In the wake of the Great Drought and the Fire that followed, the skies opened and the rains fell, dousing the last smoldering remains of many village structures.
But that was not all the water did. Where there were once stands of brush that would break apart a rush of water, now there was nothing. Some of those still-standing but ruined teepees were swept away in the flash floods that followed. Some of those who survived the burn found themselves too weak or slow to outrun the sudden deluge.
The water flowed away as quickly as it rolled through, further separating families and forcing them to find one another again. Survivors gathered together and tended one another's wounds. Ceremories were held to mourn the fallen and to summon the courage to carry on without those who had fallen or been lost to unknown destinations along the way.
Some reunions were joyous. Others tempered by tears.
These two must have been knocked on the head by branches swirling through the water or by thumping into something while they struggled out of the flood. Somehow they were separated and lost as they wandered through the lands, until...
YOU come in!
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 2:39 pm
This is a team contest.
Partner with one (1) other person, and tell us the story of how this mare and stallion were separated, what they remember about one another, and how they plan to go on as the village is rebuilt.
Both teammates will win one of the pair.
If you have already won a Soquili in the event, you may not participate.
These Soquili will count as the event freebie for both parties.
Rules
Please follow all ToS and Soquili rules. Read ALL rules BEFORE playing. No mules (Less than 1000 posts). Please be polite. Do not beg or harass the judges (Syaoran-Puu and Samuel Carlin). Asking to win will simply ensure you are disqualified. You may edit your entry up until the contest closes. If you do so, however, please make a note at the top of your entry in red telling us what you've edited. Otherwise, we may not re-read your entry or might miss something important. Do not discourage anyone from entering. It doesn't matter if your skills aren't the best it's the effort and the trying that counts. No proxies allowed due to the nature of the game. We want to see what you and your writing partner can do. Try and be as creative as you can, but remember the most important rule: Have fun! Winning here counts as the event freebie for both parties. You may co-own your pet, but it counts as the freebie for all owners, so if someone has already won a Soquili in this event, they may not co-own with you. Do not enter if you do not wish to win these pets. More rules may be added if necessary.
[b]How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.[/b]
[size=24][b][color=indigo]....and then they found each other again![/color][/b][/size] [size=9][i]Write a small in character reply between the pair when they finally find each other again. What happens? How do they feel? Have things changed? How? Let your imagination flow free![/i][/size]
Username: Novablu Character name: Brishen (Gypsy for “born during a rainstorm”) Temper: Misguided Personality:A quiet but outlandish drifter by nature, Brishen has an air of danger about him, an intensity that can sometimes make others in his herd nervous. He seems to thrum with a sharp sort of energy and he does have a temper, but time has given him the chance to put a harness on his anger.
He was never one to grow close to others; he was orphaned as a foal, his mother slaughtered by a hunter and her last moments were of panic and fear. The loss of such a requisite in life made him pull a wall around him, and that only furthered by growing up alone. He was a reckless, tempestuous colt that grew into an even more reckless stallion who had flings with pretty mares, but never allowed them to get close.
It was an accident to end up with two daughters--definitely not a ‘love at first sight’ thing. He resisted change, resisted family. He wasn’t a great dad…but he never left them. Even though his wayward nature begged him to leave the herd and run free again. But, in time, that gentle mare Nuri wore down the walls around his heart and he was falling in love.
But it was too little, too late.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.
The wind whipped through his hair, dragging invisible fingers through the rain-damp tangles, hooves coated with slickened mud as he squished further into the too-soft earth. Fool. What a damn fool he’d been. Brishen pinned his ears, nostrils flared, but try as he might to scent out his family, his mate, the only smells he caught were sloughed ash and old smoke and rain, rain, rain. Like the sky would never stop crying for those the flood had claimed. Those lives, however simple or complex they were, had been precious. He pressed his eyes shut, fighting back the sudden onslaught of burning tears, fighting back the urge to fall to his knees and bellow his rage, his pain…his guilt.
He’d lost them. Just when he was falling for that beautiful copper mare and her gentle, dreamy smile…she was ripped from him. Those walls so carefully structured around his heart after so long, the walls she’d worn down to touch his heart, they ached. They cried for her. His Nuri… He’d found her body, limp and sodden and had she died alone?
And their daughters. His daughters, mares who never asked for such a crappy father, who only ever wanted his love and support. Their names literally meant “love” and “hope” and he’d given them the cold shoulder. They were gone now too. Dead as well?
The first sob tore up his throat, quite possibly the first sob he’d uttered since he was a foal, since he found his mother dead and bloody, her eyes lifeless and horror-filled, and then…he’d been alone, so alone. Brishen bowed his head and his knees buckled, dropping him into the mud, but the pain was a welcome reprieve from the guilt, from the gnawing ache.
They were gone, right when he needed them most.
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: .Tortured. .Pumpkin. Character name: Nadezhda - Russian for "hope." In Romani culture, it is Nadya, which will be her nickname. Temper: Forgiving Personality:The result of a supposed-to-be one night stand, Nadya is the youngest child in her small family. She is opinionated, headstrong, and has no problem with blunt honesty, though she tries to skirt around it if she feels it may hurt someone. Like her father, she's somewhat reckless in the sense of her lifestyle. Impulse drives most of her actions as opposed to careful planning. It was her mother, though, who instilled Nadya's morals.
Growing up, Nuri taught Nadya and Lyuba to love and forgive. This was no small task, considering their father's behaviors. He had his sweet moments, but many of her memories of him are angry and mean. However, with her mother's guidance, she learned to accept him and to love him through his temper fits.
Nadezhda was greatly influenced by her sister. Lyuba was sweet and thoughtful; she would never raise her voice or get upset with anyone, no matter how hurtful their words or actions had been. She was patient and kind, and Nadya admired her for those qualities, but she also saw how they could be exploited. For this reason, Nadya felt the need to protect her and to keep her nearby. They were extremely close, both as foals and as young adults.
This girl loves easily, and is fairly naive when it comes to stallions. She believes in love at first sight and that there is some good in everyone, at least a little. The way she saw it, there had to be. There had to be some love in everyone's hearts, even Brishen's.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.
Bright eyes fluttered open in the dreary afternoon. The smell of burned wood was overwhelming, and yet it was horribly wet. Her ears rang and her eyes remained at a squint as they adjusted to the light. Her head pounded and she let out a groan before looking around. Not far from her, her beloved sister laid quietly. "Lyuba," she moaned. "Lyuba, wake up, something's happened." There was no response. Struggling to her feet, Nadezhda winced. Everything hurt. "Lyuba, get up. We have to find Mom."
After a few more moments of silence, the mare's breaths shortened. "Lyuba." Her voice became more stern. More urgent. "Ly, I'm not joking, get up." Nadya's eyes began to water as she walked closer. "Ly, this isn't funny." She nosed at the still mare, who was half-buried in mud. This time her voice was very soft. "Lyuba?" She shook as she stared at the mare, unable to breathe. Her chest became tight and her heart raced. Suddenly everything was becoming very real. Her sister's brown eyes stared straight ahead, unmoving and cold. Her head had several gashes in it, and her pale face was stained red.
Unable to control herself, Nadya fled in the other direction. Her soot and mud-caked pelt dripped as her agile legs carried her as fast as they could through the forest. Everything was numb. Everything but her chest - it was well aware of the tragedy the mare had just witnessed, and it ached immensely.
....and then they found each other again!
Write a small in character reply between the pair when they finally find each other again. What happens? How do they feel? Have things changed? How? Let your imagination flow free!
His tears dried up at the sound of hoofbeats drawing closer and his ears flicked forwards, listening, his body suddenly tense. Would it be just another stranger--or dare he hope to see Lyuba running in his direction. Or Nadya? God… The idea of living without them now tore at him. He took in a short breath and the scent of flowers, faint but there, touched his heart, which began to thunder. He staggered to his feet, covered in mud, his knees scraped and bleeding. He knew that scent! “Nadya!” he shouted, voice hoarse from crying, surging forwards. God, please, if you have any mercy at all… “Nadezhda!”
Although she thought a familiar voice would be comforting, Nadya's heart sank at the sound of her father. Her feet stopped moving, but she continued to slide forward in the muddy ground. For a moment, she composed herself, getting ready to give him the horrible news. "Father... Ly..." She was unable to speak. Her voice seized and her breath became panicked. He would blame her, and she knew it. He would never forgive her. This was her fault. Lyuba was the good daughter, the keeper. It should be Lyuba standing here, not her. Her head rushing, she began to sob.
A cry caught in his throat, strangled as he slid forwards to greet her, pressing his head against his daughter’s forehead even as his body trembled, from emotion and exhaustion. “God, Nadya. My Nadya…” How would he even--how could he tell her that her own mother was dead--when in reality, she’d probably wish he was the one dead instead. He pressed his eyes shut. He deserved it. “I’m so glad you’re safe. I-I thought I’d lost you. I’m sorry…I’m a sorry excuse for a parent, and a foolish stallion.” His voice was roughened, weathered, but gentler than it had ever been in his life. His heart tightened. “Nadya…your mother…” He winced, pinning his ears in anguish. “She’s gone. I’m sorry. I don’t blame you if you want me to leave.”
The mare didn't know how to react to her father's welcome. He had never been like this before. After she told him of Lyuba, he'd surely again become the angry, hurtful stallion he'd always been. She nuzzled into him for a moment as her mind enveloped his words. Nadya's heart sank and she involuntarily pushed all of the air from her lungs after hearing of her mother. Her legs began to shake and she pushed back against him, using him to steady her weight. "Daddy," she whispered, her tears running onto his face which had become tightly molded to hers. "Ly's gone, too." Her breaths became sobs as she opened her eyes to look at him. "I tried to wake her, but she wouldn't get up. She just wouldn't." The trembles in her legs shuddered throughout her entire body now, waiting for the repercussions. She had failed Lyuba, and she had failed him. Ly and her mother were gone. And now she would be alone.
He knew… Somehow, as Nadya appeared to him, tearful and alone, he knew Lyuba was gone. The thought made him sick--that his daughter, so innocent and pure, a mare that didn’t deserve such a grisly ending, she was gone and his heart was hallowed. His tears began to fall, hot and blurring to mingle with Nadya’s own tears. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, taking in a shaky breath. “I--you were close, I know. This hurts, it all hurts…” He spun away, striking out a hoof at the ground, but it was anger at himself. His green eyes met his daughter’s and he looked tired, so tired. “It’s not your fault, Nadezhda. Don’t take that on,” he said, shaking his head. “This is no one’s fault. An accident, a horrible tragedy. “ He went quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say, how to make his past wrongs right. “I was going to ask your mother to lifemate me,” he said softly, brokenly. “I don’t want to lose you, Nadya.”
As her father's words fell hard on her heart, Nadya broke free from him and nearly fell. She looked into his eyes with sadness and regret, as if she were suddenly realizing something. "Daddy..." The mare looked down to a wet, soiled mane and bloody legs. "Daddy, it should've been us." Her heart broke as she said it, but she felt it to be true. "They never did anything wrong. We were the bad ones. We were the ones who were hard to deal with. Not them. They never did anything wrong. They didn't deserve this. They should be here, not us." Her throat hurt and her jaw trembled. "It's just us now... What do we do?"
A tremble worked through him at her words. “Don’t say that…” But…was she right? In a way, he couldn’t help but agree with her and it hurt. Gently, he nuzzled her, brushed damp bangs away from her face so he could look into eyes so much like his. “There’s nothing else we can do except learn from this. And grow. Nuri and Lyuba, they’d want us to move on. To be happy. We have to do that, for them. Okay? It’s just you and me now and we gotta stick together.” He took a step back, motioning for her to follow. “I’ll make it up to you, somehow. Everything I’ve done…or haven’t done. We can make this right--that’s what your mother would’ve wanted. I love you.”
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:48 am
Lost a lady. Where can she be?
Username: Insane Butterfly Character name: Mackenzie Temper: Soothing Personality: Mack is a very laid back individual, neutral to a fault and can melt tension faster than the sun melts ice. His deep, rumbling voice can be a balm to agitated ears. He seems to be able to do just the right thing, be the exact shoulder you need, and calm the waves. Mackenzie....sings. His voice is low, soft, melodic and known to put others in an almost trance-- Just by listening. It’s not purposeful, but he's often found himself with an audience when he travels and passes the time this way. He adores his sister, loves her for who she is, though his talents come in handy, he appreciates his sister for who she is. Bronwyn is her own soul, he accepts it, loves her for it, loves the fiery whirl wind, and the soft stillness that she is when he's around. She's all he has and though she has her moments, he wouldn't trade her for the world.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. All thought of his calm was washed away. Pure panic set in as he struggled to stay above water; calling out to his beloved sister. Mack saw her go under. Frustration, an unfamiliar feeling for the usually placid stallion surged, when he struggled to get to her and failed. Also, just as foreign was the desperation that came when his calls were drowned out by the water flooding his lungs. Where was it written that they couldn't have each other? That their happy had to be first tried with draught, then when no sight of rain could be seen, fire raged. Would there be no end to their suffering? They had only each other...and now? What did he have?
The strain of struggling found him losing the battle with the raging liquid. The rain swirled about him, whipping him in a dizzying array of directions before his head slammed painfully into the nearing rocks. Stars burst behind his eyes, nausea rolled over him, then blackness.
When Mack started to come to, he was met with the unpleasantness of a pounding headache and the slosh of water lapping around him. When he slowly opened his eyes he found his front half was lying in a muddy river bank while the rest of him was submerged in the now calmly moving river. It was some time later when he allowed himself to get up and seek shelter. Mack’s head was still pounding, and he was disoriented. The only thing on his aching mind was getting dry, and getting safely in touch with Bronwyn.
Looking back on it now, he couldn't tell you where he had fallen asleep, just that he had awoken in the early hours when the memories of his sisters figure disappearing under the water flashed through his dreams. He had to look for her. Mack had to know if she was alright.
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: Swirly Character name: Bronwyn Temper: Strident Personality:
Bronwyn's temper boils close to the surface, she is always on edge. A never ending storm roils through this mare on a regular. With all that rage and passion, you would think that Bronwyn would grow tired of always having her dander up, but that isn’t the case at all. The drama, the attention, the yelling, and fussing feed her soul and keep her feeling vibrant and sassy. She isn't one to be messed with; she'll tell you how it is, won't put it to you nicely, and likes to watch the world burn.
It seems though, the only one who can cool her jets and get her to be “normal”, is her brother. When they’re together, she is a completely different mare. Calm, relaxed, and at peace is she. It’s a complete turnaround. Mac is the Yin to her Yang, while he might be his own person, there’s just something about him that made the water go still, even if the current beneath still moved swiftly in Bronwyn.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. Bronwyn was at first, terrified as any soquili would have been. Unable to breathe in the swirling water that dragged her so far and choking on soot that blackened her coat and clogged her nose, she had been sure she was going to die in those earth cleansing waters. Terrified, because for once she was up against an uncontrollable force, one she couldn't win against. Then, as she was Bronwyn and so was her soul bound to be she got mad. Horribly, horribly mad. How dare this fire and flood try to take from her what she held so near and dear to her heart. Her nostrils flared wildly and she kicked frantically in the water as if to rise up and scream her rage at the Gods for being so cruel. Of course, her energy could only go so far and when she blacked out into unconsciousness from lack of oxygen, she was grateful, fleetingly, for her oblivion.
