.:. A New Beginning [Appy]

[deshy]

"So like I were saying, this place is special, it holds its own beauty, your really going to love it here I believe." She turned to face Karuk who were just a little ways behind her step, slowly making his way, though he seemed to have something upon his mind. Maybe it was the fact that Shika had pretty much just spent the whole time talking as they made their way across the lands and into the safest parts.
Shika trotted a little ahead, hoping mister grumpy pants would cheer up, she really hated it when he was being like this. Shika made a sudden halt, stumbling over vines and almost colliding with a fallen tree. "This was not here before, must have fallen during the last storms." she spoke with a more authority not the young hearted filly she used to be. Since ahem had met Karuk a lot had happened, she had changed, grown out of her filly hood and become the young mare she should have been 3 years ago. Though she still had legs too long foe her and would always remain un-coordinated. "We will have to take another root around, but it will take incredibly longer. Your not getting too cold are you?" she turned to Karuk taking a few steps towards him. The snow had been falling off and on for the past few weeks now, in places it was becoming hard to manoeuvre. A few flakes dropped onto her nose, fallen from the pine trees above, glancing up she could see the boughs weighted down under a hefty white blanket. A few more flakes began to fall, then more. She could see the branch exclaiming under the weight. This was not good. Shika leapt into the air and jumped forward almost colliding with Karuk, landing just a way inception and skidded to a halt. At the same time the branch let go of its unbearable weight landing with a reasonable Thud
Shika's long legs were a pretty good advantage in the snow, made it slightly easier for her to move about. Even when the snow got pretty deep. " That was too close for comfort. We have to watch ourselves going through here it could happen at any moment." And just like that another branch gave way making a deep pile of snow around the base.
She glanced over her shoulder to him. He seemed lost in though, sad even. She focused on him. His aura shone a bright emerald green, proof of the fact he were a healer, though around that a dark clouded forest green shone, he was confused, possibly blaming himself for something. Even hating the world. " Karuk is something bothering you? Your awfully quite, resounded even. Are you still dwelling in the past, thinking of that day, when we were in that storm. When Katerina showed up? You can't keep blaming yourself for her death. For the death of your unborn child either. I know you believe you could have saved her, but think Karuk if you had been with her, then maybe you could but you could have died that day also. You are still here because you still have a job to do. So come on now and cheer the heck up, your beginning to annoy me like this. It's not you. "

[aPPY]

Karuk followed behind Shika as they slowly made their way through the districts of the South. Kilton lazily glided ahead of them, his dark form easily standing out among the white snow. The weather had changed quickly, as it always had this far South; the snow covering the grounds and trees in the blink of an eye and remaining until mid-spring. His mind wandered, as it always had while traveling, and this fact did not change just because he wasn't traveling alone. He though of Katerina, of course; that night playing over in his head on repeat. He sighed lightl, barely audiable and certainly not heard by Shika. She had been talking for quite some time and he hadn't really been listening. He felt bad that she just kept going, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything either. His mind was just elsewhere. They continued to walk and he tried to pay more attention but he just couldn't, his thoughts wouldn't let him. She stopped, turning to look at him and he paused, lifting his head and wondering if she had asked him a question. He started to open his mouth to try and think of a response but she turned and trotted a few strides before he had the chance. He grimaced slightly, wondering if he had upset her with his lack of enthusiasm. He started walking again, this time trying to stay engaged, though she seemed to have stopped talking; realizing that he wasn't really listening at all.

She stopped suddenly in a flurry of snow. His ears perked and he saw the fallen tree appear as the dust settled. "This was not here before, must have fallen during the last storms." He nodded, glancing at her as her voice seemed to suddenly be void of any emotion. Had he really upset her? He hadn't meant to. Kilton came gliding back, perching on the fallen trunk and gouging his claws into it. "We will have to take another route around, but it will take incredibly longer. Your not getting too cold are you?" He smiled softly. Cold? He had lived most of his life in Infra Terris, although not in this particular area, but he was well accustomed to the cold. She turned to him, walking towards him. "Not at all, you forget that I grew up in the cold." Perhaps he hadn't angered her after all? She glanced up at the trees and he did as well, the drooping branches almost moaning under the weight of the snow. Suddenly Shika jumped forward and he stepped the side, her body almost colliding with his. The snow fell to the ground, the branch now broken and swinging back and forth along the trunk; hanging on by just a little. "That was too close for comfort. We have to watch ourselves going through here it could happen at any moment." He nodded in agreement, another branch yeilding under it's weight and more snow falling to the ground. He glanced at the other trees, wondering which would give up it's burden next. Even so, more snow continued to fall in a sporatic drizzle; just a few flakes here and there. It wouldn't be long until the forest would be almost unpassable.

