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 Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:26 am
 Aitumn wasn't exactly sure how long it had been since his encounter, but he usually found little peace within his mind; whilst his hip had gotten through most of its stiffness, considering the stallion had little will to lay down at all. Oh no, he prefered to stand, for unlike the Reya mare that accompanied him, he had no horn to fall back on; just an alertness that could tell him fairly well before hand if trouble was coming. Trouble in this case meaning anyone who stared too close without permission.
It wasn't long though, till the blood bay had started to feel a drain on his mentality. Always thinking, always prying into the deep underdark of his own memory, trying to revive it from the eternal pits of blackness. He had to know, he had to find out if his past was really what Zaknafein had said, or if it was all just a lie.
Now though, the Jala had kept his relative calm, despite a slight bobbing of his head as he stood. Soon, he would need to sleep in order to keep up his energy, but not yet. Lifting his hollow gaze upwards once again, the stallion simply took to staring at the lone fruit that grew on a single limb of the thirsting tree. It was amazing really, just being a part of the life that hung in the clutches of such a delicate tree. Eventually, a foal would be born, and eventually he would have the chance to see just exactly the part of his life he could not remember. Ever silent, he would allow the Reya mare to take her time, his turn for sleep would come, and there was no need to rush things. It wasn't often that Zak traveled away from his valley home of D'ob, but the stallion had the urge to visit his own tree. Why? He himself was not quite sure, but he knew it had something to do with his family. They're trees, oddly enough, had all been struck down by lightning; just as they had. He wasn't sure though, if it had happened on the same night or not, but it had to be more then coinsidence. Rotton sonofanag, it was as if Aitumn had willed it to happen all on his own. The little Jala pip-squeak, he'd be sure to get his revenge, though after meeting him and learning that he had dared to forget... Zak wasn't quite sure what he should do now. What he had been planning for most of his life just didn't seem harsh or cruel enough anymore. He had to come up with something. Something to make him pay and pay dearly.
Hmm, well he had time at least. That air-head Ichsa hadn't come back yet with word of the blood bay stallion, so Zak figured he'd best take his time and make it something good. After all, the pompus punk had bitten his nose last time, and that had stung like nothing else for days on end! Heck, he wasn't even sure if he had gotten most of his sense back yet, but at least it was functunal to a point.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:37 am
She laid there, eyes closed, but ears perked. Though her body and mind were enjoying their well-deserved break, her subconscious kept at least part of her at attention, ready to rouse her at the least sign of danger. The constant drain on her, coupled with not being able to go very far, not being able to continue searching for her mother, and not being able to get a good run, had all combined to put her in an irritable mood. She tried her hardest not to show it to Aitumn, for he'd been very good about all of this, but it was wearing on her nerves. Hopefully she'd be able to get rid of all the negative feelings, worrying that they would transfer to the fruit. It was a silly thought, but she only wanted positive energy going into their little tree.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:59 am
How long had it been since he's seen his tree any how? A few months at least, and that proved problematic in his directions. Ugh, there were so many new trees growing it was difficult for the swirled stallion to actually remember which way he needed be headed. Hmm, over here? Flicking his stub of a tail, the Aeri made his way close to the border of the first line of trees, if only he could remember from which side he was suppose to enter. With a rather bothered sigh, the stallion concinued on his way, deciding that if he didn't find it within the short amount of time he was here, he would head back to D'ob without another thought.
After all he had little to do here in the first place, and it was rather annoying that he up and decided to leave his valley home without first getting a proper meal of the sweet grasses there. Crimson eyes flicked their gaze from side to side, mildly aware of protective parents; though that did nothing to save his ears from pinning against the sides of his skull. He hated being around others, despite the fact there must have been several couples in the area who had more right to be here then he did.
One of the couples, unknowest to the big green brute, just so happened to be the blood bay Jala he so fiercely sought after. Though Aitumn, forever watchful of the little fruit, had kept his ears flicking from side to side to show his alertness. The last thing he wanted right now was to be snuck up on, for no doubtedly that would disturb the sleeping Cressida. He would have to go get some more fruits from the two-leggers soon, though he wasn't sure how she had liked them, he figured it wouldn't hurt to have a extra lying around. Perhaps he would meet up Lucius soon, and they could go together like they had planned on doing sometime.