After waking up, gasping for air that only brought up sooty water and left Bronwyn with a wet rattle in her chest, she realized her surroundings had changed drastically. She wasn't sure where she was, but she knew she was much farther from home than she cared to be. Here, you could smell the fire, but she was in the presence of full trees. Some of course were scorched, but it had been nothing like what her home had been reduced to.
For hours she called, frantically for her brother, with no answer or clue to what might have happened to him. When she finally gave up, her voice hoarse, throat raw, she fell to her knees and screamed at the sky. How could the spirits take her brother from her? How dare they? Bronwyn’s agonized screams held every ounce of awful desperation that was written on her soul. How could something that meant so much to her be taken away in just a flash of life? How dared the Gods decide that they were take her home and her heart away. If this was the way things were going to be she stood and glared at the sky while making a silent oath to take her rage out on all around her til Mack was returned to her. And possibly even once he was returned. Nobody, not even Bronwyn, deserved such deep pain so suddenly.
....and then they found each other again!
Write a small in character reply between the pair when they finally find each other again. What happens? How do they feel? Have things changed? How? Let your imagination flow free! Bronwyn lashed out at an un-offending rock in her path. It had been over two days with no sign of her brother, and while she had been angry before, for them being ripped so violently apart, the turmoil inside had built to desperation. Gnashing her teeth together when the thought of never finding her brother crossed her mind...again, hate clouded her vibrant blue eyes as she looked up to the sky. "You took our parents! We are all we have and you wretched us apart!" She shook her disheveled mane out of her face, then caught sight of a pair of rabbits, curiously eying her. "Perfect. Look, I don't need you patronizing me! You have your loved one! And where is mine? Taken! So shoo, you happy, judgmental little jerks!” Okay, so yelling at bunnies made no sense, but they had earned it sometime or other.
Mackenzie's fetlocks were caked in mud from his treks near the river banks. He was following it, in hopes that it hadn't dumped them too far from each other and he would find Bronwyn...safe. He began another song, keeping it low so his ears were available for tell tale sounds as his keen eyes scoured the surroundings for a clue, anything to let him know his sister was safe. The sign appeared much more suddenly than he had expected, when glittering caught his eye in the grass. Moving from the muddy banks so quickly that he slipped and slid the whole way before getting proper traction, he eyed the familiar piece of jewelry in awe. Surely it was Bronwyn’s bangle, he knew the detail well, he had picked them out for her as a gift. Relief flooded through Mack in such a volume he felt his eyes p***k with unshed tears. "Bronwyn!!" He left the bangle where it lay, as a marker, and started scouting the surrounding area.
She had left the rabbits staring after her, their wide eyes full of concern and a touch of fear. Bronwyn tossed her mud streaked mane from her face as she soldiered on, calling out for her brother in between cursing the spirits. When the faint sound of her name met her ears, she couldn't believe it, and in fact, she didn't. When she didn't hear it again, she decided it must have been her imagination...or worse. "Is my misery amusing to you? Do you take pride in torturing others! Need you twist my breaking heart?" She growled into the open air and in the moment of silence she provided she heard her name again, this time sounding a little questioning. She picked up her pace and was almost galloping when she saw him...Mackenzie.
"Bronwyn?!" Mack had been met with the sound of his sister cursing the spirits for taunting her. At least she was okay, or sounded okay. A grin broke across the stallions face. As he rushed toward the sound of his sisters voice, then her hoofbeats Mack finally rounded a thick copse of trees and he saw her galloping towards him. Mack’s tears did roll. They slowed, but barely, and met in a collision of relief. He wrapped his neck about hers and they stood, hugging for the longest time, just overjoyed to be back with each other. When he did pull away, it was only slightly, enough to see her face. "You, you're alright?"
She was almost to him. "Mack!" Their hug hurt, but in a good way, it was fierce and spoke volumes without them having to say much of any thing. At first, she had been startled to see tears streaking his cheeks, but then, she understood. And though she shed none, her heart was pulling its self back together at an intense rate. When he pulled away, she almost protested, but when it was to ask if she was alright, she offered him a small smile and a slow nod. "Much, much better now that i know you are alright." She paused and looked him over, noting he was much dirtier than she. "Er...aren't you? Alright, I mean?" They were together now and if anything or anyone tried to take him away again, she would destroy that thing. Violently.
Mack laughed at her brief puzzlement, and nosed her cheek. "Aside from a nasty crack on the head from some rocks, I am one hundred percent." He moved to walk beside her, staying close and not wishing for much distance between them. He indicated her leg with the missing bangle. "I know where that is, if you'd like to go get it." He grinned as they walked, elated, for the time being, that hey had overcome one more obstacle..
Edited 3/29/2014 @ 9:30 PM : Added in the mare's personality and "feelings about the flood".
Lost a lady. Where can she be?
Username: xxxxx techabyte Character name: xxxxx Catahecassa - Native American for "Black hoof" Temper: xxxxx Steadfast Personality: xxxxx The stallion is a rather stubborn one. Though he generally sets his sights toward good matters, once he has set his mind to something, nothing will stop him. If he decides he’s going to go and get that apple from the top of the tree, he will get the apple from the top of the tree. No matter what. He refuses to let himself fail. He’s powerful in that aspect, as nothing will ever stop him from achieving what he wants to. He refuses to allow anyone to stand in his way, even if he has to do it behind their back to achieve his goal. Catahecassa is steadfast, and nothing will stop him.
xxxxx Aside from his stubborn attitude, Catahecassa is a sweetheart. He will go out of his way to make a foal smile, or to make a girl feel like their dreams are going to come true. He gathers twigs for the native people he lives with in order for them to have a fire. If it meant that he would starve, he would give away all his food. Some have described him as the classic “father/older brother figure”. He’s gentle and kind. Protective and understanding. He has a firm belief in that time spent is time wasted. He doesn’t like the fact that he could possibly not be spending every moment of his day helping those around him.
xxxxx When it comes to water, Catahecassa has a very large fear. Even rain makes him skittish. He’s deathly scared of being thrown into another flood that will separate him from everyone he has grown to know and love. That being said, if it looks like it may flood, he will gather everyone he can and ensure everyone is safe before he settles down to calm himself. He has a large anxiety attack when it comes to heavy rain, and despite finding it hard to breath, will always put others before himself.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. xxxxx His dreams had always been plagued by memories of that day. The day that the skies turned black like the ash from a long fire. The day that lightning cracked across the sky and water fell to the point that he couldn’t see his own nose.
xxxxxThe tiny foal shifted and let out a shriek when the lightning struck once more. He cried out softly as he tried to scramble through the water and toward the village. He knew he shouldn’t have wandered off, knew that he should have stayed close. But that rabbit was so cute! And he wanted to ask it to come home with him to give to Dyani as a friend when he was out adventuring. He stumbled over a branch that had fallen from the storm, falling in puddles while mud coated his skin. Shaking his head, he lifted sea green eyes to stare around the area, before letting out a weak cry for help.
xxxxxHe moved quickly forward when he got back on his feet. And just as he rounded a corner, he saw it. Like a tidal wave ( at least to the small foal ). The beavers damn had broken by the riven, releasing the water. He had time to take a half step back, before the wave crashed against his form. It sent him spinning; flailing in the water as he was thrust back and away from the village. Something hit his head, and he had enough time to take in one last gasp of air before his world was consumed with nothingness.
xxxxxWhen he woke up, he was on dry land, and hands were on his form. He scrambled and thrashed, scared before peering up at the two-leggers that held him down. That was the first time he had seen this tribe, and now, he would reside here. It took him a moment to realize his sister was nowhere to be seen. And after panicking and searching as best he could, he realized she was gone. He spent days crying and trying to escape, before realizing just how weak he truly was.
xxxxxCatahecassa woke with a start, his breath catching in his throat. He shook his head, frowning deeply as he stood from his small sleeping ground. It had been days since he had that nightmare again. Glancing around, he realized the sun was starting to rise. He scanned the area for a moment, before breathing out a sigh, and started toward a path in the forest. It had been almost two years to the day since the flood… And in that time, he was unable to bring himself to go visit the homeland that he once knew. He knew he would need to face it soon, and so, he set out.
xxxxxHe would pay his respects on this day; for the loss of the tribe he knew. And the sister he lost.
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: xxxxx AarashiX Character name: xxxxx Dyani - Native American for "Deer" Temper: xxxxx Demure Personality: xxxxxRaised within the village, Dyani is gentle, timid, and demure. The Native life is all the life she has ever known, and all the life she is likely to ever know unless something happens to make it otherwise. It is in the village she felt safest, and in the new village there will be a resounding feeling of peace.
xxxxxShe may be frightened easily, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have her moments and times of bravery. When she was just a filly and separated from her brother with the possibility of her caretaker dying, she stayed and helped. Mostly because she could not care for herself, true, but she did not hide her face.
xxxxxDyani is a simple mare, but intelligent. She finds joy in small things, in simple things, and is more apt to see someone's better points before their more cutting...given a few severe shots of the bad, though, she's smart enough to change her views. More than anything, though, she simply loves life, her two-legged caretaker, and her brother. This dainty mare is completely content with her life.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? xxxxxThe wall of water still raced after her in her dreams. Cold, dirty, littered with trees and rubble and all sorts of odds and ends that the water tore up. And in her dreams she drowned when nobody was there to help her.
xxxxxShe could now stand the warm rains in the summer...but the cold rains still struck fear into her and she became almost hypervigilant in them. Terror was not something that rested easily on her mind or slim body...no, it sank its claws in, deep. She remembered screaming as the fury of the water swept her away. She screamed in fear, screamed for her Native parent, screamed for her brother who was swept away as she was.
xxxxxBuilding so close to the water again made her uneasy...but she hoped the Natives knew best, for she hadn't the say in where they stayed. This was sacred ground to them, and so, too, to her. Dyani would trust them, because she didn't know what else to do. This was her home as much as theirs and she couldn't leave them. So she put her back into helping. Into dragging and mending and holding and carrying. She helped move the sick and weary...
xxxxxBut always the fear of the water and the pain of the loss of her brother shadowed in her hoofprints.
....and then they found each other again!
A sigh slipped from his black and white muzzle. It had been two years since the flood; two long years since he had been separated from his family and friends, the Indian who cared for him and his sister. Two years since he was able to sleep without a care in the world. Two... long years... since he had seen her. Catahecassa sighed lightly, shaking out his short black mane before he paused to glance around the area. He knew he was close; though life had started to come back to the trees and the land seemed to be healing well, it still showed signs of the flood that had happened so long ago.
The stallion snorted some, shaking his head, before he moved quietly through the broken trees and trash of broken teepees and stones. He had heard rumors of the home he once lived in rebuilding in a safer location. The tribe was going to come back, and he was curious to see it. But, Catahecassa wasn't the little foal who followed after people with anticipation and interest. He had matured past that.
For a time, all life had been good and splendid. What more could she hope for but to have a happy place in the lives of her loved ones? Beloved brother at her side, raised and revered and taught by the two-legger that cared for them since they emerged from their baskets. While she learned the meaning of hard work, of long work, it never seemed so difficult. But after the flood, so many things changed. The work was truly work. And she had lost a very important star in her life.
Her brother.
Then, she nearly lost the Native that raised them. The two-legger had been so sick. She thought he wouldn't make it. Thankfully, the Great Spirits hadn't saw fit to take him from her side as well. And she had done all she could to nurse him back to health with the others from the village. Every day was toil and there was a sense of fear that followed her. Nature was too great. If they all perished, how would she survive and hope to see Catahecassa again? She grew weary and sometimes despondent, but she tried. Oh, did she try. She had to have hope that every new dawn and the blanket of night would bring her closer to her brother as she stayed and worked. The flood had brought baubles and precious stones with it.
As they started to rebuild and not so much depended on the strength of her back and legs along with the other survivors with four legs and hooves to help their strong-yet-weak Indians...slowly life started to edge back to what she knew.
And yet still the white and shining star that had been by her side forever was still scattered to the land and the mysteries of the night.
She bumped the two legger she followed and kept close. In her eyes there was a quiet adoration. Not even when she had been frightened had he raised hand or voice against her. For that she was grateful, and so she tried harder to please him. To help him. And to help them. She didn't know what they would be working on today. It might be moving materials. Stretching and tanning hides. She didn't know, but she wasn't nearly so afraid anymore.
They would rebuild and she would find her brother. She had to believe.
Catahecassa’s eyes flicked up toward the sky; the raising of the sun. He could remember fond memories of him and his sister laughing and playing in the fields. Memories of her rolling around the grasses when he bumped her too hard. A half smile shifted over his features as he paused to stare at the clouds. It’d been some time since he had smiled like this. He lived alone now; well, not fully alone, but not with the loved ones he once held dear to his heart. He could remember her, very vaguely. Her soft brown coat and black mane. Though when he had last seen her, they were so young. Barely emerged from their baskets and learning to work. Neither had came into bodies that would be able to lift heavy loads and help the people around them. But how would he be able to ever figure out just how he was going to live without her…
The stallion tilted his head over his shoulder to peer curiously back toward the path he had been taking. Well… he could always return home. Back to the small village. The village where he was the only creature on four legs aside form a few wild dogs that barked and yipped at him. The humans there didn’t understand him, but they adored him. His strength and assistance. They had saved him from the flood; pulled him from deep water and set to fix his injuries. He was raised the rest of the way by them, and though at first he tried to run, they kept him close. They fixed his broken leg and mended the cut across his skull ( now hidden by locks of dark hair ).
His sea green eyes searched the area once more, and he blinked, eyes curious. What was that? Up ahead? He shifted on cloven hooves until he could see through the trees a bit better. Were those… Teepees? Shock set in for a moment, and he inched slightly closer, cautious and uncertain. The tribe was rebuilding? Here? He was rather shocked by this, thinking they would set up somewhere safer. But these lands… they were spiritual to the people. Home. And nothing and nowhere would be home. Not like this place.
As he scanned the area, he saw something moving in the distance. Catahecassa blinked, his ears snapping up as he stared across the path and toward the two-legger with a fully grown mare at his side. For a moment, his heart skipped a beat. His legs felt weak. He could feel the breath leaving him so quickly that it hurt. Was that… It couldn’t be. That couldn’t be her… It was just not possible. He gulped thickly, his ears flicking, eyes blinking several times rather quickly. Then, after a moment, he took a half step toward the direction that the duo were moving.
”Dyani…?” His voice was soft, uncertain and weak. Scared even. He had never been this scared before.
The sun was warm on her back; it soothed and loosened her still-sore muscles. It even made her a little frisky. She briskly but gently bumped the side of her head that didn't have the pale purple flowers strung into her mane against her two-legged caretaker and pranced a few steps as he turned, surprised but with a grin that held sunlight to her eyes. Yes. She wanted to see him happy; so she pranced a few steps in dance before the edges of a voice caught her ears.
It was so unlike what she remembered...but the softness of it made her remember. Those soft and rounded ears twitched and flickered among her mass of hair as she searched and sought...and found. Older, yes, but so was she. Her dancing little prance came to an abrupt, splayed halt. No sound escaped for a moment until--
"C-Cata!?" Incredulous, as if she couldn't believe the star in her life was back--as if he could be some illusion, she stayed, stiff-legged as the Native turned his attention to where the mare was so fixated on. It was safe to say he hadn't expected to see Catahecassa, either. Her legs bent, shaking, and quicker than her human could cry out, she bolted straight towards her brother, neverminding the sting of salt-water in her eyes that blurred her vision. "Catahecassa!"
