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 Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:12 pm
Welcome to the original birthplace of Diego This journal is maintained by TawnyAngel  Height: 15h 2" Diego's Stats Skill level: 100Power: 15 pts Strength: 8 pts Intelligence: 11 pts Wisdom: 15 pts Courage: 15 pts Luck: 12 pts Speed: 12 pts Agility: 13 pts Adaptability: 8 pts Stamina: 5 pts Special status - Seer Skill level: 0Control: 7 Efficiency: 5 Recovery: 11
Personality: Diego is as proud as a peacock and often seems unpleasant on first acquaintance. He can be exceedingly disparaging of those he considers stupid, weak or ugly. On closer acquaintance, his pride is still very evident but he is also capable of deep devotion and kindness to those he considers to have earned his esteem.
Location: Usually to be found a little north of D’ob
Diego's Tree is located in the Northwestern Quadrant 
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:19 am
 1: Bare bones
2: Overview
3: Of Today
4: Of Golden pride
5: Of Yesterday
6: Of Others
7: Other information
8: Of encounters
9: Personal log
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:21 am
Heading out of the herdlands with Bastet to find a mate for my brother, and of course to have some quality time away from the herd. I don't feel bad in going now; Sao and Andre are adults and will be fine without us for a little while, our mission is actually useful to the herd and we will be going back.
I've never seen Bastet like this before; she seems so much more alive now. I'm glad I thought of this, glad we're both happy now and will have chances to get away when we want to, that we can give the children chances to get away too. All in all, life is good.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:22 am
Tall straight and slender the smooth pale-barked tree stands proudly apart from its neighbours. There are few branches and those that there are sprout from near the top of the ivory column. The leaves that graces these smooth boughs are golden and elegantly shaped, swelling smoothly from their stem and tapering back to a point. Even when they fall to earth in the winter to coat the ground with their richness, the beauty of the tree is undiminished. A great, stark sculpture it seems to wait eagerly for the spring.
When the weather warms, deep blue blossoms grow beside the new leaves and their subtle fragrance tempts passers by to pause and look a while. Soon though the flowers part from the tree petal by petal in mid-spring winds to be carried away across the world. Alone or with a brother or two they alight on soils new to grace the creatures that live there with their sapphire beauty.
The form
Diego is beautiful. Though not overly tall for one of his kind he holds himself like a king and appears far taller than he truly is. His golden coat shines with health and meticulous care, his mane and tail are short and immaculate. His bright blue eyes shine with pride and intellect though there is often a chill hardness to them or a disdainful sneer aimed at one whom he sees as less than himself. His body is well trained, too, sleek and elegant though he is built this Jala possesses a lithe strength and is capable of crushing blows when the mood to fight takes him.
The heart
Diego is a proud, intelligent stallion with a sharp wit and a lack of tolerance for ‘idiots’. It is not always the classically dim who come under this category, indeed he is very fond of more than one less than bright Nequus, more often it is toadying sycophants who he puts in this class and does his best to avoid. He strongly dislikes what he describes as ‘herd-think’ and is somewhat disgusted with himself for ever encouraging it.
Indeed, there are many parts of his past that he is less than proud of, mainly his cruelty and the way he used the Nequus around him for what he could get before dropping them or ostracizing those who would not do his bidding. He misses the freedom he enjoyed after splitting off from her herd one harsh winter, but he accepts that it is necessary for him to remain with the herd and his arranged mate in order to take over leadership of the herd from his sire when required.
Now that he has returned to his herd, his favored pastimes when not occupied with duties are witty banter and both watching and participating in races of various kinds. Though he is not living the life he would have chosen with the mare he would have chosen, he is learning to be content with his lot in life and is doing his best to amend his image whilst still remaining a figure whom his herd admire and wish to please.
The family
Father: Estavan
Mother: Kordelia (deceased)
Siblings: Javier (brother)
Mate: Bastet
Sons: Udi, Cailean, Andre
Daughters: Tlu’xia, Kordelia, Etain, Aquila, Saoirse, Sekhmet
The songs
Behind Blue Eyes by The Who.
Everybody's Fool by Evanessence.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:23 am
He grew quickly and showed a sharp wit from very early on, along with enough self-assurance to account not only for him but also for the tree-siblings he ought to have had. He was spoiled, given the best of everything and this, along with the adoration of his peers and high regard of his elders, turned his confidence to burning pride.
