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 Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 7:00 pm
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Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 7:09 pm
 When you swim through the oasis and towards the outskirts, it tapers off into a sparse seabed, with nothing but rocks, the occasional seaweed, and rippled sand. And due to that sparseness, not many soquili ventured that way. But if you swim far enough, just beyond the ripples of current and sand and down into large crevasse, you’ll happen upon a cave. But this isn’t just any ordinary cave. Across the harsh stone walls inside you’ll see multiple pictures etched precariously, some rushed, some pristine. And further in you’ll reach a large meeting area with more paths to follow if you were to venture forth deeper. Glow worms caught in special cages rest along the multiple shelves and above you, and if you look up you’ll see a spec of sun shining down through the water, creating a centralized light down over a rocky stage. The more you look the more you’ll notice the skulls and bones of various sea creatures littering the sandy floor and decorating the walls. “Do you know what we do to trespassers in our cave?” Ripples of nervousness and fear run across your neck and down your back. When you turn you realize you’ve become surrounded by a group of soquili and familiars. Each painted in darkly colored patterns along their faces and bodies. Bones used as jewelry. Some look at you in contempt. Others looks curious. And some give you a look of pure sadistic joy. “Our master does like to make new decorations, but today is a special day. A holiday if you wish to call it one. Our great god of the deep calls for new blood,” one of the soquili swims forward with a sharp jagged dagger, “You have two options. Either join our ranks and swear yourself for eternity to our god. Or refuse and have your flesh become our sacrifice to Him, to have your bones become an alter to his greatness.” What do you do? Do you swear fealty to this cult of madness? Do you try to run? Or do you accept that your life is forfeit and allow this group to use your body for their own sick and twisted pleasure? [color=crimson][b][u]For the cult![/u][/b][/color]
[b]Username:[/b]
[b]Preferences:[/b]
[b]Prompt Response:[/b]
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Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 7:13 pm
You can only win one freebie Soquili and one freebie Familiar during the event.
You may co-own a Soquili prize, but the prize will count as both your and your co-owner's Soquili freebie for the event.
You may gift a specific person your prize, but the prize will count as both your and the other person's Soquili or Familiar freebie for the event.
Be sure to fill out the form in it's entirety, including the preference list. Please do not put "any" or "whatever is left" as your preferences. You may leave off prizes you're not interested in entirely, but you must include a list, even if it's for only one prize!
You can only win one prize from this game.
As this is a judged contest, staff cannot enter.
No proxies allowed. Sorry!
All entered work must be your own.
You may edit your post until the time of closing.
Late entries will not be accepted. No exceptions!
Please do not delete your posts. Deleting posts will result in disqualification and may incur further punishment.
All other usual Soquili rules apply.
Feel free to PM me if there are any questions!
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:04 am
For the cult!
Username: Moxxiie
Preferences: Seathi, Kin-Kikokuryu, Dark Sunset,
Prompt Response:
It shouldn't have been a surprise that this wasn't just an ordinary cave. The paintings had given her an eerie feeling as well as the bones littered about the cave floor. The voices of the stranger had startled her though and she trembled with fear at their words.
It seemed she had one of two options, but could she maybe try to outsmart them and bide her time til she could escape. "How am I to know you won't just kill me anyway if I go with you?" Her eyes darted from one sneering face to the next. They all had a look of bloodlust in their eyes. She didn't trust that they wouldn't just try to kill her anyway. She felt her best option was to just go with them and maybe she could get away.
"You don't." was all the sinister voice offered in return. Snickers came from the dark corners of the cave, mocking her fear. She squinted to try and make out the forms from which came the jeers. There were far too many to try and out swim. It seemed her only choice was to accept her fate. "Ok...." she whispered, "I'll go with you."
A sly grin spread across the other's face. "Splendid." At that, the soquili surrounding her pressed in around her and forced her forward. There was a blindfold forcefully placed over her eyes and she was shoved forward. She felt her tail brush across something ragged and a piercing pain. She gasped, but didn't utter a sound. She would not give them that satisfaction. Around her she felt bodies pushing against her, guiding her forward deeper into the cave. The smells in the cave changed the further they went. Her nose burned with an acidic musty smell. The cult had ventured further into the cave and through a tunnel that led to an underwater beach. There was a pocket of air inside the cave that didn't fill with water. Here there was an entire small ecosystem of both plant and animal life. Here the small group of soquili resided and worshipped their god. The only light here was from glowworms housed in cages hung or placed in various locations.
