[2023 RPs] Eos' RP Prompts

[Eos Galvus]

"Welcome to the Ponderosa my friend
With songs and stories about the American west!
A land of legends, and romance, and friendship and loyalty, and courage.
A motherlode of rememberance. A true Bonanza."
- Lorne Green, Boanza

(Man in the back: BOO! Bonanza BOO!)

YOU QUIET THERE CARL.  

[Eos Galvus]

WC: 708

pquote]Have you ever been changed by love on an almost celluliar level? Was it because of the love of family, a friend, or even someone romantic? Is it something or someone that you can really explain? Try.

It wasn't so often that Kess was by herself these days; her lone days of roaming place to place, sytopping for at most a week before moving on was... Not a distant memory perhaps, buit, she did have somethingp/i] for it. She'd joined Susanoo's herd because he was hers on an intrinsic, deep level she couldn't place, a sheltering, protective giant stallion in a breed she'd perhaps hear more horror stories than not of, but he was still hers in an intrinsic sense, and she enjoyed his family'sd company -- she loved having a hme.

But nightmares were wicked things, insidious and unpreventable at times, motreso when they blended with the milk and honey of memory, the haze of childhood clouding and mixing like a fog, and a perfect setting for the worst, when they happened in those innocent, carefree years -- and Kes knew this well, the Windkelpi's nights not always so happy. She couldn't forget. Her souls wouldn't let her forget.

Kes' family weren't the confrontational sort. A Kelpi and a Wind had born two little foals, sheltered in baskets as their mother and father whispered love and excitement for when they might be strong enough to emerge from the basket, eahger to get to know the male and female within the delicate woven things. They sung to them, they told tales of the spirits and the world, they had been... Happy. Even now the wisper of fields of grass and wildflowers drew Kes home in a way she couldn't place. They'd known peace, and they'd known love. It wasn't to last, though. Kes knew they weren't mutants or Pure Shifters because the land thundered under them deep in one night, voices yelling threats and aggression as they tried taking the baskets from the little family. They damned her parents for daring to breed withou5t a herd, for 'exposing foals and fillies to wild beasts', they claimed theirs was the only way. They would take their children. Inside her basket, Kes had listened to screaming, fighting, and other horrific sounds. Her brother had cried out near her and she called back as the invaders' hooves kicked their baskets fighting their parents, and then -- and then she fell into a river, screaming for her brother Micheal even as her parents cries ewere stamped out. Horrifying crunches and silence before the river, and hjer baskety was swept away as the little windkelpi was carried away downstream, surviving on luck before washing onto a river bank miles, it seemed, from home. The air smelled funny, and the dark was uncomfortable. All she knew was, she needed to find Michael. She needed to find her brother, and she slowly nosed the lid from her basket, a tiny foal emerging into a cold and unforgiving world of darkness and fear.

And the nightmare always ended with an emergence from her basket, waking her with a start, a reminder to find her lost sibling. But she hadn't been sleeping now, but thinking. Had she given up on hope, joining a herd? Fallen prey to fear or despair? She prayed not, but every season made it feel less and less like she'd find her brother -- was he even alive? She wondered. She genuinely...

"Kes?" Susanoo's voice interrupted troubled mulling over the past and the mare glanced to the stallion, unaware she had curled quite so tightly thinking. Her ear flicked and she looked away, sighing.

"Just. Missing my family." She confessed.

Crunch. The memory earned a gesture of discomfort, her ears pinning to her skull as Susanoo approached, and nuzzled.

"You'll find him, dear. Somehow." The stallion ruumbled, chasing away her woes with a soft tone, massive head nuzzling her neck tenderly before she leaned in and sighed.

"You're right. I just pray those monsters didn't break him." Kes admitted. Susanoo hummed.

"Don't sdwell on if he'll be your brother. But if he's been harmed, I will help you make then regret it. I promise, love."

"....Thank you." Kers nuzzled back at last, before Susanoo laid curling about the smaller mare, the two settling in for talk of other things. After all, all Kes wanted to do was remember -- a reminder to find what bmattered.

Her family, her brother.  

[Eos Galvus]

WC: 459

Quote:

"Don't move," says a small quavering voice from above. "Don't panic." Of course, now you are starting to panic. "But you're in the middle of a patch of poison ivy," the small hummingbird finishes. Without another word it flits off.

"Do what now?" Kestrel "Kes" DeLacey ewasn't a dumb soquili by any stretch. Quite opposite -- she was too smart for her own good, and the mare had tried making a short venture to explore her new herd's full territory, wandering into a snakk ciose if trees to look around with no small sense of curiousity. She was looking up, not down, and her tail trailed after like a banner as she walked out before she'd been addressed by a colorful little hummingbird with a bright ruby chest. Of course being told 'don't panic' wasn't ideal. Of course not -- Bright blue eyes widened before the soquili spun in a circle, prancing slightly as she at last looked down, squeaked, and raised her hooves, making multiple small displeased noises before at last flaring her wings at the befouling plants surrounding her with a yelp of alarm.

"OH FOR--" And in a flash her wings rose from her back as, indeed, Kes panicked. quite a bit actually. Normally, Kes flew or swam, adapted to sea and air as the child of a kelpi and a wind. But this was neither, and she had walked directly into a blasted patch of poison ivy, oif which she had never done before! And it ITCHED! Kes pranced, circling several times raopidly as she seemed to chase her own taul, making multiple noises of distress. The breeze kicked up by panicking hooves and a long tail and flailing wings blew some icy intop the air, and most landed on the mare's tail.

Her tail itched and Kes whined, spinning in circles again several more minutes in a panic before spying what seemed like water or a mudhole or something nearby, and the mare moved, panicked enough to thromp directly into a dense patch of poison ivy before screeching and charging airborn. She itched! Everything itched! The sun! The moon! Her wings and tail and legs and -- and in a flash she dove for the mudhole, smashing instead onto a dampened log she bashed a hole into. Nowq she was cut and itchy and making more frantic noises, launching airborn again. Finally, she sighted a proper mudpuddle, and moved, launching airborn to dive into the muck. It was cool and comforting, even if she had to tromp and bury in it, moodily looking about. It was... Balming, at least -- soothing her itch for now as she sighed, shaking her head.

Kes shook her head, and decided not to leave for the time being, letting the calming mud soak into her itchy, nasty pointys that contacted the vile weed. For now, she was safge, and next time, she'd not be so stupid as to blindly step into the noxious plant. That was an itch she never wanted ahgain.  

