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 Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 3:09 pm
Firestorm had expected to be "caught" by a patrol - The thunderbird herd was never without at least a pair of soquili on the look out, and he would have followed that model himself... if his own herd was large enough. But he hadn't expected a being such as that. It barely seemed like a living thing, let alone a soquili, but its equine features were unmistakable. And deep within, he felt a thrill of excitement. The little fox had promised a strong herd here, but if this creature was indicative of the power in these woods... he could almost taste the victory in his mouth.
Firestarter blatantly stared at the new appearance in the woods, her muscles tensing for a confrontation. But as she spoke, she shook her head, trying to pass off her tensing as just a reaction. However, Nocturne did not seem bothered by her reaction either way.
The strange mare's ears swiveled forward.
"Your father... Taraxippus...?" She echoed, red eyes widening just a bit. "Yes... yes I do. I am of his herd. I know of no others that have made these woods their home. Not for long, at least..." She cast a glance at the others. "I will show you passage."
But before she had taken more than three steps into the woods, there was a bluster and a commotion as another, smaller mare burst out of the woods. She moved through them effortlessly, weaving between bramble and betwixt knotted trees not unlike a rabbit whose ears she bore.
But four red eyes narrowed and then widened as she saw the pair, her face splitting into a much-too wide grin.
"Shinoooma." She said with a burst of recognition. "I know you, oh YES I do, little niece." She crooned affectionately, but then, with mercurial change of temper, an ear flipped over and she snapped, "Think you're better than the rest of us? Or did you finally wise up and come home to daddy?" She looked past her to the other two soquili, "Who are they?" She said with a scowl.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:33 am
Shinoma hoped that her mate and her daughter were showing calm, or at least if they were tense, that they weren't showing it outwardly too much. The discussion between Firestorm and Taraxippus would go much better if there was no conflict of any kind on the way to see him.
'It would be appreciated.' Shinoma said, carefuly polite, nodding her head at the stony mare. She gathered herself as the long eared mare came into view suddenly.
'It's good to see you again.' she started to say, though she wasn't even sure she had met this changeable mare before. She gave her a long look, not replying to the jibe, though she thought to herself I'm saner than you, but she didn't give voice to it.
'They are with me.' the reply was icy, her stare hard. There would be no questioning of her mate or daughter, not from someone who looked like one of the animals that Shinoma often ate.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:23 am
CitrusCupcake ((OOCly, Shinoma might very well have left the herd by the time Pooka arrived. But she's also crazy/a chronic liar, and I'm sure heard stories about her from her sister. And yeah, just assume anything she says here is a lie. wink ))
Firestorm had maintained his compusure at the presence of the stony mare. She was startling, but impressive. If anything, Firestorm felt a mix of a pang of jealousy and eagerness to have a mare like her potentially on his side.
BUt at the sudden appearance of the other... thing, Firestorm had a difficult time hiding his contempt. Not only did it not have wings, but it seemed to have ears like a rabbit. He and Shinoma had bonded as foals after a rabbit hunt, once. She seemed positively mad, grinning (too widely), cackling and with the most unsettling four-eyed gaze. He shifted in his stance, tail swishing uneasily.
Firestarter's face twisted into an expression of doubt and scorn. She looked to her mother. Was that really related to her? She opened her mouth and was about to say something when her father nudged her a little hard with his shoulder. She clamped up, ears flattening and huffing in irritation.
The grin was back as Pooka sidled right up to Shinoma with that strange grin of hers. "Shinoma and I used to be best friends, you know..." She trilled, eying Firestorm as she spoke almost intimately to Shinoma. "Told each other the most intimate of secrets... I didn't know why she left and never came back...." She added with mock mounfulness, "Perhaps.... I told myself, thinking what could have happened to the poor mare.... Perhaps Shinoma was eaten by a fearsome rabbit." She shook her head with a 'tsk'. "they are quite fearsome you know." She added with a flip of one of her ears. "They get foals all the time."
She looked closer at the pair, between Firestorm and Shinoma, and then over to the younger mare and grinned widely. "Been busy, I see." She seemed like she was about to trot over to inspect Firestarter more closely when Nocturne interrupted Pooka.
Nocturne had put up with about as much of the mare's babbling as she cared to for the time being, "Pooka, I believe they have business with your brother." She said cooly as she began to walk once more towards the central herdgrounds.
