!! Time of Dying « Shady »

[Abba]

Repla shifted awkwardly trying to regain her now lost composure. As he layed his head across her back she gently placed her muzzle against his side, resting into him for a second. "The fire... The cliff... The vultures... I couldnt-" her voice choked part-way through. "i dont want to die..." she whispered obviously believing to the fullest that the exact dream would happen to her. That was her innocence talking. Easily frightened easily trusting, caring and compassionate. She didnt know what to do. She didnt want to die. Stepping closer to him she allowed herself to place her head upon his withers, unable to reach any further without straining herself. Her wound had scabbed up by now, a few part of the scab came off to reveal new skin, but no hair would grow back onto her pelt there. No. She would have a cross-like section with no hair on her side for thr rest of her life. She flicked her tail, forcing herself to relax and then closed her eyes, trying to push away the images.

==Into the mind
.183 words
.from phone
.show tomorrow. Cant promise anymore posts[/size]

[lady shady]

LAOCH

She was rattled, he could see. Murmuring that she didn't want to die? He took a step back from her, worried, concern in his eyes. "Repla, why do you say that? What makes you think that you are going to die so soon?" He took a step back towards her, laying his head on her back again and looking over her tail out toward the craggy cliffs that ringed the valley. "Every one of us will die someday, my dear. But that doesn't mean tomorrow. Besides, I couldn't have you leaving me now, could I?" he asked lightly, breathing into her mottled pelt.

He lifted his head and worked his muzzle gently in circles, rubbing her back, trying to calm her. Perhaps the cliff was making her nervous? They really should be heading back down. He gave her a gentle nudge and asked, "Are you ready to go back down my dear? Unfortunately, we can't stay up here forever." However, that was exactly what he wanted to do. To stay up here alone with her, to stay here with her forever. Their own tiny paradise within a paradise, a little escape from the rest of the world. But to stay up here too long would be too good to be true. It was too otherworldly, had too much feeling packed into the ground, was now soaked in the story of him and Repla. They had to go back down. But he knew he would never bring another mare up to this place. This place was not just his now. This cliff belonged to him and Repla. And it always would.

He tugged gently at her mane, taking a few steps and leading her towards the path away and down. "Ready?"

--behind the post--
294 words
replyyyyyyy

[Abba]

Close my eyes, here you are
all alone dancing in the dark, tell me baby if it's wrong

Repla bobbed her head, her body relaxing immediately as he rested her head against her back. Yes, it was okay now. She could calm down. Nothing was going to happen. Closing her eyes for a second she could feel his jowls moving as words began to slid from his mouth and ring in her ears. "Yes. Lets..." she murmured with a tiny shift in her position so that she could see the path downwards. She supposed she would have to close her eyes again and he would lead her down - and honestly she didn't really care. But she didn't want that dream to come true. She needed to be away from the cliffs. She couldn't be forced to choose between a fiery-hell-hole death and one where she fell endlessly to sharp rocks below her, unable to get out of anything. No. She simply didn't want to die like that. Vultures above her, telling her that she had absolutely no escape. No. No. NO. She wouldn't! She just - she wouldn't. He wouldn't let it, would he?

[/blockquote]

==Into the Mind
. 203 words
. Pandora Radio
. Dev - In the Dark
[/size]

[lady shady]

LAOCH

"Then close your eyes, my dear, and we shall descend."

He arranged himself so that her muzzle lay along his hip once again. Moving smoothly, he swung into an easy walk. Keeping away from the edge, he gave their little paradise one last glance before descending to the valley below.

••••

By the time they had reached the bottom, the sun shone brightly over the field, just as it had in the day he had first met her. As they clambered into the grass, he nudged her playfully. He accelerated into a smooth canter away from her, legs reaching out and stretching towards the south edge of the meadow. He looked back once, before he moved into a gallop. His legs blurred beneath him as he shot away from her, away from their lofty paradise, away, away, away. Then it was all over as he swung around in a wide turn, stopping and turning towards Repla, waiting for her to catch up. Her figure lingered for a moment in the distance, and he watched, heart beating in his ears, sides heaving. She was coming for him.

