|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:51 am
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was a grey and cloudy day by the sea. The skies didn't quite promise rain, but the air was chill and very little sunlight leaked through the grumpy clouds. Mists from the ocean rolled thickly up into the forests that lined the coast, masking the world in a damp blanket that muffled sounds and smells.
Such days usually didn't affect her mood, but today the weather reflected how she was feeling. Pensively she moved through the trees, her pace slow and measured. A faint frown touched her mouth, and her tail drooped behind her. It had been a week since the last gift, and she was having to admit to herself that she was disappointed. It seemed she had truly driven off this newest suitor. Dealing with her own feelings on the matter was a struggle.
After all, wasn't she worthy of something better? Someone more noble, more wise, more elegant, more... something? But it wasn't as if he hadn't been easy on the eyes, nor that he failed to be courteous and well-mannered. A soft snort revealed her frustration. How was she supposed to tell when it was indeed the right stallion? She had trusted that somehow she would just know, but somehow that had gotten lost along the way. What did she want? How would she know who fulfilled those requirements if she chased them all off immediately? The wisdom of her choices was beginning to appear doubtful.
The tall evergreens with their red, gnarled trunks obscured what little there was of light, so that the mists swirled ghostly pale around her legs in the semi-darkness. But up ahead, odd lights flickered. Her own doledrums momentarily forgotten, she craned her neck and headed for the source of this new illumination.
She pushed past some soft leafy bushes and stopped in wonder. In a tiny nook amongst the massive tree trunks, a tiny spring burbled up from the ground. It bubbled from a rock about the size of her head. The water welled in a crack that nestled in a cubby of the rock. It then ran down the side and trailed off with quiet dignity into the darkened forest. But that wasn't exactly what had caught her attention.
All around the rock floated and flitted tiny sources of light. They flickered on and off, and hummed softly to themselves. At first glance one would have thought they were fireflies, but the humming dismissed that. The light they shed was a glimmering gold, which seemed to trail behind them in luminecent glitter. Even as she watched, one drifted away from the others and landed on her muzzle. Tiny filigree wings stopped moving, and light faded. The hum paused, and the tiny figure trilled at her questioningly. Startled, T'Cora stared almost cross-eyed at the miniscule being. Why, these were pixies! She nickered softly at the exquisite little creature, which chirruped a merry little tune before again launching off her nose to go join the others.
That was not all that was awaiting her though. She noticed, perched in another fold in the rock, above the small cleft that produced the brook, something was waiting for her. She moved closer to see it, neck stretched out, nostrils flaring, while the pixies danced and sang in the air around her.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:01 pm
T'Cora's listless attitude of late was not lost on her wolf companion. He had observed her occasional lapses into staring off into space, and her slowly slipping attitude, from one of contentedness to that nearing depression. And all in such a short amount of time! Well he was not going to have it. This had to stop, and had to stop soon.
So he had taken to following her when she wasn't aware. When she drifted off on her own with that sad look in her eyes, he would silently move away, downwind, where he could track where she went, and who else was there. Today was no different, though the all-encompassing fog made it more difficult to keep up with her. He had managed, though, and circled around when she'd stopped.
He was here. Mystre was sure of it! That stallion's scent drifted faintly on the damp air. That meant... no! Not another gift! The wolf began to run, silent paws carrying him through the darkened forest. He neared her location, sensing her awe and interest and growing warmth of heart. No, he would not have it!
With a voiceless snarl he leapt into the trysting glade, snapping his jaws and emenating menace. His white ruff stood up and his pale eyes scanned the area for the enemy. Only there wasn't one. Tiny glowing bits of something that squealed and screamed in shrill tones zipped away, disappearing in all directions up towards the forest's canopy, leaving them in shadow below.
"Where is he?" he growled into her mind, pacing stiff-legged around the rock-spring. "Where is that... that... ravisher?!" His mental voice was harsh in its ferocity. His urge to protect her had driven him to this point, and he was a force to be reckoned with now. He would tear into that blue booby of a soquili so that his coat turned purple with shed blood. He must protect T'Cora!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:33 pm
T'Cora reared back from the sudden appearance of her bosom brother, his thoughts roiling with anger, aggressiveness, and violence. Her eyes rolled and she instinctively squealed a warning, lashing out with forehooves while the pixies all fled the chaos that had invaded their peaceful dance. She swung her horn, but clipped the urge to lower it before it could become reality. This was Mystre! Not some ravening wolf come to tear her throat out! Right?
