He tired so quickly these days -- age was nobody's friend -- and he found himself overwhelmed by the crowds, who had begun to laugh and dance and be far too merry for so early in the day. Even one who enjoyed alcohol as much as himself wanted out. He was yet to see the king, and he thought him rather sanctimonious for not being in the centre of a festival held just for him. Galileo thought the idea that Adonai was, as he had nicknamed him, the sun-kissed king, was quite fitting. The stallion no doubt burned bright in the centre whilst the rest of the universe orbited him.
Still, the alcohol provided at the king's leisure had been nice enough, though it had left an interesting tingle on Galileo's tongue and he had decided to pause before having any more. He had once been told never to mix his drinks or else be subject to a deep drunken state, but alas, Galileo did not pay heed to such advice, and had been sipping on whatever had passed under his nose.
Unlike many, alcohol did not make him open up and become more talkative. If it were even possible, it made him retreat in on himself and brood over events long since past. That is why he now sought his solace, far from the madding crowd.
Standing on top of a parapet of stone, the pillars entwined with forest green ivy, he peered downwards at the desert that swarmed beneath the stronghold. It moved in its own way, with waves like the ocean itself, and it was something else entirely. Merchants carrying their wares arrived in the front gate, parading one after the other.
He allowed the fresh air to wash over him, and relaxed slightly, stretching his legs out in turn to stop them from getting stiff.
"Never allow yourself to get old," he spoke aloud but to nobody in particular, shaking his head as he did so.
Galileo hardly wanted to allow himself to enjoy the festivities, but try as he might, he was intrigued by the characters who had arrived. From the fringe of the capital, he stood like a watchful oak tree, eyeing up those who came and went. He wasn't quite sure what he waited for, but he did so anyway, for the sake of learning, if anything. His short time in the Solterran city had reminded him so much of his early days that it was almost uncanny, and he seemed to not be able to break apart the two memories. There was no doubt that he could look at any one of these faces and pair them with a lord or lady from his childhood, his mind not allowing him a break as it stood at guard.
A bell tolled.
It was a simple, singular clang, all that was needed for the throngs to pay attention. However, they seemed to know something he didn't, and move away from the courtyard they had mingled in towards pale cream tents. They all knew their place. Curiosity got the better of him, and he followed a short distance behind, head lowered so he seemed less threatening with his impressive rack of antlers. Light, billowing fabric like the skirts of a queen created a perfect atmosphere; they were translucent enough to let light in, but thick enough to hide away the guests (and their antics) inside. Around the tent, sun-themed decorations were hung. Golden paper streamers lined the pine that was holding the tent up. Young colts and fillies eagerly painted themselves in chromatic paint.
Most surprisingly of all, those who were participating seemed content. He had never seen such honest, true faces at an event like this. Every royal that had sat pretty on the throne of his own country had been worse than the last, but these sons and daughters of Solterra rejoiced... Rejoiced as though they had known terror and heartache for too long. Galileo did not know the histories of these lands, but he could feel the cold memories lingering beneath them as they built something new on top.
A drink -- that was what he needed (as ever). It was a lot for a man who had spent so long away from company.
He finds one, being passed out by a server. The vial itself is decadent, made with such craftsmanship. Inside, a copper coloured liquid, thick like syrup, sits awaiting to be drunk. Though a little unsure at first, he finds the first touch of alcohol to his lips is refreshing and spiced, much like rum. To be sure of the taste, he downs another in quick succession, ignoring those around him as he get his fill of something he has dearly missed.
I don't care what they're going to say, let the storm rage on the cold never bothered me anyway
Bel felt the wounds stretch with every movement, a pull of torn flesh that had been ravenged so recently. The criss crossing of bandages made from braided grass however was a sharp reminder that this wasn't the ocean, and it was okay to get hurt here. It was okay to have to get treatment. But each glance at the wound on her far back limb was a sharp reminder of being too slow. Moving too slow. Not being powerful enough. Not be able to protect herself. Painful stabs through her heart that she had to trust Yuki to keep her safe. Sure the serpent had more experience in attacking, and Bel's interactions were limited to swimming away from sharks and playing chicken with octupi, but she really should have been able to do more. Protect herself more. "I'm pathetic." The word was bitterly cast, causing Yuki to clack her icicles together in protest.
