|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 2:08 pm
  Beta gently nuzzled the blanket nearest to her, weak but happy. She hadn't made it back home to Dea and Serenity, but she'd made it to Michiko's land, where Haides was residing. And then she'd given birth to four healthy foals. Three boys and a beautiful little girl--who kept trying to scoot away to have an adventure. She gently nudged the girl back to her, then smiled at the little whitish-green blanket that was snuggled against her. He looked like her, except with Reth's stripes instead of her floral, lace-like pattern. Finally, her gaze went up to Cairbre Dio, the stallion who had brought her to Haides--and, true to his word, hadn't left her side. "Thank you," she said softly, turquoise eyes shining with gratitude. She was so glad he was there with her. She didn't know why, but she felt at peace with him nearby...
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 10:10 am
  In the course of a few short weeks, Cairbre's entire life had changed. Before Beta had stumbled into his life, he'd thought everything was perfect. After all, he'd had his music, his father, and the open road. With the arrogance of young stallions everywhere, he'd been certain that everything was exactly as it needed to be, that nothing could possibly have been improved. And without warning, suddenly he was leagues away from anyone he'd ever known, with only the assurance that he needed to be near this strange and wonderful mare. Now, he was doing something he thought he'd never do - being a father to foals that weren't even his. And even stranger, he wasn't upset at all about the abrupt changes his life had been going through. He smiled down at the nearest blanket, a boy with the markings of his mother, in the color Cairbre had to assume came from his biological father. It suited him. Beta's comment shook him out of his reverie. He blinked, and smiled at her. "Well, you're welcome. I did promise not to leave while you still needed me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 3:28 pm
Beta leaned lightly against the stallion, smiling sadly at the four little bundles of joy. "I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get to that point," she replied quietly. Doubts plagued the new mother. How was she going to explain Reth's absence to her children? She doubted that they'd fail to notice that almost none of their relatives--adopted family included--had no yellow in their coloring. Kagayaku was yellow, but it was a lighter shade, and it wouldn't explain any horns or wings that her offspring had. Would they be angry with her? Would they be angry with Reth? These thoughts brought about an uncomfortable feeling. She didn't want her children being inadvertently drawn into the same, obsessive revenge that Reth had been wrapped up in. She wanted better for them...
A whimper from the whitish-green blanket ripped her from her unpleasant thoughts. She smiled and nuzzled the little foal. "It's ok, Eku," she reassured him softly. "Mama's here." Then her eyes went back to the only girl of the bunch--who was trying to scuttle away again. "Iota, stay here, sweetie..." She nudged the filly back to her siblings, then rested against Cairbre again. "Regardless of the reason," she said, "I'm glad you're here." Smiling, she couldn't help adding, "I bet Haides is too."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 6:31 am
He looked at her speculatively, surrounded by the blankets. "Oh, I think you could, if you wanted to," he said with a little smile. "You're a great mother, you know. You shouldn't worry so much about what hasn't happened." He could always tell when she was thinking about Reth and his absence again; she got so contemplative and worried. In his opinion, worried about nothing - she truly was a loving mother, willing to give anything for her babies. Surely none of them would ever have reason to complain about the absence of their biological father, especially since Cairbre himself had every intention of making sure they never felt such an absence. Epsilon kicked out a foot from under his blanket, and Cairbre deftly tucked him back in. He laughed a bit at her last comment. "Are you sure about Haides? I don't think he trusts me yet. I'm very flashy!" And I'm a male around his beloved sister, he added silently. That stallion was extremely protective of Beta. Especially after the mess with her former lover.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 1:37 pm
Beta blinked and looked up at Cairbre, smiling weakly. She knew he was right; she'd just have to figure out how to deal with the problem of Reth when the time came. "I had a great mother to learn from," she replied cheerfully, giggling at Epsilon's early attempt to escape his blanket. "I think I'll be happy if I can be even half the mother she is." Oh, Serenity would be ecstatic when she found out--and hopefully not too upset about the situation. But that could wait for now; Serenity was with Dea, and that was a bit of a distance away. The pair of them would probably find out through Dea's other Bonded: Haides had told her that Jaromila had Bonded with Dea.
