[FIN] Twisted absolutes (Mahapadma vs Ironforge, Ijn)

[Revolutionary Roniel]

((This is a PRP between Samsara, Svanbjorn, Bushkin, Douglas Grifon, Ironforge, and Ijn!))



Samsara lead her small group of followers. There were three Mahapadma members with her today, Svanbjorn, Bushkin, and her newest member, Douglas. There was someone else along with them too, a mare by the name of Ijn. She was their captive. She probably didn't know it yet, but she was going to die. Capturing the mare was part of a little experiment Samsara was running. She had started to wonder if some of her Mahapadma were truly as remorseless as they claimed to be. She was bringing them an innocent helpless mare to test that. She would see that they got past their reservations and learned how to kill. Like a mother lioness, she brought back living prey to teach her children to hunt.

She glanced over her shoulder at Ijn. She would make good prey for them. She wondered who she should allow to take the final killing blow. Maybe she would ask for volunteers and choose whichever one didn't put themselves forward.



Svanbjorn walked on one side of the mare. She didn't look like she was about to make any escape attempts and that was fine by him. He felt a little worn out by the capture already and didn't feel like having to chase her down. He considered himself the fastest of those present, aside from Samsara, so he'd be the one who would have to follow her and drag her back.



Bushkin followed behind the others as silent as a ghost. For once, her inner demon was silent. There was no tearing voice in her head demanding that she hurt and kill. She still felt the lurking desire, it just wasn't driving her right now. It was easy to forget how she had been before. Once upon a time she had tried to fight those urges and be a "good" person. She had pretended to fight, at least. Now she was free from that. She and her demon lived together and fought together. They had even murdered together. She wondered when she might again have that chance.  

[Nisshou H]

Ijn wasn't entirely sure what had happened. One moment she had been out walking with her goat friend, Blix and the next she had been taken. Now she walked along with a group of particularly vicious soquili boasting a bloody lip and more cuts and bruises than she cared to account for. Her light eyes were wide and she trembled every now and then with fear. She had considered running but didn't think it would be a wise move. She had never been a fighter and while she had once thought of herself as a creature of darkness that phase had long since passed. Glancing at the part kalona at her side and then to the skinwalker mare to the front she almost wished it hadn't passed at all. Perhaps then she wouldn't feel so frightened.  

[SylverStar]

Douglas stood on the other side of the mare, so that she was boxed in. He was getting accustomed to working with others...and found it an interesting change. His paranoia and psychotic states had toned down some, being with a group. Though he still didn't really trust any of these followers of the skinwalker.

He shifted his weight a lot in anticipation. He didn't quiet understand why they didn't just kill the mare. But he figured Samsara had more smarts than he did, so he went a long with it. He had his ax in his mouth and he would often turn and look at the mare with as creepy a smile he could manage with the weapon in his mouth.  

[JetAlmeara]

Typically speaking Ironforge preferred to keep out of other Soquili's business. He'd told himself a long time ago that he was finished with fighting and violence and anything of the sort, it was the whole reason he had chosen to live his life up in the mountain's alone.

Once in a while however fate seemed to enjoy throwing sticks into his carefully laid plans of seclusion and today seemed like it was going to be one of those days. He had no idea how he hadn't heard them coming - except perhaps the babbling of the stream behind him had covered their approach but looking up from where he stood under the shade of a tree he was dismayed to see the arrival of a decent sized group of Soquili...led by a skinwalker of all things.

Great. Skinwalkers were trouble - and the rest of her group didn't look much better, all save for the scared one in the middle. Blast..what had he gotten himself into now? Perhaps if he stayed silent enough they would just pass him by, though even as he thought this his eyes kept sweeping back to the trembling mare in their center. Don't get involved..just..don't get involved he mentally told himself.

 

[Revolutionary Roniel]

At first it seemed like Samsara and her group might pass by Ironforge without notice. Samsara didn't so much as glance his direction, until a poorly timed gust of wind carried his scent directly to her. She snapped out a wing, a gesture for the others to halt. "We aren't alone," she hissed. Whoever it was had better run, because the Mahapadma might just have to take another sacrificial captive if they caught them.

Svanbjorn, ever quick of mind and perceptive, spotted Ironforge first. "There!" He pointed his nose to where the stranger stood beneath the tree. "It's a..." He wasn't actually quite sure what he was looking at. It had to be some sort of soquili but he couldn't identify what breed. It almost looked like some strange variety of cerynei, but the horns threw him off. Horns like that belonged on a kalona. "You'll stay put if you know what's good for you," he said sweetly to their captive mare. Things were about to get very interesting.

Bushkin whirled around and snorted aggressively. She stared down at the stallion and the yellow flames from her eyes began to dance. The stranger had the muscles of a fighter on him. That meant that they might finally get a serious fight. Her demon was no longer dormant. Now she could feel the familiar sadistic cravings starting to permeate into her spirit. If there was a fight, she wanted to be part of it.  