[Eos Galvus]

WC: 1584

Quote:

Prompt: You wake up in the forest. How you got there isn’t important right now. But the thing is that you’ve been given a time limit by a sinister voice who acts like this is just the first round in some demented game. Whether or not you really want to play, you do know that you don’t want to stay here.

What you need to do:
Write out facing 2-3 obstacles/riddles to overcome before you make it out of the forest. Your prompt should end with you making it past the edge of the woods. At the end of the month the mysterious voice will let you know whether you made it out in time. Who made it out on time will be chosen by rolling a few from the list of those who entered. Those rolled will also get ONE ticket for the end of the year raffle.

This was not unfamiliar, except for the voice and circumstances. The voice was too banal to be one of those whom took her parents and brother from her, nor was it alien enough to confuse. No, despite not remembering how she got there and only the vaguest sense that Susanoo must be worried, Kestrel 'Kes' DeLacey was one emotion, the emotion her face rarely expressed. It began with her ears and rolled out like a flame. Her ears went flush with her skull, flat and rigid. Her eyes narrowed, teeth baring soon after in a grimace or snarl, grinding slightly as h3er jaw set, her neck tensed, and her body answered by lowering defensively, tail lashing like a cat's. Her wings tried to flare threateningly, but she found them bound in briars and brambles -- flying out was prohibited.

But Kes was angry. And when Kes was angry, she was ready, willing, and prepared to fight. She supposed she could plead or cry, but the entire event scented of previous truamas and past woes. It reminded her opf the fear of drowning, the horrified frightened squeals in her ears, hooves stomping. Iyt forced her into the past, but she refused to cave to terror and despair. The mare snorted, sounding more a mare Susanoo's size than her own, and the mare snapped in response.

"Very well then. We'll play. But let's hope you're as smart as you think you are...." Her tone was even a threat. Kes knew Susanoo appreciated protecting her. He was large and sheltering to her small, but Kes was no fainting violet and soon enough the mare launched herself into a brisk stalk. The dark forest barely bothered the mare as she moved -- the surroundings could wait, the destination presently was not a sightseeing tour, it was proving a voice wrong, and Kes felt herself hyperfocusing on the ground before, walking briskly along as she considered. Ideally, she could find a means to remove her wings' prickly binds and fly, but that meant something sharp. So, Kes focused on that first, scouring the surroundings as she walked before nearly walkiung into wild roses,m and at last, she stopped.

The roses weren't blooming. The nbushes seemed dense, covered in thorns that threatened the careless with painful pricks and prods, and Kes looked about them before spying a clever entrance, approaching before entering a plain maze. Kes frowned immediately at the headgames, beginning to proceed slowly as she minded her step, carefully evading briars as she double-backed away fdrom dead ends, stepping over fallen sticks and branches and avoiding falling into the wicked plants. Walking about flowers was far from easy and the mare winced as her kelpi's tail accidently brushed the roses once, hissing at the scratches as she moved. The sting was fierce and Kes winced, pressing on determinedly as she walked, Sometimes, passage was only made by stepping over shorter bushes, but all the same Kes walked on with determination, ears pinned the entire journey before she exited the rosebush maze, hissing furiously as she began to move ahead towards the next path.

Her mind, though, went back. It returned to the past, remembering as the small, frightened filly emerged from her waterlogged basket. Proximity saved her. Her family's fates unknown, Kes went searching for them. In the beginning, she cried. She was lost and hungry and cold. The first thing she could do was nibble tender shoots and grasses, flowers and fruits on the ground. Kes learned to feed herself quickly. And then was swimming.

Kes stopped at a large river. It was wide and deep, implying it might be another trial, and yet, it reminded Kes of a valuable lesson. She approached, stepping into the river, and closed her eyes. She advanced slowly, wading into the river as she felt it's pull fearlessly, the cool water soothing on her tail as she walked, breathing deeply. Another memory. Swimming she taught herself as well, watching young kelpi from a distance, the filly had taken in their lessons, and one day tested her mettle in a lake, wings flat to her sides as she stepped into the water. She kicked, and waggled her tauil, and moved. Kes did so now, too, but with far more finesse as she swam forth slowly, finally gulping air and diving below. The mare dove partly trying to free her wings, really. The brambles and briars binding them remained fast, but the sensation of water plants was warning enough -- Kes bit them, cutting them before swimming away from them, making her way to the surace swiftly. She couldn't breathe water and biting plants was hazardous, if necissary. As Kes emerged, she seemed thoughtful again, swimming to shore with her mane pooling out behind her like a spirit.

She couldn't remember their faces. Her mother and father saw their children into their baskets after birth swiftly enough that Kes didn't remember their faces, or her brother's face. She was alone a long time, too, and as she walked, she mused. Her thoughts felt as dartk as the forest, but cold. She felt like ice wanted to consume her -- not cold, but emotional. Ice pricked her very soul, her being, and the area was swa5hed in ice, telling her how despondant she felt -- because she saw it. Kes normally had control of fleeting emotion. She felt it, but rarely strongly. Strong emotion was not felt, however, but seen. Susanoo was a flurry of hearts and chocolate, while misery and sorrow were of ice and coold and sharp edges.Kes hated this sensation. It meant she was more deeply upset than she wanted to project and this time she expressed it seeing the world as frigidly frozen and frightening. The windkelpi doubted it was an intentional trial, but lo, here it was, and Kes powerless. Again.

Seeing strong emotions bothered her, at first. A lonely filly seeing her moods manifest as the elements because her mind didn't quite work right was unsettling, but slowly she learned to tune out seeing the weaker ones. But deep feelings were hard to ignore. Love dipped her in hearts and chocolate, sweet and decadant, and joy was sunlight, flooding the skies. Despair, though, despair was cold and ice, Those times, like now, were trying, and as Kes moved, she fought with herself, fighting her emotional state as she passed trees and bushes, a low flame of fire sparking in her mind. She just wanted to get back to Susanoo. To be with him and cry in him and tell him of the miserablem gieeus fane she'd been forced into, but then... She just wanted away from her thoughts. Alone with those, Kes felt.... Cor Kes did not like feeling cornered, like any other sensible person.nered. Kes looked down quietly. What even was her life? Her truamas felt like they consumed so much and she felt lost, afraid, and... Alone, at times.

Kes looked aside, as if searching for an answer, and found a rocky, sharp outcrop. An outcrop perfect for freeing unhappy, trapped wqings.

