|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:17 pm
Cadence had finished helping another pony pick a few apples from the tree, those being one of the more common foods and she knew the Apple Family would greatly appreciate that. However her ears flickered when she saw Faroth wave his hand at some of the ponies and herself. She smiled brightly and strolled over to take a breath of the blueberries, taking in their sweet scent. "You may call me Cadence if you prefer." she said and peered at him with her usual smile. "They smell delicious." she paused and then tilted her head. "I don't think anyone has really thanked you for doing this for us....... So thank you." she smiled again.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 9:22 am
"Oh thank the Tree, that's so much easier," Faroth blurted, relieved. "I'm not used to dealing with protocol and stuff like that, so it's so much easier if I can treat you like you're normal." Realizing what he'd just said, he froze, "Uh...not that you're not normal, or that there's anything wrong with...uh..." He stopped, smacking his palm against his forehead. "Can I start again?"
Deep breath. Let it out. "Err, as I said, I'm not exactly the best sort for dealing with important Pae. I mean, there's nothing special about me, I'm kinda' accident-prone sometimes, a bit of a goof, but I try my best. But I'm no leader, I'm no ambassador, or anything like that. Just a normal Faun trying to be a nice guy." He ran a hand through his hair, not wondering why he was being quite so candid with a virtual stranger, and an important one at that. "So, you folks needed help, and I was in the area. It's no big deal." Okay, it sorta' was a bit of a big deal, but a little white lie never hurt anyone. Besides, if he was right...
"Now, if I'm finished making a fool of myself for the moment," he chuckled, attempting to play off his ramblings, "and don't worry, I'm sure there will be another performance later...how about we get some of these berries picked for the group to enjoy? Sound good, er...Cadence?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:34 am
Genesis watched the creature writhe, it was a pathetic creature, but it had been good practice to continue to see what that specific ability could do. She was certain that the effects were not because she had gotten better at it, but because this creature was so much smaller then the last mass she had faced. Genesis wondered if she should do the merciful thing and finish out, but despite the fact that it would be an act of mercy, Genesis did not yet have it in her to take another's life.
Her golden eyes got a glimpse of something flying towards her, the squire hesitated, unsure if she should block it with her sword or dodge to the side. She had finally decided to move to the side, but had hesitated too long. While most of the substance had flown past her, a small lick of it had found her arm. Genesis scowled and clenched her teeth together at the burning pain, she reached down with a hand and grabbed a fistful of leaves from the branch she was perched on, and tried to wipe or absorb the substance with that.
The angel kept her sword raised defensively towards it, ready to try the cleansing spell again if she could, but he had vanished quickly. 'I do not think this creature will cause more difficulties for anyone...' Genesis sincerely hoped this creature did not have friends. The creature's departure gave her the opportunity to focus on the wound on her arm and she traveled through the trees until she got to a more deserted part of the lake, where Genesis hoped not to be spotted as she cleansed her arm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:53 am
Cadence watched him for a moment before putting a hand to her lips and giggling at how he seemed to be tripping all over his words. "Its quite alright, I understand. I know it must seem strange, helping a massive group of strangers who look so different, speak so different.....have different ways." she paused and glanced back at the others before going about picking some of the better looking berries. "I promise were not as...." she paused trying to think of a proper word. "Feisty as we are now. Having to leave our land has been hard." she said then lowered her voice with a soft mischievous grin. "Celestia I assure you is very kind, and sometimes she likes to do the occasional small harmless prank. Luna.... was never great at being sociable. I think shes taking it harder than most about having to move, so I apologize for her ....shouting." she said with a soft sigh as she piled a few more berries into her basket. "Truth be told, I'll be glad when we have a real place to call home again." she mused, thinking most about Shining Armor. They had just gotten married and have yet to go on a honeymoon of sorts. "So yes, it sounds good to me." she nodded, making sure her basket was decently filled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:58 am
Faroth chuckled, relaxing a bit in her cordial presence. "Oh, you have your differences, sure, but perhaps we're not as different as you might think," he mused. Still, even if he was right, they were going to have some adjusting to do to life in Laisidhiel. It tempered his grin somewhat, but, maybe with a little help, they'd be alright. This trip might be a good indication of things to follow.
