This is going to be where I keep SRP's for all the soquili I own that I'm working on their stats for. This is to help me keep track and have it be less cluttered in the RP threads.
SRP posts will be whole chunks of RP that may include 1 or more of the soquili that I own/Co-own.
Titles for SRPS will be in their respective posts. If the posts are long enough they will be spoilered to save on space. If there is a pause in an SRP for a month, There will be a new post made with a link to the previous post to ensure continuity is kept and organization is continued.
Will Link images of pets in spoilers in SRP posts.
The wishing star had been a strange and abnormal event that the locals had been chatting about. She'd not participated in recent years as she hadn't thought her participation hadn't actually succeeded in bringing her beloved brother back to her. Traveling away from the wishing star she'd decided that looking for him was a far better idea than just lingering about waiting for him to show up.
Liela had picked up a mate along the way, a stupid cow, as she called Rylan. He was a half breed, a unicorn without a horn, which amused her. Originally she was going to eat him. But his submissive nature appealed more to her as a useful mate, one that would take care of the homestead while she did the hunting. It was convenient and he'd breed stronger than any pure-breed.
She had a home to return to, but right now, she was lurking as there was a rumor of a blue coated half-breed with markings like hers. She was on high alert in order to spot anything that might be out of the ordinary. And spot it she did. There, in the growth was a flash of blue, black and gold.
There had been a stallion once who'd gotten her attention, however, he'd disappeared and gone off else where, his true owner taking him back. Eviotil was annoyed, but she didn't see it as more than a small set back.
He'd been strong, useful, cowering at her power, but he wasn't worth the ache she felt. It was...affection she'd had for him, a long standing respect for his stupid learing and the usefulness he'd had. He'd at least informed her of his master's return, and his dedication only to that creature. From then forward she'd decided not to involve any minion in her life, more than necessary. She had already brought about spawn that was strong, Insane, but strong. She needed no Stallion at her side, as she raised her minions, taught them more and more of her twisted nature.
She was contemplating what the next move would be, thinking on where things would be going, always the strength in knowing that pure bloods were idiots and mutations were the way to breed real strength. Real power. Always the stronger will, quick of wit, and power.
He was listless as he found himself wandering aimlessly out of what was long known to be the Kalona lands. Fathom had disappeared from his side, seemingly after he'd felt confident enough to proclaim his affections for her, he'd become less of a useful creature and fallen into being a nuisance.
Perhaps that's what he was all along. No more than a useless fool. He was better at hunting than he had been previously, but he was not any more patient. He still hated being still, and could not for the life of him concentrate long enough to hunt something larger than a wolf. Rabbits were easy prey, deer were still fairly easy, but it wasn't like he'd ever get anywhere with that, and wolves...he'd still not gotten the absolute hang of hunting a wolf. Skinwalkers...were a long, long way off, and perhaps, they were impossible for him.
He felt more and more like it wasn't worthwhile to travel home, he couldn't, he was just a shameful stallion without any real progress to show for all his efforts.
He was lost in thought as he stumbled a bit and managed to trip right into a clearing.
Someone had stumbled into her clearing, That was not unusual, but the blue maned and pale bodied stallion seemed, lost? Some idiot had wandered into her territory and had no clue what they'd stumbled upon. Eviotil's mood darkened for a moment as her thoughts drifted back to one who had come into her territory before, she shook her head. That was not something she desired to keep bringing to mind.
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 12:29 am
Flames burning ever higher Players: Eviotil
Evitoil was finding herself more and more attracted to Acanthus as he grew from the weak willed fool that had wandered into her clearing. He was stronger, far more than his will-less and broken nature had let on. He strove to be her equal despite being so insecure.
It was that confidence that was beginning to sneak into her thoughts. Perhaps even into her dreams. While it vexed her in the real world it was causing the demonic mare to flush in her fantasies. Deep desires were taking hold though she fought them with every ounce of her being. She would refuse it. Eviotil had no use for such attractions. Though she worked to refuse it so much, with each passing moment, each refusal of those lurid thoughts twisted her mind into a much darker place. One that warned of what had taken place when she'd last given so much of herself to someone.
She staggered at the thought as she contemplated more of what was happening. No. This was a situation she had control over. Her trivial emotions for the spineless b*****d who'd left the moment his 'true master' had shown their face was a mere miscalculation. She would not fall prey to that deception, not this time. Scolding herself for her previous foolishness, Eviotil's mind focused on the issue that was becoming more prominent with the presence of her pupil.
