xx.quiet nights

[xx.shuffle]

KODA

These were the lands he had dreamed about since he was a small tyke. The horror stories, the nightmares his dam tried to force him to envision, they were nothing like the true lands he was now calling home. They were beautiful. Vibrant colors that contrasted against each other directly after a raging storm. Strong, powerful works of nature. He was loving it all. There was no place he wanted to be more than here. He couldn't think of a single reason to regret leaving home. Everything he needed was here.

He glanced behind, to watch the quiet lapping waves erase his trail. This beach was just one the places he had discovered in his wanderings. It was one of the more pleasant places he had come across, and he spent much of his time here, watching the water roll across itself in a desperate attempt to reach the land before withdrawing again. He spent his mornings and his nights here, watching the sun rise and sink again, lighting the sky with a dozen different colors.

His thick chest heaved with a sigh. The only thing he didn't have was company. Someone to stand by his side and fill his lonely moments with light. That was his consequence of coming to the lands alone. When the nights were chilly, and the winds were blowing harshly from the ocean, he had no one to stand by his side and warm his hide and his heart.

[SilentMusic]

The young mare had only arrived the night before and had found the lands before her to be stunning. Despite her tired and weary bones she had begun exploring enough to get her comfortable with the area she had planted her hooves. Her hatred long gone for her father, though a tinge of pain still lingered that he couldn’t even look at his daughter anymore. The young mare had found a place to rest for the night despite it being so close to morning and rose late in the afternoon, deciding she had much more to do. Heaving herself she gave her frame a shake and picked up a bit of jig, it wasn’t a flat trot but much more exciting because she couldn’t contain the excitement any more. She tossed her crown and made her way into a land, taking her time to look around until night had fallen and she had finally crossed into another part of the land, the soft sand below her hooves made her stop in her tracks, she had never seen nor felt such a thing but she wasn’t afraid and moved forward, feeling the tiny pelts hitting her underside, moving towards the waters edge to enjoy the waves. As she pushed into the water, she stopped to scan the land and noticed she wasn’t alone. She paused briefly and squinted at the equine but couldn’t get a good look, so she moved closer and was shocked. Ilene knew who he was and moved closer calling out, “Koda?” questioning just in case she was wrong, her pillars still caring her forward.

[xx.shuffle]

KODA

He had heard nothing but chattering birds and scuffling animals for so long, that the sound of another horse speaking startled him. He whirled around at the sound of his name, ears perking toward the familiar voice. He knew that sound. He spent many nights camped beside that voice. There were many times they trudged through heavy storms side by side, the wind mingling their manes and tails together. He had grown very fond of the mare that voice belonged to, and had missed her dearly when they took separate paths.

"Ilene?" His voice was quiet. This couldn't be true. He never thought he would see her again. His dreams had been to follow the deep path to lands ravaged by disease, and he couldn't bring himself to ask her to join him on a mission that could be suicide. "I-is that really you?"

He left fresh, deep prints in his rush to be near her. He hadn't been this excited since the striking peak of the claiming mountain had risen above the flat lands. He didn't think he would ever be as excited as he was now for the rest of his days. It was a dream come true, having her in his sights again, and he planned on drinking as much of her in as he could.

[SilentMusic]

When she heard her own name in return she picked up the pace, just trying to be near him sooner. Finally reaching him she pressed her nose into his nape and sighed an easy content sigh at finally being near him. “Yes Koda it is me my have I missed you my travels weren’t the same without you there.” She spoke quietly nibbling gently upon his nape before pulling away and stepping back, “How have you been it has been sometime sense I have seen you.” She spoke with a smile prancing around him and taking in his ever changing frame. She couldn’t believe how much he had changed, she couldn’t believe how much she had changed, she hadn’t really leaned out but had grown slightly taller, her baby doll face had however remained which she was thankful for, he however had filled out and was more and more looking like a dashing stallion who could potentially provide her protection and maybe a home. She shook her crown and settled near his side and cocked a hind hoof, “when did you arrive here? I didn’t think I would ever see you again.” She spoke once more softly looking over to him and taking him in once more, unable to fully believe she had indeed found him again.

