|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2013 1:34 pm
 Tonestue was not an idiot--at least, she never thought of herself as such. Retinadeath had told her ever since they met that she had adopted the arcturus mare because she liked her. That Retinadeath had seen her alone, crying in the woods, and her heart had gone out to the lonely little filly, abandoned by her birth family to die in the wilderness, and that she had been so moved by Tonestue's plight that she'd brought the filly under her wing to raise as her own daughter. Tonestue had no reason to doubt that--she had no reason to doubt any of that. She was secure and confident that the Death General had been telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Well, maybe not the whole truth--Retinadeath was not the motherly type. She simply wasn't. She had more children than anyone else Tonestue knew (twelve biological children!) but not all of them had survived, had they? Retinadeath had let her eldest daughter go wandering off with Feral to play hide-and-seek one day, and the girl had never returned, and there had been no action to find her.
And yet, Retinadeath had been very careful to be loving and caring towards Tonestue. She'd always tried to be more motherly, more caring, more understanding. And the reason for that had been very clear once, not long after, she had three more children: she expected Tonestue to be the nanny for her children. All of them. Part of Tonestue cursed her every day for that as she waded through a sea of energetic children all clamoring for her attention. Retinadeath had done everything for Tonestue, sacrificed time and effort to raise someone not her own child, had instilled her with instincts of motherliness, kindness, patience, and fortitude, and it was so that the lyra could expend her energy on death and maiming rather than caring for brats, not all of whom she liked. Sneaky, underhanded, manipulative--and the part of Tonestue that was Shadow herd through-and-through admired her for it. Clever! Well-played! And it had the advantage that she'd made Tonestue actually enjoy her job. It had its rewards--watching the children grow up, watching them become successful, nursing them, caring for them. But it also left her terribly lonely--no one else in the Shadow herd did this. No one else did things selflessly and without worry of repercussion. No one else had a task devoted solely to charitable works for the good of the herd.
Until now. Now, there was a new mare in the herd, an arcturus, and supposedly a distant relative of Blod (probably on the queen's father's side--the new mare had Avantasia's white eyes), and according to rumor, she was here to raise Belenus's children so that the prince could continue his machinations for the throne. Clever. Tonestue had a feeling that this new stranger could either be a close ally or a fierce rival. She intended to find that out. Someday, Tonestue intended to have real power in the herd, independent of her mother--she wanted to be a Chaos Duchess. For that, she would need allies. Friends. Support. More importantly, she needed a complete and total lack of opposition. With that in mind, and with the brightly-colored Cataracta on her heels, she went looking for the other mare.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:02 am
 It was quiet. Too quiet. The Arcturus sighed, a faint smile playing at her lips, before she turned around just in time to see Melitta was at it again. Her smile turned into an amused smirk and the mare slowly crept up on the child who was, admittedly, seemingly innocent. Akane knew what this meant, though, and she was no fool. This little girl was clever, yes, but she was horrible at hiding things and the tell tale movement of her jaw, while slow and calculating, was rather mechanical. "Drop it." The command startled the child who turned, her own pale white eyes wide with shock. "Drerp whut?" Came the muffled reply as the foal tried desperately to hide whatever it was she was chewing on. Akane repressed a laugh and lowered her head to be level with Melitta's. "I said drop it. Now. You don't even know where it's been. What if your hooves turn to jelly from it? Or your wings might wither away," That turned out to be the magic phrase and the foal furiously spat out whatever it was that had been in her mouth. The strange uniform lump it was now rendered it unidentifiable and Akane's nose wrinkled. Mel nervously flicked her wings, testing them to make sure they weren't breaking before she looked up at Akane with doe eyes. "But I'm hungry," she whined, stomping her hoof. "Grass," came the unfazed reply. "BUT-" Mel started before a sharp glance from Akane made her pipe down. The foal sighed, knowing she had been beat, and dropped her head to the ground to pick at a patch by her front hooves. Akane smiled and rolled her eyes before the sound of hooves caught her attention and she looked away, briefly, to see who it was. Gods only knew what Mel would put in her mouth if she thought she could get away with it. Akane's ear flicked back in curiosity at...what was her name again...Tonestue? Maybe? She was not the best with names. Few stuck in her head since she had arrived at the Shadow and Belenus was not exactly forth coming with introductions. He introduced her to the necessary stars and then dragged Helias away for training. Still, Akane was not opposed to meeting the rest. Her old herd had been rather social if not cut off from the world and she found herself rather lonely of late with no one but Belenus' children to keep her company. As the mare approached, she offered her a smile. What she did know about her was that she belong to Retinadeath and that alone meant that Akane should be...respectful. Not that she wouldn't otherwise. "Good afternoon," she called out in a friendly tone, "What brings you to this neck of the woods?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 9:46 pm
Pretty much everyone in the Shadow Herd was some type of jerk or other. It made interaction a chore, trying to wade through people and figure out which ones would kill her if she got them angry and which ones would stab her in the back. At the best of times, it was a fun puzzle; at other times, well, again, a chore. To be honest, Tonestue had been nervous about meeting the other arcturus. She had been worried that the other nanny would consider her a threat to her job or her position, a rival. And while that was certainly still a possibility, Tonestue found herself relaxing at the other mare's smile. Now, what was her name...? They hadn't been introduced. Belenus wasn't exactly the sort of stallion who was particularly bothered with introductions. (That was the royal family for you.)
