This is the land, is it not? The land that all can come to in order to whisper their prayers to the gods, to the deities that have shown themselves to the lands of Novus. Yes, they've been here before, but it's been too long now. The deities perhaps have forsaken them, for their abandonment. Novus is a stranger to them now.
Being a Star Walker has always been something of a saddening venture, always alone. Immortality is a gift and a curse, and they were born with it, freezing their mortal looks only at a certain age, their body still young in look but their soul and mind? Centuries have passed, millennia even. The years had come and gone with nothing but a blink, and their old lands had been washed away with dust and time, nature overtaking what was once hers. Their people no longer existed except in soft rumors and whispers, with Star Walkers being scattered to the winds. Certainly there are descendants as well, aren't there? An existence somewhere of what once was, that carried the knowledge of what Star Walkers were and where they came from.
It's this hope that allows Cicatrix to not feel as alone.
A deep breath is taken, wings sweeping forth as they flap, effortlessly cupping the air and allowing their large frame to land, ever so delicate for someone so tall. Gilded hooves press into the ground, nearly to the dewclaw, before it relents and bounces back. Stones skitter away, and finally, Cicatrix cups their wings close to their body once settled, as to not disturb the land.
The golden halo of light bounces off of the rocky crevices and jutting stone, but seems to only be absorbed by the growing darkness around them. This time, they don't whisper to the winds, to the deities. The last time they were here, they'd tilted their head and spoken to the stars, to the silence of the night. Now they bow their head as the gravity around them flexes and shifts. Their cloak moves slowly, as if they've come from the vacuum of space itself, walking with an eerie lightness for their massive height.
There's a soft ruffling of accented feathers, the gilded edges shimmering in the falling rays of the sun, and their gaze settles on the horizon, the silence of the moment. This is .... lonesome. But they've always been lonesome, always wandered the lands near and far. Here however, they have stepped away from responsibility and from those they cared about.
Posted by: Below Zero - 08-10-2021, 10:05 PM - Forum: Archives
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round and around like a horse on a carousel we go, will i catch up to love? i can never tell
B e l o w Z e r o
i know chasing after you is like a fairytale but i feel like i'm glued on tight to this carousel
The two pups laughed, eyes bright as one chased after the other in youthful innocence. As soon as a muzzle would clasp a fin, a fluke, a limb - anything, a shrill cry of Your it! would announce the switch of chaser and chased. Bel laughed, as she dived out of the way, flipping her tail as quick as she could as she angled towards the sea floor of the shallow reef she was playing in. Shard laughed as well, his red eyes crinkling, and his grin goofy, as both pups collapsed in a heap on the floor, watching the fish swim by peacefully. They had collapsed in one of their well known piles, a tangle of limbs and fins, and Bel hooked her head over his shoulder, breathing heavily, I won, just so you know. He told her, and she glanced up at his grinning face, scoffing Nuh-uh, I won! You were chaser way more than I was! She argued back, causing him to laugh and tug on the fin that ran down her spine, No! You were chaser more than me! I also caught you way faster than you could catch me! The two succumbed into good nature arguing, all the while cuddled together on the floor of the reef.
The mare made a slight noise of distress in her sleep, rolling over on the bedding in the shallows of the swamp. Her muzzle was pushed beneath her limb, burrowing in on herself, but she didn't wake as the visions of her, of her and Shard plagued her mind.
The yearlings grinned at each other, ignoring the calls of caution from their parents. They were older now, more grown up, and clearly knew better than their parents. They missed the annoyed sneer of Shard's father's face, but neither cared either. Their friendship was far to precious, special, sacred. Friendship on the cusp of something more. They raced each other through the snow and ice, around pine trees covered in ivory, First one to the watering hole wins! Bel doesn't remember when his voice had begun to pitch so much lower, a rumbling pitch that had a tendency to make her heart flutter in her chest. But he was also her best friend, and so she instead grinned, tossing him a wink that had him almost stumble, Then you better make sure you can catch up, huh? She called before kicking up her speed. He laughed loudly, his laugh echoing around, warming her heart in a way that kept the chill of the arctic out. They tied, skidding to a stop, and trotting through the tree line of the watering hole. They're hooves danced in the water of the shallows, kicking up steam as the water vapors trailed up around their hooves, warming their limbs and chasing the chill of the arctic. Where to next, Belle of the Sea? The playful nickname wasn't an uncommon one from his muzzle, and yet it still stuttered her heart, even as she pretended it had no effect, Ah, my dear Shard, I believe the next point of adventure would be to follow the creek. First one to find something interesting wins? He was instantly grinning, didn't even bother responding before he took off. It was always a constant challenge between them, neither giving up, both constantly trying to prove themselves to the other. Never mind their hearts were already caught well and true.