--behind the post--
no idea
GAH, DO A TIME JUMP QUICK
sorry, I powerplayed. If you want, write your response and I'll change it xP

[/size]

[Abba]

It's like you're a drug
It's like you're a demon I can't face down
It's like I'm stuck

Repla bobbed her head and followed him down. Once they had reached the bottom she saw that he was prepared for a game of chase she let out a short nicker. She caught him moving away and immediately she bolted on after him. Her legs stretching out quickly. Her muscles rolling quickly as she pulled herself into a long pull. It was a good feeling, to be running like this again. The wind in her hair. She saw him stop and she let out a stronger nicker, this time much louder and calling to him again. She would reach his side sooner or later. Finally, she reached his side, nudging him in the shoulder and watching the land as it pooled out in front of the two of them.

[/blockquote]

==Into the Mind
. 129 words
. Time-skip please to something
. I had no muse... but I felt bad for not posting and I had a little bit of time. XD[/size]

[lady shady]

LAOCH

The wind was sending the clouds above them skittering across the sky. It was a week after he and Repla had come down from the mountaintop, and in the predawn darkness, Laoch could barely make out their dark shapes against the starless navy sky. Repla dozed by his side, peaceful and completely unaware of what he planned to do. Rising slowly, he walked a couple of paces away, looking back at her curled-up figure. He snorted softly and returned again to her side, lowering his body to the cool ground next to her. Laoch had been at this for the past two hours, wavering between leaving and staying. His time here had expired, he needed to get out of the valley, the sweet pleasure of the mare had worn away and he knew it was time for him to leave. Or so he told himself. It had been a week, and he had always left by this point. He had always moved on, and now it was time again. But why couldn't he pull himself away from her side? Determined, he rose again and walked off without looking back. He couldn't understand his hesitation, why should he not want to leave when he always had? It was a part of his life, a pattern that he had so often repeated. But he had barely made it past the stream, when he automatically turned again and trooped toward the sleeping form. He sighed softly, running his muzzle over her back, memorizing her before he left. Laoch stayed with her like that for another hour, stretching the night into long minutes, making this last as long as he could. When the dawn broke, the orange sliver at the horizon told him that it was time to leave for good.

Touching his muzzle to her own small perfect one, he walked towards the hills, knowing that she would not be awake for a while yet. He didn't know what made him choose the hills over the cave; the cave was certainly the safer, easier way out, but for some reason, he was hesitant to go in. Thus, he began to climb up the mountain, hooves and heart heavy at the thought of his departure. She'd be all right, she would be fine without him. Nobody had ever needed him, and he had never needed anybody. He was sure that none of the others had minded for long when he left. He'd never looked back to find out.

Yes, Repla would be fine. She could stay there if she wished, he wouldn't come back to the valley anymore. She could stay, stay on the shelf with all of his fond memories, resting there forever alongside the recollections of the cool stream, the thundering waterfall, the sweet grass, their adventure in the cave...the way they had felt on that hilltop. Those all could be shoved away in time. There'd be more mares when he felt like it. Nothing lasted forever, after all. This was real life. He, of all horses, should know that. The sun was a quarter of the way up now, throwing timid pinks and bolder oranges into the inky darkness that still surrounded Repla, far below him. If she happened to look up, she would see him, but he didn't believe that she would. She would sleep for a few more hours, then she would awaken alone. She'd never know what became of him; hopefully she'd remember him fondly, but if she didn't, he supposed that would be fine too. That was how it would all play out. He was sure of it.

But his plans were thwarted with a sudden ominous rumble. Clouds were rolling in, covering the sun and lightning flashed briefly in the distance. A loud thunderclap startled him, and he stumbled for a moment before regaining his balance on the hill. With a noise like that, Repla was sure to be awake now. He must hurry if he was to leave the valley this morning.