Her eyes narrowed as the logic of her thoughts began to fray. In order to regain her senses she searched the corners of her mind for a solution. The easiest one she came to was avoidance. That, however was out of the question, she could only go into seclusion for so long, and banishing her newest and best minion mad little to no sense, even for one as cruel as she was. There had to be a better solution. A real one. A permanent one.
As she let her mind stray she snagged upon the physical. Yes, perhaps a physical solution was in order? It was after all getting closer to the time of year where the season's change turned thoughts to the warmth of another. There laid the crux of her issue. Engage in the physical and risk an emotional involvement that could become deeper, or avoid him entirely. Those seemed to be her only options as she was unsure she'd be able to restrain herself from attachment.
Her mood darkened considerably as her tail stabbed deeply into the ground. Her flames licked up her sides in a flare. She was still very angry with her last beau, but seemingly her emotions were beginning to lean towards this stupid little fool. She snarled at herself, "Damn whelp." This foolishness would be best dealt with sooner rather than later. She had preparations to make.
It was a deep dark and nearly moonless night, and once again Cyanide wasn't sleeping. Sleep was for the weak, and she hadn't slept in....a week. Sure, it meant she was slightly on the delusional side when it came to life, but sleeping only brought nightmares, and that was not something she was going to deal with. Plus she had recently found a root of a plant that would keep her up for hours and hours. She smiled to herself as she nosed around to find the roots of the plant she'd just pulled up.
Tugging at the root, she looked up and smirked at the purple mist monster that tried to haunt her even in her waking hours, her tongue snaking out and pulling the whole root ball, dirt included, into her mouth. Chewing, she watched as the mist and the fuzziness of the world around her became clearer. The effects would last a good few hours, and she would have enough time to find more. It was pleasant to have silence over the usual cacophony in her head of all the critters that ran around. There was the mutilated rabbit that she called Herman, the mist thing with glowing blue eyes, and a few pixies, but for now they were banished from her sight, as she listened to the noises around her, knowing she was mostly alone, save for the strangeness of the night.
As she chewed the root, somewhat like a cow chewing its cud, she wandered around to find somewhere to get a drink. A major drawback of the plant being that it gave her cotton mouth like nothing else. Her stomach rumbled, that was right she'd not eaten in a few days. She snorted, wondering if there was enough grass to sate her hunger once she finished with the roots in her mouth. Hunger was a tiresome thing, and frustrated her, but if she wanted to continue on she had to ingest food of some sort...though all the snow on the ground made it difficult to find anything really good for her. She was even starting to look at some of the smaller animals...particularly squirrels as possible food...not great for herbivores, but desperate times called for hunting down squirrels and their treasure trove of nuts. And in general it was kinder to eat the squirrel as well as their stash rather than leave them to starve. "Besides, I hate squirrels." She snickered to herself, and continued on her trek for water, finally finding a frozen stream.
Her head tilted to the side as her ears twitched at the little tiny noises that echoed in the deep night, was there perhaps a small thing that would offer food to her? She snorted and followed the noise thinking on if she could sneak up on whatever was making it in order to avoid a chase, particularly in her current state.
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:30 am
Wounded Warrior Players:Haven
Haven sighed, moving quietly through the broken and torn brambles, irritation with herself and those around her having grown far too much as she moved. She'd left her sons in the care of her parents for now, sadly Keary would have a hard time for the whole of his life, and that was her fault. She loved them, but she did not care for their father, he was spineless, weak, and useless as a male, but his offspring was healthier and stronger than he was, better than him.
She couldn't help but to regret what had happened, that it had been some random idiocy, nothing more than the moonshine and a bad headache. She did not regret her boys. Strong sons that would go into the world and find their true mates. As for her, she would remain single, no male was worth trusting, no male had enough of an attitude to actually be anything other than a friend, love her? HA, that was rich, males most often only looked for a good romp and left the mare to take care of it. Haven's heart hardened with every step she took, males unrelated were not to be trusted, romance was a thing they used to work her over, break her down, but this was one mare that would never fall for it. Her mother was a romantic, soft in the head, as was her father, but that suited them, mush and fluff. Haven had no use for it. "I am what they do not want." She smirked, enjoying the fact that she had sworn off them, made it easier to enjoy life, rather than worry about some fool male falling for her.
