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Post by raveniice on Mar 10, 2015 11:05:39 GMT -5
Io | Exile | Scout ________________________________________________
The years that Io had spent in seclusion after the death of her family had definitely taken its toll on her. Socializing wasn't something she was good at, nor was it something she really enjoyed. But she preferred it over being alone. A smile naturally adorned her face this time, and she couldn't help but giggle at his comment. "You have a handsome coat." Wait what? Io's eyes widened the moment she had said it. Oh why had she said that?! She'd been thinking it, truthfully, but she hadn't planned on simply just coming right out and saying it! She flattened her ears, blushing and obviously embarrassed. Her now rosy cheeks were a soft contrast against her white face.
Thankfully he had broken the awkward silence that had momentarily settled between them. Her response was a nod, and now she could barely look over at him at all. Not after what she had said. But once they had reached the creek, she was given the chance to momentarily get that out of her mind. Just the sight of the crystal clear water itself, although not too big like Salvatore had mentioned earlier, was enough to bring out a little piece of herself that she so often kept locked away.
"This will do just fine!" She exclaimed in a rather cheerful tone.
Io stepped into the water without a moments hesitation, and despite the small rocks and pebbles that were abundant along the bank, she kept perfect balance. But she did wince every other step whenever the movements of her skin caused her wounds to stretch. Now, with cool water running over her hooves she went ahead and busied herself with what she had wanted to come here for. Prying a fluffy piece of moss from a fallen log nearby she lowered it to the water until it was nearly soaked, and with that she spent the next five minutes washing her coat. And a few moments after, with her coat finally clean, although it made her wounds stand out even more due to her pale coloration, she felt even better, and the pain of her injuries was now something that she could push aside and ignore for now. The tiger lily tucked behind her ear really brought out her eyes, and when she turned to look back at Salvatore she was genuinely smiling. "I don't think I could ever repay you for helping me."
[409 Words] |
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Post by themoonphase on Mar 10, 2015 16:00:25 GMT -5
Salvatore | Exile | Guard It wasn't very often that Salvatore was caught completely off guard. Typically, he could sense things as they were coming and brace for them in given time. But that comment floored his jaw. Never before had someone complimented his appearance. He always thought himself to be a rather handsome individual, but in a usual situation, it was him who lavished the mares with compliments. Left in awe for what felt like thirty minutes straight, Salvatore stared into Io's eyes as he watch them widen with shock. She didn't realize what she had just said - she probably didn't even mean it - but it overwhelmed Salvatore with this longing feeling he had never felt in his life, regardless of how small a compliment it was. Flattening his ears with a long exhale he relaxed, relishing in her words for as long as he could. He watched her with a small crooked smile as she blushed and turned her gaze away before speaking softly, never taking his eyes off of her. "My, if only you could see the beauty in which you behold; you would never pay a creature like me such an affectionate compliment. Simply nothing can compare."
A wider smile slowly crept across his lips as Salvatore watched Io prance towards the small creek they approached. He stopped at a reasonable distance as she entered and bowed his head to graze, trying not to invade her privacy. Why does this mare make me feel this way? Gracious, I have barely known her for hours yet she has my stomach flipping in all directions. He had to shake his head at the thought, it was simply ridiculous, and it was certainly not an idea he was used to.
Curled ears pricked forward as the pale mare spoke again. He looked at her from a distance as she finished bathing and gave her a sweet smile. "There is no need to thank me, Io. You certainly deserve it. You only need to return the favour one day." With a wink and a wider grin as she smiled back at him, he began approaching the creek, enclosing the distance between the two.
[358 Words]
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Post by raveniice on Mar 10, 2015 17:11:14 GMT -5
Io | Exile | Scout ________________________________________________
My my he had a way of making a mare feel special. Io found herself unable to take her eyes off of him this time. Those blue eyes of his... She couldn't help but laugh lightly at his response, still holding a bit of embarrassment. "I look forward to it." She flicked her ears towards him, the beat of her heart quickening. But why? There were few who had ever offered such kind words to her, and one of them was Orion. At the memory of the black and white stallion her ears immediately flattened and her smile disappeared just as fast as it had appeared. She bowed her head and took a step back towards the center of the creek, parts of her mane and tail flowing with the gentle current.
