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 Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:56 pm
 It was late afternoon, and there was a pair of dainty does with well-groomed manes making their way out of the Homewood. Cattleya's parents had provided her and her sister with a well-supplied pack each, and heavy cloaks for their travel. They'd wanted to provide more, too - "You know it'd be best if you and Calelha were accompanied by a chaperone," Mama had huffed. Calelha, Cattleya knew, was not the sort of doe to argue. But that was why she had her sister, and Cattleya had responded, with a toss of her perfect mane, " We're noulicorns, and respectable ones, at that. If does of our stature needed an escort every time they left the wood...why, I'd be ashamed of myself!" Mama hadn't had much room for argument then. Still, it didn't really matter. Neither Cattleya nor Calelha was ever truly alone. They'd always have each other. That was just the way it'd been, ever since they'd first been born. " Are you excited?" Cattleya asked her sister, as the peeks of the sky through the Homewood's lush canopy turned into full on glimpses. Oh, it was so blue! The path to the Grandfather Tree was familiar by now - their parents had brought them along before, when they needed to commune with it sometimes, telling them that someday, they too would take their seats at its roots and receive a vision quest. Still, it was exciting every time they got to leave behind Homewood. Cattleya had always loved boasting about her adventures with her heroic parents to her ever-present gaggle of friends. Of course, neither she nor Calelha had ever been in any real danger. Generally their family had them traveling in the center a whole cohort of experienced nouls, and Mama would've fainted at the very suggestion that either of them pick up a hoof to dig for water, let alone fight a predator. What their yearmates didn't know wouldn't hurt them, though. This time, she and Calelha were venturing out of Homewood for real. Well, not real real just yet - but they were finally making their way to the Grandfather Tree! Cattleya couldn't wait to receive her gift and show off her new ability, and she had no doubt that hers would be the most wonderful one that could be. " What do you think your Gift will be?" she asked, edging closer to her sister and giving her the gentlest of nudges with her shoulder. It wasn't as though they hadn't speculated before - they'd grown up together! - but this was the last chance they'd get. After tonight, they'd both have gifts for real.
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2020 11:45 am
 The afternoon air was sweet and warm as Calelha ready for the long journey through the barrens to the Grandfather Tree. She new that she would have to go on the quest allow but the journey would be mad e with her sister. She was glad of that. As she placed the cloak her mother gave her on, her mother once again tried to send them off with a chaperone. Calelha hangs her head to hide how she really feels about it; after all she would never argue with her mother. But like always her wonderful sister seems to know what she is thinking and tells their mother for the millionth time that they do not need a chaperone. "Man I love her." she thinks with a small grin in her sisters direction. Though her and her sister, Cattleya, about as opposite as night and day the to doe where as inspirable as conjoined twins. Calelha was always so grateful to have her sister around. She could be herself and say anything without fear of judgment. As the made their way to Grandfather Tree, the excitement of what was to come bubbled inside Calelha. As if on cue Cattleya asked if she was excited; the twin thing could be spooky sometimes. "Oh yes I really am. Like little butterflies are flying all around in my belly. Are you excited?" she asked her sister in return. Calelha knew the answer to the question before Cattleya said a word her sister was practically hopping with joy and excitement which made Calelha giggle with her own joy. With next question Cattleya asked, Calelha became quit she and her sister had speculated for years about what their gift might some day be. But know that it was time for them to receive their gift, Calelha found herself filled with worry and sadness. "What if the Grandfather Tree does not like me? Or even worst what if I am banished and given a dark horn?" the thoughts swirled through her mind as the walked. "Im...Im not sure Cattleya?" she said with worry heavy on her voice. It was no use trying to hide her feelings, her sister would see through it anyways. As she continued to thing she really could see any of the gifts fitting her, she was a shy and timid noulicorn and most of the gifts required boldness. not wanting to fall to sad she asked her sister "What do you think your gift will be Cattleya?" she asked hoping her sisters answer would shed some light on her own thoughts. wc:438
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:54 am