Pooka snapped her jaw shut with a huff of irritation. She wasn't done playing yet.
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 4:04 am
Shinoma's ears twitched at the small noises of irritation coming from her daughter, but seemed to fall quiet again and her full attention went back to bunny ears.
'Such best friends..' Shinoma murmured, though she had less knowledge of that than this mare's name! She would play along for now though, in this time and in this place she would play along. She felt her tail swishing even more as the crazy mare neared her daughter, and it was with some small relief that she heard the stony mare speak.
'Sorry Pooka..another time.' she said, although her expression told a different story altogether. Her own mother was clearly not here, but she'd not expected someone else who was their own special brand of weird. She motioned for Firestorm and her daughter to go ahead of her and she would follow behind them. She did not trust the long-eared one. Sabin Duvert Lol, will bear that in mind XD
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:56 am
"Fiiiiine." Pooka exasperated. "But you promise, promise, Shinoma!" She snapped her teeth with a small hop to her gait. Her four eyes darted around the group and finaly, she huffed, blowing a curl of mane out of her face. "I need to go find my soul, anyway. I don't suppose anyone has seen it?" She looked around the group of now decidedly uninteresting soquili, neither playthings nor prey - Nocturne was a such a spoil sport- and bounded off again through the brambley trees.
Nocturne nodded to herself, relieved as Pooka had taken her leave, and continued as the trio began to follow her deeper into the twisted woods. She knew this path by heart, now, having had much time to learn the woods. And soon, they emerged into something of a pathway amidst thicker thorns to either side. It was a twisted path, and Nocturne decidedly ignored several branching off-shoots in order to pick her way through he mazelike route. Finally, however, they emerged into a larger cleared section, though one that contained several nooks and cubbies and corners, presumably for the privacy of the herdmembers. The smell of soquili was strong her, but so was a decidedly creepy feeling that tingled at the hairs along the visitors necks'. At the very least, Firestorm's - who had never been here before, and could claim no blood relation to the denizens that called this place their home.
"Taraxippus," Nocturne spoke aloud, "You have visitors." And then, her job done, she turned to leave.
Firestorm heaved a sigh of relief after the decidedly mad rabbity soquili left, but still was left with a crawling sense of doubt. That was the sister of the soquili they were there to meet? What madness ran in this family? What... weakness? Still.... it was a family tree that had borne Shinoma as well, and the alicorn swallowed his judgment... for now at least.
But as he continued along the path to their central herdgrounds, he began to wonder if this had been such a good idea. What creatures lived in a territory like this? Did they actually live here by choice? There was no grazing to speak of here... or were they all carnivorous?
Before, however, Firestorm could ponder the mysteries of the unseen much longer, another figure emerged out of the shadows of one of the nooks, seeming to draw those same shadows along with it. Shinoma possessed a certain mistiness to her figure, particularly in her wings, but this stallion seemed just as much incorporeal as he did corporeal. At its base, it was a unicorn, but a twisted shadowy mockery of one. However, there was no madness in its eyes as was found in Pooka; a calculating intelligence glimmered in his amber eyes.
"Who seeks my council?" He asked as he stepped forward, eying the unfamiliar alicorn with an obvious look of skepticism. "You... willingly enter our woods?" He asked with incredulity, "... seeking something other than your end?" But then, he caught sight of Shinoma, and his eyes widened, followed by the briefest glimpses of a genuine smile. Taraxippus was not one for sentimentality, but it had been years since he had seen his daughter. "Shinoma... I had wondered after you. What brings you home after all this time?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:00 am
Shinoma took a moment to stare after Pooka and then shook her head, mumbling a bit under her breath.
'Never going to happen..'
She followed the stony mare closely, taking note of the twists and turns, ears, eyes and nose always on the alert, despite the fact that they were going to visit her own father, she still didn't let her guard down. When they arrived at their destination, she gave her thanks and waited patiently until he emerged, just as she remembered him.
'I hope I seek my father.' Shinoma felt a smile on her face as she saw Taraxippus, feeling a rush of filial affection for the older stallion.
'I am sorry I did not return sooner.' she said.
'I forged a life and family for myself. And you know, the longer one stays away, the harder it becomes to return. I hope I have not been away so long as to become unwelcome Father.'
