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 Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:26 pm
NB: Barker Hook appears on page 2.  Shalar stormed through the forest, blood covered his hooves.... he had nearly killed that creature. Nearly. He had only just stopped himself, the anger, the ability to the act... both had been there. The Kalona had attacked two foals, leaving them scarred for the rest of their lives.... he growled again, the sound floating and echoing around him.
He stopped. Closed his eyes and tried to focus.
In his minds eye he tried to focus on the forest around him, the steady rooted trees, the gentle swaying and swooshing of the trees as the gentle breeze caught them and carried them with it before letting them go.
Slowly he opened his eyes. He had come close this time.... was the darkness getting stronger? Bolder? What was to stop him from taking that step next time? To take a life... even if they did truely deserve the punishment of death? But Shalar supposed there was only one question that really mattered, could Shalar live with himself if he did cross that line? It was so close to Shalars nose now that a single breath and it would be blurred beyond recognition. Shalar had always prided himself on being a protector, on caring with a fierce fire for those he held dearest, his mother and two sisters.... it was for that reason he had left home, searching for hidden answers that he wasn't sure would ever surface.
"Why?" He found himself saying, a timid quiet voice that didn't carry far. "Why did you curse me?" He closed his eyes again, this time not in anger but in sadness.
Was this all his life would ever be? Running from the inner darkness that seemed to grow stronger and stronger by the day?
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:46 pm
 She was tired. Azkadellia only wanted to find a place to settle down and rest her weary body. The Angeni had been wandering all throughout the forest trying to find somebody to play a trick on. Azkadellia did not see anything wrong in tempting others off their chosen paths. It was all fun to her - a game if you will. Having the patience to cast out a lure and watch as the bait was taken was exciting. The thrill was seeing just how long Azkadellia could distract someone for before they grew impatient with following a little ball of glowing light.
As she neared her little grove where she preferred to rest the mare picked up the unmistakeable sound of another presence. Excellent. Although exhaustion pulled at every joint in her body Azkadellia made herself investigate. She'd see just exactly who she was dealing with and decide on a course of action to take after assessing the situation. In her line of work one could never be too careful. There had been a few close calls but Az didn't think negatively on any of them. It was part of the game after all.
Smirking she started off in the direction of the noise - ready to start her game anew.
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:52 pm
Shalar held his head low, trying his best to ignore that unmistakable iron scent of the blood that clung to his hooves. None of it was his, but that only made it worst.... a clinging reminder.
From the corner of his eyes he thought he saw something, automatically he turned his head. Eyes trying to locate the disturbance... an animal perhaps? Everything seemed quite and still. He scanned again any way, not wanting to be stalked... after all Kalona's were well known for chasing after those who did not have the guts to finish the job, something he knew they would not hesitate in... but Shalar couldn't.
Nothing.
Turning back to his path he took a small step, then another. With each they became easier.... until something caught his attention again, the same side, not far from the last position.... was he just imagining things? Given how he was feeling it wouldn't surprise him at all. "Hello?" He asked quietly before getting more bold and repeating the question, "Hello?" He didn't expect an answer.
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:00 pm
Azkadellia was intrigued. This Soquili didn't look like anything she'd ever seen before. He was a strange mixture it seemed. Most intriguing. Would he play her game? She let out a small sigh as she took in all his features. What was this creature? As he tried to cajole a response out of her she chuckled. Oh yes. It seemed as if he was willing to play. Stepping lightly now to shadow the stallion Azkadellia began to concentrate deeply.
In front of the stallion a little dancing light appeared. It was about the size of a Soquili's hoof. It darted around the stallion before pausing and circling a nearby tree. Azkadellia smiled from where she had concealed herself. Would this mysterious being take the lure? The only downside to playing with visitors was that in order to maintain the light Azkadellia would need to focus on that alone. Flying was out of the question. A little laugh escaped her as she began to circle around. The little light started moving further away. Game on.
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:09 pm
Shalar shook his head and focused ahead again..... only to see..... he blinked. Something seemed to come from within him..... and was now hovering before him. He blinked and it was gone, zooming ahead of him, circling trees before continuing on his way.
He didn't follow straight away, a mixture of confusion and wander covering his features. It was a light, a small light... but it lit up the darkness with such a brilliant light that it held all of Shalar's attention. And although the often moody stallion would usually know better his first thought was... this came from me? Is it my inner light escaping?
He blinked again. And before the next breath was released from his chest he set off, chasing after the last shard of his goodness. He couldn't let it go.
His strange feathered flutter wings spread wide, revealing the magnificent pattern that was hidden within, a swirl of purple and pinks with two large black and purple dots that looked like creepy eyes. A tactic to confuse others. His purple curled hair bounced causing several roses and petals to fall to the ground. Around him the shimmering echos of butterflies flickered in and out of exsistance, delicate little flickers of light that had followed Shalar all of his life. He had once enjoyed watching them fly and play around him, a grounding feature... one he had not indulged in for a while. Yet as he chased the blue shimmering light they seemed to once again catch his attention.
