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 Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:29 pm
Oh, of course she was always repentant should the commanders and older, much more calloused female scold her. But . . . no matter how hard she tried, she always found herself drifting away, letting her thoughts and imagination go wild. This was a new land, new territory for the Flock, and Azshara couldn't help but want to explore. Who knew what sort of soquili they might meet. . . ?
The thought of meeting others, perhaps natives, was fascinating. Unfortunately, she could only assume that every herd within the area was exactly like her own home - full of dominating women, subservient and often broken down men, and of course, harpies! Now, she wasn't so foolish as to realize that often their species were . . . a rarity. And that many outside the flock were without the talons and claws she possessed. . . . but she would be quite surprised to find out it was she that was a mutant amongst a land dominated by horses. . . .
But it was something she would soon have to learn.
"Oh bother, I should probably turn back soon," she sighed her regret to the wind, giving her long tail feathers a little shake. Still, she was compelled to make her way through the hills and the thick foliage of the woodlands. There were some tasty foliage in these parts, and some plump early summer fruits and flowers beckoned her to continue. There was time enough left to return home, the sun still casting its rays upon the world and surrounding hills.
With a small sprint and a leap, she bound up the closest tree. Her petite form and lithe body snaked its way up in to a large trunk, her talons allowing her to grip on to bark and neighboring branches. With a soft scuffling of leaves, she settled amidst a large branch, pausing now and then to pick at the fresh foliage even as she stuffed some in her prized pouch across her neck.
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Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 3:54 am
He had been given reason to believe that the make-up of the lowlands were changing. He'd heard whispers yet no direct reports, but it amounted to an influx of a staggering number of new soquili to the Kawani Province. While the vast majority would make their home in these lowlying and warmer regions, it was rather imperative that he kept one eye on them to ensure they didn't come up here. It wasn't that he shunned foreigners but given this was herd territory there was just some things you couldn't do - walking through them unannounced was one of them, particularly if you looked a little peculiar.
...Or acted a little odd.
In the case of Azshara, she fitted into both categories and reports of her existence reached his ears from not one but at least six sources. He had barely even sauntered out of the caves he chose as his home before he had been set upon by his scout. She seemed 'harmless', they had said, but there was still reason to believe that she might pose a threat given the features she possessed. Claws like a bird they had said - that alone had made him lift a brow. He'd seen a lot of weird things in his time, but generally speaking claws were linked to skinwalkers.
Thus it had been with a laden sigh that he gathered his thoughts and set off in the direction of the mare. It wasn't long before he spotted her, she made herself obvious by scaling the tree in front of him. It hadn't taken him much longer to take note of the claws, those that replaced her hooves and he shook his head - well she certainly wasn't a skinwalker (she had hair for a start) but she wasn't normal either. Given those claws were large enough to snatch away a young foal or cause serious injury, he wasn't exactly thrilled by her existence.
And there were more of these?
Wonderful.
His expression schooled into his usual stoism, he approached the mare without hesitation and gazed up at her vantage point. If necessary he could ram the tree hard enough to shake it, but he'd need an individual imbued with flight to knock her off it properly. However, his stoism flickered and was extinguished rather quickly when he saw the scours along the trunk of the tree and the damage done to the bark. It was spring, the bark wasn't for eating and those scars wouldn't heal properly anyway given she hadn't pulled the bark off correctly.
"Trespassing in these lands is forbidden," he informed her darkly, no trace of humour or welcome in his voice (a rarity for him and often reserved for the vicious). "Vandalising herd territory however, is beyond provocative," he lifted his brow in a scathing fashion and reajusted his position so that he didn't have to crane his neck.
"But theft," he had seen her picking samples of the leaves. She was completely innocent to the Kawani Provinces, was probably encouraged to take part in such behaviour but Sylph... Well, for a creature like him who had been raised with a respect for all living things, he knew that deep down the tree would have been howling. It may not have been a foal but the principle was the same to him.
"I suggest you give your apologies to the tree spirit for scarring him indefinitely and leave this territory - immediately," he finished. It was better not to go into detail, better not to start ranting as he really wasn't good at that sort of thing. No military being could be taken seriously if they had a hissy fit in the corner. Less was more in this case and he could only hope that it got the point across.
Alas, how she would respond to this when males were meant to be subservient remained a mystery.
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Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 9:30 am
Azshara was unaware of what her talons did the tree. She had always tried to be careful and not dig in to the tender bark, usually she was able to leap up in to the crotch of the tree, or at least land a lower branch. Still, sometimes a little climbing was necessary. . . It never occurred to her that long-lasting damage took place. The trees of their old home had appeared to fare just fine, but perhaps these trees were more delicate.
