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Post by Strider on Dec 6, 2011 19:54:29 GMT -5
- S T E R L I N G - 
It was as cold as it was quiet which, considering the only sound was the crunching of hooves through untouched snow, was nearly total. The weather had taken a turn from pleasantly crisp to an uncomfortable chill when the winds picked up and now, with the evening quickly approaching (it became even colder at night when there was no sun to warm a creature's skin), it was time to find shelter.
Everything was just as he remembered it.
The cold, the wind, the trees... They had not changed much. Sterling paused as a cool gust picked up, shielding his eyes against the sting of individual hairs as they slapped against his face. He remained still until the burst of air faded; when it did, he let loose a breath he had not known he was holding. It came out as thick steam and he watched it until it lazily faded away. When it had gone, the silver stallion snorted softly before continuing on his way. Others would have turned back and high-tailed it toward the safety of Selbrinar but, having been raised within the harsh reality that was Vanechka, Sterling was comfortable. He knew his way around.
His father had moved their little family into the farthest reaches of the north as soon as Sterling's coat was thick enough and his heart strong enough to survive. During the late autumn months they would move a little south and shelter for the winter in Selbrinar but, during the warmer times (If you could even call it that, he mused to himself with a chuckle) they had made their shelter in the icy tunnels. The caves, in his opinion, had always been prettiest at sundown. There was something about the way the warm pinks and oranges reflected off of the frozen blue snow that lulled him to sleep.
Well, that and the haunting lullabies his mother used to sing to him before he slept.
Judging by his position, he still had some time before he reached the caves. The light left in the sky told him he had an hour to reach the ice caves before the sun began to set. It would be enough. The silver stallion's thoughts returned to his mother's lullaby. The tone was haunting but beautiful - it was not until he was old enough to understand the story that he knew the reason why his father hated it. Alone, as far as he could tell, in the splendor of the winter-locked world and memories of his younger days, Sterling began to hum. His voice wasn't as sweet as his mother's had been but his deep voice carried well across the empty landscape.
"Hush child, the darkness will rise from the deep and carry you down into sleep..."
OOC: Meh, not sure how I feel about it. I feel like I forgot how to RP. ^^; I just stumbled across this and wanted to use it somehow. xD Bear with me until I get back into the swing of things!
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Post by Hud on Dec 12, 2011 20:37:15 GMT -5
EVANGELINE
The poor girl's hooves had never known another substance beneath them than snow, ice, or frozen earth.
Evangeline was not ashamed of how limited (or even nonexistent) her experience was outside of Vanechka. Traveling occupied no room in her mind - she never thought of leaving her birth place. The curiosity that some of her childhood playmates apparently had was lost on her. Why would anyone leave such a place as her forever-wintery home? Eva was born in Vanechka and she'd die in Vanechka.
The yellow, white, and black mare stood inside the depths of her favorite niche in the ice caves - the one her family called Balg. It was often a tradition in Northern families to name their shelter loosely after the father residing there. Evangeline was the only one remaining in Balg, but she didn't mind. Her parents had passed peacefully and her older sister Odilia had run south, to the Freelands.
Black hooves clicking and clacking against blue ice as the mare weaved her way toward the entrance of the caves, her eyes narrowed at the sun's rays peeking into the caverns. It didn't take too long for Eva to emerge from the cold sanctuary and take a good, long breath of evening air. The sun would fall soon and the moon would take its place. Evangeline longed to see the moon. She quite preferred it, actually.
OOC: Man, I'm so soooorrrry for the lateness.
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Post by Strider on Dec 14, 2011 12:19:08 GMT -5
- S T E R L I N G -
Another cold burst of wind told him that the weather for the night would be frigid. Glad for the warmth that his winter coat provided, Sterling broke his brisk walk into a high-legged trot - it was necessary to get his hooves over the deep snow. It wasn't long before, despite the chill, he began to break a sweat.
