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 Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2024 8:14 pm
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Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2024 8:17 pm
 There’s a rather prissy flutter stallion making something of a spectacle of himself by the looking glass vendor, tossing his head and sending his mane cascading as he admires the effect echoed back to him a hundred times over. Tajvar barely resists the urge to roll his eyes -all three of them- at the drama of it all, keeping his head turned away as he bites back a disapproving rumble and strides along down the avenue. The salesman will probably have luck in selling the self-involved stranger a glass or two, and Tajvar knows better than to get in between a merchant and a sale. He’ll keep his opinions to himself -possibly expressed with a short snort or a shake of his head- and perhaps tell the story by firelight amongst his friends somewhere down the road.
‘Kokaji would probably get a kick out of it,’ Tajvar thinks to himself with soft fondness at the idea of his criss-cross path companions.
How a group of strangers had become such a tight knit group of friends- the Autumnalis Wanderers Band, Askúta had remarked one night by firelight- still surprised him to this day. It was mostly to her credit, as the fiery Cerynei mare had collected them one by one; and to this day Tajvar felt something of a pull to go wandering with them again. The company had been good, the adventures and stories and various entertainments never lacking, and somehow all of them had meshed well regardless of any individual rough edges. Not something he could say for everyone he met.
Fortunately, before dividing up the group had made a pact to at least reconnect come Autumn, to see how their lives had changed and if they might go wandering again. Tajvar rather hoped someone had something in mind, for he himself had not found a herd or companions in the months apart… and he rather missed his friends.
“It seems like I am the first to arrive, again,” Tajvar murmured to himself with amusement as he glanced around the Fall Faire -the first of the Season- where they had agreed to meet. Tajvar Wordcount: 354
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Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2024 9:46 pm
Carefully weaving his way through the Harvest Faire on nimble paws, Kokaji Noh Nara did his best to balance his orb in the curve of his tail as he trotted through the booths and displays and already-milling patrons. The glass-like surface gleamed as bright as a jewel, polished to colorful perfection and nestled against the dark plush of his pelt. It rested just above the cloud designs that marked Kokaji here and there, and by looks alone someone could guess it was important, of significance, to the kitsune stallion. Fortunately enough he could fold another tail closer to it and hide it from view, and with his efficient movements he wasn’t too close to anyone for long.
Kokaji worked his way through the different strangers in search of a familiar friend or three, his large eyes flipping this way and that as he sought the sound of their voices amidst the crowd. He imagined that Askúta would be the easiest to hear, with her ringing laugh. Tajvar wasn’t likely to be speaking or laughing loudly.. And Avertus? Well, with Avert there was no telling… Whatever mood struck him. He was more likely to talk to strangers than the others, Kokaji supposed, well…
“Outside of the Revontulet,” Kokaji allowed with a mild incline of his head, nodding to himself as he thought of Askúta’s (at times) flashy bonfire nature. “There’s every chance that she strikes up a spirited debate with a stranger waiting for the rest of us to appear… no point in counting that out.”
Just as he’s about to count all of them out and plant himself near the square to watch the festivities, he spots the familiar furnace hound figure of one of his former travel companions. Tajvar is flicking a reluctant gaze over his surroundings, in search of someone familiar. It seems he’s still one of the least social among them.
‘Time to save my friend from himself,’ The Cloudsune stallion thinks as he steps closer.
“I’m not sure if I’m really surprised to see you here first,” Kokaji murmured with feigned concentration, tilting his head thoughtfully. “I guess I should have suspected Askúta, but somehow you are the one that comes to mind with regards to punctuality. She’s usually labeled ‘instigator’ in my head instead.”
Kokaji Wordcount: 379
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 1:15 pm
Kasomba is not familiar with the group he’s been sent ahead to greet, but he gathers that based on the description it won’t be hard to pick them out even in the flurry of activity that marks one of the first Fall Festivals of the year. The Shadow Suti stallion winds his way through the throng of Soquili and assorted familiars, folding his wings close to his back and moving with a faint rattle and chime of metal from the chains draped around the base of his neck and wings.
Though he has not yet seen a Cerynei mare the color of a night bonfire, he imagines she won’t be far behind when he spots a rather unusual pair of stallions greeting each other across the event square. The first, a tall dark bay with gleaming blue eyes, has unique jewelry and a scarf as well as a vent in his side revealing the fiery truth of his nature; the furnace hound. The other beside him is of a somewhat merrier nature, theatrical in movements with several flicking tails and large elegant fox ears. The cloudlike markings mark him as the cloudsune from Kasomba’s associate’s stories.
