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 Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:22 am
Ichigo had been wandering as usual since the weather was now permitting such an act. It seemed as though winter was over and spring was on it's way. He was definitely excited for any change in scenery and temperature, but there was one thing he disliked about the spring. All of the soquili who had been resting or hiding from the cold would now want to come out and play. And, most of the time that meant with him! He wasn't opposed to interacting with others but his patience allowed for only a few interactions at a time. His personality was too focused to sit and chatter all day. Though, now that he was off and wandering again, he realized that his last encounter was with his newfound pal Killian. Since Killian he hadn't spoken to... anyone! So, basically he had no idea to what was going on in the soquili world. Ah well, to each their own he supposed. Was he seriously becoming a hermit? He liked his lifestyle, even if it was quiet. He could train all day and keep himself busy like any other creature. He blinked at the thought and suddenly halted in his step. His ears flicked in discomfort when he realized how noisy all of the birds were above him. Apparently birds were more chatty then some of the soquili he'd seen! "Ugggh." he then exclaimed, and with that he continued to walk forward while putting his strange thoughts away for the moment. It was too hard to concentrate with so many birds above him and yelling. Yep, spring was definitely here. Hopefully Ichigo could get himself prepared for it.
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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:05 pm
 It had been a long time since Aquene had sought the comfort of solitude... not that she appreciated it as much as certain other members of her herd, but the constant fussing of her immediate family over her recently quiet and withdrawn demeanor had her looking for relief from the prying gazes, if only for a few moments. It had been a long time since she'd seen a new face, and though she wasn't entirely sure she was up to a discussion with a stranger, at this point it seemed like a welcome possibility, even if she wasn't sure how much she could contribute.
Dulled golden hues lifted from their focused stare on the wet grass beneath her hooves, finally taking notice of the absence of snow and the beginning of blooms gracing the brightening meadow before her. Spring... it seemed as though winter had been there forever- although she supposed she had barely taken notice of the changing seasons around her lately. She loved spring, but it was becoming notably harder to dredge up as much enthusiasm as she was normally used to showing.
Ivory ears twitched as a masculine voice broke through the chatter of the numerous birds perched in trees overhead, half-lidded eyes opening fully to observe the source of the noise as he continued obliviously through the tall grasses. She was quiet for a moment, simply watching- he seemed to be adorned in loosely wrapped bandages, and she wondered for a moment if he was injured; an old, familiar feeling of concern rising to the forefront of her mind. He had groaned a moment ago- she had assumed it was in exasperation- but perhaps he was in pain.
There wasn't much that she would be able to do if he was, but that had never stopped her before. Pausing for a moment to clear her throat, she eyed him with a small bit of wariness- if he was foul-tempered, she wouldn't waste her time in his presence, but she felt obligated to offer help wherever it was needed. "Hello..." she spoke softly, wincing almost self-consciously at the weak greeting. "...Are you hurt?" She gestured with a flame-tipped wing towards his wrappings, shifting from foot to foot in discomfort as she directed her gaze towards the ground. "I don't know what I can do myself, but... I could get someone..."
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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:28 pm
Ichigo's ears shook when he heard something entirely different then the birds around him and he supposed his preoccupation with them was now a waste of time. When had a soquili entered around him? He must have seriously been spacing out. His head turned quickly to face the light mare who was now approaching him and he tilted his head to the side towards her questions and concerns. Did he really look like he was hurt? Man, talk about strange!
"I'm not hurt." he finally said while watching her very closely. Her colors were rather bright like his own hair and her wings looked strong and sturdy. He wondered what kind of mare she was like. But unfortunately, looks alone couldn't answer such a question. From her voice he could tell that she was probably somewhat quiet and collected, since she hadn't marched towards him or anything. Plus she was keeping herself very calm even as she watched him back.
His eyes then navigated towards his hooves and he wondered what made her think that he needed help. Was it that he looked weak? He just couldn't accept that as a reasoning! There was no way... "Now, what exactly made you think I was hurting? I am.. most confused." To him it was a perfectly acceptable question since her own observations were unclear to him.
For some reason he felt very bothered suddenly, and he wondered if he gave off the appearance as if always needing assistance. Talk about irony, then! He was probably the most self-sustained creature that lurked throughout the landscape. But, if he was being misread, then hopefully this mare could help him clear things up...
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:34 am
She fidgeted slightly under his scrutiny, then wondered with a wince where all of her previous confidence and assuredness had gone to as she finally took notice of her own timidity. She had never thought herself a coward, even under the strain of her own shortcomings and mistakes that she'd had to face in previous months, but she was acting the part of one now. Determinedly, she raised her eyes to meet his own, relieved when it didn't seem he was gazing at her with anything other than curiosity.
"I see," she spoke quietly again, affording a tiny, brief flicker of a smile in slight relief as he stated that he was not in any sort of trouble, though she was abashed at her apparent misunderstanding. "Forgive me, then. Your..." she gestured with a sweep of her cerulean and orange wing towards the dangling strips of gauze wrapped around his midsection and forelegs, "bandages led me to believe that you might have some sort of injury... I didn't mean to imply anything insulting."