Though it was a rather unusual stirring that caught his attention from a couple of Nequus a dozen or so trees down. Strange really, considering not much happened over here. Quirking his head so he could glance over one of his shoulders, Aitumn took a good look around them. At first glance he hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary, nothing that caught his eye movement wise. Perhaps it was hidden due to the trees? Whatever it was, there was a bit of a commotion up ahead, with a few louds snorts and a squeal or two from a stallion. Definatly odd.
This time the blood bay had turned to angle his body towards the direction of the noise, ears perked and head held at a now alert arch; thoughts of sleep long gone from his hollow dark eyes. Still, his vision was blocked by trees. It wasn't anything drastic that left the stallion as a warning, but rather a soft snort that came from his flared nostrils. If anything did come, it was best to give Cressida at least some sort warning to a sudden rousing that may need to occur.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:07 am
She had heard the commotion as well. One ear turned in that direction, and a moment or two after she blinked the sleep out of her eyes. She shook out her mane, then glanced up at Aitumn. He seemed more tense than usual... Her eyes followed his gaze, and she noticed the commotion over beyond the trees. Funny, not much happened there usually.
She heaved herself up, being careful not to hurt the tree or their fruit, and stretched each leg in turn. If someone decided to come picking a fight, she wouldn't want to be caught unprepared. This may prove to be a wonderful way to rid herself of the irritable mood.
A sudden thought struck her, and she gazed over at Aitumn, ears perked. "Thank you for the food from the two-legs. I forgot to say so earlier. I lived off of their food when I was growing up, after I was separated from my mother," she explained with a bob of her head. It was a rather odd time to say so, but she figured it was better late than never. She didn't want him to feel like he wasn't being helpful, which he was, very much so.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:20 am
Though he was alert and ever watchful of the area in front of them, he did happen to twist one of his ears back to listen to the stirring and waking of the mare. His 'partner' he had come to think of her, for taking care of the tree was much like team work. Had the commontion come to a sudden stop? The blood bay listened carefully, his taunt blood bay hide nearly dancing with slow tensing of finely toned muscle groups. After all, he was a wander, forever on the move and forever active; it was wonder he ever had time to find a meal most of the time. That is, before the tree, but he had been able to keep his body fairly in shape by standing most of the time. Had he even laid down? He thought he had, perhaps a few times, but the stallion prefered not to do so due to lack of heavy horn for a weapon.
Though it was strange subject that was brought up that got his attention. Certainly an odd time, but he did appreciate it. "No problem, I'll try and get some more the next time I take a breather", which he liked to keep fairly short and few between. But, he supposed if it was for food, he wouldn't mind going more frequently. It might even give him a chance to meet up with Lucius again; for he enjoyed the conversations and company of his friend.
Despite his response, his hollow gaze had yet to leave the relative area of the commotion. Unfortunatly, what finally caught his gaze, sent mass amounts of unresolved emotions through his head once more. Green. Swirls. And the leathery wings of an Aeri. It could only be one creature. Why was he here though? Had he somehow found out about the blood bay being here in Shrilal? The fruit? Whatever the reason, Aitumn was not going to take anything for granted.
It was a sudden movement, but the Jala's ears twisted back to pin against the sides of his skull, and his feathered wings, still partially folded, lifted off the sides of his back in a clear threat. "Damnit", he muttered under his breath.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:33 am
She bobbed her head to his statement; more of it would be nice. She couldn't really graze well around here and she couldn't very well leave to graze for more than a few minutes at a time, so food from the humans was very helpful.
Her eyes darted to him as he swore, but then moved back to the commotion. Was that a swirl of green over there? Aeri wings. Huh. Maybe that was what caused Aitumn's discomfort? "Who is that?" If it caused him discomfort, it caused her discomfort as well, for it could mean a confrontation that could put their fruit in danger. She gave herself a thorough shake, stretched both wings, then replaced them at her sides. She gave each leg in turn another good stretch, then tossed her forelock out of her eyes to get a better view of the world around them. Yes, definitely a green Aeri.
