These Walls are Closing In [Aponi]

['Scape-Monster]

Silas

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I was satisfied. Satisfied because of all the hard work it had taken to get to this altitude. My wings felt stretched, but in the good way, not at all drained like some others would have been. I was strong, just as I had been striving to become. I still had a long way to go, a long way. But I had made it to these peeks, and that was all that I could ask of myself for now. I would have to go higher next time, I decided, knowing that I would do it, or die falling on the way back down if I couldn't. I was confident though, some might call that cocky. I suppose that I am sometimes. But I had to become stronger, because I would never become that crying sniveling weakling that my mother had controlled all those years ago. It wasn't really all that long. Two years, could it have been? Three? I wasn't quite so accurate on that detail, but I knew that it had been nice and long, and my muscle was growing back under the scarred tissue of my white rump.

It was nearly grey, bruised over and over, the scars running deep and long. Some were short, and others still were a perfect match to the print of her dagger forever biting though my skin and into my flesh. I had been such a young boy when she had given me my first lesson as her whipping post. I was everything to her, but in the end, it was when she made me her lover... That was when I could take it no more. A mother could only do so much with her 'love' to me, and that was one thing that I was not about to allow her to do. I was strong enough by then, hardened in my heart by what she had done to me. Unbeknownst to her, she had shaped me so that I could finally see the fall of her form, the end of her reign of tyranny upon me and our small world that we shared.

My world now. My world. It was my own, and I lived solely in it. work harder and harder and you were sure to become something better. I was to become better. My breath frosted up from my nares and maw, misting its way in front of me as I tilted my feathers. It was easy to glide up here, and my lungs found it easy to breathe in the thinner air. The better to glide with, I suppose. I was a pegasi, and there was nothing that was going to stop me from ruling over my slice of the sky. Here, of course, I had very little power over anything aside from myself, but I could think of it, couldn't I? No great and mighty God was here. It was me. Was I then, a God in other's eyes? I didn't exactly like the thought of that. If I was a God, that meant that others sought my guidance, and I was not the kind of stallion that one went to for advice, and I certainly wasn't one to be followed.

I dipped down again, moving farther through the clouds, swooping in and around the mountainside, playing with the crags that were present. This was what was fun for me, what built my character, that which made me who I am as of this very moment. Sometimes, I didn't think it was much, and in reality, I knew that it wasn't much, that there were still those stronger than me. I was stronger than my mother now, That much I was sure of. But everything else? Was I strong enough to face a devil that resided inside the Pahane? Was I strong enough to defeat a hybrid? A Kelpie that might want to sing me to her waters? I could possibly resist a call from a vixen of the water, but could I really retreat from the dense woodland of the Pahane? I suppose a better question would be why was I there in the first place.

The Pahane was no place for a Pegasi like me, and no place for anything that wasn't filthy and lowly, and all around just... not fit for the earth. I wasn't quite sure how to articulate this point very well, having never been anywhere near the Pahane in my entire life-time, however, I had heard the stories, and they were only ones of evil and terrible deceit. There were things in there that even the most evil of equines would run from. Part of the time, I was more than convinced of these demon's existence, and the other half of the time, I wanted to laugh. Laugh to prove that I was stronger in spirit than the others. But still, I trembled in fear, even here, far away from the dreaded forest. I was not strong when it came to dealing with the Pahane. Perhaps that would be my next exercise. I would slowly expose myself to the stories, and then to the forest itself. I would find a way to become stronger. I would not allow myself to live in that kind of fear. Fear was incapacitating, and I would not be able to survive if I was incapacitated.

I dipped again, my fully white form going higher now, feather pumping methodically as I brought myself out of the clouds. I closed my brown orbs, allowing the pools to rest as I let out a long sigh. The sky... how I absolutely loved the feeling of having the air pushing through my mane and tail. It was exhilarating. In this way, simply being born Pegasi, I was stronger than many others. The unicorns could do nothing but spear each other, the keplies limited to water, but we... We the birds of the sky, we could achieve anything, for we had all the room in the world to travel, to retreat to safety if the need ever arose. The Pegasi, truely, was the strongest animal that could have ever set foot here on this land. And I was one of them. I made a loop, twisting and turning, allowing myself to relax, even just a little bit. I wanted to meet another out here, one that was able to prove their worth. Gladly, I would speak with them. But very few would even venture this far, especially with the winds that came over this place. Perhaps I could go lower, but that was absurd. They had to earn my respect, and to do so, they would have to prove their strength, and that meant coming to me.

"Let them come."

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Word Count: 1,120
Muse: Petty okay right now, actually
Notes: Well, I hope that things go well. If you want him to play hard to get gentleman, you could have your mare floundering in the sky, trying to get higher. That would be an interesting thing to see, wouldn't it? Just a small thought.

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[cowgirl123]

The little mare flew with her petite wings only a couple of yards away from the ground, she was not brave enough to go to far up into the clear blue sky, she was a small mare and if she fell it would most likely kill her. As she flew the soft breeze tickled her soft feathers and she let out a happy laugh, she was in her element out here, and the thoughts that pledged her mind whipped away when she was in the sky. When she was flying she was completely free, the gravity of earth had no rule over her, so why should the rule of all this cruel and hateful horses rule her? She did not like to think such things but it was hard, because the threat of a great war and the war in horse's minds was everywhere on the earth, but in the sky it all just drifted away with the wind and she was totally and completely happy.

