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 Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 2:49 pm
 Not but a few weeks ago, it had happened.
Vanwyn had fallen, tumbling down the ledge and toward the lands outside the borders of the Flock territory. It was there that a Skinwalker by the name of Neva appeared. She attacked, and if it wasn't for her father, Taarab, the two young foals would have been whisked away, and probably never seen home again. But that didn't happen. Instead, she was found by her mother, and ushered back into the territory, back to safety. And after being reunited, the filly had realized just what had happened.
Her father was so close to death. He was injured, and even the best of healers had to be careful. They had been scared that he wouldn't make it. And though he did survive, he was still horribly harmed. Vanwyn felt it to be her fault. If she hadn't ran off... If she hadn't have tripped and fallen down the ridge.. Her father would be all right. Despite her thoughts about males, due to her raising, she felt close to her father. She felt a lot of things, honestly. But, shaking her head some, she knew she had to do something. Her father had called to talk to her soon, and though for a while she avoided it, and pretended that she hadn't heard him, she couldn't avoid it any more.
The filly moved forward slowly, carefully. She sighed some, her ears pinning. Every time she looked at her father, she felt pained. Like she had done something wrong. But, she wasn't sure what to do now. She moved forward, walking toward the Artisan Guild, knowing her father would be there. Upon walking in, a few stallions stared at her curiously, some nodding in greeting. She smiled lightly toward them, before moving quietly forward and locating the familiar pale body and blue feathers of her father. She trotted forward some, and stared up toward him with bright eyes. "Papa?" She said, her voice soft, almost scared sounding.
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 9:04 pm
 The artisan was exhausted.
While the wounds he had received had not been fatal, they had left him with a burning fever as they became infected and had required to be under the constant care of a healer as, while a few of them were unicorns, none of the ones willing to 'waste' their energy on a male when there seemed to be a small slew of skinwalker attacks that would make it more important to save their energy in case one of the guards or warrior were truly skilled in the magic to banish such 'evil spirits' from the body, either so hybrid in or untrained in anything beyond herbal remedies that their magics were weakened.
However now the fever had broken, but he was still easily exhausted by the pain and weakened by the injuries. He felt grateful that Gersemi, one of the rehabilitative healers, was willing to work with him, but currently sleep was most important for his body. But so was fresh air, a little exercise, and some sun. Hense why he had carefully, been lead to the artisan guild where he could fiddle with things in his claws to regain his dexterity. However he was worn out quicker than he liked and limped into the nearby nesting cave and to the nest he usually took when it was his turn to stay and man the kilns over the night.
It was here where Vanwyn found him, dozing lightly. He opened his eyes and smiled at the little mare, "Mmn.. 'Mistress' Vanwyn, it's a pleasure to see you this afternoon." He chuckled, suppressing a groan as he shifted though his eyes tightened slightly as he fought the urge to wince, "Were your classes good today?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:46 am
 The filly shifted carefully among the different scrap pieces and material. She tripped at one point, over a long piece of metal, and tumbled forward, letting out a soft grunt when she hit something else. The filly shook out her head, causing her mane to get messed up, before peering up. Morkin stood before her, the gentle stallion letting out a soft chuckle, before helping her up, and greeting her kindly. He pointed with his nose, telling her that Taarab was in the nesting area, and to be careful where she stepped. Feeling clumsy and only slightly embarrassed, the filly nodded, before getting back to her feet. She thanked Morkin, and trotted off toward the nesting area, her tail giving a half swish, before falling still. She was scared suddenly. What if he didn't love her any more? That was highly unlikely... but still! As a young filly, she could never be certain what adults were thinking. And it was her fault that her father had gotten hurt in the first place. Wrinkling her nose slightly, she sighed, before pulling herself forward and into the room, dragging her claws as she walked.
When her eyes fell upon her father, Vanwyn found herself filled with greif. She hadn't meant to get anyone hurt... And by the looks of it, Taarab was seriously hurt. She felt the corners of her eyes sting with tears, but blinked them back, shaking her head and scuffed her claw against the ground, forcing herself to calm down. Thankfully when she had entered, Taarab had been asleep. But she heard him let out a small noise, before speaking. She quickly fixed her gaze on her father, staring at him quietly, before taking a half step forward, and then back again, almost as if she was dancing in her spot ( though almost everyone knew that Vanwyn didn't dance ). The filly opened her mouth, before closing it once more, unsure as what to say. She frowned, chastising herself for acting such a way. This was her father and he was just greeting her! She shouldn't be head over claws in confusion! It was a simple response!