--behind the post--
680 words, woot!
drama timeeee :D

[Abba]

Cause there are these nights
when I sing myself to sleep
and I'm hoping my dreams bring you close to me

Repla's sides heaved in and out with each quiet breath she took in. She could feel him continuously getting up and down. Walking away for a bit and then coming back to her side and laying down. The world was good here. Good. With him by her side. But, of course. The world was not a good place. It was a place of hatred and pain. Of the good horses getting mauled until they couldn't work anymore. Everything was there to work again all that was good. And good could rarely hold itself so that it stayed for more than a few fleeting moments. It was a horrible world to live in. But, at least... when she dreamed it was all better. Her innocence continued into her dreams. It kept herself moving. She would deal with the day so that she could dream a beautiful dream at night. That was her life - dealing with the horrid life to see the awe-striking dreams at night. But now, she thought she might have a bit more to live for. After all, she finally had someone who really cared - not just who she cared about, but someone who returned the affection. She was torn. Something bad had to happen soon. But, what exactly would that be? It was unknown to her. But something had to go wrong soon. It was the way the world was built. The way the world had to turn. The way the world kept day and night returning. The way the world moved like the tides in the ocean.

She allowed her audits to perk up as she felt his maw touch against hers. His breath against her hide as she shifted just a tad, waiting on him to drop back down next to her again as he usually did. It was a cycle in the mornings, for him to get up to leave and then disappear again at once. He would stay for an hour or so, then get up for about ten minutes, and come back. She associated it with the warrior within him. The one that had to always be on the lookout. What else was he supposed to do? Sleep without knowing what was going on around. Someone could be coming to hurt them. But, this time, instead of laying back down he walked away once more. Confusion settled into her dream and it was soon flipping into a nightmare. No. She didn't deal with the day to have a nightmare. That was not how it worked. She was supposed to have beautiful, delicate dreams. That was all. Beautiful, delicate dreams. No other way around it. She wanted dreams. Her audits honed in on his hooves hitting the soft grass - soon changing to the rocky platform -- so well that it was if she had gained hawk's ears for the morning. Wait? Rocky platform? No. Something was wrong. Slowly, she shifted awake from her slumber. He had not yet gone to the rocks. That was stupid. That was beyond stupid. That was a suicide wish, even he had believed that.

She opened her eyes, but was immediately blinded by the sunlight. She ducked her head under her leg and allowed her orbs to stay open. They would see the darkness. Darkness, the one thing that the world seemed to enjoy. The place where no one could really thrive. Maybe she should just stay here. Maybe it would be a better place. She would be alone. There would be no one to get attached to. No one to grow close with. Nothing could really live in the darkness. Only evil things could thrive in such conditions. Yes. Evil. Maybe it would allow her a quick death. Something to end the misery. That would be the best. But, her audits were still focusing on the ever receding sounds of his click-clacking hooves on the rocks of the cliffs. He really was leaving her? How could he? This couldn't be. This just couldn't be.
Suddenly, she heard the world rumble around her. It echoed on the rocks and down into the little valley. She opened her orbs to see the world changing to a grey. It was a horrid place. But it was fitting - at least the way the world seemed to be changing to black in such a time as this. Why it was being so she didn't know. But it was. And so she would fight herself. Suddenly, her mind seemed to click back into place and she could feel herself hauling herself to her feet even though her mind wasn't working and telling her what was happening. As she leaped forwards she landed, catching her balance and bolting onwards. She needed to catch him. She needed to catch him. There was no way around it. She just had to. He couldn't leave her. She needed him, whether he realized it or not.

