[OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Printable Version +- HELOVIA || The Way to the Sun (http://helovia.com) +-- Forum: Out of Character (http://helovia.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1) +--- Forum: Archives (http://helovia.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=11) +--- Thread: [OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep (/showthread.php?tid=10257) |
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[OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Cantante - 10-07-2013 A mighty evening wind pushes the clouds about in an aggressive manner. Not being heavy storm clouds they haven’t the strength to fight back and so are shoved this way and that across the darkening sky. One looking up from the ground of the Threshold would be hard pressed to tell what exactly is going on but the winged creatures currently in flight all know of it and battle to maintain their chosen courses against the violence of that wind. It could not have existed so in the still heat of the Tallsun day but as night creeps ever onward it gains its power. Only one among the swirling, swerving birds is too big and strong to be blown off track by this malevolent gust. In fact she is not a bird at all but one of the winged equine beings that call this planet home. This planet might be home but the fragment of continent below her now is new, unknown. She peers down through the wind vs. cloud battle surrounding her in an attempt to take the measure of this land. There is not much to be seen through the dense tree cover. None the less, whatever she did make out must have met with approval for she banks and circles gliding down towards the ground. I have not slept well in years it seems. My nights are haunted by the ghostly scolding of Kabear. It is not truly his ghost of course, but merely my own conscience praying on the guilty thoughts and memories that I do not guard closely enough. I should have gone looking for him but at the expense of what, our child’s safety or even her life? He would not have thanked me for that in the end. So I made the safe choice as it seems I always do and this time it came at the cost of my own sanity. Time passes and I grow oh so weary, the distances that I can travel in a day are not as great as they once were. Today’s possible distance has been pushed to its very limit and I must land now whether I like my options or not. What I can see of the ground below seems inviting enough and so, after spying out an area where the trees grow further apart and allow the space needed for landing, I begin the downward climb. The landing strip singled out is an area where the trees grow tall and wide leaving larger than usual spaces between them. There among the ancient, towering giants the bird girl makes her landing. Her legs, tucked up under her belly for most of the flight, stretch to meet the ground and her large wings rotate flaring out and pushing back to help break the forward momentum. She manages a graceful, if slightly wobbly landing. It is clear from her unsteady legs that she has been flying for the better part of the day. She walks as one unused to land swaying slightly side to side. Her wings fold, long black feathers trailing on the forest floor behind her as she moves towards the base of a redwood tree. My legs want to buckle beneath me but I force them to hold my weight. This is no time to sprawl unconscious upon the ground no matter how tired I am. I am in an alien land, one that I do not known and that does not know me. There could be any number of dangerous creatures waiting for the chance to sneak up on incautious pray. So I keep my feet and come instead to lean against the rough bark of a large, red tinted tree trunk. At least now I won’t fall over and can move quickly if needed. There I stand fighting to keep my eyes open and knowing that I need to find water but not quite able to muster the energy to go in search of it… RE: [OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Arlo - 10-07-2013
RE: [OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Solace - 10-08-2013
RE: [OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Cantante - 10-09-2013 The first of the stallions was there from the beginning, having arrived before and then remaining as a silent audience to the windstorm heralding Cantante's appearance. He is a handsome fellow, this bystander, of a graceful build much like her own and even sharing in that very Spanish abundance of hair. His presence was not noted when she surveyed the area as a possible landing spot. An oversight on her part and quite possibly a dangerous one. What else might she have missed in this exhaustion induced haze? She was lucky this time or so appearances would suggest. Of course appearances can not always be trusted… A calm, deep voice wakes me and I stiffen reflexively for I know I should not have been asleep. I’d managed not to startle though, maybe he will not be able to tell how low I’d let my guard slip. White eyes peer out from beneath my thick forelock and a momentary spark of hope surges in my heart as it always does when I come to a new place. He is not Kabear, I am not quite