Life Is But A Dream...
Mad men define what mad is
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Post by fleabittengray on Oct 8, 2017 8:42:50 GMT -7
Tears streamed down the young girls face, broken sobs rendering her breathless as she stumbled through the Free Lands. She was avoiding everyone, not wanting to talk, but not wanting to stick around Lachlan Breck, either. It didn't feel like home anymore. Her mother was gone, her twin nowhere to be seen, and the place still reeked of smoke and death. She hated the Helkaer for what they had done to her home. Well, what had once been her home. She didn't like calling it home anymore, it was simply where she was living because she really had nowhere else to go. She felt empty inside, a great emptiness that felt like it could never be filled. She had felt the beginnings of it just before her mother had disappeared. Sometimes she just felt like curling up and napping the day away, for no particular reason. She hadn't been tired, she just felt like sleeping. But as things got worse and worse, so did that hole inside of her into it felt like it was all that existed anymore. She wanted to get away, but it felt like she couldn't. The sadness followed her, and today was the day it finally made her crack. She had left Lachlan Breck merely sniffling with teary eyes, but by the time she got to the Free Lands, she was a wreck. Everything became too much for the two-year-old and she broke down. If anyone tried to approach her, she kicked and nipped and screamed at them until they left her alone. She didn't want anyone around her right now. Or did she? A part of her wanted to be held and comforted like a child. She wanted her mother so desperately, to ask her what was happening to her. Lush didn't understand why she was so sad all of the time, especially now that Xerxes and Charisa were in control. They had fought the Helkaer and won, reclaiming Lachlan Breck for the royal crown. But still, she wept.
It was dusk by the time she made it to Crystal Pools. She hadn't meant to end up here, she'd really had no set destination in mind. She just wanted to get away. But now she was here and she had no reason to be here but she didn't want to go back "home," either. Instead, she stumbled towards one of the sandy-bottomed pools, choking on her sobs as she splashed clumsily into the water. The water was warm against her skin, soothing, and the grullo blanket appaloosa felt herself relax just barely. She hung her head until her muzzle was nearly touching the water's surface, ripples breaking the smooth surface with each huff of breath against it. She closed her eyes, body trembling, just allowing all of the welled up feelings to wash through her. That black hole was expanding, threatening to overtake her. She felt like she couldn't breathe. Her head was throbbing, her heart pounding. She felt dizzy and numb and tense all at once. It was overwhelming. She wanted someone to talk to, but didn't dare face anyone in Lachlan Breck. She wanted... she didn't know what she wanted.
"Oh, baby girl, you don't look like you're doing too well." The low, gentle voice caught her by surprise and the draft-built young girl startled, flinging her head up and her mismatched eyes widening at the sight of a large Shire standing in front of with dark eyes and a frown on his face. The girl snorted, snapping her wet tail against her side. She immediately recognized him. How could she not, what with all of the stories her mother and others had told her about him. "Charm," she sniffled, trying her best to hold her head up high despite the tears still rolling down her cheeks. "Hasn't anyone told you to let a lady cry in peace?" She stomped a hoof down into the water, splashing it around her, her lips quivering as she tried her best to hold back the rest of her sobs. "Go away. Leave me alone." But the Shire just stood there, looking at her. "You've grown so much, Lush, I barely recognize you," he said, using that same gentle tone, disregarding everything she had just said. She sniffled again, shaking her head, ears pinning back against her skull. "I said go away, Charm." And this time, she reached forward with her muzzle, snapping her teeth at him.
The Shire seemed to be amused by that because he cracked a smile, seemingly unbothered by her teeth snapping just inches away from his chest. "And leave a pretty, lonely girl all by herself to weep over all that is wrong in the world?" he asked her, and Lush faltered for a second. Charm must have noticed because his smile grew, though he still did not move. "I heard about your mother. I'm very sorry. She may not have liked me, but I was fond of her." There was such truth and honesty in his voice. It made Lush whimper softly, lips quivering again. "I miss her so much. I wish I knew where she was. If she was even alive." She spat out the last word, like it left a foul taste in her mouth. She rapidly blinked away tears, giving her head another rough shake. "That must be so hard on you, Lush. So young, no mother, and your home invaded by the Helkaer. I bet you don't even feel safe there anymore. Probably doesn't even feel like home..." He trailed off and Lush whimpered again, eyes welling up with tears. "I'd be devasted if my home, my safe space, was destroyed like that. I can't imagine what it must be like for someone so young. I'm so sorry, Lush. If there's anything I can do..."
And she was sobbing again, loud, broken sounds that left her trembling, eyes screwed shut, struggling to breathe. She heard rather than saw the Shire walk forward, his thick pillars splashing through the water as he came over to her, shushing her softly, nuzzling against her nape to soothe her weeping. "It's alright, sweetheart, let it all out. I'm here," he encouraged her, and Lush did just that. She wept and sobbed and screamed out her frustrations and sadness. Minutes passed before she finally calmed down, leaning most of her weight against Charm, her face buried against his large, powerful shoulder. And the whole time, he just stood there, petting her mane with his muzzle, lipping and nuzzling at her, so gentle and sweet. This was not the monster her mother had warned her about. The monster she was warned of would have taken advantage of her vulnerable state, not stood beside her and let her cry on his shoulder, not asking questions or anything, just letting her cry. Just being there.
Eventually, her sobbing became just an occasional sniffle, but still, she kept her face pressed against him, eyes closed. She began inhaling his scent. It was... comforting. Warm. Her body tingled where it was pressed against him. The sensation felt like home. She sighed, nuzzling him gently, and she felt him shift beside her. "Doesn't that feel better now, letting it all out instead of bottled up inside?" he said and Lush looked up at him, nodding. She wasn't that much shorter than him, only an inch or two, but still she felt so small and protected, pressed up against him. She felt her skin flush beneath her pelt, suddenly shy, something very unusual for the two-year-old. "I... I'm sorry... for, um. All the crying." She laughed awkwardly, looking away, and Charm chuckled, too, nudging her with his muzzle. "I don't mind. It's an honor to comfort a princess!" he insisted and Lush huffed, shrugging her shoulders. "I'm not a princess anymore, Charm."
"You are to me." The way he said it sent chills down her spine. She said nothing, still looking away, her heart fluttering nervously. She didn't know why, but when Charm touched her again, a gentle little touch to her shoulder, she felt her heart leap into her throat. She gulped, ears twitching. "You still feeling sad?" His tone had changed slightly. This new tone, something deeper and darker, sent a thrill right through her body, from the tip of her hears right down to her hooves. "...Just a little bit..." She didn't know why she was whispering, or why the last word came out as a squeak as Charm began nibbling down her spine. "I can help with that... if you want me to." His words came out breathy right against her skin. She shuddered, squeaking out a shy, "Okay," that had the grown stallion chuckling deeply in amusement. "Just relax, Lush. Let me take care of you."
And in her eyes, he did.
Timeline: Shortly after Xerxes and Charisa take back control of Lachlan Breck "Lush" "Charm"
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