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Post by October on Sept 29, 2012 12:53:41 GMT -5
Not too far from the rest of the herd, but far enough that he was alone, Neurosis strolled along at a relaxed pace. This break, from Ali and expectations and judgements, was very welcome. As much as he liked the others, he could only take so much awkward socializing at once. He understood himself, and it was therefore often much better to just keep to himself.
I like it this way, though. It's peaceful. Nice.
Neu's attention was piqued by a pathetic little runt of a tree, and in a moment of kid-like playfulness, he pranced over to it, sizing up his new 'enemy.'
The little ram reared up, laughing airily as he head-butted the tree with sharp, short horns. He stumbled backwards after striking it, tossing his head and grinning, pent up tension beginning to fade.
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Post by 3B on Sept 29, 2012 23:59:39 GMT -5
Ford's eyes snapped open. He'd collapsed against a tree this time, having bashed his horns against it so hard and so many times that he knocked himself out. His joints were sore and slightly bloody from sliding down the rough bark, and it hurt to move them to get into a position where he could regain his hooves. He could hear the very familiar sounds of hooves striking wood, and it momentarily confused him; sure, he knew some of the young rams practiced against trees... but it wasn't that time of year, and by this time anyone practicing would be going to the softer trees... the ones that would give some leeway when all of a Goey's weight was slammed against it. Never would a young one strike the old oaks he was so fond of.
Finally gathering himself onto his hooves, Ford limped around the tree, his long, dainty legs stinging with each step. He was at once confused; while it was not often that he'd find young rams in his area of the woods, fighting the trees he so often battled, it was an even rarer occasion when (apparent) ewes could come to practice. Even the three fighters he knew - Katili, Cass and Gabri - weren't so foolhardy as to tackle the harder woods.
At a loss, Ford merely blinked, internally wincing at his own deep voice when he opened his mouth to speak.
"Hello... do I know you?"
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Post by October on Oct 24, 2012 22:01:37 GMT -5
Too caught up in his joyous reveries, Neurosis failed to notice the approaching presence until a deep voice caused him to freeze. He turned, caught off guard, and flicked his tail in suprise as he surveyed the other Goennec.
Neurosis was certain that he didn't know the wood-coloured ram. A being like that would not be easy for him to forget. Intent golden eyes danced in the direction of magnificent white horns, and the little ram subconciously stood taller, trying and failing to match at least the height of the other. As usual, he didn't measure up.
His desire to compare withered away when he realized the state of the other ram's legs, though; and was instead replaced by a need to help and fix. He had looked after the clumsy Tiger for long enough to know that wounds like those were not pleasant. This ram appeared to be neither affected nor clumsy, however, and Neu was both confused and concerned.
"...hello- probably no better than I know you," he greeted lightly, watching the other with genuine interest. "My name is Neurosis, though, if you'd be interested in changing that. I hope that I haven't disturbed you; I usually don't venture out here."
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Post by 3B on Oct 25, 2012 19:29:10 GMT -5
Ford raised an eyebrow, noting the smaller goennec's attempt to look bigger. Naturally, it didn't quite impress him - being such a tall ram, size had never really been any of his concern.
It was perhaps the only thing Ford liked about being his size - the complete lack of a Napoleon complex.
He considered his visitor once more, watching how (s)he held (her)self, and weighing (her) words and voice carefully before answering. "No bother... you just startled me. It's rare that I see others out here fighting these old trees. They're not very kind." Gently kicking a root sticking up from the ground, he shook his head. "I'm Ford. It's nice to meet you, Neurosis."
[[Crappy reply is crappy but muse is sleepy and having a bad day. ;-;]]
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Post by October on Sept 4, 2013 16:31:22 GMT -5
Neu laughed lightly at the elegant ram's choice of words, mane bobbing as he nodded in agreement. "No, they're hardly nice. Apparently don't much like being knocked around." He swished his tail, unable to banish his grin. "I was warned against wandering out here to meet them, for reasons of their 'meanness,' but I couldn't resist. Soft woods can be marked even when horns are dull; I wanted to be sure that I've sharpened them just so this time around. They've decided against growing properly, so the least they can do is be sharp," he added. Neurosis smiled openly, cheerfully, knowing that Ali would chew him out for not thinking before speaking. He found, however, that he really didn't care about the acerbic doe just now.
