blueunicornj13
Exile Herd 
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265 
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Mar 4, 2015 16:40:13 GMT -5
Little Bird nodded as Ephraim spoke. It made sense that they would have to have some sort of water source around this maze of hills. She couldn't imagine having to walk up and down all of them to get anywhere all of the time though. It was true that the buildings in the city of Olde masked things as well, but at least she didn't have to trek up mountains to get anywhere. "The really tall buildings where I live hide a lot too, but I can't say that I've seen this many hills in one place." Bird joked, laughing softly.
She had to admit that it was definitely beautiful here though. It was strange to feel the sun so warmly on her back after having tall skyscrapers cover her in their shade. She closed her eyes in content for a moment, letting the pleasant breeze rustle her long mane. Bird was certainly thankful that Ephraim had picked up a slower pace. On normal circumstances, she would push through the exhaustion and at least walk at a brisk pace, but it was unbelievable how tired her muscles were after journeying over the Riddle Mountains.
Her legs strained as they pulled her weight over the crest of the hill, and she panted lightly once she and Ephraim had arrived at the top. Her brown eyes swept over toward the spot where Ephraim pointed with his muzzle, and there it was! The blue water sparkled in the sunlight, inviting them to take a closer look. Brightly colored flowers grew along the banks, turning the green landscape into an array of different colors. Little Bird chuckled at the young stallion's enthusiasm. "You were right. That wasn't far at all." She agreed with a nod of her head. The roan mare tilted her head, heading steadily down the slope. "Let's go get a closer look. The water looks really beautiful from up here."
((Sure, we can discuss that. ^-^ I'd love for Little Bird to be involved in some further plots with Ephraim. Did you have any ideas? I bet the poor, little guy is so tired of all the fighting and such. ;w; Little Bird will probably be headed back to Olde after exploring the Eastern island a little bit more since she finds the Crescent island a bit creepy and dangerous. XD She has a horse on Olde that she has sort of taken into her care, though he doesn't live with her and is quite independent, but she will probably head back there as soon as she can to see how he is. ^-^ ))
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Post by ghillietoes42 on Mar 10, 2015 18:03:21 GMT -5
"Buildings? Wow, I didn't realize any were still standing! Another thing I'll have to see someday, definitely. I wonder where I can find some." His green eyes glinted in the sunlight as he squinted, looking into the distant horizon. No sign of human history in sight, as usual, though he always longed to see something new in the distance. Maybe someday he would be allowed to travel and find things for himself. "They must be so far from here."
He nodded at Bird's suggestion to go closer to the water. "Yes, let's do that! Maybe we'll even see some fish or river animals. I saw a few otters earlier in the spring - they had a little baby with them." He started his way down the hill, moving a little faster as the terrain helped them onward toward the cool water with its silty shore.
The river here was broad and slow, spreading out at this wide sweeping curve along between the hills. Ephraim lowered his head, getting a closer look at some smooth round river rocks. A few worn pieces of colorful glass, edges rounded away by the flow of the water, brought cheerful color among the water grasses and dark rich earth. Knocking a pretty golden amber-colored piece loose, he picked it up and showed it to the mare. "This one matches your eyes!" he explained, words muffled around the piece. "Pretty color."
((Awesome! I'm working on a note to you with my current idea, and a plot meme to get some of the ideas into action))
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Mar 11, 2015 16:55:37 GMT -5
Little Bird nodded her head, smiling warmly at him. "Yeah, there are tons of them still standing on Olde. It's pretty dangerous to go in some of them, but a lot of them are still explorable." She explained, carefully picking her way down the hill and toward the bubbling river below. Her ears flicked toward Ephraim as the young stallion spoke. "I'm sure you'll get a chance to see some one of these days. I hear that there are some here on the Eastern island, though I don't think they're as large." Little Bird said with a flick of her long tail. She'd never gotten a chance to explore the small city here during her travels to the Great Pine, but she had heard from the other loners that some of the buildings still stood.
The roan mare walked down toward the cerulean waters of the river. It rippled calmly past them, twinning through the hills of the Eastern island as far as she could see. "Otters? I haven't seen any of those in a long time. I bet their baby was really cute." She grinned, imagining what a little, baby otter might look like. Little Bird bent her neck, taking a long drink of the cool, refreshing water as Ephraim looked at the water beside her. She lifted her head when he picked out one of the colored bits of glass that rested in the wet soil. "It's very pretty! I didn't think that the other islands had any of things like this around here." Bird examined the other bits of rounded glass, looking at all of the different colors that gleamed under the water's surface. She took a step further into the water, letting it run over her hooves as she walked just off of the shore. Her eyes brightened as she spotted a few dark shapes under the water, darting here and there as they swam further up the river. "Ooo, look! There's some fish over here." Bird exclaimed, pointing with her muzzle at the silvery fish.
