Pond
The past year has not been a terribly kind one to Pond. In fact it had upheld a running pattern in her life of shadowing every bright occasion with something far less favorable. From the very beginning, her existence had been haunted by disruption and sadness, though there have been spans of happiness and occasionally elation. However, she is currently meandering in the gloom of the former, of melancholy and disappointment, for the newest and perhaps most major turn of events to have befallen her.
From a happy childhood to a misadventure that had separated her from her family (but ultimately saved her life); a sad return to the waking world to the hope of finding a new home; befriending a mystifying stallion only to have him (unbeknownst to her) end the life of a brief friend of hers; Pond has by no means led a very ‘normal’ life.
She has, however, tried to make the best of it despite the darker events that seek to dampen her otherwise lighthearted nature. Still, in spite of her efforts, her heart has grown heavy with guilt lately. Her mind echoes far too frequently with “what if”s and “if only”s when she dwells too fervently on the subject of her most recent distress: her encounter with Rajanish and the resultant colt that was now hers to raise. Or at least, he had been, up until quite recently. Because of the magic Oaks had inherited from his sire, Pond could hardly stand to be around her only son. The plague had left her weakened and, admittedly, the pregnancy paired with a bitter winter, had not boded well for her health. Until she regained her strength, she had resigned herself to spend as little time with her first and only child.
Today, however, is one of her lighter days. She feels somewhat stronger after having been granted a peaceful night of sleep devoid of coughing fits and dizziness. The trees have begun to regain their color with the onset of spring and the air of the common lands is rich with the scent of various blooming flowers and the unmistakable smell of fresh green life. All of it has lifted the veil from her heart and she finds it easier to venture out of her seclusion.
The River holds some importance to her, for, as well as being a calm and quiet place to socialize, it is the first place she had awoken after the Reckoning had wiped her world away from existence. Here, she had learned from Belgaer that the Deserts were no more, that the entirety of Beqanna had been remade; it was here that her life had changed once again. But it is still a peaceful place with quiet little nooks and gentle bends in the water’s path.
She has found one of these small inlets where the current is slow and almost still, a little cove where the flora can grow unhindered. Shoots of young, new reeds and grasses peek through the loamy earth and some even bear budding flowers. Delicate bluebells, lilies of the valley, little bunches of young indigo lupine - the marshy banks of Pond’s retreat are colorful against the gray-silver-brown background of the forest surrounding them.
With a contented sigh, Pond steps carefully forward and wades knee-deep into the calm waters before her. The surface of this inlet is already host to a few spreading water hyacinths and yellow poppies, painting the area with even more color. The small mare lowers her muzzle to nudge at a few with featherlight touches, delighting in the almost velvet feel of the petals tickling her lips.
Here, in a flowery little haven that takes her away from the other troubles weighing on her mind, she finds herself at ease. She doesn’t even notice the sounds of someone else approaching, too enraptured by the tranquility of this place.
From a happy childhood to a misadventure that had separated her from her family (but ultimately saved her life); a sad return to the waking world to the hope of finding a new home; befriending a mystifying stallion only to have him (unbeknownst to her) end the life of a brief friend of hers; Pond has by no means led a very ‘normal’ life.
She has, however, tried to make the best of it despite the darker events that seek to dampen her otherwise lighthearted nature. Still, in spite of her efforts, her heart has grown heavy with guilt lately. Her mind echoes far too frequently with “what if”s and “if only”s when she dwells too fervently on the subject of her most recent distress: her encounter with Rajanish and the resultant colt that was now hers to raise. Or at least, he had been, up until quite recently. Because of the magic Oaks had inherited from his sire, Pond could hardly stand to be around her only son. The plague had left her weakened and, admittedly, the pregnancy paired with a bitter winter, had not boded well for her health. Until she regained her strength, she had resigned herself to spend as little time with her first and only child.
Today, however, is one of her lighter days. She feels somewhat stronger after having been granted a peaceful night of sleep devoid of coughing fits and dizziness. The trees have begun to regain their color with the onset of spring and the air of the common lands is rich with the scent of various blooming flowers and the unmistakable smell of fresh green life. All of it has lifted the veil from her heart and she finds it easier to venture out of her seclusion.
The River holds some importance to her, for, as well as being a calm and quiet place to socialize, it is the first place she had awoken after the Reckoning had wiped her world away from existence. Here, she had learned from Belgaer that the Deserts were no more, that the entirety of Beqanna had been remade; it was here that her life had changed once again. But it is still a peaceful place with quiet little nooks and gentle bends in the water’s path.
She has found one of these small inlets where the current is slow and almost still, a little cove where the flora can grow unhindered. Shoots of young, new reeds and grasses peek through the loamy earth and some even bear budding flowers. Delicate bluebells, lilies of the valley, little bunches of young indigo lupine - the marshy banks of Pond’s retreat are colorful against the gray-silver-brown background of the forest surrounding them.
With a contented sigh, Pond steps carefully forward and wades knee-deep into the calm waters before her. The surface of this inlet is already host to a few spreading water hyacinths and yellow poppies, painting the area with even more color. The small mare lowers her muzzle to nudge at a few with featherlight touches, delighting in the almost velvet feel of the petals tickling her lips.
Here, in a flowery little haven that takes her away from the other troubles weighing on her mind, she finds herself at ease. She doesn’t even notice the sounds of someone else approaching, too enraptured by the tranquility of this place.
@[lilliana] sorry, it’s kinda bland.. Tried to give you something to work with though, hopefully :]