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 Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:34 am
 
Khan, trotted into the cool night air, quite relieved. It had been so very hot during the daytime, but like always, night seemed to cool down. Khan, walked a few steps to encounter an open meadow, and began to graze, careless of the fact that he should've been more conspicuous. Oh well, if it was fate to encounter somebody or something, there was no reason to hide.
Oblivious to the fact that Khan was illuminated in the moonlight, his eyes roamed over the meadow with the gentle wind rustling the grass blades, and the darkness of the forest, that seemed always .. occupied with the constant breaking of the twig, the rustle of the leaves, the sharp sounds of the critters, and so much more that lurked behind the shadows of the forest. Not quite used to this, Khan stamped his hooves apprehensively.
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:59 am
The landing was graceful, composed, and simply perfect. The winged stallion had settled onto the forest's comforting grass, digging his hooves into the dirt that welcomed him. His walk suddenly began, brisk, and as silent as the winds around him. Heading towards the forest's outskirts, the stallion began to wonder why he had chosen to land in the midst of the forest instead of simply flying down to the open land...
Oh, yes. Though his black body nearly matched the black of the night itself, he couldn't wander without worry into open sight yet. The land was unfamiliar to him. But though the winds had carried him here, he still had... some sort of an intuitive and odd feeling about the place. He couldn't quite understand what that feeling was trying to tell him...
He stopped. A noise of several clops abruptly sounded, and ears stood straight up. Hesitation came for a while, but then the stallion snorted and proceeded towards the source of the air's disruption. After all, it couldn't possibly be something that proved to be a danger to him.
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:08 am
Khan, already quite nervous, whirled around quickly as he heard approaching footsteps in addition to a shiver down his back. A black clad figure, actually quite similar to himself was standing near him, and as Khan tilted his head to observe the 'one'. He tried to calm his nerves. No doubt, an overworked imagination plus a keen sense of hearing didn't do him any good.
Oh, that was surprising, as a thought registered in Khan's muddled brain. This one had wings. Flame hooves, and next wings. Yes, this place was most definitely odd. Hesitantly, Khan spoke up " You have wings..? This land is becoming odder and odder in my eyes already." He tossed his mane as if to clear his eyes, and blinked at the newcomer. Yes, he wasn't seeing things.
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:24 am
Once the stallion broke into the uncluttered, free air of the clearing, his footing faltered as a mirage seemed to bewilder him. The other in front of him looked similar to his own image. Impossible. He had wings, and the stranger did not. A disappointing coincidence...
And one that was obvious to the stranger as well. A sigh escaped the stallion's mouth as he pondered on whether it would be beneficial to reply to the stranger's inquiry.
"They are quite contrasting, aren't they?" he began, "and I share the same sentiments as you, perhaps... I am called Notos. I take it you are new to these grounds as well?"
He flashed a sincere smile to the other stallion -- it was good to share something with the first stranger he had met, though it may not be well in the future in terms of directions... "And I also take it that you do not know where one might find a good resting place for the night."
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:39 am
Noticing the sigh, Khan said cheekily, "I hope that it wasn't me that made you sigh, or else I may have to endeavor to entertain you which would make me out as the fool, and you to be the recipient of a very humiliating performance." Khan partially chuckled, good-naturedly as he tried to answer the stallion's other comments.
"Contrasting is much nicer, than the case of having some random color, in which it would not contrast but plainly stand out to make your appearance uglier than it actually is." Khan said cheerfully. "But aside from that, to answer your question, its nice to meet somebody also new to these grounds." His gaze riveted over the moonlit landscape, as he rolled his eyes. "These grounds, which also have many different (and weird) sights to behold, which in turn no doubt, will holds a number of unpleasant surprises for us." His voice had a slight ironic edge, as he let out a depleted sigh at the thought. This was going to get tiring.
But it certainly wasn't for now. Khan, feeling his mood lift at the Noto's smile, grinned widely in return but it turned apologetic at Noto's question. "Unfortunately, I don't disappoint. I've been exploring myself, but nothing to sleep on or in." He paused, to add sheepishly giving Notos a guilty look, "Well, it doesn't really help if your not looking for those things either.."
