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 Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:47 pm
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~An Unexpected Visitor~
(rp with Foalen, Naeva & Harperking)
Naeva Talasi stumbled on a root for perhaps the third time in an hour. She was tired, her legs and arms were scratched from brambles, and she was horribly, thoroughly, and completely lost. Tuwa, Talasi's rust-furred wolf, nosed her friend's blue-black hair off of her face. Talasi laughed weakly and ruffled Tuwa's ears as she picked herself up off the ground. "I need to watch where my feet are going, don't I, Tuwa? Hush, I'm all right." A deep sigh escaped her as she petted Tuwa absently. "I give up. I don't know where we are, and I have no way of knowing where he might be in any case. What do you think, little sister? Which way should we go?" Tuwa flicked an ear as she considered her friend's words. They'd been travelling for days in search of Talasi's adoptive brother, Foalen, but his trail was hopelessly cold. All they knew was the direction he'd departed in, and could only hope he hadn't turned his path. It was all they had to go on, so Tuwa sniffed the slight breeze that was stirring the trees and made her best guess. She yelped at Talasi once and set off at a steady trot through the trees, a few degrees off of the path Talasi had ben travelling. The wolf had scented cool water, which would be a welcome respite and might even provide some greens for her twoleg's supper. Talasi jogged along behind her red-furred companion, wondering what her friend had scented that was so interesting. She rather hoped it wasn't just a rabbit. The young woman's coffee-brown eyes went wide at the sight of the glade Tuwa led her to. A stream gurgled crystal clear out of a wide, sandy-floored cave into a small pool, then poured away into the trees. The shadows inside the cave were cool and inviting, and the soft sand looked like a comfortable place to sleep. No tracks marred the white sand, so it looked as though the cave had no current resident to disturb. Talasi, suddenly aware of how sticky-hot she was, took off her deerskin dress and laid it on the bank of the small stream, setting her moccassins and belt with it's pouch and knife nearby. She plunged into the icy water of the pool, gasping from the cold. Tuwa snuffled around in the grass while her friend swam, hunting mice more for practice than anything else. Tuwa was an accomplished huntress and had kept herself and Talasi amply fed on rabbits and even a slow bird or two on their journey. When Talasi finished her swim, she dried her tan skin with a tuft of grass, then slipped her clothes back on. "It's getting late, Tuwa, shall we stay the night here? I don't think we'll find a better place. Besides, it looks like it's clouding up for rain. I'd better get some firewood together while it's still dry!" As Talasi scampered about making camp in the cave (which proved to be quite a bit deeper than it looked from outside), Tuwa began to hunt in earnest. Ranging wide around the clearing, she managed to surprise a turkey dozing in the shade of a bush. The red wolf dispatched it quickly as the first peal of thunder echoed overhead, and ran back to camp as fast as her long legs could carry her. The companions sheltered in the cave that night, which was warm and dry despite the stormy weather outside. Talasi fell asleep leaning against the cool stone of the cave wall, with Tuwa happily sprawled half in her lap, half on the fine sand of the cave floor. Tuwa's sensitive ears woke her to a strange sound. It was curiously like a mole digging underground, but much louder, as though the mole were as large as Tuwa, and... above her? Tuwa's amber eyes flicked to the cave ceiling, which was mostly earth and loose stones held together by tree roots. As she watched through horrified eyes, she saw that the earth had become mud, softening in the rain, and the stones were beginning to shift! "RUN," the little wolf bayed, though her heart wept with the knowledge that her beloved twolegs couldn't understand her speech. She tugged at her friend's dress, urging her to rise, to leave, to flee! Groggy with sleep, Talasi struggled to make it out of the cave before it collapsed...
Harperking
Wambli Zikala was doing the thing she loved best - flying just below the clouds. The storms of the previous night had left the air clean and crisp and the wind mare reveled in it as it whipped past her. She was full of energy and joy, for she was on her way to see her beloved mate Jewel this day. She even had her two-foot Anpo braid the beaded feathers the shaman had made for her into her mane so she would look nice for him!
I think I will follow the stream to his glade today she decided as she saw the silvery glint of the waters below her. Gliding downward she let the stream guide her along. The waters rushed and danced below her, higher than normal because of the rains the night before.
A pile of mud and trees fallen over halfway into the stream was something new. It must have happened last night, she thought as she flew over it. A scrap of color caught her attention and she turned, neighing in surprise when she saw it was a red colored wolf frantically digging at the mud. Her curiosity had to be filled!
The dark mare landed in the clearing jst above the mudslide.
"Greetings, stranger! What treasure are you looking for there in the mud?"
Naeva Tuwa was caught completely off-guard by the winged mare's approach. Whipping her narrow head around and bristling in surprise, the wolf was shocked to discover the sheer -size- of her visitor! Crouching low to the ground, Tuwa snarled in agitation. "I haven't lost a treasure, I lost my twofoot! She's trapped under all this mud! Twolegs can't breathe mud!"
Harperking
"Your twolegs is under the mud!" Wambli knew that was not a good thing. "Oh no! Let me help you dig."
The mare walked to the edge of the slide and carefully began pawing at the wet earth. Gobs of it moved away with each movement.
"There is a village not far from here. I can go for help once we find her," Wambli didn't want to mention that they may not find her under all the debris.
Naeva Tuwa couldn't remember ever having met a creature quite like this one. She had the long, strong legs of an elk, but her hooves were solid and she had long hair down her neck like cornsilk. And wings! But such thoughts didn't occupy the little wolf for long. "Thanks!" she gasped, and returned to digging, flinging clods of wet earth away with her claws and sniffing frantically to guide her digging. After a moment, a whiff of familiar scent caught her twitching, damp nose. "Here! She's here!" Digging quickly, Tuwa unearthed a limp hand.
Foalen Not too far away near the river that ran through the forest a tall native dressed in nothing save his loin cloth stood hip deep in the cool coursing water. From the shore a painted soquili watched filled with a mixture of curiosity and amusment.
She couldn't fathom for a moment why the twoleggers liked dunking themseleves so much. It wasn't so much that she disliked water. For surely water was a belssing from the great spirit, but why go so deep and then scrub your skin raw, the whole thing didn't make much sense to her way of thinking.
'Then again perhaps that is it,' the brown and white mare thought to herself. 'They don't really have much of a coat to protect them so perhaps that is why they like to keep what hide they do have very clean.'
Finishing his ministrations the young man dove down into the water causing Ayita to lose sight of him. When he surfaced he pushed soaking black hair off of his face offering his soquili friend a smile as he climbed up onto bank to dry off. He couldn't help, but wonder at what was going through the mare's mind right now for the strange expression on her long face. "Trust me dear one, It' may seem strange to dunk yourself in a river, but the spirit made my kind enjoy that sort of thing. Laughing he raised a still dripping hand to run it over her forlock, "Sometimes we even do it for fun." As Ayita wickered in response the shaman looked about for something to dry off with. It was nice to have Ayita and Takota around to talk to when he need to talk, but dispite their friendship he sometimes felt a little lonely. Perhaps he should move his teepee closer to the village. But no that wouldn't work either. He needed the quiet he had found in the forest to aid him in medidation. On top of that being so near the spirits also aided in being able to contact them more clearly than in the village where there was so much commotion. No he would stay where he was, even if it was a litte lonsome out here.
