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 Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:45 pm
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Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:32 pm
The dark, indigo kalona Warlock picked his way through his territory, pawing at the slushy half-frozen section of the swamp. He was in a foul mood, although that was not an uncommon situation. He did not.... Trust well... particularly mares. Disnia was one of the very few that he had invested an inkling of that sentiment, and that certainly did not stretch to the flecked mare, Santiel.
Certainly... she was more worthy than her easily spooked mother. He had had high hopes once for Amirynth. But not only had she betrayed him, but she had fallen short of his expectations. And yet, with the angeni blood even more watered down in her progeny, the young mare had shown more promise... and acquiring her at such a young age, she had proven to be much more malleable.
He had spent well over a season with her, teaching her the dark arts. Herbs and rituals. The way to please Kalona. But it was not out of altruism. Oh no. For warlock, this was a long game. There were secrets that Santiel's dam's herd knew that he longed for. Knowledge.
Power.
And in taking this filly not only did he have a minion, someone who he had made CERTAIN that he had imbued a sense of debt into, but he also had an in. They practiced different magics - "shamanic" they called it. And Warlock wanted to add that to his ever-growing repetoire.
His tail swished behind him as he uncovered what he was looking for. A bulbous root of a particular species. An ingredient in one of the many potions.
She would be back soon. She needed to be. He had drilled into her that she only had a limited time of three months before she would begin to grow ill without him. And beyond that... her debt was still unpaid until she delivered this valuable information to him. He had made a very real threat about giving aid to her parents' herds enemies if they did not uphold their end of the bargain. And if she could not do this one task he demanded of her... well... there was angeni blood in her veins. He WOULD get her back... and she could serve him better as a worthy sacrifice to Kalona. Surely the mocking god would reward him well for such a heart. Despite the time he had invested into the young mare, how he had gotten to know her, he would not flinch to turn nurturing into murder.
Disnia wove her way through the trees with a feline grace as she followed the deep hoofprints left by her lover through the swamps. He was always easy to track - his heavy build and large hooves left deep impressions. They even shone with a vague glow for a short time after his passing... he was so brimming with vile power. It set her to shivering. A tongue darted between her lips as she caught his scent - she was close now and it always gave her a rush of excitement to be in his presence. Her master, her lover, and her quarry all in one.
He thought he knew her - in and out - her whole story, but the kalona mare still kept many secrets from her dark lord. She still did not care for this plan of his. It was an awful lot of investment of not only time, but hard-earned secrets of power into this mare that did not even share his bloodline. She was all for experimentation, for the subjugation of that weak little flutter's kin, but he had been down this road before with failed investments. Was some mud-digging half-baked hedge woman's idea of "magic" really worth it all? She doubted that there was even true magic in their practices, but Warlock would hear none of it. He was focused - hungered for new secrets.... and admittedly, that is what made Disnia admire the stallion so much... what had even swayed her to truly be on his side.
Disnia had hoped that the stupid mare wouldn't return. That they could wreak their vengeance on her and her family - that would have brought a smile to the wicked lips of the she-devil. But no... she was heading towards warlock with... other news. Her familiar, the clever bat,had been sent to keep an eye on her from time to time. It had stayed out of sight, and mostly skirted the edge of their land. But Imp had brought news back that Santiel was on her way back. Pity.
She was tired of her. Done with her. But she would not disobey a direct command from her master. Not over something as stupid as this at least. It wasn't worth it. At least some of THEIR foals participated with the lessons and learned something, though it turned Disnia's stomach that many seemed distracted and uninterested in the true ways of Power. Dareth and Hesevere were more interested in heading out most evenings on the pursuits of young stallions. At least Drusevere had learned a thing or two.
She sidled up to Warlock's side, smiling wickedly as she saw the component he had found to a rather insidious poison. "Prepare yourself, my lord... your little lady is on her way back." She couldn't keep the sneer from her lips.
Warlock's eyes flashed with intensity as he lifted his head and smiled towards his pet. "Excellent. Thank you for this news, Disnia."
Warlock felt a rekindled sense of purpose. He had been growing impatient and irritated, but now.... if she were back, then she was bringing back secrets. That or ... well... he could find other solutions if not.
Meanwhile, Dareth was actually the closest one to the edge of the territory. He had been up all night... and what a night it had been. He and his twin brother, Hesevere had gone out carrousing and had a hell of a time. It always was when he was out with his brother. It was almost invariably more exciting than when he was by himself. They would dare each other, one-up each other, and generally make the entire night a rucous competition.
He and his brother had parted ways in that fuzzy time between late late night and early, early morning.
So now, he was swaggering back towards home, smelling of fermented fruit and mare, a wide, lazy smile on his fanged face.