Still, the feathers of her head lifted as a voice called out. Swallowing the tasty foliage she had just nipped, the young female settled upon her chosen branch and stuck her head out of the greenery. She leaned precariously over the edge, but both her hind and front feet were gripped firmly upon the branch. It was rather useful to have claws instead of hooves . . .at least when it came to climbing trees.
Two pupiless blue eyes stared out at the source, lighting with delight. What a strange sort of beast to appear! He looked like a typical soquili,what with the dark body, a thick mane and hooves. But he was quite large . . . in fact he was the largest specimen of a male she'd witnessed since their arrival! Though his voice was dark, angry in a way, smoldering with what sounded like irritation, Azshara couldn't help but be delighted by the company.
Furthermore . . . THERE WERE SHINIES!!!
Blue eyes quickly disregarded his gaze and stared curiously at the small blue orbs that donned his belt and gauntlets. They were absolutely love, really, and she couldn't help but coo softly in response. She didn't want to take them, though she honestly DID wish to get a better look, but Azshara certainly hoped she might be lucky when it came to finding pretties all her own.
"Oh I'm sorry," she suddenly stated, giving her head a shake to return to his dark gaze. No need to be rude. She was a very peaceful harpy and while some of her sisters might have attacked this male, the young female was not the sort. "I didn't realize these trees were owned by anyone, much less a slave," she added contritely.
Her tail feathers ruffled a bit and she turned to peer at the bark of the tree. She didn't see anything wrong with the tree, though perhaps he saw something she didn't. He eluded to vandalism, but surely he didn't mean her. She wouldn't harm a tree in such a way as to kill it . . . trees were as much a home for her as the soil of the earth!
"As for vandalism, I assure you I did nothing of the sort," she smiled calmly. "You can tell your master of this, though I could easily see why she'd send someone like you!" He was big, intimidating. Honestly Azshara could only dream of finding an available male. This one must be the queens prized escort, unless. . . unless there were even bigger males!
Wow.
Perhaps mountain slaves were the way to go.
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Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 9:44 am
Slave?
The stallion just managed to surpress the incredulous shriek at the implications of her statement. He wasn't one to shriek, it was unbecoming of a military officer but never in his life had he been referred to as a slave. More importantly, she had inferred that he was the plaything of a female which, when all was said and done, was something that he couldn't abide by. He was notorious on the slopes for her celibate nature and even more so for his distaste for feminine wiles - to think that he would subject himself to the whims of an indecisive female was positively laughable.
"The trees are their own keepers," he stated coolly. "Though this territory is marked by Islagiatt and does not welcome those who lack consideration for their surroundings," he glanced at the long talon tears in the tree and grimaced. If he were to summon for one of the unicorns, would they possess the necessary skills to seal the wounds so that the sap wouldn't run? It was a possibility, but he would rather they weren't present until he had removed the taloned creature now swinging precariously from the tree branches.
"Now get out of that tree, or I will tear you down from it myself," he snarled, lacking in patience as he permitted a snarl to clamber onto his lips. The large fangs that were often hidden beneath a mild expression revealed themself and he resembled his father more than ever. "If you value that ridiculous plummage of yours, you will do exactly as you are told!"
He paused briefly and backed up, readying himself for the moment in which he may very well have to smack the tree with such force that she fell out. Alas, he said a silent prayer of apology in advance, just to be on the safe side.
"And you would be wise, to call no one a slave in these parts lest you find not only your plummage gone, but your head as well," he glowered, his mood plunging by the second. Had she refrained from calling him the subordinate to any female things might have gone a touch better, but she had hit a nerve. Even Yei would confess to having no control over the Overlord despite being Alpha of the herd - she could only respect that he knew what he was doing.
In short - he bowed to no one.
Especially not a mare.
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Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 10:21 am
Azshara blinked as the stallion suddenly turned hostile. Or at least allowed his anger to get the best of him. Uh oh. Had she truly done wrong by both the tree and this stranger? The feathers of her head almost stood straight up, pluming out in both surprise and uncertainty. To some this might be taken as an aggressive stance, the crest standing on edge, but Azshara was an oddity amongst her herd. . . She preferred peace to violence.
Even if it came from the demands of a slave.