Silent tears were streaking from her eyes, and another noise left her muzzle as she twisted, she turned, her muzzle searching for a body that wouldn't be there - hadn't been there in years. Yuki's head lifted from the water, a concerned croon. She slid from the depths, swimming up to her bonded, and wrapping around her, nuzzling and chittering her icicles in comfort. The contact soothed the sleeping mare for the moment, but the memories continued.
The two slid to a stop as the bear rose up on it's hindlegs. The two exchanged wide-eyed expressions, trying to slowly move back, move away. The bear had been startled, the bear had a cub with it too, and both knew the danger. As they tried to make themselves smaller, they backed up - and the bear lunged between them. Shard and Bel split apart, both diving out of the way. But it was Bel that would catch it's attention when she saw Shard stumble, Shard! Be careful! The shout was all that was needed, the bear was advancing, focused solely on Bel. She was backing away, hooves sliding on the ice, unable to get a purchase, and as the bear lunged again, her eyes met Shard's in fear. He moved faster, more fluid than she'd ever seen, and the fire in his eyes, the sneering anger on his face had her heart clutch. He dived between her and the bear, a scream leaving his muzzle as the claws ripped into his hip, shallow and glancing off. Her heart hammered in her chest, as he caught his footing, he spun, stabbing at the beast with his horns, shoving it back with pain towards it's youth. The cry of the baby was enough to distract the bear, and the two Treaders ran from the scene. The moment they were hidden in the trees, Bel spun on him, worrying over his wound, Shard! You're hurt! Why would you do that . . . You . . . . you saved my life. He pushed her muzzle away with his own, before lifting her face so she was looking at him. is expression betrayed the slight pain, but was earnest to express himself, How could I not, Belle of the Sea? It's you . . . it's always for you. I couldn't let anything happen to you . . . Bel, I couldn't bare it if anything happened to you. Bel's muzzle was going dry as she stared into those impossibly deep red eyes, his muzzle turned, caressing her cheek, and she leaned into the touch, Do you remember when we were just a few months shy of a year old? The elders spoke to us about the mating bond? Bel, I knew from that moment who my forever would be. Of course I was going to keep that bear away from you. My future doesn't exist unless you're by my side. You're it for me, Bel. You've always been it. She didn't hesitate. Her chest was pressed to his, her muzzle tucked against his side, her forehead pressed into his neck. He returned the affectionate gesture, wrapping his neck around hers, holding her close to his side, their vapors trailing up, merging and entertaining together, Oh Shard, you could do so much better than me . . . You're the next Triton . . . His laugh startled her, and she looked up as he nuzzled her forehead, Stupid mare, the tone was one of fondness, and she couldn't help but smile, I don't care about any of that. I just need you. Forever.
Those words had been her everything. Their bonding had started that moment. It was wonderful, it was magical, it was the start of what would have been their happy-ever-after for the rest of their lives. But then it would go so wrong, so sour . . . an interrupted bonding, a ruined bonding. Not by him, not by her. By another. By the council who saw her unfit. Who saw her unworthy.
She raced towards him after the ceremony, practically jumping at him, even as he turned his body so he could support her properly during their collision. The pod around them laughed, used to the affectionate couple that was blooming to life around them, Shard! I'm so proud of you! You've done it, you've taken over. Should I start calling you Triton Shard?" Her words were playful, but they were proud too, so proud of him, unbelievably proud of him. He chuckled, nuzzling her warmly, You don't need to call me anything but yours. He was always so much more cheesy than she was, but she laughed, and he grinned in triumph. He was about to comment again before his father spoke sneeringly to the both of them, You need to control her better, son. You are Triton now. It is unbecoming of your 'bonded' to be so open. Others will look to you for guidance, how will they find it when you behave like this. Bel's head dropped, her shoulders bowed.I'm sorry father, we were just excited, we weren't thinking. Don't talk about her like that. We don't need your negativity. This is a happy moment, and we have the right to celebrate in our own way. We'll watch ourselves better, Father, right Bel? So, how about you take your opinions else where, and let us enjoy this moment.
Something was wrong. The words were muddled, like two voices speaking over, but she let her mind settle on those louder ones, of Shard telling his father off. It warmed her heart, instead of icing it the way the real memory happened. The dreams began to change then, her mind wanting to soothe the distress it was giving her. The dreams trying to rewrite the history as if none of it happened. Moments of loneliness while Shard worked now turned to him taking her with her, and showing her the ropes. Lonely nights of sleeping alone in their bed were replaced with him and her cuddled together, talking long into the night about the future of the pod, the future of them, the promises for their family. But then the dreams turned darker again, unable to not rewrite that heartbreaking fight with out having the council cast her injured sister out.