By the time he was full grown Diego had become deeply scornful of the members of the herd who he did not see as worthy of his attention. They, and any that happened to annoy him, were subjected to his acid tongue and quickly ostracised by those who sought favour with the golden stallion. This amounted to almost everyone in the herd and so it was seldom long before the people he pushed away crawled back seeking his forgiveness. After a little more humiliation he was happy to give it and so the cycle would begin again.
Diego however was not as happy with his lot in life as he might have been. He despised the shallowness of those around him and realised all too well that few if any of his ‘friends’ liked him for himself. The gold Jala sought distractions everywhere but still found himself bored with the people and places he knew.
To his mind, he was trapped. Despite being the second son, he not his less than bright brother would truly be in charge when their father passed to the next life. As a consequence, Diego would have the responsibilities and his sibling the privileges. Not only this, but the handsome Jala knew that he wouldn’t even be allowed to chose his own mate. A suitable partner with influence in another herd would no doubt be promised to him before long and he would have to put up with whatever his father chose for him. His life was decided for him, laid out before his eyes right until his death and he liked its direction not at all.
Drifting from day to day with little aim in life, the blue-eyed Jala secretly, maybe even unconsciously, wished that something would happen to change his destiny.
One harsh winter, this chance was given to him.
The herd was forced to scatter in order to find enough food to live and Diego struck out alone to see the world as it really was. What he would find and how the experience would change him remain to be seen but it is safe to assume that things will never be the same…
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:25 am
Eira – Another pretty one but what this girl lacked was anything resembling a brain. Air between the ears and not just that but annoying. The mate I was taking her back to find is welcome to her. Ech.
Iona – Dear sweet Iona. She does not love me as I do her but she loves me in a way and that is enough. I would do anything for her, anything at all.
Bastet - My mate. I think we're going to get on better from now on. There was only one night that we spent together under this... truce, whatever it is, but it was a good night. I hope we can keep it up; I am very fond of Bastet when she's not being an arse.
Udi - One of my two sons from my first brood. He and I have next to nothing in common, but I love him all the same and I enjoy his company even if we don’t always have things to talk about. He has his mother’s kind heart, and I would do anything for him as I would for all of my foals.
Lucius - A very frightening looking stallion, who is actually very intelligent and quite personable. I owe him a deep debt; he’s helping me look for Sekhmet.
Aquila - One of my eldest daughters, I know I can count on for pretty much anything. She’s got quite a temper, but a kind heart; she just tends to get pissed off when people don’t treat each other right.
Storm – A weird mare, who turned out to be a seer. Don’t like her, though I suppose her shoving Bastet into being honest was useful.
Kallisto - A pretty Ichsa who flirted with Bastet and myself; don’t know much more about her than that.
Siwa - Nice Bae girl, had some weird ideas about Jala but we straightened those out.
Spyke - A very nice young stallion; stuck his neck out for me when miis crazy crossbreed decided to kill me. He’s a friend of Sekhmet’s, too, and I was very glad to hear she’s doing as well as she apparently is.
Ignatius - A bit of a scary fellow, but he saved my life so I’m not complaining too loudly. I didn’t get to talk to him for long, but he seems a bright sort, which I always approve of.
Salomé - Mad, powerful, dangerous; I hope I never see her again.
Perun - Pretty enough, though his markings are a bit crass, but stupid and vain without reason to be. I hope to see him again sometime when none of my offspring are about so I can give him a really good beating.
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:11 am
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:21 am
New lands - Winter rages on and with it my freedom. My first sighting of an Ichsa. She was a very pretty thing, better even that the pretty coward I met not long before. She was stupid though and I accompanied her no further than the mountains she sought. She has a mate there I beleive and I expect he as as dumb as she.
Fortune favours - The creature I met today defies description. She was afraid, unreasonably so, but she stood her ground. She was far from intelligant and yet somehow charming. Instead of heading back to the herd as I ought I am helping her search for her former love, another mare. What's got into me?
Diego’s half dozen - Six fruits. Wow. Well there's something to brag about. Love them, love Iona. Am avoiding thinking about Libra.
Diego's half dozen pt2 - They've hatched! They're all wonderful, and Iona and I even managed to come up with six good names. No idea what I'll tell my father about all this but I don't care either; I have childern to think about right now.
