The loss of a life can be quite painful, the sensation of an unfathomable chasm forming inside your soul, heart, mind, your entire being. It shakes even the most steadfast, the dauntless and the brave upon their first encounter with death’s angel. The lives of those they held close gone in a forever dance of wind and leaves. But what of those who lose another not through the inescapable claws of death, but in that they are abandoned? My loved ones have always left and only one by death where it is no choice of their own to leave. All others chose to depart down a path where there can be no conclusion, no reprieve from the heartache of their absence save time.

Azure eyes turn away from the stark glimmers of a winter ocean, blinking slowly to clear invisible sand. Too often in my short life I have been alone without sufficient time and space to express my grief and heal. In all outward appearance, to prying eyes and ears, I am the embodiment of serenity; elegance. Three rules govern all I do and say. Change does not come easy. Who am I lying to? The rules are all I have. Though with the reappearance of my brother, the soul I have been chasing for more months than I care to admit, perhaps my gain will at last best my loss. My gaze leaves the frosted sands following an unseen trail back to the gray-blue water; hope glimmering ever so slightly in the corners.

Features wrapped in a mask of forever neutrality I further tally, erase and re-tally the two columns in my mind. My focus breaks for a moment as past thoughts shift back to the present and I think on an offer made not four days ago; a home. The silvered unicorn, Ciceron, offered both my brother and I a place to call home, Hidden Falls. I admit for a fleeting moment I nearly jumped and screamed, “YES” and then I remembered what a home would mean. I have never been in a herd or had much in the way of family. The prospect of answering to another is disconcerting after being my own master and keeper for the majority of my life…but what truly frightens me is another strike in the category of loss. A visible shudder passes over an otherwise still frame as the wind blows past, bellowing a feeling to echo my own. Quickly all is smothered but I know I cannot leave either Ciceron or Rift without an answer for long.
 
I turn to begin the trek back to the forest that will lead me to where I last spied Rift, absentmindedly spraying bouts of sand in effort to cheer myself. The sun reflecting off a surface other than the sand and shallow water draws cerulean eyes to the form of a young male and I silently debate. Perhaps, I should… Before I can finish my own thought charcoal legs move to stand closer to this stranger. Never one for unnecessary speeches, I part my lips and softly speak, “Hello.” I place myself to where I can see his face, oceanic eyes peering into sun-kissed ones.



"speech"

OOC:  Vu is just standing around being weird. xD

Cerulean eyes watch him with far less caution than any other may receive. He is young but remains what I can only assume to be pensively quiet. His features do not give much away for my inspection but his eyes, like most I have encountered here, seem distracted. I, however, am no expert on body language and quickly my thoughts press onward...or rather inward. Would anyone be disappointed to know that I have met many in my travels but remain friend to none? Perhaps Rift but the mere mention of my brother sends me into a mental recoil; uneager to dwell on the subject that brought me to these flats.

The exhalation of the unknown colt draws my attention blissfully back to the present and my mask drops a fraction as blackened lips curl slightly upward in gratitude for something he cannot understand. Surprisingly I hardly notice the slip in my façade but it becomes apparent as he shifts closer with his muzzle extended. It is only a return greeting, you have done this before. The rules, no laws, drilled into my youth force me to remain unmasked and I hesitantly reach out and softly touch his dappled nose.

Almost immediately after what is a grand achievement on my part (how different I am now versus when I was his age), he moves off, his uneven gait drawing my gaze as he walks. Indifference reigns on my face once more as I suspect pity will gain no ground with the silent boy. Perhaps empathy? I am unfortunately familiar with the unfairness life seeks to destroy and maim with; an ugly weapon indeed. The call of a bird nearby lightens my features morphing the mask into happiness as cerulean eyes dart around before resting on the soaring creature not far from shore. Charcoal hooves carry me forward to stand at his right should he allow it, all the while wondering if perhaps his silence is his way of politely stating he would rather be alone.


"speech"

OOC: Sure thing, is this one better? <3

Watching the sea, counting the waves, am I still the same?

His soft call pleases these ears more than I thought possible, the idea of his silent rejection playing a song of chaos in my mind until the sound reached me. Despite my ever present loneliness I have only been rejected a handful times during my youth (though by my family)and I do not think I would care to experience it again. Cerulean eyes wander toward the sea as blackened legs move into the swirling mass of water, content to remain in silence for a moment or two longer.

Building castles out of the sand to be washed away

I push against the soft waves until coming even with him, the quiet atmosphere nearly as soothing as the gentle caress of the water against skin. Glancing to the right I look the colt over briefly, an unknown instinct taking over to ensure his safety before resuming my stare into the nothingness at the horizon. Where did that come from? I have never experienced a surge of maternal instinct before and having only reached adulthood this past Orangemoon I admit I am taken aback. I have heard of others who are almost immediately drawn into the notion of motherhood while I continuously pushed the thought back…my constant travels taking the entirety of my conscious thought.

Singing our song, whispers to the wind, will you hear me dear?

Inked head shakes and clear eyes remain locked onto the distant form of another gull. Quietly, I break the comfortable silence, “I cannot decide if I find it peaceful here, can you?” I offer him a slight upturn of lips, my expression more open than usual but guarded. Azure eyes seek his sunray’s gaze as my mind begins to wonder if his reticent nature is through no fault of his own, a birth defect, or perhaps something more? Regardless, for as long as he wishes my company I will give it; having no desire to face my own demons the decision is remarkably easy. The previously tilting of my lips deepens as I wait to see what the rest of today will bring.

Wish you give a look, a moment on this shore, while footprints are still here



"speech"

OOC: I'm sorry it took me so long x.x Also, I'm sorry it kind of fizzled out at the end. <3