Two years old was an awkward time for a cold. While his body was tall and lean, looking much more like an adult than a foal, his mind was still young. Hormones ruled the way he thought and acted and sometimes, it was awkward at best. He was still learning what was appropriate and what wasn’t, learning to curb his desires and his fantasies. Now would have been a great time to ask his father all sorts of questions about coming into his manhood, and yet, Kibou didn’t have that. He was learning all of this as he went and it was such a confusing time for the young colt.

The summer beach bash, although a great distraction for most, was torture for him. It was a large gathering of attractive females and handsome males and Kibou found it awkward at best. But he was trying to fit in, to be a better person and to figure out how he felt about the world around him.

The day had been exhausting, but it had come and gone so quickly it seemed. He had spent the morning hunting for seashells, determined to fashion his mother the most beautiful necklace. He entered the sand-castle building competition but had not won. He was not as artsy as he thought, or so it seemed.

But as the day began to end, the sun beginning it’s descent for the night, Kibou figured he would spend a few moments in the water. The cold water would do him good, at least he thought it might. As he settled into the water, waist deep, Kibou began to walk parallel to the shore, unwilling to leave the coolness of mountain-fed lake. But up ahead, there was a face that he hadn’t seen before. The individual definitely didn’t look like he was from around here. And being the curious little critter he was, Kibou began to walk towards the stranger, not caring if he wanted to talk or not.

Saki, the poor thing, clung to Kibou’s mane hoping that she would not enter the water. She hated the water and why her charge was so dead set on wading in the water was beyond her. But she said nothing and spent the walk trying to keep his satchel from dragging in the surf.

As he came towards the stranger, he offered him a soft smile. “Hi!” His voice was still young, still had a certain tenor quality to it. And yet, it was evident that the young colt was growing into manhood. It seemed to crack and waiver, making Kibou a little more self-conscious than he liked to admit. Awkwardly clearing his throat, Kibou waited, hoping that the stranger didn’t pick up on all his insecurities.

@Atlas

Plain is something he had always called himself. Ever since he was old enough to understand what made each individual different, he couldn’t help but notice that he was not as flashy as others. Even Aspara had a horn and a pretty color. He was as plain as they came, his mother too. Katniss had tried to tell him that he was not plain, but perfect just the way she was. She always told him how much he looked like his father and it always made Kibou wonder why his father wasn’t here with him. He would always ask, but his mother skirted around the issue and only told him that he lived amongst the stars. Now that he was two, surely he was old enough to know the truth, right?

The little orb of light that followed behind him flickered with his emotions. It shone bright when he was thinking of this beautiful day, the grad sand castles, and all the treats served during the festival. But now that he was thinking about his uncertainty surrounding his father’s absence, the little orb of light seemed to flicker dully. Kibou never understood why the orb followed him, only that it was a gift from his father. Could his father see him through it? Should he be talking into the orb like a telephone straight to his daddy? More questions that the colt didn’t have the answers to.

As he came up on the stranger, he smiled fully at him, happy to see another. It was also refreshing to see someone just as plain as he. Perhaps his mother was right. Perhaps being so plain was not a handicap but something to be thankful for. At least he would never draw unnecessary attention.

At his words, he nodded his head softly. This celebration had been just what the colt needed to feel happy again. Saki tried her hardest, but even she could get easily annoyed at the antics of one so young. “I do love it when Denocte throws parties! The sweets are the best part!” During winter time, he loved when they served hot chocolate with peppermint spoons. And during the fall, he would eat candy apples as if they would leave and never return. Summertime, was for popsicles and ice cream, and Kibou had certainly had his fill of them today. “Have you tried any of the sweets yet? I love the coconut ice cream!” The ice cream was mixed with real coconut flakes and topped with toasted coconut as well. It was heavenly.

As he came to stand at a more personable distance (so he wasn’t yelling at the poor man), he slowed himself to a halt. Saki was thankful that he had at least traveled a little closer to the shore so she could drop the satchel without fear of it falling into the surf. As he chatted away, she played idly with his hair, picking out stray grains of sand and seaweed. Kibou looked like a hot mess and needed a good bath – but don’t tell him or else he’ll deny his need for cleaning.

@Atlas

Ever since the moment of his birth, Kibou had known that he was born to be a party-goer. He enjoyed each and every party and celebration that Denocte had and he even ventured to other courts (when his mother would allow) and attended their parties too! Parties were filled with life and happiness and it made his heart warm. It always made a little flutter in his stomach, something that some of the elders swore was gas but Kibou knew it to be happiness.

So naturally, learning that this stranger had not been to many parties himself had put a little frown on his face. His eyes softened as he cocked his head, his eyes staring deep into the other’s. He wasn’t sure what to say. Telling him that he should get out and attend more didn’t feel right. In fact, it felt a little rude. In the end, Kibou figured it was probably best not to say anything at all. His mother had taught him manners from such a very early age and he would not let her down now.

Instead, he smiled up at the stranger warmly. “They are all so much fun! You should come back in the fall! There is bobbing for apples and a costume contest. It’s so much fun! And in the winter, you can buy the best hot chocolate. I know all the best sweets then too!” Of course the child knew everything there was to know about sweets and snacks. As a growing colt, it wasn’t often that he was seen doing anything but eating. But despite how much he ate, he was still an appropriate weight.