He didn’t know what to do at first. He could run to her. Could press himself as close to her as possible to ensure she was real. But his legs wouldn’t work. They were stuck; frozen to the earth like ice to the lake tops. He felt a tightness in his throat, his ears pinning back for a moment. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t hear. Everything was muffled and uncertain. Everything around him was white noise. His heart beat was loud in his ears, and he could have sworn he saw stars for a moment, before his eyes focused once more.
That was her. That was her! His sister. His beloved Dyani! She was alive. She was alive and healthy and beautiful! He could feel the tears stinging his eyes, and yet a smile was moving onto his features as he took a step back. Her hair was long now, and her body adorned with lovely jewelry. It seemed that the tribe still had their ways of making lovely pieces. He, on the other hand, lived with one that worked their magic with stones and leather instead of gold. But that didn’t matter. He knew it was her. Knew it like his own hoof print in the dirt of the path.
As soon as she cried out to him, Catahecassa bolted. His hooves barely touched the ground as he ran forward. His ears pinned for a moment, as though that would give him the ability to run faster. He ducked under a low branch, before finding himself with her rather easily. He pressed himself as close as he could, his neck shifting until he could rest his head on her back. He breathed in her smell, felt a few tears run down his face, before he let out a laugh. One filled with relief and joy and pain at the same time. He had never thought he would see her again; never thought he would be able to hear her voice or feel her heartbeat against his own.
”It’s you. It’s truly you! I thought… I thought you had died. I thought the worst. Dyani… I cannot… You’re alive!”
Dyani didn't care if she scrambled or stumbled. It was all she could do and all she could think of to just get to him. And get to him, now. It seemed almost a mirror that he moved just after she did, but such thoughts were lost on her. Her mind was nothing more than a chant that he was alive and here and then in front of her. For a second she ducked her head under the longer fall of his mane, hiding and hidden. Then she emerged and touched her muzzle against his back, his side, his flank, and just breathed. He felt real. And underneath all the unfamiliar smells he'd gained, beneath it all was still the scent of him that was ingrained in her memory.
A tremor worked its way in her body, but she couldn't even think to stop the quivering that was equal parts excitement and joy and all the worry and anxiety she held that he wasn't okay. She listened to his voice: his excitement and pain and joy and longing, and deep within her own emotions answered.
"I've missed you..!" Was the only thing she could get to come out. The only thing that would break free. He was alive and she had missed him. She lifted her head high to rest it against his back in as much a hug as she could give. In that, their two-legged caregivers certainly had much more ease.
Catahecassa took a half step back after several moments. He flicked his ears, pinning them for a moment, before smiling lightly. She was alive… alive and safe and healthy and… God he couldn’t stand it. He couldn’t handle all this. He couldn’t. It was so… She was so… Was he dreaming? Were the nightmares tormenting him. Shifting lightly, he pressed his nose lightly against hers, before nuzzling her gently. God. He had missed her so much. His heart pounded hard against his chest, before he pulled back once more. He stared down into her bright eyes, before letting another short laugh shift out of his throat.
”You’re… You are safe. You’re alive. I cannot believe it… How did you do it? The flood… It was horrible.” The stallion stated, shaking his head.
He still had nightmares of the dam breaking and letting all the water through. Still had nightmares of being washed away and never seeing his sister again. Even worse… nightmares of finding her body; lifeless and cold. A shudder ran through him, before he blinked down at her again. He almost inspected her, before smiling lightly. She was safe. And he was feeling more relaxed and happy than he ever had before. He took a step forward, resting his head against her neck again. Yes. She was here.
”I missed you too… So much. I’m never going to leave your side again, Dyani.” He murmured.
And it was true. Though she had survived, and probably had a life, he refused. Catahecassa wasn’t going to allow her out of his sight… Well… That was a lie, but he wasn’t going to leave her again. He wasn’t going to go back home; not without her at his side. He wasn’t going to let her live without him. He was the brother, and he had lived far too long without her. Far too many days without his sister at his side. He needed her, and he had just realized it.
She was a young filly all over again. If she had to relive the horrible day the water came and swept them all away, at least he was right there and she was no longer screaming for him. She blew a soft, sweet breath at him as he touched her nose and nuzzled with his own. She gave a shaky sigh and leaned towards him, looking slightly up.
Safe. Yes. She was safe. The past couldn't hurt her. And the past couldn't hurt him, either. She quivered and blinked up at him, eyes glinting and joyful as the fact they were reunited crept over her and stole away the sorrow and anxiety.
"I don't know, I--" She tucked her head beneath his jaw and pinned her ears back.
"The humans helped. A bit. And then they found me on one of the banks."
She shivered. The scene replayed over and over in her dreams and she didn't want to relive it again.
"What of you? What happened to you, Cata?" She sniffed. "Why didn't you come back?"
The stallion’s ears pinned back as he shook his head some. That was a horrible memory. He breathed out a small sigh, and nuzzled at her long hair. Long… It was so long! Did she ever cut it? He let his eyes close, relaxing lightly against her. Perhaps he could take her for a walk… Explain and figure out just hat was going on. But that seemed like far too much effort. He didn’t know if he could move. He nuzzled her shoulder for a moment, before taking a step back to peer down at her with bright eyes.
”It… I tried. I wanted to, honestly.” Catahecassa said, his voice gentle, and yet almost pained. ”When I woke up, I was surrounded by another tribe. I was really badly beaten up… Apparently one of my legs were broken and everything. I just… I couldn’t leave. And when I was finally strong enough to do so I was scared. I was scared I would come back and find you… you…”
He couldn’t even say it. Several nights he woke up to that dream, and he couldn’t stand it. Couldn’t utter those words. He pulled back carefully, his ears perking up a bit, as he peered toward the mare with gentle eyes. She was alive, and that was all that mattered. He shifted some, lowering his head to nuzzle her hair gently, before he glanced back toward the tribe. Two years. He was gone for so long, and now… Now the tribe seemed to be thriving. It seemed to be surviving and rebuilding perfectly well…
”The tribe… It looks well. Did they start rebuilding immediately? Is it going well?” He asked, staring at her curiously.
Dyani listened as he spoke, watching him with a gaze that was still pained. It was an old, old hurt. A hurt that lasted two years, however, and one they both shared. She could see this. Because why didn't she go find him? To be honest, she wasn't nearly so brave as that. And the Native nearly died, and she couldn't leave the only home she'd ever known. Even if that home was wet and gone.
"I--" Could she say? She could. She had to, Dyani realized. She sniffed and looked up. "I called for you. And cried for you. I didn't want you to be gone forever...and you're here, now. Here and alive and I love you."
As only a sister could love a brother. Deeply, uconditionally, and simply relieved that he was back in her life. With their tribe..? She hoped so. Her gaze lightened as he nuzzled her hair again, her ears slow to perk up amongst the raven tresses, but dainty and lively when they did.
"Not immediately. There were so many hurt. Ours nearly died of fever and a large branch through him, from the flood... Rebuilding is steady, but kind of slow. I'm not...I'm not the best at moving things and helping, but I try."
She reached up and brushed her muzzle against his cheek.
"Promise you're going to stay..?"
Dyani didn't doubt, but, she wanted reassurance. He wouldn't really leave again and they could spend their days almost like they used to, again.
At first, Catahecassa flicked his ears back. So she had worried. Of course she had! Just as he had cried out for her and tried to escape the pin that he was kept in while healing, she had searched for him. It was a painful thought; one that made him want to embrace her like the two-leggers did. He knew he would be unable to, so he settled on another small nuzzle between her ears. He pulled his head back after a moment, glancing toward the village. It was small… So much smaller. Only a few teepees and one pit for the fires. He could tell they were slow to rebuild, and the way the people walked showed how much pain they were in doing so. Though time had passed, it was moving so much slower than he had hopped. He could probably count the two-leggers on their fingers. Ten… Maybe twelve? He wasn’t certain, but he knew that they would need more help if they wanted to make their tribe one to be proud of again.
”Maybe I can help… I’ve got more muscle than you, dear sister. And so long as you can find a blanket to drag behind me, we can get some sticks and logs on it, and I can pull them.” He mused, tilting his head.
Her question drew his attention, and his light eyes flicked to her. After a moment, he half smiled, and chuckled under his breath. He turned slowly to where he faced the two-legger that had helped raise him. After a moment, he dipped his head in a sort of greeting, before moving toward the tribe. Of course he wouldn’t leave her. He could never leave her again. Not for that long. Maybe an hour, to go off and explore; but he would always come back to her before the sun set on the lands.
”Of course, Dyani… I promise. I’ll always be right here with you.”
-----------------
Months passed, and as they did, Catahecassa had helped tremendously. Though it was still slow building, he did the best he could to help them rebuild their tribe. He worked alongside his sister, pulling trees with her and helping to hold the tops of the teepee’s up with native’s on their back, allowing them to fasten branches so they were secure. Joy filled his heart, and the nightmares were starting to fall back and disappear into nothing but sweet dreams. He smiled toward his sister, eyes light, before leaning to grab hold of a piece of rope, tugging as he dragged a bundle of sticks back toward the tribe so that they could have wood for fire. He wasn’t going to leave her side ever again. They would remain in this tribe, with each other, for the rest of their days. As best friends, and brother and sister.
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 3:20 pm
Lost a lady. Where can she be?
Username: Jynk Character name: Doru (Romanian for "longing") Temper: Stalwart Personality: Headstrong and brash, but fiercely loyal, Doru believes strongly in his convictions. He has a witty sense of humor and can, at times, be a bit of a prankster. Though he can be wild, he finds himself calmed by his long-time companion Cosmina. He is incredibly protective of her and finds her to be a safe haven... usually because she's getting him out of trouble. He harbors a secret love for Cosmina, one that has grown over time, but has never been spoken since his family was of a lower class and her father forbade him to be more than a protector. He is generally gruff with everyone that's not Cosmina, keeping the air of protector about him, but with her, his eyes light up and he can't help smiling. He is playful by nature and likes to laugh. He enjoys life, and he enjoys sharing that life with Cosmina, despite not being honest with her about his feelings. His is a quiet longing.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. The waters had come fast. Faster than Doru could have ever expected. She was beside him and, suddenly, she was gone. Swept away by the waters. He, himself, soon was swept away as well, twisting about and flailing, gasping for breath when his nose came above water for the briefest of moments. His world was literally turned upside down. Eventually, he made his way to land, dragging himself to shore with tired and aching muscles. He collapsed upon the ground, just breathing. Where had Cosmina gone? Was she still living?
Despite his need and want to just lie there and go to sleep, to give in to the exhaustion that wanted to claim him, Doru got to his hooves. He looked about, trying to gather his thoughts. Where to begin? Where even was he? He turned, sore muscles screaming in protest, and looked behind him to survey the rushing waters and the damage they have caused. Where was she? He walked back to the edge of the water to look for clues. Following a trail of hoofprints that seemed to be the right size, he began to call her name. "Cosmina!"
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: o-Elixir-o Character name: Cosmina (Romanian for "Order & Beauty") Temper: Prim Personality: Cosmina is a daughter of a high respected family. She has spent most of her life by her family’s side learning the ways of nobility. Because of her status she has always acted accordingly never wanting to disrespect her family. Though once Doru came into her life she began to feel a little bit free and life was less about rules. As foals the two got into mischief in which she’d have to try to get them out of trouble.
As an adult Cosmina is very reserved and tries to follow the path her parents paved for her. She can seem very follow the rules type of girl and proper.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. Everything was a blur all events before the flood and after remained lost as if the water had taken them. Her head was pounding and her body was soaked as if she had been swimming earlier. The mare got up only to stumble in the mud for she felt disoriented and little dizzy. She looked around her surroundings and little was recognizable. Her eyes widen in fear and she couldn’t fight back the tears that were starting to run down her face “Where am I?” her voice broke a little.
Though most important was who was she? What was her name? She could not recall her name or even where she came from! The fear was starting to set in again and she then struggled to gain her footing in the mud. Cosmina started to head in no particular direction for she was lost and she felt like she was wandering aimlessly.
As she walked along the muddy trail she tried to recall some past events. Though each time she tried it only hurt her head more. She somewhat could recall lots of water and her being in said water she could remember someone calling out something—what was it again? Oh yes it was Cosmina, but what is this Cosmina?
That voice just in remembrance made her heart flutter. Something about that voice’s owner was very important to her but she could not pinpoint the reason….
....and then they found each other again! Write a small in character reply between the pair when they finally find each other again. What happens? How do they feel? Have things changed? How? Let your imagination flow free!
Cosmina continued to wander, letting her heart be her guide as she made her way through the muddy trail. She would stop every now and then to look in all directions as if in search of something that could trigger more of her memories. When nothing came to her, she would sigh lowering her head in despair and would continue on with her search. All she knew now was she had to go and find someone else that could perhaps fill her in on what happened. Perhaps she might run into someone that knew of her? All she knew was just staying around and moping would not get the job done she had to continue if she wanted to get some answers.
When she came across some debris she paused in her tracks “Now what shall I do?” she had to find a new route.
Doru wandered along, following the weak trail. Every fiber of his being wanted to just lie down and sleep. It was by sheer force of will and the desperate need to find Cosmina. He needed to know she was alright. The rest of the village could wash away and be lost forever, so long as she was alright and he could see her again. He stopped to catch his breath, than called out her name again.
A jolt of energy ran through her when she heard the familiar voice. At first she thought she was imagining it but then she realized she had not. The mare turned away from the debris looking outward in the distance. Cosmina’s eyes frantically scanning the area with anticipation of finding the owner that belonged to that voice. When she still did not see anyone she decided to call out to bring attention “Hello?” she yelled out in a rasped voice.
The stallion's ears went straight up at the returned voice. The familiar voice, however strained it was. He pressed forward, driven on by his heart and duty. He'd been charged to protect her and he'd failed. Now he had a second chance. Pushing himself, he sped up to a canter, trying to catch up with her.
"Cosmina! Where are you? It's Doru!"
“Doru---?” she said quietly to herself. The name made her heart race but the face could not be matched in her mind. Cosmina heard the voice getting closer and she began to head towards it so she could meet this Doru halfway. Once again she called out to him "I'm over here!"
Cosmina! He heard her voice and sped up. Soon he could see her, a beacon in the dark. His beacon, though she'd never know it. He soon met up with her. "I found you. I found you. Are you alright?" he panted out, moving to rest his forehead against her shoulder, a brief moment of weakness, of affection. "Please be alright."
She was silent at first trying to gather her thoughts as they processed. At first when he approached her she drew back a little. That is until she felt his forehead placed against her shoulder at first she debated on pushing him away but instead she remain still allowing him “I am not hurt at least not physically.” She paused briefly then spoke up again “Um, excuse me? Doru is it? So you do know me?”
"Since we were foals," Doru said, stepping back to look at her. "Your father tasked me to always watch over you. I found you." He smiled at first, but the smile faltered. "Do you not remember me?" What had happened? He moved his head to see if she had injuries she was not aware of.
“Since we were foals?” she closed her eyes trying to recall the past. Nothing was coming to mind as of yet but she was starting to feel a little comfortable around him. She felt a little better knowing that he knew who she was “What happened?” she asked him as he inspected her head.
