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Post by Queerly on Dec 17, 2016 2:12:09 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Plot 302: Unexpected Arrival!
Team Leader: Hira
Participants: Anna, Brigid, Khala, Froya, Hijordis
Please keep the following in mind!
- Posts must be a minimum of 175 words. There is no maximum!
- No strict order is enforced, but there must be at least two posts between your own character's.
- No god-moding or reading characters' minds (unless your pony is a literal telepath, anyway)
- Always get consent before harming another character!
- Your team is precious. Try to interact with everyone. <3
- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'D
Prompt: No great secret is that the War Lord, having sequestered herself due to poor health upon her trip from Aodh in the spring, is showing signs of morning sickness. She slips away with medics and Valks, and they arrive at a modest cottage in the forest where Hira promptly collapses.
Time of Day: Morning
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Post by Quorkbirb on Dec 20, 2016 4:55:58 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Dawn had just began to breathe color into the world when Froya set out to patrol the surrounding woods. Silently slipping through the now green trees, her keen eyes scanned the forest floor for any sign of unsolicited visitors. A light powder of snow dusted the forest floor, despite the summer season's arrival,but that would melt once the sun had risen high enough to make the world under the canopy humid and stuffy. Many times she looped a path through the woods, a couple miles wide around the well tucked away cabin, before she rose above the treeline. In the great distance, cold wispy breaths whipped off the still snow capped mountains, their swirls changing from a brilliant pink to orange, (still vibrant, but subdued in comparison) as the morning pressed on. Wheeling in the air, she flapped her wings, propelling herself into a smooth glide and heading back towards the cabin, guided by memory rather than sight. She called twice in her eagle voice to announce her arrival, so that her companions would not be startled by the sudden entrance, and exploded into a great cloud of golden dust before landing onto her hooves with a loud thump. Without faltering she fell into a trot and came through the door quite importantly, minuscule golden flecks still trickling off her coat like a ghostly, misty cape before twinkling out of existence.
"No sign of any equine for at least a few miles around." she announced to any ear that would turn to listen, her fluid gait slowing as she lined up next to the least preoccupied mare.
Her eyes immediately fell to her beloved War Lord, weary and collapsed in a sorrowful heap. Summer had left Froya looking quite .... disheveled. Her normally thick, woolen coat had gone patchy from the seasonal shed and the summer's breeze seemed to be constantly carrying wafts of her hair away, despite having giving herself a thorough brushing before departing the fortress. In comparison to Hira, however, she looked positively radiant.
Hira's health seemed to deteriorate just after her return from Aodh, and Froya had become knotted with worry, her usual stoic demeanor visibly cracked to the more observant horse. When it was decided that it would be best to temporarily hide the leader away, Froya volunteered to accompany her and would not take no for an answer.
She had obediently stayed behind for her liege's trip to Eithine, but Hira was in good health then, and Froya trusted her to defend herself. But now? No. It was of the utmost important that she herself ensured the safety and security of her Lord. A shield cradled her back, a long-blade fastened to her left side, whilst a dagger and 3 throwing knives nestled themselves to her right; all of this was standard gear from the War Lord's armory, but deadly nonetheless. If an enemy were to attempt to take advantage of Hira's current state, they would have to cut through Froya first.
Her legs tremored after having used her blessing so extensively, but she would recover soon enough. She had become quite adept with her first form by now and it wasn't as difficult to hold and maintain as it once had been.
"How is she?" she quietly worried to the mare beside her, eyes still fixed upon her leader.