“Good afternoon,” Kasomba offers, marking the not-yet-setting sun as high enough to warrant such a greeting. It’s not really good evening to the Shadow Suti until the shadows grow long as dusk creeps over the world. “Pardon my intrusion, gentle stallions, but your associate sent me on to greet you while he finishes negotiations with one of the vendors. My name is Kasomba, and I gather from his stories that you are Tajvar and Kokaji?”
At their somewhat puzzled agreement and expressions of slightly wary confusion, Kasomba offers a faint smile and a bob of his head. “As I understand it, Avertus was making arrangements for a guide to your friend Revontulet when she appears. If I understand the story, she’s reunited with her brother in this land and he is likely to be tagging along to the party. As Avert and I are something of cousins, by our reckoning, I thought I might introduce myself. My name is Kasomba Anšar, and it is pleasant to meet you both.”
Kasomba Wordcount: 365
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 4:55 pm
Buzzing with energy he currently cannot vent nor adequately express, Avertus Maxima Calacas -often just Avert to most- shifts his weight restlessly from side to side, giving a stamp of one forefoot and a flick of his heavy tail to round the gesture out. The crowd around him is restless in a different way, lively and cheerful, milling about in an enthusiastic swarm as the Festival gets under way. There are vendors selling their wares, hawkers calling to get the crowd’s attention, and the start of a few entertainments like dancing and stunts. The torches are out but not yet lit, nor is the wood stacked high for the bonfire in the square. Not yet, but soon.
Avert finishes making arrangements with one of the crystal vendors that is well known to him, another crystal Suti stallion known for being level-headed and fair minded. The rose quartz stallion gives him an affirming nod and nudges over his share of marks, payment now that their business is concluded. Avert picks them up and tucks them into a carrying pouch with a sound of thanks, then gives a last sweeping glance to the area, hoping to see Revontulet or the cornsilk colored Kirin stallion that is her brother.
With neither figure manifesting he begins striding around the outskirts of the Faire, working his way away from the booth and the vendor he’s appointed as his second set of eyes while he goes in search of his companions. He’s reasonably sure at least Tajvar is already here, and it’s more than likely that Kasomba has already found him. That takes care of two, potentially three of his companions… so he’ll do a quick search for Revontulet and Hiss, and whatever group he finds first will be who he drags along in search of the others.
“Alright then, my friends, let’s see where you’ve been for the last few months.”
Avertus Wordcount: 316
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Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2024 3:53 pm
In a perfect world- or even in a version of the regular world wherein Revontulet gets what she wants- the sunset cerynei mare would have rounded up her wayward companions for shenanigans before the first leaves of autumn began to turn. However, the summer had been fierce and hot, and traveling to find her brother Mahiz had taken a little longer than she had expected. Now she had Mahiz and they were on their way to gather her traveling herd up for some well-earned capering and -she dearly hoped- no small measure of frivolity.
"Mahiz! If you don't move a little faster, I am going to leave you behind," Revontulet quietly threatens her brother as she trots her way through a dry grassed field at the edge of the woods. By her recollection the Autumn Faire is over the next few hills, at the edge of a different patch of trees that are sure to be turning colors and putting on a glorious show of it too.
"I know you would," comes the low rumbling reply.
There is no evidence of hurrying to accompany the response, and Revontulet pins her ears in silent warning as she hears the laughter in it, her tone spark-bright as she cracks out a warning. "Hiss!"
At her back, a somewhat reluctant Mahiz Indurata Vesihiisi drifts along, his larger figure better lending to an easily floating trot. Revontulet has to work a little harder to stay ahead, but her energy is certainly up to the task. Her brisk strides are bouncy, two to Hiss's leisurely one, but still a trot rather than the canter or flat-out gallop she's so keen to adopt. Mahiz -Hiss to his friends- is not familiar with his sister's traveling partners -friends- but has heard much about them from her various stories. He's going along with Revontulet's antics, but he's twisting her tail about it. Typical sibling.
"We're already late, please hurry up? I want you to meet them!" Revontulet Wordcount: 328
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Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2024 6:59 am
Doing his best to guide his sister into making good decisions without letting her know he was coaxing her to make said good decisions, Mahiz -or Hiss, as he was often called- kept up his steady meandering pace. There was no inclination to rush, though the ground was steady beneath their hooves and no sign of danger around them.
It was not so long ago that Revontulet had fallen down a cliff-face, the ground crumbling under her hooves from unseasonably heavy rains. The storm had cleared and left no evidence of the damage it had -or would- cause, at first... But on an early morning walk with her sister-in-law, Revontulet had gone capering down a path to take in the view and wound up with far more than she had bargained for.