"Ooooh, oh all right, all right!" She stated, no less friendly than she had been before. "No need to lose your temper or grow aggressive." She chuckled with good humor, not entirely offended. He was just doing his job, after all. "You can assure your mistress I was ever so careful, and I left the largest fruits and greenest greens for your flock. I even made sure to leap from tree to tree, so as not to focus for more than a moment on one tree." She hadn't scaled every tree, of course not. Those that grew close together were easy to hop, and even those that were a bit further she could jump or glide.
Bunching her shoulders, she gave her rump and tail feathers a little wriggle before jumping off the tree limb and landing rather lightly before Sylph. The feathers around her ankles settled as did the crest of feathers from her head. She was quite a small thing, but then she had always been petite and never quite as large as her sisters. It helped her while she danced and maneuvered in the foliage, certainly, but brute strength was not her strong suit.
And this black male was huge in comparison. Quite a prize indeed. Of course, his gauntlets did catch her eye and she shrugged off his anger and irritation with a soft trill of delight! "Ohhhh - so you are part harpy! I had thought as much, though your Queen must be quite a formidable foe! Do all mountain harpies all get this big?" She questioned, her snow white tail fluttering a bit in excitement.
Ocean blue eyes looked up at him, bright with curiosity and delight, completely disregarding his anger and over all lack of social niceties. It just didn't occur to her that he might be a real threat. . . . And heaven forbid she find out he wasn't claimed, because it also didn't occur to her that he wasn't going to become a slave anytime soon.
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Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:04 am
Mistress, Queen?
What part hadn't she understood? She even had the gall to approach him and more interestingly, completely disregard all concept of personal space. His patience firmly tested, he found that he had none and a foul temper began to fester within. His amber eyes gave a quick flash of utter disgust and he opted to completely disregard all forms of chilvary and tact. He knew her sort and knew that constant repetition would do nothing, she would only hear what she wished to hear. This in mind he swung his head to the right and then rather viciously swung it back round, lowering his stance so as to ram his head and at least one rams horn directly against her cheek.
It would be a cold day in hell before he recognised any queen and if she had to fall on her knees to recognise this then so be it. His job had never been a pretty one, the mares of Islagiatt simply didn't understand it. The apparent lack of consideration he had for their gender was a necessity and this bird was a prime example of it.
"I am nothing like you, you festering vulture," he snarled, drawing himself to his full height. Ah but of course, there were times in which the ebony and cream stallion favoured his height. When socialising it was at odds with his companions but when it came to warfare and putting an individual in their place, it was incredibly valuable. Perhaps it would come at quite a shock to her, to bow to him - aha, but how he hated women who believed they were mightier than they deserved. They'd tried before, they'd failed and as a consequence their families had been shamed and dragged through the dirt.
Now they knew their place - alas his family had never known of the methods in which he had used to bend that herd to his will.
He didn't tolerate the corrupt.
He didn't tolerate slavery.
He wouldn't tolerate this!
"I bow to no one!" He roared and narrowed his eyes to mere slits, his thick mane tumbling across his cheeks. "There are no mistresses in these lands, any female pathetic enough to try would be slain," he snapped and drew towards her. Neck arched and teeth bared, he would have given any Skinwalker a run for their money at this moment. "Let me make this absolutely clear to you, little harlot..."
He paused briefly.
"In these lands my word is law, there are no queens," he chuckled darkly and shook his head. "You may shackle your males like they are domesticated, drag them down to the rank of farmed meat but NEVER place my kind on the same level as yours," he circled her slowly, his tail flicking briefly against his flank.
"You are not even worthy to consider yourself our equal."
He came to a halt and lowered his head so that he could stare directly at her. "Am I beginning to make any sense or shall I tear the wings from your legs and strip you of your plummage as well? Perhaps parading you as my slave, stripped of all her worth and beauty would place things into perspective for you," he spat.
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Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 12:53 pm
The hit came before she had a chance to react or respond. Her feather's had pricked with curiosity but in a flash his head had snapped back and both horn and head hit her own.
A yelp of pain in tune with the crack of her head against bone, and the young Harpy found her legs weak and her world spinning. She dropped down involuntarily, finding herself realing from the sudden and rather violent display. While she did come from a herd of warriors, and while she often could defend herself, the young female had never turned to violence. She'd never had to become vicious or cold, she never thought it right to harm a living soul or to draw their blood or bruise them.
Some of her herd mates would have been disgusted by such 'weakness' but Azshara had firmly told herself that she would never fight. Not unless her life was at stake.