YOU LIED TO ME! You said you'd give her time to heal! A week, you promised a week, and that we would trade with the nomads for the herbs that would get her better! But we left! We left her, abandoned her! YOU LET YOUR FATHER, YOU LET THE COUNCIL KILL HER! She was breathing heavy, angry beyond care, unable to believe he would do this. When did this happen to us? When did we stop being a partnership! She cried out desperately to him. Why would she say that, they'd been a partnership this entire time. He shuffled, trying to find the words, and instead she kept yelling, at him, You're never home! You ignore me when I greet you! You're always listening to your father, to the council. Why don't you ask me my opinion any more? Why don't you ever work with me anymore? Why are you never with me anymore! We're bonded, we're supposed to be two parts of one, and yet it feels like I'm missing you constantly! Tears were falling from her eyes, D-do you regret the bonding? D-do you r-regret me? I . . . I'll just leave, I . . . I can't stay here with the w-way this is anyway . . . . He took a step forward, his eyes begging with her, Below Zero, please, be reasonable. I'm Triton, my father just wants to make sure I do the pod proud, that I take care of them. And I'm trying to do that. I need you to support me. I need you here with me. Her face contorted with anger, See, even that! When did you decide to only call me by my full name! What happened to us? When did we stop being Shard and Bel? When did we become Ice Shard and Below Zero? Shard, I want you back. I want my bonded back!? Her eyes were begging, begging for him to close the distance, to prove she was more important. Prove that he wouldn't take his father, the council's expectations over what she, his mate, his soul-bond, his other half; needed.
He crossed the chasm, No, no, that didn't happen. He didn't come for me, he never ca- and his body crashed into hers, like he had always done, and she had done too, the instant tangling of limbs, his neck arching over hers, pulling her close, holding her to him. No . . . yes . . . yes this, this is . . . this needs to be right. Yes, please make it right. Please . . . Shard . . . . His breath fanned over her face as he nuzzled into her, I'm so sorry, so, so sorry. My Belle of the Sea, you're right. I've let my father, the council cloud my judgement. Let me make it up to you. Let me make this better. Just don't leave me. We can fix this, we can fix us. We'll make this word. You're it for me, Bel. You're my forever. I can't do this with out you. Bel looked up at him, We'll fix this? We'll do it together? Her whisper was hesitant, afraid to believe it. His gaze met hers with out hesitation, May the Sea Emperess bless us in our union, our future, our happiness. May her care for our world inspire me to care for you. May her love for our people pale in comparison for my love for you, for we are one half of a whole, and only together can we stand tall. He shouldn't know those sacred words, they were lost to our people after the escape from our home planet, how did he kn- yes, yes that's what he said to me. Bel's eyes teared up, and she embraced him tightly, Together, we are one. We were always one. His nuzzle, his whispered promises of forever.
The dreams continued, painting a life after that point, of them building the pod brighter, making it better. The sudden flop of a frog alarmed the mare, jolting her awake, and she yawned, before realizing she was breathing air. She turned to the body at her side, about to greet the male, to nuzzle Shard as she had done every morning for the last few dream-years. She froze as her eyes took in the worried expression of Yukime. Yukime. Her bonded serpent. The serpent . . . in Novus . . . where she went . . . after he refused to cross the distance, Those whispered words of sweet nothings, of promises were replaced with his fading pleas for her to come back, to understand, as she had swam away, unable to stay anymore with a stallion who would stay away for a week, before coming home with out a greeting. Who would stand back and look at the ground when his father berate her. The stallion who had made his choose, the stallion she'd broken a near-completed bond with, who had torn out her heart.
Tears streamed down her face, "It was . . . just a dream." His phantom touch on her face was still there. She could almost smell him on the air carried up from the sea, and yet her world was empty of him. He had never been here. She could still remember the way he felt as she would lean into his side. She remembered that laugh, those crinkles around his eyes when he would laugh. The way he would wink at her when they met gazes from across the pod. Her breath hitched, her gaze drilling into Yuki, "I . . . It was just a dream, Yuki. He's not here . . . None of it ever happened. Why wasn't I good enough? Why wasn't I ever enough? Why did he turn his back on our bond? Why couldn't he have just crossed those final feet to me . . . . Why did I have to dream that he did." She fell to her knees in the muddy water, curling up on herself, nuzzling up to the serpent who was licking her tears away as she gathered herself under some semblance of control, "Yuki, what did I do wrong, that he would choose his father over me?" Why had he stopped chasing her, why did he become her missing half, instead of the piece meant to complete her. And why did she have to dream that he hadn't.
"Bel" Yukime
Open to Any Notes:: Okay, now she can start to really heal from Shard's actions and inactions. T.T
the promises, hollow concessions and innocent show of affection
i touch your hand, a hologram, are you still there?
we used to love one another, give to each other
lie under covers so, are you friend or foe?