Aponi was born to a small Pegasus family that lived far away from most horses, they were completely secluded, and they never paid any mind to the lives of most other horses unless they affected the family. While Aponi lived there in that perfect piece of paradise, she never knew the worries of the world, so nothing wighed on her mind. She never learned about the war, and how most breeds hated one another, that is until she was thrown out into the real world. Her mother and father gave birth to a new little baby and they decided that they had no use for Aponi and so they kicked her out of their home, so she set out alone. But she was such a sweet horse she did not hold it against them, she just believed that it would have been too hard to raise two children, so she still loved them with all of her heart.

When she went out into the world she was alone for some days and traveled into a dark forest. While in the forest she stumbled upon an ebony unicorn and since she had never seen such a horse she went up to him, not afraid at all, because she had no idea how cruel and vicious another horse could be. When she was only a few yards away the stallion began to yell at her, calling her rude names and threatening, but she did not know this she was so naive. She kept walking to wards the horse and then he turned on her. He charged and scrapped her side with his curved horn, then he turned tail and galloped away from her, the mare was in horrible pain and so she had to stay in the forest for a few more days. She thought that the stallion's behavior was strange, but maybe he just thought she was a threat, if not surely most horses were not like this.

So, she left the forest and traveled for a few more days. She then came upon a large lake that she started to drink from, but then a horse rose out of the water and starred at her with cold eyes, she smiled nicely and tried to talk to the horse. But it just stood there angrily and starred at her, it never spoke a word, just stood stone still. So she asked if something was wrong, the horse shook it's mane angrily and snorted, Aponi thought that maybe it could not talk. So she just smiled at the equine, the water horse rolled it's eyes and went back under the water and left her alone again. Aponi was surprised that she had met two rude and cruel horses like this, and she wondered what was wrong with them, surely not all horses were like this. But as she continued to travel the earth she heard talk about the war and how every breed hated one another. She thought that this must be why the other horses had acted the way they did to her and it was insane, so every horse she would meet she tried to change their minds, most did not listen to her though.

Aponi broke out of her trance like memories as she heard the beating of another equines wings. She surveyed her surroundings quietly and saw the outline of a horse that was very high in the sky, she shook her head at the thought of going up into the sky that far, she would not risk herself to go that high in the sky just for the companionship of another horse. She could not ignore the sounds of the wings though, but she was scared to go higher she did not want to get hurt, but he was a Pegasus which was the breed of horses that would actually talk to her. A Pegasus, a horse that she could actually have a nice conversation with, someone who might be nice. So, she would have to try wouldn't she? Yes, she would risk herself, just to see another horse and possible talk to them.

Aponi angled her petite frame in an upward position and began to pump her white wings to get her speed. She was going pretty good until she got about a yard away from the horse. Then the altitude started to get to her and her wings were getting tired. The mare began to teeter either way, side to side, and she Had the horrible feeling that she was going to plummet to the ground. She worked her wings in double time and gasped for air. If she could just get to the horse's level then she could find a layer of air to ride and she would be safe. But it was so hard, her tendons were burning and her lungs felt like they were being caught on fire every time she took a breath, and her little body was beginning to sweat from the sun that was coming closer to her. She let out a wimpy little nicker to the horse and hoped that they would hear her before she descended to the earth.

['Scape-Monster]

Silas

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I heard a sound that was akin to a bird in distress, though much louder. I turned my dial backwards, watching the mare struggle for a moment. I was tempted to make her wait for me, to make her prove her worth, but I was a gentleman. I could not be cruel to a mare. The very fact that she had tried to make it this far was in and of itself impressive. Yet there was something about her, the way that she carried herself maybe, the way that she strained, that told me this was an innocent child. She must have been younger than I was, I was sure. Her years were young, and she was full of youth. But I was full of strength. Still, I had to let the girl have some credit. After all, she had made it this far, why not lower the standard a little. I snorted, a traitorous thought entering my mind.

No, I wasn't lowering the standards that I set upon myself. I was lowering the standards that I set upon other equines. Not everyone could be as strong as I was, or as I strove to be. Certainly not this innocent mare, either. She was clearly of full pegasi origin, seeing as she didn't have any other extremity that would hint otherwise. Unless she was a water child. I snorted. No. They didn't exist, they never took to the skies. Not that I had heard of. If she was a hybrid, oh no. Things would not be all wonderful as she would have thought. Perhaps the only thing that I hate more than a pure blood on these lands, in these skies, is one that has mixed blood. Cruel, I know how it sounds, but the skies are pure, and when you taint a pure thing, so expansive, so magnificent, so wonderful, you taint everything it touches.

A pegasi in the sky is the purest of all creatures, and when you make one that is not entirely pegasi, then you make something that is tainted and cruel. It should not have to walk about the earth. Perhaps I sound harsh, but really, when I say that they ought not exist, I say so in doing everyone a favor. Other hybrids, perhaps I could stand them if I must, but I doubt that I would see them. I could not, and Will not tolerate a half blood contaminating my skies. Not my air, not the precious thing that I hold most dear. Not my freedom. It was the stupid hybrids that caused all this. When one makes a disgrace once, they make a disgrace for all time. It was disgusting. The thought that any of them would even get that close to one another to create such a vile creature. Wasn't that supposed to be an act of love?