So to find herself attacked by the large stranger, the world spinning around in hues of black and green and brown, Azshara couldn't help but be both shocked and appalled. The pain hurt, but the confusion and embarrassment hurt all the more. Too clearly she fully understood him - he was no slave, but a stallion of his own will. He ruled here. . . and he certainly was no harpy.
A free stallion.
Part of Azshara was quite pleased by such news. It was a revelation really-- never had she heard of males being free! Of course, she always did wonder why the slaves couldn't be released or why they couldn't have high positions within the flock, but she had also learned early that voicing such questions got her in trouble or ostracized.
But just because she didn't voice such thoughts didn't mean she couldn't think or feel them. And this rams-horned male before her was living, breathing proof!
Her ears had flattened as she sat there, focusing on the burn in her cheek, the ringing of her ears, the bruise on her face. She thought of the humiliation felt, the embarressment of being so wrong or at least so different in such a presence. Is this what the stallions at home felt? Or was this shame the shattering of pride she had felt ingrained in her since her birth?
Either way, she said nothing. While a part of her desperately wanted to flare up and attack, she would have none of it. Not only was she out sized by sheer strength, but she wouldn't stoop to violence. Ripping his skin or causing him to bleed, even if she could manage it. . . what would it prove? She'd only feel worse, would only feel shame to have to hurt someone . . .and for what purpose?
Just because he had hit first?
Not a good enough reason. Ducking her head against her leg, she reached up to delicately rub the side of her head and face against her talons and soft feathers. "I haven't shackled anybody," she stated numbly. "I only came to find treasures and fruits." Not that he'd care. Apparently those things were crimes amidst these parts.
It would be good to report back. She wouldn't say it was a male or a slave. . .but that these parts weren't hospitable to harpy kind. Best she find out than her sisters, whom would be shrieking defiantly and calling on wars. Some of them were far too quick-tempered for their own good.
Blinking a few times, features calm, she looked back up at Sylph. Maybe this was why her kind enslaved the males? If they all grew up so hostile and angry and edgy, maybe it was best they did what they did. Who would want to be around a world made up of grumpy-faces like this one?
" . . . as I said before, violence is not necessary. But if you feel stripping my feathers is the only way to find peace, if it is the only way to sedate your temper, than I will take the first mouthful of plumage and tear it out myself." To prove she spoke true, she turned her head and grabbed some of her white plumes. Giving a wince and a yank in the opposite direction, she sat before Sylph with an offering of feathers, just for him.
Apparently he was a violent as some of his sisters, or at least appeared to have the patience (or lack there of) of a few. He even claimed that battering her around was the only way for him to make her understand. . . Pity really. Still, better she than her sisters.
Maybe. . . maybe they hadn't gotten off on the right hoof. More so, maybe she had better and swiftly leave.
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Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:36 pm
The realisation was finally there, deep in her eyes, like a beacon of light it shown out towards him. He'd made his point and it had hit home, the cold ground beneath her flanks and the towering male above her were exactly what she had required. She may not completely understand the connection between her position and slavery yet, but that glimmer of tears and the glow in her eyes indicated that she recognised he was no slave. There was no reason for him to press on with such vicious behaviour and as she offered out his feathers he seemed to deflate to half his size. He surpressed the urge to wince as she tore them and poffered them towards him, it wasn't the done thing.
He hadn't been truly angry and the spirits had blessed her in that respect, his 'loss' of temper had been deliberate. His actions were his own, he was in control and as a consequence the damage was limited. There were few in the world who had seem him in a true rage and they should be thankful for small favours, those who had, were no longer alive to appreciate the sun as it crept across the horizon at dawn.
With his patience restored, his stoic expression became decidedly more approachable and he shook his head in mild exasperation at her behaviour. For a female that seemed to have been raised around slaves, she was a bit of a martyr. A small part of him questioned whether or not he had made the right move, one side of him agreed but the other did have to wonder if he hadn't misjudged just a little - what if she knew no better? A child raised in a specific environment would act in a manner in which they were educated, or so they said.
"I have no desire to strip you of your plummage, I was merely making a point," he pointed out mildly. His tone had changed, no longer savage it had the calming and baritone lilt of a male accustomed to conversing at length. He couldn't be called suave, but there was a musical edge to his voice, just enough for an ambassador or diplomat to trust him. "To take away an individuals freedom by mere assumption is a grave mistake," he continued.
He paused as though considering the situation he now found himself in. He had hit her and he knew he'd hit her hard, she wouldn't be well. She had even given him the reason for her presence in these lands, one of his major concerns to say the least.
