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 Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:40 am
Its time to resume her search, but perhaps some breakfast before that will be beneficial.
Stretching her body to loosen her muscles, Nastiras shook her head to get some of the morning dew off her mane before scanning her surroundings - she had combed the Eastern part of the forest since her arrival, so it was time to move towards the Western part... Hopefully, the light will aid her and she will have more luck there.
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:11 pm
Today was the day. Malis had pronounced her fit enough to get out of the glades and meet some people. Actually it had been more like she had almost pushed her out with a firm motherly nose. The flutter stood on the outskirts of the forest with trembling wings and shaking knees. This was the first time she had been outside of the protection of the trolls since her attack and she wasn't sure she was ready for this. Her mind flashed briefly to striped stallion before she shook her head, her mind settling upon the stallion she had met while she was healing. Rynn wished for his company, at least for this jaunt, for a moment wondering where Jiruni was. At least with his presence she felt protected, something that meant a lot to her right now. With a shake of her head and a deep breath she took her first steps forwards. She had to learn how to pull herself back together somehow... Suddenly a shadow fell over her and she looked up into the face of a large stallion. She paled and started to back up with wide eyes.
A skinwalker!
Solemn frowned as the small flutter almost ran into him. "Do watch where you are going. It is not something I have the desire to have to explain to the tusked one." He turned to face her and lowered his head, before grinning toothily. "It's hard enough to keep her from getting suspicious with the many intrusions we have been having. First the kalona and then her granddaughter's return... it has been an eventful time... and my guess you are sneaking out to see some hapless stallion?" He raised an eyebrow and buffed a hoof with the back of his leg before examining it. "Not that I'd blame him, you are quite a tasty morsel..."
Her breath caught in her throat as the skinwalker turned towards her and spoke. Not grasping what he was saying Rynn's heart fluttered in her chest as she steeled her nerves and turned tail. She had to get out of here fast! All her thoughts were focused on escaping before she was attacked once more. She should warn the others but her hooves carried her away, away from the forest, away from the glades, away from anyone she knew. Darting down the first path she found she raced as fast as she could before almost crashing into another figure, smaller this time, adorned with red and gold. In her haste to miss the new barrier in her way, Rynn felt her feet land badly and fell to her knees.
This just was not her day. Slowly she looked up at the newcomer hoping she would survive the morning intact.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:29 am
She halted, frowning slightly as her ears swiveled to where she thought she had heard the faint sound of hoofs pounding along the ground. Concentrating, she realized that the hoof steps seem to be getting louder and louder with every passing second. Immediately, she turned around to face the source of the sound, wondering who might be coming in her direction. However, to her surprise, the approaching mare did not slow down as she got nearer - in fact, Nastiras couldn't help but doubt that the approaching mare even saw her. To avoid a collision, the unicorn quickly took a sidestep to her left, her instincts taking over.
She raised an eye brow as the mare dropped to her knees - quite an undignified way to fall, in her opinion - before taking a small step towards her. She frowned slightly at the wounds on the mare's body, her years of experience as a healer on the field told her that the mare was both startled by something and still recovering from a previous injury... Not a good combination.
"Are you alright, miss? There is no need to be frightened." Her voice was soft, smoothing... Yet in a way, authoritative, like she was used to ordering others around. She lowered her head to be at her eye level, suddenly wishing that she had taken the time to tidy up her hair; she just hadn't expected to meet anyone so soon after waking up. As she continued to observe the stranger, however, she couldn't help but feel that they had met somewhere before...
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:46 am
Rynn shook her head as the calming voice washed over her. This was not someone to be feared the voice said, this is someone to help. The flutter pushed herself up off the ground, heart still pounding fiercely. As she caught her breath she tried to push the words that seemed to catch in her throat. "S-s-skinwalker!" Rynn uttered finally as her head hung low from her actions. She did not want this mare to become a target either. What if they were tracking her! She had managed to escape them once only to now be caught by them once again. Remembering there had been two she looked around with wide eyes. Where the stallion was, the mare was sure to be close at hand. Maybe he was just the decoy, that spotted female could be closing in while she least expected it!
