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 Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:11 pm
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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:13 pm
The terrain beneath his hooves began to shift from unyielding to a sort of quagmire as Harbinger descended from the mountains. It was not in his nature to stay in one place for very long for stillness inspired thought and, in his clouded eyes, thought lead to nothing but strife. As long as he was traveling he could occupy his mind with things other than the twisted circumstances of his birth, or the beauty of his mother that so obviously had not been bestowed upon her monstrous son. Instead he could formulate his next con, or even focus on the mysteries of the world around him. Though, at this moment, the mysteries were seemingly attempting to swallow him up into the bowels of the earth.
Each step he took seemed to be filled with more noise as the watery ground sucked at his fetlocks and threatened to shackle him in place. Even the trees around him seemed to possess more ominous countenances than the skeletal trees he had left behind atop the mountains. In a way this world he had entered seemed more fitting for his existence than that of the great mounds of rock that stretched up to kiss the sky. He thought for a moment of the useless nubs on his back that could scarcely be called wings; this place was definitely more suitable.
An obnoxious buzzing sound caused his ears to flick this way and that as a hoard of bloodsucking insects fell upon him. He attempted to swat at them with his tail but the hair had become more heavy than usual due to clots of mud that had become entangled within it. Like a moth to a flame the insects were drawn to the constant trickle of blood oozing from open wounds that would never close. He could almost chuckle; here his wounds made him desirable whereas elsewhere they made him grotesque and frightening.
Assuming his usual apathetic attitude he continued to march through the floodplains, no longer paying any mind to the hungry earth or the ecstatic insects. Though he could, in all honesty, say that he belonged here he would not allow himself to be forcibly held against his will. It was not in his nature to linger.
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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:14 pm
Thrilled, and delighted giggles filled the muggy, clogging air just a ways down from the lumbering stranger. Leaping, and bounding about in the overly saturated ground, a stark white foal, graced with little tid bits of vibrant blues, squished their paws into the greedy earth. The squelching was frequent, and varying in volume, those gangly legs getting marred in the thick, dark substance that clung so tightly. Freckles even hugged along their belly and chest, lanky sleek tail not spared from the onslaught. But there was no sign of care nor worry on the youths features, multiple eyes blinking eagerly, delicate wings sprouted between their shoulders flitting and twitching with equal energy as their demeanor. Their joy was practically palpable in the drab, dreary setting.
Unfortunately, the guardian that watched over the little frolicker wasn't enjoying their location at all. Head hunkered, and clear tail coiling nervously, Shifa's vibrant eyes on dark canvas darted about anxiously to any sound that was created that didn't fall align to the foals movements. His own snow white legs were only slightly soiled by the mud, having done his darndest to try and avoid getting dirty as much as possible. He didn't like the way the ground here acted.... as if trying to pull him into its clutches, and ensnare him as though he were a meal to have! But... the foal had brought them here, and he wasn't going to let them go all alone. The child was adventurous, curious, and wanted to see everything! Or so they'd always say... The stallion had always had a soft spot for children, the strong paternal instincts within him always tugging at him since he could remember. And this had been the first youth he'd actually been able to look after, and care for.. the poor thing having been left as a basket, at the foot of a mountain, where wolves were aplenty.
While the gung-ho nature of the foal was helpful in getting the worriesome medic to venture out further from his comfort zones, and into more eerie areas, it did also raise his anxious behavior just as much. "V-Vahva, don't... you think we should.. head back now..?" he hesitantly inquired with the youngling.
It was just then that the play came to a sudden halt, white ears flipping straight up, the quartet of eyes flashing about with interest. Nostrils flaring, King turned their head towards a direction that seemed to hold some kind of answer to what had paused their game. Ears wavering, swiveling, senses a great deal heightened naturally, the foal turned theirself to aim where they were staring, "I hear something.. that way..!" the murmured in a very distracted whisper, before darting off to investigate the distant sound of what resembled the squishes and squashes they'd just been making in the pool of mud.
And as usual, the distressed stallion followed after them, desperately calling after the child to slow down... to no avail.