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:39 am
Notos flipped his hair and held his head high, shrugging off the stallion's comment at his sigh. "No need to worry, calm down." The stranger sure liked to... explain himself and describe, so to speak. The stallion pretended to interest himself in whatever the other had to say, but his courtesy failed to hold up as Notos found himself well, mixed up in the speech. Was he just called ugly...?
"I suppose, I suppose..." he said slowly, hoping it would confirm his reliable listening ability, "So, new stranger. What might I be able to call you by?"
He ruffled his wings and stared at the other stallion in a hidden disapproval. "And pity you don't have wings. We could have flown around and sought out shelter. There are some places wings may find that hooves cannot. Mayhaps I leave you here to seek out some for myself." Notos added a chuckle to his last comment to keep up the somewhat spirited mood.
Though he himself did not feel tired, he knew he had to find someplace to reside in for the night -- someplace safe, preferably. He had not rested in a long time, having traveled to the lands from an enduring journey. Though his black body may have given him decent camouflage against the dark night, it was his wings and ruby amulet that occasionally gave him away to predators.
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:28 pm
Slightly chagrined, that Notos had to ask twice for his name, his reply was rueful."My name is Khan." He gave him a slight bow, and after some thought, added, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Notos."
"A shame." Khan said affirmatively, thoughtfully staring at his back, where the wings would've been if he had them. ".. But I don't believe the place I remember had anybody with wings.." His voice trailed off, as he realized that discussing his past was not something anyone would be interested in. Bringing himself back to the original topic that Notos was speaking of, his smile turned wry at the truth of his words. "As much as I dislike admitting defeat, That's entirely too true. Hooves are at a farther disadvantage than those of wings." His glances riveted towards the sky, with its sparkling stars and streaming moonlight before he answered. "Leaving to fly, or staying with limited stallion." His expression was dry as he asked. "I would say, we both know what would be the better one."
Khan realized, that even if it was his first night here, he couldn't dwell or sleep in the open. To do that, would be inviting danger to himself, and unlike his friend here, probably wouldn't be able to escape as easily if he needed to. Aside from that, this saddle of his, made him look all the more .. domesticated and would lead to conclusions that he wouldn't need or want. "We both need to find a place to stay, don't we? It'd be mad to stay in the open." His eyes were no longer on Notos though, as they were distracted with the task of scanning their surroundings for any sign of shelter.
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:14 pm
"Pleasure indeed," Notos reaffirmed, smiling that such a grounded being as Khan was able to make sense of his eminent meeting. But high emotion quickly turned to alarm at Khan's description of a place where no one had wings. "How can that many get along without wings without stirring up war between each other? Really?"
He glanced at the odd artifact on Khan's back -- he had almost missed them as the night's shadows almost completely veiled them. He supposed those were the result of restrictive forces and thought that maybe whole populations of his kind without wings were possible if things like those were. "I guess you couldn't have wings with those things on your back," he added, "So I suppose I'll stay." Interest, perhaps tinged with a bit of pity compelled him to.
"Right, quite a conclusion," he vaguely mouthed with a smile. "Do you see anything?" He stopped to gawk in the same manner as Khan and almost as soon as he had begun to scan, added, "Or perhaps we could walk while we seek, and share along the way?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:35 pm
Turning around at Noto's words, he shook his head in disagreement/ "Personally, I believe that if any of us had wings, that would stir a far greater war than not having." He said dryly. "After all, nature covets what they dont have. Imagine yourself in a group with no wings, the advantages of battling within air, and I can say honestly, you certainly wouldn't come out unscathed."
Noticing the glance at his saddle, he tilted his head in amusement. Finally noticed? Khan suppose that he couldn't blame the delay since it was the dark but... Shame. he expected more of Notos than that.
But if they were on the topic, it would do well to converse. "Yes, I suppose your right on that point. But if we had wings, we may never have had these saddles in the first place. But this is speculation, after all, who knows what could've happened?" He shrugged, not too concerned over the matter. Wings or not, they were both similarly the same. But he was relieved that Notos had decided to stay.