There was a strange choked-up cackling that could be heard from the very mountains. The ghoulish sound echoing, carrying over the air like a demented banshee had taken up residence, or a ghost had found its newest haunting. These assumptions wouldn't be too far off. The bone-chilling sound was hailing from the wild-eyed, tangled-haired, mess of a mare who was standing before the entrance of a decrypted cave. She stared into the gloom and darkness with a mad gleam to her cerulean eyes, and a twisted smile onto her muzzle. Her hooves danced a happy jig before she barrelled her way through the thorny vines that covered the entrance. They bit into her flesh, thorns catching feathers, tangles, and fur in general, plucking and pulling at her, even as they drew blood and torn free hair. She paid them no mind as she made her way back into the home she'd left for such a long time. The darkness enclosed around her, and she breathed in the scent of decay, muck and filth. A dark, ugly home, for a dark and ugly mare. Ah, and such wonderful darkness it was.
Another giddy giggle left her as she looked around, even if she had to pout over her friends being left in half-complete skeletons, ransacked by scavengers in her absence. She silently bid them apologies, wishing she could help to put them back together, but already knowing too much time had passed to do so successfully. She'd never leave her home again, never abandon this dark disaster she'd built for herself. A sanctuary for her ugliness where she couldn't be subjected to the radiance that many of the beings this land seemed to possess. So beautiful, so vibrant, so pure. It burned at her like a poison to her lips. A distasteful reminder that she was ugly, unworthy, unwanted, insolent and stupid. The ugly is contagious, no one wants to play with an ugly foal. No one wants to hang out with the ugly girl, all alone. In the dark. An ugly girl belongs in the dark. An ugly girl deserves to be in the dark! Just stay in the dark like an ugly girl is supposed to, Sunako. Ugly, ugly, ugly, ugly, ugly. Those cold taunts warped her brain, and she sneered into a pool of water, at the vibrant blue eyes that stared back at her from beneath a ratted, matted mess of black locks.
So long ago those locks would be curled, tidied up and decorated with delicate flowers, usually blue to draw attention back to those endless depth eyes. But that was a long time ago, before those hurtful words spread through the herd like a plague. Before she was the subject of cruel teasing, ridicule, merciless destruction of the very confidence she once held. It was unlikely if she would ever recover from such cruelty, but for now, the odd mare was happy in her darkness. She hummed an off-beat tune, continuing to organize in the darkness of the cave, her tail sliding through, more debri becoming ensnared in those messy locks. She swept the random rocks out of the cave, organized the bones of her former friends into lose piles that she'd try to make some sort of organized chaos out of later (she hoped desperately they'd be more complete than she fears). Only when those tasks were done did she venture back out into the night, to gather moss and ferns to make a bed out of, all the while humming an off-beat tune, the only betrayer to the fact her mood had brightened considerably since coming home.
"Speech" Thoughts
Open to Anyone Notes: Is Sunako weird. Yes.
is it too late? nothing to salvage
you look away, clear all the damage
the meaning to all words of love has disappeared
we used to love one another, give to each other
so, are you friend or foe? 'cause i used to know
Her home had not changed much in the time that she had been away. A bit run down and dirty, but still the same. The scents that had once welcomed her each day were muted, mostly dissipated in the air. There was a twisting in her stomach as she stepped inside, warm chocolate eyes scanning the items that she had left behind. Nothing had been touched, nothing moved from its place... But yet there was a foreign feeling to the abode that made her uneasy.
"Others have been in here since we left... though definitely not recently. Perhaps friends checking on you?" Neema remarked, gazing up at her companion. The remark had the once warrior reassessing the home and the scents that were fading quickly. She noted the scents that the maned wolf was pointing out, though they were hard to distinguish due to the age.
"Hmm..." She sighed, taking the time to check every room in her home. It would be a serious job to clean up the house, but she was also glad to be home. There were things that needed to be changed, updates that needed to be made now that she had given up the life of a warrior. She didnt mind the idea of supplying weapons, Vespera knew that she had brought back quite the collection of wares that she had made in the time away. She was no master, but she could definitely make different types of weapons that were serviceable.
The painted pegasus got to work on cleaning, setting aside her once weapons storage to be her shop of sorts. Her armory of wares. Once the house was cleaned and livable again... she would find a place to add a forge and to store her raw materials. But that would be a challenge for another day. As it was, she had a few large bags of daggers and small swords that she needed to put away, as well as cleaning and reclaiming the home that she had grown up in.
Posted by: Sol Bestiam - 08-09-2021, 10:14 PM - Forum: Archives
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This flaming guardian could be your worst nightmare...
