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 Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:48 am
NIVALIS
Post: 3
Nivalis' broad grin softened a fraction as she watched the siblings' interaction. Of course, they were her sisters as well, but she'd always wondered (and longed after) the idea of being bloomed alongside another, so close as to share nearly all of her life experiences and to have such a deep and innate understanding of each other that it was practically intimate. Many of her training sessions were done alone, only her and the Matron, and Niva had always imagined what it might be like if she'd only had a bloom-mate-
But her Great Mother had not blessed her in such a way, or any Alkidike mystic before her, as far as Niva had learned. She could stand to be grateful that at least some of the girls in her tribe had the fortune to experience it.
The edge of Niva's lips twitched in restrained amusement. "Don't be too hard on her, Pruu. Pyrrha has you, after all, doesn't she? I'm sure the two of you will be able to keep each other safe, no matter what faces you." She leaned in to touch her cheek encouragingly to Pruu's, then took a step back, so that the sisters could have their space. She folded her arms behind herself and bounced forward on the balls of her feet.
Interest made her antennae quirk as Pyrrha offered her one of the violets in her hair.
Admittedly, she didn't think she needed to be calm. She wanted to be angry at the elder Alkidike who took up residence on her island and kept secrets from her. But that wasn't a burden for Pyrrha or Pruu to bear, so she kept her mouth shut and reached with quiet reverence for the small gift her sister offered. "Thank you, sister, for thinking of me," she hummed softly as the flower shifted into her hand. "When this is through, I'm sure I'll be able to make good use of it. Perhaps you could join me? And see that it is done properly?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 7:22 pm
Pruu- Post 4
Pruu pursed her lips slightly. "I just hope that 'as always' will stay 'as always,'" she murmured softly. Especially with whatever was going on that brought them all together now...
The sweet gesture from Nivalis made Pruu blink with surprise, but chose to remain silent. Many had stated their confidence in her abilities, but few voiced it in such a manner. That was right... she would do what she could to keep her sister- all of her sisters- safe.
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Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 7:45 pm
Pyrrha - 4
Her eyes drifted away from both her mystic and her sister as they spoke. It wasn't as if she was actively trying to ignore them, but a particularly odd shaped bug had landed on the shoulder of a nearby cousin. Did she know that it was crawling up the back of her top, pinching her dreads with it's mandibles in a most amusing way? Maybe she should just-
Pyrrha started to move away, but the gentle tug of her hand being locked with something kept her grounded. Ah yes, Pruu. Pruu, Nivalis, the meeting...very important.
"I would like that very much." Brewing tea was always a pleasant affair, and sounded much better than going 'home'. Maybe she could put her eventual return off for another few days, now that not only Pruu but Myrcella had seen her?
Speaking of family - "Oh, Pruu, are our mothers here? I haven't seen them yet." She suspected that surely they would be close, given the gravity of the situation. Maybe they were just purposefully keeping their distance; a pity, they wouldn't be able to hear as well standing in the back.
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Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 6:14 am
NIVALIS
Post: 4
Good and wonderful. At least for the moment, the pair of siblings seemed content enough- though Pyrrha never was in an especially foul mood, as far as Nivalis could tell. And Niva always welcomed opportunities to spend with her sisters. Perhaps Pruu would join them too. The less lackadaisical of the siblings was so much so that surely she wouldn't mind sparing a moment to drink tea with them.
So as the thought occurred to her, Niva decided not to ask. She plucked up Pruu's hand and shot her sister a quick grin. "You come too, Pruu," she prompted. "It will be fun with just the three of us. It isn't very often that I have you both at the same time..."
Though from the looks (and sounds) of things, Pyrrha did not seem to get along especially well with all of her sisters. Or maybe it was just such that they did not get along well with her. Niva wasn't blind. She'd seen the way the Alkidike girl had avoided poor Pyrrha, as if she thought she was better. The thought made Niva scoff softly. Maybe Pyrrha wasn't like many of her sisters, but she was an Elarian, a special treasure, and no Alkidike had any business shunning an Elaria on their island.
But it was for their family to deal with. Niva would only stand and be quietly offended from the sidelines.
Instead, she turned her focus up to the matron. "Do you think I should go back up...?" She asked to no one in particular. But she thought better of it as soon as the words left her mouth. She was offended at them as well, and felt as though they'd deemed her unimportant in that how little they'd trusted her with. So she stayed with her sisters. She liked them better, anyway.
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 10:26 am
Zandala 2
Zandala straightened up and nodded to her two daughters in agreement with Lumikani. While they were her daughters the Elaria should all stand together.