Returning to the topic of shelter, he answered "Not at all. There isnt anything around here that doesnt even remotely look like shelter." He grimaced slightly, in disappointment. But his ears perked, at the new suggestion as he replied, "That sounds fine, shall we take that path?" His mood had brightened as he nodded towards one of several, but albeit clearer than others, path.
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:21 pm
A smile carved itself in Notos's face as he was firmly contradicted. What fun, for he had been treated with more dignity than that where he had come from. Protected he was, perhaps, or those around him were too frightened to speak out against Notos. "Well engaged, Khan, well engaged," he muttered under his breath. He saw no use in pursuing the subject, but maybe another day... the contraption on Khan's back certainly knew no advantage to battle, so that could quite well be the reason why Khan had argued back. A hindrance on one's back would surely be too humiliating to bare.
"And 'saddles', you call them?" He paused to scoff. "What from, certainly not the spirits? I suppose it is not in my right to say since I have no knowledge of the circumstances, but you seem to be too proud of it for your own good." He snorted and then, after a while, let it go. He shouldn't be burning any bridges yet, or at least this early.
"Anyways, we will find something. I mean, if nothing else comes up, a nice large trunk would suffice for me, though it would be quite degrading, you know?" Notos looked over at Khan and had a sudden thought: Well, I don't think you, with your inability for flight and trap on your back, could know the feeling. A sharp gaze only gave away the spontaneous assessment. "We will go with your choice for now, but may luck be with you if you have chosen unwisely." He winked and proceeded onto the path, leaving Khan lagging slightly behind to dwell on his last statement.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:01 am
"Yes, we certainly call them saddles." Khan said, still having a smile, but verging at annoyance at Noto's words. "I would say the same for your wings too." .. "stolen from the birds, no doubt." He muttered in a low voice, that could only be heard by himself. As far as Khan knew, Notos had burned any remaining bridges with him he had left. But it wouldn't do any good to be rude, so Khan also dropped the subject.
Instead, he concentrated on Noto's next words, feeling like he was only listening with only half an ear. "A trunk. I don't believe that we'll find that anywhere here. But have fun with that." Khan said blankly. Was that from experience? He would sleep in a man made thing, and still insult Khan's saddle? What the hell.
Keeping his thoughts to himself, he stored the bit of information in the back of his mind, and decided to focus on what was happening presently. He peered, feeling Noto's gaze on him, but refused to acknowledge it. His current thoughts were, Dark forests, and dark horses went well together in a camouflage, but in anything other situation, well, that didn't work out.
He was interrupted in his thoughts as he stopped in his tracks for a few seconds at Noto's words, before resuming his walk, making sure to keep a steady pace with Notos. He stared with narrowed eyed at Notos. Had he just been threatened? He made a note to himself, that Notos was someone not to be trifled with. A threat combined with a wink? Together, and separately, was both contradicting. Confused by Notos, he stayed in silence, while walking alongside him. You are one creepy stallion. he thought to himself, slightly alarmed at him.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:15 pm
"Ha!" Notos remarked, almost joyously, at Khan's provocative reply. If Khan continued, Notos was going to soon feel possibly something short of... respect for him. The thought almost made Notos shudder in face of his amusement.
"Eh? Well, I doubt trunks would not be here, unless this land does not experience lightning or fires. Hm?" Notos continued along his path happily, as his company suited him to light the mood up. It was also pleasurable knowing that he would soon get rest -- something his body was beginning to alert him to acquire. "Almost there now, almost there now..." he promised it.
Minutes seemed to pass by before either stallion had said a word. So perhaps his suggestion of sharing while walking was dumped. A small frown found its way into Notos's expression. Alright, if silence was what the other had wanted... Perhaps he should take flight right here and now to alleviate him the frustration of the grounded Khan.
But no. Khan had proved himself to be worthy of being pleasing company once, so maybe it must be Notos that had to break the silence before their trip came to an end. "So... you are new to this land too, right. Have you seen any other life on the grounds? Any others like... me... you?"