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 3:04 am
My my my. This was one definitely one of the strangest looking stallions that Azkadellia had ever snared into her game. His wings were patterned unusually and did not fit the normal wings she had seen on other flutters. Of course she hadn't had much luck in swaying others to follow her light but this stallion seemed almost desperate to catch the light she had created? Why was it so important to him. Azkadellia observed the scene through a curtain of her mane. It was so strange. Others she had tricked might have given up at this time but this stranger was so focused in his pursuit. What drove him onwards?
Her curiosity now piqued by insatiable questions Azkadellia focus slipped and the little light that the stallion had been following flickered softly in and out of existence. It didn't move at all now but just hovered softly between two giant trees. Azkadellia watched the light before moving just beyond the stallion and into position. As soon as the light went out she wanted to greet this strange being. She had refused to answer his summons earlier - now she was anticipating speaking to him. She let her wings flutter excitedly before ceasing the motion. It wouldn't do to ruin the surprise now.
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:41 pm
Shalar was growing more desperate to catch the light, fear that if it escaped him he would be left with only his inner darkness was far more than he could accept.... to lose his last slice of goodness without actually crossing the line he had drawn for himself? It was unfair!
But Shalar knew first hoof that life was far from fair.
He blinked with his movement, the light there before hand and gone the next. He stopped suddenly, his hooves leaving deep grooves in the ground from the force of his halt. A small growl started to escape his lips before... it appeared again. Shalar was stunned by his responce, he was utterly relieved that the light hadn't faded away completely... but how did he get it back into him? Walk towards it perhaps? Cautiously he did just that. Inching closer and closer to the delicate flickering blue sphere of light that hoovered so fragile above the ground.
One more step and the light would touch his chest....
Just one more step....
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:24 pm
As the stallion took one more step forward the little ball of blue light simply vanished. It was all Azkadellia's fault. Seeing the stallion this close up had ruined the mare's concentration. Oh well. It wasn't that bad of a thing. The Angeni mare giggled softly before lithely stepping out from behind the trees that had sheltered her form. "My my my. Look what has appeared. Pray tell me who you are? Are you lost?"
Dark locks of her mane hid one side of her face from view as she studied her latest 'victim'. He'd reacted more differently toward her game than she had imagined. He had been desperate to catch the light and Azkadellia wanted to know why. Her wings spread open gently to reveal multiple flashes of the blue light from before as she waited patiently. Her eyes watched the stranger as she attempted to figure him out. Would he lose interest? Azkadellia wasn't sure of what outcome she wanted this time. Something about this stallion intrigued her.
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:44 pm
The spirited butterflies drifted and floated around him, a single one drifted towards the dark beauty that was now stood before him. The blue flame had vanished and with it Shalar found himself feeling more lost than ever.... was he now just a creature of darkness? Lost in thoughts it took all his effort to simply watch as the butterfly started to fly around the strange mare before returning.... it was a strange act, something that actually surprised him! His butterflies had never gone towards anyone other than him, not even his sisters... so why now?
He blinked. His mind making a leap from the information before him. The light, his light escaped his body and just before it vanished completely this mare appeared, a mare that his butterflies went to freely.... he blinked, looking at her for a moment. She was beautiful but the completely opposite to his own physical appearance. long straight hair, blue flames flickering in an out of exsistance around her just like his butterflies usually did around him. Four black wings. Was she the personification of his inner darkness? His eyes sharpened towards her as some of the fog cleared.... he had to tread carefully.
At first Shalar didn't make a move to respond, and it was only because he usually didn't, but this situation was anything but normal. "Shalar. You?" He said nothing else, surely it was clear that he was feeling lost?
He shifted his wings so they sad closed upon his back, the little wings on his head flattened as he watched the darkness carefully.... she was beautiful, but he supposed that made her all the more deadly didn't it? He couldn't allow himself to be fooled....
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:15 pm
Azkadellia's eyes widened in surprise as the figment of a butterfly suddenly flew around her before returning to the stallion. This was definitely a new twist of things. It was strange to say the least to see something similar to her own flames. Azkadellia cautiously stepped forward towards the stallion as he gave his name.
"Welcome Shalar. I am Azkadellia. What brings you to this area?"
The best idea was to play innocent. Perhaps she could gather more information from this stranger about what he was thinking. She let her wings fold against her back to appear less threatening. This meeting was certainly to be more entertaining than Az could have predicted.
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:29 pm
Shalar noted the 'Inner Darknesses' shock, the way she seemed as enthralled by the butterflies as he had the flame moments earlier....