"There was a flood," he answered. "The waters came so fast, I couldn't reach you in time. You were just... gone. I found you again, though. I won't lose you again. I promise." He searched her face for recognition. Please remember me, my heart.
“I do remember water and your voice.” She said softly as she thought about what he had said to her. So there was a flood? She wondered how much damage it might have caused. The way he spoke to her, she knew he was sincere. She smiled at him “Thank you. Thank you for finding me.”
“What do we do now? Should we return to my family?” she had hoped they were alright as well.
"I'm not sure where we are," Doru said, shifting his stance to look about. "I think home is that way, though, if you're ready to walk." He looked back at her. "Cosmina, do you remember me? Or our village?"
Cosmina looked to him “I am sorry. I don’t remember anything quite yet.” She shifted her gaze towards the ground. She felt helpless at the moment and wanted nothing more to remember everything so she could be more of use. She sighed softly “We should head to the village! I am sure the flood has done more damage than I could ever imagine!” For once she was starting to sound a little more like herself. Cosmina worried for the village “Doru, please lets return!” she pleaded.
Doru nodded in response. "They may need our help. Let's go." He turned to walk in the direction he was sure the village was in, giving a glance back to make sure she was following. "If it's far, we can stop to rest and eat. It's been a trying day." To put it lightly.
Cosmina followed Doru close behind him as he turned to look at her she smiled at him. There was something she could not quite place when she looked at him. It made her feel all a warm and happy inside like her heart was overjoyed just being in his company “Doru, are we lovers?” she bluntly asked as the two of them walked.
He stumbled at her question, not expecting it. What should he answer? Should he tell her what is in his heart, or the truth? He stopped and looked back at her. "No, Cosmina. I was.. am your protector. We're close, but not that close." Though his eyes said he wished it to be otherwise.
Cosmina noticed the look in his eyes and her heart fluttered. The strong emotion was so much that she suddenly felt a wave of remembrance “Doru?” she spoke softly and blinked her eyes with familiarity.
The stallion looked at her, tilting his head. "Yes?" His heart skipped a beat with the way she was looking at him. "Did.. did you need something? We can rest. Or.. I saw some grass back there if you're hungry." Why was she gazing at him so? Surely the knock to her head hadn't caused her to remember more than there was, right?
“I am so glad that you’re safe!” her eyes pulled with tears of happiness. It was so sudden and he was probably most confused at the moment.
Oh, confused was an understatement. His eyes widened a bit. "Do... do you remember me now?"
“Yes, Doru!” she smiled softly at him. There was so much joy and happiness in her expression.
He smiled, his heartbeat quickening. She remembered him. Moreover, she also seemed extremely happy to see him. "I'm glad, Cosmina. We should go to the village and let your family know you're alright." Though he'd like to spend more time alone with her, he knew it was his duty to provide her safety.
“My family!” she gasped as she thought of them. Oh gosh! She had hoped they were all alright and nothing bad has happened to them. She quickened her pace and started to dash past him “We must return at once!”
That was fast, Doru thought, slightly crestfallen. He caught up with her quickly. "They'll be happy to see you and know you're okay. This area looks familiar. Shouldn't be much further to the village." How he wished it were further, but he also wanted the mare safe and cared for.
Cosmina holds her family very dear to her and even though her father could be a bit of a strict nuisance at times she still loves them “What a relief!” she said to him as they made their way towards the village.
She side glanced at Doru “I’m so happy to have you in my life. Without you I might have been a goner! I must have been so useless without my memory.” She looked away in disgrace, hoping she did not embarrass herself.
"Not totally useless. You managed to find me, too," he pointed out. He plodded along behind her, head down a bit. Back in the village. Where they belonged. And she could go back to being just out of reach. Woo hoo. He lifted his head, now seeing the buildings in view--or rather what was left of them. "Hope everyone's alright."
“I’m so glad then!” She smiled. When the village could be seen she started to quicken her pace. But what she saw made her stop in her tracks and her head lower in despair “This must be…a nightmare..” she shut her eyes tightly trying to fight the tears.
Doru nodded though she couldn't see the gesture. "I'm sure everyone's alright. We'll just.. go find them and help rebuild." He moved so his shoulder touched hers in a comforting manner. "It will be alright Cosmina. I'm here for you." As he always was and always would be.
Lost a lady. Where can she be? Username: Painted Moose Character name: Tungsten Temper: Indomitable Personality: In his youth Tungsten was a tattle tale and a spoil sport who wanted to be as noble in soul as his father and elder brother. He worked as hard as he could, pushing himself to the brink to follow in their hoof steps, all the while feeling a closer bond to his cousin than either male before him.
Over the course of his life he developed into a strong spirit that could waver most any storm. Though flawed, he has a heroic mindset that pushes him to seek the goodness and light in all souls, no matter if there is only darkness. Whether it is denial or simple naivete, he will insist on doing what is "just" rather than taking the easy way out of anything, especially when his cousin is involved.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. Tungsten had lived through much sorrow in his short life. The horror of his brother's death, the betrayal of his cousin, the drought and the fire...When the rains came he felt as if the spirits themselves were finally blessing him. The floods that affected the south lands were nothing to the northern herd, at least, until the spirits became so enraged by Prissy's acts that they felt the need to punish the family as well.
They had turned to her to lead them. Though some still came to him with his Grandfather's health failing, it had been her job to see them to safety. He led the others to higher ground under her orders, moving away from the rising waters before all hell broke loose. The slow moving group hadn't been able to seek shelter fast enough to get away from the deluge. His own mother, who had survived the fire with horrendous burns, was swept away when she fell, too weak to continue. He cried out for her, had tried to help, but there were others, so many others who panicked.
Tungsten stayed as the water swamped his legs, holding as strong as he could as he guided those who could make it to safer areas. So many were lost; foals, weaker members, expectant mothers, his Grandfather, Empressite...Spirits above, she was still down there! He had lost so much, so fast, and he...bitter or not, he couldn't let her go.
Tungsten turned back to the flood, making his way cautiously through the rushing stream with the others screaming at him from behind. Pleading, begging him to think about what he was doing! She was dead, gone, as were the others. They were so small, so few, wouldn't he stay to lead them? His heart constricted in his chest. He-
His hesitation cost him his footing. He felt himself go under, and though he struggled, he didn't have the strength to fight it.
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: Seaki Character name: Empressite 'Prissy' Temper: Insidious Personality: It all started out innocently enough. As a young filly, the only female child of her parents, she was spoiled. Anything she wanted, all it took was a word in the right ear and it occurred. She was the darling of her parents and almost every one who knew her. As she grew, innocent wants and requests started to take on darker and darker tones, as she explored the limits, seeing just how far her influence would go.
At one point in time, she and her cousin were close... the best of friends, but as she started to test the boundaries more and more, it drove a wedge between them. And what was once a beautiful friendship twisted, and if not for the ties of blood might have broken completely. Even with all that happened between them.
Their grandfather was Patriarch of the family and since his children were getting on in years he instead looked to his grandchildren to take his place as head of the herd/family. Prissy was the youngest child of the Patriarch's second son, so was far down the line for the role, a fact that she resented. The Patriarch looked to the offspring of his first child, regardless of their suitability, going by age. Tungsten was the second choice, after his elder brother, but once said brother fell ill to an infected wound Tungsten was first choice.
However, as time passed, Prissy wanted the leadership position for herself, as it came with bountiful perks, and persuaded their grandfather to think otherwise. All it took was a whisper here, a rumour there, a sly insinuation and affectation of shock at just the right moment and Tungsten was no longer the favored son. Though he was still in the herd – she did not want for him to be disowned or exiled after all – he became a bit of a social outcast...
By the time she had reached young adulthood, the drought and fires came... followed by the floods.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. They had heard tales of flash floods, the deluge of rain coming from nowhere and sweeping away everything in its path with no regard as to whom or what it carried away. But the herd was safe here, they had not been as effected by the strange and dangerous weather patterns as many elsewhere. They had been fortunate, blessed. So why would that end now....
Grandfather was feeling his age more and more, his strength was failing and he could no longer lead the herd as he had, and with everything going on, it was a chance for him to see how she would lead when the time came.
It was the shock of sudden responsibility, and the lives of those that she loved depending on her that made the selfish mare actually act in the best interest of others...for once. They had been fortunate in not being terribly effected by the unusual goings on, but that could change at any time. Not that she really believed that it would, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Besides, if it seemed like she was actually doing this for the good of everyone, when the time came and she asked them to act on her behalf without care towards the consequences, it was all to the good right?
So she sent two of her most loyal slaves ..followers – Slate and Shale - to see if there were any signs of trouble. She also sent the young, the sick, and the elders to higher grounds, an area that would definitely be safe, even supposing floods did come under the guard of some of the stronger stallions, including Tungsten.
Then all hell broke loose. Unexpected and far quicker than even rumours suggested, the rain came. Raising a wall of water that washed away everything in its path. Including her.
All she could remember was the splash of freezing cold water against her sides, the tug of a swift current, then darkness swallowed her consciousness.
....and then they found each other again!
Tungsten waded through the muck with the last of his ebbing strength. It was only his desire to find someone that kept him going through the pain that now racked his body. His muscles ached, and his eye…his head had crashed on many things on his journey down the rapid flood, and his right eye had paid the price. Something had torn through it, and bits of the exposed iris hung out. It bled onto his pale cheek, forcing his hair to stick to it.
Still, he kept on. It was the only thing he’d known how to do since foalhood. Carry on and persevere. However that didn’t take away from his anger when he found her. There had never been a time in his life that he had yelled at Prissy with true anger, nor had he ever struck her, though he had wanted to on many occasions. The young male couldn’t sort through the emotions that boiled within him when he saw her, barely conscious. He rushed to her to check on her, make sure she had lived, but his voice was not kind, “HOW DARE YOU LIVE?!” Tungsten bellowed. Tears of frustration clouded his good eye and caused the other to burn. “How dare you, the betrayer, live when so many died?! What evil spirit did you sell your immortal soul to just to live and torment us?”
Her head absolutely ached, throbbing within her skull painfully. She struggled to regain her footing on the wet ground below her, but after a moment’s struggle she gave up. Her long mane was matted to her body, making it that much harder to move. She breathed in deep. Perhaps she could just rest here awhile…
Of course, that’s when Prissy heard a familiar voice shouting at her. Oh the voice knocked against her head like pebbles down a cliff. She winced, looking up at Tungsten. Her heart swelled with anger at him, but she only sighed, giving him doe eyes.
She was still dizzy.
“Tungsten…” She started. “I’m so sorry, I’m so--” she broke off with a whimper, tears filling her eyes. It wasn’t hard for tears to come, the pain in her head making up for most of them.
He couldn’t look at her with those tears. His heart ached for the filly who had been more of a sister to him than a cousin, but she was long gone, like most of their family. “That…that flood.” He spat, “It came for you…It came for you!” It felt as if his entire body was breaking down under the weight of his lose. “If you hadn’t offended them, the drought wouldn’t be here, the fire wouldn’t have come and we damn well wouldn’t have flooded.”
Tungsten took a sobering, albeit shaky breath, his body physically slumping down into the muddy soil alongside her. “What have I done to offend you so? Why was it everything…why did you have to ruin everything?” His voice was weaker now; lost, confused and beyond hurt. He was an Alpha without a herd, a son without a family and a buck without a home.
"No!" She bit back "If it came for me, I would be gone." She wanted to snarl at him to bite back and yell, but that wasn't like her. She pressed her head to one of her legs, wishing for something cool to stop the dizzy feeling, even though it was quickly fading.
She needed to get back into his good graces. The flooding sapped much of her strength and she would be weak for a long while. "I didn't mean to ruin anything," she said meekly, her voice soft.
There had to be a change. Something had shifted in her, at least he thought. She wasn’t as cocky as she had been, as self-assured. When Tungsten looked at her he saw a broken mare, and the very pull of her meek voice brought him reluctantly closer to her. The thump of what remained of his brother’s mane, now a decorative hair piece, tapped against his head, reminding him to be cautious. But…hadn’t they suffered enough? She saw that, right? “I…don’t know how to get back,” he said at length. “We have to move on or we’ll freeze here tonight.” The chill hadn’t already settled into his bones. It crept around his heart, clenching it as tight as the blood that dried his mane to his eye.
She sighed, more relieved that he accepted her plea than anything else. She gave a nod. Her dizziness was mostly gone, but her head still pained her. "Okay, okay... Give me a moment to stand," she took a deep breath and pushed herself up on shaky hooves. The dizziness almost knocked her down again, but a few stuttered breaths pushed back the swirling world.
Perhaps she would be able to use him more than she had planned. He could keep her warm and safe for a long while as it was, while she was on the mend, but this would go much further. Maybe when her head was better and she could actually think. "Where do we go from here?" she asked, hoping that letting him take charge of the situation would garner more faith in her.
He assisted her as best he could, though he felt sick to be so close to her. Sick because as much as he felt betrayed by her he ached for her closeness. Tungsten knew now more than ever that she was all that was left to him in this world of memories and self-doubt. And in order to keep her safe, he would have to put his personal feelings aside. It was something his brother had taught him, and something his grandfather had enforced. An Alpha always did what was right, not what they wanted; and though he wasn’t an Alpha, he would do what was right.
She was trusting in him, believing in his ability to lead, and though a childish part of him wanted nothing more than to push her back down, he held his head high. “We go South. Remember Grandfather’s stories? We have family there, and with luck they’ll take us in.” It wouldn't be as glamorous for her without her cronies around to deck her in jewels, but she would be safe.
She remembered a little. She didn't really listen all that much as a fawn, preferring ordering others about rather than listening to anyone herself. At least he did. She could start new there, push her way back to the top, but she'd have to be careful. "You know more about this than I, Tungsten..." She hoped they would be there soon, despite everything. Her whole body hurt, after all and Tungsten didn't appear very injured from the flood.
But perhaps she should ask.
Hmm. Sh pondered a moment, leaning against him a bit as they walked. "I didn't even ask if her were alright... are you?" she murmured, suddenly.
If she thought that way, then why had she taken it all away from him? He chanced to look at her, the thick mane around his face curving in at the point of contact with his eye. “I’ve lost an eye.” Tungsten stated simply, preferring to look away from the mare. Still, even in his grief he was not without manners. “Thank you for asking after me. When we find another human camp or if we should meet with a Unicorn, I will have it looked after.” Whether by human aid or Unicorn magic, the wound would need to be sealed.
As they walked, he made sure to move any branches, stones, things of that nature that would catch in her hair. The gesture was so engrained in his being that he barely noticed that it was happening until it did. At which point he thought to stop it out of spite, but carried on instead.
Following Tungsten was easy, especially as he cleared her path. She didn't have to stumble or move anything on her own and it was simply delightful. "I'm sorry," she apologized again, but to lose an eye - she couldn't really imagine. It wouldn't due for him to die of an infection, she figured.
She watched him with some fondness. She didn't hate him. He was important to her, and not just as a pawn. She would likely hate to see him sacrificed as one, though she would make the correct choice if the situation called for it. "How far is it?" she asked, wondering if they would make it to their destination by nightfall.