At Cairbre's laugh and objections to her statement, she giggled. "Of course I'm sure! He's my best friend." Nuzzling into his neck, she softly explained, "At the very least, he's appreciative. Dee knows I don't like being alone. You were there for me when no one else was. And as grumpy as he is sometimes, he's a good judge of character." She sort of wished he'd been there when she met Reth... but then she wouldn't have met Cairbre and wouldn't be surrounded by these precious children. Giggling, she teasingly added, "And I think he'd say that a flashy stallion suits me." They were very different personalities, after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:06 am
Cairbre snorted. But he didn't have much of a choice but to trust Beta's opinion about her brother. At least he knew the other stallion couldn't blame him for causing Beta pain... yet. "Flashy is what I do," he said with a dignified toss of his head. A heartbeat later, and his wings pulsed brighter, followed immediately by his legs, and he hovered a little higher. Only for a moment though; he allowed his extremities to fade to their normal luminescence quickly, dropping back down and grinning at her. "Hope you can deal with that, because I don't intend to go anywhere, overprotective family or not!" He nuzzled her, singing softly, "And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish send it to heaven, then make you want to cry the tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty that we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of the highest powers.."(( Oh, classic love songs. xD ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 2:39 pm
 Strong wing beats propelled the stallion forward as he galloped through the skies. His nostrils flared, and his golden eyes were fixed on the ground searching. When he went to fetch Reth's lover, she had gone. He hoped she was still alive for the mare was carrying the future brood of Reth's lineage. The pegasus had flown long and hard using every skill he had acquired in his training to become Reth's senses in order to find her. And along the way, he was not pleased. The scents and musks of other males had been there in his search of Beta. From what he could understand, she had been picked up by another stallion - with a strange set of prints - and taken to his land. Then from there, they traveled further toward another stallion's land. Stryker remembered that Beta spoke of relatives when he watched her while Reth was scouting for his half-sister. It is possible that she went with family? He hoped in his heart of hearts that it was...at least for her sake. Reth never took kindly for his chosen possessions to wander off.
Stryker had been flying high for quite some time allowing the wind to push him. It was then that he noticed a flashing of lights below. A peculiar thing for these colors were bright and quite noticeable. And glad indeed they were for he spotted something green below with a familiar pattern. And around here looked what appeared to be blankets...the foals. They had been born already? And Beta had given birth to quite a large brood. Stryker wasted no more time allowing his descent to the ground. As he got closer, he gave a call to announce his presence. The stallion landed a close enough distance to see, but far enough to pose as no threat. Why would he want to attack his master's children? His golden eyes studied what lay before him, and from the look of his stallion's legs, he understood why the set of prints were so awkward and unique. Stryker snorted pushing the thought of tainted magicks aside. "Beta, I come to bring you news of Reth. But when I arrived, you were gone. I have flown hard for many days to find you, and at the moment I am unsure of how to proceed." The stallion answered truthfully for he had grown fond of Beta. She was one of the only azrein to treat him with some sort of kindness in these lands, and well he didn't want to see her hurt. "I am glad the foals were born without complications. That will please Reth immensely." There was a pause as he took a breath, his chest heaving from the hard journey. "If I may rest here for a few moments, I will send word to Reth that you are here. Unless of course you'd rather not...I could claim you dead, instead." His nostrils flared wondering why he was being so independent. Had it been the mare that he produced foals with had given him courage? He often thought about his children, and Stryker wished to see them, but his duty to Reth was stronger than his need for family. He only wished Shamira would forgive him...one day. Stryker then had to shake himself back to the task at hand. "I suggest to not give in to the latter option. I think this may be your chance to end your ties with him once and for all if that is what you wish."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:36 pm
Beta giggled at Cairbre's antics, happily leaning into his side when he dropped back down from his little light show. "Of course I can," she replied confidently. Nuzzling him in return, she replied, "I'm glad." She was glad he was electing to stay. Reth had been captivating, but Cairbre... Cairbre gave her a sense of peace that Reth had lacked. It wasn't surprising to her; Reth couldn't give her peace because he wasn't at peace himself. Even the sense of security the Divine Dragon Warrior gave her was unstable at times. Cairbre probably wasn't on the same level of physical strength and protection as Reth, but he could keep her heart safe. And at this point, that's what she--and her children--needed. The mare was contently listening to Cairbre's beautiful singing when a call came from the sky. The voice was familiar... and for once, that wasn't a good sign. Sure enough, Stryker landed a minute later. Her bright features became more muted, listening quietly to the manservant's words. At the end, her first words were not to Stryker, but to the stallion that had approached from behind the outsider. "Dee, don't hurt him. He's just here to talk," she said gently. Haides showed no sign of hearing other than passing the winged stallion in favor of standing by Beta, Cairbre, and the foals. Beta smiled up at her adopted brother, nuzzled the whining Delta, and then replied to Stryker. "Do as you wish," she replied simply. "Either way, my babies are staying with me." She didn't trust Reth with raising even one of her children. They would stay with her, at least until they were old enough to fend for themselves.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:35 pm
Stryker took in a breath as a stallion suddenly came forward from behind him. His wings slightly became aloof ready for him to sprint if he needed to. He was on edge since he didn't exactly have any back up. Lucky for him, Beta spoke up. He gave a sigh realizing that she was as stubborn as he last remembered her.