Post: 1
Word Count: 556
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Post by Sasha Arctic on Dec 20, 2016 22:20:34 GMT -6
Brigid || Mare || 13.1 hh || Medic ||
This was not how summer was supposed to go, at least not how the tiny mare had imagined it going. She had been ecstatic to hear of the War Lord's return but that joy quickly evaporated as Hira's health deteriorated, being a Medic she offered her aid in any way possible and had been honored to be selected to join their leader in a small cabin to be used as a safe house. Here it would be harder for those who wished to harm Hira to execute their plans, like snakes emerging from the grass she knew some would be vile enough to try and use her failing health to their advantage and possibly try to assassinate her, but Hira was one step ahead of them like always. They were holding up in this cabin like fugitives and it hurt the mare's tender pride, Hira shouldn't have to hide when ill for fear of an uprising, her herd should love and respect her more than that but there would always be rebellion, it was in their nature and was spurred by the fact that Hira was a revolutionary thinker and many feared the changes she was making. But talks of politics were not why Brigid was here, she was tasked with helping heal the leader she loved and looked up to. Hira had always cared and protected them, it was Brigid's turn to return the favor.
Brigid held a vigilant watch over Hira, almost glued to her leader's side as she tried everything she could think of to lessen her pain and fatigue. A frantic heart had almost leaped out of Brigid's chest when she saw Hira collapse in the cottage and she was disheveled like others in the room, unable to think about caring for her own needs when Hira's life mattered more. At this rate she certainly was chopping years off the end of her life, so much stress and anxiety filled her blood stream that she felt like she could go days without food, water or sleep, as long as it mean Hira's health would turn for the better instead of the worse. In her years of being a Medic she hadn't come across anything like this, being a recluse meant she had more experience on the battle field forcing stubborn fighters to accept her aid and less in the comfort of homes tending to mares or children. She didn't have the bedside manner of the older more experienced Medics, her temper, vulgar nature and pride got in the way of any gentle feelings she had and made her..coarse to be around to say the least. She rarely spoke to the others unless it was a sarcastic quip or a barking order to bring her herbs or anything she needed that was out of reach. A sudden chill indicated the front door being opened and Brigid didn't even turn to see who was entering, most likely the Valkyrie who had left earlier to go on patrol, was Froya her name? She couldn't remember and hearing the mare's voice and hooves going in volume signaled she was going closer and the small mare couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle and scoff at her question. "The same as when you left..." Brigid said in a soft, strained tone that still held her usual hint of sarcasm as she flipped a piece of her unkempt mane from her eyes and moved around Hira, almost pacing like a cornered snow leopard around a sick kitten.
Post 1 | Word Count: 583
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Post by Wolf-mask on Dec 20, 2016 23:00:14 GMT -6
Hjordis | Valkyrie
The cold weather stuck to Hjordis’s flank like an itch that would not go away. No matter how much she shivered, the cold just kept returning. Such were the conditions of staying in a cabin up in the woods. Not that the mare would complain, she would not even make a whiny comment. Why should she get to whine about the cold when just a wall away her War Lord was suffering far greater than she? Just the thought of her idol being in such a condition made her stomach churn. Ever since she was a filly Hjordis had looked up to the War-Lord. Glimpsing the strong mare shivering on the floor of the cabin made her heart clench. She wanted to comfort the other mare, despite their difference in rank. Not now though, for Hjordis had a job to do. She was posted outside of the cabin, just by the door. A look out. Hjordis had insisted on keeping watch, even if no one besides the five of them knew where Hira was. Who knew if they had been followed from Skeldr Town. No one could know. Especially with the rise of those damned Bloody Flanks, not to mention the citizens of Onea that despised Hira’s progressive ways, there were many people that would want Hira’s head. Hjordis wouldn’t let them dare touch a hair on her flank. She would die protecting her War Lord before running like a coward. Hjordis was broken from her musings by the sound of an eagle cry. She looked up at the colorful sky, dyed in the colors of morning, and spotted the source of the cry. Right, that was Froya, her mind supplied Hjordis with the fact that the other Valkyrie could shape-shift. Purple eyes were locked onto the eagle, Hjordis’s telekinesis gripping the hilt of the armory sword on her hip, ready to draw just in case the eagle wasn’t who she thought it was. Luckily all was right. The eagle descended and took the form of her sister-in-arms. A nod in greeting was given to Froya as the shorter mare walked past her and into the cabin. Her nerves relaxed a tad when the mare announced that she could not see anyone for a few miles. That was good news at least. Silence all around was what Hjordis’s ears could pick up. The mare briefly closed her eyes. Not to fall asleep, but to rest a tad. All the trekking and worrying had mentally fatigued her. So, she rested her eyes and focused her hearing on the sounds of the forest and the shuffling of hooves inside the cabin. Perhaps some sense of familiarity would bring peace to her troubled mind. Hjordis rather enjoyed being around other equines, especially ones she was familiar with. The familiar shuffling of Valkyrie and Medic hooves brought her some peace of mind. With a sigh Hjordis forced her eyes back open and continued scanning the surrounding woods. Perhaps a walk around the cabin would settle her itch? That sounded good to her. The grey mare turned away from the door, telekinetic grip still clutching the hilt of the sword, and started to walk to the side of the cabin.
