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 Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 5:11 pm
 ~*~*~*|| Home Again ||*~*~*~ Word Cound: 1028 (2pts) Hunger gripped at young Seryx’s belly as he slinked across the rocky terrain, keeping low and to the shadows. This land was unfamiliar and the vegetation plentiful… unnervingly so. His birth place of wind scoured rocks, endless deserts, and mystical oases was long behind him, he only knew that he had crawled into a tiny cave when the chaos had started and kept crawling, terrified, through the twisting tunnels for days, if not years, eating whatever he could hunt down.
Now, he was up in the starry night surrounded by greenery he had been warned to stay away from – the plants with thorns especially. Where was he? Water was plentiful and the temperature left him chilled, further increasing his desperation for food. His tawny colours stood out among the green and the only place he had opportunity was in the rocks and talus of the cliffs – when he could find them. The last one was at least a week ago and his fat reserves were running out.
Skinny, starving, and spooked by the night, Seryx caught wind of rotting flesh and it started him salivating. A carcass meant free food, no hunting, not stalking… no consuming of poisonous, unfamiliar plants… just real, true meat! Eagerly, the Prionai youth mustered what strength he had left and loped through the forest, following the scent that clung heavily to the air. As it grew stronger, signs of a struggle could be seen in the foliage: blood spattered across leaves, torn up dirt, a broken spear and torn clothing. And there, to the side laying broken and pale, a small one draped across a stump, the tatters of his clothing dark with stains. The flesh was too rotted to tell age for sure.
He sniffed the remains and moved on.
Caught in a terrible tableau just beyond the tree were the bodies of two creatures – a larger version of the previous corpse, mouth agape and despite the rot, the sneer of hatred was clear. Thrust through its torso was a great gleaming spike erupting the arm of the other creature, its head missing from atop the gleaming scaled body. The metallic smell of the creature was masked by the organic, pungent scent of the other. A scimitar lay stuck in the dirt, small shoots growing up around it.
Wondering at the death scene, Seryx felt drawn inexorably closer, circling just a step nearer at each pass. What had happened here? Who were these people? And why were they fighting? What were they even? The metallic creature had sunk to its knees but the other one was still propped up, something caught in the tatters of the torso. Both must stand upright. He’d never seen such silliness – it was far more stable to walk upon all fours. To stand up was something only done if absolutely needed.
Sniffing at the scaled creature, he nudged it lightly once, frowned when nothing happened – it was heavy! – he reared up and pushed against the shoulder, causing the whole scene to topple over with a clatter of metal and crunch of bones and sickly splat of rotted flesh. It made him wince, it was too loud! When the smell hit his nose, he nearly gagged and stepped back with a whine, ears perked forward even as his eyes watered. Frozen as they had been, the smell of decay had been repressed but now that it had been disturbed, the entire meadow smelled wretched.
Turning to go, utterly disappointed with this turn of events, he accidentally kicked the fallen head of the rotting one, its jaw falling off as the skull rolled a few times, exposing the roof of the mouth. There glittered something positively enthralling and upon seeing it, Seryx could not look away. It reminded him of home, of better places and warmer days… what was it?
He tried scratching at the flesh with a claw and succeeded in popping the stone out. Absently, he pushed the head away and focused on the stone, sniffing it curiously, walking around to observe from all angles, unsure as to why this simple rock was so utterly mesmerizing.
Finally, Seryx pawed it.
He was rewarded with a searing flash of pain, dismay, and terror that arced up his forelimb to settling in his breast like a deep heartache. Something unfurled there and the terror that had consumed him for the past few heartbeats turned to an overwhelming sense of giddy hope that sent him dancing across the meadow, heedless of the death that lingered there.
He roared his happiness, tail flicking in answer to his mood, and then, suddenly, that flash of emotion was gone. It was dizzying. He crashed hard, left laying in the moss panting, heart racing and reeling from the surge.
When Seryx finally regained his breath, he tossed his head, the mane along his spine wagging with the motion to dislodge sticks and detritus. Nosing his paw, his investigation revealed the stone from before had sunk into the palm of his forepaw, right into the palm. Whining, Seryx nosed at it, nipped at the edges, and sat on rear haunches as he contemplated the rock-now-palm. Whatever it was, it had made him feel so good, it was hard to think it could be anything bad and thus he accepted the stone without a thought to its purpose.