"If it was up to me, I would have left you alone. But you must understand my position, Beta...I am sorry." He took in a breath then turned and flew back the way he came with steady beats. This time he was in no hurry to come back. But Stryker did indeed come back. He was flying and beside him was a familiar orange figure. Eyes full of anger and irritation. Reth was annoying. How could Beta have left him, especially carrying his foals, after he told her of his plans? After he was done dealing with Kainda, he would have come back to her, a faithful stallion intent on raising his heir and the rest of the brood. But no, that wasn't enough for her. Her needs had to be above his. So it was his fault for thinking and having a goal in mind to return honor to his family. Oh indeed shame on him so!
His red eyes glared watching Beta surrounded with some males that she had never seen before. Would he have to fight again? The stallion growled as he landed with a rough thud on the ground. He couldn't help the wince from the still healing wound on his chest and leg. The fight with Kainda had left him slightly lame and the wound would heal into a scar. It was a bitter defeat, and one that he would refuse to acknowledge. Was he to lose again? "Beta," His voice was harsh as he came forward glaring toward the two stallions and the backstabbing mare. And yet his eyes grew soft as he looked down at the four blankets about her. Were they all males? Reth figured the difference wouldn't be much...his children were beautiful...He looked back up at the mare stopping a few feet away. "Beta...I came back. I know it took me a while, but Kainda and her herd got me good. I could not move in fear of making my wounds worse. When I finally healed enough and came back you weren't there. Stryker left me to find you...I doubt you can imagine my worry and despair thinking that I had lost you and my foals.." Reth did his best to appear gentle, pleading with her with his eyes to come back. He hoped she would..Reth had no one else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:54 pm
 Iota squirmed next to her brothers, pinned between the three of them for the better part of the morning. She needed to move.. move.. squirm.. stretch, get away, get away.. but the second she got untangled from her brothers, the warm, soft... good smelling thing kept pulling her back, murmuring soft things to her, making her feel comfortable, but she needed to move! However, the flurry of some strange noise that sounded like really loud rustly things landed near by, and she stayed put, for the time being, until they left and came back, this time with a leathery sound with the, a hard landing and a smooth, almost demanding like sound. She needed to investigate. She seized her opportunity, waiting until the soft thing was distracted before she scuttled over to the leathery sounding thing who smelled musty and had a tangy smell to it. She reached him easily enough and peeked her nose out, cracking her eyes open for the first time, and saw the ginormous orange-y thing, though she had no concept of color, standing before her. She tentatively stretched her tongue out and felt the creature's leg, recoiling at the salty, fuzzy taste, not at all like the soft thing she and her brothers were used to. He had a harsh air about him, and for some unknown reason, dislike welled in her chest for this being. He was strange and he was not safe. So what was a little filly to do? She had to protect her brothers, especially the tiny one that the soft one murmured "Delta" to all the time. She had to protect him, so she turned and with her back leg, kicked out at the creature, hitting his long but sturdy and hard thing that was touching the ground she was used to scuttling over. A loud and harsh sounding squeak was accompanied by her action as she scuttled back over to the soft thing which smelled of warm milk and safety.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 10:27 pm
Beta nodded sadly as Stryker left. She knew. She knew all too well...