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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:15 pm
The air around him began to grow humid, and soon a thin mist began to trickle down toward him from the trees like wispy fingers beckoning to him. What had once been a mere hoard of buzzing mosquitos grew to be a swarm and he found himself nearly blinded. His skin shuddered in places where they began to feed in order to shake them off, but otherwise he still paid them little mind. For the most part he could not feel their sharp noses piercing his flesh, and the loss of blood meant nothing to him. He had no goal in mind yet he still traveled with purpose, nothing would slow him.
Eventually the sodden ground began to climb up to his hocks and he found himself becoming a bit more fatigued with each movement he made. Clambering up steep, rocky terrain had fed his muscles until they were well defined, but this environment was beginning to become a challenge. He grit his teeth which caused a fresh stream of blood to seep from his slit mouth. He was sure to find solid ground at some point, he need only continue pressing on until he did so.
His nostrils flared as his breathing became more labored, but even with his ears distracted by harsh breaths and buzzing he could still hear a muffled squeal from the ridge above him. Something else was trekking through this hellish marshland. It was not fear that gripped him, only dismay as he began to reflect on the pathetic state he was in. How could he hope to inspire fear or even play the role of a trickster effectively if he could hardly move? He could nearly see his monstrous father shaking his head in disappointment, his hollow eyes showing just how much of a waste his offspring was. “Your time would have been better spent as a stillborn.” He murmured, mimicking the exact tone of voice his father had used the first time he uttered those words.
Cruelty fueled his tired muscles and he was soon able to scramble up the ridge after a few slips, only to make eye contact with a foal he considered to be nearly as freakish as himself. Alas, he was too weary to be frightening and too gloomy to be clever. Instead he eyed the unusual foal a moment then, watchfully, turned to walk away. He had yet to see the company she kept and so believed it only to be a matter of time before she was swallowed up, no need to waste the effort communicating.
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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:16 pm
When those two sets of eyes came into focus on the figure that'd been producing the mimicing aria that had piqued King's attention in the first place. They stared with obvious intrigue, only pausing their steps a moment to take in the sight that was the mysterious stranger before them. Feline-esque tail twitched sharply behind them with gusto, paws kneading the guck that was beneath them, and caked between toes, to also channel the excitement that was starting to bumble under their pelt. It'd been a few weeks since they'd come across someone new in their travels with Shifa... and each encounter was always sure to yield some sort of new information, or entertainment.
Their ears perked and twirked as the foreign form started to retreat from them, head cocking faintly with confusion, but fanged grin keeping in place. Instead of calling out, they simply trotted right on after them, tail lifted high, and wings spread out for balance... what little they could provide. Sauntering right up alongside the adult, their head craned around to try and get a peek at that sewn face, the duel sets of eyes blinking sometimes in unison... but usually at different intervals. Noting the flies that were obsessing over the exposed innards, and slits that teased what was hidden underneath, the foal began to snap at the pests, in an attempt to assist in fending them off, but also to see how this interesting character would react. They didn't seem like friends of the morose being... or maybe they were? Either way... surely this would get the guy to say something, right?
Panting, chest heaving as it struggled to take in healthy deep breaths in the suffocating air, Shifa trailed behind, his usually clean and stark white fetlocks now completely a mess with the muck that lined the ground. But at the moment, that wasn't a concern of his... no, something had taken higher priority... a familiar perfume making its way to his attentive nose. Instantly, a wash of delight tingled through his body, making him shiver ever so subtly. Was... that blood...? Gaze lifting heavily from the ground he'd been precarious of, Shifa's glowing orbs shifted to the pale child, but quickly pulled off to see who it was they were with. He couldn't help looking over the unique traits that littered so boldly along the stallion that'd been discovered. Such lovely gashes bearing the hidden organs that lay within... blood spilling out like a fine wine that'd been fermenting for years. Skin warming considerably, Shifa slowed his approach, trying to keep his mind in check, while making sure the foal wasn't in any danger.