Perhaps her parents looked out for her, or, perhaps, Kes was lucky. Regardless of why, Kes moved towards the rocky outcrop at a fast pace, shoving it between the brambled vine and her wing, maneuvering just so to free the trapped limb from the nasty prickers and thorns to great relief. Kes stretched her stiff wing glasdly, before shifting to work on the other. With one wing free her balaqnce was off but the mare pressed forth into the task, working on freeing herself shakily as she cut herself free with the roicky outcrop. As soon as the last briar fell away, she stretched both wings, spreading her wings and rearing in triumph as she burst into a triumophant laugh. No, she likely still couldn't fly out, but her wings were free, meaning she might do something else. positioning her wings, Kes grinned wickedly. In this lone instance the voice could deal. It could complain and insult all it wanted, Kes had a trick. To be fair, in learning to survive alone as a filly, Kes developed many tricks, but thios one? Too fun. She finished angling her wings, and lowered her head, straightening her long tail for a rudder before suddenly charging forwards towards freedom, towards the open air, towards... So many things., The true lesson came as Kes' wings caught air, the male's charge granting lift and allowing her to glide as she moved, hooves thundering as she rushed towards the hope and promise of freedom, of her mate, and finally the plants cleared to expose rgubbubf rewwam dwqwe and fewer trees between her and freedom before at last, there was freedom. There was lifght, and her wings snapped open in full, the mare going airborn in delight but a moment with a triumphant whoop before landing hard on her hooves.

"Nobobody puts Kessy in a corner!" The mare announced. Who cared about time? About some nattering entitled voice? Kes was pu[free and meant to remain that way, head raised before she sneered.

"Oh yes, good luck trying that again. I doubt Susanoo will have that repeated. He's dreadfully protective." And Kes turned, storming away from the forest to seek out the massive Shifter Stallion. Hopefully, that would be that.

Ideally. Preferably. And yet, Kes had no idea how she got found in the first place, or kidnapoped... Thinks for later, though. For now? She had a giant husband to cuddle.  

[Eos Galvus]

WC: 312

Kes pawed the ground near the sprout curiously, hoof biting into soil to move it as she examined the sprout curiously, leaning forwards to sniff at the sprout curiously, blue eyes locked on the plan, one ear flicking as she examined it. It almost reminded her of a dandelion, the mare's nostrils taking in the cool damp scent of the freshly dampoened soil courtesy the rains that accompanied spring; the plant scent following. It wasn't a dandelion though. It smelled wrong and for a moment, Kes paused before licking the plant carefully. before gagging in disdain. It was not tasty, unlike dandelions, and it seemed... Young? Fairly young.

So it resembled a dandelion, tasted terrible, and was young. Kes snorted and it leaned away before springing upright again, the mare narrowing her eyes at the plant thoughtfully. She considered stepping on it, but instead dug slightly more, however a beige, bland root popped up and Kes frowned, returning soil to the space to cover it as she frowned, shaking her head.

"What the blue blazes are you?" Kes asked the plant. She supposed licking it before WAS dumb, srudying the green more. It was a dark emerald green and looked weird. It was small, just a sprout, but, well, it had caufght Kes' eye walking the grounds the herd lived in trying to find something to do, and overanalyzing a weird sprout in her area was well enough. Had Susanoo planted it? Yomi? Or had the wind carried it in? Another snort varried Kes' breath over the plant at last and she grumbled. Well, it was in her space _noew_ so not much could be done to move it. She'd heard enough funny plant stories to know not to pry further, anyhow, and sighed, turning away to trot away for other sightsd to see. It was just a diversion after all... Right...?  

[Eos Galvus]

*




WC: 1181

It was///// Bittersweet. Painful. A great many things to manage to figure anything out, let alone time it, but Kes gound a way.

Rge mare had climbed the stone path alongside the familiar river, a place she had long ago visited. The place she had, long ago, lost. The normally cheery mare's head was low, ears back. She listened, just to be wary, but her focus was setb upon the terrain, pathfinding on memories that tried fading, but didn't. They remained because Kes held on to them -- and tightly. Every so often her eyes flicked to the river, presently peaceful and calm -- a river that could've drowned her, she supposed, as a filly. Kes paused to remember her basket rushing down raging watters, knocking the contents hither and tither and she screamed and squealed for her mother, the frightened filly wanting her mother's comfort, or her father's rescue. The filly that was swept downstream and into isolation, before the lightest touch shook her from her thoughts and she turned her head to look at the white and black of Susanoo, the giant stallion looking at his mate in concern before she shook her head.

"Not there yet." She admitted softly, and began walking again.

Susanoo had wanted to see the home of her birth. It had surprised the mare, whom had agreed slowly because she loved him, but deep down she despaired of what she might find. Fortunately -- or unfortunately - some creatures recognized Kes as her parents' daughter, mostly small birds and otters, whom guided the pair to the river with a deep sense of excitement as they travelled. At least, they felt excitement. Kes felt... Scared, and bittersweet. Sad, happy. Determined. She'd almost never returned, but Susanoo had asked and Kes enjoyed spending time with her mate, so here they were, the mare walking nwith her head low once again before standing on the banks her parents had lived on. Susanoo nudged again and Kes sighed, nodding.

She'd never seen the lands her parents occupied proper with her own eyes, but the helpful animals had directed them well. The space was a lush meador, the rivber deep and bubbling, with sandy banks and shore, bushes htoeinh vushes along the sandy strip, lush and dark, tempting with berries buried deep within where birds did not reach easily. Kes looked up at the sparse trees surrounding the space, and swallowed, sensing on some level their killers might've, perhaps, come from there. Come from the trees, and a pile of stones lay in what mighjt've once been her parents' actual resting spot. Kes sighed, and approached slowly, Susanoo following before turning his head. Slowly, he drew a cherry blossom branch forth, the petals falling as he rest the small branch upon the stones before a new voice interrupted the moment of calm, low, even. Calm.

"Lestrel DeLacey. Well, as I live and breathe. You do live."

Kes and Susanoo turned their heads in unison to spy an enormous black and gold stallion, goolden talons gleaming as he wore a platinum or white gold set of rings held by a jewel, the stallion's long, silken tail swaying slowly before Kes frowned, raising her chin.

"Who are you? How do you know my name?" Kes asked. Beside her, Susanoo shifted weight, almost basring the sharp teeth of a shifter If needed, Susanoo was prepared to fiught, to protect his mate from danger, but the black stallion stretched six wings akin a fallen angel's and showed the serpent along his back dozing before speakingm unafraid of the shifter as he motioned.

"I met your parents when you and your brother were newborns in baskets. My companions and I passed through the territory... They were kind to us. They shared what thewy possessed. My lady and was especially grateful to them. Alas, we had left befotre the tragedy." The stallion sighed. "The assailants took your brother's basket... Your mother's life. My lady helped place the styones on her body to protect from carnivores, of course. I believe your father barely escaped to llook for you."

