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 Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:23 am
More territory for his herd, or just many powerful allies? They could be very selective about who they let in, even the lowliest members could demand choice mates from outside the herd. He could choose to keep his powers a secret when he returned, but where would be the point in that? Let people know he knew what they were thinking, let them know it was a bad idea to be on the wrong side of Estavan's herd. They would prosper when he returned, they would thrive.
Smiling slightly to himself, the golden Jala lowered his head to nibble at a patch of sweet purple flowers; they only grew in Yisi, so while he was here he supposed he might as well enjoy them.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:35 am
 Lyric let himself stretch out. He had been venturing around Yisi for a while now, just letting his mind relax. His adventures had taken him far away and back again, it was tiring but neat at the same time. But now, now he was back in familiar territory, where he could relax and sleep at his own leisure without being chased out or in potential danger of life. He wished he could say he had more brave in those instances but all he knew to do was run. Well, at least he had his life, that counted, right?
He stretched out his thin wings, feeling the slightly torn muscle scream. It would heal, he had no doubt of that and then he could return to the sky, but for now the last fight he had been in had done more damage than he would have liked to admit. You couldn't see it on the outside, but inside his joints felt old and weathered do to the strenuous activity. Still, a tussle or two wouldn't kill him he supposed, maybe it would do a little better to have a little more faith in himself.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:44 am
A ripple in the fabric of the world around him informed Diego that he was no longer alone... Well, he was, but there was somebody else relatively close by. Letting out a long slow breath, the golden Jala stretched his mind out towards the presence, followed the ripples of thought to their source. Vision did not present itself to him right away, perhaps the individual was more focused on his thoughts than his surroundings... He was aware of an ache though; was this an old Nequus, or an injured one?... He did not think it was an old mind, but it was very difficult to tell; some people seemed to be born with an ancient soul, some remained youthful all their lives.
There was, however, only one way to be sure; he wasn't about to dig through the minds of others yet, he only heard what they were thinking of at the time. He needed to see this Nequus face to face.
Snorting to himself the seer drew back inside his own mind and set off towards the other mind in the physical world. It didn't take him too long to find the Nequus; a Bae, youngish by the look of him but hardly a colt. Coming to a halt, Diego nickered a greeting, wondering to himself if it was just his new abilities playing tricks on him, or if he recognized the other stallion. "Greetings," he called with a nod of his head, "I am Diego, of Estavan's herd. Well met."
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:54 am
"D-Diego?" The name caused Lyric to instantly come back to the world around him. His head lifted, eying the male Jala until he realized where he had heard the name before. "Bbbastet'ssss mate!" He recalled and instantly a small smile came to his face. He hadn't seen his friend or any of her herd in quite a long time. He hadn't forgotten about them, not ever. It was the only place he had ever felt slightly at home.
Jumping to his hooves, he gave a cocked grin and nickered in response, "W-wellll mettt indeed." He stated. "I ammm L-l-lyric, a f-friend of Bas-Bastet's." He lowered his head. He was sure he had met the male before, but it was always good to reiterate old greetings.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:33 am
"Oh, of course!" Diego smiled brightly as he recalled the shy Bae. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" he commented, wondering if Lyric had seen any of his family since he's absconded... No, he didn't get that impression at all; the stallion didn't know that half the herd was probably searching frantically for him. He still felt guilty about that, but he hadn't had a choice at the time, he'd thought himself insane... He'd be back soon anyway - the golden Jala shook aside the dark memories of fear and self doubt - he'd be back home with his mate and dear friend, his brother, his children, and all he other friends and associates. Soon.
"I hope you're well," Diego went on, pondering that ache he had become aware of in the Bae's mind. He hoped it wasn't anything too serious, he had liked Lyric even if he was a bit shy and stuttery.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:42 am
Lyric flexed out a wing and grimaced as the muscle tightened. Musing, he worked through it until it relaxed again and a smile returned to his face. He was excited to see someone, anyone, he knew, even if only by a vague memory or short passing. Though, Diego was the leader of his tribe, wasn't he? So what was he doing all the way out here?
