// the way you look tonight

[lady shady]

LAOCH

Repla leaned into him as they climbed, and he slowed, allowing her to catch her balance. She righted herself, and they reached the crest of the hill. They looked down upon a puzzle of winding rivers and snow-covered trees. Instinctively, his eyes searched for a golden figure amongst the trees, though he knew it wouldn't be that easy--it couldn't be that easy. Besides, the Alpha would most likely be even farther north if what he'd remembered was correct. Baby steps, he reminded himself, baby steps.

"Look at that, Repla. Almost as beautiful as someone I know," he teased, winking at her. They were in much better spirits traveling. They started down, and he moved to support her in the snow. At the bottom, he glanced around, making sure that the area was safe before proceeding. One could never be too careful. "You know what this reminds me of, love?" Lao paused as a rabbit scampered across their path. "Have you ever heard the old stories of old Talvi?" She shook her head slightly, and this story blossomed from his lips as they walked.

”There was a time long ago when winter was all ice and no softness. Instead of snowflakes, hail fell, and it was so cold that anyone managing to survive—their very breath would freeze and shatter on the coldest nights. Talvi, the Winter Bringer, he was an ancient stag, pale as frost, with feathers made of icicles, cool blue eyes, and, as was fitting, a heart of ice. He cared not for the plight of the mortal horses during his reign, what were they to him? When it came time for autumn to make her exit, Talvi would sweep in, taking delight in freezing the firey leaves off of the trees and in hearing the dull echo of his hail against the bare branches. Year after year, he would do this, year after year he would send hundreds to icy death. For Talvi was angry. His fellow Season Bringers were loved by the mortal horses—Kevat, the spring maiden, was adored by all of the world for bringing warm rains and new life. Syksy, the feisty Autumn Bringer, had quite a few stags at her disposal, and Kesa, Kesa the Summer Stag, practically had a harem of his own what with all of the amorous young mares that loved to frolick during his reign. However, Talvi was old and unapproachable. No mortals loved him. Not even the most cold-hearted enjoyed the awful days of winter. The sole pleasure of the mortals during the winter even excluded Talvi, as he had no mate and would sire no children.

Then, one winter, as Talvi stalked through the lands, breathing on the trees and watching the icicles plummet dangerously from the branches, he came across a pair of young lovers stumbling through the trees. The mare was very in foal, and her young mate was nervous. Talvi’s first thought was to send hail, but before he could do so, he was interrupted as the mare began to give birth. He turned away, for he detested the new life that reminded him of Kevat’s reign. However, as he moved away, his eye caught sight of the newborn. It didn’t shudder at the cold, but lay still, for it knew not any other outside world. Talvi paused. This was something new. The young stag hovered above his mate and the newborn, proud yet fearful. Talvi watched the emotions that played across his face: joy, pride, anxiety…horror? Anger? He moved closer silently, startled when the stag bellowed his name, cursing him. The mare had perished. The stag began to weep frozen tears, for his child would expire soon as well without a mother.

In that moment, Talvi took pity on the foal, the only foal that lacked the strength to detest his winter reign from birth. The coal black filly stirred, and Talvi made his decision. Creamy flakes rained down from the sky, not hail but frozen mare’s milk for the motherless child. All through that winter, every day, Talvi provided food for the filly, keeping her alive and bright. It gave him great pleasure to see her frolick in the snow, so much so that he would forget about making icicles and freezing trees. When spring came, Talvi retreated peacefully, satisfied that she would live.

From then on, Talvi no longer caused hail to fall. Though mare’s milk never fell again, he allowed delicate snowflakes to fall in the filly’s memory. Old Talvi, touched by beauty, had made winter beautiful.”

Lao concluded the tale as they came to a frozen river, pausing at the bank. ”We used to pass the time telling old tales like this during the war,” he explained, nuzzling at Repla’s neck. ”I think though, beautiful, if old Talvi had seen you, he would have forgotten about freezing anything..” Lao chuckled softly, guiding her onto the ice and towards the north.