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Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:34 pm
Taraxippus strode silently up to the his daughter, giving her a look over as he did. She had grown since he had last seen her... or at least it felt that way. She had left the herd shortly after entering into young marehood and, as he glanced at the stallion she had come with, and the younger mare that bore a blend of their features, Taraxippus could presume why.
His look at Firestorm, however, was a critical one. Was this a suitable match for his daughter? Not that he expected the strong-minded mare to ask permission, but he hoped that she saw something in the alicorn that would bring a strenth to their lineage and not just some simpering excuse of 'love'. But for now, he held back on those questions. Formality dictated a different start to this, especially if there was a potential to gain something here.
"You will never be unwelcome here, daughter, unless you come into my territory bearing me ill will." He smiled courteously. "It is... good to see you, however, especially from the sounds of things bringing good tidings." His tail swished behind him.
"Forgive my skepticism, however, but after all these years, have you come merely for a social call..?" Taraxippus raised an eyebrow shrewdly.
"And you, stallion? Who are you that has taken my daughter for a mate?" He leveled his amber eyes at Firestorm. "Surely it is not my permission that you seek. It appears to be far too late for that." he added with a rueful smile and a mild look of curiousity to Firestarter.
So there he was: Shinoma's infamous father. Firestorm did what he could to mask a look of distaste. While he was nothing like the mad rabbit ... thing... that had met them on the way in, and he did strike an eerie chord with the alicorn, Firestorm had desperately hoped that the stallion would at least bear wings. Feathered wings, batlike kalona wings, he didn't care. But it made his stomach churn that here he was, asking for help from a horse... a ground soquili. Why wasn't that stony mare leading the herd? She certainly seemed capable. An with FOUR wings no less. She was like a dark mirror of Thunderbird, and part of that made Firestorm smile. But this stallion? He looked like a strong breeze would clear him away like so much smoke.
But wait, was he talking to him? Name... he was asking his name. "Firestorm." He said coolly, not able to hide the critical look in his eye.
"And our daughter here is Firestarter."
Firestarter, however, pricked up at the new arrival, curiousity obvious in her eyes. There were markings on his body that neither of her parents bore that carved their way through Firestarter's coat like embers. His shadowy composition.... ther was no denying their relation. She smiled, not content to merely remain silent and have introductions made for her. "FIRESTARTER!" She chimed in in synch with her father. She smiled boldy, revealing the sharp teeth she had inherited from her mother. "Your granddaughter." She realized, now, however, after making an entrance and announcing her presence, she didn't really know what else to say just yet. So, she contented herself to snapping her wings open in a display of strength and the shadowy texture to them.
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Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:36 am
'I would never come here bearing ill will towards you father..' Shinoma said, her words slightly pointed.
'Uh..have you seen much of my mother lately?' she asked, casually as if it were no mind to her either way. She gave a short nod to his question.
'In a way..it was past time that I paid my respects to you, and I was a little curious as to how things were going.'
She looked from her father to her mate, wondering what the latter was thinking. She just about managed to suppress an amused snort at Firestarter's ebullient response, and merely gave her daughter a look, before turning back to Taraxippus.
'There was also a matter that we wished to discuss..a proposal of sorts.' she said, hoping that Firestorm would speak up after she said that as he was the one seeking the alliance and she thought that he might have to prove himself to her father. So it was best that he speak, show his hunger to claim what he wanted.
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 6:06 pm
CitrusCupcake Let me know if you're still interested in continuing. I'd like to play out the encounter/negotiation between Firestorm & Taraxippus, but I dont know if youre RPng now, interested, etc - so no pressure either way on participating or not.
Taraxippus met Firestorm's eyes without a moment's flinch or hesitance. They narrowed as they saw the distaste cross the stallion's features. He could see the doubt in the young stallion's eyes, and his ears canted back with a sneer.
"Remember, before you speak, colt, on whose lands you are. I lead this herd. I have nothing to prove to you. You, however, I hear you seek me for a proposal. I DO hope that this proves interesting enough for my time,because at the moment you are wearing my patience thin with your disrespect." His nostrils flared and his gaze lingered threateningly on Firestorm for another few uncomfortable moments before he turned to Shinoma.
"That is good, daughter. I would not think that even these seasons apart would have addled your mind so much to turn against your own." His tail swished again.
