Colorists Love...DRABBLES FOR FREE TICKETS!

[Owlsomniac]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF BEAUTY!
Kin Name: Hardly Golden
Drabble:

Her mother, Sideshow, says she has her grandmother’s eyes - big and bright -- but that hers are like pure gold, something her mother says she’s only come across once in her travels, something another kin had with them when they’d come to perform together. Her mother says she’s beautiful -- and she wants to believe her, because what child doesn’t want t believe that?

Except she knows that she isn’t. Not inside where it really matters. She’s learned how to smile and say pretty things, to be coy, to be charming, when to laugh at the right moments. Inside, though, she feels dull and rough, less like gold than rust. She touches without feeling, and laughs instead of crying. Except she’ll never let them know -- she can’t. How could she possibly reveal herself as something so false, now, when she’s made such an effort to hide it and be something else?

It used to be so very hard at first to pretend because she was selfish, like any young filly or colt is wont to be at times. She hadn’t cared that it might worry her parents. Then, when she became older -- more self-aware - she realized such things couldn’t be considered normal. She learned to behave differently by watching the plays her mother would put on. How easy it could be to slip into the skin of another character and become them, if only for awhile. Except, now, that skin has become permanent and, sometimes, she thinks it may be all she really has.

Her mother might be proud of acting abilities, at least.  

[Owlsomniac]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF SMASH!
Kin Name: Smash the World to Pieces
Drabble:
Sometimes she has good days, where she’ll laugh and smile and spend time among other kin. Sometimes, however, she has bad days.

Today is a very bad day.

Smash gnashes her teeth together, her piercing blue eyes narrowed in warning -- a clear sign to anyone, or anything, that might cross her path to stay the hell out of her way. She snarls, practically growling, and stomps her way through the low brush as anger roils through her. It seems to have no source and no end -- springing up as suddenly as it goes. Except, of course, something had set her off into an even fouler mood than usual.

Her stash had gone missing. All those hours of carefully cultivating her plants, watching them grow, plucking only the finest pieces of herb -- and all of it is gone.

It had been the work of some addle-brained buck who’d let his even more addle-brained pet mongoose loose. Somehow, it had gotten into her den and decided that her herbs had looked like perfect nesting material, or something. Now she can’t even chew any of it for the calming effect it tends to have on her -- so she stomps about, instead, and smashes anything that gets in her way. The first thing, of course, having been that stupid buck’s face.

Her own forehead still smarts a bit, but it had been worth it.  

[Owlsomniac]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF DRAGON!
Kin Name: Black-Lunged
Drabble:
Last week, their mother had gone to show them the edge of one of the deeper bogs near the den to warn them to stay away. Crocodiles liked to make their homes there, after all, and would love to snap up an unwary filly or colt who might get too close.

They’d all looked rather slow and dumb, to him.

So that’s why he’d gone out to the water to test himself and see how fast these crocodiles really were.

When the young colt comes back home, there’s a bit more red on his pelt than was there before - and some of it is still oozing. His mother gasps, and there’s some commotion, but he can’t stop grinning despite how his knees still feel a little weak after the encounter.

“Mom -- he was HUGE! At least… at least twenty feet long,” his eyes go wide, and he catches one of his sisters rolling their eyes but he keeps going. “He had all these big teeth, all old and yellow and crooked and sharp. When he hissed the ground wooshed out in front of him like smoke. I think it was a dragon. It had to be! You remember telling us that story about dragons -- don’t you?” His mother makes a displeased sound as she gets him to finally sit down, but Black-Lunged only laughs.

“I slayed a dragon!”  

[Owlsomniac]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF CHICKEN!
Kin Name: Killing Smile
Drabble:

Chickens are the absolute worst.

Smile frowns as he stares at the little cluster of fat birds clucking contentedly as they sit huddled together outside his den. There’s a crow among them somewhere, as well, and lately the damn thing has been making so much racket that it’s scared away any good game to be had in the area. Not to mention it had gotten the better of him a few days, flying out of nowhere to stick its spurs right between his ribs.

That had been the end of his patience, and just the other day he’d tried chasing the birds off -- and had even caught one and killed it for lunch, but it had been a bit of a poor one, and more frustrating than it had been worth, in the end. Even the bit of satisfaction he’d gotten out of breaking the stupid thing’s neck hadn’t been worth the mess of feathers, after.

Yet, there they sit, happy as can be, as if he hadn’t just murdered one of their brethren the day before -- flapping and pecking about as if they have not a care in all the world.

