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Bella
Mar 31, 2007 15:16:01 GMT -5
Post by Meg on Mar 31, 2007 15:16:01 GMT -5
OOC: Hehe, all right. I'm very curious now.
BIC: Lacrymosa was still running when Bella stopped and turned.
He nearly went right past her, but at the last moment, threw his weight backwards and came to a sliding halt, a fountain of sand hitting his underbelly.
His first thoughts were those of concern, until he noticed that she was smiling. Immediately, his interest, curiousity, and yes, even the little nosiness he held, were on the alert.
"Bella? What is it?"
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Bella
Mar 31, 2007 16:47:15 GMT -5
Post by Spark on Mar 31, 2007 16:47:15 GMT -5
"Good news, Lacrymosa. I've been wanting to tell you for some time now. Have you noticed how my belly has been getting bigger lately? Well...I'll be in foal soon! Isn't it wonderful?"
Bella almost leaped on her hooves, her excitement barely able to be contained. She was so happy. She was to have Lacrymosa's foal! And soon, too. The mare could only hope that her Lord felt the same way. She was so excited she was dancing in place, her hooves shifting with excitement.
Tossing back her head Bella let out a loud whinnie of excitement and pride. She was just too happy! It was wonderful!
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Bella
Mar 31, 2007 19:31:40 GMT -5
Post by Meg on Mar 31, 2007 19:31:40 GMT -5
Lacrymosa was frozen with shock for a moment. Thoughts whirled through his head, and then...
"Bella, that's wonderful!" He whinnied happily, half-rearing and spinning in a small circle, bucking once while keeping his hooves carefully away from his Lady.
Then he calmed, coming to a halt next to her and nudging, nuzzling, nipping her neck gently, and repeating it again.
He was thrilled at the thought of the two of them raising a foal together. Thrilled that he and Bella would be bringing up a tiny colt or filly, teaching him or her the ways of the herd. He could just imagine it; playing with the foal, caring for the foal, teaching the foal...
And, oh, the thought of Bella as the mother to his--no, their foal, was just amazing! Words couldn't describe the feeling.
Finally, he paused enough to speak again.
"And to be honest, I hadn't noticed," he confessed. "But still...how wonderful! Do you know when...you know...you'll have it?"
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Bella
Mar 31, 2007 19:52:35 GMT -5
Post by Spark on Mar 31, 2007 19:52:35 GMT -5
Bella's expression showed a little guilt, "I'm not exactly sure when, but it should be soon."
Once more the mare smiled. This was so exciting! Finally, a colt or filly to raise with her Lord. She knew he'd make a great father. She nipped lightly at his mane, her hooves still dancing. It was unbelievable, that she couldn't contain her excitement any more!
Bella made a small rear, making sure not to hit her Lord with her forehooves. As she landed she continued to dance. It was so wonderful! The mare moved close to Lacrymosa, nuzzling him and thrusting her muzzle against his neck.
Life was great at the moment. Lovely. Wonderful.
Lacrymosa could teach the foal fighting skills and fierceness, while she herself could teach it how to control its emotions and how to respect the herd and other parts of herd life. The jobs were perfect to be split.
As if it were all mapped out....
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Bella
Mar 31, 2007 20:17:41 GMT -5
Post by Meg on Mar 31, 2007 20:17:41 GMT -5
Lacrymosa nickered and gave another small rear, coming only half of a foot off the ground before landing gently. He nuzzled her, pressing his muzzle up to Bella's, still excited.
Then, worried. Had her fall before hurt the foal, or had it been due to the foal? He had seen mares pregnant with foals before, and though things usually went fine, he had seen things go wrong before.
But...no. He couldn't think about that, not now. The worry faded away gradually, still a nagging thought in the back of his mind, but eclipsed by other thoughts.
"Oh...Bella! This is wonderful!" He was repeating himself, and he knew it. Yet, it seemed to be the only word he could find to explain his feelings.
"And you'll be a wonderful mother...I just know you will be."
And it was true, he could just imagine it. Already he was beginning to make plans, thinking of what he could teach the foal about the herds.
And then, anger. Anger that their foal, his and Bella's, the foal that should rightfully be the ruler of Opaque one day, would have to be born into this awful tension and waiting and then the war, and the fighting...
Lacrymosa was more determined than ever that Opaque would be ruled by the Dark once more.
His sudden decision, the fierce, vicious anger he felt towards the Lights, flashed briefly in his eyes for one moment. He would win this war, for Bella and their unborn foal. Yes. For the two he loved more than anything, even if the foal was not yet truly alive.
Then the excitement reappeared. Thoughts of the war were for another time, another day. Thoughts of the war did not belong in the same time or the same place as the thoughts of his loved ones.
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Bella
Apr 2, 2007 6:04:21 GMT -5
Post by Spark on Apr 2, 2007 6:04:21 GMT -5
Bella stood, smiling as she watched her Lord. Her smile faded when she saw his anger flash in his eyes, then it reappeared when his excitement reappeared. This should be a wonderful time! Very exciting, because the foal was coming soon; within the next three weeks.
