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 Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:49 pm
Zariah truly wasn't the best at listening to directions, at least not the ones that told her what not to do. The youngling had decided that the dark skies weren't scary enough for a fighter like herself and so had taken to a dare from others in the little leaf village she lived in with her mother and brother. The other younglings had chickened out and said that no one would be brave enough to take the risk...and so of course Zariah was now heading out to go gather flowers despite the warnings of an approaching storm. If she could just pluck a few of the flowers growing in the southern meadows then that would prove that she had been bold enough to race the storm and gather those flowers! Plus, they made for a lovely tea and she did enjoy surprising her mother with little gifts like that. So why not take the risk?
Of course she might have regretted that decision when she was halfway down the path and the first few raindrops started splattering the ground around her. Still, Zariah just pressed her lips together in a determined line as she continued forward and ignored the rain.
[Zariah 1]
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:40 pm
Coleus stood at the outskirts of town. And then he paced back and forth. He stood and shuffled his feet. He paced more. He dug at the hard ground. He paced even more. The sky was getting so dark... "Why'd you guys have to go dare her like that?" he growled. The youngling who had started the challenge snorted. "It's her own fault for bein' a dummy an' goin' out there. She could'a said no." "She's not a dummy. You're just a jerk, Trippor." It would certainly be helpful if Zariah could ever say 'no' to a challenge though... He heard the rumble of thunder and frowned at the clouds breaking their hold on the rain. The others were already hurrying home, but Zariah was still nowhere to be seen. "You better come help me look for her, or I'm telling your parents." Trippor blanched slightly, weighing his options as he looked out silently. "The du- She'll show up any second now," he assured hopefully.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2024 12:38 pm
Zariah most definitely was not showing up any second now. The stubborn girl had pressed through the initial rain, determined to gather what flowers she could before the storm ruined them. "It is gettin' windy though. She mused, her expression tightening into a frown as she stared around the meadow with her gaze narrowing more by each second. Yeah, she wasn't certain if she could actually get back to town with that huge wall of water coming straight for her from the horizon. Even Zariah couldn't ignore the rainstorm that was coming in fast, right in her direction, and so the youngling quickly pulled a few more flowers from the ground to shove into the satchel that she usually kept at her side.
Once she had gathered a few more handfuls, Zariah twisted around to try to find something that could serve as shelter. It looked like a giant knobbed tree was bending over on itself with a hollowed out trunk that would be perfect for a small room. Thankful for the giant trees in Tale, the youngling started moving in that direction while scooping up even more flowers along the way. She just hoped the others didn't worry too much about her or do anything stupid with this weather on the horizon. She had risked enough for all of them by coming out here like this, that much Zariah knew even as she had no regrets since she truly couldn't' say no to any challenge.
[Zariah 2]
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Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2024 6:53 pm
The wind brought the scent of the storm closer, which made Coleus begin to fidget. "The rains gonna get here before she gets back," he huffed. He straightened his back and turned to the other boy with his fists clenched. "We can't leave her to just get stuck out there." Trippor gave the wall of clouds another uncertain look. A crack of thunder snapped in the distance, and the boy seemed to finally made up his mind. "It ain't worth it to get stuck out there with you two idiots. If you tell my parents about this then I'll be sure to dare that dummy to do something even crazier next time." Coleus barked out a snarl at the retreating peer, but forced himself to take a deep breath. No acting rashly. Mother and father would be disappointed if he got into a fight. Doing something stupid to save his sister though-! Well.. they might not be pleased, but at least they shouldn't get mad. He knew Zariah could handle herself out there, but she was his sister. He couldn't just leave. He gave a grunt of determination and ran as fast as he could in the direction Zariah had last run off in earlier. Hopefully she was close. "Zariah?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 8:34 pm
Zariah listened to the echo of the rain from the hollow inside of the tree. She had tucked herself into a corner, making certain to avoid the winds, and she only moved from her spot when she swore that she heard her name. Was someone calling to her? Surely not! "Coleus!" She found herself yelling her brother's name, a mixture of happiness and annoyance rising within her chest, and the girl kept waving until he could see her position by the tree. She was delighted that he had tried to find her, but she also was worried about him being in the storm now too! Especially when a big clap of thunder had her jumping, the girl nearly smacking her head against the tree as she kept waving her brother along. "Hurry!"