Calelha had such a creative way with words, and Cattleya was fiercely pleased that she got to see this particular side of her twin so much more than others did. " That's such a lovely image," she giggled, thinking of delicate butterflies winging their way through the ever-present flora in Calelha's hair instead. Her sister's return question was met with another laugh. " Me, excited? You already know it," she hummed, letting her musical voice ring out even as they began to leave the safety of Homewood. To be honest, the barrens was not very interesting-looking. The earth thirsted for nutrients here, and the cracks splitting the ground as far as the eye could see were, to put it plainly, unsightly. It was late enough in the afternoon that the sun was long past its zenith, though, and it was beginning to nestle between those distant western mountains. Cattleya moved at a brisk, cheerful trot, though if Calelha paused to ponder her question, she was only happy to circle back and await the answer. Cattleya had never imagined that she might be given a black horn, and from what she knew of her gentle sister, it was even more impossible for Calelha. So she had little to worry about, in her opinion. Still, she knew it was tough, and she empathized with the worry that was apparent in Calelha's tone. " Well - I don't think I suit atmos very well," Cattleya laughed. " I'm a doe that's made for sun, not rain and mist." She'd never wanted to hide like that. " And I know our family likes vegetation - but I prefer the kind of life that talks back." Unless it was pretty, obviously. She didn't think to even mention the new gift which had been cropping up lately. She didn't know enough about it to judge. " I don't know. I'd like to be a Lifebringer someday, though." Her voice had edged back into something dreamy and nostalgic. " Imagine that! Penna Cattleya..." The idea wasn't particularly realistic: Cattleya liked gossip a lot more than she liked study or contemplation, and she'd be frustrated easily by sitting in debates with elder nouls. It was nice to have big dreams, though...and who knew? Maybe someday she'd really know enough about other species to really get to lecture those other nouls. " What if I changed the question?" she asked, bringing the topic back to Calelha. " If - if nothing else mattered, about what sorts of nouls get what sorts of gifts, and what sort of gifts determined what sorts of roles we might play someday. What gift would you want? What might suit that creative mind of yours?" There was no wrong answer, here. Cattleya just liked to hear about what her sister was thinking.
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:35 pm
Calelha loved to watch her sisters joyful personality. She herself was less outwardly expressive but the joy her sister had was enough for the both of them. It truly warmed Calelha's heart every time her sister was happy enough to hum; her sing was always so warming.
At the mention of her sister potentially have the atmos gift, Calelha almost laughed. She couldn't imagen either of them having their mains get wet though Calelha wouldn't openly complain she would hate to have to clean it later." No Cat I don't think atmos would suit either of us." Her sister was right though, Cattleya was made for the sun and the spot light and so much more.
As Cattleya counited on talking Calelha thoughts begin to wonder on what gift she would be given. Cattleya had a way of making it easier for Calelha to worry less and really think about what would be best for her. I was an easiness that she had not found with anynoul else. Her sisters mentioning being a Penna pulled her thought back to the conversation and she said "Oh Cat can you imagine it. Or what about Electus Calelha, to have a place where everynoul else would have to work together for the betterment of all noulicorns and Vykeli." Calelha knew that she would have ot over come a lot ever be considered for a place on the counicle but when one imagines you can go anywhere. These thought brought a large smile to Calelha's muzzle and she was now as joyful as her sister.
Thinking on her sister newly phrased question, Calelha was overwhelmed with emotions. It was truly amazing to her how her sister knew just the right way to get Calelha to come out of her shell and speak her truth. "Well honestly Cat I think botanic would fight my personality best but I don't really want to walk to same path as our mother and father have." She didn't really have a problem with her parents gift but in her heart of hearts she wanted something more something to truly set her apart form the rest.
"Have you heard the talk about a new gift being bestowed by the Grandfather Tree?" the thought was exciting to her and it still worked with plants so she would still kinda being like her family but oh so different. Hope and butterflies swirled inside her heart. "Now that would be my dream" she thought to herself but did not want to give voice to it in case she did not receive her hearts desire.
wc:431
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 4:17 am
It seemed, as they retreated farther from the Homewood, that Calelha was beginning to get a little more assertive - the personality that Cattleya was always blessed to see coming to the fore. Calelha was confident; she just didn't always see fit to show it to people. "You know I'd vote for you," she smiled, glad to see the grin spreading across her sister's face. Of course, selfishly: it'd be wonderful to be sisters with a real member of the council. But also, well, Calelha was a thoughtful noul with a strong work ethic, and Cattleya could genuinely see her doing well in the role of a council member.