After what felt like hours, they stopped moving forward and she felt the water level lowering. They must be surfacing! She felt someone roughly pull the blindfold off and she blinked her eyes to adjust to the new surroundings. Her body was still in the water but her tail brushed the sandy floor and her front legs could hold her head up out of the water.
"Welcome home," the voice spoke again.
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:01 pm
For the cult!
Username: Artymus
Preferences: Seathi, Dark Sunset, Kin Kikokuryu
Prompt Response:
A sneer painted her own face. She didn't like being trapped, or given ultimatums. With limited options, she decided the best course of action would be to try and flee. A growl escaped her throat, followed by a rumbling half-scream, half-growl of "NO!". Quickly, she threw herself down to the sandy floor, and using her tail, threw sand up and around herself to create a screen, and hopefully blind the strangers. With little time to lose, she hoped her distraction would be enough to hide herself, and allow her to escape back through the mouth of the cave. If she could swim back to the top of the crevasse, and through the oasis, she would be safe.
Adrenaline pumped through her system, and she tried not to lose herself to the panic of her flight, determined to be clear-headed so she wouldn't make a mistake, wouldn't let them catch her. She could see the mouth of the cave, just ahead. If I could just make it out, she thought. Feet began to feel like miles, until she finally began to close on her exit, and her heart leaped! She would be okay! She hadn't even heard her pursuers. Maybe they hadn't given chase, too shocked that she had refused and outsmarted them.
Just as she reached her exit, something gripped her firmly around her tail. "I don't think so", the voice said, full of simmering rage and hate. Her fear swallowed up any other emotion she'd had. "Now you have no choice"
Her scream echoed eerily in the cave, but that far down into the crevasse, no one would hear it.
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:45 pm
For the cult!
Username: dawns_aura
Preferences: kin kikokuryu koi, raspberry seathi, dark sunset
Prompt Response:
With all that had been going on lately, the spreading darkness and the fear, the little female knew someone had to go find out what was going on. And while others had gone to seek answers, none had returned. She felt the fear, but she was also curious. Something terrible was going on, but what? She wanted to know. And wanted to let others know as well.
So gathering what courage she had, she made her way out beyond the outskirts, past where the ripples from the currents eddied to the beginning of the crevasse that led into the abyss from which the darkness originated. If one hadn't been on alert or at least looking around curiously, they wouldn't necessarily found the cave.
But she was curious, had been looking for something, anything that might have led her to the answers she sought. And this seemed as good a place to start as any. A small voice deep inside whispered to her that this probably wasn't the smartest idea. How many had gone missing or died so far. Did she want to join those ranks? Was she truly so eager to die?
The mare tossed her head and snorted at herself. This was bigger, more important than her. Tamping down any trepidation she might have felt, she swam onward. She was doing this to know. To find out answers and bring them to those who had already lost someone to the darkness.
At first it seemed a normal cave, albeit one belonging to a predator, based on the bones that lay scattered about. But it was when she noticed the carvings on the walls that a thrill of fear ran down her spine. What the carvings showed was nothing more or less than the stuff of nightmares. She began to feel she was in far over her head.
Suddenly the cave seemed to go completely dark. She could see nothing, but she could hear and feel the arrival of scores of other beings. That they used the darkness, she knew they were not friendly. Was this how the others died? Was this how she was to end?
Suddenly the light returned and she got her first look at them. Sinster, unhinged, twisted versions of others like her. Was this the truth she had been seeking? She hoped it wasn't for it boded badly for kind as a whole. She didn't want to know the truth, if it meant they were doomed to this kind of cursed existence. But she did need to know.
So when he swam forward, the eerie light from the glow-worms glinting off filed teeth and jagged dagger made from some kind of bone, she knew what her answer to whatever was asked would be. She would accept whatever bargain given for her life. Even if it twisted her until she didn't even recognise herself. It would at least give her the answers she sought, and she would still be alive enough to let others know.
'This is no real choice, and I'm sure your 'god' knows this, even if you don't.' She tossed her head as she said the words that would damn her for eternity.
'I'll join you.'
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 3:59 pm
For the cult!