Well. If he chose to come, let him. Maybe then she'd find out why he caused Aitumn so much discomfort? He had seemed so stiff the past few days, probably due to a good kick in the side or some such, but where would he get such an injury? From someone who caused him such discomfort, obviously.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:53 am
It was a simple question, but the answer was far more complex then he dared to ponder over at the particular moment. Though, Aitumn's demeanor did not change, the thread did not leave his body language, and his hollow gaze never left the green Aeri. "His name is Zaknafein. Its a bit complicated for me, but he says he's from my past; and apparently he holds a grudge for something I can neither remember nor disprove", which probably explained his distant attitude lately. Well, better late then never, he supposed, when it came to revealing the reason of such behavior.
Damnit. The one place he would not want a confrontation and the brute somehow finds his way over here? For a moment the stallion pondered meeting the murderous Aeri half way to keep him from the fruit that grew upon the tree, but he wasn't quite sure how Cressida would take that. Much less what he would do if the brute somehow got past him.
Zak was rather irrated by now, having quite a few of the couples try to chase him off already. Well, he didn't exactly appreciate it, and the stallion had done nothing more then keep on walking, neither changing his pace nor allowing himself to be chased off. Especially not from tiny little pip-squeaks. As it was though he was approaching yet another couple and their tree. Ugh, it would have been much quicker had he actually remembered the way to his own.
With flick of his stubby tail the brute of a stallion allowed his crimson gaze to examine these two. However, he did stop suddenly when he came to a brown figure. From here, he did see the threat, and the feathered wings. Would his luck actually be this great? Truely, he hadn't stumbled upon Aitumn had he? It was almost too perfect, he didn't even register why he may even be in the fruit lands, nor who that was besides him. All it meant to the green Aeri, is that vengence was close by, and it tasted as sweet as ever against his tongue.
His ears had twisted back as well, his pace quickened but nothing more then a brisk walk. It didn't seem like the Jala was going to run, so why hurry?
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:05 am
She flicked her tail, watching Zak closely. She did sneak a glance back at their fruit. Still growing, still hanging from the tree, still looking very healthy, still perfectly fine. Her green eyes darted back to the similarly green Aeri, studying him carefully. She flicked her ears back against her skull, letting out an irritated snort. "Lovely," was all she said.
She saw him look at her, as well as his falter when he noticed Aitumn. She inwardly hoped he would turn and leave now, but from his quickened pace towards them she knew there would be no such thing. Oh well. If he made even one move toward their fruit, he would pay dearly. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, but she assumed if he was any bit as mean as his looks showed, then it probably would. Maybe Aitumn could take care of this brute himself, but if not... Well. She would have to teach the newcomer a few lessons herself, and he would probably leave regretting the encounter.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:44 am
Just his luck, not only had he come to the fruit lands but he had noticed Aitumn almost as keenly as the blood bay had noticed him. Ugh, this was neither the time nor place for such an encounter. Still though, with his quickening pace, another encounter this close to the tree could probably become harmful for the fruit that hung from its delicate grasp. With an irratated flick of his lengthy midnight tail, the Jala stallion took it upon himself to move towards Zak and away from the the tree. Unforunatly, such an action only ment he would have to guard it from a distance, and to try and prevent any movement towards it. Lovely indeed.
The jala's strides though, having recovered from the injury to his hip fairly well, moved with relative ease. He had always had smooth movements, quick and sudden, and a balance that never failed. His pace on the other hand, was a decive jog, limps stretching outwards to eat up the distance between them, and head bobbing on a high arch with ever step. It wouldn't be long now.
Ah, so the Jala had either come to terms with his past and was coming out of guilt, or something much more interesting was taking palce. A curious look crossed the Aeri's face as he glanced from Aitumn to the mare and tree. Reya? Crimson eyes shifted towards the fruit that hung from the limb of the spindly tree, brown and patched white with color. Oddly, it reminded him quite a bit of the Jala he so desperated wished to destroy.
Whatever. His gaze once again shifted to the stallion as he had not made the connection just yet. "Don't tell me you're stupider then I thought. Coming out here to meet. Pompus p***k", Zak spoke, large hooves coming to a halt just a little ways away. For his luck to be this great, and for him to find Aitumn this easily after all the years, well, you could imagine the glee that filled the Aeri's black heart. "Sorry to break up the little conversation, you so seemed to be ejoying it", he goaded further, which of course was a stretch of the imagination. How though? How should he enjoy this?
