[PRP] A walk turned into a kidnapping! (see inside)

[Syaoran-Puu]

Players list
----------------
Herd members:
Maion
Crown Cullen
Eden Cullen
Drashi

'Demon' kidnappers:
Deception
Aveve Engel

------------------------------------------------

Maion had woken up early that day, deciding it was time to teach the new foals about the herdlands. Its borders, the plants and animals within it, the habits of the other members and even what to do in different emergency situations. Knowlegde was power, and Maion didn't want any of the precious gifts that had recently been given to the herd to ever feel afraid because they simply didn't know something.

Eden, Crown and Paris Cullen where three little gems. From what he had seen so far each of them was polite and well behaved, but his duties of protecting the herd and the still expecting mother Alice had left Maion with little time to indulge in the little ones. He had always loved children, and as a young man he had often played and brought treats to several of them simply in an effort to spoil them, it didn't matter to him what breed they were -ok, that wasn't entirely true... Maion wasn't about to go spoil a skinwalker despite his need to slaughter their race having waned a bit over time. But today was not a day to think of them or their kind, but to indulge in his time off with the children. As their protector it was a good opportunity for them to meet him properly, and vise versa.

Beside him was his companion Drashi, a son to him in all respects. He would still remember finding him as a young colt, cold and alone as he clung to the limp body of his dead sister in a desperate attempt to warm the life back into her -Drashi had no love of skinwalkers, and it was the main reason why Maion was so pleased that he had not been present when Kimi and Dardanos had attacked a few months earlier. His son was already hurting, caught in the termoil of the love of his life ripping the very heart from his chest by leaving with his own son Xanthus. It was the reason why he had been picked for this task. Maion hoped that being with the foals would do him some good, especially since it was clear he had been doing everything he could to advoid them before this moment.

"Cheer up Drashi." He said, trying to make light of the situation in order to snap his son from his thoughts. "They won't bite you know.... will you little ones?" Maion turned his mighty head to look at them, only Eden and Crown had been able to come.... Paris was needed elsewhere.

He chuckled, a deep hearty sound that vibrated through his giant form all the way to his hooves. "So... we are going to follow the meadow near the edge of the forest first. Show you where the herd lands and common lands join before tracking down several of the animals we protect. Do either of you know the names of any of the animals?" Maion wasn't stupid, he knew that they had spent a month around the herd now and had likely picked up more than anyone would have suspected. Foals were like that, they learnt so quickly that it always suprised him. He still regretted the fact that he had missed so much of his own children's foalhood.... oh what he would do to take it back, but that was a fools wish. Look to the future..... that was all you ever really had control over.  

[Syaoran-Puu]

Crown's tail was wagging from side to side, two protectors! He was with TWO PROTECTORS! And not only that, Maion was here. The one stallion that little Crown had been intregued by for as long as he could remember, the way the other stallion spoke and his sheer size intimidated Crown at times... after all the size difference between the two was ALOT! Yet, Crown had the distinct impression that if he didn't do anything wrong he would never have to feel the wrath of the might creature. Still... it was a dream come true being here with them both!

He looked back at his little wings, wondering if they would ever be as big as Maions. Would he ever be able to carry himself as proudly? In many ways Maion was his idle, he hoped to be just like him when he got older. Strong and respected.... but how? Crown didn't know or understand the first thing about what made Maion the way he and so he had no way to duplicate it.... maybe he should ask?

A blush filled his cheeks at that thought and he lowered his little head wings in embarassment. Then the older stallion spoke, Crown looked up just in time to see Maion smiling at him. His own lips curved up of their own accord. He was safe with Maion, the strength of him could be felt from here.... but it seemed he was teasing the other stallion Drashi. Did adults tease too? Eden and Paris always teased him too... not that he didn't get his own back of course.

He shook his head; "I don't bite sir." He chimed. Crown listened again. Common lands.... land that belonged to everyone. Herdlands.... the home of the Miakoda herd. These were both terms Crown had heard before, his mother Renesme had told them to never leave the herdlands until they were strong enough to protect themselves, that made him feel as if it was dangerous out there.... Crown didn't want to be in danger, how could he grow up big and strong and protect everyone like Maion did if he did something silly and got hurt? He couldn't. Simple as.

Then the question of animals peeked his interest, he had heard some of the off duty stallions talking about what they had seen that day..... he closed his eyes, trying desperatly to remember.

"Em.... em.... foxes!" He chirped at long last.