Perhaps that is where I am wrong. If it is love, then it is strong love that drives it. To be able to fall for someone like that, I suppose it takes a strength. a certain kind, but a strength none the less. I had never been much of a romantic, and so the underdog relationship, especially that kind of contaminated relationship, has never drawn anything to me... But right now, that is not what I am dealing with. I shook myself, trying to right my thoughts as I looked back to the struggling mare. I had been looking at her, looking past her for a minute or two now. That wasn't polite, and it wasn't polite to keep her thrashing about in that manner. It wasn't lady-like, nor was it right as a gentlemen. Added to that, it was sign of sure distress, and it was not in my duty to let a lady continue in such a fashion.

I looped around, making a wide turn as I went to her aid, dipping my head, nares flaring. I could breathe so easily in these clouds, and high above them, but this femme... she was having the most trouble that I had ever seen an equine with the ability of flight ever have with breathing the thin air. Perhaps she simply wasn't used to its chill. Truth be told, I wasn't quite adapted to the chill that was seeping through my bones. after all, resting at this altitude in the winter was perhaps not the greatest idea. But it would make me all the stronger in the end, and I would make sure it ended the same way for this lovely little mare.

"Hello, Madam. Let us go lower, before you fall straight from the very sky..." My vocals were soft, and if she were to try, my scent was warm, like the earth in summer. Summer was my favorite time of year, and it was a wonderful treat to be able to carry that warm honey scent with me wherever I went. I dipped below her, watching to make sure that she didn't simply fall. If she did, I wasn't sure what I would do. Try to catch her, I suppose, but I'm not quite sure how I would be able to carry a full grown mare on my back and fly at the same time. Not gracefully, I'm sure. In fact, I wasn't even certain that the two of us wouldn't simply drop like stones... Best not to think about that right now.


---
Word Count: 901 A little short, I know...
Muse: Pretty good
Notes: Well, lets hope she doesn't fall out of the sky!

[cowgirl123]

The little mare continued to struggle, but then the stallion turned to her and she let out a sigh of relief to know that help might be coming, but he just starred past her for a a couple of minutes, as if he was lost in thought. It was lost on the mare of what he was thinking about at a moment like this, with another equine visibly in need, it must have been something very important. But then the stallion broke out of his thoughts and she was sure that he was going to save her now, well not save her she did not need saving, no he was just going to help her get her wings steady and that was all. It was not like she was some damsel in distress, well in fact it was though she hated to admit such a thing, and this stallion was going to have to save her or she was going to fall from the sky and plummet to the hard earth, and she would surely die.

The stallion looped around her and came up beside her and she started to breath easier just knowing that everything would hopefully be ok. Then the stallion spoke to her telling her that they should go lower, and she smiled a joyous smile that twisted her lips because this horse had actually talked to her, it was the first horse that made conversation with her in a while.
"Hello," The mare said with her velvety smooth voice, "Yes, let's, please." She said in an out of breath voice that held her normal tone of sweetness. The stallion dipped under her and she decided that she should probably follow him, though she was frightened that she might fall out of the sky as she tried to fly lower in the sky, but since the stallion had actually talked to her Aponi decided that he was worth following.

She angeled herself down, not too steeply because she knew of she did she would surely fall, and she closed her wings just a tad bit and she descended a little. When she reached the level that she was comfortable at she reopened her wings, but a bad gust of wind came to wards her and she began to tilt to the left some, but she coiled her right wing and steadied herself, then she opened both wings and rode the air gracefully. She gave a shy smile to the stallion that was close to her because she knew how stupid she looked, it was like she had no flying ability at all, which was not completely wrong. She used to be an amazing flier when she was younger, but that unicorn that attacked her had torn her flying feathers out and so she could not lift herself into the sky that she so loved, it had been weeks maybe even a month since she could fly.

When she could finally fly it was like she had to learn everything over again, she had to figure out the air and how to use her wings, but the only difference was she did not have her mom to help couch her in how to fly. So she was completely alone in her learning, and this was the result, she had practiced for weeks, and she was only just now getting the hang of it, and she had not practiced in such harsh conditions as the high altitude and the pain of her working so hard, so that worsened her skills even more. But she was not one for excuses, and she knew that it was her fault that she was not able to fly well, she had not practiced nearly enough in the weeks she had to fly, and first of all she should not have tried to talk to that angry unicorn that had attacked her so cruelly.

The sun gently beat down on the two equines and it made the petite little mare's snow white body shine brilliantly, her long mane and tail gently blew along with the soft breeze that caressed her, and her wings were just so utterly gorgeous that no words could even try to describe them. The mare continued her sweet natured smile to wards the stallion as her robin egg orbs looked over the Pegasus. He was very muscular and the mare thought that he must have tried very hard to get this way. He was a very handsome horse and she couldn't help but keep her eyes on him. She thought that this might seem a tad bit stalkerish to the stallion that she had only just met and so she looked over at a bird that was flying closely to the two horses. The bird was flying right for her white wing and so she tilted her wing down so that the bird could pass easily, then she smiled at the fact that she could have helped the animal, then she turned her attention back to the stallion.