Meeting the Tiger - Back 'home'. Met 'mate'. Life sucks. End.
Issues resolved - Today Udi came to speak with me, and he had news of Bastet. It seems that she is coming back, and that things might not turn out as badly between us as I had feared. I’m still not happy about all this, but his words have comforted me some nonetheless.
Second impressions - Well, could’ve been worse I suppose. She’s my mate now but at least we’re getting on okay. I hope we continue to do so, I really do.
A Quarter-Dozen - One colt, two fillies; all healthy and active. They’re all wonderful, and all named which is good. I look forward to being a father again.
What is Lost - Today I encountered an Aeri stallion of frightening appearance, who soon proved that he is not the monster he appears to be. He has offered to help me search for Sekhmet, and to spread the word of my missing filly. I feel far more hopeful for meeting him, I must say.
Shades of Remorse - The hope I found on meeting Lucius has ebbed away from me, and today I found myself plodding along almost ready to drop. Then Bastet turned up and, out of the blue, apologized for being a twerp. We talked a bit on depressing matters, but after that managed to turn our minds to more lighthearted matters. I think we might actually get along from now on.
Who’s Boss? - A couple of days ago I found Aquila and gave her the news about Sekhmet, She agreed to help right away, but we went to visit the herd first. Somehow I’ve ended up staying. I suppose it’s for the best, but I feel like I should be looking for Sekhmet nonetheless.
I Hear You Have Secrets? – Minding my own business and grazing when a mare with a bloodied face arrived. She wanted to talk to Bastet alone for some weird reason, and I humored her.
Pleasant - Today I realized how pleasant my life is, and decided to do something about it. Naturally I came up with an amazing plan, and the future looks good.
Catch me if you can - On the way to find Nyx, Bastet and I ran into a pretty Ichsa mare who was intent on flirting with the pair of us. I said she was welcome to visit my father’s herd any time, and I rather hope she takes me up on that offer.
Lazy days - Nyx sent us on east in search of a suitable mare, and on the way we met a nice mare named Siwa. She didn’t think much more of arranged matings than Bastet and myself.
Chasing Demons - Nearly died today, thanks to an insane crossbreed deciding I was a demon. Spyke (a friend of Sekhmet’s!) and I were saved by one Ignatius; an intimidating scaled Reya with sharp teeth and a demeanor to match. We took Spyke (who Salome had beaten up thoroughly) back to the Hellene territories to be patched up as much as possible; I intend to stay with him for a while.
I feel pretty! - Egh. Stupid ponsy prissy princess Ichsa. Creepy too, kept calling Sabina pretty. If I ever see him again, his tiny testicles are for the chop.
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:22 am
 Here, in this place I shall record my thoughts on life. Perhaps just for my own amusement later in life, perhaps for those who come after me to know what truly goes on behind blue eyes.
*****Winter has come swiftly and harsh this year; grass is scarce and scrubby so father has decided to scatter the herd until the cold passes. Can't say I'm overjoyed about it, having to go off alone into unknown lands and such but I'd rather strike out alone than hang around in some other's territory. I head for the hills, the mountains and the sea. Not in that order maybe but I may as well use this time to explore the world I've been told so many dry facts about. It might be nice to meet some Nequus that don't automatically fall at my hooves. After all, I do like a challenge, and the challenge of ingratiating myself to those who don't have any cause to suck up to me shall be most interesting.
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:28 am
I have met many Nequus so far and been mildly interested in two. Sadly both of them, a Jala stallion and an Ichsa mare, have disappointed me as much as the little yes-Nequus back home. He was a coward and she was stupid and it is such a shame.
Such pretty exteriors hiding such rot beneath.
I have been having uncomfortable thoughts out in this big world, thoughts that I can usually banish with some shallow amusement. Am I as rotten beneath as those two? Unlike them, my future is decided for me. Two things I always try to forget. That for all my wit and beauty of skin I have no close connections and that my mate shall be whatever mare brings most advantage to the herd.
I hope this cold lasts forever; I don’t want to go home anymore.
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:33 am
Iona.
A beautiful name for a beautiful, battered mare. How I hate myself now as I realise that I am little if any better than the stallions who battered her. Yet she likes me, she thinks I am sweet, kind, gentle. Handsome, as she calls me, I know I am with my gold and my sleekness and my blue blue eyes but beneath I am poison. I take, took, pleasure in brining others down and laughed when they were ostracised because of my sneers.