Harperking
Hurrying over to where the wolf was digging, Wambli put her hooves to good use. Carefully she scraped the mud away as the wolf dug - she didn't want to get too close in case she accidentally hurt the woman. Soon the hand was joined by the arm, then the shoulder and finally the head of the unconcious woman. Stepping back, Wambli breathed a prayer, hoping that they had not been too late.
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:24 pm
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Naeva Tuwa whuffled a gruff thanks to Wambli for her help, then circled her unmoving friend, snuffling at her, pawing at her, trying to coax some sign of life. Finally, with a yap of frustration, Tuwa pounced both back paws hard against Talasi's back. With a hacking cough and a shuddering breath, warm color began to return to Talasi's cheeks, but otherwise she did not stir. At this welcome sight, Tuwa sat on her haunches and howled, releasing her anxiety and celebrating simultaneously in a cascading paean of joy. "I will stay with her," the wolf said when she had finished, "and try to dig her out completely. Please go to your twolegs for help, she may be injured."
Harperking
Another prayer, this time one of thanks was sent skyward by the dark mare.
"I will be back soon! Is there something I take with me to show them? Twofeet sometimes are a little dense when it comes to understanding, as I am sure you well know. If I take something that belongs to a twofoot they will know I saw someone out here."
Naeva Tuwa's ear flicked once as she thought. "Good idea, I know just the thing." The wolf snapped quickly once at Talasi's throat. She came away with something dangling from a leather thong caught in her jaws; this she offered to their benefactor.
Harperking
"I will be back as soon as I can!" Wambli said before she took the thong in her mouth. Stepping over to firmer ground she lept into the air and with and unfurling of her wings took to flight. Circling the area once - both to get her bearings and to mark the area firmly in her mind so she could find it again - she began her journey upriver.
After just a few minutes flight a flash of color caught her eye. A whinny she recognized followed the sight and Wambli had her faith in the Spirits renewed once more. Ayita! And the shaman - and they are so close!
Landing on the edge of the water she trotted over to the shaman and dropped the talisman at his feet. She then grabbed his braid and gently tugged him towards Ayita.
"Ayita, a twofoot is hurt - buried in the mud not far from here! We need to get the shaman to her! Help me get him to understand!"
Naeva ((Just to be perfectly clear, the necklace Tuwa gave Wambli is Talasi's wolf necklace. Foalen has seen it, but as it's been a long time I leave it in Foalen's hands whether he recognizes it)) Back at the cave-in, Tuwa lies down against Talasi's still form. The russet-furred wolf huddles as close as she can to share her warmth, and gently licks the blood from a scratch near her twoleg's ear. Her amber eyes scan the cloudy sky, hoping to see their strange new friend winging her way back.
Foalen The painted mare's head swung up at the sound of alarm in her friend's voice. Glancing quickly at Wambli with her warm brown eyes Ayita whinnined a reply that was at once a reasurance and a call for the shaman's attention. Turning to look at her two legged friend she realized that she hadn't really needed to get his attention. The object that the wind mare had dropped at Foalen's feet brought forth a reaction from the young man that Ayita had never witnessed before. Foalen bent down to pick up the item revrently as if it were something sacred disbelief reflecting in his eyes. A strange mixture of pain happyness and consern seemed to flicker across his face in a fleeting instant before he gently palmed the object and slid it into his pouch for safe keeping. He stood then and quickly slid his leggings on. Evidently he felt the same urgancy as Wambli for he approched the soquili with shirt and pouch in hand not even bothering to put them on. "Ayita," He said with a calmness he didn't really feel, placing a hand along her neck so she might feel the need that was driving him. A part of him didn't want to believe the little wolf carving was real. But he knew it was, he had seen it many times and knew just who it belonged to. Though the owner should have been safe in the village where he had grown up not harrying around the countryside. "I need to ask your aid in this my friends." He said knowing they wouldn't understand but needing to explain himself just the same. "If Wambli knows where the owner of this carving is I would like to go to her as soon as we may. Please would you take me there?"
"Of course we'll help you." Ayita had understood the shaman's actions more than his speech, but she quickly nuzzled Foalen, lightly pushing him toward her back in clear invitation. "Though normally it takes a little longer to get a two legger's attention."As soon as Foalen settled onto her back Ayita neighed her readiness to her friend preparing herself for a run.
Harperking
"You chose a smart one, Ayita! He knew right away what was needed!" Wambli was delighted with how quickly the shaman readied himself for the journey. As soon as he was seated she started to trot down the river path, then stopped as a thought occured to her.
She shouldered up to Ayita. "Ayita, he seems most upset by the carving and wants to get there fast. I can carry him there in flight faster than by land if you would allow it - do you think he would wish that? Anpo has flown with me - I would keep him safe!"
Foalen "I think he would consider it an honor dear friend. He is probably so unsettled by the thought of someone in danger that he didn't even pause to consider that a windsoquili would indeed be faster than one bound to the earth." Stopping she turned her head to look at her human passenger with one dark gleeming eye speaking slowly and clearly so he would understand. "Wambli"She didn't know if he could understand the dark mare's name but when she glanced over at Wambli a spark of recognition ignited upon his face. "Ah, I see. You want me to ride Wambli. But can I? He turned to face the younger mare sliding off of Ayita's back still carrying his shirt and pouch. The need to leave was burning its way through his heart, but if he did this thing he wanted to do right by those who had offered their help. He never wanted it to be said that he took such things for granted "Would such a thing be acceptable to you, Wambli?" Foalen managed to ask in a quiet voice when his dearest urge was to simply hop upon the waiting mare's back.
Harperking
Her reply was simple. Wambli knelt before the shaman, a movement that before only Wi Ile Anpo had witnessed the proud mare do. She unfurled her wings slightly so that he would be able to tuck his knees behind them.
With a kind look in her dark eyes she turned to look at him and whickered reassuringly.
"Be sure to tell him to hang on to my mane!" she told Ayita. "You just need to follow the river downstream to find the place we are going!"
Foalen "My deepest thanks," Foalen breathed revrently and then he settled hmself upon the Wambli's back quickly throwing his pouch over his shoulder and wrapping his shirt around his waist.
"Downstream, right. I'll go as soon as you take flight." Ayita nodded at Wambli and then turned to Foalen carefully saying the word Mane in her own language slowly and clearly hoping Foalen would get the idea. The shaman looked over at the painted mare blankly for a moment. It was fustrating not being able to comunicate very well. But then Foalen's face cleared and he gently wove his fingers in the dark mane trying to prepare himself for the journey they were about to undertake.
Harperking
Feeling his grip tighten, Wambli stood. She twirled around, feeling his legs tighten in reflex as she moved.
"Good! Ayita has taught you well!" she said as she moved to a trot, more to let him get use to her than for the need for speed. As soon as she felt the shaman settle into her movements she quickened her pace, cantor - then gallop straight to the riverbank - where she leapt into the air and extended her wings.
The muscles on her shoulders and back moved in rhythm, echoing the heartbeat of the land below her. Each wingbeat lifted upwards, following by a dip down as the wings moved up again. She was careful of her new passenger - quite aware that he was unuse to the feeling of sky and wind.
