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 Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:34 am
 While Chen was a traveler, he had mostly stuck to the open plains, rivers, and forests. It was such a big land, and Chen was simply taking his time exploring it. The day had been stretched out before him with nothing pressing, so he'd decided to wander into the mountains a little bit. Now, as dusk was falling and clouds were gathering over head, he decided it would be good to head back."We're lost," stated Ping, his Worpeltinger companion, flatly. "Not lost. Just unsure of the new place we've found," replied the Usdia cheerfully. His companion eyed him, and opened his mouth to respond, when the boom of thunder cut him off. Looking up, Chen quickened his pace. "We should hurry so as not to be caught in a storm. Even if we just find a clearing or somewhere safe to shelter for the night." With this, he led the way in downward.
The two were just coming upon a clearing as large, fat raindrops began to fall, clouds darkening the night sky with occasional cracks of lightning and thunder. Suddenly, one bolt of lightning hit close to the two and a sizzling crack was heard. Out of nowhere, a large branch, broken by the lightning, fell from the tree. Chen tried to evade the tree limb, but it fell onto his hind end, striking him across the lower back, and pinning his lower legs at an odd angle.
Try as he might, Chen could not summon his usual strength, which would have been more than enough. As the storm raged on, Chen and Ping struggled with the branch, but it only cut deeper into the Usdia's legs. Exhausted, Chen laid down for a bit and called out. "Hello? Is anyone out there? Please, I am great need of help!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:01 am
The storm was the worst Jezibelle had ever witnessed. She had been shivering in her personal little cloth-covered area until Aponi had brought her inside the teepee. The human whispered sweet things to her, calming her down until another bout of thunder reverberated off the mountain-side. Rain poured in buckets outside and strange flashes lit the sky.
Aponi stopped talking. Instantly Jezi pricked her ears, and the two of them listened. There was a noise other than the rain's constant pattering and the howling of the wind but it was difficult to be sure what it was. Then thunder struck and Jezibelle made a short 'yip' sound. Aponi barely flinched and kept listening. Finally she gave up and turned to her usdia companion. "I guess it was nothing," she said.
But Jezibelle's hearing was much better than the two-leggeds and she could hear it again. This time she knew what it was, it was a cry for help from a fellow soquili. She leaped to her feet and dashed out of the teepee. Her protective instincts kicked in and she no longer had room for fear of the storm. Someone was in trouble and she had to save them, it was that simple.
"Jezibelle!" Aponi ran out after her but stopped when she realized she would never catch the usdia. She had noticed the mare's sudden change and knew that she would eventually return. All she could do now was hope. "Please be safe..."
The forest ran by in a blur before Jezi's eyes as she headed for the direction she had last heard the cry for help. They have to be close... Just ahead of her was a clearing but a large and imposing branch blocked her way. She slowed and soon realized that the soquili in need of rescue was under that branch.
Jezibelle rushed to the pinned usdia's side. She quickly took in the situation and tested the downed branch's weight. It was far too heavy for her to move outright but perhaps with the right leverage she could move it just enough. "Are you alright? Can you move your legs? I don't know if I can move this branch by myself...but I have an idea."
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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 5:44 pm
As the night grew longer, the storm only increased in intensity, sometimes seeming as if the thunder and lightning were right overhead. Ping had dragged over some small, leafy branches to cover Chen like a makeshift blanket, and to keep the rain off, and had replaced his hat, which had been knocked off as he fell. He then hid under the branches right next to Chen, both of them just a little warmer and drier, in case they'd need to whether the whole night.
Just as Chen was beginning to think he'd be stuck here until the storm was over, a little brown and white filly came dashing through the forest. "Thank you, miss," he said gratefully. "I have some movement in my legs, but not much, and my earlier attempts have mostly drained my energy. My familiar Ping can be of assistance, though," he finished. Ping popped his head up and hopped over to Jezibelle, ready for her instructions.
The mare was young, kind, and quite pretty, or at least Chen thought she seemed so. "What is your plan?" he asked tiredly, in a gentle tone. He let his head lower, resting it on the ground. He focused on the mare, as he knew it would be very dangerous for him to fall asleep. But it was cold and wet, he was sore, and just so exhausted. He hoped his legs would at least be of some use once, if, the branch was lifted.