Lyric thought better of asking. It really wasn't his place to delve into the affairs of Diego's family. But at the same time Lyric was curious and curiosity could well get in the way of Lyric's mind. Frowning at his own inner thoughts, Lyric knew he had to ask sooner or later, however, he choose later. For now he'd stick to another topic that had been in his mind this whole time, "D-D-did you evvver f-find Sekkkkhmet? I keppt an eye outttt for h-er but I never-never passsssed her in m-my wander-wanderings." He stated with a tilt of his head in inquiry. He hoped the little one was alright. Was she a little one anymore? Time had passed all too quickly and he was unsure how long it had been since his last visit to Bastet. For all he knew Sekhmet might very well be an adult now with family of her own. Gods, maybe he was older than he thought.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:55 am
Diego was pleased to be able to grin to that. "Yes! She came back of her own accord... I suppose half a season or so ago? Just about a grown mare now, it's amazing to see her so big. Bastet and I have two more daughters now, they're a bit more than a season old now." He'd been gone for to long, he realized, nearly half their short lives. would they remember him? Would they resent him for vanishing? He hoped not. He hoped they'd understand.
"I've been absent from the herd since a few suns after Sekhmet's return," he heard himself admit a moment later. "I was... Unsettled to say the least, not in a good state of mind. I thought it best to remove myself, but I'm coming to grips with myself again now, I'll be heading home before too long. I miss my family a great deal." More than he'd realized to go admitting it to a near stranger, but the pleasure he could feel coming from the other stallion had relaxed his guard. He felt he could trust Lyric, not yet with the whole reason behind his actions, but at least with the actions themselves. It was good to tell somebody else, somebody he knew at least in passing, what had been going on in his life.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:10 am
Lyric had been a little surprised to hear Diego blurt all of this out, especially to him, but at the same time he had been pleased. He was happy to know that the male valued him in some way. Bastet and her herd had been the closest he had to friends, and perhaps in the long run... family, for a very long time. He smiled but nodded as it faded, even with that knowledge it was a little disheartening to know that he had been away, probably worrying Bastet on top of it, but he was sure Diego wouldn't have left without good reason to do so.
"Well, con-congratulations onnn your two new f-foals." He started off without realizing his voice had very little cracks and mishaps in it. A part of him envied that for he still had no children and a part of him wondered if he ever would. It actually did pain him to know that, but it wasn't something he was going to let show. Diego had his own problems without Lyric adding his own. "I-I'm sssure they're-are beautiful. And-d I'm gladd that Sekhmet h-hass found her way h-ho-home ag-gain." Chewing over his words he thought about the next part of what he wanted to say rather carefully.
To be honest he had relatively little knowledge of how he should aproach the other subject. He didn't know why Diego left or if it was good for his herd or not. He was rather in the dark about it and that made him unaware of how to comment on the matter. Should he even comment? He was afraid of making things worse, or maybe condoning an act that shouldn't have happened in the first place. "H-home... per-haps it is t-t-time for you to co-come b-backkk as well. I'm sure your-your f-f-family miss-es you just as much as y-ou m-miss them." He said at last. That part was true. He knew Bastet would miss her mate just as she missed her daughter. And even with his doubts, he reassured himself that Diego did need to leave for him to have been gone as long as he seemed to be. Maybe Lyric couldn't return their daughter to them, but maybe he could help return Bastet's mate.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:20 am
"Yes," Diego nodded his agreement, "I think it's time to start heading back. It's not fair on Bastet, the foals, or my father; I was helping him a lot with running the herd... Though I'm sure somebody has stepped up in my absence, I'd like to get back." He wasn't yet skilled enough to reach out for specific minds so he didn't know how his family were doing. He hoped they were alright. He was sure they would be. Fairly sure. What could have happened? Besides, they were allies of the Hellenes now thanks to him, if enemies appeared, the warriors of the Northeast would step in.
"Is there any chance you'll be coming to visit us soon?" Diego quizzed the smaller stallion, schooling his face against reaction to the thoughts he had picked up on. Loneliness was a terrible thing. Perhaps if Lyric came to stay with them again soon he could introduce him to a compatible mare, Gods knew he would soon be well very equipped to play matchmaker. "I'm sure Bastet would be happy to see you again," he added with a smile, "and I'm sure my young daughters would like you too!" They were both very agreeable fillies... or had been when he'd left. Who knew what they were like now.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:29 am
Lyric couldn't help but quirk a brow in the stallion's direction. Was he hinting at something? No.. that couldn't be, though it was still slightly amusing. "I-I would l-l-lo-love to meet them." He stated after fouling up the words. "Annnd I d-do wa-ant to vi-visit. I've beeeen away too l-long ittt seeeeeems." Giving a quick nod, his eyes veered up toward the sky, thinking for a moment to himself. "Perrr-haps I might e-e-even stay a while..." Yes, he would like that. He would like to not only visit but perhaps make himself a small place for a little while to relax before heading off again. Sometimes having places to go back to made it worthwhile to travel again. He was in good need of that. That was of course if that wouldn't overstay his welcome.