--behind the post--
tried to make it longer than usual
dun really like the “legend” but whatevs
if Repla happened to sing a little for him, that would be adorable

[Abba]

[atrb=border,0,false][bg=#181a16][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,500px,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" Repla shook her head, following him carefully as he moved. The weather wasn't as bad as it could have been. But it was still relatively bad. "Look at that Repla. Almost as beautiful as someone I know," he teased, winking at her before supporting her down the hill. "But, that would be lies - my biased warrior," she responded with a tiny laugh - her rabbit rolling down the hill behind them having his fun. Slowly but surely the conversation began to turn into one of his stories. She listened intently, her audits perked up as she took in each word. But, his story began to cause her to worry. What if the foal survived and she didn't? What would Lao do? What would the foal do? How would it live? How would Lao live? How would everything go? She felt herself begin to break but she held it back in. She couldn't worry him. She wouldn't worry him - especially when her fears were that of a story, a mere story, and not something real. As he finished talking she looked up to him and watched him as she cocked her head to the side. They had arrived at the river bank, he was nuzzling her neck as he spoke. "We used to pass the time telling old tales like this during the war," he explained, "I think though, beautiful, if old Talvi had seen you, he would have forgotten about freezing anything..." Lao said as he chuckled. Gently he helped her across the ice and farther up north. "My dear, I am not near beautiful as you explain. I wouldn't make anyone stop in their tracks," she gave off a short laugh before edging forwards a little faster - renewed strength suddenly found - and allowed her voice to be pulled from her body. She wasn't really thinking of the words - they were just coming to her. From the stars, from her rabbit, from somewhere other than her own body.

"Well, she sings her song with beautiful grace
She turns around and you see her face
But you can't move ad you can't breathe
You just stand and dream of her...

'Cause tonight, she's so much stronger than before
You can't ignore her tonight
And her eyes are shining like the moon
You gotta tell her soon...

Well, sixteen years, they came and went
My love was strong, but couldn't be bent
But the only thing that would bring a song
Was the love we stole so long ago...

Mmm...

'Cause tonight, she's so much stronger than before
You can't ignore her tonight
And her eyes are shining like the moon
You gotta tell her soon
And you waited your life for this moment
She asks for your heart, now you've shown it

So hold on, hold on to me
Yes, run, and run back to me
So hold on, hold on to me
Yes, run, and run back to me..."

She allowed her voice to stop there. Not totally certain of everything it was that she had just sung. But loving it all the same. She let out a tiny laugh, burrowing in closer to him as they continued to move fowards. "I vote we don't stop until we see another horse or food," she said, her eyes twinkling as the sun managed to peek from behind the clouds and light them up. "It seems like a perfect day..." she whispered before trotting ahead of him - against the sharp pain in her legs.

They would live...

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==Into the Mind
. Word Count 600 words
. Notes - Repla is getting worried. Song Stronger by Seabird
. Muse - Imma little loopy...
. Tags -Lao

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Header and Coding Copyright - Abba
Do Not Steal

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[lady shady]

LAOCH

"Wouldn't make anyone stop in their tracks, you say?" he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well then, lover dear, who made me stop in my tracks last summer, hmm? I seem to remember a certain gorgeous someone, a damsel in distress, I recall who caught my eye...and then my ear when she sang to me...and eventually, my heart...

Lao nuzzled her side playfully, burying his muzzle in the long red hairs of her pelt. She trotted forward, making him just brush her coat. "Where are you off to so fast?" he laughed, quickening his pace to catch up to her. They were feeling good today. "Good call, love, though who would be up North this winter? I, for one, would have no problem with finding food first. Know of any good places to eat?" Their banter continued in this way for a few miles as they crossed river after river, all "frozen solid for beautiful Repla as a gift from old Talvi" as Lao put it.

On the outside, Lao laughed and teased her, but on the inside, he worried. Was the pace too fast for Repla? Was Rasta anywhere to be found? What if he had led his poor trusting mate on a wild goose chase? And so, as they traveled, Laoch pondered.

