The Memories Fall Like Snow

[Jazira Al Hattalu]

Crystalized aqua fell from the heavens in the shape of it's well known wintery form,snow flakes. Since the cold season had come,these tiny little chips of the plump clouds above had fallen none stop. At first it had been light,one or two of them every so often. Yet as the weeks drove deeper,their numbers had expanded greatly. Now,you might ask? Well,a thick blanket covered every inch of earth that was not protected by some over hang,tree,or other natural arc such as those. In one domain particular,the freezing tempratures and extra deep layer of snow was the worst. For it was a coastal kingdom,Torrid Cove,and was quite open to the winter's attacks. In spring,summer,and autumn it was a beautiful and fantastic dreamland. Though,in this one time of year,it wasn't so pleasant to reside upon the Neutral King's land.

Flamelick'd figure moved slowly across Naikou Island,along the borders of many of the herdlands. With it,flew a ghostly being that haunted it above. The two were companions,one an equine and the other an ave. Once upon the neutral terrains' borders,the pair haulted and looked from one to the other curiously. Finally,the lithe figure of the chestnut mare shifted toward the beach kingdom and turned her back to the forest land. Crossing the scent marks that made up Torrid Cove's border,Jazira Al' Hattalu nickered for her bird friend,Shanti to follow. Only meters above the horse,the dove had perched upon a coconut's thick tree leaves. Chirping her reply that she would follow,wings were spread and her ashen bodice lifted into the icey atmosphere. Soaring above the maiden,she watched over her friend closely and the surrounding area to make sure none were trying to sneak attack the equally alert equu below.

Fawn gave swept about,and the crimson czaress noted it's beauty even under the thick layer of snow. Through the snow,she noted that the palm trees about were growing thicker and more plentiful. Tilting her tiara a bit to the side in curiousity,Jazira battled her way through the blanket of ivory mass with slim but strong stilts. Atlast realizing that she was getting herself into the forest part of Torrid Cove,the intruding faerie lifted her mug and neighed loudly to any harem members that be about. She knew that her actions of rudely entering this land without permission would probably be punished by be banished off the neutral lands,but the snow storm had been growing heavier and she needed a place of protection. Could this realm,belonging to Neutral King and Queen,be her new home?

Finally settling in between two willows once deep enough in the forest,the Egyptian Arabian and Mustang mix relaxed. Lifting her lanterns in time to see Shanti nestle into a low branch above her on her left,Jazira snorted then released her tense muscles. Flicking ruby plumes to release them of the clinging moisture,vagabond once more checked to see if she was alone or if another had snuck into her pressence. When atlast none were noticed,the mistress heaved a sigh and let her mind sink into a light doze. Above,Shanti watched over her companion faithfully as she dozed. Both were alert,just in their seperate ways. Letting a shrill chrip out as another call for a Torrid Cove harem member to come,the dove and the mare waited patiently. Had any heard them? Would any come?

[Esprit]

Esprit didn't especially like winter. It was unkind and made her nose all prickly feeling, and the snow that stuck in irritating little chunks to her beautiful feathers annoyed her beyond words. Luckily she had a thick coat and powerful muscles to withstand the snow, but that didn't make it much easier. That was probably why she tended to hang around the beach, where the restless sand allowed only dustings of snow to stay and the pulsing ocean refused to freeze.

She had been standing on the shore, as usual. The mare not only found it easier to tolerate the snow here, but she had an unusual bond with the everlasting tide and loved it more than the lush, green vegetation or the exotic atmosphere. Her umber eyes were fixed on the slate blue water, though occasionally they flicked down to the fluffy little creature that stood warming herself between her mother's protective legs. Modesta was beginning to lose her downy coat like a gosling blossoming into an adult, but she was still quite young and seemed very uncomfortable in the cold. Her ears were flattened to retain any warmth inside of her, and occasionally she would give herself a shake to remove the frost gathering on the tips of her rich bronze fur.