Word Count: 340
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Post by ghillietoes42 on Mar 24, 2015 19:19:18 GMT -5
"That's amazing! They've survived for so long - I wonder how many winter storms they've stood through. I saw a lot of old trees fall with the winds last winter - and they had always seemed big enough to survive anything." Ephraim sighed, poking at the mud with a hoof. "My mother has always warned me to stay away from the ruins unless invited to travel with an elder, and it's not like they have much time for a youngling like me. I can't wait until my opinion might matter a little more."
His ears were busy flicking about - one always on the words of his pretty companion, and one always seeking out a creature he might be able to show her. His eyes brightened as he too caught sight of the darting fish. He trotted over, moving to the shallowest water at the edge of the stream to avoid scaring them away too quickly.
Lowering a hoof slowly into the water, he waited until a few curiously came to investigate the intruder to their world. He giggled as they nibbled at the hair on his fetlock. "That tickles!" Shaking himself from his nose to tail, he grinned as he watched the startled fish dart away to the shelter of some rocks and reeds.
Ephraim stretched, taking in a sweep of the horizon. Sighing at the sun's travel, too quickly moving toward evening, he looked over to Bird again. "I don't want this day to end so soon. Why must good time go so quickly? It's not fair..."
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Mar 27, 2015 20:03:47 GMT -5
Little Bird walked slowly out of the water, making sure not to disturb it too much for the fish that still swam around her. It amazed her how open and beautiful the landscape was here. It was like a breath of fresh air compared to the dusty air that seemed to linger in the buildings of the Olde city. Her ears swiveled toward the young stallion as he spoke. "I can't even imagine how old the buildings are there. Where trees have fallen from strong storms, the buildings beside them have held strong." The roan mare spoke, visualizing the tall, stone structures that made up her home. Shaking off the water from her hooves, she stopped on the bank, looking out at the water to see if there were any other creatures for them to see. "Traveling alone can be dangerous. Plus, it's pretty nice to have someone to travel with every now and then." She said with a grin. "You're young, but from what I've seen, you've got a good head on your shoulders. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before someone listens to you."
Her warm, brown eyes occasionally swept toward the hilly terrain around them, making sure there were no signs of danger that might have come their way. "When I was your age, my father didn't listen to any of my opinions. Not that they were that great back then, but I remember how frustrating it was at times." Little Bird said in an attempt to relate her own problems with his own, hoping to possibly help at least a little.
Little Bird laughed softly as she heard Ephraim's giggles fill the air at the feeling of the fish nibbling at his hooves. The fish quickly darted away as he shook himself free of the tingling feeling. She looked up at the sun and quietly sighed to herself. It wasn't everyday that she met horses that she actually liked being around, especially in a place that she hadn't thought she'd meet anyone as nice as Ephraim had been. "Neither do I. I've had a really great time." Little Bird said, offering him a warm smile. "Who knows? Maybe we'll be able to do this again some time. I am a loner after all, and we do quite a bit of traveling."
Word Count: 387
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Post by ghillietoes42 on Apr 8, 2015 20:37:23 GMT -5
Ephraim asked, curious about the strange old buildings Bird had seen. "I've heard that plants can even grow through the buildings, though - is that really true? Some of the herd say that it's proof the land there is doomed to waste away, but I'd still like to see it even so."
He nudged at a rock again with his hoof, rolling it over a small tuft of grass that had pushed up through the springy mud. The herd always seemed to favor the hardened warriors, truly manly stallions, over any displays of tenderness and soft emotion. But maybe even that could find its place in the rough world, given enough time...
He looked back at Bird, solemnly and shyly meeting her gaze. "A good head?" That wasn't something that was often complimented in his peers - he'd never thought of himself that way, or particularly sought it out. It just seemed to cause him trouble. He stumbled a bit over his tongue as he tried to find a suitable response. "Th-thanks. I think. Nice to know somebody thinks I might be worth listening to. Once I know a bit more, though, I'm sure."
Shaking himself free of a last few drops of water, though a bit of mud and sand still clung to his hooves, he headed back onto drier land. Shyly approaching Bird again, he asked, "Where will you travel next? Maybe we can walk a while longer if you'll pass a bit closer to my home. I certainly hope you'll come this way again someday soon, too."
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Apr 18, 2015 12:01:52 GMT -5
Little Bird thought of her homeland, remembering all of the vines and other plants that grew around and through the hard concrete. She nodded, causing part of her mane to fall into her face. "Yes, there are a lot of plants that grow through the buildings in the city. I suppose one could say that the land will claim it again one day, but I don't think that will happen for some time at least for some of the stronger buildings." It would certainly be sad to see her home crumble and rot away to nothing, but she had a feeling it would be inevitable. Some of the buildings were already too dangerous to explore due to the plants that had destroyed their foundations. It was a shame. So many things could be hiding, undiscovered in those depths. "If you ever do explore the Olde city, maybe I could show you around. I know the place like the back of my hoof." Little Bird said with a chuckle.
