Site Wide Plot little squirrels

At first it seems to be working - the squirrels are both calm and listening, even venturing to scurry a little closer to the equines. They cock their heads and twitch their noses as each knew voice, so animated and expressive it seems that although they might not understand the conversation entirely, they want to.

But that all changes in an instant. Sloane’s tap upon the squirrel’s keratin spines seems to be the igniting force, her hoof a spark to the squirrel’s flame. The keratin ridges stiffen, a ripple of energy coursing down its spine. For a moment it seems as if the rodent will calm itself back down, as if Sloane’s intrusion would be interpreted as nothing more than an annoyance.

But then the creature squeaks, and the flames spark in an instant. They run down the length of its spine, burning hot and hungry. The other squirrel hunkers low to the ground, chattering angrily at his friend. His own spines, thankfully, remain flat.

The squirrel ablaze takes one step backwards, then another, all the while looking from squirrel to horse to god.

Oriens takes a step back himself, giving the creatures their space and nodding for the others to do the same. “It’s okay,” he says softly, his tone low. “We mean you no harm.”

The squirrel not on fire seems to be listening still to the other horses, not quite understanding the words spoken but feeling soothed by their tones and body language. Perhaps the creatures are simply as wary of the horses as the horses are of them?

Same guidelines still apply! In addition:
- You have 7 days, until the end of Sunday, December 9th to get your next replies in! Poke staff if you feel you need more time!

RE: little squirrels - Somnus - 12-09-2018

An eye for an eye and the world goes blind

“Caution, Sloane. Please.”

Knowing that the small squirrels were responsible for the fires and seeing them ignite and catch flame was something else entirely. Watching the energy ripple along each petite, keratin spike was almost mesmerizing, but then the creature seemed to ignite before their very eyes in a similar fashion to how the trees of the forests would catch flame. Suddenly, without much warning, and dangerously.

Verdant eyes peered at the tiny creatures, watching their reactions. The flaming one, alarmed and almost guilty. The other, chittering angrily at its fellow as though speaking of a potential warning. Feeling quite lost as to what to do, or how to remedy the situation, Somnus took in a deep, measured breath before releasing it slowly. Turning his head about to face Oriens, the Dawn King searched his beloved patron’s expression for some kind of guidance, for some kind of sign. He hadn’t a clue what to do or how to help when they could not understand one another with words.

Flicking an ear back in thought, Somnus slowly approached the squirrels but with caution. Ever so slowly, or as slowly as his much larger body could manage, the dunalino folded his legs and let himself kneel down upon the earth, then shifted, landing upon the ground before the squirrels so that he was laying. Legs folded close to his sides, Somnus peered quizzically at the two squirrels, then smiled, adapting to the soft tones he would use whenever soothing Regis on a particularly rough night.

“See now? No harm done. It’s quite alright, I assure you. Now that we’re on more of the same level, let us see… We wish to help you both, dear ones. You’ve no reason to fret with us here, but we cannot have you burning down our forests or else we will all soon be without our beautiful home. Do you understand?”

Once more, he turned his head to briefly glance at the others around them. None of them would harm the squirrels, that much Somnus was certain. Looking back, he smiled softly. “Come, now. Calm your flames, little one. If you are in danger, we can offer you shelter. If you need resources, we can provide. We are one here, beneath Dawn’s beautiful mantle, and your needs are our needs.”

tag:

RE: little squirrels - Sloane - 12-09-2018

Sloane had only meant for her tap to be more of intrigue than anything. She hadn’t meant foe the little squirrel to light up again. She was just curious about them, curious as to why they were starting the fires. But in that moment, she wonders what will happen now that everyone is aware she was the one who started this fire, even if it was unintentional.

The God is the first to really react to her form of greeting. He steps back at first, nodding to them all the do the same. There is a fire of defiance in Sloane’s eyes, one that questions why he wants them to step back. She needs to know why. She fears that if she gives them space, then they will scurry away and perhaps her questions might never be answered.