The buck sighs to himself.

Clearly, the chickens have won this round. He figures it’s about time to move on to a new den, anyway.  

[Scaramouche Fandango]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF BEAUTY!
Kin Name: Welcome Home Fair Hunter
Drabble:

Fair Hunter blinked as she caught sight of her reflection in a still puddle of water. She smiled at the reflection blinking back at her- which she knew was nigh unthinkable. After all, her smile was a nightmare. It matched the rest of her perfectly. She looked like a monster. And she was, when she wanted to be. And monsters, by their nature, were monstrous. Granted, they didn't always look it- but she was always glad she'd worn her nature on her face. Nobody ever had expectations of beauty and daintiness from her. Nobody ever looked at the acha with the sharp fin and excessive teeth and said "that is a beautiful creature," which was nice, because it'd meant she never had any delusions about it as a child. She'd not heard it from her parents, and she'd never felt adversely about it. She was what she was, and that wasn't pretty. Not pretty in body, not pretty in mind nor deed nor heart. Her dreams were of blood and breath, not of flowers and frills. Beauty wasn't something she cared much about because it- unlike her- had been pointless. Pointless wasn't ever a thing she was; she was far too pointy to ever be pointless. All snaggle-toothed and scaly, without the horns and manes her kind treasured. She was graceful, yes, but only on the hunt. By acha standards, she certainly wasn't beautiful- but she absolutely didn't care. She was awesome. Who even needed to be beautiful when you were that good at what you did? She was a sleek, efficient hunter. Her prey trembled before her; her caiman pack revered her, perfectly obedient and intelligent. They were a cohesive unit, a team united and working as one organism with many bodies. When they were afield, they shared a mind and rarely failed. She could hunt boar alone if she had to; she'd never once been gored. Her face was a constant snarl, but it wasn't a tangle of scars like she'd seen many bear. She feared nothing; no crocodile or alligator could best her and the pack. They were unstoppable, and she'd rather be unstoppable than beautiful any day.  

[Scaramouche Fandango]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF RUNNING!
Kin Name: The Swamp Is Full Of Free Dogs
Drabble: Sometimes at night, she saw grass- and those were the best nights of all.

The Swamp Is Full Of Free Dogs had never really seen a grassland. She'd seen grasses, certainly, but nothing like what she heard lie in the homelands of the kiokote. There the grass was an ocean, rising and falling in golden and green ripples and waves over the gentle hills. There the grass came up to your belly, tickling you as you ran. She wanted to see it; to roll in it, to touch it, to run in it. Dogs loved running. It was one of the purest sensations she knew. There was nothing quite like bounding over the earth, practically flying as your hooves flicked the ground to the beat of your heart. Dogs was built to run, and she loved every aspect of it. She loved the way her long tail streamed out behind her; furred and tapered, it didn't slow her down and provided a great counterbalance. She loved the feeling of wind in her ears as she pranced and pronked and the feeling of the wind slipping over them like silk if she tucked them in for a sprinting gallop. She loved the pounding of the ground beneath her feet; the slight spring of loam, the harder clipping of rock, the splash of water on her belly as she kicked her way through puddles. And that was just running. Running on its own was sublime... but sometimes it was more than running. Sometimes... sometimes it was chasing, and she couldn't even begin to articulate her love for the chase. The feeling of anticipation of the catch, the moment right before you snapped down on the rabbit or stick or whatever it was you were chasing... that was bliss. Sheer, heavenly bliss. Nothing- nothing- could ever be better.  

[Scaramouche Fandango]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF MUSHROOM!
Kin Name: Ramble On
Drabble: He'd found a secluded spot before he really bit into the fungus. He'd carried it gently, oh-so-gently; the taste had been warm and heavy on his tongue, the rich smooth silky velvet that was earthy and sweet and meaty all at once. He wasn't hearing anything from the Motherfather yet, though. There were some fungi where even carrying them in your mouth would set the shimmers licking at your vision; this was not one of them.

Lying on the ground, he savored the feathery touch of the moss under his belly and flanks. He shut his eyes and savored the smell of the glen; a sweet, wet aroma with the tang of moss and humus. Taking a mushroom was a sensual act; it was a communion with the Motherfather, a bringing together of senses in a way that nothing else could achieve. Taking a mushroom wasn't just about seeing pictures; the high you got was an embrace, a gift from the swamp, a kiss from the white crane. There was nothing in the world like it. He was vaguely aware that some found it mere escapism; some found it irresponsible and dangerous. He wondered if they'd ever taken a mushroom, ever gotten raptured away in a waking dream. It wasn't running away from reality; it was delving deeper into it, looking at what was real and what wasn't in a way one couldn't accomplish without accepting the gift. Smiling serenely, he swallowed the mushroom and laid back, waiting for the dream to begin.  