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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:18 pm
For a moment he believed his abandonment routine to have been a success but, just as he had feared, he soon caught a pale figure seemingly merrily trotting up to him. A gurgle in his throat was the only noise that gave away his displeasure as the little creature neared him. He kept his eyes forward and his gait steady for a moment, thinking that ignoring her would be as easy as ignoring the insects. Unfortunately, the sound of snapping jaws put an end to that theory as he stopped and slowly craned his neck to look at the foal. She seemed, excited? He took in her paws, wings, and strangely shaped ears but mostly he felt a slight edge of discomfort at being observed by multiple eyes. The worst part being that they did not hold fear nor discomfort, but enthusiastic interest.
His mouth opened and the slit began to bleed a little more steadily as he did so. “There are plenty of mucky holes for you to curl up in and-“ he was cut off when the sound of another behind them caused his ears to quickly swivel back. He had expected to see some vicious parent standing there, fangs poised for the attack in an effort to protect their young but rather he was encountered with another stallion that shared in the foal’s interest. For the first in a long time he felt rather uncomfortable as he was ambushed by two unusual soquili who seemed more interested in studying him than fleeing. Morbid curiosity was his enemy in this case. “The two of you would do well to scamper off; I am in no mood for entertaining.” He hissed. Normally his looks enough were alone to give any onlooker pause, but how did one fight off an interested party?
He lifted his chin in the air to appear a bit more imposing which caused the seam at his neck to pop a little further and reveal the rust colored tissue beneath. When it came to combat he was practically useless, he was more about brains than brawn. The foal was small but she still possessed weapons that could cause him injury if she really wanted, he was thankful at that moment that she was not fully grown. The stallion didn’t seem to physically pose a threat, though he was not weak looking by any means. If it came down to an actual ambush, Harbinger would have to think quickly about an escape route or a plan to focus their interests elsewhere.
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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:19 pm
A rather smug expression etched along the youthful face, who looked to be quite proud of theirself for managing to successfully stop the wandering male. It was expressed freely to said stallion, grin peeling further across that small muzzle, expectantly awaiting some sort of reaction of him in any nature. The flies were ignored for now, since the main objective had been accomplished.
As words began to finally rise out of the lone wanderer, King looked him over some more, taking it upon themselves to trot around and get a better inspection of their... situation. They looked like they'd been through some sort of fight, all these openings ripe with fresh blood. So deep too, to reveal what was supposed to be kept protected inside. But there were some threads, old, dingy threads, that had been used to keep a few areas together... but they looked worse for the wear. Just how long had the guy been like this..? How was he still walking around? But he was moving so lethargically... maybe that's how he'd managed to keep concious and living..
When Shifa was prompted, the foal paused to glance over to their guardian, grinning at the bedraggled state the delicate male was in, before returning their attention to their discovery. As if the seethed words weren't even uttered, the youngster unfazed by the mirth that was behind the muttered threat, they trotted back around to face the strange stallion head on, head tilted back to look him right in the eye, "Looks like you need some healin', huh?" they stated, before giving a gestured nod towards Shifa, "My pal over here's a medic. He can patch ya right up."
The warning did fall on Shifa with better effect, making the stallion give a shakey nod of understanding. Yes, they should go-- but... he eased to a stop in his agreement when he too registered the state the other was in. He was injured... by the looks of it. And it was his duty to tend to those that were in lesser health. When King proposed just what he was on the path of piecing together, his nod returned, with more fervor, "y-yes, please.. allow me to provide you with some...some assistance." the timid nurse piped up.
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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:20 pm
He quirked a brow at the foal who so confidently spoke to him, she was really beginning to freak him out now. He had caused foals to urinate on themselves, some adults too, but this one was much too eager to get up close and personal with a decaying stallion. He took a step back, leaving a small trail of blood in his wake as he debated his next plan of action. It was obvious the foal had taken his warning as nothing more than a façade which, for the most part, it was. His eyes lifted toward the other stallion that seemed more apt to pay attention to the threats of another.
At first he was dismayed as he watched his only option wither away, but then the breadth of the situation hit him. They were attempting to…help him? He was stone still for a moment as the realization began to fully sink in. The stallion was standing his ground due to some duty, and the filly was just excited to see such gruesome wounds. He had heard many outrageous things in his travels, but never as outlandish as someone attempting to help him. A grin that opened the slit of his mouth to reveal the gums and teeth beneath eventually erupted into a gut wrenching laugh that unveiled more of his exposed innards. The laugh was part humor part insanity as it echoed through the mists and groping trees.