Though he had not been there to see her fall, Mahiz had been on his way to visit about the same time the rescue party had leapt into action. Just in time to help them haul her to safety, with the aid of a few loyal ravens and some very (extremely) concerned family members.
The fact that her mate could stand to let her out of sight was something of a surprise to Hiss, but he'd kept that observation to himself. Surely he could keep Revontulet safe just as well, being her brother and very familiar with the effort... But thinking about her stranded down the cliff certainly gave Hiss nightmares, so he wouldn't have blamed the other stallion for wanting to wrap her in a blanket and make sure she stayed safe and still somewhere.
"I don't think your friends would go have fun at the Faire without you," Hiss offered, trying to reason with her to stem some of the restless energy. "You made a plan to have fun together, they're not going to abandon you. We're not late, we're fine. We'll get there safely, they will be there, and I'll be able to meet them just like you want."
'And I will be able to return you to Howdan and Fae safely, knowing I can face my in-laws having kept you safe.' Mahiz Indurata Vesihiisi "Hiss" Wordcount: 357
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2025 4:37 pm
Attention attracted away from the self-involved prat who happens to be making a spectacle of himself, Tajvar turns from the flutter spectacle to consider the arrival of his companion. In his discerning opinion, the show is infinitely better and far less irksome, so it is no loss at all. Kokaji moves with all the grace of his theatrical influence and background, walking on silent paws with all the elegance of a dancer. His multiple tails shift and flick, rolling the large pearl he carries with him from tail to tail as he moves, the swirling galaxy of blue and purple frequently hidden in all the fluff. Even the bells strung in his mane fail to ring, kept silent by how smoothly he cuts his way through the bustle of the crowd.
"I find I am not offended, though perhaps I should be." Tajvar retorts, amusement in his tone as he watches the cloud marked Kitsune approach. "On behalf of all of our friends if not myself. Very well then, I am the punctual one... And Revontulet is the instigator. I find I cannot argue with either charge, as I am standing here first awaiting the others and it was in fact the Lady who set all of this in motion. What do you think of the others, then? I think you should tell me quickly before any of them happen to appear. I can almost promise not to use it against you later."
Tajvar permits himself a few soft chuffs of laughter, the heavy exhales punctuated by faint puffs of smoke that are more notable than the muted sound against the backdrop of the Festival. The arrival of a strange third party somewhat limits the banter he and Kokaji were exchanging, as both of them turn to fix their attention on the stranger in question.
"Greetings," Tajvar retorts hesitantly, feeling no particular inclination to debate the nature of the stranger's introduction. "Avert did not mention he'd found another to join the party but it seems you know plenty about us. I suppose he has been spending time with you, and has not had the chance to update us regarding recent developments?"
Tajvar Wordcount: 361
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2025 11:21 am
Kokaji shifts the pearl that is so dear to him into the curve of one of his more central tails, folding another tail over it to hide the glossy surface within the dense fluff. His ears swing forward and his nostrils flare as he takes in his surroundings, bobbing his head in a greeting nod as the furnace hound stallion takes note of him. His playful swipe of words do their job, sparking an amused response and a rather sarcastic reply from the dark bay male.
"If you feel it was ineffective, I can take another crack at it, perhaps?" The cloudsune fox feigned thoughtfulness. "I wasn't aiming for insulting but knowing the goal, I'll do my best to deliver the second time around. I was just calling it as I see it. As Revontulet is the reason we're all gathering, and you're the first one I've seen, nothing I said was untrue. But now you want me to continue with my evaluations, I feel it cannot be for any other reason than to use my words against me once our friends arrive to hear them."
Kokaji considers their companions for a moment, his eyes gleaming bright with merriment as an idea comes to mind. "Actually-"
The Suti stallion's arrival somewhat interrupts the next round of the conversation, prompting both Tajvar and Kokaji himself to silently evaluate the stranger. He perhaps could be kin to Avert, who is not as reluctant to socialize as Tajvar but certainly not so social as Revontulet... so the fact that he's standing there before them both certainly speaks volumes. Though Tajvar's greeting, fraught with meaning, telegraphs his general approach to such matters.
"Was everyone supposed to bring a friend? I guess we didn't get the message bird regarding that." Kokaji adds with a shrug. "A little late now, not that I have anyone in mind to bring along... But since half of the group have brought kin, it will certainly be an exciting gathering."