((To make it easier for me::: #07c07f ))  

[Syaoran-Puu]

Drashi felt uncomfortable, yes his own son Xanthus had come back to have lessons from him... but still, this was the first time he had spent any time with any of the three foals. Sure, they were all sweet enough, full of life and laughter from what he had seen from a distant.....

He let out a breath, trust his father to pick on him in front of their newest members. He chuckled, it was a good thing he knew his father only did it to ease the tension in his own heart....and of course it worked. "Shame..." He retorted, "I could have used with a good ankle biter... I've heard its very relaxing." He chuckled softly and looked the two little foals with them. Eden and Crown he believed their names to be, pretty names and definatly pretty children. Theses two in particular looked like their father Rune. A stallion Drashi had had little contact with outside of the herd mixers.

"Let us start then...."  

[Faid Shadowlight]

Eden had been quiet all the time the talking had been going on, she generally was quiet, more so around adults, she was just a foal and probably had nothing interesting to say that they would want to hear. So she listened quietly, looking up occasionally at the two very large males. Next to her brother, wondering if he was feeling as small as she did. She wasn't a fan of this feeling so she just looked down at her gold coloured hooves, not having responded to the biting comment unlike her brother.

Looking up when asked about animals, speaking when her brother was done. "Rabbits, squirrels and... ummm deer.." Thinking trying to remember if there were any others, she was sure there were a lot more animals in the trees but she couldn't remember what they were called. Unlike her brother she wasn't as concerned about going into the trees, to her thinking as long as you were aware of the dangers and did all you could to avoid and prevent against them, then you were fine, after all her mother was always saying be careful when they parted ways, not don't, or its very dangerous... so if your careful then you must reduce the danger right?

She was hypothisizing with all of this though, she didn't know and had no way of being sure of any of it yet, but it made sense to her. This got her thinking about the future and what she would end up being, she couldn't picture herself as a protector or a leader, but she would find a neishe, as long as she had something to do that would be fine, she would be bored out of her feathers if she had nothing to do but roam around the herd lands. She would find something to do, she had to get bigger first, and part of that was listening to the older soquili... Looking around wondering where Paris was. Sighing, she was sure that Crown would fill him in, but if he had really wanted to know he would be here, though she would probably cave after a while, especially when Crown joined in with the pleading... But that was later, her eyes moved between Drashi and Maion as she waited for things to get started.

 

[Syaoran-Puu]

"Good good," Maion said with a smile as he listened to the little ones speak. They were obviously getting good instruction, in the names if not the animal itself... after all most of the wild animals avoided the central herdlands because they craved instead the quieter surrounding lands. Those that did choose to stay amoung the herd tended to be the familars of his herd, he himself had Elijah, a fox. His mate had a hawk, his daughters had a mouse and a bat- each with the pelt of the other. It was interesting to see the herd and familars interact together.

He nodded to his son Drashi at the suggestion of starting, "Lets." He said with a smile before turning to lead the way, the open meadow followed the forest all the way round before opening up to the lake. "Have either of you been this way before?" He asked the foals, Maion always preferred this route when escorting young, it was open which made it easier to defend as you could usually see your attacker coming -but this close to the forest often made him uneasy with vunderables around.... you never knew what was lurking in the shadows, and although the forest was officially considered herdlands the Miakoda herd had a policy of allowing those who came in peace to pass through. 'Come in peace or leave in pieces' as he would often muse.

To Drashi he teased; "I wish I could expect some more grandchildren... I do miss my little anklebitters running around." He winked to his son, he knew that Xanthus had returned to the herdlands -if only for a while, meaning that both his grandchildren where currently here. He suspected that Io was trying for children of her own, she was always sneeking off to see a certain stallion.... and Chandra... well he suspected she was getting very close to Sonnet. Maion was thankful to the young man, he had stood and protected the herd eventhough it wasn't officially his to protect -that told Maion much about his character. He didn't really want to admit it.... but Maion liked Sonnet, he just didn't like the idea of losing his baby.  

[Syaoran-Puu]

Crown felt his cheeks pinken when his sister completely trumpt his ideas, she had always been smarter than him... or maybe her mind just remembered things better? Either way Crown felt a little silly.

Still, that didn't stop him leaning over to his sister with a soft nudge on her shoulder before saying, "Good one sis!" He beamed at her, if he had to pick his siblings he would definatly have picked Eden and Paris. Together all three of them made.... an interesting mix, and together they certainly kept their parents, and probably the herd for that matter, on their tippy-hooves! Good.

