Welcome to Gaia! ::

Rasui was enjoying the colours of autumn. While he much preferred the spring time with it's multitudes of blues, greens, purples and golds, there was just something special about the reds and oranges. The only downside, he thought, is the dryness. The dreamer turned along the path through the forest and entered the wide, open meadows. The lush green grass of early summer had faded to a crisper golden yellow, Rasui wrinkled his nose for a moment as he remembered the tasty new shoots that had all but gone by now. They would come again next year, and he momentarily wished for that day to come closer. For now, however, he would enjoy what was left of the warm sun before the seasons turned to winter. He wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings other than to make sure he didn't fall on his head from a misstep or a rabbit hole. His thoughts were mainly turned inwards, mind flying elsewhere for the moment.

"Greetings, and how are you this fine day?" The purple stallion smiled kindly at the mare that seemed to match him in colour and vibrancy. His dreamy voice was soft and soothing, almost sounding like he was about to slip into a distant thought. "I am glad I have a chance to grant your wish, a little company is always something to look forward to on a bright autumn afternoon." Rasui continued forward until he stood alongside the violet mare, his eye glancing over her beautiful features before staring into her eyes. "I can not think of a more perfect mare to enjoy a little verbal banter. My name is Rasui, I am a stranger no longer. And what call I call you, other than beautiful maiden?""

"Well, Luca, I suggest that you have a fine idea and such an idea must be played upon, don't you think?" Rasui grinned as he warmed up to the idea of enjoying the company of such a fitting partner. "If I may be bold, I would imagine that if others did see us together they would think us quite an item. We are both very close in the terms of complimentary colour arrangements. How about I show you one of the more secluded paths that have the most spectacularly magnificent views." He eyes her for a moment before showing the way. "Though I have to admit, you are most breathtaking yourself, the view I have along side me could easily rival the views I'll be taking you to see." He neatly side-stepped the question for the moment so that he would have time to come up with a grand answer.

"Indubitably," Rasui glanced along side her and gave a warm smile. He admired her form as she came close, almost gliding with every hoof-step. He could tell she was flirting but didn't mind and flirted back, enjoying the freedom of two adults reveling in each other's presence with out a care for the consequences. The purple stallion gave a small nodding bow and moved a little so she could take her place by his side. "Right this way M'lady," he said with a twinkle in his eye, "Right this way to sights unsung, passages untold and pleasures out-numbered." He attempted a small wink with the last bit and then started walking towards the path he had singled out.

"How can I deny the wishes of such a beautiful creature that seems to have captured my attention for so long? Well I could but then such a lady would probably be distraught, or at least a little hurt..." Rasui joked his ears flicking to the side as he tried to keep a straight face. "Fine M'lady, but you drug it out of me and you must promise to return the favor in kind. My story is not as eventful as I may have liked, I have been here for quite some time now. Old enough to know what my legs were, young enough that they still seemed to get in the way." That purple stallion chuckled before continuing. "I have explored a large area close to my home, one of such areas we will be visiting, and live with a few other beautiful mares and other oddities but I'm sure you wouldn't want to know about them."

Adaya followed the bank of the river even though she knew it to be a bad idea. You could always find someone by the river for everyone needed a drink at one point or another. Adaya's blue-white mane wiped around her neck as the autumn winds picked up for a brief second. It was starting to get colder as winter drew nearer. Soon, Adaya would have to start looking for shelter.

Deciding it would be best to start looking for a good food source and then basing a home off of that, Adaya thought it would be best to cross the river and explore unfamiliar territory. Adaya followed the river until she found a shallow spot she could cross and made her way carefully across. She wasn’t careful enough. As she stepped out onto the bank her hind hoof slipped on a slick rock, her backside crashing into the water. Cursing herself she regained her footing and climbed up onto the bank.

Rasui had spent the morning mooching around his favorite willowtree before deciding he was hungry enough to start heading towards home. The river posed a bit of a problem when he reached it for the sheer fact that the icy cold water was terribly terribly wet and he had only just taken a proper wash the other day at Rynth's decision. Wrinkling his nose in disgust he started to pick his way across before suddenly hearing a spaloosh! followed by what sounded like garbled anger. Well what else was he suppose to do? Rasui decided to discover the source of the sound and hopefully lend a hand to someone in need.

It was then he saw in the distance, a pretty blue mare pick her self up from the river, her tail in quite disarray. Quickening up his pace he cantered over there in hopes that maybe he could do something and yet also realizing he had no way to dry her. In this colder weather it would not be good to stand around in the cold air. He kept his eye out for any large leaves on his way over to her, spotting and pruning a few before he finally halted in front of her. Large green leaves in his moush he attempted to mumble around them, " 'ello 'ave commn t' hlp..."

Adaya shook her haunches and slung some water off her braided tail as the Stallion came up to her. "Great, a witness to my 'gracefulness'." He was handsome, Adaya had to give him that, but so far that she could tell that was all. He mumbled something, the large leaves in his mouth messing up his speech; all she could get from what he said was 'Hello'.

"Hello... You might want to finish your meal before you try to speak." She shook each of her hind legs to get more water off of them. "What do you want anyway?"

