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 Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:22 pm
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It was wrong for a priestess to live in a tent. Even if the tent had been shored up, more of resembling a hut at this point. They should have had proper homes, not something pieced together on land they were being allowed to live on. It angered him, but it was something they were all forced to live with. At least now they had real missions to do, Fear to collect. More power to gather. His fragment seemed almost happy from where it rested against his chest, he had fed it recently, having gone on several lair tasks. It was the pleasure of harming humans that had inspired him to check up on the priestess whom he had not seen since their fragments had formed.
He knew well the route to take, exactly where Nergui resided. He had helped her to set up her temporary home, strengthening the flimsy materials, and now he traveled the path with ease. Perhaps he should have cleaned up a bit more from his task, a few tiny wounds littering his flesh, but he was mostly presentable. And who in Death would begrudge a bit of human blood on his clothing? As he neared he cleared his throat, the structure coming into view before his low voice boomed out. "Priestess?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:04 am
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The was a gentle buzzing cycling through the mind of the dark skinned priestess, but not half so bad as it had been in the past. It was easily ignorable as she set about rearranging a few of her limited possessions within the neat limits of her small hut. Granted, hut might have been too charitable a word for the reinforced structure of the once-upon-a-time tent she resided in. It was far better then it had been though. Soren had taken one look at the place and deemed it unfit for the likes of a priestess.
Speaking of the guardian, Nergui hadn't seen him in a while. Not since they'd watched the hunters in the stadium. It was assumed he'd been busy. He wasn't bond to her, but still she wondered.
As if on cue the stallions deep voice came from outside the hut. Lips twitching in half a smile, the priestess got to her feet to push the flap aside. "Soren." She blinked when she saw him, bi-colored eyes going wide at the sight of the blood on his clothing and the nicks and cuts along his skin. "Are you alright?" He didn't look hurt, but she had to ask anyways. "Come in, I'll put a kettle on and we can have some tea." Stepping aside, she held the tent flap open for him, eyeing the cuts on his face.
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Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 10:10 am
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Soren's red eyes regarded the priestess as he moved toward her, tempted to just brush off her question. He was fine, really. They were just wounds from humans, nicks and scrapes, he had certainly sustained much worse and these would heal quickly. But it was a priestess asking and he owed her an actual answer. "I'm well Priestess."
He hesitated slightly. "I don't want to trouble you," he said with a low rumble at the thought of her making tea for him. But...while he did not wish to trouble her he could not refuse her hospitality either, and the fact that she was holding open the flap of the tent was a clear invitation. He moved forward, reaching out for the flap of the tent so that she would not continually need to hold it open, and followed her into the dwelling. It was somewhat familiar, he had been here before when working on it, but still his crimson gaze swept to and fro, taking in the changes. "Can I help?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:47 am
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Dark lips pursed at his answer. It was the truth as far as it went, but Nergui didn't have to like the small injuries that marked him. "As you say," she responded simply, stepping away when he moved to hold the flap for her in turn. She ducked her head in a grateful nod. then entered the tent to put the kettle on the small, carefully contained fire in it's clever little burner. "It's no trouble." She glanced up at him, tucking a fallen strand of grey hair behind the point of one ear and adjusting her veil absently. "It's no trouble."
There was a pause in which she'd dropped her gaze, lips twitching before lifting in a tiny smile. "I'm actually glad for the company." And truth be told she'd been wondering over him for since last she'd seen him. If there was anyone among them beyond the leaders that could drop in on the dark priestess unannounced and be welcome on sight, it was Soren.
His offer to help had bi-colored eyes scanning the small dwelling around them, and one shoulder rolled in a shrug. "There isn't much to help with. I rearrange things to keep my surroundings from growing stagnant, but there's only so much that can be done." They were all living as such, there was no point in dwelling on it much. Instead she moved to grab a small rag from a basket, and dipped it into one the water jugs sitting in a corner. "Come here and sit." Delicate fingers indicated a cushion beside a low table.
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:27 am
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Once inside the tent Soren was able to straighten, watching her as she put the kettle on. There was nothing for him to really help with in terms of that, he would just get the way, so he held back, loitering at the entrance. He nodded in acknowledgement, yes, company. Those from Death had mostly seemed...secluded, and being able to have a "conversation" (as if Soren really kept up his side of the deal) with the Priestess was a nice change than constantly surrounding himself with those from War and Conquest. It was something he was beginning to accept though, even as much as he hated the idea of it. Fitting in with other clans just because there were so few of them left.
And of course there was the obvious, which was that Nergui was good company. She did not press him for answers or conversation, she understood what it meant for him to be a Guardian, which he viewed as one of the most important pieces of himself that he had left, and they genuinely seemed to enjoy seeing each other. There was nothing else to worry about.