Post 1 | Word Count: 542 |
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Post by Jennycallie on Dec 20, 2016 23:51:00 GMT -6
Hira | War Lord
Hira remembered exactly one thing: fury. She fell into oblivion furious, and by the gods she woke up furious. Given the circumstances, she rather thought the reaction appropriate.
If there was anything less dignified than retreating under the cover of night, avoiding the questions and pursuit of others, then it could only be reaching your destination, and collapsing. Collapsing like a wine sodden Aodhian noble- unbelievable.
Accordingly, the War Lord woke not with a groan, or a murmur- she woke with an explosive snort, legs thrashing wildly as she attempted to heave to her hooves. She did not immediately succeed in anything other than stirring up a large amount of dust and pine needles, tracked into the cabin, which only irritated her further.
She was mad enough that she did not, at first, register the pain.
“What’s going on here?” she barked, sides heaving as she caught her breath. She knew perfectly well what was going on, as she had decided on the journey and the attending group, but it never hurt to reassert one’s authority. Especially with times as they were, and with what she had come here to… to do.
“Khala, I-”
And then the pony broke off, clenching her teeth over a hiss of pain as her gut gave a violent, shuddering blast of pain. Her vision wavered, and the mare fell back against the pallet she had been reclining on, neck tense and sweating.
Aodh, Hira thought darkly, not even once.
Post 1 | 250 words
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Post by RusticForrest on Dec 21, 2016 9:29:51 GMT -6
Khala
[ Valkyrie ]
Khala had refused to moved from Hira's side since the War-Lord had collapsed. With her ears pinned against her neck, the flame-colored chimera kept a watchful gaze over her. Golden eyes scanned the pony's spotted and scared flanks. She thought she recognized the ripple of muscle as it coursed under her thickened fur. Hira. . . the thought wound off silently. Worry twisted a knot deep in the pit of her stomach. Near the crackling of the small flame, lay the larger form of Khala's familiar, Zipporah, the fully white snow leopard. The cat's eyes were open barely more than a hair's breadth, but she knew Zip was keeping close watch.
A single ear twisted to listen to Froya, a sister-in-arms that she had been on many missions with, and would easily trust now, announce that they were safe- for now. At least they would have ample warning. Hjordis had taken up a position outside the door, and from there, kept watch. The one benefit of such a small place was that there was only one entrance, unless there was to be a horse fit down the chimney, a thought that caused the overly-thoughtful mare to roll her eyes. With a glance towards the medic Brigid, Khala knew Hira would be watched under another pair of trustworthy eyes. Both she and Khala shared the instinct to protect the injured, it seemed. She had learned this only after the birth of her daughter. A surprising surge of motherly instinct overwhelmed her, and, as she stood over her friend and Lord, that same sense of fear she felt for her child entered her heart.
The Valkyrie nearly jumped out of her skin when Hira came to- legs thrashing and all. Jumping back with a snort of her own, Khala tried to make way for the War Lord. The quick question from Hira prompted an annoyed snort from her friend, and Khala returned to her former place, extending her muzzle to touch Hira in the center of her brow. "We are here at your command," she replied, more to appease than to answer. A mare in Hira's state ought not be trifled with. Not that Hira was anyways. The Lord was keen and quick, else she never would have held her position this long. At the mention of her name, Khala came closer, talking only to the War Lord, though her voice was louder than she liked. "Hira, what is happening? I've seen these signs before. . . I've lived them." Golden eyes again fixed upon the smaller pony, a deep concern coloring their depths.