The flutter shuddered with fear not sure where to turn to. Instead her frightened eyes fell upon the golden haired mare. She had to do something, Rynn was sure that she had lead the skinwalkers to the uni and put her in danger as well. "There are t-t-two... well, there was b-b-before... only saw one, the other might b-b-be somewhere c-c-close!" Her stutter was worse than normal as she attempted to force the words from her lips. She frowned and shook her head again, her mind whirling in chaos.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:29 pm
Skinwalker? Two of them?
At first, she looked doubtful. However, when she saw the look in the stranger's eyes, Nastiras couldn't help but believe her words. For the first time since her appearance, the unicorn mare looked slightly nervous and unsettled by the news; she had taken them on before, but that was in the safety of a group of trained and experienced Soquilis... Besides, as the healer of the group, she was always protected by her team members rather than being the one to butt heads with the enemy. She never had to face one - not to mention two - skinwalkers alone before, but even then, she knew that it would not end well. She briefly glanced at the other mare; she doesn't look like she could be of much help at all in this situation.
She scanned her surroundings, her eyes and ears alert for any signs of movement or noise. However, all the signs told her that there was nobody else around or approaching them - she couldn't feel the usual blood lust or murderous intent from anyone nearby either... She steadied herself, unwilling to let the situation get the better of her, before moving towards the other mare.
She then placed her spiral horn gently on her forehead, careful not to hurt the already obviously distressed mare. Focusing her energy through the horn, she sent relaxing waves into the other; she imagined the energy to be like ripples on the water's surface, spreading quickly. She had found it useful to do that as a calmer mind is a clearer mind - the more distressing a situation is, the more the need to be calm. Staring into the other's eyes, she then spoke, her voice softer and gentler than usual, "Miss, please try to stay calm... I sense nobody else around. However, to be safe, shall we move across the nearby river to get our scent out of the earth?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:41 pm
The calming waves of the unicorn's energies washed over her and she shook lightly but felt her heart still. The flutter looked back towards the way she came silently before nodding at the other's words. She had ran for so long she was in unfamiliar territory and so followed the mares guidance. At least with someone else there she felt a little more comforted and protected. The uni mentioned going over a river to cover their scent and for a moment the disoriented mare stepped the wrong way before pausing as she smelt the water. She remembered the first attack when she had almost drowned in the river and shuddered. While this might not be her favorite route, it made sense and at the moment Rynn had no mind to be making her own decisions.
Carefully she followed the uni as something nagged at her, something that in the moment of her terror she hadn't considered. The consistent beat of hooves on the packed dirt lulled her into better senses starting to help her concentrate a little more about what was around her. Something about the mare was very familiar and yet she couldn't place a hoof upon it.
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 5:39 am
"That's it, we're going to be fine," The female smiled encouragingly as the other mare stood up, but raised an eye brow as she moved the wrong way; the mare seemed shaken and disorientated - although it was normal considering her run-in with the skinwalker, Nastiras couldn't help but think that perhaps there was something else bothering the mare... Or was that single meeting with such a dangerous predator enough to scare her this much?
Leading her towards where she knew a river was, Nastiras made sure to look back every once in a while to make sure that the other was still there. With every look, however, the mare looks less and less foreign... And more and more familiar.
"Ah, before I forget, my name is Nastiras. Miss, how may I address you?" Nastiras finally asked out of curiosity; perhaps a name might help jot her memory. Besides, a simple conversation might be just the thing to keep both their minds off the potential skinwalker attack.
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 3:54 pm
"Amirynth..." Even with her senses calming, Rynn was more preoccupied with what was behind her and looked back every few moments as her ears twitched from side to side. As they worked their way towards apparent safety she stepped carefully, making sure not to get freshly healed wings caught upon branches. She had already re-torn a few things during her flight through the forest. She would check later, not wanting to make the scars more apparent to the other mare. A sharp noise to her left made her jump slightly but the flutter shook her head, trying to master her fear. Concentrating on what the uni had mentioned, she added "Most p-p-people call me Rynn though, at least the t-t-trolls do..."
