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 Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:46 am
 Lissa waited at the edge of the forest, hoof tapping on the ground impatiently. She didn't know why she was so aggitated, it was like Laeh to be late. She narrowed it down to the importance of this trip. What it meant to her. 'Don't get yourself worked up, Vasilissa. It could be the wrong place.'
She wanted to believe that. To still her beating heart and shaking body but as much as she tried she kept thinking that Laeh was right. It was her home.
A week ago Laeh returned from a trip, less happy than usual. She had found a village that had been lost for years, lost to a fire. It wasn't until she was there that she remembered Lissa's past. It wasn't until she saw the painting that she knew it was the right place. It was mostly destroyed, half buried in rubble and dirt but Laeh could just make out a small purple pink haired filly grinning brightly with two other soquili. The painting was too damaged to determine the other soquili - Lissa's picture the only one remaining.
It was funny how that worked out. Lissa was the only one left in the painting and in life. For years she'd avoided memories of her home, terrified of remembering. Terrified of what it would do to her. But she knew that this had to be done. She had to face it to move on and grow stronger. She hoped she had the courage.
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Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:55 am
 Laeh ran as fast as her little legs could take her, a bag flinging against her hip with each step. She was late to the most important adventure of her life. It wasn't just anyone she was letting down now. It was her leader. Lissa who looked after her, protected her and loved her unconditionally. She knew Lissa wouldn't chastise her. She wouldn't yell or be angry. She would smile and pat Laeh on the head, telling her it was alright, even if it wasn't. That's just who she was.
At least she had a good reason for being late. She had to collect something important. A gift for Lissa. She hoped she would like it. Laeh was worried it would upset her, but Laeh lived her life taking chances and she really did mean well.
Ahead she saw Lissa waiting and she slowed her pace a little, catching her breath. "I'm here! I'm sorry I'm late! I had to get.. err.. supplies!" Only half a lie. They did need supplies but Laeh had them packed for days. Standing at Laeh's side, she looked up at her. "Ready when you are."
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:52 pm
Lissa was in her own little world when Laeh arrived. A smile graced her features as she looked down at the little putti. Of course she had a reason. She was a scatter brain but she wasn't the kind to let others down when it came to something important like this. Lissa turned her attention to the road ahead, trying to find the ending but it seemed to stretch on for eons. Could she walk that far? Could she even make it? Did she want to?
Ready when you are.
Ready.. when she is. The funny thing about that was Lissa wasn't sure if she would ever be ready. She had a million thoughts running through her head, each one tugging her in a different direction. Fear moved her one way, love moved her another. Anger, determination, longing, hope. All of them played a part in this adventure.
Adventure? It seemed more like a nightmare to Lissa. All these memories were peeking out from the corners of her mind, grinning with fanged jaws and scratching at her defenses with their claws. For so long she had fought against them, finally shutting them and the loneliness that accompanied them away. She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to handle them when they escaped. Wasn't sure if she could put them back in their place.
Only one way to find out.. Lissa adjusted her braid, flinging it around her neck so it wouldn't get in the way when she walked. She nodded to Lissa and took the first step towards her past and her future at the same time.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:28 am
Laeh watched Lissa curiously, watching her features change. She wondered what was going through her mind, what she was remembering. Laeh admired Lissa. She wasn't entirely sure what she went through, only a what Lissa had told her but she knew it was a lot. Lissa had survived on her own from a very young age. She'd lost everyone she'd ever loved and yet here she was today. Training, studying and fighting to protect those she cares for. Lissa was a knight in shining armour. A hero. A leader. A friend.
And now she was about to face everything she'd hidden. Laeh debated 'losing' her way to save Lissa the pain. But Laeh knew that would hurt Lissa even more. Giving her something like this and then ripping it away.. it would destroy her worse than any memory could. Laeh walked beside Lissa, brow furrowed with concern. This could either make or break her. She only hoped for the best.
They walked in silence, Laeh not knowing what to say to Lissa. Lissa locked away in her mind. The journey seemed longer this way - they reached the forest that surrounded it in six or so hours though to Laeh it seemed like days.
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:10 am
Lissa wanted to talk to Laeh, but she knew if she opened her mouth to speak, everything would come pouring out. Every memory, every fear and she simply was not ready for it yet. The steps alone that brought her closer to the edge were terrible enough. She was taking a leap of faith - no idea if she was going to land safely on the other side or fall short and plummet to her death.