That wasn't going to happen for years and years, though. Right now there was another obstacle to overcome first.
Cattleya hummed, thinking more seriously about Calelha's words. It wasn't that Calelha would do badly, as botanic user. She was nurturing and sweet, and the fact that botanic users dealt with plant life meant that she didn't need to overcome any shyness to communicate. Still, it was hard to argue with Calelha's logic.
Cattleya didn't disagree with her parents' ambitions, of course: she, too, saw the value in finding a suitable mate, someday. But she couldn't be content with that, and, she knew, Calelha wouldn't be, either. They were talented does, and they could be just as accomplished as any mate their parents might find for them. "Finding new paths - breaking new boundaries - that is what we're supposed to do, as nouls," she nodded. That was Cattleya's firm belief, anyway: they were supposed to progress until all of Vykeli, and not just Homewood, was teeming with life. And if Calelha wanted to do that by being different from their parents...well, it'd be hard to tread a truly new path, but that was why there were two of them. A sister's burden was half as heavy, with such an eternal friend at her side.
Cattleya was distracted from her conclusion by the next, delicately-worded question. "A new gift? I haven't thought much about it," Cattleya confided. It was hard, without knowing much. She'd heard the rumors, of course: the discussion of the Grandfather Tree's strange new blooms had blown through the Homewood the way an invigorating breeze might carry pollen. "Maybe we'll get to learn more, though," she giggled - it was clear, after all, that Calelha had brought the topic up for a reason. "Or - do you know much about it?" Cattleya didn't - but Calelha's advantage was that she listened for those tidbits of information hidden in rumors much better than her chatty sister.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:02 am
Calelha smiled with pride at how much confidence she sister had it her. Cattleya would always be there to cheer her on, Calelha had no doubt about that. But it was all only a dream at this point, there was still so much that came before that dream would ever be real. Calelha signed with content satisfaction about the whole thing.
As Cattleya started to hum again, Calelha wondered what to future would hold for them both. Sure they were the closest sister in all of Homewood but she knew they would both have different roles in Vykeli. With an eye role and a smile she mentally added "And gifts from the Grandfather Tree." This would ultimately separate them maybe not in heart but physically. They had been by each others side since conceptions' and the thought of not being together was a hard idea for Calelha, even though she knew it would be necessary.
Cattleya excited words pull Calelha out of the sad place her mind had started to wonder. "Yes new paths are our ultimate purpose." her voice still carried the lingering sadness of her thoughts. She knew her sister would hear it but she hoped she would not press the subject she just was not sure she wanted to voice her feelings. "What if I hold her back because it do not want her to go." That though was almost worst then them being apart.
As the carried on Cattleya confided that she had not thought much about the new gift the Great Tree was gifting, it made Calelha smile and shack her head. "My sister." she thought as they walked. "As a matter of fact I have hear some things about it." she smiled yet again; her sister knew her all to well. The information had come for a noul that had pasted through their home just weeks before. Her father and the buck had been talking about though they did not have much information it was still more then nothing. "I heard that rehabilitation. And that buck that stopped in our home said something about cute little mushrooms." It was not much to go on but it was still exciting to Calelha.
Calelha had always had a fascination with different types of mushrooms that had grown in the Homewoods. From oyster to morels or chicken of the wood to toadstool, they all had such uniqueness to them. On its own, no noul was surprised given Calelha parents bestowed gift but Cattleya knew how much Calelha truly loved the organism. Calelha had been caught watching many a leaf pile just to see if one would grow through. It might have seem strange to others but to sit so still and watch one grow form nothing was really kinda cool.
By now they had entered the Barrens and the heat was blistering. A new appreciation for their mothers fusing and packing filled Calelha's heart. In each other their packs was all they needed to get them through the hottest part of the day in the Barrens. "Thank the Great Tree for mother." Calelha said as she took a swig of water form the watering skin in her pack. "How are you doing Cat?" her sister had been a little more quite then normal "But that could just the heat." Calelha thought as she waited for her sister the answer.
wc:562
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:25 pm
Calelha was a worrier, and it showed in her tone. Cattleya, on the other hand, didn't think worries deserved her time. Things would work out, in the end. They always had so far!