[Nisshou H]

Not alone? Ijn looked to where the others had focused their attention to see a white stallion with horns like a kalona's. She didn't know who he was or whether or not he was friendly but she wasn't exactly sure how her situation could possibly get any worse at this point. Keeping as still as she could she tried to meet the stranger's gaze while mouthing two words: please help.  

[SylverStar]

Douglas stooped abruptly when Samasara put her wings out. He looked where Svanbjorn was pointing. "Trespasser!" He yelled. He jumped forward a little, wanting to charge at the strange furry stallion. But he summoned his strength to stay put. Must follow orders he told himself almost in a chant...urging himself to stay in place. His eyes locked on the stallion, his ears perked waiting for Samsara's orders.

 

[JetAlmeara]

Well blast Ironforge thought to himself as the group drew to a halt and it quickly became apparent that they were not just going to continue on in peace. He tried not to meet the scared mare's eyes- even when she mouthed her plea for assistance, attempting even now to deny the fact that he was going to get involved. It wasn't his place he told himself - he no longer made a habit of fighting other's battles for them.

Of course this group seemed to be inclined to turn it into his battle and he scowled at them "..stallion?" He supplied in a dry voice for the one who didn't seem to know just what to label him. At least they hadn't said Kalona...Ironforge did so hate being mistaken for those dreadful beasts and merely arched a brow as another called him a trespasser.

"As far as I recall this land doesn't belong to anyone" He replied and since it was obvious by the bloodthirsty looks on a couple of them that they weren't going to just leave him in peace he stepped out from under the shade tree to face them more squarely, his shaggy coat gave him a look of added bulk which sometimes gave opponents pause..but with this many it was doubtful to be much of a deterant.

"And I am fairly certain I would have heard about a bloodthirsty group of kidnappers led by a skinwalker" He most certainly would have, how many skinwalkers bothered leading about groups like this?..Weren't they mostly just interested in killing other Soquili? No he was pretty sure he would have heard of them before now. He was also almost completely certain that the mare in the center was indeed a prisoner, what with her plea for help and the other stallions threat to keep her still.

Against his better judgement and mental reminders to not get involved some deep part of Ironforge couldn't turn away from the mare now that he had proof she was indeed in peril, now that he couldn't make up some excuse and justify what he had seen as innocent enough he had to do something - no matter how much he didn't want to. "I suggest you leave the mare here and go about your merry little way, surely you can scare up a deer to torture further down the path"  

[Revolutionary Roniel]

Samsara sneered in derision. One lone stallion thought that he could command her? It was laughably pathetic, but aggravating as well. It would probably take the attention of several Mahapadma members to kill him, and their captive could possibly escape in the confusion. They could attempt to take him captive, but it was a fine line between beating him into submission and rendering him immobile.

"I'm giving you one chance and one chance only." She directed her words at the stranger. Venomously, she narrowed his eyes at him. "Turn and run away now and none of us will follow. If you remain, we will kill you. There will be no negotiations." Her tone left no room for debate.

Svanbjorn was already sizing up the stranger for weaknesses. He was almost certain that it would come to a fight. The stallion had a bit of the heroic look to him. To Svanbjorn, a hero was someone who was too stupid to know when to quit. Heroes died and were proud of their useless deaths, as if dying in the pursuit of a task was better than avoiding the task entirely. The stranger wasn't about to quit and run. Anyone who would dare to speak to a skinwalker like that had already made their decision.

Bushkin had come to a similar conclusion. As clearly as dark clouds and strong winds might herald an approaching storm, she could sense the oncoming battle. Though she would have liked to attack the stallion before giving him a chance to respond, she waited. Samsara didn't like it when they moved before her orders. When Samsara was angry, it frightened even Bushkin's demon into cowering.  

[SylverStar]

Douglas was kind of pleased that this stallion had stepped forward. He was itching for a fight, and with this many on his side the stallion was sure to be killed. Samsara even said so. He waited for her orders. He shifted his ax in his mouth so that the relaxed blade now faced forward and tightened his grip, so it stayed steady and firm. He looked at the stallion who was bigger than he was but that did not bother him. Images flashed through his mind of making the stallions clean white fluffy coat look more like his own.

 

[JetAlmeara]

A smart stallion would probably do with the skinwalker commanded - I mean really what kind of fool took on not only a skinwalker, which was foolish enough, but a skinwalker who had decided to wander about with a killer horde?

Apparently a fool like him because Ironforge knew without a doubt that he couldn't walk away now. Not knowing there was a mare in danger, it was unthinkable and oh so against those morals he'd sworn off of so long ago. But wearing off something and hiding away in the mountains was a far different thing then being faced the consequences if he didn't act on them and dislike for society and its problems wasn't going to be enough to let him live with himself if he walked away.