Sterling's breath was just becoming labored when he saw the characteristic glitter of light reflecting off of hardened ice that told him he was finally home. Snorting loudly as he slowly came to a halt, the silver stallion examined the area. It all looked so familiar yet, at the same time, new. The constantly falling snow made sure of that. It had always been one of the things that made Vanechka dear to his heart; everything morning, despite falling asleep in the same place, he woke up to a new world.
Still, after taking into account the more permanent landmarks, he knew he wasn't at quite the right spot. A bit off my mark, I suppose, he thought with a grunt. The caves that he had grown up in were about a quarter mile further. A shiver ran down his spine as the cold air began to press against his sweaty gray hide and he knew he had to hurry - catching a cold in Vanechka often meant death. Shaking his head to get his forelock out of his eyes, Sterling once more set his body into motion with a smooth trot.
And then she caught his eye.
He was surprised he hadn't seen her before. In all honestly, he had been staring right at her. However, since Sterling hadn't been looking at anything but the scenery he had somehow passed over the mare that stood in the mouth of the nearest cave. The stallion's legs broke through the snow as he came to a labored halt (the fresh powder was becoming much deeper here) and he dipped his head. In all honesty, he felt strange; it wasn't often, even as he had grown up, that families in Vanechka saw each other. Sure, neighbors saw each other every morning but even then conversations were minimal. Horses this far north tended to keep to themselves and their families.
Normally, Sterling would have just nodded and kept on his way but their proximity to each other made him falter. Clearing his throat, the silver stallion smiled. "Good evening, m'lady," he said as he dipped his head in her direction. "It seems the weather will take a turn tonight; take care to keep warm," he stated politely. Satisfied with his acknowledgement of her presence, Sterling smiled once more before beginning to turn and continue on his way.
OOC: Still trying to figure out his character! But he is very old-fashioned... xD
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Post by Hud on Dec 15, 2011 21:59:15 GMT -5
EVANGELINE
Evangeline was not prepared for the distant voice. It was not often that she heard the sound of another equine's voice in Vanechka. The cave she called home was a fair distance from other families' and she tended to keep to herself in general. Her gaze shot left and right, unsure of exactly where it had come from at first. It settled on a grey frame not too far from her - a stallion. How long had it been...?
She started, not sure how to respond. It didn't take too long before she regained her composure and pulled back into her normal self. This was just a kind male strolling by, giving a friendly warning. It was a welcome interruption - she didn't get many and this moment seemed like a treat. Evangeline wasn't quite ready for the stallion to leave just yet.
"What makes you think so?" she replied, in the most polite tone she could muster. It was a tad uncharacteristic of her to try and appear kinder than she normally allowed herself to be, but today was special. The opportunity to make a friend was a scarce one so far north. She was going to take the bull by the horns as best she could. "Are you from around here?"
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Post by Strider on Dec 16, 2011 15:06:56 GMT -5
- S T E R L I N G -
He had gone no more than a few labored paces through the snow before the mare spoke to him. Sterling's ears flicked back at the sound of her voice and he turned his head to look at her. A soft smile graced his lips as he turned his eyes to the sky and pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Well," he began after contemplating for a moment, "for one thing, the winds are picking up - well, more than they usually do - and for another, do you see those clouds?" Here he gestured with his nose toward clouds that were a slightly darker grey than the rest, indicating that she should turn her own attention to them. "Those look like trouble to me. Judging by these winds, I take it they'll be here sometime in the middle of the night."
As if to emphasize his point, another burst of wind scattered his silvery mane and tail, sending them into a flurry of activity against his skin. The mare's voice was carried by the wind and, as he blinked to keep the tips of his forelock from his eyes, he turned and took a few steps toward her so that they could better converse.
"I was born in Selbrinar and my family lived there until I was strong enough. I was raised here, actually." Despite his desire to find his visit his old cave (which may or may not have been reoccupied since he left) their light conversation was pleasant. Living as a bachelor had its drawbacks, with long periods of being alone among them. Snorting gently, Sterling settled himself into a more comfortable position in the deep snow. "And what about you?"