Username: Rein_Carnation
Preferences: Kin Kikokuryu, Raspberry, Dark Sunset
Prompt Response:
Errie. That was the word settling within as she swam toward that dreaded place, her thoughts echoing worriment ages before she entered. Still, it was a dare by the others, a test of-of bravery to return from the unknown and live to tell about such an occurrence. Now with shivers racing down her spine, she regretted her decision for being so bold staring into the soulless eyes that surrounded her. Swallowing heavily she pondered the answer perhaps leading to victory or the path of certain death.
"I've heard stories" she murmured transfixed more upon the paintings that illuminated the depths. They were indeed captivating, almost life-like as scenes were laid out of others that had once before visited here. Those that entered the deep never returned but, the question remained if survival was still the key to the answer she'd respond with. "This is why I am here" she responded once more leaving her answer to fate itself. Closing her eyes she swished her tail in a rocking motion knowing full well her fate that would play a part in the sadistic nature of those that dwelled in the depths.
"I.." she paused hearing her friends within, jovial with conceited satisfaction, "I've come to join your ranks". It was certain in her favor to not exploit a plan of escape because more soulless eyes gathered cutting off her escape each, in turn, holding onto something deadlier than the last.
"You are brave" she heard a voice speak feeling dread settle internally knowing she'd become forgotten rather than a hero. Another voice spoke her senses settling on their voice, "She'll have to pass the ritual initiation first". An even younger sounding voice trailed after the last one, "Yes the ritual".
"Ritual initiation?" she responded fearing the answer she may receive. Remembering the dare she recollected on nothing about a ritual. "I don't understand I said I would join you". Now fear set in making this place more of a tomb than a possible new outlook.
"Oh yes," the second chimed in, "It's not easy to join us after all like the adventurous think sending us sacrifices".
The decision was made in their eyes closing off the escape she could have taken by merely not entering this place. It wasn't a dare more-so it was a death sentence.
"But, you may live through it" the curious smaller one responded, "Doubtful but you may survive".
The first moved forward the pointed spear in her side digging deeper, "You've made your decision long ago". Now the shadowy figure placed a crude necklace composed of bones and other strange oddities over her head, "Its time you meet our Leader to see if you are worthy of becoming one of us".
It was deviously simple when she thought about it knowing full well the bones lying around her in each passing moment were once her people that had been sent as sacrifices ages before. Still, there could be a shed of hope lingering in doubt even in the darkest hour.
Taking a deep breath she swallowed heavily, "I am ready" as she swam with them into the darkness.
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:03 pm
For the cult!
Username: AstoriaFallen
Preferences: Kin Kikokuryu, Dark Sunset, pass
Prompt Response:
He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about this place. It gave him some wrong vibes, which wasn't something that happened often with him.
As the voices cut through the darkness and faces became clear he paused in his movements. What was he to do? There was no way he could out swim them at this distance and he peered at the small crowd searching his brain for some sort of clever answer.
He had nothing.
I could 'go along' with them for now and pretend to be interested while thinking of a clever way to escape. He was still new to the whole "Lets sacrifice someone every 10 years" bit so he was still trying to wrap his mind around it.
As he waited there, fighting his thoughts he finally took in a breath and let it out. "I'd like to hear more and then make a decision from there if that is acceptable." That was his answer and he hoped it was good enough to at least learn more about what he was either about to accept or decline.
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:19 am
For the cult!
Username: elfstar89
Preferences: Raspberry, cannot win familiar
Prompt Response:
Aliki Shani froze, fins rippling quickly as her sun-bright eyes blinked, trying to take things in. Oookaaayyy. These were a bunch of crazy people. The kind of crazy Soqs who wore your scales as a cloak, your bones as a necklace, and your flesh safe in their bellies. Well, they were already wearing bones as jewelry. And while opinions clearly varied, there were visibly those who clearly relished the prospect of some good old-fashioned mutilation and homicide.
"I see," Aliki said slowly, riffling through the possible options in her mind.
Death wasn't appealing; Aliki had too many plans of getting away from the weird cults of this part of the ocean to die here and now.
Join the cult? Hmmm...nope. Somehow, even if she had felt like joining, she got the distinct impression that the sadists would still quite happily look for excuses to treat her body like a toy.
Which was only a small, fractional flap of the fins away from being a sacrifice. No way.
Escape? Highly improbable. Definitely the preferred choice. If it was possible. If not...well, then there was likely only going to be one outcome. Better not lose.