Morning dawned bright and clear as the stallion stretched and fanned his wings. Sol had been getting used to the magic that now seemed to sparkle through his veins and cause him to radiate with the heat from the sun. It was draining, something that caused him to need to pause and take the time to rest after any usage. Stepping from his room, lavishly decorated with golds and oranges, Sol stalked to the secondary room where his daughter slept peacefully. She wouldnt wake for another few hours, the little filly preferring to sleep in and then stay up later to watch the sunset.
It was those little moments that tugged at the once violent stallion’s heart. The moments of peace and joy that seemed to surround the little filly that was his greatest gift. Stepping out of her doorway, he strode out to the garden area. It was simple, mostly plants that were nearly impossible for the blackest hooves to kill. The nearly black stallion didnt have the patience for growing plants, but it was nice to have a personal area of green. The sun was warming the dew on the grass, making the green blades seem to shimmer with a celestial glitter.
“Oriens… Thank you again for the blessings of my life. The past few years have changed my outlook on myself and my past, though I do still find myself hesitant to trust others. To trust myself.” Sol murmured to the rising sun, hoping that the god would be able to hear him even though he was not at the peak.
“That being said… I fear for the future. What will happen when I am gone? Will Jiri be safe in a world where I am not there to protect her as she may need? I know that I can teach her to be strong, but I cannot fathom the idea of leaving her alone in the world. Just as I cannot fathom leaving those that I am beginning to care for. There has to be an answer that can make this all easier for everyone…” The stallion continued, closing his eyes and basking in the dawn light. It was at this time of day that the stallion felt the closest to the God that he had aligned himself with.
As he stood, he felt the heat of the sun melt through his muscles and relax him. A flash of light caused him to open his eyes and search the heavens. The similar sight of a golden aurora made him groan, his matching eyes tracking the unusual color as it danced across the sky. It seemed that something was connected to the aurora, something unusual. Normal auroras were green, sometimes with purple and red edges. Not gold as the sun and filled with magic.
“What now?” He wondered, his usually deep voice filled with awe and curiosity, as well as an edge of apprehension. Accepting that it likely held some new gift from the god, or at least he hoped it did and not his possible demise, the stallion dipped his head and accepted that he would likely be hit again. When the flare of the aurora connected with his dark pelt, a wave of energy suffused him and warmed him from the depths of his soul. He wasnt sure what it was, but he trusted that the god wouldnt kill him unnecessarily.
A small voice called from the house, rousing the stallion from his moment of reverence. “Thank you, Oriens. I am not sure for what yet… but thank you nonetheless.” He murmured before turning and heading back into the house to check on his daughter.
'Cause I'm not in a right state of mind
I just wish I had strength to admit it
My stubbornness will put up a fight
But I don't deserve to win it.
She was soaked through, trailing water, the clash of thunder roaring overhead as wind buffeted between barren streets. The summer storm had caught them unawares, rolling in from the churning waves of the ocean, and Israfel felt both baffled over such a ferocious summer storm and positively furious that she had been caught out in it.
Uncharacteristically, the market streets were mostly empty save for others who were also unfortunate enough to not find shelter before the storm reached the shore, clutching their parcels or cloaks tightly as they rushed through the water-sodden streets, the rain pouring down over their heads in merciless rivulets.
Don’t think about it, she whispered to herself, over and over again, a mantra of determination, Do not think about it, Isra.
Thunder shook the very earth beneath her hooves, and only seconds later did lightning crack across the sky, illuminating the inky darkness that had taken over the markets after night fell with a clouded sky. Skin prickled in goosebumps, the Sun Daughter moved quickly through the streets, shivering fiercely as the wind whipped the sodden strings of her mane about her face. Ears pressed flat against her skull, gilded-hooves slapped against the standing water in her frantic rush, her intended destination now in sight as she turned a sharp corner of an alley and slipped while doing so.
She jogged the rest of the way, chest heaving, panic rising in her breast. No, no, no. It wasn’t the same.
They weren’t going to drown.
They would be fine.
They were going to be fine.
“Lu!” Her voice cracked as she shouted out, chest heaving, rose-kissed lips parted as she sucked in great, deep breaths as though she had been caught in the roiling surf of the very ocean and not just the storm that it had dragged in. Her throat ached, burning from the unsettling chill brought in by the fearsome thunderstorm. “Lu!”
Telekinetic knocks were hammered fiercely upon the clinic’s wooden door, a hurried, rushed thud! thud! thud!
It was late. What if Luvena was sleeping? What if she was fine? What if Isra was panicking over nothing?
Well, it wouldn’t be the first time. A sardonic, terrible grin pulled at the mare’s lips, crooked and wrong as the dark thoughts roiled and churned in her mind, restless like the ocean, but no. No.
With the changing of the seasons came another set of challenges. It wasn't as if Aska disliked summer, but the bright colours were a little harsh on her sensitive eyes - though the warmth on her coat was more than welcome.