It was then that the king’s voice is heard above the others, warning her to use cautious. She doesn’t need to take orders from him. She doesn’t know him and he certainly doesn’t know her. Her eyes are still transfixed on the squirrels, watching the flames and studying them.

As Somnus steps forward, she sighs and takes a step back. She’s not done studying them. She thirsts for knowledge and yet, Somnus is interrupting her lesson. But even as she takes two steps back, she watches him and the squirrels. The voice he uses is almost child-like as he tried to soothe the squirrel. Couldn’t they just trample the little shits and be done with it?

She cannot help the way her eyes want to roll in the back of their sockets. She hates hearing that soft voice, the voice a loving parents uses towards their child. Perhaps she hates it because it was never used on her. She was never loved or cared for. She was abandoned and had to learn about like on her own. “While I’m not going to lay on the ground to talk to you…I only want to study you.” She was not nearly as soothing as Somnus, but at least she was refraining from squashing them like little annoying bugs.

RE: little squirrels - Ulric - 12-10-2018

In all honesty, Ulric had absolutely no idea what to do in the situation he had suddenly been thrust into. He had always been a defender of some sort or another, and while he wasn’t some bumbling idiot (though some would argue), he was more accustomed to using brawn over brains to figure things out.

As Somnus carefully treaded closer, the roan watched with mild surprise as his King and best friend suddenly folded his legs and settled on the charred ground beneath them. The voice he used was the very same one he often heard him use when speaking with his children, and although the knew the squirrels couldn’t verbally understand them, he hoped that the shift in body language and the gentle timbre of his voice would read loud and clear that they meant no harm - only to mend whatever it was that had come between them or upset them in the first place.

Rather than speaking up himself in fear of ruining the tender situation entirely, Ulric hung back several yards from Somnus but still stood closer than Sloane did herself, ready to jump in if the need arose.

ooc - Have a soft shitty post D: He’s just floundering

"Speaking."

RE: little squirrels - Eulalie - 12-10-2018

The squirrels reactions were as Eulalie feared, startled by the dark mare's abrupt and brash interaction. Unfortunately the spines on one of the squirrel's back became consumed by flame. The other, thankfully, did not. On Oriens' word, she slowly moved away from the small creatures, giving them the space they needed to calm down. Despite the fear they may have felt, they remained, and the sunshine woman took that to mean their intentions were not completely lost by a language barrier.

"In all the years of schooling I had as a girl, never once did I learn to speak squirrel," she said aloud with a chuckle, her earth brown eyes sparkling in the morning light, "Though it certainly would have come in handy now." As they waited, her breath baited, Somnus eventually moved forward and even settled himself on the ground, speaking in gentle tones. It brought a smile to her face as she recognized it immediately as his warm fatherly voice. She had heard him use it more than once with Regis.

The woman, Sloane as Eulalie now knew her to be called, also attempted a second round with the squirrels. She seemed to try a bit harder to be less... frightening, but Eulalie got the feeling that tenderness was not one of her strong suits. Even poor Ulric seemed at a loss, hanging back so as not to disturb what was happening. A good man and a loyal friend, but he seemed quite floundering in this situation. Eulalie offered him an empathetic smile. Eulalie, too, held her place a few feet from the critters, not wanting to overwhelm them. "We'd like to help you, if we can," was all she said.

"Speaking."

RE: little squirrels - Random Events - 12-12-2018

Somnus’ words - and the chattering of its friend - seemed to have a calming effect on the creature. Slowly, ever so slowly, the flames began to dwindle and die until only a few wisps of smoke remained. The squirrel’s keratin spines still glowed red-hot as the fire faded, but that too would come to pass.

Even if they couldn’t quite understand the Sovereign’s words, his intent seemed clear as day. He wanted to help, and they responded in kind.

Oriens nodded in encouragement to the golden king, following his lead and stepping closer to the pair of creatures as they settled and listened.

“Somnus,” he said quietly, watching as the others interacted with the squirrels.

“Perhaps we can come to a compromise. It would seem our friends here might need a new home… one that is not so easily destroyed, perhaps?”  