He gave a quick nod to Diego, a smile on his face. Even if he couldn't get the Jala to come back with him directly, he could at least give word to Bastet if he came to visit before Diego made his way, "W-when are-are you going backkk?" Or maybe even perhaps they could travel together, Lyric certainly had nothing better to do, however, that didn't mean Diego was ready to head home just yet.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:14 am
When? Now? He wasn't sure. "Umm... Soon," Diego smiled wryly and shrugged his wings. "Until I talked to you it hadn't hit home to me how long I've been gone. I hadn't considered exactly when to go back, but I think I shall go very soon. Perhaps I'll even start off in that direction today." He had a basic grasp of his abilities, that was all he really needed to begin with... He couldn't keep it secret from Lyric, or he'd feel a right git when the Bae did find out.
"The reason I had to leave," the sleek Jala went on slowly, "the thing was... I left without telling anyone because I thought I'd gone mad." That was embarrassing for a stallion like him, very embarrassing. He shuffled his wings self-consciously. "Anyway. I wasn't... I've been developing magic, it seems, becoming a Seer. I realized it a while ago, but I wanted to be able to close myself off to the thoughts of others before I returned." Thinking of, best he do that now; it was probably rude to go around reading people's minds without mentioning it.
"One reason I was so glad to see you I suppose," he smiled at the Bae, "it's good to be able to tell somebody I know, even though I don't know you well... I'm not sure why it's nice to be able to tell someone, but it is." Did it make him feel less alone, or just more honest? He really had no idea.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:24 am
Lyric thought for a moment, thoughts swirling around in his head that he wasn't quite sure how to formulate into words. Well, that certainly wasn't his only trouble with words, just another to add onto the plate. He sighed to himself before turning back to the other stallion, "Magic? R-R-Really? I've h-heard of of others having it... but I-I n-n-n-neverrr thought..." His head hung a little as the thoughts continued to turn. He finally snapped out of the thoughts as if taking a breath of air for the first time, "In any way, it it act-actually is a good thing-g, isn't it? With-with ma-gic you can.. do-do so much more!" He gave a twisted smile and nodded, satisfied that that was the correct answer to all the problems. "I-I was-n't sure though, un-until now.. that that it was realll though."
"I am glad that you-you find me easy to t-tal-k to. I love lisssstteening and hearing tales. But, I-I dooo have a question." He took a moment to gather his thoughts and let in a breath of air, "W-would you mind-d perhaps... if I.. c-c-came wi-with you to your herd? I would like s-some com-company and I had al-ready planned to go go there as sooooon as I got the chance."
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:48 am
He nodded to that. "Yes, it will be very useful. I can protect my herd from harm, because I'll be able to hear if anyone is plotting against us... Well, with more practice anyway. Right now I can hear what people are thinking at a given moment but I can't look deeper. I'll need to work on that, and other things too. I suppose like anything in life, you just keep getting better at magic with practice." He would practice, he'd practice until he was utterly exhausted.
"You're quite welcome to come along with me," he went on with a smile and a bow of his head, "I'd appreciate the company myself. I promise to keep out of your head, too; I can practice on strangers." If Lyric said he didn't mind, so much the better, but if the Bae would rather his mind was left un-read, he would oblige.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:54 am
Lyric gave a light shrug at the thought, "If-if yo-ou need prac-tice than I'll help! I d-don't have-have much to hide any-way." He gave a quick smile. He would like to help Diego, and if that was the way to do it than what was he to complain? It actually made him feel better about the whole thing, being able to be apart of the story. It had a nice ring to it.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:03 pm
"Oh, well thank you!" Diego beamed at the other stallion, pleased to have got his way despite being nice about the issue. "That would be a great help to me." Not to have to divert course to follow random strangers in order to find a brain to pick would cut down on his journey time considerably. Perhaps Lyric's cooperation would even make things easier, who knew? He still had a lot to learn about being a Seer, just about everything when it came down to it. He'd barely scratched the surface, he was sure of it.
"Well, we can't start off sooner than now," Diego said after a brief pause, turning in the vague direction of home. "Shall we go?"
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