Her legs curled up under her. She collected herself once more and continued to move forwards. More speed gaining with each step until she was in a gallop. Her whole body was shifting, muscles rippling under her pelt. She could faintly hear the sound of rocks dropping down into the abyss below. But of course. The world was not a good place. She had known this for a while - but she didn't let on. The world had to be a good place. It had to be a good place. There was no way around it. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to last. It was just the way the world had to move. And she didn't quite enjoy the way the world was now. "Laoch! Laoch! Come back!" she called, feeling her voice trying to break as she moved forwards. Tears slowly forming into her eyes. The world around her was slowly getting blurry. And it was at that point that she tripped over some rocks, tumbling for a few strides and sliding forwards, nearly off the edge. She let out a cry of surprise before pulling back onto her feet and then towards the wall again. Her next steps were struggling very much so as she hugged the wall. Her whole world was off. She needed Laoch back. She needed him. As she looked ahead she broke back into a gallop, leaping over a rock in her path and then reaching his side. She reached out, allowing her maw to tug gently upon his tail. "Laoch. Please... Don't leave..." she said, dropping her maw and allowing her tears to begin to stain the ground below her. "I need you. You can't leave me... please..." she whispered, her voice breaking part way through. "Please... I'll do-" she took in a short breath, feeling her legs attempting to give out. "I'll do anything. I'll change. Just... don't leave me. I'll be whatever you want... but I need you..." she said. Her legs scratched up terribly. Her face, scratched, bruised and cut up. Trails of blood slidding down her face and creating a matty pelt which only made her look even more pathetic. "Please... Laoch I love you..." she said, allowing her cranium to raise just a tad bit more, but not much, as she looked up at him. The cold wind blowing her mane and tail forwards. Her knees shaking and threatening to buckle. "Don't leave... I'll change..." she repeated, the world slowly going in and out of focus. She needed him. She needed him more than she needed to dream...

==Into the Mind
. 1288 words
. Hear Me - Kelly Clarkson
. Totally depressed, if you couldn't tell. Replace Lao with Cam and Repla with Me.[/size]

[lady shady]

LAOCH

The thunder sounded closer now, and he quickened his pace, not desiring to be out in such weather. Though it could be just a small squall, he would much prefer to at least be covered in the forest in a downpour than out here, stuck on a mountainside. He told himself to hurry, but he seemed to be slowing with each step he took away from Repla. Forget her. Forget, forget, forget… With every hoof fall, he climbed upwards, ignoring the uncomfortable tightness in his chest. Forget that she had a name. Forget her sweet gentleness, her worry, her care, forget their time together. Forget that he had loved her.

So why was he lingering? He paused on the rocks for the slightest second, recalling the other departures. They hadn’t caused him such pain; they mustn’t have had, or he would have remembered, wouldn’t he? Laoch took another small step upwards, confused at his own hesitation. What did he want, anyway? He was to be free again, alone, quiet, unconcerned. Freedom lay over the mountains. But what was freedom without Repla? He quickly tried to stifle the thought, but it rapidly bloomed into another and another. If only Repla could go with him…if only she could follow…but no one had ever followed. Why had no one ever followed? He supposed that none of them had ever cared enough to follow him as he left. This final thought left him empty. He couldn’t exactly blame this entirely on them though, as he had been the one departing in the first place. But really. It just went to show that the chances of ever settling down with a mare were slim, if not nonexistent.

The sounds of scrambling hoof on wet rock tugged at his consciousness as it met his ears. His spirits leapt for a single moment before he realized that it couldn’t be, wouldn’t be, her. Things like that didn’t happen. But there was her voice, calling to him faintly, as if she were far off, underwater, whispering, "Laoch! Laoch! Come back!" He shook his head. He needed to stop this, or he’d end up an empty shell of a horse, doomed to mutter to the voices inside his own head till the end of his days. He kept walking. The hoofbeats faltered and then quickened, and the whisper became a scream. "Laoch. Please... Don't leave..." She was too close for him to mistake her for a dream. She was there, his Repla was there, and she was very real indeed. She had come after him.