"If only it were so simple" He told the skinwalker in an almost sad tone, sharp eyes taking in the stances of those surrounding her like a fighter sizing up his opponents as he was quite sure this was the way it would work out. Undoubtedly he would loose this fight should they all come at once, however he could up his odds at least a little bit if he was smart about things, and moving he put the stream and its rushing waters behind him, sure they could still try to ford it and flank him but it would slow them down and the water was deep and fast flowing, enough to tire them at the least and if he was lucky foul them up enough that they would be washed downstream a bit..in any case it would help ensure he only had a battle to fight on one front instead of attempting to defend himself from all sides.  

[Revolutionary Roniel]

It looked like they would have their fight. Samsara almost pitied the idiocy that had driven the stallion to such lengths. He'd die in agony for his misplaced ideals. It was the morally ambiguous that would have a long lifespan. She was about to send all of her servants at him at once, but then she thought again. Here was an excellent opportunity to give them a chance to stretch themselves a little and show her their strength, or lack thereof. It could be... a test for them.

"So be it." She looked the stallion squarely in the eyes. "Luckily for you, we're not in a hurry and can take our time. You'll live a little longer than you might have." She then cast her glance over the three she had brought with her. There was Douglas, Bushkin, and Svanbjorn. She already had seen Bushkin and Svanbjorn in action enough. It was time to give her newest member a try.

"Douglas. Kill him. The rest of you, stay back." If Douglas failed to get rid of the stallion then she'd send in the next one. If they all failed... she'd just have to kill him herself.

Svanbjorn nodded, acquiescing to Samsara's decision. Bushkin was less pleased about it. "Me next," she snorted. "I'll break him. Like a twig." Her giant hooves stomped the ground. She hoped that Douglas would fail. She had never killed anything so big as a stallion. Perhaps today would be her first.  

[SylverStar]

At the words "Douglas kill" He was charging at the stallion his ax forward. He was happy that Samsara had chosen him to go after the stallion. He wanted to please her and hungered more to bring down one so large. He had never been able to bring down a Stallion before.

His mind cleared, he took in the stream behind the stallion, he was not worried as he was usually good at maneuvering and stopping quickly is need be. He was use to doing fake charges but he would not be doing that this time...the herd behind him provided all the intimidation needed and this Stallion wasn't backing down.

He gripped his ax tighter ready for impact.

 

[JetAlmeara]

Ah so it seemed that he wouldn't be facing the entire herd at once..well so be it then, the skinwalkers sense of whimsey would work in his favor for once. At least for a while - until exhaustion began to take its toll, the key then Ironforge decided would be to try and dispatch each of his attackers as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The first charge came quickly and the glittering of the sun on his opponents weapon was a cruel thing to behold, that blade looked sharp and the shaggy stallion was in no hurry to be sliced to ribbons by it - none the less it would force the other stallion to fight in a particular manner if he wanted to bring it to bare and perhaps he could use that to his advantage at some point. These thoughts flickered through the stallions mind in quick succession as the bloody stallion thundered towards him. Wait he told himself...wait as his muscles quivered in anticipation and he tensed ready to react..wait..just a touch longer his mind convinced his body.

And he did..Ironforge stood his ground as the other stallion charged until the very last second, at the time when the other stallion was fully committed to his charge and wasn't likely to have the time to turn aside or alter his plan, every indication the bloody stallion was giving seemed to be towards an intention of ramming straight into him. Ironforge wasn't planning on letting that happen..but that weapon, he'd have to watch the weapon, stay inside it's strike range.

As the bloody stallion whose name seemed to be Douglas was on the verge of ramming him Ironforge finally let loose, like a spring held back for far to long the tensed stallion leap sideways in hope that the other stallions speed would carry him past far enough that his attack would land and lowering his head he dashed it sideways with the intention and hope of ramming his horns into the other stallions side and unbalancing him.  

[Revolutionary Roniel]

Samsara watched the battle closely but didn't move. She had to keep the other two calm... and make sure the captive didn't take the chance to run. Once the scent of blood hit the air it would be difficult to keep Svanbjorn and Bushkin from joining in if she left them alone. "I don't care what it looks like is happening over there. You three had better stay put if you want your hides in one piece." She directed that at the captive as well. Everyone could use that bit of instruction.

"Understood." Svanbjorn watched the fight with just as much interest as the skinwalker. He had his own predictions for what would happen and they weren't flattering to their newest companion. He personally found Douglas not only distasteful but inefficient. He was a little too off-balanced for Svan's taste and he thought that Douglas' fighting style was similarly unrefined. He anticipated that the heroic stallion would easily knock Douglas out of the running. He was just curious to see how fast it would happen.