He rumbled his agreement that there was really nothing to be done. They all lacked the luxury they should have: when he was being entirely ridiculous he would momentarily miss the copious pelts he had had adorning his room, trophies of prey that had been somewhat of a challenge. But to see a Priestess in a tent, talking about rearranging what few possessions she had, was an almost personal insult. He was still dwelling on that when she motioned him to sit and his red eyes looked to hers, blocked by the veil though they were, questioningly. But still, he moved into the dwelling and sat here indicated, moving the cushion aside first so he would not crush it. The ground would do just fine. "Priestess...?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:44 pm
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Mismatched eyes followed him as he left the entrance of her tent and moved to take a seat where she had indicated, the slightest of smiles touching along dark lips, amused by his moving the cushion side to sit upon the for instead. Anyone what and she might have commented, but she'd come to know the guardian, and his actions were usually deliberate. There was a reason he'd moved the pillow, and though it likely wouldn't make sense to her, it did for him, and that was really all that mattered.
His questioning time would be answered in action. Once settled she lowered herself to kneel before him, and every so gently she'd press the cloth against one of the cuts on his tabbed cheek. "Hardy though you may be, it wouldn't do to catch some infection." They weren't home anymore. There was no telling what rode in the air in these unfamiliar lands.
She gave him a second or two to adjust to the coolness of the rag, then set about cleaning the cuts in earnest. Tall as he was, even kneeling the stallion towered over her, and she had to lean forward to comfortably reach him, one black hand coming to rest on his thigh just above one knee. "I haven't seen you for a while," she said almost awkwardly, speaking more to fill the silence than any thing sense. Usually she wouldn't mind, but proximity made things... tricky. "I hope all is well for you."
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:22 pm
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He was unsure as to what she was doing. Moving in front of him and kneeling down, but he had no right or real reason to question her. He was surprised by her actions, not so much what she was doing as why. The cool cloth caused an involuntary grimace, slight stinging pain worming its way into his cheek. Her words made sense, there was no telling with Halloween what sort of diseases and filth could be about.
She was thorough with her job. It did not feel good, not initially, cleaning out the scrapes and cuts, but the coolness of the rag began to feel nice on his face. It was just...comfortable for him. Perhaps a bit unusual to be so close to a Priestess in her quarters, but she did not seem to make a big deal about touching him, a casual hand on his leg to support herself. He closed his eyes halfway, looking down at her with half-lidded eyes, paying careful attention to her words. "As well as expected. Keeping busy." Few words to fill the silence as she tended to his wounds.
He let his eyes slide shut. A priestess should not have worry with his wounds, should not have to tend to him. He never would have asked her for such attention. But this was nice. It felt like someone...caring for him. Actually concerned about him and his health. He said nothing to that effect, enjoying the moment, allowing himself to pretend it was true. "You? All is well?
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:44 am
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She noticed the grimace, but it was mostly expected so it didn't still her hand as she worked to clean his wounds. They weren't deep, probably wouldn't scar, but an infection wouldn't be good. Had it been another horsemen tending to the injuries they might have been more gentle, but that wasn't Nergui. She knew Soren was strong, and she didn't let that tiny show of pain keep her from being thorough.
After a moment or two the tightness in his face eased, and she smiled up at him as he looked down at her through half lidded eyes. "That is as I figured. You are very dutifully." Among the remaining members of the Lost Clans, it was a more rare trait then one might have expected.. Granted, the pool of individuals the priestess had interacted with was limited at best. Her opinion was rather biased.
"As well as can be," she answered, voice softening with their close proximity. With a last smooth stroke along his cheek the mare finished fussing over him and rose once again to her feet to dispose of the towel. She then turned her attention to the kettle, carefully lifting it from the burner and setting it on the table, two cups quickly joining it. One final stop at one of the make shift shelves along the side of her tent, then she returned to the pillow beside the Guardian. In her hands was a box of loose leaf tea, and two wire mesh balls on dainty chains for steeping.
Folding her legs beneath her again, she smoothed her palms along her thighs. "Can I tell you something?" A quick glance up let mismatched eyes meet dark red, then she let her gaze drop to the kettle as she began to pour the boiling water into the cups.
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Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 12:54 pm
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The compliment, for that was how he took it, was welcome. That his efforts to assist the clan in any way possible had not been overlooked completely, and to be acknowledge by a priestess as well, was nice. He opened his eyes as she finished with him, his red gaze tracking her movements. The guardian would have offered to help, not wanting to have a priestess waiting on him when it should have been the other way around, but she knew where the things were kept and he would doubtlessly just be in the way. It did not stop his fingers from practically itching to do some of the work though.
Now he was glad the pillow had been left empty, she deserved the comfort more than he. Soren had never stopped watching her, so their gaze caught before she turned her attention to the tea. "Always. A guardian would not speak of a priestess' affairs." Most took a vow of silence, an really, in some ways he could almost been seen as talkative compared to some of his peers that had been lost. But despite never taking the vow it was one he respected. Whether it was a trifling matter or something important he was safe to speak to without fear of the knowledge being spread.
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Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:25 pm
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Once the water was poured the mare busied herself with portioning a bit of loose leaf tea into each of the steeping balls. It was an easy task, but she took her time with it. "I trust you," she began, eyes flicking up to watch his face. "And you've shown a selfless willingness to put my safety above your own." He wasn't bond to her, but that hadn't kept him from defending her against dangers or going after her on the island when the Insanity had started to claim her.