[3]
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 7:54 pm
The drops of rain began to patter down on Coleus' head as he got closer to the meadow. Swiftly enough, the sprinkle turned into a full shower. He almost didn't hear the voice above the wind and rain. He paused to look around the meadow. She was close! But where-? Ah-ha! He sighed with relief when he spotted his sister and ran. He nearly tripped with surprise when the crack of thunder shook the ground. He gave the sky a wary glance, but was relieved to see Zariah had selected a good tree for shelter. It was big enough for protection, but not the tallest in that area to tempt the lightning. "I guess it's too late to go back now," he murmured. "Zariah! You okay?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2025 2:50 pm
"I'm okay." Zariah gave her brother a confident grin as she ushered him into hiding with her. "It's getting pretty crazy out there, right?" She asked with a sheepish look towards Coleus as she adjusted her bag, making certain not to lose her prized flowers. "Did the others go scampering back towards the village then?" It wouldn't surprise her even though they had initiated this challenge in the first place. Cowards. Though part of her couldn't blame them, not when the thunder seemingly shook the entire ground beneath their feet before another flash of lightning brightened the meadow showing the waves of rain coming down.
[4]
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 9:15 am
"I hate these storms that move in so quick," he grumbled as he glared out at the storm that continued to ramp up. He couldn't even see the other side of the meadow through the rain anymore! Well, at least they had a good spot and he's found his sister... Despite his mood, Coleus couldn't help the wickedly pleased grin that rose as he thought about their peers. "'Scampering' is an understatement. They ran." His amusement turned sharp though, revealing his anger again. "They're fine sending you out to risk this weather, but can't stand on the edge of it themselves. Bunch of- of- virma. That's what they are."
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2025 4:13 pm
"Coleus!" Zariah gasped playfully, the girl nudging her brother as she teased him. "I wasn't expecting you to have the bite of a witu today." She grinned even as lightning lit up the sky around them, the youngling simply sticking her tongue out at the storm as she settled back into the tree. "Makes it more fun to watch their expressions whenever we come back into the village then." She offered, Zariah not even bothered by the others and their pettiness. At least it kept her life interesting - even if she sometimes got into a bit of trouble for the various challenges she took from the other younglings. It helped to pass the time when they were also away from their papa, the girl still wanting to go to Zena one day with him when things calmed down a bit more. One day she wouldn't be a liability and could fight alongside of him when she was stronger!
Though she knew she was still young despite her recklessness and even Zariah had to pause when the shadows played tricks on her during this storm with its high winds and pounding rains. "Hey Coleus?" She started before shaking her head, simply tugging her brother in closer where they were sheltered by the tree. "Nevermind." Surely it wasn't anything - who or what would even be out in a storm like this?
[5]
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Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:59 pm
Coleus 'humphed' grouchily, but a tiny smirk still rose from the tease. "Well, it's true." It would be interesting to see how the others reacted to their return though. If Zariah had come to any harm, they would be feeling his reaction. Being angry right now wouldn't do any good though. His parents knew how to remain calm, so he would as well! He sighed slowly and leaned back to relax. The storm was probably going to- huh? His brow knit as he followed his sister's gaze out into the rain. He couldn't see anything... Another flash of lightning made him flinch, the following thunder felt through the ground. Between Zariah's wary tone and the raging storm, he put an arm protectively around his sister. He couldn't blame her for being nervous! That was all it was, surely. "With how quick the storm came in, I'm sure it'll pass just as quick," he tried to encourage.