Then she stepped forward and spoke; her voice as delicate and enchanting as music. He blinked... it seemed the darkness truely was a tricky thing. He snarled a little, trying to keep his focus, not to fall for the whims of pretty face and startling features... to remember what she truely was! Evil given life. "You know the reason." He said plainly. "Azkadellia." He said the name softly, wondering if he said it loudly enough would the illusion shatter?
He gulped, "The real question... is why are you here? Why now?" The Darkness within him had been growing, ever since he reached adulthood, ever since he had entered his first true fight.... and each and every day he feared he would lose himself completely. He couldn't help but wonder, was today that day?
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:24 am
Azkadellia was generally a easy-going mare when she wasn't playing tricks on the unsuspecting. Shalar's presence had been an interesting way to begin her day but now this encounter was turning out to be even more interesting than she had believed possible. The way that her name had sounded coming from Shalar had Az pause briefly before she heeded the rest of the stallion's words. Something wasn't quite right with this situation. Azkadellia's wings remained locked against her side as she studied this most unusual specimen.
What was it that caused Shalar to believe that she could provide the answers that he apparently sought. Shaking her head softly she gave a soft peal of laughter before ignoring his earlier "you know the reason" line and instead focus on the question that the stallion had asked. She wasn't sure what he wanted to hear so she opted for the truth.
"I have always been here Shalar."
If only she could know what Shalar was thinking maybe she would have changed her words about. Azkadellia watched the stallion with a wary gaze before turning her gaze to the little blue flame that danced just along her right side. "Always."
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:48 am
Shalar went to take a step back, the muscles in his body preparing to flex to do so, but he stopped himself... what the point of running? After all he had always known about his inner darkness, had senced it from even before his earliest memory.... he had simply always been fighting it! What about now? Was there any point to fight it.... to fight her? A look of utter sadness consumed his fatures as he tried to sort his thoughts. It didn't work. Everything was a haze hidden deep within a maze and he had lost the map.
"I know." He finally said, "I have always known." Even if he had never truely accepted or acknowlegded it it was true.
He let out a deep breath, his mind wondering what the next step was. "Where do we go from here?" He muttered, the question more to himself than the beautiful mare of darkness before him. "I suppose I should simply stop fighting you...." He said at last, "Accept that I am really a monster with a beautiful exterior." He looked up then, eyes focused on nothing but the stunning violet eyes that were hidden within a mane that flowed like the shadows around him. Shalar saw her eyes as fitting... after all, the word violet was so close to the word violence.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:08 am
Now Azkadellia was confused. She continued to watch Shalar's expression change to that of extreme sadness. It was almost as if he'd lost something important to him. Was she the cause? The mare cocked her head to the side trying to decipher what it was that Shalar was mumbling. A frisson of remorse traveled through her body before she gently sighed. Whether or not it would be welcomed Azkadellia took a delicate step forward. She wanted to comfort this stallion. She had lured him in and now ... it almost seemed like she'd broken something inside.
Taking a chance Azkadellia murmured softly in response. "We go wherever it is your heart yearns to go Shalar. I do not know where that is. Only you can know. I am not wishing to fight you either. I am just here as are you."
Azkadellia had closed the distance between herself and Shalar and gently gave the stallion a comforting nuzzle before she whispered into his ear. "You are not a monster. Even though you may think you are ... I see suffering in your eyes. Monsters rarely have that trait."
With that Azkadellia stepped back. Something was at work within Shalar and she didn't understand it. She glanced down and for the first time saw the blood that stained his hooves. Just what else had she missed?
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:07 am
Shalar understood what she was saying, though he had to admit that he was shocked such words were coming from her... after all, he had always thought that his inner darkness was greater than his will, greater than his own strength.... the compulsion it sent through his body too hard to resist. But instead she was telling him it was up to him...
The problem? He didn't know what his heart truely wanted. Or where it wanted to be. Part of him wanted to return home, the other half wanted to continue wandering. A part of him wanted to go out and fight an army, the other half wanted to find something to do to relax. Everything was in contradition! How was he meant to understand what he truely wanted?
He looked up at Azkadellia. "What is your price? Surely you will demand something in return?" Part of his calculating mind came back to thr front as he looked at her, it was easy to get lost in the moment around the personification of his inner darkness. She was beautiful, the delicate features showing off her eyes so that they 'popped' eventhough her hair covered most of her face. He turned away, ashamed he was evening thinking this way.... for years he had hated the idea of being consumed by his inner darkness, but here he was attempting to accept it.... her.
Yet one thing kept ringing around his mind. Monsters rarely have that trait. Was that true?
A small thought crossed his mind... was it possible that by denying that small fragment of himself he was denying half of himself? Slowly destroying himself a piece at a time....? That was certainly something to think about.
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