make something up? Or give him just a small insight to what she was, what she had to go through?
"The truth will set you free", she muttered softly, and kicked one of her back legs out of habit. These chains seemed extra annoying today for some reason.
"Well, Bairn, you're a gentleman for not trying to pressure me out of my... secrets, but.." she paused, thinking of the words she was trying to say. Usually she was much more eloquent with her words, but ever since Bairn threw her off, she was worse than a newborn foal. "But I feel like you deserve to know at least part of my past. Who I am."
She stepped forward and closed her eyes, willing her wings to dissapear for Bairn to see as she took a deep breath. "I am, as you know, not a regular Soquili. In fact, I've never been an earth-born Soquili. I am a ghost created by the Spirits to perform an eternal duty for their bidding..."
She opened one eye slightly to see his expression, nervous and anxious of what it might be.
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:49 am
So she trusted him? It seemed as so, her reaction to when he spoke didn't look to negative...maybe this 'meeting' was meant to be. Every soquili he ran into gave him more of an insight into his own life and taught him things he wished he never knew. That's why the earth colored stallion hated un-natural beings so much. They were mighty, and they knew.
But Nostalgia was different. He felt pitty for her, her chains...they represented a sort of....slavery almost.
Her first comment made Bairn chuckle, "Ah, of cource. It seems to always be that way, but it never really is."
"If you feel I deserve to know these secrets of yours, then I'm honored, Nostalgia. You don't have to say a word, I'll understand you'll-" The stallion was cut off as he processed the strange mare's last words. And his eyes lit up at the sight of her disappearing wings. So that was it, a ghost...er...rather a spirit of some sort. Beautiful. Bairn never expected he'd meet some one of such standard, but he knew she was different then the rest of the un natural beings.
The wings only made things better for him, though. Smileing hugely, the stallion bowed, and then spoke with the quietest voice he could manage. "Eternal duty? Ghost? That's amazing, my dear. I never realized-" Again Bairn paused...his mother told him stories of all of them. The Sins, the Kalona's, the...Christmas Spirits. It only seemed fitting that she was one of them, being she appeared on such a holiday. But what part of this spirit business was her burden.
One more smile appeared on Bairn's face before he caught himself and started to speak again, "I'm sorry."
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 5:51 pm
She couldn't help but laugh nervously at his reaction. Nos knew he would be stunned, but he seemed to have taken it alot better than she had expected any earth-born Soquili to have. She willed her wings back into vision, and they fluttered for a few moments before returning to her side.
"Amazing is not quite the word of choice I would give it." She said gently, her head tilting to one side as she gave a weak smile. "More of a... burden, if you will."
She leaned down and gestured towards her chains. "I saw you glancing down at them. I know they look very odd, but I'm afraid they'll always be a part of who I am. You see, my duty is under the Keeper of Time. I work for the spirit who controls time and everything in it... my position, when needed, is to aid Soquilis and other mammals, as well as those on two legs when it comes to their pasts. I help them recall scenes from their pasts and what they've forgotten... many creatures look only towards the future and the hard times ahead. Many have forgotten all that has happened that is good in their lives already. So, figuratively and literally speaking, I am chained to the Past."
She hoped he could find it in his heart to believe her. It was alot to digest, she knew it, but Bairn seemed to be a mature Soquili that was open-minded enough to believe what she was telling was the truth.
"Most creatures don't know we exist, which is how we like for it to be." She continued, watching his expression carefully, trying to read emotions from his gestures, "And, for the most part, we aren't needed until the emotional seasons come during the year... especially during the winter season. That's how we receive our little nicknames... and perhaps you've heard of mine? I've been referred to as the Ghost of Christmas Past."
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 8:00 pm
It was Bairn's turn to laugh now, as he watched her wings come back, and his mouth hung open in awe. It was a truly beautiful sight to witness, wait till he told Bliss, Astia or Aruna...neither of them would ever believe the stallion of his meeting.
"Terrible word choosing on my part I suppose. Sorry. Ah, burden...we all carry our...own burden, my dear...but none as...interesting as yours.... Well, erm...I mean none as....horrible to....stand as yours." Now the earth colored stallion couldn't find the right words to say to Nostalgia and he found himself stumbling as each word came out.A slight off color of red appeared on the prideful stallion's cheeks as he looked directly at the ground, instead of her.
"Again, not odd, interesting." He finally managed to get out, after listening ot her words and giving a long pause inbetween. Nostalgia's words, though seemed to hit the part of him that was normally hit when talking to 'beasts' as he so kindly put it. Nodding slowly, Bairn finally looked up from the ground and into the strange mare's eyes. His own were filled with sorrow, and understanding for the poor 'ghost'. No, not understanding, the stallion told himself...he never understood creatures like her, for his life wasn't as eventful for a lack of a better term.