Shaking his head, he tried to explain himself and the large leaves that were stuffed into his mouth. "No... am they... frrrr t' weh... dry... bgr" He spat out the leaves and shook his head, trying to rid the odd taste in his mouth. He eyes the leaves for a moment worried he had picked up something else along with the large fronds. "They are for to help dry your tail, I am sure the cold wind wouldn't feel too good on wet fur." He made a small grimace, "I know all do well unfortunately. Here, let me help." Picking up one of the leaves once more he started to move towards her so he could dry her fur, pausing before he got there in case she'd feel differently. The leaf was large enough that it would get most of the water off and help the fur dry a little better.

Adaya stared at the stallion for a moment sizing him. He didn’t look too smart, but also not dumb enough to be of no use at all. Adaya thought for a moment longer. 'Maybe I can use him...'

Adaya gave a nod of approval to the stallion so he could dry her off. She at least wouldn’t have to do that herself. "Oh," Adaya said, this time her tone as sweet as honey as she spoke to the Stallion. "My name is Adaya."

At her ok, Rasui started to dry Adaya with the large rhubarb leaves. He was careful to dry her tail and attempt to get a few mud clots out of the braids. There was nothing he liked better than to help someone in need and the purple stallion started to hum a little as he worked. After he did all he could have to help dry her fur, Rasui took a step back to admire his work. "There you go, that is probably much better. Wet fur is never fun when it's this cold and breezy." He smiled and tossed the now used leaves into a near by bush where they would provide food for some critter. At her introduction he blushed a little and felt embarrassed. Here he was, carrying on a conversation and he hadn't even told her his name. "I'm Rasui, it is a pleasure to meet you, Adaya. Your name is as beautiful as your visage."

"Rasui..." Adaya paused a moment, scrutinizing the name for a moment as she gave the stud a warm smile. It was an odd name in her mind, but it wasn’t hard to pronounce and was therefore a good name. "Your name is quite pleasant as well; though I am not quite sure my name and visage are beautiful." She lowered her head slightly and blushed with false modesty.

Keeping her gaze low, unable to look Rasui in the eyes due to her 'embarrassment', Adaya whispered. "You are truly a gentleman. I'm not sure anyone else would rush so eagerly to the aid of a random stranger. Thanks to you I won’t have to wait for hours to dry in the cold wind." Adaya raised her eyes slightly, just enough to meet the gaze of Rasui and gave a meek smile, all the while thinking in the back of her mind. 'At least I didn’t have to dry myself off. He may be useful later on though. Maybe I should keep him around.'

Adaya paused for a moment. "So, where might you have been heading?"

"I am one who loves to help damsels in distress and you definatly fit both criteria." Rasui made a low flowing bow. "I came the moment I heard your call, fair maiden. If there is anything else you may wish of me, please tell." The purple stallion smiled warmly before feaching forward and pulling a water-leaf he had missed from behind her ear. "I believe I have much prettier flowers for you to wear instead of river vines if you wish." At her question he added, "I was on my way to willowGlen, it is where I live. I was hoping to find something to eat but I would very much like to have company if you would like to come too."

'Wow!' Adaya thought to herself. 'If I keep this up I could probably get a place to stay and food...'

Adaya batted her dark blue lashes at Rasui. "Oh, I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to impose on you or anything." She flicked her tail lightly. "But it's the least I can do for the one that rescued me. I will go with you." Adaya paused for a moment. "Would you like to get something to eat first? You mentioned that you were looking for food when you came to aid me; it seems only right." Adaya herself was hungry, and although there was grass all around she suspected that this stallion would find something better and less bland.

"That is something that had been on my mind, my Fair Adaya. I know of just the place if you wish to follow. It is just beyond the ridge over yonder and filled with clovers and other sweet grasses." Rasui turned and looked over towards the direction he was talking about. "I am sure you would love to see the area, is it almost as beautiful as you are. You would definitely not be imposing upon me, I would be honored and delighted to accompany you for the rest of the day."

"Oh and what a wonderful day it is bound to be," Adaya lied in her soft affectionate voice. She began to take soft steps in the direction Rasui indicated. She was not walking fast or taking long strides; she simply wanted to get away from the river that had caused her to fall. "You seem to know of this area very well. I bet you know where all the beautiful places are around here." Though Adaya knew what she wanted enough to manipulate others to her will she could not help but be swayed by natures beauty -- Dawns light reflection off of fresh fallen snow; the fading colors of the setting sun; it moved her. "I can not wait to see your home Rasui, I bet it is as wonderful and stunning as you are." Adaya paused for a moment. "Shall we go?"

Rasui felt his chest swell at her compliment. It was one thing to be told that he was good looking but quite another to be compared to the beauty of nature which he had always held in the highest regard. The only think he thought more beautiful was the shape of a mares body, the one thing that he could never say no to. "Yes, let's go. It shouldn't take long to get there." With a smile he started down the path, a definite spring in his step. He couldn't wait to show her the forest and the glade. But first it would be the search for food that was the priority. "What kind of places do you like to see? I am partial to forests but some of the views from the mountain sides are just spectacular."