"My father's alive?" Kes started, blinking owlishly as the stallion blinked. Susanoo looked to her silently, Kes raising one leg as the stallion blinked.

"He wwas afraid you might've drowned. You fell into the river -- thankfully, he was aquatic. All he found ewas your empty basket and hoofprints leading away. We agreed to help him look." The stalliuon smiled, and Kes looked at the river silently again, the fins on her tail moving in the breeze as she thought.

"How do so many know my beloved's parents here?" Susanoo asked. "And whom might you be?"

"My name is Charon. I keep the tales of the dead and pass them to those whom are in need. As for her family... There werre two herds, once. And her family ruled for generations. The attackers were new and young, and jealous. The herd scattered with the heirs missing, Many souls were taken those days. It is well Kestrel moved on. Whom are you?" Charon narrowed his eyes at Susanoo, the Shifter squaring firmly.

"I am Susanoo. Kes' mate. She is of my herd. Is she not perfect?"

Charon blinked, before laughing agreeably.

"Oh she is pretty. I will not lie. As lovely as my lady. But I would not dare take her. You. You are neither aquatic-inclined nore feathered. Neither horned nor scaled. How is a Shifter like you so calm?"

"I have my..." Susanoo lowered his head to show the charm, and Charon made a noise of assent.

"Ah, charmed. It is good you are safe for Kestrel, then. If smelling a bit."

"Rude." Susanoo huffed, Charon simply staring before Kes moved.

The mare was focused on the water and slowly drew near, stepping into it slowly before looking downstream. She remained in the shallows, mostly. Her eyws were distant as she stood in the waters thoughtfully, barely moving. The waters were not the same as he fillyhood. Waters changed, but slower now and they were not the same her father had entered, and Kes was disappointed to not feel connected. It felt... Surreal. She felt... Disconnected. Closed off from the world, her past, her family. Even knowing her father survived did little more than to confuse and distress her, because Kes had assumed him dead. That she had possibly passed him unknowingly was bitter and cold, the mare lowering her head sorrowfully as her mane was touselled by the river. Kes never learned to fear water. She quite liked it, enjoying the cold and the wet, the ability to hold her breath long periods to swim and splash, and this felt... Cold. Bitter. Empty. The depths did not summon her to explore, but showed folly. Slowly, a wing covered her face before she made a low noise, both stallions looking in her direction before Susanoo turned, approaching to rest his head across her withers wordlessly. Charon watched, before sighing. He understood, wuithout knowing, and the male pinned his wings tightly to his body to turn, affording Kes time to process in the care of Susanoo.

She needed time to process, and Chasron could wait.

He knew it was not easy, and he could wait.

*OK, so my image host went to hell and I had to return to IMGur for now so uuuhhhhh.... there's two missing certs until I can access my busted tower's big second drive. They're on the Owner's List as Susanoo and Charon! I feel horrid now. Reason I don't just like shop hosting for their certs is general discomfort. biggrin ; I just... Need permission...  

[Eos Galvus]

924 Words

Kestrel stepped towards the plant slowly, blinking at it curiously nosing the odd 'dandelion'-like plant she'd been observing. It was certainly larger than her last visit, spreading farther from the original site she'd found it at, but she was fairly sure it was still revolting. Or maybe not. It was a bit taller, with tiny red berries clinging to the stalks and broad leaves. The dandelion-y flowers had changed from yellows to oddly bright greens blues and purples, and Kes wondered if it simply tastewwd bad because it was young.

Fascinating!

Slowly, deciding to find out, Kes stretched her neck towards one of the blossoms, opening her moiuth to bite off a piece of it experimentally when a voice from the nearby waters stopped her.

"I wouldn't truy it, lass." It was a male kelpie, in yellows, greens, and an eerily familiar neon blue, the stallion emerging from the sea with a manbun as he snorted. "Th' bleedin' flowers are toxic. Nasty stuff. M' old man tried and well, he had to go to a herd with herbalists for treatin'. Not even closeby mind but proper bloody herbalists. Don't find them as close as I'd like. But the berries and leaves are fine. Good for joints, stomach bugs. Cuts. Name's Draig. Draig y Mor. Who are you, lass? Ain't seen one like you before." He was beaming now, Kes blinking at the stallion before shifting, carefully trying one of the berries. It popped satisfyingly in her teeth and tasted sweet, and when she didn't feel sick, she nodded at him.

"Kestrel DeLacey. Everyone calls me Kes, though. How long have these been out here?" Her gaze turned on the flowers as Draig hummed.

"Well! A few weeks to a month now. The flowers glow at night. Think they're bioluminersc-- Wait. DeLacey?" Suddenly he turned an analuytical eye on her. Kess blinked, bending to get another berry as Draig approached, sticking a foreleg out towars her legs and studying her analytically, eyes narrowing though5tfully. Kes ignored it to let herself nibble fruit before he jumped back.

"Bloody hells, you are a DeLacey!" He cried. Kes raised her head, ears pivoting as she stared at him curiously. Draig pranced about her curiously, grinning as he examined her before nodding. Finally, Kes furrowed her brows at him, confgused.

"DeLacey's the name my father used. Uses? I don't know anymore." Kes sihghed before Draig beamed.

"Oh, Oh I know. Me old man's a DeLacey. Just didn't take his name." Draif explained. Kes stiffened.

"Michael DeLacey?" She asked hopefully. Draig, however, shook his head.

"No, no, wasn't a Michael DeLacey. He lost his first foals, he said, in some bum-arse attack."

"...You know ma....bout..." Kes blinked and looked vapid a moment before jaw dropping.

"Father remated?" Kes spluttered. "I thought he died until some creepy guy said he got away. No, no -- I got knocked in the river and sent downstream. I've been looking for Michjael. I'm sorry, I just... You're my half brother?"

"Seems so!" Draig grinned in delight, before beaming and nosing. "Well, lemme give you a hint. The berries there aren't so good for EVERYOINE. I've seen Cerynei getting sick off 'em. Flutters seem fine with blossoms but the leaves make 'em puke. I think different chemicals affect different systems." He shrugged and Kes tilted her head.

"Sounds... Curious. I feel fine though. Although I wouldn't want my herd near these I think." She scowled, Draig humming and fishing a basket out.

"Herd? You joined a herd?" He asked curiously. Kes nodded, smiling faintly.

"Yeah. My mate's from it. He's a giant. Shifter, fox. Both figuratively aNd literally... Actually, he's probably off getting a meal. He worries when I travel. That or he's pulling tricks. It's fine, he's charmed, but."