I used to think that, when they crawled for forgiveness of difference or an opinion I disliked, it was because I was great. Mighty. Beautiful. Unmarred shining perfection. I see now that it was because I am terrible, a venomous nothing who lives well through the pain of others, others who could be just as beautiful as Iona.
I am travelling with her to the Fire Mountains in search of her ladylove. I have no idea why I torture myself like this, knowing that she will stand beside another at the end of this trip if all goes well. Perhaps I think I’m paying for my past cruelties, or perhaps I’m just trying to stay away from father’s herd for as long as I can.
I don’t know if I can go back to being who I was now. I am changing, proud still of course but I think my harshness may lessen. Whether this is a good thing or not remains to be seen...
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:42 am
Well that was unexpected. Arrived in the fruitlands following a whim to find a fruit tree growing. I can still hardly beleve my eyes. Iona and I are going to be parents! I don't think I've been so nervous and exited for a long long time. The fruits are beautiful but I didn't expect any less considering the quality of their parents. I must go now; I have responsibilities ot attend to!
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Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 7:15 am
What am I to think? I'm happy, I ought to be happy. Six children; how many Nequus can claim their first tree had six?... Yet I'm not entirely happy. I feel better now than I did a short while ago; Iona has assured me that Libra will come to like me in the end but that doesn't change the fact that I will have to watch the mare I... The mare I love go to another; the one she loves.
I never entertained the idea that I might love and not be loved back. She likes me, I know; she likes me very much and wants me to be around. But she doesn't love me as I have come to realise I do her. Her sweetness, her humility, her humour... It's all perfect and though she isn't the most stunning mare I have ever seen, she still manages to hold my eyes better than the finest beauty ever has.
Is this the end to golden pride? It's certainly an ego blow; another one that is, I’ve been getting a lot of those lately. Still. Once the children are born and old enough to travel I shall take them to my father's herd and let everyone know that I'm not dead. They must be worried about me, for which I feel more than a little guilty.
I have responsibilities there too, responsibilities in balance to the considerable privileges bestowed upon me when I came of age.
Before I left, father was speaking seriously of finding me a mare of good standing to take to mate; one of the reasons I lingered out in the world when spring came. Will he still wish me to do that? Will he still want me, me and my six bastards?
All I can do is hope and bring food to my forever perfect and utterly unrequited love. I hope she doesn't know.
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:36 am
All this exitement has caused me to forget something rather important. It's been almost exactly a year since my father's herd split for the harsh winter. I never went home. Bugger. I miss my family, I do but... Well, I can't go back right away, maybe when the children are a little older but not yet. By the time I get around to it, I shall probably be a whole year late. They must think I'm dead, how could I do that to them? Damn. I'm going to have some apologizing to do, and some explaining.
I can hardly believe how much I've changed in this time, I don't even know if I'll fit in when I do go back. I certainly can't contemplate taking whatever mate my father decides is suitable for me anymore. Before I just resented the idea of being lumped with some politically advantageous airhead or similar but now I think I might outright refuse. Damn. I'm not going to be very popular, am I?
Oh well, nothing to be done about it I suppose; no sense worrying about it before I have to. For now, I shall focus my energies on Iona and the foals; whatever will happen will happen and I am quite confident in my ability to handle it.
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Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 7:25 am
Well, I think I just ran out of excuses. All my little ones are grown now, several of them grown taller than me but oh well, and so it is time for me to face the music. I suppose I ought to go alone at least to begin with, talk to father and find out whether I’m still welcome... Still welcome... I hadn’t considered that I might not be. I mean, I can’t go back to being who and how I was but... but I do want to go home, I think. I miss father, my brother, my father’s mate Aquila... They won’t hate me for this, will they? Okay, so I’ll be nearly a year late, have gone off and had a b*****d family but it’s a good b*****d family.
Surely any father would be proud of his son for producing six on his first tree, and I’m sure he can make it look good to the herd somehow. Still, he probably won’t be pleased to hear I’m even less fond than i used to be of the idea of taking a nice political mate. Still, maybe I’ll talk to Iona about it, see if she can come up with any solutions. So, I shall speak to Iona and the now not so little ones and then I shall head for home. I hope this doesn't blow up in my face.
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