When he finally composed himself he lowered his head until he was at eye level with the foal. “Healing you say?” In a slithering motion he angled himself so she was able to get a good look at the gaping wound on his neck. “You think you have the skill to heal something I have had since leaving my mother’s womb?” All thoughts of deception and trickery escaped him as he once again stood at his full height. He was now looking at the pair with requited intrigue. His father had been an expert at maintaining his own wounds, and merciless with those of his children. It was he who had stitched them so long ago; a past which Harbinger did not linger on for too long.
This was a new game, and he would gladly play. Stepping away from the filly he approached the stallion, a sick grin still twisting his features. “I give you leave to try healer, but if you fail you can count on the fact that you will see me again.” His head cocked playfully as he eyed the other. “What do you say to a game? If you successfully heal me you are free to take leave and never see me again, but if you fail I will call on you some day for a favor of my own design?” It was time to test the confidence of the male standing before him, and perhaps get a little something in the future for his trouble.
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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:21 pm
That sudden laughter that burst forth from the frankestein stallion, startled both of the curious pair, Shifa jumping a little, and King lifting their head higher with a small giggle of their own. But those multiple eyes flickered over to watch the effects that transpired from the booming sound that was emitted, leaning a little this way and a little that way to peek at the ready-to-spill-out guts. It was amazing they were still staying in there, given how keen they seemed to escape their confines.
When the neck was offered to them, the foal didn't hesitate to lean up onto the tips of their paw pads, to get as good a look as possible, mouth slightly agape with a quiet 'whoa...' whispering out from them. So cool! A strong urge to touch the delicate flesh tugged at them, but Shifa'd gotten really flustered the last time they did that... so this stallion was spared. But the question made them snicker and sputter with a laugh of their own, head shaking firmly, "Heck no! I can't heal anyone to save my life. But he's great. Trained in it and all! Probably one of the best around." King talked up Shifa with nothing but confidence and assurance in their tone.
Head turning to follow after the hunkered Shifa, King marched along with Harbinger to return to their guardian, as though the trio of them were just fine and dandy acquaintances. The uneasy, practically wilting medic, didn't feel at all the same. Evident by his averted gaze that kept locked to the ground as much as possible, and his posture losing all sorts of height, or presence. But with the suddenly encroaching stallion just before him, Shifa spared small peeks up to those equally unnerving eyes. Heat began to flourish along his skin, especially prickling his fair cheeks, the false stitching along his lips separating as his lips parted slightly in attempt to speak... but nothing coming out. Becoming so easily flustered, as was the norm, he had to clamp closed his eyes, and fold back his ears, still able to hear the deal that was being presented. He felt so silly for what he'd said, now! How insulting he must have been, to have offered so blatently without even realizing the situation. The brooding male had been born this way...? How uncomfortable, but... so beautiful. Stumbled mutterings, and stammerings quietly, ever so quietly, peeped out from him of apology for the assumption he'd made, expressing the embarrassment he felt for being so insensitive.
Yet as the returned offer sunk in, only then did his whispered ramblings quiet down. For a spell he mulled it over, slowly peeling open his eyes to hesitantly glance at the open gashes, and the contents inside trickling out. They did look worn, the stitchings... and some of the innards seemed to have been exposed to the elements and air for... quite sometime. His mind instantly began to run through the teachings he'd learned over the years, the medic in him taking over. This was a challenge... and he was only a beginner in the art of healing... yet his skills had been praised double-fold in his herd; something a bit of a rarity there. Swallowing thickly, throat dry and a little strained, those glowing pupils twitched over to meet Harbinger's for just a moment, under lengthy lashes, before shooting off again, "I-...I..w-w-..will tr...try... my best..." he finally answered. While he lacked confidence, he was not one to turn away from someone in need, especially a patient. Even so... the challenge was daunting. The male had been born this way... and made it to adulthood. Surely that must mean this is simply the way he was.
