Small paws slapped the ground quietly, the dust that she has grown so used to not ever rising from the ground and powdering young Ouija's legs red. Big black eyes blink rapidly against the dry wind, little black lips parted just enough for her signature look to appear once more: a pink tongue rolls between sharp teeth, panting despite the freezing temperatures just outside of the fiery pit. A small rock, coated with the tiniest bit of frost, provides just enough space to hide behind.

'God damn mutt.' we growl in unison, unimpressed with her energy level while you plod along, playing into her constant game. "Oouuuiiiijjjjjaaaaaa." you call, ears swiveling around on either side of your thick, curly forelock. Jagged hooves clap on the hard pact earth, making much more noise than the kit had when she had passed over this same worn trail just moments ago. Months ago, this would have stressed you out to a point of walking sideways and profusely sweating in the dead of winter, but finally you've accepted the adventurous and playful side of your fox child.

As you slink toward the small boulder, Ouija crunches into a pouncing position, her tail sticking straight out behind her to find the balance that she lacks with all four feet pressed together. Just as you reach around the dusty chunk of earth, your sensitive ears prick at the sound of distant music. Frozen in your steps, you keep your left fore picked up, your back right tipped on it's rough edged hoof. Ouija, still hidden, lays her ears back as you freeze, wobbling back and forth while she tries to stay in place.

Bloodied skull lifts from the dusty floor, empty eyes scanning your surroundings with caution, body still immobile and cocked uncomfortably. It only takes a few seconds for the scent to catch up with the sound, and though it is labeled unfamiliar in your mind due to the icy grip of Frostfall, the soft tones in her song and briny coating of salt air mix together perfectly.

Alysanne.

Your lips curl into a hearty smile, stained teeth visible behind maroon lips as you relax your stance in hopes of not looking like an idiot to the painted female. Finally, Ouija flops over onto her right side, causing you to flinch at the soft thunk from behind the rock you stand only feet away from. She clamors to her feet, ears laid back in an irritated fashion before she peeks up at you from around the natural shield. Dark eyes narrow and bore into you, obviously unimpressed with your lack of attention. A false apology toys with your tight lips and you shrug down at the snow creature.

"Come on." you whisper, a hint of pleading laced in your words before you set off to meet the Doctor. Reluctantly, a small sigh exits her dark, wet nose, and the kit finds herself following right behind your heels. The flat terrain makes it easy to find the Paint, as you spot her from quite a distance before pause in your tracks, allowing Ouija to blow past you and try to screech to a halt. 'She's not very impressed with you today boy.' we state, the obviousness of our words only more emphasized with the continued glare that she shoots back your way. You ignore us, watching the beautifully pieced Doctor, hoping that she spots you from a far as you had her.

Text here "Chat here." Voices here

Table by Frostie

Your wish comes true and the mare heads your way; your heart thuds hard in your narrow chest, the same smitten grin still plastered on your messy face. Her gentle voice calls out to you by name, your ears both tipping forward in reaction and tail arching ever so slightly. "Hey, Alysanne." you mumble as she comes cloer. Your cheeks grow hot just before the physical greeting occurs; her hot breath against your rummy nostrils makes your stomach twist into an anxious knot and you nudge back softly, smile still pulled up tightly. The woman of the Edge was looking for you, and - somehow - she found you here in the Heart. "-I need more starlight races with you in my life." A soft, nervous chuckle lightens the air, empty eyes peering up from beneath thick, curly forelock at the earthy ones across from you. "That was fun, wasn't it?" you finally breath, remembering the moonlight bouncing off of the distant waters and gleaming off of her graceful body.

Uncomfortable with this wave of hormones that crashes through your veins, we push ourselves into the back of your head, hiding in the dim light and away from our bloodied windows that we watch your world from. Ouija crawls back toward you, reluctant to stand by your side, but interested in the woman that has so much interest in you. Alysanne directs her attention to the white fox and begins speaking; despite not being able to understand, a black tipped tail begins wagging back and forth slowly, shiny eyes following the emerald ones as they come closer and closer. A soft nicker and Ouija is basically purring with excitement. She reaches out to butt her head into the mare's dark nose and disappears under her body to hide between her legs.