Standing in the rain before him, her eyes begged him to stop, the salty tears mingling with the rain sliding down her beautiful red face. "I need you. You can't leave me... please..." Her voice had dropped to a whisper again, pleading, raw, charged with a quiet passion. ”Please…I’ll do—I’ll do anything. I’ll change. Just…don’t leave me. I’ll be whatever you want…but I need you…” He eyed her quietly. Trailing his eyes down her side, he noticed the long red scratches crisscrossing her muddy legs where the long wet grass must have whipped her as she ran after him. Those beaten legs were shaking. Those beautiful legs were what had carried her up this mountain to him, despite her fear, despite her pain, despite the way he had abandoned her in the valley. She really did care.

Repla noticed him watching, but she couldn’t see the emotions spinning and whirling through his head in frenzied swarms, couldn’t see the raging internal battle. Should he stay or should he go? "Please... Laoch I love you..." In that moment, time seemed to stretch, like a dewdrop clinging to the tip of a leaf, her words swelled in his mind for what seemed like an eternity before crashing down amidst the chaos. I love you… The simple phrase had won the battle. He loved her too; there was no way that he could leave her. Laoch was reminded now of their quiet moments together, the sunrises, the endless mornings, the twinkling of the stars above them at night. How happy he could feel just with a single glance from her. How happy he was just by being with her. He had felt nothing like this before, not in all of his life, but his logical mind kicked in just long enough to tell him that this was, truly, love. He shuddered at how he had almost destroyed his only hope. Though it was barely perceptible, the shivering mare before him, ever sensitive, picked up on it and put forth her final plea. "Don't leave... I'll change..." Finally, he spoke.

”No. No, Repla. Don’t say that. Because I don’t want you to change. I don’t ever want such a beautiful mare to change, and I certainly don’t want you to change for me.” He took a step closer, then another, and now he was near enough to touch her. Lowering his head, he lifted her own before raising his head again so that he could look her in the eye. She needed to hear him. ”Repla…I’m sorry about this. I’m sorry about this whole mess and leaving. But you need to understand. Repla…you haven’t been the only mare who has passed time in this valley with me. You must know the truth. But,” he continued, his voice almost breaking, ”you, my darling, have been the only one ever to care enough to follow when I left. You are the only one I have ever loved. Please believe me, Repla. Never mind the others, you are the only one. The only one for me. And I’ve gone and destroyed it. You know now, and you are free to choose whether to stay or go. You deserve more than me, by all means, but if you will have me—if you can forgive me—Repla, I will be yours.” His heart twinged, feeling unspeakable joy and pain, both at the same time. An ending or a beginning lay before her, and he would understand if she chose the former. What was he to her anyway? A lonely soldier, without land or claim, one who would have left if she had not stopped him. He was not one to devalue himself, but he knew that Repla deserved much better. Thoughts of the other mares made him cringe, knowing that he must appear a noncommittal player to her, someone who ran when he got tired of it all. It was different now, but the argument sounded so hollow. How could anyone find it in herself to accept him for what he had been? But he hoped against hope that she would take him as he was. That she would use her last reserve of trust this time; he would show her that he loved her. He needed her with him. He needed her gentle laugh, her playful innocent spirit, her smiling slate eyes gazing up into his own. He knew he was ready now. He had found the one he wanted to be with until the end of his days, the lifelong companion and love who would always be there and whom he would always be there for after today, the one whose tears he would dry and whom he would comfort, the one who would bear their foals and the one who would still love him in his old age. He had found Repla. Or, really, she had found him. And he wasn’t about to let this last chance slip by.

The rain was beginning to subside; now it pattered down lightly onto his face and a mist came rolling in from the north. He waited for her reply, both scared and terribly impatient for what she would say.

Laoch inhaled quietly and gently pressed his muzzle to her own before sliding it up her face, brushing away the blood, dirt, and tears that had gathered on the red hide. ”Repla, do you remember? Do you remember when we went up to that hidden plateau, before I first told you that I loved you? When you asked me about the valley, if there was anyone I’d ever want to share it with? You are the first. I know it may be too late now, but it is all I can think of to keep you from going. Stay Repla, please stay. I know I don’t have much to offer, but I promise Repla, I will show you that I speak the truth when I tell you that I love you. I’ll find us some land if that is what you wish. Show you new places. Go on adventures. Anywhere you go, I will go, if it means being by your side. Anything you wish. Just please believe me, Repla.”