"I have never been to the mountains, so I can not agree that the sights there are beautiful. I will however take your word for it." Adaya replied, her icy emotional shield giving way somewhat as they began to discuss something she enjoyed. "I have to say though that my favorite sights are those of the suns golden rays peeking over the tree tops in winter to glisten off of the rippling surface of a partially frozen spring. Or to watch the suns rays dance majestically on the ground as it shines through the dense tree branches of the forest." Adaya paused for a moment, forgetting that in truth she did not consider this stallion to be a friend yet and should not be telling him the truth about things she liked.

"Though one place I would love to see one day is the Sea. I have heard it is a sight to see." Adaya's ears perked up as she excitedly asked, "Have you ever seen the sea?"

"Well then, I have just the place for you to see." Rasui thought about the views from one of the mountain paths near by. It would be a bit of a walk, mostly uphill but worth it. The purple stallion smiled as he thought about her reaction to the sights of the ocean glinting in the distance. Belatedly he realized it was a little on the cloudy side but by the time they got there, he hoped that it would be clear. Pausing along the path they were on he looked towards the offshoot that lead to the meadows. "I have been lucky enough to see the sea, if from a distance. If you so desired, we could eat first and then I could show you something or we could forgo the feast for a bit and see the sights as I do believe there is another patch of the sweet grasses close to our potential destination." Rasui tilted his head to the side, curious to know which she would prefer.

He managed to get the tickle to calm down without too much stress. At her giggle, he felt a little better that he hadn't made a major social blunder. The butterfly decided it didn't like his nose and took off, much to Dayunsi's relief. He smiled at her statement before making a small bow that echoed her own. "Why thank you, You are very kind also, it is pleasing to chat with you, especially about the flora of the area." He paused for a moment before coming to a decision. "My glade is not too far away if you wanted to see it? Maybe you could find a few new blossoms for your hair." His own flowers, for the most part, actually grew within his locks. He had chosen them for that purpose, even if it meant that sometimes it seemed like his hair more closely resembled dreads that loose flowing waves. The few that did need to be replaced on occasion came from the glade the fluttercorn so carefully cultivated.

"I don't know if they are the best in the entire forest but I do care for them." Dayunsi was caught up in the enthusiasm and he thought about his glade with new eyes. He remembered that while the usually bright summer flowers were sleeping in the ground; there was quite a lot of greenery and the winter flowers were just waking up. He had to pause for a moment to remember the way as usually he zipped directly through the trees.

The fluttercorn gestured towards an opening in the trees with his nose. "The path should lead us right there. Immi and Gallifrey helped me clear it just this autumn. There were fallen leaves making the ground slippery. The Helleborus were just blooming this morning, I'd love to show you them when we get there." He sounded like an excited child as he described what his garden would look like. Starting forward, Dayunsi carefully stepped over a large root and then looked back towards Gaia with a shy smile. He waited until she began walking before moving along the small cleared path.

Dayunsi continued forward thinking back to when he first wandered into the forest and found the glade that Immi had been staying in. He had been so entranced by her beauty and personality that he had decided to stay. Wherever he went, the fluttercorn had found flowers and other growths that looked beautiful to him. It was the moment he had come across the garden-to-be that his heart had stopped beating for a moment. As if the grounds below him had confirmed his choice to stay, the small area had blossomed forth with an abundance of greenery. "There was a few flowers there, mostly the smaller ones like bluebells and ivy on the trunks of the oak trees. I was lucky to have found the perfect spot where a small arm of the brook nearby swung around through it. That has helped it flourish and l can bring in all sorts of flowers and plants in, even the ones that need a lot of water."

He paused just before the reached the garden and let her enter it first. There were stepping stones all over the place so that he could move about without disturbing the flowers but those were too small for her to use. However, there was a nice array of larger ones that ran through the middle and over the small brook. The ivy wound around the branches and mosses hung from the eves giving it a cool green appearance to the first glance. While there were not too many flowers right now, the verdant greenery showed the promise of a rainbow of blossoms soon. Dayunsi followed Gaia in and took a look around. "Over there are the crocuses, those and the snowdrops and usually the first to show up this early in the season." He pointed in that direction with his nose.

The fluttercorn enjoyed seeing her reaction to his home away from home. He moved about the glade with a familiarity born of being there for so long and checked most of the flora in the area. Within a moment of two he had made his rounds after checking on a few carrots and other vegetable types in one corner. "I keep them here so that the rabbits and other critters choose them over the flowers. Dandelions and clovers are one of their favorite foods but carrots they prize even more." Dayunsi nosed a hawthorn bush that was one of the many which enclosed the area and pulled out some white fur. "I think we may have scared one of them when we arrived here."

Dayunsi chuckled at Gaia's reaction before explaining. "I am sure they will be back as soon as they realize we are not wolves or the like. Once the troll's Zayll came up here and they stayed away for a week." The fluttercorn chuckled at the memory. He had been tending a few newer shoots when he spotted the family of rabbits. When the mangy wolf came by to give him a message from Malis they have skittered away so fast that one had gotten caught in the brier. He had to calm it down and free it from the tangle it had gotten itself in. Rabbits were very funny creatures who weren't very bright but he did enjoy their company when they weren't nibbling at his favorite flowers, not that he could ever hurt a flea or try and stop them...