"Karuk is something bothering you? You're awfully quiet, resounded even. Are you still dwelling in the past, thinking of that day, when we were in that storm? When Katerina showed up? You can't keep blaming yourself for her death. For the death of your unborn child either. I know you believe you could have saved her, but think Karuk, if you had been with her, then maybe you could but you could have died that day also. You are still here because you still have a job to do. So come on now and cheer the heck up, you're beginning to annoy me like this. It's not you."

Karuk turned to face Shika, his eyes wide. Was he really that much of a bother? He looked away, at the ground and his feet, shifting his weight. "I'm sorry," he sighed, looking back up at her. "I truly am..." He shook his head, trying to find the words. "I just...I don't understand..." His head dropped and he stomped at the ground, snow crunching under his hoof. "I don't understand," he whispered, more to himself this time. Why had she come back? The visit had brought nothing but pain and emptiness to him, not any sort of closure like it was surely supposed to. It had just brought everything to the surface and he just wanted to push it back down, but he couldn't. He had been holding on to her memory much harder than he realized, and now all he could think about was that ghost form. All torn up and decaying. He closed his eyes tight, wishing it would all go away. Why couldn't it just go away?

// 676 words

He needs to be comforted.
*shoves Shika* COMFORT HIM.

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[deshy]

Shika slid closer to him. Pushing her body against his in a sort of hip bumping manor. "Now come on Karuk don't be like this, stop thinking about her. She's gone and there's nothing you can do but move on. I know its hard, you just have to trust me, please?" She watched him carefully hoping he would pick his mood up just a little. He was beginning to drag her down too. Sighing she glanced to the floor. That day in the woods was strange and all but a blurry spot to her now, but what she did know is that Karuk once had a lover, and was once almost a father. This made her jealous. Would she ever get that chance ? To start a family of her own? Would she even find that perfect stallion to love and care for her like Karuk did for Katarina?
Shika glanced up at him, taking in his whole frame, every inch of him. She hadn't really looked at him before now. He truely was a striking stallion, and he was still with her. That said a lot. Perhaps he was here still for her. Shika shook her head, ridding of the mad thoughts entering her head, returning her focus on Karuk. "I'm sorry its hit you so hard I really am, if there's anything I can do let me know, I'm useless at all this friend stuff, your going to have to help me out a little." She smiled gently at him and then beggan to nibble at his check, in a way of affection.
Suddenly Shika remebered the great little hole she were telling Karuk about on their way up here. If she couldn't cheer him up enough surely a nice nature place would. It really was a spectacular place in winter. She pulled at his mane getting him to follow her, now acting like the young filly again, excitement radiated around her. "Come on Karuk! I have a great place to show you !" Her face brightened with glee her voice even sounded like that of a small child's edging to get some place special.
Shika too excited to wait began trotting of in said direction, too fired up to stand still. Hoping that Karuk would follow she didn't bother to check if he were, just letting her instinct tell her he would, he had done before and he surely would again. She soon slowed down, glancing around like she were looking for something, there tucked away safetly, where she had left it was this small little creek.
A frozen pond laying afront them, and not to far of sat a tiny waterfall, which too had frozen in place, exactly like it was still falling. A few fallen logs lay against the surrounding trees, snow covered tops, but what was most spectacular were the rows of icicles dangling in all shapes and sizes underneath the logs. They glistened in the light creating a star like pattern on the pond below. She moved for the edge of the pond ready to walk across the frozen pathway.

[aPPY]

She stepped closer to him, pushing against him. "Now come on Karuk don't be like this, stop thinking about her. She's gone and there's nothing you can do but move on. I know its hard, you just have to trust me, please?" He knew she was right but it was just so hard. He had been trying to forget for so long and now she was just right there, in the forefront of his mind all over again. He didn't want to be so sad, but he couldn't quite help it. Shika shook her head and glanced up at her, wondering what she could possibly be thinking. Maybe that he was a lost cause? He couldn't blame her. "I'm sorry its hit you so hard I really am, if there's anything I can do let me know, I'm useless at all this friend stuff, your going to have to help me out a little." She smiled at him and he couldn't help but smile in return. Friend stuff? Like he really knew much about it either. The only friend he'd had ever since he could remember was Kilton, before the war he wasn't really the friendly type. And during the war.. He certainly didn't make any friends there either.