Notos's words came out slowly at the end, for his attention started to focus on something he spied vaguely in the distance. Shelter..? Was that a cave he was seeing?
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:16 pm
Khan, looking back at Noto's questioningly, decided to pretend he never heard that sound. He figured that well, both he and Notos was odd, and so, whatever happened, it happened.
"Eh?" He repeated, wondering why on earth there would be trunks. Trunks were a valued commodity, after all, one did not simply leave one.. lying there. Soquili lands may have been different but were the villagers really different than the humans he knew? He hadn't thought so, but if Notos said, well it had to be true.
Still confused on the matter of trunks, he decided to answer, before it was believed that he was ignoring the other stallion. "I'm new.." he said vaguely. "But you are the first winged.." He coughed to mutter under his breath. "and conceited" .. "one I know. I've met a unicorn also, and a rude stallion, but other than that, my list of new acquaintances have been limited. Is there anybody that you would like to introduce me to? He raised an eyebrow at Notos, but his voice had trailed off, as he had finally noticed what Notos had noticed. There was something darker ahead, maybe an entrance to a cave? The relief was almost physical, as he thought that he could finally drop these "supplies" and rest.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:13 am
A slight shake of the head indicated Notos's frustration with Khan's seemingly... lack of comprehension at his words. Ah well, perhaps if they met in the future, he would then understand.
"I see..." Notos droned, going over Khan's words. "The... first... only winged? The only breed of the wind?" He mulled the thought over. "Puzzling. And a unicorn. There are more wonders for me to encounter throughout these lands, I suppose, then..."
Then, with a puff of his chest, Notos gave a sharp chuckle and proudly stated, "Of course there would be no one I would introduce you to -- or not now, at the very least. I am the only stallion you need be introduced to, and I have already done that!" Smiling but body lowering, he continued, "But aside from that -- you are the only one I have seen on these lands. I suppose I am more new than you. Back where I was from..."
Then again, how did he get to these lands? Was it the wind itself that blew him towards an unknown atmosphere? Strange. His old home... It felt as if that was all in the past--a very long time ago. Notos apparently had forgotten where he was in speech as well, and so began with a new question:
"Khan, you are the first I have met on these lands. You look somewhat similar to me, I must admit," which was hard, as Notos did not think anyone would ever be comparable to himself, "So are the two you previously encountered similar to us..?" In his mind, he had seriously hoped not; it would be harder for him to gain a new reputation in these lands if that were so... "Despicable it is to blend into a crowd..." he muttered.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:48 pm
"You havent seen them?" Khan was slightly surprised when he remembered that Notos was new to the land also. That would make sense then... and if Notos was surprised, there was no doubt that there were alot more sights that he had yet to see, and it would probably surprise him all the more.
He stared in dry amusement at Notos next comment, and he had to admit, Notos was prideful. It wasnt a bad thing, but it wasnt always good either. Well, Notos was smart. He would know better, than other soquili how to handle it. Deciding to reply to Notos, since no doubt he was waiting for an answer, he chuckled. "Not very humble, are you? But I suppose that you are good enough, for a male." His eyes twinkled mischievously. Taken aback at Notos next comment, his playfulness disappeared as he mulled over that fact. He was the only one?
He wondered, by the time, or if, he and Notos met up again, would Notos have met more soquili? It was likely, but one never knew.
Notos voice drifted into his muddled thoughts, and he jerked back to the conversation. ".. eh?" He racked his brain, of the soquili he had met, and shook his head slowly. Not of those he had met, he hadn't met those similar to him and Notos. Something vague bothered him though, as if he couldn't reply no to Noto's question. Deciding to go with his instincts, he said apprehensively, "I haven't seen anymore like you and I, especially not of the ones I've met, but .. I don't get the feeling that we're the only ones that have this sort of appearance." He had to agree with Notos on the subject. It was a bit .. annoying to know that you were a copy, of sorts, or something along those lines. But it was something he'd have to accept, so Khan sighed, letting his glance drift, until he rached Notos wings and a thought struck him. "But look? You have wings, and I have a saddle. In that aspect, we are vastly different. Surely, even our coloring is the same, there is something that sets up apart."
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