that optimistically delusional. Maybe Kabear is here though, maybe this stranger knows of him. I almost forget even that faint hope as my gaze meets his angelic blues, all I can think of then is what very big, very dangerous eyes he has. What was it he’d said? Oh yes… “no harm”. They were words spoken with what sounded like sincerity and, trusting soul that I am, I believe him despite the eyes. I take a few steps forward and extend my muzzle reaching for comfort, for welcome, for understanding, for support, for simple warmth… for anything really, that is how lost I am feeling right now. The mare does not run from the stallion and that is how it is, the should haves are now behind us. That caution and worry she seemed so wrapped up in upon arrival has deserted her rather quickly. But, to be fair he is acting gentlemanly. Enter stranger number two… My sudden desperate reach does not connect before hoof beats shake me out of the waking dream I seem to have fallen into. Ears flick back to catch the sounds I should have heard much sooner and turning about I am suddenly confronted with a white, skull-like face. Perhaps the dream state isn’t entirely shaken after all. “Pray tell me what brings you here so close to the reapers time...” the other had said. Maybe he meant it as a warning, maybe that warning was too late. My eyes widen in fear and my only thought is to get away but my body does not respond as it should, I have been too cruel to it of late. One was acceptable but two it seems is more than she can take. She stumbles backwards showing none of her usual grace and only just manages to maneuver around the tree that was previously supporting her. At that point in the retreat she happens to look up again and catch a full glimpse of this new male. Halting she turns her head away rather sheepishly, “Oh! Sorry, I thought… well, never mind.” Her voice is dry, scratchy and sounds as if it is paining her to speak. Yes, never mind what you thought Cantante. This is certainly no Reaper for what Reaper would ever appear wearing green? No, he is just another kind native equine here to welcome the poor lost wander to his fine home. I relax again and then notice that both males, like my dear Bellisima, suffer from whatever mutated gene results in the lack of wings. My heart leaps for them both, what a thing to do without! Still, a small unkind part of my mind rejoices to know that it is not a loss endured my daughter alone. Their words sink in now and I look back and forth between them. Blue eyes offers a place to rest, to recharge and green hair, who calls himself Solace, offers a home and a family… at that I take a step forwarded almost without realizing it and he could not possibly have missed the longing in my eyes. It does not last though, this is his home, his family that he offers and what I want is my family… my dead family. No one can give me that. A place to rest, to recharge and be away to the skies again in the morning… that sounds better. But oh, I do not know! I do not know and this frightens me. I have always been so sure, so confident in myself and my choices. The pale white eyes squeeze shut in confusion, indecision and the mare sways again back and forth as if fighting against two warring forces. “Water...” she croaks the word out at last, “can you show me the nearest water?” The inquiry is directed to the air between the stallions rather than one or the other and her eyes do not open as she awaits a response. @[ARLO] @[SOLACE] OOC: Nope! Don't mind at all, nice to meet you both! RE: [OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Solace - 10-14-2013
@[Cantante] My most sincere apologies for the wait RE: [OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Cantante - 10-15-2013 With her eyes squeezed shut the blue-gray mare does not see the pale male make his retreat but her ears swivel following the sound of hoof beats muffled in the forest ground cover. She remains still waiting and listening as the second male also turns and walks a few steps away but he pauses before disappearing into the trees and growing darkness to glance back at her. I am not sure which of the two men moves first but one does and continues moving until I can no longer here the motion of his hooves. Apparently he, whoever he is, does not wish to play guide. The other moves then as well and I start, jerking forward slightly with the fear of being left alone again but the movement halts after only a few paces. A deep voice, the voice of Solace, creeps into my ears. I am momentarily disappointed that it is not the beautiful, interesting, gentleman who remains but I am also grateful that they didn’t both vanish when I closed my eyes. Her ears prick forward again, listening as he speaks though she makes no response. Maybe she hasn’t any to give and maybe she just doesn’t want to strain her already overtaxed vocal cords unnecessarily. Seconds blend together as she stands there still and unmoving then she opens her eyes and focuses them upon the tall gray stallion. Moving hesitantly at first she inches back around the tree. All four hooves remain in contact with the ground and her legs, though wobbly, manage to hold her weight. Despite