He wiggled his rump at the announcement they were leaving, excitment coursed through him, wiggling and giggling until it built up to the point that Crown wasn't sure he would be able to contain himself. "I haven't," he chimed to Maion's question, wondering what exactly they would see on their tour of the herdlands.

Crown had completely missed the conversation between Drashi and Maion since he was currently looking left and right in excitment trying to imprint the whole experience to memory. One, he got to go on a new adventure. Two, Eden was here. Three, his two faviourite protectors where here... including Maion himself. He knew from a recent embarassing moment with Maion that the older stallion was wise and honest, he only hoped that one day Crown could be seen as being 'strong of heart'... since that day he had been doing his best to act the best way he could, remembering that actions spoke louder than words ever could.  

[Syaoran-Puu]

Drashi knew his father was trying to help, especially since he was both torn up over his sons (Xanthus) return, and also by the appearance of three new foals... they were all beautiful but the bruise on his heart refused to be ignored. Still, he appreciated the effort. "I believe I need to find a woman first father..." He chasticed back before changing the subject, he knew his father wouldn't push the matter -the old man had simply been checking on him after all.

Sighing he continued; "Eden," he slowed to walk near the young filly, if you didn't know her by looks or voice and simply heard tales of her actions and intelligence he was sure most would believe her to be a boy. She was stronger than most of the mares he had ever met and didn't seem quiet as emotional or attached to things as most mares seemed to be.... did that mean she would grow up to be a dominate female rather than a maternal mother? It didn't matter to Drashi but he was curious now he had met two of the foals in person. "You seem to know a lot about the animals of the area, how many of them have you seen?"  

[Faid Shadowlight]

She had not responded to Maion's words, while she respected the guardians and the herd elders she didn't have the hero worship her brother Crown did. Her lack of answer wasn't her being disrespectful, she just didn't want to get chastised for her walking. She liked to walk, and had come this way before. She found walking peaceful, she never went far so never felt the need to tell anyone, mostly she would circle the herd lands, making her way round on the inside of the tree line, sometimes she would venture deeper.

Giving Crown a small smile at his nudge and praise, and returning with a small nudge of her own. She loved her brothers, though she wasn't very expressive with it, at least not in the way that she saw others be. Her small nudge was trying to reassure Crown, she had seen that his cheeks were a little pink, she hadn't meant to embarass him. She was focused on Crown that she hadn't noticed the white stallion slow down next to her.

Looking up at Drashi as he addresses her directly, listening as he asked his question. Feeling the urge to sigh, she had the feeling she was going to get repremanded when she answered him, but he had asked and she always answered honestly. Looking ahead again as she did so, keeping track of where she was going. "I have seen some when I've been out walking, though I'm not sure how many exactly, usually when I see an animal I'll go and ask mother or father what it was, Some I don't get a good enough look at to be ale to describe though..." Squashing her urge to trot a little so that Drashi didn't have to slow down so much, looking up at the stallion again when she finished her answer. Wondering what the sad stallion was thinking, meeting his eyes for a brief moment, reserved empathy for whatever had taken the light from his eyes in hers, but then her eyes were lowered again and she was watching the path she was walking again, focussing on where she was going.

 

[Syaoran-Puu]

Maion acknowlegded Crowns reply with a nod and a smile as he continued to lead them forward, what made him more curious was Eden's silence -true she hadn't said much so far, but she had answered any questions Maion had asked.... all together it gave him the impression she had indeed been this way before. He wasn't going to be mad by that fact, truth was that foals would be foals and needed the room and time to explore; the purpose of the tour was simply to show them the herd lands officially -in particular the borders- and to introduce them to the different animals that the Maikoda herd coexsisted with and protected. After all, until these foals were old enough to decide against being a member of the herd they would continue to be so, even Xanthus was still considered as one of his herd -despite the fact he had left with his mother all those years ago, Xanthus had never really had a choice and until he decided against the herd it would continue to open up its hooves and hearts for him.

Maion let his son walk away, knowing all to well that the topic of children was only recently starting to become easier for him. Maion suspected this was for two reason..... one, his son had returned to be trained by Drashi and two, a woman perhaps? Despite Drashi's words he was well aware of the female scent that had lingered around him only a few weeks earlier.... it was about time! He wanted his son to be happy.

They followed the tree line around, walking closer and closer to the first border and way from the herd heart -the lake.