She met his uncertain and shy gaze with an affirmative nod. "Of course. Keep doing what you are doing. I'm sure your herd will listen to you one of these days." Little Bird gave him a warm smile, trying to give the young stallion a little comfort about his predicament.
Sand caked Little Bird's hooves where she had walked on the damp river bank. She shook herself of any water that remained on her pelt and followed after Ephraim to drier land. She couldn't remember the last time she had enjoyed herself this much, and it was a welcome relief from all of the mourning she had been doing after the death of her father. Her mind wandered slightly, pondering on what route she should take to the Great Pine where the loners were meeting. The Oriole brothers had made it sound as though it was rather urgent, so she probably shouldn't dilly-dally. "I'm heading west toward the edge of this island. I'll probably travel a little further tonight, and hopefully, I'll make it by midday tomorrow." Little Bird explained and smiled down at the young Bachelor. "I'm sure I'll pass through here on my way back to Olde. Hopefully, we'll cross paths again when that time comes." Her brown eyes swept toward the horizon where the sun was casting bright yellow and orange light as it began to disappear. "I suppose if I'm going to get a little further tonight I should get going. Which way is your herd? Maybe we can walk together for a little while longer."
Word Count: 429
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Post by ghillietoes42 on Apr 24, 2015 11:46:51 GMT -5
Ephraim held his head a little higher after Bird's reassuring words, though his ears dropped a little sadly at her direction of travel. "Oh, my family is further to the east - we will be in the Summer Fields for a while yet, while the weather holds. It's a good place for the young ones to learn to stretch their legs."
Looking toward the west again, following at the path of the sun toward its resting place, he knew they would have to part very soon. This was a chance meeting, after all, doomed to be brief. "I won't hold you up too long - I'm sorry if I disturbed any important plans already!
Trying to come up with a reasonable speech, and quickly, he fumbled for words. Scuffing a hoof in the sand, he slightly rushed as he spoke his thoughts, "Though I really would love for you to show me the city someday, and to see you again. Maybe, when you're heading back again, we can meet again?"
An idea came to mind, and he picked up the pretty amber river glass again, placing it at Bird's hooves. "Maybe if you put a piece of river glass near that grove of trees, I can know you're nearby and look for you?"
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Apr 28, 2015 15:57:31 GMT -5
Little Bird deflated slightly at the sight of Ephraim's drooping ears. She had had a feeling that they would be going their separate ways before she would have liked to. It was just her luck to make a friend and have them leave her just like that. The roan mare nodded her head. "I'm sure it is a great place for little foals to learn how to keep their legs underneath them." A fond smile pulled up the corners of her lips. Foals were one of the things she always really enjoyed. They were so sweet and innocent, but from what she had seen of some of the tantrums they could have, maybe she just liked what she didn't have.
Bird fell silent, letting her imagination and whirling thoughts of the future overwhelm her before the young stallion's voice sliced through her concentration. Her brows rose in surprise before she quickly shook her head. "You didn't disturb anything, Ephraim. You say how tired I was. I probably wouldn't have been able to travel much further in that state." A light chuckle erupted from her, rumbling gently in her throat.
Her ears perked up, seeing Ephraim struggle to form words and awkwardly scratching at the wet sand with one of his hooves. The Ranger waited patiently, a smile forming on her face. "I'd love to show you the city sometime. It shouldn't be too long before I come back through here. I'll be sure to find you when I do." The older mare promised, dipping her head ever so slightly. It was so nice to have company after being alone for so long. Mourning her father's death hadn't been easy on her, but having someone to talk to, though Ephraim was quite a few years younger than herself, alleviated some of the pain that his passing had left behind. Little Bird pondered for a moment on how she would go about finding him again when Ephraim picked up a piece of the worn glass from the riverbank, placing it by her hooves. "That's a brilliant idea, Ephraim. I'll put a piece of the river glass near the trees where we bumped into each other, so that you'll know I'm nearby." Bird agreed, looking from the colored glass at her hooves to the spotted stallion in front of her.
Little Bird walked forward, placing her head gently on Ephraim's withers in a small hug. "It was really nice talking with you, Ephraim. I'm looking forward to showing you the city one of these days. You're going to love it." She said her farewells, taking a few steps away from him toward the west where the Great Pine stood. Little Bird cast a glance over her shoulder, giving her new friend a warm smile. "See you again."
Word Count: 464
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