Again the oriole colored mare followed the river, staying as low as she dared in case the shaman should lose his balance. Soon she saw the path of the mudslide through the trees and the movement of the wolf with her two foot.
Slowing her flight Wambli landed in a long low glide, as gentle as she could. She trotted over to the wolf as soon as her hooves touched ground, yelling out as she did so.
"I brought help! Our shaman, Foalen, was jsut up the river!"
Foalen Having ridden Ayita fairly often Foalen knew to use his knees to help him stay in place as the dark mare moved though it took him a little while to get used to the changing gaits. He thought he had it just as Wambli reached the rivers edge and lept upwards. Dispite his grip the shaman could feel his body lurch backwards at the initial push upwards and it took a great exertion of will to keep himself from crying out. It wasn't so much that he was afraid, for he had left his phyiscal form behind and soared thought he air in spirit form. However doing the same in a more corprial form was quite a diffrent experience. The lift off had litteraly taken his breath away. Though now that they were flying steadily only dipping occasionally as Wambli's great wings came reached a down beat his stomach was feeling a little less like rebelling and Foalen was able to get a look around. It was an amazing sensation flying through the air with such a powerful creature beneath him. It was both simillar and diffrent than his experince with Ayita had been and he savored the feeling even though he didn't have any real idea of what he would find when they reached the end of their journy. Then he saw the mudslide and narrowing his eyes he picked out a red wolf that couldn't be any other than his sister's true and brave friend. "Tuwa, is that you girl?" He called out looking down at the debries searching for a sign of his sister. Back at the river Ayita waited for her friend to take off as she had said she would and then she ran down stream as fast as her legs would carry her. Over dead logs and around boulders she crashed through the forest headless of the animals that scattered at the sound of her flight. She kept to the edge of the river not wanting to risk running in the water as it was harder to judge footing there and she needed to get to the others as swiftly as possible.
The trail twisted and turned, but that didn't slow her up at all she kept runing and jumping the obsticals in path. She was covered in sweat and her
breath coming in huge gasps when she finally reached the area Wambli and the others were. Walking herself out she let herself catch her breath before moving to see what was going on.
Naeva Tuwa leaped to her feet and barked at Foalen as soon as she saw him. Whining a greeting, she nuzzled her face in his hands and licked them, but only for a second. Then she stepped aside to reveal Talasi's still form. She was breathing, but not moving. ((My assumption is she just got knocked silly by the rocks and lack of air. Since the slide was mostly mud, she's probably got a few scrapes and bruises but not much worse.))
Foalen The shaman let himself slide gently off of Wambli's dark back and onto somewhat more solid ground. Stepping up beside Tuwa, Foalen kept a tight reign on his emotions as he carefully looked Talasi over both for any physical or spiritual harms. Finding neather he bent down next to her to get a closer look. From what he could see she had a few bruses under the mud and muck that had covered her in the landslide but no more than that. She most likely had hit her head in the rockslide. Imesurably relieved Foalen sat back on his hind legs and looked up Tuwa and the two soquili waiting paitently behind her. "Rest easy my friends, she seems to have just knocked herself out. With a little water and some rest she will be fine." Laughing away the tension that had built up during race to get to his sister's side the shaman looked down on her sleeping face and smiled ruefully. "You always were a stubborn one. Coming all this way with no one and nothing but your good sense and Tuwa to guide you." Leaning down he pressed a light kiss upon her smudged forhead careful not to touch any of the bruses. "I can but thank the Spirit for bringing you safely here." Cupping her cheek in his hand he sat there for a moment as if proving to himself that she was indeed there and not some phantom of his wild imagination. When the moment passed and she did not evaporate into mist and dreams he went through his pouch looking for a particularly pungant herb that was good at recalling those who had gone wandering in the land of dreams. Holding the herb under Talasi's nose he broke it crushing it between his fingers to let the strong scent fill the air.
Naeva Tuwa grumbled at Foalen's murmured words as she circled back towards the waiting Soquili now that she knew her twofoot was safe. "And what more could she need than me to guide her? I saved her, didn't I? Hmmph." Choking a little on the strong scent, Talasi woke. Her eyes flickered open, and she cringed away from the acrid smell of the plant. "Nngh... Tuwa, what did you..." Then the face hovering over her registered, and she fell silent, staring in disbelief, half convinced she was dreaming or looking at a spirit. "F... Foalen?"
Harperking Wambli watched the scene before her in surprse, then turned to the wolf.
"You did a great job in digging her out but - they know each other?! But you are not from our village, how can that be? I thought the shaman's family was far from here!"
Naeva Tuwa gazed up at the dark mare with weary amber eyes. "They are indeed very far from here. These two are siblings, I think. They act that way, anyway, though they don't smell enough alike for brother and sister." The wolf shrugged her rust-furred shoulders. "When the Shaman's apprentice left many seasons ago, Talasi was very sad. She decided some weeks ago to go look for him against their father's wishes. It was by the grace of the spirits alone that we wandered so close," Tuwa said with a rumbling chuckle. "I had thought the avalanche to be a disaster, but it was truly a blessing! The spirits move in strange ways," she said, shaking her head.
Taking Talasi's expression in the shaman smiled gently his eyes bright with more than just happiness as he enveloped her in a warm embrace. "it's really me in the flesh and not some phantom roaming the forest. It's good to see you Talasi, I'm glad your all right." Foalen's voice was soft but it resonated with the powerful emotions he was feeling. There was so much more he wanted to say and he was certian the sister of his heart felt the same. But this was neather the time nor the place for that sharing to take place.
Gingerly Foalen offered his arms as support so that Talasi could use him to ease herself upright. " Now be careful sitting up. Take it slowly as it looks like you've gotten a nasty knock on your head. Once you are up to traveling I can take you to my Teepee. You'll be able to rest there."
Naeva Talasi hugged her brother tightly, taking comfort in the reassuringly solid feel of him in her arms. "I can't believe we found you... I'm so glad you're all right!" There were so many questions she wanted to ask. Where had he been all this time? Why hadn't he come home? Had he found another village? A wife? Suddenly this expedition seemed more foolish, and she had the horrible thought that perhaps he hadn't come home because he'd found somewhere he was happier, without them. Pushing that aside- he was too happy to see her for that to be true, right?- she concentrated on getting to her feet without falling into the mud again. As she scrambled to her feet, using Foalen's strong arm for support, her dark eyes fell onto the sleek, beautiful forms of the two Soquili, and she froze, breathless. This time she was absolutely certain she was looking at spirits, for only they could be so perfect and beautiful. Her people had spoken reverently of such spirits. "Foalen... are those...?"
Foalen "Soquili, the children of the wind? Yes they are. And I was so overcome with your arrival and making certian you were well I seem to have ignored them completely." Foalen smiled appologeticly to the two soquili. "Let me introduce you to them. The beautiful black winged soquli is Wambli Zikala. The painted mare standing next to her is called Ayita and she was given into my care when I first arrived here. There is a village not far from where I live in the forest and there are a lot of soquili that live in and arround the village." Inclining his head at the mares he motioned to Talasi knowing they couldn't understand his words but they would pick up on his bodylanguage. "This is Talasi, we were raised together, and I consider her to be my sister."
Harperking
Wambli nodded her head. "The spirits often do things that we don't understand until later."