Bel managed a faint smile, looking at her bonded, feeling the affection sent through their bond, "Okay, maybe bad choice of words. But I am unexperienced. This could have gone so much worse with out you there, Yuki. My leg will heal with no issues beyond new scars, but this is a significant issue to add to my list of things I need to work on. I want to make my people of the past proud. To bring Treaders back to what we were supposed to be. Warriors of the ice and waves. How can I do that when I can't even protect myself from that land-shark with fur!" She sighed softly, head dropping faintly, "I froze up when you attacked. Like a guppy caught in a shark's gaze! That moment of weakness got me wounded! It's a miracle that Denovian was there to aid me after it was over."
She didn't want to have to need a medic on hand though. She wanted to be able to protect herself. How could she hope to keep her sister safe from now own if she couldn't help herself. She moved slowly through the fields, hoping to make it to the swamp before having to take another break, knowing the water would help her as it normally did in calming her thoughts. But each step was painful, muscles pulling torn flesh, even beneath the soothing poultice and bandages, the careful work done to try and keep her in one piece. She had a feeling that spunky medic, Lu, would have her scales on a necklace if she made herself worse. Sighing she paused for a moment, lifting the affected limb and ignoring the faint scent of blood that still hoovered from the wound. The weight and pressure being removed helped, but it was a reminder she still had a way to go to get to the quiet safety of the swamp she tended to sleep in, beneath the murky waters. So far no one had seen her in this pitiful state at least . . . Something she hoped would remain the same. She knew there were still those who saw her as another version of a Kelpie, a Hippocampus. Forget the fact she had legs and lungs as well as the tail and gills. The fins could be a death sentence to those who don't recognize her. A part of her often wondered what the reaction would be if they knew she was alien too. Would that make it better? Worse? What if they knew she had sharp fangs beneath the normal ones, a mouth that opened wide like any other oceanic predator, because she ate fish while swimming under the waters? Would those who react negatively like that use this wound as a reason to chase her out? Terrastella was home at this point, but still so few of the equine here knew her. They knew of her surely, but knew her?
She might wanna fix that when she's feeling better too, right after she makes herself stronger, more capable of course . . . Her to-do list seemed to be ever increasing these days. But at the very top was the reminder to heal before she could do much more. And with a painful twinge as she started to walk again, she wondered just how long that might take.
"Bel" Yukime
@Rhone and Zombie Notes::Here ya go <3
Dawn. It is a time of morning that Katniss enjoys more than anything. Each morning, she begins her day with a patrol of the boarders, watching as the sun finally blankets Denocte in light. There’s something calming and soothing about watching the sun peak up over the peaks of the mountains and reflect off the water in the lake. It’s soothing to watch the court finally come alive. Katniss has always enjoyed being one of the first to greet the new day and she doesn’t think that will ever change.
But on this particular morning, after her patrols are completed, she makes her way into the citadel. She needs to speak with her new Sovereign. She has so many ideas that no one else seems to take to heart. The soldier knows Denocte needs protection and she wants so badly to offer that. Her hope and dream has always been to be a leader for Denocte. Maybe not as their sovereign, but certainly as their Champion of Battle. She wants to prepare Denocte should anything come array. She can remember when the food stores were sent ablaze. There had been no militia, no soldiers to protect the citizens or their food. It had been chaos and Katniss wants nothing more than to change that.
However, Katniss realizes that before she can go to her new king for his blessing on the matter, she needs to greet him as an individual. He needs to see that she is honest and true, that she is a good citizen of Denocte. How can she expect him to trust her on these matters if he does not know her? And in the same breath, how can she trust him if she doesn’t really know who he is?