"Yeah, she's, uh.. She's grown a lot." you pause, looking down at the ill-mannered fox. "So has her attitude." Each of you narrow your eyes at each other, Ouija laying her ears back like a pissed off teenager. We grumble about the mutt's attitude to ourselves, pointing chipped finger nails and scaly hands at her from our hideout. Ignoring us, your eyes follow Alysanne's as she looks up at the sky. You spot the circling raptor, left ear twitching back at the idea of your first meeting; a small peck at your face never hurt, but the idea of not being liked by something that flies bothered you. 'If that thing scares you, what about Aurelia?' we cackle, trying to piece together a picture of her white and gold body landing on top of you. The image almost makes you shiver.

"How have you been Voodoo?-" you're still staring after the bird, distracted by your own thoughts before you finally look back down at the green-eyed Doctor. She asked about the Throat, keeping a good conversation going. 'It's a skill, being able to talk to others.' we mock, rolling our eyes at your timid composure. As usual, your mouth drops to a tight line, a nod starting your response. "Very cold compared to what it's usually like." glassy eyes fall to your irritated companion, a grin following shortly. "Ouija seems to really like it." Hearing her name, her ears twitch and her eyes stay cast down from you.

"How's everything been.. back home?" Where she lives has slipped your mind, but you don't plan on letting her know that. As far as your concerned, having her here is a gift in the midst of this frozen hell, and you can't let her slip away too quickly with short, boring conversation. What you actually wanted was to wrap yourself around the woman and hold her in the cold; to be a strong man and protect her. Awkwardly, you clear your throat, shifting your weight around until most of your weight is settled on your left side. "You must be cold?" A shot in the dark, maybe, but a shot fired off.

Text here "Chat here." Voices here

Table by Frostie

"This little sweetie? Surely not!" With that, Ouija's little lips curled up in what you saw as a smile and she looked up at you in a mocking sense, ears tipped back and big eyes narrowed still. A single laugh leaves your jaws in a cloud of steam, your head bobbing with the sound. Now the bird joins us all, landing away from you but focusing his attention on the snow fox you call your companion. Offended in the slightest bit, your right ear swivels backward, brows furrowing while you watch Hemlock size up the excitable Ouija. In fact, her ears cupped forward and her eyes popped open quickly, a thick tail poking straight out. She blinked quietly, unsure what to think of the bird being on the ground and at her level. A whine swirled in her chest.

Your attention is refocused from your happy companion and back onto the Birdsong green of Alysanne's gentle, happy eyes. Another grin curls the corners of your lips, maroon ears tipped forward while you day dream about running on the beach with such an optimistic, beautiful woman. We almost threw a fit when her sentence ended with "sister and son" though, and we could feel your stomach bubble uncomfortably. So she did have someone back home.. why is she here now? The grin stays put in place, but your emotionless eyes fall from her face and back to the earth where you act like you're watching the fox and owl. "I see." you respond quietly, unfocused.

Finally, you ask if the painted Doctor is cold, when she acknowledges your question, you look back up quietly, still searching through the back of your mind for any mention of a child. 'You fucking hypocrite, you have a kid too! Don't you forget!' we growl, stamping our feet in anger as you wonder about this woman's child back home. "Will you come stand by the Heart with me?" "I'd be more than happy to." You nod - still grinning - and drop your head to lip at Ouija before she takes off. The fox sniffs at the owl, her eyes wide with curiosity. She looks up at you before shuffling over to stand between your forelegs and rubs her shoulder against you.

Obediently, you drop your front quarters, folding your legs in an awkward position while she circles and finds a good ladder in your thick mane; a small hop allows her to reach your withers, where she curls up in your hair. Now back up and standing, you nod to your friend, your head still spinning about the possibilities of a family and mate where she had come from. Turning on your heels, you head to the west, eyeing the forest line so far in the distance that surrounds Thistle Meadow. You plod along, hoping that Alysanne will continue about her child and explain what she had done back home. Nosy and interested, you cannot help but feel guilty for having not mentioned Ryuu earlier.

"I have a son too." and finally, there it is, spread out on the table for her to pick and pull at just as you were. Glossy eyes reach back at the emerald-eyed woman, worry now building in your chest that she would find offense in your words. What if she thought you were joking or just being rude? You draw in a deep breath, holding it in your lungs as you walk toward the fiery pit.