--behind the post--
shorter than I'd like, but not much to say
Lao's decided to be a little flirty for the fun of it

[Abba]

[atrb=border,0,false][bg=#181a16][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,500px,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" Repla laughed, "Oh, but my darling. It was a figment of your imagination that I happened to replace." she said, turning to face him. "Stretching my legs. If I don't they'll get stiff." she explained before pulling forwards again. "Good call, love, though who would be up North this winter? I, for one, would have no problem with finding food first. Know of any good places to eat?" he said and she shook her head. "But, we are bound to find something if we look!" she said with a laugh, crossing the rivers carefully. Gently, she nudged his haunches before stopping completely. "Over here!" she called before trotting to the left where a large patch of grass existed at some of the tree's roots. Quickly, she dropped her head down and began to munch on the food she was so hungry for. She hadn't realized just how hungry she was until she had started to eat. It was so strange - how her body had hidden the hunger from her. She could feel the baby kicking inside of her and it was slowly beginning to bother her. It caused her a bit more pain then it normally would have with the injury upon her hind legs also. Shuddering once she looked up to Lao, "I'm sorry for being such a burden," she murmered as if realizing that really all he was doing was worrying - worrying over every little thing...

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==Into the Mind
. Word Count 250 words
. Muse - still loopy because of the cold medicine
. Notes - Repla realizes she is a burden
. Tags -Lao

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Header and Coding Copyright - Abba
Do Not Steal

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[lady shady]

LAOCH

"Nice find, Repla!" he called, making his way after her towards the rare patch of grass. They were lucky...now if only that luck would last. He grazed beside her, teasingly trying to grab the same blades of grass Repla was going after, laughing at her expression. And then she said it.

"I'm sorry for being such a burden"

He moved towards her protectively, shedding his playful demeanor. Laying his neck along her back, he began to massage along her spine. "Is that what you think, Repla? That you're a burden?" He shifted his weight, looking her in the eye before continuing. "Repla. You will never be a burden to me, understand? Never. I love you. I will take care of you, and I will take care of our foal, Repla; never worry about being a burden to me. If anything, you're what keeps my spirits up, love. Don't worry about us, we'll be okay. I won't let anything happen to you."

This said, he nodded emphatically, tearing up another mouthful of grass and regarding her quietly. Yes, he did worry about Repla, but because he loved her, not because she was a burden. He snorted, for the whole thing suddenly struck him as ridiculous. Beginning to laugh, he managed to choke out, "Repla, love, just where do you get these ideas? First, that you're not beautiful, and now you think you're a burden? Oh my dear, if only I could make you see what I do..."

--behind the post--
Lao's like "WHAAA??"

[Abba]

[atrb=border,0,false][bg=#181a16][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,500px,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" As soon as she spoke he moved protectively towards her - allowing his neck to fall over her back. Slowly he began to massage her back and she let out a tiny sigh. "Is that what you think, Repla? that you're a burden?" he paused, shifting his weight and looking her in the eye where she fought back tears - her slate-green eyes clouding over slightly. "Repla, you will never be a burden to me, understand? Never. I love you. I will take care of you, and I will take care of our foal, Repla; never worry about being a burden to me. If anything you're what keeps my spirits up, love. Don't worry about us, we'll be okay. I won't let anything happen to you." he finished off before nodding and munching on the grass. But it wasn't long before he began to laugh and she took a step back the tears welling up in her eyes but not yet falling. "Repla, love, just where do you get these ideas? First, that you're not beautiful, and now you think you're a burden? Oh my dear, if only I could make you see what I do..." he said between laughs. She coughed and shook her head. "But, i'm always getting hurt. I'm always causing problems. I am a burden. Even if you won't recognize it. And if you got hurt... Lao, I don't think I'd be able to do anything.. What's to keep you from getting hurt?! Nothing. Lao... I really am a burden. And I'm most definitely not beautiful. My coat is the colour of blood - the colour of fallen warriors. My eyes are strange, switching constantly between grey and green. I'm stalky and currently a fluffball. I'm just... I'm not..." she broke, shaking her head as tears slid down her face. Maybe she was just under too much emotional stress. "I love you... but I couldn't save you..." she said - fear taking over as the war edged into her mind. She couldn't lose him...

