Picking up the Pieces of my Shattered Life {Serry}

[Essence]

Arun

A single, lone figure slowly plodded his way forward, weaving around the soaring large trees, his form breaking the still, flaxen grasses and gently spreading them apart, as if allowing him entrance to this unknown land. The tall, swaying plants rustled quietly to themselves, whispering a language all their own. A skull emerged first, following by the chest and forelegs. The rest of his figure followed, and the grasses gracefully swished back into their original position as the stallion moved on, unhurried.

The chilly autumn breeze twirled around him, fallen dead leaves from the trees danced and looped in midair. His surroundings were, to be sure, quite lovely. Though it was obvious this place was lush and green during the summer, fall had cause the foliage to turn into the most vivid and vibrant colors he’d ever seen. Shining gold, deep crimson red, warm brown… all evident, no, prominent, making the area appear like a jewel box. The sky above was clear blue, with not a cloud in the sky. It seemed to be somewhere in the afternoon, though he could only see chinks of the heavens through the few slight openings the tree branches created. But, well, to be completely honest, he hadn’t much a thought for the weather or this place, marvelous as it was. He hadn’t much a thought for anything, anymore.

Deciding within himself to pause and rest for a moment, he slowly came to a halt at the bed of a small river, bubbling and gurgling delightedly, seeming to have delight in its own self. As the stallion lowered his sculpted head and sipped the cool, refreshing liquid, the leaves continued to descend, landing ever so lightly upon the surface of the water, creating small ripples that smoothly extended outwards, blurring and waving the equine’s reflection.

Arun gradually raised his head, though his gaze continued to stare upon his own image reflected back at him, scattered leaves framing it.

One year… he thought to himself, as if he was conversing with his reflection.
All that time. . . and what have you done but mourn the past and wandered aimlessly? What have you accomplished? Why haven't you returned?

He felt the same argument, the same automatic response, the same knee-jerk comeback rising up again, but for the moment he didn’t have the heart to answer, even if it was only to himself.

Snorting in impatience and irritation at himself, he jerked his skull upwards, gazing instead into the distance, orbs not really focusing on anything in particular, for the moment.

[x.Serenade]

Estrella Azul and Ruby Blue

NO! A shrill, furious scream rent the air, followed swiftly by the light pounding of small dagger against the ground. A blue hued filly crashed swiftly across the landscape, trying to escape the overbearing love of her mother. Not far behind her came another blue figure, almost identical to the small creature she was chasing.

Estrella Azul sometimes wondered why she had had a foal. Ruby Blue was no end of trouble, especially since the fire and Falcon's mysterious appearance, followed by his swift disappearance. Estrella was upset too, losing him again, but she was hiding it, being strong for Ruby. But sometimes she wondered why she did, especially when Ruby was being particularly annoying. Estrella slowed her pace, knowing Ruby was going to run out of energy soon, as happened every time she had a tantrum. Ruby was nearly a year old, but acted as though she were a small weanling, sometimes out of fun, other times just to piss off her mother.

The filly indeed soon slowed to a halt, laying herself in the soothing grass, panting with exertion, a light steam coming off her pelt in the cool air. Estrella strolled up to where her daughter was laying on the ground and merely stood over her, looking down at her, not speaking, just looking at her. Eventually Ruby would speak, then Estrella could go into her usual lecture or rage. Well, more like a lecture than anything else. She didn't like to yell at Ruby, and she wasn't exactly angry, just frustrated.

Waiting for the filly to catch her breath, Estrella kept a lookout, always wary after her several bad experiences with dark stallions. It was a rare thing to find them here, but not unheard of. As she watched, something caught her eye. A slight distance off there was a gold hued stag, just wandering. Instantly, Estrella went on the defense, moving to stand over Ruby, auds flattening, and watched, unsure of his alliance and if he had even seen them, though after Ruby's boisterous tantrum, she had no doubt that he had. Ruby lifted her head, curious as to what had set her mother off. She, too, caught sight of the stag, and became worried, catching the cautious vibes from Estrella. About to speak, she was shushed by her mother, and instead settled, a little afraid, and for once not questioning being ordered around. The pair were cautious, and were taking no chances.

[Essence]

The stallion's auds flicked in surprise as a small cry tore through the quiet air, and his head jerked towards the sound. Through the brush scrambled a small filly, looking barely a year old, if even that. She was a pretty little thing, indeed, blue-hued and lively, it seemed like. The little mare-to-be scurried forward, appearing upset about something, and Arun wondered if the little one had been in trouble, or simply arguing with a fellow filly friend. A mare appeared from the foliage not moments after, following the child at a steady pace, though Arun kept his eyes upon the filly.