It was then she registered the name, causing her to pause in her tracks. "Nas?" The flutter turned slightly to gaze with miss-matched eyes at the other mare as memories came to her. "I d-d-did not expect to... I mean... it is very f-f-far away from the forest." Self consciously she backed away a little wanting to hide in the shadows. Rynn had never thought herself as nothing more than plain, especially when compared to the others of the forest. Most were uni, kirin and angeni while she was a flutter, product of a rogue wanderer who charmed her mother away from her mate like a gypsy handling gold. Her brother had been lucky, he took after their mother, but Rynn was branded forever by her flutter wings and simple visage. Now it was even worse, still wounded from the skinwalker attack, disheveled from her escape from the forest, Amirynth was sure she looked horrible.
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:18 am
"Amirynth?" The unicorn echoed, her eyes widened and her voice filled with doubt as she slowed to a stop, turning around sharply to take a better look at the smaller mare before speaking again, "Rynn?"
Perhaps this was why she had appeared so familiar? She had even called her Nas - only those from her herd know to call her that! With a slight frown, Nastiras leaned forward as the other stepped back. Why is she here? Was there an expedition to these lands that her friends had failed to update her on? She paused briefly, considering the thought before shrugging internally; no, that is quite unlikely.
"Yes, it is far from the forest. I had traveled here due to a personal quest," She replied simply, a frown still tugging at the edges of her lips as she took a small step towards the other. She had already noticed the fresh wounds and scars on her small body, but in her attempt to avoid a potential skinwalker attack, she had failed to notice the mare's one blind eye; she had mistaken it for duo-colored eyes... What a terrible mistake to make for a supposedly seasoned healer!
"What happened to you?" Her voice softened again, concern lacing her voice. However, it was quick to change to one filled with contempt as she continued, "Tell me... Who did this to you?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:55 pm
Rynn winced as she heard the contempt in the uni's voice, at first thinking it was directed at her. While she had left the herd to follow a good friend of hers, she had also left partially as she did not feel welcome there. Too many comments about her stutter, her b*****d lineage, imagined or not, had eaten away at her bit by bit. It was even her fault that her friend had left, the kirin being pushed out of her own family. It did not even occur to Rynn that the other healer had her own issues she was dealing with. The flutter looked down at the ground, her wings hanging by her side. "I left... was looking for someone b-b-but I g-g-got lost... ended up caught in a b-b-blind canyon by skinwalkers." The memories caused her to shudder as they came back to her.
The teeth and claws, their forms slinking around her. Rynn had no way out of there, canyon walls holding her in on three sides. She had evaded their attack but was tiring fast. It had been the very last moment that help had arrived. A striped form charging in and distracting them long enough for an eventual escape. She had been lucky, the stranger pulling away the attentions of the stallion which left the mare to herself. The rest was a jumble but, battered and torn, she managed to get free but never saw her savior. Falling into some crevice, she was found by Malis and taken in, the healers of WillowGlen tending to her wounds.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:26 pm
"Skinwalkers," She couldn't help letting out a soft growl as she spoke, her eyes narrowing in anger despite it looking quite undignified; she barely resisted the urge to stomp her feet in frustration; her close friends had often teased her, after all, saying that she only looks poised while stationary and day-dreaming. However, Rynn's situation really frustrated her - this was precisely why the guild was formed! While skinwalkers are known to be strong, vicious beings, they normally can't stand each other long enough to attack in pairs or in a group... Thus, by gathering up enough seasoned warriors, it is possible to corner and kill one with the right strategy if they ever approach the herd.
But how could her guild and the herd guards had been so careless to not realize that Rynn was missing?
"My apologies, Rynn..." She sighed, shaking her head, "I did not mean to bring up such terrible memories... Thank the light that you're alright!" She continued, offering her a small smile in an attempt to relieve the tense atmosphere, "It seems like someone had been taking good care of you."
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 3:00 am
Rynn shook her head, "You d-d-do not need to ap-p-pologize, it is not your fault." The flutter looked up, her blind eye hidden by her bangs. She had already caused a disturbance and didn't want to add any more. They were now protected by the river, their path washed away with the rushing water. She tried to get her heart to stop racing, breathing in and out slowly, closing her eyes for a moment as she centered her thoughts. Even back in the forests of gold she had been one who was skittish and shy, now living amongst the trolls Rynn felt even more out of place than before as they were so openhearted and easygoing. Yet it was their very nature that had saved her life and given her a new home. "It was my own f-f-fault for leaving the herd. I should never..." She paused for a moment as an ear flicked from side to side, hearing imaginary sounds. "I should n-n-never have left." Though the memories of the feline predators haunted her, there were aspects that made her wish to re-visit the canyon, just in case there were signs of the one who aided her. Yet her fear stalled her every time she tried.