His eyes scanned the small gathered company as more and more squirrels began to appear from the trees. They chattered back and forth, jumping from tree to tree, branch to branch, even daring to use the horses’ backs as another step. But Oriens was pleased to note that none had flames flickering from their backs, nor did he sense any agitation from the small creatures. In fact, they seemed more playful than anything else, although some watched the equines with caution.

Oriens shook his head in contemplation, addressing the Court as a whole:

“Does anyone know where we might find them a new home?”   Of course, the god of knowledge and wisdom had an idea, and it was located within their own Court. But it was up to the Sovereign this time - would Somnus still want such dangerous creatures amongst them?

But even left unspoken, one thing was clear: they could not stay here. Too much would be left in danger if they did.

Very last round! The RE will post one last time on December 20th; you have until midnight on the 19th to reply!

 You can exit the thread in this round to complete the thread, or reply once more after the RE.

Poke staff if you feel you would need more time to reply again; otherwise, thank you all for participating!

RE: little squirrels - Somnus - 12-12-2018

Despite everything, it’s still you.

It was with a critical eye that the Dawn King regarded the squirrel, watching as the flames twisted and turned in the air, smoke slowly rising from its petite, flaming spines. Ever so slowly did the flames begin to dwindle, waning like a dying ember until complete extinguishing itself. He watched, transfixed, as the keratin spines remained almost white-hot, and the dunalino took a moment to admire them like he hadn’t before. How resilient they must be to withstand the very heat that they could create.

A golden ear tipped back at Oriens’ approach, and the Sovereign lifted his gaze away from the smoking squirrel to watch the forest around them come alive with movement. So many more squirrels began to emerge; one, then two, then three… Five, ten, so many beginning to wind their way from the forest around them, clearly hesitant but curious. The tension in the air seemed to dwindle and relax as the little creatures became emboldened, going so far as to play and leap upon the backs of the gathered equines. One darted around upon his very spine, and he watched the little tawny creature with a look akin to pride and affection.

Perhaps this would work out after all.

Then, his name from above. Oriens’ words rang clear in his ears and Somnus’ expression grew pinched as he thought. “Majesty?” Gentle but curious, Somnus ever so carefully unfolded his legs from beneath his own person, and cautious not to step on a little squirrel, gradually lifted himself up and to his full height. As the Wise God went on, he hummed thoughtfully with a nod and opened his mouth to speak. “Indeed. I would loathe to see them all homeless and displaced due to something that they could not control, or something that has gotten so out of hand… But I worry, keeping them here.” Turning his head, he regarded the gathered squirrels and their joyful, jubilant ways, how they paired off and darted around the legs of the standing equines. They had not meant to harm the forest, but keeping them close to the capitol, to the Library, would not stand. And, as they were now having burnt down a majority of the forest, the squirrels would be in danger of select predators… But they could not simply abandon them to their own devices. Abruptly, however, something came to the stallion and his verdant eyes lit up with an idea, dark lips twisting up into a somewhat elated smile. “Perhaps there is a place…”

Shifting where he stood, Somnus cleared his throat before speaking up softly. He maintained that gentle, compassionate tone from before, not wanting the little squirrels to think they had changed their minds in regards to the kindness and benevolence they were displaying thus far. ”There are a few islands just off of Delumine’s coastline, and one or two may be connected by a land-bridge. I’ll need to scout the area to be certain. Perhaps we could find suitable accommodations for them there? I would offer my own services to ferry them across should one be just out of reach… But I do not want to simply see these creatures remain without a home. We are not the only ones to have suffered loss in such an accident, it seems.”

As the last of his voice echoed on the breeze, Somnus’ verdant eyes turned to regard the rest of the Court in his company, as well as Oriens. Would they approve? Would they call him foolish? It was difficult to say, but to Somnus, it seemed as fair a compromise as they could achieve with such limited resources. ”Perhaps, even once the forests have recovered, they could return? The islands themselves are still within Delumine proper, and…” Once more directing his gaze towards the gathering squirrels, he chuckled, smiling fondly own at them with a compassionate benevolence. “You, my little friends, will always be Delumine’s children.”