Io stared hard and long at her unsteady reflection in the water before she closed her eyes as Orion's voice echoed in the back of her mind. "N-no..." Her words sounded just barely above a whisper. "I couldn't possibly deserve any kindness from anyone." Her heart ached terribly. She could never accept such kindness from anyone, especially not from a stallion as kind as the one standing before her. He couldn't possibly understand. Now she was feeling the weariness of her broken state all over again. That graceful beauty act that she put on everyday could only cover so much for so long. It was because of her that the two horses she cared about most had perished. She couldn't curse anyone else with such bad luck. If she was to lose anyone else that she deeply cared about, she feared her heart wouldn't be able to handle it.
She took a deep breath, biting her lower lip as she tried to pull herself together. She wasn't going to cry, not in front of him, not in front of anyone. Instead she let her bangs fall across her forehead and over her eyes, standing there and looking and feeling, rather pathetic.
[338 Words] |
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Post by themoonphase on Mar 10, 2015 17:33:52 GMT -5
Salvatore | Exile | Guard
Eager pace slowed down once again as Io's expression changed from one of happiness to one of the complete opposite. Instead of moving closer, he began taking a few steps back. Was it something he said? Again? A feeling of guilt washed over him as he pinned his ears and tucked his chin to his chest, looking away from the mare. The right thing to say was beyond his comprehension, considering being kind was the magic that usually worked. What did it take to keep her happy? Should he just leave and allow this mare to fend for himself? The number of ideas flew through his mind, but stranding Io was not the choice he was going to go with.
"What is it?" Salvatore questioned, a genuinely concerned tone in his baritone voice. Standing in the same spot about fifteen feet from her, he tried peering through her long white bangs. "Ridiculous, everyone deserves kindness. But Io, if it was something I said... something I did... do tell me so I can make note to never do such a thing again. The pain in your eyes discomforts me." The only thing Salvatore wanted was to hold Io and tell her everything was going to be all right, but he didn't know that for sure. He didn't even know what was troubling her. "Know that you can talk to me. I know we hardly know each other, but I started caring for you and I am not about to stop. Not unless you tell me to."
[255 Words]
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Post by raveniice on Mar 10, 2015 18:00:21 GMT -5
Io | Exile | Scout ________________________________________________
Salvatore's words tugged at her heart, and an instant wave of guilt consumed her. She hadn't meant to make him feel like any of this was his fault! This is what I get for opening my mouth. Io tossed her bangs to the side, her sunset colored eyes glistening with tears as she looked at him. "I-I'm sorry Salvatore," she began. "None of this is your fault it's..."
Io's shoulders trembled as she fought to hold in her tears. But she couldn't fight them back any longer. "I'm bad luck." She explained, her ears laying completely flat against her head as tears trailed down her cheeks. "Everyone whose ever helped me...cared for me, they only end up getting hurt." She shook her head. "You've been the kindest I've met in a long time since...s-since..."
She broke down.
Io had spent three years suppressing the anger, guilt, and all other emotions that she felt after the death of her mate and son. Her biological mother had died to save her, as had Orion, and it was her irresponsibility that lead to the death of her little Toby. The death of her son had had the biggest impact on her, and seemed to have left some deep scars. Wow, she was a blubbering mess. "Since I lost m-my mate to the fires..."
[226 Words] |
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Post by themoonphase on Mar 10, 2015 18:24:07 GMT -5
Salvatore | Exile | Guard
Curse the Unicorns for making this mare feel this way. Curse them for drowning her in this guilt she shouldn't feel. Salvatore nearly broke down at the sight of her vulnerability, and his eyes slowly began to glaze over. When she finally told him what the reason for her feelings were, his heart sank to his feet and he lowered his head all the way to the Earth with eyes squeezed shut and ears pinned back.