[ Post # - 1 ]
[ WC - 394 ] |
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Post by posy-punch on Dec 21, 2016 23:27:54 GMT -6
Anna Berk
War-Forged Medic / Resident Dick
▼Anna did not appreciate being called from her home. Even if the War Lord herself was asking for her attention (or rather her Valkyries), Anna did not like to be leaving Nimerah for another few weeks of no training --though, the pony mare was sure her apprentice got into enough trouble when she was gone. Now, the pony mare trudged through snow, ready to appear at the cabin she'd been sent. It was not often Anna was late, either, but she'd taken her time packing up her herbs and situating the huge pelt she wrapped upon her shoulders. Now, as she arrived at the small wall sectioning off the cabin from the forest, she realized just how much she hated travel.
"Now tell me darling, why is it that I live in the mountains and hate walking." Anna huffed, pushing open the door, paying no heed to the Valkyries who were likely dumbfounded by the mare's rude manner. The little palomino gave a quick glance at the War Lord, watching as she shocked to life.
"Look," Anna drawled, setting down her pelt and packs. "As much as I'd love for you to be telling us what to do, Brigid and I would very much appreciate you listen to us for now. Maybe Khala as well, she has her head on her shoulders." The mare gave a small smile and then took in the sweating mare. The pony-mare wasn't going to ask questions. After all, if she was in Aodh, even if she disliked the lowlanders... fucking around with them provided some fun. The pony pursed her lips and flicked her ears, ignoring Khala's words for the moment. Even so, she could hardly hear the mare.
"Brigid, do you think we should wrap her tail? She's been traveling recently and its best to start preparing." The pony trailed off, still quite bemused about the situation they were in currently. "This is something you can explain later, my Lord." The pony said softly, though all in the house could hear her voice.
❧ WORDS: 353
❧ POST: #1
❧ HEX CODE: 805c27 |
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Post by Quorkbirb on Dec 22, 2016 0:21:28 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
The sudden entrance caused Froya to swiftly draw her sword. She glowered at the newcomer, ready to cut them down where they stood...and then her eyes fell downward. Ah, she thought, the other medic. With a cool schh-link!, the sword was returned to its scabbard. In all honesty, it had been a foolish approach, Anna should have known better. A cabin full of Valkyries on edge, protecting their sickly lord ... the stout pony was lucky the warriors present didn't have the same itch for violence that so many Forged seemed to possess.
Froya's heart lurched as her Lord suddenly struggled before her and she took a step forward, only to pause. She didn't want to overcrowd her, for it seemed as though every mare in the cabin wanted to hover about the War Lord, but of course, she did need to breathe. Inhaling apprehensively, she drug her hoof softly against the wooden floor and back into line. Turning her attention to Khala, whom her Lord trusted most, as if to mentally hasten her to comfort Hira. A bit of jealousy rose up in Froya's throat like bile, but she buried it. Khala had flanked Hira loyally for many years, it was no surprise it was she that the leader called out for. One day, Hira would hopefully trust Froya as much as Khala ... but it would take time.
Besides, Froya thought as her eyes traveled to Hira's swollen stomach, Khala had a filly of her own ... and with how things were going, her experience would probably be relevant. Froya shifted on her hooves, a bit uncomfortable at her own thoughts. The mare had seen countless births -though mostly of Apana- and she knew the signs well. It was difficult to believe though. Hira had no mate and had never seemed particularly interested in acquiring one. The timing would suggest that an Aodhian might have played a part, but the idea of Hira mingling with a horse of Eithine in that way seemed ludicrous. There was always the chance that an Aodhian, possibly swayed with alchohol, forced themselves onto Hira... but this too seemed infeasible, the Onean mare would have slit their throat before they had even attempted to mount.
