[ Metaplot ] The War of the Fire Crown [ Chronicle of the Phoenix - Prologue IV ]
OOC
Meta Plot PRP Rules → This is an rp to introduce an FC to the Phoenix army, establish their character, the reason and events surrounding their joining, and to introduce them to their future leaders. → Each FC will have an rp opening with Feng and Volga, these can be assumed to be happening close together in timeline. → ONLY those tagged are welcome to rp but any are welcome to read along!
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The obsidian wall rose up, throwing its long shadow over the obsidian flats and the nearby lake. What few footholds there were to be had were short, shallow, and treacherous. Claws had no use here. There would be a day that he could pull himself up the wall to see what sat on the other side- that was a promise -but it was a right he would have to earn by first learning how to climb something...far less dangerous or challenging. Supposedly. Even on the edge of the flow where the shale began to thin and the soil and grass of the thin plain between them and the coastline began, the shadow of the mountains laid heavily. What trees grew here weren't large or thick. They were short, twisted things with branch swept back from the sea's salty breezes. The bark was thick and rough, smooth from erosion and difficult to grip.
Feng drew in a slow breath and laid a paw against the pale trunk of the smallest tree. It was his starting point. His introduction to both using his claws and using his body to pull himself upwards. Here, his opponent was his own weakness and gravity itself. He tested the bark by releasing his claws and giving the bark a slow scrape. Sadly, his young claws were pointy and sharp but there was no strength behind them. He felt the pin-point tip of two claws snap off in the simple action.
Throwing his ears back against his skull and coiling down into his hind quarters, Feng threw himself out, leaping over the first few feet to save him the trouble and wrapped his paws around the base of the trunk. He managed to grab hold and slide only a few inches before his claws found purchase in the wood. Bearing his teeth he leaned his head back, craning his neck. Holding on was chore enough- but now he had to release a paw to reach up? How?! If he let go, even with one little claw, it was a sure thing that he would fall back onto his rump.
With his mentor watching nearby, the thought of failure disgusted him. He had to at least try. Pressing his cheek against the wood- maybe that would help somehow? He slowly pulled one hind foot out, inched it upwards, and kicked weakly for a foothold.
Moon_Princess_Yuki
GunSniper
Feng Wordcount
398
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 2:31 pm
Volga had given Feng as much instruction as he could. Now it was up to the cub to come up with his own methods, and hone his own skills. No more commentary was needed, though Volga always opted to stay close and keep an eye out for the little one. With the current events going on within the tribe, it was not wise to leave the cub alone.
Volga watched on quietly as his pupil worked on climbing up the tree. He couldn't help but brandish a proud grin. Cubs were always so amusing, and this one had a knack for figuring out an obstacle it would seem. All the better. A good leader had to be wise.
His gaze shifted very briefly from the cub's progress to the wall. It wouldn't be long now.
When he looked back to Feng he shifted a bit on his four paws, drew a slow breath and continued to watch the cub's progress.
Thalion
Moon_Princess_Yuki
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Kyrieko
Hilarious Werewolf
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:55 am
In the breath of one single moment, the entire world had shifted from under his paws. The backlash of that moment was still haunting him. He felt as if he'd been unable to take a full breath since. His mind was a mess of thoughts yet at the same time only focused on a single order given. A command he could not refuse. He was a soldier! Any order given by his Commander would be followed until his last breath. Yet, for the first time in his life, Takuma was questioning orders and weighing the possibility of not following them. Something that was completely unheard of in a warriors such as himself!
But he was lost. A wandering soul no longer sure of which direction to go. What path to follow.
The large Tah, once known as second-in-command to Commander Oni, walked on. Each step he took lacked a purpose. Every movement of the hardened warrior no longer held his passion. The armor he wore with pride only weighed heavily on his heart. For what was left for him to believe in? His Commander had sent him away from his home with a final order. An impossible task.
Build an army. Crush Shen...
With sudden frustration he struck the ground with his paw, the pain sending a jolt of clarity through his being. Teeth bared towards the sky, Takuma felt the threat of losing all hope. And.... tilting his head, he felt the spirit of another. No... there were two. Weaver's grace, why would there be anyone else out here? Besides a wandering soul like himself?
Composing himself, Takuma shifted his wandering path towards those he felt nearby. He moved with caution, steadily getting closer until he spotted a small moving object. And not too far from that, a familiar Tah, ever watchful of the young one. The sight of Volga was enough to give him a pause of surprise. By the Fire, what was he doing out here? And with a... cub?! Takuma could only stare. And observe the two. His gaze shifted between them, cold eyes finally resting upon the cub attempting to climb the tree.... poorly.
Thalion
GunSniper
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 8:59 pm
He bounced his back legs up, risked a split second to release his front claws, pushed upwards with his hind legs, and grabbed onto the wood once more. He gained all of a few inches, but it felt like an accomplishment. Just that small movement had spent about all of his strength. What he had left he used to keep himself in place. It felt like fire ran through his shoulders, down his forelimbs, and trickled down his spine. Everything around him seemed to spin.
Against his better judgement, he craned his head back, blinking against the glare of the sun, to see just how far he had to go. It was a bad idea. It seemed that the tree rose up higher and higher, stretching outwards towards the endless blue beyond. It was like a pillar to the heavens had claimed him and was slowly pulling him from the earth.
He pressed his cheek against the bark and squeezed his eyes closed. He had to find something else. He had to dig deep and reach up- he had to find just one more ounce of strength...
