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Re: Wandering Hearts (Gypsy and Tribe)

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:26 pm
by Vineda
She did not come across as some little mousy mare to be embarrassed and wish to sink into the ground disappearing-like. This in itself made him supremely glad, and the compliment had him over the moon. Gypsy beamed at her, basking in her smile. Glad to have access granted, he started towards her. He had to crab-stepped as another piece of the driftwood poked his foot right at its center. Well that smarts. We're having a great start to our day, now, aren't we?

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he realized her efforts to rise. Rushing forward, he met her mid-lurch as her weight swung down and towards his own body. There was half a heartbeat where he thought that he'd saved the effort. Then his own traitorous front hooves slid forward on a bit of algae-slime on the rock below and he gave a great Hrmmmmph. His side had met hers in that nose to tail setup he'd seen equines use to keep flies from each others' noses. As he lost traction, one hoof slid forward between her rear golden toesies until his neck was nigh underneath her belly.

Gypsy experienced his own coughing fit after his nose dunked underwater. He hacked and snorted as he tried to clear the inhaled water from his passages, but he would be darned if he didn't stand firm next to (and under) her so at least the lady would not falter any further. His nose poked out under the other side of her stomach, carefully staying above water there for a moment until he could see that she was steady. Were she to fall again, she would simply fall on his neck which was not far. They could do this.

The corners of his mouth would not stop twitching upwards despite the ridiculousness. Game of Twister, anyone? A few more coughs, a few more moments of warm - if odd - contact with this beauty of a stranger. You have your feet now my friend, yes? I will stand back up and we may attempt to make our way back to shore if you are ready. If you dare. His voice held a laughing challenge, even as he thought Well this was grand. When was the last time he'd lost footing or fallen? And now today of all days it was a theme. At least he had a good humored partner in it this time. For that he was beyond grateful.

Re: Wandering Hearts (Gypsy and Tribe)

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 8:44 pm
by Songhue
A back broad enough to hold the world, indeed!

Carefully, and so slowly it almost hurt, Tribe shifted her weight enough to get control of her rebellious leg. A little shake and the seaweed floated free, allowing her to get some semblance of footing and take the bulk of her weight - which this sweet stallion had had land on him with absolutely no amount of grace - finally off the poor fellow's shoulder.

She was still giggling, just a little bit, at the ridiculousness of it all. Couldn't quite help herself, she found.

I may dare to try, although I apparently can't guarantee any success, she chuckled, and gave a grateful brush of her nose over his shoulder as she began to move away. She stayed nearby, in case he needed a shoulder up himself; a bit of an awkward position he'd stopped himself in! Shall we go together, sweetheart? I'd have a look at your poor hoof, if you'd let me.

A smile, open and inviting, and a certain innocence in her gaze. She was always this kind, always this welcoming; perhaps that was her trouble, that she never meant anything by it. Nobody could take her seriously enough to want to be with her, to fill the empty shadow beside her. But, for the moment, she had company. For the moment that was all that mattered.

That, and finding her way to dry land. As much as she loved the sea, she had tasted quite enough of it for one day. And at some point she really was going to have to find an opportunity to properly introduce herself!

Re: Wandering Hearts (Gypsy and Tribe)

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:09 pm
by Vineda
Collecting his body again, cheeks began to burn. A heat of humiliation spread up to his ears and down into his chest with the replay of all that had transpired. Perhaps the good lady would not mind so much. It just would have been nice to be that noble stallion he pictured in his head. At least she still laughed and it was not the chilly laugh of mocking.

Her gentle touch, however brief, did much to distract him and lift his spirits. He gave her the tiniest of whickers in response, cutting it off with a shake of his body once he was up. Golden eyes swept over her now that she had gathered herself as well. She stood steadily. That worry eased at least. And she waited. Thank you most kindly, I think we shall.

Gypsy joined her that they could walk side by side to the shore. The sweetness did not go unnoticed, not at all. He wondered now if she were that nice all the time. Were she some siren to be so kind and then leave a stallion in the dust after his heart opened? It was food for thought. What he knew now was that he had much to learn about this mare.

She mentioned his hoof. He hated to trouble her with it, and thought if it rather as a token of his clumsiness. A funny memory crossed his mind, and he chuckled. Tis just a flesh wound, really. His bonded would be tickled at his joke.

A moment of what he thought was companionable silence fell between the two as they waded. Carefully. Please, correct me if I am mistaken. But I believe I have the honor of finally meeting the illustrious Tribe. Could that possibly have any truth to it? Only, I've heard tales of you from Bonded and bond-kin and it has made me so hope that I might make your acquaintance some day. There. He'd divulged his secret. Well mostly. Okay, some. But it was a start. He didn't have to admit that if he had a Tribe poster he'd have it on his bedroom wall.

