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 Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:31 am
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:50 am
It had been a long time- too long- since she had journeyed beyond the teepee for any extended length of time. She was growing rusty, feeling older than she was. Was that what her life was going to end up as? Lying outside the teepee, in the dirt, eating flowers all day? She who had been such an adventurous foal?
If that was so, then she was being disloyal to herself.
She remembered faintly, the time she had stolen blankets, and some of Citlalli's clothing, and gone for an adventure. She'd met Calamity, and Khairi- her Mr. Bluebell- and the adventure had ground to a halt. But what was there stopping her now? She was the eldest in a teepee full of others. But she wasn't needed. Selene could do the same thing she did- work out petty squabbles, help Citlalli with the teepee, and help the redhead get to and from the village. She knew Selene wasn't really interested in all that, the two did not share the bond that Tehya had with her two-legger, but Selene loved the human, and would bully one of the others into it with her words, and likely her horn.
The mare stood, and trotted over to her human. Nickering, she nosed the woman's hair, felt her touch on her back. She knew now for an adventure, she didn't need anything that Citlalli would. But she had to say goodbye. There were a few moments of silent affection between the two, and Citlalli reached out, gripping the basket in her teeth, carrying it back up to the teepee for the indian woman. When it was set down again, she nosed Citlalli again, and had a kiss pressed to the tip of her nose.
Goodbye, sister.
I'll see you again soon, I promise. It's just wanderlust.
Turning, she trotted out, nickering to the companions she passed, before breaking into a gallop as she was far enough from the camp not to stir dust.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:04 pm
Zoet was crouched in the grass, peering through the tall waving blades at a very odd creature. Oh, she knew what it was, but she delighted in pretending it was unknown to her. She crept closer... and closer still. Then, just as her muzzle was about to touch it's back, away it leapt with a strange deep echoing noise. it stopped a few leaps away, and she laughed, resuming her stalking of it.
Today was a very special day, and she had been out on a hunt for a very special something for a very special someone. But then this lovely little mystery had crossed her path, and off she'd gone on a new adventure, totally absorbed with the current focus of her attention.
She looked rather odd, for she was no tiny foal. She was nearing adulthood swiftly, with long graceful legs and a feminine build that would blossom into quite a fetching young lady. But at the moment, those long legs were crouched, lowering the growing body into the grass. Her world, for the time being, was all about the golden sunshine on her back, the delicious grass tickling her nostrils, and the tantalizing toad that seemed to enjoy waiting for her to draw close before again leaping away.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:07 pm
Oh, it felt wonderful. Running along the ground, wind rushing through her mane, causing it to fly every which way... And then she saw a gangly little form, hunched over on the ground, and slowed for a halt. A new person to speak to, and not an adult, who at times made her stumble over her own tongue.
This one looked like a filly, on the verge of adulthood. Long legs, delicate body.
She drew up, with a soft, slightly awkward, nicker of greeting.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:17 pm
At the nicker in a strange voice, Zoey's head shot straight up in the air, eyes wide, grass tangled in her short mane. All the things her father had warned her about strangers and the danger of them and the harm that could come to her flashed through her mind in a wild fury of images.
But in that quick flutter of heartbeats, she finally focused on who was addressing her. it was a pretty brown mare, with festive swirls of yellow and pink adorning her body. Zoet was immediately enchanted, and forgot all about the poor, hapless toad. He simply couldn't compete with a grown-up mare with lovely markings. Dejected and abandoned, he hopped away.
Zoey, meanwhile, had risen to her hooves and pranced over to the newcomer, legs highstepping in fine rhythm. She shook her mane as she pranced, keeping her head high and her tail arched as well. She felt good about herself, that was clear. And she was so excited to meet someone new! "Hello, I'm Zoet! It's awfully nice to see someone roaming around out here! We get so few wanderers. Daddy says that that's why he chose this part of the forest. It's safer that way."
She bobbed her head in a very wise, teenagerish fashion and smiled warmly at the older mare. "I'm on a mission today," she explained to her new companion. "Want to join me?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:32 pm
Tehya couldn't stop a small giggle when the filly's head sprung up, eyes startled and alarmed. She looked curiously at the ground, trying to see what had so captured the other's attention. Ahhh, a toad! As the filly pranced closer, introducing herself, Tehya smiled. "And I, miss Zoet, would be Tehya. It's awful nice to be wandering out here. I haven't been this far from my home since I was a child, and it's wonderfully refreshing." she smiled. At the mention of her father, Tehya blinked, but then really, she wasn't surprised. After all, a child had to belong to someone, especially one this far out.