Her stomach wrestled with itself. Oh how she wished she had pressed Hira more when she was denied her request to accompany the War Lord to Aodh. She had done her part at home, eliminating foul Cultists in the Skeldr forests, but it seemed a feeble task now. Could she have prevented this if she had gone with? She shook her head briefly, clearing the thought. There was nothing to be done about it now, her mind needn't turn itself over with the past. Other, more important matters were at hoof now.
Youthful summertime sunlight filtered through the windows, warming the air of the isolated cabin while dust danced in the rays. Seeing the sweat rolling off Hira's neck, Froya grabbed a bucket and towel and exited the cabin. She dragged the wooden container through the chilled contents of the water barrel, and quickly retreated back into the shelter. It was with light hoofsteps that she approached Khala, setting the bucket beside her. It sloshed gently, the towel draped over its lip.
"It might bring her some relief..." she murmured.
Doubtful that Hira would accept the gesture from anyone but her trusted right-hoof mare, Froya made no motion to help, but stood nearby.
Post: 2
Word Count: 575
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Post by Wolf-mask on Dec 22, 2016 9:44:01 GMT -6
Hjordis
Hjordis nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a commotion from inside of the cabin. Quickly she abandoned her position from behind the cabin to trot back to her previous post beside the door. She quietly opened the cabin door to peek in. The sight of Hira awake brought the Valkyrie some comfort. That meant the War Lord was possibly feeling better. Then again Hira collapsing back onto the cabin floor meant she was probably in a lot of pain. The mare tensed as she watched the older mare fall back onto the ground. An urge to walk in and reassure her War Lord rose up in her heart, but she decided against it. There were enough equine in the cabin already and one more would only be crowding Hira. So, she remained outside the cabin, peeking in to watch Brigid’s progress with Hira and Khala talking softly with the mare. She couldn’t make out what Khala was saying, only picking up a few words, but the expression on her face as one of concern. Silently the Valkyrie shut the cabin door and turned back to looking out into the woods. She ran through what could possibly ailing her War Lord, her mother’s damned old medic teachings coming to mind. There were many diseases that caused fatigue and aches, but none where it seemed that Hira’s were coming from. Laboring breathing, aching muscles in the flank, and fatigue, what could it mean? The grey mare zoned out as she thought, seeing the forest but not registering it. What could it be? Then the answer hit Hjordis like a smack in the face. She’d seen this type of illness before, but not with horses, but with apanas. A faint memory of her father taking her out into the pasture to watch an apana give birth came to Hjordis. Her head whipped around to look at the cabin door, almost seeing through it. She couldn’t believe it, her War Lord, pregnant. But, who was the foals father? Hjordis shook her head and looked back out, it was of no concern right now. At the sound of tiny hooves against the ground, Hjordis jumped and unsheathed her sword, but immediately sheathed it again when she saw Ana come out from the forest and stomp straight into the cabin. Even if the medic was tiny, her big attitude made Hjordis shuffle away from her in fright. At least the whole party was here now.
Post: 2 | Word Count: 412
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Post by Sasha Arctic on Dec 22, 2016 20:43:59 GMT -6
Brigid || Mare || 13.1 hh || Medic ||
Standing protectively over Hira with Khala close by the smaller medic felt unease rolling around in her stomach, causing butterflies to flutter and twist her insides. All of the signs she was seeing she had only been told about, never actually witnessed or partaken in herself either first hand or aiding the poor mare, but it was the only conclusion her logical mind could find and yet it was unbelievable. Pregnancy was something foreign to Brigid, being a recluse made her more adapt in healing wounds and curing poison not delivering babies, she was no nursemaid! Just the thought of Hira being pregnant made her legs shake, what had happened in Aodh? The question had to be running rampant through each head here yet none dared to ask their War Lord it seemed. Her thoughts and questions consumed so much of her attention that she didn't register Hira beginning to stir until she was a tornado of hooves and anger, Brigid took a few scuttling steps back with an angry snort and short shill cry of surprise, it took her heart a moment to slow enough to be able to hear anything except for its overwhelming thumping. She completely missed the exchange between Khala and instead caught the comforting voice of Anna, she had grown anxious since hearing another older (and most likely more experienced) Medic would be joining them and had yet to arrive but seeing the tiny mare brought peace to her mind. She fell into the role of apprentice upon more hearing the authority and certainty of Anna's voice as she asked if they should wrap her tail, she had only just gotten here and come to the conclusion it took Brigid ages to arrive at, she would learn a thing or two today for sure. "Yes Ma'am." She said with a quick nod of her head, walking swiftly to Anna's side and awaiting further instruction, "Though I hate to admit it but I have no experience with...foal birth. This will be an," She paused for a moment, trying to find the best word in her vocabulary that wasn't vulgar, tender baby ears were coming and she had to prepare her mouth, "interesting learning experience. I feel better about this whole situation having you here Anna. I am much better working on the battlefield than in the comfort of homes sadly."