His words in her mind filled her with dread and a touch of indignance. They both knew who he was talking about, and she saw no point whatsoever in this violent approach to her determined suitor. She wasn't ready to admit it yet, but she was becoming quite flattered that he would persist so. But now her dearest friend in the world had barged in, ruining a perfectly wonderful moment with his rantings.
"Stop it!" she cried, slamming her forehooves back to the ground. "Stop it this instant!" Her nostrils flared as she tossed her head, baring teeth. "What is wrong with you? Would you slay an innocent if determiend soquili?" She spread her hooves and lowered her head to stare at the wolf, matching glare for glare. "What has gotten into you? This is not like the rational, wise brother who has stood beside me all my life!" Her voice turned from furious to anguished. "Have you no sense?"
At a loss for what else to say, she shook her head hard, sending her curling mane into a wild spray about her neck and head. Forgotten, the gift lay as yet uninspected, now bathed in faint light from the sun overhead, wanly shining through cloudcover and treebranches. Patiently it would wait to be noticed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:28 pm
Mystre stopped cold at the resultant fury from his companion. Astonished, he stared at her as she rent the air with hooves and cried out at him. Couldn't she understand? Didn't they share their thoughts and feeling, directly mind to mind? How could she not know and approve of his vigilance and fierce protection on her behalf?
For several breathless moments, after she was done, he stood staring at her in bafflement, his fury draining away to leave him in chilly numbness. She truly didn't understand. She couldn't feel his righteous wrath. Instead all she could see was him acting irrationally. Hollow and cold, he stared back at her.
It was all that stallion's fault! He was to blame for her lack of understanding! They had always been of one accord, sending every dewey-eyed and deteremined boy packing before he could launch into flowery song or prideful boasting. What had changed but for this stallion, to change her heart so?
Cold anger replaced the previous heat of fury. It was his fault, and he would pay. Without another word to T'Cora, he flattneed his ears and stalked away into the darkness. Night was falling, and he had planning to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:57 pm
She watched him go, echoes of his reactions and feelings reverberating within her mind. She couldn't understand what had gotten into him, that he would act so unlike himself! He had never been the sort to use violence to force others to do as he wished. They both had always used words or subtle actions in order to convince others to leave them be. But for him to charge in, snarling and snapping as he had... it unsettled her deeply.
She sighed softly, her heart deeply troubled, and as if that were the signal, pixie lights began to shine from above her. The tiny winged beings drifted back down to her, crooning and trilling at her in concern and soothing. She raised her face to them, tears shining in their warm glow. The singing, crooning carlings descended on her, swirling around her and stroking her face with miniature hands. "Thank you, my friends," she murmured, trying to hold off the tears from the shock of her closest friend's behavior.
But soon they were beckoning her, swooping away from her twoards the stone, then back, only to circle towards the spring-rock again. Drawn forward, she gave a soft, choked laugh as the glowing creatures cheered in their sing-song way and began to do a dance in a circle around whatever had been left on the rock for her. They had all joined hands and were spinning in a mad ring around it, kicking up their delicate feet and warbling a wild little tune of joy.
Pressing back her tears, she swallowed the lump in her throat and approached the rock. With the pixies' illumination, she could finally tell what that bold stallion had left for her.
Lying there was a single, perfect white rose, pure in color and beauty. Situated behind it was a very odd rock. If she looked at it from above, it appeared like any other rock. But on the side, where it faced the rose, colors of the shallow ocean and summer skies washed in startling clarity, as if the rock had imagined itself the sea, and thus changed it's inner self.
The thought made her pause, gazing soberly into the whorl of colors. Changing one's inner self. Was it time for change for her? The very thought of change that took her further from Myster made her heart squeeze painfully. But she couldn't live her life with only him for company. Unicorn or not, she wasn't made that way. Something would indeed have to change. She realized now that she couldn't always push others away and expect to find what she needed. A companion of her own kind, at least. She wasn't ready to think of finding a mate. Resolutely her mind steered around that possibility.
But perhaps... just perhaps... could this stallion be the one to start with? Should she allow him close to her, let him beyond her icy borders? The very idea was very frightening. She tended to be a very private individual. The irony of that when she also shared her mind with a wolf didn't occur to her. Still, she had to make a choice. Remain as she was, alone save for Mystre. Or change, let someone in, and open herself to pain and hurt.
