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 Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:12 am
 Some situations were uncomfortable no matter how one went about them. There were times when one could stand there and consider themselves damned if they did and damned if they didn't. Aziraphale prefered not to think of himself as 'damned' in any way, shape or form. It wasn't necissarily beneath him to be so but it did go against everything that he stood for and, as far as he was concerned, it probably went against the Plan as well.
He was convinced, on some level, that finding oneself trapped in an uncomfortable conersation with a mare was against the Plan as well... And if it wasn't? Well, if it wasn't then it certainly should have been.
He had wandered away from the typical 'meeting places'; not wanting to find himself trapped again. No streams nearby. No lakes. No rivers. No sweet smelling grasses... Just a stallion in a clearing so small it was still shaded by the canopy created by the beautiful green leaves. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath... And finally, he began to relax.
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:42 am
 It was strange...when you made the transition from living your life on behalf of yourself to living it on behalf of someone else, it seemed as though your entire worldview got tilted on its side. No longer did you contemplate first what you wanted to do, where you wanted to go, what you wanted to see; instead you asked and anticipated on behalf of others.
Especially if you were a parent.
Smiling a bit in bittersweet amusement, Safi was making his way through the woods, the first time in ages that he hadn't had a child in tow? And why would he now, when not only his son but also his daughter were full-grown adults, off making their own way in the world?
"You know, that's supposed to make you happy. You did your bit, you raised them, now they're off to live their own lives and you, Saf, are supposed to be living YOURS again."
Sage advice, but he wasn't that good at listening to himself sometimes. He hadn't gone the normal route of getting children, had specifically chosen this path; and much as it had complicated his routine, he had enjoyed it. Now he had to get out of the fatherhood thing and get back to his roots; back to the Safi he knew and loved.
That in mind, it might be strange for the stallion to be wandering through a rather uninhabited part of the woods. However, when one considered that he, a rover, had spent the last year or so with his children in a highly socialized teepee compound...it was time to get back to himself by first getting away from the same old crowd.
It was a good plan in theory. "No no, it's a GREAT plan. As always, you are a brilliant theorist-oh, hello there."
He HADN'T been expecting to meet someone else out here, that much was for sure; however, that didn't mean he couldn't react to that. Stopping at the edge of the clearing, he looked curiously over at the stallion whose respose he seemed to have walked in on. First glancing about to see if there was anyone else about, he looked back at the other stallion with an arched brow. "Isolation, assignation, altercation, or improvisation?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:59 pm
It was the initial sound of a voice interrupting his solidude that made him freeze; every muscle tensing until he felt as if he would never move again. Then the voice registered; not as something familiar but as something male. "Thank the Creator..." He released the breath he seemed to have been holding, letting his muscles ease back into relaxation.
He turned his head slowly, peering towards the source of the voice to make sure that his ears had not decieved him. They hadn't and, for that, he was even more relieved. Before him stood what appeared to be a fine stallion with... Wings? But they weren't the wings that he was used to seeing and that, in itself, lead him to let his guard down just a bit more.
"Intimidation, I'm afraid... Avoiding any sort of assignation, if it is at all possible. I would rather not find myself wrangled into any sort of uncomfortable situation and, for that, I have found myself here. I thought it was a rather quiet, cozy place... It isn't yours, is it?" His brow lofted slightly. If it was the place that the stallion called 'home' he bow out and depart to find himself another hiding place.
"Heavens, forgive me. That was terribly rude. Questioning you before offering an introduction. My name is Aziraphale." He tilted his head, lowering his eyes briefly, giving this other the same amount of respect as he had given his pervious source of conversation.
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:19 pm
The already arched brow lifted even higher at the stallion's response, but it was accompanied by the spread of an amused grin. Usually that sort of greeting got a bewildered look, which he'd honestly been expecting; however, this time he'd been the one caught off guard.
Still, Safi had always prided himself on being able to react to any situation; consequently, as the other stallion hastened to the mannerly path, Safi merely leaned sideways against the tree he was beside, crossing one foreleg over the other and adopting a more relaxed stance as he regarded the other stallion...Aziraphale, rather. For a moment he simply eyed him curiously, then, deciding that the conclusion of the introduction was his own cue, responded in his own amused drawl.
"Well, no harm done, Aziraphale; it's perfectly natural to what to figure out the thises and thats of uncertain situations, and if I had been the one to find a nice comfy place I'd be sure to do my darnedest to find out if it's taken or not. And I'm neither intimidating nor evicting, luckily for you, I suppose; just a random rover out for a bit of afternoon air and all that whatnot. And I'm Safi, by the way."
As he introduced himself, Safi gave the other stallion a wink, abruptly straightening up again and sweeping Az a bow of his own, complete with wing action. "And now...we're introduced!"
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:03 pm
Had he wings other than those painted onto his sides they would have ruffled slightly at the other stallion's display. Was his politeness being mocked with that comical bow or was it sincere? Goodness, his head must have shifted back into the clouds if he was actually standing here pondering such things. An introduction was an introduction no matter how flamboyantly it was given.