Laeh stopped and Lissa's heart jumped into her throat. She wanted to turn around - to run back to the safety of her home where she could read, spar do many things to take her mind away from it all. But something stopped her - the logical side of her that knew she had to do this to be able to move on.
Trees. How strange that they'd survived the fire when everything else had burned. Perhaps it had been put out in time to save them - but not in time to save those she loved. Lissa took one slow step forward and suddenly she was running. She crashed through the tree line and stared.
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:44 am
Much to her surprise, there was still a few buildings made of stone that were partially intact. She was able to make out the bakers house and she remembered her mother always buying her a treat when they walked past. A square set out in stone, weeds and grass growing through the cracks she recognised as the fountain in front of her house. This was where she was when it happened. When the fire had broken out.. No. It was more like an explosion, the way the flames spread and licked at everything.
---
Vasilissa laughed and splashed about in the fountain, her long braids soaking wet along with the rest of her. Her mother came out and frowned in attempts to conceal the smile that was breaking out across her face. A split second later and the smile was gone completely, a look of absolute terror on her face.
"Vasilissa!" She screamed, running towards her daughter. "Vasilissa, run!"
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:54 am
At the time, she didn't understand. She had shied away from her mother, fearing she had done something wrong and was going to be chastised. She'd never seen her mother like that; never heard her raise her voice even in when her patience was tested to the fullest. It shook Vasilissa to the core.
And then.. everything and everyone broke loose. Chaos had come to claim their lands, flame his weapon, fear and confusion his aid.
---
The screams came to Vasilissa's ears before the villagers came into view. A flock of them, her mother was swpt away in the crowd and Vasilissa stood frozen, her eyes starting to sting from the smoke that lashed at them. She coughed and squinted.
"Mama? Papa?" Cough. Cough. "Help me!" She climbed out of the fountain and ran towards her house, slowly being engulfed by the flames. She followed the verandah to her parents room, but the archway was on fire and she was afraid to go any further.
"Mama! Papa! Where are you?"
A leg reached out through the door, reaching for her. "Vasilissa, I told you to run." Her mother. She ran towards the door, but the roof collapsed and sent a flurry of ember and flames towards her. The pain was searing and she felt the burn down to her core. Her parents were trapped now and she was helpless to save them.
"Help me! They're trapped! Somebody!" She screamed to those fleeing for their lives but none stopped. They foolishly ran to their houses to collect belongings. Vasilissa didn't see a single return.
She left the verandah and tried to enter her parents room from the other side. As she reached the courtyard, she heard a loud cracking sound and watched, eyes wide with horror as the roof to her house caved in, embers flying into the sky.
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Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:18 pm
Lissa was shaking now, collapsed to the ground she let out a silent scream as the images flashed into her mind over and over. All she could see was the flames. She felt them licking at her skin, burning her. She heard the screams as everyone she knew and loved tried to escape with no luck. The fire had broken out too quickly. No one had any time.
----
"Forgive me," she whispered to the wind that fueled the flames, hoping it would at least carry these words to her parents.
Coughs wracked her body as she turned and tried to flee, smoke entering her lungs and clinging to them, taking away any oxygen she had. Breathing was painful and her eyes were watering from the sting, blurring her vision. Blindly, she ran until she fell and could not bring herself to get back up.
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Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:22 pm
Lissa remembered that moment. The moment when she had given up and was ready for the flames to take her away - to take her to her new home with her parents. But something had other plans for her.
-----
Vasilissa felt the jaws lock around her neck and panicked, wondering if it was the beast who started the fire coming to finish her off. She struggled for a moment, using her last ounce of strength before her body went limp. As the figure dragged her away, Lissa watched the last remains of her home collapse. In the distance, she caught the sight of something strange. Was that.. were those floating candles?
She didn't have time to question in before she gave in to her exhaustion and everything went black.
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Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:27 pm
Thesh-Ah. The mare who had saved her. Somehow, they were seperated. Lissa gave up trying to find whoever had helped her. She figured she was imagining it. But when she saw Thesh-Ah at the springs, she knew this was the mare who saved her.
Standing, Lissa took one last look. Nothing was left for her now. This was not a home she could return to. She turned her back, leaving this place for the last time. As she broke past the bushes, she looked at Laeh and tried to muster a smile. She was sure she looked a wreck and wanted to show strength for her herd. That is what a leader would do.
But it was so hard. Tears welled in her eyes and she fell to the ground, letting them spill over. She sobbed and screamed until her throat was hoarse.
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