[musicaloner7]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF TURTLE!
Kin Name: Blue Heart
Drabble: She couldn't remember how long she'd been trekking for, but she stopped counting days, and instead stuck with seasons. A wanderer by nature, and yearning to improve her strength, the doe was not so blinded by her drive that she couldn't also appreciate the encounters she made and the scenery she was graced with.

After a bout of intense running through the resistant plains she had parted through with ease, Blue Heart slowed to a canter, and then trot as she came down from the high of adrenaline that'd pushed her to work the improving muscles beneath her skin. Breath labored, but not tremendously so as her lungs and heart were well equipped for a long distance sprint, her eyes began to take in the new area she'd found herself in. One that was blessed in having a pool of water.

Dipping head, and lowering her neck, she drank from it gratefully, ears remaining perked and alert to her surroundings while in such a vulnerable state. But they could not have prepared her for the light bump she got to the tip of her nose. Quickly recoiling, she braced herself, muscles flexing and twitching into action once she sprung back, poised and at the ready for what might lay beneath the surface of the water she'd been enjoying!

Alas.... it was merely a turtle, whose tiny head popped out from the threshold of the water and land realm, blinking at the doe... more than likely mocking her reaction. With a lowering of her brows, Blue Heart marched right back up, peering down her nose at the reptile who seemed to be keen on taking the roll of trickster. Well. No matter.... Refusing to be someone to back away from another, Blue Heart returned to her quenching, raising a hoof to keep the turtle from getting in her way again.  

[musicaloner7]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF OCEAN!
Kin Name: Blue Heart
Drabble: Continuing on her journey across the lands, traveling at a more moderate paced gait, the strong doe was taking to following a scent that had proved to be quite... intriguing to her. It wasn't something she was used to, nor had ever had the pleasure of wafting.

However... she wasn't entirely sure if she liked it or not, yet. Thus, the pursuing began, seeking out the source of this... hard to pin cologne. It was a little convenient, really, as she'd been on her way in its direction to begin with. Maybe it was a sign of some kind? or destiny... if one believed in that stuff. Either way, it seemed to be in her cards for the day to venture off to discover something new.

Passing through clearings and woods alike, she knew she was growing close when the aroma was far more intensified now, accompanied with a 'whooosh' like sound. Water...? Kicking up her pace to a more eager trot, her ears swiveled forward when the sight of the ocean sparkling came into view, her eyes widening in shock. Such big water.... Staring at its glittering and glistening body, so alive with its ceaseless movement, the doe was actually in a state of awe, a feeling of warmth spreading in her chest. So this was the smell of it... the ocean, she'd heard of...  

[NymiiNym]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF TURTLE!
turtle, ocean, chicken, magic, creation, dragon, mushroom, firewater, smash, monster, running, beauty
Kin Name: Tweet
Drabble: Tweet had taken to traveling for the week. Her mother had clearly gotten annoyed with her the other day, which meant Tweet needed to figure a way to let her cool before she returned to her daily game of bothering poor said mother. Even she knew sometimes people needed breaks, and clearly Ice Strike was going to blow a fuse if she didn't get at least three days of peace.

So, off Tweet went into the unknown. This meant plenty of careless mistakes, such as diving right into a pond full of biting fish, attempting to eat a cactus, and her favorite, getting stuck in a hole. However, it was insightful. She had always assumed she couldn't be alone. Her mother had, affectionately, reminded her consistently how often she just didn't think, and over time Tweet had assumed that meant she couldn't. Being alone was oddly therapeutic for the hyper kin. Sure, she managed to get into a boatload of trouble along the way, but it was fun, really. Comforting, even. She could be in her own skin, alone, and not need someone to validate her. That didn't mean she wouldn't go running to her mother the second the week was up, but it did give her a chance to sit down and truly get it. Like, literally, sit down and get it. She flopped right down onto her backside, contemplating the meaning of new life with quite a dramatic frown, not noticing the creature until it was too late.

'bump'

Blue eyes blinked as an armored creature bumped right into her foot. Raising it, she blinked, twisting her head to the side. What was that? She'd never seen that before. She skittered backwards, almost tripping over herself as she eyed the strange and..... slow creature. Super slow. What in the.... ?

