and sooty eyes

The fire rages on through the night and into the next day, charring sections of the forest black. Just when one side seems all but put out, another dozen small fires mysteriously start in another corner of the forest.

There is seemingly no pattern, nor source; the fires start randomly as if from thin air, making it impossible to prevent them or make any gains. They steadily grow bigger, spreading slowly but surely towards the forest’s edge.

But you are back in the capitol, reassured by the distance the meadows put between you and the fire. Even here, the sky grows dark with smoke, and flames can be seen jumping on the horizon.

It hasn’t broken through the forest yet, and there’s a whole long meadow separating capitol from treeline, but you are determined to be prepared. A team of citizens has begun organizing, handing out flyers and leading discussions on what to do in case of an evacuation.

Someone lights a torch, and it casts feeble light over the darkened earth, and the conversation continues uninhibited.

You take a sip from the wineskin being passed amongst the gathered horses feel it warm your belly. Everyone is working together, helping their neighbors gather their belongings, organizing rations, healing the wounded.

You set yourself to work, collecting your personal items and arranging them neatly for when the time comes. But soon enough you find yourself with time to spare, and notice a few others struggling to get themselves in order.

Perhaps they could use a hand?

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RE: darkened skies - Regis - 08-20-2018

"I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable, I am an original."

Sickness continued to cling to him, unrelenting, unyielding. As the days grew colder and colder, Regis had found himself spending incrementally more time in the confines of the citadel where there was more protection from the bone-chilling winds and the snow that oftentimes accompanied it. He had been out in it, once, but unlike his sister and so many others, he lacked the strength and even will to go romping about in it as some may expect a boy of his age to do.

It wasn’t long into the wintry season that things seemed to take a peculiar turn. Regis didn’t understand the gravity of the situation, not really – there was a fire somewhere in the forest surrounding their home, and his father and many other familiar faces had been absent for far too long, and that was the most upsetting to the scrawny dun colt.

“Momma?” His meek voice spilled out as he sidled up beside the pale form of his mother, flush up against her as his motley, dull eyes surveyed those who had taken refuge within the citadel, whether for a short time before returning to their duty of tending the fire or simply relishing their time before they had to leave. A possibility that Regis wasn’t even aware of yet.

Tilting his head back, he looked briefly up to Eulalie and then back at the group that had gathered to share in one another’s warms, pass drinks around, and grab a bite to eat. There was a mixture of expressions on display, each proving distressing the longer he took them in. “Why are some people crying?” The question was an innocent one, thick with genuine concern for the citizens of Delumine who were clearly distressed. “An’ where’s papa? Do they miss him, too?”

Open to anyone! @Eulalie @Anemone If you guys wanna jump in! :3
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aimless | odeen

RE: darkened skies - Eulalie - 09-04-2018

Our hearts call us by name

Eulalie had been one of the first to welcome the fearful and the weary into the citadel. It had been easier than she expected to keep the twins from running around, but she suspected even they could feel the gravity of this situation. The sunshine and ivory woman feared, however, that Regis' condition would only worsen with the smoke in the air. Winter had hardly begun and already she could see how weak he had come. Her heart ached to see his illness hold him back, and yet he was still so strong in many other ways. Every day her son inspired her.

When the young boy stepped up to her side, Eulalie's eyes softened in only the way a parent's could when looking at their child. "Yes, my love?" she said when his inquiry began. He was so astute for being so young, and she leaned down to gently nuzzle her nose against his cheek. "Oh, my sweet boy," she began, holding in the sigh that tightened her chest, "They are sad because the fire could take away their homes. But your papa is out there doing a very brave thing with Uncle Ulric. They and the others are trying to stop it from reaching us here."

There was a hushed sort of uneasiness blanketing the large room. Indeed, some cried and Eulalie hurt for them. Others were silent, some dutifully making rounds. All, she thought, were probably uncertain, waiting for news on whether they would be safe within the court walls or not. Somnus and Ulric would return along with the others, either with news that the fire would not spread, or with a warning that they needed to evacuate as soon as possible. Some had already gone, in fear, and she had directed them to the sea; told them to stay near the water.

Eulalie did not want to abandon her home of course, but she would do whatever was necessary to keep her family safe, even if it meant leaving.

@~~Regis~~ <3