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Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 7:49 pm
"Ye-yeah." Zariah nodded, her brow still furrowed though as she leaned against Coleus while keeping an eye out on the storm. She swore that she....was she just seeing things? The youngling pursed her lips before another flash of lightning revealed a figure running towards the tree. Oh! There really was someone out there! It was a person, right? Not some sort of creepy monster like others talked about during the spookier months? But a monster wouldn't be panicking and spinning around outside like that...would they? Zariah bit her bottom lip as she looked towards Coleus and made a quick decision. It would be awful if they got injured during the storm...surely it would be alright, maybe? It also didn't look like the figure was that large so she was assuming it was someone younger, closer to their age.
"Over here!" Zariah ended up yelling, the youngling waving and watching as the figure paused and then twisted around to face them. Another crash of thunder pushed the figure forward and she was there in minutes, the features of an earthling girl becoming more apparent as she slid into the tree next to them. Though she didn't quite look like she was from the area with shifter coloring that was only broken up by bright blue eyes and the pink crystals of Sautians. "Are you alright?"
"I am." The hybrid panted, the girl slipping down to sit in the tree with her back pressed up against the trunk to try to give the siblings space. "Thank you for calling out. I was looking for some wild berries or fruits while my caravan was resting when the storm suddenly hit." Her cheeks flushed lightly as she looked between the two younglings, the prentice barely older than them by a few years. "I truly do appreciate it....I was so lost." The thunder shook the ground once more, the intensity so violent that even Zariah found herself tensing.
"You're welcome." She managed once her ears stopped ringing. "We might be here for a bit though." The youngling shrugged towards Coleus with a small smile, hoping that her actions hadn't completely startled him since she had invited a stranger to share their shelter without warning.
[6]
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Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 8:22 pm
While he was content enough to lean against the secure tree, but then his sister was suddenly shouting! He snapped upright to look out into the rain, eyes squinting to see what his sister had spotted. "Zariah! What?" A lone figure was now coming toward them! Coleus kept one hand protectively on Zariah's arm, keeping himself close while Zariah did the introductions. He'd never seen this girl in the village before. Where the heck had she come from? At least she seemed close to their age... He looked between the girl and Zariah a few times. Welp, this was it now. He couldn't just send the stranger back out into this storm. "There's thankfully enough room for us all. I'm Coleus. This is my sister, Zariah."
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Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 8:42 pm
Zariah smiled towards Coleus, relieved that he was going along with things. It had been a risk but she really would have felt horrible leaving someone out there in that mess. Everything was just a blur of white outside as the rain continued pounding down, the storm being louder than any that Zariah had witnessed before. All they could do was hopefully wait it out and she would much rather spend time distracting herself with stories instead of just worrying about everything, even as the wind whipped branches away from nearby trees and sent them spiraling across the fields.
"Merrivale." The girl replied with a small smile. "It's nice to meet you both. I'm part of a merchant caravan, my parents are peddlers if you need anything once this storm is over. I'll gladly gift you something if you'd like as thanks for helping out."
"Really?" Zariah's gaze lit up at the offer. "Only if you really want to!" She replied, a flush covering her own cheeks at her obvious excitement. "You must travel everywhere then. I can only imagine what stories you must have..."
"Of course! I owe you a favor for helping me out." Merrivale insisted with a nod. "As for stories, I should have a few if you want to listen." She joked lightly, trying not to show her own fear as the storm continued raging outside. Zariah could appreciate that, the girl settling into the hollow of the tree to stay safe even as the rain continued. Eventually it would let up and at least they made a new acquaintance, one who could hopefully show them some cool things once they reunited her with her family later on.
[7]
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Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 9:09 pm
Colues felt himself relax a little further. A peddler caravan. They were probably heading for their village! Fresh stock would be great to see in their isolated little village. "Maybe.. just something small," he relented, though he gave Zariah a firm look as well. No accepting big gifts for just being kind! The stories were free though, and they might have a few of their own to share!
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