Kokaji Wordcount: 330
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2025 11:51 am
Though she longs to go bolting through the Faire, hollering for her companions and in general diving into -if not creating fresh- chaos that lies at the heart of it, Revontulet keeps her pace even. If the pinching walk can be called that. In spite of how impatient she is, it is nearly impossible to do otherwise, with the way Mahiz is practically inching along behind her. If she hares off into the thick of things, she knows her brother will give her an absolute earful of it later. To say nothing of how he'll tell tales to her mate and sister in law, who will both be disappointed by her reckless inclinations. It's not worth it... even if it would be far more fun.
Hearing Hiss express his doubt that her friends surely wouldn't be having fun without her and still hating the chance she might be missing out, Revontulet gave a dramatic snort and a stomp of one delicate hoof. "They very well could!"
When the big cream stallion failed to respond, the sunset painted cerynei mare made a low sound of despair as she looked back to her placidly placing companion. "You're worried about getting there safely now? We're not up in the mountains, everything is perfectly safe, and you're creeping along like snow melt in winter! In fact, I think I've seen snow melt FASTER! Why don't I drag you hmmm? Or push you along?"
Fairly certain she hears 'better safe than sorry' escape his guilty mouth, knowing there is no point in arguing. 'If I find out Howdan put you up to this, I promise I'm kicking you both in the rump.' She threatened with mulish silence, squinting warningly at him.
"You worry ever so much," Revontulet sighed with a roll of her eyes and a dramatic wilt of her general carriage. "At this rate it will be next autumn before we arrive."
Revontulet Wordcount: 318
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 2:26 pm
With a snort at his sister's tell-tale dramatics, Mahiz Indurata gave a faint roll of his eyes and flicked his fawn like tail. His tone was carefully moderated as he spoke once again, doing his best to talk her down.
"Little Sister," he rumbles from his greater height rather than any limitation on age. "There is no way under the sun that your friends promise to meet you at a festival and then promptly forget your plans. There is no way that they go prancing off to games and food and revelry and fail to miss the firecracker that should be in their midst. They might be early, but we'll still be on time, and you will not have missed anything. So calm down."
Hiss steps to her side and cranes his head, resting his chin between her ears and giving her an affectionate bop before he straightens to his full height. The gentle nudge is playful and barely ruffles her forelock, a lighter touch than if he'd shouldered her.
"I am always concerned for your safety, Revontulet," he reminds her with a gentle rumble. "But is it a little worse now since your tumble down the cliff face? Of course it is. Do you blame me for that? Do you know how deeply you worried your mate and I and the rest of your family? Give me some credit, hmm? I couldn't very well take you out of Fae and Howdan's sight and not pay attention to ensure your safety until I can deliver you back."
Rather than giving her a look to see if the words sink in, Hiss finds his attention drawn to a figure that surely must be one of his sister's friends. He's heard stories of their adventures enough to make a reasonable guess. "Here now, isn't that one of your band right over there? And you thought they'd forget you. He seems quite busy searching." Mahiz Indurata Vesihiisi "Hiss" Wordcount: 321
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 3:49 pm
Avert is beginning to wonder if perhaps -somehow- he has managed to miss his window of opportunity, gazing around the Faire in confusion at the lack of recognizable figures. He knows Revontulet won't miss this gathering for anything, and the fact that she was bringing her brother along meant that she'd be even more impatient and eager to get some sort of revelry under way.
"So do we march right to the heart of the event," Avert mused to himself with a narrowing of his pumpkin bright eyes. "Hoping that the lady has found her way there already... or do I do another circle to see if somehow I have missed them or they just recently arrived?"
Making his way through the crowd and their miscellaneous booths and whatnot, the dusk colored Suti gave various strangers a pleasant nod but kept on the move in search of his as yet elusive quarry. Just as Avert is about to change tactics and work himself into a spiral pattern through the gathering -methodical and strategic- he sees a flash of fiery orange colors against backsplashes of night-black and a pale color that reminded him of tassels of corn silk.
"Well now, there they are!" Avert murmurs to himself, delighted, and picks up a brisk punchy trot to destroy the distance between them.
He approaches the pair of Cerynei with a cheerful rumble of sound, ears flicked forward to catch the sound of the two softly bickering. As always, it seems Revontulet is antsy and refusing to be left out so she forges full speed ahead, and it falls to her brother Hiss to try and mitigate her impatience, keep her safe, and then perhaps keep her happy.
"Greetings to you, my friends." Avert offers with a bob of his head. "Since I've found you, why don't we see where the rest of our companions are and what they've stumbled across? Unless you would prefer to fight some more?"
Avertus Wordcount: 326
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