The past few weeks had been surreal. Between Israfel becoming the new sovereign, and then courting her… It felt too good to be true half the time. How many times had she woken up in Israfels bed? Having fallen asleep after what was supposed to be a short video. (she wasn’t complaining, it was warm, and the whole room smelled the same way Israfel did, like coffee and ashes.) She was lucky she’d woken up well each time.
She was terrified she wouldn’t eventually. Terrified that she would scare Israfel away. She often wondered if that had been why Cavalier had left with their son. (Had she not loved liatris too?)
She woke up in her own clinic that morning in a sweat, head aching. Though she wanted to go back to bed, she had made plans. She had sent out a letter a few days ago to a small tea shop out by the lake
Cael
We have so much to catch up on I cannot even begin to put it in writing. I was thinking I’d swing by your shop in a few days to take you up on that offer.
-Lu
It had been short and to the point. She’d asked Israfel to send the letter off with Solaris. Her own companion wouldn’t have been much use… even if he were around, and she didn’t trust either of the girls to get all the way there with the letter.
She rose slowly and gathered both her satchels, before heading out with both the girls at her side. It was a slow walk there, though she had left before the sun had risen completely. She was already exhausted by the time she got there, but elated to tell Caelum all about her life nonetheless. She had brought some butterfly-pea flowers she’d found at the markets with her as a gift too, knowing Cael would likely be enamored with the color changing petals.
She chanced a gentle knock on the door. Unsure if the shop was properly opened yet or not.
i won't leave you lonely tonight
i want you to hold me all night
it's gonna be alright
The stallion was curious . . . So much to see of this world, this island, so much he was having a blast to uncover (and the chance to run with Tyee - and of course, Keokuk; only made it all the better). And it was this need to explore and just run that had him covering the distance south, his gaze curious, eager to find out what was past the oasis, past the canyons of Solterra. What more did this land hold in secrets that the youthful stallion could grasp with both hooves and shove out into the open! Who would he meet along the way? What sights were there waiting for him to lay his eyes on! And so the stallion didn't hesitate to run, to explore, to see it all.
Of course, he knew to be careful. The slow walk along the edge of Elatus Canyon was proof enough of that. The walls seemed so impossibly tall, drawing an alarmed breath from him as he twisted and turned in awe before starting to trek his way - ultimately having to rely on Keokuk to help lead him through narrow passageways, out of dead ends, and finally to the other side so he could continue his journey south. South across the lands between Solterra and Denocte - his end goal destination for the day.
His steps slowed as his gaze came upon the natural barrier that kept the other tribe, the tribe of Night; separate from the world. The boy grinned, a crooked smile as he stared up at the mountains, his eyes crossing the horizon the peaks seemed to break. He turned his attention to the wolf-dog sniffing at small prey trails before he glanced to Keokuk, "Well ol' man, let's see ya keep up? Giddy-up, Tyee!" And with a youthful, playful laugh, the young stallion went racing up a random tail, the dog instantly giving a delighted bark that turned into a howl as he took chase. Left behind Keokuk could only sigh in annoyance as he turned to follow them up the path.
The trek wasn't easy, as the conditions of the mountain path got more dangerous, more treacherous. Steep climbs that had the stallion hosting Tyee to his shoulders to keep the pup from running off and plummeting to his death. The tiny ledges seemed to force the stallion to walk in the most awkward shimmy of one hoof in front of the other. He finally found the right path, the right trail and it was with a relieved sigh that the stallion finally found himself off of the face of the mountain, collapsing in the more densely wooded interior with a relieved grin, "I'll tell ya, I wasn't sure we weren't in a might o' trouble back there." He stated, grinning up at the ghostly silhouette of his first, and best friend, bumping his muzzle against the partially solid shoulder of the spirit stag, "Mighta joined ya a bit earleh in the afterlife, huh, Keokuk?" He chuckled, leaning against a tree trunk to catch his breath from the climb, tilting his head up to the sky, feeling a breeze ruffle his dark mane, his necklace thumping against his chest, the solid weight of the arrowhead just as comforting as the feather whipping against his muzzle. "Well, ain't no reason ta rest now. Let's see what else we can find in this 'ere land, yeah?!"