"More than a weeks walk, if we haven't been taken too far away from the homeland." With some luck the spirits wouldn't be too angry with them for her misdeeds. He still blamed her, but he wouldn't let her die. That wasn't what family did, and he wouldn't stoop that low. Tungsten was stronger than that, stronger than the water that had taken them away from home, and stronger than Prissy! He'd show her what the right path was in life, even if it killed him.
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 6:06 pm
Lost a lady. Where can she be?
Username: SwordOfTheDarkOnes Character name: Basajuan Azarola Temper: Protective Personality: Easily stressed with little tolerance for others butting into the situation. Basajuan has some pride issues coupled with temper management difficulties. He's a two-face son-of-a-gun who has everything in his head mapped out all for the sake of his younger sister. After losing his parents young, Basajuan was the only one who felt could take care of his remaining family member. Haizea was the world and skies to the elder male, normally he'd keep a watchful eye on the mare. No stallion would ever be good enough for her and no mare would ever be like a mother.
He never took his protective nature to far, he knew that it could already be twisted and wished to spare his sister from the whispers. He may love his dear little sister, but...she does, can and will irritate the stallion to no end. His temper is legendary as most would liken it to that of a Kalona, quite comical if one thinks of it in a childish manner. Which he suspects his sister does...
But for all that the male seems almost tyrannical...he has really really really soft moments. Basajuan is known to be seen with his sister snuggled into his side as he hums a lullaby. Humming is as far as the male takes his musical talents, any further and he easily loses tune. The male also is quite the meditative soul usually spending hours trying to meditate...key word: trying. Usually Haizea would end up doing something which would make him turn his head and “roar” at her...
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.
He turned hearing her scream of his name...no. No. No. No. No. NO!!!!! His large hooves thundered on the rocky muddy soil leaping over fallen branches gaining speed as he saw her. She was too close to the shoreline, with a snarl he headbutted her away from the waters edge. His body already scratched up from the branches that he lept over. He heard something...then felt a jerk around his hindlegs. His head jerked to the side bouncing off of a rock and then all he saw was dark blue water. He kicked up to the surface once inhaling deeply before being dragged back under.
He rolled for however long he didn't know. His only solace was that his sister was on land and away from this hell. She was safe in his mind, she always had to be safe. His head hit another rock and then everything went dark. The river god must of heard some sort of prayer for his life as the stallion woke, coughing up water on the shore line. He staggered to his feet. Confused and displaced. Where was he?
Who was he?
How did he get to this place?
What had happened to make him so protective, yet unknowing of what to protect?
And why...why did he feel so alone?
He looked up to the darkening sky feeling a emotion that the stallion somehow knew he rarely felt in his life. Fear. He stood there on shaky legs, scratched up and cried. He took deep breaths knowing that now...he had things to remember. The first was...his name.
The stallion staggered to a more dry part of the land then laid on his side to think.
'Name...name...come on, there has to be---'
“BABA!!!!”he jolted at the memory, 'Baba...no that's not right...its...its...grrrr. That isn't my name...my name is...'
“Baba your silly...” oh that was it...his name wasn't Baba it was....it was...
“Baba!!! I wanna play!!!!”he twitched, 'My name...is---' “BASAJAUN!!!!”
He blinked with a small gasp...okay he had his name. But...who was the voice he heard, he heard it and his protective instinct spiked. The stallion lowered his head...this was going to be a long journey. He had to remember everything...the voice was a mare. She was someone he had to protect....but...who was she?
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: Divena Character name: Haizea Azarola Temper: Playful Personality: She has a thirst for adventure and is full of life. Because Basajuan, who she affectionately called Baba, was always there to get her out of trouble and keep her from getting hurt, Haizea never quite learned to take consequences into consideration. She has a bit of a puckish nature, and never took her brother’s formidable temper seriously. After all, he never directed it at her, and she never looked too closely at those who did suffer the brunt of it. While others might fear her big brother, Haizea would always view him as fearsome as a bunny rabbit. One of those cute, fluffy baby bunnies.
She never had any friends, not really, having not learned when to tell she was taking a joke too far. But that never bothered her, because she had Basajuan. Just as she was the world and skies to him, he was everything to her. She would do anything for her big brother… including trying to find him a suitable mare to settle down with and start a family. After all, big brother Baba’s family would be her family, and who didn’t want a bunch of cute little foals running around? Oh, the things she could teach his children….
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.
“Baba!” she screamed as she felt the ground give out from under her. She could feel herself tumbling toward the rushing, dangerous water. Fear swamped her.
And then something solid and reassuring slammed against her, knocking her away from the river… or at least out of immediate danger. She stumbled and fell, ducking in the shallower waters. It wasn’t exactly calm waters, but she was able to struggle her way up for air a few times before the current pushed her back to shore. She scrambled out of the river, silently swearing that she would never go swimming again.
Baba…
Wide eyed, she looked to the river just in time to see a black striped white mass disappear around a bend. No. That couldn’t have been… that wasn’t… A panicked glance around revealed that he wasn’t standing there, ready to bellow at her for being so foolish. But… that didn’t mean… he couldn’t be… He wasn’t…
“Baba?” she whimpered, as if that could bring her brother out of the shadows. Running on pure adrenaline and fear, she stumbled along the river banks. If that form had been her brother, then surely he would be pulling himself out of the river at any moment!
Hours passed, and the sun set before the truth of the situation fully sank in on the young mare. Her brother was gone… Not dead. Oh no, she refused to believe that. But lost? Yes… lost. She considered, briefly, staying in the village. Surely he’d come home looking for her. But some instinct, some buried fear, prodded her forward. What if he was hurt? What if he couldn’t come home for some reason?
No. She’d find her brother. She would.
....and then they found each other again! Write a small in character reply between the pair when they finally find each other again. What happens? How do they feel? Have things changed? How? Let your imagination flow free!
The stallion snorted once before standing, sure his scratches stung and his body hurt. His head was killing him and he was sure that someone up there was punishing him for something...he shook his matted mane before starting a slow pace. He figured that he could follow the river...considering the current. He would follow upstream. He gritted his teeth once swallowing the moan of pain before blinking away the tears. He moved forward. Haizea stumbled along the riverbank, head hanging low, weary from her traveling. Her stomach cramped in hunger, but she ignored it. She eaten a few times since the disaster back in the village, but not particularly well. There wasn't a lot of good grazing near the river, and she was afraid to wander too far from the waters in case she missed her brother or became lost. She stomped down on the niggling doubt that she wouldn't find her brother. He was out there, somewhere...
Basajuan had tried to eat a little, distracting his mind from the pain was a good way to go. He raised his head, watching the now calmer waters before shivering. He was dry now, had dried a few hours after he struggled onto the shore. That was a few days ago. He was just now moving. Mentally berating himself for being so weak...
"Can't blame myself. Everything hurts. But...my head..." he kept going. Turning his head to watch the opposite shore. Instinct urging him to do so. Her hoof hit a rock and she fell to her knees, choking back a pained yelp. She struggled for a few seconds to stand again, but gave up when her muscles screamed. She would rest... for a few minutes. Yes, then she'd continue onward. His eyes swept over the shore line as he stopped, his legs screaming at him. He looked a little ways up the shore opposite him and saw---the male flinched then lowered his head in pain. The tawny mare. Why? He squinted as he looked back up towards her, flinching again.
"Hey!" His call was weak... Tears sprang to her eyes. She could almost hear him now... calling out to her. Of course, he'd be upset if she just lay there... With an effort that seemed almost more than she could manage. She pushed herself to her feet once again and glanced at the river. For a split second, her gaze passed over the stallion without quite seeing him. Then her eyes snapped back to him.
"B...Baba?" she croaked, hardly daring to believe. That name! The stallion looked wildly around searching for a way to get across. If she knew that name...could she know more? The male gritted his teeth before calling back, "I'm going to try and find a way over to you."
It was him! She choked on a sob, joy and relief making her weak again. She tried to call back an agreement but her voice died in her throat. All she could do was nod her understanding. She kept her gaze locked on her brother, as if blinking would cause him to disappear.
He made his way to where the river narrowed, it was big enough for two Soquili to pass through on their sides. If they were floating...somehow the thought disturbed the stallion greatly. He saw that two large trees had fallen at staggered points. A mere 5ft boulder wedged between them. He steadied his heart, glancing at the mare. Flinching again, he knew he had to get to her.
He took the first step, testing the strength of the tree. All was well. On shaky hooves the stallion made his way across to the boulder. The leap took all his energy and then some. He landed and slipped on the wet surface of the boulder, barely keeping himself up. He heaved looking at the mere three foot jump to the next fallen tree....doubts crept up in his mind. What if the tree wasn't strong enough? What if he goes back under...? Seeing her brother hesitate, concern wormed its way through her exhaustion. Was he hurt? Was that why he wasn't closing the distance between them? It was the only answer she could suspect. Finding a strength she hadn't known she possessed, she forced her legs to move until she was directly across from him again.
"Baba? What's wrong?"
He looked up at her, "What if I go under again?"
He was afraid... Haizea froze at the completely forigen note to her brother's voice. He was... afraid? But... No, Basajuan was afraid of nothing! She shook her head a bit. That couldn't be fear... it must be... pain. Yes, he was clearly hurt. "Go back," she told him. "I'll come to you."
His eyes narrowed, "No! I will not put you in danger! Get back further onto that shore line or so help me---" He leaped in his slight rage, landing easily on the tree and galloped to the shore as the dead wood gave out under him. He stopped mere feet away from the mare, "I will make you back up onto that shore!"
He huffed, then blinked...his protective instinct. Why did he feel...who was she?
"Who are you?" he asked, his ears flat against his skull.
She had been beaming when he came to her. But that question... She took a startled step backward. "W...what?" she squeaked. "B...Baba, you know who I am..."
Basajuan flinched his eyes closing, "My head...I think...ugh..." he fell to lay on his side. The pain finally catching up with him, "...Do I know you?" he looked back up at her.
"Your.. head?" she repeated, fussing over him worriedly. She peered at his skull and sucked in a sharp breath when she saw the wound. "You really don't remember anything, do you?" she whispered.
He shook his head, "I don't know..." he looked up into her hurt eyes. His heart flinching. He felt he should offer her something, "Can you help me?"
Her own heart twisted. Her brother, her Baba didn't know her. She swallowed the hurt, stamped down on the pain, and offered the one who meant everything to her a reassuring smile. "I can help you," she told him. "I will help you. I'm your sister... my name is Haizea." The stallion stood on shaky legs, "Sister...somehow...I think. That. Yes. That makes sense." He staggered forward. Leaning on her he gathered his breath, "Please...Haizea....help me."
She nuzzled him gently. "Of course... of course I'll help you. You're my brother... I..." she choked on the words. "Let's go back home... where things are familiar. And you'll remember... And I'll be with you."
Carefully, gently, she would coax him toward the village where she could nurse him back to health. For her entire life, he had been the strong one, the protective one. He had always been there, taking care of her. Now it was her turn.
SwordOfTheDarkOnes has to drop out as I wasn't paying attention and apparently won in another event...Whoops cat_redface
Edited 3/30 11PM - Added Wayra's information & Story
Lost a lady. Where can she be?
unknown
Username: RockerWolfie1616 Character name: Wayra - Quechua word for "Wind" Temper: Steady Personality:
Imagine a strong oak tree with roots running deep, and strong wide spread limbs; it takes so much to move such an ancient tree. To uproot it would be a task only a foolish man would undertake. Like the mighty old oak Wayra stands tall and steady. Even if the ground crumbles beneath his hooves he will find a way to make it back to stable ground. Steady like the soft beat of a drum..even the worst situations are just another bend in the path of life to him. Everything happens for a reason.
Loyal to a fault Wayra won't be easily swayed on opinions. While some find it frustrating, it is this stubbornness that lends to his strength of body & mind. Growing up he longed to be a hunter, to be strong enough to forever protect his precious treasure of a sister. She is the light of his life; a mare to be cherished, loved and pampered. After many years of work the mighty stallion bowed low enough to allow one and only one warrior to ride upon his mighty white back. The warrior was young, a bit foolhardy and quick to run into dangerous situations. Unlike the stallion which he rides. Wayra likes to think things through whenever possible. It won't do in his mind to rush into something blind; to stumble in without knowing the prey/enemy you are seeking or are up against.
A good natured and overall balanced stallion to strangers..despite all these good qualities this fella is not a saint nor would he pretend to be. In life you must grow, just as trees grow outward to get more sunlight and find more water with their roots. If you don't grow you will never live. You'll never become stronger. Pride might be his Achilles heel. As of now it doesn't do for him to become a filthy wreck..it all sort of flows back to his sister. Wayra would hate to make her look bad. To make anyone think she is less of a mare..of a lady because her brother is unruly or smeared with dirt. Since his world revolves around her, he keeps himself in tip top shape. Though inwardly the stallion could care less he still feels an inkling of pride when women or mares comment on his beautiful white pelt, or on his fine shiny black mane (take a good look ladies!). On that note he will happily flirt with pretty ladies but brash and rash mares are not his favorite, rather a calm and demure mare who gets along with Leotie would make his heart sing.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.
The months had been long but, as always he'd stood strong among both soquili and kawani tribesmen alike. That is why the sudden downpour meant so much to them all. Those first beats of the drum...the rhythmic chanting and stomping of feet & hooves joined in one loud sound begging the spirits above to bless them. Rain. Rain. Some wishes were better whispered instead of shouted in a loud accord. For what was at first an amazing symphony of delight became a twisted, sickening display of mother nature's cruelty. What was once the peaceful sound and scent of glorious rainfall became the scent of death all over again.
Panic reigned over the people; over them all! Even the mightiest of warriors were helpless when the ground shifted into wet slick mud, when the river became a beast roaring to life. Eager to swallow them up until there was nothing left of the place they'd been trying so hard to re-build. Of their home. Teepees crashed under the water's rushing force, men, women and children crumpled under the waves while the wise clung to trees or climbed up high. Not allowing panic to overtake him the strong willed stallion sloshed forward, fighting the slick moving earth to n** his sister's cheek. To shout at her. "We have to move! Snap out of it! Come quickly..I will protect you!" The wind howled and whipped, sending limbs into the rising water. Higher ground was their only option.
XBlind-DarknessX
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: XBlind-DarknessX Character name: Leotie - Native American word for "Flower of the Prairie" Temper: Stately Personality:
Even as a foal Leotie’s beauty captivated any who looked upon her countenance and as such she was treated as though she were a rare and delicate flower. She was groomed often in order to maintain her glossy coat and the women of the village took great pleasure in tending to and styling her lovely black tresses. They adorned her body with gold and gems to pay homage to her loveliness, as well as to enhance it. Despite that, outward beauty was not enough for a wise old Cerynei mare who held the strongest bond with Leotie aside from her brother. She taught the young mare how to be more like the graceful trees their ancestors had first emerged from by tutoring her in the ways of elegance, pride and charm. She was instructed in the many songs of the forest and in the knowledge of survival through foraging. Thus the beautiful filly grew into a regal mare in possession of a pure heart and a strong mind.
Aside from her dignified comportment Leotie is a free spirited mare who could often be found engaging in games with the children of the tribe, or curling up beside a warm fire to hear the tales told by the village elders. She assumed a very active role in the tribe as far as being near the people because they were more than just her social group, they were her family. Though her tribe holds great significance for her the one she holds higher than anyone else is her beloved brother Wayra, who the village elders call her soul twin because of the deep connection the siblings share. This bond also provided Leotie with the confidence and perseverance that enabled her to become such an accomplished mare. As long as she had her brother she was capable of doing anything, and she knew she would never be alone. She is quite dependent on the presence of her sibling even though she is not fully aware that she is.