"I wouldn't say how safe it is, if it's only the two of you." she murmured, low. "After all, what if something happened?" but she smiled at the child. "What kind of mission are you on?" she found herself getting excited by the filly's excitement and enthusiasm. "I'd love to join in!"
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:58 pm
The young mare flicked her tail and lowered her head, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Today is my daddy's birthday," she imparted excitedly. "And I am on a hunt for his birthday present!" Her voice rose to a squeal at the end, while her whole body positively trembled with enthusiasm. She threw her head up then and tossed her mane about.
"I don't know what I'm going to find for him, but it has to be special," she continued, stressing the last word emphatically. Like all young striving to grow up, her moods were swift to change, and everything, absolutely everything in the here and now was of the utmost importance! Her tail was swishing back and forth madly with how tinently she was thinking. "It has to be interesting, and pretty, and obviously from me." She nodded with a snort, then wilted just faintly. "But I haven't had any ideas all morning, and I'm tired."
The sun was pretty much right above them, casting their shadows as a puddle beneath their hooves. She had begun her search when the dew was still on the bushes, but it had thus far been fruitless, and it was just now dawning on her that she needed a rest from her adventure. Still... maybe Tehya would have an idea? She was pretty, and so she must be smart too! She raised her head with new hope in her eyes. "Do you have any ideas?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:12 pm
Tehya's head tilted, and she considered the little girl in front of her. "Your daddy's birthday, hmm?" she asked, smiling. "Well, let's see. What kind of things does your daddy like? Have you seen him yet today? I know if I was your daddy, my favorite thing would be to get to spend time with my family- which I'm sure would include my beautiful little girl, whether she had a present or not." She smiled, and her eyes glanced up. "I don't really know yuour daddy, so I can't think of what kind of present he might like."
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:24 pm
The filly couldn't help being a little disappointed. She trotted over to flop in the shade in a jumble of limbs, which she sorted out into a semblance of lady-like posture. She heaved a great and dramatic sigh. Now what was she to do?
"Well...," she began, leaning to lip at the grass bending around her knees. "Perhaps.... I could.... throw him a party?" She frowned uncertainly, having never been to a party. She knew nothing about them, and thus it didn't occur to her she didn't have enough people to invite for it to be a proper party. But the idea was taking fire within her brain. "Yes, a party! I could gather berries... all sorts!" Her tail swished, dislodging a lazy fly. "And I could... add different kinds of grasses?"
Ruminatively she set her teeth to the sweet grass, ripping a mouthful and chewing as she thought. "I think there is large, fallen log that's half rotted away we could put all this on," she continued slowly. "And it isn't far from our glade!" Her tail switched again, more vigorously this time, since ti was stirred by excitement rather than irritation.
After another refreshing bite of her lunch, her ears pricked up and she burst into laughter. Turning her twinkling, mischievous eyes up at the other mare, she shared her thoughts. "I can even make daddy a party hat! Of blue daffodils!" Her laughter rang again, as she rolled on her back and kicks her hooves in the air, slender legs flashing. Rolling over again, she leapt to her feet, facing Tehya. "And you could have a lovely hat of yellow daffodils, to match your pretty markings!" The idea had totally taken over, and she was urgent to get going on it, right this minute!
"But I'll need help! Will you help me, please Tehya?" Pleading, hopeful eyes held those of her friend as she practically begged. "I can't do it alone!"
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:36 pm
Oh, goodness. The laughter bubbled up in Tehya. "I've never been to a party! Let's do it!" she agreed. "Now, I think the first thing that we should do it get that log, and put it somewhere your father can't see. A surprise party!" she nodded. "Once we have it set up, we can get the berries, and the flowers." she smiled. "My friend Haita usually hangs out in these woods, so if we stumble on her, she can get us things like apples, and fruits, and delicious leaves from high up on trees." her pink eyes gleamed with delight. "And you need to have white daffodils." she informed the filly, getting into the swing of things. "That way we all have lovely party hats, and all different colors!" Her first order of business would certainly be to find Haita! Dextrous raccoon paws could come in handy for making flower wreaths!
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:38 pm
She was excited beyond words. Her hooves were doing an almost constnat tattoo on the ground as she danced about. The flowers weren't hard to find and pile together for Tehya's friend to weave together. The log was found and dragged to an appropriate spot, where the trees and sun dappled it and motes of pollen swirled like dancing pixies in and out of the sunshine.