The gray mare's attention was cracked like a whip from the ocean to the opposite direction, where the territory's forested area resided. A frown creased her lips after she'd heard the unfamiliar call, muffled by falling snow. The neigh of a mare, no doubt. Esprit's feelings were split between delighted and surprised. You see, she would have loved some adult company at the moment, as her dear Saence had gone off somewhere and hadn't been seen in ages. The herd numbers weren't doing so hot, either. In fact, the Queen couldn't remember the last time she'd seen another mare in the cove.
So, she nudged her child gently and made off in the direction of the pronounced whinny, easily plowing through the snow with her strong draft body. Modesta trailed behind in the path cut by her mother, not bothering to ask questions. She was a more quiet girl, taking after her mother who had calmed her rebellious fire after becoming Queen.

She crunched and crackled through the forest for a good amount of time until she found the trespasser. Nostrils flared at the foreign smell of not the one, but two newcomers. One was a bird... instantly memories of an acid-tongued colt with a bird at his shoulder came to mind, but this fair avian was not like the sharp-faced feathered beast she'd faced before. It was a beautiful, dainty little thing, much more kindly looking than the raptor in her past. But she paid not much more heed to the dove than she did her daughter, a minor thought among her enormous curiosity over the new mare.

Her gaze softened by experience and love fell upon the sleeping equine, and a slight tinge of sympathy struck her. The poor thing, left out in the cold without a home, like a stray cat. But by the way the crimson mare held herself even as she gently dozed, Esprit could see she was an elegant being. For a split second the gray mare felt envious of the other, but the emotion faded as she went to speak, guessing that her voice would most certainly stir the sleep of such a mare.

"Brrr! Hello there! It's certainly cold today, isn't it?" Esprit spoke as if this newcomer were an old friend. A common thing for her to do.

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[Jazira Al Hattalu]

The sound of hooves clomping against gard,snow covered earth was caught by the dove. Swiveling her head about,beady black eyes looked for the approaching equines that she heard all to well. Finally,the large forms of Queen and Princess were seen. Chirping to try and awaken her slumbering companion,but she found her efforts in vain. Jumping to her delicate talons,the ave watched suspicously as the pair of neutral royalty stood before the crimson vix without saying a word. Then,their gaze was turned to the bird and she chirped a welcoming. True,she was nothing like Spero,whom had been companion to Alastor. She had been with Jazira since the once-leadess had had her first and currently only foal. And she would never abondon the mare,no what matter.

Voices,speaking of cold and in tones of familarity reached the dream box of the dozing doe. Pulling out of the much wanted rest,heavy eyelids parted to see two figures before her. Dusty hued pools stared for a moment upon the little one,memories of her own,now grown,daughter flashing before her. Then,gaze was dragged to the well held Queen of all neutrals. Yes,the loner knew quite well whom Esprit be,and even if she didn't then the aura about the large draft bred mistress was enough to say she was royalty. Jazira Al' Hattalu smiled sweetly,and raised her petite tiara to a postion in which showed respect but also pride. Watching the pair before her,she dipped her mug hellward and then raised it so she could speak. Parting whiskered kissers,serene and rich lyrics slipped forth for both equus of Torrid Cove to ponder.

"Yes,I must agree it is quite cold. I must apologize for intruding upon your home,but shelter in the open lands is so dangerous in these dark days. Please,let me beg your pardon. I am Jazira Al' Hattalu,and I have come to seek a haven for the winter season."

Shanti,the dove whom had watched her dear companion awaken,now chirped rather shrilly. Leaping from her perch upon the low branch,porcelian ave fluttered down to Jazira's shoulder and stared the vagabond in the eyes quite harshly. The two seemed to share a secret conversation,no words spoken aloud but it was quite clear they were communicating. After a few minutes of silence,the ruby robin turned back to Esprit and spoke once more.

"Ah,and my companion,Shanti,would like to join me."

Chirping shrilly once more,Jazira smiled warmly as the dove took flight abruptly. Departing in quite a fit,Shanti seemed rather angry that the chestnut damsel had not said something that she was supposed. Watching her friend,the horse snorting humorously before looking back to the royalty before her. She would see about this Queen and Princess before any real decsions were made. Only time could settle this once-leadess's mind. Expeirence had nailed into her mind certain attributes,and patience was one of them. Examination of strangers was also one of them. And this fatale had a certain dislike to those whom called themselves leaders and prooved elsewhere.
Would Esprit be one of those?