"Io, I..." the words, for the very first time, didn't want to leave his mouth. "I cannot begin to tell you," he raised his head and moved to the bank of the creek, directly in front of where she would. He got down on one knee and pressed his forehead to the grass. "The loss you have suffered is unimaginable, and I cannot give you enough sorries to make you feel better. I cannot tell you it will be okay and I cannot bring your mate. But I can tell you that I know how you feel, and I can tell you," he looked up at her with tears streaming down his cheeks, darkening his beige coat. "That fire was not your fault, and you must not feel guilty for it. I lost my father in the fire. After my mother died, he did not treat me the way a father should treat his son, let alone anybody else, especially after losing my mother. But I still felt guilty when I complied after he told me to leave him and save myself. I cannot forgive myself for not trying to help him. But it was not my fault. It was not your fault. You cannot let yourself believe it was. You are not responsible for the suffering of anyone, and you cannot let yourself suffer for believing you are."
He returned to his feet and stared at her with remorse in his eyes. He wanted to touch her, but he kept his distance, because he knew it probably wouldn't help.
[336 Words]
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Post by raveniice on Mar 10, 2015 18:33:56 GMT -5
Io | Exile | Scout ________________________________________________
Hearing his story, Io's heart now ached for the both of them. A warm and gentle breeze whispered around her, and this caused her to bring her head up from its bowed position. She had watched him, at first with wide eyes when he had bowed before her, seeing that had touched her heart. His words surprisingly brought her comfort, and as she took a deep breath she felt a little relieved of the burden she had been carrying for all those years. We have a lot in common. She slowly walked out of the creek towards him, partially due to her hooves having gone almost numb from being submerged in the water for a bit too long.
Io tilted her now raised head slightly to the side, smiling sadly. "I'm so sorry to hear about your mother...and your father, Salvatore." She spoke in her usual soft voice, closing her eyes as she calmed herself. "And thank you, again, for your wise words..." There was a bit of amusement in her eyes, and she made the decision to brighten the mood this time. It was a beautiful day after all, and it was still early. There wasn't any point in lingering in the past. "At this rate I don't think I'll be able to keep track of how many time's you've helped me already."
[230 Words] |
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Post by themoonphase on Mar 15, 2015 14:47:08 GMT -5
Salvatore | Exile | Guard
A gentle breeze whirled around the pair of equines as they told each other their saddening stories. Salvatore quickly began to feel for this beautiful pale mare and her traumatizing past. He no longer held back from making eye contact with her; there was a certain connection he felt every time their eyes fell upon each other, and it was a feeling Salvatore didn't want to let go of. It was a feeling so ethereal that he actually had to second guess himself. A smile took over his face every time he spoke, and her sweet, unique voice warmed him. Why do I feel this way? He found himself questioning what his mind was telling him, which just so happened to be "hey, Sal, here's your soulmate. Enjoy!" There was no doubt he was attracted to this mare, hell, she certainly was the prettiest one in the herd to him, but this time it was more than just looks he was attracted to. It was the way she held back when they spoke and the way she couldn't cry in front of him. The way her eyes spoke with her words and the way she couldn't stop thanking him.
"No need to keep track of it my dear; I feel that helping you is my calling in this world." With a nod and a slight bow of his head he gave her a goofy little smirk, watching her expressive eyes, trying to figure out exactly what she was feeling. He couldn't help but grin wildly as an expression of amusement finally took over her elegant face. He tried to avoid wrapping himself around her, and instead looked at the ground and kicked at some small pebbles at his feet, waiting on her next move.
[294 Words]
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Post by raveniice on Mar 15, 2015 15:58:50 GMT -5
Io | Exile | Scout ________________________________________________
As the sunlight warmed her coat, it brought an ease to the pain of her wounds. But she could still feel the tired ache of fatigue in her muscles. She wanted to ask him why he had been so kind, but decided that it may have been rude to ask. It was a beautiful day after all, and although her body was demanding rest, she wanted to do the complete opposite. It was too wonderful of a day to spend it resting in the shade. Io looked over at him, a shy smile on her face as she mustered up the courage to ask. "W-would you mind spending the day with me?" Her cheeks burned at the question, it was bold move on her part. Io didn't want to return to the herd so quickly. She then averted her eyes and looked down at the ground, expecting him to decline her invitation. It was something she was use to after all. But she didn't want to spend the day alone. Something about him had already stolen a place in her heart, little did she know, and the thought of them going their separate ways made her heart ache. She felt so safe around him, and there was something about his voice that comforted her.