Perfection may appear to be the only word required when describing Leotie but, like all who inhabit this earth, she is flawed. Unlike many of the other Soquili inhabiting the village she was never ridden for fear of diminishing her natural beauty. Similarly she was never used for hard labor such as going out with the women of the tribe to harvest the crops, or to forage for food even though she was well versed in the skill. She was mainly doted upon by the people and whatever she learned she was taught by her aged tutor. Though she would have gladly undertaken any tasks given to her she was never required to do so, and as such entered into a state of blissful complacence. In addition to her role as mainly an educated and beautiful companion, Leotie never learned how to properly deal with stress for many of her days passed with uninterrupted ease. It is for this reason that when she is faced with great stress she freezes up and goes into shock, like a doe caught in the sights of a hunter that becomes paralyzed by fear. Her senses become blunted and she is prone to slipping into a state of irrational panic.
In spite of her lack of experience Leotie can also be a very stubborn mare, a trait that is fueled by her pride. When learning something new she generally accepts criticism with grace, but when she is set on doing something by herself and others attempt to correct or assist her she can become very obstinate. She will not lash out but she will continue to approach the task in the way she believes it will best be completed. In other words, she may be wrong but she will not cease doing it how she sees fit and will generally not admit to being wrong even when she has failed. She is accustomed to being admired for her accomplishments; as such she is very hard on herself at times and, as mentioned above, finds it difficult and embarrassing to admit it when she is at fault.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.
The rhythmic sound of the drums and the strong, high voices of the people flowed through her mind and body as she watched the dark clouds overhead accumulate. Finally the rain they had been begging the spirits for would fall; finally the ashes and sorrow left in the wake of the merciless fire spirit’s path would wash away in the waters of rebirth. The tempo of the drums began to pick up followed by swifter shaking of the rattles, and the bodies of the people swayed ever more quickly and passionately to the beat as the sky opened up and allowed for the first few drops to fall upon the blackened earth. The Kawani men and women threw their heads back and called loudly to the Sky People above, thanking them for answering their prayers and helping them in their time of desperation. Her brother and sister Soquili likewise lifted their muzzles toward the source of the sprinkle and sent up their trumpets of gratitude until their voices united with those of the people, turning their cries of thanks into a song of hope for new life. The mingling of both human and Soquili voices alike saturated her veins and penetrated her heart until she was unable to remain simply an observer. Tilting her head back and allowing her dark hair to cascade down her body like a silk waterfall she unleashed her voice, the sweet sound of it finding harmony with those of her family.
The jubilant song rang on throughout the desolate landscape and tears of raw emotion added to the puddles of water forming upon the barren earth. Finally their hardships would come to an end. The wounds of both the Kawani and the land would be healed, all would be right again. Larger drops fell from the sky and soon the marred earth was covered in a shallow salve of rainwater. Her long hair became drenched and began to stick to her body but she did not care, she was so swept up in the song that she did not notice the small river forming at her feet. No one noticed when the waters began to carry away remnants of their lost village, or how it drenched the graves of the freshly buried. No one noticed the damaged baskets beginning to float away, no one noticed until the piercing cry of an infant interrupted the unity of their song. The hymn of hope for new life became twisted and distorted as lighthearted and elated voices became shrieks of fear and sorrow. Many attempted to clasp hands and run, but it was too late, the deluge had quickly transformed into a formidable water snake bent on terrorizing the already traumatized Kawani once more.
She stood frozen with both disbelief and terror in the midst of the panic, her head feeling light and as though it were no longer a part of her body. “The spirits can be both generous and cruel, thus we must be careful as to how we address them. We must use wisdom and restraint so as not to anger them.” The words of an elderly stallion she had once known rang forcefully in her ears, blocking out the screams and making her heart fall. The entire world around her slowed and the only thing she could hear were those words repeating over and over again until she was hit by another mare fleeing for her life, causing her to stumble. Dazed, she eventually found herself gazing into Wayra's sea foam colored eyes and the bubble of stunned silence gave way to his yelling. He was prodding her to move, telling her they needed to go, but like an ancient sycamore tree she felt anchored to the spot. “Be careful what you ask for…” She muttered quietly. “Be careful what you ask for.” “Be careful what you ask for.” Her voice rose with each repetition until she felt him n** at her cheek. “What have we done?” She enquired shakily, as tears of defeat rolled down her already waterlogged cheeks.
....and then they found each other again! Write a small in character reply between the pair when they finally find each other again. What happens? How do they feel? Have things changed? How? Let your imagination flow free!
She awoke to the warmth of the sun upon her face and for a moment she had forgotten the entire ordeal. Had the children decided to take a nap with her under the oak tree? Her warm thoughts were replaced by pain as she lifted her head from the rocks it had come to rest upon. Her entire body ached and as her vision came into focus she noticed she was lying beside a gently flowing river, a sight that would be calming to most but sent a shiver of terror up and down her spine. The feeling of her body being thrashed beneath the surface of the water, of being dragged along the bottom against sharp rocks and of being struck by quickly moving debris wracked her entire body and made her feel nauseous. With a cry she leapt away from the river bank and cowered beside a boulder just in time to be assaulted by dry heaves. The sight and sound of the river prompted the paralysis she had become accustomed to when stressed to creep up her legs and cause black spots to blur her vision. But just as she was about to succumb to the panic, images of her brother vanishing beneath the surface of the angry river swept her hooves out from under her and instantly had her gentle eyes brimming with tears.
“Wayra…” Her voice was weak and sounded like more of a croak as it hung in the air for a moment before dying away. She had begun to tremble uncontrollably as her eyes feverishly jumped from location to the next as she searched the area for any sign of him. “Wayra!” She screamed, more desperation interlocked with her high pitched tone. Her ears came forward but there was no response and in that moment a swarm of worst case scenarios tormented her thoughts. Visions of him being swallowed up whole by the bloodthirsty water snake danced before her clouded eyes and her lungs constricted so tightly she was certain she was drowning again. “He can’t be…” She murmured absentmindedly. Selfish thoughts mingled with her previous concern as she began to ask herself what would happen to her now that he was gone. Who would she lean on to give her strength? Who would protect her? Who would remind her that she was never alone in this world? A scream so filled with sorrow and anguish that it caused the trees to quiver at the sound ripped from her chest as hysterics took over. She was alone. Without him she was lost.
In the instant following her nearly complete surrender something quite unusual happened. Rather than resting her head with no intention to raise it ever again she felt her muscles moving. Her body was slowly rising from the earth and a tiny, fragile spark ignited in her belly. Hope? Each movement less mechanical than the last she began walking in an unknown direction, drawn by an unclear emotion. “Wayra. Wayra.” She repeated over and over again. Like clouds parting to free the sun the fog of resignation cleared, and an inner strength she had yet to become acquainted with drove her. “I must find Wayra…”
He awakened feeling chilled to the very bone, a slow steady ache throbbing through his skull and making the world spin uncontrollably. Soaked from head to hoof the stallion looked about in confusion, lungs burning as he heaved and violently coughed. Expelling the remnants of water from his precious air passageways Wayra shifted shakily up onto all four feet..swaying like a foal who'd only just broken free of their basket. Everything was a blank. Small snippets of voices rang through his mind but, the main thing he remembered was running..then being sucked into the fast moving current. After that there was only darkness within the confused stallion's memory. Nothing made sense. Did he have family? Friends? Would someone be looking for him or had he simply wandered too close to a river and bashed his head in the process? Perhaps this was normal. Assuming he lived nearby Wayra shook most of the water from his body, then he stepped off through the nearest expanse of woods. Not noticing the drops of blood staining his pure white temple. Not noticing or caring about the mud smearing his once immaculate coat. There was just this sense of loss and loneliness that ate away at his mind but, instead of dwelling he ran free, not knowing that miles down river his forgotten sister searched for him. For the stallion who didn't even know his past.
****
Time drifted by rapidly as it is so prone to do. Wayra lived with constant dreams of a past life..a life he didn't connect to as being HIS. He wandered wild and free his mane a wreck of tangles, his coat in constant shambles. The stallion had become different in this new 'life'. Memories were hidden from the injury to his head..only remembered when he settled to sleep but, forgotten the moment sunshine filled the sky. That is until one fateful day. Wayra caught sight of a mare off in the distance. The way she moved, the way she was colored. His brain fought to remember but, his only thought was that she'd come from his dreams. When they were face to face the male felt nothing except confusing at her tears..at the fact that she knew his name; that she felt so very familiar. "I'm sorry miss....who are you?"
How long had it been since she had taken up the mantle of a mourning mare devoid of her other half? She had searched for her brother until her legs would carry her no further, until the spark she had clung so desperately to evaporated, and she was left sobbing on the forest floor. She had been unable to find him and so had to believe he had perished while attempting to save her life. To keep her from drowning when she froze up in the middle of the chaos. As her tears were taken in by the soil she remembered thinking how death would be a blessing, how being alone was unbearable. Even so, she was unable to entirely give up her will to live. That was why when a group of her tribesman drew near she sent up a pathetic whinny for help.
She was taken into the folds of her broken tribe, adding to the faces shaded by the pallor of grief. Many lives had been lost in the flood and hope appeared to be in short supply. For days the group was in disarray, staring at what had once been their happy home. Hardly anything was left, just a few piles of rubble here or there but nothing that told the story of their existence. There was nothing to remind her of her beloved brother but the pain within her heart. And yet, she did not die. Instead she sought the company of an old squaw who had lost her brave son in the flood.
Both of them grieved together, and both of them attempted to help the other stitch up the wounds in their hearts. One day Leotie found the old woman hovering over a pool of water. Sunken beneath the surface were the remnants of a burned teepee. The old woman dipped her finger into the pool and began to draw on her face with the watered down ash. Leotie felt drawn to this idea and as such approached the squaw and nudged her. “Unfortunate mare,” the woman began, “wear this mask to remember the village we lost, and those we lost within it.” At that she gently smeared the stuff around and under Leotie’s eyes.
A few weeks later the mare had gone out to help the women harvest the crops, for they had a good season. She had wandered away for only a moment when an all too familiar white and black figure emerged from the trees. Instantly tears began to flow freely from her charcoal rimmed eyes and all the weakness she had numbed herself to bubbled to the surface. He was here now. He could hold her up as she cried. He could once more be her strength. Things could go back to the way they were. “Wayra. Wayra, it is you!” She took a step forward to embrace her brother but was pushed back by an invisible force when he spoke. “W-who am I?” She stuttered, her heart breaking with each syllable.
This was not the reunion she had pictured in her dreams from time to time. No. This was a nightmare in which her dead brother, though returned to her, was not actually her brother. Even the look in his eyes told of his change. He was different both outwardly and inwardly. Falling to the ground with a delicate ‘thud’ she looked up at him and shook her head. “Why?” The battle had yet to be won and now, more than ever, she knew her life would change for good. He was here with her but he was not. The spark that had once driven her before ignited once again. She would have to figure out a way to bring him back. She needed him. She had gotten stronger since he had vanished, but now she would have to leave their home in search of answers. Many of the elders who would have known what to do had died. She would have to enter the cold hard world, forever separating herself from those days of relaxed bliss. “I will do it for you Wayra. I will get your memory back.” It was no longer about her. He was just as lost as she had been all this time.
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:12 pm
Lost a lady. Where can she be?
Username: Strawberri Stardust Character name: Taregan Temper: Playful Personality: He never really grew up. He's a foal in a stallion's body. He wants to have fun, play and mess around and tease his friends. He can be rough and he doesn't always realize that some don't like that very much. He loves to run, and to race, but the only one who could ever keep up with him, or even win against him, was his best friend in the whole world. Chepi. She was the only one who knew all his secrets. He is very protective of the ones he loves, and of Chepi in particular.
He's angry at her father for using her as nothing more than a bargaining chip and has been trying to brainstorm a way to get her out of it, even if it meant stealing her away in the middle of the night and leaving the herd.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. The rains had been the perfect distraction. No Soquili in their right mind would have been out in that. Which was exactly why Taregan had been going to get Chepi and take her away from the herd before she was shipped off to be married. Ugh. He couldn't bear to have her used as a pawn like that! And thinking like that had been exactly why he'd never been taken very seriously before.
But his plan had gone...amazingly wrong. He hadn't even been able to see in the rain, let alone figure out where he was going. His mane and tail were plastered to his body. Between one step and the next, he slipped and was washed away down the river until he could finally get himself back up to shore. Since his plan was obviously not going to work anymore, he holed himself up somewhere until the rains slowed and he could find his best friend.
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: Rinial Sisterdragon Character name: Chepi (Fairy) Temper: Mischievious Personality: Chepi though her looks have grown to show her as a beautiful mare, inside she is still very much the rough and tumble sort with a preference to keep that long mane of hair tied out of her way. There is nothing more she enjoys than a good run through the plains into the forest to hide away from those that wish her to learn to be a proper well bred mare. She is outspoken, and at times inconsiderate of other's opinions, but this is because in her herd females were not allowed to make their own decisions. However being the heard leader's second daughter she was granted leeway, and has grown up with more of a sharp tongue than many other of the mares.
And the only one who could stand her sharp tongue was Taregan. He's been her best friend since they were foals, and she's sharpest to him despite having a soft spot for the guy. She's still not sure what it means, but she'd never be half as happy if he wasn't around.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. "The rains are a welcome sight to me." Taking a long breath Chepi remembered that she'd been flattened nearly by the waters and the branches. But even that was more welcome than the blasted marriage she was being forced into. She was a second daughter, she wasn't supposed to be a bargaining chip for some stupid herd leader, in order to gain rights to a watering hole on their land. And she was to be married off to a herd leader who's first wife had disappeared? Who knew what he'd do to her? Chepi sure as hell was not good at being the quiet do her parents wanted. They tried so hard the past month to make her a quiet, demure princess of the herd...like her older sister. That would never have flown. She'd have to have had her tongue cut out for that to even half work.
They were shipping her off in the morning, but soon the rains came. Pouring, washing away everything, And now...now she had wanted to escape. There was no need for her to be married. No reason at all. So she ran. To where she knew she could find solace. But somewhere along the way, she'd gotten too deep into the waters, and nearly drowned. She was lucky the waters had taken pity on her and let her drift to shore. Now her only worry was when she was going to find Taregan. Her memory was fuzzy, but she was sure she'd seen him before the waters took her.
As the rains finally gave way. And she had to set out, had to find him.
....and then they found each other again! Write a small in character reply between the pair when they finally find each other again. What happens? How do they feel? Have things changed? How? Let your imagination flow free! (Color choices not final, just for differentiation)
Chepi felt like she'd been searching for hours. The rains had let up, but the going was slow and she was disgustingly muck covered. Her long ridiculous mane was matted with mud from the deluge and she looked a right mess. Nothing like the bride she was supposed to be when this had all started, not that she cared. She'd never wanted to be a bride, she'd only wanted to run free, enjoy her play time, enjoy her life and spend time with her best friend running around like a fool.
Now, here she was, searching around to see if she could find him, hoping that he was okay, and that nothing too terrible had happened to him. He was safe. He had to be, he was smart, a pain in the rump, but smart. He'd never have gone out in the storm like she thought she'd seen, right?