She had to suppress the instinctive terror that came with that initial harsh tone of Reth's, even though Delta seemed to have picked up on it and began whining again. She nuzzled the upset colt, then quickly lifted her head when Iota squeaked--after attempting some sort of attack on her biological father. The instant Lacey was back within her range, the mare gently drew the filly back to her brothers. "Stay with Mama, Iota..." She gently nudged the foal, checking her for injury. She seemed alright, albeit a bit startled. She saw Haides hooves digging into the dirt. "Dee..."
"... You are lucky Mom isn't here yet," he commented lightly. "She wouldn't have held back."
Beta sighed and put that particular matter aside for a moment. Right now she had to deal with the main dilemma. She'd hoped for a bit more time; she was still weak and exhausted from childbirth. This wasn't even close to the ideal state for arguing. "I can't imagine your worry and despair?" she repeated softly. "Can you imagine mine?" Her frame shook slightly from the surge of emotions that was flooding through her. "Pregnant, alone, forced to care for myself for days because you're off executing your vigilante revenge on your sister..." The shake in her frame transferred to her voice as a tear rolled down her face. "Not knowing if you'd even make it back..." She shook her head and composed herself, lifting her head and stubbornly staring up at Reth with her watery, turquoise eyes. There was that silent plea, and part of Beta wanted to believe he'd be there for her. But she knew he wouldn't, not when it mattered. And her children... their children... "The children and I are staying here, Reth," she said softly, a surprising wave of calm washing over her as she continued. "While your eyes are set on your revenge... you can't be the father they deserve. And we can't wait around for that to happen." The shakiness faded, her argument strengthening as she put her children before her own despair. "You broke your promises to me, Reth," she finished. "I won't let you do the same to them." They wouldn't be abandoned like she had been. They would be surrounded by loving family members, able to grow into whatever they wished to be. Beta couldn't bear for her children to go through what she had...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:55 am
Everything was happening far too quickly. One moment, it was just the two of them and the babies, having a lovely moment in the middle of the forest. Then it was as though the world had exploded. First the dark pegasus' arrival, then Haides coming out of nowhere, and finally the infamous Reth. Confrontation had never been Cairbre's forte - he was made for love, not war - but for Beta's sake, he knew he'd face down anything. Even a revenge-maddened stallion who looked like he could destroy just about anything in his path. During the dark stallion's diatribe, he had remained quiet, deciding that although the winged one sounded angry, there wasn't any danger. It was different, when Reth arrived radiating seething rage. Cairbre nuzzled Beta protectively, his eyes not leaving the angry yellow one. With one glowstick leg, he nudged Epsilon back with his siblings, the blanket having started grunting and trying to escape. "You gave up your chance with all of them," he said mildly. He didn't bother addressing the stallion, not even giving the courtesy of his name. It would be a challenge of the kind he excelled at - the verbal kind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:58 pm
Rage. That was all he felt. Rage bubbling over soon to spill into a maddening anger. He looked down at the filly that had come forward. Much like her mother, he was deceived into thinking she would curl up to him. But no, the damn child attacked. Reth winced as his hurt limb buckled a little from the surprisingly strong kick. His daughter was a warrior...that quelled his anger for a moment making his heart swell. It was only when the cow started to speak again did his eyes water with anger. She was abandoning him simply because of his duty. "So I am to be punished and damned for something that is custom to my people? My family? MY FATHER?!" Reth roared outward flaring his wings out of habit as he reared up before slamming his two front hooves splayed out in front of him in an aggressive stance. The wound had re-opened and blood was starting to stream steadily to the ground, but the stallion had other things on his mind. He snarled, red eyes glowing with an anger he had never known. As Cairbre spoke to him, Reth gave a hiss snapping his teeth. "Mind your tongue. I do not speak with you. I speak with the traitorous succubus that stole what was mine!" Reth had been making his way forward ever so angrily, ever so slowly with vicious intent. Not to harm his children, oh no. But to harm their life-giver. "I had a duty and I have finished it. It was not the way I wanted, but is finished. All I asked was that you had respect for me, and wait for me. But you couldn't even do that. You're a pitiful excuse of a mare, and I wish I could have picked someone better to bear my heirs. But they are born, and I will take what is mine. They are a part of me as much as they are a part of you." It was clear that Reth would not leave until he claimed at least one child. The stallion flared his wings and jumped aiming his horn toward anyone who dare challenge or stray in his way. A child would be his!
