"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
02-09-2017, 12:36 AM (This post was last modified: 02-14-2017, 06:12 PM by Karaugh.)
They had been strangers meeting in the Field not long ago. She had invited him to see the lands she called home. Sure Sylva wasnt the grandest of places. It did not border the seas nor house any spectacular land marks but it was dark... She liked dark. He had came though. Meeting her at the Eastern most edge wanting a tour so she obliged. There were a few breaks in the canopy, the meadow near the center being the largest. There you could graze or be bathed by the sun's rays, if that was your thing. She enjoyed it a night the most. Staring into the black abyss overhead. Lights scattered about were enslaved to its darkness. From there you could also see the western ridgeline separating the peaceful lands of Sylva and the Krampus run wastelands of Pangea. Oddly enough she made her den there... Her home. Where her son was surely awaiting her return...
As she weaved them thru the twisting trees and heavy brush she eyed him curiously. There was just something about him that was... different. She liked different. A smirk curled her lips as the path narrowed and he fell back to her hip. Ebony whips sashayed with the slight rocking motion of them. She chuckled softly as she called to him "How you liking the view so far?" She half anticipated a nip to her flank at the comment but she continued on. They came to the center of Sylva as she pointed out the meadow. Not stopping for more than a glance to the ridgeline in the distance. Darkness had engulfed the kingdom except for the moon light shining off the mountains. Almost a magical glisten to them. She knew her path was just ahead and the scent of the boys having passed just recently confirmed they were headed in the right direction.
It wasn't long before the mountains towered over the duo. The gaping hole carved within the rocks would soon be in view. Her company awaited her she was sure. Confirmed by the sudden caw of the Raven. Lips curled to a sheepish smile. This should be fun...
He'd watched the skies gradually turn burnt umber, then coral and red as the sun slowly descended. Little Klaudius was a bright boy, intelligent and quizzical but not in that pushy way that most children were. He was calm about it, respectfully curious with spontaneous outbursts of joy that could surprise you into laughing right along with him. Clever too, and so very determined as he'd labored the strength in his young wings even if he was only running; so eager to dance with the stars one day.
He found that he didn't mind the colt, almost enjoyed his company, even. He was an attractive color, too, that odd purple that now matched the darkening skies as they made their way to his home. At first he'd found that coloring obnoxiously strange, but perhaps it was a charming shade of royal purple that well suited the growing personality in the boy.
When they'd finally reached the hollowed cave the colt and his mother resided in, he'd settled comfortably on the earth as though he'd been there a million times already with Klaudius or Karaugh. It was easy to be at ease here. Dark eyes sought out the little rascal, curious to see how he interacted with his dark surroundings of home. Do you enjoy the caves? he asked him, genuinely intrigued at the workings of his young mind.
It was not long after they'd arrived when he could smell her, his head pivoting around to the entrance with an instant gleam in his eyes. He rose to his feet before he knew it, pausing at the doorway to look out into the falling darkness of night. She was not alone, and he almost wanted to growl at that. But of course she would not be alone, she had been to the field for just that reason: to bring more home to their Sylva. And so he buried easily that rumbling urge and a warm smile spread across his lips.
She is here, Klaudius, he called gently over his shoulder, motioning for the boy to join him at his side. He liked that purple against his black, surreal and beautiful. She brings a guest for you to meet. Would you like to? He was slowly becoming aware that most of his questioning always centered on what the boy wanted or liked or enjoyed. What made him happy and content. But for now he brushed it off as they turned to watch the approaching couple.
Welcome to Sylva, he greeted her company, I am Stillwater. A slow smile pulled his dark lips, a glint of neutral interest in his shadow-blue eyes.
come down to the black sea swimming with me go down with me, fall with me, lets make it worth it
Darkness engulfed everything in its path now. The fall air revealing puffs of breath released from his lungs. His focus remaining on the Raven who led their way back to the cave. Gliding from branch to branch with ease. Content smile spread across his maw as his hooves danced upon the beaten path. His caretaker following...
As the dark opening came to view an excited whinny broke out. Pace quickened drawing his small frame into the mouth of the cave. Eyes did not see her nor nares did smell her here. Where could she be? He watched as the stallion settled upon the caves floor. Stepping towards the dried bedding where they would sleep his muzzle lowered. Gently pawing it into a thick bed... Perfect. Hazel gaze drifted about the cave, falling upon the stallion as he spoke. He needed not think of an answer for long "Of course. It's home. Do you like it?"