"Does your god like games?" Aliki asked brightly, picking the girliest, most air-headed tones she could. "I've been looking for the right god to worship, if he's good at games. I know, I know, totes prolly not gonna happen, but I figure cultists would represent their god great. How about, if you guys win, I join your cult? And if I win, I look for a better god?"
Prolly not a good idea to piss them off, but at least she'd buy herself enough time to figure out a better escape route.
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 1:15 am
For the cult!
Username: ABVirus
Preferences: Raspberry, Kin Kikokuryu, Dark Sunset
Prompt Response: Shanty had gone adventuring, despite her everyone's warnings. Her father had told her to stay away from anything that looked suspicious. Her mother had told her to stay within the village limits. Her older sister told her that she ought to focus her mind on other things, such as stallions or beauty, whereas her brother just stuck his tongue out at her and told her to not cause trouble for the family.
Yet, despite all their well-meaning advice, Shanty couldn't let herself be persuaded. She wished ever so desperately to find some adventure in her life, instead of being forced to stay within the village boundaries. The sacrifices that occurred once every ten years were interesting enough she supposed, but she had never had any face to face interaction with them. When her parents had found out about her macabre interest in the sacrifices, they purposefully kept her away from any of the chosen one's loved ones. They said she would offend, but she only meant to be curious. Tsk.
You can imagine her delight when she found the cave with its mysterious paintings, the glow worms in their peculiar cages and the cave-dwellers, with their crazed looks and eerie smiles. This was exactly what Shanty had wanted to find and she had gotten exactly what she'd wished for. Maybe wishing on starfish really did work.
"A god?" Shanty repeated eagerly. "I'd love to be apart of that. My parents never let me do anything exciting and I'd love to learn more about this holiday you lot have. Does it have a name? Do you have a name?" She chattered. Shanty did feel uneasy, scared even, but she brushed it off as best she could. This was the adventure she had been waiting for and she wasn't about to let it slip away from her!
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 4:41 am
For the cult!
Username: muffled_undertone
Preferences: Kin Kikokuryu, Dark Sunset, pass
Prompt Response:
"What?!" The Seathi exclaimed. What kind of twisted holiday is that?!" An evil sneer slowly grew across the cult members' faces. "Our holiday. Now make up your mind or you're lunchmeat," said the voice. The Soquilis and the familiars began to chuckle as their eyes turned red. Taking a cautious step backward, the Seathi stared back at them, mouth agape in horror.
Thinking the only way to potentially survive this encounter was to, at least, seemingly agree, the Seathi responded, "f-fine." I can buy some time now and make my escape when they least suspect it, she thought. Then the voice boomed, "Take her," and the Seathi could only remember blackness.
Some time seemed to pass when the Seathi awoke. Her head throbbing, she asked in a confused tone, "you knocked me out?!" There was no response. The Seathi was seemingly alone in a room full of treasure. She then noticed her right hoof was bleeding. "What the-- oh no. A blood pact?! I wasn't even conscious!!"
Then the all-familiar voice boomed, "Yes, you agreed to join us. What you see before you is yours. As my humble servant, you will be bestowed the finest riches in the world...for a price. Now go look for new blood." Before the Seathi could gather her thoughts to respond, her mind went blank and her vision began to turn red... She had truly become one of them.
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:24 am
For the cult!
Username: Rinial Sisterdragon
Preferences: Seathi, dark sunset, kin
Prompt Response:
Tetra blinked momentarily at the less than polite question. Glowing golden eyes nearly scowled at the literal impertinence of this questionable creature. Join them or be sacrifice? Oh how trite.
"You would speak so to the one who has come to lead you in the way of the divine?" Her voice dripped with venom. She smiled, amber golden eyes glowing as though they were lit with the flames of nature itself, "I shall forgive your insolence this once." Her expression gentled, "but cross me again, and your lives will be forfeit in the eyes of our god." Her mother always said, no matter the situation, confidence and brains will get you farther than brawn and stamina any day.
The creatures around her looked confused. An elder snorted, "Sent by our lord?"
"You would question my resolve? My worth? My place?" She growled, "You would question my purpose and my word?" If she was going to join a cult, she was going to be running it, not hoping to get scraps. Not from cave dwellers, "You doubt the god that gave you respite?" Her growl became calm, "So be it. If you do not wish for me to stay, because you do not believe me I shall leave, and tell our lord that you do not wish for enlightenment, you crave to wallow in the filth, and refuse to have communion with him."