Even more tired than before, Seryx padded onward on search of food, his attention returning to the terrifying abundance of greenery.
The stone, however, was anything but a one-shot dose of joy. Desert resided there and when life was breathed anew into his gem, Ashanti’s thrill was unfettered and deep. Vague ideas of before floated around, the ambition of now settled, and then his essence quieted once more… he would have to bide his time. His failure to gain rebirth had left him weak, weaker than before, and the exhaustion, the hunger that clung to his new host did little to help his energies. Still, Desert reflected as he curled sleepily in a quiet corner of Seryx’s mind, this body had no idea what had just happened – it was perfectly primed for suggestion. He would succeed this time.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:31 am
~*~*~*|| A Better Body ||*~*~*~ Solo || Word Count: 1058 (2pts) He had awakened as excitement swirled through Seryx’s mind like a storm, sweeping other surface thoughts away or scattering more deeply formed ones as the youthful predator sprang upon his prey and the taste of blood filled his mouth. It was odd, this jolt from beyond that grounded him so readily in the physical realm. Ashanti had barely paid attention to the highs and lows of his host, barely cared if he scored a large or a small meal so long as it was clear the animal could continue onward… but this, this had caught his attention finally.
There was a certain primal thrill about that surged through even the Desert god. The crunch of bone, the scent of fear and meat filling his senses… it somehow soothed the reborn god and he sighed in his corner, rousing what little essence remained of himself to pay attention to the creature he inhabited.
Vague thoughts of sharper senses and higher mobility echoed across his mind and he mentally grinned, higher agility too, greater stamina. Over all, it was a better body. And the mind! The mind was shapeable too, lacking will and wit to oppose him strongly.
A slurping noise drew his attention outward, discovering Seryx’s sweet pleasure at ripping into the organs of his prey. Gulping and panting from the chase, he feasted and Ashanti quietly added his pleasure to the other’s own. He was not strong enough yet to do more than share emotion… but the effect was noticeable: Seryx ate a bit faster, a little bigger.
The cycles of fasting and feasting that the predator endured suited Ashanti perfectly… he was no being of plenty, no god of prosperity. He approached life with a simple rule: if you survive, you deserve your life. There was no point making it easier.
He paused a moment, wondering if perhaps that was why the demand of mortals to easily prosper irked him so much. Trial by fire, a month wandering the wastes living on naught but cacti juice and insects… that proved one’s mettle, not simply walking out into the woods and picking a mushroom!
Seryx’s ears flicked as emotions of anger and restlessness settled into his mind. He wanted away, out and beyond the grasp of trees! To run and fill the sky with his hissing calls!
Shoulders twitching, he finished his meal and left the gutted corpse of the deer-like herbivore to rot in the mossy meadow as he broke into a run, long limbs carrying him swiftly over logs and streams. Lifting his nose to the air, the beast scented grasses and deep, rich earth different from the emerald maze he currently ran through.
Ashanti was glad when his sand-coloured host made for the open areas. The green was pressing in, making him irritated. It was too complex, too closed in. He needed the wide open areas and the warmth of the sun beating down. Thankfully, Seryx held similar opinions, making the emotional insinuation that much more powerful.
His tension eased with each passing tree, with the onset of prairie grasses – imperfect but an improvement – and with the greater clarity, he paid better attention his host. It was about time, too. It had been a few weeks, he believed, since the youth had stumbled upon him… and he’d spent most of that sleeping, recovering.
He started with the physical… the muscles that stretched and bulged with each great stride, the inhalation and exhalation of huge lungs, the ripple of muscle along the tail used for balance to turn on a dime… the feel of soil beneath his paws… Ashanti’s attention played over each facet, each detail until it came to settle upon the senses and he allowed himself to become lost in the influx of information.
Scent brought news of location, distance, and even personal traits like gender or health. The smell of the land wrapped around him, the brain of his host picking out and identifying myriad individual smells to paint a mental picture. Hearing picked out details in the nearby area, caught frequencies Ashanti had no idea existed. Again, he felt pleased for his improved body… something told him that before this had been difficult, a dulled specimen of sense and body.