The fluttercorn peered around for the tale-tail signs of the rabbits eternal presence with a chuckle. Spotting the hole in the brambles where they had come from, Dayunsi motioned towards it with his nose. "If we are very quiet and patient they may come back. He moved away from the rabbit-hole and towards the other side of the glade. There the brook entered the glade and gave the stallion's garden enough water to flourish. Bending down to take a drink, Dayunsi motioned for her to do the same if she was thirsty. The water was cool and refreshing, the small brook and offshoot of the larger river that ran down from the mountains. It was after a few moments of silence that the brown stallion smiled, a twinkle in his eye. For there, peeking out of the gap in the bramble bush, was a small wiggly nose and a pair of long ears.

Dayunsi could feel the electricity that seemed to run through them as they stood there, trying to be so still that they would be completely un-noticed. He saw the rabbit lean back, rising onto it's hind legs and sniff the air. Quietly it came back down to nose the grass in front of it before jumping straight up in the air and frolicking to the side. In the same moment the rabbit paused, it's little nose wiggling fast. Dayunsi didn't move, wanting this moment to last longer as he watched the bunny at it's dance. The little one's antics made him want to laugh and he slowly counted to ten in hopes that the merriment wouldn't bubble up. The tension in the glade increased with a feeling of expectancy and yet the rabbit dances un-awares.

As if a secret word was spoken the rabbit froze and stared at the two soquili. It darted out of the glade causing Dayunsi to sigh, partially in relief of being about to move and partially in sadness to see the bunny go. In the next moment he chuckled and nodded his head slightly. As if the bunny realized it was safe, he was back, and this time there were two others with him. The small family hopped in before all of them stood up on their hind legs and sniffled around. The smallest only did such for a fraction of a second, not worried about the large beings that stood close by. As if their quest was known, the first rabbit moved towards the carrots where he sniffed at them and thumped his back leg. The other two came scrambling over and soon the sound of gnawing filled the silent glade.

Dayunsi watched the rabbits as they gnawed their way through a couple of carrots. It seemed that, after their initial nervousness had worn off, the rabbits cared about what the large horses did about as much as they cared about a large rock. Usually when he saw them he was much smaller and in a tree, so this was a unique perspective for him. There was a feeling of ‘one-ness’ with the earth around them and he felt his breath come slow and deep almost unconsciously. Dayunsi felt her warm breath on his ear and a small tingle ran up and down his back. Keeping his voice low as not to startle the feasting family, the flutter felt a burst of pride for his garden. “I am glad you think so. It is one of my favorite places though I am biased.”
Easing into a more comfortable position, he turned and whispered into Gaia’s ear. “Do you have a special place for yourself? Somewhere you can go to think and enjoy the earths bounty?” The flowery stallion felt a kinship with the earthly mare as they watched the small furry family finish their fill and start to explore the surrounding garden.

It had been a long day. Even before the sun was ready to dip under the horizon, Dayunsi was starting to work his was back towards the glade he called home. He passed the river with quick movements, not wanting to be seen by any predators and, for a quick moment, wished that Immi or at the very least, Zayll or Tardis was around to keep the other critters away. He was still not fond of open areas but had promised Imogen that he would try and conquer his fear. This was why he had visited the common meadow on this very day. Somehow it was a little easier to dart in between the other soquili but she still preferred the comfort of the shadowy trees over his head.

Meera had come to the river for a drink but that was the last thing on her mind when she saw the stallion pass by. She was under the shadow of a crop of trees so she guessed that he had not seen her. He was.. strange! It was almost like the earth was moving with him. He certainly looked like he was made up of earth and grass. Flowers even adorned his hair! The only thing that really stood out were the wings. At least, she thought they were wings. They weren't featherly like her own but what else could they be?

Dare she follow him? He didn't appear particularly menacing but looks could be deceiving. Still.. she had to know if he was real, right? She could always fly away if anything bad happened.

Finally making her mind up, she started after the stallion, "Excuse me, He-Who-Is-Made-Of-Earth, are you real?" It was a silly question, the kind a foal would ask but Meera had never seen such a creature as he before.

He felt a shadow pass over him and looked up but didn't see a cloud in the sky. This worried him as usually the only other thing that made shadows upon the ground were other soquili or worse... a raptor or other bird of prey. Shaking his head the fluttercorn frowned at the broken reflection in the water before darting on...

At least until he heard the voice.

Darting under the nearest large leaf, Dayunsi felt his heart almost pound out of his chest. Carefully he peeked over the edge to see a dark mare, almost as black as the night and yet with hair highlighted by the colours of the sunset. Her hooves and tail were tipped with white and she even had white tips on her ears. Dayunsi had a quick double take... she had white tips on her ear-wings? He opened his mouth to answer her question but then at first couldn't figure out what she had asked.

