[PRP] Golden Fireflies and Stale Goodbyes {Irithiel x ???}

[Lunadriel]

 

[Lunadriel]

The entire winter emanated silence and whispered of slumber. The grass slept and so too did most of the lands critters. This season hadn't been the coldest, but cold even still. A late first snow covered the land in a puffy white sheen. The sun streaked through the clouds to the east, bidding it's good morning to those below. Irithiel stood in the suns rays, willing it to warm her coat. It did not warm her coat as much as she would like. Hours before, even cuddled next to the warm soul that she shared her heart with, she still felt the nights bite on her skin. Waking early, she wandered into the clearing, staying within ear shot of those that would keep her from harm. Closing her eyes, she daydreamed of Summer with the lush jade trees with green bushes at their feet. The suns rays during the day provided a much warmer embrace. At night, the lantern bearers of her herd would come out. The fireflies would greet them, carrying small torches of their own. Her heart paid homage to the thought. Opening her eyes, she thought a small goodbye to her lively forest home. Not that it had gone anywhere. Just for now, it slept.

The silence did not last. Ice cracked on a branch in the distance. Irithiel's whole body jumped from the sound. The sound echoing through the forest and into the clearing. Iri sighed. Calithiel might giggle at her for being so easily spooked. The lack of a good nights sleep likely put her more on edge. A little more jumpy than usual.  

[Yayoi]

The early mornings during winter had always been Fith’s favorite time of day. While she preferred spring to winter the silence that blanketed the lands was only a bit eerie but also refreshing when one wanted to just be in their head. But she did miss the chirping of the chickadees and the chittering of squirrels. The sight of newborn baby deer always made her heart swell with pure joy.

But there was joy in winter as well.

She spent most of her times with Mercutio now a days. And to be honest it suited her well. The mare never thought that outside her work she could find love so pure as the snow but as warm as a roaring fire.but.

But even in the winter time there was need. She had been nursing hummingbird chicks during this cold snap. Finding anything surgery for them was difficult but she made due stripping bark off a young maple and mixing the sap with water. As she made her way to the clearing with the tree she hadn’t noticed the other mare standing there enjoying the sunshine just yet.  

[Lunadriel]

The branch still had her nerves a little on edge. The scoof sound of hooves in snow did not go unnoticed to Iri's faun colored ears. Due to the echo in the clearing, she couldn't tell which direction the hooves were coming from though! Not knowing who was coming made her anxious, her heart starting to pound in her chest. Nostrils flared as her breathing increased. At any moment, she might bolt back towards where her protector and lovemate slept!  

[Yayoi]

Faith stopped mid step as the spud of heavy breathing reached her ears. It wasn’t the menacing sort but seemed quite nervous. Full of fear.

Settling her hoof down lightly into the snow she gazed around until her eyes landed on a mare nearby who looked like she was about to bolt off in full panic. Quite like many of the animals she tended to. Thankfully she had that experience with them to help her in this situation.

The mare softened her gaze and took on a very unthreatening stance while dipping her head slightly to the other mare. Res hair falling softly around her neck. “Oh… hello there. I didn’t realize anyone was around right now.” Her voice was soft and soothing. The other would do one of two things. She would relax or she would bolt. If she bolted Faith wouldn’t chase.

Her gaze flicked to the maple tree near the other mare. “If you don’t mind I would like to gather some bark from that tree you are standing near.” She took a tentative step forward.  

[Lunadriel]

The calm, soft voice, still spooked Irithiel. Her hide jolted like it had been given an electric shock. She bucked up her legs, then caught herself, legs jumping left, then right. What she saw, was nothing scary. A mare. The stance and body language of the icey white stranger, held no threat to Irithiel. Shaking out her hair, and bobbing her head twice, she relaxed, stepping her legs into a more calm position. Not once lowering her horn, even at the possible threat of danger. Although long and sleek, her horn is never to be used to defend herself. Likely, she would hurt someone innocent, or break it. As such, she made sure to keep her head held high, even when afraid. Exhaling, she offered a sincere apology. "Humble apologies for the startle." she didn't add 'I'm just easily startled'. Her nature is not to over explain her actions. No one came to harm or suffered, except her sufferance of manners to this stranger.

"Please." she replied as she stepped aside so the other could have a clear path to the maple.

Something about the mare felt alluring to Irithiel. She couldn't place exactly why that is. She stared, somewhat awkwardly. Strangers didn't come here often, or not that she ever saw. Being on the edge of two overlapping territories, it's bound to happen. Obviously anyone who surveys the area wouldn't let someone that would bring harm to others, this deep in the forest. Irithiel felt silly for feeling threatened. This would be a story to share with her mate for sure.  

[Yayoi]

She nodded her head in thanks before cautiously passing by the other mare with a flock of her long blue tail. A smile on her lips as she chuckled to herself. Was the other referring to her own start? Faith had certainly been surprised but it was the other mare who had acted so panicked. Either way it hadn’t bothered her in the least.

“Thank you. The hummingbird chicks I’m caring for currently really flourish from the sap from this type of tree. Mixed with water it almost mimics the nectar their mother would have brought them.” Faith was quite the opposite. She enjoyed sharing more than she probably should. Her mother would scold her for it but it was hard for her to stop. It was just what came natural.

Especially to calm a situation such at this. Talking often soothed scared critters so this was no different.

As she approached the tree Faith circled it a few times. Giving it a good look over. Like most of the trees here bark had been stripped rather high by herds of deer looking for food in the winter time. It made her task a bit more troublesome sometimes. Placing her front hooves on the tree trunk she stood inner hinde legs reaching out her slender neck to rip a few pieces of bark from higher up where the deer couldn’t reach. Before long she had ripped a few good sized chunks off and had all four hooves back on the ground.

“Their mother passed away in the last heavy snow storm and unfortunately they hatched a little early. But luckily my love found them in time and brought them to me otherwise the poor babes would have perished.” She ahot the other mare a warm smile. “Oh! Here I am blabbering on….” For some odd reason it just felt natural to talk with the other mare. “My name is Faith, daughter of Dawn. And you are?”