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Post by Jewel on Sept 15, 2003 21:48:59 GMT -5
"Thanks.. that's very kind of you," Jewel smiled tiredly, and waited for him to join her before moving forward. As the pair walked, Jewel barely felt the lingering pain in her joints, as her mind was occupied by a whirlwind of new knowledge and thoughts. I wish I knew who I can trust and who I can't,Jewel thought a little remorsefully, Being a tough girl has lead to my survival.. but I can't help but wonder about all the things I've been missing.. Jewel glanced at Roux. I think a lot of ponies could use a friend right now.
"My house is down this path about another quarter of a mile," Jewel told Roux, "Just over the stream." Then she added curiously, "You seem like the type from the Outer Edges.. where do you live?"
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Post by Roux on Sept 15, 2003 22:40:00 GMT -5
Roux ignored the burning from overworked and tired muscles, which were echoing their protest right along with the rest of his body. It had been a long day, and his body felt it. Longing for sleep, it moved only because the stallion demanded that it should.
Roux's head bobbed, earrings clinking together as he looked in the direction Jewel had indicated.
"Aye." The thick Irish accent came barreling through, "I live on the river, in my boat. Tis a grand life."
A bit lonely at times. But than isn't every life? At least at one point or another? The stallion mused to himself.
Dark brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he flashed Jewel a friendly smile.
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Post by ElementalParadise on Sept 16, 2003 6:49:01 GMT -5
"Well, Lotus, where do we sleep?", Gweena asked Lotus
"maybe by the river.", was Lotus's reply.
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Post by ElementalParadise on Sept 16, 2003 15:11:17 GMT -5
(Continued at Rainbow River.)
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Post by LNS on Sept 17, 2003 18:52:51 GMT -5
Roux made little to no sound as his hooves slipped easily into the cool water. He turned his head around, watching Jewel.
Knowing she was tired from the day's events he asked, "Can you make it across?"
He didn't ask to be rude, or to imply that her being a mare she needed a stallion's assistance. He simply asked because he could tell she was worn, and that she was having to push herself to even take a step forward.
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Post by Jewel on Sept 17, 2003 19:58:37 GMT -5
Jewel came to a stop at the edge of the stream. It was dark, and she couldn't see what was in the water. She hated that! Shifting her weight, she didn't want to take a step into that liquid darkness. Who knows what could be just.. waiting for her in there? She gave him a nervous smile, and extended her wings as if to test their strength.
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Post by LNS on Sept 17, 2003 20:18:51 GMT -5
Roux tilted his head in wonder. He couldn't understand.
"It's safe." Roux said, his voice reassuring.
As though to prove his point he walked back and forth in the cool water that lapped at his hooves.
Puzzled he couldn't understand why she would want to fly over, when there was no danger in just walking across.
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Post by Jewel on Sept 17, 2003 22:14:08 GMT -5
"I'm sure.." She responded, not in a sarcastic as much as sincere tone. "But just the same..."
Jewel backed up a little bit and walked to the inclined edge of a rock at the side of the stream. Spreading her wings gracefully, she took a step off and glided across the short distance.
Her strength failed her at the other side, however, when her legs collapsed as soon as they touched the ground. She sat there for a minute, acting the whole time as if she meant to do it. She then waited for Roux to join her, and, though she refused to think it, hoped he'd give her a hand getting up.
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Post by LNS on Sept 17, 2003 22:23:54 GMT -5
Watching, not understanding why one would bother flying over such a short distance, when it was less than twenty steps across. Silently he reminded himself not to pry, because it was none of his business. Nor did he wish to upset the lovely pegasus.
Hearing the rough landing, he double his speed across the small stream. Eyes adjusted, in the darkness and quickly found the mare.
"Are you all right?" Roux asked concerned as he offered her a hoof to help her up.
As he half lifted her from the ground he smiled one of his sweet smiles at her. Hoping she was all right.
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Post by Jewel on Sept 17, 2003 22:35:55 GMT -5
Upon landing, Jewel calmly folded her wings and looked up at Roux from the ground. Getting up, she said with an optimistic tone in her slighlty-strained voice half-hidden by fatigue, "Never better."