With that eagerness to explore, the trio set off along the path, the stallion curiously staring at the world around them in awe at ever new type of plant, tree; and animal, even as Tyee had started to chase smaller critters through the nearby trees, barking and yipping (in the same excitement he'd destroyed a half a dozen stalls in Solterra), that had Ry relieved they were out and about, "Now don't ya go wanderin' too far, Tyee!" He called to the pup, "Heel!" The command was followed with a whistle that had the pup angling closer to Ry again, even as he continued to play.
i won't leave you lonely tonight
"Speech" Thoughts
Keokuk
@Tristan Notes: PLEASE, RYLAN, THERE NEEDS TO BE CHEMISTRY HERE BOY!
imagine, the air filled with jasmine
the breeze blows with passion
you and me dance with desire
A kingdom. That was what she had left. That was the world that she had loved and lived in for much of her younger years. And that was what she had stepped back into. Or at least a sort of kingdom. This had a feeling that was similar to home… a feeling that made her miss those that had been left behind. That knowledge was a pain, the stab of a knife in her heart.
Syn found herself somber as she walked through the court. There was something so familiar to the hustle and bustle, and she found that she missed home that much more. Her delicate hooves clicked on the stone, the sound similar to the black marble that had been the floor of her palace. Stopping in the courtyard, Syn closed her eyes and listened to the life around her.
Her delicate green wings were fluttering in the slight breeze. The feathery length of tail was dusting the stone beneath her hooves while her mane was dancing along her ebony neck. Slow, deep breaths caused her frame to slide under the glossy night of her coat. Yes, this could be home… Though not the home that she remembered from her foal hood. But a new start… If only her dear cousin could be there with her. The sorrow of missing Caelum was another knife to her heart and made her sigh.
@Caelum
"Speaking." Notes: Poor Syn doesn’t know where her cousin is lol
i'm gonna getcha while i gotcha in sight
i'm gonna getcha if it takes all night
you can betcha by the time i say "go," you'll never say "no"
It sure hadn't been easy to find his way here. In fact, by the time he was staring in front of the stone walls that surrounded the main innards of what would be his new home, he was certain he'd been walking for days (not merely the three it had taken to get here). But finally, finally he had made it! To the place he wanted to call home - if they'd have him. If they'd accept him, and Tyee, and Keokuk - they were a package deal after all, and he wasn't gonna stay if they even made a noise against Keokuk. He owed his loyalty to that stag that had made sure he wasn't raised without a male figure in his life. Even when he got older, Keokuk still made sure to stop by his dreams, to help him work through anger, confusion and anything else. He was a big brother, a best friend, and a father rolled into one silver, whispy package.
Taking a breath he nodded to the bonded, and the two entered the main city. A few curious glances got tossed their way, but to his immense delight, no one seemed appalled or against Keokuk's presence, and so the three continued to walk around, exploring every random street, every nook and cranny of the place. Occasionally he'd pause to greet a friendly merchant, asking questions about the land, about the kingdom. He was surprised when it came out that there had just been a recent transition of power, a new king had stepped up. But it was all valuable information, and Rylan was soaking it up like a spunge. His ears however suddenly spun, his head quickly following at a very familiar howl.
One that sent chills down his spine as he searched for the ivory and blue pup desperately. Then a second howl, the eager for a hunt howl, and a lot of barking. Ry exchanged a wide eyed look for Keokuk, before the sound came closer, and in a horrifying moment, Rylan watched a poor stray cat go racing past, Tyee happily bounding behind it, chasing the cat for all it's worth. "TYEE, GE'BACK 'ERE!" Rylan called, his voice a mixture of high-pitched alarm and command. He's fairly certain it cracked somewhere in the middle. Instead of listening, the dog barked three more times as the cat dove beneath a merchant. Tyee didn't slow down. Tyee didn't stop. Rylan's eyes grew wide as the dog neared the merchant cart, lept up, and the wolf hybrid RAN ACROSS THE MERCHANT'S CART, sending stuff everywhere.