She reached out towards him, her nose brushing his cheek followed with the soft graze of teeth. Then she was pulling at his mane before he could react to the gesture. "Come on Karuk! I have a great place to show you!" She was suddenly full of energy, turning and bounding away. His ears perked forward, snow hitting against his legs as she moved forward. She continued ahead, too excited to bother waiting on him. He chuckled softly, shaking his head a few times as he picked up as steady trot, following her disappearing form and the hoofprints in the snow. He walked where she had, seeing her figure disappear around some trees up ahead and increasing his pace just a tad. He slowed as he turned, his trot transitioning into a walk as he stepped forward. There was a pond beveled into the ground, the surface frozen solid except for a few spots where the reeds refused to stop growing just yet. There was a waterfall at the far edge, frozen in action, the icicles sticking out in ever direction as if the frost has seized the life from the water in the blink of an eye. Snow dusted everything in layers, untouched by anything or anyone else. More icicles dangled underneath the logs in the hollows, reflecting the light from the cold sun above and causing sparkles to dance across the ice and snow.

Shika stood next to the pond, preparing to walk across it. He jumped forward, "Wait, no!" He said as she stepped forward, the ice cracking under her sudden weight. He couldn't tell how deep the pond was, and if it dropped off or was rather shallow the whole way. What if it was just some deep, dark, frozen abyss? What was he supposed to do if she just dropping into nothingness because he couldn't get there in time to help her? Just someone else to add to his list, he supposed. Someone else to blame himself for. He silently cursed himself, she wasn't dead yet. And she wouldn't be if he had anything to do with it.

// 579 words

:B

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[deshy]

Shika slowly place one hooves upon the edge. The frozen lake took the weight. Feeling notes sure she began to move further across, 2 legs, 3 legs ...
She was now fully standing at the edge of the pond. The frozen surface seemed solid. Making her way to the middle she felt the ground shift under her weight. Then words reverberated of the trees. She glanced around seeing Karuk standing at the ponds edge. He looked scared, worried even. "Karuk come on ...." And she never got to finish that sentence.
The cold swooped her as she fell through into the dark abyss. Wet stuff filled her lungs choking out any screams. She felt as if she were suspended in the air, just floating in darkness. She kicked with her legs furiously hoping to break through the surface. Though it did no use, for she had fallen in head first, all the kicking would do was send her deeper into the ponds depths. Shika began to loose all her energy, her kicks grew fewer and fewer. Just as she were about to give in she felt a tugging on her hind, something pulling at her. At first instinct she kicked out, automatically thinking something was dragging her down. Turning her unerring eyes she felt a dark green glow break into the icey waters. She knew that colour, it resembled that of someone close to her. But the cold was just taking too much of her energy to think straight. Eventually she secumbed to the cold and dark, falling limp gently floating downwards. She felt it as she hit rock bottom, the cold hard ice... Ice..? there was no ice at the bottom of a pond, not any she knew of anyway. Then she felt the warmth surrounding herd, huddleing closer, holding on to it never letting go.

[aPPY]

"Karuk, come on..." she began to say, the ice breaking under her weight and her form quickly disappearing into the icy depths. "No!" he called, bursting forward and skidding across the more solid ice as it cracked under his weight. He had enough time to take a deep breath before the not-so-solid surface broke free and he was submerged as well. The icy water hit him and immediately took his breath away. He struggled to the top, taking a quick breath and forcing himself back under. He squinted in the dark water, looking for Shika's sinking form. He fought against the liquid, his nose bumping into the dark form he was looking for. He pulled at whatever he could get a hold of, met with a sluggish kick to the chest. He winced, the water softening the blow but still finding that it hurt. He pushed forward, her body hitting the ground and becoming immobile. His lungs began to scream for air but he forced himself to stay down, to help her. He pushed at her body, trying to get her to move even a little. He knelt on the ground, the water making it easier to lift her limp body off of the pond floor and gently floating up before starting to sink again. He pushed his body underneath hers, immediately grasping what he could and pushing off from the bottom of the pond. His vision was becoming splotchy from lack of air as he fought to reach the surface.

