A New Beginning + One

[X-Larain]

X-Larain listened as the shorter girl rambled on. She stopped suddenly, holding her hand out to me. Sly Xylina? Strange name... She stared at the smaller girls hand, witing for her to shake it. X-Larain just stared and then looked at Sly, nodding her head towards her. Suddenly Seths cheerful voice popped in, saying that he'd join them to town. Her eyes opened wide in shock and she looked over at him. He was now brushing out Ryleys legs. Sly suddenly reached into the bag she had brought over with her and tossed X-Larain a hoof pick. Reflexively, her hand snapped out reflexively to grab it. Sly smiled at her and walked over to Ryley with her mane comb. X-Larain followed her, but went to Ryleys head, opposite side of Seth.
He turned his head towards her and she put her hand on his neck and set her forehead against his. "Thank-you Ryley," she whispered affectionately. "I wouldn't be here without you, le mita cola." She used her homeland words for my friend. She kissed his forehead and then bent at the waist. He lifted his leg insticntively and she began to clean it out. With a deep breath, she muttered, "My name is X-Larain Zaltana.." And went back to cleaning his hoof out.

.....

Ryley looked over at the human Sly again as Sweety spoke of her. She looked at Sly with as much affection as Ryley would X-Larain. He looked at his friend, she seemed uncomfortable. He remembered her dislike for other humans, the only ones she'd ever gotten along ith was her mother, who wasn't really her mother since she was adopted. He looked back at Sweety as she introduced herself and her firned Sherika. He bodded his head once in a nod. "I'm Leaf Ryder," He told her, his tail swishing out over his back. "But please, call me Ryley." His gaze turned back to X-Larain and Sly, who were now walking over to them. He nickered softly at his friend and she looked up at him.
She kissed his forehead and said some affectionate words. "There would be no point inn being here if it weren't for you." He snorted. Ryley relaxed at the nice feeling of being brush and cleaned.

.....

Seths words made X-Larain think. He said he'd go in with them too. Them. She put down Ryleys forth leg, the last one to be cleaned. Pulling her hood over her head again, she looked at Sly, who was at Ryleys tail. "I.. uh," She hesitated. She didn't want to be mean to the smaller girl, but she also didn't to travel with them. Her boyfriend seemed like too much of a grump, and she knew there'd be fighting between herself and him. "I was actually thinking of just dropping by there for a moment.. and then leaving soon, uh Sly." And because your boyfriend sucks. She added mentally. Walking around Ryley, she passed Seth and whispered so only he could hear, "Touch my horse without asking again, and you won't be touching andything ever again." Her voice was cold with the threat. She walked over and put the hoof pick back. Turning around, she pulled her hood further over her face, blocking out the sun, and stared at them.

[Drunken-Fox]

Sly had joined the other two as they started the grooming of the horse, and she smiled happily at how beautiful he was becoming. She also nodded as X-Larain mentioned her name quietly.

[glow=blue,2,300]"I was actually thinking of just dropping by there for a moment.. and then leaving soon"[/glow]

Sly began to clean the stallions tail, and she looked on thoughtfully. What am I going to do when Sweety's rested? The question ran threw her mind, and she felt a sudden twinge of loneliness. She hadn't had a proper place to stay for months, and she wanted so bad to just stop traveling, if only for a little. [glow=black,2,300]"Ya I suppose thats what I'm doing to, well I guess I might see you around. Till then I guess I should cook something. Your horse really needs some sleep."[/glow] Sly smiled warmly as she watched the tired horse bob his head sleepily.

Sly wiped her dusty hands onto her worn out jeans, and set off to get what she had from her pack. Before she reached her saddle, she turned to Seth. [glow=black,2,300]"The suns setting some, are you planning to stay? I could make enough for us all.... If so, could you get firewood?"[/glow] Her voice was so calm and sincere that it almost scared her.

