poedogs
Bachelor Herd 
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144 
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Post by poedogs on Feb 15, 2015 10:17:21 GMT -5
Dawne was struck by another thought and forgetting her last questions piped up, "Daddy? Daddy? Where's mommy, I can't hear her anywhere? or smell her?" She said inquisitively. Her grey head cocked to the side. She wanted to bound up for sure, but her body remained firmly on the ground and her neck curled around her friend's. She tipped her head at Leif's remark and nuzzled him, "Oh I think it's okay, I just have to learn how to "see again"," The filly smiled a bit, but squeaked as one of her wounds opened and the sting of the herbs came back again.
Then the little filly perked up like a lightbulb. She turned again and placed her muzzle next to Leif's ear and whispered something to him. Leif, guess what I found a few days ago! Two reallllllly long yellow ribbons. I put them in the hollow tree by the meadows. Can you get them for me?
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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 Feb 15, 2015 10:48:36 GMT -5
Leif's ears flicked forward as Dawne spoke. He smiled cheerfully despite the sight of the other foal's wounds on her face and neck. "I can help you if you'd like. My mama says that two brains are always better than one. Maybe we can figure out how you can 'see' things again. I bet you'll have a really good nose and ears. You'll be like a... a super-horse with your strong senses." Leif said with a giggle.
The grey colt listened intently to the whisper in his ear, nodding in agreement. His blue eyes glanced over at the two stallions as they spoke in hushed voices. Both of them were in obvious distress. "I'll be right back." He whispered before darting off into the tall grass, heading toward the tree line. A few trees near the edge were hollow in the center, and Leif checked a few of them before finally finding what Dawne had been speaking of. He pulled the long, yellow ribbons out of the opening, bundling them up so his already clumsy hooves didn't trip on them. The long legged foal trotted back with the ribbons in his jaws and placed it in front of Dawne. "Got 'em." He whispered in an excited voice. The soft fabric of the ribbons was something he had never seen before. "These are really awesome. Where'd you find them?"
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 15, 2015 11:08:23 GMT -5
Dawne felt around the ground for one of the yellow ribbons and smiled as she found it. "Can you help me tie this around my neck? Then you can just give me a tug now and then and I'll know where to go." She smiled at her handy plan. Oh it hurt though to need a ribbon to travel. Imagine mother's face when she saw her. Oh wait, she'd never seen mother's face like that, good she'll never have to.
"Oh I found them in a meadow, can't remember which one it was though. Someone else was there too watching me from the shadows of the trees. It was familiar. Don't know why?" She rambled on, finding now importance in the story. "Lookit this daddy! Ryder! Check it out." She held up the ribbons to the air, face helplessly turned away from where the stallion's were. "Isn't ti cool. Now they can lead me around. But I'm feeling bad. Can you help me again?" She shivered and rested her head again on the ground. Her cuts were oozing again. All she really wanted right now was momma and daddy and sleep.
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jodifarrow22
Exile Herd
The vorpal blade went snicker snack! He left it dead, and with it's head he went galumphing back.
Posts: 59
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Post by jodifarrow22 on Feb 16, 2015 5:03:03 GMT -5
As the news about what had happened to Dawne hit Kanu's ears, you could see him harshly biting his lip, his eyes watering slightly until he withdrew the water that threatened to pour over the rims of his eyes. He could feel the darkness in the pit of his stomach begin to rise until it was pushing at the bottom of his throat, pounding at the fleshy walls violently. Kanu was about to break down, he couldn't let this happen, not here, not now. No, no, no. He had to leave, he had to get out of there.
"Ryder, look after her, don't tell her I was here until tomorrow morning, I can't do this here, I can't, I-" He gritted his teeth, shutting his eyes tightly as if someone was trying to pull his brain from his pounding skull. He threw his head down and galloped off, kicking up clumps of grass as he did. He was headed for the forst, he needed to get away from everyone.
'Why now?! WHY NOW?!' He screamed at himself, thrashing against a nearby pine trunk with violent intentions. He wheezed as his ribs hit the bark harshly, a loud thump could be heard with each outburst he had. He hadn't had an episode like this for a long time, and he knew instantly that it was the feeling of guilt that brought it on. They started a long time ago, when he had let someone important to him down, and then from there on, whenever he felt as though something was his fault- something important and significant- he broke down, he heard voices, hallucinated and tended to be extremely violent when he was at his worst. He had learned to tell when it was coming on though which gave him time to leave so no one saw the monster that took him over when going through these phases.