"Can you stand?" he enquired finally and sucked in a deep breath. "We will need to bring you to a healer to reattach your feathers," his statement didn't require any explanation in his opinion, it was an easy enough concept to grasp. "We shall discuss your reasons for being in these lands in due course."
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Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 4:29 pm
It was almost an amazing thing how the stallion before her seemed to shift and change. While only moments before he'd been looming over her, anger painting his voice, eyes narrowed and generally looking as hostile as a creature could get now he was much less intimidating. Even his towering figure before her wasn't entirely as . . .well. . .towering, and his voice was much quieter. Less hate and anger, more civility and patience.
Part of Azshara wondered if she just hadn't been beaten senseless, which now painted him in a softer light. Still, as she sat there with her feathers in her mouth, she listened and made sense of his words. The ringing in her ears had stopped, and while her whole face throbbed she was certain that her sense were still intact.
Realizing he wasn't going to strip her of her feathers, she leaned over and spit the bloodied tipped things out only to return her gaze back up at him. A free stallion. . . . One of his own choice and willl! "And I was merely doing the same," she added softly. "If you change your mind though, do let me know, and I will happily begin the plucking." She just wanted to make sure he realized that she was quite prepared and dead set on doing such a thing.
Just in case.
Somehow she didn't entirely trust him, at least not after such a head butt. He hadn't given her any warning or any sign that her proximity had been too close. So who was to say she might not trip over some unseen line and find the stallion ripping off her feathers! She'd at least like a little warning, after all.
Still, she pondered his words. To take away an individuals freedom by mere assumption. . . . Well, yes, she had assumed. "I didn't mean to upset you with such words," she finally added with a sigh and little wince. Even talking hurt. . . Those horns were awfully hard! Or maybe it was his skull? Maybe a mix of both? "I've never met a free male before. We don't have them from my herd, and . . . and this is the first time I've been allowed to roam. They always said I was too young and might cause trouble with the natives. I . . . I'm afraid they were right, though I really hadn't meant to make you so cross." Her blue gaze shadowed and an almost mournful expression crossed her features. She had tried since her birth to only bring peace and pleasantness to those around her. And now . . .now that she was finally away for a day, what had she done? She'd provoked a free male. Someone she would have loved to have talked to and gotten to know, someone who was different and not like the others in her herd. . . .
It would be have been fascinating and yet, here he was. Grumpy (despite calming), and probably not liking her very much at all. Oh how cruel the spirits could be! Transforming her in to a trespasser, thief and harlot all within a minute.
Woe. . . WOE!
"I'll know for next time to . . .to ask first. Carefully," she added with a little smile. Especially if they had horns! She had always heard that one learned something new everyday - free males and keeping away from assumptions was definitely the driven in point of this lesson. So perhaps it wasn't all a loss. . . . If she forgot, she'd have a bruise on her cheek for awhile to remind her!
(Not that she ever planned to forget.)
"Oh don't . . . don't worry about a few feathers," she insisted with a happy smile. "I have more than a few to spare, so the loss won't do me any harm." No need to burden him further, after all. He looked like a stallion with places to go and things to do . . . things that he could do because he was free! No woman or female to chain him down, nope. Wouldn't the girls get fascination out of that unless. . . unless they already knew. Then they'd probably just laugh at her. . . Even if she described him, there was a good chance they'd never believe her or think her exaggerating.
Even if she diminished his size and height and fierceness, the small form he could be was still a form to reckon with . . . But they still wouldn't believe her. And then they'd wonder why she hadn't captured him or fought him and . . . Oh bother. "But I think I can rise." Gingerly the female adjusted her position and rose to her legs.
She . . . almost swayed but after a moment settled. Unfortunately for Sylph, he had indeed given her a good wallop to the head. While she was young yet and could take a bit more roughing up than some of her elders, she was of a mutant species, and was smaller and far more petite in design than some of her larger and hardier kin.
Her head was already developing a visible bump.
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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 9:34 am
He filed away the unwitting information she had provided him with. The young (although he probably wasn't much older than her) had a way of letting such details slip without even realising it. It gave him a unique advantage over the new soquili in the Kawani Province and more importantly, the opportunity to survey them and assess their threat properly. On a personal level she seemed harmless, naive and otherwise unassuming but that didn't mean her companions would be the same. If she existed within a herd where no male was free then this posed a number of problems not only for himself, but for the herd's allies too.
...Yes, he would need to have them watched. The threat they possed would be assessed and he would receive a proper report from his own men. He would know from their intelligence reports what to do, how to respond to this rather unique threat and would ensure that the most appropriate orders were in place.