Rylan could feel his heart dropping. They were gonna get kicked out. This was it. Two more carts went down with the chase, and finally Rylan took chase after, whistling loudly for Tyee as he wrecked two more carts. The whistle thankfully did it's job, and Ry cursed himself for not doing it first. Tyee was trained with whistle commands used more than words! The dog spun, wagging it's tail, and looking at his master before that cat hissed again, and that was all it took, for the cat to race towards Rylan, Tyee taking chase, and Rylan jumped out of the way, bumping into a cabbage cart that was next to a food koisk. The cabbage went rolling, as Rylan hit the ground with a rough grunt, wincing as the cabbage pelted his back and head.
As soon as Rylan was down, Tyee broke off, slowly approaching his owner, whining apologetically as Rylan slowly climbed to his feet in the complete silence of the area. Loose cabbage leaves were tangled in his dark locks. Somewhere along the way Keokuk had completely disappeared, and Rylan awkwardly stared at the ground, feeling his features heat up with embarrassment, his eyes wide, waiting for the yelling to start, for he and his dog to be kicked out. So much for a place to call home. "Shit, Tyee . . . We were tryin'a make a good impression here." He whispered softly to the whining dog, as he looked up at everyone sheepishly, turquoise eyes wide with embarrassment, with horror, with shame, "I am sooo sorreh fer all the trouble we caused, he, Tyee, he ain't normaleh like that. I swear. I . . . I'll help clean e'rythin' up." The stallion said apologetically, waiting for the dam to break, and the silence to turn to anger, to the yelling, to whatever would come. He froze, shrinking into himself even more when instead all he could hear around him was the slow bubble up of laughter, as the others stared at the apologetic buckskin stallion, with cabbage tangled in his hair, and the little pup who was half crouched beneath him, still half whining and half growling at the stray cat that had started it all.
i'm gonna getcha, it's a matter of fact
"Speech" Thoughts
Keokuk
@Mernatius Notes: TOLD YOU I WAS GONNA DO IT.
i'm gonna getcha, don't you worry 'bout that
you can bet your bottom dollar in time, you're gonna be mine
just like i should, i'll getcha good!
He's growing tired of it already . The wear and tear of a crown that weighs heavy on his head , the weight on his shoulders that presses down on his shoulders , on his spine . The weariness of not seeing his people , and the weight of disheartening when the people leave .
Of course they're fucking leaving . Everyone leaves Solterra . He had left at one point himself , but he had come back because his loyalty had tugged him back , had pulled his heart back into place . His entire challenge had been because he was tired of the stagnation , the silence . The emptying of the Court . But even now , it isn't stopping .
His heart weighs heavier than the phantom crown on his head , and he wonders how long until he gives his hopes up and drops it down to shatter into a million pieces because he knows the position was not for him . He had hoped to try and give the Court a sense of hope , but instead , they had turned to bare their teeth at him in the defense of someone that was not there .
He grows weary more and more every day .
A soft coo sounds in his ear , and Enyo stretches along his neck , her body stretching as her claws press into his fur , and she nuzzles up into his ear , huffing a little as the black cloud of his thoughts seep into her own . He smiles just a little , snapping out of it in an effort to soothe the infant instead , head lifting a little higher . " Sorry . Bad habit . " His words are a breath , and he can feel the trill of happiness in her response , her sleepy cloud coming back through as she nestles back into his mane to rest again .
Well . At least he has someone in his corner .
His body seems to relax a little , even as his hooves allow him into the territory of Terrastella . It seems a little strange , that he's been spending time outside of Solterra so often , but steps toward recovery means making friends with other Courts . It isn't as if Day has had good terms with anyone in the past , all things considered .
His large ears swivel , taking in the sounds of a lively Court , and he hears the calls of lovebirds , chirping and talking as they roost , and he turns his head a little , before he shakes his head , making his way toward the center of the court . He pauses , catching a citizen . " Where can I find the Sovereign ? " They give him a baffled look , but point him in the proper direction , and he's off again , with eyes watching his scarred frame as he weaves between bodies .