“None of this feels right,” Zandala hissed under her breath as her eyes darted around. There were already so few Extremists and now some were missing? Hopefully all these rumors were untrue and the weaklings had simply run back to Chibale. If that was the case, better for them, they didn’t need these weak Alkidike among their ranks. Zandala had no patience for these people. If Elaria had gone missing though… Someone was going to pay and they would pay in blood.
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 4:24 pm
Lumikani Post 2The smaller Alkidike watched with tired eyes, wondering indeed what was going on. She couldn't believe this was all just a trick, that the sisters were playing a game or running away. No, none of it felt right. "If there was sign for war, we would know. The Matron wouldn't keep such a thing silent..." she murmured back, trying to keep her voice even. Even if the matron kept quiet, the young mystic would surely know if something that foul was happening, wouldn't she? Lumikani held such faith for their spiritual leaders, that was why she came across the sea. No matter her feelings, she would always respect those who could speak with their great mother.
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:08 pm
Chapter 9: Grave Expectations
|| IC ||
 The Matron seemed unbothered by the mystic's lack of interest to return to her side. In fact, the Alkidike took power in being the one above all, speaking and leading as she was meant to be. This is why she led her sisters across the sea, and why she guided the Elaria from their blooms. She was the leader of the future, and she would ensure they would stay safe from this and any future menace.
"Quiet down!" She shouted finally as the voiced continued. It wasn't just the Elaria, but all who spoke up and ignored the sign for silence. It showed passion, but was not something the Matron wanted at the time.
"Sisters. Cousins. Thank you all for returning to our roots this fine eve. I trust you all have heard, but still we must admit what has been happening. Our sisters are disappearing."
The statement came out as a hiss, and the woman pursed her lips for a moment, "At first...we suspected defectors...but as we tracked down a wayward sister we discovered something more..."
The elders shifted, before shaking their heads as the Matron began to ramp up her speech, "Our sister had been caught in a struggle, before her body and the other simply...disappeared. Without a trace to track, both were seemingly gone. As we continued to explore the others, we noticed the same pattern. Every sister has disappeared...as well as one of our cousins."
Yes, just a few days prior, an Elaria had traveled to their hunting grounds. Wandering off on her own, she never returned from the hunt. As she was tracked, the same scene greeted the hunting party. A struggle with nothing to go by.
"We must stay vigilant to our surroundings. And so, until we can discover what is occurring, there will be no more traveling alone throughout our lands."
She paused to let it sink in, her words firm and clear to all those before her.
"I care not who you think you may be, we cannot afford to lose anyone be they sister or cousin."
|| OOC ||
||. If your character is not signed up for their thread, they may not participate. You can PM Suhuba for late entries.
||. Please limit to up to 2 posts between NPC posts (these should be spaced out by responses from others to your post, no needless posting just to get more points).
||. The next NPC post will be on Friday.
||. If you have any questions, please post them in the Main Thread.
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:53 pm
Ceylinae - Post 2
Ceylinae's many antennae gave a violent twitch at the mention of their sisters and cousins disappearing, instantly suspecting the outsiders... but surely not? Those glowy eyed pansies? She doubted very highly that they would be able to start any sort of battle. They were more likely to just run away with their tails between their legs. Those in charge confirmed as well that it wasn't traitors from within their own ranks either, instead it seemed... well, like some sort of power that was beyond Ceylinae's understanding. Not that she'd admit as much out loud, not wanting to sound as though she weren't smart. She just didn't understand the workings of magic was all.
They were told to be vigilant she gave a nod of her head but as it was then added that they couldn't travel alone anymore her aqua eyes went rather wide. Wait... what? That was all she did since she was quite young! How was she supposed to keep up with her personal training regiment if she wasn't allowed to do any alone?
That meant figuring out how to bring her training into the village so that she wouldn't have to run all her drills with someone else then? What to do with Savage though... he was still such a little monster. This really gave her a lot to think about and had her antennae twitching rapidly all the while as she tried to consider her options going forward.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:33 pm
Pruu- Post 5
Pruu nodded to Pyrrha. "They are standing over there with their sisters. They arrived with Myrcella not too long after I did." She glanced in the direction of the rest of her family and sighed. Despite the connection, there remained a space between them. Alks and Elarians, mothers and daughters, fighters and not-such-fighters...
As the matron spoke, Pruu's eyes narrowed angrily. Someone was taking her cousins, and now a sister was missing, and all the scouting of the elders had revealed nothing! And their only strategy was to not be alone?! Squeezing the hands of Pyrrha and Nivalis, Pruu ground her teeth in agitation. There had to be more they could do! "Perhaps the eyes of those born of this land will better see what is going on?" she hissed. In no way was she purposely trying to undermine the elders, but surely those of the land might be better at learning what was going on? She wanted to do something!