It was then The flutter realized he was still hiding behind the green lilly leaf. Flying out from behind it Dayunsi made a quick decision that as she had asked a question before attacking that maybe she wouldn't attack. It did help that she seemed to be one who was gentle, or at least not aggressive, or maybe even friendly. Dayunsi found his voice... "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that? Am I real?" He paused to make sure he had heard her right, "I believe I am... how about you? Are you real?"

Meera giggled at his question. It only confirmed that her own had been quite silly indeed. "I am real too," she confessed teasingly as if giving out a big secret. "I am sorry for the odd question, it's just that I've never quite seen wings like yours. They are wings, right?" She took another step closer and turned her head slightly to try to get a better look at them.

"You have a unicorn horn, but the unicorns I live with don't have wings," she pointed out with a childlike innocence. "Even gramsy Glamrock doesn't have wings and she's been around a long time. I guess some of us are just different." Meera had no idea what she was. She had features that none of her family or friends had either. And her tail was the same kind as those nasty Kalona. It was the only feature she shared with them. Her wings were different than most of the flying mares and stallions she had seen and her head wings were certainly unique. Still, this stallion was special too. He really did remind her of the earth.

"I'm Meera," she stated brightly, remembering her manners. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Wasn't that what she was told to say?

"Well then it's a good thing we are both real." Dayunsi nodded solemnly, much calmer now he was sure nothing was going to try and eat him. Her curious questions brought a smile to his face as she reminded him of a foal he had met once. He had seen her later as an adult but it was the friendly banter as a kid that he remembered enjoying. "Yes, these are my wings." He alighted onto the ground so that they would stop for a moment. Whenever he moved his damselfly winds would flutter but sometimes with concentration he could hold them still for a moment or two. "Not all unicorns have wings, I am what you'd call a fluttercorn I think." He chuckled lightly at the name, remembering the one who had first coined the phrase. "As for you, I've seen Winds but non with wings on their head too? Are you special?" He was curious to know if she was part of a line, like that troll, or if she was a one of a kind, she certainly was more well mannered that the troll he thought wryly to himself.

When she mentioned her name, the fluttercorn blushed. Here he was asking questions and he hadn't even introduced himself. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Meera. My name is Dayunsi, I am named after a bug... well beetle actually." He added the last statement brightly, wondering if she happened to know anything about that story. It had been quite a while he had chatted with someone so forward and honest and he quite enjoyed the banter.

"Dayunsi," she repeated before continuing, "I.. no. I'm not special. My father was.. is a monster. I.. kind of look like him, I guess but I don't know what he was other than a monster." She hated admitting to it. She didn't know what she was but she was told it didn't matter. She had the heart of an angel, she had been told and that was good enough for her. "I was raised by my mother and gramsy." She hoped that would make up for the information of her father. She might have been born under strange circumstances but she had been raised good.

"A bug? What a strange thing to be named after," she mused. "I wasn't named after anything in particular. My mom just thought Meera was a beautiful name and suited me."

"You are most definitely not a monster, nor act or look as if you were part monster. I would think you are special, especially with your pleasing disposition." Dayunsi frowned slightly, a little saddened that she thought that about herself. "It is not who your parents were that shaped you, it is what you are taught and what your own soul is that makes you who you are. I can tell that your mother and Gramsy are very wonderful Soquili for you to be the way you are. Surly her goodness has seemed to take away any part of a monster you may think your father gave you?" The fluttercorn nodded before tilting his head to the side with a smile. "I was named after a beetle because of what he did, is related to what I look like." He settled down for a moment and started telling a story in a low sing-song voice.

"Once upon a time when the world was barely new there was no land, just a large expanse of water. The animals had no where to live and just floated around on the back of a great eagle. Dayunsi, the water beetle, volunteered to swim down as far as he could go and see what was under the ocean." Dayunsi paused, thinking about such a great trip that might have been before continuing. "He swam down until he could no longer see anything around him. There were creatures who lived down in the murky depths but they didn't understand him when he tried to ask where he was. It wasn't until a day had passed that he finally found the ocean floor. Gathering the mud he found under his feet, the beetle pulled as much as he could up back to the surface. The journey took even longer for him to get back and Dayunsi was worried that he would not have the strength to reach the end of his journey. Soon though, he started seeing the bright light of the sun peeking through the waves and when he reached the surface the animals cheered. They got the spirits to bless the mud and make it grow. It expended out in all directions and with the spirits help plants and trees began to grow and that is how the earth came into be."

She smiled at the compliment, she was glad not to be associated with that of her father, especially after he nearly killed her. That had been the scariest moment of her life. She didn't say anything towards his words but she did nod and let them sink in. Her mood brightened considerably when he started in on a story!

She was sure the story wasn't true for certainly a beetle could not do such things. Didn't Gramsy worship a god? She was sure they had something to do with the world but still, the story was charming and it was something she would have enjoyed thoroughly as a foal. If there was an ocean floor, that implies that there was already earth of sorts. Of course, analyzing the story wasn't very fun, was it? The charm was believing that such things could exist. That's where magic and imagination came from?

She was sure that many generations of foals in Dayunsi's family would share this story between them. It was really quite sweet. "You certainly look the part," she agreed. He looked like he was carrying mud around him and was part of the earth. "Are your wings strong enough to allow you to fly?" It would be nice to fly with someone for a change. She spent so much time on the ground because her brothers and family were wingless. She wanted to fit in with them as much as possible.

