[PRP] When the going gets tough [Helena Augusta x Evren]

[~Kiana_Nala~]

Helena Augusta grinned happily as her bright blue eyes flicked around the border's of her mother's herdlands. What she wouldn't give to pass beyond the borders to take a peek at what lay just beyond! Only, she knew what laid beyond. Claudine, one of her herd mates, had encountered a foul creature beyond there borders some years ago. A skinwalker. While there had been no attacks on their herd, the scars were still there and the fear lingered.

Helena Augusta was not afraid of the skinwalker that haunted their borders. Much of her youth had been spent training to one day take over after her mother decided ruling no longer suited her and her father had made sure that included defense. Not to mention the battle strategies her long lost friend had shown her. While she didn't relish the idea of fighting, she was more than willing to put her horn to good use and stick whoever meant harm to her's with the pointy end. Her mother would absolutely disapprove of that though.

At least the borders seemed clear of any nefarious beings. She thought to herself as she continued to make her way along the edge of the bushes, her tail wistfully swaying behind her as if it had a mind of its own. Her hooves made delicate indents into the slightly worn path that had been made over many years of patrol. The flowers lining the path showed her mother's work to any who wished to pay attention.

While many of the small blue flowers were considered weeds by most, her mother simply adored them and had tried to cultivate them to line the path. Helena Augusta couldn't deny they made the path stand out to those who knew what to look for. The herd had begun to cultivate the phrase, when in doubt, follow the flowers and it was certainly due to touches like this. While the path was a little worn, it wasn't quite noticeable and it made it easy for the herd to remain somewhat hidden. For now. Helena Augusta surmised she would have to bring up changing their routine to ensure the path grew over a bit.

Uta

 

[Uta]

Evren didn't want to admit it but.... he was lost. The dark grey stallion had decided to go out for a morning flight, to practice strengthening his wings, and to see a bit of the world. While he would usually bring his sister with him, today, in the name of independence, he had decided to go out alone. Surely, all he had to do was pick a direction and fly as far as wings would carry him. Then, when he was ready to return home, all he'd need is turn around and fly all the way back! Logic, right? Unfortunately, the stallion's sense of direction was ... lacking. By the time he had turned around to make it back home, he had rather forgotten about some of the local landmarks.

The trees and rivers and hills he was so certain he'd remember looked different now that the sun was in a different position. And, he realized, there were plenty of trees, rivers, and hills -- and they all looked just about the same. Worse, the wind and local currents pushed him one way and another, and while he thought he had flown in a relatively straight line, he'd been flying almost twice as long as when he'd started that morning... and nothing looked familiar at all!

It was only when Evren was forced to land and give his pale feathers a break that he realized he was in a part of the Kawani he'd never been before. Granted, much of the Kawani was new to him, given his lack of worldly experience--but the flowers, trees, and scents were very different from his homelnads. So it was, the grey coated stallion began pacing -- he'd go a little this way, before doubling back around and heading in the opposite direction. By the time he realized he was lost, he had no idea where he had first landed, much less which direction he needed to be to find home.

Well.

He had wanted adventure, hadn't he? But the longer he remained lost, the lower the sun would sink. Evren had never spent a night away from home--and worry was beginning to creep through his bones that he might well have to. Well, he'd need to take wing again soon as he was more rested--perhaps if he could find a source of water the drink would clear his parched throat, and he could re-orientate himself. Perhaps he'd follow the small trail of flowers? Maybe water would be near.

The young stallion had no idea his path was taking him right to the edge of Helena Augusta's family lands--and he was so focused on staring at the ground, he didn't notice her very pink-shape coming well into view.

~Kiana_Nala~

 

[~Kiana_Nala~]

To say Helena Augusta was startled to see a gray striped stallion moving closer to their borders was beyond an understatement. Oh, but what a treat! This was exactly the kind of excitement that she needed. A grin easily made an appearance as she quietly crept closer to the male who had his eyes firmly affixed to the ground. Was he following the flowers? It certainly appeared so. Had he noticed her? Based on his lack of acknowledgement she thought not. Oh. . . That presented a wonderful opportunity.

As quietly as she could, Helena crept closer to the male, her body hunched slightly so that she may be able to blend in a little better with the blooming flowers. Her body was now angled so she would be coming from his right rather than his front and with a deep breath, she propelled her body forward in a jump; landing with her feet spread slightly so she appeared larger than she was at first glance. "Boo!" She called with a huge grin sweeping across her face, laughter quickly spilling out from her lips afterwards.

As she continued to giggle, Helena pulled herself together in what she liked to call her mother's regal look--standing tall and proud. The laughter slowed a little but the grin stayed in place, unlike her mother's stance. "Sorry. I shouldn't have scared you like that. It just seemed so fun in the moment." Helena added, her laughter finally stopping enough that she could talk clearly.

Helena knew that if anyone in the herd had caught her acting so foolishly and not greeting a potential guest or one who wished them ill in a proper manner would have had her ear but, sometimes she longed for a bit of fun. And when an opportunity like this came about, surely she couldn't pass it up? Besides, Helena could be serious when needed to. Today though? She was ready to have some fun.

Uta

 

[Uta]

Evren was more than surprised.

In fact, the shock and surprise of the pink mare jumping out at him caused the stallion to rear in fright, wings flaring with surprise! The only thing that stopped him from bolting was the fit of giggles that had followed her exclamation. Any curse he had uttered had hopefully gone unheard. Dropping down on all fours, his claws dug into the earth with alarm, and his tail thrashed for a few moments behind him as he tried hard to regain his composure. Unfortunately, his feathers remained flared, and a few of them even dropped onto the ground, so extreme was his stress.

Thankfully, the pink stranger didn't seem to be a bad sort, for all that Evren was startled. His heart was pounding out of his chest so strongly he was certain the mare could hear it. Slowly, he began to force himself to relax, and tried hard for his crested feathers atop his head to relax. "Well," he finally breathed, "I'm glad you found it entertaining--though I'll admit it was less fun for me." He wasn't trying to be a grump, or rain on her parade, but the stranger truly had given him quite a scare.

Perhaps not the best way to introduce oneself.

Still, Evren wasn't sore about it, and he offered the blue eyed mare a smile. "Now that I'm more awake, you wouldn't happen to know where we are, do you? I'm afraid I'm a bit turned around." He was too young to know it probably wasn't wise to admit to his precarious situation, but if the stranger was into fun, maybe she would be open to helping orient himself. "Assuming you've no one else to prank, that is," he added, not wanting to stop her or hold her up!

He'd never seen a soquili as bright and colorful as she--and she was also the first unicorn he'd ever had the opportunity to meet. "I'm Evren," he added amicably.

~Kiana_Nala~

Sorry for the delay! You terrified this poor boy