"It has been several months since I have last seen Izusa, but her territory is not far from here. If you head east and find the river, invariably it will lead to her. She navigates the brambles of this forest nearly as adeptly as I."
He looked back over her shoulder, "But the time has found the herd and I well. Our numbers have swelled as I am sure you saw for yourself. The seasons have brought new life as well as new recruits. The stories of monsters and danger in these woods has spread," A wicked smile passed his lips, "Other soquili quake when they hear of the creatures that lurk in these woods... But other monsters know where to find comrades."
Finally, he looked to his granddaughter with a more appraising look and a quirk of a bemused smile, "Firestarter, hmm? Are you the incendiary spark, young mare? what fire will you kindle?" She was an intriguing one, bearing familiar characteristics that were quite unmistakable.
Firestarter cocked her head, her brow knitting, "Huh?" she asked oh-so eloquently, "Oh, well, my fire can light the world ablaze!" She said after a moment with a flip of her mane and brimming with (over)confidence. "But no - daddy - we're going to get his homegrounds back - those bastards, they sent us out because they were SCARED of us. We'll SHOW them that there is somthing to fear. We deserve it-!"
Firestorm could FEEL the threat almost palpably from the shadowy unicorn. This was a stallion in his element here in the darkness and the decrepit, twisted forest. Here, the thorny vines caught at his wings and made it difficult for the alicorn to move. But even as Shinoma's father moved around the clausterphobic clearing in the woods, he could see how his physique almost seemed designed for this territory. His smoky skin passed among the thorns unhampered. Here, he was strong, but would he truly be useful on an attack of the Thunderbird herd? then again... he obviously had powerful allies... no, not allies... subjects. Family. That was his power, and something that was worth it to Firestorm to at least swallow down his bile for now to bargain with him. Even if he was lesser.
Firestarter's words caught up with him and he shook his head with a snort, "Firestarter!" He snapped, "This is a conversation that I need to have," he chastized. Firestarter balked, ears laying back with with a snort. "Yeah yea... well he ASKED me! And you weren't saying any-""Thank you Firestarter." He said decisively, and she fell silent.
"As my daughter implied... I come seeking a sort of... negotiation, Taraxippus. My mate has told me of your strength and the strength of your herd. I have heard the whispered stories and tales of your strength. And.... perhaps most importantly... your numbers. Numbers that my small family unfortunately lacks. My ... father" He said the word as if it were acid that stung his tongue, " is a bull-headed, craven wind named Balrog who perches up there with his mate and their family and herd. I was BORN to inherit that territory - its resources, its protected mountain valleys, and I was banished when I took a mate - your daughter - because he and his mate was frightened of her kalona blood. Of her power and strength. Stormwild has probably been looking for an excuse to get me out - as I was the foal of another mare. I want to take back the herdgrounds. Claim it as our own - return it to my bloodline, share it with my foals - your grandfoals."
Taraxippus did what he could to keep the interest masked on his face with a look of skepticism. He had been looking for a battle for years. Somethign to test his strength, to spread his influence. But that did not mean he was a warmonger. He knew he needed to use discretion - pick a battle he could win, and a suitable test of their strength. But he wAS intrigued. "And so you have come running to us to do it for you? Have you not even spoken to this stallion, or tested your own strength to challenge him?" Taraxippus knew he was baiting the stallion.
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Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 2:02 pm
Firestorm's face darkened as the ground-borne unicorn managed to strike another nerve.
"Indeed. I would not have come to this place had I not already tried to do it on my own." he all but spat. "But as I said... my family does not have the numbers that yours is blessed with. We are making a meager living on marginalized herdgrounds outside the expansive territory that they claim. My last attempt was...." The words were there, but they pained the prideful stallion to say. And Taraxippus's smile at his humiliation was infuriating.
"But we were beaten back." He finally expelled. "Two of my own foals have left my side after my defeat. After we were sent away from the land that they should have inherited. The little mutant that my father and his craven mate call a son has stolen MY birthright. We have new foals now, foals that I wish to raise in the rich mountain valley. A territory that I wish to bestow to Firestarter... to my mate and your daughter, Shinoma."
He paused again, ears laying back. "ANd so I request your help. The help of your herd, in claiming this land."
It was a devil's bargain, but Firestorm had been pushed well past the point of holding any kind of sympathy towards his father or his old herd. They were not his family any more, and it would bring him more satisfaction to either see them dead or see them cast out like he was, miserable and weak.
