20 ♐ He can die happy now

[aim_exorable]

Who: Darkleer and you
When: During the Friday afternoon
Where: The park
Style: Whatever
Status Open

And suddenly there were hoofbeasts everywhere.

It should be noted that these horses and ponies have not arrived from nowhere. In fact, some might note that earlier in the day, there was yet another breakout from the carnival, a stampede of suddenly very curious horses and ponies.

The park is where they can be found, an enormous herd all clustered around a certain troll.

His natural highblood youth has been taken away, leaving Darkleer looking... much more his age, which has reached far past triple digits since his stay in Vatheon. No gray hairs, it seems, but plenty of sags in his skin and fingers that have nearly withered away.

At least his exchange is something worthwhile. His work might have a dent in it, but he considers it good enough in order to just spend entire hours talking to hoofbeasts. Unfortunately, his old man constitution just can't handle all this excitement. Anyone looking past all the ponies might notice he seems to have fallen asleep, cuddled up to a beautiful large stallion.

Don't mind the hoofbeasts.

Even if they're all staring at you.

With their unblinking equine eyes.

You came to the wrong neighborhood, motherbucker.

But no really, the entire herd just seems a bit protective. Whatever Darkleer communed to them certainly seems to have won their favor.

===> What do you do?

Comments

[crabbygenius]

At some point, Washu was walking through the park with a small picnic basket and a book tucked under her arm when she comes across the strange sight. Like everyone else this week, she was affected, though for her it was trivial, well in her opinion really.

Being powerless was a strange experience for her, but the trade was well worth it. And it would also be the very reason why the older looking woman was being cautious the moment the equines turned their attention towards the red-head.

Well, that was strange. She's never known horses to be so.. protective before. But, considering all she saw was horses gathered around one spot, she had a few guesses who might be responsible even if she didn't know the how. Which prompted her to cautiously make her way through the herd and making sure they knew she meant no harm.

A pat here, a small treat from her basket there. All in the process of finally finding a certain troll sleeping cuddled up to a large stallion. Even if he looked ancient, she would recognize Darkleer anywhere. And, the scene was rather adorable~.

Children and their pets. Washu really needed to invest in buying a camera for moments like this.It couldn't hurt to start up a photo album while she was here~.

"Someone is enjoying this curse~."

[aim_exorable]

There's a small jolt as Washu speaks, the sound disrupting his nap. He usually sleeps right through things, but apparently being old means being more fidgety. Oh the more he learns.

Covering up a yawn his his hand, his first matter of business is to commune with the horses, seeing what's happened in his sleep and assuring them Washu isn't any kind of threat. After that, they all seem to relax completely. The generous giving of treats and head pats had won her over slightly, but now they're not worried.

"I'm sorry, Washu, did you say something?" He's still a bit sleepy, trying to wake himself up. Naps, man.

[crabbygenius]

There's a faint quirk of her lips as she fight's not to break out laughing at how adorable he is despite the look of age catching up to him. Considering her own age, is it any surprise she still looks ageless even with the loss of her powers for this event~?

"Judging by the fact that there are so many horses here and all of them seem to be a little protective of you, I'm assuming you got some out of this curse you're enjoying."

[aim_exorable]

"Yes..." He couldn't fight the fond smile he gives to the horses as he pats the stallion if he tried. "I seemed to have gained the ability to commune with animals for this week. May I ask what your effects have been?"

[crabbygenius]

"It sounds like a wonderful ability." Her own fond little smile graced her lips just to see how much he was enjoying himself. As for his question.. Washu's fond little smile turns secretive. "A few memories in exchange for my own abilities. Over all, a fair trade even if I am stuck like this for the week."

[aim_exorable]

"I see." He doesn't bother to ask. She won't tell him the secret to instant transportation, he has a feeling she won't do a thing with more personal issues. Leaning down, he occupies himself with scratching the ears of a small pony. "What brings you out here then?"

[crabbygenius]

He's right with that feeling~. This was something Washu was going to keep to herself. Not, that she thought anyone would believe her even if she did spill this secret of hers.

"I was shopping and decided to take a walk through the park. It's hard to miss an entire herd of ponies surrounding one point so I just had to investigate~."

This can only lead to hilarity

[fistfullofmagic]

[Perhaps Dhaos may have had his sight stolen from him for the duration of the curse, but it hasn't stopped him from leaving the house today. His own senses are enough to compensate for the lose, after all. And though he cannot see, it's far from enough to keep him from curiously wandering over to the gathering of unfamiliar animals.

They smell nothing like anything he's ever encountered, although they sound a bit like some of the hoofed mammals of Aselia. Regardless, they are new, interesting, and gathered for an unknown reason, so naturally the seraph must have a little chat with them.]

best hilarity

[aim_exorable]

[As Dhaos approaches closer, the horses look up warily, just in case. They've been watching all of you foreigners for a while now, they know you're weird.]