Nevertheless he really had done a rather staggering amount of damage to the petitie mare and he had the decency to look remotely sheepish. He often forgot his own strength and rarely lashed out, to throw her to the ground had definitely been a little too far in hindsight. It came at no surprise to the stallion that she was now wary of him, disinclined to take his offer of assistance just in case he may turn nasty once more. He couldn't blame her for this as he had been uncouth but when it came to potential concussions he really didn't take 'no' for an answer - he'd seen grown stallions die from a simple knock on the head.
"My stance will not change, I have no need of your feathers," he flicked his gaze briefly to her swaying form and lifted a foreleg briefly to balance her. "But my advice would be to keep your herd's opinions to itself. Nowhere in the Kawani Province, will you find another male enslaved," he pointed out gently. It was a careful warning, one that he hoped would get her to consider his words. The Kawani Province was a land of some form of equality, at least in the sense that a male and female could co-exist without either being subservient 95% of the time - he couldn't speak for those who permitted themselves to be enslaved willingly.
...Whatever floated their boat, so to speak.
"That aside, I will have to insist that you accompany me to a healer. You took a nasty knock and I would prefer that you didn't colapse later on in the evening due to my abrupt behaviour," flicking his tail against his flank, he waited expectantly for her to fall in line and gave himself a moment to pause for thought. Azzinoth was currently in the lowlands as his reports had confirmed, therefore there were only a limited number of unicorns present in Islagiatt at that moment in time. With Cyn Generis out of sorts, Sylph would have to opt for one of the much quieter and elusive of the group. In short, the peculiar mare was going to have to be introduced to Farsiris, he could be thankful for small favours in this - the demure unicorn was astute and accurate in her ministrations. As such, she would make quick work of the injuries.
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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:03 am
Azshara considered the stallions words. It amazed her that outside of the Flock, there was an entire world made up of free stallions. There were no pets, no rules, no masters and slaves. Part of her wondered how such a world could exist with no order, and yet another part of Azshara was absolutely delighted by such a prospect!
Freedom for all. . . .
It had a nice ring to it, if she did think so herself. How pleasant would it be for all species to come together peacefully. To both be willing participants. And yet . . . her own herd was peaceful. Mostly. Some of her sisters lead with aggression and strength, but they all cared for one another. And their slaves were treated well - sure, they had no rights, but they were looked after and overall had no responsibilities. They could commune with the other males, took on mates when required, and over all lived a quiet lifestyle.
Where was the harm in that?
Some of their slaves seemed to enjoy their plight. But, then again, Azshara had never asked them what they felt about their situation. Perhaps she should do such a thing, if she were able. And if her sisters didn't call her crazy and run her off for such a thing!
Ah, but such things she could ponder later. Now wasn't really the time for it. "A land full of free males. . . Wow. . . " She breathed softly, a little coo entering her voice at such an extreme change. This world really was unlike the lands they had moved from. . . and while Azshara didn't entirely know why they had moved, the women had certainly found no trouble finding slaves.
In fact, from what she saw, the females didn't seem to be having any trouble finding pets here either. But somehow, somehow she doubted this . . . creature before her . . . would want to know that. A part of Azshara felt guilty for not speaking up about it, and the blue eyed creature had to wonder why. Why should she care what this shadow beast thought. . .? Why should she care what the slaves thought for that matter?
Oh bother. Unfortunately for Azshara, guilt would be an emotion she'd feel from here on out. The idea of freedom appealed to her far more than the idea of enslavement. . . she just didn't realize the extent. Not yet. But someday soon she would.
"Oh . . .well. . . . I suppose I shall have to follow." She spoke with a little resigned sigh and smile. "On the one hand, you could be taking me right to the wolf's den, where I very well might be gobbled up or turned in to stew. . . .(I don't know what stew is, but a bird said that very thing once and I thought it perfectly lovely)" She ruffled her tail feathers and gave a little chirrup before adding, "But if I resist, you might very well eat me anyway. . . so I will happily go. I'd rather enjoy a walk in these pretty hills to my doom, than get in another fight with you anyway." And, she realized happily, there's a chance he might very well be speaking the truth! And if such were the case than perhaps her head wouldn't be so sore and she could make her way back home.
Hopefully it wasn't far though. . . . She was quite away from home, and it was already getting late. Bah . .but what did she care or what did she mind? A walk by starlight would be perfectly lovely and it would definitely give her time to reflect on all this new information. "I must compliment you though. You . . . have the hardest head I've ever met."
