Areli

template by punki of adoxography

The Mistakes that Make us

hazel

The mountain air felt smooth inside his lungs, longed for after being away for so long; a week at most and yet it felt like a lifetime. His steps were languid, slow after he’d been travelling for so long but stepping back upon home soil felt good, as if he could finally breathe again. The stretch of land outside of the mountains wasn’t unfamiliar by any means, he’d encountered it many a times but still, the moment he left his home lands something felt off; wrong. That being said it was a relief to be home, treading lands he knew so well.

Careful steps brought him closer to the center of the herd’s territory, picking his way up the mountainous terrain. He was reminded when he made this first trip with his mother so many years ago. He was young then, barely able to make the trek. His mother had helped him, waiting for him along every slope, nudged him when he slipped. He’d likely not made it without her. Funny now that he walked this same path that it had been years since she’d left him. He wondered if the herd he’d left behind still existed, if the stallion whom aimed to kill him had stopped his search.

He'd been thinking on this when he realized he was almost home, a line of trees that marked his arrivals, specks of snow that collected in the darker recesses. Spring was upon them, the breeze warmer than he remembered but still, the caps of snow in the shade remained. He stopped to appreciate the territory that Romeo had inherited, his father having passed and appointing his son in his place. Romeo and Areli had gotten close in their youth and when Romeo had asked Areli to become the ambassador he’d been honoured. He took his role seriously, enjoyed mitigating the relations between Romeo’s herd and the others. He relished in the adventure it offered him, the stolen moments where he was away but coming back home was always the goal.

A subdued smile crossed his façade, eyes spanning the length of the clearing ahead, spying another member of the herd. It recognised her nearly immediately, the Queen’s second hand. He knew her in passing, even remembered her name. Areli stepped into the clearing, a mantle of white locks framing the sage colour of his eyes.

”Aveline.” He dipped his head in respect as he approached, going slow as not to startle her.

Perhaps on any other occasion, Areli would have passed her by with a slight nod, instead moving to Romeo to give his report but today felt different. Maybe the spring air, maybe the way the sun shimmered along her mane, who knew but he’d stopped none the less.

”It’s a fine morning, isn’t it?”

As the golden rays of the mid-summer sun spilled over the rugged landscape of the Moraine Mountains, Aveline found herself near the heart of the herd's territory. The soft morning light bathed the mountains in a warm, ethereal glow, casting long shadows and highlighting the vibrant hues of the wildflowers that adorned the meadows. Birds sang their joyful songs in the clear, crisp air, and the gentle rustling of leaves provided a soothing backdrop to the serene scene.

Aveline, her pale coat shimmering in the sunlight, stood in a clearing near a cluster of ancient pine trees. Their sturdy trunks bore the scars of countless storms, yet they stood proudly, their evergreen needles resilient and proud. She watched as a light breeze stirred the needles, producing a hushed, rhythmic melody that harmonized with the chorus of the natural world.

It was in this idyllic setting that Areli found her, admiring the beauty of their mountain home during a rare quiet moment for the redheaded mare.

Fine morning, isn't it?

Aveline's bright red mane and tail flowed in the breeze, her brown eyes alight with warmth and curiosity. As she spotted his approaching figure, she couldn't help but admire the ambassador. Taller than her by a few inches, he exuded a sense of strength and wisdom. His dark grey coat appeared like the turbulent sky before a summer storm, dapples calling to mind a bubbling canopy of clouds, and his white mane and tail cascaded like the pristine snow of the mountain peaks. The picture of him commanded its own sort of respect, and Aveline could easily see how he might charm their allies or intimidate their foes.

As Areli drew closer, Aveline greeted him with a warm smile and a gentle nod of deference, her voice a melodic serenade amidst the serene surroundings.

"Ambassador, welcome back! How has your journey fared? We've all been eager to hear what news you bring from the far reaches of our land."

Areli's return from travels abroad was always a much-anticipated event, and the entire herd would soon be buzzing with curiosity about the news he might bring. 

name/title

template by punki of adoxography

The Mistakes That Make Us

hazel for Aveline

The breath of spring air hovered around his frame, bringing with it her scent, a mixture of cloves that reminded him of his early days in the herd. Areli inhaled her aroma as he stepped forward, into the dappled rays of light. The mountainous region they called home could be so beautiful, and as it backdropped his fellow herd mate, he had to admit she looked rather dashing. The russet of her coat shimmered in the light, rose gold in the direct sun. As he greeted her, her doe brown eyes tilted upwards to find him, holding him in place.

The sage of his optics returned her stare but it quickly became too intense and he looked away to the peaks that backdropped her.

Her vocals drew his attention again though, finding her honeyed gaze. Despite himself, Areli smiled stepping forward into the light of the clearing.

”Thank you Aveline. It’s good to be back home.” He paused to look from where he’d come. Days had been spent on the outskirts of their lands, finding loners discussing what information they had gleamed from their time in the open. A queen had dropped her place in the Red Rocks only to be taken over immediately after. Otherwise, the Festival of the Rising sun was about to be in full swing on the islands. Areli had heard of it in passing as he roamed in search of information. His head vibrated with the new information he’d gleamed, eager to get it out into the open.

”As much as I wander, it’s always good to return home.” He paused and took another tentative step toward her. He stood taller than her, had to look down in order to properly spy her features.

”I’ve seen some interesting things in the past few weeks. A Queen fell from her throne and a King has taken her place. Probably for the best though, the Queen was nasty.” Areli shook his head and snorted, dancing in place.

”What’s new in the herd? Anything interesting happen in my absence?” He grinned playfully, white tendrils of mane dancing around his face.

"Hah!" If she'd had eyebrows, they'd have disappeared under her bright red forelock as an expression of mock indignation played on her face. With a laugh as silvery as Areli's dappled coat, the pink mare's lips spread in a rogueish grin as she teased him. "She was nasty? That's all I get, and I'm supposed to give you my news? Ambassador, please."

She looked him up and down through long eyelashes, sparing no time now for the thought that had he always been so big? and had his cheekbones always been so defined?, her brain busily squirreling away those thoughts for later, for the dark hours, for the quiet when it most liked to make her squirm.

Instead, the thought came to her now that she had known Areli for nearly five years -- theoretically, but not practically. He had blossomed into a fine, strong stallion, who brought great honor to the mountain herd. She would be a fool not to know him better -- and Ava could never be called a fool!

Aveline rolled her eyes playfully at him, finally looking down the wild little goat-track path that would take them to their Majesties. "Let me walk with you for a while," she implored him, her demeanor all earnest now, only a little hint of play. "You tell stories so well, and I'm a very good listener. I promise I'll do my best to match you when it's my turn."