Maybe the stallion preferred the soft grasses to rest in versus the dark dampness of a cave. He didn't know much about his caretaker other than his mother trusted him. He also hadn't been given a reason not too. As he was about to fold his legs under him Stillwater rose. His announcement made the colt dart to the entrance. At his side he peered at not just his mother nearing but another copper toned equine at her side. This surely was the reason she had left him in Sylva. And surely she must have had good reasons. Hazel gaze danced from his mother to the other beside her. As Stillwater greeted him kindly he copied, "Hi! I'm Klaudius."
Closing the distance between him and his mother he greeted her with a gentle nuzzle to her breast. He had grown quite a bit since she had left. He didn't fit as easily under her neck as he had before. His wings tucked tightly to his frame brushed against her. The tips of the feathers having a lighter purple tint then before. Shining almost a silver in the moonlight...
Rhonen follows her, taking note of many interesting places in Sylva, and pretending he isn’t straining his ears for the sound of falling water. The trees are nice, the muted light filtering down to the ground is pleasant, but it isn’t home. Not yet. The giant rocks are certainly interesting, if not a little creepy. They’d had a brief interlude with a pair of young, overly happy creatures upon his arrival but now they are alone again, and he appreciates the view of trailing behind Karaugh, with her teasing voice floating back to him.
He does consider the nip she is expecting, but he doesn’t want to be too predictable, and so he holds himself back, watching her to mark his path. It’s dark, after all, and it would be bad for him image to trip and fall down tonight. “The view is nice,” he rumbles agreeably, not really knowing what he is walking into. She’d said ‘her cave’, but Rhonen doesn’t know what to make of that; he’s never really been a dark, dank places sort of man. Which seems like what caves usually are.
The chestnut youth is focused mostly on Karaugh, and so he doesn’t realize that they are not alone at their destination, and he stiffens at the voices, hating that they take him by surprise. He’s had too many unpleasant surprises, for such a young adult. Sliding his eyes to Karaugh, dark and cautious, he waits a few steps back from them as he looks. A dark stallion, who welcomes him to Sylva. Dark all over, at least in the moonlight, except for strangely light eyes and a chain around one foot (that, he finds the most interesting; is his chain something like Rhonen’s seal?).
And…a child. Even in this dim light, glowing purple from the tips of his ears to the tips of his feathered wings. The boy introduces himself and then presses up against Karaugh, and Rhonen forces himself to reevaluate. So far, he’d assumed that she was an open book, and relatively shallow, and not a little bit mean. A fitting match for the anger inside of him, at least for now. But the way she interacts with the boy says she is something more. “Ah…I’m Rhonen.” he introduces himself, trying to soften the sharpest edges of his voice for Klaudius’ benefit, and probably failing.
His resistance amused her to say the least. The way they try to fight it off like it doesn't burn every nerve inside them. She could play this game very well but she always win. Always got to them. Got what she wanted one way or another. So she played along...
As they neared she could taste him upon the air. The dampness of his sweet and salty coat. Demonic grin still painted on her lips as she knows he'll be both satisfied and bitter she is not alone. Maybe he thought she would bring home more toys for him. HA! More victims... But she chose wisely. One who would uninterest him in multiple ways but who very much interested her. He steps forward and she sees through his greeting. Hears the hint of distaste he buried deep in his chest. She wasn't his and him not hers...
Attention left Stillwater as another greeting came forth. A vibrant greeting, most pure with intent on meaning just what was said. The inky purple colt she called her own stepped forward brushing against her now. He was bigger, stronger, more defined then when she had left. The deep purple beginning to fade to the shade of his father Kirin. As he passed beneath her nape she tucked her son against her breast, embracing him for a moment. Dark orbs raised to Stillwater's gaze, a thank you of sorts, no words being exchanged for keeping him safe...
Gaze shifts to the copper stallion still beside her. An introduction of formal sorts is given, "Stillwater rules these lands under Djinni. Sworn to protect the land and it's residents. He was watching Klaudius while I was away." Spoken as though she needed to give an explanation as to why another stallion was in her cave. She would go farther into details if he wished when they were alone...