The warm rays of the sun made the ache in her muscles a little more bearable, spurring her on to pick up a slow trot through the fields. Moments like these, where her worry and anxiety simmered to the background were rare, so she tried to hold onto this feeling for as long as she could.
Slowing down once she reached the river, Aska decided that now would be as good as any moment to take a little break and munch on the food she had packed earlier.
This place was different from the mountain he had first discovered. He wondered what this place was destined for if the mountain had been for worshipping of the deities that ruled this realm. Novus, it was called, he'd come to find out, but still, he wondered just what more this place had to offer him. He was curious but cautious. He didn't want to get too attached to anyone only for them to die and for him to keep on living, lonely in his solitude. He'd had a family once. A family that he had loved, that had also adored him. He was the last one of his bloodline. Everyone else was dead, to his knowledge. He worried about what they meant for him. Did his family's destiny rest on his shoulders, a heavy burden that he was doomed to carry until he met his demise? Creamsicle worried about these things constantly, worrying about what was going to happen in the coming days and weeks, months, and perhaps even years of his stay in Novus. He'd been here how long already, and done nothing with his time? What point was there of him being here, wandering the realms unguided? Did he not deserve a friend, at the very least? Someone to help him learn about this place, to find his purpose here?
Perhaps he should seek out the Gods... but he was too skeptical of doing such a thing. He came from a place of no religion, or at least, very little religion. There had been some elders and neighbors that had believed in higher powers... but Creamsicle found it hard to believe in anything after the war had ravaged the Kingdom he'd been born into. He had been born after the fighting when the damage had already been done, but he remembered the day the Kingdom fell completely. The day when the rulers decided everyone should go off on their own. Families banded together, becoming nomads, and Creamsicle left behind everything he had ever known - the scarcity of food and water only continued as he and his small family wandered from land to land, doing their best to survive. Evidently, their best had not been good enough. Creamsicle himself was only alive because he'd gotten lucky. He should have died, too. Sometimes... sometimes, he wished he had.
Shaking off the depressive thought, the Appaloosa mix sighed and marched onward on his voyage following the pretty little creek he'd stumbled upon. There was no shortage of food nor water here. Everything was seemingly perfect. It was almost too good to be true to the younger brute. Growing up having nothing, only to stumble unknowingly into a Kingdom that had more than it could possibly ever need... it was a culture shock at its finest. He wasn't used to not feeling hungry. He wasn't used to his mouth no longer being constantly dry. He felt spoiled. He didn't deserve this. And yet, perhaps this was the reason he didn't want to leave, to continue his nomadic lifestyle onto Elsewhere. The fear of hunger and extreme thirst would always be in the back of his mind, lingering like some devil waiting to drag him down to the depths of Hell yet again. His past haunted his dreams, turning them into absurd nightmares. He often woke in a cold sweat, feeling like he was being watched, but he was always able to shake it off.
Often, at night, when he woke up or when he couldn't sleep, he would walk. That was how he'd ended up here, the moon high in the sky above him. The air smelled of summertime, hot and sticky with humidity, but there was a calmness to the still night atmosphere that he hoped would linger a little while longer. Here, in the silver light of the moon, he felt comforted and safe. To his right, the creek babbled along over rocks and pebbles. He would follow it for another hour or so and then... and then, he would figure out where to go next.
do you believe in reinarnation?
'cause i thought i saw your soul
I'd heard about these portals.
They could take you anywhere, any time, but it was determined by some wild, chaotic magic.
I didn't need to go anywhere. I'd already been to too many places.
But there was something about them that had me . . . intrigued. Not curious per say, I was old enough to know that curiosity could lead you into some bad situations, dangerous places. I don't let my curiosity spur me along. But my intrigue? That was a little different. I'd allowed myself to gather information first, make a decision that was rationalized out for the threat level this portal thing could cause me. I didn't plan to let this life end so soon - I hated the stupid 'starting out new' of each life. I wasn't ready to be an awkward foal again, no thank you. So, that meant taking my time to carefully ensure I knew about the place, the location I was going. Making sure I knew the threats and risks. I like being alive, after all - Not that I wouldn't accept death if I could stay dead [I'd rather let that happen than be alive after all].
Where did this inner monologue turn so dark?
Right. Portals. Right.
So, I'd made the decision to try these portals today, that's really what I'm getting at. Not sure what to expect, but I've been a good little mare, sitting quietly in my studies, being the perfect little lady of house Stendahl. Though, at Five [this year no less!] Can I really be called 'the little lady'? Sure, I knew mother was the Lady of the house Stendahl . . . no, I better not even attempt to bring this up. I don't want them trying to marry me off. I can just hear mother now, 'She's ready to be her own lady of a house!' Father would panic over the idea of their blessing leaving home. Mother would cry before trying to find a husband willing to live in their home, so they could keep me close. Would their desire to hold onto their trinket daughter save me from an unloving marriage this life?