After a few long hours, Kanu was finally too tired to stand, he sunk into the earth, his head laying on the ground in defeat. His daughter needed him, and yet he couldn't control himself well enough to see her, to comfort her. Most of all he couldn't believe he could have let this happen. Every inch of him hurt, his muscled ached and even the slightest twitch caused a stinging sensation to form at the bottom of his spine, travelling up his back, neck and to his head. He had no choice but to lie there in his aftermath, the nature around him tattered, torn and frankly- no more. As night veiled the land, Kanu remained still, his breathing heavy and his body seeming to be stuck to the earth.
TIME SKIP, he's now in the present, when Dawne speaks to him for the first time after the incident.
The next morning, Kanu arose, much more calmer than the night before. Even though he was sore as heck and forced to limp, his head was at peace and he felt more desperate now to just see Dawne and comfort her like he was supposed to. It was odd, but always after an episode he appeared much more calmer, like the bad in him had been purged.
Once he had arrived back to the herd, he wasted no time in giving Dawne an enormous hug, waiting for a few minutes to let go.
"Sweetheart, we could never stop loving you! Don't even think of it for a second. I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner, are you ok? Are you hurting? I know Ryder's been looking after you..." He said, giving Ryder a look that spoke a thousand words, one of them being 'thankyou'.
"Honey, mummy will be here soon, she got caught up helping a few of the other mares in the herd, don't worry, she'll be here soon." He said, giving her another warm hug.
Watching her and Leif converse, he felt more at ease, although he looked like he had just fought five grass beasts, he was doing better than usual. He hobbled over to Ryder's side, not taking his eyes of Dawne as he spoke.
"Thankyou, Ryder. Really, I-" He paused, lost for words, and hoping that Ryder understood what he was trying to say by reading Kanu's expression.
"That's the way, don't worry sweetie, we'll be here from now on all the time, you're a strong young lady and there isn't anything you can't beat. This is just a small obstacle, yeah? It makes you look unique, more beautiful." He said, he really wasn't good at this, it was his first time being a father and everything was very new to him, he just hoped Dawne knew what he was trying to say.
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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 Feb 16, 2015 7:52:26 GMT -5
The brown paint watched as conflicted emotions worked themselves across the Exile captain's face. The uncertainty was soon followed by grief, and Ryder could see the beginnings of tears in Kanu's eyes. Ryder flinched at the sight of the new father's grief, unable to look at the sadness and distress that was so evident on his face. He couldn't imagine what his own emotions would be if Leif had been the one to get attacked by lunar ravens. Efflorescence would have had a fit to find out their foal was blinded by those white birds. When Kanu backpedaled away, Ryder took a small step forward. Don't tell her her father had been here? That might make her even more upset, even if she couldn't tell for sure if he had actually arrived back. "I will watch her." He agreed with a strong nod of his head. Dawne still needed to be watched heavily anyhow, to make sure none of her wounds opened back up or Ryder sighed quietly, looking back at Dawne and Leif as the filly's voice broke through the quiet. He walked toward her, looking at the spot where her bandages were falling to reveal a reopened wound. Taking out some of his herbs and new spiderwebs, he began to mend her wounds once more. His ears swiveled backwards at the sound of thundering hooves heading toward the forest. He supposed Kanu had ever right to need some alone time after learning that his daughter was now blind. Ryder knew that he probably would have been an even bigger mess than that after hearing that news. "It'll be okay. There are plenty of horses around here that can help you until you can get back on your hooves. Leif and I being just two of them." Ryder said in an attempt to comfort Dawne. "Now try to get some sleep. You'll need your strength."
TIME SKIP
Ryder woke early the next morning, re-bandaging Dawne's wounds. With all of the times he had done that, there was no way infection would set in. He carefully applied more herbs and wrapped them up in bundles of white, silky spiderwebs.