His head curled around her back, the contour of her side fitting perfectly under the curve of his neck, as if she had been made for him and he for her. Closing his eyes, he memorized the body that he already knew so well, just in case. Just in case this was the last time. Her rhythmic heartbeat, in sync with his own pulsing beneath those flexible ribs, her slow breathing, so sweet to listen to before he slept, her smooth pelt, now damp from the rain—he stored these things away in his mind. Slowly he traced the scar that marked the injury she had gotten on the day she had wandered into the valley. That scar held so many memories, stories of their adventures in the cave, of the crystal cavern and the icy underground stream, of the bats that had frightened her so, of seeing that sliver of silver moonlight that signaled their freedom. The scar of the wound that had been witness to what had followed in the milky meadow, before he had sensed what she would become to him, when he had treated her like any other mare that had joined him in the valley. His mind raced ahead to the weeks that had followed, the time when they had grown comfortable with each other again, this time with a new understanding of each other’s needs. The memories flicked past in his head, snapshots of their story. He paused to remember that fateful day, the only other day when they had ascended from the meadow to climb up the mountain. Repla had trusted him to lead her there, she had trusted him when he told her that he loved her, she had trusted him enough to let him close to her. They had come so far together for this to end now. Why had he had to leave and risk ruining it all?

Laoch turned the question over in his mind, reconsidering the situation. Yes, it was true that he had always left and had rarely felt remorse. But it was also true that no mare had ever followed. If he had never left, he would never have known the extent of Repla’s care. Even now, when she answered, he would see how much she was willing to trust him. It seemed like a twisted test of her affection, but it had not been intentional. He knew though, that if she did decide to stay, he could not afford or bear to leave her again. She was too precious to lose. He could not lose her. He must not lose her.

So now this is what it came down to. This moment in time when she would break his heart or piece it back together after the damage he had done. He opened his eyes, for there was one thing he had to do whether she decided to stay or go. ”Whatever happens Repla…whatever happens, just remember that I love you. I will always love you.”

--behind the post--
2001 WORDS. YUS.
All for you, Abbakins. I wanted to give you an epic long one, and I didn't have time for a good one last Sunday night. Luffles chu
I know there's a lot of repetition and babble, but it made the 2000 mark, SO THERE.

[Abba]

I'm awake in the infinite cold
but you sing to me over and over and over again

Repla had allowed her eyes to close – his silence slightly humiliating in this pouring rain. Why wasn’t he responding. Was she not supposed to have come after him? Had she ruined everything? Was he about to claim she was too clingy? Too obnoxious to keep around? She would change. She would, if she had to. She just needed to keep him. He couldn’t possibly understand just how much of her would be gone if she didn’t have him. Maybe she was bipolar because of this. The immense high when he was around and then uncertain of her existence when he wasn’t there. But, she did know she needed him. She couldn’t really even find her way around the world if he wasn’t there with her. She knew she would get into many problems without him. And because of that she didn’t know how she was supposed to go on without him. How she was even supposed to get off of this mountain top without his help. She couldn’t go back down – not easily. Too much of the rock was slippery. Too much of it had started to break away and tumble down the side of the mountain into the abyss. She needed him, and if he left her she was almost certain she would die out there.