['Scape-Monster]

Silas

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I Tilted my dial towards the mare, watching her as she wobbled in the air as we dipped lower and lower. I kept watching to see what she was comfortable with. I kept hoping that she would tell me to stop at a high altitude. A place where the skies were clear, a place that meant that we had earned our spots in the sky. There was no such luck. Once we had found where she was comfortable, it was obviously low. Pathetically low. We now had to compete with the birds, pathetically small creatures compaired to us, though we shared the same wings. I had to keep reminding myself that it didn't matter that we shared the same design for flight, I was stronger, and that was something that I had already proven. But this mare... this silly little mare... She was so oblivious to the world around her, wobbling and titling. It was as if she had never flown before. I blew air out of my nares, a soft show of contempt. How dull this was. I was probably better off just flying back up to the cold air.

I was surprised when I spotted the bird and she tilted her wing, so slightly. enough to let it pass, but not enough to veer her too far off course. It was a nice move, either carefully calculated or the beginner's idea of how to turn. Either she was incredibly smart, or unsatisfying, and very stupid. Maybe it was somehow both. I had known a woman like that once. A mare that I used to call my own mother. Ah, mother. She had been smart enough to control me for the longest time of my life, but she had never been smart enough to keep me contained once I became of age. Once I learned how to defend myself, my mother was done for. She was smart enough to teach me how to defend myself, but stupid enough to teach me everything she knew, and to hand over the keys that would bring about her death. Or maybe that was intentional. Maybe she had wanted me to kill her in the end, even though she begged for her life all the way through it. She had wanted to live when I killed her, and she had wanted to live when she had been alive and well. I don't suppose there was really anything that my mother didn't want that she couldn't have. Until I showed her no mercy. That was when I hardened the most, I suppose.

It had been an accident, or at least, that was what I have come to believe. It was a practice session, just after she had used me as her cruel whipping boy. Someone from the neighboring herd knew what was going on, and had tried to interfere by talking to her. Whatever chance that Mare had of having children of her own certainly went down when my mother was through with her. I don't speak full of pride when I tell this tale. No. I speak of nothing but pity and contempt. I condemn my mother to whatever there is that awaits evil. I don't believe in anything too specific, but if there was ever something to believe in, it is that she rot in the place where all things that are purely evil go.

I snorted a little again, tossing my forelock out of my face. The mare was tilting about again, and I could tell that she hadn't been flying for very long. or at least, she hadn't been flying for very long again. That wasn't too much of a surprise. She kept looking at me, and I wondered why. Why in the world would she want to stare at me like that. I was just a stallion, just like any other one in the world. I had worked hard to get where I was. In all honest, I thought that I looked lesser of any other stallion. The scars on my body were from my mother, the mother that I damned and hated. The mother that I never cared for once I had understood her. She had scarred me for life, making sure that I was never to procreate ever in my life. I had been hers and only hers. I had never wanted to be, but that was how things had ended up. Because mother knew best.

I flipped my head back, falling through the air, and making a circle before going back to be beside the mare, if not floating a little higher than she was. God that was annoying. we were so low to the ground, the cool air almost as bad here as it was above the clouds, so close to the sky, to be able to touch the clouds. She obviously wasn't the kind to go too far from home. And she shouldn't, not with wings as weak as hers. Granted, I still had much more to work on myself. Please don't get me wrong, but the way that this mare acted was just outright pathetic. She stared, she flirted, I guess could be the word. Yes, that was it. She had come to say hello, and now she was staring. Couldn't we get in some good old normal conversation? I was going to try my hand at it, to be sure.

I opened my maw, letting her get a look at my pearls before allowing the soot close again, as if I was thinking of what to say. In part, I kind of was. I was trying to figure out what to say so that I wasn't rude. After all, a lady was a lady, brains or not. finally, I decided on something. I opened my silken maw again, and spoke."Hello Ma'am. Might I ask why it is that you are so far out here in the dead of winter? Its rather chilly, and one gentleman such as myself wouldn't want you to catch a bad chill. Are you perhaps lost and looking for directions back to your herd?" Please oh please let it be the latter one so that I can just show her the way and then be on my own again. Please.

[cowgirl123]

The mare could see that the stallion was annoyed at the low altitude that they were flying in, but it was not her fault, she had been attacked by that unicorn and so she could not fly. But this stallion did not know this and so he was just angry at her inability to fly, he also looked like he thought she was a tad bit stupid, which was not true. She was actually a very well educated Pegasus, her parents had taught her everything that they knew, and she had learned many things through her travels over the lands. Aponi shook her dial angrily, making her long and pure white mane ripple down her neck like water, and her long forlock fell over her Robbin egg blue eyes. She twitched her head so that her forlock fell over to the left of her face and then proceeded to look at the stallion in a haughty manner.

Then the stallion proceeded to ask her why she was so far out in the dead of winter, and asked if she was headed towards her herd, his face showed that he wished it to be the that probably so he could be rid of her. This stallion was rubbing her nerves raw, and she was going to tell him about it, but first she would explain herself so that he would see just how stupid he was being."I am not a mare to be deterred just by the fact that it is a little cold. I am out living my life, I have no herd to run to, and so no you can not just get rid of me that way. Gentleman doesn't seem like the word I would use for you, your face reveals your thoughts dear sir, I can tell you want away from me and I can tell that you do not like the fact that I am not a good flier." The mare started off in a somewhat angry tone, starring down the stallion with her light orbs, but she did not pause to long that he could get a word in.