It doesn't take much to reach the Court itself , the building , and he clears his throat as he eyes one of the many that bustle the area . " I'm Leviathan , Sovereign of Solterra . Take me to Liam , I request a meeting with him . " There's a nod , and they take him forward , down a corridor and toward heavy doors that open , and they announce his name . His ears fall back , an uncomfortable look on his features . He loathes formalities , acting royal .
Another reason to just drop his crown , walk away .
get a life, get a grip
get away somewhere, take a trip
take a break, take control
take advice from someone you know, oh
The stallion was exploring, a curiosity that burned through his body and spurred on his energy. His ears were flicked forward, his gaze looking around eagerly as he explored. His tail flagged behind him as he kicked his pace up, practically prancing through the area, his grin wild, crooked, boyish. A small wolf-dog pup ran at his side, occasionally bursting ahead only to look back when he realized he got too far ahead from Rylan. The ghostly apparition of a stag followed more sedately, lost somewhere between amused and exhausted with the two's antics. Where Koekuk once thought Rylan was a handful and a half, adding the pup into the mix definitely had the stag glad he was already ghostly silver, so no one would notice any gray hairs he may develop. He was certain Rylan alone could give him a couple dozen in a day. So far, thankfully, this seemed a more relaxed day. The stallion wanted to see some more of the land, and so he'd headed west from Solterra, having figured out at this point that the four cardinal points and the center appeared to be more 'nomadic' lands.
Rylan wasn't yet sure what the actual political climate between the four tribes where (Dawn, Day, Dusk, and Night - what odd names for the tribes, er Courts; at that). And while he really didn't give a hoot about the politics, he didn't want to be the cause for a nation to declare war. That would be horrible, and he'd feel bad, and his mother would appear out of nowhere to lecture him (He was almost certain of that), and so he was actively trying his best to AVOID causing TOO much trouble. At least until he knew what kind of trouble would be good fun, and what kind of trouble would be a bad, bad mess. So, he had traveled west, finding some minor humor at the idea, and the relief he felt as that sand slowly turned to a sea of grass that seemed to shimmer in hues of yellow and gold that looked more comfortable, brighter than he'd seen in a while (Solterra was so . . . . . deserty!) he couldn't wait to see what he could find in these plains.
As he traveled further in, the real delight he felt however wasn't the grass, or the beauty and peace here - it was something so much more important, reminding him of home, of comforts he had forgotten, of something so . . . benign, he'd ignored it for years among his time with the tribe. But now, this site had frozen him as he watched the brown forms move slowly, grazing quietly. His gaze slipped over their heavy, thick furred chests, the slope of their shoulders, the silhouette of their horns against the rest of the plains. "Bison." He breathed, as a soft breeze tossled his mane, thumping the feather his mother had braided into his hair against his cheek. His smile softened, turning delicate, full of emotion, and he shook his head before he could risk a tear, "Just like a' home." He felt a touch to his shoulder, and he turned that soft smile to his best friend, his gaze meeting the silver eyes of Koekuk, "Nah, I'm . . . I'm a'right. Just took meh by surprise. Ain't see any of 'em since we left the tribe's lands." He shook his head again, before raising it, taking a steadying breath, "Well, ain't no use just gawkin'. Let's head further in, see what we can find, 'right?" He added, before leading the way after whistling a command for Tyee to stay at his side so he wouldn't go chase the bison.
come on over, come on in
"Speech" Thoughts
Keokuk
@To Any <3 Notes: Ry had a moment <3 Felt a little sense of homesickness.
pull up a seat, take a load off your feet
come on over, come on in
you can unwind, take a load off your mind
Pol smiled as she took in the scents around her. It was striking, the differences between the night markets where she was learning from Lu and the forest that she was currently exploring. The warm air made the plants fragrant and soothed some of the pain from her ruined tail. Pausing under a branch, the aquatic mare gazed at the rich green world around her.
It was nice to be separated from work for a bit. The mare had been diving head first in her work and learning how to be the medic that she wanted to be. Lu was incredible, teaching her more than she thought she would be able to learn as she had devoted herself to the path. Pol laughed softly as she realized that Trey was the reason that she had stepped onto the path she was currently on. The reason she had a drive.