Rummaging threw her saddle bags she found two cans of chicken noodle soup, three potato's and a bag of baby carrots. Sly sighed silently to herself, it was her favorite meal, vegetable soup. Though it was chicken noodle soup, she had all the spices to make it taste just like her grams vegetable soup.

Pain flashed in her emerald eyes, and she squeezed back tears. Her grandma had been the only one nice to her as a child, but she had grown ill. Without the money, her grandma had died, not having all the care she needed. Pulling a small pot out, Sly began to peel the potatoes with her dagger that she had strapped to her boot. She always cleaned it after using it, so it was cleaner than a house knife.

[WindingWind]

Seth was some what startled by X-Larain's threat, but he didn't think much of it. Sure she was strong looking, taller than him by a bit, but he had no intentions in taunting her any further. He was mad already, not wanting to be with anyone right now. Also he wanted Sherika to rest, so he'd just have to deal.

Sly had asked him to gather wood, and he was almost gratefully for her. He noticed how skilled she was as she peeled the potatoes, causing his mouth to water. Living on beef jerky and canned peaches could get tiresome, so a well cooked meal was welcomed greatly.

Moments later he arrived with the wood, and he sat on the ground tiredly. It had been a long hot day, and the cool of the setting sun caressed his skin. Sighing, Seth watched under drooping eyes as X-Larain started the fire.

......

Sherika was beside Ryley, she had grazed while they had worked at his fur, and now she to was tired. She snorted softly and rested one of her legs lazily. Allowing to drop her head slightly she began to drop into a soft sleep. Her ears tipped toward the sound of a crackling fire, but she was to tired to care.

[X-Larain]

[glow=black,2,300]"Ya I suppose thats what I'm doing to, well I guess I might see you around. Till then I guess I should cook something. Your horse really needs some sleep."[/glow]

X-Larain sighed quietly. Looks like I'm not escaping them tonight. She thought glumly. Oh well, she would live.. unless they were some sort of murders conspiring against her. She shook her head at the thought and watched Seth disappear to get some wood, then reappear with it. He dropped it on the ground, walked away, and sat down, watching Sly peel potatoes. X-Larain walked over to the pil of wood, kicked some into a hole that she presumed was a fire pit. The tall girls halg gloved hands came out from her cloak with two things that would look like metal to others. She scraped some off of the outside, a very small amount, and hit the middle piece with a rock, creating sparks onto the small pile of scrapings She took a branch and stuck it in the small flame, then dropped the branch into the fire pit. The dry wood caught easily enough, and in no time there as a good fire going. She stood back up and walked over to her bag, pulling out a small, battered old book. The thing barely weighed half a pound, but it was one ofher favorites. She flipped it open to the beginning and began readin while Sly cooked.

.....

Ryleys head bobbed slightly and his eyes began to shut. He liked the company of the two mares, but was too tired to talk to them. He could hear X-Larain and the other humans and then smeel the fire. He looked back in time to see X-Larain resting on his saddle, reading a book. Slowly, he plodded over to her and nibbled on her hair. He heard her laugh then she turned around to face him. He blinked his eyes once innocently, she snorted in her face, blowingher hood off with the gust of wind he'd made. Nickering once softly, he began to graze by her. He was filled with water but there was always more room for food, in his mind at least. Suddenly a small carrot was by his head. Looking around quickly, he snatched it up quickly and chewed it noisely. Swallowing, he looked at X-Larain, who was now smiling nd sitting facing towards him, her book behind her. She rose a hand out to him and he nibbled on her fingers. She reached out and scratched him on the nose, and he leaned his head into her hand. She laughed softly.

.....

X-Larain threw a carrot to Ryley and began to pet his pose. Leaning forwards onto her knees, she began to scratch him behind both ears as he lowered his head. She lay down on her back and scratched Ryleys head from the ground. She laughed out loud when he blew into her face. She blew back, then smelled it. Sitting back up again, she saw Sly over a pot on the fire. It smelled good. She looked up as the first star appeared, then back to Sly. She had to admit, the girl could cook.