"I am so very sorry that my loss of flying skills is warring on your nerves dear sir. But just so you know, it is not my own stupidity that has brought on my lack of skills, it was not at all my fault. I was wandering through a forest, minding my own business and being perfectly vigilant, when I stumbled upon a unicorn. I staid quite but he still saw me and he said nothing but charged at me and ripped my right wing to shreds. So, I could not fly because I could barely even move my wing an inch without it bursting into mind numbing pain. That was just a few weeks ago and my wing has just lately healed enough for me to be able to fly, so I have been learning all of my skills all over again, I have only been flying again for a week. So sorry that my pathetic maimed wing is not strong enough to reach you vain level of flying. But it is not my fault in the least, when I was at my prime I could fly higher and much more graceful than you, any day." The mare spouted.

It was true that she had an anger problem when she was provoked, she did not like it when horses blamed her for things that was not her fault, she was known for blowing up on an equine that did this to her and this time was no different. When the mare was done with her story towards the stallion she snorted angrily and caused her forlock to fall into her eyes once more and she shook it out of her face angrily. Then she just starred at the stallion angrily. Her light little eyes boring into his scarred body frame. But then she realized that those scars were created from the same horse and she knew that he must have had a hard life before she came to him. Aponi let out a loud sigh and then looked back at the stallion with her normal sweet look placed back onto her face, but no she was not going to apologize to him because he brought it onto himself.

['Scape-Monster]

Silas

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"If I may, dear lady. I was under the impression that it was your youth that brought about your flying skills. Not an injury. If I may, if that is the real issue, then I say you are healing nicely. As you can see, I've had my fair share of scars as well, though I'm sure yours wont lead to any disfigurement of your frame." I pulled my maw up into a smile, showing her my pearls easily. So she had been attacked. In Unicorn lands. Pathetic, stupid girl. She was worse than I thought. the very fact that she rebuked in such a manner, and the way that she spoke it was too obvious that she wasn't the kind to simply give up or give in. I could admire that a bit, but one that was wise would know when to give up, and this young lady didn't seem to know that. However, it stung when she told me that I was acting hauty when she herself was flipping her mane like no tomorrow.

I tilted my wings a little, dipping even lower to the soft ground of snow. I didn't like the white things, to be honest. It reminded me of the purity of coat that I would never be allowed to have. It saddened me for a long moment, and my dark pools watched simply the ground as I slid below me. above I could hear a rumble, as if it were about to rain. That didn't deter me from flying. However, I was sure that something like heavy winds and rains would ground the lady. If I wasn't genuine before, then I would be genuine in my concern for her frame. If it was so soon after an injury, yes brought upon herself but an injury none the less, Then her flight skills were rather remarkable. It was something to be prideful in rather than scorned at. For part of that, I apologized in my heart, though I wouldn't do so out loud. She had gotten apology enough before hand.

I turned my dial upwards, closing my pools and I allowed myself to drift in a daydream. It was a wonderful feeling, the air rushing beneath my feathers appendages. It was perhaps the best feeling that I had ever felt in my entire life. It was something that I reveled in and absolutely adored with all of my heart. If I could have one thing constant, it would be this ability, the ability that made me stronger than any of the other equine species. I could control the sky if I wanted to. If I truly wanted to, I could have it all, from right here, coasting on a breeze. My happy mood returned to me as I started to think of these things. It was easily shattered, however, when I heard the sound of the storm again. It was louder, closer now.

"Perhaps we should ground, My Lady. Before the storm comes in much worse than It already is. As it is, it will be enough to ground us forcibly. I doubt that your wings would be able to take it, if they are in the state of recovery that you speak of. I think a stretch for them is good, but to overwork them, especially in a storm, is not wise. " I spoke of only truth and concern for her, nothing that would make her doubt my sincerity in the least. I started to sweep lower and lower to the ground, though I knew that I could go on for many miles more, I wasn't sure that this femme could, and not with that wing of hers. I could understand why she flew lower. I gained a sudden new respect for her trying to come close to where I was. I beamed a little. Perhaps this girl could be a friend. Nothing more than that, she wouldn't be a fit mate. But a friend, I could see her being that much.

[cowgirl123]

The mare listened to the stallion with her swiveling ears as he said that he thought her age was the reason for her not being able to fly, then he stated the fact that he had many scars on his pelt and he did not think that her wings would be disfigured. The mare tilted her head slightly in a sweet way and a true smile flipped itself onto her lips. It was strange how her manners could change from once being angry to now about to say something that might bring his spirits higher. She could tell that he was not proud or happy about his scarred bodice, then he drifted down to wards the snow on the ground and she saw that he had a sad look in his eyes, and she thought that surely this look was from the fact that the snow was a shiny white that was in no way marked or tarnished, unlike his pelt.

"Excuse me sir, if you would not mind me saying, I do not mean to offend you in anyway but I wish to tell you something. I do not see those scars on your pelt as disfigurations, they are scars they tell of your path, the show that you are a strong equine. Those scars that cover your body, the ones that you so dislike, they show that you were strong enough to over come those bad things that happened to you that caused those marks. You should be proud of those. Also, though I did not agree with this only moments ago, your gentlemanliness shows that you over came those hard times and you saved yourself and became a good horse through them. All of these things show your strength, even more than those well defined muscles on your body, that I am sure you have worked hard to create. Because of those things you would need no amount of muscles for other horses to see your strength." The mare stated with a sweet natured tone.