And so, this beautiful dawn, Katniss heads towards the citadel where she might have an audience with Ira. She listens to the steady clip clop of her feet against cobblestone streets and it brings her comfort. As she comes to the entrance, she looks to her left, a spot of soot and burned stone that serve as a constant reminder of her loss. It is the place where she sent Metaphor to live amongst the stars. She cannot stand there long and stare, for it will no doubt bring tears to her eyes. She only offers a silent sigh and a look of grief before she turns back forward and steps into the fortress.
She is met with guards, guards that she has trained personally. They know who she is, but as they were trained, they need to know her business. “I come seeking an audience with Ira.” They look to one another for a moment before they slowly part and let her by. They know her and trust that she will not harm the new Sovereign. She silently thanks them with a simple nod before she steps into the citadel in the hopes of meeting with Ira on this very blessed Monday morning.
Pol smiled softly to herself as she danced through the prairie grasses. It was peaceful, the stalks of grass similar to the waves of the water. She snorted as the blades caressed her pelt, each like a tickling finger across her pale underbelly. Her vapors were trailing, keeping the four year old alien mare cool in the warm sunlight as she moved.
She was still finding herself in her work, still trying to make a place for herself in the world around her. It was odd to find herself in the same world as her sister once again, though at the same time it was a relief. She was not the odd Treader in the world. Though, perhaps she was still the odd one out since she wanted nothing more than to be a medic worth the name.
Pol wanted to be the best that she could be. The reason behind her drive was chaotic in nature, though honest. She wanted to pay homage to the wonderful healer that had saved her life as a pup, as well as to prove that Treaders didnt need to be abandoned at the mere wound that could be healed. The memory of the pain caused by that way of thinking was a pang in her heart that never seemed to heal fully. It bothered her that their way of thinking could destroy families and their own future if not careful.
Lifting her head, she gazed out over the summer grasses, dual lavender eyes scanning the world around her for any sign of life. Anyone to talk to... Anyone that could help teach her to be better.
"Speaking"
@Luvena Notes: Forewarning... I suck at starters XD
Parties embodied the things he hated most about his fellow equines. The frivolous frills of the decorations that lined the excessively large halls, the masks everyone hid behind (both figuratively and literally), and the cajoling of kings and queens. It was disgusting, that's what it was. Maybe once he would have tolerated it all, but now, he looked straight through it like a sheet of glass.
When he had seen the invite to attend this so-called festival, he had cast the invitation and party out of his mind with a bellowing laugh. Gone were the days where he would bow to those who had not earned the right to be bowed to. And so that was that, his mind was made up, his legs returned him home to his beloved, protective canyons. But there was something, something he couldn't quite shake. Something about who he was in his very soul that murmured in his ears.
Adonai. Adonai. Adonai.
The name resounded in his head, agonizingly so. The longing to serve once again never left a warrior, no -- it coursed in their blood till the day they took their very last breath.
He had paced, backwards and forwards, running over the decision in his head. Fighting was all he had, all he had ever had. But it had been so long... would he be fierce enough? Or would they laugh at him shouting old man! You are too old for these silly tricks!
With a low rumble, more for his own acknowledgement then that of Adonai, he spoke to the sun. "Alright, king. I shall be your champion."
And so he had left, trekking to the Solterran city in search of this party.
The hustle and bustle of the city was unforgiving to the claustrophobic stallion, and he found himself constantly on edge as he tried to move through the crowds. Such a celebration he had seen many times in his life, as royals had come and gone like the ebb and flow of the tide. They were always so... disposable. He longed to see a ruler who belonged to the throne, whose place was at the top of the food chain. Syrilth of course came to mind. A queen of true warrior disposition, and someone who had had Galileo's respect for every day since.
A wooden sign pointed him in the right direction, and he found himself among knights of all shapes and sizes. It was strange to be among his own again, and he shifted awkwardly from one hoof to another at the fringe of the mob. Awaiting his turn to enter the ring, Galileo prepared himself like he always did before any battle -- by shutting himself off from the world.
Galileo may enter the ring!