Soon, however, the filly's energy gave out, and she collapsed in a cute little heap upon the earth, panting in apparent exhaustion. The mare moved to stand over her, looking down upon the child, and Arun fixed his gaze for the first time completely upon her.

The beautiful mare could only be the filly's mother, Arun decided without a moment's hesitation. The mare's coat was identical to her little fae's, that same unique, gorgeous blue color. Yes, the child should be proud to look at her mother, for therein lay a promise that the filly would grow up to look just like her, elegant and graceful and beautiful. Not only that, but even though he was some distance away Arun could see the motherly love and frustration the mare felt towards her child.

He, too, had seen that look, that motherly love, and had heard the gentle scolding before; from his first love's eyes and lips, towards their only child, a filly. Arun's throat tightened before he could stop it. Were his thoughts always meant to head back upon his two lost loves? His mate, the mare who had once held the key to his heart and his love, and his child, his beloved, adorable daughter, not a year old whenever the cruel world had snatched them both away from him.

Looking upon the pair now, Arun hoped that the pair would be safe from harm, no matter what the cost. In fact, he thought to himself, the lovely mare probably had a mate, a stag who watched over and protected them. He couldn't fathom why she wouldn't, attractive as she was.
It infuriated him to even ponder the brutes, somewhere out there, who were cruel, hurtful, and abusive to their mares, and even their children, who delighted in bloodshed and pain and suffering.

As he meditated on such thoughts, he suddenly realized that the mare's gaze had landed upon him. Her body language instantly became more cautious and taunt as she stood firmly in front of her child, obviously fiercely protective. Well, Arun couldn't blame her for being careful. Pretty as they both were, if a dark found them it had the potential to be a recipe for disaster.
Again, Arun fervently hoped that the mare's stallion was capable for protecting the pair.
He couldn't understand why he felt such a pull for the mare and filly, but he wanted to reassure them, if anything, that they were safe here. Keeping his eyes looking straight into the mare's, he opened his mouth.

"You have nothing to fear from me, my dears. I intend no harm to either of you, for I am no dark brute," he called out to them kindly, not moving from where he was standing, his voice sounding slightly hoarse from lack of use. He didn't want to frighten them by moving closer, lest they assume he was a dark wanting a midday snack. Still though, clever and manipulative as the darks were, he racked his brains, trying to come up with a way to make it clear he had no intention of harming them.

[x.Serenade]

The stag's raspy voice came to her across the way, assuring them of their safety. Much as Estrella wanted to believe him and perhaps truly feel safe for once, there was too much danger in taking him for his words. The voice seemed pleasant, a little rough, much like one who had kept his silence for a long time. He was certainly handsome, but some dark stags could be handsome. There was just too much danger.

Estrella let out a snort, and felt Ruby nudge her in anxiety. The fae softened for a moment, and reached down to nuzzle the blue filly, assuring her that they were safe for the moment. Fear shot through Estrella, fear for her daughter, followed swiftly by a surge of fierce protectiveness. She would fight to the death to keep Ruby safe from any harm. Any young one demanded that kind of protection, as she had once protected another young one, before Falcon rescued her and stole her heart. She couldn't even remember the foal, only that she was protecting it from Black Badge, who then stole her.

Ruby rose a bit beneath her mother, intrigued by the gold hued stag. His color matched some of the falling leaves, and she wondered why her mother wasn't speaking with him yet. He sounded kind at least. Poor little filly was naive in the ways of the world, in the dangers it presented. She wanted to meet him, to learn his name, to see if they would be able to find a home, since her father seemed to be missing again, even after his brief and horrifying appearance. She couldn't keep the image of her father screaming in agony at the sight of them, couldn't understand why he hadn't run to greet them and why he didn't love her enough to stay. Blue toned babe leaned against her mother, tears coursing down her cheeks, seeking comfort.

Estrella still had one eye on the stag, watching his every move, while still paying attention to her daughter, who was leaning against her. Pity swelled through her. Ruby Blue needed a father figure, one to love her and make her feel safe. Estrella just didn't know what to do. Her heart still yearned for Falcon, and was willing to wait a bit longer for him, but she didn't know if Ruby could wait that long before she was damaged. They had already gone too long. It was time to take some sort of chance, she supposed. Turning from Ruby, Estrella called to the gold hued stag, seeking to assess him. State thy name, stranger. Come closer if you wish, but do not come too near to my daughter. Hopefully this wouldn't end badly. While she may be willing to fight to the death for Ruby Blue, she didn't want to die and leave her child alone in the world. Estrella waited apprehensively, wondering what he would do, and what was going to happen now that she had taken the leap.