His nose broke the surface and he gasped for air, coughing a few times as he swam to the edge of the pond. Kilton screeched, flying forward and dropping onto one of the nearby logs. Karuk carefully stepped onto the shore, making sure that Shika was far enough away from where the ground dropped off into the abyss. He stepped around her, pushing her further towards the shore and as much out of the water as he could manage. He pressed an ear to her chest, hearing the slow beat of her heart as it fought against the cold. He glanced at her face, stretching out her neck to make it easier to cough up any water. "Come on," he whispered, watching her stomach rise and fall as she breathed, waiting for her to expel the water. She started to cough and he let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. "Why aren't you more careful?!" He asked, his head shaking and then dropping to rest against her shoulder. "You're really going to hurt yourself one day, you know?" He sighed, his breath caressing her skin and then boucing back against his muzzle.

He shivered, suddenly realizing the cold. He slowly lifted his head, scanning the area. "Can you stand? We should probably find someplace warm before we both get sick." He smiled down at her, moving to the side to allow her room to stand, but close enough to help her if she fell.

// 502 words

tehe. :B

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[deshy]

Shika felt the words of Karuk inside her mind. Dreams, its all just dreams ... She squeezed her eyes tighter together never wanting to wake from this, it was clear she were dead now, all because she never jade the tendency to think before acting out. Always ending up getting lost, stuck and now dead. Was this really all down to the fact she had never been taught the right way? The fact her parents were always at war with each other, causing her to block out the world around her and focusing on just the happy, free going things in life, coping there exact behavior.
Shika could feel a tight spot in her chest, ever growing, pain rippled through her torso. She coughed taking in a warmer gulp of greasy air as water splurged from inside. The tightness now reversing, the voice returned however, and then she knew she wasn't dead, she knew he had rescued her yet again. She opened her eyes, they whiteness blinded her for a few seconds, Karuks face came into few first and then everything plopped into place. She were laying on the surface of the pond, though they had somehow gotten across. She pulled her self up and glanced around. Wincing at the whole in the ponds surface, big enough for that of an equine to easily fall through. She glanced back to Karuk noticing he was somehow soaking wet, and cold. And then she felt it too, her mane stuck to her neck, the feel of a heavy burden entwined with her coat. She shivered, now feeling the full blow of the colsness. Shika stood, a little of balance at first and managed to stay stood, soon feeling her energy drain, slumped over she pulled herself over to Karuk. "Yes, yes some placce warm. I'm freeze ..ffff. freezing" her teeth chattered together signaling that pneumonia could kick in if they didn't move soon. Anywhere that was dry would be helpful, but right now she felt like jumping into a pit of lava, anything that was warm. Anything

[aPPY]

^{I can't wait till tomorrow}
This feeling has swallowed me whole
^{And know that I've lost control}
This heart that I've followed
Has left me so hollow
That was then, this is now,
^{yeah you have changed everything}

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She stood and stood next to him, expressing her agreement at his suggestion. He nodded once, stepping forward. A tree with many branches might be the best idea, the leaves giving them enough protection from the falling snow and the sturdy branches surely able to hold up against any collapsing snow that was already there. The more clear ground, the better, so that they weren't laying on the snow as well. He was certain there weren't any caves nearby, even so, if the floor was stone, it wouldn't be of much help. He continued to walk, the many places of the South running through his head. He couldn't remember anything of significance in this area. He silently cursed himself for not being more adventurous. Kilton flew forward, actively searching for a place for them to rest. Karuk scanned the trees looking for anything that might provide enough shelter for them from the snow and somehow aide in warming them. He wasn't having much luck.

Suddenly Kilton screeched, his eagle body appearing from the left and landing heavily on Karuk's back, his talons digging into his skin in an attempt to not fall over the other side. He grimaced, twisting to see what the bird wanted. He hopped up and down, lauching himself into the air again and gliding in the direction he had come from. Karuk started to follow him, hoping he had found something good. The eagle led them through the trees, the soft sound of trickling water reaching their ears as they got closer. The air was a tad bit warmer than that of the forest and it brought instead relief to their shivering bodies. A small circle of water; more of a deep puddle than anything, bubbled occasionally and steam rose from it's surface. It was still chilly, but a much warmer place than underneath any tree. Kilton was already perched on a rock, his head huddled down between his wings and slowly falling asleep.