Whatever came to mind, he would certainly take his time to figure it out; for a small, twisted grin came to his features as it seemed like the muscles under his hide tensed. "Visiting Shrilal? Can't imagine why you'd want to look upon the scared bark of your own pathetic tree."
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:56 am
She noticed Aitumn leave her side to meet the Aeri ahead of them, though her eyes didn't leave the intruder for even one moment. If this stallion boded ill for Aitumn, he also boded ill for her and their fruit. Thankfully, he didn't seem to have made the connection yet that the fruit hanging from the tree was indeed theirs. Hopefully it would stay that way.
My my, he certainly seemed full of himself, didn't he? Enough insults and taunts to irritate anyone. But what in the world would he hold against Aitumn? The bay Jala had said the Aeri held a grudge for something that happened in the past. Why couldn't Aitumn remember it? Either he'd forgotten it on purpose or by accident. Head injuries, though usually uncommon, could instill memory loss on some nequus. Perhaps that had caused him to forget such a thing? It certainly wouldn't be some petty argument over fruit or grass, which was easily forgotten, that such an Aeri as this would hold a long-standing grudge against the bay. But what could he have done, and why couldn't the idiot see that Aitumn had obviously forgotten what has come to pass?
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:37 pm
Aitumn had always been a stallion of very few words, and even more so now. Sure, he had his confusion, and he has his doubtful guilt towards what he had been told; but it still annoyed the living daylights out of him to be down-right mocked. Though where as Zak had come to a halt, the blood bay had continued in his animated pace until the distance between them was few; nearly to the point a simply leap forward would have them at each other's throats in the matter of seconds.
Aitumn, however knowing this, had never been to back down from out right mockery. Not only that, but he had something more then pride this time; he had a fruit. Though, certainly, as he watched the green beast before him, Cressida would be more then willing to down right protect it as well. Perhaps he should have taken comfort in that, but as it was, the Jala's hollow gaze followed as Zak tried to make a slow pass beside him, possibly trying to get behind him? Aitumn wouldn't have that, though, and took a step back before the brute could continue to move, and stepped into his path. It may have been a single hind leg and part of his hip, but it was enough to make the brute halt in near confusion.
"Yeah, visiting Shrilal", the stallion confirmed, though with a rather quiet, hard tone.
He was rather curious though, as to why Aitumn had been so close to such a fruit tree, no doubt so close to what he presumed to be the mother? Had she been in the middle of chasing him off? Naw, it hadn't looked like it from where he stood. So, that left Zak with a rather curious glance back towards the fruit, once again noting the brown color. It did, sorta, remind him of the blood bay's coloring.
Not only that, but why had he been blocked for going closer? Unless... sonofanag. Right under his nose! Feeling rather sick at this speculation, Zak did not hesitate snake his muzzle out, his bared teeth grazing the Jala's flesh as it seemed the leg moved out of place just in time. "I doubt it," he muttered rather darkly. With a flick of his stubby tail the Aeri found himself once again cut off from the tree by the blood bay stallion. Just the thought of Aitumn being allowed to have such a thing, was horribly sickening. And who would even dare, was just beyond his train of thought.
Though, perhaps he could play this to his advantage? Once more, his crimson gaze struck out towards the fruit. How painful would it be, to lose it? That just left one problem now, his desire to harm was put off until he got past the Jala.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:46 pm
With some mix of curiosity in her eyes, Cress watched the two stallions, snorting as the green brute tried to bite Aitumn. Now what was his problem? He kept looking between the fruit and Aitumn, but -- oh crap. Finally figured it out. Wonderful.
Well, at least Aitumn hadn't outright told the idiot he had a fruit, he'd let him figure it out for himself. She didn't like this one at all now. Hopefully Aitumn would drive him off, but it certainly didn't look like that would be the case, not in the least. She let out another snort, ears pinned back against her skull. Well, she thought, pawing the ground, let him try getting near it. Let him try to get past me. There was no way in hell that the gilded mare would let anything, anything happen to their fruit. So just let the big brute of an idiot Aeri try to get past her. She'd give him something to be pissed about.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:01 pm
Oddly enough, he had sorta figured Zak would try something like that, it was only natural after their last encounter. Still, he supposed he could only do so much to avoid getting struck, and potentially try to get him away from the fruit. Though Aitumn wasn't about to try that now, for it would require opening a path to it.