[xx.shuffle]

KODA

He lifted his crown proudly as she neared, ears straining to catch the sweet sound of her voice. His head bobbed as she pressed close to him. It was a miracle that they had met again. An act of destiny. He simply couldn't believe he could be this luck. But her touch proved to him that he wasn't in the midst of some nightmare that was pushing everything he didn't have to the forefront of his mind. He stretched his neck to press his soft nose to hers, reassuring himself once more that she was really here. "I have missed you more than you could imagine. It's been so quiet and lonely without you around."

He straightened himself as much as he could, and stood as tall as possible as she circled him, eager to show that he had grown while they were apart. He wanted to be worthy of her. "I have thought of you daily, Ilene. Every day since we parted," he said as he pressed his side against hers. It was quite warm out, but he drew comfort being by her side once more, and he didn't mind the added heat. "I made it here not long after we separated. I didn't want to leave you, but I couldn't risk bringing you here. I wasn't sure what the lands held. Oh, but how I wished you could be with me for every single moment of it. I can't believe you're here, with me, now. Its like a dream."

[SilentMusic]

“Indeed it has been really quiet without you around as well.” She smiled and despite the temperature found herself snuggling closer to his touch and side. “I have seen lands that many don’t want to see, I should have just followed you and we could have been together instead of being apart.” She spoke softly, “It is like a dream but not, we are back together and nothing is going to break us apart.” She spoke once more still looking to him as she shifted her weight and cocked the other hind, leaning more into him and closing her orbs briefly. “Have you seen much of this land? I saw a place that no other equine has touched and it was simply beautiful, I wished to make it mine.” She spoke as she nuzzled his cheek, those feelings she had felt before rushing back, “I know it has been sometime but I cant ignore the feelings I feel toward you and still do, I love you Koda.” She spoke quietly ducking her crown under his chin waiting.

[xx.shuffle]

KODA

He loved the feel of her pressed against his side. It was amazing, and he wanted to spend his life with her touching him. There was nothing like it. Nothing compared. Not the softness of falling leaves, or the fluffy snowflakes that fell and stuck to his coat, or the calm waters of the ocean in front of them. This was his favorite touch - her side pressed to his, her warmth mingling with his. If he had his way, they wouldn't separate ever again.

He sighed and pressed his muzzle to her jaw. "My dear, I wouldn't have let you follow me. The stories I had heard of this place - I couldn't risk your life t satisfy my curiosity. If something would have happened to you, I never could have lived with myself. You are much too important to me." If the disease he had been told of existed, and she had suffered from the illness that wiped the slate clean, he couldn't have plowed through the days. In the time they had been together, she had become everything to him. She was the light on the horizon in his eyes, and he would do anything and everything to make her happy and keep her safe, so long as she wanted and needed it. "But the disease has died, and I am ecstatic that you are back in my life."

He listened intently as she spoke of the lands, her eyes lighting with desire. He didn't know the lands, he hadn't ventured far into the homelands, choosing to stay in the lands that appeared open to all, in hopes of finding another that had ventured here like he had. Instead, Ilene came back into his life, and gave him the comfort and security he didn't know he needed so desperately. "If these are the lands you want, then I swear I will get them for you. They will be our lands, and we can have a family, and watch as the sun rises above us and sets behind us daily. I will make these the lands we spend the rest of our lives together in."

She was speaking again, and he listened carefully. His eyes lit, and he relaxed beyond what he thought possible. This really was a dream come true. He slung his head to her withers, nipping lightly. He closed his eyes, basking in the confirmation that another loved him as he loved her. "I have loved you for so long, Ilene."

