Let the Caged Bird Sing (Kizzy)

[nala]

Stella.

It was becoming a beautiful summer; most of the snow was gone from the sides of the mountains making travel much easier for the equine's that lived here. Still Stella worried about her old friend Kizzy, the mare was nearly 18 now and her bones weren't what they used to be.

With Darwin out scouting for possible heard member's, as well as his passion for friends, Stella had occupied her time searching for the much needed plants and herbs that grew in the meadows near the base of the mountain. She hadn't had time to check on the black mare in at least three days and the grulla was slightly worried. Her hooves nervously picked a trail to Oskin's Crater, she suspected the old soul to be basking in the noonday sun by now, listening to the many birds that populated the area.

Thinking about Kizzy made Stella's heart sigh; the mare had two grown children and a lover, all of whom had passed or moved. Stella knew her purpose from birth, to care for others, but still she couldn't help but crave what Kizzy had experienced in her long life. Often the dark grulla had asked Kizzy about her life, alowing herself to live vicariously through the stories. Still every time she heard them the ending of her love story caused Stella to continue on her solitary heard life. I'm back Kizzy! she called out as she arrived at the flat piece of ground.

[Hudsdale]

The days were starting to run together for the old black mare.

Old age hadn't gotten the best of her mind - she was still sharp as ever. It also hadn't slowed her will to live as she'd heard from others past her age. Kizzy couldn't understand how a horse could simply fade away as so many had. When she went out, she was going with a bang.

Not that she was counting or anything. The mare heard her hooves click on the stone mountainside as she neared a small patch of new grass. The foliage this high was less plentiful and she knew to count herself lucky whenever she came across any. Her walk was slower than she knew it to be when she was younger, but it didn’t bother her. Everyone needed to relax now and again, even the most lively of horses.

The mountain herd had been her home ever since she’d met him. She’d wandered in from the free lands and he’d swept her off her hooves… Figuratively, anyway. In truth they hated each other right at first. Hate turned to admiration which turned to foals. Her family was her pride and joy, even if they weren’t with her anymore. Russell was off being a stallion and Eliza had gone off with a mate. It was the ways things went.

As Kizzy grazed, she was interrupted by a familiar voice. Her head rose and turned to find her friend. “Stella, dear! Good to see you!” Kizzy shook her white mane and turned her frame towards the younger mare. “Where’s your stud?” she joked. She knew Stella didn’t have a significant other, but Kizzy truly wished she would find one. Without Harvey, Kizzy didn’t know what would’ve become of her…

[nala]

Stella.

I guess he wasn't able to climb this high, Miss Kizzy. Since Stella's mother had died, this mare had taken over the light teasing a mother always shares with her daughter. But I suppose if he isn't strong enough to climb, he wouldn't be strong enough for me. Stella gave up looking for a mate before she had even started, instead devoting her time to studying the plants of the land.

Kizzy looked well, her coat sparkling in the sun. Although she looked aged, she still gave off a chilling beauty. I've found some new clumps of Goldenrod at the base of the mountains. If you ever get sore I can take you to them. Sometime's Stella didn't know what else to talk about; her head was always filled with the names and smells of the many medicinal herbs from this and neighboring territories. She cared deeply for this mare and wouldn't hesitate to retrieve the plants for her.

Gently she placed her muzzle at the base of Kizzy's neck, breathing in her scent as she stood beside her in the sun. Don't you ever leave me.

[Hudsdale]

Kizzy snickered at Stella's response. She was the perfect audience for Kizzy's humor. The grulla beauty was like another daughter to the mare. Kizzy liked to think that her personality had rubbed off on Stella.

At the mention of goldenrod, the older mare couldn't help but sigh with a grin. Same old Stella - always worried for Kizzy's health. "You'll be an excellent citel Stella, but you really shouldn't worry yourself over me. I'm old! I've lived my life and loved every second of it!"

As Stella rested her muzzle under Kizzy, the black mare closed her eyes and smiled. Stella was much taller than she was and yet she still felt as if this were her own daughter. Kizzy giggled and pulled away at Stella's remark. Pulling back in a bit of a rear, Kizzy took off to the another side of the rock, away from Stella. "No dear, you must simply keep up with me!"

[nala]

Stella.

Don't get hurt! Stella's mind screamed, but the mare muffled her thoughts for a few moments. Trotting to catch up with the vibrant mare. You'll never get old! She laughed throwing her head as she moved. The birds had given out excited calls as Kizzy had reared and bolted, causing quite a commotion on the flat of the mountain.

Do you know the name's of these birds? Although Stella's brain wasn't slow, and she remembered nearly everything, she had never learned the name's of these birds. I may know what Borage Leaves do for a mother, but I've never known much more about the world we live in. Her brown eyes gazed up to a particularly blue feathered creature, mesmerized by its vibrancy. The birds have been here for ages, longer then the herds possibly. She wanted to be connected to something other then her work, other then the moon.