Re: Wandering Hearts (Gypsy and Tribe)

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:12 am
by Songhue
Oh, now don't tell me the tale has traveled that far she answered in mock-dismay. There was a bit too much humor in her voice, a little too much warmth to her eyes for it to really be as wrenching as all that, but she made a good show of it.

She broke off as they reached the shore together - each step careful until they had finally reached sand. Dropping with little effort at grace, she rolled about to dry herself off as best as she could - and had something prod into her shoulder for her efforts. Snorting, she righted herself and expected to see a rock, but instead saw a rather nice shell; aqua and purple and with a sand-polished shine to it. Sign loved such little treasures, so Tribe simply tucked the trinket into her tail. It completely disappeared in aqua hair, held securely in place by the rings that adorned her - and all this done without even thinking about it. By the time she stood up she was coated in clumps of sand, every bit of hair had some bit of something trying to mat it up, and she felt wonderful. It really wasn't fair to consider the fact that she would be washed once she got home - she'd gotten plenty scrubbed by the sea already, thank you.

Honestly it's rather a surprise you didn't run away once you saw me, rather than ask after me from the fall, she continued, and couldn't quite hide a grin as she said But I didn't mean to bring a corpse home - it was so encrusted with shinies that I'd thought it was just a likeness, or something shaped by the seas maybe. And by the time I got home I'd already traded some of the shinier gems, so it was rather too late to return it, you see? And besides, is it really a corpse if it's just the dragon's skull? It was a running joke - Tribe had been the one to say No corpses, this time! while going over her finds with everyone at home at least half as often as the others did. And the gremlins really weren't my fault, she insisted doggedly, and if there was perhaps a little bit of a whine to her voice there was at least as much laughter. I was just trying to help the hoarfrost get some rest. Really!

Chuckling, she shook herself off as best as she could and moved around towards his front shoulder. She hadn't noticed him limping, really, but it was hard to tell in the water and there could be a splinter lodged in there... The last thing he needed was an infection for coming to her rescue.

I am obliged to admit that you are, interestingly enough, correct, she noted, and gave a rather intricate bow as she passed around the front of him, her back legs crossed and one front leg tucked so far between the pair that her nose was all but in the sand. I am indeed the trader of trinkets, the seeker of sweets, the purveyor of purloined prizes, the wandering gypsy mare Tribe.

She stepped forward with a laughing grin, always willing to poke a bit of fun at herself, and dropped her eyes to the hoof in question as she reached his side. She had to resist an urge to lean into him, a little bit; had to remind herself that the touch was what she told herself to make it easier, but it wasn't touch she craved. It was the connection it symbolized. It was easier to find touch, to try and believe that it helped, but if that were so then spending a season snuggling griffin kits would have helped ease the ache.

It had been a fun summer, all the same.

If you might just lift your hoof, so I may make good on my word, sugardrop? she asked, and continued without waiting for a response. Of course he would let her take a look. She'd said she would, hadn't she? I am glad to meet you, in all sincerity. And I'll tell you any story you'd like, straight from the source! It'll be a laugh, that's for sure, although if you've heard of my tales you probably also heard of Gypsy's songs. I may hold the title, but a gypsy is what he really is - I have tales, but he holds music. I can scent fresh water, but his hooves are so sturdy from travel that he can spark the warmth of fire. I've visited mermaids, but he's lived in a phoenix nest - and learned their songs! She may have gotten slightly glass-eyed. Possibly. She wouldn't say. I won't even try to share one of his beautiful pieces, my friend, but that would be someone worth meeting. I've often thought if I could be so lucky as to have so much as a lock of his mane - but ah, we do dream, don't we? she asked, and gave him such a sweet and sincere smile of camaraderie that it could have melted an ice cap.

But what of you, sugarplum? What might I call my companion for the day, while we share stories and laughter? Sunset? Ember? Sailor's Promise? Twilight, maybe? I am so glad to have happened on you, anyway, as I'd much rather have a hero who comes and saves my hide over one who merely wanders my head.

By this point she was talking absently, chattering as if to fill the long, endless silence of her nights. And it was always the nights; those times between, where she had none to share their warmth, none to laugh away the long shadows. Where she was so very, painfully alone. It had grown to be enough of a habit that it sometimes carried over in daily conversation. The only guaranteed cure her bondmates had found for it so far was to sit on her.

Luckily for her, this particular stallion hadn't yet learned that particular trick. Yet.

Re: Wandering Hearts (Gypsy and Tribe)

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:47 pm
by Vineda
Mock perturbed. Rather adorably so, really. The mares at home would just love her... stallions too, he grimaced. His eyes followed her every move as he simply stood and dripped water into little patter-spots below him. She flung herself about on the sand with such abandon that he could do naught but shake his head. Until the shell surfaced and disappeared quickly from view as though magicked away to some other plane of existence, then his eyes widened.