[Essence]

Arun stood silent, waiting for the mare's response. Though he'd never admit it, he was slightly anxious. For some strange reason, he desired nothing more than for the mare to approve of him. Slightly ridiculous, he supposed, but as she was the first horse to converse with him in...a long time, he was not confident in his conversational skills by any means. His ears caught the sound only an equine could make, an emission of expelled air. Surely she was snorting at him, mentally rolling her eyes in response to his pathetic attempt to converse with her. Didn't she believe him? Well... he supposed he couldn't blame her... Oh, boy...

He watched the mare reach down and lovingly nuzzle her child. The little foal seemed unsettled, poor thing... oh heavens, was she scared of him?? No... on the contrary, once he dropped his gaze from mother to daughter, he realized the foal seemed to be eyeing him with much interest. Well, maybe that was going too far. Curiousity. Yes, he could see it, even from the distance of which he stood. The foal was intrigued by him.

Well, that thought gave him some comfort, to know the pretty little filly wasn't terrified of his presence. Perhaps later she would...wait, later? Was he already thinking about that? He tore the thought from his mind as he realized the little fae was crying, pressing her head into her mother's side, obviously wanting consolence and comforting words. What had happened? He was slightly alarmed now, not wanting to believe that he had made the poor child weep. Perhaps there was something else...

Arun turned his gaze back to the mother once more, the beautiful strong mare. Wait... he'd been calling her beautiful in his mind all this time! Was that right? Didn't she already have a stallion? His thoughts were jerked away again when he realized that the mare had kept an eye on him the whole time, watching him very closely. Was she still cautious? For some reason, a hollow pit settled in his stomach. Oh well, he'd tried. His eyes turned to the left, where the path ran across the stream. Perhaps he better leave now, before things got any worse...
"State thy name, stranger. Come closer if you wish, but do not come too near to my daughter."

Orbs locked back on the mare, Arun nearly dropped his maw to the earth in surprise. The mare had adressed him, turning away from her child to face him, calling to him. Her words still cautious, but her voice was lovely, and allowing nevertheless. Still though, he would take very great care not to startle her, nor give her any reason to mistrust him.

He dipped his head to her then, taking even, steady strides towards the both of them.
"My calling, madam, is Arun," he told her, his voice not quite as rough as before, yet still low and pleasant, rumbling in his deep chest.

He came to a slow halt near her, though still a very reasonable distance from her daughter, as she requested. He made no move to move closer, or to touch her, or anything of that kind.

"May I inquire as to your name?" he asked after a moment, keeping his gaze on hers, never failing.

His tone was slightly hesitant, yet still perfectly polite.
He didn't appear nervous, though he was. Perhaps not all of his previous charm had been lost. Wait-charm? Where had that come from? His thoughts were betraying him. Shaking it away, mentally, of course, he waited, patiently, for the mare to respond to him.

[x.Serenade]

ooc-Ahem, for a long, long, long, long, LONG overdue response. I hope you will forgive me :[

The stag seemed just as cautious as she, though it seemed for a different reason. But he came closer, seemingly polite. There was not much of an air of charm about him, which she would have expected from a dark stag who was feigning lightness to get her and Ruby Blue. Of course he was quite handsome, and was quite polite so far.

Estrella watched him warily as he came near, making sure he would pull no tricks on her. But instead he gave her his name, as she had requested, and had stopped a neat distance from her. She was a bit confused, as she had been so focused on keeping the two of them out of harm's way, she wasn't sure what to do when faced with a someone who was not evil. Arun, interesting name, but she made no comment, just watching him for a moment, her banner twitching against her hide as she considered what to do. He asked for her name, and she supposed she might as well give it, since he had complied with her wishes.

My name is Estrella Azul. This is my daughter, Ruby Blue. The blue tinted mare looked down at her offspring, smiling slightly at her, reassuring her. Ruby, too, had been watching Arun, though not with the amount of caution her mother had. He seemed nice enough, almost as nice as her father. Would he give them a home, some place where they could live and feel safe again? Ruby didn't like being constantly on the move. She wanted stability, and no matter what, she wasn't getting it, not since before the fire. Stepping quickly, she ducked from beneath Estrella's belly, intent on walking just a little closer, the tear stains on her features drying as curiosity replaced grief.

Alarm spread across Estrella's face as she saw Ruby move. Quick as a snake, she reached down and clamped her jaws lightly on Ruby's nape, giving her a swift squeeze as a warning not to move any further before releasing her. The filly instantly stopped moving, looking back at her mother with a frustrated expression. Estrella couldn't help giving a chuckle. Finally returning her attention back to Arun, Estrella ducked her head in embarrassment. Ruby and I have been unable to settle for many days, we haven't ceased wandering. She watched her filly sadly for a moment as Ruby was distracted by a passing dragonfly. Looking to Arun, she asked him, What brings you here alone?