Though, it was a relief to hear that some of the veiled hostility he thought he'd been facing was out of the ordinary. He tried to imagine himself in their hooves. "I...don't even know how I'd deal with losing my home. I mean, just because I don't stay there all the time, doesn't mean it's not home. Laisidhiel has always been home, even if I wander from time to time, it's always there to go back to." He frowned, glancing over at Cadence before patting her arm in a conscious attempt at reassurance. "I'm sure you've lost so much, but...Laisidhiel will be your new home. It won't be the same, but maybe it can be something more, if different. You'll see."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:47 am
Celestia walked among those remaining at the beach, looking to make sure everyone was at peace before allowing herself to sit at the shoreline, letting her hooves rest against the lapping waves. The coolness of the water felt wonderful when contrasted to the aching. Looking to the sky, she brushed her hair out of her face, allowing it to flow with the shore's breeze. Was this really the right choice? It all seemed so... familiar... yet she knew that she had never been there. So welcoming, though they knew them not... As her thoughts trailed off, she looked to the others that were settling down, glad to see them get the much-needed rest they deserved.
Twinkleshine hummed a somewhat out-of-key tune to herself as she reached up, trying to pick some of the fruits hanging from the trees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 7:37 am
A few more ripples across the surface, dark shapes moving beneath the water. They'd move, disturbing the water, then disappear again, then a shimmer and a dark shape would slide by again. Fish perhaps? Though...a bit large for lake fish, if it were...
The water ripples lapped at the Princess' hooves, gentle and serene. At a distance, there a sudden splash, followed by a brief flash of mottled pink beneath the water before it disappeared again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:53 pm
Cadence watched him after putting a few more fruits into a small basket she had found from Rarity's cart that others had begun borrowing. She studied Faroth a minute, really looking him over from his head to his hooves and she realized they weren't that different after all. They both had hooves and both had horns, just different kinds. Maybe... Faroth was right. It wasn't the home they knew but there was no reason it couldn't become their new true home. She smiled brightly at him again. "I think your right. It will just take some time, but I feel things will work out in the end." she nodded gracefully and even hummed a soft tune to further lift her spirits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:52 pm
Seruta Mo smacked his forehead. Duh! He was there! He knew some acorns were lost! How could he have forgotten something so simple and important?!
Maybe because his gut was telling him something far bigger than a few handfuls of acorns would be the reason of all this commotion back at the tree. He frowned deep in thought. It could still be possible. Laisidhiel and the Spirits all seemed to work in mysterious ways.
Mo turned off the path as he shook his head. "Sadly, I don't know where they are." If it's even a 'they'... It could even be an IT for all they knew! However, Mo had an idea. He lived in these woods before he was summoned to Laisidhiel and still remembered the layout of the trees and various cliff edges near their location. "I'm just getting a better look. I remember a good place..." he smiled.
Still being fairly young had its perks! Like finding ways to see for yourself just what was going on. Go go curiosity, right? As he walked, he kicked at the ground, remembering an old trick he had learned when living on his own. The ground around here was littered with lower class gems, but they had remarkable range! Upon finding a nice smooth gem, he began picking up various pieces of bark that had fallen off of the nearby trees. Most of the ones he looked at were the long paper-like variety and he smiled brightly as he found the perfect piece.
He turned to Gulliver with a wide grin. "This trick might come in handy for you, brother!" he smirked as he rolled the bark up into a quasi-cone - leaving an opening on both ends - and tested the larger end with the gem, making sure it would set in right. Once that was assured, he moved to one of the trees that was dripping sap down the side and used that to glue together the bark and to set the gem in the larger end without it having the fear of falling out.
Mo neared the edge of a high cliff at this point and turned again to begin scaling a tree. He was out of practice and showed it as he neared the top, but he made it! Lifting the newly made telescope to his eye, he peered out over the island then tilted his head in confusion.
Off in the distance, near the shores of the lake, Mo caught small spurts and glimpses of rainbows and glittering... lightning?! over the canopy. Oh, how he wished he could get a closer look... And besides, with the setting sun, rainbows at this time - no matter how sporadic - shouldn't have been that bright... or maybe they would...? He didn't know.
"Well, there's something you don't see everyday..." he muttered aloud. Probably doing so without realizing it.
Gulliver watched all that Mo did to create his telescope, it was in fact a good bit of knowledge to have, and he would remember it for the future. He followed the male near the cliff keeping an eye open as he always did for anything that he needed to be aware of, any dangers that could be a harm to him or his kindred. Gulliver looked out over the landscape not seeing a lot below them of much interest, at least until Mo spoke up "What is it brother? What do you see with your creation?" he looked up the tree towards Mo and as a second thought he too scaled the tree stopping just below Mo and turning to look out over the landscape once more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:16 pm
Faroth made his rounds, checking on the Ponies gathering fruit, filling baskets, and prepping for the trek back to the campsite. "Well, I suppose that's it. At least, I think that's all we can carry," he chuckled, loading his arms with baskets and nodding to the others. "Let's head back and get everyone fed, hmm? Should be settled in by now." The party regrouped and headed off towards the beach, Faroth leading the way.