Why and how would it be healed, if it wasn't necessary for the charge to live?
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:38 pm
If it weren’t for the fact that Harbinger hated every living being, he likely could have grown fond of the odd little mare who was so very interested in his ugliness. At first her speculation had been unnerving, but the way she was looking at him now could almost make him believe that his monstrous looks were beautiful. She had not balked when he had drawn near but become fascinated with his gaping wounds and exposed tissues. How very odd. He glanced at her from time to time as her guardian struggled to find words. Perhaps it was her own strange appearance that made her less wary of those who would otherwise be considered an eyesore. Had he thought to take more notice of the lesson he could have learned this could have given the grotesque stallion a new lease on life, but as soon as the bargain was agreed to he was back to his old self. The devil had once again made a deal.
He eyed the delicate looking stallion before him and would have considered his flustered appearance cute if it hadn’t been for the power he felt. Drawing back from the stallion and setting a little distance between himself and the filly his silver eyes glistened as a renewed excitement livened his weakened muscles. “Very well then, try as you might.” He had never once believed his wounds could be cured. They had been with him since his birth, even his basket had smelled of rot and decay. He had always believed it to be a part of the curse his father carried, or just the universe’s way of telling him that he was never meant to be just or noble. He was a creature of darkness and terror, the spawn of an Angeni and a monster.
He once more looked at the stallion’s charge and found himself wondering what type of twisted creature she was. They were kindred spirits, both horrifying and ugly to most. Even so, she seemed more pleased with her appearance than he. Though, once he had seen the beauty of his mother how could he have ever accepted himself? With a shake of his mane he looked to his healer and grinned. “Where shall we begin?”
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 8:23 pm
His fur felt like it was standing on end as he was inspected so boldly by the stranger, mouth drying, and throat tightening under the pressure that was so heavily weighing on him now. Maybe it was just the mere climate they’d found themselves in, but Shifa was more than certain that the eerie, piercing gaze from this other stallion was the main cause…Sleek, lanky tail writhed and wound like a snake behind him, coiling itself around a hind leg swiftly as a means of comforting to the anxiety ridden medic. While his roused emotions were being pushed down, it didn’t mean his other feelings of nervousness with the foreboding air that gripped him.
King, on the other hand, seemed totally unaffected, grinning between the two adults rather cheekily. Watching as the patchwork male found himself a spot to let his weary bones, and rotting flesh lay. While Shifa hadn’t moved quite yet, the youth trotted right on over to the patient-to-be, and circled him a few times for a better look, before stopping at his side, head snapping up to look expectantly to their guardian. “C’mon Shifa. Can’t keep a patient waiting, can we?” They piped up in a strong, rather commanding tone, that wide spread grin cutting back further on their confidently glowing features. Shifa wearily watched the two, his natural paternal instincts tugging him to urge the little one to keep away from the unknown wanderer, but…he knew better. King would do what they wanted, without an ounce of fear. Something he admired so much in the foal so new and fresh to this world. Where had he gone wrong…?
But now was no time for mulling and self-reflection. He had work to do. With the encouragement from his young partner, Shifa began to step closer to the pair, eyes looking along what he would have to work on; the open, and exposed wounds. They looked as though they were used to the elements, and had long since been in this state. Well, that was confirmed, from what the stallion had spoken earlier. Still…As he stood before his subject, he looked around them, glowing eyes flickering with a sharpness, that mimicked his nervous nature. This wasn’t the best are to care for someone…it was muggy, humid, and crowded with ravenous flies and insects akin to them. Surely it wouldn’t be a suitable area to work…but by the looks of it, he didn’t have much of a choice. Swallowing thickly again, his eyes poised on the window at Harbinger’s side, the intestines swelling from it looking probably the most healthy of all the exposed areas.
“W-while I…would s-suggest find a more…s-sanitary s-se-setting…” he murmured under his breath, neck stretching to get a better look at the point of interest, silky braid falling to follow, nose wrinkling ever so slightly to push his glasses up a bit more, “d-does…anywhere hurt, and…and can you describe it for me…if so..?”
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