Aponi hoped that her words did not anger him, she meant them to possible lift his spirits, and her words held a tone that said this. But she knew that he might be able to take them wrong and he could possible think that she was calling him vain, which she most definitely not, she was done with being angry at him and she knew that calling him names would only cause him to get angry. She did not want to face this larger stallion's wrath if he did get angry, and she was actually starting to warm up to him some, since she had realized that he was not just another bird brained stallion. He actually seemed to have a brain in his skull, and he was a gentleman, but she was not about to allow the stallion to know that she though well of him. She was far above flirting with him, he seemed more of a friendly horse, and she did not want to flirt with a friend, although she could not yet call him that.

Then the stallion yet again began to speak to her in his gentlemanly manner. He told her that there seemed to be a storm coming and that they should probably land because her wing would most likely not be able to withstand the wind. He added things to that statement like how it was because of her recovery and she was right to stretch it out. The mare let a smile come across her snow white lips and she nodded her head in agreement.
"That is most likely the best decision. I do not wish to be downed by the storm or to fall straight from the sky with a streak of lightning." The mare stated as she watched the stallion swoop down and to wards the snow covered ground.

The mare gently tittled her wings and she began her slow descent to the ground. When she was a yard away from the snow the mare tucked in her legs somewhat so that she was braced for her to land on the ground. When she did reach the white earth she slid a few inches and caused snow to fly up into the mare. It fell onto her and made her coat gleam ever more, and it hit her face tickling her cheeks, and making her lips cold. Aponi let out a small giggle escape her now cold maw and then she turned to look at the stallion who had landed only moments before her. She let a small friendly smile creep onto her lips and then she looked down at the snow covered ground. She starred at the perfect snow for a moment and then she lifted her hooves and created a long line in it's surface, nothing on the earth was meant to be perfect, was it?

['Scape-Monster]

I felt my maw pull up into a smirk. So she was flirting with me. Or was she? She wasn't, probably. It didn't matter. I didn't care, but at least I could tell that she was trying to get back in my good graces, and she might as well. After all, She had tried so hard already for all of this. It wouldn't be too hard to let her just have at it. As I touched down on the snow, I gave a snort, hating the whiteness of it. I watched as she marred the ground, tearing through the purity. So she was either showing off, or she knew exactly what I was feeling. Interesting, I would have to look into that later. I had heard of equines that knew what others were feeling or thinking, though I had never met one. I doubted that she would be one of those types, but one never knew until they asked, didn't they?

I gave a heavy sigh, my bodice shaking as I tried to clear the frost from my whiskers and my lashes. It wasn't at all nice to have that kind of thing tucked right next to the most sensitive parts of your body. It was almost as bad as having frozen hairs on the mane or tail. With that thought. I shook my body all over, just to make sure I hadn't tracked down some ice crystals over the rest of my body. I felt some parts shake off, and others still stick, mostly on my mane and tail, but that I could handle later. I would make sure to get somewhere warm and dry, and then make sure that I didn't fall ill. Any and everything forbid that I fell ill. I didn't want to prove weak at a time like this. If you were a Pegasi and you could live through a winter, you were alright. if you flew in the winter and lived, that was better. if you were as strong as I liked to believe I was, there was no excuse. But she had said something about that. Might as well answer it. She deserved at least that much.

"No, My Lady. If you knew what those markings came from, then you might think of them the same way that I do. However, I believe I owe you more than a simple explanation of those terrible scars. My Name, Dear lady, is Silas, and it has been a pleasure to share the skies with you today, despite our rocky start." I shook my boa again, letting my audits swivel to listen to her response, optics wide. I began to think about what her response might be if she knew the real answer to what had caused me all this scar tissue.

Would she run, flee as if her life depended on it. I wouldn't think she would do that, not entirely, at least. She might have been appalled, that much I could almost certainly count on. She would have been ghastly appalled by the answer. My own mother had caused me all the grief in the world for giving me these things. I tried hard not to let my audits swivel back and give a snarl. I hated the witch that had given me these terrible scars, and I would continue to do so, even when she was dead and I had had my revenge. Even then, I ahted her more so because she had forced me into taking her life so that I could continue to live my own. What kind of mother would make her own child choose between life and death? A crazy one, I was sure. I snorted softly, trying to clear these thoughts from my mind, but they refused to leave me.

I could still see her smirking face, the crazed look in her eyes that told me that she had somehow won, even in death, she still owned me like a prized pet. I hated that look, and the look that seemed to be cast on every other crazed equine I met. Perhaps they all had the same soul eating disease. I would hate to believe that there could be so many others out there like my mother, but that was the truth, and I was going to stick with it. There were just some others that hated the life they were given but where too afraid to die, so they must make everyone else miserable. My mother had to be one of those mares. She had to sacrifice me and everyone else she met to make her own ends meet, and each time, her sanity was farther and farther from reach. She had to hurt more and more to build that bridge.

NO! I lifted a front pillar and pounded it into the earth, causing the snow to fly as I snorted. No. I would not think of things like that in a true lady's presence. I wasn't sure if she had started to speak yet, but I decided it best to apologize anyways. "Forgive me, My lady. I was not myself for a moment. please, Continue if you wish." Perhaps that last line would give me away as having not been paying full attention. If she hadn't been speaking then I could end up looking truly foolish. but that was alright, anything was better than looking like my mother in those last moments. I snorted again, clearing those thoughts for the last time. I would not focus on such things here. I was strong, she was weak. The end. Story done. No more. It was all over now and I could let it all die. I should be able to, at least, but I could not. I could not allow her to keep controlling my life, but I knew she did. She had wanted to make me strong this entire time. so perhaps, in the end, she really had won in death.