It was much better, Dareth thought to himself, since he wasn't stuck playing babysitter any more for that little slip of a mare. Granted... she had started to grow... and wasn't terrible to look at any more. But he still had to keep an eye on her.
Which wasn't so bad any more. But with her gone, he could go out, stay out as late as he wanted, and not risk having someone irritated at him.
It wasn't like she was going anywhere on her own, either. Warlock had put the fear of Kalona in her. It was quite entertaining actually.
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Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 8:45 am
Santiel's hooves felt leaded, yet her her head seemed filled with fog and cloud, she didn't feel in tune with her body and it seemed as though all that was keeping her spirit within it's capsule was the leaded sensation in her hooves; hooves which carried her towards a fate to which she didn't want to own. Her thoughts reflected on the last moments with Irlina and her mother, Rynn has given her two necklaces much like her own, Santiel was actually quietly pleased with them, she had always admired them on her mother, and bracelets for both her forelegs, again much like her mothers. Rynn had said little to her the whole time she was back at 'home' and Santiel herself had mixed feelings on how to respond to her mothers actions of present and past. However when Rynn had lent in to place the necklaces over Santiel's head the scent of her mother reminded of her of a time before Warlock had entered the families lives, and of a bond she felt she was slowly losing with someone who had once meant so much to her. She wanted to say something to Rynn but remained quiet, much like Rynn herself. Irlina however talked enough for the three of them, her bravado about capturing her sister, keeping her here and fighting Warlock when he ultimately would come to claim his 'payment' seemed naive to Santiel, she simply nuzzled her sister and told her to look after their mother and turned and left, leaving Irlina's protesting claims behind her.
The land ahead was beginning to change, the trees seem darker and more twisted, the land gradient became more severe and she began to climb upwards, the air was moist and dampening. She could smell a scent she didn't recognise, not to this land away, it was almost the same as when apples fell to the ground in autumn, bruised and brown, slowly beginning to break down and rot, a sickly sweet and not terribly nice scent.
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Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 7:17 pm
Dareth had just paused to quench his thirst, knocking a hole in the ice with a hoof, when he heard crunching in the underbrush. He lifted his head, snorting, eyes scanning for the cause of the sound. He was near the edge of the territory. It was unlikely that it was one of his family members this early in the morning. And ... "guests" were unusual. Only foolish soquili - or ones who didn't know the power of the demons that lived here - entered this land. He had had a long night, but if something... entertaining was going to cross his path... well... he wasn't going to turn down an oportunity.
With a smug smile, he went to go discover who it was head-on.
And as he drew closer and saw the familiar freckled fur, the smile just grew broader, and took on a more sinister bent.
It had been months since he had last seen little Santiel... had she been so grown the last time?
"Look who's back..." Dareth rumbled, his tail swishing. "I wasn't sure if I'd seen the last of you.. or if you were going to enjoy your taste of freedom too much and father's magic was going to cripple you."
His eyes lingered obviously over the curve of her neck.
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Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2014 3:25 pm
There was an eerie quiet at this time of day, though she couldn’t quite say that it was unusual to have a similar atmosphere most of the time in this land but right now, in these early hours, it was almost palatable. A screeching crack echoed through her ears, the sound of breaking ice, she looked about her but couldn’t visually see where it was coming from, twisting in a slightly panicked manner she looked either side of herself backing up all the while, though not knowing what was behind her she broke several small branches and the noise bounced around her. She cringed inwardly, knowing what ‘creatures’ called this place home, finally coming back to their fold wasn’t something she could avoid but neither was it something she was looking forward too.
Only a few heartbeats later her location had been discovered, as Dareth came into her view, as he neared closer the smell of rotten apples grew stronger and it made Santiel sick, which didn’t really help at all as the fear of seeing Dareth was usually enough to turn her stomach alone. Her ‘minder’ had always made it plain to her that he despised the fact he had to keep an eye on her and though Santiel feared Warlock to her very core, she feared Dareth for different reasons; he was far more unpredictable, a devil may care sort of attitude and that worried Santiel, it wasn’t as though she could even brace herself for the blow. He closed in on her, his tail swishing, she was defended by the tormenting sound until that familiar voice rumbled from his throat.
’Your father’s magic, how long would it take before I knew if he was skilled or not? There was no set time for my return and I am still well… I return for other reasons than simply being cursed, hexed, poisoned or whatever evil runs through or around me now…’ Words spoken boldly, her fathers character in her shining at that moment, or perhaps she’d spent far to much time with Malis and forgotten herself. She looked at Dareth, her eyes dancing around his face, to the pink framed purple eyes and then she remembered herself. She shivered and immediately stared at the ground, her wings quivering like they always had done as a foal.