Now that they have proven themselves to not be hostile, Somnus suggests to volunteer and help the squirrels find a new (perhaps temporary?) home on the islands surrounding Delumine. :D

tag:

RE: little squirrels - Sloane - 12-14-2018

Sloane had come here wanting to kill the little fucking squirrels and here they were, trying to compromise with them. She didn’t see how compromise would benefit them in the least bit. Their flames were destroying a perfectly good forest. These creatures were dangerous and needed to be herded far away. However, it seemed that the God and the king wanted to offer them sanctuary. Sloane sighed, this was not going in her favor in the least bit.

Realizing that she was going to be of no help, the mare began to turn to leave the gathering. However, just as she was mid turn, one of the squirrels jumped from the trees and landed squarely on her back. To say it startled the mare was an understatement. Although Sloane had never been one to show her surprise too much, it did illicit a response. Her head flung back, her ears pressed firmly against her skull. The squirrel seemed to understand that she did not want to be touched and was quick to leap from her back and join the rest of the squirrel gathering.

Only once the squirrel had removed himself (or herself?) from its perch upon Sloane’s back did the mare finally relax into a more neutral stance. “Fucking squirrels.” she said to herself. Sloane began to return to the task of walking away when she heard the king begin to share his sort of idea for where the squirrels could be displaced to. An island? Away from the others? Slowly she halted her turn away from the group and began to turn back towards Somnus.

She waits for him to finish speaking before she looks directly at Somnus. For once in her short time here, he has said something that truly peaked her interest. “Perhaps you can show me these islands?” She may not care where the squirrels will be housed, but a private island all to herself does sound tempting.

RE: little squirrels - Ulric - 12-19-2018

At first, Ulric wasn’t sure what to think at Somnus’ proposition of moving the squirrels from Delumine to the islands. To be completely honest, he had never visited any of them despite his constant patrolling (not that he would ever admit to that now), but he supposed it was a good idea. On the off chance the squirrels were startled into their flaming states once more, to have it be on an island would be more controlled, and their own forests would hopefully have an opportunity to regrow with time.

“I can go scout them out,” he offered, knowing he couldn’t do it quite as fast as some others due to his useless wing but up for it nonetheless, “Just in case.”

It was here he turned his head to Sloane, ignoring the tickle of tiny feet scampering across his back as the squirrels descended from the burnt, broken branches of the trees around them. He was still at a loss of how to communicate or even react to them. “Maybe you’d like to assist me, Sloane?”

"Speaking."

RE: little squirrels - Random Events - 12-22-2018

The god’s ears seem to be constantly moving, flicking first to listen to Somnus words, then to listen to the ever-present chattering of the squirrels, then back again to Somnus, or to Ulric, Sloane, any of the others gathered. If one were to watch long enough, it might become apparent that the deity was deep in thought, processing the events of the past few days.

Finally he lifts his head subtly, looking upon the Sovereign of the Dawn Court. A smile hides in the corner of his mouth, his expression almost proud. “I think that is a fine plan,” he said softly, although his words are faint.

“Come then,” he tells them all, Court and squirrels alike. “Let us guide our guests to their home.”

It’s a long way to the islands, but they make it before the day is gone. A land bridge seems to have appeared along the way - a quirk of Oriens lips seems to betray the secret, that the phenomenon is his own work - and the god himself leads the company across it.

In the hustle and bustle, Oriens lowers his head near to Somnus’. “Well done,” he says, so quietly it’s a wonder if Somnus will even hear him, “I believe you can handle it from here.”  

And then the god goes back the way he came from.

Please wrap up your replies by January 5th at the latest, at which time this thread will be archived!
Thanks for the participation guys! Each of you have been given an additional 150 signos, regardless of thread completion.

Edit: Some of you will receive multiple donations, because you're now being given 150 signos per reply to this thread!