[Drunken-Fox]

Sly smiled to herself, as she slowly replaced the sad memories of her grandmother with the good ones. How she had made picnics, and brought her to the hills, atop the very father of SweetThing. It had been great days then, when she was small and to young to really help with the chores.
The potatoes were now peeled and washed, along with the carrots. X-Larain had built a fire from the wood Seth brought, and now Sly set to getting the potatoes and carrots cooked. Also the day had been scorching, the night brought a chill to the air, causing Sly to shudder slightly. She would have put her cloak on, but she liked the cool against her sun soaked skin, and she was near the fire, adding the spices to the boiling soup.

...

SweetThing was tired, but she was rather restless and she couldn't stay still long enough to doze. She lifted her head slowly, flicking her ears in the direction of the crackling fire. How wonderful it was to see Sly with a smile to her face, the fire light brought out more of the beauty and love Sweety had always known with Sly. The very thought of her beloved friend caused SweetThing to lower her head in a blissful slumber.

...

Sly rose to her heels, wiping her spice covered hands onto her tan riding pants, as she observed her work. A boiling pot of vegetable soup bubbled on a rock, along side a wooden cup, a thermos and a metal cup. Carefully she tipped the soup into the 'bowls' evenly, bathing in the aroma of her grandmothers herbs and spices that changed the chicken broth into vegetable soup. [glow=black,2,300]"Suppers ready!" [/glow]Sly smiled happily, noticing X-Larain busy in a book, and Seth near sleep. At least it doesn't seem as awkward. Sly went to her pack and took out a small veil of Lilly extract, and then headed to-wards the stream to wash the spices off her hands before she ate. After splasing her hands around, she dropped a drop of the Lilly scented extract and began to massage it into her hands, causing them to smell heavenly, but also to soften them. Sly wasn't one for ruff hands, and so she still used the old remedie her grandmother made for her.
She finaly made her way to sit on the ground near the fire on her cloak, and began to eat her much deserved soup.

[WindingWind]

[glow=black,2,300]"Suppers ready!"[/glow]

Seth looked up reluctantly, he hadn't slept well in nights, for reasons he would rather not think of. Angrily he looked at Sly, but his anger suddenly fell like a rock. Sly's smile lit up as she ate her soup happily, the fire licking at her tanned skin. Seth watched as the girl sat in the cool night with her short sleeved shirt, also noting the breeze that caught her frilled top. Sly then turned and caught his gaze, she smiled warmly toward him.
Seth looked away sadly and noticed X-Larain nearby. She was reading, her horse now well groomed, standing near her. A whiff from Sly's soup caused Seth's stomach to rumble. Slowly he stood and headed closer to the fire to retrieve his thermos. Before he could sit and start eating he felt compelled to talk to Sly. He turned to-wards her, letting the thermos warm his chilled hands.
Seth looked on as Sly ate, he wanted to ask why she was traveling, and why she was headed to such a small town. Why she was so happy, why she even bothered staying the night with them. All the questions whirled around in his head, but none became voiced, he merely watched the fire dance within her green eyes. Her fire orange hair fell down her back silkily, as her bangs lay apone her down cast face.
A strand of hair brushed down toward her eye, and instinctively, he went to brush it aside. The image of a similar blond, green eyed girl crossed his mind. He stopped suddenly, and Sly looked up at him, almost realizing he was there for the first time. [glow=beige,2,300]"I..." [/glow]Seth stumbled over himself, and then angrily straightened himself. [glow=beige,2,300]"Thanks for dinner." [/glow]Without a second thought he marched off, back to his spot by the log, opposite the fire from Sly.