He told the stranger about the coconut ice cream, one of his favorites. He beamed as the stranger asked him to help educate him on the best sweets at the party. Naturally, Saki rolled her eyes as Kibou’s gaze grew wide with excitement. “Come on! I’ll show you!” He stepped a little closer to the beach, coming up in front of the stranger before turning so they could walk side by side. He motioned his head in the direction of the food vendors before he began to lead the way.

When asked about his friend’s name, Kibou smiled. “Her name is Saki! And my name is Kibou!” Saki shook her head, her eyes looking apologetically at the stallion. The poor dear had no idea what he was in for. Out of all of the party goers, he was choosing to spend the afternoon with a rambunctious colt who was not the least bit shy. But like a good companion, she said nothing and continued to pick out imperfections in his made. “Saki says I do enough talking for the both of us, but she can talk when she wants to.” Kibou, the poor dear, did not want to make the stallion feel as though he was being left out because she was not talking.

@Atlas - poor Atlas D: He has no idea what he’s gotten himself into.

Kibou did not like the fact that he had made the other sad by his lack of party going. The other told him not to be said for him, but Kibou had a big heart and he couldn’t help the way his heart was telling him to be sad. Kibou could not imagine being raised in such a way that he did not get to attend and enjoy every party. Perhaps it was good that he was born here in Denocte and not in some other court, like Solterra. Perhaps it was a good thing that he was still fairly naïve to the vastness of the world and ignorant to other religions and cultures. Perhaps it was a good thing he had run into Atlas at this particular party. There was no time like the present to learn about others who’s backgrounds differed from his own.

As they began to meander down the beach, Kibou gave the introductions and beamed when Atlas, as he called himself, said it was nice to meet him. However, while his mother had taught Kibou many manners, he still struggled with remembering all the rules. He should have said something along the lines of “you’re welcome” when Atlas thanked him for showing him the way to the sweets. Saki let the pause go for a few strides, but then kicked her heel into his shoulder to get his attention. Jolted, the colt looked over his shoulder to see a monkey glaring down at him as if he had forgotten something. “Oh right…” He offered Saki a sheepish smile before turning back to Atlas. “You’re welcome! My momma told me to always be welcoming and helpful.” Saki instantly facepalmed herself, mentally writing herself a note to teach him that it was not attractive to be boastful. But he was learning, he really, truly was.

Thankfully, they changed the topic onto things like wisdom in holding-one’s tongue. Saki was trying to teach the colt these things, but he was far to uninterested in learning that particular lesson. “It’s too hard for me to stay quiet. Saki believes I just like to hear myself talk.” The monkey shook her head, her hands going back to picking out burrs from her charges’ mane. “…you do.” Kibou smiled, his heart filling with innocent joy. The small ball of light that floated behind him glowed brightly, shining even brighter in the dusk. It bounced along behind him, following him at exactly a half-lengths distance, lighting the path before them.

It did not take long for the scenery to change. No longer were the two males kicking up sand, but stepping onto firm grasses and weeds. The area was set up much like the markets, with venders on either side for as far as the eyes could see. Each was selling different things, from clothing to food. Kibou meandered through the crowd before he paused at a tent nestled in the far corner of the lot. “Marcus, can you scoop my friend here some ice cream? I told him your coconut ice cream was the best!” The vender chuckled lightly as he turned to Atlas. “What will it be, sir?” He was ready and prepared to dip whatever flavor the stallion wanted into a freshly baked waffle cone.

@Atlas

Kibou listens to his words of wisdom, enamored by the way he seems to understand just what his mother has been trying to teach him. How is it that adults seemed to know exactly what to say? He found like he fumbled over his words a lot when he was trying to say the right and proper thing. And yet, Atlas seemed to be able to speak so freely without any wort of trouble at all. It was curious for the colt.

When he tells Kibou that his mother seems like a wise woman, he nods his head proudly. “She’s the smartest person I know!” While he had very little frame of reference, he was proud of his mother. She had managed to raise him this far on her own, even with her duties to her court. “Her name is Katniss…and she helps protect Denocte from bad people.” Kibou might not understand completely what his mother did for the court, but he did know that she was a warrior and she was quite good at her job and she took it very seriously. It made him proud and he saw no shame is announcing such a fact to the world.

By the time they made it to Marcus’ ice cream stall, Kibou was already ready for a second helping. He knew it would ruin his dinner and perhaps he shouldn’t have any more, but Marcus handed him the cone filled with coconut ice cream rolled in coconut flakes. It made his mouth water and Kibou couldn’t be rude and not take the ice cream. So he did just that and began to lick the ice cream off the waffle cone.

Marcus waited patient for Atlas to give his order, his stall filled with thirty of more different flavors, some simple and some complex. It seemed to overwhelm the stallion. Kibou smiled at him. “Marcus, fix him up!” The man smiled and nodded, proceeding to scoop a scoop of coconut ice cream rolled in coconut flakes in the waffle cone. But Atlas was a much taller man, so Marcus proceeded to scoop some triple chocolate on the cone as well. He drizzled it with creamed and handed it over. “It’s on the house, boys.” Kibou beamed. He loved ice cream and it was even better when it was free.

He motioned for Atlas to join him as he moved to some tables not far away. He settled alongside one, licking at his ice cream with almost a furious need to finish it before it even started to melt. “Well, what do you think?” He was a little jealous that Atlas got two scoops and he only got one. But then again, he supposed it was probably for the best. Kibou had partook in far too many sweets tonight as it was.

@Atlas