12-05-2019, 06:54 AM
Kalil didn't quite know how to feel about what had transpired during his first official trip to a land outside Taiga, if only because that had been his first time outside his home. He was never one to think that every land outside Taiga's redwoods seemed to be as peaceful as where he lived with his family, but he certainly didn't think what happened in the Field would... well, happen.
But here they were, a misfit band of three traveling back to Taiga, since Turul had taken off to tend to something. Aten was in front of the group leading the way, while Kalil hung back to be a bit closer to Ruthless. Every so often, he glanced over his shoulder to make sure she was following, and he could sometimes see Aten doing the same. But the colt was even more conflicted, he had to be.
What exactly could he say to the pretty filly? How could he sugarcoat the fact that her dam, despite journeying to their sister kingdom, had essentially bid Ruthless farewell, left her in the hooves of a stallion and colt, and then left? What kind of dam did that to their young no matter their age? He never even thought a mare like that could exist; he was naive enough to think that all of them were like his own dam, at least until the young were better equipped to take care of themselves.
He'd heard stories about his sire's and dam's upbringing, but those were circumstances they couldn't control. Brine had done what she did completely willingly, and Kalil was honestly in such a shock that had he not been looking where he was going he would've tripped over at least a dozen rocks and in a few small ground animal holes by now.
After a few hours silence upon their departure from the Field, Kalil decided to suck it up and see what he could do to at least try and make Ruthless smile, even if she was upset. He busied the filly with small talk about his home to try and get her sense of wonder up, give her things to look forward to so she would hopefully forget what her dam did. He told her of his siblings and how they liked to play together, along with Amica and Turul when neither of them were busy. He even got to telling some funny stories, such as how Amica had taken an 'unplanned' swim one day upon realizing Kalil's stunt, and how the colt, along with some of his older siblings, had some innocent fun with Owin when he nearly sat on a porcupine.
The colt's bubbly nature would hopefully prove infectious and get the filly to open up so that by the time they did arrive home, that smile could turn into something bigger. Aten decided to stop and rest the group following a long day of walking, and Kalil settled in to graze slightly closer to Ruthless than his sire so he could provide the filly with some company. Aten watched over the young ones most of the night, given his adult status and how the young ones needed more rest, but sensing his sire needed sleep, Kalil also woke once or twice and insisted Aten rest.
The night, luckily for the trio, passed peacefully, and they set out at early light. They reached Taiga's border before the sun rose to signify half the day had passed, and Kalil smiled eagerly at Ruthless as they crossed the border and entered a rather beautiful portion of Taiga's redwoods.
Many of the kingdom's famous flora stood tall and proud above the three horses, seemingly reaching for the sky as if they could touch the clouds and grab the stars in the night. The sunlight showed off their brilliant summer colors, and, in this section of the border, glistened off the meadow grass since the trees opened up into a small grazing ground before thickening once again and hiding the kingdom's secrets until one went further in search of the main meeting area.
Aten was continuing to walk along, but stayed within easy reach of the two young ones. Kalil offered Ruthless a smile, "So, whadya think? If you'd like, I can take you to the main grazing area, or there's this wonderful place father showed me where a small river runs down a tiny mountain and into a pool before heading into the ocean. It's very pretty in the summer, especially when there are still fish to see, and all the other creatures that call the river their home. What would you like to do?"
@[Ruthless]
But here they were, a misfit band of three traveling back to Taiga, since Turul had taken off to tend to something. Aten was in front of the group leading the way, while Kalil hung back to be a bit closer to Ruthless. Every so often, he glanced over his shoulder to make sure she was following, and he could sometimes see Aten doing the same. But the colt was even more conflicted, he had to be.
What exactly could he say to the pretty filly? How could he sugarcoat the fact that her dam, despite journeying to their sister kingdom, had essentially bid Ruthless farewell, left her in the hooves of a stallion and colt, and then left? What kind of dam did that to their young no matter their age? He never even thought a mare like that could exist; he was naive enough to think that all of them were like his own dam, at least until the young were better equipped to take care of themselves.
He'd heard stories about his sire's and dam's upbringing, but those were circumstances they couldn't control. Brine had done what she did completely willingly, and Kalil was honestly in such a shock that had he not been looking where he was going he would've tripped over at least a dozen rocks and in a few small ground animal holes by now.
After a few hours silence upon their departure from the Field, Kalil decided to suck it up and see what he could do to at least try and make Ruthless smile, even if she was upset. He busied the filly with small talk about his home to try and get her sense of wonder up, give her things to look forward to so she would hopefully forget what her dam did. He told her of his siblings and how they liked to play together, along with Amica and Turul when neither of them were busy. He even got to telling some funny stories, such as how Amica had taken an 'unplanned' swim one day upon realizing Kalil's stunt, and how the colt, along with some of his older siblings, had some innocent fun with Owin when he nearly sat on a porcupine.
The colt's bubbly nature would hopefully prove infectious and get the filly to open up so that by the time they did arrive home, that smile could turn into something bigger. Aten decided to stop and rest the group following a long day of walking, and Kalil settled in to graze slightly closer to Ruthless than his sire so he could provide the filly with some company. Aten watched over the young ones most of the night, given his adult status and how the young ones needed more rest, but sensing his sire needed sleep, Kalil also woke once or twice and insisted Aten rest.
The night, luckily for the trio, passed peacefully, and they set out at early light. They reached Taiga's border before the sun rose to signify half the day had passed, and Kalil smiled eagerly at Ruthless as they crossed the border and entered a rather beautiful portion of Taiga's redwoods.
Many of the kingdom's famous flora stood tall and proud above the three horses, seemingly reaching for the sky as if they could touch the clouds and grab the stars in the night. The sunlight showed off their brilliant summer colors, and, in this section of the border, glistened off the meadow grass since the trees opened up into a small grazing ground before thickening once again and hiding the kingdom's secrets until one went further in search of the main meeting area.
Aten was continuing to walk along, but stayed within easy reach of the two young ones. Kalil offered Ruthless a smile, "So, whadya think? If you'd like, I can take you to the main grazing area, or there's this wonderful place father showed me where a small river runs down a tiny mountain and into a pool before heading into the ocean. It's very pretty in the summer, especially when there are still fish to see, and all the other creatures that call the river their home. What would you like to do?"
@[Ruthless]