[/color]

[X-Larain]

[glow=black,2,300]"Suppers ready!"[/glow]
X-Larain stood up, patted Ryleys nose, and walked over to the soup. Sly was suddenly gone though, at the stream by the horses. She shrugged internally nd picked up the wooden bowl. She didn't like metal and stuff. Grabbing a sthingy, she went and sat back down, leaning on her saddle. Hesitantly, she took a sthingyfull. It was delicious. She looked up to reluctantly thank the small girl, but instead found herself laughing. Seth had went to brush a stray strand of hair from Slys face. He stopped almost angrily. [glow=white,2,300]"I... Thanks for dinner." [/glow]
Her whole body shook with the laughter. Why she found it so funny, she had no idea. He was probably feeling embarrassed or something, and she wasn't helping no doubt. She finally managed to turn away, facing the horses, and stop laughing. She felt like a fool. What was so funny? The boy was an idiot. She continued to eat her soup until there was nothing left. Setting the bowl down, she rolled up in her cloak. "Night," She muttered to them. The air was cool, making her feel relaxed. The last she saw was Ryleys pretty eyes staring at her.

.....

Ryley lowered his head sadly as he watched his friend walked away. But then again, she needed to eat to. And have a bath, he noticed. Her hair was unusually greasyish. He looked over at the dozing mares. He decided to do the same. "Good night," He nickered to them. Before he closed his eyes he saw X-Larain walk back with soup in her hands. She leaned against her saddle. Then she made her laughing sound. He opened his eyes curiously. Her whole body shook with the laughter. It was a soft, appealing human sound. He nickered softly as she turned around, managing to slowly stop her soft laughter. The boy human walked away from them, but not too far from the fire. He closed his eyes again and began to sleep.

.....

X-Larain woke before the sun was even up. The fire was ow just a pile of coals and ashes. Sly slept on one side, while Seth slept on the other. Only in sleep did he actually seem peaceful. His hard features were softened out and his mouth hung slack. A light snore rose from both of them. Walking over to them, she waved her hands in front of bother of them. Nothing. Going back to her saddle pack, she withdrew a few items and then went and gathered up their dishes.
She walked away, into the forest where the stream grew and became something bigger. The other were sleeping and there was no one else around. She began to peel off her clothes, then dipped into the water. It was ice cold against her skin, creating goose bumps. But she sighed non the less and let herself drift in the water. She could get a bath in town, but she needed one now. The sound of rustling leaves made her open her eyes, and she silently swam back to the items she'd brought along on a rock. Ryleys head poked out from the trees, and she sighed. She was so paranoid. But with good reason. She though to herself. "Hey, boy," She called to him. Taking out some rose-scented soap, she began to wash herself.

After her stream batch, she got out and began to wash their dishes. The sun was peaking through the trees, telling her she should probably go back. Drying off the last sthingy, she bundled her things together and began her walk back, Ryley right beside her. She saw Seth first, his once peaceful features in his normal look. She put the dishes on a rock by the fire and went back to her saddle.

[Drunken-Fox]

Sly had soon fallen asleep, and was now cuddled into her cloak for sleep. Her sleep was peaceful enough, but she still had the feeling of restlessness when she slept. After some hours of fighting to sleep, Sly finally gave to her exhaustion and passed out.

The bright sun rose before Sly, as it did every morning. She rose to find X-Larain already up and about. The dishes were done, and they seemed ready to go. Go where... Sly sighed aloud, and scrambled from her cloak to stretch in the warming air. [glow=black,2,300]"Morning..." [/glow]She yawned loudly as she drew to get some stuff from her pack.

Sly's long hair was a tangle, but she had used her grandmothers shampoo a day or so ago, and the effects of the silky bubbles still made her hair silky. With a quick brush it again began to stretch down her back and into her face.

...

SweetThing had had a great sleep, but was now much awake and happy. She drew her lazy eyes toward Sly, and again her mind strayed from it's happiness. SweetThing snorted unhappily at the sight of her beloved friend, causing Sherika to sputter from her sleep.