[SilentMusic]

Raising her crown her orbs holding excitement for the chapter they were about to embark on. “The lands were warm and there was a small lake to keep a herd alive only downside would be all the moister but the warmth come winter would be perfect.” She spoke quietly ignoring the previous fact he had stayed, she understood though and she had seen her own fair share of hardships which was more than enough to scar someone but somehow the mare had ignored it and pushed through knowing very well that was not were her heart belonged and there was some great calling and she had found it in Koda. “As have I from the very moment I laid eyes on you but I was too afraid then to admit my feelings for I could sense the restlessness in you but now that we are back together I will never leave your side.” She spoke softly, stepping briefly away from him to step into the water that was near them, she had never been on the sand or near a body of water this large but her love of the water made her feel safe standing amongst the waves, dropping her crown she pawed at the substance under her and snorted when it touched her nares jerking her crown back up and looking over to Koda, “I have never been to a place like this what is it called?” She questioned, tilting her crown as she waited.

[xx.shuffle]

KODA

He listened, enraptured, as she described the lands. He knew that these were the lands that she was destined to live in, and he would do anything and everything in his power to give them to her. Her desire was his command. He knew, from that moment, that he wouldn't be able to tell her 'no' so long as he was breathing. If she asked him to harness the moon and place it in this lake she was talking of, he would find a way to do it. He was completely wrapped around her hoof. "It sounds amazing, Ilene. I promise you, we will call this place home one day soon."

They were drawn to each other, he had known that from the beginning. But for him to love her to this magnitude, he knew this was something different, and something rare. This, he knew - not from experience, but by instinct - that this was something special. Something worth fighting for until he took his last breath. What they had wasn't something that everyone came across, but what many spent their lives looking for, and failing to find. And he - being the hard-headed moron that he was - had walked away, and given it up. Sure, it had been for her, that he had forced himself to walk away, but it wasn't like he hadn't missed her dearly. But they were together again, and he wasn't going to let her out of his life again. "That's good, because I don't think I could be without you again. This was just something that I needed to do, and I couldn't endanger you. I'm sorry I couldn't stay."

He watched, bemused, as she stepped into the ocean water. She pawed the waves, splashing them into her face. He chuckled, moving closer to her. He stopped at her side, and lowered his muzzle to the water. He could smell the salt. This place was his favorite so far, of the places he had explored. Of course, her lands sounded amazing, but this beach was the most extravagant thing he had found - other than herself - since he had made it to the territory. Gently, he pushed the water in her direction, being careful not to inhale the salty liquid. "Its called a beach. Elysian Beach, to be exact. The sand stretches for miles. It took me two days to get to the other end. This water, its full of salt. I don't know where it ends, but if you're patient enough, you can see dolphins leaping," he gestured with his maw to the deeper waters, "way out there way offshore. I think you would love it." Quietly, he touched his muzzle to her shoulder before he looked back out to the ocean.

[SilentMusic]

“I hope so Koda I really do it is truly a place I can see myself calling home.” She spoke with a smile listening to his next set of words, which filled her with joy. She didn’t want to be without him anymore, this was the stallion she loved and wanted to be with for the rest of her days, give him children and undying love. “Your fine Koda I understand no need to be sorry, it was for safety.” She smiled and nuzzled him and then watched him jester to the water and beach as he called it, whatever it was would never be forgotten for her. “Can we make more trips here? I think this might be my second favorite place besides home whenever that comes.” She smiled and turned so she could look out the vast amount of water, cocking a hind hoof and leaning into him and staring out until finally she saw one or so she thought because she had never seen one before, Ilene grew really excited as she looked to Koda, “was that one or am I just seeing things?” She questioned softly.

[xx.shuffle]

KODA

She really seemed to like this place. He was glad. This beach was amazing, and he would be glad to return to it, even after they had settled into their new lands. "We can come here as often as you like. I love this place." He locked his legs to support as much weight as she wanted to settle against him. He would gladly stand knee deep in the warm water for the rest of the night with her by his side.