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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:25 am
"You know some people would call that an insult," Sylph's lips adopted a genuine smile for the first time since the encounter had began. The reference to his 'hard head' was something he'd heard before but it was generally in reference to stubborness and his general tendency to be an a** about certain subjects. He was astute enough to appreciate that she meant it as some for of compliment though and filed it away. From a personal standpoint he often rejected compliments, preferring his ego to remain limited but there were occasions when he kept them. After all, when was he ever going to receive a compliment about his skull again? From this point forward it would all be insults!
"But there are advantages to having a thick skull," he admitted in a good natured manner, starting off down the trail towards Farsiris's chosen abode. Luckily for Azshara, Farsiris lived further down the slopes. The unicorn had made the decision following the proposal from her mate, given he was a a lowland soquili he found the mountainous region difficult to cope with and so she had moved. More delicate climates had favoured him and as such they lived in quiet solitude, generally undisturbed by the majority of the herd. Farsiris adored her family of course, but she enjoyed her peaceful life as well.
Rather than disrupt her thoughts further he held his silence as he navigated his way down the slope and only lifted a brow whenever she began to coo. Evidently the ways of the Kawani Province were of interest to her, but her reference to a walk to her 'doom' was warrant enough for him to slap his forehead. Or at least he would have done so if he possessed wings, alas he lacked the extra appendages and briefly envied his brother for them - they would have come in useful.
"Suffice to say, given my size it is highly unlikely I would share my meals," he pointed out in mild amusement. "As to what stew is - it is meat mixed with potatoes and warm butter," he explained. How he knew these details remained to be seen, but there was a high chance he had either sampled it or been informed of it's existence by a scout of some description.
"Freedom is not such a foreign concept here," he rounded another small hillock and pursed his lips. "Why else do you think there are so many Soquili within this region? It is one of the few places in which we are not forced into domesitcation."
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:34 pm
Azshara followed the large stallion, pausing only now and then to peek here or there, to study up on the landscape and admire the blooming, summertime foliage. The kawani wasn't entirely unlike her home - there had been hills and mountains before the move. . . . but not these mountains. Everything was different, unexplored by her kind. Azshara's natural curiosity demanded that she eat up the beauty of the walk before them, but she made sure not to stray or catch Sylph's eye. She doubted he'd truly understand or have patience for her lolligagging. . .
The ebony female was glad that he didn't take insult to her words. She had only spoken the truth, after all, and would have argued the point. His skull was hard and thick and he sported two spiraling horns! If anyone claimed his skull soft, they were both blind and moronic And if Sylph himself had taken offense, well . . . . then she'd just call him hyper-sensitive and touchy. His skull was indeed a hard surface, the lump on her head was proof.
"One should always find the silver lining in all things," she chirped optimistically, eyes bright with amusement. "Your hard head makes a good battering ram, and my curiosity gives way to new knowledge, just to name a few." Unfortunately, her curiosity also got her in to endless amounts of trouble both within and outside her flock. Trouble seemed to follow her everywhere. . .
Azshara gave a little smile and a very small shake of her head. The movement ceased before her expression changed, reminding her once again to limit the movement of her head. The lump really did hurt. . . but she refused to complain. She was a harpy, after all. "I don't know how many soquili are in this region," she stated, "We only just arrived a few evenings ago. And none of us have ventured terribly far. . . . this is my first outing away from the Flock." She added seriously. He needn't know this was one of her very first encounters outside of her harpy kin. . . Her young age made her hardly older than a fledgling! But unlike some of her sisters, she didn't feed off enslavement and violence; quite the contrary, really.
"I've never been in a land where everyone was free," her voice was full of amazement and awe, her expression mimicking the sound. "I . . I didn't even know such a world could exist! My sisters and Queen never spoke such a word. . . but it is a terribly romantic idea, don't you think? To be free. Without chains, without a master, without enslavement. Just . . . free." Her sigh was almost dreamy, and one had to wonder if it wasn't just the males she dreamed for. Azshara had no chains, except those drilled in to her from birth. The Flock was the only world she knew, the only rules she understood existed.
She could never live without them. . . . but . . . to be able to be free of the rules, the regulations, the games, the fights, the battles. To be her own soquili . . . a lovely concept, to be sure.
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 10:34 am
"And you had to select one of the most heavily guarded and fortified regions in the Kawani Province," he observed in a rather dry tone. His brow lifted and he glanced round to watch the harpy as she glanced here and there. It seemed that she found the region to be unique in some way but he had never been one for scenary himself. Frankly, the poor stallion never had time and was swept up in meetings so often that he hadn't ever been given the opportunity to savour it. One might say he was overworked and extremely underpaid but he had been selected based on his tolerance for pressure so he had no grounds to complain.