Sly's hair was still silky, and she still had the spring in her step, but the begs under her eyes were all but visible. Why does she have to keep herself from sleep so often? She's only hurting herself. SweetThing swished her tail unhappily and began to graze, knowing they would be on the move again.

...

Sly had grabbed some clothes and headed into some bushes nearby, also noticing Seth was no were to be seen. After much struggle into deeper bush, she finally noticed a good spot to change. Though she was sleep deprived, she knew the begs would disappear with the day, and her mind would clear.

Groggily she hopped over a branch into her desired changing spot. By fate her shoed foot caught on a branch. With a small gasp she began to fall, but her hands were tied up in her clothes, so she fell helplessly fast toward the ground.

[WindingWind]

Seth had went to sleep angry, not because he was such a fool around Sly, but because X-larain seemed very entertained by the idea. Day had come, and again he had slept like a rock, knowing Sherika wouldn't let anyone sneak up on him without alerting him.

X-Larain was up before him, and it almost irked him knowing she seemed so calm and knowing. He was still mad about her laughter the knight before so he went to his saddle, and grabbed some stuff to change into, not breathing a word to X-Larain the whole time.

He was well into changing when he heard someone walking toward him in the bush. Without bothering to throw his shirt on he grabbed for his pocket knife. Slowly he clicked it open and advanced in a crouch toward the sound, only wanting to know who it was. The person stopped for a moment, and then suddenly jumped at him. Seth roes his toned arms up to block the intruder, flashing his knife.

....

Her long black mane lay against her cooled neck, as she stood to start grazing. Sherika knew the drill, eat when you can. She had been grazing happily when she drew near Ryley. [glow=lightblue,2,300]"Morning, hope you slept well."[/glow] Sherika stopped her grazing to look toward him, but shyly looked away to graze, flicking her silky tail.

....

A quick gasp from the intruder caused Seth to throw his knife and launch forward, arms extended. Again the image of a blond, green eyed girl flashed before his mind. This time the girl wasn't smiling at him, but falling. A second later he caught Sly in his arms, her wild orange hair flying into his face.

Seth's breathing was raspy, and he was sweating, more from the memory of the girl then of Sly's tumble. Worryingly he looked Sly over, scanning her tanned face, her fear stricken eyes, and down to her quivering lips. Nothing seemed wrong, all but the dark begs under her eyes.

Seth put Sly back onto the ground slowly, hoping she hadn't hurt herself. Once he had done that he looked back to her face. Seth was suddenly taken aback, Sly had her face in her hands, as if she was sobbing, but no sound came. Confused Seth stepped forward to ask what was wrong, but Sly stepped back quickly.
In a rush Seth realized he had no shirt on, which exposed his toned body, and also revealing the thin tattoo of a lakota word. The tattoo was was usually hidden by his pants, but they had slid lower down because he had forgotten to do them up[glow=beige,2,300]."I'm so sorry!..." [/glow]Seth scrambled for his shirt and threw it on, along with doing up his pants.

Just as quick as it had happened Seth was already scrambling for his saddle, and calling for Sherika. Within a bit he had her saddled, but oddly enough he didn't leave, just waited for the others to get ready, with his face cast downward.

[X-Larain]

X-Larain smiled as Seth and Sly went into the forest, seperately of course, to change. She liked how mad Seth was with her, not even saying good morning to Her. Sly seemed in better moods, as usual. With the other two gone, and the mornings heat coming down, she went to her saddle pack. Taking out a thin cloak, she traded it for her normal one from the North. But she left the hood down because the others were gone. Finding a nice patch of grass, she sat down and pulled out her brush and book. She liked brushing her hair, it made her feel peaceful. And since the others weren't around, that was possible.
She began to brush through her short, wispy hair, the ends frayed from the sun. It was still slightly damp, though drying quickly from the sun. She was just about to open her book when Seth came from in the trees. His face was red and he looked.. angry? No surprise there. But what did surprise her was that he was hastily doing up his pants. What the hell? She thought. She had figured out the two weren't dating last night, that was pretty obvious. But maybe there was something between them. She shrugged, she wasn't one to ask. He saddled Sherika and jus sat there.