Tweet hopped around the turtle, dancing around it carefully in-case it suddenly reacted. Nothing. It just mosied on by, taking life one slow step at a time. Tweet's head snapped backwards as she tried to understand the purpose of said strange creature, but eventually this overwhelming confusion became healthy curiosity. Where was it going? Why? Where there more of that? Awesome! An adventure! Picking herself up, the little kin followed after the thing, though it really didn't take much speed to catch up....  

[NymiiNym]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF MAGIC!
turtle, ocean, chicken, magic, creation, dragon, mushroom, firewater, smash, monster, running, beauty
Kin Name: Little Lady
Drabble: Magic. It was the reason she existed. The purpose of her quiet and young life. Ever since she was able to comprehend the stories told to her she believed, fiercely, in the magic of this world. She believed in dragons, ghouls, fairies, spirits, and more. Of course, this didn't necessarily go well with people outside of her family. She was used to weary laughter or concerned gazes as she quietly requested information about the local fey, and Lady would be lying if she said it didn't discourage her at times. Yet, deep down, she knew, somehow, she was meant for greater. She was meant to see and bear witness to the beauty of the magic she sought.

So, she had begun traveling. Because of an attachment, Lady would return to her nest periodically and rest for exactly three days before going out on her adventure. She was told by strangers there were other things she could be doing; having children, joining a group, discovering a hobby. But this was what made her truly happy. Seeking the unknown kept her gentle heart fluttering. She couldn't live a life not knowing, or not trying to know. Even if she died without seeing a glimpse of what she wanted, Lady would be content. It was the trying, the truly trying that kept her hooves going and orange eyes focused.

Magic wasn't even limited to the fantastical creatures she sought. Magic was a feeling, to her, as well. Something pure. Something wonderful. She couldn't quite yet put it into words, but maybe one day she could. She was so young, after all! She had time and time was generous. Words would accumulate and fall from her lips in due time. Right now? She was happy not knowing and simply seeking. The adventure was what thrilled her, and the hope was what brought her back up when the adventure grew rough. Someday, she'd come home with a real story to tell, and she'd tell it to the world.  

[NymiiNym]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF FIREWATER!
turtle, ocean, chicken, magic, creation, dragon, mushroom, firewater, smash, monster, running, beauty
Kin Name: Ice Strike
Drabble: Ice Strike wearily followed her daughter, nodding here and there at every excited quip and hop. She wasn't quite listening to Tweet, but she understood the gist of what had happened. No, correction, she had heard it. She didn't understand, not by far, but she wasn't prone to understanding her child at times. Tweet, while sweet, was eager and enthusiastic about the world around her. She liked to talk, and often when she did she didn't either get to the point fast enough, or she focused on other details than the main reason why she even told the story. All Ice Strike got was there was some liquid that burned throats and had made Tweet.... happy?

She just went with it, like she normally did. She was happy to give Tweet the attention, usually, and she didn't have anything else to do. So, she followed, nodding here and there and carefully eying their surroundings. They were approaching someone's den. This wasn't good. Had Tweet stolen?

Tweet cried out something in excitement, and Ice Strike finally saw what she had been speaking of. A pool of.... water? Someone had dug a hole and poled something in it. Whatever it was, it smelled odd, and Ice Strike was certain that it was not meant to be consumed.

"Surely you don't expect me to try this? I am a-astonished you did, y-yourself." She called softly, her daughter letting out a frustrated wail behind her, complaining that if she hadn't died then neither would Ice Strike. The doe flicked her ears back, casting a cautious glance at her daughter before staring back at the pool. Did she really need to? Couldn't she just say she did and they leave? Though, she was curious. Wrinkling her nose in response to the badgering from Tweet, she dipped her head, giving a cautious lick an-

Oh! Oh no, that was absolutely not for kin! She sputtered, coughing in response and casting a haunting glower at the offending pool. It burned! This was not water! This was something horrible!

"That is filthy! It burns – like fire! How could y-you think this w-was tolerable?" Abruptly, she turned her back on the pool, pushing Tweet to get a move on. The further they were from that terrible thing the better.  