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:49 pm
Jezibelle nodded, happy that the male still was able to move his legs at least somewhat. He would at least recover, albeit slowly. She smiled at his familiar, Ping. But her attention quickly turned back to the injured usdia. Her eyes seemed to be glued to his hind legs, her concern for his welfare grew with each moment.
"I think if I put my weight on this end of the branch," she motioned to the larger end of the dead wood, "it should lift enough for you to scoot out from." Her attention now on the rabbit companion, "Ping you will need to help move his legs. Can you do that?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 2:55 pm
Chen listened to the other Usdia carefully and nodded at the logical plan, prepared to begin. He placed his front legs under himself and raised himself slightly, prepared to pull himself out from under the tree once it was gone. Ping saluted her with a wing and a paw. "Roger that!" he replied and hopped over to where Chen's back legs were stuck and waited.
"I believe we are all prepared now," said Chen. "Whenever you are ready, please just give the word." The adrenaline was pumping in the Usdia's blood, and he tapped into what little of his strength was left, ready to move. He didn't permit himself to think of what the damage to his legs could be. Right now, he just needed to get out from under this tree.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:34 pm
"Okay..." Jezibelle readied herself, her body tensing. "Now!" She exclaimed as she lept onto the log. Her momentum and weight pushed her side of the fallen tree further into the ground and off of the male's legs. She was surprised at just how well it worked, and even better, the log stayed at the angle giving Ping more time to drag his friend out.
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 5:21 pm
Chen paused, tense and waiting for her command. As soon as she shouted, Chen pulled himself forward with all his strength. He slid forward in the mud, Ping darting underneath the log and pushing his hind legs out of harm's way, then ran to Chen's head and out of danger himself. Reaching out again, Chen dragged himself forward a little more, then lay down, exhausted, but out of trouble.
Turning his head to the other two, Chen gave them a weary smile. "Thank you, my friends. Because of you, I am free now." After taking a few breaths, Chen attempted to pull himself up so he could get out of the rain, but his hind legs immediately gave out on him. They were sore, bruised, and were bleeding a little. Frowning, he stated, "It seems my legs are not yet strong enough to support me, never mind get me to shelter."
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:12 am
Jezibelle turned her head to watch Ping safely move his friend out of harm's way. Once he was moved, she jumped down and was finally able to get a good look at his legs. They were in bad shape, very bad shape. If it hadn't been for his suggestion of shelter, Jezi might have stood there staring. But she instantly moved to his side to help him stand. "Lean on me. My home is not far. Then we can tend to your injuries."
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:21 pm
Chen gratefully leaned on Jezibelle, slowly standing up. Ping hopped at his side, making sure he wouldn't fall over. "Thank you, miss. Your actions are most gracious," the Usdia said as they started on their way down the mountain, through the torrential rain and into the wind.
"I am Chen, by the way. Chen Stormstout. I think it only proper that I introduce myself to the lovely mare who's come to my aid so gallantly," he said with an oddly serene smile between labored breaths as they continued on. "Who might you be, miss?" he asked, trying to focus on something other than the exhaustion and pain making his legs feel like lead.
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 1:43 pm
Jezibelle might have blushed at Chen's compliment if she wasn't so concerned for his welfare. "I'm Jezibelle, or Jezi for short."
She paused trying to calculate how much further until they reached the teepee. The mare spied a familiar looking tree covered in shelves of mushrooms. Just a little more past the bend and they would be there. She told her new companions just that, "We're almost to my home. Just around this bend up here."
They trudged along until the teepee was within their sights. Jezibelle stopped their walk, or hobbling was more like it, and was about to warn him of her two-legged. Some soquili didn't take too kindly to the humans, and she was worried how Chen might feel. But before she got a word out, her two-legged, Aponi, came running towards them.
---
Aponi stopped short at the sight of the other usdia and familiar. She didn't move any closer, afraid to spook the two. Though she couldn't speak with Jezibelle, she did feel that the mare could understand her, "Take him to your stall. I'll get the herbs and salve." She hurried back into the main teepee.
---
After Aponi ran back inside, Jezibelle shuffled Chen and herself towards her home. Her stall was essentially a covered teepee but the shape was more square-like and their was no opening at the top. It was sectioned up into smaller rooms for partial privacy, despite her being the only soquili. "Here, this is where you can stay until your legs are better."