She stepped out into the late evening and smirked, her place of practice undisturbed by any other living being, she was as always a fighter, her movement long since honed, and now she practiced again, the fat of her pregnancy long gone as she worked through her forms, hooves hitting hard against rock, the familiar sting from childhood a mere itch in her age now, her balance far better than any doe or mare she'd known. This was her place, her sanctuary, where she could vent her hatred for herself without worrying about anyone disturbing her.
Though she hardened herself more and more, feeling that she was in some twisted way undeserving of love, undeserving of affection, her mind clouded by her mistake, her foolishness, her impulsive nature. She had hoped that night to meet with a friend she'd made, but he'd been no where near. Perhaps that was a good thing. If she had met with him, perhaps she would have made a fool of herself and admitted some attraction to her friend. It was...difficult at best, but at worst it would be something she would learn from. Grow from. Perhaps some day she would be able to look to her friend and not feel a pang of anger in herself. Perhaps she would never see him again.
She snarled as her hoof hit hard and chipped some of the rock beneath it. It would...be a long time till she forgave herself.
Broken Savior Players:Cyanide Syn and Acidic Deluge
Cyanide was in one of her delusional states again, no one was around to tell her what was real and what was not, and now, in a time when she should have been most wary, she disregarded all manner of safety and sauntered over to what looked like a large black and sort of colorful pillow in the middle of the fallen snow.
She wasn't entirely sure if this was actually a pillow, or a pile of left over bits from a skinwalker's lunch. The stench of blood soaked the air and she almost wanted to puke. Almost.
Nearing the lump she scowled. It was breathing. Was that a good sign or a bad sign? Nosing closer she stepped on something hard, but pliable and frowned, that was not the kind of sensation one enjoyed under hoof.
How long had he been laying there? Hours? Days? Months? No, it hadn't been more than a few days since his tribe had left them to die. The fight had been horrid, his battalion was merely bait for the thing that had been murdering their foals. They'd thought it would be weak since it often went after the younger ones, but his unit was sorely misinformed...
He heard the quiet shuffle of hooves in the snow. It was disconcerting. Was he about to be eaten by a passing predator? Would he expire as a meal? It was his end. He would fight with what he had left.
He mad a small noise as his tail was stepped on. The hoof pressed down heavily and he was too worn thin to stay quiet.
His voice was a whisper on the snow, but sounded so loud to his ears, "Would you get off my tail?" He rasped at the company that he hadn't the energy to open his eyes and see.
It spoke. The lump had spoken! Apparently it was still alive and now she had to figure out what to do with it. Ooooh.... She removed her hoof from the pliable but hard tail under it.
She wondered if she should say anything, perhaps she should ask if this lump needed help, maybe water? Food...did it eat meat or grass? What species even was this lump?
Questions rattled off in her head but she blurted out the most obvious one, "Do you need help?" Her voice was louder than she thought it should be, but she had a terrible tendency to be that way when stuck in a more hallucinatory state of mind, "If you do, just flick your tail." Again her voice was far too loud for such a sombre and disturbing scene.
His eyes snapped open at the voice after the hoof had moved from his tail, this fool was going to attract far too much attention, and she smelled...off.
He wasn't sure why, but he felt something was horribly wrong with the creature behind him. Perhaps it was just the blood that soaked the world around him, or perhaps there really was something wrong with this thing.
Did he need help? was he really going to accept assistance from this random stranger? He should just lay there and die. He took a deep breath, and gave into the slight desire he still had to live, "Help would be appreciated." He rasped again.
WC Cyanide: 272 WC Acidic: 281
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 2:22 pm
Suddenly Frantic Players:Benoit and Mizz Twilight.
She'd been running. Running to where? No idea, how long? Hours at this point. It wasn't like she knew where she was going, or how far away she'd gotten from what might have been chasing her. Her breath caught in her throat as she caught a sudden reflection of her form in the stream she'd paused at. "Oh, no. Oh, dear." These were the only words the somewhat lost Hippogryph half breed could utter. She was truly lost and now she'd not know how to get back to where she was before. This was much stranger than the second realm of existence, but not so terrifying as the fifth. But her form was entirely different from what it might have been otherwise, after all she had claws, and was that blood? Blowing her bangs out of her face for a moment she discovered her eyes glowing. Startled by it she shifted back.