Dayunsi smiled at her reaction to the story, it was one of the things he loved the most about storytelling. There didn't seem to be a story that made people feel bad. All the fables he knew were uplifting, or at the very least had an important lesson to be reflected upon. He was, in a way, proud of the story that gave him his name. Even if it was not he who had dove down to the bottom of the ocean floor, the fluttercorn did feel a little bit of a connection to the pioneering spirit of the water beetle. "Why thank you, I have been told I could hide in a garden and never be seen." He chuckled at the image before imagining her in the dark. "I am sure that you could hide pretty well when the sun goes down so we are both quite the sneaking type don't you think?"

At the winged mare's question Dayunsi nodded with a smile, "At this size I can't fly for very long but I can grow larger if you'd close your eyes and then I can fly almost as far as you could." He enjoyed flying, especially with someone else. It was always more comforting to fly with another soquili as then he had someone too keep an eye on his back. Dayunsi wasn't usually one to fly in the larger open spaces so he almost jumped at the chance to do so.

She couldn't help but giggle at his comment. He surely could disappear in a garden! No one would know where the plants began and the soquili ended. Perhaps it would be something to see one day. She liked that they had something in common, even if it was something like being able to hide well under certain circumstances. She was always hard to spot in the dark, especially if her lower legs and tail were hidden in the tall grass.

He could grow larger if she closed her eyes? Had she heard that right? How could such a thing happen? She had to see if it was true. "Okay!" she exclaimed with unhidden excitement before she closed her eyes as tightly as was possible. Would he really grow? Or would she find herself the victim of some prank or tease? Surely he would not be gone when she opened them? She would have to trust him. He seemed to be really sweet so she couldn't really picture him as the prank playing type. "Let me know when I can open my eyes!"

If it did prove true.. maybe they could fly together? The only time she had flown with company was when her father had taken to the air. That did not go well as he attacked her midair too. She would have fallen to her death if she had not caught control at the last minute. It would be nice to experience flight with someone on a fun level. Dare she hope?

At hew giggle, Dayunsi found himself chuckling along with her. The amiability of the mare had put him at ease and he felt his body relax. When she closed her eyes he sensed a fleeting uncertainty about her. The fluttercorn wondered about her for a moment before concentrating on increasing his size. While he was not a pure flutter he could grow from the size of a bug to a full sized stallion, it just took a little longer instead of almost instantaneous. He preferred being smaller, like most of the other flutter types he had met Well... in truth, he had only met two or three but he had a feeling that the others were like that too.

Dayunsi decided to grow to his full size as he wanted to be able to fly far. He had only been this size once of twice in a long time and so at first he was a little disoriented by the fact that his hooves now were so far away. With Meera being a wind, he was sure she would out shine him in the realm of flight and so he wanted to try his hardest to match her. "Ok, you can open you eyes now. Was there somewhere you wished to fly to?"

She nearly jumped when she opened her eyes. He was as big as her now! Perhaps even bigger. How could such a thing happen? How could such magic exist? Dare she touch him to see if he was real? Cautiously, the ebony mare moved over and prodded his neck gently with her nose. He was real!

"Goodness!"

She couldn't find anything else to say for a moment. She simply stood there and stared at him in wonder almost as if in a trance. It wasn't until she remembered the second half of his question that she snapped out of it. "No, there's no where in particular. I just want to fly with good company."

She flexed her wings instinctively. They almost ached with want of use. "I'll fly anywhere you want to," she stated excitedly. What a wonderful day this was turning out to be!

He watched as she opened her eyes and then seemed to stare in amazement. Had he accidentally gotten something large stuck in his mane? It had happened once when he had grown, a twig had gotten lodged in his mane pretty deep and so when he shifted sizes it had shifted with him. The end result was this large branch pulling down his mane. It had been very uncomfortable but luckily a chipmunk had been in the neighborhood and helped him out. After shaking his mane out he realized it might just be her own surprise, especially after she prodded him with her nose. That kind of tickled and he laughed in response.

After she spoke he smiled and tilted his head to the side as he thought of places they could see. "Well there is a willowtree that a few of of my herd like to visit, it is not too far away from here but has a very nice view of the valley." The fluttercorn moved forward a little, his wings blurring with movement as he did so. He hadn't flown at such a large size in quite a while and wanted to make sure he remembered how before going a very long distance.

The day was pleasantly sunny. A wonderful start of the season of spring. The Doctor was making his way down one of the many used paths to find he way towards the common feeding meadows. Trotting lightly he seemed like he would trip up on his scarf with every step and yet managed to miss it every time. A small blue ferret scurried along side him with a running commentary of the things of the day including the temperature and the clear blue sky. Doctor Who seemed to ignore him with exception of a few 'I see...' and 'You don't say...' The brown stallion was more interested in filling he belly with a hearty meal before starting out on the day's adventure.