She was well familiar with the sort of pride that would undoubtedly be struck at such a suggestion of weakness, and hoped he was assured that she hadn't meant to offend him. She didn't want to make any enemies... but he didn't seem to be angry, only a bit baffled. Now that she looked closely, she could even see a glint of something that looked like kindness hidden deep below the amber gaze that held her own.
Stepping back a bit, she dipped her head in a polite bow of proper greeting, golden eyes a bit warmer as she spoke again and voice a bit stronger than the quiet murmur of before, but still soft. "My name is Aquene. I apologize for butting in, I just... didn't want to ignore the prospect of someone needing help." She looked sheepish, shrugging her shoulders as feathered wings resettled themselves against her sides.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:54 am
Ah, his bandages. A part of him wanted to hit himself in the head and say 'Doh' because this sort of thing had happened before. He wasn't sure why so many soquili noticed them right off the bat, since to him they were perfectly natural. But then again, he was a strange one anyway. So maybe he shouldn't have been so surprised!
"There's no reason to apologize." he finally answered, while mustering a small grin. "My bandages are here for training purposes, but as you said, many soquili tend to misunderstand that." Not everyone was as psycho about training as he was. He quieted himself once again when the mare spoke up and introduced herself. Aquene.. that was an interesting name. "I'm Ichigo." he added, while finding it necessary.
"It's nice to hear that you are always there for others. I find that many soquili lack that ability themselves." he chuckled to himself while shifting his front foot lightly. "But then again, I'd be bad if you over-watched, you know? You need to have your own life and fun, there's always too much trouble in this land anyways." And maybe that's why the confusion had happened in the first place?
"Either way, you aren't butting in." he finally added, with a light swish of his tiny tail.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:38 pm
The stiffness in her form evaporated a bit at his dismissal, and the stubborn set of her ears against her head relaxed slightly at the answering smile that bloomed on his own muzzle. He didn't seem to be put off by her assumptions, so her ears pricked forward to listen further to his words as he continued.
For the first time in a long while, a genuine smile slowly dawned on her ivory features, spreading itself across her face and lighting her golden eyes in a warm glow- though much dimmer than it used to be, it was a step in the right direction on her path, and she welcomed the change. It was a welcome relief to meet someone outside of her family who, at the very least, shared in some of her ideals.
"It's a pleasure to meet you then, Ichigo." And finally, some of the timid uncertainty seemed to lift from her demeanor, if only for a short time. "And thank you. I try..." her own tail swished idly behind her, but out of more of an absent restlessness rather than the anxiousness that had plagued her before. She eyed him with a more comfortable curiosity, soothed by his nonchalant dismissal of her mistake.
"What kind of training, if I may ask?" she inquired in dulcet tones, comparing him briefly in her mind to her father for a moment. Nanaki was regimented in his training as well, and this Ichigo looked to have a similar build in physical strength- but for what, she wondered? Did he seek to protect someone, defeat something, or simply to better himself? Those were personal questions, however- she dared not ask.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:21 pm
Ichigo found himself somewhat surprised since this mare was quite different then any he had met before. She was much quieter than the most he had encountered, and that was a new prospect. She also seemed to be watching him carefully as if trying to figure out his reactions and movements. Ichigo didn't mind the fact that she was quiet. He just couldn't read her overall energy level.
"I do all kinds of training." he finally said, while waving a piece of hair out of his face. "I demand a lot out of my muscles, and awhile ago a two-leggar put them on my legs to make me feel better. When I realized how much stronger I felt with the bandages on, I guess I just never took them off." They kept the soreness out of his body, so he liked them enough.
Soon he would be able to swim again when it became warm and Ichigo was looking forward to the new season. But for now, he kept his muscles busy with all kinds of exercises. He didn't want to bore the mare with his nonsense, though. He knew he was 'different' with his obsessive habits. And he was plenty fine with the way he was!
"And what about you? I see you got some wings." He eyed them carefully and imagined all the awesome things he would do if he could fly. "Do you enjoy taking to the skies? I can imagine it's a pretty cool thing." Though, Ichigo did enjoy the land for all it was worth. He could do plenty with all four of his legs, and he was damn thankful for that. He never had a boring day since there was always something to do.
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:51 pm
Her mood lifted, and his words spiked her curiosity further as he elaborated on the origins of his strange adornments, slightly admiring at the quiet strength she could sense in just his demeanor, much like her sire. Briefly, she considered asking a bit more about his training- though at his inquiry, her eyes dimmed, and the smile flickered briefly before it died.
Flying was one of the two great loves of her life- how ironic that she had lost both in the span of only a few short days. A brief glance to the slightly disfigured wing settled limply at her side preceeded a small, almost invisible wince. "I used to..." she spoke quietly, almost inaudibly in the cool wind, her gaze directing itself towards her feet. "I... lost the ability to fly some time ago."