Suddenly that seemed too soon. What if she didn't know how to deal with the foal? What if something terrible happened when she was giving birth? What if the foal was born without a limb, with an extra limb, with an uncureable disease?
The possibilities of what could go wrong seemed endless. Her fear flashed in her eyes and showed upon her face. Now she was very, very scared. Doubts about having the foal flooded her mind quickly.
No, no. Her foal would be fine. Bella shook her head to rid it of the terrible thoughts that pooled there.
Bella's gaze lifted to her Lord's. She was so scared for her foal. Especially now that she realized it would be born into the terrible war raging in the desert.
She knew she could not show her foal the Fighting Desert until the war was over or the foal was old enough to fight. It would be too dangerous otherwise.
And then it hit her.
Bella would not be able to support the war until her foal hit the age of three.
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Bella
Apr 4, 2007 18:42:14 GMT -5
Post by Meg on Apr 4, 2007 18:42:14 GMT -5
Lacrymosa was quick to notice the fear that Bella felt. His spirits dropped; however excited he was, it was hard to show this when her own feelings matched his.
But he was Lacrymosa, Lord of the Dark, and she was the Lady he cared for more than anything. Still, he couldn't keep the faint note of fear from echoing in his tone as he spoke.
"Oh, Bella, don't worry...the foal will be fine. I have seen mares in foal before..." He trailed off, thinking. No, he had been nowhere near the foaling area (as a young colt, when he had wandered towards a mare closing to her foaling time, he had been chased off with much squealing and biting before the mare dropped to the ground, exhausted). Yet he had dealt with mares before and after the foaling, he had watched the still-wet foals struggle to their feet and had welcomed them to the herd. And he had seen things go wrong, seen mares and foals both lost, had heard the desperate cries of a mare whose dead foal lay still on the ground.
Yet, as he watched Bella, he could not imagine the foal being a stillborn. She was strong, and she was healthy! ...No, it would not happen. It couldn't happen, not when the two of them were so excited at the prospect of a foal.
"The foal will be fine. And...we will win the war. Our foal will grow up safe and happy, and will be strong and a wonderful fighter. It will rule over all of Opaque, not just the small area that we currently reside in." At those words, Lacrymosa glanced around the beach. It was his favorite part of all of Opaque, true, yet he missed the ability to wander and run as far as the Desert without meeting any hostile Lights or even any Neutrals.
But then his thoughts turned to Bella again. She felt just as passionately as he did, he knew. And she would want to help win the war when it came to be. He was concerned for her once more.
"And Bella...it is not as if you will be cut off from the war. You will be able to help, if you so wish...but perhaps just not actual fighting for a short while." But he knew that she would not be able to fight for more than a "short while." No, with a foal by her side and expecting a mother, it would probably be some time.
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Bella
Apr 7, 2007 15:55:28 GMT -5
Post by Spark on Apr 7, 2007 15:55:28 GMT -5
"I hope you're right about this foal..." she murmured. Bella's stomach clenched with unease. These were terrible times, and Bella had always wanted her foal to be born at the right time...This was not the time. Then again, the thought came, she could not stop this foal from being born. Surprisingly, she sort of wish she could. Atleast until the war was over. But no, this foal was coming in two weeks, and she had to be prepared.
"Lacrymosa, you're talking nonsense. You know just as well as any horse that I won't be able to go into battle until the foal is three years of age!" distress tightened the mares throat, as if she were about to cry. "I want to be able to help..." Bella lowered her head. She was so confused. "Well...I'll have to move to Foaling Forest soon...Very soon..."
This was true. Because the foal was coming within the next two weeks, she should really be in the Foaling Forest now, resting so the foal was perfectly healthy and strong.
"Should we go now?" she asked, her concern for the foal getting the best of her.
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Bella
Apr 8, 2007 18:58:06 GMT -5
Post by Meg on Apr 8, 2007 18:58:06 GMT -5
Lacrymosa nickered unhappily, nuzzling Bella gently, hoping to comfort her. "I'm sure the foal will be fine. You're going to be the mother, after all." He smiled, although sadness still invaded the expression meant to be happy. "You're strong...so the foal will be too. And it will be fine, and I will make sure it grows up happily." Still, he worried. He didn't worry over the foal's health at birth; that thought, he shoved to the back of his mind. There was nothing they could do about that, save let nature take its course. And he was sure that Bella would be a wonderful mother.
But he doubted his own abilities to win the war in time, to let the foal grow up without the bitterness that so many in Opaque felt towards the other sides. He wanted the Lights gone, so that his foal may never know them, other than in the stories that would be told of cold, emotionless horses that invaded the lands and were driven out. And he was the Lord of the Dark. It was up to him to do this...and now Bella would not be able to help him in this.
And he doubted the honor of the Lights. They may not be above attacking a young foal and its mother. He didn't know them.
Then he snorted a little indignantly. "I am not talking nonsense! No, you won't be able to go into battle. But there are other things to do!" He began pacing, agitated. No, not by Bella. She was probably speaking more reasonably than he was, and he knew it. But he was agitated with himself, and with the situation. His anger towards the Lights could only grow...