She smiled back shyly as he helped her up, moonlight catching in her amethyst eyes. What a sweet guy.. She found herself thinking. She was about to reprimand herself when the voice came to her ears:
"Why give the world a frown when all it wants is to see your smile?" It asked, seeming to be pleased and relaxed about the situation at hand, "Many of the greatest things ever to happen, happened only because someone involved took what seemed to be a foolish risk. And with that, vanished.
Jewel tried in vain to dismiss the thought from her mind as she nodded her head toward a small stone house covered by a well-thatched roof made of forest materials about 50 feet away.
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Post by LNS on Sept 17, 2003 22:59:13 GMT -5
Roux left it at that, not wishing to press the matter farther and risk upsetting her.
Dark brown eyes seemed to dance, as they gazed at the beautiful amethyst eyes that glittered in the moonlight.
Walking alongside Jewel, he was determinded to see her safely to the door. Even than he was wondering if there wasn't some excuse he could use to just stay the remainder of the night.
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Post by Jewel on Sept 17, 2003 23:07:23 GMT -5
Jewel felt flooded with relief as she opened the door to her small house. It was the one place she felt safest in this new land, and felt like she'd been away from it far too long. As she stepped in with Roux, she turned to him.
"You look exhausted," She said, tiredness filling her voice as well, "I'm sure you dont want to walk all the way back to your boat... that isn't really the best idea when you're dead tired," She laughed softly, "Trust me."
"Would you like to stay?"
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Post by LNS on Sept 17, 2003 23:14:05 GMT -5
Slowly he stepped inside. Blinking his eyes readjusted to the difference in light inside the house.
Having still been thinking of an excuse to stay he was delighted to hear Jewel's offer. His tired body completely agreed, and held no protests, and the stallion was unable to argue with it himself.
"That would be most kind of you." Roux smiled a grateful smile as he accepted the offer.
With a small bow he said, "Thank you most kindly, m'lady."
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Post by Jewel on Sept 17, 2003 23:24:27 GMT -5
"Tis only the least of a just reward for one as deserving of thanks as yourself, my lord," Jewel grinned, putting a flare of accent onto her words.
She slowly walked over to the storage area by the corner, and leaning on shaky legs, pulled out an extra blanket and pillow for her guest. Unfortunately, the rug on the floor was all she could offer him for a bed.
"I'm sorry about the accomodations," Jewel apologized, "I wasn't expecting to have guests any time soon." She laid down the folded blanket and pillow, which smelled of the sweet herbs and dried flowers she kept in containers stored near them.
After setting down the bedding and trying to make Roux as comfortable as she could, Jewel climbed into her loft-hammock bed. Sighing and relishing in what seemed to be incredible comfort after such a day, Jewel snuggled up in her fleece blanket. Before she slept, however, she reached up to a pouch hung on a nail in a non-visible place above her bed. Emptying its contents, she placed the fire-opal amulet around her neck.
Peeking out from her bed, Jewel glanced down at Roux, "Goodnight.. and thank you."
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Post by LNS on Sept 18, 2003 0:16:08 GMT -5
A hint of amusement danced in the dark brown eyes as he listened to Jewel's reply.
"I was simply doing as any gentlestallion would." Roux replied his words slow, as though he had to think before saying them.
"I shall sleep like a king." Roux stated, not meaning it as a joke he added in, "Usually I just sleep on the deck of my boat. No blanket or pillow, except for the stars above my head."
Slowly he sat down on the rug. Tired legs throbbed to a tune all their own as he stretched himself out on the floor. Achy muscles instantly relaxed. The only part of him that seemed unable to let sleep stake its claim to him for the remainder of the night was his soul. It longed for the cool breeze upon the river, to smell the fresh water upon the air, to gaze upon the stars above, to drink in the beauty of the sun painting its golden rays across the sky. Turning slightly Roux attempted to ignore the pang he felt in his heart. He had never spent a night so far away from the water before.
Shifting to glance towards Jewel, Roux replied, "Your welcome m'lady ... and sweet dreams."
He had a feeling it would be a long while before anyone would have a chance for sweet dreams after tonight. Mentally he made a note to grab his sword from the boat tomorrow. Better to be armed and thought a lunatic than to be without it and made a fool.
Slowly his eyes began to drift closed. Though his soul was still aching to be near the water, his mind floated along the river bank, happy and carefree, listening to the water lap at the boat, and so sleep claimed him for the night.
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