"The 'nice' and 'comfortable' were just perks to be found in a place that was otherwise uninhabited and quite peaceful beyond the occassional chirp of a bird or rustle of leaves. It is good to know that I won't be evicted because I must say that I've found the area to be quite relaxing." He managed a slight smile accompanied by a nod of his head.
"You are more than welcome to join me as long as you aren't being followed." So close to seeming 'normal' and then that bout of nerves kicked in as he attempted to peer around the tree that the other stallion was leaning against. He shook his head quickly, brushing aside all thoughts in order to simply return to his nirvana and, perhaps, cast his previous statement off as a joke.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Safi." Back to formalities. "What brings you to this quiet corner of the woods?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:23 pm
"Yeah, this neck of the woods is pretty nice. Not too many Soquili make it out this way, which makes it ideal if you want some peace. Given your comment about being followed and the earlier one about assignations, I'm guessing that's what your story is."
Safi's voice remained light, the amusement in his tone echoed in his eyes and expression as he watched the stallion's rather bizarre behavior in shaking his head a lot and peeping about the tree as though expecting a boogeyman to jump out. What on earth had happened to him that he was so...well, uptight?
Moving away from the tree and into the clearing, Safi shook out his wings to remove the bark he's picked up in his wanderings. "And if that is your story, I could guess you say it's mine; just getting away from the rat race for a bit. It's been a while since I've been away from the same old crowd, so I took the initiative to go out wandering. Decent way to pass the time, not to mention great for the legs. That, and I've spent so much time flying in the past few weeks that I think my wings would storm off in protest were I to use them anymore!"
Laughing, the winged stallion turned to look at Az, curious as to how the other stallion was taking the jokes. He didn't seem like one that was used to humor...or maybe that was because he was otherwise preoccupied? That could make ANYONE edgy.
And, Safi being Safi, he couldn't let something like that slide. "Scuse me if this is at all blunt, but you seem awfully skittish. Are you ok? Seriously, I don't want to impose on you if you were desperately seeking quiet time or something; I know you SAY it's ok for me to hang around, but I'm horrible at letting things go and can start off at the most inopportune or unexpected times, if but given the chance, so if you really want peace, speak now or forever lose it. And I promise I won't even be offended." This last was delivered with a wink; how could he POSSIBLY be offended by simply honesty?
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:52 pm
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. You see, it's all rather foolish, really..." He attempted to laugh everything off, giving his head a light toss that sent golden curls falling this way and that. It was foolish and the whole mess was causing him to behave poorly.
"I am in no desperate need of solitude, quiescence or peace... No, counter that. There is always a need for peace but there is currently no need for peace and quiet; perhaps just piece of mind... A piece of yours would do, if, in your questioning my state, you are willing to offer it." He smiled somewhat sheepishly when he realized just how much he had said, barely giving the other stallion a word to say anything edgewise.
"Perhaps, if anything, you could tell me if all mares in this area are... Exceedingly friendly. Yes, I do suppose that's the best way I can put it without making her seem like the sort that no Lady should be compaired to..." His nose gave a slight wrinkle at the very thought and he resisted the urge to glance over his shoulder once more as if expecting the one in question to pop up out of the nothingness.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:07 pm
Watching the other stallion with no small critical eye, Safi couldn't help but notice how cutely the golden curls about his face as he tossed his head. He'd always been fond of curls, the way they seemed to accent just about any sort of facial structure; however, there was something else about them on this stallion. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it was almost as if...well, odd as it sounded, even in his thoughts, it was almost as if the other stallion was glowing softly.
Peculiar.
However, he quickly snapped his thoughts back to the conversation at had as Az's somewhat roundabout way of speaking caused a smile to spring to his face. From the sound of it, the stallion's problem was the age-old dilemna of stallions...
"I'd be delighted to give you what advice I can, Aziraphale, though I think I already know where you're going with this. Still, let's make sure."
Tossing back his own mane, Safi paced past the other stallion, then turned suddenly and gave him an intent look. "You were hit upon? I'm guess it was that rather than propositioned, given the restraint on your part. But either way...you know, it's really hard to make generalizations, but I gotta tell you, some of the mares around can be..."
Pondering the right word for a moment, Safi stared throughtfully into the trees, biting his lip. "Family-oriented." A polite way to phrase "obsessed with shagging the first attractive stallion they met"
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:35 pm
Oh, thank heavens! This Safi seemed to know exactly what he was talking about without any extention of knowledge on the awkward situation. "It was dreadful. I thought that I was doing nothing more than carrying on a perfectly decent conversation and then... And then..." He shuddered. It was just too horrid to go on.
"Is that how it is around these parts? They put on a modest guise and then, the moment your defenses are down, they strike. Where I came from... Things such as that did not happen." He was quite shocked on various levels to find that they happened here... Until pausing for a moment to think, realizing that here and there were two extremely different places.
"I am, in no way, trying to discredit this mare or her intentions because, goodness only knows, I could possibly be making a mountain out of a mole hill." He didn't truly believe that he was. It showed. "I would make a horrible father figure." He would make a horrible mother figure... Or any sort of figure, for that matter except, perhaps, a 'role model in somewhat proper conversational etiquette'.