"Good afternoon!" she replied in a cheery voice. "I was just coming out here to meet you, actually. I don't think we've been introduced, I'm Tonestue. I hear you're new around here, what's your name?" She hoped that the other mare would respond favorably. If she got offended, well...there was no way she was going to stand around here. Not least because she had Cataracta around, and she had a bad feeling that letting the little lyra near the prince's daughter was a distinctly bad idea. But if she was friendly, then she might have, at least, found someone to commiserate with.Cataracta watched the other filly. She had no idea what her name was, and really, who cared? She trotted towards her only to be stopped by a deft sweep of Tonestue's tail. She looked up at her sister's pink eyes. They were locked on the other mare's white ones, but she knew better than to get Tonestue angry at her. There were some lines even she wasn't willing to cross.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:00 am
Wait...Someone was introducing themselves? Of their own volition? And they weren't angry about it? Akane found herself genuinely surprised. The Shadow herd had been...more extreme than home. While her old herd was not known for their pleasantries, they were not as outright malicious, vicious, and scheming as those who resided here. The people she had tried to introduce herself left her with icy glares at best and at worst...Well they didn't matter, did they? If they were to cross a line, Belenus would have had their head. Who else would watch his babies for him without posing some sort of threat? That was why Belenus had even agreed to bring her to the herd at all. She wasn't looking for a seat of power. She was just looking for adventure. The pleasant response she received left the mare hopeful and her smile brightened a bit in response. This was the most normal interaction she had had since joining the shadow herd and it was absolutely refreshing...So far. Hopefully she didn't turn out to be like Belenus. Her cousin could be quite friendly when it suited him but once he got what he wanted, he barely took notice of you. "Ah, my name is Akane," she responded, bowing her head in a respectful greeting, "I've only been here a short time, yes, but I haven't had very many...introductions yet," she paused, quirking an eyebrow. One had to be careful how they phrased things here. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tonestue. And who might that be?" she added, nodding her head towards the curious lyra beside her. Meanwhile, Melitta looked up with curiosity, excited by the presence of a new filly to play with, but her father had warned her not to be overly social unless she was sure it was safe and Akane would definitely yell at her if she ran over. Instead, she settled for making silly faces where she thought was behind her nanny's back. This lead to her being gently swatted by Akane's tail. ...How did she know?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:31 pm
Oh, a pleasant response! Tonestue felt her smile increasing. It warmed her heart, it really did. That smile on the other mare's face was wonderful to see, too. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Akane. I'd be happy to give you some introductions--I've been living here for almost my entire life. I know almost everyone in the herd." Silently, she added, and I doubt any of them would be rude to me. Being the daughter of someone's boss had its perks. There might be some perks associated with being Belenus's cousin and nanny for his children, but Belenus...well, royalty with a lower rank than the queen were less highly-ranking. They didn't have much power--Blod didn't want them getting a base of power more powerful than her own. She knew for a fact that Retinadeath had more power than Akane's patron, but she was also fairly certain that she herself might have more power--if not politically, then at least socially. She'd raised several members of this herd, and many of them would find themself earning a vicious smackdown if she tattled.
Tonestue didn't want to use her power against Akane--at least, not yet. If there was any reason in the future why they should be feuding, then she wouldn't hesitate to wield power against the red mare. But if it was possible to live at peace with each other, to even be friends, she would much rather that path. Easier, more pleasant, with all sorts of perks associated with it.