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Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:43 am
NIVALIS
Post: 5
Nivalis' minty gaze held with an almost detached acceptance as she looked the matron's way. Was that really all the information they had? It was everything she knew, so how could they hold so many meetings with so little to go off, and why would they insist that she stay 'in the dark' when there was absolutely nothing more to divulge to her. "They could be lying," she muttered softly, so quiet that the winds may have taken it long before it even reached Pyrrha or Pruu.
They'd found signs of a 'struggle,' as if that ought to be some huge discovery. Of course there would be signs of a struggle. No Elarian would abandon her family without some fight. No Extremist would be taken from the land they'd had to make into a second home after being forced from the first. Only very few of their ilk were prone to grandiose dreams of travel and adventure. It didn't make sense that there wouldn't be a struggle.
So Nivalis felt that they'd either learned nothing and were useless at what they were being looked to for, or were liars and worse than useless.
She spun about to face Pruu, gently tugging the woman's hand as she did. "I have tried," Niva hummed. "I have tried to convince the matron to allow the eldest of our sisters some input into the council. I begged for Naqenni or Ceylinae to hold an Elarian presence among them, but I was refused. And when I demanded it, I was told I could not join them either. They think me small, and weak, and stupid, and I have failed you, sister." She dipped her head, low enough to show proper respect to a young warrior older than her in age. "I am sorry."
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:02 am
Pyrrha - 5
"Well, that's something, isn't it?" She murmured, making sure to keep semi-quiet while the matron spoke. A sister, caught in a struggle, before her body disappeared into the ether. It might have made for a beautiful poem had it not been true. Or, maybe it was. Maybe this was a plan from Elzira to bring special sisters and cousins to her side-
-and maybe that's why the matron was mad. Wouldn't it be upsetting if that were so, and she wasn't chosen? But, then again, if Elzira were to do such a thing, wouldn't Nivalis have been taken? Hrm, a mystery then.
"...there will be no more traveling alone throughout our lands..."
...come again?
"I care not who you think you may be, we cannot afford to lose anyone be they sister or cousin."
Her expression remained deadpan to most, that listless, almost too happy smile on her face, but her fingers had clenched, grasping those she held onto. She took a deep, angered breath and closed her eyes to the world in an attempt to keep her calm. It was as close to an outburst as Pyrrha had ever come, and it didn't feel good. She didn't like the way that unease coiled in her gut, mingling with the uncertainty of the unknown. Going on her solo adventures had been what kept the balance in her family, as precarious as it was, and now...now it was sure to fall...
When she opened her eyes once more there was a faint mist above her minty green orbs, but her smile was much more genuine. "Why do you apologize, Nivalis? The elders love you, but love is selfish. It's protective and blind. They love the picture of you their minds have painted and if what they say is true then they're scared."
She turned away from them to look at the matron then, "You need only show them your determination and the world will blossom for you. We should all do what we can to find those sisters, don't you think, so that all of this can go away?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:36 pm
NIVALIS
Post: 6
While she still felt so far from being in tune with her forests, her lands, and her goddess, Nivalis was confident in her ability to read her sisters. Even Pyrrha, who always looked so airily pleased and nonchalant in all her motions had her signs. Niva's gaze dipped to where their hands were clasped, and she could hear the other girl's unusually deep and controlled breath. She'd always considered Pruu's sister to be a gentle spirit, perhaps taking more after the mother Pruu herself was always at such odds with over their ideals. Niva couldn't say if that was the case exactly, as she tended to pay far less attention to the Alkidike of their tribe. But from what knowledge she had, it felt accurate enough.
"If it is very displeasing to you, I would be happy to accompany you wherever you may need to go, Pyrrha," Nivalis offered quietly. She was sure she could not abandon her tribe for days or weeks on end, as the other girl tended to, but she couldn't stop the idea from spilling from her lips. "Or if I am... indisposed, Pruu would certainly not mind, I'm sure. Whatever needs to be done to keep you safe and with us for all the many moons to come."
She couldn't say if that would be enough. Niva would've extended the same invitation to anyone who felt the needed her attention, and it did have the potential to run her quite thin, but she wasn't lying when she said 'whatever it took.' Whatever it took, she would manage.
Nivalis tutted and shook her head. "I would hardly believe that to be the reason." Love. These old Alkidike were stuck in the ways of their old tribe. They were unreasonable and impossibly stubborn, and the life of one little girl was not tantamount to the customs of the tribe. "They have endured so much change in their lifetime, that I think more frightens them. Any idea that isn't one of their own will just go unheard. It is obnoxiously inconvenient."