She dealt with the past, his biggest fear. The future and what it held bothered him as well, but the past...he had done terrible things to Astia in the past...he destroyed her mentally. Bairn hadn't been able to take it all back either, his pride wouldn't let him take such a level. And plus, the love of his life wouldn't ever forgive him, all she wanted was to be loved by him..which now since she was there was nothing more for Bairn to do. He hoped that perhaps Nostalgia hadn't looked into his shadowy past and thought of him differently then how he presented himself to her.
Ah, the past though...the mare had said she was chained to it...forever it seemed to be...perhaps she was the one that haunted him? Perhaps she was the one that put him in the mindset to be afraid of looking back, instead of forward. If she was, he knew why. He deserved all of it.
Finally, Bairn broke the silence after Nostalgia was done speaking with a tiny chuckle. It all seemed to be overwhelming, everything...was this the start of another one of his emotional break throughs? The stallion hoped not, for then he'd have to run again, run away from the mare, run away from his family and himself. He couldn't bare hurting another one he loved. "I'm sorry." Was the only thing Bairn could find himself to say, no other words came out. But he smiled and nodded at her last question. The Ghost of Christmas Past, he figured just as much. And future, and present. Oh, what a joy those two might be as well, eh?
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:53 am
He looked nervous now... almost scared. What had she said to make him so fidgety? Wasn't she the one who was supposed to be put under the proverbial spotlight at the moment?
Nos stared at him, her lavender eyes growing colder looking as she continued watching him, studying his facial expressions. "What's wrong, Bairn?" She asked softly, almost a whisper, "Why do I scare you?"
Was it the fact that she was a ghost that startled him? She thought better of Bairn, with all of the other breeds of Soquilis out there, a ghost shouldn't startle him... so perhaps it was something else about her that made him fluster. Was it the fact that her duties lay in working with the Past? She had met many people with skeletons in their closets, and she was no exception to the rule herself, but why would that make him so nervous? Did he think that she was using her powers to search into his own past?
"You shouldn't worry," She told him calmly, her eyes growing warmer as she quit her hard staring, "I wouldn't do anything without your permission first, of course, if that's what you're worried about."
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 7:00 am
He smirked, so she knew something was up with him now? Breathing heavily, the stallion tried to hold back words and emotions that weren't normally supposed to come out. "You didn't scare me, my dear. I scared myself with these silly thoughts about my past when you said what you said." Bairn mumbled back, barely even louder then her whisper.
"This isn't your fault. It's my past coming back to haunt me. I'm sure you already know about that though, right?" This time he spoke a little bit louder and looked directly into her eyes. Nostalgia looked confused, almost...like she didn't know why he was acting like this. Haha, silly...it had to deal completely with his past? Who better then her to know everything?
Calming down a bit, Bairn finally gave another one of his rare but famous warm smiles. "Thank you. I guess, yes...my past is a secret I do not wish to live again. But it'll come, in time...I know it will because it's who I am. But thank you, keeping my past a secret from the world except those who were there is what I aim to do." He laughed, she didn't creep him out at all, no...that was stupid. The only creatures that ever creeped him out were Kalona's...especially Windflame Bloodrider. Maybe it was time he met his old friend again, just to talk...about their pasts.
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:33 pm
So he was hiding secrets!
Nos gave a gentle smile in Bairn's direction, but inwardly she was doing her own little victory dance. So she hadn't lost her touch, even though she had abandoned her dutiful post in the spirit realm!
It was tempting not to take a little peek into Bairn's past to see what was upsetting him so, but she knew better than to abuse her powers. Not only that, but to look through the time of another being required physical touching, and Bairn definitely didn't appear to be a Soquili that would like to be touched, even if it was something as simple as a brush of skin to skin.
"Well," She finally said, glad to see the warm smile spread across the stallion's face, "If you would ever like to talk about it, you are more than welcome to talk with me. I assure you, I have seen many unbelievable things throughout the years, and I can be honest when I tell you that you are not alone in your situation, whatever it is. Though I may not have any personal 'hoofs-on' experience about it, I'm sure I've had to deal with it.... in one form or fashion."
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 7:02 pm
((I just wanna say that I imagined Nos doing a little victory dance and lol'ed so hard in rl. XD))
He took the gentle smile as a 'your secret is safe with me' type deal and nodded his head slowly. She might have understood the way she thought she did...but even the Ghost of Christmas Past didn't know what he was truly going through. Not knowing who you are supposed to be, or what you're supposed to do was painful.
But it seemed as though the Ghost Mare didn't know what his past consisted of. Could it be that he hadn't been bothered by her? Perhaps she only dealt with those who needed it most...but wouldn't that be him? No, he thought to himself. He might complain, but the stallion definitely had a better life then most soquili that lived these lands. He had a love, a family and a home. Some didn't have anything. His past wasn't that bad.
"Thank you, Nostalgia...you don't know how much it means to me to have someone other then my siblings, my love and my parents want to help me deal with everything." He nodded again, but this time his spirit seemed to have been lifted a little bit, so now Bairn felt 'happy' again. "I'm sure. Sorry. I know I'm not alone, and I know I'm not the worst basket case, but it's my life and I'd rather not deal with it. I want a family of my own, with Astia...and I can't be a father like this."
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