His head lifted at the steady sound of hooves of the grass coming toward them. Ryder stepped back as Kanu embraced his daughter in a large hug. The large horse seemed calmer now that he had taken some time to himself. Good, Dawne wouldn't need anyone around her for a little while that would be freaking out. It'd cause her too much stress. When Kanu eventually cast a glance toward him and spoke, Ryder nodded, understanding what words were trying to form on his tongue. "No problem, Kanu. I'm glad I was able to help her and your family." Ryder listened as Kanu comforted Dawne, giving her uplifting words in this dire time. Or at least, the adults considered it dire. Leif and Dawne didn't appear to be overly phased by it all. In fact, the two of them had found some ribbon that they had tied around Dawne's neck to guide her by. He nodded down at his son, grateful that his foal was helping out the best way he could.
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Post by wistfullydreaming on Feb 16, 2015 19:02:49 GMT -5
The newest scout of the Exile herd had been away for a few days now, helping a few others explore the eastern island for resources. Since she had lived on the island for some time now, her knowledge of the land was well taken, and the chimeric mare had no problem with helping the horses that had taken her and her daughter in.
Finally returning home from their scouting mission, Lena galloped across the temporary Exile camp, neighing for her love and her daughter that surely missed her as much as she missed them. But her good mood was to be crushed, the mare running into a few of her fellow herd members. Their expressions were worried, saddened. What was wrong.?
"Lena," one of them called, the mare turning her head. Tears filled her eyes, the words leaving the horse's mouth but no sound reached her ears. Her jaw fell open, a shrill cry escaping her lungs as she bolted for the place her sweet Dawne laid.
No.
No no no.!
Wailing, the mare ran into her mate, lip quivering as she stared at him. How could this happen.?
"K-kanu," Lena cried, burying her face into her mate's neck, "How...how is she.?"
The mother looked into the shelter Dawne was in, her poor filly no longer able to see the beauty of the world. There was so much Lena wanted to show her, and now she never would. Softly, she heard Dawne call for her, and guilt panged her heart.
"I'm here, baby," Lena cooed to her filly, slowly walking towards her, laying by her side like she had when she first found her, curling her neck over Dawne's, "Momma's here, momma's here."
Tears slowly trickled down her face, dripping onto Dawne's fetlocks. The animals that the mare had grown to love, the ones she was named after, did something so awful to her own family. How conflicted she was, knowing that birds had caused such trauma and pain to her precious Dawne. Anger welled in her belly, the blue eyed mare flashing her burnint look to Kanu, "I want them, gone, Kanu. I don't want anyone else to suffer, I don't want Dawne in any more danger."
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 16, 2015 19:53:52 GMT -5
Dawne was about to smile at Kanu's words when she heard a voice croon to her and liquid wet her fetlocks. "Momma!" The filly jerked her head off of Leif's neck, praying she wouldn't accidentally hurt her new "brother", and buried her muzzle in the mare's braid, the braid she could remember clear as day. Nothing could change that. "Momma, I was worried you'd never come see me and that you wouldn't love me and, oh I was so scared!" The filly wailed for a moment.
The grullo quieted quickly though, so she could sniffle and take in the warm scent of her mother. "But I knew you'd never do that." Her voice trailed off, muffled my Lena's mane. She lifted her head and turned to where the warmest air was coming from, turning directly to Lena's face. "Momma, I still like the birdsong, it's a lullaby almost as sweet as your own." The filly dropped her head to nuzzle Lena again and again. It was only seconds before the foal began to snore lightly. The terror and excitement of the last day was still making her too tired to stay awake for long.
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jodifarrow22
Exile Herd
The vorpal blade went snicker snack! He left it dead, and with it's head he went galumphing back.
Posts: 59
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Post by jodifarrow22 on Feb 16, 2015 20:36:52 GMT -5
Seeing Lena emerge from between the herd mates, he ran to her just as she did to him, wrapping his large neck around her shaking body. He knew just how she was feeling, and felt bad that he didn't go and find her sooner, but that's not what they had to focus on now. At her horrified tone, Kanu shook his head as if he was stopping her from thinking the worst had happened.
"I'm so sorry I didn't come and get you earlier... she's- she's actually doing quite well, considering her situation. She's so strong, and very optimistic. Leif is helping her get through it. Ryder too, he was a big help. Oh Lena.." His tone was calm, filled with warmth and laced with concern. He followed her over to the place where Dawne was residing, watching with a faint smile as Lena held her blinded daughter. He nodded at Ryder with appreciation before moving into the cave and wrapping himself around Lena and Dawne.