As Eden spoke, Maion's ears wiggled to pick up each word. "Ah, so you enjoy walking and exploring little Eden?" Maion knew that as a foal himself he had never really ventured far from his cave.... he had always expected his mother to return, but she never did. Maion had been unable to fly and felt duty bound to remain close to the Ocean.... it wasn't until he was a young adult that the urge to travel and see more came to mind. He could still remember standing at the cliff outside of his entrance wandering if he could fly or not..... the fall had been filled with fear, anticipation and wonder as instinct took over, his wings opened wide catching the salty sea breeze, sending him soaring high once more. That was the first time Maion had left home, first time he had flown.... first time he had met Elijah. As if on queue his familar wiggled in his long mane, the warmth on his neck was welcome indeed.

"What about you little Crown?" He asked, turning his attention between the siblings -he didn't want either of them to feel left out.

All the while he kept his ears twisting to pick up any strange noises, everything seemed.... normal.  

[Syaoran-Puu]

Crown listened to Eden and gasped a little.... is that what she really did when Crown and Paris weren't around? No wonder they hadn't always been able to find her to see if she wanted to play.... it all made sence suddenly. He would have to tell Paris about it later.... maybe they could talk her into taking them with her sometime? He liked that idea. "You seen a rabbit Eden?" He asked with a wiggle of his tail, "Or maybe a fox?" Crown really wanted to see a fox, he had heard that Maion had a fox but had never caught a glimpse of it.... he had learnt that they were cunning animals, able to adapt easiy to whatever environment they found themselves in... and of course they were passionate. Still, what one looked like was a mystery, maybe like Eden he had seen one but not really known what it was? Maybe he should start asking Mummy and Daddy as well.

That thought in mind he smiled and skipped forward, only to turn his head in attention as Maion's question reached him. "Em...." He started, a blush covering his cheeks as he remembered what he liked to do, he would sneek a peek at the protectors training and try to copy them, Sengdroma knew about it and after his conversation with Maion a few days ago it was clear he knew to..... the good thing was much had changed since then, since his official introduction into the herd, Crown had been given the right to train as one of the protectors. "....I like to copy Drashi and Daddy as they train." His official training hadn't started yet, and Crown wasn't even sure that Drashi knew about it... had Sengdroma told everyone?

As they walked his little eyes scanned left and then right, once again trying to take in everything. There was so much to see. So much Crown didn't understand.  

[Syaoran-Puu]

Drashi nodded and listened to Eden's reply, "Ah, like my father said.... you like to explore then? Nothing wrong with that." He grinned, suddenly feeling he had something in common with the little filly. He too had explored a lot as a colt, he still did in fact. He would wander and explore, simply enjoying his own company and the peacefullness of nature. "So what things have you seen then?" He smiled, checking the perimeter every now and then to ensure everything was in order. Everything seemed.... still, normal.  

[Faid Shadowlight]

Eden glanced at Maion then at Drashi, they had both asked the same thing so she might as well answer them both at the same time. "I'm not sure if its the exploring, though I find it interesting and relaxing to wander.... But mostly I enjoy thinking." Its what she often did when she was alone, she would walk and think, lately her thinking had been on what place she could have in the herd, and though she would never freely admit it she did want a place, a purpose. Though some of that was probably routed in the fact that she didn't want to be bored.

Looking again from Drashi to Maion when she was done talking, turning then to her brother. "Yes I've seen a rabbit, and a fox but I didn't get much of a look at it, it was very fast." That was often the case with the animals, they were fast and often ran off when she walked near them, it was only the ones that wandered past her when she had stopped to think or rest, those were the animals that she saw more of and could describe better.

 

[Devil NightShade]

It was still early the sun barely high in the sky, and still Deception was up not necessarily hunting for anything at this time, but if he happened upon a good meal he wouldn't pass it up of course. His daughter wasn't far behind him she was back from many moons away with her 'partner', she was truly his pride and joy. The pair slunk through the shadows of the trees totally different in how they moved.

Deception was a beast of an animals, standing just under 20 hands at his withers (around 6ft 6in), years of fights and hunting had transformed his body from his foal hood baby fat into muscles that almost seemed to resemble steel cables coiled atop each other against his bones. His hide was leathery instead of soft with hair, the skin mottled with soft dappling and glowing runes seemed to dance over his shoulders and hind quarters with his movements. Massive wings lay folded against his back so the limbs and thorns of the forest couldn't ruin the delicate leather membrane that made up the appendages.

He paused, lifting his muzzle slightly to snuff the air above him, nostrils flaring and fluttering for a moment.