She had much to think about. She raised her head and spoke softly to the still celebrating pixies. "Please tell him... thank you." Her tone was hesitant, but no less sincere. Turning slowly, she walked back the way she'd come, mind turned inward as it had been on her approach, but with different thoughts churning. The cloudy, misty day was certainly a time for introspection.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:55 pm
This most recent gift has been tricky to manage. It was all begun when he'd stumbled upon a rock, literally. His hoof had struck it with a ringing tone, and it had split neatly in half, revealing it's inner beauty. The blue-washed colors reminded him strongly of her. He had gathered the two pieces up in a wing and set off, a plan forming in his mind.
He had kept one half. How could he resist something that made him think of her? But the prettier half he set aside to be hers. Then came the first of the two difficult stages. How to convince the pixies? He had found a colony of them, perched high on a rocky mountainside, but very unhappy. Their nearby forest had burned some time ago, and now they felt seperated from their beloved forest.
But pixies do not trust easily. It took him having to compose a song for their new home before they agreed to listen to his plan. Once they knew why, he then also had to compose a song of love. Once such rituals were satisfied, the little creatures had gleefully agreed to his plan. It was such a fantastic idea! The mischevious wonder of it appealed to them.
Thus it was that he ended up flying about, following the unicorn mare where-ere she went, carrying a pixie hive in his mouth. They, in turn, kept the rock and a rose each day within their hive for him. But the chance didn't come until today. It had been so gloomy, he knew this was the perfect chance, if only the perfect place would appear as well! And so it had! It was a little off her path, but he was sure it would suffice.
They had first arranged the two gifts on the rock from which the waterspring flowed. Seeing the place with the pixies darting about had excited him, for the scene was irresistable, so much magic did it stir. He then had fulfilled his own part of the promise. Carrying their nest, he flew high into the forest canopy, folding wings to plunge upwards through the roof of the trees before settling down into the top of the foliage. There he had found a very sturdy branch on an ancient redwood tree. With the help of the pixies, he had affixed their next safely there, nestled against the bole of the giant.
He had been tempted to stay and watch, but knew his presence would distract the tiny creatures. Wanting the experience to be perfect for his lovely target, he had left. A long flight, out to the ocean and up towards the mountains, hadn't done anything to settle his pounding heart. Oh how he longed to be there, to see her reaction when she discovered what he'd left for her! Instead he stayed away until the sun was down and the stars were twinkling brightly above.
Only then did he again descend into the dark forest canopy. The pixies greeted him with choruses of squeals and trills of sheer happiness. He listened attentively to their lyrical, lilting, and very fast little voices. He could only catch one word in every ten or so, but they embellished and overworded much of the time anyway. He caught something about a cruel wolf, and a fight of no blood? And then they all chimed in, very slowly (for them) to say a ringing "Thank you!" in their high, shrill little voices. Apparently those were T'Cora's words?
Thrilled and heartened, he stepped to the spring-rock. At first he was vastly disappointed. The sea-stone was still there, with the white rose accompanying it! But as he looked closer, he saw another rose, dried and shriveled, as well as some other curled blossoms and a twisting shell. His eyes widened, and he glanced at the pixies. They trilled and did cartwheels and zipped around madly. He couldn't help wishing he could do the same! His heart was near to bursting with joy.
His plan was working!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:01 pm
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
T'Cora stood in the treasure glen, staring bemusedly at the spring-rock and it's small trove of little incidentals. It was a bright and sunny day, several days after she had brought her other small gifts to this spot. The pixies were slumbering deep in their hive, away from the bright light. This particular nest seemed to prefer darkness to dance in, which perhaps was partly why they had readily agreed to Darius' plan in the first place, though she couldn't know that.
Currently, as she let her eyes wander over the various items, she found herself wondering if he would come back to this spot. Would he see her little tribute to him and his thoughtfulness? Her old habits rose up to try and shake off the sentimental attitude, but she shoved the tendancy aside. It was time she began to deal with how she felt, time to listen to her heart.
It was surprising to her how much the attention from this stallion, steady and subtle as it was, had been teaching her about herself. Her own reactions became painfully clear, and the reasons behind those reactions shown to be shadows and fears. Well, perhaps not exactly fears, she mentally amended. Misconceptions was a better word for what her haughtiness stemmed from. Now that she was faced with the reflection of herself, by considering how this mysterious admirer must see her, she was coming to realize that change was necessary, both for survival as well as for happiness.
She could hardly call her life over the last year or so happy. Content, perhaps, yes. But very lonely, despite the companionship of her ever present wolf-brother. She winced guiltily at the thought of Mystre. She knew he didn't approve, but what she felt guilty about wasn't that. It was a sense that she was betraying him, by seeking the company of males of her own kind. It hurt to think of what the wolf would think or feel if ever T'Cora did choose a mate.