-----
Word Count: 1,008
Muse: Okay. a little forced and dead right now
Notes: Bleh. this sucks, and I'm sorry.

[cowgirl123]

The little mare watched as the stallion lifted his lips into a smirking smile which she returned with her own sweet as sugar smile, showing her pearly white teeth, and pulled her soft pink nose into a scrunched position. The stallion landed in the snow and she heard him give a snort, she knew that he was angry about the whiteness of it and the fact that his coat could not be the same unmarked beauty as the snow. The stallion watched her scratch the earth with her light grey hooves and she saw that he was very curious about this. She had not done it because she knew about his pelt, she did it because she thought that nothing should have been perfect, well she might have been doing it somewhat because of the stallion standing beside of her but she did not want that to anger him.

Then the stallion spoke and said that if she knew where those scars came from on his body she might think differently about them though she was not sure about this, but then he continued the conversation adding what his name was and how he was glad that he could fly through the sky with her, though they had a rough start in the beginning. This statement caused another smile to cross her face, she knew that the stallion was being truthful about the flying thing and she was happy that he said it. It was somewhat of a good feeling because it told her that she was not just a nuisance to him in the sky, that he had actually had some fun with her in the air. She had liked the air and had been worried that the stallion had been too busy disliking her to enjoy it, but apparently not.

"I am sure that those scars came from a terrible thing that happened to you, and I wish to tell you that I am sorry that those things happened to you." The mare started, "It was nice to fly with you too Silas, my name is Aponi, by the way." Aponi stated happily her words rolling off of her tongue like water rolling in a brook. Her normal smile twisted onto her mouth as she said it and she was glad that they had finally introduced themselves, because in the air all they really did was become aggravated and then reach an understanding. The mare watched the stallion's face and he seemed to be lost deep in thought, she guessed that it was about the scars that were placed along his white body, and he looked at her once in his thoughts and Aponi thought that maybe he was thinking about how she would react to the story of what caused the scars. She was sure that it was a terrible terrible thing, but she would not just freak out because of it, she had heard of stories about horses doing terrible things to other horses but she would not dislike the horses who got the things done to them. It was not their fault, not one bit, and so why would she shy away from them because of it?

Then Silas looked very angry and he was sure that it was about whatever horse made those scars. It was like he was having some inner battle with himself and she could only tell it from the expression on his face. But then Silas took his muscular and stomped it angrily into the ground and she could tell that he was really angry, and she was glad that the anger was not pointed to wards her, because it was somewhat frightening though she did not allow this to cross her face. Then the stallion spoke and said that he was not himself and that she could continue. The mare tilted her head to the side confused, because she had not been speaking at all, but she knew that he was not paying attention and so he might not have noticed that.
"It is fine Silas, but I was not speaking.." The mare said in a soft tone, because she knew that he might be somewhat embarrassed by knowing that she had not been talking, but it was nothing to be embarrassed about he just wasn't paying attention.

['Scape-Monster]

I watched the mare for a long moment, then I smiled sheepishly. Well, She had at least told me the truth, and I could respect her for that. Respect, such a wonderful and lovely thing. the fact that she had earned it from me was in and of itself a feat. not many could do that easily. Perhaps her sense of time was a little warped, and maybe her conversation style a little tipped from mine, but she was a strong fighting spirit and I could admire that. she was something akin to myself when I had been younger, a fighter, but sometimes too afraid to fight for everything that I wanted or needed. Still, I could sense that she would fight if it came down to that. I'm sure she fought when she had been attacked by the Unicorn. Forbid that she had ever been there for too long. I'm not sure entirely why she would have been crossing over those lands and thought it safe unless she had been sheltered her entire time. Perhaps she had been coming from another place. That one would explain a lot. Even one that had been sheltered their entire life would have known that the others in the world would not have been the kindest. Or at least, I would think that they would.

But I digress, she could have been any and all of these things. No matter what her origins, she was a Lady and a strong one at that. The thought that she could become a friend was again reinforced. I couldn't think of her being anything else, for her spirit was strong for who she was, but she just seemed too innocent. But perhaps she was hiding something from me, something that was hidden deep beneath. Perhaps this was all a mask to hide something that was much deeper and better than all this. Perhaps she was dissecting me as I dissected her. Or maybe she was just everything that she appeared to be. perhaps she was the surface kind of girl. After all, she came about to me as that kind of femme. The kind that wore everything right out for everyone to see. I had yet to decide if that kind of girl meant that they were very stupid and trusting , or if they were very brave.

She did seem a bit like the kind that didn't care about what others said at times, however, when it came to things close to home, like her intelligence or her pride as a Pegasi, she did take those sorts of comments to heart. I would have to keep that in mind if we met again. Oh? My audits pricked forward. It was now starting to hit me that she had said her name. Aponi. What an interesting name. Then again, mine wasn't too far off. Silas. Who named their child Silas anymore? I was sure that I was the only Pegasi of that birth name. At least, to my knowledge, that statement was entirely true. But I could be wrong. there might have been a keplie, or a unicorn or heavens forbid a Hybrid by the same name. Why did I hate them so much? Perhaps because they were a foul mix of both one kind and then another. But I've been over this before, while high in the sky, and it was not polite for me to linger on other thoughts while still in the presence of the lady.