Taraxippus was silent, his eyes calculating as he listened closesly to Firestorm's explanation. He deliberately wore a smirk on his mouth to goad on this stallion's anger. In anger, there was often truth - truth that belayed even what he might intend to say. He was brash, this young stallion. He could see the fire in his eyes that must have inspired his name... and perhaps was what his daughter saw in him. But brash... angry... Taraxippus could deal with that. There was a predictibilty along with honesty in anger, and that made him easy to control... and easy to extract quite the payment from him.... IF Taraxippus accepted his proposal that was. Taraxippus had mostly ignored the herd that claimed the land in the mountains above them. They had little to do with each other, after all. Taraxippus and his herd had plenty of room in the woods, they liked the dark, after all, and cared little for the frigid temperatures that the altitude brought. And the rumors of the monsters that lived in these woods and ate unsuspecting travellers only helped protect the Thunderbird herd's borders.
But... Taraxippus thirsted to expand their influence and his power, and this might be the opportunity that he sought.
"What you ask for," he finally spoke up, "if I even agree to it... will not come cheap."
His ears lay back and this time, there was an obvious curl to the stallion's lip. Payment. Of all the petty, dishonorable things to ask for. "What do I care for trinkets and trivial matters like that?" He snapped, "Does it look like I have a golden saddle or other 'treasures' that two-legs and raccoons and other creatures covet?"
"Oh, foolish stallion. Payment can be so much more than trinkets. You ask me, my herd to risk our lives to battle opponents that you have said yourself bested you and your family. You have aluded to their numbers... to their strength that you..." His eyes strafed over the alicorn, "lack."
He shook his head, striding forward and invading Firestorm's personal space. He could see his muscles twitch and skin crawl as he did. Taraxippus was well aware of the disgust or the fear that the alicorn bore him, and he used it. He made sure that the younger stallion could feel his breath on his face as he spoke, and could not avoid his unwavering amber eyes.
"I have no quarrel with this herd. It is you who needs us. You are asking for quite a payment after all - this desirible herdground. You think that we will be the ones to risk our lives for your gain? You would think me a fool."
Taraxippus paused, watching as Firestorm's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, "You may have mated to my daughter, but that does not grant you a boon the likes that you request for free. These are the terms that I set before you. They are not negotiable.
Should we succeed at this endeavor, you will have your lands-" He saw Firesorm's eyes widen, "-BUT" he snapped, "Your herd will be subservient to mine, just as a land baron is subservient to the king. You will answer me with the respect and fealty that I deserve. For all intents and purposes, Firestorm, I shall be your king.
You will pay... a tax of sorts... of food... of supplies... regularly to my herd. It is a bountiful land, after all, as you have said. Surely, you will have excess.
Additionally, You will allow us free passage through your herdgrounds to any member of my herd for whatever reason. They will not need an explanation and will not be questioned. Likewise, you will grant them food and shelter if they require it.
And, when the time comes that I seek to expand my influence some more - yourself and able-bodied members of your herd can be called upon to assist me in battle."
Firestorm balked at the demands from the unicorn. His mouth opened and closed, and he felt the anger drain away to honest fear as he stared down this unblinking creature. He began to see, wings or not, why it was this stallion that led the herd.
An ear flicked back. It was a lot... but in exchange for those herdgrounds Balrog's herdgrounds... displacing them, robbing that little cuckoo that they dared name after their herd's totem from his birthright... it was worth it. After all... what Taraxippus said was true, they were risking their lives for a territory for Firestorm. He'd get the land - what did he care if he had to give a small portion of the food away, he'd keep most of it. And aiding him in a future battle... well... that was just paying back a debt.
"Fine." He finally said tersely.
"I'm not finished." Taraxippus continued smoothly, and he could see the ire building again in the younger stallion.
"Those are the costs assuming a victory. I am not going to put our lives on the line for nothing in the event of a loss. We are still risking every one of us who joins the battle... lives will be lost regardless of the outcome, young stallion.
"... Regardless of what happens... you will owe me, Firestorm. You will swear fealty to me. If I call... you will answer. "
"Fine fine-" Firestorm interrupted, already bored with this. This negotiation was aggravating... he wanted to see Balrog and Thunderstorm's blood. He owed Taraxippus. He got it.