Seeing the shaman's gesture and hearing her name, Wambli nickered a welcome to Talasi. "It looks like your family has grown again, Ayita!" the wind mare said with a laugh.
Naeva Tuwa's ears snapped up at the introductions. "Oh, where are my manners! I'm Tuwa, pleased to meet you," the wolf said with an embarrassed grin and a sheepish wag of her tail. Talasi smiled shyly bowed a little to the beautiful spirits- the Soquili, she corrected herself- and simply said "I am honored." Turning to Foalen, who she was still leaning on slightly to steady herself, she said "I think I can walk if you'd like to go to your teepee now."
Foalen Having watched the exchange between the shaman and the other two foot Ayita came to a decision. This was obviously someone Foalen felt very strongly about. She could tell that he trusted and cared for this person beyond mesure. And while the teepee wasn't a long way off it would be quite a walk for someone who was injured.
Wuffling softly the painted mare paused before the young woman giving her a gentle nuzzle. Turning to the side the mare knelt down giving Talasi an obvious inviation to ride. Foalen smiled softly at Ayita greatful for her kindness. "Thank you for the offer Ayita it's very kind of you. Talasi, would you like to have a ride to the teepee?"
Naeva Talasi's face bore a very strange expression, approximately halfway between wonder and horror. Her voice rose slightly in panic. "I...! But! I'm just...!" Somewhere in the back of her mind the ettiquette that the shaman had taught her nudged her thoughts. It would be horribly rude not to accept the Soquili's generosity, no matter how little Talasi deserved the gesture. Talasi bowed slightly, wincing a little as her bruises pulled. "I humbly accept your most gracious offer to this unworthy one." A wry smile tugged at the corner of the young woman's mouth. "Forgive me, but I've never ridden a creature such as yourself before. I will probably be about as graceful as a sack of potatoes." With that, Talasi gingerly settled herself onto Ayita's back. She misguessed the proper position, however, sitting a little too far behind the mare's withers.
Harperking Wambli watched this all with wry amusement, Looking down at the wolf, she asked "Is your two-foot always so flustered? And I would offer you a ride, but I daresay you wouldn't like the skies as much as I do" she finished with a nickering laugh.
Foalen
Ayita wickered reasuringly as Talasi lowered herself onto the mare's back. The weight seemed off however as the young woman settled into place and the mare turned her large head to try and see what was wrong. "You might want to move a little more forward." Foalen suggested helpfully stepping up next to his sister's knee and placing his had upon the painted mare's withers. "Otherwise when Ayita starts moving you will probably be thrown backward and could possibly fall off. Just move a litle more towards me inbetween my hand and where you are now sitting and you'll be fine." Gently the shaman stroked the soft fur under his hand and smiled up at Talasi. "I know how powerful a moment this is for you, but try to relax. You will enjoy yourself more if you can do that. Besides I'm sure Ayita will take good care of you so there is nothing to be worried about."
Naeva Tuwa grinned at Wambli, wagging her tail in amusement. "Only when she's off her footing. An avalanche and meeting spirits in the flesh will have that effect. She'll get over it soon, I'm sure. She loves anything with fur, but I'm her favorite!" Talasi gave Foalen a nervous smile and scooted carefully forward towards his hand. "Is that better?" She tried to relax. It helped that Ayita was so terribly large, actually- it seemed impossible to Talasi that she could ever damage the mare. Still, it never hurt to be careful. Looking into Ayita's large brown eye, she asked "Is this all right?"
Foalen The painted mare wuffled giving Talasi a look of approval as Foalen reached out to touch his sister's hand for a moment. "That's perfect. You might want to wrap your fingers in her mane and squeese lightly with your knees against her sides when she moves. The squeezing will help you stay on and don't worry it won't hurt her. The soquili are stronger than we are." The young shaman gave Ayita a proud smile and a scratch behind the ear as he waited for Talasi to ready herself. Then he looked back up at his sister. "So are you ready to go?"
Naeva Talasi was mostly trying not to look horrorstruck at the thought of riding a spirit made flesh. She managed a nod and wan smile to her brother as she twined her fingers in Ayita's multicolored mane and carefully squeezed her knees in, watching Ayita's face and ears for any sign she was squeezing too hard or pulling. "Th.. thank you again for your kindness, Ayita, I believe I'm as ready as I'm going to get," the young woman murmured as she braced herself for whatever would happen next.
(at this point, Wambli left the shaman & his friend to make their way to the village alone. She flew on ahead where she met a cute wounded foal!)) |
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Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:02 pm
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A New Day, A New Friend: Prologue
Naeva Talasi woke slowly and gently to the familiar scents of a Shaman's home and the welcome warmth of the wolf Tuwa curled against her back. Blinking the last of her sleep from her dark eyes, the young woman stretched luxuriously, wincing only a little as the bruises she'd recieved from the mudslide pulled, reminding her of where she actually was. They felt much better today, and she suspected they'd be nearly unnoticeable by tomorrow. Now that she was better rested and more alert, the girl examined her surroundings in more detail without rising from her soft nest of furs. She noted a few beautifully made pots- certainly not of Foalen's manufacture, she thought with a giggle. They were probably gifts from grateful tribespeople. Scritching the silky-soft fur between Tuwa's pointed ears, Talasi contemplated where Foalen could be. She could hear the Soquili Ayita outside, shifting her weight comfortably every now and again. Takota was napping on Foalen's bedroll. Perhaps he'd gone to that berry bush he'd mentioned... Rising fluidly to her feet, Talasi nudged Tuwa awake and off the furs, which she neatly bundled and put back more or less where they'd been the night before (she'd been so sleepy she couldn't quite remember where they belonged) and poked her head out of the front of the teepee to have a look around.
Naeva Briar stood in the center of what had been a clamoring crowd minutes before, and heaved a deep, angry sigh. He was glad to have the water, and now he really just wanted somewhere safe to sleep, but everyone had vanished. As near as the dizzy colt could figure, one of the twolegs had seen something it didn't like and had begun yelling and pointing. The rest of the twolegs had begun shouting something and waving their arms about and had run off with the other Soquili behind them, and he really had no idea why and was too tired to find out. He was even too exhausted to be scared of all the noise and newness, too weary even to think. Hopefully the dark-furred mare with the wings hadn't gone far. She seemed sweet, and rather reminded him of his mother. At the thought of his missing mother, great tears began to slide from Briar's violet eyes, running down his chestnut nose to mingle with the remnants of his bowl of water. Finally and utterly spent, the little foal just curled up on the ground where he'd been standing and cried himself to sleep. ((OOC: I have no clue what the twolegs saw that would be so attention grabbing, I just wanted an excuse to continue the story without the huge crowd around))
Foalen Looking up from her grazing Ayita wuffled a greeting at Talasi, her brown and white ears swivling to chatch the sound of the young woman's movements as she quietly chewed the grass she had just cropped off.
The mare stiffened and stopped chewing suddenly to look over her shoulder at a new sound coming toward the teepee. She relaxed almost imeadiatly however and a few moments later Foalen became visable through the trees.Foalen had a basket full of berries under one arm as he walked quickly along the trail back to his teepee returning just in time to see Talasi peeking out of the door flap. Grinning he lifted a hand in greeting "Good morning. I hope you slept well and are feeling up to a good meal. I've managed to find quite a lot of berries. Though I am sure Takota will be willing to help us with some of them. He adore's berries."