"This is Cataracta," she said. "Death General Retinadeath's daughter from her latest batch of children. I'm taking care of my latest siblings," she added. "Would this be...Melitta?" That name sounded vaguely familiar to her. She decided to try it out.Cat didn't miss the other filly's faces and made a few of her own right back. She also didn't miss the other mare's tail reaching out to chastise the filly. Huh. Guess the other arcturus was just like her sister. They certainly had that calm air about them. So Cat nodded to Tonestue, rolled her eyes, then tilted her head at the arion, as if to say, "Babysitters, right?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:37 pm
"Melitta, yes, and it's a pleasure to meet you too, Cataracta," Akane responded with a smile, turning her gaze towards the filly just in time to see her nodding her head back at Cataracta. The children were communicating. This could either make for a fun play date or a hellish adventure in which Melitta finally realized she could hide from her baby sitter for a short period of time until the shape changing became too difficult to maintain. Akane anticipated and dreaded the day. Perhaps she could instill enough respect for her into the girl that she wouldn't want to pull those sorts of tricks...Perhaps the girl could be reasoned with. Already she had a spark of something a little to much like her father... Right. Tonestue. She could ponder her fate later. "Oh, that would be lovely. It would be nice to be introduced by someone other than my cousin. Belenus speaks to frankly for them to be able to get a good impression of me. Guilty by association," she responded with a playful smile. The only herdmate she had no fear speaking freely of was probably Belenus. Though in truth she was fond of him and his ambitions, there was a certain humor in making fun of the prince. He was all too full of himself and he made it so easy. Plus, he would never lash out at her. He needed her. He did not trust anyone with any prior ties and influences in the herd with his children. "What a lovely little mare," she mentioned, doting on Cataracta. She could see the spark in her eye though. She was a trouble maker just like Melitta. "It sounds as if you've been doing this baby sitting thing for quite some time. Perhaps I could learn a thing or two, get even better at keeping my eyes on this one," Akane laughed and nudged the filly next to her. Meanwhile, Melitta had nodded in response to Cataracta only to scowl at the thought of an even tighter watch on her. Lovely. Now how would she eat bugs? "Can we play now?" the black and yellow baby whined, bored with the formalities. Her hooves shifted under her in anticipation but she dare not move until she was released officially. The last time she had tried, Akane sat on her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 3:34 pm
Hey, Cataracta knew an opening when she saw it! And openings were made to be used and, if possible, abused. Any star who didn't understand that deserved a constant watch over them for the rest of their lives. But Cataracta? Ha, not so much. "We won't leave herd territory, Tony," she added. She opened her eyes as wide as they could go. Instead of concentrating her effort on Tonestue, though, she tried Akane. Tonestue knew her too well to be tricked. No, Cataracta would rather try the rookie first than risk being exposed for the troublemaker she was to the red mare.Yeah, Cataracta was up to something. Hence why she was concentrating her efforts on Akane. She looked to her new friend. "I think we can let them play. Just stay within shouting range," she added to her little sister, "and if we call your names, come the first time. I know there's nothing wrong with your hearing."
To Akane, she said, "Yes, Belenus has a bit of a reputation here. So do I, but I suppose I tend to be more diplomatic. I would be happy to introduce you to the rest of the herd sometime when our charges are perhaps a little less restless." Foals had to play, and to socialize. It would be good for them. But foals could also get out of hand and interrupt grown-ups to no end. Best to find a quiet moment, or, failing that, be able to have enough children around that they would entertain themselves. "Unless you would like introductions now....?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 4:35 pm
Akane looked down into Cataracta's doe eyes and squinted, pursing her lips. She didn't trust that look for a second. Still, the red filly was not her charge and she looked to Tonestue for the final word on Retinadeath's daughter. It was her called. Akane had no problem with Melitta playing. In fact, she would welcome the quiet for a while. The babies were always fighting or screaming. It would be nice. "And no bugs, Melitta," she added pointedly, "I'll know if you've had any so if you like being able to play, you will behave" here her tone took on something cold and harsh akin to Belenus' usual gruff tone and Melitta's ear twitched at that. She hated the dad voice. --- Freed, Melitta looked to her. "What do you wanna play?" she asked, her tone edged with a tight politeness that Akane did not buy for a second. Most of all, she was just itching to be out from under her nanny's watchful eye. --- Akane turned her attention back to Tonestue and smirked at mention of Belenus' reputation. He had his good moments and a lot of bad moments. He was an interesting character to say the least. "Oh, no, later is fine. I'd rather not wander too far from those two," she motioned her head toward the fillies, "I already know I'm going to have to sit on her," she replied offhandedly as her eyes lingered on Melitta. "I would appreciate that, though. I get stared at so much as it is that it's all I can do not to scream back at them, give them something worth staring at," she grinned, shaking her head. "Say...this is going to seem like an odd question, but you're Hypophosphatasia's sister, right?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 11:09 am
Ohohoho, bugs, eh?! That sounded like a wonderful idea! Cataracta kept her tiny orange wings held in close to her body to make herself look younger and more innocent. "We won't go far, we promise," she said. She turned to Melitta, stuck out a wing to the other filly's side, and led her a little way away. "So, bugs?" she murmured quietly. "Isn't that like, cannibalism or something for arions? Which ones are the tastiest? How do you catch them? Can you show me how to?"Okay, that right there, the warning against bugs? That made Tonestue a little nervous. Misgivings were starting to worm their way in about letting the kids play. But...they were children. They needed interaction with each other. Especially considering Belenus's habit of keeping his potential heirs out of the way of the rest of the herd. That couldn't be healthy for the foals. They needed interaction with their peers. Even if those peers were Retinadeath's terrors. "I'd rather not stray away from them either."