Text here "Chat here." Voices here
Tagged: @[Alysanne]

Table by Frostie

What you don't see is the stutter in your painted friend's stride, but what you can see is the smile and energetic eyes. "Really? That's wonderful!" Unsure of what exactly to say, you just let your jaw hang slack for a moment, a small chuckle rolling from your gut. As expected, she rattled off the question that you were almost uneasy to answer; would she think less of you if your own child was not with his mother? Maybe she doesn't need to know. But then she'll think you're with that crazy bitch! we scream, still angry about the thought of the golden-dappled woman. "He uh- his name's Ryuu." you pause for a second, looking back to the dried out earth while you move toward the scorching heat of the Heart.

"He does live at the Throat-" you almost want to stop and dance in place just at the thought that you can say that your son at least lives in the same herd as you, "w-with a woman named Rajiri." Your eyes refuse to find the gentle gaze of your beautiful friend. Instead, you watch as Ouija trots along before the two of you, her tail poking straight up in the air like that of a wobbly kitten's. 'Might as well lay it all out theerrreee.. we push. A heavy sigh - one that is so full of shame - starts your next sentence. "His real mother lives in the Edge. She uh.. she left Ryuu and-" you begin to choke on your words, ears laying back at the uncomfortable feeling of swelling tears. "his sister."

If you could blush you surely would be doing so right now. Tears dance along bottom eyelids in a thin layer, the usual glossed-over look of your eyes now coming to life. Embarrassed, you swing your skull away from Alysanne, eyes pinching closed and trying to get rid of the liquid before it spills down your dark, dusty face. You swallow hard, ears rotating back forward and nostrils fluttering with a deep breath. Bloodied eyes find the roaring fire in the distance, hope rekindling in your chest; the quicker you get there, the quicker this conversation is over.. Or so you think. That's not ever how anything happens.

With the tears restrained just enough to not flow down your edgy face, you look back toward the mare, a shameful smile crawling across maroon lips. "What about your son?" was all you could get out before you felt that your voice may crack under pressure.

"Voodoo." 'Ouija.' 'Voices'
Tagged: @[Alysanne]

Table by Frostie

Her warm breath against your thick hide is brief, but still you take in the warmth that continues to spill from this mare. While you tend to the tears, Alysanne fumbles with an apology that she does not owe. Finally you are able to turn your attention back to the jade-eyed girl, that same smile that is always so full of shame and a deep, buried self-loathing etching its way across rum lips. "No, no need to be sorry." Finally, you have lead up to asking about your winged friend's own son and the lightheartedness that fills the air makes your heart throb; why don't all mothers think of their children this way? 'Yours did' one of us grunts, 'And you left her to diieeee.' another finishes, cackles following our sinister voices.

The story took a quick turn for one that pained you to hear; the smile slipped from that beautiful, bright face, replaced with eyes that seemed distant in thought and a voice not as fluttery as it had been moments ago. “I guess a better mother would have stayed there with him.” The silence that swirled between the two of you could have been nothing more than awkward if it weren't for your recent encounters with that godforsaken woman, Aurelia. Instead of lingering on her words, you dismissed them, only concerned now that your conversation has turned your chat into one that only has brought pain to each of you. Lips parted, ready to apologize on your half, just as you had told Alysanne not to do, when she speaks again.

“Aren't we a cheerful pair? I've been missing you for months and now... well, now I'm sorry. I didn't mean for things to take such a dismal turn.” A chuckle lights the air, ears turning backward but not hiding in wild curls. Your long, thin face shakes back and forth, eyes watching the flames as all four of you finally reach the open pit of flames; you cannot help but think of Africa for a split second before coming back to the present. "Aren't we?" you agree, "I'm not laughing at you." you clarify in a soft voice, hoping the pinto won't take your wandering mind to heart. "I missed you, too. I just.. I can't help but think of how alike we are. And how different."

Shallow eyes turn to Alysanne, ears turning forward again; your heart thuds hard in your chest and you take a step closer to the pegasus, hoping she will stop and allow you to touch her. If so, you reach out hesitantly with a velvet mug, the innocence of an unsure boy evident in your entire expression. Like a scared teenager, you reach to touch a soft, dark cheek and press yourself against the mare softly. All you want is to comfort the woman that has come to see you.. you're friend.. Your beautiful friend.