After a moment, however, her eyes closed and her brow furrowed in frustration at the realization that she was reverting back into the dark, depressed persona that fast seemed to be becoming a habit. She was not like this, she was not weak, timid, or afraid of anything. She did not brood, and she most certainly did not stand around feeling sorry for herself. Her burden was hers alone to bear, and she would bear it in strength and silence, like her father- like her brave daughter.
Like the lost love that she remembered so fondly.
Golden eyes hardening with her newfound resolution, she glanced upwards and offered a hesitant smile, tilting her head to one side in sheepishness. "Sorry, I suppose I get sucked into my own little world every now and then," she said lightly, shrugging off her own doubts with a roll of her shoulders. There was still hope that someday, the injury would heal... Sukari didn't know if it would be permanent, after all... but whether she retained the strength to ever try again would indefinitely remain a mystery.
She wasn't sure she had the courage to try again, but the possibility was still there.
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:44 pm
If he would have known better he would have never brought up such an issue. Who would have guessed she had lost the ability to fly? He cringed a bit at the sadness that came about from such a statement and knew he truly was an idiot. There wasn't anything he could say to make the ordeal better, so instead he was silent. He was saved when the mare admitted to spacing out and such. That didn't help his pounding conscience.
"I'm sorry to hear that you lost that ability." His voice lowered a bit as the sentence finished, and he tried hard to keep his face natural along the way. He couldn't imagine having wings and not being able to fly. That was like having legs and not being able to walk or run! Ah well, it looked as though the mare was still coping. He could respect her greatly for that fact.
"So, tell me a bit more about yourself. Do you have any family and stuff?" He hoped to change the subject so no other stresses would unravel in front of him. But in truth, he still knew nothing about this mare. It was hard to tell just what to talk about. But all and all the conversation was a good practice for him. He was being put on the spot and needed to make quick decisions on what to talk about and how to keep another entertained.
He was usually focused on only keep himself entertained... so this would definitely be interesting. Could he leap up to the challenge? At the moment he would keep trying, since the mare was kind enough for him to handle mentally.
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 10:33 pm
"It's all right," she offered softly, shifting her weight a bit uncomfortably as her malformed wing stretched itself out a bit, then folded itself back to her side. "It was a long time ago."
Seeing the barest vestiges of guilt and remorse lacing his tanned features, Aquene inwardly reprimanded herself on the lack of control over her own emotions. It seemed to vanish within moments, however, so she relaxed slightly, but the uneasiness remained. Her smile turned slightly apologetic- but it appeared as though it wasn't needed as he abruptly and purposefully- to her relief- changed the topic.
At once, her features brightened into something more genuine once again as her golden eyes warmed at the thought, and she nodded before speaking rather cheerily at the mention of her family. "I do... I have a daughter and two sons," she related with a hint of motherly pride, letting her mind wander back to the happy times with her dear children. Of course, she left any mention of their father out of it... it would only drag her back into the dark place that she had only just recently begun to crawl her way out of.
It didn't stop the fleeting remembrance from clouding her mind for a brief moment, however- but it only manifested itself in a barely visible wince before she brightened again, determined to ignore it. It wasn't so hard, actually, now that she had company that didn't remind her of him in every possible way. Ichigo seemed to be a kind soul, and perhaps an opportunity for a good friend. "I also have a sister, but I don't see her much. My father helped me raise my foals... you remind me a bit of him, actually."
Her smile warmed with a bit of humor, and she tilted her head a bit to add, "He isn't terribly social either- not to say he isn't friendly, but he likes his training, and keeps to himself a lot." She couldn't say for certain whether they were as alike as her first impression had given her, but the similarities were there. She shook her head lightly as a crimson forelock fell over her eyes, lifting her gaze to meet his once more. "What about you?"
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 8:47 am
He could tell she had that 'motherly glow' he had heard one of his friends talk about. Some mares were natural in how they reacted to children, whereas others were awkward and awful in their child-raising. She had no stress in her voice when she spoke of her kids, and if anything she sounded endearing and loving. Ichigo was unaware of the actual history that hid behind the mare's words, but he could at least notice how big her heart was compared to others. That was sort of cool to notice right off the bat.
"I don't have any children or family, but I have lots of friends that do." he chuckled to himself and realized that probably sounded kind of strange. Most of what he said tended to do that, but at least he was always honest. He was a no-bullshit kind of guy. "I have a good respect for those with family, though. Blood is strong like that." With a light nod he soon tilted his head as he heard her speak of a similar father. Was that the impression he gave off to others? It wasn't like it was incorrect at least. At least he didn't come off as a giddy-happy social butterfly.
"I've just never been a social creature, so it'd be weird for me to change all of the sudden. I talk or socialize when I find it necessary." Hm, and every now and then his brain needed SOME stimulation, like right now. But on a daily basis? No thank you. He would probably go crazy trying to kep up with all of the soquili he would meet.
"So do you usually spend some time away from your family? I can imagine that your kids are probably all grown up if you are off and on your own." Not like it was a bad thing, everybody needed their independence. Ichigo was just curious- he had no substance to his life, so he might as well ask the mare what went on in hers.
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