Naeva Talasi grinned broadly at her brother. "Sounds like Tuwa with fresh-caught fish, doesn't it? Fresh berries sound delicious. If it's all right by you, I'd like to stay out here a minute, though, and enjoy the sunshine a little. It's been cloudy the last few days. And I haven't said good morning to Ayita yet."
Foalen
Ayita wickered a greeting to Foalen before turning back to Talasi. Stepping over to the young woman the mare nuzzled her and gently mouthed a small lock of Talasi's hair. The shaman nodded in an easy going manner waving over toward a large log that had fallen a small distance from the teepee that would work well as a place to sit. "I'd love to eat outside today. Life is better when we take time to enjoy the gifts we are given weather simple or great. There's an old tree over there we can use to sit on if you like."
Naeva Talasi's grin widened at Ayita's actions, and she reached up to stroke the beautiful mare's cheek and neck. "Hello, darling.That would be wonderful. Then Ayita can have a treat too," the young woman added as she scritched Ayita behind the ears. Talasi turned back to her brother, her eyes sparkling. "It's such a beautiful day, it would be a shame to miss a moment!"
Foalen Ayita wuffled a respond leaning into young womanl's soft touch. She especially liked the scratches. Talasi had tallented hands. "Then we will do our best not to miss a second." Foalen replied in full agreement as he turned toward the fallen log he had mentioned earlier. Sitting down he rested the basket on the rugged grey brown surface of the tree lifting back the cover to reveal dark red berries looking plump and juicy. Selecting a nice large clump he offered his prize to Talasi. "What do you think about going over to the village after we eat. I could show you around and maybe tell you a little more about the place."
Naeva "Oh, wow! Those look wonderful! I guess all that rain was good for the berry bushes." Talasi sat beside Foalen companionably and munched on the berries, trying not to let too much of the juice run down her chin! Every now and again she'd toss a berry to Tuwa, Takota, or hold one in her palm for Ayita to eat.
Foalen Ayita greatfully accepted the offering gently mouthing the berry with her lips so she wouldn't accidentily n** Talasi.Takota yipped brightly doing tricks for his human friends in return for their treats. Foalen managed to keep most of the berry juice off of his clothing as he ate his share of the berries glad to simply sit at enjoy his sister's company as well as the wether while she fed and played with their four footed friends. "Mmm they taste as good as they look." Patting his stomach a gently the shaman sighed happily. "The water might be miserable to travle through but you have it right, the weather's been perfect for the plants in the area." Pushing himself up off the log he knelt down to rub his hands off on some near by leaves. "Don't worry too much about the juice. The leaves will take away some of the stickyness. And the stream is on our way to the village. We can stop by to rinse off the rest on our way to the village."
Naeva Talasi smiled and nodded, happily scrubbing her hands clean-ish on the leaves. Then Tuwa came up nuzzling for a last treat, wanting to lick the last of the sweet from Talasi's hands. Surprised by the sharp, clean, and very much green taste of the bruised leaves, Tuwa pulled a face and smacked, trying to clear the horrible taste from her mouth! Laughing at her hapless lupine friend's antics, Talasi scruffled the canine behind her rust-furred ears and looked up at her brother. "That sounds great. I can't wait to see the village! Is it a big one?"
Foalen Foalen smiled at Tuwa's reaction to the taste of the leaves and nodded in response to Talasi's quiestion, "Actually the village is fairly large. It didn't start out that way. It was much smaller when I first came here. But almost as if they were being called by the soquili many of those who have made the village their hom arrived shortly before or after the arrival of new soquili." Looking off into the forest for a moment he nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps they were called at that." ((Ohh forshadowing, yay.)) xd Sensing that her friends were getting ready to go Ayita turned so she was facing the path and then she stopped to look back at the siblings lowring her shoulder in a clear invitation as she wickkered at Talasi and Foalen.
Naeva Talasi looked shocked at Ayita's gesture. "She can't mean... But... Um..." She gave her brother a pleading look, as words seemed to have deserted her. Tuwa sat on Talasi's feet and looked from Ayita to Talasi to Foalen blankly. Finally, the bewildered wolf shrugged helplessly and said to Ayita, "I'm sorry, have no idea why she's acting like this. I guess she thinks you're too special to ride?"
Foalen The painted mare looked down at the wolf her expression throughtful as she nodded in agreement. "Hmm, yes I can see that. Foalen reacted much the same way until he came to realize that I wanted the contact. I can not speak for others of my kind, but I enjoy being with and carrying Foalen and his friends. I'll just have to impress upon her that it is my choice."
Stepping toward Talasi Ayita lowered her long neck enough to give the young woman a quick nuzzle before turing back to stand where she had started. Foalen made a soothing gesture with his hands. "It's ok you know. The soquili are as diffrent in personality as we are. Some actually enjoy being ridden as I have found Ayita does. I would never presume to ride a soquili without being invited to do so. But when such an offer is made would it not be rude to refuse such a gift?"
Naeva Talasi just nodded sheepishly and stroked Ayita's shoulder by way of apology. "I'm sorry, Ayita. I didn't mean any insult. Thank you." Taking a step back, lips pursed slightly, Talasi tried to remember how she was meant to get on... She put a hand on Ayita's neck just in front of her withers, braced her other hand against Ayita's rump, and with a slightly awkward hop managed to land in close to the correct position. "Er, like this?" She asked, looking at Foalen.
Harperking Wambli stretched, her wings spread wide. With a shake and a little whinny for good measure she settled her feathers back into place as she folded her wings back against her withers. After the excitement of first finding the shaman's old friend and then having a lost foal wander into the village the mare had decided to spend the night in Anpo's tent, something she hadn't done in quite a while. It had been good to spend time with her human friend again and she vowed to spend more time with her in the future. "I think I will go find Ayita and make sure they made it back ok," Wambli said to herself as she rambled down the path to the main village. She had left the group once the newcomer had gotten on her paint friend's back, knowing that Foalen would take over from there and make sure the woman would get back ok. A little snore caught her attention and Wambli stopped, her soft ears swiveling around to catch the sound. Who would be snoring out here on the village's edge? The sound came again and she cautiously stepped forward, looking for the sound's maker. To her immense surprise she found a curled up, dusty bundle of brown fur asleep on the verge of the pathway. It was the foal from the night before! The mothering instincts that were newly wakening in the wind mare came surging forward. Though her foals were still far from being born she couldn't help but feel a softness towards this lonely baby. A soft whicker came low in her throat, a comforting sound meant to both wake and reassure the youngling that he was not alone where he slept.
Naeva The young foal's violet eyes flickered sleepily open at Wambli's gentle sound. Confused for a moment, Briar looked quickly around until he saw Wambli's gentle face. Smiling happily and wagging his poof of a tail, the foal struggled to his feet, favoring his wounded leg. "Hi, pretty lady! I hoped you'd come back!"
Harperking The mare smiled at the youngster's obvious joy at seeing her.
"Good morning to you as well! We never did get introduced last night," she said as she walked over to him. "I am Wambli Zikala, most people simply call me Wambli though. How are you feeling this morning, my fine young adventurerer?"