"Oh a mate eh? And a big sytrong 'un?" Drtaig leaned teasingly a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'm convinced to come with you two. I'd kinda like to get to know ya! Different ma or not, we're a family, after all. Even this big hunky man a yours." Draig winked, Kess spluttering before sighing.

"Isn't Fayther returning? I'd like to meet him again..." Kes fidgheted, befotre Draig looked serious, and at the blooms.

"I'm... Unsutre. He left sick for a HOPE of a herd to help. Can't lie, I'm worried for his arse.Could be living. Could've died on the way... I watched another kelpie eat them flowers and died from it. They're pretty though. S' long as noone eats a ton of nasty bits it's useful, every part has a harm to someone, buit another to helop. The herbalist that passed by told me whom can handle what, if you want."

"...I'd like the company, but if I plant these it's with my home, near my space..."

"Well our home." Draig tilted his head, Kes blinking again befoire he gestured with a hoof. "You look surprised. Please. Like Da would waqnt us away from one another. Herd or alone, we're a family. We stick together. Especially in case you two end up with lil' hooves about."

"Well, possibly paws... Susanoo has paws." Kes coughed. Draig whistled.

"Oh a pure Shjifter and he's charmed! Fancy!" Draig teased, but it was kind and he turned, beginning to pluck berries from the plant, stowing them in a basket near him. Kes watched, then smiled.

Maybe this weird plant was medicinal. Not just physically, but another way.

Afyter all.... It led her to a half-sibling... Whom seemed akin to a full one.

And that alone was... Coimforting.  

[Eos Galvus]

WC: 1438

The old ruin was, at best, identifiable as ruin from pieces of crumbled cieling, so nigh perfect held the walls and interior it was often called the strange cavern, but Kes had dared plunge it's depths with a torch she'd managed with several cattails bound to a giant branch she could carry, lit ablaze by a bit of flintrock and.. Some other harder rock and she entered with curiousity, not searching for things but inhabitants. As the expanse of the ruin yawned open before the light of Kes' makeshift torch, the paintings and etchings of a grand tal;e began to display, the kelpie's ears pivoting curiously as her eyes fell upon the walls and frescoes with no small curiousity, wondering if rgwt qwew Applied by Angeni or Unis as she walked.

Once upon a time there was a vast kingdom. Species from all around came to these lands to live in harmony; from the tiniest Usdia to the largest Ulun'suti. All were welcomed, bar one creatoir's children.

This kingdom did not know the touch of demons. No Shifter's foot touched their blessed golden lands, no kalona spread poison and death. It was a golden age of prosperity and peace, wherein fighting was done not for greed but sport, brother aided brother, Although the kingdom was small, she enjoyed a peace blessed by the gods.

But those whom hasve will ever draw the eyes of envy and gradually a legion came, a legion of Shigters and Kalona wotrking to take the kingdom as a breeding ground for their own selfish desires . They disrupted the peace and calm of the lands, forcing a reply from the peoples of the kingdom.

Kes paused at the paintings. They were quite well made. Each scene came painted in vibrant color and Kes walked along, brows furrowing in the dancing light at the tale unfolding. Kes had never heard any of this before, let alone of any king of conflict. But, she supposed the ruin was old and the land changed in weather, over time. Even this ruin was called a strange cavern, though Kes wondered how it had been made; by whom, or why. She had never known any Soquili to live in or build shelter, perhaps this place was a site some Soquili seized open for their own. It was a fascinating thought, and Kes looked around slowly, earsa flicking this way and that curiously as she walked, ttaking in the atmosphere before finding new images on a new wall, blinking curiously.

The King led his strongest into battle with the demons. Ulun'suti called on the powers of nature, Unicorns healed, Usdia and Winds flip amongst the field recovering wounded, ere they become easy meals to their foes. And still the demons rallied. As strong as the army was, they were few to the demons' seemingly unending horde. Without reenforcement, Like a vast yawning mass, the demons swallowed the army, and then the kingdom. The kingdom moured as the Kings bones and those of the armies, along with hides were returned, the rest devoured by the writhing mass, and so those whom could not fight and the King's daughter were cast into the depths of the abyss, the demons seizing power as the largest, a Kalona with curlking horns of purest black and sharpest teeth seized power over his bretheren, and soom the kingdom was enslaved to the wickedness of the Demon King.

Kes frowned. The pictures seemed to end here and she supposed that was the end. Likely, the kalona and Shifters came to conflict and took the kingdom with them, though the yawning expanse of the ruin pulled her onwaqrds, walking the halls silently as she looked hither and fro. Some walls depicted bakers, or children playing; the walls seemed to almost change into depictions of life before the demons. It was almost idyllic, adding a sense of heartbreak to the grim tale told nearer the entrance before Kes spied clawmarks and gashes beginning to form along the wall. These images were broken and pockmarked, bar a massive figure of a kalona, and the diminutive form of the princess from before, a delicate, light pink Suto draped in crystal and shine. Somehow, the story persisted.

Among the demons, the Demon King had a single son, larger than his father but of a kindlier nature, whom did not partake in the battle. As his sire brough in an era of fear, the Demon Prince found himself taken with the fallen princess trapped by his father. Slowly the Prince showed his sincerest adoration, among gifts of crystals and flowers, choice fruits and vegetables. He showed sincere love and kindness and slowly the fallen princess drew closer to him. The Demon King used this to show the rightness of his reign and claim over the kingdom, and in disgust, the Shifters left. The kalona, less bound by darkness, showed curiousity, and slowly conquest became a new prosperity. Kalona camer to see the peoples of the Unicorns and all as equals, capable of holding their own.

The union of the prince and princess seemed to be a blessing to the land. The Demon King proved to be a capable leader, strong, but capable of prsagmatic judgement over malice, for while not good the kalona were fair. Ir almost seemed a second golden age was coming.

Kes rolled her eyes then, shaking her head. Typical. Dark king had loving son, son fgalls for dainty flower, job dome. The claws ripping parts of the story out were at best likely some angry Shifter or similar, but Kes was ill prepared for the nest part.

The day of their wedding camer and went. The couple, the kingdom's future, soon consumated their unioin and little ones were soon opn the way. But joy was not meant to last as the gods turned their backs. After the foals were born, the princess sent for her mate and his sire, and in the dark of the den she committed a wicked act. She was content to play bride but had never wanted his foals, eye instead on a handsome unicorn. And so the princess set to try killing her own young.