Not to mention the thought of being with a mare in that manner gave him the heebiejeebies. He nearly shuddered again, this time only barely managing to properly restrain his reactions.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:09 pm
Safi's first reaction at the overly exaggerated relief of the other stallion was to burst out laughing. Seriously, where was this guy from that he was taking all of these things so seriously? If he said as much as he managed to say by not saying anything, they'd have gotten to the point much faster. Not that he was complaining, of course; this was entertaining.
However, out of respect for the other stallion's morals, he managed to refrain from laughing, merely giving way to a huge grin of amusement. "Trust me, Az, you're not the only stallion to have been put in that dilemna. It happens to every male available at one point or another, including yours truly, so the best you can do is just not worry about it. Either deal, leave, or come up with a valid put-off." As he did. Amazing how much of a turn-off telling a mare you were into stallions could be...
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:50 pm
"I have tried on more occassions than I care to count to simply say that I am not interested in such sport," which he obviously wasn't, "only to find that they laugh in disbelief." The result in conversations that took that route after the initial come-on usually left him running as fast as his hooves could carry him.
"That is when you find out just what sort of mare you're dealing with." He snorted, giving his head another light toss. "In truth, I believe I would swear them off forever if it wasn't for the general lack of good conversation elsewhere... And it would be wrong to base one's opinion of all off of a few," a few too many, "uncomfortable run-ins, wouldn't it?"
Of course it would be... Which was exactly why he hadn't done something like that yet. Well, that along with the fact that he truly didn't wish to be seen as a coward when wasn't. He had, afterall, gotten far better than he used to be. "Either way... What is it that makes them automatically assume that we are either available or interested? Simply because we're speaking to them and treating them in a respectful manner? Are there really so few gentlemen these days?"
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:27 pm
Nodding his head sagely, Safi found the views of the other stallion in perfect accord with his own...if a little bit more pronounced in his dislike of what he'd been through. Then again, perhaps Safi could consider himself lucky; he'd only had one occassion where he'd had to turn away honest intentions and desires, though that had been a very difficult thing to do, given the closeness he shared with the mare in question.
Still, bad luck was bad luck, and you didn't have to be eaten by a crocodile yourself to know it was bad!
"I'd say that generalizing in general is bad, yes, but it never hurts to be prepared for the possibility a mare will be after something more than just conversation. And honestly? I don't know if there aren't enough stallions to go around or not, or they're just too limited, or maybe there's just a rumor that it's good luck to mate with the first stallion you meet. Don't ask me to explain the way it works, because I can't." He could advise them, but not explain them; sad but true.
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:42 pm
"Since coming here I have met to stallions and one mare. That seems to disprove your belief that there aren't enough stallions." He chuckled, finally begining to calm if only slightly. "I do believe that someone should do something to dissuade that rumor, of course. I see no luck in it... Especially not for the stallion."
His nose wrinkled as he pondered for a moment. "... Unless the stallion actually enjoys that sort of thing." From the look on his face he couldn't seem to understand why one would. He knew that he wouldn't... Crowley, of course, would. Or, at least, it seemed like something he would enjoy.
He shook his head, dismissing that thought from his mind. "Anyways... Enough talk of unpleasantries. Surely there must be something else to converse about."
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:53 pm
"You might be surprised how many stallions there are that enjoy 'that sort of thing', friend Aziraphale; believe me, having tried it before I can honestly say that there is absolutely NO allure in contemplating a second attempt. But I agree, onto bigger and better things!"
The last part of Safi's comment was accompanied by a dramatic gesture with his wing, whipping it out and upwards to point forward at the sky while going 'on point' with one foreleg and leaning in the direction he was pointing...
For a second at least. Then, as though he HADN'T just done a dramatic and thoroughly silly pose, he gave the other stallion a friendly smile. "So, what brings you out to this part of the world, Aziraphale? Obviously it's not the burdgeoning social scene, so how'd you wind up here?"
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:22 pm
No allure in a second attempt? Heavens! He had no desire to even attempt a first... The thought had made him shy away from several mares that he had been on amiable terms with and many more that had come off as nothing more than a raging mass of hormone seeking foal makers. "Their own choice, I suppose. Good for that sort of mare... Bad for stallions like you and I who are assumed to be that sort of stallion by any sort of association due to being male."
The comical gesture had him gawking for a moment, wide-eyed as if he expected Safi to fall. When he didn't he managed a soft chuckle. "Truth be told, I'm not all that certain. I was told to come here... And I did. I'm assuming it's because there is something here that they would like me to observe." He was begining to think it may have had something to do with attempting to change the morales of those who roamed these lands if what Safi said about other stallions and most of the mares was true.
"I come from the mountains by way of paths that are a bit harder to find than I would have liked them to be. Rocks everywhere. Terribly dreadful. It did, of course, make me realize why I had yet to attempt descending from up there before." It had also made him realize that there was probably a slim chance of him ever returning. He had nearly ended his existance several times on the way down. He would be a fool to try climbing back up.
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