Post 2 | Word Count: 398
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Post by posy-punch on Dec 31, 2016 2:26:42 GMT -6
Anna Berk
War-Forged Medic / Resident Dick
▼Anna took a quick look at the supplies already out. A bucket lay by Khala's heel, and her own packs of medical supplies remained fairly close. She listened to what Brigid said and sighed. Looked as if she was the only to have done this before from a medical standpoint, though the others must have had some experience with the livestock or... she didn't know, perhaps their own. The pony-mare fished a roll of wrapping out of the bag and dropped it at the second medic's feet.
"Wrap her tail with this, judging by her temper," Anna gave a pointed look at the unicorn, ever fiery, on the palette, "You're going to need to watch out for those hooves." Anna shook out her mane. She turned to the rest of the party and then to the bucket of water. That would be of use in a moment. At the time being, Anna needed to decide if the birth would in fact be complicated.
"Hira, can you easily tell me if the foal is going to be larger than you can handle, or am I going to have to see myself?" The pony mare said, addressing the War Lord as she went to retrieve more blankets from inside the cabin. The child would very much enjoy the warmth, assuming they survived the birth.
"And, I'm not familiar with the rest of you. Names everyone, or if you feel like with holding it, so be it. I honestly don't give a fuck." Anna grinned again, turning her gaze towards those inside the cottage. "I'm Anna, because at the time being, y'all are gonna need some help from me." Ever bossy, the pony-mare had finally introduced herself properly. She was pretty sure they all knew how she was, based off of her entrance.
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❧ POST: #2
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 1, 2017 1:20:51 GMT -6
Hira | War Lord
Well, the boulder was well and truly off the slope now. Eyeing Froya’s half-attempt to pull a blade on the medic, Hira couldn’t quite manage the censorious look she wished; she rather imagined she’d managed to look amused. The medic was annoying. Ignoring her, Hira struggled to sit more comfortably upright. She would have preferred to stand, but better to sit with dignity than to fall on her ass. Catching her breath, the War Lord looked ruefully up at Khala.
“Well I won’t insult you all with this anymore,” she said, though a slightly reproachful glance towards Anna seemed to suggest the sentiment not wholly truthful. Her gaze returned however to Khala, and exhaustion lined the mare’s face. “Yes, well. Pregnant, and there’s no use looking at me like that, my mother has quite exhausted the subject by herself.” She shifted uncomfortably, ignoring the way her forelegs attempted to tremble. Gods but she was too old for this, and at such a time- her legs trembled again, and Hira lay her head down on the palette, too weary for pride.
“I can’t imagine it’s a very large foal, no," she managed dryly, one jade eye tracking Anna’s movements. She might trust the pugnacious medic, but she certainly didn’t like her, and Hira abruptly decided she would kick the little mare in the rump, if such an opportunity presented itself organically.
Another spasm- no, contraction- suddenly wracked her frame, and Hira gritted her teeth. “I daresay she’s coming about quite early, though,” she managed, panting. “I don’t suppose we can persuade her to stay in a bit longer?” A joke, though pain lent some amount of falsehood to the words. She hissed suddenly, sides wracked with a shudder.