It was the King whom acted. He lunged, saving his grandchildren, and his son, from the wicked princess whom saught to destroy peace to avenge her sire, to have her desires over all. Much like her father nbefore her, the princess knew why demons had been out of the kingdom. The 'royal family', a line of usdurpers, had run the kalona from the lands years before, forcing the good asnd rightful rulers to seek the Shifters in a desperate grab to save their ancesytral herd from the false isyllic landscape, a mindless herd smiling without knowing joy, a life devoid of passion or the best, because they were sheltered from what made those good things possible -- experiencing good and ill. And in the end, her last granb cost the usurper's daughter her life, the prince brokenhearted to see his love lied, but left with two small hpes to lead the kingdom into a true golden era.

Those whom thought the Princess the true heir stormed the castle. They saught to kill the prince and then steal the foals, but the Demon King defended them all, but it was his son whom, grieving the betrayal, came to fight for his children. He was no warrior, and soon his hooves too, lie still as death not far from the mare he'd loved with his heart, whom could never truly love him back. Desperate, the Demon King swept the foals into baskets and fled, taking those loyal to him in flight a second time to find new lands, lands that would not betray them. A new home, and new kingdom.

And so the kingdom fell. Noine know where the dwellers went. Some claim they died. Others say they migrated away. Regardless, however, the kingdom was no more, and her stories cast into ages. Still, it was a good lesson...

Beware the beauty of the beast.

A... Fairy tale? A legend? Fact? Kes couldn't tell. She could tell something hjad happened here, but not what or why; she knew not how true it was, through the mauled fractions made her wonder, but the light outside appeared to be dimming and Kes sighed, turning. At least it didn't have a happy sappy ending. Admittedly murder and betrayal and the rightful king being painted as wicked was off, but she supposed some liked a bit of a sad end. Kes just didn't know what to think and sighed, turning to depart the ruin as her torch began to burn low. Maybe she'd never solve this mystery. Nor should she, probably.  

[Eos Galvus]

883 Words

The thicket Brynhildr has fallen asleep in was a cool place, allowing her to sleep in a comfortable forest with trees spaced so far one might see the full moon rising in the starlit sky, a milky band of lights floating ephemerally above. The air scented of trees and damp, cool and crisp, spices from cracked maple trees pecked by woodpeckers affording a low spiced scent as the trees washed pleasant scents of woods over all. The mare slept agreeably enough as a breeze lifted leaves and grass, the early autumn air a peaceful reminder of things to come, Jack o' Lantern glowing with arcane light in the deep night as the air danced and swirled. It was lovely and calm and all seemed right.

But it wasn't. Perhaps it was the perfect weather, perhaps the season or year -- regardless a loud mournful howl of hunting dogs flooded the night air with a dirge that woke the mare from peaceful slumber and her head shot up as the dogs continued to howl, the voices of two-0legs and So quili both filling the air. Brynhildr was not deaf to the approach as thunder seemed to fill a clear sky and the mare lept afoot, grabbing her Jack 'o' Lantern and dancing to clear the path as humans and hounds and Soquili thundered past where she had slept, a pall of terror in their wake as Brynhildr watched respectfully out of the way.

This sound she knew, a lesson taught to her early in life at hjer brother's side as she watched her mother spin tales of gods from across the ocean brought to them by pale humans, humans sharing tales with the Kawani whom in turn learned of men like those mentioned by the pale men from tribes outside their lands. Brynhildr learned her mother's tales well, and the sight of The Wild Hunt was not so alien, as it was surprising. As the Hunt passed, Bruynhildr waited, before a low voice from nowhere and everywhere spoke in her ear.

Run.

It was a command, a voice ancient and unknowable and known, a command Brynhildr knew better than to ignore as she turned in the direction the Hunt made for, sprinting into action in a moment as she weilded her Jack 'o' Lantern in the midst of other Soquili in the Hunt. Caniones ran about their feet, spectres of black with red eyes snapping and howling at unseen prey. Riders faded in and out upon the backs of others, yelling and howling their war cries as Brynhilfdr found herself among the Wild H8unt.

But she was not a mare to defy the gods and she sprint along as wild as any in the Wild Hunt, hooves carrying her like some great beast instead of a Soquili, a mare charging... Seemingly nowhere. All in view was consumed by the Hunt as canines and Soquili and man mingled as one single mind. Ravens weaved overhead as they picked at the sky, serving as scouts to the Hunt. Sometimes, someone joined them, and sometimes, they left. Sometimes white dogs with crimson eyes joined and sometimes they were joined by a giant pair of wolves; sometimes there were women and sometimes men, a flurry of confusion and wild abandon. Anything weak in the way was slain, but those mindful of the Hunt invited fortune, a taste of the Hunt. Brynhildr glanced back, and she spied a god among Soquili, an eight legged grey war horse giant her tales called Sleiopnir -- a god. The syteed of the One-Eyed, and the Huntmasyter. All Brynhildr knew was she was chosen to run the Wild Hunt, numb to cold or pain or aught but the command of their Huntmaster.

"pi[This one.|

A command broke Brynhildr off and she persued a javelina, the wild boar no small threat, but a btranch of the Hunt followed as her hooves pounded grass and dirt for the beast that wandered too far from home, sharp hooves coming down as the beast charhged, tearing through wirey hairs and tusks effortlessly, ensuring a quick end to the porcine beast as a rider came from behind to collect the carvcass. Brynhildr stayed by her kill as if commanded without words, waiting as the Great Grey God approached, rider gathering the feral animal into his possessions, the One-Eyed not even looking at the mare. It was the Great Grey One whom turned a gaze to her solemnly, There were no words this time; His gaze communicated it all among raven's calls, howling beasts, and thundering hooves before the GHreat Gray One tore back into a run, but thisd time Brynhildr was left along, raven's feathers falling about her.

A drop of wet rain landed on Brynhildr's nose, a low rumble of thunder accompanying as thick black clouds swallowed the moon, the scent of perichor filling her nose and joining wet plants and grass in the autumnal air. The dark mare opened her eyes with a start and looked about, the incoming storm remniscent of the Wild Hunt before she inhaled. A dream. Only a dream..

Only a strange, fascinating mod, and Brynhildr sighed before shifting, and moving to lie in a more sheltered space as thunder rolled low and deep, and the wind howled, not unlike a wolf.  

[Eos Galvus]

[n]WC: 1,525 GO BIG OR GO HOME I GUESS.

