06-28-2017, 02:28 AM
Even with Aten calling out to his friend, it was Ruan's words that seemed to break down the mare's defenses. With all the quickness of being struck by an icy ocean wave, the mare's flames died down. Jinju looked panicked now, though Aten couldn't tell really since her gaze was on the ground and not on either stallion. For a moment, all was quiet until Jinju looked around, and Aten knew at once what she was thinking.
No doubt she was coming to terms with what had happened during her rage-induced episode. It hurt to know that more than likely Jinju blamed herself for this; he didn't want her to feel that way. But what could he say right now? She was obviously the only one with the power to control the living force of nature that destroyed as easily as it was created. Ruan had exerted himself trying to put the flames out, and Aten was without any gifts of his own and -
Yeah he was going to be able to come up with any good excuses for this. And that hurt even more, because Jinju didn't need this guilt. Not with whatever else was hanging over her head.
When Ruan called to his daughter again, Jinju's eyes went up to meet his. Aten found himself slightly unnerved by the clash of fire ruby red and icy blue, a feeling that was quickly shattered when the black mare's eyes met the warm brown of the champagne stallion. He heard her say his name before her gaze moved away again, a sob escaping her.
Aten wanted to comfort his friend and tell her it was all right, but he wasn't coming up with any brilliant solutions. Anything that could've come out of his mouth would've made her sound like mother-of-the-year for stopping the flames to save her foal, but not good in the eyes of those who would blame her for the forest's destruction. Aten tried to come up with something to ease the guilt on his friend's shoulders, but before something brilliant came to mind, the mare was launching herself at her father, eager for his comfort.
And apparently Aten's, if Jinju's eyes were telling him correctly. At first, he hesitated, not sure if he should intrude. But his instinct gave way to the need to comfort his friend. He took a step forward, but when his hoof came down on the ground again he knew something was wrong.
It wasn't a flaring pain just yet, but enough to let the stallion know it was there. It didn't feel like the kind of wound one would get from fighting a predator or rival horse, or trying to out swim a current in the raging rivers criss-crossing Beqanna's land. No, it was a different type... smooth, clean, almost as if the skin had been glazed over and the hair trimmed off-
Aten nearly froze from shock. It couldn't be, but he knew. It must've been from earlier, before Ruan came to the scene and helped the stallion by covering him with the icy coat. That also explained why he didn't feel anything earlier; the icy coat must've been numbing his pain. He really didn't want Jinju to know about this, so, to try and hide the fact, Aten forced himself to join his friend and her father. Each step made Aten feel as if a hundred angry bees with stingers set on fire were poking at his pasterns, and he had to struggle to control the grimace from appearing. He put on a facade and forced a concerned look, eager to just get over to his friend's side so he could stop walking and ease the pressure.
When Aten was near, Jinju was still sobbing into her father's coat. Aten just stood nearby, showing his friend he would be there for her, but not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Jinju then choked out why she'd had this episode, something that left Aten puzzled.
As with any other kingdom member who knew of the long list of Ruan's adopted foals, Aten had heard of the buckskin mare. He hadn't heard the most recent gossip about her as of late, but had noticed the lack of her presence around the Taiga the past few days. Sure, he understood how one might feel if someone important to a family left, but he doubted his mother or siblings would've acted this way. Or to this extent, at least.
Perhaps Jinju and Head had some sort of understanding that Aten couldn't comprehend? Not wanting to say anything stupid, Aten glanced up at Ruan, hoping the stallion could take over and save the golden one from any repercussions.
No doubt she was coming to terms with what had happened during her rage-induced episode. It hurt to know that more than likely Jinju blamed herself for this; he didn't want her to feel that way. But what could he say right now? She was obviously the only one with the power to control the living force of nature that destroyed as easily as it was created. Ruan had exerted himself trying to put the flames out, and Aten was without any gifts of his own and -
Yeah he was going to be able to come up with any good excuses for this. And that hurt even more, because Jinju didn't need this guilt. Not with whatever else was hanging over her head.
When Ruan called to his daughter again, Jinju's eyes went up to meet his. Aten found himself slightly unnerved by the clash of fire ruby red and icy blue, a feeling that was quickly shattered when the black mare's eyes met the warm brown of the champagne stallion. He heard her say his name before her gaze moved away again, a sob escaping her.
Aten wanted to comfort his friend and tell her it was all right, but he wasn't coming up with any brilliant solutions. Anything that could've come out of his mouth would've made her sound like mother-of-the-year for stopping the flames to save her foal, but not good in the eyes of those who would blame her for the forest's destruction. Aten tried to come up with something to ease the guilt on his friend's shoulders, but before something brilliant came to mind, the mare was launching herself at her father, eager for his comfort.
And apparently Aten's, if Jinju's eyes were telling him correctly. At first, he hesitated, not sure if he should intrude. But his instinct gave way to the need to comfort his friend. He took a step forward, but when his hoof came down on the ground again he knew something was wrong.
It wasn't a flaring pain just yet, but enough to let the stallion know it was there. It didn't feel like the kind of wound one would get from fighting a predator or rival horse, or trying to out swim a current in the raging rivers criss-crossing Beqanna's land. No, it was a different type... smooth, clean, almost as if the skin had been glazed over and the hair trimmed off-
Aten nearly froze from shock. It couldn't be, but he knew. It must've been from earlier, before Ruan came to the scene and helped the stallion by covering him with the icy coat. That also explained why he didn't feel anything earlier; the icy coat must've been numbing his pain. He really didn't want Jinju to know about this, so, to try and hide the fact, Aten forced himself to join his friend and her father. Each step made Aten feel as if a hundred angry bees with stingers set on fire were poking at his pasterns, and he had to struggle to control the grimace from appearing. He put on a facade and forced a concerned look, eager to just get over to his friend's side so he could stop walking and ease the pressure.
When Aten was near, Jinju was still sobbing into her father's coat. Aten just stood nearby, showing his friend he would be there for her, but not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Jinju then choked out why she'd had this episode, something that left Aten puzzled.
As with any other kingdom member who knew of the long list of Ruan's adopted foals, Aten had heard of the buckskin mare. He hadn't heard the most recent gossip about her as of late, but had noticed the lack of her presence around the Taiga the past few days. Sure, he understood how one might feel if someone important to a family left, but he doubted his mother or siblings would've acted this way. Or to this extent, at least.
Perhaps Jinju and Head had some sort of understanding that Aten couldn't comprehend? Not wanting to say anything stupid, Aten glanced up at Ruan, hoping the stallion could take over and save the golden one from any repercussions.