Finally, sight. It was, perhaps, his favourite sense of those available – there was no delay in processing time and Seryx’s vision was superb. The world was sharp up to several body lengths away and at a distance…. Well, the vision remained most reliable. It played into his game of observer to use those sweeping glances to catch things, urge Seryx towards the interesting sight. Neither smell nor hearing indicated danger and their run carried them swiftly and smoothly across the quickly flattening ground.
Before them, the trees were finally opening up to reveal grassland beyond. Too green still, but it was open enough. With luck they would encounter the transition into prairie soon… and possibly desert.
Both Ashanti and his host thrilled at the thought, spurring Seryx’s strides onward.
When they broke from the tree line, Seryx paused only long enough to scent the wind and glace around. He was no brilliant mind but his instincts were good and he did not wish to run headlong into trouble.
Thankfully, the coast was clear and he settled into a brisk trot, too winded to run much more. The meat in his belly was weighing him down and sleep was curling at the edges of his mind, beckoning him seductively. He wasn’t entirely sure why he’d run so far from his kill – it would be good for another meal or two! – but it had felt good and now the trees were gone… replaced by more familiar plants.
This world was strange he decided, lowering his head to sniff at the ground before him, it was so very green. The oasis must be very large indeed. He missed his home with the barren rocks and windswept cliffs.
Ashanti took the opportunity to catch those thoughts of home as his host settled down in a depression and riffle through them as one would settle in with a good book. He was too weak to rummage yet and so had to catch what fell his way… at least thoughts of a desert world were to his taste.
Soon, however, Ashanti followed his host to sleep as well.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 2:15 pm
~*~*~*|| I Name Thee Instinct ||*~*~*~ Solo || Word Count: 1048 (2 pts)
A few days had passed since their run into the grasslands and Ashanti felt he’d gained no strength at all. Communication was as of yet limited to emotional echoes, a sort of manipulative biofeedback to control his host, and that was all. He knew, too, that Seryx was beginning to suspect another’s presence in his mind – the creature would deliberately dive deep into thought, wondering at the depth of reaction his actions had… a depth he hadn’t had before that scene in the forest with the jolt of pain. Of course, the stone embedded in his paw did not help the growing suspicion either; it neither hurt nor grew infect nor could it be chewed out… meaning it was there to stay.
Ashanti was simply glad his host was susceptible to conditioning… greater pleasure when doing good things, greater discomfort when doing unwanted things, these were aspects he could influence. For the ambitious god, this was far too little, however.
Coiling in his corner of Seryx’s mind, Desert watched as the predator simply wandered with no purpose, no end game and it irritated him something fierce. He was a creature of ambition and this clinging to existence, forced merely to watch was wearing thin his patience.
Catching scent of something interesting, Seryx’s ears perked and broke into a trot only to suffer a wave of great disapproval and apprehension descend upon him. Stopping in his tracks, Seryx shuffled his feet, confused by the conflicting emotions, before he turned to go another way. If his instincts said not to go that way, he would not.
The other way proved unreasonable as well, as Ashanti lashed out simply because he could. He could not drive the feet or aim the body but he could blister the emotions and he would exercise that ability to its fullest extent.
Ears twitching in confusion, Seryx sat down, tail lashing too and fro as irritation began to curl in him. Why was he so moody? Growling, he laid down and rolled onto his back, only to be hit a sudden, intense rush of restlessness. Righting himself, whining, he walked in circles trying to clear his head.
His odd behavior did not go unnoticed, however. A pair of hunters spotted the large predator with his unusual coat and disturbed movements. The taller of the two waved to his partner and a short exchange later it was decided that such a creature would not be tolerated on their lands… and that its pelt would fetch a fine price at market.
Distracted as he was, Seryx still managed to note the approach of the pair. Ears pricked and tail lashing, he paced, trying to find a way that felt right to go… but beyond a body’s length, he’d be inundated with fear, revulsion, or anxiety that would make it impossible to move on. It meant he was trapped here, in this circle of grass, as predators stalked him.
Real fear crept into his heart as they drew nearer and nearer. Ashanti noted the fear, wove it into his playing, and gave the creature a greater reign on his pacing.