[Hudsdale]

Kizzy threw her head with a laugh at Stella's exclamation. No, she never would and she knew it. Kizzy had had too perfect of a life not to be eternally grateful through her Mother-given disposition. She couldn't think of a single thing in her life that hadn't been absolutely wonderful. It sometimes crossed her mind that perhaps it had been too good to be true?

Nah!

Kizzy's tail tickled her hocks as she watched Stella near her. The birds? Of course Kizzy knew the birds. Where Stella was in tune with plants, Kizzy compensated by knowing so much about her woodland friends. Though, how could Stella not know of those blue birds? Those were so common!

"My dear, those are jays," Kizzy said, one ear flicking backward. What little worry she had washed away almost instantly as she nickered toward the flying beauties. "Have I really let you down that much?" The black mare laughed. Stella did have a lot to learn.

[nala]

Stella.

Jays? What an interestingly simple name. You haven't let me down! It's not your job to teach me. Stella had been two when her mother died; she had learned a lot from that old mare, but sadly Stella feared it may not have been exactly what she needed to learn.

You've spent the last three years teaching me things my mother didn't have the chance to. She looked up at the big blue bird as it cackled about the trees. And I, as well as her, Her head flicked upwards, towards where the moon would have been if it was night. Will always be grateful. Darwin would too, but Stella hoped he would come express this to the black mare himself.

[Hudsdale]

"Of course it is! What else am I left to do?" Kizzy laughed. It was sad but true. Her children were grown and her mate was with the Mother. At the very thought of Harvey, Kizzy could hear his voice echoing through her mind. His memory was alive and well in the old black mare's mind.

Stella's mentioning of her mother made Kizzy near her a bit more, a sweet smile across her face. Such a sweet young mare. She knew where gratitude was due and gave more than she needed to. Kizzy nodded and pressed her neck up against Stella's for a moment. Though Stella's fixation with the moon was a bit odd, Kizzy could relate. In her youth, she had been as odd as they came. In Harvey's words, she had been a "dork". Ever since he'd called her that, she'd embraced it. There was nothing better than being an individual, unparalleled by any other living being. "No one is like you, Sweet Stella."

[nala]

Stella.

With her head still raised to the birds, Stella felt Kizzy warmly press against her. Sweet was the correct adjective for Stella, the mare was in fact seemingly as sweet as they came. She couldn't help but answer Kizzy's earlier question. “Well you must find yourself a lover.” Although the subject might be touchy, Stella figured she knew the mare well enough to say such things. Harvey had been wonderful, and had also passed quite a while ago. “There is no reason for you to be lonely for all eternity.”

She waited for Kizzy's answer anxiously. Perhaps the mare would at least think about her offer, at least allow herself to venture from her mountains. She was old but as she had said before, not that old.

[Hudsdale]

Stella's suggestion made Kizzy's brows furrow as she giggled quietly and pulled away from the other mare. "If you know any handsome studs willing to give an old girl another shot, send 'em my way, dear!"

Harvey's memory was not fading in Kizzy's mind. She knew what he would've wanted. She knew him better than anyone, how could she not? He definitely would not have wanted her to spend the rest of her life alone after he'd passed. Harvey was and always would be the love of her life, but who didn't want to have a little fun after all the responsibilities of life had passed her up?

Kizzy laughed a little more to herself at the idea of finding another male. They were so much fun. It was certainly an interesting concept - getting to stretch the old flirting muscles again. Of course, it would be nothing like before...

OOC: Lame sauce.

[nala]

Yea, right. She laughed, a deep sound bouncing from her lungs. She looked up again before looking back to the black mare. A thought touched her mind as she thought about her brother. What would happen to you, if for some reason we, she referred to Darwin. Had to leave? A saddened look crossed her as she contemplated the easily possible situation.

They stood close to each other, in the sun, as the silence continued. What would happen?

ooc: faillllllllll

[Hudsdale]

The light mood ended abruptly when she heard Stella's words. It seemed as though she was asking for permission to leave. She wanted to make sure that Kizzy would be alright. Of course she would be. Kizzy loved the brother and sister like family, though she'd been taking care of herself for this long, hadn't she?

"What do you mean, dear? Are you two going somewhere?" Her tone held no worry in it. She smiled up to Stella as she addressed her. Kizzy only hoped that if they were going somewhere, they wouldn't ask her to join. She had no plans of leaving her mountains.

OOC: SHORT D:

[nala]

No, no where. Stella couldn't evade a slight tint of nervousness that clung to her voice. Something was hanging in the air, something thick and ugly. Something made Stella want to run. I couldn't leave you Kizzy.

ooc: short short... fail... but i think we should end this one, and maybe have em meet up when she gets preggers? OR just meet up again in a new thread, cause i really kinda neglected Stella and Darwin after the fight xDDD

[Hudsdale]

OOC: That's up to you, Nalz! I think a thread after Kizzy gets preggs would be awesome though!

[nala]

ooc: me tooo!