Perhaps she needed to thank the bull when she got a chance. They had seen each other once since both had arrived in Novus, though the bull was usually hidden deep in the ocean. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she began to wander again. A soft hum echoed from her lips as she moved, gathering herbs that she recognized and enjoying the peace. There was a stab of emotion that was hiding under the peace, the desire for something more.
the car won't start, it's falling apart
i was late for work and the boss got smart
my panty line shows, got a run in my hose
my hair went flat, man, i hate that
This had been a journey. At some point, Keokuk had faded from view, not that Ry can blame him much, there certainly wasn't much to see. All around him was sage brush, and desert. Hotter than he ever remembered being. Tyee was now panting, carefully walking beneath his own massive bulk. Ry wasn't a tall stallion, but he was a respectable 16.2 hands, and he was built fairly thick, more on the side of power and muscle gained from hard work, and for the hybrid pup, that was good enough to give him plenty of room and shade. Rylan himself had no such protection, and as midday approached, the sun reaching the zenith, he had to take a pause.
"Keokuk, bud, ya there?" Almost instantly, in response, the animal spirit flickered back into the mortal realm, bowing his great antlers, his form partially see through, but looking soooo much cooler than where they were currently. Briefly the stallion wondered if Keokuk would feel cool if he walked through him, What ever you're thinking. . . Stop. Instantly Rylan was giving his Bonded, his absolute best halo look, eyes wide and innocent and a sweet smile to his muzzle, "Who me? Why, I ain't thinkin' nuthin' Keo! I'm just a haggard traveler waitin' ta find the next rest stop. Ya think we're any closer ta this Day Court village?" The stallion asked with a cheeky grin.
The stag eyed him once before snorting and turning away. Where the stallion was far more carefree, bright and kind, the stag was definitely the more level headed and calm of the two. Not surprising considering the age of the animal guise. I'm not stupid, your 'innocent' act couldn't fool a fawn. You'll get there faster if we keep going. We've been heading North East, from that mountain peak, so we'll get there when we get there. Come along, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to keep going.
Rylan visibly was pouting, even as he started following the silver glowing spirit, beneath him Tyee was whining at having to get up at walk again as well. The walk continued for another stretch, as the sun peaked at noon, before beginning the climb down again. It was about mid afternoon, perhaps 3 or 4 based on the sun on the horizon when Rylan let our a joyous whoop, "Look at that there, up over yonder! I see green, 'n' that means plants! 'N' anythin' that green gotta have some water nearby! Let's go!" Both dog and stag stared in disbelief as the previously pouting stallion (who had been dragging his hooves no less for the last hour) was suddenly bounding ahead in a burst of energy.
Ry didn't even let them wait up, instead he straight for the watering hole, and jumped right in with little more than a "Yeehaw!" He resurfaced, shaking his dark mane from his cream face, turquoise eyes shining in delight as he grinned towards his Bonded and pet dog, "Now this is what I'm ta'kin'bout!" he declared, pulling himself out of the water enough to lay down in the shallows with a happy sigh, "Why don't we get some shut eye here tonight, go the rest of the way in the morn?" He suggested, his tone already suggesting this was his plan, and there would be no swaying him.
Keokuk sighed, watching Tyee dive in with his master, barking and howling as he played in the water, "C'mon Keokuk. Lighten up a bit. It'll be fine! The water's gggreeeaaat" The spirit bonded's only response was to disappear from view, leaving the stallion pouting, "Keo!!! Come back 'ere and hang out!" The stallion looked to Tyee who was wagging his tail and lapping at the water now, "Yeah, Keo was purty rude, huh?" He asked the oblivious wolf-dog before shrugging and relaxing the tired, hot muscles from traveling in the cool water. Keo would come back eventually.
honey, i'm home and i had a hard day
"Speech" Thoughts
Keokuk
@open to any!! Notes: Ry Ry being cute <3 typed on my phone, so Grammer and spelling errors likely.