"Voodoo." 'Ouija.' 'Voices'
Tagged: @[Alysanne]

Table by Frostie

The sigh rolls across your skin in a warm wave and makes your legs tingle; whatever this pegasus was doing to you was happening quickly. While your mind runs away, bouncing and ricocheting off of bones walls, you can't help but wonder if Alysanne is feeling the same thing as you. You have never known love, only lust. So, is there a difference? Africa had shown you love, yes, just as dear Alysanne does now: tender embraces and flushed cheeks and heavy breathing all came in turn, but she had more important matters and you a lack of drive to do anything but sulk in your misfortunes. Does that mean that she wasn't feeling what you were? 'Has to be, you fool. She was important and you weren't, so she swept herself clean of leeches.' Pain prods at your fast beating heart.

Aurelia, the woman who you still barely know, bore your child without even bothering to find you for help before his birth. Jaws clench tight at the memory at the Edge: Ryuu was tiny, maybe a month old, and he was in pain. His eyes -tainted with the same grotesque bloodied mess as yours in one and glimmering with an ancient gold in the other- held a pain that no child should know. And all that his mother would do is offer you a glare and run you out once you disagreed with her. The gut wrenching, miserable pain that haunted you on the way home lingered for weeks, months even. Now your only son lives with another woman.... 'Because she couldn't handle it!?' we snarl, anger bubbling in your skull as we fume over the careless woman. Even your sons sister, Faeanne, is somewhere in this cold world without her biological mother. You can only hope for her safety.

"Differences?" Rummy eyes shut tight, ears swiveling back. "How are we different, Voodoo?" Your lips tighten and brows furrow while you search for an explanation that the woman deserves. "It's uhm. Kind of hard to explain, Aly." You allow your snout to slide down the mare's neck, the gentle touch enough to make your nostrils twitch against tickling hairs. Finally -with your skull resting just above the joint of her wing- you stop yourself and take a careful step forward, your chest nearly touching the top of hers.

"I'm different from-" you pause, the words hanging on your bottom lip like a water droplet from a waxy leaf. "Everyone, really." Little do you know that there are many bodies affected by this dark plague, their thought belonging to creatures that taunt them from the recesses of their minds. The emotions coursing through your body have us confused and irritated, making us sink our jagged, hot claws into the mushy base of your skull. 'She's right, you two are fucking miserable to listen to!'

"But it doesn't matter." Both falsely bloodied ears turn forward, the red mask turning up into a smile as you accept her weight against your own. "Why'd you come find me, Aly?" Your voice is soft, despite the raspy crackle in your throat. Genuine curiosity crawls through your conscience, and you can no longer tell if the warmth in your chest is from this bright mare or the nearby inferno.

"Voodoo." 'Ouija.' 'Voices'
Sorry for the wait for a terrible responce, @[Alysanne]

Table by Frostie

We mumble in the back of your mind, our words incoherent as they vibrate and mash together from the walls of your skull. We're not comfortable with the situation and want to squirm at the thought of your inconsiderate, selfish emotions that course through your body until they hit us with a hard force. One of us picks at jagged nails uneasily, another chewing on their fingers and ripping thick hangnails off of the soggy flesh. The red tinted windows that we stare are are settled along the mare's spine, unfocused as your stare ahead at nothing; your eyes wander while your brain focuses on what could be. We scoff at your feelings, saliva stretching between rotting teeth and white gums as we stretch our jaws.

But while we stay sidetracked and angry in your head, you breath a sigh of relief into Alysanne's shoulder. She doesn't question your vague statement, and to your relief, she doesn't pull away from your embrace either. Red rimmed ears set back, ready to listen to the winged woman as you ask again why she had come. Even as dull and unenthusiastic as you may be, you can feel your heart thrumming in your chest still. “Because I like spending time with you, my dear Voodoo.” You smile against the downy feathers along her shoulder. “I’ve grown rather fond of you, and, well, like I said before: I missed you.” The last words were barely but a whisper, but you catch each of them with little effort.

Fire crackles in the endless abyss of magma, the heat eagerly having warmed your body within the first minute of arriving, but now you cannot decide what is warmer: the fire, or the fluttering in your stomach. "I m- li- Ahh-" Stuttering, stumbling over your own words, unsure of what to say; we laugh hysterically in your skull, dark tears spilling from black eyes while we wobble around on our backs and pot bellies. You clear your throat, ears tipping back against wild, untameable hair. "I.. feel the same way."

"Voodoo." 'Ouija.' 'Voices'
Here it is for real this time! *Cries* It's nothing, but it's up. If you want to start a new one soon or just cut this off completely I wouldn't be offended, xD
@[Alysanne]

Table by Frostie