"AND," Taraxippus said through clenched teeth before the calm mask passed over his face again, "one final thing. You ask for the strength of our numbers, you will contribute to that. This daughter of yours is of my blood. She will join my herd. She will be betrothed to one of ours and add her strength to our greatness. Regardless of the outcome, she will stay here. With us." In his mind, Taraxippus was already thinking of the stoic soldier, Infernum. The large son of his most loyal herdmate, Megaera.
Firestarter blinked. Wait... what was that? Were... were they actually talking about HER? Staying here? Forever? She wanted to meet her extended family, see the herd and her lineage, but they were talking about trading her about like an ear of corn! She opened her mouth to speak in protest, but by the time she had collected her thoughts, her father was already answering, without even LOOKING to her or her mother. So swept up was Firestorm in the idea of a victory that he could almost already taste, that he barely gave the final term of Taraxippus's demands a second thought. It was the last part of this bargain that he was determined to see sealed. He heard the words. A part of him understood the magnitude of what he was asking. But truth be told... Firestorm was so hungry for vengeance - for the TRUE motivation of this war - that it was worth any cost to him. They weren't asking for her life anyway. They were family.
"You have a deal." He said with finality.
"WHAT?!" Firestarter exploded. She couldn't believe her ears. Her father was AGREEING to the terms? To just... trade her - send her to live with her grandfather's herd that she had never even MET before?! "How... how COULD you father?!" Not only was it that he was agreeing to send her away... it showed Firestarter that he wasn't doing this ... this war for his family. He was doing it for his ******** pride!
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Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 7:04 pm
"Firestarter... it's for the best," Firestorm began. Though there was more decisiveness in his voice than a placating tone. "We will see each other often, and our family will be great once more..."
family or you wouldn't be doing this. Or have you just given up on me along with my siblings since we've seen you fail before?" She chose her words, sharp and well-placed. "Is this holy herdground only good enough for the little ones? No, no I don't want to see you 'often'. I don't want to see you at ALL. I'm GLAD you're sending me to live here, because at least here they want me for ME." Her ears were pressed back against her skull.
Taraxippus stepped back, letting the family confrontation mask the sinister smile that passed across his face. He was willing to go to any extreme. Good. And this daughter with her strong kalona blood and his shadowy blood would serve the herd well and bolster its strength.
He lifted his head, raising his voice, "Infernum!" he called, knowing the burly stallion wouldnt be far.
There was a flapping of batlike wings as another soquili arrived on the scene dutifully after he was called. He stood several hands taller than the rest that had gathered in the small clearing. But his draft build wasn't even the most remarkable feature about the stallion - it was the fire ablaze in his mane and swirling around his front hoof. He snorted, giving a dip of his head to Taraxippus. "What is it, sire?" He rumbled.
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Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 7:27 pm
"Infernum," Taraxippus continued, interrupting and silencing without a second glance the argument between father and daughter, "This is Firestarter. My granddaughter. She will be joining us here. I would like for you to show her around." He paused for a moment before sidling closer to the large, young stallion, adding quietly in his ear, "She will be your responsibility. Make sure she is comfortable... enjoy her stay here. I believe that the two of you might be... well suited to each other."
Infernum's ears pricked and he looked over the new arrivals for the first time, specifically, letting his smoldering gaze linger on the slender young mare. He was a dutiful soldier, but he was also a young stallion, and a honestly genial smile found its way to the somber stallion's mouth.
His fiery visage was unusual for the herd, and he couldn't help but see a note of destiny about her name and ember-like markings.
He gave a formal bow, dipping his head and lifting one of his forelegs, "Firestarter... it is an honor. Please... will you accompany me...?"
Firestarter was furious with her father, her incendiary temper blazing hot. But she surprised herself as her words fell silent as the big stallion arrived. All that ire, all that indignation at her perceived rejection by her father in favor of a piece of land turned to an embrace of this new life as a 'screw you.' She'd show him just how much better she was going to be here. Without him.
And besides... Infernum... when Taraxippus mentioned a betrothal she was all ready to give him a piece of her mind as well. She would not have that decided for her as well! But when she saw him.... humm... he... well... he was handsome. Strong... intriguing. Despite herself, she found a coy smile crossing her face. Maybe... Taraxippus was a better matchmaker than she gave him credit for.
