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 Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:00 pm
The trek there had taken longer than Hie'd expected. She got tired and had to rest a lot and though she tried hard not to complain as much as she wanted to, she was certain Zaphiro was getting fed up with her. Of course, that was likely her pregnancy hormones getting to her.
"How much longer?" she asked softly for the fifth time. She was sweating, and starving, and just wanted to lay down at that point. While Hie was most definitely looking forward to meeting Zaphiro's friend...
Food and rest would be a good thing too. A very good thing. Pregnant mares weren't made for walking so far.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:08 pm
It had certainly been a long walk, that much was certain. When he'd determined how far it was the teepee, Zaphiro hadn't really been thinking in terms of pregnant mare distance, more like physically fit stallion terms. Oh well, live and learn. It wasn't Hie's fault she was pregnant.
Not entirely, at least.
Consequently, he was the epitome of patience as he returned her question with a nuzzle. "Just a little farther, Hie; up one hill, past one grove of trees, and then we ought to be able to see it!
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:21 pm
She sighed, "All right. You owe me raspberries." Always with the raspberries! The mare had a one-tracked mind lately. On that track were good berries, sleep, cuddles and nuzzles, and peeing. Not necessarily in that order. She had a good natured tone to it, though.
Not waiting a moment, Hienna started up the hill with her tail twitching back and forth. It didn't take her TOO too long to get over it and she continued to push on past the grove of trees. If she stopped, she'd not start going again.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:28 pm
Yes, he DEFINITELY had to transplant that bush. Or something. Hell, it might just be easier to move to an area adjacent to said bush for the duration of the pregnancy, unless he felt like making a run for fruit every few hours...
At least Hienna was enthusiastic. Chuckling, he trotted after her; in spite of all the headaches involved in this trip, he was really looking forward to seeing Liz again, to introducing her to Hie, to telling her the good news...
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:39 pm
By the time they got to camp, Hienna was starting to slow down. The ring of teepees was a shining beacon for her and she beamed, "Oh! We're here!...And there's a lake!"
Deciding not to wait any longer she bounded toward the lake with the last of her energy, collapsed down beside it, and began to drink enthusiastically. Mmmm, water.
"Slow poke!" she called after her mate between drinks.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:05 pm
At the sound of the yell, Elizabeth had stood up from the rug upon which she'd been napping. That was strange...Saiena usually knew better than to yell across the campsite. Then again, that didn't sound like Saiena's voice. Who, then was passing through the camp?
Well, she certainly couldn't just hang out in here. The two-legger had gone off to the flower field today, and Safi was out roaming as was his wont. That meant that, for at least today, she was on her own.
Sighing, she tossed back her golden curls, then pushed her way out of the teepee she'd been in. Large as the camp was, it didn't take her long to spy the stranger; the other mare's bright purple coat stuck out like a sore thumb.
Well, finding had been easy. Now, to see what was up. Adopting her most kindly smile, she strolled over across the compound to the lakeshore. "Excuse me, but can I help you at all?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:16 pm
Hienna's head lifted and she smiled a little at the unicorn that had come up to her. She wouldn't get up, though. She was quite comfortable where she was with easy access to cool water. Enough walking had been done - and standing usually preluded walking of some sort.
"You wouldn't have any kind of berry, would you? I'm dying for some and my mate's not here to go get them. Though he SHOULD be here soon..." Her eyes drifted over. Where WAS he? "We're here to see one of his friends, Liz..." she paused. "Wouldn't know her, would you?"
Normally, Hienna would be shy and think carefully about what she said...Right now, though, she was feeling quite relaxed and she could due with some slip ups. She'd likely clam up again upon meeting Zaph's friend and go back to being her proper self.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:29 pm
Not quite what she'd been expecting, to be sure. "Um, I don't think that we have any berries around here, just apples. I can offer you an apple, though..."
However, the second thing the mare said caused the first thing to completely slip her mind. "Liz? Why, that would be me, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Swann, actually."
Even in the face of total surprise, she could manage politeness, but she was absolutely floored. MATE???? Which one of the stallions had finally settled down, and-
At that moment, Zaphiro finally came around the edge of the teepees. "Good grief, Hie, I thought were supposed to be...tired..."
He wasn't expecting Liz to be right there. So much for the stealth approach...but this was still great! Breaking into a wide smile, he walked up and gave the mare a nuzzle. "Elizabeth, it's so great to see you again! It's been ages!"
Still stunned, Elizabeth was able to return the nuzzle with a smile nevertheless. "Indeed it has...though more seems to have changed for you than me!"
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:40 pm
"Apples would be fine, thank you." Hienna answered with a nod of her head. When Elizabeth introduced herself, though, nerves overtook her. Oh! She was supposed to be polite and poised and the perfect picture of elegance. A blush flushed her cheeks.