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:46 am
Ire swiftly rankled the frequently indifferent stallion as, in a flash, he went from creepily leering to snapping his fangs near Santiel's nose. HIs eyes flashed and he tossed his mane in a display of dominance. Whether or not Dareth cared for his father's plans, he would not have his, and therefore his own, influence challenged or bear a temper of disobedience in the mare.
"Watch your tongue, filly." He rebuffed, a snarl on his lips. "I do not know if he did not give you a time frame or if ou are merely too daft to retain information, but do not question my father's power. Perhaps you were away from our herd too long... your mind has been poisoned by that insufferable herd." His ears lay flat and slowly, he lifted his head away from her, but still loomed decidedly in her personal space.
"I do not know why father thinks that anything they could have taught you would be useful to him. But that business is between you and he. If you truly demand a show of his power.. I am certain that he would be all too pleased to demonstrate." He grinned with sharp teeth bared.
But now,looking the mare over much closer, his eyes fell to the necklaces and bands around her forelegs and the leering smirk reappeared on the stallion's face. "Brought back some trinkets... for me, perhaps? I didn't think you cared." He chuckled darkly.
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Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 1:45 pm
Meanwhile, further back in the swamps, Disnia and Warlock continued their conversation.
Disnia did not bother to mask her look of distaste. She had learned over the years by his side that his schemes generally panned out, and to trust him. However, these projects with this family line... she shook her head. "Imp has brought to us other news as well, my lord," She purred, sliding alongside him.
"There have been new arrivals in the land. Imp has whispered words to me of the arrival of more of our kind - mighty Kalona. I do not know if the Dark One has a purpose for them - if they were sent to the region for a reason, or if they are merely in the migration."
She continued, disregarding the frown on Warlock's face, "And the land has been parched outside the swamps. Small fires have sprung up recently, and there is a threat of consuming wildfilres.
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Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 4:01 pm
Warlock frowned as his listened. He hoped that these kalona did not interfere with his work. His research. He was a dedicated servant to Kalona, but ultimately in service of his own betterment. More knowledge, more power. He had learned a great deal following the teachings of the Raven Mocker. He had offered up sacrifices. But he harbored no great love to most others of his kind. HE did not care if they had the right combination of horns, wings, or whatever else. He wasn't exactly a pureblood himself. But he certainly had the spirit of a kalona. He had run across other kalona who had looked down at him merely because his tail wasn't "good" enough. Such racial bigots Warlock had no respect for. He had seen enough meek hearted Kalona to know that bloodlines didn't matter. They were he ones that infuriated him the most. It was like they had won the lottery and didn't know what to do with the prize.
So this news was not received with much enthusiasm by Warlock. He grunted, a frown tugging at his mouth. At best, it would have no effect. But they could easily interfere with his own plans, or be the sorts of damn bigots that didn't see him as "pure enough" to be outright confrontational. "Wonderful." He grumbled. He much, much preferred his own company or just a few close ones that he trusted.
The fires... Warlock took it in stride. In the swampy territory, it probably wasn't a thread, but it would shake things up. "It shouldn't have much effect on us. Hopefull either bit of news."
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Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 4:08 pm
Disnia rolled her shoulders. She felt no great love for her kind as a whole, either. Most of them didn't understand the obligation that came with being Kalona for some like her. Even if pure, they were watered down by being in this land for too long - too many generations, and in a way, she envied that and their blissfulness. No wonder the had gone soft.
She looked up to Warlock, "Well... there are certain sorts of ingredients that a raging wildfire can create... certain roots, certain compontents that require such a wild blaze. Just as sometimes you must gather a plant during a certain phase of the moon, there are some rare ingredients that can only be taken after a wildfire that has claimed lives. It is not the same if you just brin the roots. This will be a prime opportunity to gather them - it is not every year that ou see fires like it sounds like there may be.
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Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 4:17 pm
Warlock rumbled an ascent as he nodded. "Good. Then there is some good of these events," He commented.
Something to look forward to - new potions and concoctions, rituals they could try with these rarely-avialable ingredients.
That, and of course, whatever information their little mole had brought home to him. She had better, or he might have found his first subject for the new ritual available with the fire-blighted ingredients.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:17 pm
Dareth's eyes traced a little further up Santiel's legs. My...how she HAD grown. It was strange, seeing her again. She wasn't the insufferable little filly any longer, but had blossomed into a full mare. And... well, maybe she wasn't the MOST lovely one he had encountered... as Dareth did enjoy the company of mares... but he could certainly make do. Maybe having her back among the herd wouldn't be such an irritating prospect after all...
Junglerunner Just wanted to get a bit more RP in with Dareth before the end of the month. Didn't add anything that would call for a reaction, so just some internal stuff. Sabin diclaimer: Sabin thinks Santiel is /gorgeous/ but Dareth is a smug little b*****d who's watched her grow up
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