[PRP] First impressions (Anastasius and Mimidae)

[Fatal Irony]

Mimidae exited the hut she'd been practicing her rituals in with a dep sigh of release as she stretched her back. She'd been at it for hours and it was clearly time for a break. She shook her muscles loose and trotted down to the practice arena to watch the warriors work on their skills. She liked to mimic their movements and stances. Fighting was a lot like dancing and she enjoyed the movements of it.

When she got to the training area she saw many familiar faces and a few new ones. The herd was fairly large so there were plenty of soquili she did not yet know. She settled into a semi-hidden area where she hoped no one would notice her as she settled in to watch and practice with them. A particular stallion caught her eye shortly into the training and she found herself watching and mimicking just him, a lovely purple stallion. Something in his movements was different than the others, smoother and more sure. She could tell he was strong and graceful in the way that fighters are.

She found herself entranced by him and nothing else around her seemed to matter...  

[Kaya Wolf Moon]

Slow breaths in. Slow breaths out. Visualize what it is you want your body to do. Anastasius told himself. His body moved fluidly as if of its own accord. The long stick he was utilizing- the chosen weapon for this day’s training- moved in tandem with him, slicing downward through the air at unseen targets before spinning across his back to strike another. The fluidity of his movements was due in part to experience and in part to the many hours of practice he put in. One could not simply grab hold of the long stick and begin to wield it. No, training and practice were what produced that skill. A skill that he nurtured and honed whenever possible. Now, it was as if the long stick had become an extension of himself, striking and blocking with ease and precision. Some might claim it to be a dance of sorts, and Anastasius could concede the point. There were times, when he was so focused wielding the long stick, he felt the same grace and purity a dancer might. He could get lost in the so-called dance for hours.

Such was the case today. He had not realized it, but the training had gone on for the better part of the morning. Break had just been called in order to allow the warriors and apprentices time to rest and eat. True to his form, it took Anastasius a moment longer to notice. “That time already, eh?” He muttered more to himself than to anyone else. The purple stallion lowered his weapon, shaking out his mane while he did so. Droplets of sweat flecked the ground- a testament to his hard work. Slowly, he started walking over to the rest area, rolling his neck to relieve the built up tension. It had been a productive day. One of his more productive ones actually. As such, he decided to allow himself a few more hours of practice and then call it done for the day. After all, all work and no play, as they say, Anastasius smirked. A perfectionist he may be but dull he was not.

WC: 354  

[Fatal Irony]

As the practice ended and the trainees began to disperse she moved out from her hidden spot, her eyes still following the brilliant stallion. She trotted slightly to catch up to him as he was leaving the arena. "You're really good," she said with a smile as she came even to him and continued walking beside him. "There is a beauty to what you do," she said wistfully. "It's almost a dance. And you are a very good dancer." She laughed and blinked at him coyly. "I'm Mimi, by the way. Who are you?" She hadn't seen the stallion before but that didn't mean he was new. Mimi wasn't exactly known for mingling with the herd. She was usually in prayer or wandering in her own world, merely mimicking others rather than connecting. Her advisors had been pressuring her to branch out more and interact with more than just dreams. So here she was, putting herself out there. It was easier than she thought. This stallion was impressive and interesting and she found herself naturally curious about him.

Kaya Wolf Moon

sorry for the wait! IRL is cray cray! XD heart

 

[Kaya Wolf Moon]

The arena was starting to clear of warriors. Only a handful remained, but even they were slowly trickling from its center, determined to take full advantage of the break. Anastasius was among these few who took their time. Nearly always the first one to arrive, he was oftentimes the last to leave as well. A sometimes lonely endeavor, granted, but worthwhile if it meant him capable of defending his herdmates. Yet today offered a startling surprise.

The galaxy-touched stallion blinked. Had someone complimented him just now? Glancing over his shoulder, he was astonished to see a mare fast approaching him. Her coat was black with accents of purple and blue, her eyes a glowing shade of fuchsia. Anastasius felt his breath hitch for a brief second. He had never seen another like her before. He certainly had not received a compliment like hers before either.

“I thank you,” he bowed his head in gratitude. His gaze followed her movements as she drew even with him. “No one has ever said that of me before. It is an honor to be compared to such graceful souls.” He himself had generally viewed his movements as clunky and cumbersome. There was a swell of pleasure upon hearing it to be the opposite. “My name is Anastasius, but most call me Ani. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mimi.” Anastasius dipped his chin once more, in greeting this time. “I must admit though, you have piqued my curiosity. I did not notice any viewers during today’s training. Where were you watching from?” Despite his focus on his maneuvers, the stallion made it a point to keep note of all those in the immediate vicinity. He considered it part of his training as a warrior. The fact that Mimi had been watching but was herself unseen meant one of two things- either she was hiding in a vantage point or he had not been observant enough.

Whatever her answer, he found himself pleased she had been watching anyway. Why he felt such a way he could not quite pinpoint, but it was unimportant at the moment. “Was this your first time observing the, uh..,warriors?”

WC: 361

Fatal Irony

No worries! It's my turn to apologize for the wait for the same reason! XD