He looked to where she was staring, just in time to see the fin of the dolphin break water. "Keep watching, you're no seeing things," he waited a moment, giving the res of the pod time to catch up to the leader. "Look, here come the rest of them." He had always enjoyed standing and watching the dolphins breaking surf. It was a change of atmosphere. They posed no risk to anything he needed to worry about, and he posed no risk to them. They survived in a comfortable companionship.

They were much more welcoming than most of the creatures on land. All the little critters he had come across. Most were hostile, or frightened, or just plain to wary to allow him within any considerable distance. Therefore, he had spent many days and nights waiting for the pods of dolphins to swim by. It was calming. But, even with the dolphins, he hadn't been this calm and relaxed in months.

[SilentMusic]

She stood by his side, leaning into him just enough that she could cock her hind leg still but still supporting herself so she wouldn’t be carried out by the waves. She did as he had told standing still and watching were she had seen the first fin break through and soon enough his voice had broken the silence as the rest of them came through, it was breathtaking, magical she had never seen such creatures but they seemed not to fear the two standing there, unlike many of the other creatures she had run into. At this very moment she was more at easy and relaxed then she had been sense she had started out on her own, every night was a new challenge and she never knew what was going to go bump in the night. But with him here she felt safe and whole, like nothing would get her and she could be at ease. She looked to him and straightened herself, “Is there a place to rest around here, im finding myself exhausted from my travels and lack of sleep.” She spoke softly reaching out to nuzzle his cheek.

[xx.shuffle]

KODA

He watched her as the sea creatures broke the surface of the water. He drank the sight in, enjoying seeing her so free and happy. It was so unlike the day and nights they spent trekking across the land together, where every move was made while watching their backs. There were always creatures looking for their next meal, and two tired horses wouldn't be much of a fight against many working together.

But here, in these lands, he had felt safe, even when he was by himself. He hadn't felt as though he needed to sleep with one eye open, or like he constantly had o watch his back. He was sure there were predators out there somewhere, but here was not there. This beach was like a safe haven. A place where any equine was safe to rest up from any journey they had made.

He bobbed his head in answer to her question. "Come with me. I'll show you where I have been staying." He waited until she was standing on her own hooves again before he stepped from her side, lifting his legs high to splash on his way out of the water. Once she was by his side again, he started down the beach to the nest of trees. They were thick and tall, and they blocked much of the elements while he rested. He would be glad to share his temporary home with her.

[SilentMusic]

She had caught his head bob and knew that she was in good hooves and he would find her that spot, Ilene gave her frame a shake after his high stepping splashing and trotted after him. Her gait not nearly as flashy but just as eager to keep pace with him as they moved down the beach to a place she had noticed before when she had done her once over. It was a very thick grove of trees that seemed to have protection from the elements but still had a decent view of the water that they had been in moments ago. She slowed to a walk and dropped her crown slightly, long lean neck stretching out as she gave her frame another shake before pushing into the trees and circling around. Her frame dropped and she kicked her pillars out with a content sigh, finally flopping over on her side and looking up to the tops of the trees, which she couldn’t even see because they were just as dark as the night sky above. She stretched and then relaxed, “Don’t you go too far.” She spoke sleepily, her eyes began to close as she relaxed more and finally dozed off into a light sleep.

[xx.shuffle]

KODA

He chuckled as she shook the water he had splashed onto her off her coat. It was warm enough that the cool water that had seeped past his hairs didn't bother him. It felt rather good, even with the random chilly night winds. He enjoyed this time of year, when the earth was waking from the cold winter.

He watched as she dropped to the earth, with his ears pushed forward to listen for any signs of discomfort. She seemed to enjoy the feel of being off her legs. He was glad she was comfortable enough to relax in such a vulnerable way around him. She knw he would do anything and everything to protect her.

"I wouldn't dream of going anywhere without you." He dropped his head to her level and watched as she drifted off, before lifting once more to scan the area he already knew was safe. But now he had something worth protecting and worth the work.