Stryker was at a loss between these two. Reth was his master, always would be his master, but his master had gone maddeningly wrong. The attack on Kainda had failed, and with it Reth had refused to acknowledge defeat. This bitterness crossed with Beta's disappearance had driven him over the edge. But Stryker had gone off and found a mare he cared for. And with her, they had foals, last he heard. He saw them before he had to get back to Reth, and Stryker had said he would come back and tell them of his existence. He begged Shamira to let their children know they were loved. That he loved them and would protect them. Whether Reth was attacking the adults or his children, Stryker couldn't say. But he refused any harm to come to them.
So the stallion did either the bravest or dumbest thing he ever did in his life: he defied Reth and attacked. Stryker didn't know how fast or when he got there, but Stryker slammed into the orange fury with all he had. The two then tumbled off to the side in a mass of hooves, wings, hair, fur, and much more. Stryker attempted to break free after the roll, covered in Reth's blood, but then the alicorn struck with dangerous intent catching the stallion's side. Stryker winced with holding a cry of pain as fresh blood splashed onto the ground. It took him a moment to glance over at Beta as if attempting to atone for his wrongs then he turned back toward the charging beast in front of him trying to keep him away. Maybe if Stryker could just tire him out enough...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:09 pm
Terror. Unbridled terror and dread quickly filled her frame as Reth raged and came closer with the clear intent to harm her. And yet her first instinct was to lean forward to shield her children from the oncoming wave of rage. And then Stryker... struck. Her eyes went wide at the two fought. Tears rolled down her face as she managed to speak. "Dee, please..."
Beta wasn't required to finish the request. Haides launched himself forward, shoving Reth backwards and off of Stryker. The black stallion wasn't sure if he was stronger than Reth or not, but he was definitely more durable. And as long as the enraged stallion had his sights on his precious, defenseless sister, he would assist Stryker in acting as a wall to stop him. "... Thank you," he said quietly to the black-and-teal Azrien on the ground, though his blue eyes remained locked on the mass of red and orange that was Beta's ex-lover. Then he raised his voice so that Reth could here it. "I am Haides, firstborn of Rhea and Thanatos Kronos... and eldest son of Serenity and Ve'ki." There was no rage in his voice, but it did have a certain degree of force to it, demanding to be listened to. "If you attempt to harm my sister again, you will be faced by the force of my family's customs."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:31 pm
 Reth gave a cry unable to believe that Stryker had attacked him. This would be the last time his servant would cross him. Reth was out for blood now as he attacked and thrashed at Stryker with all he had feeling his horn hit. The blood sprayed on his face which released the blood lust in him. And then it hit, the other stallion slamming into his frame. He rolled and snorted braying with an anger flapping and jumping off and away. He landed with Haides in front of him and Beta with the foals behind. He snorted giving a wide grin as the adrenaline was starting to wear off. He wouldn't be able to fight the both of them, but he would have what he wanted. "Oh, trust me. I'll never touch the harlot again. In fact...I was just leaving!" Reth gave a quick turn flapping his wings as he ran barreling toward Beta. With a quick flick of his head, he lowered his neck and snagged corners of the first blanket he saw dragging it slightly to make sure he had a good grip before taking to the air. He would not return to Beta in exchange for this precious foal as it cried out for its mother.Stryker gave a grunt watching the two fight. He was panting feeling the pain in his body. It was then that he realized what had happened. Stryker, without thinking, ran and took to the skies chasing after him. The foal didn't have to suffer what he did. The foal didn't deserve it. It didn't take long for Stryker to reach him since he wasn't as weighed down as Reth. But he had to be careful...Stryker flew from the side slamming into Reth's bad chest and leg. The stallion opened his mouth in surprise dropping the bundle. Stryker immediately folded his wings and dropped like a rock aiming toward the bundle. He reached out with all his might grabbing as much of it as he could to keep the foal safe. Then Stryker had to flap hard as the ground was fast approaching. It was then that he turned his body to the side wrapping his wings around the bundle. He hit the ground hard as the small thing gave a shrill cry. He hoped to gods it wasn't hurt as Reth flew away braying his anger and swearing his revenge. Now Stryker was feeling rough as he lay there, the blanket had fallen to his side braying and crying for its mother as if too scared to move from its rescuer's side. The stallion gave a grunt and a sigh hoping his wings weren't broken, but he felt is wound still bleed. "Ahh...Gods.." Stryker breathed hoping Beta and her family wouldn't kill him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