A small group of Soquili were coming in their direction, he couldn't get an exact reading on their breeds at this distance but he didn't think he smelled kalona amongst them.

He turned on a dime and ghosted between the trees, massive hooves the size of dinner plates barely making a noise as he set them down carefully in the thick under growth. Blazeing white eyes, sharp as a hawk's stared through the trees staining to catch the earliest glimpse of the group he could.

He flicked his tail curling it up in a signal to Engle that he had caught the scent.




Sigh, it was far to early in the morning to be out, why had she allowed her father to drag her out earlier than late afternoon? Aveve Engel drifted along just behind him, messy cinnamon brown mane fluttering gracefully in a breeze for a moment. Her tail flicked back and forth brushing across her sides, it was the only part of her that wasn't kalona not that she had never cared, it seemed to put fools at ease they thought she was weak for being a third kirin. Oh well, all the more reason hey had to die, fools and the weak didn't deserve life.

Nobody could mistake that Aveve was Deception's daughter, she had the same leathery coat just toned in the smokey gray of her grandfather, the same runes as both her grandfather and her father seemed to dance across her coat. She even inherited her father's vine of thorns, which lay wrapped tightly around her neck as if they were trying to choke the life out of her. She was significantly smaller than her father, only standing around 15 hands at the withers (or about 5ft),and she wasn't built the same, Aveve was more slender built but she still had the honed muscle of creature that lived the life of a fighter and a hunter.

She paused in time with Deception, her eyes scanning the forest for ahead for the figures he had caught the scent of.

She widened her eyes, the thin irises dilating in making her already freakish eyes give her the look of pure insanity.

A grin stretched back across her muzzle showing a maw full of pearly fangs.

Maybe today wouldn't be a total loss!

Her own muzzle tipped into the breeze and she caught their scent as well. The brief catch of their scent was all she needed.

Flicking her tail rapidly for a second, she danced ahead of her father moving gracefully and yet like a serpent at the same time, her body and tail weaving in and out of trees and under brush, every sense alive searching for the oncoming party.  

[Syaoran-Puu]

Maion was listening to the foals when he caught.... no... surely not. The scent that drifted to him on the breeze wasn't that of his herd, but it felt.... tainted? Still, the herd had always allowed others to pass through as long as they cam in peace, so until a crime was committed they would be allowed to stay. He turned his attention back to Crown and Eden, pleased to see his son Drashi finally taking an interest, even if it was slightly forced still..... Maion knew his son loved children and family, but his heart had been broken and would take time and patience to heal.... only one of those Maion had, for you never knew what would happen with the passing of each day. He had seen healthy stallions drop dead for no reason.... would he be next? he shook the thought, he may be getting old but there was plenty of life left in him, he had a beautiful mate and a stunning family, he would live for them.... always.

He smiled at Crown, the moments distraction nearly forgotten about as he spoke, "Ah.... so you are excited to become a protector yourself? Do not forget it is a dangerous business..... sometimes you must sacrifice yourself so that your comrades and those innocent around you can live." He smiled, although it was true that a protectors life could sometimes be lonely and tough it was also rewarding.... just like now, walking with this foals, showing them world they lived in, the plants and animals they protected and teaching them to live in harmony with their enviroment..... well that was rewarding indeed. Destruction only brought about more destruction.... which brought hate and death with it. It saddened him that there were creatures that prefered to live that way.  

[Syaoran-Puu]

Crown skipped and chirped around his companions, he knew at times he seemed really young, especially next to his ever practical sister Eden, but still no one had ever told him off for being anything but himself.

"Wow Eden...... you're so lucky." He beamed at her, thinking about the rumours he had heard with Paris, they had come to believe that Maion was bonded to a Fox.... it had made the young colt all the more determinded to become bonded to someone too, he believed it was a sign that you were good hearted and loyal... for surely an animal would only allow themself to become bonded to someone like that... was he like that?

He listened to Maion's next words and his ears drooped.... he didn't fully understand what he meant, Sacrifice?" He knew there were lots of different types of sacrifices, like letting someone more needy have your water or food when there was a shortage, or there was giving up your own life to serve another or a worthy cause... or even to save a life by forfitting your own. Yet he hadn't really considered it before now, he had watched his family and herdmates train and had always considered them so cool... he had even watched Maion and his strong aura cause order with a single look.... but could Crown give up his life if needed? He looked to his sister and he knew... if it was to protect someone he loved, then yes he could.

Crown skipped to his sisters side once more and nipped her mane affectionatly before stating, "I love you Eden."