this success walking is clearly not the mindless task it would normally be. That proud head hangs low while the long feathers at the tips of her wings drag in the dust behind her. My silence continues though he has much to say to me. I can only think how very lucky I am to have encountered such a kind and caring individual when I am so in need of such kindness and care. He doesn’t even seem to mind that I might not be interested in the home he offers. What exactly I’d been thinking landing here in the state I am in I don’t know… I suppose I was beyond thinking at that point and if I hadn’t landed I probably would have crashed anyway. Moot point I guess. Now it will take more than just one nights rest to get me flight worthy again. With a sigh I make my painstaking way to his side and once there I take the liberty of leaning against him for support, he has offered me all manner of aid above and beyond normal courtesy surely he will not deny this small thing. I let him choose my path then for he seems to know where he is going. It is a good thing that Solace is strong for even worn down as she is Cantante is no lightweight and she seems to need the support to keep going. So it is that they make their slightly stumbling way to the water she’d requested. When they reach the creek she almost falls over her own feet in her haste to get at it. She manages to get her head down to the surface without mishap though and even manages to remember not to drink too much all at once. A few minutes later, thirst somewhat quenched and throat lubricated, she turns to look up at her escort water still dripping from her muzzle. “Thanks, I needed that. I am Cantante by the way, and I am grateful for your help Solace of the Foothills." Yes, I am grateful… and now I must decide what to do with myself. I can not resume my mad search until I am well enough to fly and I will likely only drive myself into the ground all over again. This is only the second mainland area I have stopped in since Bellissima left me, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to stay and make a more complete search here. If Kabear was in this place and remained for any length of time someone might remember him. I don’t like the idea, but the sensible voice of reality is kicking in and that reality is that even if I really did want to leave again in the morning I will not be able to. I don’t want to tackle this place on my own though, it might be more dangerous than it seems. Solace appears steady, dependable and strong. I think I could use his help for more than just finding water and if going to this Foothills place is what it takes to earn and keep his alliance than so be it. Another drink then the mare puts her back to the water. “I would like to see these wilds you speak of at some point but I’ve no lack of interest in your Foothills either. If you will promise me your protection until I am recovered I will come to your home with you.” Her eyes as they meet his again are hopeful. And there we have it, decision made at least for now. Hopefully he will take it and lead me to this home he has offered before it gets dark enough that even with his guidance I will have trouble keeping my feet under me on the unfamiliar trails. @[SOLACE] ooc: No problem, glad to see you are still with me! I hope you don't mind that I moved them along to the creek... RE: [OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Solace - 10-15-2013
@[Cantante] If you would like I can request for your rank to be changed to Outcast. RE: [OPEN] dreams are for those who sleep - Cantante - 10-16-2013 Lucky Cantante… lucky, lucky, lucky… I know it and I know also that this fabulous luck of mine is bound to run out sometime. I can only hope that I do not bring misfortune down on anyone else when it does. Still, for now today my luck holds. Solace has my trust and gratitude if nothing more than that for now. Well aware of these limitations he has still agreed to give me the aid I requested. There is merit in both of the options put to me and I simply can not bring myself to choose between them knowing as little as I do. At least now I will not have to face this unknown place completely alone as I learn about it and continue my fruitless search. All of those problems are for another dawn, somewhere in the future when I’ve recovered from this foolhardy misuse of my body. For now I will concentrate and moving safely to whatever rest place he plans to take me and hope that I make it there before the exhaustion gets the better of me. The winged mare stands, back to the creek, posture defeated but eyes hopeful as she studies the larger male. His reaction to her and the things she has said, the choices she has made or decided not to make just yet, is nothing but acceptance. It is clear that she is grateful for his willingness to promise help and protection without forcing promises in return. She says nothing more for there is nothing more to say just now. Instead she simply bobs her head and moves back to his side ready to follow where he might choose to lead her. @[SOLACE] ooc: Yes please! Thanks! If you start the next thread (foothills?) I will respond as soon as I am able to. |