The herald announced his coming, and the world went silent around him. Tunnel vision to the entrance allowed him to focus on only the task in hand: to win, and prove himself to this sun-kissed king.
She hadn't felt such a sense of purpose in many years, not since leading Crucis after the fire. It sent a thrill through her, to be pursuing something so important once again, to have a goal ahead to strive for, and she relished in it. She had forgotten that side of herself, the one that was quietly ambitious, the sliver of royal drive that had never left even though some weren't sure she had been born with it to begin with. The champion trials had awoken it once more.
She had never been to the barracks before, where all the young soldiers slept, but she sought the champion of battle herself, and though there could be no better place to look for such a woman. She'd seen glimpses of the woman here and there, but they had never formally met. She had left Yara and Mithra behind, so they could go out and hunt for themselves. It was strange to walk through the soldiers, getting strange looks here and there. Whether it was because she looked like a skeletal ghost, or because it was a stranger she wasn't sure, but she assumed it was the former.
From what Luvena could tell from listening around the courts there were no plans for medics if battle, or gods forbid war, were to break out with another court. No dispatch regulations, no procedures for who to treat first, nothing. That had to change if denocte were ever to have a fighting chance, especially as the smallest court in Novus. And she had seen Solterra now too, they were not kind, and she feared what would happen if one day they decided Denocte no longer deserved a place here.
Finally she spotted the tall woman, a fighter if she had ever seen one. "Katniss" she called out softly. "If you have a moment, I'd like to steal some of your time to talk"
I don't care what they're going to say, let the storm rage on the cold never bothered me anyway
Oooh-ooooooooohhhhhhhhh The call had the mare pause, unfamiliar with the sound, as her finned ear flicks towards it, eyes blinking, before they searched the land around her for the source of the noise. Her primary eyes scouted the majority of the area around her, the secondary, back pair attempting to get a clear view of behind her, turning her head slightly to check her own blind spots. The call sounded again, this time deeper, lower, harmonized between the first, and a second creature. Bel's heart started to quicken, uncertain by what it was. Her tail whisked through the air, before started to head deeper into the Plain, away from what ever that sound was.
The call came again, closer and to her right. Her eyes spun in that direction, and atop her back, her bonded sat up straight, determined, worried, Caution, Treader? I fear something is stalking us, and I'm not as powerful on my own when we're not in the water. And you have no fighting experience. Bel scoffed softly, even as she smiled back at her bonded, "Relax, Yuki-love. I'll be fine! I've outswam a Kraken! I've headed off a hammerhead. I'll be okay. But . . . just in case, let's avoid the area." She offered, and started to trot off again, before a sudden growl halted her, as a large, thick furred creature stepped out in front of her. Bel froze for a moment, even as Yuki straightened up and screeched back, ice crystals crackling angrily, Bel took a step back as sharp fangs flashed in this creature's muzzle, and she silently heard Yuki's plea for her to run whispered through their bond. Bel nodded, spinning to take off, only for another creature to block her path, snapping at her ankles.
A shriek left the mare's muzzle, the sound a high pitch mix between a whale's cry and a dolphin's screech of warning. She spun away from the two hungry creatures, dodging a second lunge from the newest beast. Leaping over it's back, Bel took off, unaware she was being herded by the two creatures, even as Yukime tried to warn her through the bond. It was when the first got too close that Yukime abandoned her perch, launching at the creature with fangs wide open, and claws extended, the ice surrounding her collar and head seeming to sharpen natural as she attacked to drive the creature off. It would be mistake as Bel froze to call her back, and in that moment, the second creature lunged, catching Bel's back leg and hip, claws ripping through skin and the blubber underneath.