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==Into the Mind
. Word Count 347 words
. Muse - still loopy because of the cold medicine
. Notes - Repla is breaking down XD
. Tags -Lao

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Header and Coding Copyright - Abba
Do Not Steal

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[lady shady]

LAOCH

"But I'm always getting hurt. I'm always causing problems. I am a burden. Even if you won't recognize it. And if you got hurt... Lao, I don't think I'd be able to do anything.. What's to keep you from getting hurt?! Nothing. Lao... I really am a burden. And I'm most definitely not beautiful. My coat is the colour of blood - the colour of fallen warriors. My eyes are strange, switching constantly between grey and green. I'm stocky and currently a fluffball. I'm just... I'm not..."

"Repla," he interrupted gently. "You are not always causing problems. We both make mistakes, we both get hurt; it's a part of life. It's a part of our life together. My love, I hate to correct you, but you have it all wrong. When I look at you, all I see is beauty. Your coat is the color of my love for you. Your eyes are the windows to your compassionate soul, so gentle, so forgiving of everything I've done wrong. Your height allows me to wrap around you perfectly on cold winter nights, and that coat keeps our baby warm. You're perfect the way you are, Repla. When I look at you, to me you're beautiful."

"I love you... but I couldn't save you..." she protested.

He wiped the tears from her eyes, and answered, "Oh, but Repla, you already have."

--behind the post--
short but luffly
reminds me of that Bruno Mars song

[Abba]

Its like i cant breathe
its like i cant see anything but you
im addicted to you

Repla curled up against him, burying her head in the little crevice between his shoulder blade and stomach. "How? How on Earth have I saved you when all Ive done is cause us problems," she whispered, choking back the tears and feeling the baby kick a little. Her rabbit bouncing around in front of Lao trying to make her laugh and get her attention. But she wouldnt pay attention to it. She had fallen - and lost most of herself. Probably just because of the stress of the injury and everything but she no longer believed she had a use. "Lao, Im just holding back the trek. Im assuming we are heading for Rasta? For any chance of a healing? Might I ask what you would do if I were to collapse right now? If I were to not be able to stand? If my condition was only worsening so much that I couldnt travel?" she questioned - her voice wavering slightly as she feared the worst. What would happen to her? How would Lao fair?

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==into the mind
.178 words
.i. hate. being. sick[/size]

[lady shady]

LAOCH

"How? How on Earth have I saved you when all Ive done is cause us problems? Lao, I'm just holding back the trek. I'm assuming we are heading for Rasta? For any chance of a healing? Might I ask what you would do if I were to collapse right now? If I were to not be able to stand? If my condition was only worsening so much that I couldn't travel?"

He wrapped his neck around her trembling frame, holding her close, letting her cry. "I'd stay with you, Repla," he replied quietly. "If it looked like you had any chance of healing, I'd stay with you. I wouldn't leave you, love. The only thing that could tear me from your side if that happened would be if I could seek out a healer. You know I love you, Repla. You know what I promised you. Forever, Repla, forever."

Lao paused, rubbing her neck slowly, trying to comfort her. "Darling, why would you even say things like that? Don't give up hope on me, love, look how far we've gotten! You won't collapse, we're going to make it, Repla. I won't let you fall."

He nuzzled at her gently as she hid her face, wondering if there was any way that he could make things right.

--behind the post--
Lao's come so far. Last winter, he was probably hanging around looking for mares and now he's comforting Repla :heart:

[Abba]

Cause theres a side you
that i never knew never knew
All the things you said they were never true never true

Repla bobbed her head silently against him, calming down as he rubbed her neck and shoulder. He was here, with her forever. "I love you," she whispered before shifting a little. She stood like that for quite some time before she decided it was best to move. "we best find this healer before Rama gets to her. Shant we?" she murmered before trotting off. She tripped but regained her step fairly quickly before trudging on as she had before, looking back and seeing Lao there gaining on her easily. She loved him. And it was refreshing to know that he loved her back. Though something inside of her broke - knowing she couldnt truly remember her past and knowing that she really was a broken and torn animal...

==into the mind
.131 words
.Repla is sad because she cant remember much from before meeting him[/size]