Run away, he chided in a disbelieving voice. Run you over in my exuberance to meet you sounds more like. He stood back a pace and put on his most thinking-hard face, mock studious. Hmmm now. I'm not entirely convinced that the skull only is deserving of the term corpse... He chuckled at her introduction and bow. So showy. He was enchanted already. He was in trouble.

Well, madam Tribe, I am most ecstatic to make your acquaintance. He were just about to do his own introduction and attempt to figure out a bow that might at least close to match hers when she was after that silly hoof again. She were all business now, and not to be distracted. It was the simplest thing when he simply followed her orders despite his doubts of anything needing attention. Gypsy would do anything she asked at this point.

He leaned towards her, just brushing her side with his as he adjusted his weight so that he might hold his hoof just so for her. I would love to hear some of your tales. Some of your favor- She was already continuing on, and here she was speaking his name though he'd not yet given her it. Had he? His mind raced back. No, he was sure he hadn't. But she knew his tales as well!

Someone worth meeting, then? Hmmm. He let his voice tail off as in musing, answering not of his knowledge of Gypsy's Tales. Seeming to startle out of his thoughts, he answered her. Oh me? Well now. I'm lucky enough to have you for the day, am I? I did not remember turning my name in to the fates for a luck-draw. What would you call me this day, milady? I am curious what name I strike you as deserving, thus far. I have no particular nickname among my bond herd you know. It's about time I had one. Yes? He was so very curious. Also lucky am I that you are generous enough to call my floundering a hero's actions. He leaned further, praying that she didn't have Sham's wicked sense of prankishness and simply step out from underneath him!

Re: Wandering Hearts (Gypsy and Tribe)

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:24 pm
by Songhue
She was right! Luckily, there was also reason for this handsome fellow to be so assured that there hadn't been risk of a bit of danger. And no matter how small a matter it seemed, it could prove dangerous.

He really was lucky the sand hadn't conspired to stab him but good. It was a fairly large splinter, but still small enough that it was still most assuredly a splinter - and sitting at just the right angle to be lodged without quite stabbing. Shift it just right, shove it a little more, and you've the makings for quite the sore and a nasty infection, besides.

Since it was large, it was easy enough to puff away the bit of sand already trying to glue it to the poor, tender underside of his hoof and brush it out with her lip. She looked quite ridiculous with sand lining her muzzle, but better that than have this poor fellow come to harm.

And, oh, he leaned into her, touched her, shared in his balance; trusted her, in his way. She nearly shuddered with the relief of it, short-lived though she knew it would be. Even casual touch was something special to her, these days; but she had done what she'd sought out, and although she may have lingered for an extra moment or two she did do the polite thing and press up against him, realigning his balance as she lifted her head. She couldn't simply climb all over him - though she rather wanted to.

And if you aren't just the sweetest thing, darlin', she smiled, and used her front leg to brush the bits of sand off her mouth. She really didn't want to accidentally eat any of that - yech! It's a rarity to find anyone who'd rush to see me, outside my bondmates, and most appreciated.

She shook herself off once again - to absolutely no avail - and brightened as he gave her something new to chew over. A new method of getting her to hush up for a moment, one that didn't involve sitting on her, and she did love a good bit of something to bend her mind over.

A nickname, then? she asked, and trotted from one side to the other - as if she hadn't already been looking her fill - giving a thoughtful hmm as she let her gaze slide over him. Golden eyes, golden hooves, bright-bright ribbons, hidden bells a tinkling away... And oh, such a coat as he had! It was, interestingly enough, his tail that she loved best. His mane was tied back in severe little bundles, but his tail flowed thick and free. It was almost funny how opposite they were; her with her cool tones, her bangles and jems, and her mane flowing around her while her tail was kept bound.

Tinker, she said decisively, and shook her head almost instantly. No, no, not a tinker, not someone that finds and fixes. But someone who finds - her eyes dropped, again, to the array of ribbons in his tail and it struck her, making her face break out in a wide grin. Magpie, she declared, and nodded in satisfaction. Finder of pretty little things, with shoots of brilliant color against a backdrop of deepest midnight. Sweet friend to those who were friends with nature, kind and smart with the ones that were kind to them. She loved the brilliant blue against the shimmering white and black of their feathers, loved how they would decorate their nests. Some thought of them as simple, she knew, and yet they didn't know her friends to hold such an opinion.

Now then, my sweet Magpie - if you're accepting of such a nickname? - point me towards our destination! I shall quite gladly accompany you and share in tales, as it's the least I could do for your gallant rescue of my poor fumbling self.