The mud sodden mare batted away at the panic rising in her chest. He was fine. there was nothing to worry about, and she was okay, and now there was no reason for her to marry anyone. Everything was going to be absolutely perfect, and there wasn't any need to freak out. She started to repeat it like a mantra as she continued to slog her way forward.
His first stop had been back to the herd, but it was all gone, washed away in the rains like he had been. Great. Now how was he going to find Chepi? He steeled himself for a long trek and started his search. She was fine, he just knew it. She had to be. She was Chepi, the only one who was able to keep up and even out pace himself. She was tough enough to have survived the storm.
The going had been slow...and now, well she'd gotten her mane tangled in broken tree branches. She was about ready to just drag the damn thing along with her when she heard the sound of hoof beats. It could be someone from the herd...could be her father...no, he wouldn't come looking for a lost bargaining chip. She gave a tentative tug on her mane and the branches, stuck. Stead fast.
Swallowing dryly she nearly yelped, "HEY! I NEED SOME HELP!" She didn't like doing it, if she was about to be eaten by some hunter out after the rains, she'd be damn well a pain to eat. But for now, she needed to see if it was help or a fight she'd be getting.
Taregan had been walking for a long time when he heard a voice call out. Was it Chepi? He really hoped so. He picked up his pace and ran toward the sound. "Chepi!?" he called. His legs were killing him, but he was determined to find her.
Was that her name? The voice called to her, "Taregan?" She blinked, then grinned, he was okay and he was calling her. Everything was going to be fine, "TAREGAN!!! MOVE YOUR SLOW a**!!!" She yelped and tugged harder at where she'd been caught. He was there, and she was safe and they were both alive. Everything was fine, "I'M CAUGHT! THIS STUPID MANE!!" She cursed and tugged, dirt covered and bedraggled but she was happier knowing he was okay.
Oh thank the gods she was alright! He laughed and ran faster until she was in his sights. "CHEPI!" he shouted happily, relief washing over him. He snorted as she complained about her mane...again. "Maybe you should just cut it all off," he suggested, not for the first or even the hundred and first time. "I'm so glad to see you," he said as he moved closer to her to untangle her hair from the branches.
"You look like I feel," he said and grinned at her. He knew he was covered in mud and soaked to the bone just like she was, but it was all okay, because she was alright.
She had two reactions to his suggestion to cut it all off, one was to knock him in the face with her hoof, the other was a snort of indignation, she let the second one take precedence as it was less likely to have her left tangled in a tree, "If it was my braid it wouldn't have gotten caught." She snorted at him, but gratefully accepted his help.
"I'm glad you're not a drowned rat, either." She spoke in her normal tone to him, never sparing his feelings, or his ego from her snark, but he was her best friend and he could take it. "Haven't you heard? It's all the rage where they want to send me. Caked in mud and bedraggled, very in right now." She snort-laughed at the thought of what her supposed husband to be would think of her now.
That thought sobered her as she looked at her best friend. Her eyes narrowed, "Did father ask you to come get me?" She was fairly sure he didn't, but given she had run off during the flood and she had no clue what was going on in the herd, her father might have finally decided to try and get Taregan to be his errand runner. Not that Taregan was any good at that sort of thing, and from what she'd known he wasn't really behind the whole marriage thing.
He gave her a grin as he finished untangling her mane from the branches. He was sure that what she really wanted to do was whack him with her hoof, but she gave him the indignant huff and snort. He gave her a snort of his own and rolled his eyes. "Seems to me that if that were really the fashion, I would want to be unfashionable," he said.
He stared at her for a moment when she asked if her father had sent him. "You really think that he'd send me to get you?" He'd made no attempts to hide how he felt about her arranged marriage. "I haven't seen him, or anyone since the flood. The herd is scattered...the territory pretty much destroyed..."
Her face molded into a frown, "No. I really didn't think so. What with the threats you'd thrown at him last time." she chuckled a bit. Then that next part confused her. The herd was scattered. Their territory destroyed. Her eyes widened at the prospect. She could have been tied down to some herd she never knew about, didn't want to know. And now...she could just leave. Go wherever she wanted and start over. She knew how to gather food anywhere she went, how to survive on her own better than any of the others. There was no reason to show up and find them again. None at all.
The smile on her face could be compared to that of a Kalona who'd just eaten the most delicious rabbit they'd ever tasted, "We're free..." She whispered it, a soft almost inaudible sentence, then louder, again and again, "WE'RE FREE!!!!"
Taking a calming breath, she gathered up her mane and wrapped the free thing around her neck, "Come on, Taregan, We have got to get going. Places to go, things to see, a WHOLE world without our herd tying us down!" Her excitement was obvious as she danced from one hoof to the other. "Follow the setting sun and never look back!" She trotted in the direction she spoke of, knowing full well Taregan would follow her to the ends of the earth, because they were and always would be the best of friends.
He snorted softly. Good point. It wasn't usually a good idea to threaten your herd leader, but he'd just gotten so tired of his best friend being treated like a piece of property that he'd exploded.
He watched as her eyes widened, watched as she took in the information. She was so happy about it, and he was relieved. He laughed as she danced on her hooves, then followed her like she knew he would. She was his best friend, and he would follow her into the very heart of a den of hungry Kalonas.
They were free. There was no one and nothing tying them down, no one they had to be responsible for except each other. The flood had been a blessing for them. A way to start over somewhere else. Anywhere else. Everywhere else.
Username: Epine de Rose Character name: Jael'li Temper: Debonair Personality: A Bucaneer by heart, Jael'li spends mose of his time exploring the world and plundering the land for treasure! Oh, that isn't to say that he aims to hurt anyone, on the contrary he strives for nothing more than to uncover the legendary wealth that Soquili of old left behind. Have a rumour of something mythical? He'll hunt it down. Have an old wive's tale of a magical potion? He'll find that too!
Determined, good humoured, and ever the charmer; he's known for his warmth, his adventurous spirit and his quick mind. A strategist, he knows what he wants and will formulate a plan to get it. Once set on a goal, a prize in his sight, he will be a tenacious whirlwind of energy. Ah, but do not be mistaken for this buck can sit still and he does rather enjoy it! A chance to relax, a quiet drink from the lake, and a moment to catch up with his trusted friends are most definitely on his list of desired activities.
Though he may seem "flighty", you can be sure that he's loyal and he will never leave someone behind when they need him...
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. (Spoilered so you can read each section more easily.)
Forest fires had always been a source of pain for the buck; though his memories may have been vague and fleeting, he could still recall his childhood. He had one vivid memory of his mother, an abrupt wake up call that had led to his bleary eyed self, bounding with tired limbs, towards the edges of a forest that he had never been allowed to see. His ancestral home had been incinerated that day and though his foal-self hadn't had the opportunity to make any lasting memories there, he could remember the pained expression that his mother had held.
Her home had been destroyed.
They had placed their faith in the Prince that day and he had led them all to the Kawani, a place that was supposed to be a safe haven; and it had been, until the last fateful months.
At first he hadn't really noticed it, moving from place to place he had never been one to dine on too much food. However the further he had wandered, the more it became apparent that something was wrong. The world was too hot and as he stepped into the shade of one clump of trees, he had heard the shrill cries of the birds overhead. They brought news, of which they aspired to send it far and wide, the world was on fire and the meadows were a sea of flames.
Unsurprisingly he had been cast back to his time as a child, and with fear clutching at his chest, he had spun on his heels and made his way back the way he had come. The world couldn't end in this manner again, his kind had survived so much already and now... Well he was sure that some were able, but there were a few he had known who were perhaps too unassuming, too modest, to make a fuss about anything.
Hartley was one of them.
Foolish as it might have seemed, he couldn't trust her to be selfish on this occasion and he would be damned if he would have his closed friend perish to molten hell.
Alas, by the time he had managed to come within distance of the village the flames had already dissipated. The smouldering ruins were visible in the distance, the ashen fields a reminder of the vicious side of Mother Nature. Nevertheless he had no time to react, for no sooner had he reached his destination than he caught the glimpse of silver in his eye - raging, roiling and heading straight for him. He had scarcely a moment to react before he was ripped from his hooves and cast out into the unknown, a single but very hard smack to the head, a guarantee that he would not put up a fight...
It was only after the waters had receded and the heat began to pat gently at his cheeks that the buck finally came to, his head throbbing as a reminder of his ordeal. Upon opening his eyes the world was so very bright, it was agony to look at for a time, but eventually his vision settled and he was able to observe the scene of the second tragedy.
...Well, he didn't know who had spat in Mother Nature's curds lately but she mustn't have been happy.
"Urgh," he muttered awkwardly as he pulled himself to his hooves and gathered his bearings. He had been fortunate for he wasn't that far from where he had left off. No doubt he had snagged something (if his screaming limbs had anything to say about it), but he could be positive in his outlook, at least this way he didn't have too far to walk? Or limp. Whichever mood his legs were in at the time.
He refrained from delaying for too long though - he would have time to react to the damage to his home after he had done what he needed to do. Yes, what had happened was horrible and his head was spinning. No doubt he was in shock in some form, but for now his friend was his priority. He needed to find Hartley, and he could only pray that she hadn't been caught up in that torrent of water...
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: Pink Pandah Bear Character name: Hartley (From the Stag's meadow) ----------Deep inner desire for a stable, loving family or community, and a need to work with others and to be appreciated. Temper: Reserved Personality:A quiet mare who seeks family and companionship. She has been torn since a young foal and has grown to be timid and reserved. Under all her layers of emotion she is a gentle soul who loves to love, who will do anything for loyalty and willingly puts others before herself. Growing up with Jael'li, she relied on him for comfort, he was her soul, her safe haven to go to. She never knew what her life would be like without him in it, until she had no choice.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.
Ever since Hartley was a foal, she had nightmares. She can still recall the day her home was perished by the flames, and her family struggled to survive. The village was destroyed and her home was no longer, and ever since that fatal day, she could still relive every moment, every night. Everything flashed back to the moment she seen the fire. Her mother in tears. Her father screaming to get away. The screech of pain from multiple voices. Her heart sank. What was happening to her?
This isn't a dream.
The voices weren't her parents. The screams were not of her father. This was reality, it was happening right now.
She opens her eyes and blinks at the dark sky. It was dull. Trees were destroyed and nothing seemed familiar to her. She chokes, gasping for air as she coughs up water. How did I get here? She sighed, glancing down at her legs covered in blood. Tears started to form as she realized she was caught in the flood, which again had destroyed what she called home. Mud and dirt were covered in her drenched hair, twigs and sticks poking at every limb. She was caught under a tree, her hooves stuck between the brittle wood. She suddenly thought of where Jael'li might have been. It would kill her if anything had happened to him.
At the terrible thought of Jael'li in need, she digs her hooves from the rubble, with every piece of her strength. She needed to find him with whatever it may take. Her eyes begin to tear up faster as she struggles, the twigs and wood tearing at her fur. "Jael'li!" She screams at the top of her lungs. She had to find him, he was her everything.
....and then they found each other again! Write a small in character reply between the pair when they finally find each other again. What happens? How do they feel? Have things changed? How? Let your imagination flow free!
She hadn't been in the village; nor had she been outside it or within it's immediate vicinity. Jael'li's positive view on his predicament was souring quickly, and he couldn't help but cast a disgruntled look towards another mound of seeping wet clay. The soil had been ripped up from the river bed and whoever was under it had been terribly unlucky; the only relief that he could find in this particularly discovery was that it hadn't been Hartley. Her hooves were bigger and more importantly, they'd been the wrong colour.
This didn't make it any easier though; and it was with a deep breath that he forced himself on. His legs were extremely stiff, obviously bruised from whatever the hell he had hit in his moment of weakness, but on this occasion he had no choice to keep moving. For much of his search he had kept silent, but as the hours had passed he was beginning to see the logic that others had in their methods.
If she was under something she may not be visible - but maybe she could hear him?
It was worth a shot.
"Hartley!" he yelled. "Are you dead?" he demanded weakly. "Because I'd have much preferred to have recieved that memo earlier."
Hartley struggled to stand to her feet, her knees buckling from under her. She had been caught in the flood, sweeping her away from what she knew as home, or what it used to be. The village was destroyed, as were trees, which for her unlucky self, had poked and prodded at her as she was swept away.
Cuts and bruises covered her legs, her hair entwine with leaves and dirt as she struggles to get up for a second time. Almost stable, she chokes up water, causing her to buckle for a second time. She sighed. She needed to find Jael'li. She couldn't find the strength in herself to cope without him, and she didn't want to. "Jae?" She screams, hearing no response. She hoped with all of her being, that he was alive.
Today. Freaking. Sucked.
Wet, cold, and sore in all the wrong places; worse still, was the ever increasing turmoil in his chest. He had kept calling out and she hadn't responded. He'd started to use every possible method, copied the ones he had seen and nothing. At this rate she would have been swept into the ocean and completely lost. He couldn't help but wonder if he might have been able to do something more if he'd actually been there; maybe grabbed her hair and hauled her to safety. He could temporary ignore the fact he had been swept away too in those moments.
Fortunately, no sooner had he begun to sink into a much dark state of mind, than he heard the familiar voice. A figment of his imagination or...? He rounded another mud mound, lips pursing, and it was then that he saw her. Battered and bruised, but most definitely alive. Suffice it to say that his day brightened considerably in those moments.
"You look fabulous, Hartley. That look totally suits you," he remarked wryly.
Her heart pounds as she seen the familiar face arise infront of her. She tries to balance on her feet, excited to see her other soul, her friend for life. "Jael!" She screams with happiness, her face streaming with tears falling from her cut cheeks, giggling at his remark.
"I'm so glad you're alive!" Her face brightens as she wobbles over to him. At this moment, nothing else mattered. Her friend was still alive, and nothing that mother nature herself could do, would tear them apart.
"You'd think I'd been gone for months!" he said weakly as the doe hobbled over to him, each step seemingly tenative as though she had been through more of a war than him. Ah, but it was the first time he'd ever seen her quite so emotional - always one to hide in her shell, it was a rare occasion when she would exhibit more dramatic behaviour. It was a shame that she had to display at this time; he'd have been much happier if she had been in a happier state of affairs. He'd known the doe for years and he still hadn't persuaded her to prance around and relax.
At least not in public.
"But...you know me, takes more than -" he paused and shook his head. "Actually I have no idea what assaulted me, all I've got is 'wall of water'," he confessed and turned his attention to her legs. "You have more stripes in your legs than I do on my entire body right now," he murmured and shook his head. "We should...get those checked out, otherwise I'll be hunted down by the local males for not taking care of your lovely pins, eh?" he asked. Much better to jest, than to be one of grim demeanour.
Hartley smirked at the boy before her. She was so happy that he was okay, that's all that mattered to her. "No, no i'm fine! Really." She peered down at her legs, wiping the blood away to hide the marks. "I'm so glad you're okay." She was never one to be open, or to show what she felt, but on this horrid occasion, she needed him to know what he meant to her.
Atleast, she tried.
"Do you have any wounds?" She nudged at the stallion, looking at him with worry in her eyes.