This was the most terrible possibility to have happen to her. She was lost, terrified and becoming more nervous by the moment. Mizz trembled the wings wrapping around her oddly small frame, It's got to be a dream
Stalking, that was what she was supposed to be doing, however like any lazy cat...dog, thing, she was more intent on finding somewhere up and out of the way to nap off the day.
And that's what she'd done, well into the afternoon and early evening.
Now, her floppy ears twitched, there was something meek making furtive sounds that seemed like they needed help, or maybe it was someone trying to lure her out of her good spot, she nosed out of her well covered bush and sniffed. Panic. Drenched in panic. She snorted it out of her nose, a tentative paw rubbing against it. That simply would not do.
Benoit grumbled, reckless fear was never good for the soul, her paws stretched out from under her bush as she contemplated how to approach this situation, Popping up would likely send the other critter packing or make them faint dead away, so she decided to carefully stick her head out to see if she could spot where the slight noise came from.
Sharp eyes caught sight of a half-bird in what looked like the most hopeless situation they'd ever been in. Sighing, she pulled herself entirely from her bush, long fluffy tail, paws and all, she was pretty big, but still lithe and careful in her movements
A careful tone as she spoke, "Yo, you lost buddy?" She may have looked a little scary, but her tone was reassuring, gentle, and hopefully it would help them focus on not freaking out.
Mizz startled at the voice, wings clutching to her tightly, claws digging in, then she noticed where the voice came from, "Oh, a kitty." There was relief washing over the nearly in tears hippogryph. Though, it was after all a much larger kitty than she was used to. The question finally percolated through her distracted mind, "Oh, lost, yes. Terribly lost, would you be so kind as to tell me the name of the lands I'm in?" Her tone was gentle and hopeful, perhaps the answer would not be so terrifying as the previous places she'd been.
Benoit flicked her tail, a light grin as the bird-thing called her a kitty, that was completely fine, and the fact that they were relieved to see her made it much better, "Well, I think this place is referred to as...the Kawani lands? Something like that. Not too outlandish, right?" Silently she wondered where all this might be going.
Not so unexpected Pregnancy Players:Eviotil andAcanthus
He was pacing. He'd not seen his mentor turned lover for two weeks, perhaps more. She'd left him alone and was out of contact. There was little he felt he could do to find her for now. His ears twitched downward for a moment at the thought that he'd been abandoned again. "No." He told himself carefully. She would not abandon him so easily, particularly not in her own territory.
Evi had KNOWN it would be madness. But the madness had over taken her, and now it was completely verified. Her belly bulged outward, growing heavily with life. She was once again with foal. She did not remember the first time fondly, and smirked at her eldest daughter becoming an older sister. These wouldn't be nearly so bent in their demeanor, nor would they have the fascination with eating hummingbirds. She trudged forward, heavier steps with her new found girth. She snorted, her idiot charge looked as though he was a worried mare, she contemplated making him worry more, but chose to announce herself, "Acanthus."
Her voice was not booming, but clear, the roughness of it wrapping his name in a blanket of sudden realization. He'd thought their night only a physical thing. Had pushed to believe they were merely rutting, but now, hearing her voice and the warmth that spread through him as his black eyes lit upon her, he was foolishly in love with her. He'd thought perhaps it only extreme admiration, and an obsession with her figure. But now...as his heart thudded while she moved nearer, he knew it was far more than that. Fare more than being a worshiper to her her guiding flames, he was utterly, inscrutably head over heals for her.
Acanthus shook himself for a moment, she was...rounder? Had she gorged herself on some large prey? Or...Did it just move??? He was breathless and bounding to her side, "Evi, are you alright?"
The shortening of her name made an ear twitch, she then snorted, "I'm fine Acanthus." She felt a desire to nose him, and rather than controlling it, she simply rested her nose against his neck, he smelled oddly like home suddenly. Must be the pregnancy hormones.
"It's all fine, I'm just pregnant." A snort against his neck as she sighed, it was not going to plan. And his closeness was only more comforting. She was going soft in the head. Last pregnancy she'd been alone, it was hard, it was frustrating, "And yes, this is half your fault." She gave into the urge to n** at him in slight annoyance, "You're too damn fertile." She frowned, "You'll be making it up to me for the rest of your blasted life, stupid minion." It was the closest she'd allow herself to be affectionate to him, he was after all free to do as he pleased. In fact he could run off at any moment and leave her high and dry with foals to raise on her own.