((Hope it was alright that I rped all that, if not let me know and I can change it! :3 ))
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Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:23 pm
Chen managed to cough out a small smile at Jezi through the constant surges of pain going up his back legs. "It is certainly a pleasure to meet you, and a fortuitous one at that, Miss Jezibelle. Despite Chen's great endurance and ability to forge ahead through pain, it was a great relief to him when the other Usdia announced they were almost at her home.
Chen wasn't able to answer her though, only taking slow, labored breaths. Ping hopped ahead, looking back urgently with concern. The Worpeltinger soon ran ahead a short way, and was happy to see the teepee. As soon as the two Usdias arrived, a human ran out and spoke to Jezi. Ping couldn't understand what she said, but she seemed concerned. Chen, however, with all of his world travels and experience, did understand, and was grateful to the human.
Then the little group of three finished their hobble into Jezi's home. "Thank you, my friend," the Usdia murmered as the warmth and dryness seeped into him. "Your spectacular show of kindness has been more than I could ever hope for." He shuffled into one of the partitioned spaces and laid down, his eyes closing. He didn't sleep, but he was beginning to doze as Ping shook off the water, then hopped in and began removing Chen's soggy hat and jacket.
"Stay with me, man, stay with me. You'll be better off once we get these things off," the familiar said as he struggled with one of the ties on the jacket, waiting anxiously for the human to come.
((That was perfectly fine, it helped move things along. ^_^))
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 11:28 pm
Aponi rushed about in her teepee, grabbing things as she went. When her arms were full, she hurried back to the stalls where Jezibelle, the male and worlpertinger waited. She cautiously moved towards the usdia. She dumped the articles she had gathered by his side and went straight to work.
The salve was for the pain, and Aponi gently massaged it into his muscles. While she worked the paste over his legs, she felt for broken bones. It was difficult to tell but she didn't take any chances and wrapped both hind legs with some light leather. She double-checked that his legs were aligned. Next, she took her mixing bowl and crushed a combination of herbs. She added water to the mix, "This will help with the pain, and let you rest."
The two-legged placed the bowl to his muzzle, hoping the usdia would take it.
---
All the while Aponi worked, Jezibelle stood by silently. Earlier the wounds had seemed small but now she wasn't so sure. When her human companion offered the mixture, she stood up ready to help Chen if he needed it.
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:21 pm
Chen made a muffled noise, cracking his eyes open as the human tended to his wounds. The aches and pain dulled quickly, and he shifted slightly, much more comfortable now. He sniffed, smelling a medicinal mixture in front of him. He looked at it for a second, then leaned forward to drink.
Once Chen had finished, he nickered softly and nudged the human's hand in thanks. He smiled tiredly at Jezibelle. "I am truly indebted to you, Miss Jezibelle. I hope you'll excuse me if I doze off." Ping watched the two and hopped to one side of Chen, curling into his side, preparing to sleep against the warmth now that they were all a bit drier.
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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 11:31 pm
Aponi took the nudge as the usdia's way of saying thanks, and quickly grabbbed her materials and left with a silent nod to Jezibelle.
Jezibelle waited until her two-legged left before she replied to Chen. "Go ahead, you need your rest." Though she had a sneaking suspicion he was already asleep. She left the partioned stall and gathered a spare blanket from her own personal stall. She draped it over Chen and Ping. "If you need me I'll be just over there." Jezi smiled and wandered to her own bed. She knelt down and dragged a blanket over her own back, she had forgotten how cold she was. Her eyes grew heavy, and she closed them ready to sleep. Soon morning would come and then they would see the outcome of Aponi's work.
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Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:43 pm
Chen cracked an eye open and smiled at Jezibelle as she draped an extra blanket over himself and Ping. She was such a caring mare. Chen drifted off to sleep, still sensing the calm of Jezibelle's presence over him.
He awoke sometime in the mid morning. Weak sunlight interspersed with the shadows of clouds slanted in the windows. The storm no longer raged, but there seemed to be some drizzles coming from the sky. Breathing deeply the Usdia stretched out a bit, Ping sliding sideways onto the floor from where he was resting against Chen's back. His familiar remained asleep, and Chen looked around, taking in his surroundings.
It was a nice little stable, small but homey. His eyes fell on the still slumbering Jezibelle, and he smiled at the kind mare. Slowly, he tried to move his legs, wanting to test them. He winced as they moved jerkily, pain shooting up them. Sighing, he lowered his head. It seemed like he might be laid up for some time now.
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