*****
Back on the beach, the Ponies had set up camp and settled in for the most part. It wasn't much longer before the others returned, baskets laden with fruit from the forest. It looked to be a peaceful meal, if simple. They were together, they had somewhere to stay the night, and now, they had a guide to lead them to their destination.
The water continued to ripple, lapping at the shoreline gently. Then the ripples grew to waves, something large moving beneath the surface. Many somethings. Most of the Ponies were busy eating as a figure rose from the water, moving towards the land. His colors were far too bright for there to be any thought that he was trying to be discrete. He moved directly, with purpose, towards the shore, a pointed spear in hand. As he reached the shallow water, there was an awkward transition as his long tail fin shifted, reforming as a pair of legs.
The Naiad Captain rose from the water, cursing under his breath as he had to hurry to land to be clear so that the transformation wouldn't reverse. There was simply no graceful, dignified way to do this. Spear in hand, he held it before him with a practiced air, glancing back only momentarily at those who followed him. A pair of Naiads were close behind him, with many more still waiting in the water, hunters and royal guards alike. The pair that followed him were technically scouts in training, but until the Commander was off probation, this was their role for now. He nodded briefly at the blue female, Itsaso, and his own son, Anatolio, before turning his attention back to the strangers. Time for business.
"These waters belong to Queen Tariel, Queen of the Naiads. Tell me, strangers. Why do you gather here in such numbers? What is your purpose here?" the Naiad Captain's voice rang out clearly over the beach, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of their leader. There had to be one here somewhere; no group this large moved without guidance.
He had considered the fact that these Pae'il may not have malevolent thoughts in mind. However, given recent events, and the attack on their Queen in the marsh, well, the Captain of the Queen's Guard was taking no chances. At least, as of yet, he'd sensed no ill intent towards his people or his Queen, but he wasn't letting his guard down until he got some answers. The earlier scouts had already been sent back to the Temple with reports of the strange beings on the beach. Turin had decided to investigate this one personally...strange as these creatures may be, some had been reported as possessing wings and flying. He wasn't about to trust anything with wings at this point without being given a good reason to do so.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:44 pm
Luna was busy making more rounds as the moon rose high into the sky. The more she set herself to tasks to complete, the more she felt as if her hard work was helping to raise the moon, even though she knew it was not possible here. However, something caught her attention as it rose from out of the water and seemed to form legs from its fins. What manner of creature was this? Could this place get any more strange? She pushed her way past a few of the ponies who were eating and took it upon herself to address this creature. Celestia was supposed to be resting after all, she needed her strength. "Our purpose is to rest! We are tired from much traveling. Who are you, stranger? If the waters alone belong to your Queen, why can we not rest upon the dry land instead?" she said, her voice loud and booming back as if to match the intensity of the naiad's.
Cadence took her fruit basket, handing out fruits and handfuls of berries to hungry ponies. She made sure to get them fed before she even considered feeding herself. However, her thoughts quickly became distracted over all the shouting that seemed to be going on by the waters and she peered forward, just in time to see Luna addressing a strange pink, orange and finned man.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:19 pm
His call was answered by one of the females with wings and a horn atop her head. It didn't look like the antlers that Faun normally possessed, so there went his theory that these might be some type of Faun. So, what were they?
She carried a regal air about her, her hair dusted with lights not unlike stars in the sky. Turin had to admit, had he not been here for reasons of suspicion, he might have thought that she might be considered pretty. If one went for that sort of land-walker type. It was her wings that concerned him at the moment. Who did she align herself with, if these creatures were not affiliated with the Faun then?
"The waters are ours, true, but we question only your choice of camping at the edge of our territory. Why do you choose here to make your place of rest?" he replied in a slightly more normal volume, now that they were close enough to speak without shouting. "There are...so many of you," he continued, glancing over the beach. "Where is it that you have come from? Or are you going?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:35 pm
The princess tilted her head and glanced back to the group of ponies. She looked for Faroth but could not find him among the crowd, nor could she see her sister either. She attempted to lower her voice as well, though the more uncertain she felt, the more it tended to rise in volume. "The Faun told us we could rest here for the night. It is not permanent, if that is what you fear." she said. Indeed they couldn't live forever on a beach, one so close to territorial.... sea creatures as well. "There is so many of us because...." she paused a moment. If it were up to her, she would not have freely given up the information of being homeless so easily. However, she felt it unwise to say otherwise and so made sure her voice was lowered, as if she was afraid for the others to hear something they already knew. "This is all of us. All that would come willingly when our home land was threatened. We.....no longer have a home. The gray Faun is to lead us to the tree come sun rise." she said and studied him a bit longer, her next question, though sounding as a challenge, held a tone of pleading. "Would you ask a band of homeless weary ponies to just up and move before our strength returns?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:39 am
Twinkleshine, a little ungracefully, carried her fruit with the others and helped to distribute it among those who had remained, leaving the best that she had found for her own consumption. Her head turned as she heard her princess Luna's voice, blinking at the appearance of more strange people.