As she stood there, awaiting his response she could hear his hooves as the clicked on the wet ground, moving towards her. Moving towards her. He was moving towards her. Was that a good sign? Or was he simply going to punish her for following. She didn’t want punishment. She didn’t think she would be able to stand it if he did. She didn’t understand what it was that she had done wrong. Please. Let him speak. Please. But, as she begged internally with herself she felt him raise her head up, her eyes fluttering back open in the rain as it fell down and began to hit her in the face. What exactly he was going to do now she didn’t know but she hoped it wasn’t him planning on leaving her. She desperately hoped that he wasn’t going to leave her. He couldn’t. ”No. No, Repla. Don’t say that. Because I don’t want you to change. I don’t ever want such a beautiful mare to change, and I certainly don’t want you to change for me.” he spoke. Her body trembled as she held his gaze, allowing herself to speak once more while he paused, seeming to collect his thoughts. ”But, I can’t lose you…” she whispered, her voice wavering – almost disappearing as tears welled back up into her eyes. Her matted face, covered in blood that wasn’t being washed away was causing her jaw to get stiff. Moving her jaw a little she looked back up to him, flicking her audits back as she heard something fall relatively close to them. It was dangerous on this cliff. Beyond dangerous – it could even be classified as deadly. ”Repla…I’m sorry about this. I’m sorry about this whole mess and leaving. But you need to understand. Repla…you haven’t been the only mare who has passed time in this valley with me. You must know the truth. But,” Repla immediately began to protest. ”I could have guessed that, my Laoch. It is rare to see stags who haven’t done such things…” she whispered, trying to get him to not say he was going to leave, her head slowly beginning to drop back down again. What was she supposed to do without him? ”you, my darling, have been the only one ever to care enough to follow when I left. You are the only one I have ever loved. Please believe me, Repla. Never mind the others, you are the only one. The only one for me. And I’ve gone and destroyed it. You know now, and you are free to choose whether to stay or go. You deserve more than me, by all means, but if you will have me—if you can forgive me—Repla, I will be yours.” Wait. He would be hers? Immediately her head shot back up again. She wouldn’t be alone? But… what was he trying to say? Was he trying to say that he didn’t want to be tied down? She wasn’t that smart with these situations. She had never been in something such as this and she didn’t know how she was supposed to respond. Her audits flickered back again as she heard another rock tumble down the side. Lurching forwards, she missed it by a hair and then looked back up at him, close enough to rest her head in his chest if she so wished. As the rain subsided she could feel her salty tears slowly streaming down her pelt. ”Laoch…” she spoke, uncertain of what exactly she was to say to it. At that exact moment - as her thoughts swirled around in her head, her knees just about ready to give out, her strength, slowly depleting as she stood there, the wind now coming in and freezing her drenched hide – he spoke once more, seeming to be pleading with her once more. He tried to pull onto her emotional strings. Strings that were already pulled so much they were ready to break. ”Repla, do you remember? Do you remember when we went up to that hidden plateau, before I first told you that I loved you? When you asked me about the valley, if there was anyone I’d ever want to share it with? You are the first. I know it may be too late now, but it is all I can think of to keep you from going. Stay Repla, please stay. I know I don’t have much to offer, but I promise Repla, I will show you that I speak the truth when I tell you that I love you. I’ll find us some land if that is what you wish. Show you new places. Go on adventures. Anywhere you go, I will go, if it means being by your side. Anything you wish. Just please believe me, Repla.” She saw him run his maw along her head, brushing away the dirt, blood, and tears from her face. Closing her eyes once more she allowed her mind to run over these thoughts. He would do anything for her? anything? She couldn’t believe this. He had tried to run away from her but ten minutes earlier. Did he know just how hypocritical he was being? But, she did need him. She needed him so badly. She didn’t know what she would do without him.

She lowered her head as she thought, and soon she felt his head wrapping around her body, his warm breath against her back as he seemed to fit into the nook of her back perfectly. Quietly, she snaked her head under his arched neck, resting it against his chest. His heartbeat was matching up with hers perfectly. His maw tracing her scar sending her back to the times with him directly – more convincing than if it had just been him recalling them to her. When she had first descended down the mountain, his charming greeting. And then, their little trip through the cave. The earthquake causing them to become trapped inside of the black cave and not being able to see each other, only hear and feel them. They had grown so close in that short period of time. After all, if you had to rely on your sense of touch and hearing only wouldn’t anyone? Then, the weeks out in the valley, playing tag – while he really wanted more – waiting for her, not forcing her into anything. Going up to the cliff with the streams and the grass, something she hadn’t expected to see up so high. How she had given herself up to him on that cliff. How he had been careful not to scare her off. She really did trust him with her life. And she didn’t want to leave him. He couldn’t leave her. Please. Just don’t leave. He can’t. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t.