"Good to meet you, Ford," he responded, brightly looking up at the other ram. "It's really, really good to meet you."
For better or for worse, the little ram was a curious creature by nature, and couldn't help but adding, "Why are you out here all alone? The does' chatter can get a bit annoying," he joked, chuckling, "but these trees don't seem like good company. Too old and mean."
You don't seem like the kind of ram that's destined to be alone, apart. Your horns alone- far too beautiful to not be admired by many. But yet here you are.
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Post by 3B on Sept 4, 2013 19:05:13 GMT -5
Ford smiled wryly, deciding to relax his guard in the wake of Neu's openness. He could practically smell deception when told a lie, but here, now... he couldn't detect more than the tiniest of side-steps, no more than his own avoidances. "You were warned right. There are few softer woods over here. Though, I know where they are. I know all of the trees here. And the rocks. But you don't seem to need them," he nodded toward the trunk of the spry little runt of a tree, noting the fresh gouges. "It would take a fool to go up against you, knowing how damaging your horns can be, no matter the size. They seem to be long enough to suit you perfectly."
Almost immediately, he cursed himself, the double meaning in his words lighting up like neon in his head - and he did not really know which he truly meant. It had been a long time since he had felt attraction toward another, especially after the abuse Katili constantly screamed at him - let alone his own confusion's influence on his self-imposed isolation - but... undoubtedly... he already felt as though he might be able to trust his new companion. Perhaps not with everything - not just yet - but eventually, if the... whatever this was... lasted.
"They are the only company that tolerates me without intent to harm me. Up until you, anyway, unless you are secretly planning an attack when I eventually turn. I am not... generally... liked." Or, rather, I do not feel free with them around, watching my every move, restricting me into this mold that I only just fit in. "I know I do not often stray from the outskirts of the herd... but I do not think I have seen you before. I... I watch them. A lot, really. But I do think I would have recognized you if I had seen you before."
Goddess, Ford. Could you be more blatant? But it's true... I would have recognized you. And I would not have forgotten you. There is something inherently different with you, and I can feel it, even after just a few moments. I like it.
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Post by October on Sept 5, 2013 20:22:48 GMT -5
[yeah team Neu Car Smell whooo]
'long enough to suit you perfectly.'
Neu's smile froze for a moment, bewildered. Those same words had been sarcastically thrown at him by Ali far too many times. They surely were meant to hurt and they did, but yet there was no malicious intent in Ford's voice. There seemed to be only honest kindness, and the little ram was at a loss.
He got along with the world by walking the fine line of truth and fiction- lying by omission, avoiding telling the whole truth, and yet always knowing for certain just who he himself was. To share the true-truth was dangerous, and thus so far had gotten him nothing positive. So as to why he wanted so badly to explain to this ram was beyond him. He got the feeling, though, that it had to do with those lovely leafy eyes and the fond warmth already filling his chest.
"Thank you, but they really aren't," he responded earnestly, deciding that that would have to be safe enough. He wouldn't lie to himself, and he didn't want to lie to his new companion, either.
Neu brightened again at the ram's words and found himself laughing again. [far too much laughter was going on this afternoon to be good and Ali would tell him to quit being a fool if she were here and it felt so strange to be free and he never wanted it to end] "You're safe for now, but I'd watch your pretty tail if I were you. These old trees are really starting to grow on me- you never know if we'll end up conspiring against you." Stupid, stupid- this is the exact type of behavior that got you into so much trouble before. What ram would want you calling him pretty just keep going and hopehopehope that he won't notice.
"I'm flattered Ford, really," he continued, grinning in a way that he hoped was roguish rather than creepy. "But you're right- I'm not from around here. I was part of a different herd... until things went south." He dropped the smile and looked seriously, honestly at the other. "I wasn't well liked either. I didn't fit in. I ended up joining up with a nutty doe and an affected kid. We haven't died, surprisingly, but we've come close enough that we're seeking asylum here.
I'm trying to start over, I guess. A second chance."
With you? Ridiculous, but. There's something about you. It's important. It's what I've been looking for, been missing, and I don't want to let it go.