He blinked. He'd knocked up his mentor. Acanthus was in too much shock to really hear much more, or pay attention to the n** at his neck, he was going to be a father, with the mare he was in love with. She wasn't sending him off, she wasn't ridding herself of him. He was to stick around and pay for it with his life for her.
His heart swelled as his hooves fidgeted excitedly, "We're having foals....." He bounced suddenly, "I'M GONNA BE A FATHER!!!" He'd wondered what that would sound like, and it only made him more excited, "Evi, I.....I'm so happy it's with you." His sudden childishness came through and he flushed deeply red, "It....it means so much"
She was almost taken aback at his excitement, but she shook her head, and thought not too much on his happiness about her being the mother of his children. She wasn't exactly sure how this would turn out, but perhaps it would be better than some of what she'd dealt with before.
"Right, well you get to do all the work prepping for this. I am going to go nap. It was a long walk back, and I'm tired." She nudged him out of the way, and went to where the best outcropping was for her to nap on, no birds, no rabbits, to other soquili to bother her. At least not till he was finished with whatever he thought was necessary for a pregnancy. This is going to be odd. Was all she could think as she allowed herself to drift off to sleep.
Eviotil WC: 430 Acanthus WC: 342
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2016 12:33 pm
A Waddling we will go. Players:Alinea and Ferian
She wasn't entirely sure that this was going to be the best thing in the world. She was going to head home. Alinea wanted to cry, she'd worked so hard to try and forget life behind her. And now, all she could think to do was to go back to where Shilo was, hide in the caves until this all passed over. she'd wanted it to be a dream. Wanted it not to be something so absurd...instead here she was waddling her way around, feeling like she was going to burst. She sighed and stopped, her hooves ached and she was far too heavy to fly. Gently she shifted down trying her best not to squash the little ones in her belly as she tried to rest. The sensation made her feel sick.
Finally she took a shaky breath and simply began to bawl. Large dipping tears fell down her dark face, her nose beginning to dribble as she sobbed. She was so blasted tired, and had so far to go.
Ferian had sort of not been following the dark skinned mare. She reminded him of his half remembered mother. But she didn't seem to be mean...and she was alone...and very pregnant. He observed her carefully, hoping to catch some glimpse. He was a little loopy as far as most were concerned, and his sass got him into trouble more often than not. However, his curiosity was something that was getting the better of him as he watched her sink down, then begin crying.
A twang of pain echoed in him, she needed help, needed someone to assist and well he was the nearest, maybe she would turn out to be a relation? He reasoned with himself for a few moments before carefully calling out to the mare, hoping not to startle her. Startling a pregnant female was a terrible idea.
"Excuse me?" His tone was cheerful as he spoke, "Is something wrong?" He was moving carefully towards her as not to surprise her, but he was unsure if she'd bolt on him or not.
Alinea's ears twitched but she continued crying, Something wrong? HOW ABOUT EVERYTHING!!! She yelled in her head, but her sobbing prevented her from speaking out. The whole act simply wracked her body with quakes as she continued to simply allow all of her frustration, fear and pain out in liquid form. She didn't bother to run, if it was something bent on eating her so be it. She was just too tired to fight right now. Too worn out to flee.
She shifted and hung down her head, continuing with tearful whimpers as she tried not to think more.
She hadn't bolted, that was an almost good sign. He finally made his way into view, she was very pregnant, very worn down, and completely falling apart. He frowned, looking over her markings, her wings, her general looks. Yep, she looked like his mother who'd thrown him out for being an unruly pain in her side, his black sclera causing unnerved reactions whenever he wandered around.
"Bad day?" He chimed lightly, as he sauntered closer to the crying mare. It seemed like this was just the breaking point he was pretty sure she'd been through the rough end of it, and she just needed a break.
She finally caught a gasping sob and looked up at the creature questioning her, glowing yellow pupils against a black sclera looked into red of a same style, "Worst. Three. Years." She frowned deeply tears still rolling down her face, she snorted and sniffled, "You....related to Desticia?" She almost cringed at the name of her mother rolling off her tongue.
Ferian's ears twitched at the name of his mother falling out of her mouth with distaste, a wry sort of smirk, "Lemme guess, she's your mom? Mine too! Evil witch that she is." He chuckled, "We'll talk more after I get you some water, and maybe some food. We've got lots to talk about!"
