Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kona was often quite shy, and tended to keep to herself and the familiar. But she’d overheard a comment last month that changed her mindset. “Do you want to have a ‘New Year’ or another year?” It really got her thinking- she didn't want things to continue as they were. She did want new things…new and better. And that meant not doing the same things. So she’d decided to set off and adventure some on her own. She’d been walking while reminiscing and paused as the path bent sharply to the right, blocking her sight of what lay beyond. Taking a deep breath she noted that the air wasn’t just warm, it was humid as well. Stepping up and decisively turning the corner she gaped in awe. A large cavern with crystals speckling the wall held a natural hot spring pool. She whooped in joy and stamped her hooves in celebration of her luck.

Quickly making the decision that she’d stay here for awhile she headed back to the front cave to retrieve her pack she’d left near the opening. Her heart was light, the warm air teasing the flower and she found herself humming. This was definitely something new! And how wondrous! Feeling invigorated and like she was on the right path made her feel like anything was possible! Bending her head down to catch up her pack a glimmer caught her eye. Freezing she eyed the cave suspiciously, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the light.

There! Up near the cave mouth was a….. night sky? With a silvery grey half moon…. that fluttered?!? That wasn’t right at all! Kona stayed hidden, watching and quiet.

Apparently staying hidden and quiet was an adventuring skill that Kona needed to work on. She fought to not flinch as the other turned to face her. Hearing them stutter she felt her heart constrict a bit- clearly she’d startled them. But it was more than that….somehow. Trying to puzzle it out she missed the other turning to leave. Luckily they turned back.

Kona fully stepped back at what the other said, now her turn to be startled out of her own deeper thoughts. “Thank you” came out automatically. The other had given a compliment and social conditioning kicked in to get her speaking. Her eyes looked from the night-sky being out to the cave mouth and back. Reaching a decision Kona stood more solidly and looked to the other. “It is much too cold out there. No one should be out in it.” Nodding to herself as though she’d said something wise rather than just stating the obvious. “This cave is bigger than I think you know” Kona smiled a bit mischeviously- which was a new emotion for her. Silently reminding herself that she wanted a *new* year she tossed aside caution and shyness and grabbed hold of the impishness she’d found. “But you could find out…..” Kona trailed off watching the other closely. Turning her body slightly so the passage could be seen Kona side-stepped- almost an invitation.

Kona snorted softly, a very un-ladylike sound. “Trust you? Oh no!” She shook her head and stamped a hoof but paused mid-motion. “Trust is very much earned, but I suppose there are levels of trust. And allowing someone to share physical space in a herd society doesn’t require much trust at all….and knowing a name honestly doesn;t mean you know much about another-” She stopped herself before her tangent could go down another tangent. Putting her foot down she ducked her head. “Thank you. For introducing yourself. I am named Kona Maylea…..and no one has really yet cared to offer a shorter nickname for me either.” Suddenly feeling hesitant and bashful she retreated into herself a bit quietly asking “Would you want a shorter nickname?”

A small smile crept onto Kona’s face as the other Soq mused aloud. While Forget me Not spoke Kona gave her intense direct eye contact. But she wasn’t really looking at the other, but slightly inside them..and inside themself. She knew her thinking was odd but gave it the same mental shrug that had become ritual and continued her thought. Picturing the name of the other as thought it was being written in the air three letters stood out to her. Speaking aloud Kona emphatically stated “But you do not have flowers, while I do. And I do not think calling someone something based simply upon an accessory makes sense….but…forget me not….ForGet Me NOT.. “ The words were written in her minds eye as she tried the different ways of saying their name “forGet mE noT…… No but the “F” makes sense…….. Forget Me Not….. hmmm- Forget mE Not. What about Fen?” Her eyes cleared as she asked the other their thoughts.

When Fen replied she felt both elated that she’d found a pleasing name, and at the same time flinced within her as they called her “Kona”. Because like their name was “Forget Me Not” hers was “Kona Maylea”. Two parts, meant to be together- though everyone separated them. It didn’t feel like her when they were separated. Doing her mental shrug she smiled and began leading the way through the passage. Only remembering as an afterthought to snag the packs she’d come up to retrieve.

The walk back was not long, but she remained silent to let Fen look around and acclimate herself…..while she did the same thing. It was strange….the sort of comradery that had developed so quickly between the two of them….something new to be looked at. There was that word again….new. A new year…it was what she’d wanted…and had maybe found. But not by exploring the hidden cave passage. Rather between herself and the night-sky flutterer that followed behind her. Yet Kona Mayleas’s thoughts raced ahead, as they always did. Excitement filled her with each solid hoof-beat. What would Fen think of the crystal studded hot springs chamber? And trickling through that thought like a cold undercurrent through a river was another question. Would Kona Maylea speak up and ask Fen for a nickname for herself. Huh…..it would be a new nickname as she’d had none before. A new name for a new year perhaps?