Appreciating the change in subject, the flutter nodded. "It was Malis who found me. She calls herself a t-t-troll and is the matriarch of her family. She takes c-c-care of the herd c-c-close to here. Altogether they are called WillowGlen, very friendly and many of them are familiar with the healing arts." Rynn added as an afterthought. "Some of them p-p-practice very odd ways to heal though, quite unlike the unicorns such as yourself b-b-back home." This was more than she had spoken since when Malis found her and for a moment Rynn let down her guard. Even though Nas and herself had not been super close when they were younger, it was nice to see another of her herd in such an unfamiliar place.
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:52 am
The unicorn's expression softened as she shook her head, giving Rynn a small smile, "While I would normally be the first to frown upon the idea of anyone who is unable to defend him or herself leaving the safety of the herd, that someone you were trying to look for must be important to you... What happened was due to a stroke of bad luck - however, the most important thing is that you're alive and well now!"
She tried her best to look on the bright side of things, but ugh... How she wish to head back home right now and reprimand the guards for not doing their job well! The mare nodded as she listened, obviously intrigued by the herd that saved her friend's life when she was in danger.
After Rynn was done talking, a thoughtful expression crossed her face, "Interesting... Troll, you say? I had never heard of such a breed! Perhaps I could visit? I would like to thank them myself, for taking such good care of you in times of need," She then nodded, pausing again as her smile widened slightly, "I think I would also benefit from the trip; if they are willing to teach, I am willing to learn more about other methods of healing... To be honest, while I am proud of my healing abilities as a unicorn, I believe that being too reliant on it will not help me improve as a healer."
While her horn provided quick heals for her comrades in battle back home, it was weak when used for the battle against diseases outside of battle. She had heard that herbs are more effective than the power of a horn in those times, but her knowledge on herbs is limited as she had never found a teacher who was willing to teach... Furthermore, since some herbs are poisonous, she couldn't try them out on anyone.
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:41 am
"Alive and well now..."
Yes, she supposed she was alive, and better than she had been. The flutter shook out her tattered wings a little not quite realizing the significance of what leaving the herd had done to her. While before she was protected by the regular guards, Alaistair also protected her. He was a constant companion and Rynn had not spent so long on her own before. Without even realizing it she had started to learn to protect herself instead of relying on others. There had been great pitfalls, and probably many more to come, but it was a start. The small mare looked around the thinning trees with a new perspective. "I c-c-could take you back b-b-but I am not quite sure where back is..." They had done such a good job of covering their tracks that it wouldn't be easy to retrace their hoof-steps. That and the idea of returning the same way that could be patrolled by the skinwalker did not appeal to her.
"Maybe if we c-c-continued forward we'll reach somewhere I could p-p-possibly recognize?" Rynn hoped she could keep her promise. While it had been nice to get out of the glade for a short while she was looking forward to the gently safety of WillowGlen. She was pretty sure that if she could even lead Nas to the boundaries, one of the guardians, either Sen'jin or Nidawi would be able to bring them back to the center. It was mostly the matter of finding them.
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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:30 am
"No better direction to walk than forward," Nastiras smiled, alluding to both Rynn's situation as well as her suggestion. She tossed her head, getting her bangs out of her eyes before she surveyed their surroundings. The river and possibly skinwalker were behind them, and presumably, the Troll-herd as well. While its true that moving forward might lead them to 'somewhere familiar', it might be a good idea to keep close to the river, to avoid moving too far away from familiar grounds.
Her mind made up, she gestured to her left with a nod of her head, taking a few steps forward before turning her head to look back at the other mare, "Perhaps you can fill me in on the customs and practices of this land? There are so many of those... Humans about here." She frowned lightly for a split second, but quickly regained her smile, "Well, shall we go then?"
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