"H... Hello, daddy.." Her voice sounded small, weak. Not anything like her usual strength. Vanwyn's voice was something she highly prided herself in; and for some reason it seemed so much smaller today. She frowned at the thought, before pushing it aside. There was no point in trying to get it to come to her right now. She needed to check up on her father! That was what was important. Letting her eyes flicker to stare at the white stallion, she frowned, before letting a small panic run through her. "No! Daddy! You shouldn't move!" Vanwyn exclaimed, rushing forward to push her velvety nose against his shoulder, almost as if trying to push him to lay back down, but there was no force behind it. She didn't want to hurt him. After all, she had already done that once in her lifetime.
His question caught her ears, causing them to perk. Vanwyn glanced up, staring at him from behind thick eyelashes before looking back down at her claws. "It... Um..." She honestly wasn't sure how to answer. She hadn't gone to her classes today ( and she was sure when her mother and teacher found her she would be in big trouble for skipping out, but she wasn't feeling right ). She thought about lying, but she couldn't bring herself to lie to her father. Vanwyn wasn't much of a liar anyways; she was always caught, or felt bad and informed the person the truth soon after. Flicking her ears back, she looked down at her claws once more. "I didn't go today..." She murmured as quietly as possible. Hopefully he wouldn't be too cross with her. After all, she had skipped so that she could sneak here to see him, and ensure that he was feeling okay, and that he was doing everything to return to the healthy daddy that she loved.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:30 am
 Taarab laughed softly when Vanwyn rushed over to try to make him settle back into the nest he was dozing it, "it's ok Vanwyn -- moving helps me regain strength, though I was just moving to a more comfortable position."
He crossed his arms in front of him almost delicately, flexing his fingers. He remained silent for a while, thinking about what his daughter said. He knew why she didn't go to her classes, but it didn't change the fact that doing so too often wouldn't be good for her standing in the rank, especially if its over a male such as himself. But to a child, even the smallest injury seemed a disaster, a small scrape on a loved one a grievous and open wound. He knew he must seem so weak and deathly ill to her young mind, unused to seeing harm beyond a bump or bruise that could be healed with a few kind words.
Sighing, he shook his head, and smiled at her, his voice comforting, "Vanwyn..." His voice tightened slightly, becoming a bit sterner, but retaining the kind sound, "You can't avoid your classes because of me; Those classes will help you become stronger, and right now I need you girls to be strong for me."
He lowered his head to groom her mane, then took one of his clawed hands and, with a delicate precision, pulled her against his chest and trapped under one of his large feet, and lipped ticklishly at his daughters ear, trying to make her laugh, "I'm going to be fine, Vanwyn. "
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 4:35 pm
The filly shifted quietly in front of her father, her weight going from one foot to the other. She flicked her ears back slightly, scuffing her claws against the ground, eyes lingering on the ground, before up at her father, and back down. She tried to keep her mind calm, but it was screaming so many different things over and over. She heard her name, and nibbled at her lower lip a bit. Breathing out a sigh she lifted her eyes once more to her father. She almost flinched when he started to talk again, nervous that she was in trouble, but by his tone, she relaxed a bit. And, by how he had started to speak, she let a soft smile move onto her features. Yes, he was right. If she went to classes, she would be able become strong, and learn much. And with that she could become a strong Harpy... right?
Lifting her eyes, she watched her father quietly groom her mane. Yes, it had become unruly due to her tumbling. She shifted slightly, tilting her head with a slight giggle, before she was pulled forward. The motion made her laugh agian, before she shifted and rolled a bit, head tilting a bit. "Daddyyyy~" She whined some, before smiling up at him, and shook her head to get him off her ear. She glanced up at him some, frowning at his last statement. Would he be? She tried to calm herself down, but once more she was growing scared, and uncertain. She ducked her head down and against Taarab's chest, eyes lowered once more so that she could think. She shook her head, before feeling a whimper escape her body.
"Daddy... I..." She murmured, her voice soft and uncertain. She shifted against him, ensuring that her face was well hidden, and her body was pressed against him. "I... I'm.. sorry..." She whispered, tears springing to her eyes without her real knowledge. She didn't know what was going on, but her heart was beating faster, and she couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. It was all her fault, her father being in this state. And she hated it more than anything. She didn't want him to be in pain, and didn't want him to be scared, or hurt. She blamed herself, and though she hadn't admitted it yet, it was practically obvious.
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 2:55 pm
"Vanwyn." Taarab's voice took a more firm tone as he took a free claw and tipped her chin up and toward him, meeting her eyes with his own strong warmth, "You have nothing to be sorry about."
He shifted again, his eyes tightening slightly at the pain, and put a hand on his chest, "Did you kick me here, breaking my ribs with your hard hooves? Did you slash my shoudlers with your clawed wings?" The artisan lowered his head, lifting her head once more with his claw as he touched his nose with hers, "No. You didn't, and you shouldn't listen to the one who did." He lifted his head, giving her a jaunty and mischievous smile, 'Besides. who are you going to believe? Some musty old bat with its evil twisted spirit magics, or me? I may be a male but I learned a thing or two about evil spirits from your Priestess Laveda and Oracle Aylin."