Then, his fragile control shattered as instinct over ruled his games and Seryx bucked, breaking free of his emotional turmoil to make a dash for freedom before the hunters flanked him. He was no fool, saw no need to fight if he could escape… his life was more than this surge of confusion that had gripped him. Perhaps that last meal had been poisonous?
Breaking into a run, the young predator quickly outpaced the hunters, glad his hide blended well with the tall tan grasses. He had gladly left the green wilds behind, with their strange tall, dense grasses and the disconcerting variety of life.
Running, fur rippling in the wind, was a freeing experience that even his confusion would not forbid. That is what he would call that fit he decided, his Confusion.
Ashanti grumbled in his corner, unappreciative of that name. To his surprise, Seryx reconsidered… reaching for a better means by which to call his fit. With naught else to do but watch, Desert waited for new names – Dread, Curse, Guide – and dismissed them all with an influx of dissatisfaction. Finally, Seryx thought of one Ashanti both approved of and thought would be useful: Instinct. He was Seryx’s instinct.
Seryx whuffed, his mood evening out as positive feelings finally settled in and he chose to lay down, run down from the emotional onslaught he had just recovered from.
Beyond, however, the hunters tracked his run, following his footprints with ease. Whatever they were tracking, it was not smart enough to hide its trail. The paw prints were exotic and fresh, clearly stamped in the mud and dirt. The direct nature of the run only further indicated an unhealthy predator was stalking their lands… gave them all the more the reason to find, and kill, the bizarre creature.
The wind was blowing the wrong way for Seryx to note the Hunter’s progress and rolling hills broke his line of sight. He was too busy looking within to notice the world without. It seemed his Instinct was content now, quiet, but why? It was almost as if it and he were separate entities but there was no communication, no words, or orders, or threats… just a feeling.
Experimenting, Seryx got up with the intention of digging his height into the ground and waited, wanting to see how his Instinct would react. Ashanti, unimpressed, chose not to respond as he his temper had blown itself out. Curious, Seryx began to dig, his forelimbs becoming caked in dirt… and still nothing from his Instinct.
Huffing, he turned back towards the direction the Hunters were in and began to pad along his trail, nose in the air. At this, Ashanti chose to respond, adding his own sense of misgiving to the tiny reluctant voice within Seryx. He was not stupid! He would NOT be torn from reality again.
The strength of the response surprised Seryx and he tossed his head, turning around to continue along. This received a mildly positive response and so, he continued on his way, stepping high to shake the dirt from his forelimbs. He satisfied, for now, that his Instinct was still a part of him.
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:58 pm
~*~*~*|| Convert ||*~*~*~ Solo || Word Count: 1199 (2 pts) They had gained distance on the hunters, enough so that a full evening's rest was Seryx's reward when the tired beast finally flattened down a circle of grass to make his bed. Above, the stars twinkled merrily in a clear sky, the occasional streak of light arcing off into the distance. No clouds obscurred Seryx's view of the heavens as he settled onto his stomach and let his chin rest against the ground, ears shifting to catch the night time sounds.
These past few days been a rush of confusion and enlightenment, he decided. He'd found his Instinct, his inner voice, but it was so quiet... he wasn't sure if that meant he was somehow deformed or merely weak. His people often spoke of their Instincts like they were another being within, a separate judgment that guided their actions but did they communicate? It was something he'd never stopped to question before he set off on his Spirit Quest. Temporary Exile, run from the pack to discover the world, and now look...
Seryx whuffed in resignation. His quest had sent him so far abroad he was lost. He'd crawled through caves, crossed mountains and plains, and enjoyed the blistering heat of desert to explore but now he couldn't find his way back. He'd been searching for three Solrets now without even a whiff of another of his kind.
Instinct, I know you can hear me, he turned his thoughts inward, to that central core that felt both familiar and terribly alien, Where are my people? My family? My friends? His Instinct should know.
Ashanti stirred as his host's thoughts spiraled inward, disturbing his sleep. The direct question surprised him, inspiring him to stretch as far as he could to answer. This was an unexpected opportunity to shape his host – Seryx was intelligent and wise but he lacked the dogma of a more developed culture, leaving him impressionable to the influence of the divine.
His first attempt failed. And the second... and the third.
When frustration was all that answered Seryx's question, he sighed heavily. His Instinct did not know either... was he too far gone to even intuit their direction? If his travels up to this point were any indication, the answer was an affirmative.