Naeva Still wagging his short tail, the colt pranced up to Wambli, careful of his injury. "I'm better, but it still hurts. I'm Briar!" he announced proudly. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him and he looked around uncertainly. "Um... where are we, anyway? I don't know where this is."
Harperking Stifling a giggle at the site of the wagging tail, Wambli answered his question with due seriousness.
"This is the Kawani village. It is where soquili like us live with two-leggers, the humans." The dark mare thought for a moment, swishing her own long tail in an unconcious echo of the colt's. "If your leg is bothering you I know someone who may be able to help. He is a two legger, the shaman for the tribe. He's not as nice as my own, of course, but he is good at healing. And he usually has a treat or two around!"
Naeva Kawani village? The little colt sounded out the name quietly to himself. He had never heard of such a place. But at the mention of treats, Briar's ears perked. "I like treats!" he nodded thoughtfully. His leg was so sore, though, that he didn't really have too much appetite. It was really distracting! But this sha-mun guy sounded like he could fix it.
Harperking "I do, too, Briar. Why don't we go and find Foalen then and see if he has any for us. He had an injured friend of his who arrived yesterday as well so h should be near his tent. he has a soquili friend, too, a paint named Ayita who is my good friend." Wambli chattered amiably as she led the foal down th gentle path through the meadow to the village. She hoped that the shaman was indeed home, she could see the foal was favoring the injured leg and didn't want to have him travel too far on it.
Naeva Briar was hopping along reasonably well on his three good legs, careful to keep his hurt foot high enough off the ground to avoid banging it on rocks. He happily followed Wambli down to the meadow; she seemed terribly sweet and kind. The mare's gentle banter kept Briar distracted from how much she reminded him of his own mother, though a sad, worried look did creep across his face at random moments.
Foalen Foalen Naeva Talasi just nodded sheepishly and stroked Ayita's shoulder by way of apology. "I'm sorry, Ayita. I didn't mean any insult. Thank you." Taking a step back, lips pursed slightly, Talasi tried to remember how she was meant to get on... She put a hand on Ayita's neck just in front of her withers, braced her other hand against Ayita's rump, and with a slightly awkward hop managed to land in close to the correct position. "Er, like this?" She asked, looking at Foalen.
Foalen nodded smiling gently. "Actually that's very good for only your second time. It took me a lot longer to figure out how to mount properly. Even with a friend from the village helping me. Though I'm not really suprised, you've always been a quick study. When she starts to move try to grip lightly with your knees as she moves, it will help you to keep your balance. As you probably noticed from yesterday's ride, soquili rides can be rather bouncy." Laughing softly he pointed toward a path leading away from the teepee. "So do you feel that your ready to see the village?" Naeva "See the village? Sure. I'm just afraid I'm going to fall!" The young woman said with a light laugh. "What do you think, Tuwa? Ready to meet some new people?" In response, Tuwa raised up on her hind legs and touched Talasi's ankle with her very cold nose, prompting a squeak and twitch from the girl. "Gah! Yes, ok, fine we can go now," she giggled. Resettling herself on Ayita (in closer to the correct position; it feels more stable to her), Talasi looked to her brother to lead them on. Foalen "All right, let's go." Smiling Foalen looked to the painted mare who glanced over her shoulder to be sure her rider was settled. Turning back to the path she started slowly forward at a gentel walk as the shaman fell in step alongside her. The brown fox Takota padded quietly at Foalen's feet as they travled through the trees and brush. The path before them evened out slowly widening into a proper trail winding a way toward the village they were on their way to visit. After giving her a few moments to adjust to the soquili's gait Foalen looked up at his sister placing a hand on Ayita's neck. "Does it seem any easier today?" Naeva "A good bit, yes, but that may be because of this wide trail. Blazing a trail through the woods must've been hard on Ayita, and it certainly didn't make keeping my seat any easier!" The young woman laughed ruefully. After a moment her eyes focused on the path ahead. "I wonder what the people here are like. Are they much different than home?" Foalen Foalen looked off into the distance as he considered his sister's question. "Well they are diffrent in some ways similar in others." Relaizing that his reply wasn't all that helpful he added. "The diffrences are mostly small things like customs and clothing styles. In all the important ways they are no diffrent from our tribe. They are very accepting of the diffences of others too. Wich is a little unuseual, but I think it's because there are so many who have settled here from other places. I think perhaps it's the soquili that draw so many here. But whatever the reason for their coming once they arrive most who come stay on. I think you'll like it here. And perhaps one day you'll find yourself the guardian of a soquili yourself." Naeva Talasi looked at her brother in surprise. "What, me? But I don't know anything about them! How could I possibly take care of one? Oh, we must be getting close, I can see teepees." Through the trees, one could begin to see the teepees at the edge of the village. Foalen "There are many things in life that we must learn as we go, you are strong detemand and hve a compasionate nature. Those are all exellent traits for a prospective guaridan. You took care of me and father when we were younger. Father is clever and wise, but he often forgets to consider more mundane matters as well as the spiritual." Looking around he gestured toward the wolf that was following them. "Besides look at Tuwa, you've made a strong friendship with her. Bonding with a soquili isn't that much diffrent than the relationship you already share with her. You can on teach without being taught. Indeed I sometimes wonder if I am Ayita's guaridan or if she hasn't become mine at some point along the path."
The painted mare shook her head at his words her warm amber eyes bright as if she had undstood and agreed with his words.Naeva Talasi laughed softly and leaned forward (carefully!) to scratch Ayita between her soft brown ears. "You always were a persuasive speaker, brother. Perhaps you are right. I understand what you say about Ayita, though, I often wonder myself about Tuwa and whether I'm her keeper or if she is mine, and I think that's how it should be." The young woman squinted. "Look, Foalen, do you know those Soquili?" She pointed ahead to a dark-colored adult and a small brown foal that were walking slowly up the path towards them. The foal seemed to be limping. Down the path, Briar looked up at Wambli, suddenly frightened. "Wait, who are they? There, coming up the path..." Harperking Wambli looked ahead on the path and gave a whicker of welcome.
"Don't worry, Briar! Those are the people I was telling you about. The soquili is Ayita and the human beside her is Foalen the shaman. I am glad to see the other one is up and around! She must not have been hurt too badly!" Naeva Briar looked up at her with wide, violet eyes. "She got hurt too? So they're nice?" Without waiting for an answer, the little colt scampered ahead as best he could on three legs, immediately curious of the strangers now that he had been reasurred they were safe. "Foalen, is that little one limping? I can't quite see, they're still a ways off," Talasi asked |
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Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:04 pm
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A New Day, A New Friend
Harperking Chuckling at his enthusiasm, Wambli followed her young charge. A few paces at a trot brought her even with him again.
"Yes, they are very nice. Foalen has treats usually and Ayita is a mother some very sweet fillies. I don't know a lot about the newcomer but if they trust her I am sure she is just fine!"
Foalen Ayita wickered a thank you for the carress before calling out a welcome to her friend Wambil and the strange foal she had not met before.The smile that had spread across the shaman's face upon seeing Wambil turned into a frown as he took a closer look at the little one next to the dark mare. Then he nodded looking back up at Talasi. "Hmm, that's not good. From what I can see I think he has hurt his leg. I wonder if Wambil was bringing him to me for a healing. That's what the dark winged soquili's name is by the way. You must remember her from the other day. She was the one who found you and came to get us." Foalen fininshed indicating Ayita and himself with a motion of his hand. Digging in his ever present medicine bag he pulled out a few apples offering one to Talasi. If the foal was hurt by someone he or she might be fightened by strangers, if we approch them with a gift perhaps it will calm and reasure the little one."