"That is fine. Return her in 6 months time, however you like and we will allow you to take one of the grown grandchildren." The words echoed in her head as she plotted her escape. The disregard for her life, the uncaring nature of the words spoken, even the expression held by the one who spoke it, shook the mare to her core.
Passerina was not going to be some dead bird because her great grandfather felt it was the only use for her. She might have been a black sheep, but that did not mean her life was forfeit at their slightest whim, no matter what it would do for them. They could find a way not to make a sacrifice of someone's life. Her thoughts scattered as she sought out her only ally. The only creature in the entire tribe who actually might have cared a little about her. Just a tiny bit. It might be a stretch, but this would be the best way for her to get what she needed.
A long conversation, smugglers were mentioned and a message sent, Voshnuk would arrive back with the trade of a few strong guards for her claw in mateship. Though it was not announced to the rest of the flock, since the real mateship ceremony would take place many months later, with one of the better suited beauties. She had few days to get herself out of this horror story, but she would work to the best of her abilities. She was not going to be sent off and brought back as nothing more than a pelt of feathers.
Her plan came to fruition, no one the wiser, she was after all treated as a shadow by those in the 'true' line. And those outside did not know much of her trials. Her lies to her friend to keep them out of the know of what she planned, to keep them safe. Unknowingly this ally was helping her escape. Helping her get away from a tragic and pointless end. Her only hope as she plotted out her routes, and received information, was that her ally would be in the dark enough to avoid repercussions for assisting her escape. But that was a backseat worry to getting herself out of harms way. She was after all easily forgotten and no one would be the wiser. No one thought she was smart enough to preserve her own life, let alone figure a way out of the tribe's lands. Sure she'd been raised to be nothing but the lowly failed offspring of a mistake, but she was smart, and had the drive to get somewhere when her life was in danger. No matter how much they pushed her down, she would find a way out of where they tried to force her. And this, was the final test to see if she could escape the grave they wanted to put her in this time.
She smiled at the wagon filled with her items. She'd hired a smuggler, quietly via letters, and now she was having the cart she now climbed into and hid herself in moved to delivery outside the main entrance to their home. Her sinking stomach caused a sickness in her that she was unsure about, she bid a silent farewell in the late evening. This was where the story started, and hopefully did not end.
WC: 569
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 4:52 pm
Title Players:Rakshi, Haven, Keary, and Seren.
The world was such a strange place, and it wasn't like it had been anything other than the norm...ish. Rakshi contemplated exactly what all had been going on with his family as of late, a small smirk as he gathered more from the small orchard near the herd lands that his mate was part of. He'd not really minded, large families closely nit meant more time to spend with family. And once his parents had decided to actually remain together, it was less worrisome to have his home here. He sighed as he watched his youngest son lurking quietly around the corner, his eldest sister coming up behind him, to poke him forward into the gardening area, his grandson oddly bringing up the rear to chat with his odd uncle. They were a strange trio to behold to most, but it merely warmed his heart to see his family so accepting of Seren. After all, Bri hadn't exactly been super receptive to start. Working up courage to really be affectionate towards their wishing star son, but she'd come to adore him just as everyone else, it had only taken a couple of days, unlike many mothers who would have abandoned the little colt for his looks, she'd turned from a terrified doe to a loving mother. Things had been hard on her, but she was raised form determined stock. Which was why he loved her so much.
Shaking from his thoughts, he observed his family a little more, wondering what the trio could possibly be up to.
Haven bonked into her younger brother Seren, "What are you doing lurking back here, silly?" it was a playful tone, one that was far more joyful than she'd previously had, mostly because of having run into an old friend. She'd never had the same opinion of Kalona that her mother had, so she was easily friendly with her youngest brother and showed it as her son trotted over to join them, "Were you headed to help dad?" Her question was a gentle one, knowing that Seren was still a bit skittish when it came to being around them.
What the snowstorm left behind reminded Alinea of the time she'd had her heartbroken, granted it was a long time ago, but how many winters had she and her beloved spent apart? Far too many, and she'd come back with a trio of baskets, too soon foals, and now grown mare and stallions. The winter that came in harsh ad cold caused her mind to drift back to those days when she'd been wandering, broken-hearted, languishing in her own despair, attempting to move forward. and yet she came back to her roots and found not just a friend, but also a family member. A brother. The long conversations she and Shilo had sorted out so much, but her lingering memories of their conversations prior to her leaving had flooded her mind again, pulling her back into a morose moment. Her eyes closed as her face went solemn, the words and visions coming back with strange clarity.