A second cry left Bel, as she herself whipped her head around, her jaw opening wider than normal (an action usually limited to hunting for fish in the depths) as razor sharp teeth, curved back, caught into the neck and back of her attacker. The creature yelped in response as Bel ripped it off from her, using her tail to smack it away with the flat of her fluke. Her leg screamed however, buckling and forcing her to stand on three limbs as blood dripped down the ivory and cyan fur. The first creature was now running away, whimpering as it escaped a frenzied serpent, and Yuki turned towards Bel, her eyes going wide at the injury before clacking her icycles angrily at the returning wolf still hoping for an easy meal. Bel whinnied, the sound a little higher than normal, a little more stressed as she primed her tail for another whack if need be. Yukime had other plans however, as the serpent twisted her body, pushing off with her forearms and leaping at the creature who smelled of her bond's blood. Teeth and claws met teeth and claws as two predators rolled and fought for control, and the moment that Yukime rolled the wolf close enough, Bel let out a shriek to warn her bonded away (an action instantly obeyed, and her tail slammed down with all the power the thick appendage had for diving and swimming through the depths and currents. A snap was heard before the wolf yelped and ran, limping after it's already escaping partner.
Bel turned to Yukime, stepping towards her bonded, only for her leg to give out under her, almost sending her to the ground, she only just barely was able to keep her feet beneath her. BEL! Her bonded's voice over their connection had Bel offering a reassuring smile, even as she laid down at her bonded's urging, wincing as the serpent touched the ravenged flesh, inspecting the deep claw marks on her legs, her hip. Bel winced faintly, looking at the wound and offering a faint smile, "Well, at least I'm not with the pod anymore. I'm pretty sure this would be a serious enough injury for banishment." She commented with grim humor in the situation, silently cursing her complete lack of knowledge for any healing, even as the vapors from her spine lowered in temperature, soothing cold water vapors easing the pain as the water molecules settled on her pelt to hydrate her, as well as beginning to slowly wash the blood away, leaving tiny streams of red-tinted water criss crossing over her limb, helping Bel see the wind a little better, and grimacing. "Be honest Yukime, how bad does it look?" The bonded was nudging the flesh, sniffing it slowly, before serpentine tongue helped to lick the blood away, grimacing at the taste of her bonded, You won't lose the leg, but it will take time to heal . . . but we need to find you a healer . . . . Don't give me that look Treader. You could easily find yourself in dangerous waters with a wound like that . . . . But for now, rest. Perhaps rest will give you the strength to return to Terrastella. Later, we need to work on your defense, though. I turn my back for a few moments, and you're down for the count. Your time on earth has clearly weakened you Treaders. Bel made a face at the serpent, before dropping her head to her limb, eyes narrowed at the wound, "Fine, a little rest. But not too much. It'll get better if I use it. You either walk off the wound . . . or you're no longer useful." She could almost hear the heartless tone Ice Shard used when he told her those very words about her own sister, but it's hard to ignore the way you're raised . . . and Bel had been raised in that environment for a lot of years.
"Bel" Yukime
@Luvena Notes:: Let's do this! Time for some character development for Bel, and healing practice for Lu
Earn exclusive IC prizes for participation in the Day Court's Festival of the Sun!
☼
sun coin
A bronze coin minted with a twelve-ray sun on both sides. Valueless as currency, yet leave the coin in a jug of water overnight and come morning, the jug’s water will have turned into wine.
How to Earn:
In a thread for the Festival's Noon Feast, write your character trying a sun cake!
Post a redemption form in this thread. The item will be sent to your account ASAP.
☼
stone lion fragment
A fragment broken off of the stone lion. Smaller than a foal’s hoof, and seems to be made out of limestone—yet it is indestructible and lightly phosphorescent. Carrying it into battle infuses you with courage, giving you 1 extra attack.
Post a redemption form in this thread. The item will be sent to your account ASAP.
☼
solonia wreath
A wreath made of crimson rosa sancta awarded to the victor of a Solonia tournament. Considered a symbol of high status in Old Solterra. This wreath is rumored to have been blessed by Solis: wear it in the Mors, and the flowers will deepen into indigo if a sandwyrm is within 50 feet of you.
How to Earn:
Win a Solonia battle! (The wreath will be awarded by Adonai in a short IC post.)
Post a redemption form in this thread. The item will be sent to your account ASAP.