The tone of Akane's voice sounded casual, but asking about any member of Tony's family in particular could sound a big suspicious. Tonestue shrugged. "Yes. I helped raise Hypophosphotasia. Why do you ask?" She turned to the other mare. "He hasn't been giving you any trouble, has he?" If he had, she would have to take him aside and give him a piece of her mind...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 4:34 pm
Melitta put on her best innocent face to match Cataracta's body language before she trotted away with her new companion, eager to get out of ear shot so they could really start talking. Her new companion certainly wasted no time at all! "Grubs and beetles!" she whispered in response to the most exciting question. Still, the arion paused for a moment, considering Cataracta's question on cannibalism. Her white, blank eyes rolled backwards toward her own butterfly wings before she contemplated a solid answer. "Nah, only if I eat a butterfly!" she decided on the spot. She certainly wasn't part beetle. Yuck. "You just flip over heavy rocks or leaf piles. They hide there and they never see it coming...watch!" With a final glance over her shoulder at her guardian, she darted behind a tree and began working at a decently sized rock, pushing it over with her nuzzle to reveal a fat grub worm writhing beneath. "Score!" --- Akane glanced away from Tonestue more for her own benefit than anything else. She doubted the other mare would be able to spot her pale irises or their shifting. Most couldn't. Oh, why had she gone and asked about him? Now she was nervous. And Tonestue had helped raise him. Of course she had helped raise him. Who else would have? Certainly not the Death General herself. "Oh, no, he hasn't been any trouble at all," Akane responded, keeping her nervousness out of her tone of voice. She was not willing to show how flustered this question made her. "It is just, well. I think I would very much like to meet him," she stated after a moment's pause. Akane was not a particularly shy mare but that stallion was something handsome.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:24 pm
Cataracta alternated between watching her new playmate turn over the rock and keeping an eye on their respective babysitters. Tonestue looked annoyed and Akane looked flustered, but the important thing was that they both looked distracted. Score, indeed! Cat looked down at the squirming grub and looked back up at Melitta. "Aw, look, it's so cute!" Quick as a flash, she darted her head down and snatched it up. She crunched its body between her teeth. Um...interesting...flavor...it was a sort of, not quite salty, not quite sweet, but kind of in the middle? A bit like the smell of smoke or fish, but not really. Squishy and gross on the inside, with a tough membrane on the outside that refused to give. Chewy. Got stuck in her teeth. In other words, absolutely worth it. She licked the strange flavor off of her teeth. "That. Was. AMAZING. Let's find another one!" She started digging in the dirt with her hoof.Those eyes, passed down from distant Avantasia's line, were impossible to read. The way the mare turned her head not to make eye contact (such as it was), and the way her sentences ended prematurely, were not so difficult to read. In fact, they were embarrassingly obvious. Tonestue considered her younger brother. She'd raised him, not because their mother hadn't liked him (as in the case of her favorite brother, Cranium) but because her mother simply didn't have time. Retinadeath had only ever raised three of her children--Feral had been raised by his father, the green filly had been lost as a foal, and most of the rest had been raised by Tony herself. The only reason Ambrosia, Calypso, and herself had been raised by Retinadeath was because she had time, in the first two cases, and because it was an investment on the second. She did remember being dragged to work a lot, though.
Hypophosphotasia, oh, he wasn't bad. And Tonestue had taken a shine to Akane. Yes, she could allow this. She smiled at the other mare. "It would be my pleasure! Would you like to meet him now? Or should we keep an eye on the little ones and make sure--OI, COME BACK OUT FROM BEHIND THAT TREE."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