"Well.. you see.." "I find myself as the father of two fillies... It wasn't planned and the mother wants to stay nearby so that we both can be in our foals' lives. I was on my way back to let the herd leader know what was going on. I'm pretty sure though that she has no intentions of staying after the foals have grown up. Really I don't know how to take it.. it was pretty much all laid on me all at once... she never said anything till... now... but...I'm a father all the same and after how my father left... I'm not abandoning them..."
Alinea grumbled at the memory of what he'd said, then rolled her eyes at what she remembered her replies to be.
"So..you had a fling, knocked up the mare unintentionally, and just now found out you're a father." "You seem a bit, off-put by something though?" "Are you in love with the mother of your children, or is it too soon to tell?" "I mean, kids all fair and good, and sticking together till the little-uns are grown, but if there's no love for the mare you may want to think on what that'll be like till they're grown."
She'd regretted playing it off as though she'd had little interest in being more than friends, but at that point she thought she'd had no choice, even then his words still echoed in her head.
"You know how my father left Ali... I couldn't bear it to just leave them behind. She's a nice enough mare.. but really.. She's the kind I'd much rather have as a friend sure she's the mother of my Daughters.. but really if there's no spark beyond friendship than what more can a mare ask? I'm willing to be around to help raise them and I'm sure that's all she wants After all she came back to let me know it's the least I can do.. She could have just hid them away and left me in the dark. When we had our discussion about what to do about them, she didn't even look like she was interested in trying to get that 'friendly' with me.. Like it had been just what it was.. a moment that resulted in foals, nothing more.." " I feel cheap.. like a rogue stallion spreading his seed nilly willy without consequences." "I had so wanted to wait.. to find the one who'd be through it all on that emotional level.. not just the physical things.." "Boy don't I sound like a fretting mare.."
Oh how all those words had made her want to bean him in the head and yell at him so much, but she'd kept her thoughts to herself and merely replied as a good friend. The best of friends.
"Yeah, you do kind of sound like a filly worrying over her first-time fling. It's not a big deal." "Look, you can't be like your dad, I'm fairly sure he knew you were born, and he still refused to do anything other than fly off to wherever and bang the next mare. You're sticking with it and helping with you oops. And it took forever for her to come and tell you, so even if you didn't know about it, it wasn't your fault. Sometimes mares are finicky, and sometimes they're as bad about dealing with their emotions as any strong stallion can be." "Look, raise your fillies, and you may end up caring for her, or you may find someone else to care for, who'll be your match." "You can only see where time goes, right?"
The more she thought about how she'd hidden it the more she wanted to beat her past self into the dirt. She could have been with him this whole time, but instead, she ran away, fled even trying not to get hurt, trying to keep her feelings in check and not bother her friend, but his words of trust still had rung in her mind even with the steps she'd taken to flee.
"I guess you're right... But it's not like my father left as I was born... He left when I was the age my girls are now... But.. I guess you're still right... All I can do is raise my girls and see what pans out for my future.." "Thanks, Ali... I don't know how much more this would have eaten at me without you here to talk it over with."
The words had still been burned into her memory, the whole day had made her sick to her stomach, despite her having put on a good face. She'd never bothered to meet the girls, not till she'd arrived back in the area of the primrose herd. Idonea was a sweet mare, and only mad sweeter by how much she'd had to endure. Though Alinea had come back with baskets, Shilo's daughter hadn't judged, hadn't even batted an eye really. And now it was winter again. cold unyielding winter, but instead of wallowing in the past, or drifting too far, Aline decided that she would take a deep breath of cold stinging her lungs as she did so. She sauntered out into the cold, her dark yet bright frame hard to miss among all the white. She was home, she was happy, and she was no longer burdened with a broken heart. If anything, her heart was much more full than it had been ever before, her once unrequited love now fulfilled, her family now happy and safe. This winter would be the one that rewrote everything that had come before. Every harsh memory, every stinging emotion, and hurt feeling could be put into the past where it truly belonged, rather than allowing it to linger and become a painful thorn, festering within until it exploded upon everything. So she took those steps with determination, her long blood-red braids dragging along the snow, leaving a trail to follow as she made her way forward, towards her future, her happiness, and where her heart had remained even in her travels.