Two tall alien men who're a few hundred years old having a Disney princess moment, yep

[fistfullofmagic]

[Although this one foreigner is certainly weird even by the standards of most of the rest, and even exudes enough ambient magical power that anyone with the slightest sensitivity would be able to sense it from probably a good 30-40 feet away, there's also something about him that animals seem to love. Maybe he smells nice, or maybe he just has a gentle feel about him.

Regardless, he makes his way right into the herd, giving soft pats and friendly mutterings of hello to each individual. It's a fairly pleasant experience, being surrounded by so many heartbeats that aren't human. Nothing against humans or similar species, but animals simply tend to be easier to get along with in most cases.]

everyone needs more disney princess moments in their life

[aim_exorable]

[They all seem to relax soon enough. There is something soothing about him, sort of like the two b100b100ds that reside in the city. The deeper Dhaos goes, the calmer the enormous herd seems to get.]

[When he's somewhere near the middle, the stallion nudges Darkleer awake. He comes to with a slight start, rubbing the sand from his eyes before noticing just who's come here.]

..Hello?

[bestestfurrend]

Nepeta has been having a great time these past few days, but she's realized she hasn't seen someone in particular for quite a while. This will never do! Especially now that she's nice and strong, not quite blueblood strong of course, but still strong enough that she'd like to impress her Dadleer with it.

She doesn't find him at home and so she wanders about, tracking him through his scent - a scent that's a little bit off, but which she's still certain is his. It gets a little bit muddied when she gets closer to the park, so many hoofbeasts definitely leaving their own scent in the air. But that only makes her more sure that she's found him, because where else could he ever be!?

She makes her way through the hoofbeasts, ignoring the stares and focused on how Darkleer looks instead. He looks...old. She frowns, knowing it has to be part of the curse. Still, it's disconcerting, and it's lucky that she's distracted by how adorable it is to see him napping and clinging to that stallion, or else she'd worry even more.

There is only one thing to do here. Curl up on the other side of him and have a nap too!

[aim_exorable]

This is true. There are not many other people in Vatheon who would gather all of the horses in one space.

Her presence hardly even wakes him, just a slight snort in his sleep before he curls up with her two. The horses all find this very adorable and silly, this can be assured.

[bestestfurrend]

The horses are entitled to their own opinion, of course. All Nepeta wants is to curl up with her Dadleer for a while, and she's soon asleep herself, tiny next to him, especially as she curls herself up into a ball and snuggles into his side.

Yes, she likes this.

[aim_exorable]

And then there was much sleeping.

Darkleer wakes up eventually, of course. He just meant for it to be a short nap. He blinks a bit groggily, aware of a little ball of warmth curled up against him. Oh.

"...Nepeta?"

[bestestfurrend]

She purrs at the sound of her name, batting out with one curled up hand as though it was a paw. It's obvious she's dreaming, and if he moves at all she'll try snuggling up even closer. She's a tiny kitty snuggling up to her mamacat, okay?

[aim_exorable]

...Well, he supposes he's going to be here for a while. Darkleer just sighs and settles back against the stallion, who nuzzles at his hair.

At least he has a way of keeping himself occupied, starting up the mass commune in the herd.

[bestestfurrend]

It's at least half an hour later that Nepeta slowly start wiggling herself awake, yawning and stretching and cuddling up against his side.

Wait.

That is not Tavros. That is not nearly warm enough to be Tavros. Where is she?

One eye peeks open. Oh! "Dadleer!"

[stayb100ponyboy]

===> What do you do?

The only obvious thing, which is carefully wade into the sea of hoofbeasts and settle down next to the old mancestor, then lean back, close your eyes, and enjoy the quiet.

[aim_exorable]

It is very quiet, the hoofbeasts content to nibble on grass and cluster together. Equius is too similar to Darkleer for any of them to get much worked up. In fact, a couple of newly born little things with wobbly legs wander over to him, investigating with plenty of snuffing.

[stayb100ponyboy]

Equius holds very still as the little hoofbeasts get close, letting them snuffle him and nibble curiously on his hair. One of them, tired by all this walking around, collapses gracelessly onto Equius' lap and sprawls there to take a nap.

[aim_exorable]

Darkleer moves a little bit as the pony collapses on Equius, the movement just enough to jolt him a bit from his sleep. A long yawn escapes him and he blinks a bit sluggishly from behind his glasses. "Mmm... Equius?"

[stayb100ponyboy]

Equius keeps his hands back and out of the way, so he doesn't accidentally crush the sleepy foal. He glances over at Darkleer, wearing one of the soft, gentle expressions that only a few people in the bubble get to see.

"Hi, Dadleer." It's only them and the hoofbeasts, it's okay to use that name.

[aim_exorable]

It's nice to see that look on Equius' face. Darkleer knows well enough it isn't likely found so completely on his own. He's just... too old for it, possibly.

"I see you've made a friend, then." He nods to the little pony.

[stayb100ponyboy]

Equius shrugs one shoulder... carefully, so the movement doesn't disturb the pony.

"I guess so."