.....

Ryley looked at Sherika as she greeted him. "And you. The night was quite peaceful, I must say." He looked over at Sweety, who, of course, looked grumpy. With a swish of his tail he gave a shrill whinnie to her. "Good morning SweetThing." He felt awkward calling her that, as if he had given her a pet name or something. Turning back to Sherika, he asked, "Where are you and Seth going?" She seemed like the happy kind of horse that liked to talk, unlike Sweey, and he could use someone to talk to for some reason.

.....

X-Larain called Ryley to her as she walked towards her tack. She slipped his saddle onto him and put her brush and book in his saddle pack. Tightening the saddle, she grabbed his bridle and put it on his head. But a screw thingy(haha) came off. "Dang it.." she muttered under her breath. Looking into his gorgeous brown eyes, she whispered, "Sorry boy, no bridle today." She wasn't fixing it right now, she'd just break it even more. Then she laughed and scratched his ears. "Just no running off like last time, eh?" She placed the bridle in his pack. Putting her foot in the stirrup, she swung herself up into his saddle.
Looking at the others, she felt almost awkward. Part of her kind of wanted to stay. But if Seth was going to be a jerk, and they were going to have something going on around people like that, she wasn't going to be there. "Well," She said to Sly and Seth, who were both saddled and sitting. "Guess I might see you guys somewhere else." She turned Ryley to go, but he stayed where he was. He swung his head over to Sherika. "Come on, boy. Let's go." But still he stood there, looking at the others. Perhaps he wanted to stay. Though, this wasn't like him. She looked up to the sky, avoiding eye contact. "Do you mind if I come with you guys for a bit?" She sighed in annoyance. When no reply came, she looked at them. Sly smiled warmly, as usual, but there was something behind it. Well, X-Larain wasn't going to pry. Seth was looking at her quizzicaly. She cocked her head, then pulled up her hood. She hated people seeing her, and he'd never realyy seen her before. They always just stared. Crap.

[Drunken-Fox]

The embarrassment from seeing a stranger half naked had scared Sly more then it should have. She had not felt the warmth of another holding her since her grandmother, and after that it had been nothing but rough cruelty from her father. Sly changed into a pare of tan riding pants, along with a black tank top. She knew it was going to be hotter today, so in order to wear her cloak, she would have to go light for today.

Silently she had walked back to the campsite, noticing the others getting ready to go. With her face still cast downward she called for SweetThing weakly, her voice still shaken. Sly was a rather tough girl, but there were just some things that struck home and scared her almost to tears. Hands shaking she did up Sweety's saddle and tack.

...

The whole time Sly did up her tack, SweetThing had her ears pinned angrily. Seth was on Sherika and away to the side, to far for a swift kick to the head. [glow=maroon,2,300]"Lucky him"[/glow] She mumbled unhappily under her breath. The sorrel had not liked the looks of the boy from the start, and now that Sly was so shaken, she did not have the patience to deal with his presence. He seemed to have a danger about him she could not place, and if Sly had not trained her not to harm another human, she might have killed the boy on the spot.

...

Sly mounted slowly, and walked Sweety toward Ryley. She was surprised to see him with no bridle, she had not met another horse other than SweetThing that had the patience to be guided by leg movements.

Sly's cheeks were not as red anymore and she had now calmed slightly, feeling safe from all harm on SweetThing. Smiling warmly she looked at X-Larain, who had announced she would go with them to town, though she made it sound like she was traveling with Seth. [glow=black,2,300]"Well lets go.."[/glow]

The three had arrived within 3 hours and were then off on their own, leaving there horse at the barn for some much needed rest.