"Oh...Nice to meet you...I...I'm sorry for my rudeness..." Relief flooded as Zaphiro came over to her and she smiled at him, "I am tired, getting here sooner would mean laying down sooner, silly."
Still nervous but more relaxed now that her mate was there.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:52 pm
At Elizabeth's comment, Zaph felt color rushing across his face; so much for the whole "suave" approach. Then again, Liz was one of his oldest and closest friends; it made sense for her to catch him off guard!
Giving Liz a smile, he nodded his head in acceptance of her statement, glancing at his mate with a proud smile. "Yes...Hienna and I are mates, I'm very proud to say, and what's more we're expecting foals!"
One-two punch was putting it mildly. She'd accepted the mated thing, but FOALS??? Eyes widening, Liz looked from Zaphiro to the mare, barely taking in the apology in the face of this new and exciting news. However, it only took a few moments before her poise was back in place, and she was beaming at both of them.
"Zaphiro, I'm so thrilled for you! And Hienna, congratulations on your condition and your matehood and...and...wow, I'm so very overwhelmed! Let me get you both some apples."
And then she was scuttling off for one of the teepees, mane and tail flying behind her.
Blinking, Zaphiro looked after her...then looked at Hienna with amusement. "Well...that's Liz."
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:02 pm
Hienna watched Liz race off and pushed herself to her feet slowly with a small groan. Oh god, more standing - but apples were coming and her mate was there. That was worth standing.
"She's very nice and she seems very happy at our news," Hienna offered, resting her head against his neck and making a little sound of contentment, "They are moving, Zaphiro. They are happy too. Or hungry - I can't quite tell. Either way, I can feel them."
It was quite the amazing feeling - indescribable, honestly. "Will I be meeting anyone else?" She wanted to be prepared.
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Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 3:19 pm
Smiling, Zaphiro rested his head against Hienna's, shifting so that he was able to support her weight, should she decide to lean against him. The fact that Elizabeth and Hienna were getting along was a positive...even if they really hadn't had a great deal of interaction so far. A start was a start, right?
The news about the foals caused his smile to widen even more, though, and he was gently touching her side with a wing. "They must be pleased that their mother is in such a good mood...and not running their father ragged trying to provide for her."
He couldn't resist that last jibe; it seemed as though she was ALWAYS craving fruits these days!
"As for meeting someone else...I don't know. Depends on if anyone else is around or not." He'd have to ask Liz about that, to be certain...but given how much time had passed, he was pretty sure both of Safi's kids were grown, which meant that if he knew Safi HE was out and about...
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 11:56 am
The unicorn honestly couldn't help herself and laughter floated from her as she nestled close to the blue stallion that she had called her mate, "Mmm, that or they want me to run you ragged again. It must amuse them, Zaphiro, to hear their father so completely...oh...What's the word I'm looking for...?" She grinned up at him with sparkling eyes.
"I think it's whipped."
Oh, she just had to do it! When Zaph answered her question, though, she nodded her head, "Well, you may as well tell me about the rest of the herd just in case they're milling about. I'd like to be prepared so I don't get flustered."
Zaph had to remember how careful she was with speaking to anyone other than him. It was simply ingrained in her after so many years.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:07 pm
Whipped, indeed. "I think I'll have to disagree on that one; I'm not yet at that point, you're merely confusing being solicitous with being...whipped. Which is hardly the same thing. You're just lucky I'm willing to humor you after a crack like that!" Still, he was smiling as he nuzzled his mate; even if he WAS a little whipped, it was all for the best. She didn't need any extra strain on her nerves, after all, or her body at this point.
That in mind, he gently nudged at her to lie down again as he did the same, settling himself comfortably on the grass. If he was going to describe the herd, that could take a bit. "Well, there are seven of us total, at least to my knowledge...."
~~~
Off in the teepee she'd scuttled to, Elizabeth was busily and industriously loading up a handbasket with apples. For someone watching the mare, the scene might have seemed to be in a highly sped-up mode, as the brown mare scuttled about to all corners of the tent in her quest for the brightest food. However, Liz herself wouldn't have noticed anything, so introspective was her current thought process.
Imagine, Zaphiro an expectant father. MATED, and an expectant father! The last time they'd talked, he hadn't had so much as a prospect, now he was...wow. It was just so much to take in! And in such a short amount of TIME. Really, he'd gotten quite impetuous. But he'd never been the type to act without thinking...so hopefully this relationship was the real deal.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:15 pm
The real deal, indeed. Hienna knew she could never love anyone as much as she loved the sapphire stallion - well, beside her foals of course! That was to be expected, though, wasn't it? As Zaphiro nudged her to lay down again she did it gratefully. Pregnant mares, she guessed, weren't meant to walk so much and then stand because her legs felt like lead.
Quietly, the unicorn listened to Zaphiro talk about the rest of the herd, carefully making mental notes about each and every single one. The female was absolutely OCD about it, if one were to be honest. Making a mistake and making one dislike her was her biggest fear.
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