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Post by Hud on Dec 22, 2011 21:26:06 GMT -5
EVANGELINE
Evangeline listened to the stranger's weather assessment with skeptical ears. She did glance up to the threatening clouds when he suggested to, silently agreeing that they were not ideal. Still, her nature was to believe when she saw, not when she heard. It didn't help that she didn't know this stallion and therefore was predisposed not to be too trusting at first. He did seem to speak genuinely though, as if he was not trying to fool anyone but in fact saying what he thought.
Evangeline felt the cold zephyr wisp past, chilling her side momentarily before passing. Okay, that was enough for her. The stallion neared her - she did not back away. Eva was more interested now.
She was happy to hear that he was no stranger to these parts. It truly was a sad sight when a foreigner deigned it appropriate to move to Vanechka - especially those unused to cold weather. She'd even convinced some to go back in the past. It certainly was not for everyone. Evangeline didn't fancy herself proud though. She knew she'd never make it in a hot or even a warm climate for that matter. Her thick coat that never seemed to thin with the changing of seasons blew subtly in the winter wind as she heard his question. A back hoof cocked, Evangeline was not uncomfortable in his company.
"I've lived here all my life." There truly wasn't much to say from her point of view. She'd never been anywhere else and for now, she didn't consider that strange. Little did she know how unusual it was for anyone to never leave the safety of their childhood home. Sure, she'd been around the area, but always within a ten-mile radius. "I'm Evangeline, by the way," she said quietly. Her voice was rather deep for a mare, but not in an unnatural way. It had its own ring to it.
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Post by Strider on Dec 26, 2011 0:59:11 GMT -5
- S T E R L I N G -
Sterling's ears pricked forward again as he saw the mare's body shift into a more comfortable position. The stallion smiled and chuckled to himself; it was nice to have an easy conversation with someone who didn't seem like they were trying to hurry the conversation. Taking the mare's cue, he shook his forelock out of his eyes and sighed heavily in contentment before he spoke. "My name is Sterling, Miss Evangeline. It's a pleasure to meet you."
For awhile after that Sterling stared at the sky, quietly observing the ways in which the clouds rolled and the rustling of the branches as they tapped against each other. It was all very peaceful. Cold certainly, but peaceful. If it had been earlier in the day, perhaps even a bird or two would have flitted past. But as it was, he and Evangeline were the only souls that were seemingly awake.
"Hmmm." Pursing his lips as he contemplated, Sterling shifted his weight to the other side before he filled Evangeline in on his thoughts. "Funny how no one considers Vanechka livable yet here we are, two individuals who grew up in its breast..." The silver stallion's voice trailed off, allowing the wind's rustling motions to take command.
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Post by Hud on Dec 29, 2011 15:37:29 GMT -5
EVANGELINE
Evangeline dutifully dipped her head a little in greeting as she learned the stranger's name. Sterling... It had a pleasant enough ring to it. In truth, she was quite glad to have his company, however uncomfortable she actually was with meeting new horses.
The silence that surrounded them though deafening to some was completely ordinary to Evangeline. She didn't know to expect anything different, and so she was left content with her environment. Listening to his observation, she nodded with a small smile. She could see how others would call it a dangerous place to live, but she didn't have any where else to compare it to. As the wind picked up, her mane was blown to her right, whipping softly against her neck. Her forelock remained with the rest of her mane, following suit as the wind periodically sent it into a flourish of dark hair.
"I have a feeling I wouldn't do well in many other places," she laughed. Her eyes were hinted with playfulness as she glanced to the side. The prospect of losing her warm winter coat to only be left with the thin, ordinary summer coat was simply horrendous to her. The furry cushion was the only state of hide that was welcomed on her sides.
OOC: Kinda lamesauce. xD
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