"We need to plan for the fighting. We need to be sure we can care for the herds, and we need to find new members for the herds. Training fighters. Giving out the positions necessary for the herd. Giving orders." His pacing stopped as he listed these things, swinging his head towards his Lady. "I know it will be different, and you want to help. But...if this is happening right now...there is nothing we can do to change it."
And he sighed, tired suddenly. Exhausted. "Maybe...maybe soon we should go. Not now, I don't think. I...I don't know."
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Bella
Apr 9, 2007 6:17:26 GMT -5
Post by Spark on Apr 9, 2007 6:17:26 GMT -5
Bella smiled weakly, "I guess...I hope I'm a good mother. I just want the foal to be healthy and happy." She neighed uneasily, unsure of most things now. The mare swished her tail in annoyance. Why was this so confusing and upsetting?
Bella was taken aback by Lacrymosa's tone, and she flinched quite visibly (sp?). She didn't mean to say he was talking nonsense. "I'm sorry Lacrymosa," her voice was a whisper. She lowered her head, her neck muscles tensing. Even though she had been Lacrymosa's Lady for about half a year, she still became worried when he was angry. In her mind, she knew he would never strike her. But in her old herd the stallions were allowed to strike a mare if she disrespected him in even the smallest way.
When his tone changed, she felt better. Bella lifted her head again, calming herself. "That's a great idea, Lacrymosa!" The mare tossed her head, smiling. "Okay...I'll sit out this war."
Bella's gaze had been on her hooves, now it snapped to Lacrymosa. "I think we should go now..."
OoC//
Did you name your horse after Evanescence's song called Lacrymosa? I love that song!
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Bella
Apr 11, 2007 16:16:40 GMT -5
Post by Meg on Apr 11, 2007 16:16:40 GMT -5
OOC: Hehe, yeah, I did! Well, partially after the Evanescence song, partially 'cause I think it's a cool name and the Latin meaning is cool...I think it means 'tearful' or 'mournful' or something.
BIC:
"Bella, of course you'll be a wonderful mother!" Lacrymosa seemed shocked by the mere thought that Bella could be anything but a perfect mother. "The mares who have problems...those mares are usually sick or weak. You are far from that." His mind flashed back to the episode of just a short time ago...no. That would not be an issue. He couldn't let Bella see his worry. He nudged her neck softly, nickering and nipping her mane playfully. Partially to reassure her, and partially to reassure himself.
"No...please don't apologize! It was nothing you did. It could never be anything you do. You see..." Lacrymosa paused. This was difficult; he hadn't tried to articulate this before, not even in his mind. But he saw the way she flinched and tensed, and he recognized it. It was hard not to; and to him, it was obvious what she expected. But she had been his Lady, and he her Lord, for a while now. And guilt flared whenever he grew angry at her, which was rare (if it had happened at all), or around her. It was unnatural for the Darks to supress their feelings, so it was difficult for Lacrymosa to conceal this, yet he tried. And now he was going to expose those feelings he hadn't either hidden or acknowledged. "You see...Bella, I wouldn't ever hurt you. I don't think I could, ever. You...make me happy, Bella. Even during this war."
And he was visibly relieved when she calmed, smiling, no, grinning, and flipping his mane a little. "It didn't take a brilliant horse to figure out, though. You would be a great leader, and the opportunities for the foal, too...just being near you as you led the greatest herds of all time, think of what it would learn! And, yes, you will be leading the greatest herds of all time, one that will be united under your wonderful leadership." His tone was playful and teasing, yet at the same time, serious as well.
"And I don't know much about these things, but if you would like to go, we will go. I'm not sure how far I am allowed to follow you, but I will go as far as I may." The rules of the land were older than he, and Lacrymosa would not be one to break them. But he would push them to their limits, if it meant being near Bella.
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Bella
Apr 12, 2007 6:45:08 GMT -5
Post by Spark on Apr 12, 2007 6:45:08 GMT -5
"Thank you..." Bella murmured. She smiled more. It seemed like everything was falling together, like the pieces of a puzzle. But it also seemed like she couldn't stop some of those pieces from falling. She wished she could, but some she just couldn't stop. Life had many twists and turns.
"I know you wouldn't ever hurt me, Lacrymosa. I really do. But...I'm still used to the ways of my old herd..." suddenly it felt as if a big piece of the puzzle slammed down on her, but wouldn't go into its place. This was a problem they would have to work out together...no matter how much Bella wanted to avert the subject.
"The foal will be happy in its home. Especially with you as its father," Bella's voice grew more confident and happy now. Her eyes locked on him for a moment, her gaze filled with love. She wished to gallop and buck and rear, but now there was something else to be done. The foal was coming soon...she knew it. Now was the time to go.
"You can follow me and wait outside the small hollow I choose. I will come out once I've made sure it is okay for me. Then we can talk until a day before I go into foal. Trust me...I'll know when it is time to go." Bella knew that mares passed down the rules to each other only. It was a stallion's Lady's responsibility to tell him what would happen, except for the birthing of course unless something went wrong. Then she would have to call to him, and only then would the stallion be allowed in the hollow his mare had chosen.
It was a lot to learn, but if she had a filly, Bella knew she'd have to pass it all down when her foal was three years of age.
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