A puff of irritated air fell from her lips, and she folded her arms. "But if we all do what we can, as you say, than surely we will come out stronger and better for it."
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:51 pm
Pyrrha - 6
"I would...appreciate that, Nivalis," She murmured in response, for once faltering in her smile. "I wouldn't want the jungle to think I've forgotten about it." The likelihood of such a promise coming to fruition was small; surely with all that was going on the leash around Nivalis would tighten and the elders would keep her close. As for Pruu...she briefly turned to look at her twin before averting her gaze else where. Maybe. Just...maybe.
I shouldn't have come today.
At least if she had avoided the meeting and spent just a few more days on her own then maybe she could have relished in that freedom for just a little while longer.
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 6:18 pm
Chapter 9: Grave Expectations
|| IC ||
Despite their best intentions, Nivalis and her friends were still heard by the ears around her. Sisters, who crept closer to their mystic through devotion and interest, listened to her soft discussion with interest and growing anger. Yes, the three Elaria were right. There was no need for the Alkidike cousins to lead the powerful future of their race. They were the future, they were the growing mass, and although they weren't quite the majority they felt like they had more say than any green-skinned cousin. Their youthful nature, their priming from the Alkidkies, and their general thirst to prove themselves left some Elaria hungry for more.
This was unacceptable, and they were rash with their feedback as they began to speak up around the mystic and her friends.
"Yes, why are the old cousins the ones who make all the decisions? Why haven't they accepted we are ready to form our own path?" One young Elaria hissed, her fists clenched as she kept her voice loud enough for even the Matron to hear, "How dare they think we are not enough. We are more than enough. We are the survivors, and if they aren't willing to tell us more than maybe we should lead things with our mystic."
Another young Elaria spoke up, "Maybe they are just fools who are running away, because they are unhappy with how things are run...most are Alkidikes, maybe the cousins are afraid of their fate here, and wish to defect back to their soft land overseas." The first chuckled, and a few others smirked as Alkidkes around them began to sneer. The older Alkidikes huffed and hissed at the young ones, telling them to hush but were easily ignored.
"Or maybe it's the Yaeli. They've tried to fight us...maybe they are empowered because our leaders refuse to allow us to show our power as the chosen sisterhood!" The first returned, speaking loudly that the crowd began to take notice of her words. The Matron, standing above with her elders, began to tighten her face with displeasure as the girls continued, "We shouldn't hide here anymore...we are not ashamed nor are we weak. Maybe it's time we struck first instead of letting those filthy Earthlings, those cowardly Alkidike over the sea, or those disgusting Hybrids come here, in our lands, and take OUR sisters!"
Other Elaria sisters began to cry out in agreement, some nodding and looking toward their mystic. They gestured for Nivalis to speak up, to move and lead the charge. They were hungry for her to step in and take over, so much that the Matron let out a booming yell for absolute silence.
Her words were hardly heeded as both Elaria and Alkidike sisters began to widly speculate their own conclusions, and plotting for options well beyond simply listening to their elders. The atmosphere was tense, and little could be done to calm down the crowd that was wild with the desire to prove themselves, protect their sisters, and find an answer that wasn't running nor hiding.
|| OOC ||
||. If your character is not signed up for their thread, they may not participate. You can PM Suhuba for late entries.
||. Please limit to up to 2 posts between NPC posts (these should be spaced out by responses from others to your post, no needless posting just to get more points).
||. NPCs will post twice a week, on Monday and Thursday.
||. If you have any questions, please post them in the Main Thread.
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 7:59 pm
Pruu- Post 6
Pruu fought to keep from crushing the hands of those she held. They were keeping things from even Nivalis? She was their mystic! "It is not of your doing, Nivalis," she managed to say, though her jaw remained tight. Even Pyrrha was showing hints of anger, and that itself was a sign of the gravity of the situation. That lead to thinking about home. All five of them together all the time? Pyrrha's walked were worrisome, but Pruu knew they were necessary as well. How would that work?
When the noise around her began to rise, she actually looked around with surprise. Of course they would have heard. ..and of course they would agree. Despite knowing that this ruckus would only get worse, she found herself getting caught up int the frustration. "Why do you choose to involve us only now?" she shouted out angrily toward their leaders to add her voice in. "We are just as much a part of this as you!"
Remembering the hands she held, she hissed and reigned herself in a little, though her body vibrated with anger still. "Nivalis... This is a lot on you, but what do you think?"
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