She then scurried in search of the sweetest fruits and the most delicious grasses. The growing filly knew all the secret spots, and kept coming back to their party spot with bounty hanging from her lips. She had left Tehya to find her friend who would help them. She did not doubt, the innocent young girl, that her new friend would do as she said, nor that it would work out as perfectly as she imagined. She was still young and trusting, even when she perhaps should not be.
But thankfully today was a day of joy, and betrayal was not in the equation. Darker feelings were to come later, to be sure, but not on this glorious birthday!
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:35 am
Tehya laughed as the filly ran off, and dove herself into finding Haita, and forcing the raccoon to work. However, there weren't any issues with that, at least. For the mysterious 'daddy' there was a party ring of blue daffodils, as Zoet had wanted; There was a yellow circlet for Tehya, and white for Zoet. The log, upon being set up, was decorated with the three circlets side by side, and Haita tramped up trees, gathering apples that she and Tehya played with. As Haita would throw them down, she would make Tehya chase them, to ensure as few bruises on the red flesh as possible. Tender leaves were gathered, and they were spread out. The mare smiled as everything started to come together, and she felt like a child herself again. Zoet's youth was infectious.
She frowned, wishing she had brought the small basket her human had given her. It was long-strapped, so she could hold it around her neck, and waterproof with mud, so she could drag it through the stream to gather water. It would be wonderful to have fresh water for the party close by, but she was too far from home now...
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:13 pm
Before long all things were in readiness. Their makeshift banquet table was laden with delicious goodies of all kinds that soquili preferred. The young Zoet was practicaly prancing with anticipation and eagerness. She barely stood still long enough to let Tehya and her racoon friend help get her circlet of flowers on, waiting until they were sure that they were secured firmly in place.
She then gave a thrilled whinny and sidled towards home. "I should go get him now! He's sure to be back from patrolling the edges of our area," she called to her friend. "I'll go surprise him and lead him here! It isn't far, so we'll be back soon!"
With that, she turned and plunged headlong into the forest, her hoofbeats fast and loud as she charged for home. Oh, her daddy would be so surprised to see what they'd doen for him on his birthday!
Eloran was indeed back at their home glade, since the sun had begun it's path towards the horizon. He was tired and vaguely disappointed to see that his growing daughter was not waiting for him in the glade. He was drinking deeply when the familiar rush of hoofbeats told him that Zoey was coming finally. He finished his drink and lifted his head, water dribbling from his lips as he looked towards her approach.
She came rushing up, babbling a thousand words a second, clearly excited over something. What it was, he simply could not make out, since she couldn't seem to slow down enough to be understood. He did manage to make out that she wanted him to follow her, so he obliged, as she rattled on the entire time he strode sedately beside her. He didn't mind her chatter, though he was a bit curious what had gotten her so very worked up. He'd find out soon enough, obviously.
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:22 pm
Getting the circlet of flowers on them was an adventure full of laughter. Tehya fully enjoyed the exuberance and enthusiasm of her young companion, and it made her remember the days when she'd been this carefree. How had they escaped her? As the filly took off at a run, Tehya called after her to be careful. She didn't want to hear that anything had happened to her! As Zoet vanished, Tehya found herself a comfortable bit of grass and stretched out, rolling on her back and kicking her feet up in the air. The place was very peaceful.
Haita sat on the log, watching her companion with no small bit of amusement. Tehya may have thought she had given up on her childishness, but the brown mare had plenty of youth left in her- after all, the mare was not quite a year old! The question was, would she let herself experience it to the fullest?
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:39 pm
Eloran was indeed surprised when his daughter led him to a glade where the first thing his eyes fell upon... was a lovely brown mare, rolling exultantly in the warm grass. He stopped dead in his tracks and bliked at her, and wondered what in the WORLD had prompted... this? What had his daughter been up to to even consider doing this? His alarm rose at an astonishing rate in the space of a half-dozen heartbeats, until his ears tuned in to what his daughter was actually saying... and from where.
"Happy Birthday Daddy! Come put your party hat on!" She was prancing next to a large... was that a tree trunk? It was hard to tell beneath all the bits of fruit and grass and other tasty treats. He blinked at Zoet in further confusion. This was... a party? But who was... that? He looked back at the rolling mare, for once completely dumbfounded. His daughter hopefully hadn't actually gotten him a DANCER for his party, did she?
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