As if summoned by her thoughts, a mental voice entered her mind even as the wolf padded into sight. "Throw it all over the cliff," he told her sternly. "Get rid of it all, for your own good." Startled, the mare simply stared at her dearest friend. He padded towards her, emenating threat and anger with every step. Unaware she did so, T'Cora took two steps backward, bumping her rump against one of the tower giants.
"Why is it for my own good?" she asked breathlessly. Something felt off. Something felt wrong about this. She and Mystre very rarely had misunderstandings, much less arguments. She didn't quite know what to do, although she very clearly didn't side with the wolf on this. "What good would it do me when I wish to keep them?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:48 pm
"Keep them as what? Reminders of something that never was?" His tone was unusually sneering. It made her gasp a breath, taken aback by the oddness tainting him. "All he ever has been is a fleeting shadow, a spring rain. Given time and excuse, he'll be gone just as quick!" His powerful jaws snapped at the air, making a sickening click. He paced towards her, a fire alight in his eyes. Growing more alarmed by the heartbeat, she took an involuntary step backwards.
"So you would have me reject happiness, for fear of unhappiness?" Her vhoice was strained, gasped out from lack of breath. He prowled closer, his entire body language more like that of his wilder brothers than the childhood companion he was. She took another step backwards. "That is madness, Mystre. You would know that if you were more yourself." It had slipped out, but even as she said it, she knew it was the wrong thing to voice.
She recoiled in fright as he lunged at her, snarling. "I AM myself!" his voice snarled in her mind. "It is you who are abandoning me in this madness!" And with that he threw himself at the rock, jaws gaping. Slavering and growling mentally, he tore apart her small treasure trove, ripping the flowers to shreds with his teeth, and flinging everything else around so that they broke. The shell shattered easily against the hard surface of the shelf, while the smooth and lovely ocean rock was flung far, the soft thud of its landing obsured by the scrape of his claws and gnashing of his teeth.
Frigthened and shocked, T'Cora turned and fled the tiny glade, tears blurring her vision as she ran. She almost had understood his driven dislike of the stallion. She knew now he was afraid of losing her. But he had gone too far. He had overstepped the bounds of being her best friend, and now seemed more predator than brother. Heart-torn, she fled heedlessly through the forest, only focused on getting away from the hatefulness that now infected her dearest friend in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:59 pm
Night had fallen when he found her. She was plodding, head down and face tear-stained, through a field of yellowed grass and tiny autumn flowers. In daylight she would have been a startling contrast of blue and green against the warmer yellows, reds, and oranges of fall in the mainland. Beneath the watery light from a sliver of the moon, she was a moving lump of distress.
He had felt it, her misery and dismay. It had drawn him, though he couldn't have known it had been her that had stirred him restlessly into the sky. But as he soared over the land, his heart within him had tightened until it was a painful knot lodged in his throat. It was then that he caught sight of her dejected form below. He could not have stopped to consider how best to approach her if he had tried. All he knew is that she needed someone. She needed him.
He dove ground-wards, wings tucked and neck straining forward. he flared his wings almost too late, landing so hard that he stumbled to his knees. In moments he had surged back up, not bothering to fold back his wings. Instead he rushed to her side, eyes white-rimmed with worry. "What is wrong, my lady? What has happened to trouble you so?" His deep voice came out almost in a rasp around the lump in his throat. His stomach was spinning, as if he had done too many barrel-rolls and had lost sight of where earth and sky were. "Please, tell me so I may steal away your pain!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:22 pm
"It's... it's Mystre!" She broke into fresh sobs at his appearance, unable to stop herself from giving in to any sympathy. So distraught was she, that she practically flung herself at him, in desperate need of the comfort he offered her. "He... he's gone mad!" Her whole body shook and she leaned against him, her tears staining his blue hide nearly black in the darkness. "M-m-my gifts! That you gave me... he d-d-destroyed them!" A fresh wave of tears and sobbing drove her straight into a fit of hiccups, which only made her feel more miserable.