"I do believe there is a young lady who may be in need of assistance..." The small ferret came close towards the dark mare before running back. "She looks as if she may be..." "I can see that TARDIS." The Doctor interrupted. "The question is, does she know as well. It would be highly interesting to observe such a phenomenon. One may never know what one may discover." With a prance in his step he moved towards the other soquili and lightly spoke. "It is not often that one finds himself in the prescience of a beautiful young lady who is such deep in thought" The stallion used one of his hooves to kick a tail of his scarf out of the way so that he could make a low bow in greeting.

It was another crisp cold day on the meadow. The sky was blue and the sun shining brightly as fluffy clouds rolled across the heavens. The snow had melted but the cold was still there. All in all it was a very lovely day. Wild flowers were scattered here and there. They were brown, dead, and dry.

Flower laid amongst the flowers and brittle grass on her back, her sapphire blue eyes peering up at the clouds, the sun's rays warming her body at least a little. Above the line of tall grass one could see four small legs and possibly the tip of a muzzle. The mare sighed contentedly and tried to see what sorts of things she could make of the clouds.

A soft song escaped the mare's lips. Her tone was rich, and velvety. She was most definitely a baritone. It was almost startling to find the melodic sound coming from such a small creature. She sung an old love song she had heard her grandfather sing to his mate.

"Alas, my love, you do me wrong, o cast me off discourteously. For I have loved you well and long. My mate was all my joy, my mate was my delight, my mate was my heart of gold, And who but my lady, my love." She sung so softly that if you weren't listening for it you wouldn't catch it.

She was very shy by nature and thus, didn't like to draw attention to herself.

The Doctor was making his way down one of the many used paths to find he way towards the common feeding meadows. Trotting lightly he seemed like he would trip up on his scarf with every step and yet managed to miss it every time. A small blue ferret scurried along side him with a running commentary of the things of the day including the temperature and the clear blue sky. Doctor Who seemed to ignore him with exception of a few 'I see...' and 'You don't say...' The brown stallion was more interested in filling he belly with a hearty meal before starting out on the day's adventure. That is until he heard the lines of a song wisp slowly towards him. Tilting his head to the side he halted the ferret's monologue with a hoof. "Did you hear that?" Moving towards the sound, The Doctor looked around for its source.

The mare was off in her own world. If a kalona happened upon her she wouldn't notice until it loomed over her grinning down with hungry eyes. The second verse of the song slipped past her lips as she pondered about the direction her life was heading. She had taken in a filly, put up with an absolutely horrid heavily gravid mare and started to slowly get over her fear of all stallions. She also found a lot of good in the majority of the males she met. She was far from the frightened, skittish mare she had been when she escaped from the pale faces that had brought her to this land.

The Doctor almost loomed over head as he finally found the source of the wonderful little ditty! "My my, Just fan-TA-stick! My good lady, Would you happen to know the name of that beautiful little song? It just sounds De-LISH-cious!" He tilted his head to the side before realizing one of the ends of his scarf had managed to drape over her. "Oh I am sorry about that, it has a mind of its own sometimes"
A choking scoffing sound came from behind him as the blue ferret almost lost his breath at the Doctors antics.

Flower blinked and did a sort of double take. "Oh! Excuse me." She said as she rolled over as daintily as possible and got to her feet. "Erm, it's just an old song my granddad used to sing to my grandmum. I'm not even sure it has a name." She explained. "I'm Flower...it's a pleasure to meet you." She said with a smile and a dip of her head. Her left ear twitched to the the slightly guttural sound she heard and noticed it came from a little blue ferret. She glanced to the small creature with a soft smile before looking back to the stallion before her. He seemed so...flamboyant. But he was polite and seemed to be kind. That was all that mattered.

"What is a song without a name. If I was to ask about it what name would you give it? Names are such important things." He grabbed the offending length of scarf and flung it over his shoulder. "I am The Doctor... just the Doctor will do. This is my TARDIS, he is much more bigger in noise than in size." The brown stallion gestured towards the blue ferret who came up close before turning towards the Doctor and intoning in quite a level voice. "Master, the lady does seem as if she is quite young, do you believe she is separated from her parents?" "Nonsense TARDIS, I am sure she is old enough to take care of herself." Doctor Who frowned at the ferret before turning back. "I do apoligise for my companion's forwardness."

"I've heard two leggers around where I grow up sing something similar. I think they called it 'Greensleeves' or something of the like." She said. She arched a brow to the ferret and chuckled. "I get that quite a lot." She told the smaller creature with a wink. "I'm a fully grown adult. Usdias are just a lot smaller than Soquili, but no harm done, I don't mind in the least." She said eyes twinkling.

"How unusual... Are there more like you? Is it more like a condition of the heart? Unable to grow when you reach a certain point or are you more like a miniature breed?" The Doctor moved around the usida curiously, refraining from prodding or poking but obviously wanting to do so. "I have to admit, I have never seen such as a tiny horse before but then this is new lands, different customs and different sizes." He came back to his original spot before musing to himself, "I do remember hearing about a creature called a pygmy. The two-leggers said it was a smaller version of themselves. may haps this is what they were talking about." Blinking back towards Flower he paused before asking, "Are you a pygmy?"