Moon_Princess_Yuki
GunSniper
Thalion Crew
Conservative Seeker
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GunSniper Crew
Blessed Prophet
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:44 am
A sudden presence entered the area. Volga's ears arched up than swiveled around to hear the soft familiar chime of metal against metal. A soldier, or a strangely armored traveler. Volga's brow furrowed. Feng was already making progress, perhaps he would be safe up in the tree should things not be well.
"Show yourself!" Volga commanded boldly. His body tensed while he prepared for Shen himself to arise.
Kyrieko
GunSniper
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:01 pm
The crimson tah was not sure how long he'd been watching the young cub struggle to climb that tree. But the longer he had, the frostier his gaze had become. And yet, something in him was moderately pleased that the young one hadn't given up. One had to push themselves to the bring and beyond before they could realize their true potential. Or so he had believed.
There were many things he had believed. But now, the struggle to hold on to those beliefs was too real.
Ears flicking as a voice broke into the silence, golden eyes finally broke from the cub towards the only other that was here. Volga.
For a moment, the former second-in-command hesitated. He could not even begin to fathom why he was here. Oh he could probably surmise it had something to do with the events in the Tribe. But why?! Was this another test? Or another hurdle thrown at his aching paws?
With as much dignity as he could muster through his exhaustion and confusion, Takuma let his feet carry him well within range of the two b'alam. He moved to what he considered a 'safe' distance before halting. "By the Fire, why would the former bodyguard of the emperor's be out here?" He asked gruffly. "With... a cub?" His head canted to the side, confusion (maybe he was delirious and the Weaver was having a good laugh) present in his gaze.
Thalion
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Kyrieko
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Conservative Seeker
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Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:15 pm
Volga's demanding roar startled him. Feng jerked, nearly losing his footing but held fast, willing his paws to cling to the wood and his muscles to tolerate the fatigue jerking and tensing up had caused. If it wouldn't have looked... undignified, he'd have bitten into the bark simply to have one more anchor. He paused, releasing a breath he didn't know he had been holding, and slowly risked a sideways glance.
The sunlight danced off of the edges of an impressive suit of armor protecting the body of an equally impressive tah. Like Volga, he was built like a boulder with features that betrayed no weakness and offered no compromise. Clearly, they knew one another- the other Tah addressed Volga by name.
Former...emperor's bodyguard?
He opened his mouth but his claws started to slide. Turning back to his training, Feng dug in and slowly pushed against the wood, pushing with his hind paws and pulling upwards with his shoulders. He released his left paw- the hold was worse there, and let his three other limbs push upwards while he stretched, reaching and grabbing. His claws dug into the bark of the tree. He felt two snap as his weight bounced back, throwing additional force into his paws. He held, by some miracle of the weaver, but the effort had left him almost dizzy.
Focus...if he was in danger, Volga would manage it. He could hope. At this point the most he could do was pant on the intruder.
Moon_Princess_Yuki
GunSniper
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 12:45 pm
Volga's ears flattened and his eyes narrowed on the tah before him. Those words cut deeper than any claw could hope to. His own failure as a bodyguard still weighed heavily on his shoulders, and it had been so long since anyone had pointed it out.
"What makes you worthy of such information?" Volga spoke boldly, stiffening his posture and lifting his head.
His tail flicked about behind him while he sized up the other tah. Definately a warrior. His armor was familiar... However, Volga could not put a paw on it. He took note of Feng, who resumed training, wonderful, and kept his eyes on the other waiting eagerly for a response.
Kyrieko
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Kyrieko
Hilarious Werewolf
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 10:00 pm
He noted both the change in Volga's posture and how the cub had been startled. So the young one had put all his focus in the task at hand instead of being aware of his surroundings? Takuma couldn't help the frown that was cast at the cub. It was not wise to ignore your surroundings. But then, there was the other tah watching over him.
Hearing the bold voice that broke the silence once again, Takuma let his gaze return to the former bodyguard. A small part of the crimson tah stiffened in response, overly exhausted muscles tensing in preparation for an attack that might come. Yet, thus far, none had come.
Weaver help him, was this supposed to be his sign?
"I am the second-in-command to Commander Oni. I'm known as Takuma." There was a long pause, before he added, "At least, the former second-in-command." He replied roughly. That simple admission tasted so raw it almost hurt. Everything he had struggled with threatened to overflow once again.
Once again, he couldn't help glancing towards the cub. Even though he had been startled, he'd not fallen out of the tree. And he was still pushing himself to accomplish his task with what appeared to be fatigue beginning to dig its claws into the young one. Would he give in to it? Or push himself beyond the fatigue and successfully climb the tree?
"I have left our homeland in search of.... " Takuma looked back towards Volga as he spoke. "Truthfully, only the Weaver knows." And yet, he'd been lead here. Why?
Thalion
LOL Thal you have been quoting Yuki instead of me x3 <3
GunSniper
Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:47 pm
Another...from outside? He frowned, his cheek pressed flush to the rough bark of the tree. His world was slowly becoming a tunnel with himself at one end and the top of the tree at the other. He could hear the conversation but his mind was struggling to grasp it. The distraction was a welcome one- but the demands of his body collided with the voices around him. He took a deep breath and pulled his weight into his shoulders, forcing his upper body to drag himself upwards while his paws pushed him up another few precious inches.
The simple movement sent the world spinning and his stomach flipping over itself. He could hardly feel the tips of his claws anymore. Reason was slowly dripping from his rational mind, leaving him with the one and only goal of simply not letting go- no matter what. If he dropped- it would be all for nothing. He would have to start all over again-