Nothing was right in the world. It might as well be completely upside down for all that she knew. Her best and dearest friend, from the moment of her birth... the only link to her unknown heritage, and here he was, demanding she give up such a wonderful thing as new love. To see him acting so predatory, so vicious, was a complete and utter shock. Never in their lives had he ever been so cruel and cold-hearted. Even knowing it was fear that caused him to react so didn't help. Even afraid, she couldn't see the sense in treating the things she valued so dearly that way. To treat her feelings to roughly. It wrenched her heart in two.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:44 pm
Crooning wordlessly, he enfolded her in his great wings, just barely keeping them from trembling. Such pain she felt! Such despair! And it was all over... his gifts? His own heart screeched to a halt within his chest, making it hard to breathe. His gifts. She cared so much for his gifts that their destruction by her companion brought her to this state. The joy that followed the thought nearly felled him with it's fierceness. His heart went from a stand still to now racing so madly he was sure it was going to leap out of his chest.
Had he finally thawed her mask of ice, and touched the warm and loving heart within?
Cradling her shaking body close, he wrapped her in his love. There was no explination of why it flamed so brightly for a mare he knew mostly from afar, but that didn't change the fact of its brightness. He held her that way until her sobs slowed, and her hiccups eased. When she finally took a last, shuddering breath and took a step back, he let her move away, but reached to nuzzle the last of her tears. "Oh, my heart, I'm so sorry that you are grieved so!" His deep blue eyes sough and held her aqua ones. "Tell me, why did your friend do such a thing?" He kept one wing draped over her comfortingly, trying to soothe her with his nearness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 6:54 pm
She sniffled, feeling terrible, horrible, and ugly. Her mane was a mess and her face was all puffy from crying. She swallowed and finally looked up into the eyes of her comforter. How they glowed with acceptance and concern! For a moment she was swept away, staring into those deep blue depths. It was real. He hadn't been leading her on. Her heart had always known, but she had refused to listen... at first. But who can deny true love? The feel of his feathers along her shoulder blade shivered her back to her senses.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I shouldn't have...," she trailed off, realizing that her apology was senseless. His eyes told her that yes, she should have. Heaving a great sigh of final release, she gave in and released the last of her resistance. More delicately and deliberately this time, she leaned against him.
"He was certain that you were leading me on, and he hated that I was choosing you over his sound advice." Her voice was soft, and filled with great sadness. "And now that I know...," she trailed off again, meeting his eyes with a sense of awe. "Well, this only makes things harder." She tucked her chin and leaned her head against his neck, taking unusual comfort from his steadying presence. "I don't know how to make this right again."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 7:16 pm
The tears still in her eyes made them more luminous and beautiful than the moon on the neverending ocean. His heart squeezed painfully hard again as she moved closer to him again, using him as a shield against the pain she felt. Suddenly he felt bigger, stronger, and more alive than he ever had before. Quietly he listened as she spoke, explaining the situation to him. The answer seemed obvious to him, but there was no need to sound disparging about it.
"You may not know how, but I think I do." It was time, quick as it might seem, on the heels of her finally showing acceptance of his love, finally returning it. "Let me prove to him how serious I am." He stepped away from her, but turned to face her, framing her face with both wings. Taking a deep breath as if he were about to plunge deep into the sea, he gazed into her stunning eyes and spoke from the heart.
"My love, my heart, I can never tell you how rich and deep my love for you flows. The words will never be enough. So let me show you, through not just words, but actions. Not just through gifts, but dedication. Let me show you my love for years and years to come, to prove my heart belongs to you. But say you love me, and I will be yours forever and aye, never to stray from your side." How he felt his heart would burst! He did not fear her answer, but the moment was so intense, it seemed to him as if the whole world hung upon her answer. The moon held still and the stars paused in their endless tread. All was still about them, as even the earth itself held its breath.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 7:51 pm
Surprised, she stared at him, wondering what this miraculous solution to the problem could possibly be. But as he spoke, his gaze never leaving hers, the world slowed to a crawl. Everything blurred into nothingness until all that existed was just her and him. He... he meant it! His sincerity poured out of him like musk, his love warming her like the noontime sun. For a time she simply stared at him, each heartbeat seeming to last a lifetime.
And then suddenly her breath rushed in with a gust, and she flung herself forward, wrapping her neck around his, laying her chin against his withers. "Oh yes. I will be yours if you will be mine, Darius love!" Her tears trickled afresh down her cheeks. For time untold, they stood like that, embracing each other. But after a time, she remembered why this had all come to pass. Mystre.
"We have to find him," she murmured, only leaning back but not moving away. "He needs to know. I only hope that this is indeed what will heal the rift and tame the beast." Her expression was troubled, but not distressed any more. She wasn't alone in this, not ever again. She took a deep breath and asked something she'd never asked for before... help. "Can you help me find him?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