[219 Words] |
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Post by themoonphase on Mar 16, 2015 8:21:58 GMT -5
Salvatore | Exile | Guard
Salvatore felt his mind wander easily as Io spoke. Could this be going somewhere? His family continued returning to his mind and he remembered how happy they had been before the death of his mother. How dearly he would love to share that with another mare, and then he began to picture his and Io's future. She thinks so lowly of herself... she blames herself for everything negative that happens around her, but she is wrong. She is better than that. I do not know her well, but I can surely tell. Watching the sun illuminate her pale coat, he found himself staring at her yet again. This mare was absolutely perfect, even in her flaws. Never before had he felt something so extreme. Nodding at her as she spoke, he replied, "I would be honoured to spend this glorious day with you, Io."
He moved behind her and gave her a nod to move forward. "Let us go on an adventure," he suggested, and he picked up a piece of her tail between his teeth. She seemed surprised at his actions at first, but nodding his head once again, he reassured her, for he was full to the brim with surprises. "Lead the way, mon chéri."
[209 Words]
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Post by raveniice on Mar 16, 2015 20:49:40 GMT -5
Io | Exile | Scout ________________________________________________
At his answer the splashed mare brightened, and her cheeks still held the shy color of a newly blossomed rose. Why must he talk like that? She wondered, although she didn't mind it at all. The way he spoke was so charming, and those words paired with his voice was incredibly alluring. The thought of it sent a shiver down her spine, but she quickly dismissed the feeling. Io looked back at him with a smile before she nodded in response and began leading the way. She knew exactly where she wanted to go.
The coast, right to the beach.
The closer they got to the coast, the happier Io seemed to grow. Her ears instantly flicked forward as the roaring sound of the waves reached her ears. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of the ocean, and when her hooves touched the soft grains of sand underfoot she couldn't fight back her excitement. With a gleeful smile on her face she suddenly rushed forward, the stinging pain of her still healing injuries ignored as she charged into the ocean surf, dancing happily in the shallows with her mane blowing against her shoulders, buffeted by the ocean winds.
[203 Words] |
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Post by themoonphase on Mar 17, 2015 15:33:06 GMT -5
Salvatore | Exile | Guard
A gentle gust of wind danced across Salvatores nose as the duo moved along. Ahh, the ocean... he hadn't seen that in a while, and the fresh scent of the coast awakened him. She is a romantic I see, the thought playing with his mind. Walks along the ocean... such a sweet cliché, but a stroll along the coast is a difficult thing to deny. He watched Io as they approached the shoreline closer and closer, forgetting that he had a strand of her silky tail pinched between his teeth. Excitement took over her face; it was definitely an emotion that complimented her, and not to mention her smile was absolutely charming.
Letting go of her tail immediately as she bolted off toward the sand, Salvatore inhaled deeply as the cool breeze whirled around him, and sighed in delight with his chin to the sky. He fixated his eyes on the shoreline; the way the water kissed the sand as it rolled forward was a beautiful thing, and not to mention the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the beach.
A ticking sensation suddenly took over Salvatore's ankle, and he was surprised to find a small crab waltzing around his feet. Having never seen such a thing before, he was caught rather off guard at the sight of the six legged friend. Bowing his head to get a closer look at it proved to be a foolish move when one of its pincers latched onto his nostril. "YIKES!" A screech bellowed out from the dunalino's lungs as his head shot up with the friend still attached. "What on Earth?!"
[270 Words]
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Post by raveniice on Mar 18, 2015 21:32:53 GMT -5
Io | Exile | Scout ________________________________________________
The screech belonging to a familiar voice brought the mare's prancing to a stop as she turned her head to see what could have possibly happened. The sight that beheld her made her laugh. It had been far too long since she had really laughed at something, and with a giggle she waded out of the shallows and trotted over to see what she could do to help him. "Hang on, Salvatore. Hold still!" Io smirked as she gently took the little crab in between her jaws, being very careful not to crush it before she managed to have it loosen it's grip on the stallion's sore nostril. With the little crustacean still in her mouth she quickly skipped over to a nearby tide pool and gently placed it upon a rock where it quickly disappeared beneath, leaving a faint trail in the sand behind it. "Now stay out of trouble." She said to it, amusement in her voice.