Shock...That was a good description of the looks that shifted over a wave of faces, and the one with the jagged dagger blinked, confusion dancing in eyes that had been long hollowed by depravity. "You are...interesting."
"Hmmph, are you going to continue to hold my body ransom? Or are you going to lead me to my new domicile, as the mouth piece of our god?" the pure conviction in her tone was....unnerving, but if this is where she was going to be, she may as well throw herself into the role.
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Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 2:13 am
For the cult!
Username: Dea and #Teddy#
Preferences: Raspberry, Dark Sunset, Kin Kikokuryu
Prompt Response: Ailith had been looking around the cave she had stumbled upon, the place sending a shiver up her spine. What kind of creatures could possibly call this place home? The sight of skulls and bones that littered the place, her heart went out to whatever sea creatures they belonged to. Her golden eyes took in the glow worms trapped in cages, made to give light to the otherwise dark cave. She hoped they were asked, but she had a feeling that their captors did not care at all. Maybe she could sneak one of the cages out and free the poor dears, she hated seeing them prisoners, they looked miserable. Yes, she knew at this depths that light was needed, but there was such a thing as asking or getting glowing shells.
The pink and black mare was just getting close to the nearest cage of worms, when a voice spoke up. A small tremble ran through her body, though she made sure it was not noticed, having a pretty good feeling what happened to trespassers. If the littered floor was any indication, death was probably in store, but she really didn't want to be part of their bone collection. Turning around, she noticed a collection of Soquili and familiars staring at her. If the cave wasn't bad enough, she saw some bones decorating the group, who were painted very darkly. She caught the mixture of reactions coming from all of them, the sadistic looks the worst, in her opinion. Of course, she made sure she put on a brave face for the 'audience,' having no intention of showing any fear. She kept her glowing orbs steady, waiting for them to speak or to kill her.
As they did, she listened as they spoke about their master and how they liked new decorations. She couldn't say she enjoyed this place's decor, but whatever floated their boat. Ailith got into a defensive position, noticing the gleam of a dagger coming closer. She gulped lightly, so she was about to become some offering to a deity, that was just great. Her mind thought about if she could fight all of them, she wasn't going down without a fight. If they thought they were just going to kill her, then they had another thing coming. She would take down as many of them as she could, she wasn't some helpless Seathi mare. Then she heard them say she had two choices, join them or die. Neither of those choices sounded appealing to her, these people were crazy. They were killing living creatures for the fun of it or because of this 'God' of their's. However, she also didn't want to die, so what was she going to do? The thought of fighting her way out came back to her, least she would die bravely.
Just as she lowered her head to headbutt the closest Soquili, when a sudden idea came into her head. Why attack them now, when she wouldn't be able to get all of them and live through it. No, there was a better way to make them pay for killing other beings, one that they wouldn't see coming. Yes, she was going to get revenge for the glow worms and all the lives that these monsters had ended prematurely.
"I will join your ranks, serve your great god of the deep who must have led me here. You seem to all be very strong, it will be an honor to work beside all of you in this equal goal. Thank you for the offer, I hope to prove I am worthy of your offer to spare my life,"she said as politely as she could. In her mind though, she swore she would make their lives a living nightmare. She would pick them off one by one, until there was not a single one of them left to kill or capture anymore innocent lives. Then she would free the glow worms from their cages, allowing them to return to the world under the water they knew. If any of them wanted to go with her, she would allow it, but she wanted it to be their choice. Then she would give the bones a proper burial, that way they would get the respect they deserved. Once she felt all was the way it should be, she would go around the world, righting any wrong she saw, under the water and if she could find a way to do so on land. Maybe one day she could join a herd, one who would be a family to her and would help in her mission to keep others safe. For now, she would play her part in the cult, making sure they let their guard down around her. It would take a bit of time, but it would be so worth it.
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Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:20 am
For the cult!
Username: Mewsings of An Angel
Preferences: Raspberry, Kin Kikokuryu, Dark Sunset
Prompt Response:
Instant terror. And no escape.
It was a bitter sensation that she almost couldn't stomach. The rancid smell of rotted flesh and old blood didn't help. She retched - to the gleeful amusement of her terrifying captors.
What choice did she really have? She was surrounded.
And she knew that should she try to run, it would likely be the last thing she ever did.
But... to become like them? To kill and butcher others to delight of some god of the deep that had never been seen? Did she have a choice?