She chuckled. "Yes I'm a miniature breed. It's a variation of Soquili such as yourself. We were bred to be smaller." She explained before grinning. "Oh yes there are loads more of my kind." She said. "I've run into quite a few. But, I suppose in a way were are sort of like pygmies...we just have a different name for it than the two-leggers. Where I grew up we were called ponies but the two-leggers here speak a different language and it got translated to usdia." She was fairly seasoned in explaining her breed to others. She even got used to the circling, examination that some tended to do. She understood the need to do so quite well. She had to stop herself from doing so when she met her first flutter. But my, this one was more inquisitive than most! He seemed very intelligent as well, something she found to be quite a treat.

"If by saying you are not from here, prey tell, where are you from?" He was interested to know as any new information was always a curiosity. The Doctor loved to examine and find out about things, nothing suited him better than asking questions. He mulled upon another point that she had mentioned. "Green sleeves..." The name sounded familiar but he could not place a hoof on where he had heard it before.
"Master... I sense trouble near by." The blue ferret looked over his shoulder before tugging on the Doctor's scarf.
"Balderdash Tardis! There is nothing dangerous around here for miles!" Doctor Who looked up for a moment before focusing his attention once more on Flower. "Now where were we before this annoying little blue ferret of mine decided to interrupt?"

One of Flower's ears turned in the direction of the small ferret as much as possible. She dearly hoped he was wrong. But when the Doctor asked her where they had been in the conversation she chuckled. "We were speaking about my national origin." She explained before continuing. "Well I think it's safe to assume you at least came from the same country as I did." She said with a good natured smile. "You're English correct?" The mare asked, firing one of her own at him for once. If he wasn't he sure as heck put on a good show of it.

"Ahh yes... You are absolutely correct on that point. It is splendid to meet another one of her Majesty's flock." Doctor Who peered at Flower as if seeing her with new eyes. "What part of jolly old England do you come from? Though I should have known by the choice in verbiage." He chuckled, amused by his own joke. "So what brought you over? I traveled here in a large blue ship!" He was exaggerating of course but TARDIS was too occupied with something else to correct him. The small blue ferret stared off in the distance, wondering whether it was worth the hassle of climbing onto the Doctor's back.

"Surrey or there abouts...to tell you the truth I hadn't really paid attention to what specific part...but it was a ranch full of old nags and geldings for the most part. I was, heh, a bit of a surprise...but I came here on a rather large ship with a wealthy family. I was to be a pleasure mount for their little girl. Ann-Marie, was her name." She said with a rueful smile.

"She...contracted tuberculosis somewhere along the way...needless to say she didn't make it."

The mare sighed.

"So the family turned me loose and I found my current two-legger Ayashe. Sweet girl...I suppose you'd call her a pygmy. Really tiny lill' thing." The mare explained.

"Oh! But listen to me talkin' about me self like an old maid. What part of the country d'you hail from?" She asked with a far more genuine smile.

The Doctor tilted his head to the side and though for a moment. "Surrey... Surrey... Tip of my tounge and yet escaping the mind. Ahh well it'll come back to me after the holiday. Sorry to hear about your first two-legger but at least you found another." He smiled down at the smaller usida before exclaiming. "My, is she is a small one to you she much be minuscule to one of my size!" He was amazed at people could get that small. "I do suppose you fit well with her then which is a good thing. Have you met many two-leggers since coming here?" Neatly he evaded the subject of his history for the moment.

"She's not quite that small. The top of her head barely passes mine when she's standing. I'd imagine a standard soquili's foal might be a little taller than her though...or at least as tall." She explained. "I've met, one other I think...but it was ages ago so, I'm not really sure what they're like here since I've seen such a small amount." The mare paused for a moment.

"D'you have a two-legger you stay with?" She asked. She had noticed he hadn't answered her question but figured there was a good reason for it and didn't wish to pry.

The doctor nodded as he listened to the usida talk about her two-legger companion. It seemed like they both fit well together which was nice. He thought about the two-legger the herd shared the globe with. He was very interesting always coming up with new ways to make things taste good. “We live with a male two-legger. He is pretty good with his hands. He heals scrapes and cuts almost as good as a unicorn.” The doctor knew that between them all, only Dayunsi followed their two-legger more. He found the being just fascinating. Just like the other two-leggers in the village close by.

The mare smiled softly. "Yes, it's certainly amazing what two-leggers are able to accomplish with herbs and other plant life." She agreed. Ah to have opposable thumbs. But of course that would look quite odd on an equine. "So d'you live in that village with the majority of the two-leggers?" She asked. They lived off on their own in the wilderness. Flower hadn't heard the story about her being shunned by the man she had a certain fondness for. It was a rather touchy subject for the young woman. But like most of the men of the village they wanted children and it could very well kill her due to her stature.

"Live in the village?" The Doctor stared at her for a few moments as if his brain was processing the information. "Ooooh Weeeeell... I guess I live in the forest with the rest of the herd. It's hard to say sometimes though. I spend plenty of time exploring and I doubt this place will be very permanent." He gave a shrug as if to say that the place he slept at wasn't too important. "I am a long way from home. Don't know if I can call this place home yet... it just doesn't feel right, at least for now..."