☼
signos rewards
If you successfully complete a Solonia tournament (all 6 rounds) within the Festival's timeframe*, you may redeem 150 signos as part of the "pot"!
If you successfully complete any Festival of the Sun thread (except for the Solonia tournament, see above) (4 posts minimum & a closer) within the Festival's timeframe*, you may redeem 80 signos per thread!
* As a reminder, the Festival will run until the end of Year 506 Fall.
☼
redemption form
Code:
<b>Item/reward you wish to redeem:</b>
<b>Character the prize/signos will go to:</b> tag your character's account
<b>Link to proof:</b>
Posted by: Jane - 01-23-2021, 07:33 AM - Forum: The Day Court
- No Replies
jane
Jane wasn’t exactly a stranger to festivities. She had had them back home, had days to honour her own sovereign. But when the phoenix had landed on the market stall and released its message, Jane was quickly aware that this was nothing alike. This would not be a day of simple lowered responsibility and mildly good food- no, this was a festival. A festival of the sun, blazing with the day. She had been in the market when the phoenix set itself down; had seen the traces of ash that it had left beneath its feet. It was a hauntingly beautiful but still very real thing; feathers sparking and spluttering like far off stars.
This felt like a chance. For nearly a month, she had been living with her relatives, and attempts to make friends were met with very limited success. There were two fillies that had let her into their circle, two chatty high society girls. They were exactly the type of friends that Jane had been aiming to make when she had come here. They were the type of friends she had had back home; Marilyn and Cosiris. They had spent hours in the shade of trees. It had been in their company that she had first met the colt that had changed everything. Ruined everything, really.
But in only a few days, these new friends had turned against her and thrown her out in the way that young, hormonal fillies can oft do. It was colt drama that Jane hadn’t really paid attention to. She didn’t know the name or even what he looked like, but the one chestnut had told her to choose a friend, and too many seconds had passed to hide the fact that Jane didn’t belong to either of them. She didn’t belong to anyone.
Her only true friend was Sebastien, and he was in Denocte now. Days could pass without Jane saying a word to anyone her own age. Although the first days in the Solterran home to her aunt had filled her with the sustenance she had missed, she was shocked by the amount of emptiness that faced her in this land. She felt nothing towards the sun on her flank, naught but a faint, sad appreciation for architecture that could have been as removed as from a painting.
The new sovereign was called Adonai. That meant ‘God’ in some languages, and the idea of him being her ruler chafed at her consciousness. It wasn’t as though she rejected him, but the fact was that she still belonged in heart and soul to a nation far away. She could feel it still in her blood. She had been a Lady in Waiting, had dressed her majesty in the finest clothes, had learned by following her from place to place. Now Jane filled her days with nothing but the most idle nothing. She had no direction, no purpose and although she tried to deny it she wasn’t a child anymore. She was not Solterran either, not yet.
But the words of the king rang in her head. I do not ask for your love, Solterra. I resolve to earn it. Jane thought about it now as the festival blazed into life. She had been made to dress in what could essentially be called ‘peasant chic’, in beige clothes that did nothing to accentuate her appearance or her status. There would be lords and ladies who served the food of this feast, and she would help with drinks and desserts.
Summer burned her. She had had enough time for some definition to come back to her body, although not entirely.
Jane had imagined the parties of her youth. She had imagined drink and a quiet, muted joy at the only times that alcohol was ever allowed past her lips.
But this… this was something else, she soon learned. Everything here had a meaning behind it, a meaning she couldn’t penetrate but a meaning nonetheless. The first she had eaten was a Sun Cake, and it was… nothing like home. Honey stuck to her tongue. She had never tasted it before in this form, and it flowed down her throat like waves from the sea. Jane nearly got drunk on it.
On the other side of the court, Jane caught the vision of a mare, not too much older than herself. Before she knew what she was doing, however, Jane crossed the courtyard and found herself before this woman with a platter of drinks. She herself had indulged in one of the pale gold cocktails when no one was looking, and she found herself compelled without a filter. “Hello, ma’am,” Jane said, “I’m Jane.”
