Diiiiig A Little Deeper (open)

[nala]

Tiana

The cold was coming, Tiana was sure of it. This Indian Summer wouldn't last long and soon her joints would begin to ache more then usual. A deep breath explode from her lungs as she stepped further into the marshes water. She didn't always look where she was going anymore, at the age of fifteen the darkly colored palomino knew every dip and whole in the area, at least she thought she did.

No one had been down for a visit in a while, and the old mare was growing lonely in her silence. A raspy hum was the only thing that accompanied her most days. That and her not so present bird friends. The old mare wondered what had happened to Rembrandt as of late, his absence from the bayou was not a welcomed one. It caused the most worry in the ageing mare.

Brown eyes scanned the horizon for any life; they thirsted for someone to talk to, to share with. Tiana was not a lone mare.

[Hud]

LANDRY

There was not a stallion in all of the Homeland that could say he was more tired than poor Landry.

The yellow son of the swamp could hardly keep his eyes open as he trudged through the familiar terrain's muddy banks. His hooves stained with wet earth, Landry sought a place most could not boast of knowing about - old Mama Tiana's. The mare's dwellings were so deep in the bayou that it was often difficult to come across, much to Tiana's dismay. She was so lively for a horse as old as she was; or, at least, she had been when Landry had known her. The stallion stopped his pace to think for a moment on the prospect of her not being around any more. He hadn't considered that. Mama Tiana had always been there during his colthood - it was hard to imagine her ever fading away. When she went, she'd go with a bang for sure.

A small smile crept upon Landry's grey, velvety lips as he began traipsing once more through the mire. She was still here - he could tell. Mama Tiana had been a big part of his childhood, especially after his mother... His mother... Best not to think of her. Tiana had been there for most of his major firsts - first word, first swim, first gator sighting... He owed that old biddy so much. Of course, his daddy had technically "raised" him, and he'd done a good job of it, too! Landry loved his daddy, but he wanted Mama Tiana to know of his arrival first. Not letting his father in on the news felt a little like a game, especially since he had no intention of not telling him eventually. Landry laughed at what he thought his father's face would look like when he saw him again. It had been nearly three years.

Landry had done so much over his long trip. He wanted to tell his family, or at least what was left of it, all of his stories but he knew he probably wouldn't have the gumption to tell them all in as great detail as a stallion more gifted with words could. Landry was a soft-spoken, well-meaning stallion of few words. He was never seen without a smile, but then again he was almost always as quiet as a mouse.

The stallion's blue gaze (reminiscent to that of his famous father's) caught a glimpse of a familiar grove that used to house his Mama Tiana. He could note only the lack of aerial friends as different from when he had been three years younger. It wasn't long before Landry found the shade he was looking for - a dark palomino coat hanging onto a 15-year-old frame of a mare who he considered a grandmother. His ever-present grin widened as he let out a quiet whinny and greeted her.

"Mama Tiana, dat you?"

OOC: Kinda used this to come up with a past for the bayou horses. Let me know if you're not okay with anything here at all. We shall compare notes. :]

[nala]

Tiana

Dat'd be who I am. Her raspy voice rang out to the voice behind her. And who be askin? Her body, although more worn down then any old horse, was rather "in shape" for her age and home location. The water had reached up nearly to her knees, and as she pivoted, it sloshed around her legs and caused her tail to hang down dripping. Dat you sonny Landry!? A new excitement accentuated her voice as she moved towards the son of her "god son." Come o'er 'er to me!

She was slower this year, slower then she had been in previous youthful years, but she knew that he would come to her. His creamy yellow coat glistening with youth. Oh I ain't seen you in ages, sonny. Where 'ave you been? As she reached him she took in his familiar yet strange scent. He reminded her of Remmy, his father. You seen your Da yet? I ain't seen him 'round much either. She looked around then, half expecting her two favorite equines to be with her at the same time. The powerful leader wasn't around; it was just Tiana and Landry.

The always bubbly mare had so many question's for her quiet grandson, but she held her tongue searching for anything different in the boy. Was he more talkative now that he had seen the world or was he the same old silent sweet heart? H'ow ya been dear? She simply asked, fishing for the answers to her questions. Her brown eyes were glued to him, her attention wide open to only him.

[Hud]

LANDRY

When he heard her voice, his only response was to quicken his pace through the muddy banks toward it. To finally see his godmother again... The thought had been dancing through his mind almost since the moment he left and now it was about to be a reality! The fawn-hued stallion wasted no time in approaching the old friend, reaching his neck around hers to rest his chin on her withers in loving greeting. He made sure not to let all of his head's weight lay on her, aware that she was aging.

"'Course it's me!" he said with a slightly louder voice than normal - still only just above the whisper of anyone else. He'd grown into a fine specimen - his frame tall and firm like his father's but his disposition more like his mother's had been. Landry had a kind heart and a good soul, just like Sophronia would have wanted. He closed his blue gaze with a smile as he inhaled her familiar scent. Already he felt home and he haven't even seen his father. Pulling back a few steps to stand a comfortable conversing distance with Tiana, Landry listened to her ask about his father. With a slow shake of his head and a quiet smile, the stallion said nothing. He'd never been one for talking much and didn't see that changing any time soon. The "big, bad" outside world hadn't changed him a bit. His plan was to seek out his father next.

"Ah've been great, Mama." Landry's beaming face had never shone as brightly as it did at that moment. He'd had the time of his life on his travels and he had no complaints. On top of that, he was ecstatic to see his godmother again... Well, as ecstatic as a shy stallion like Landry could appear! His response was short, a characteristic reply from him. He could always count on Tiana to fill in the space where he didn't speak. It was a great partnership of sorts.

[nala]

Tiana

You' still not th' most talkative, is ya sonny. Tiana laughed at the sight of her little man. He was all grown up now but his childlike quietness lingered on. I be'n missin you, and all you got to say to me is "I been fine, mama"? She flicked her nose at him, teasing with what spunk she had left from the day.

Well I suppose you be on yo' way now, eh? You'll be tellin' you'r da to 'ome see me. She stepped back, fishing for anything to come from his lips. He wouldn't leave, but perhaps he would speak.


ooc: i fail.

[Hud]

LANDRY

His ears flicked back as Tiana accused him of being too quiet, his eyes no doubt showing genuine regret for not bursting out into song about his journey. Of course, the idea was almost humorous - Landry had never been one for theatrics like Mama Tiana always had been. All the things she taught him and he never once had the inclination to carry on the way she did, though he did enjoy being part of the audience. Even his father joined in on Tiana's shenanigans, but Landry never saw himself bouncing around with that kind of energy. It simply wasn't him. Any regret was gone by now - he knew not to be ashamed of who he was. Tiana had taught him that.

With a laugh, Landry rebutted. "Ah did missed you, Mama. You know dat!" He nodded at her mentioning of his father. It was about time he went to find him. Mother only knew what nonsense would fall out of his father's moth at the sight of his oldest son returning home. Perhaps when Landry was a colt, he felt that the horses he grew up around talked enough that he saw no reason to add to the sheer number of words dropped in a single day on the bayou. The thought made him smile.