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 3:09 pm
Vanwyn tried hard not to look up at her father; tried not to catch his eyes. she didn't want to be in trouble, or be blamed. What if Taarab didn't want to see her any more. What if he just wanted her to leave him alone for the rest of their lives? Vanwyn wasn't sure she could handle that.. This was her dad, and she needed him to the point that she was terrified of losing him. It was one reason she had freaked when the Walker got him; when she saw what the Walker did. She breathed out a small sigh, before finally lifting her gaze toward her father, and watched him with misty eyes.
Several times as he spoke she tried to protest, tried to say that it wasn't true. She wanted to tell him that it was her fault, but she wasn't able to, since he continued to speak. It wasn't until Taarab stopped speaking did Vanwyn murmur, mostly to herself, but also to him. She lowered her gaze and spoke in a quiet, timid tone. "No... I didn't, Daddy... B-But..." Shakes her head slowly and breaths out a sigh, Vanwyn laid down and presses her head against his chest, eyes closing tightly. She wanted none of it to have ever happened before. "It's my fault... that you got hurt. I shouldn't have..." Despite her having not run off, Vanwyn felt as though she did. She felt as if she had done what her mother and father told her not to, and went past the border on purpose. Confused, and scared, Vanwyn shook her head and kept her eyes closed, resting it on his chest.
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 3:51 pm
"No buts, little mistress" Taarab held her close, draping his head over her, "Skinwalkers are wicked monsterous creatures. Who knows what sort of foul magic she could have used on the area without us kmowing" As a male in the flock, until now the stallion with the sky colored mane's only experiences with skinwalkers had been flock mythology and folklore. To him, and many members of the flock, the evil shapeshifters were evil spirits with great powers of manipulation. They were often the cause of disasters, from earthquakes and plagues by calling upon evil spirits as avatars of hate, death, and deception. And while some were little more than bloodthirsty animals when cornered, many were manipulative and keen minded.
"She had lingered there too long, and made the area a snare. You cannot blame yourself for Skinwalker magic little mistress." he cuddled close, giving a heaving sigh, "I'm just glad you and your sisters are safe, and that she hadn't had the time to spirit you away to the underworld."
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Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:15 am
Vanwyn blinked up toward her father, the small tears at her eyes slipping down her pale cheeks. She shook her head slightly, wanting to pull away, and at the same time to lean into him. She wasn't sure what it was, but she was distressed, and the guilt in her heart made her shiver and feel heavy. She didn't want to dance or sing, and just wanted to do nothing but sleep and watch her sisters enjoy their lives. Frowning some, she pressed close to him, her head ducking lightly into his chest, enjoying the warmth and feel of her father. Flicking her feathered tail some, the filly glanced up slowly from behind her ruffled bangs.
"But..." She tried to think, but her voice seemed to catch in her throat. Sighing softly, she glanced down, before looking back up toward her father again, into his pale gold eyes. "I should have stayed close though, Daddy... I... I'm sorry I ran off..." In her guilt, she had forgotten that she had merely slipped, and not actually ran out of the boarders. She had her brain hazed by what had actually happened that night.
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 12:58 pm
"Vanwyn."
Taarab touched his claws delicately to her lips, silencing her as he looked her right in the eyes, his nose touching hers as he silently commanded her to look at him. His voice had been firm and authoritative, the same voice he often used when organizing artists for a major project, "Young mistress are you even listening to a word I am saying? I said 'no buts'. Now I want you to actually listen to me. I may only be male, but if you're going to skip your classes for me you should at least listen to what I have to say as I am your father."
He held her gaze, taking a slow breath, "As I said, the area was a Skinwalkers snare -- you were within the boundaries of the flock when you fell down the slope into the riverbed. It tried to steal you away and forced you out of the territory with its evil magics. They're wicked and manipulative, and thrive on pushing at the boundaries" The sky-blue maned stallion shifted himself so he sat with a bit more of a regal, authoritative air. The act smarted as it tugged at swollen tendons and bruised bone and muscle, but for his daughter sake he didn't allow it to show where she could see it, his back toes clenching instead. His daughter "And I will not have you remain under its thrall, letting its spirits settle and bring you doubt. You are stronger than this, I've seen it in you Vanwyn. You need to shake off this shadow from your spirit and move onwards."
He let his words sit and settle for the girl as he continued holding her gaze before continuing, "Now..." He quickly flopped her on her side with his paws then buried his face against her stomach, pressing his lips against the thin fur of her stomach and blowing, loudly and ticklishly zurbiting her belly with a nuzzling of his nose, blowing several loud raspberries that way, "Give me a smile! A real one: I need it to get better more than I need apologies for something you didn't have any control over."