I shook my dial, taking a step closer. "Perhaps we could go for a walk, My Lady. If that would suit you, of course. We can stay as we are if you wish." I gave her a polite smile, pelt twitching with the cold. I refused to acknowledge that the chill was starting to get to me, to sink deep inside the marrow of my bones. I would be strong for the lady and to myself. I would prove that I was worthy to be called Pegasi and worthy to stay upon this earth and to fly in the sky. I wasn't about to let a silly little thing like a bunch of frozen water stop me. Water. Frozen water. who had ever heard of something so harmless downing a stallion like myself?

Alright, alright, I know. There are plenty that could die from the cold, but not I. I know it sounds cocky, and perhaps I am. I wont deny that I can be, but I must. If I don't believe in myself, than who ever shall? I must be everything for myself. Perhaps one day I could have a mate that would be able to help me complete this cycle, and a child to look up to me. But that just gives me more reason to be better than everything now. I need to be strong for later, for everything else that is to come. I should be able to protect my children and my mate. and I can not do that if a little winter chill can get me down. That simply wouldn't do.

My dark chocolate optics blinked, being blinded for a moment by a thin white veil before again focusing on the femme before me. As I said before, a friend. I can see her as a friend, perhaps even a close one, but a mate? Never. She just.. there was something missing that I couldn't quite place. But she was a sweet young lady. Perhaps it was her youth. Inexperience of the world that dulled her appeal to me. Nonetheless, she was good conversation, once I got past my own vanity. Yes, I'll take responsibility for it. If I don't then I never will. I am vain and cocky, but I must be to be able to stand up to the standards that I set for myself. and I will be able to stand up to the ones I set for myself. If I can not achieve even the simplest of them, how can I hope to achieve anything that is much greater?

[cowgirl123]

The mare watched the stallion as he smiled a tad bit at her and she gave him a warm smile back. Aponi realized that he seemed to be deep in though and she thought that he must be thinking of something about her because of that smile. She hoped that what he was thinking about was good things, because she had thought that they were possible friends and it would be terrible to her if she had said something that could possible hurt that, but maybe because the fact that he smiled at her might mean that he was thinking good things of her. Aponi tilted her head to the side with her baby blue eyes starring confused at him, she hoped that this would tell the stallion that she knew something was up and she wasn't sure what was going on, and she hoped that he was sure what this meant and not think that she was just intruding onto his mind space.

Then the stallion took a step closer to her apparently out of his thoughts and began to speak to her. He asked if they could take a walk, though he stated that if she did not want to go they could stay right there, and then he gave her a warm and happy smile.
"A walk sounds like a great idea." She stated in a warm and fluid as honey voice. Then she returned his smile with one of her own then she starred at the stallion and saw that his coat was shivering. She guessed that this was because of the flight in the winter air and being down in the cold snow with it drifting onto his body.Aponi knew that he would not admit that he was cold, because he was either too proud or to strong to do that, but she knew that he was. The mare realized that maybe walking would help them both warm off and so she decided that they should start off soon.

Then the stallion blinked his chocolaty orbs and then re-concentrated on the mare, he was lost in thought yet again and she decided that she would have to break him out of it, so that they could possible start walking and he could warm up. She was not that cold in all honesty, because where she had grown up they were in very high altitudes and it was never warm, so she was used to the chill. But she thought that this stallion wasn't much used to it, he just pushed himself so much because he wanted to become stronger, even if it meant being uncomfortably cold. Or possibly risking his own life just because he wanted to be stronger. She knew that the stallion was a tad bit vain becomes of his need to be stronger, but weren't most horses vain in their own little ways, so why should she judge him for wanting to become strong, she shouldn't and she didn't.

Aponi took a couple of steps away from the stallion and walked to wards the cover of some trees that grew out of the snow, then she turned around and looked at the white stallion with a smile playing on her lips, then she nickered lightly to the stallion telling him to come, but politely of course. Then she turned her head back to look at the trees, she did not worry about the stallion not coming with her, because he was the one who came up with the idea of going for a walk any way. Aponi starred at the trees that had survived the winter, they were strong, they were like Silas. Just standing there silent and stoic, not moving and not worrying about the cold, because they were too strong to back down and just loose their leaves and whither away. A small giggle bubbled out of her maw at the thought of this it was very entertaining in her mind.

But as Aponi starred at the trees a sharp and bright light came over her eyes, she could not see a thing, and for a moment she was worried that she was going blind. But then the light left her as soon as it showed up. Her wings felt like they were rocks and so she let them fall down to the white snow. The mare's wing bone was burning, a numbing kind of burn, and she had no idea what was happening to her. Aponi twisted her neck to look at her left wing and a loud gasp fell from her lips. On her once perfectly white wings there was now a thick black line on her wing bone. It winded around the bone in between her feather, every once in a while there was a thin black swirl that came off of the winding line, it was very intrecit and beautiful. But Aponi had no idea where these things came from. She looked around to the other wing and saw that she had the same thing on that wing too.
"What... wha...what in the world?" The mare sighed softly.