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Post by 3B on Sept 6, 2013 21:38:15 GMT -5
Ford offered a slow smile, his back muscles relaxing; he had tried to keep his tenseness at his companion's pause more or less a secret, afraid that it would frighten away his new - and, at the moment, only kind - friend. No, it simply would not to do chase Neu away; After this taste of actually having a nice conversation with someone without being called a freak or abomination, he wouldn't be able to stand being alone for the rest of eternity. At least, not without completely losing his mind along the way.
With only a moment's hesitation, he cocked his head slightly, taking the tiniest of steps forward as though to take a better look. "Alright, I can see that. Just a little longer. Then you're even more perfect." He swallowed his tongue for a moment, then hastily added, "-ly sized. Uhm. With your horns. Fffffh...." He pulled his front hooves together and lowered his head slightly, muttering a litany of apologies under his breath for a long moment.
The truth was, he absolutely felt safe - and it had lowered his guard, making him susceptible to embarrassing himself. He normally did not make such missteps, his wariness filtering his words like a sieve through dirty water. And to be called pretty... it was certainly new. "Not many would say that to me... I... um. Thank you."
As the conversation turned to Neu's origin, he frowned, remembering seeing a fleeting glance of a trailing trio at the edges of the territory. "I can't say much for the rest of the herd, but I'll welcome you. Though, whether you want to stick with a misfit like me is up to you. I will admit, I'm not part of the popular crowd around here. Fitting in... well. It's easy for most anyone to find someone similar, I guess, for most, but everyone else is radically different." His gaze dropped for a moment, not wanting to remember how lonely it had been for him, with only Glas as his "similar interests buddy".
Maybe that will change. Maybe I won't be alone. Please. Let me have my chance.
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Post by October on Oct 1, 2013 19:48:14 GMT -5
Neurosis practically glowed. There were things not being said, of course, but what was being said was being taken with acceptance and he couldn't be happier. At his new friend's embarrassment, the little ram took the chance to dance forward himself, lightly clinking his horns against the other's and laughing gaily. "You're too sweet, Ford. And frankly adorable. I must say, though, that I'm glad you agree. Not many will do that for me."
No one has ever done that for me.
He stepped back, not wanting to be overbearing, but continued to smile warmly. Neu accepted the other's thanks with a nod, curious but relieved that Ford hadn't taken insult at the not-so thinly veiled compliment.
At the elegant ram's response to his story, Neu swished his tail and glanced away, all at once overwhelmed and joyful and scared. "I think... I think that I'd rather be welcomed by you than the rest of them put together," he said, light voice soft and careful, his sunny bravado faultering. "I can't guarantee that you'll want to put up with me for long, but I'd like very much for you to be my 'someone similar.' ...After all, I'd be a sorry excuse for an honorable ram if I just left you here with these grumpy old trees," he added, honest grin returning. Comfortable and with his guard down in the other's presence, the little ram didn't even realize his mistake.
Neu brought himself to meet the other's green gaze again, hoping with all his heart that his uncharacteristic good fortune that day would continue.
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Post by 3B on Oct 24, 2013 23:19:48 GMT -5
Ford perked up, encouraged by Neu's acceptance of his would-be misstep - any other Goennec, and he would probably have his shoulder bruised from a sharp attack. In his experience - namely, Katili - ewes took to his awkward accidental flirting-when-he's-just-trying-to-be-casual rather negatively. "It's only the truth, Neu. Isn't that what is right and fair?"
Astute as ever (when not half-conscious from his own battles with the trees and rocks), Ford caught Neu's slip, and cocked his head slightly, with a quiet smile. There would be several reasons for a mention like that; perhaps Neu was like Gabriel - Gabrielle, he reminded himself - and took on a ram's role on occasion? Or maybe (s)he was like Glas - fluid. Or maybe it was just a proper thing to say from where Neu had come from? He figured it was impossible for him to find someone who was on the wrong side of the fence - like himself. He was the freak; always had been. And he hid it beneath walls of stone and thick tree roots that wound around it so that nobody - ever - could see him for what he truly was. "I can't imagine a better way to spend our time, if you really mean it." He bleated a soft, playful laugh, giving his... friend, yes, good word, friend... one last chance to get away. As much as he didn't want to, it felt... necessary. Who was he to subject his presence on another?
Please stay. I like you. Don't run. Don't hate me. Don't ridicule me, if you catch on. And don't catch my weirdness.
((I am so sorry I didn't reply sooner! ;~; Stupid Nook... Don't hate me? <3))
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