"The Insanity that touches a small handful of our people, the Protectors included. I am among them." He'd more then likely already figured this out, but her own paranoia had let her keep on believing her illness was inconspicuous. To her, this was a rather difficult admission. She considered the infection a weakness, and beyond that, for him, she was a liability. A priestess, but a danger to herself and others if she were to be completely consumed by the urging voices that tickled within her mind.
A soft tug was enough to pull the gauzy veil from her hair, and though it was sheer in nature, she had still believed it provided some manner of concealment. Without it's cover the golden glow of her right eye was vibrant, and the dark apple of her cheek was cast with a yellow haze. "If you're going to put yourself in danger for me, it's only fair you should know what you're defending."
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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 7:40 pm
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He regarded her, meeting her eyes as she watched him. He was pleased that she trusted him, there would be no reason for her not to. She was a priestess, and priestesses needed to be protected at all costs. Her life, what she meant to the clan, was worth far more than his. And he did like her, more than a good portion of the priestesses had met. That certainly made his potentially life-risking decisions easier.
To hear her reveal about her insanity...he had known. But it was one thing to know and another to be trusted with the knowledge. He nodded, thinking over the subject anew. If anything she needed more care than others, he was not sure exactly what insanity entailed but it did not seem good.
She pulled away the veil, revealing herself to him. He had seen it move before, shifting, caught glimpses through the sheer fabric. It was unnerving really, the unnatural yellow glow, the difference it made as graced her cheeks. he reached out, daring to put his hand under her chin, making sure she was looking at him before he spoke, voice completely serious. "That changes nothing." He would protect her, insanity or no, so long as his duties allowed him and he could do so. He dropped his hand. "Thank you." The guardian really did not give her a reason. For trusting him, for telling him the truth, whatever it was Insanity was probably not the best topic for them to dwell on.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:41 pm
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She watched him, dark features carefully neutral as she waited for any manner of reaction to her admission. When he nodded a certain measure of tension eased from her shoulders, but her face still held a note of apprehension. The blight itself made her eBay by nature, and it felt to her as if she were always waiting for her kinsmen to turn away from her because of her sickness. Medea had assured them otherwise, but that didn't stop Nergui from worrying.
He surprised her when he reached for her, and she went still as his rough fingers touched her chin. Mismatched eyes met deep red, and the relief she felt when he spoke down clearly on her face, her body, as shoulders fell and dark fingers uncurled.
That warm touch fell away from her chin, and she reached out to catch his hand before it had returned to his lap, her much daintier ones squeezing gently. "It's I who should be thanking you. For this, and for everything else. " A smile slide along the darkness of her lips. "I consider you a true friend." Of which she had no other. Their were a small few she liked, but none she trusted as much as the stallion seated before her. The only one close was Bastion, but he was her only remaining family. Still she did not confide in him, he was... special.
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:54 pm
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Her slender fingers caught his hand and he did not resist, squeezing back ever so slightly. He understood the need for physical reassurances, and if she was worried about what others thought about her affliction...trying to pull away from her touch would likely be detrimental.
There were probably very few if any left that would think about Soren having that intelligent of a thought, but he was a bit slower as he did things in general, and this was thought out. He nodded at her words, accepting them, appreciating them. "If I'm a friend you know there's no reason to thank me." It was not much he was doing really. He was simply accepting her as she was.
Now he pulled his hand away, but to reach for the tea that if he had any knowledge of, it had probably steeped long enough. "This is nice," he said without really explaining, and maybe she would not understand him. But just to simply be with another of his Clan, enjoying refreshments, "talking" if his few words could be considered such...they did not often seem to have time for these sorts of things as of late. It was only after he had pulled on the chains, raising the strainers from the water and hovering over the cup that he was not entirely sure where to put them now so he just paused, waiting, feeling slightly foolish.
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 7:30 pm
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Not one had the priestess ever thought of the stallion before her as slow. Quiet certainly, but there was intelligence burning in those red eyes. Sometimes wisdom wasn't portrayed with a statement, sometimes it was just knowing when, and what, to say. A small, reassured smile tugged at the corners of dark lips as he returned the pressure on her own much smaller fingers, and she chuckled, almost sheepishly, at his words. "Of course. Right you are." He might not have seen it as big deal, accepting her as she was, but it meant something to her.
Ever since they had come to this place she'd felt some, sequestered from the majority of the clan. Now things were different. For the first time since becoming a priestess she understood why her sisters had chosen personally guardians. All the guard was skilled, but if there was one among the many they truly trusted, then of course they would want to keep them close.
Soren was not her's though, and though she would ask him, she did not feel as though now was the time to do it. The reasons were unclear, but she trusted her instincts.
As the horsemen shook up again, reaching for his tea, the mare nodes, smiling happily. "Yes it is. Perhaps we should make a habit of it." She too appreciated the simplicity of the moment. A quiet moment between clansmen and friends, no obligations weighing them down, no forced interactions with those whom they would rather not have to deal with. She watched as he pulled the steeper from his cup, and street a second or two she nudged the towel she had been using on his face across the table so he could set it there.
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:10 pm
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