"Mushrooms are cute," Cat agreed, grinning. "And tasty, and useful, and nourishing..." She could see why a new gift in that vein might prove useful. That was exciting; she hadn't ever thought that the grandfather tree might grant a new gift. It seemed like something suited for Calelha, too; she didn't know how much stock she put in the theory that certain nouls received certain gifts due to their temperaments. Her sister had always gravitated toward those funky flavors, though, and she knew so much about the unique properties in the fungal kingdom. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you'd made it up," she laughed.
She shook out her mane as the sun bore down on them. It wasn't doing much, but it was more than nothing. It was good that there were two of them, too; Calelha could reach into the pack Cat was carrying far more easily than into her own, so it meant that they could both grab supplies as necessary.
"Ah?" Cat asked, but of course Calelha knew her just as well. It was the blessing and the curse of knowing someone all your life. "You're so perceptive," she chided, giving an uncharacteristically embarrassed chuckle. "You know, it's just - this is it, right?" She gestured with her chin to the whole wide open burning plain before them. "...well, maybe not this," she amended with a tiny, rueful grin. "But I...we've come so far."
There were nouls in the Homewood who said you weren't really an adult until the Grandfather Tree had unlocked your gift within you. Cat wasn't sure where she landed with regards to that debate, but it was a rite of passage, or a stamp of approval from someone who magically knew everything about you. (She'd always thought the Tree was sentient, anyway - it had so much magic thrumming in its roots that she'd been able to sense it as a little foal!)
"We get to be the main characters now," Cattleya said, though her tone was a little more wistful than Calelha might have expected.
There were a few seconds of silence that stretched out after that, where it was obvious Cat had not quite finished her thought yet. She didn't do things by half-measures, though. "I think...it's been easy to imagine where I am now, and that we'll both get gifts that are amazing for us." That devilish smile was making its way onto Cattleya's face again. "And I can imagine us - well, does like us, we'll never be old hags - but winged, ascended, lauded..." That was easy, too. "I guess I haven't thought much about what comes between those, though."
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 2:24 pm
The Day pressed on and the heat grow hotter. Calelha knew that soon they would be to the Great Tree which helped her push on. That and her sister gave her the motivation to keep walking. "This heat is worst then they ever said." But she was not complaining really is was just a means to getting to the Tree.
Cat talking about them in the future made Calelha happy to think of them growing into old nanny nouls together. It meant they would never ever be a part no matter how far their journeys or gifts might take them. "Sisters for ever." she said as the walked on.
It was only an hour more when in the distance they could make out the greatness of the Grandfather Tree. "Wow Cat look at they." She said as even at the distance they were the Grandfather Tree was still gigantic. The branches reached out to either end of the horizon it truly was a sight to behold.
"Not much longer and we will be starting our new life Cat." She said with excitement and fear all rolled into one. "I can not wait until is see you on the other side." she was more excited now then when they had started the quest through the barrens. Now that it was here she could not wait to see what gift they would each have and where it might take them.
wc:238
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 11:20 am
It was strange how quickly time passed in Calelha's company. Even the sound of her sweet voice seemed to ease the little worries in Cattleya's mind. Yes, who cared what the process might be, as long as they were by each other's sides forever? Cattleya found herself grinning, chattering away the rest of the distance until her throat felt parched, and then some. The Grandfather Tree's size always shocked Cattleya. She knew it was big - she'd even seen it before, sandwiched against her father's side - but even as she herself grew older and bigger, it still managed to dwarf her. Her thoughts were exactly in unison with Calelha's here, though her tail began to swish in anticipation. " Emphasis on our," Cat grinned. " Because as long as we're sisters, we can make all our dreams come true." With one last parting bump of her shoulder against Calelha's, Cattleya stepped toward the tree - the last step she'd need to take until her adulthood really began.
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ll Grandfather Tree ll generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
17!
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 3:16 pm
REDEEMED : thyPOPE
rolling for exploration
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ll Grandfather Tree ll Vice Captain
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ll Grandfather Tree ll generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
13!
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ll Grandfather Tree ll Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 3:19 pm
REDEEMED : OWN
rolling for exploration
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