It was autumn, the time of year when the sunlight faded from the sky like a dwindling light otr candle, the periods of daylight short and night lengthening, but when Draig y Mor commented knowing of a herd much like the one that struck her family, Kes had been on a mission. She pushed herself to march for the location, hoofsteps heavy and angry. Finally, in the waning of the year as the vwil between worlds thinned and the spirits held most sway until the sun began to return, she'd find her brother. She'd know peace, and perhaps she and Draig might find their missing sibling. Susanoo followed, of course, to watch over her, but Draig followed to bond with his half sister, and as they entered the herd territory a fell wind seemed to pick up, blowing across dying green, crackling dead plants rustling. It was silent and cold and appallingly dismal -- something about the space was Wrong and all three Soquili felt it as they walked, until they found bones.

The bones lie bleached in the grass, feathers of all kindas mixed with lost hairs, the only hints to the identitiers of the bones. Teethmarcks graved the necks, many broken, claws deep in rub and shoulder. All manner of species lie dead, a herd of adult skeletons as Kes walked, expression unreadable. It was Draig y Mor who felt uncomfortable most, looking about uncomfortably before Susanoo sytartled him by breaking the silence with a grim expression, the normally mischievous stallion cold.

"Shifter attack." He pronounced, traising his head to scent the air. The oddly familiar scent of Rex's swamp and O-Inari's wood greeted him, and as Kes looked to her mate and sibling, Susdanoo approached the waterm raising a paw before pressing what appeared to be a mossy log, moving his paw away quickly before powerful jaws snapped at air, and eyes peered from the water.

"And hello again Rex." Susanoo greeted. Draig y Mor was startled when the gatorshifter snapped, moving behind the large foxshifter as Rex rumbled moodily, water trailing around her as she transformed into her Soquili form and emerged, snorting at the other pureshifter grousily.

"Oh, you lot." A quick glance at Draig, and then she looked at Kes inspecting beathers and hairs before snorting. "You two keep picking uop starys... What are you lot doing in this place anyhow?"

"Draig y Mor recalled his father came from this direction and he's Kes' paternal-side half brother. What happened here? we expected trouble, but a Shifter strike?" Susanoo frowned. "Fo you know what kind did this?"

"Still haven't found him?" Rex shrugged, studying Draig as he huddled behind Susanoo, then looked at Kes, her eyes narrowing before she exhaled sharply.

"Oh. THAT one. Yes, I know what hjappened. Had no idea Kes was THAT one's foal. Yeah. I know what came of this place. Better that his children don't hear though."

"Excuse me but if it's about Father, I want to know." Kes snapped, storming over. Rex looked mildly impressed, even as Kes moved beside her half brother. Draig y Mor sighed.

"I have to side with Kesluv. Father came from--"

"Oh spirits help me." Rex groaned, oddly displeased but not snappy, shaking her head before staring at both. "This weren't your sire's herd, foals. This herd is who murdered his mate and stole one of his children. Thought the other dead..." Rex sighed, and Draig y Mor frowned stiffly.

"He had my mother when we was growing up." The stallion commented. Rex side-eyed him.

"Right. Growing up. He tried[/i[]. Some of them snacks are still out there, of course he didn't sytay. I screwed up my attack."

"Why am I underprised this was you." Susanoo snorted. "Impressive though."

"Thank you, I tried. Although it was messy. I normally don't hunt multiples. But well, he was persuasive. 'Give me the foals and devour all the adults you want'. I wasn't charmed at the time, of course." And further the charm on Rex's head gleamed like a pristine stone, reflecting waning light like a beacon, water washing about it. Draig sputtered, then paused, sighing. It made sense. Draig knew little of his sire's life before, but that it haunted him. It built and haunted him and Draig was unsurprised the stallion ever saught vengeance, with how protective he'd been. To him, his father was grim, serious - protective. He'd left when Draig and his sibling grew up to find a way to protect his children, and Draig was calm with it until the foal his sire thought killed appeared. And Draig liked Kes. She could be intense, but she was warm and kind. Although negotiating with a Shifter was risky,n he understood. Kes' ear flicked beside him, and then she sighed.

"I guess it makes sense. But have you seen him since?" She asked. Rex suddenluy scowled, eyes narrowing.

"You don't want to find him, little filly." Rex warned grimly. "The last I saw of him, he'd found himself corpse powder. He would not be the stallion either of you know. His path is a opath of killing, unless some Angeni Charm Maker got him. Which who knows. He's a lethal sot. Better to never speak his name and go home. Maybe take your sibling. He is a half brother but he is family."

"Thank ou, Rex." Susanoo responded. "I'm comfortable bringing them home. I'm sure the herd might welcome Draig." He smiled. "Or I can find him a secure place."

"Father... Got into corpse powder?" Kes was quiet as Rex grunted at Susanoo, the gator returning to the water as Kes tried to understand. Her body trembled as she stared, then Susanoo turned.

"I think it best we return home." Susanoo remarked. "Tsuku will likely appreciate another stallion to hang around, for one, and--"

"Y-yeah. Home. Sure. Okay. why not." Kes didn't move though, and Draig looked over, an ear flicking.

"Kes...? Are you okay...?" The Kelpie asked, and Kes laughed unnervingly, starting to cry with a smile on her face.

"I'm fine. Great! Perfectly okay!" She responded. Draig frowned, before Susanoo approached, lowering his massive head about her shoulders. Kes inhaling a moment. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine." Susanoo countered calmly. "You're absolutely not fine, Kes."

"I'm great! Dad - Dad - Dad's alive somewhere! and we're going to find him and make everything fixed and be a big family and--" She was sobbing despite trying to sound positive and upbeat as ever. She was not. Kes was breaking and sobbing and SusaNoo kept his head on her withers, trying to be soothing. Dtraig's expression turned thoughtful, and he frowned.

"But you're not fine." He pointed out. "I mean. OIt's okay not to be fine. Dad made his choices. We don't have to get involved."

"N-=no, we'll find a charm maker, we - I - we - I can fix him! Make it better!" Kes tried. SusaNoo sighed deeply, shoulders sagging.

"Kes. Even Cursed uncharmed Shifters are dangerous. I'd never have you if some Angeni hadn't charmed me. Tsu too. Yjis is - you're fast but you're small and catychable. We don't even know what poor creature died to be the skin upon hias back."

"But he's my Daddy! I have to try! I - I - I have to help him! Then I'll find my sibling ang we'll all be okay!" Was Kes hysterical? Yes. Draig winced at the desperation. He knew Kes grew uop alone. She didn't have her parents' love nore company of another. She chased a foalhood hope to repair a broken family and missed everything around, and the stallion winced, realizing he'd been lucky. Kes was desperate to break free and find their sire and Draig understood, but he also understood the danger. Slowly, he looked away as Kes squirmed against Susanoo trying to escape, and the pureshigyter fox held on protectively, noit angry so much as concerned as he held her until at last Kes began sobbing pitifully.