Celestia watched from the shores as these people of the water emerged, slowly, softly standing and moving closer, to the side of her sister. It was yet night, and Luna was in command, but she could at least provide a bit of support for her, calm her words and her voice. Waiting for her sister to finish, she added in her own thoughts, "We seek the great tree on the horizon, whose magic draws us to it. To reach its embrace is our only wish, nothing more."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:04 pm
They were joined by a second female, much like the first in form, but completely opposite in coloring, Turin noted. He kept his spear ready, though his posture seemed to have relaxed, at least compared to when he'd first arrived on the beach. He wanted to distrust these creatures, their every action seemed suspicious...
And yet, he'd received no sign, no warning, not even a hint that they might be lying or harboring ill intent towards his people or his Queen since the conversation had started. He glanced over his shoulder, exchanging looks with both Itsaso and 'Toli before giving them the most subtle of nods and lowering his spear tip to the sands. They'd trust these creatures enough to converse with them for now. Even if he was going to keep his senses on alert...just in case.
Faroth was on the other side of the camp when he heard the shouting start. First an unknown male voice, then the answer by Luna. "Oh, by the Earth," he grumbled, taking off across the beach, sand flying from beneath his hooves. By the time he reached the shoreline, however, it seemed that things were quieting down, if not calming down, at least. Luna, Celestia...and it appeared to be some Naiads, a guard company of some sort from the look of them? Faroth was about to go intercede...but he hesitated. They didn't seem about to come to blows, at least not anymore. And, honestly, if these Ponies were going to make it here, they'd have to learn to take care of themselves, including dealing with their neighbors, at some point. Maybe this was the start of it. Still...perhaps he'd better stay at a safe distance...just in case.
The Naiad Captain let his spear tip rest in the sand, eyes turned back towards the two strange females, apparently leaders of this traveling company. Turin took his job seriously; the safety of Queen and Court was no light matter. But he wasn't heartless. A cursory look around the beach showed a number of those were suffering from exhaustion and strain. Some possible minor injuries, but nothing too serious. Many just looked thrilled to have some fruit to eat. Not exactly the makings of the most threatening attack force.
With a sigh, he shook his head at the darker of the two females. "I would ask no such thing." Trusting his instincts, he added, "I'm only trying to protect my people as you do yours."
He wondered a bit at their reference to 'the Faun'; so they weren't Faun themselves then? Certainly looked like it, at least some of them did...but maybe that's just the opinion of a Naiad. Weren't hooves and horns sorta' typical Faun traits afterall? Well, who was he to judge? Noting movement out of the corner of his eye, the Captain fixed on a mottled grey Faun, a 'typical' one in appearance, who seemed to have stopped in a mad rush to reach them. They locked stares for a minute, then Turin turned back to the females. That must be their guide then.
"You are...not from Telrunya then, are you?" he questioned, frowning. Did that mean...did they come from beyond the sea? His own Court had come from the ocean, but they'd been coming home, it seemed, as well. To a temple that awaited their...or more specifically their Queen's...arrival. Where then might these Pae'il have come from? Though, if they were going to the Tree...or being called to it, as one had implied...
Acting on a suspicion, he continued, "I'm sorry for your loss. My own Court left much behind when our home was destroyed beneath this Isle. However, we found something new, if not the same, something different, here at the Lake. It wasn't what we lost in the ocean, but it was a great Temple, a new place for our people to live. A new place, and old, as we discovered."
"In any case, I hope you'll forgive earlier hostilities. As I said, this is our home, and our people that we are protecting. There have been suspicious activities as of late, and only recently, our Queen was nearly attacked in the nearby marsh." He flushed with barely contained fury even now, thinking of it. How could she have thought to sneak out on her own like that? Traveling to investigate the rumors of dangerous things appearing at the edge of the marsh, with no more than one other female to guide her to the location in question. She could have been seriously hurt! He should have been there to protect her!
How dare she leave without him!
Suppressing the momentary flash of fury in his expression, the Naiad Captain looked down and away to compose himself. "We are still a bit on the defensive," he continued. "Especially towards those with wings." His eyes flicked towards their folded wings, then away again. "Perhaps if we started again with a proper introduction." He took a short bow, then stood straight in military fashion, spear upright at his side. "Captain Turin, Captain of the Royal Guard in service of Queen Tariel, Queen of the Naiads."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