Naeva Talasi merely accepted the apple and nodded, a grim set to her lips as she thought through the potential problem areas of making sure she didn't scare the foal. She thought back to when she first met Tuwa, and remembered what had helped her there. Presents of food had reassured the wolf, as had slow movements and speaking in a soft tone. Also, staring at Tuwa and looming over her had seemed to upset her. So, don't stare at the foal, and crouch down so as to not look so big. Offer him the apple with slow movements and speak quiet words of comfort. Nodding firmly to herself now that she had a plan of action, Talasi slipped off of Ayita, giving the sweet mare a gentle pat. It wouldn't do to startle the foal by leaping off of her mount when he was closer. She cradled her apple close to her chest, but her mind seemed very focused on the path ahead. Tuwa circled away to Ayita's far side and dropped back behind the group, agitated by her mistress' sudden vigilance. She sniffed the air warily, scenting old blood and more Soquili, including her friend from yesterday. "Ayita, what's happening? The dark one isn't hurt is she? I smell her, and blood," the wolf growled. Briar hop-hobbled along beside Wambli. His leg still hurt, but he was in much better spirits now that he had new friends to look forward to. "Why don't you know much about the other twolegs? Is she new like me?"
Harperking "Settle there, Briar, you're going to hurt your leg again!" Wambli was worried in his excitement that he would further injure the leg - she wasn't sure how badly he had been wounded.
"And yes, the shaman's friend is new here, too. She was caught in a mudslide and we rescued her yesterday. She is probably hurt, too, so you need to be gentle with her."
Foalen Foalen watched his sister slide down from Ayita's back and took a few steps back pefering to let Talasi make the first contact. If they crowded the little one they might fighten the foal away.
Holding herself still as Talasi dismounted Ayita wuffled reasuringingly to Tuwa not wanting to upset the wounded youngster with any sudden movements. "Wambil is coming down the path with a foal I don't recognize and she's fine as far as I can see. The foal looks like he ran into some trouble though. He's limping, I assume that's where the blood scent is comming from."
Takota nodded in agreement with Ayita's and faded back alongside the wolf. The young colt might be skittish around preditors even one as small as a fox so he thought it best to stay out of the way until the twoleggers had properly greeted and cared for the young soquili.
Naeva "Ah, that must be it," the wolf said. She relaxed her hackles and allowed the group to drift farther ahead. The wounded youngling would explain Talasi's tenseness, and she would want to help. Turning to Takota, Tuwa said "Perhaps we should give them their distance. I don't want to scare the cu..er, foal." Tuwa shook herself and grinned abashedly. "And I need a nap, it would seem." Talasi walked slowly towards the colt, watching him for any sign of nervousness. Mostly, though she watched his feet since she didn't want to stare at his eyes. That had seemed to upset Tuwa the most when they had first met. Briar smiled up at Wambli. "Yes, ma'am, I'll be careful." He then proceeded at a more sedate pace towards the group of new people, ears up and his little poof of a tail twitching in greeting. Talasi judged that the colt's mouth would be too small for the apple she held, so she knelt in front of him and took a bite out of the apple. She removed the small piece of fruit from her mouth and held that out in her hand for the colt. He was so beautiful... her eyes roved over the red roan of his coat, his black feet, his charming silver-tipped tail... everywhere but his face. Mustn't stare into his eyes... It was so hard not to, as it was impolite for humans not to make eye contact. It felt like she was being rude, but she knew from Tuwa that animal rules were not the same as people rules, and animal rules said not to stare into another's eyes. Briar cautiously edged forward towards the kneeling human. Had this one been the one to be hurt, or was it the healer? He looked up at Ayita, then at Foalen, uncertain of how to proceed. He then decided to sniff what the other human had in its hand. Talasi giggled a little and tried not to twitch; the pretty colt had awfully soft whiskers on his chin that tickled horribly. Briar backed up a little as the human made a very strange noise and wiggled funny when he touched her. He looked back at Wambli, then back at Ayita. What the human had in its hand smelled very yummy, and he was pretty sure that noise and wiggling wasn't some kind of threat... He looked back at Wambli again. "Is it for me?"
Foalen Giving a soft yip of agreement Takota flicked his brown tail and led the way off the trail. "We should be able to find the two foots easily once you've rested. They'll either be at Foalen's teepee or in the village and I doubt they'd get into to much trouble in either place. So they should be safe enough for now. There's a small tree hollow not far from here that I think would be big enough for you."
Harperking Wambli smiled at the uncertain note in the young foal's voice.
"Yes, that treat is for you. I think she wants to be your friend. Go on, try it." She was glad to see the shaman's friend up and around. She had been very worried tha the young woman had been more seriously injured than she had seemed.
Naeva Briar's tail twitched happily in anticipation of the sweet treat, and he lipped it delicately out of Talasi's hand. The girl only flinched a little at the tickly whiskers, and managed not to giggle at all. Once he'd eaten the bit of apple, he snuffled her hand for more, then looked at the human girl hopefully. "Can I have some more, please?" Talasi blinked as the little foal whickered at her, then smiled. "You want some more, don't you," she said in a gentle voice. "Just a second." She took another bite from the apple and offered it to the foal, which he ate happily. Talasi smiled past the little foal's fuzzy ears at Wambli, then looked back at Foalen and Ayita, her eyes shining. She dared to stroke the little foal's shoulder with a finger while he nibbled a third piece of apple, and began to grin like a fool when he didn't object. Gradually, she began to pet him more firmly and he leaned into her touch, eyes half-closed with pleasure. The young woman looked back over her shoulder at her brother, smiling happily. "I don't think he's afraid of me," she said softly. "Should we try to lure him to the teepee or would you rather look at him here?"
Foalen Folaen smiled as he watched the sceen before him it was good to see Talasi relax so much around the soquli. He had been afraid that she might have trouble doing so with as much revence his tribe held for the wind children. But it looked like meeting the little colt was doing a good job of overcoming the awe. "I'd like to look him over now, but we may want to watch him a few days so I may see what I can see before we go but we should also try to get him to follow us back to my teepee. That way we can keep him safe while he reovers." Moving slowly and delibratly Foalen came close enough to see without being too near and knelt down inspecting the injury from a distance. "Hmm It looks like a cut or scrape but I don't think it's too deep. I have some ointment that will help." Reaching gently into his pouch he carefully pulled a small pot out and held it out to Talasi. "I think you should rub it in since your doing so well with him. It wouldn't do to overwhelm him and risk frightening him away."