"Well," he pondered her question and nudged the doe back with an affectionate, if wry smile. "I feel like I've gone ten bouts in the ring," he confessed. "Not sure who I was boxing but I think they may have been the size of a tree," he added and shook his head. A momentary flicker of pain crossed his face, his head disputing the abrupt movement and then he chuckled. "But all things considered I think you win the 'I'm worse off than you' contest," he lifted a hoof and pointed at her knees, a knowing lift of his brow to follow.
"And don't think I can't see what you're up to missy," he chastised. She might have disliked the idea of being an inconvenience or making a fuss, but he was perfectly happy to bang the pans across the wall until someone turned round to look at him. That being said, she seemed to need some reassurance, if a little bit more than usual. "But I'm fine, I promise," he added more softly and released a small sigh. "If I feel like I'm about to keel over and die, I'll warn you so that you can prepare my final rites for me, all right?" he joked.
Nevertheless, he wasn't about to drop the main issue and he cleared his throat. "We're going back to the village; it's not all there but...I think there will be others there who can clean your wounds." he murmured. "The birds were determined to find help, I'm sure I'm not the only one who heard them." he added.
Hartley giggled. The quick-witted stallion she once knew, was back in action. She missed his smart remarks, especially now. She nodded toward him, agreeing. "They do need to be cleaned." She admitted, gulping at the thought of getting herself help. Jael was her saviour.
She planted an affectionate nudge on his neck, hiding in his hair for a moment. She didn't want her horrible dreams to come back, not this time, and not with this unfortunate event. She gulped, hard. "I'm so sorry we've had to go through this again..." Her voice trailing off, with another tear streaming down her face.
"So it was you who spat in Mother Nature's breakfast, was it?" Jael offered teasingly and shook his head. "Hart, don't apologise for things that were never your fault to begin with," he chastised. "So long as we don't take it for granted,that's all that matters," he murmured. He paused of course as he began to walk back towards the village, sincerely hoping that there would be help there for Hart. Whether she liked it or not her wounds had to be cleaned; if they weren't cleaned they would become infected and... well, he had seen what happened to infected wounds. It was a horror story in itself.
"Once we get you cleaned up and settled somewhere to recover, I'll see what I can do to help out the villagers," he added after a period of silence. "I think for now it might be a good idea for me to stick around, don't you?" he continued. "Just in case they need the extra help, right?"
It was almost as if he didn't sound so sure of his own offer for once, it was quite extraordinary.
Hart nodded slightly. She didn't want to become sick from infected wounds. She had seen the effect of that in her past and that was not something she wanted for herself, even if that meant admitting the fact she needed help.
"I want to help too, Jael'li." She smiled at the thought. "There would be many who need both of our help. I could only imagine the extent of damage some have." Her need of pleasing others soared. She couldn't imagine the hurt this flood had caused to other families and the last thing she wanted was for others to suffer. It was in her heart to try.
Should he argue, forbid, tell her off?
Absolutely not.
No one but him had any idea how rare it was for Hart to be forward and if she wanted to offer her assistance then he'd be damned if he didn't let her have the exposure she wanted. That didn't stop him casting a doubtful glance towards her as they headed back to the village though. "Sure, if you want to help then it's not as if I can stop you Hart," he pointed out and gave a small snort.
"But you have to rest first," he added. He then cleared his throat, "And if you keel over without warning then so help me, I'll wake you up and knock you out again myself for over exerting, you get me?" he finished with a smirk.
Hart nodded and gave a small giggle. She was thankful that he understood her need to heal.
"Oh what would I do without you?" She grinned and nuzzled him softly, rubbing mud, blood and all sorts onto his fur, she chuckles.
As they got closer to the village she begins to see the damage it had caused. There was barely anything left, and she suddenly felt scared about getting infected. Her knees begin to weaken at the thought, although she was grateful that it was her and not her friend.
On any other day he would have bet one of his trinkets that this would have happened; so brave and yet it was all a little too much. Injuries, exhaustion and shock combined, the doe was about to lose her footing again and it was with a soothing, but incoherent murmur, that he swept his head underneath Hart's neck and propped her up. Placing the majority of his weight towards her side, he gave her the opportunity to lean on him and slowed his pace considerably.
"You'd fall on your face, sunshine," he pointed out wistfully and then released a small chuckle. "Little further and then you can rest," he added in a relaxed tone, though his eyes flicked about in search for a unicorn for assistance. Ah, but first he would find her a place to lie down and then he would pursue additional medical aid. She would be safe to sleep, she'd been coherent for long enough, that would give him the time to wrangle and demand attention like his inner fawn was born to do.
As they crossed the threshold of the village he prepared himself. No sign of a unicorn yet but that didn't mean there weren't any, and you could be sure that the bucaneer would find one - he was born for it!
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:59 pm
Lost a lady. Where can she be?
Username: SilverShieldwolf Character name: Lae`ula Temper: Even Personality: He goes out of his way to help. Rarely does his temper get the best of him. The friendliest of stallions, he enjoys helping everything from the smallest creature to the largest.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. Shaken, that was the best he could say was wrong with him. Bothered by it, he kept walking to see what was going on with the rest of the herd. There wasn't much that he could really do, besides be a comforting stallion to the young ones. A noise had him running to the waters edge, the mud sucking at his hooves in some ares. "Hold on, I am coming!" Getting to the water, he laughed. There on a boulder was a raccoon family looking to get out of the water. Grabbing a few branches that would be long enough to bring the whole group over. "Come on. I wont hurt you."
Watching the raccoon push her babies in front of her, Lae`ula waited calmly, even nudging one who wanted to go play in the mud. "Stay safe, little ones. I will love to see you around later." Feeling a bit better, he made his way to the possible place of the start of the flood. He had to see if she was alive. She kept him going, even in this time of despair.
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: Lady Evelon Character name: Rasha Temper: Gental Personality: Always wanting to be of help to others she is willing to get dirty if needed. She doesn't let her beauty cause her to be vain at all for it is useless if her heart is ugly.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character.
At first Rasha felt a bit disoriented. She was scared alone and even lost. She didn't know what she should do currently. As she was looking around trying to figure out where she was she heard a cry for help. Forgetting about her own worries she got up and walked to where she heard the cry from. She walks up to a young foal whose back legs are stuck in the mud. "grab my tail and hold on." She says to the foal and as soon as the foal bites down hard on her tail she starts pulling forward getting the foal free."there your safe now little one. lets find your mother or father." she says her back end a bit sore from the foal pulling on it but she doesn't mind.
She searches among all groups she can find asking for information on the foal's missing mother. Each group had at least one that recognized the young foal and helped describe its mother. Rasha smiles thanking each group and going to find the next one the little foal following behind her now and then needing to be pulled out of the mud again. Eventually Rasha and the foal find the group with the foal's mother in it. After a happy reunion between mother and child Rasha heads out to find the one she lost.
....and then they found each other again! He stood on the hill, looking..watching. There were more happy reunions than unhappy. A smile settled on his face, but didn't reach his eyes. They were sad, looking for the one, his soul. She had to of made it, why else would he still be feeling like this. Stepping slowly down the hill, his ears perked at each brown and white mare, thinking that Rasha was right there. Only to have them drop down when the mare went to another. "She has to be out there."
Rasha Walked slowly among the mess being careful not to get stuck in the mud herself. She pushes through past Some others running to there loved ones. Rasha stops for a moment bowing to some who had sadly lost a family member then moves on hoping with all hope in her heart that he was still alive. She looks around with worry in here eyes. What if he was one of the few to perish, what if he ended up lost. Well if he was lost she would search for him. Rasha closes her eyes and opens them with determination. "He must have survived hes strong." She says to herself.
A young one bumping into him, looking for its family, causes Lae`ula to stumble. "easy little one. I am sure they are right over there." Giving a nudge to the youngster as he points them in the right direction. It felt like ages that he had been searching for her, that he finally took a deep breath, "RASHA!"
Rasha lifts her head high her ears up straight as she hears a familiar voice call her name. "its him!" She says to herself and heads to the source of the voice. "Lae`ula! I am here Lae`ula!" She says as she trudges through the mud trying to reach Lae`ula as quickly as she can. She thinks on how nice it will feel to have the warm of his body against hers as they stand beside each other.
Ears perking, yes it was. His Rasha! Moving to get next to her, without harming others, the stallion rushed through the crowd. His heart was correct, she was alive. Dirty, but alive and that was all that mattered to him. He came upon her side, resting his head on her glorious mane. "Oh, I thought I had lost you." He stood next to her, enjoying the feel of Rasha.
Rasha smiles nuzzling against his neck. "And I thought I lost you. But I refused to give up hope." She says. "you look as filthy as I feel right now." She says and laughs a bit mostly out of relief that he was alive and well. at least she thought he was and pulls back to look at him. "are you unhurt?" She asks now wanting to make sure he was well.
A full laugh came from him. "I am as well as can be." He looked her over. "Are you well? I think I got a few bumps and scrapes, but nothing a few days rest wont heal." Sighing, "I'm so glad that I found you again. It makes the day brighter."
Rasha sighs with relief glad to know for sure now that he was well. "I think I have a lump forming on my head and to be honest my rear end is a bit sore due to my tail being used as a rope for a young one." She says with a smile. "but I will live that is for sure." She nuzzles against him again. "I am just so glad to have found you as well. at least that's one good thing."
"You help a young one, and with your tail at that! And I help a raccoon family get off the boulder they were stuck on." His tail flicked as the joy of being with her. "Shall we help the others, repair the village?"
Rasha nods. "yes we can help build this place back up. Maybe try to make it better so another flood cant destroy our village." She says smiling gently while looking at the others as some rest and others start trying to salvage what they can. "It make take a bit to do so but it will be worth it I am sure."
"Anything to keep this as home." Though for him, anywhere she was would be home. There was a lot to do, that was correct, but with all of them, it wouldn't take that long. Shaking off the extra mud, Lae`ula leaned against Rasha. "Lets go get started. We have each other and can work on this while the others rejoice with their families."
Rasha nods. "yes lets get started. after all my family is right here with you." She says and then walks by is side to help start with any repairs and salvaging that they can. There is much work for them to do but with the help of everyone they would all be alright.
Kirisa-chan
Dangerous Lunatic
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Das Tor
Romantic Enabler
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:36 am
Lost a lady. Where can she be?
Username: Das Tor Character name: Quelmarth Temper: Lucky Personality: Quel is the sort of stallion who seems to have little issue in getting through life. He seems to always find the right patch of grass to nibble on, the right Soquili and humans to be around, and seems to avoid the worst life has to offer. And this reflects in his personality: he's very sweet and cheerful, almost always with a smile and a tip of the head for everyone, and very naive. The stories of murders and deaths and evil that circulate about the lands? He's somehow managed to avoid them. Needless to say, the fires and flood have him a little surprised and shaken, questioning what's been going on with his life and what he and his sweet companion did to deserve separation and pain.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. What did we do?
What did we do to deserve this?
What did anyone do to deserve this?
This pain, this suffering. What did we do? Is the Great Spirit angry? But...I am alive. And I am certain Anameleth is as well. Perhaps...perhaps the Great Spirit was angry. But...there was mercy, too, right? We're alive, after all...
I hope she is alive. There is no life without her...
He's out there somewhere, isn't he?
Username: -_Wish of Tevarae_- Character name: Anameleth Temper: Fluid Personality: There are those lovely females with a spirited nature, who will kick up their hooves and spin around for displays. Then, there is the type who match better with the femme known as Anameleth. Her heart is warm and eager, ready to allow herself to trust any who come across her path. She loves to sing and dance, and is good with storytelling and children. Anameleth is an artistic sort, and is known to be able to bend and change like the river. It is easy for the female to drop what she's been working on for another's project, when invited to do so. She's always so eager to bend, to make a change for someone who needs her. There is also the fact that she doesn't oft seem to anger, only truly getting snappish if her morals are crossed.
How did they feel about the incident with the flood? Write the reply in character. I hardly remember...what happened...But it hurt so badly.
They all seem to be in so much pain, and nothing I do seems to help. It feels like something is missing though...Great Spirit willing, I will find something to mark what it is.
It is like a part of my soul is destroyed, like I am not whole without him. Is it a him? It is a him isn't it...?
He has to be alive. Where...is he?
....and then they found each other again! It was terrifying what the Great Spirit could do to the land. Quelmarth looked over things from the patch of damp earth and what was left of grass that he'd used for a bed after wandering for days, looking for any sign of his constant traveling companion. The floods had caught them by surprise, just when they'd thought themselves far away from the fires. And he'd been helpless as she'd been swept away from him, before he'd hit his head on a log.
Quel kept hope in his heart that she was alive, that she was well. After all, he was alive, despite the cold that soaked into his bones from the damp earth. So she must be alive, too. She had to be alive...
Things were terrifying, honestly. After she'd dragged herself from a river, the first thing she had done was lay some of her shells and gold at the river's edge. She had to offer something to the Great Spirit to ask for favor. Ask that she would be safe as she ventured onwards and outwards. She needed to wander...to find whoever it was that seemed to be missing from her presence...from her life. what was it? Why was the Spirit tormenting her so? Her head was....spinning. It still ached from where she'd been turned to hit it against the rock. Her hooves pressed into the damp earth, pulling her towards a new part of her world. Towards...something new...better.
Her lovely eyes turned back and forth, until finally, they landed on a male. Why did her heart quicken when her gaze landed upon him? Why did he seem so...integral? "Greetings!" She called out warmly, "Are you lost from the flood?" She did not remember why he was so important...just that...he was.
Quel looked up and blinked curiously before things clicked. It was her. Anameleth. His dearest companion! "You're okay..." He pulled himself to his hooves, smiling. "You're okay! I knew you'd be okay! I've been looking all over for you, Anameleth!"
Anameleth blinked slowly, her hooves pressing into the dampness. He knew her name? How did he know...? What was his name? "Of course I am alright. The Spirit saw fit to be merciful." Oh Great one, explain how she was to explain that she hadn't even the faintest idea who he was outside of the fact that he made her feel so warm...?
Something was off. Quel tilted his head this way and that, before moving to look her over. He just...wanted to be sure. To know that he wasn't just seeing things. "That's wonderful! I just..." He paused in his observing. "It was lonely without you. Without your songs and stories and laughter..."
She stood still, one leg canted upwards as she waited for him to look her over. How to react? How to deal with this...? "...I...I am sorry...I know you are...very important. " Anameleth's voice was a bare whisper, looking weak, "I know I feel deeply for you, Spirit only know why...But the water has stolen a part of me and I do not remember your name...."
Oh. Quel's face fell, as it sunk in what was wrong. Oh dear...that...No. She was Anameleth, and even if she was missing a piece of her memory, she was still her and still precious. "Quelmarth." He smiled at her. "Quelmarth is my name, and we traveled together. We've been all over the lands here."
"Quelmarth..." His name rolled off her tongue as easily as breathing. HE was as natural as breathing to her. Her hooves carried her forwards, nose gently pressing to his neck, "I know you are something essential to me, Quelmarth....I know you make me feel right...and whole. "I do not remember but..."
Quel returned the motion with a slight nudge of his own, still smiling. She was alive and well, that was enough to smile about. "That's alright, Anameleth. We are alive, and we have all the time in the world. To recover lost memories. Or simply forge new ones. Perhaps even both."
"We will find a way to restore what was lost." She murmured happily, looking up at him, "The Great Spirit took it away, the River stole it, but we will regain it, dear Quelmarth." Her tail flicked back and forth, and she nosed him again, "Come. Let us travel."