He looked to Lena as she spoke, her words venemous and harsh. Kanu gritted his teeth, shaking his head subtly before nodding down at Dawne. They could speak of vengeance at a later date.
"It's ok,we're both here now, Dawne? How are you feeling bub?" He asked, hoping for an answer before she slipped away into a deep sleep. He watch Lena as she dug her muzzle in her daughters mane, tears travelling down her cheek before dropping onto Dawne's coat. Kanu leant forward and wiped her tears with his muzzle, and giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
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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 Feb 16, 2015 21:23:46 GMT -5
Ryder's ears swiveled around at the sound of sobs and hooves coming their way. His head turned to see a small mare galloping toward them, and he recognized her as Kanu's mate and the newest member to the Exile herd. The brown paint dipped his head slightly, backing out of the shelter that they were in to give the family some time alone. He should probably collect some more herbs and bandages while they were with Dawne. It would be time to change her bandages before he knew it, and it was vital to keep them clean to keep her wounds from becoming any worse.
The Scout walked away in silence, leaving his son in the cave with them. Leif was doing a pretty decent job at keeping Dawne's spirits high, though it seemed that she was quite the optimistic foal to begin with, and it seemed the two of them had become pretty good friends. A small smile pulled at the corners of Ryder's lips at the thought. At least the war and all of the other drama that had happened over the past few months didn't seem to be affecting his son. Just by looking at him, you would have never guessed that he had lived through a brutal war. Ryder walked through the woods, picking up any herbs that he could find and placed them in a pouch made up of a large leaf.
If he couldn't save Dawne's eyes, he would make it his mission to make sure she had a speedy recovery. It was the least he could do after having failed in saving the filly's sight. She would never been able to see the joys of this world that they lived in, but of course, that also meant that she wouldn't have to see the horrors as well. The world would be a much harsher place until Dawne learned to sense the things around her, but with parents like Kanu and Lena, he had a feeling that she wouldn't have to worry too much about that.
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Post by wistfullydreaming on Feb 18, 2015 12:01:33 GMT -5
Lena felt Kanu nuzzle her softly, the calming touch soothing the troubled mare. She was ever grateful that she fell in love with such a stallion, and now that he was here to try and help their daughter, she couldn't feel more blessed.
"She needs rest," the chimera sniffled, clearing her throat as she turned to look at the large stallion at her side, "I'm glade she has Lief, he'll be good to her. Dawne needs us to be strong now...and I want to be strong for her Kanu...but I feel so guilty. I couldn't save her, I wasn't even here to protect her for unicorns' sake.!"
Lena bit her lip, silencing her short wail of a speech as to not wake her daughter, "I am grateful for Ryder and all he has done, but he shouldn't have to care for our daughter. My baby shouldn't have been so hurt, I shoul've been there, I should've..."
Again the tears fell, guilt welling in her belly. The images of her first born in her mind, Hok'ee's lost eyes and face flashed before her, causing her to jump. With a heavy sigh, she laid her head down next to her filly, eyes slowly blinking as the mare slipped into deep thought.
"I've had three foals, Kanu," she whispered silently, the voice of the newly strong mare now broken again, "and I couldn't protect any of them..."
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 20, 2015 12:27:36 GMT -5
The filly's ears twitched at her father's familiar voice. Cheerful, hmm maybe things weren't that bad if daddy was cheerful, the filly thought. "I'm doing great Daddy! How are you?" She said bubbling with joy. Her face itched a bit from the dried blood that had appeared again and the filly was about to rub it on her knees before she remembered how hard Ryder was working. The filly twitched and her smile disappeared while she concentrated on the itches but they soon dulled and the filly began to snore again. Dawne's gentle breathing filled the air of the shelter again. She was so safe, held protectively by her mother. Curled against the chimera's neck. She nosed Lena's muzzle, which had settled next to her head, velvety and soft. Not at all like the ravens.
Her ears twitched again, "Three foals?! Who are they? Me, who, and who? Or who, who, and who?" Dawne smiled a bit, "They must have loved you an awful lot momma! I know I do!"
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