I didn't want to even fathom what my future would bring.
I don't want to imagine in it. What they could do. What they could decide. Where I could end up in a years time.
I wasn't ready to 'tie the knot' and get bogged down with foals for some new master I would call husband. Perhaps if I acted up a bit, my parents would rationalize I wasn't yet 'proper lady' enough for marriage . . . or worse, they could decide that I needed a man in my life to temper me. A husband who could take on the duty of making sure I was where I was supposed to be, behaving how I was expected to behave. I suddenly feel regretful to have not taken the time to deduce my parents responses better . . . who knew distancing yourself from your parents at a young age would come back in the form of this hesitation. My next life, I might bond a little more with them, just so I can manipulate them a little better. After all . . . how does that saying go again, right: You catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar. Might as well control the situations earlier, rather than be struggling against them later in life.
Of course, I also remember the lessons of not to plan out your next life before you get there.
You never know the situation you'll be born into.
But, I've done it again. Got off topic, off thought.
I'm supposed to be sneaking out to the portals.
I'm still stuck in my room.
The air is crisp as I open the window to my top-floor bedroom. I have an entire wing to myself, but I'm usually kept closer to the top floor, I think it's my head-guard's method of trying to keep me caged. They're not as fooled as my parents are, who think I can do no wrong . . . my guards realize I like to sneak off and escape. It rarely succeeded, however. I was resourceful, I'd learned how to be like that when I was only a couple dozen of reincarnated lives in, when I still kept track of what life I was in - I hadn't realized there would be a limit just yet. Their was a soft sound of crickets chirping, and I was relieved to see it was still early, still dark out. It was easier to sneak out then, when the guards would still be sleepy, or if I was really looking - actually asleep. I snuck towards my chambers' door, and slowly opened it. A guard stood outside, jolting up right, and blinking sleep from his eyes. One of the younger ones, easier to manipulate thankfully.
I wasn't familiar with this one though, so he must be fairly new. I blinked my eyes up at him as he frowned, "I'm dreadfully sorry for being a bother, I'm just a touch famished, I didn't eat much of dinner last night. I was hoping to go to the kitchens and just get some bread and honey, or perhaps some fruit?" He seemed to hesitate, and so I turned my smile up, tilting my head to the side as the gem against the bridge of my nose reflecting the torch lights around us, "You're more than welcome to accompany me, nothing will happen if you're there right - and we're in my family's manor?" He looked down at me, and I could see him starting to waiver, so I finished it off with a dazzlingly smile, eyes twinkling with delight, and a touch of awe - I could usually play these younger guards quite well, "After all, a strong, capable guard like yourself will make sure I'm safe, right?" They should have explained to these poor saps that the ones they had to guard against was my own self.
But he fell for the line, bolstering up and 'leading' me to the kitchens. It was a short walk, but it took me to the ground level, and right before he was about to accompany me into the kitchens, I turned back to him, my ears twitching, "Oh, are my parents up? I think I hear someone in the main parlor. My parents are never up this early though. How o-" I didn't even get to finish before the idiot was racing off to go see what I was 'hearing' at the other end of the hallway - clearly deciding the threat was important to deal with. So I trotted my way into the kitchens, while exchanging an innocent smile with the exasperated cook who was used to my antics (and an accomplice for when I couldn't shake the guards who knew better). The elderly mare opened the back door, even as she shoved a pack of food my way. I caught the surprised gift, lifting it over my back, carefully arranging the pack and my shawl so that the fabric wouldn't be trapped uncomfortably against it. Some snacks for the road, as well as a blanket if you get chilly - who knows where you're going today. I smiled warmly at the old cook, nuzzling her side with a smile, before I ventured out the back door, through the vegetable garden, and then through the servant's entrance out the manor perimeter.
With a friendly face in the kitchens, sneaking out was a lot easier. As soon as I was clear of the fence meant to keep me inside, and others out, I was running through the dark, If I could make it to the cliffs, I could follow the curve of the sea to where the portals would be (and have a perfect view point to see the sunrise from). My hooves carried me on, as I made my way through the Terrastella, and as the cliffs came into sight the sun was just beginning to rise. I smile slightly, unable to keep myself from searching the distance, for the area I was looking for - and there I spotted it - the portal. My hooves carried me along the edge of the cliffs, carefully trekking from landscape to landscape, around the edges of the ocean until I reached the path to the portal. I took to it with no hesitation.
It was a sense of adventure I hadn't properly felt in a while.
Not for a few lifetimes yet.
Something new, something unknown.