With a small sigh she looked over her shoulder before turning back to return to Salvatore, her movements playful and her eyes teasing. "What ever did you bother that little crab for?" She asked, raising a brow, expecting an answer that would most likely surprise her. "Now look at your poor nose." She lightly poked her nose to his, a smile on her face.
[227 Words] |
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Post by themoonphase on Mar 18, 2015 23:00:52 GMT -5
Salvatore | Exile | Guard
Blue orbs became cross-eyed as Salvatore shot the creature a death glare. "Damn thing," he grumbled, trying to shake it off as Io moved out of the water toward him, but it only increased the pain. He was surprised the pincer hadn't sliced right through; it certainly felt like it had! Obeying Io's command, he stood idle with clenched teeth and eyes squeezed shut. The relief was heaven when the crab finally let go of him. Salvatore's eyes shot back open and he watched Io make her way back toward the surf, wiggling his nose like a bunny rabbit trying to bring some feeling back to it. Now, rather than paying attention to the pain was in, Salvatore found himself focused on the pale mare just ahead of him; the way she moved and the happiness that shone on her face despite the hell she had been through. He found a certain joy in the fact that she was visibly feeling well, and in that moment that was all he could ask for.
Until she skipped back toward him with that look on her face. If this stallion had any weakness at all, he now knew it was that look. For a moment, it was almost as if he were looking in a mirror; it was a look that he often gave others when he was about to make a sarcastic remark. And then there it was, and he found himself slightly embarrassed at her question; it was possibly rhetoric, but he gave her an answer anyway, after pinning his ears and bowing his head to look away from her. "I am... awful ticklish. That thing was just begging for a fight!" Kicking at a small pebble at his feet, he suddenly realized he lost to an animal only a fraction of his size. In a way, he found it rather humorous and looked up at the mare with a smirk. But her next move caught him totally off guard, and he was sent in a trance. With the contact between their muzzles, it took all of Salvatore's effort not to let his jaw drop to the floor, and instead he fell wide eyed and stared into the distance, in complete awe, and said nothing for a few moments. Then he turned his attention back to her, with a more gentle look in his eye as if he was expecting her to make that move all along. "Well for starters, you can do that again and I promise I will feel better."
[423 Words]
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Post by raveniice on Mar 19, 2015 1:46:35 GMT -5
Io | Exile | Scout ________________________________________________
The mare flicked one of her ears at the cry of a flock of sea gulls that were flying by them up in the cloudless sky. There was something about this scene...the way the ocean's surface reflected the perfect blue sky, the sound of the waves crashing on the sand, and the pair of blue eyes that held in them a soul that she seemed to have been searching for the moment, all those years ago, when a piece of hers had died along with Orion and their son. Whenever her eyes met Salvatore's, she couldn't fight back how it made her heart race and how she couldn't help but smile every time he spoke to her. In the back of her mind, she told herself that she knew this feeling all too well, and it was a feeling that she had desperately tried to kill, vowing that she could never let anyone risk their life for her again. There was a sudden sadness in Io's eyes as she fell deep in thought. It seemed that everyone she cared about was lost, all because of her. You are not responsible for the suffering of anyone, and you cannot let yourself suffer for believing you are. Her eyes began to gloss over with tears as she remembered Salvatore's words earlier, but only for a moment. The thought brought a smile to her face instead, and now her attention returned to him once again.
"That would hardly be a fair fight, Salvatore." Io said with a laugh, her bound mane bouncing at her shoulder for a moment as she did. But at his reaction to her touch her ears flicked forward and she watched him with a slight tilt of her head before she took a step forward and kissed him gently on his nose. She closed her eyes gently and smiled. If only she could have seen how much she was blushing at that gesture.
[330 Words] |
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