"I mean Susanoo would know, Kes." Draig responded quietly. "Maybe - we should cut our losses and get home? your home. I kinda roam. Unless they take kelpies, uh..." Draig went temporarily crosseyed. Susanoo snorted.

"That's not my decision." He noted. Kes whimpered.

"But I - I just want... Can't wel..." A pause. "I don't want to cut my losses." She frowned and Susanoo sighed.

"And that's okay. But we can take a step back. Feel your feelings. Away from here, preferably. And we'll go from there."

"But.." Kes keened, and both stallings pressed against her comfortingly, her half0brother on one side, her mate the other. Draig hummed, and closed his eyes, before looking over, and offered a look of consolation.

"I know it's not what you dreamed but. We're a family, you know? You got a mate and a half-0sibling. Though I do agree it's okay to grieve. You need it. And then we'll start thinking of a new thing to do. After home."

Kes opened her mouth, before closing it. She was allowed to cry and cry she did, sagging intop her mate and half-brother in tears and sorrow as she simply... Processed.  

[Eos Galvus]

*Charlie has no cert yet.)

WC = 911

The bitter cold of winter was setting in, announced perhaps by snowflurries and gusts of chill that spiralled and danced in midair, and Charlie watched the brittle brown leaves dance in the wind, the breaths of moving organic matter drawing Charlie's attention as the Soquyili pressed forth. The leaves danced about a minichromatic, frosty angeni hybrid like a breath and then Charlie's ears flicked from the trees, earning pause at a familiar voice.

"Tueno! What in blazes are you up to!?"

The blue stallion approached his daughter slowly, Tueno di Neve turning to her fsather with a smile.

"Sorry Dad. I was watching leaves with the snow." The mare responded. For a moment, nothing. And then Charlie stormed forth, wings flaring as the Soquili huffed, the enby's expression incredulous.

"JACK! When in HELLS did you have kids?!" The enby stormed forward, startling both before Jack beamed breadly and bowed his head.

"Well excuse me, Princess. If I'd known where in hells you buggered off to, then I might've told you the first time with the triplets." Jack responded. Charlie's jaw dropped.

"Have you at least run into Azadiq?" Charlie grumbled. Tueno looked to her father, one eatr flicking.

"Who?"

"Youtr uncle snowflake." Jack responded, then looked to Charlie. "Nope. No sign of Azadiq. He's got his little squeaky friend. It's fine. He's fine. I'm just happy to see one of you." Jack rolled a shoulder in a partial shrug and Charlie spluttered.

"Unbelieveable. Simply unbelieveable. So who's your girlfriend?"

"Girl - oh. nonono, no no. I don't have one of those." Jack shrugged. "The kids just happen to come about because of some flings." He was absolutely calm even as Tueno looked between her father's sibling and her father warily, Charlie making a sound of agitation before the mare-bodies enby stamped a foot.

"Where do you GET this?!" Charlie demanded. "Mom didn't raise us to be slutty! I swear, Jack, you're something else..." Charlie groaned, Jackv raising one hoof and gesturing loosely.

"I mean. You know Dad's not exactly monogamous right? I'm still impressed we haven't met a half-brother or sister or somerot." JKack remained calm despite his sibling's building irritation, the stallion blinking. In Jack's mind he was being quite sensible. Calm, even. Jack didn't deny how he was, or his parents, or his siblings. Azadiq was a free spirit. Charlie was a tightly wound - presently - fluff attatched to their father. Their father was kind of a scruffy Ragamuffin stallion whom wandered himself. There mother was sweet and perfect and anyone whom said otherwise was going to have Jack kick them in the head. All quite simple, really. Charlie was just oversensitive and Jack sighed softly, shaking his head before smiling at his sibling. Charlie was still angry at him.

"Have you even brought them to meet Mom or Dad?! Seriously Jack. I mean it. You need to get it together." Charlie stamped a hoof again and Jack lazily rolled his eyes, before grinning, surprising Tueno as the mare watched her father get lectured by his sibling.

"So you're not happy to see me or meet one of your nieces and neophews? There's five kids by the way. Strad's just buggered off to a girl he likes." Jack grinned. Charlie stared, disbelief on her face. "So you're not happy to see me?"

"I DIDN'T SAY THAT!" Charlie sputtered, half-0shouting in frustration before stomping again. Jack smirked.

"You're stamping your feet, you sure? Maybe it's a tantrum~?" Jack teased. Charlie hissed.

"Jack I swear to the gods I will kick your a** faster than Dad can soothe Mom with flowers.Just - why. Why are you sleeping around?!" Charlie hissed. Jack blinked languidly and smiled on.

"Because it's fun." The stallion responded. "And if the spirits feel like I need kids I mean, I'm not abandoning anyone to be pregnant and alone. I do raise my kids."

"So they're also sleeping around." Charlie presumed irritably. Jack laughed.

"Naw, nawnawnawnawnaw. Strad and Cio Brio both have something going on that's stable. No idea about the other two..." Jasck hummed, Tueno blinking, twin tails curling nervously.

"I don't see whayt's wrong with flirting before settling. It's consentual, then it's fine." The mare said shyly. Although not one for shame, Charlie made her insecure and Jack nuzzled his daughter a moment soothingly.

"...Jack, seriously, did--" Charlie didn't get to finish as Jack turned a protective eye on his sibling and frowned.

"Chatrlie. Consent. That's all I insist on. Don't shame my kids if they're curious." Jack's tone was even, but warning his sibling to be kind. He didn't mind being snapped at himself - Jack knew he could be difficulyt or chaotic - but he did love his kids and his look gave Charlie pause. The enby watched their brother a moment, before sighing. They didn't want their neice uncomfortabgle. They simply worried, and Charlie slowly dug a circle in the dirt and dead grass slowly for several minutes, expression apologetic.

"Sorry." Charlie finally responded. "I - sorry. I didn't mean to make her feel badly, Jack." Charlie sighed, and approached, far more even as they leaned on Jack's other side.

"Dad's just been... Dad again, you know?"

"Yeah I know. He'll make it back to Mom though." Jack grinned, wrapping a pair of wings over both soquili around him. "You can stick with me, anyhow, Char. You know that."

"....Thanks, Jack." Charlie murmured, and Jack grinned.

"Great! Nowm let's got a snack. I know a greast spot with greens." The stallion announced, before herding his daughter and sibling for some trees, heedless of the continuing snow flutties about them as they disappeared into the trees and white.