The Seathi narrowed her eyes, a weakening feeling washing over her. Die? Join? Could she even think of escaping?
She tilted her head to look toward where she had come from and was immediately met with the gazes of several wickedly grinning faces watching. They knew she would try to run. That was a logical choice. But would she?
She wanted to. She really did. But death waited for her in that choice.
But what was to say that death would not befall her in choosing to remain - to join their bloody ranks?
A shiver crossed her rosy-colored skin.
And then... A thought. What if she could trick them? Become one of them... but not?
She thought about this for a moment, her body still. An impatient look crossed the leader's face, clearly wanting to move this along and get on to more amusing matters.
"Yes."
A perplexed look crossed the leader's face.
"Yes, I will join you."
Her voice shook, but her golden eyes glared into the leader's with a sudden formidable energy.
The perplexed look turned into one of wicked amusement and delight and he held the wicked-looking dagger aloft and in one swift motion brought it down to dig the knife into the small skin at the nape of her neck, leaving a dark welt that slowly released blood like a small cloud in the water around her. The water stung as it washed over the wound and she released a gasp, bringing a few titters of elation from the others.
They craved others' pain afterall.
Suddenly, she was wrenched from the pool and pulled across the rough sand by her scarf which was beginning to turn crimson with her blood. Another of them moved forward with an old cup, patina-ed from usage over the many years and stained with somewhat fresh blood. It was held beneath the slowly dripping wound for a moment before it was carefully picked up and brought to the altar.
"You may have not given your death to the God, but your soul will give it sustenance. The God shall know you by what lies in your blood. The God will taste you. And you will become a part of it."
She shivered at his words, goosebumps raising over her flesh, but was interrupted when another approached her and she flinched, afraid another knife would meet her flesh, but instead a length of dripping seaweed was laid over the wound. She blinked for a moment, wondering why the gentle gesture and her gaze met the other's, where an elated pair of eyes met hers. "We don't want you to die, do we?"
She laid on the sands, watching the strange throng fearfully. But she was almost all but forgotten when a scream echoed throughout the cavern....
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Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 11:55 am
For the cult!
Username: belloblossom
Preferences: Raspberry (can't win familiars)
Prompt Response: Coral wasn't a particularly courageous mare. She had been picked on when she was a filly because she looked scarier than she was. When her best friend, Mahi, ended up sticking up for her, she loathed to find out that Mahi's favorite game was Truth or Dare. She always picked truth, because Mahi was infamous for choosing the most elaborate and intimidating dares.
Mahi had been egging Coral on to "pick a dare, pick a dare" for years of their friendship and finally, Coral resigned herself to her fate. Maybe her friend would stop hassling her if she did it just this once.
The dare was to go for a swim towards the outskirts, to bring back something that no one had seen before. It had to be proof, too, because anyone could make up stories of what they had found, but physical proof was a rarity. Of course Coral got this dare. Of course.
She was tempted to refuse, but eventually she went off and swam into the outskirts, where no other resided. She was tempted to take some of the scraggly seaweed, just so she could get out of there sooner, but she knew that seaweed wouldn't satisfy Mahi, so she continued forward.
That was when she reached the cave. Apprehension filled Coral as she slowly entered, her eyes darting between the paintings and the glowworms in their cages. The cages looked so odd, but they didn't look very heavy to carry... maybe she could bring one of them back for Mahi.
"Do you know what we do to trespassers in our cave?" A voice asked as Coral's hooves were reaching for one of the glowworm cages. Coral yanked back her hooves to her chest as she stared with wide frightened eyes at the Soquili and familiars who had surrounded her. Join them or die? She closed her eyes, glowing nearly as bright as the glowworms in their cages-that was it! Finding the resolve somewhere deep with in her, she grabbed at the cage and threw it as hard as she could towards the path towards the water. The group parted for an instant and in that instant she was barreling through the gap. She felt a dagger slice into her skin as she passed and cried out as scales fell from her side and blood clouded behind her like squid ink. Fueled by a boost of adrenaline, she swam faster, hearing outraged cries behind her becoming faded in the distance as she raced home.
When she finally returned to her village, she was panting and out of breath. The village healer patched her up, but was sorry to tell her that a scar would remain. When she had recovered her nerves enough to go see her friend, she lifted up one of her fins slightly exposing the proof of what she had found in the outskirts of their village.
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