Naeva Talasi accepted the ointment from Foalen, keeping her movements slow and fluid. Briar sniffed the open jar as it passed him by. It smelled horrendous. He scrinched up his nose and whickered sharply, then looked back at Wambli and whinnied plaintively. "Smells bad!" He wasn't at all sure he liked this new development, and started to back away. Talasi quickly bit off another piece of apple and offered it to the colt, somewhat clumsily since she now had the apple gripped in her teeth because her other hand was occupied with a pot of ointment, who sniffed this much happier-smelling treat and seemed to calm as he munched it. Talasi shot a wordless look of relief to her brother over the apple in her mouth, then started shifting herself around slowly so that she could reach the roan foal's injured leg. She wound up sort of crabbed up half under his head with her arm extended along his flank. Briar didn't seem to mind as he had discovered Talasi's braid. She smeared a dab of the smelly ointment on the injury while Briar explored her hair, sniffing it furiously and then giving it a taste. He flinched away when she touched his hurt leg at first, but the ointment was cool, so after the first ouchy contact he stayed still. Talasi peeked over her shoulder, still clutching the apple by her teeth, to see what in the name of the spirits the colt had gotten up to back there. Seeing him chewing on her braid with such a serious, thoughtful expression, Talasi's eyes widened and she began to laugh uncontrollably, though silently. She had to sit down in the dust of the trail and set the jar of ointment beside her so that she could get rid of the fruit without choking on it as tears of silent laughter ran down her cheeks. Briar's ears perked and he looked down at the human in alarm, the braid still in his mouth. It hadn't tasted too bad, but now the human was wiggling even more and making a very wierd noise. Without releasing his prize- he wasn't sure he was done with it yet, he nosed Talasi's cheek to see if she was allright. Talasi had almost gotten a grip on herself when the little rascal shoved those horrible tickly whiskers right into the side of her neck. With a surprisingly soft though strangled shriek- she did what she could to remain quiet, but some things were just beyond her- Talasi toppled right over onto her side and curled up around herself. She was laughing so very hard it hurt! Briar stared down at the human in shock, then looked back at Wambli, somewhat fearfully. "Did I break it? I didn't mean to!"
Harperking The wind mare swished her tail in amusement. He was so adorable! She hoped the foals that she was carrying were just as forthright in thier view of things. "You didn't break her, Briar," she said as she came up beside them. "She is laughing. I think you tickled her - like this!" Wamblic ouldn't resist - she reached out with one wingtip and brushed it along the foal's neck and shoulder.
Foalen Foalen stood back a comforting presence watching silently as Talasi tended to the little foal. He didn't want to upset the tenuious situation by making any sudden sounds or movements. But he couldn't help but grin at the little colt's antics. "Breath, Talasi," He suggested helpfully in a soft amused voice. Ayita wickered in good humor as she watched Wambil make her tickle attack. "Feathers are good for tickling." She observed smiling.
Naeva "Trying..." Talasi sputtered between giggles. She just couldn't seem to stop; it was as if all the tension of the past weeks was escaping from her as peals of laughter, thanks to the colt. After what seemed an eternity of helpless mirth, she got hold of herself and sat up, gasping and wiping away tears. Briar squeeked and bucked when Wambli tickled him. He wound up hiding behind Talasi, though she didn't even come up to his knee curled up like that, mock-glaring at Wambli. "Mean," he exclaimed, but he couldn't help grinning and his eyes twinkled like he thought it was a great joke too. When she sat up he nuzzled her shoulder gently to make sure she was ok, and she reached up around his head and rubbed his ear, half hugging his head in the process. Closing his eyes in pleasure Briar leaned into her shoulder. Still panting slightly and holding her sore ribs with her other hand, Talasi looked back at Foalen and smiled. "I think if we promise him more apples and petting he'd follow us anywhere," she said in a soft voice. "Do we want to head back to the teepee now so you can get a better look at his wound?"
Foalen "You know, I think you may be right. He probably would follow us anywhere." Foalen said with a smile and tilt of his hear. "And yes I think it might be a good idea to get a beter look at the wound. Besides he should be able to get more rest at the teepee than he would in the village with cuirous villigers coming to meet him. If I move some of the skins around we should be able to make some room for him to sit by the fire. And a little bit of rest would do you both good I think." The shaman nodded decisively. "It looks as if your still a bit sore yourself."
Naeva "Eh, a little. Mostly I just hurt myself laughing." She turned back to the foal. "Come on, little one. Want some more apple?" Talasi backed up a few paces and held out a piece of apple to the colt. Briar looked back at Wambli, and seeing no expression of concern on her face, happily followed the woman down the trail, twitching his tail joyously whenever he was rewarded with a morsel of fruit.
Foalen As the entered the forest clearng where Foalen's teepee rested the shaman motioned for his sister to stay with the young soquili. "I think I'm going to go clear a space for our little friend so he can rest by the fire when I am finished tending him. If you like you can stay with him. I think it might help him feel more comfortable in this new place. Oh and this might help." Slowly he took off his pouch and held it out for Talasi to take. "Here take this there should be some corn and a few more apples in there incase you need them. Once I have everything ready I'll come out and check on you both." Listening to the rythmic sound of the shaman's voice Ayita walked across the clearing to stand watch over the far side of the area just to make sure she could head off any trouble that might come there way. Not that she expected any trouble. But it never hurt to be prepared just in case.
Got through: http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13665271&page=91 (No more RP at this time) |
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:02 pm
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Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:44 am
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 5:51 pm
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:20 am
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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:53 am
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Wambli gave a small sigh of relief as her youngest descendant dashed off to find just the right flower to give to his mother. She loved the young, always had in fact, but where in Spirits's name did they get all that energy! Koz'ka seemed to have more than most, taking more after his grandmother - and that thought caused her to snort a bit in laughter, her eldest a grandmother! - than after his more quiet mother.
Or maybe he caught the adventurer's spirit from his great-grandfather, she admited to herself. Tatanka above knew that the colt loved to hear the stories about the places Jewel had been to and seen!
As she watched the black colt tearing around the meadow discarding one flower after another in his quest, she caught the sound of hoofsteps coming along the path that lead from the edge of the forest behind her. She recognized the cadence as that of Ksapa - ever since a fall as a youngster she stepped out just slightly with her right foreleg. It didn't bother the mare in the slightest, but it was enough that those who knew her well would recognize the beat. The wind elder turned to face her daughter as she approached. Motherhood seemed to have settled the young one, much to the surprise of them both.
"Did he behave today?" Ksapa asked as they watched Koz'ka dance away from a rather upset mother rabbit whose family he had disturbed.
"As much as any foal his age. Certainly better than many days a young unicorn I once raised did," Wambli said with a wink. "As usual, he loved the stories and couldn't wait to go on an adventure of his own. Again not unlike another youngster I know."
Ksapa laughed and gave her mother a quick nuzzle. "Yes, I know I was a basketful of trouble. But you have to admit, I am not so bad now, am I?" Looking across the field she called out, "Koz'ka, come on, love! Time to head home!"
"Not at all, my dear. You do my hear proud." They watched as the colt trotted up to them, carrying a somewhat mangled bundle of wildflowers in his mouth.
"Hrrmm mrth, trrsm frr yrr," he said around them.
Wambli tried not to laugh at the interchange, remembering many such in her own past. She bade farewell to them both, giving Koz'ka a feathery hug with her wings which caused him to squeal with laughter. As she watched them head back down the path she felt that familiar longing of her own again.
Nonsense, she said to herself. While it is nice to have the younglings here to visit, surely the Spirits wouldn't see fit to give one to someone as old as I am!
*******
This story is a lead in to one that is currently ongoing with Wambli, Briar, Wild Rose and a surprise that is being collected here: The as yet unnamed RP smile
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