pour me a cold one and oh, by the way
rub my feet, give me something to eat
fix me up my favorite treat
i don't wanna hear you've got a boyfriend
sometimes, you're better off alone
but if you change your mind, you know where I am
yeah, if you change your mind, you know where to find me
So this was it, or so it seemed to the stallion. His gaze slowly trailed up the mountain, following the many different paths to get to the peak. A low, slow whistle escaped his muzzle, before he shook his head, the comforting thump of a feather to his cheek reminding him he wasn't truly alone. He carried the heart and love of the tribe with him, "Still, that ain't gonna be no walk in the park. Reckon, that there is gonna be worse than meh first Vision Quest. 'N' I ain't no young, spry colt no mores." The drawl slipped quietly from his darkly tinted lips, words soft and slow, carelessly caressing the air as he grinned crookedly. Despite the travel he was going to have to do, there was an air of excitement in his heart.
He knew what was at the end of the quest after all. He'd heard stories of the bonded as soon as he got here. He knew what it would mean when he and Tyee didn't have that bond form. Tyee was a good dog, if not a little rambunctious for his very young age, but it mean something more personal was waiting for him. It was why he wasn't going to go on any ol' Quest. Not for this companion, not for this bonded. If it wasn't Tyee he was gonna speak too, it was only one other option. At the end of this quest, Keokuk had to be waiting, it just HAD to be Keo!
So Rylan clicked his tongue to the little wolf-dog pup, calling the hybrid to heel, and the two began to climb, silence settling over the tribe raised stallion as the soft thump of the feather in his hair, the two against his leg kept him focused on his mind, his thoughts, his journey. He heard the soft whine, as the little pup grew tired at the half way mark, and the stallion lowered himself to the ground, letting the young wolf-dog climb onto his back, the pup wrapping paws around his neck, jaw planted between Ry's ears as he panted happily.
"Glad yer comfy, ya big lug. Yer kinda getting too big and heavy fer that!" He chastised the dog, only for the pup to gum at his ears. "Imma let Keokuk scare ya with them antlers of his when we find 'im!" The male grumbled, flicking his ears only for the pup to refind them. Perhaps it really was a good thing he hadn't bonded to Tyee, the pup would have driven him insane. Atleast Keokuk, while being a bit of a stick in the mud wasn't so wild like Tyee.
Though, Ry would be the first to admit how much he adored both. It was this love, this excitement that would keep him going to the top of the mountain, refusing to stop. He'd already been fasting in preparation, and as he came to the top he awkwardly side-eyed the four temples. He skirted around them respectively, not sure to handle a complete opposition to his own beliefs before he found a place to lay down, quietly building up a small fire, before tossing in the small packed bag of special herbs to induce his spirit quest, eyes closing as he breathed in the herb scented air.
Night has come and gone as quickly as it arrived. Too quickly for the noble son to feel satisfied. So much of the night has been the same as the past year of his life. The only difference now is the absence that Evander has left him with. It is a space that he is not sure he ever wants to fill. As the streets grow quiet with the approach of day, so does he. Reinhart had made quite the haul and taken it back to his old friends in the streets. He left the gifts strewn across the city like a scavenger hunt with feet shuffling behind him all the while. He had been lucky enough not to catch the notice of the guards who were far too busy with the rest of the bustle and clamor after the meeting.
A sigh escapes his lips as he lays in the mists of the very early morning light beside the lake where he last saw an old friend known as Raglan. An old crow. that was a lifetime ago it seems. Reinhart can feel the warmth of the memory on his face as his lips curl upward into a gentle smile. His gold swirling eyes peer out at the lake, and the way it reflects the explosions of colour that come from the sun. Reinhart feels his lids grow heavy as he stares out at the quiet lake. It has been a while since he has stopped to rest, and once he returns home he will find even less. So he intends to enjoy at least a few days before they are aware that he has returned to Novus.
Reinhart begins to drift to sleep in the mist beneath a tree beside the calm lake. The morning will come soon, and the day will follow soon after. The light never bothered him though. He was never really made for the day. Reinhart has always thrived at night.
... try to breathe words out, But I’ve got nothing to say