She smiled as she reached the frozen creek, her hoof breaking the ice to the water below as she took a drink of the cold flowing liquid. the nearly frozen liquid giving her momentary brain freeze. She pulled back and shook her head. No matter how elegant she may look now, she was still the most comical fool when it came to her interactions, particularly when she was alone. And today she was alone for the time being. Shilo had gone off somewhere to check provisions since the snow had fallen, he was far more responsible now than when they'd first met and become friends, which sometimes surprised her, but she liked that he was a bit more mature now. Other than that, her children had gone off their own ways moons ago, living their lives, enjoying the fruits of the Kawani lands as much as possible. Alinea hoped that they were faring just as well as she and Shilo, if not better. After all, one wanted their children to have better than they had, right? In this solitude, she could remember, listen to her heart's beating and keep her own counsel on how to deal with the feelings that had come flooding up with all this white snow.
Alinea sighed, half relieved as the cloud of breath surrounded her head like a mist that had formed on the mountains. She was glad to have her current quiet moment, it did give her the chance to really sort through what had happened before and what was happening now. Perhaps she would even begin to find she didn't despise the winter nearly so much as she used to. It was hard to move on with all that undeniable hurt she'd suffered through for years, but she would move forward, with her beloved, and with her beloved children, and perhaps with even more children as time continued forward, through this frozen winter and through the next until the end of her days.
WC: 1505
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2022 6:54 pm
The Journey Homeward: Sudden Birth Players:Ferian.
Ferian had been bustling about, keeping his elder sister in tow, ensuring she ate though she didn't want to, drank, and kept on taking things quite carefully as they continued onward towards the herd lands that Alinea seemed to call home. At least it was the closest thing to home she'd had since being demonized in their mother's tribe.
He let out a short sigh. The trek was longer than he'd ever thought possible, and slow going because of how very pregnant she was, but now they had to wait. She was giving birth to those wily critters that had been giving her swollen hooves and mood swings. Ferian had been lucky to spot some baskets for them to be placed in prior to their arrival, which had been far too sudden. He wasn't even sure how they were going to move about with baskets in the first place. Could baskets be moved once they were filled with the bodies of the little foals? Was that even reasonable? He glowered at the thought as he attempted to pull a plan together on how to haul the baskets with more ease.
Maybe he could get one of those cart things that humans always used....but how was he going to pull it? The conundrum continued, maybe they would just have to wait until the baskets popped? How long did that normally take? A week? A month? Longer? He really was unsure of what all would have to be done in order to really take care of these newborns his sister was having. But all the same, he was going to help, because she was his family. a real family unlike what their mother had tried to build.
He heard her pained cries as she continued with the birthing process, it made him all the more glad that he was not the one to have to go through such things. Gingerly he brought back a few fish, and a nice spot of fruit, and there was his sister, with three filled baskets, their lids tightly shut, she was finally asleep, worn to exhaustion. He gently laid out the food and stared at the trio of baskets with a smile. A generation newly born that would have a better chance than they did, and that was all that mattered.
Haven frowned deeply for a moment, she was absolutely sure she was doing well. In fact, she'd been far happier these days than in previous years. Was it because of running into her playmate from so long ago? Was it because she felt like she'd gotten back some of that wildness she'd lost when she'd found herself knocked up by one of the weakest-willed stallions she'd ever met? Or was it just happenstance that life suddenly seemed much brighter than it had in the past?
It had to be just her imagination. there wasn't anything beyond what had already taken place, and the world was just getting a little better after all the rough spots she'd been through.
She was a single mare, unbothered by romance, and completely enjoying taking care of herself. No longer was she burning with self-hatred. And to be completely honest in her introspection, she started to find that she rather liked herself now. At least she was feeling much more in tune than she had previously. Shaking her head, her lizard smirked and busily slunk down to her shoulder. He was proud of her, even when she had been at what seemed like her lowest.
Haven smiled down at the little chameleon, "Not a word from you." To which he looked at her askance, and shook his head. a word from him? Never. Though Haven knew very well he may not say a word, he certainly was thinking several, and all of them gushy foolish and utterly embarrassing. But that was a thought for another day, and her introspection ended here as she had fish to catch, and a friend to meet. With a spring in her step, she trotted off to her favorite fishing hole for a good morning full of hunting for her breakfast and lunch.