Letting the familiar frustration drift away into the usual resignation that clung to him in quiet moments like this one, Seryx turned his attention to Instinct itself. Why have I not directly felt you before this? Why now?
Ashanti scoffed at the question but bit his figurative tongue and offered a sense of eventuality to Seryx, as if their meeting was a thing of destiny.It happens when it needs to happen. he thought, Fate.
When Seryx jumped, Ashanti's attention focused. Instinct speaks!? The youth's thoughts were caught in a flurry of elation and confusion as he pressed, Fate? Instinct exists the entire time, it needs to be found.
Ashanti pressed his luck, trying again to speak, And in finding it, you discover your destiny. I am your Instinct, your guide.
Seryx's tail thumped against the ground exitedly as he bobbed his head, thoroughly pleased at this breakthrough. He was talking to his Instinct as the others had! My guide, yes.
Correct, your guide. Relief flooded Ashanti's system and seeped into Seryx's mind. He had found his mental voice again! Strength was indeed returning to him, however slowly. A powerful Instinct is a mark of destiny, Seryx. Only powerful Instincts speak... Ashanti riffled through his host's memories, looking for the best ammunition to manipulate his vessel. A willing vessel would be so much more desirable!
Hidden among Seryx's memories of his childhood were the lessons of the life forces they revered... rudimentary god figures, abstract and wild, but it was perfect. The Spirit Quest is to connect to the Forces, to see their ways, live their wills... and Instinct is part of that, a gift from them.
Seryx's attention was rapt. These were the words of his people, the lessons of his life... Instinct spoke true. The Forces gave his people these gifts of Senses, with Instinct the most powerful and most elusive of all. Why do you tell me these things, Instinct? I know them, I know them well.
I know you do, Seryx. I am reminding you so that you know from where your Instinct comes... it comes from the Forces. And a powerful Instinct – one that speaks – is a direct line to those Forces, it is the voice of your god. It is how the Old Ones learn the Mysteries.
Seryx began to quiver in anticipation, his imagination running away with the implications... to be Chosen! A Speaker! Him! The voice of the Forces... it is my Instinct? My guide? He asked hopefully, licking his lips as his tail lashed behind him sweeping a great arc into the grass.
Ashanti's private celebration at this question, at the conversion of this youth to his service, would have put Pride to shame – or so he believed. He offered his sweetest, most honeyed tones in response, gilding it with a resonance of purpose and importance, Yes. I speak for the Forces, Seryx, and you are my vessel, my agent in the greater world. The youth's rumble of ecstasy at Ashanti's announcement pleased Desert immensely. This one was his, well and truly.
A Speaker of the Forces... Me! I am honoured, eternal one! His tail waged happily as his excitement was voiced by rumbles and growls, There are many Forces, though, for whom will I speak in this realm? Seryx's mind rolled through the handful of Forces his people paid homage to, providing a prime opportunity for Ashanti to cherry pick his affiliation... Life, Death, Sun, Moon, Storm, Drought... none were quite right for Ashanti's purposes.
After a moment of consideration, he chose to answer truthfully. You speak for the Desert, Seryx, the crucible of your people, the crown upon which the other Forces sit. I am Ashanti, young one, the Eternal Dune.
Seryx's tail stopped his wagging as Ashanti revealed himself and his brow furrowed. He had not heard of Desert among his people's Forces... I know no Desert...
Ashanti had hoped the other would have simply continued on without questioning. He was so close! He'd had the youth! The Forces have many names, Seryx. Storm, Drought, Life, Death... these are all a part of the Desert, no? The reluctant nod restored some hope to Ashanti, And you revere the Forces of the Desert.... your wishes and thanks reach me, little one, even though I am know by a different name.
The suspicion in Seryx faded at that, his tail sweeping once as if to test the waters once more, You are among our Forces still? Known by another name? What shall I call you then, eternal one? I am confused.
Ashanti grinned once more, relieved to have smoothed the rough patch over. The question was easily answered, he decided, as he rather liked the anonymity of his initial name by Seryx. Call me Instinct.
Seryx gave a nod and the wagging intensified, his mental tone formal as he answered, Instinct, then, you are my guide. Your will be done.
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