However his thoughts were short lived as it seemed the Aeri was ready for action, and throwing his weight around. Aitumn's only task right now, he figured, was to try drive the 18 hand monster away, in which the odds were pretty much against him. With a snap the Aeri's leathery wings in sudden threat, causing Aitumn to twist sideways in order to avoid it. Apparently, the Aeri had figured it out, which just proved it all to be problematic. Unfortunatly such a move did leave room for the Aeri to snake his muzzle out once more.
Usually, Aitumn was a rather alert fellow, always keeping his hollow eyes on the area around him. Fortunatly, that did include Zak's head. Slipping his hooves off to the side, Aitumn was able to avoid getting bitten, allowing for his own muzzle to stretch outward. 'Tagging' Zak on the shoulder with his own bared teeth.
It seemed, like the encounter that had been on his mind days before, was about to repeat itself.
That is, if the green beast didn't have something else on his mind at the moment. Despite getting grazed by Aitumn's own strike, it had left an opening for him to be rather cheap about the whole thing. His bulk, though not great for battling it out like some might expect, was splendid for bluffs. Try as he might, Aitumn would not be able to hold his own against his weight.
The details of his movement were quite complex for the Aeri, if not cowardice as he backed off slightly, showing that he may not only give up, but turn tail and run. Aitumn might have been a bit too smart for that, but that it didn't stop the Aeri from suddenly plowing forward, wasting no energy in going around the Jala when he could go through him quite easily.
That fruit was on his mind, and he wasn't going to waste any time getting to it.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:10 pm
Luckily Aitumn had avoided getting bitten, and she inwardly chuckled when he snapped at the green Aeri. Serves him right, the idiot. What was he up to now? He didn't seem like he would turn and run, he was showing too much aggression for such an act. So what in the world was he--
Oh. Oh dear. The fruit, of course. If he had a grudge against Aitumn, what better way of dealing with the bay than attacking his child, unborn or not? Unborn was more vulnerable, supposedly. It couldn't protect itself, but that didn't mean no one would do so.
She took a few quick steps forward, standing between them and the tree, not knowing whether the Aeri would come for it or not, but it was best to be prepared. After a moment's pause, she took a couple more steps forward. There. Put as much space as possible from her and the tree for now, in case the Aeri did try to get to it. All the while her eyes never left Zaknafein, watching him very, very closely. He would make a move on their fruit, she was sure, but she wasn't sure if Aitumn could hold him back or not. If not... Well. Her gaze hardened into a glare and she snorted, stomping a forehoof on the ground, and she started snapping her muscular tails. Let's see him try.
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Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 3:42 pm
As it was, Aitumn's weight was nearly a fraction of the large Aeri's; and though he hadn't fallen for the backing down bit, he couldn't quite hold his ground either. Plain and simple, it would have been a different story if they're weights and bulk had been around the same, but when Aitumn dug in his heels he found himself being shoved off to the side quite easily.
Though, his balance had always been quite grand, so to his surprise he hadn't been completely sent sprawling, and as the green brute went ambling past in his awkward gait; the blood bay reached out to throw a sideways kick in his direction. Arching at the neck and lumbering on the land, he had felt a rather hard thud against his hooves. Well, he had struck him at least, and as quick as Aitumn was he felt rather disoriented from being plowed into. That didn't stop him from turning around and trying to catch up to him though, ears pinned and teeth bared.
Unfortunatly, the best he could get was snapping at the fellow's flank, before having to dig in his heels once more to avoid getting struck in the face with a hoof.
Pathetic, he didn't know if the Jala was just off his game or what, but pushing his weight around had never been more fulfilling in his life. Now fully aware of the delicate fruit, Zak continued forward at his awkward lope. Just a little bit closer, so close to being there, the stallion didn't quite register the Reya mare before him. Though, then again, she didn't seem to pose any threat despite those snapping tails. In fact, she looked smaller then Aitumn. Normally he might have felt bad for wanting to do this, but to be defending Aitumn, he didn't quite care any more.
Quite simply, Zak was about to make his biggest mistake; trying to get past a mother Reya and get to her fruit.
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