I passed through the portal with a grin, not hesitating, not bothering to feel fear. The path on the other side did cause me to pause, however. It was dark and small, only a few feet wide, and I could sense a significant danger on either side, keeping you on the path. I didn't bother to go against the magic, not wanting to see what it would be capable of if I did get too close to the edges. So, instead, I kept walking, forward along this unknown path. But what was waiting for me at the end, I didn't expect an eye. All around me were a series of portals. Five in total. I'd overheard the reports given to my parents, about portals in certain locations - and I'd seen the one in the swamp briefly myself. These seemed to be like those. I stood still, tilting my head to one side, wondering which one to take. There were quite a few choices before me after all.
FROM THE MOUTH INSIDE THE MIND
@Faction Notes:: Still figuring out how to play her proper, she's so in-depth, so take pity on me :P Figured she and Faction could figure out which path they wanna take together.
flashing and dancing on the horizon
shades of jade and emerald
Shatter every window 'til it's all blow away
every brick, every board, every slamming door blown away
'til there's nothing left standing, nothing left of yesterday
The fae's wings buzzed nervously at her back.
She'd looked over the land for a while, from one place to another. One plot to another in an attempt to find the absolutely perfect place to get to where she wanted to raise a home. But she kept coming back to this stretch along the edge of Vitreus Lake. The soil was healthy and rich from deposits left on the lakefront by water's movement. The water and debris seemed to enrich the soil, making it the perfect growing medium for any of the plants she had brought back from her homeland. It had truly been ideal for the expansive garden and herb complex she wanted to create for making medicines and poultices. A set of bags - everything the fey steed owned was dropped on the ground, before she allowed herself to stretch out her limbs, rolling her shoulders and fluttering her wings. As she landed lightly on her hooves, she slowly looked around one last time before she began to walk a fairly large square half a dozen feet away from the water's edge. Her hooves were scraped along briefly, creating a rough diagram for her to follow later.
A floor plan was slowly coming together.
It would be a large home, but she wanted to be able to work out of it too, and so she took that into consideration. The main part of her home would serve as a dining, and greet space. She walked an etched side that would serve as a treatment room and a hallway that connected it to the main greeting space. On the other side of the hallway, she etched a room that had two areas marked off as further doorways - the first room being an office space. Off one side was the etched diagram of a second room that would serve as an area for work out of to create poultice and medicines that could be stored away. The other marked-off area was carefully etched into her own living space, where she could sleep and have her own piece. Once the areas were marked out, she rewalked the areas, this time however she stopped every few paces to dig a small hole into the ground where a post would go, these posts allowing her home to be raised up so that if the lake flooded, her home would remain standing, with water going under it rather than around and through it. Once this was done, the little fae took a deep breath before digging through her bags for what she was hoping for - a sharp ax she'd bought earlier that day.
And so she began to look for steady logs she could cut down into proper posts.
Telekinesis came into hand here, allowing her to move the logs quickly, and handle the ax to chisel sharp edges before telekinetically driving each post into the ground, before smaller logs were bound to the top of the posts by twine, shaping the outlines of each room more notably, before following these steps up by creating a small step out of her future home at the back of the hallway, that would later be developed into a proper set of stairs that would go down into the back gardens. In the front, she added a small porch that would allow anyone who came to her home to come up and stand under what will later be a covering on the front porch until they could be let in. Ultimately her home would have a large room for entertaining, and four smaller rooms - one for treatment and patients to stay, her office space, her work space, and a private room for her. Big enough to work and experiment out of it, as well as entertaining when others might come over for a spot of tea and a snack.
Her smile was warm, the vision in her mind starting to come to life.
And so she got to work on the next step, creating a patchwork base for the floors of her home that she would then be able to bind twigs to. The patchwork was created by a lattice of the same thin logs that she'd used to outline each room, roughly half a foot in length for each open square. Once that base was in place, the mare went back out to gather all the twigs, and branches she could find, before beginning to bind them to place on her floor, keeping it fairly tidy, but not needing it perfect as it would just be the base of the floor she'd create by using a clay and water mixture that would later bake in the hot sun of the spring day, a plan for her to spend her day tomorrow if she didn't finish the base of the floor done by tonight. With the floor of the main room done, Caelum fluttered back to her bags, before digging out her lunch, laying down in the warm sand and setting up a tea pot over a small fire she started, and pulling out a small jar of honey, a small loaf of bread, and a covered bowl of fruits. When the kettle began to whistle, she added some herbs to steep, as she nibbled on honey drizzled slices of bread between bites of apples and berries, wondering how long it would actually take for her to properly finish her home in the full glory she hoped to achieve. However long it took, she couldn't deny a small thrill of excitement to finally have a place of her own.
A place of her own, in Denocte, in Novus.
"Speech" Thoughts
Open to Anyone Notes: Time for Caelum to build her house. ANYONE welcome, the more the merrier, help this baby cakes get a house put together <3