He gave a warm, soft chuckle, ruffling her mane with the soft pads of his toes, careful not to scratch her with his talons. She seemed so frail in some ways, having been wracked with sadness and guilt that honestly did not belong there. She was a good girl and did everything right. She was unharmed, and refused to follow the walker when it tried to enchant her into following it away, deeper into the woods. All he needed now to know she was going to recover mentally for the sake of his own guilt for not getting there sooner, "None, and I do mean NONE, of the blame rests on your shoulders little mistress. And dwelling on it isn't good for either of us. I can't focus on healing if I know you're busy blaming yourself and suffering so. Knowing your safe and happy gives me the will to get stronger. And I need some kisses for good luck as well" he tapped his cheek, smiling and waiting for her to respond.
However, he already knew that he did not want this to happen again -- he needed to be strong for her, but also for the flock. He had done so much and gathered many, giving them a home in the artisan guilds: an act he didn't do alone but they had gathered under him, came to him for advice. He was going to need to get stronger, learn how to defend himself and his land if he was going to continue to be useful. His artisans couldn't always protect themselves, children couldn't protect themselves. And dancing does not a warrior make.
He knew then he was going to need to learn to fight... However the sharp pain he got as he steeled himself made him realize it wasn't going to be easy or comfortable to do so.
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Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:52 pm
Vanwyn nearly jumped when her father addressed her in that tone. It was very, very rare that Vanwyn was in trouble. She was an angel, on a daily basis. She looked out for her sisters, and adored on them every chance she could. She never skipped her lessons ( until today ) and she always excelled at them. She was the perfect little student and child. She tilted her head for a moment, before shifting slowly, her head ducking down. She took a semi nervous step back, worried that she was really in trouble with her father. She was a daddies girl, after all. The press of the claw to her lips made her lift her eyes, looking toward the white stallion with nervous green-blue eyes.
She listened to him intently, hanging on every small word that he spoke. Her eyes flickered down, watching her claws with uncertain eyes. She knew she shouldn't blame herself for this; she shouldn't. Stories of 'Walkers were told for years. Nothing could stop one from doing as they pleased. She glanced back up toward the stallion, staring toward him some, before nodding her head slowly. "Yes, daddy..." Her words weren't really full of "umph" and confidence. She flicked her tail, but within seconds, was on her side.
The filly let out a squeal, squirming and giggling as her father blew at her stomach. She laughed and grinned toward him, kicking her feat, before nudging him lightly with her claws, pushing at him lightly. "Stop i~it! Daddy! That tickles!" She said, laughing, before rolling some to where she was laying down on her stomach. She peered up at him, nodding her head, this time a little bit better than before. Her tail flicked once more, and she stood slowly, before trotting close to him, and pressed her nose to his cheek. She blinked up at him, staring for a few moments, before nudging his jaw lightly with her nose, claws rapping lightly against the earth.
"Daddy, will you rest more? Please?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:52 am
"Of course, feathernip." Taarab lipped at her mane feathers, adjusting them neatly for the rest of her day, thankful that the artisan guild was only a thirty minute jog from the nursery area -- she could make it back to her classes and only miss part of the day, "Though I'll rest better knowing you're being a good girl at your classes.. Can you promise me that?
He fussed over her lightly, and took one of the apples, dried meat, and honeyed cakes of pressed oats wrapped in leaves set aside for him and wrapped it in a bit of cloth for her to carry, "here -- just in case you don't get back in time for a proper lunch with the rest of the kids. If you're there in time you can have it as a snack later on or share with some of your friends during playtime.."
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:59 pm
Vanwyn blinked at her father, her head tilting up. She tilted her head to the side, before smiling lightly and allowed the stallion to fix her mane of feathers and hair. She probably looked like a true mess. Shifting some, the mare let out a happy little chirp. This was a good thing. Her daddy would rest, and be healthy again. And Vanwyn wouldn't have to worry about him. After the talk, she realized it wasn't her fault; that evil Soquili existed outside the Flock, aiming to harm all those around them. Nothing she could do could stop the evil creatures from doing what they were programed to do. She couldn't change them, even if she wanted to...
Shaking her head some, Vanwyn smiled toward her father. She leaned up some, kissing his cheek, before nudging the food back toward him. "Nu uh! You need this to be nice and strong! So you eat it!" She grinned at him, before turning and running off, her tail blowing at the slight speed at which she ran. She looked over her shoulder, smiling at her dad. As she ran,s he tripped over her claws, tumbling for a moment, before shaking her head quickly. "I'm okay!" She announced to no one in particular, before getting back up, and running back toward her class, knowing she was going to be in trouble for being later and missing some of her classes.
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