Well, at the very least... she'd let him show her around. See what this place was like... what he was like.
"Hey there, big boy," She smirked, trotting away from Firestorm and toward Infernum with her tail flipped up to give her father one last spur.
Infernum blinked, suddenly finding the smile on his face must look ridiculous. How was one supposed to smile? Giving up, he tried to straighten it to his stock serious demeanor, but it wasn't sticking very well. His eyes were drawn to the swagger in her gait, despite the fact that she was standing amidst her family.
He... liked the brashness to the mare, the devil-may-care smirk and bluntness. It was unusual... and even a little exhilirating? he had barely met her, but already he wanted to know more about her.
"This way, Firestarter. There is a maze-like logic to our herd... but one that I am sure you will pick up on quickly." Unsure of how to approach or talk to a mare, he deferred to a fact-of-the-matter informative explanation as he began to lead her away from Firestorm, Shinoma, and Taraxippus, their voices growing more distant.
"
Firestorm snorted, ears back. He wouldn't let it show just how much Firestarter's words hurt. He wouldn't show regret. It was too late for regret.
"when do we begin?" He said pointedly to Taraxippus.
"Easy, Firestorm," Taraxippus said with a smirk. "These things take time. We will survey their herd, access the strength of our herd and yours, and plan an attack. We can't just go in there blind.... oh... that... is what you did last time isn't it?" He said with overt condescension.
"I will come to you when we are ready. In the meantime, bolster your own strenth and prepare yourself."
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:30 pm
Shinoma listened to the back and forth between the two main stallions in her life, silently watching, just the movement of her wispy tail betraying that the mare was still there. The proceedings grew heated but she was proud of Firestorm for holding his own, and for biting down what must be a considerable amount of anger for having to concede much to her father in order to get what he wanted..proud until the moment that the proceedings took an distinctly uncomfortable turn.
'Hang on..' she murmured, her head turning between the two stallions as they talked back and forth, her daughter suddenly becoming chattel to sweeten the deal.
'You can't be serious. Firestorm..' she growled, her tail swishing like an irate feline, but that and further protests were ignored. She saw the hurt and fury that welled up in her daughter, and it cut it to her bone. Shinoma wouldn't break down, it was not in her nature to do so, and in front of her father there would have to been seen to be unity between her and her mate but later..oh later there would be all the trouble in the world for Firestorm. She pushed down on her simmering rage with difficulty, biting so hard that her slim, pointed fangs drew blood from her lower lip.. Sabin Duvert S'after 5am so not sure how coherent this reply will be but I'm in the right frame of mind to channel an angry Shinoma so why not XD
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 10:16 am
"Very well." Firestorm closed the conversation, his eyes intense and focused. Finally, things were falling into motion. But he wanted the day of the war to be at hand. Waiting, more waiting... so close that he could taste it now each moment was going to be strained agony until he was flying up to reclaim his heritage.
Although, with the knife-sharp words that his mate was barely biting back - for now - it was going to be an even more agonizing interem than the stallion even expected once they had their privacy once more.
Taraxippus turned to go, withdrawing, along with the rest of his herdmembers that had gathered to watch, into the shadows of the trees, and Firestorm turned to head back in the direction that they had come.
Only now, did he meet Shinoma's eyes, and the words 'let's go, Shinoma' fell apart in his mouth before he could utter them. He could see her anger now... he had been too focused, too obsessed to even consider this aspect as well to agreeing to trade his ... their daughter.
"My love..." he began, but it sounded strained.
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:22 pm
Shinoma barely registered her father leaving, instead she had been focusing on the dwindling figure of her daughter. She hadn't even gotten to wish her a goodbye, to tell her how proud she was of her daughter for taking what was an unwelcome situation and turning it to her own favour, having caught the looks and what she had said to the stallion.
No, she had instead had to watch a daughter leave, again, and it hurt. Oh did it hurt.
'Don't..' she snapped, flicking a wing open and pushing it flat towards his face, a clear gesture that right now, right then was not a good time to attempt to explain. They were still in her father's lands, and again she didn't want to show dissonance between Firestorm and herself. No..that could wait until they were in their own home, a place that would be much colder for her mate for a good while to come.
She turned on her hooves, and stomped off, heading for the outskirts of the tangled vegetation they were in.
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