She felt him take in one deep breath, as if he was preparing to say something, so she allowed herself to freeze immediately. It had to be important if he was waiting this length. This was definitely his last pleading attempt. ”Whatever happens Repla…whatever happens, just remember that I love you. I’ll always love you.” Repla breathed into his chest, matching the rise and fall of his body that went with his slow breathing. She closed her eyes and took in a few short breaths. ”Laoch. I hope you realize that I can’t lose you…” she whispered, pulling her head out of the nook and looking at him. ”I’m not leaving you unless I have to… unless you leave me…” she continued, her body barely able to stand anymore. She didn’t know how much longer she would last. ”I don’t know what I would do without you. I just… I can’t even contemplate what would happen…” she finished. A few more rocks tumbled down onto the slippery surface of which they stood on top of. It was like a last minute attempt to scare her away. As if the world was testing her strength and will to stay with him. ”I’m not leaving, You didn’t have to say all of that… you just had to tell me you weren’t leaving. I would do anything to stay with you. Anything at all.” she finished off. No more rocks fell, and everything seemed to fall calm. It was then that her body gave out. She couldn’t stand any longer. Her scratched up legs and frozen body couldn’t do it anymore. She knew she was safe. And now she could finally fall out and stay still. He would let her know if they had to move. Crumpling to the ground before him she reached out with her maw and breathed into his damp fetlocks. ”I’m sorry that I pushed you away… I never meant to…” she said to him. Then, she allowed her head to fall back down to the slippery ground. She wasn’t going to lose him. The rocks weren’t going to fall on her. He was here - with her, beside her - and all was good.

[/blockquote]

==Into the Mind
. 1,723 words.
. Did it on the plane while heading to the funeral
. Welp. This is what I wish would happen with Cam and I. /fail moment.[/size]

[lady shady]

LAOCH

”Laoch. I hope you realize that I can’t lose you…I’m not leaving you unless I have to… unless you leave me…I don’t know what I would do without you. I just… I can’t even contemplate what would happen…I’m not leaving, You didn’t have to say all of that… you just had to tell me you weren’t leaving. I would do anything to stay with you. Anything at all. I’m sorry that I pushed you away… I never meant to…”

She crumpled at his feet, the light rain softly kissing her sides as she lay there, quietly sucking breath in through her nostrils and exhaling in misty puffs of vapor. He reached down, stretching his neck and nosing away some of the dirt clumped near her ribs, warming his with his breath. He would stay here as long as she needed to rest. The rain would stop. The cliff was rocky and uncomfortable, but it would hold. They would be fine. After all, they would be together.

Raising his head and gazing past her into the foggy mountains across the valley, his mind jumped forward, falling back into the familiar habit of strategy. What was their plan? Standing here beside Repla though, he felt the delicious sensation of not having a plan, not needing a plan. They would go over the mountains, leave the valley, have an adventure—anywhere she wanted. He was content just to be with her. Laoch let his mind drift, floating towards all of the possible futures, all of the hope and dreams, stored away so long, that had unfurled their soft tendrils at this confession in the rain. In the autumn, traveling with Repla at his side, warming each other on crisp wintry mornings, and in the spring…a sudden image of a wet and wriggling foal flashed in his mind, momentarily taking his breath away. Only when she was ready, but still…he reached down to nuzzle her slim side again, drunk on the possibility of having a true family for the first time. Repla was his love, his hope, and his future.

So he stood there with her in the rain, patiently waiting for the drops to cease falling and for her strength to return. They would be all right. Laoch dropped his muzzle to her ear and let a single whispered word fall into the delicate curved chasm. ”Forever, Repla. Forever.”

--behind the post--
short and sweet
the end? Let's start a new one!
*luffles the luffles*