"I do believe this will work?" he said, his tone ending in a question as he turned to look at Shika. He then took a step towards the spring, lowering his muzzle to the surface as it bubbled up to meet his lips, the warm liquid thawing his skin. He took a small drink, allowing the water to trail down his throat and into his stomach, warming his body further. He then lowered himself to the ground, the earlier swim finally taking it's toll. He pulled his hind legs up close to his body, laying in an upright position on the ground and waiting for Shika to do that same. She must have been just as tired as he, even more so because of what had happened. His eyelids were droopy and he allowed his head to rest on the ground next to his ankles and sighed softly.
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// 484 words
go lay with him. :B
I had to add in the lyrics, because the song fit SO perfectly.
and i just want to say, im in love with the way this color looks on the blue. o.o

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Falling In- Lifehouse

[deshy]

Shika lagged behind, walking slowly, her muscles stiff from the cold. Why had she been so stupid, she knew what could happen if she crossed the ice, she knew all to well. But still she crossed over the pond. She surely felt the consinquences of it also, Shivering as she walked, her teeth rattling together. She wasnt really paying much attention to Karuk, her head hung low to the ground, only able to visualise his hocks and swishing tail. She dear hoped that this place wasnt too far, her energy was diminishing to quickly, and at this rate she wasnt going to last out. A ear piercing sound shot through her head, wincing as the pain shot across her forehead. Kilton Why did he have to be so annoying, though then again he was helping us, he just needed to give a warning first before he decided to screech like that.

Karuks pace seemed to pick, up seeming eager and excited about something, Kilton had possibly found something for them. She pused her long strides as far as she could, though it didnt really do much good for she was pretty much using all the strength she had. A soft sound of running water pricked her ears, a warnth surround her, it was like she had just walked into another room, but that had no walls, just that the warth seemed to stay in this vincinty. She percked up, pulling her head level with Karuk. Right infront of her eyes sat a small steaming pond, it was strange and none like that she had ever seen before. "I do believe this will work?" He spoke to her, but she wasnt really paying all that much attention.

After Karuk had finished drinking and seemed to get into the pool, she followed reluctantly, a little unsure. Though if Karuk was surely sitting in this steaming pot, then it must be okay. stepping up she felt the warmth overwhelm her, making all parts of her shivering body tingle and burn with it. She half stepped half tumbled into the pool, splashing water over Karuk as she landed in next to him. She relaxed instantaneously, her eyes slowly closing as her energy became to non exsistant. She placed her head along Karuks back resting upon him and soon would fall asleep. "Thank you, Karuk" her words came soft almost inaudiable.

...:.402

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...: Yayyyy xD
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[aPPY]

Shika followed him, water splashing up as she dropped to the ground next to him. The water warmed their bodies, icy muscles uncoiling as they relaxed. "Thank you, Karuk," he nodded once, "Mhmmm....." he said in reply, his eyes already closing as he folded in closer to her. The cound of her heartbeat pulled him further into his unconscious mind, his body fully relazing as his breathing slowed and he slept.

-------------------------

Karuk blinked a few times, the early morning sun just barely reaching over the cover of the trees. He sniffed a few times, the cold air having numbed his nose during the night. He lifted his head, yawning lazily as he stretched his neck out, a few of the vertebrae popping and relieving tension. He turned, seeing that Shika was still sleeping with her head across his back. He stayed like that for a moment, watching her breathe before looking away. So much had happened in such a short amount of time, and it seemed to all revolve around bad things happening. He didn't understand it. Why was she such a clutz, always falling and hurting herself it seemed. How had she ever survived without him there to help her? Surely something tragic would have happened by now; without some sort of help. He slowly shook his head, a small smile on his face. She just might be lucky, he guessed, tempting the fates and always escaping without harm. He lowered his head back to the ground, sighing lightly and sniffling once again, the cold air causing his nose to run a little bit.

His nose crinkled as he caught the smell of something sharp and sweet in the air. He inhaled slowly, lifting his head and turning to glance through the trees. Then his gaze landed on Shika and he knew. He shifted his weight, turning to nudge at the mare and rouse her from her sleep. "Um..Shika?" he said quietly, carefully sliding his back out from under her head and neck, her eyes slowly blinking as she woke. He pulled himself to his feet, water cascading off of his back and falling into the pond with a splash.

// 360 words

hahahaha.

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