...And no reason to not work, for that matter.
"This herd territory alone has approximately sixty individuals, with a further twenty or so under observation in other regions of the Kawani Province. While I can appreciate that you may not have been aware of this, I would have to say that there were more suitable places for you to investigate than such a place as this," he didn't intend to sound as though he was chastising the petite creature, but this was how it escaped from his lips.
Nevertheless he did pause as she went on to call freedom a romantic idea. If his brow had been able, it would have shot up even further and he promptly shook his head to rid his expression of any disgust. The more she spoke, the more he held this 'Flock' with complete disregard and disgust. Why of all the places had this little group settled here? He made a mental note to have it observed and if necessary, he would take measures to wipe it out completely.
"Freedom is a basic right of all creatures," he informed her sharply and narrowed his eyes. "There is nothing romantic about the concept, that is how things are in these lands and how they will always be." he continued and sucked in a breath, his fangs flashing very briefly as his lips curled back. "If your Flock intend to enforce slavery upon this province then they will find themselves nothing more than corpses and food for scavengers, Skinwalker and Kalona alike."
"There will never be chains, there will never be masters and there shall never be slavery," he hissed fiercely. His tail lashed out and slapped against his flank, reminding him to rein in his temper. He withdrew a touch and swung round, opting not to look at the little mare who seemed to have a knack for hitting his buttons. "Any soquili that attempts to enslave anything in these regions is fit for hell and will go there promptly. Your Flock chose the wrong region to settle within and would do well to stay well away from the Soquili of this Province lest they find the casualties high..."
He swung round again and eyed the mare critically.
"And allow me to make this perfectly clear. If I catch you or any of your 'Flock' attempting to enslave this herd or its allies then I will be sure to annihilate them and I WILL leave their head hanging by their own entrails well within the territory of your accursed family."
Again he paused and then began to stalk forward once more, deeming her to have had more than enough time to observe her surroundings.
"Anyone who has bound you in chains until this point is despicable and for you to consider that the only way of life makes you all the more pitiful."
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:16 pm
Azshara had indeed been enjoying the sights and scenery around her. While she had witnessed trees and hills before, there was still something inviting and lovely about the new lands she found herself in. Perhaps the greens were greener or the scents foreign and therefor new; either way, Azshara couldn't help but feel like a pioneer for her Flock, which is what made the landscape all the more interesting. She would have much to report upon her return, provided Sylph didn't rip her limb from limb!
Unfortunately for Azshara, every time she seemed to find herself beginning to enjoy the company of Sylph and delve into his ideals, something seemed to go wrong. She'd say or do something and he'd blow up or get surly and angry and she'd find herself hated once more.
Woe. . . woe! Perhaps it just had something to do with the mountain soquili; they weren't very happy creatures, were they? At least not very happy with her. . . And that made the young mare very sad. She always tried to bring peace and joy to those she met, unfortunately Sylph was an exceptional case.
And Azshara just didn't know what she kept doing wrong! Heaving a sigh, her feathers ruffling on the crown of her head and neck, the mare stayed quiet for a few steps. Once again, the talk of slavery seemed to be the hot topic for the horned male, though the harpy had done her best to avoid such a subject! "I was just being honest," she chirped softly, lowering her head a bit as she stepped lightly after the irritable male. "Perhaps freedom is a right in these hills and in these lands, but where I come from it isn't something I've ever been taught. I didn't even know males could be free until I met you and you bashed it in to my head, quite literally," she added.
Still, her eyes narrowed lightly and a frown appeared on her own features as she gave a small pout in Sylph's direction. With his back to her, she doubted he could see it, but her unhappiness finally seemed to show. "For all your speak of freedom, you are very quick to seek out violence, or at least threaten it. And for being a stallion who seems to think so highly of himself and his free ways, when it comes to violence you remind me very much of some within my flock."
Azshara did flinch back though, making sure to keep her distance in case she enraged him further. And unfortunately, she was almost certain she would but she couldn't help herself. Quickly she added, albeit a bit nervously, "But if all your going to do is yell and snarl then I'd almost we'd rather just go back to the borders and you ship me on my way. My head will be fine - it's harder than you think." Which wasn't a complete lie. It still hurt like hell, but fighting with Sylph was making her day substantially less enjoyable.
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