[NymiiNym]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF MONSTER!
turtle, ocean, chicken, magic, creation, dragon, mushroom, firewater, smash, monster, running, beauty
Kin Name: The Heart Wants
Drabble: He shifted from his spot beside the doe, flicking his eyes down upon her with a scowl. Disgusting. Really, he ought to not be doing this. He knew it. Sneaking from the tribe to toy with random does would not please his sister, and deep down he knew this. Never would he dare to infuriate her in case she leave for good, but lately he had an itch to scratch. He had grown mildly interested in seeing his coat on someone smaller. Younger. Children. It wasn't due to a need to be a father, but instead just a curious urge. Just a 'what if.'

So, he had begun to explore, meeting does and enchanting them with his famous act, only to later abandon them in the night. He would visit here and there after, looking for the signs of a pregnant doe before heading off in annoyance. He understood it wasn't always quick, but his curiosity had begun to turn into a harmful game. Originally, the only intent was to create a child. Now? Now he enjoyed seeing the does hurt when they saw the man who charmed them gone. The man who promised these does a future together. The man who said he'd be, gracefully, a father to them. The does he selected were eager to become mothers, which made it easier. Fairly easier. In the end, he had become addicted to the expressions they showed. Hurt, betrayal, confusion, and sometimes hope. It reminded him of himself, and perhaps that was why he inflicted this pain so willingly.

His sister would never cast her eye his way the way he wanted. He wasn't even sure what he wanted. Her to acknowledge him more? To understand his devotion and see him more favorably? Whatever it was, it left him lost. Now, he was addicted to inflicting these feelings on someone else. Someone who could actually feel a fraction of how he did. And if there was a child? Even better.

It didn't make the mornings easier, though. Whenever he awoke beside his newest doe he'd feel his stomach lurch in disgust. Vulnerability made him uncomfortable, and here she was, sleeping soundly against him. He could stomp on her neck right now and no one would ever know. Blinking back sleep, he slid away from her, silently exiting the den. He needed to make it home before anyone awoke.

He cast one last glance on the doe, a sneer crossing his features. Did this make him a monster? Did it matter? What would his sister think? No, she couldn't know. He'd ensure that.  

[Magician Arcana]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF BEAUTY!
Kin Name: Frostweed
Drabble:

It was biting cold outside and not a single creature stirred. It seemed as if time had stopped and the swamp was holding its breath. Frostweed walked along the icy path with a sure foot, surrounded by beauty of winters grasp. From every plant there erupted furls of ice. It curled and swirled and pushed from the branch. It was a beauty that came at the price of the host, ripping and busting the flesh of the plant that housed it. Yet, Frostweed still found it beautiful, breath taking even. That something so damaging and painful could be so gorgeous. So perfect.

All seasons were good, but winter was her favorite. Hidden beauties blossomed in full color then. Broken logs became the hollow shelter for sleeping animals. Light, usually muted by the thick foliage of the trees hanging around the swamp flowed in without hindrance, piercing hidden paths and soft hollows with the harshness of day. Frostweed found herself attracted to these little grottos, where she could relax and observe the world. In the dead of winter, the best beauty emerged. Silence, cold, icy leaves and broken grass. One day, when she found a partner who could appreciate the beauty of this darkness, she would be truly happy. Until then, the solitude of winter would be her companion.  

[Magician Arcana]

A DRABBLE ON THE THEME OF MUSHROOM!
Kin Name: Their Words Inviting
Drabble:


Words stomach growled noisily, like an angry caiman had been released in there, instead of guts and intestines. Sighing softly, the buck eyed the forest line, pondering if there could be food to be foraged, despite the cold. Standing and staring brought him no closer to food, and so with a reluctant sigh, the buck left the beaten path and started to explore.

Spring had yet to fully arrive, and that meant that while some plants were waking from their long slumbers, others were still deep within the throws of a winter's dream. Micro climates were prevalent in the swamp, and so some areas awoke faster than the others. That's what Words found on his hunt, a little space of land that was slightly warmer than the air temperature everywhere else. Due to that, some of the foliage that hadn't rotted was... Rotting. Slowly, but surely, it left the stench of dying plant and made Words shy away. Only the limp promise of food made Words approach the bundle. With a hoof, he dug through the mess and found.

Mushrooms. Oh. Oh not again. Last time he had mushrooms, he had nearly gone insane with the visions that had plagued him. Then again, that was due to the type of mushrooms. Scowling at them, he bent his head and sniffed. They looked normal, the typical white ones that grew during fall. Well... Here went nothing. He chomped down and waited. The visions would start soon if they were to at all.

"Looks like they didn't come after all." Said the crane standing beside him, flashing alternating colors. Words nodded happily and trotted along.