Post 2 | 302 words
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 3, 2017 3:50:02 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Unable to restrain herself from giving a quiet (but very aggravated) snort, Froya flashed her eyes at Anna.
"Froya." she stated simply.
The Valkyrie didn't see the point in introductions, not now. It just seemed a wasteful use of precious time, Froya rather thought Anna should be seeing how Hira was coming along, over learning the names of the mares around her; it wasn't necessary to know all their names in order to direct them around when she needed assistance.
She was quickly growing to dislike Anna. The mare had been late in a dire situation, risked exposing the location of the cabin (it seemed medics were not all that adept at noticing if they were being followed or not...), nearly got her own head lopped off by barging in unannounced, and now seemed to be wasting everyone's time instead of tending to the War Lord directly. Again there came an irritated snort, subtler this time, and her eyes narrowed at the miniature in a judging, poisonous stare.
To Anna's favor, Froya was, perhaps, a bit more prickly than usual considering the current predicament. She broke her deadly gaze to focus again on Hira. There was no point in letting Anna's shortcomings fire her up, it would only worsen things.
Filling her lungs slowly with the stuffy air of the cabin, Froya blinked and waited for further instruction form the medic or explanation from her Lord.
Post: 3
Word Count: 236
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Post by Queerly on Jan 3, 2017 5:51:51 GMT -6
"Froya," Hira whispered, "It was Justice."
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Post by Wolf-mask on Jan 8, 2017 19:57:15 GMT -6
Hjordis
From the door frame Hjordis watched the activity inside carefully. This little medic was cantankerous as all hell and the Valkyrie had to admit that she sort of admired the tiny mare for that. Anna didn’t seem afraid to voice what was on her mind, an amusing trait when it’s happening to others. A laugh got stuck in her chest when Anna admitted to unabashedly not knowing any of their names. Really the dun couldn’t blame the other mare, there were too many other horses in the herd to remember the names of every single one. “Hjordis Laukkanen, ma’am.” The mare introduced herself happily to Anna. When Hira started speaking up, Hjordis snapped to attention and gave her full focus to the War-Lord. She bit back a smile at Hira’s exasperation over her mother’s stance on the topic of the foal. When the contractions came back, Hjordis kept herself from trying to move over to her War-Lord’s side. She shouldn’t crowd the poor mare more, besides she had a duty to stand guard. Even if she was more focused on the commotion inside the cabin, Hjordis kept a careful ear out for anything that sounded out of the ordinary from the regular sounds of the forest. “She sounds like a strong one though, my Lord. Perhaps she'll make a great warrior for the War-Forged.” Hjordis assured Hira, biting back a giggle at the older mare’s joke about keeping the foal in for a bit longer. If she was in the same position, Hjordis was sure she would feel the same. Then again the thought of carrying a foal and giving birth had never come up in Hjordis's mind and when she really thought about it, it didn't sound all that appealing. Especially with what Hira was going through now. Hjordis gave a shudder at the thought before looking back outside. Time to keep her up her duty. "Froya, would you like to help keep watch?" the dun called out. She could practically feel the irritation bubbling off of her comrade. Perhaps she could blow off that irritation by helping Hjodis rather than doing something to the little medic that they would all regret. Anna was the only medic here who had dealt with foal birth.
Post: 3 | Word count: 384
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 9, 2017 18:39:34 GMT -6
Hira | War Lord
In some distant corner of her awareness, Hira found herself of two conflicting opinions. Much like Froya, she rather thought that the act of learning each other's names was unimportant, at this stage in events. However, the War Lord was also annoyed that the medic didn’t already know the Valkyries by name. Her girls had been making more and more rumblings in the herd, from clashing with Cultists to assisting as Guards and Scouts, and Hira felt that their names at least might be known. But these were faint, unimportant concerns, and Hira couldn’t truly devote any time to them, or the ire they deserved.
At Hjordis’ words, the mare rolled an eye at the Valkyrie and snorted.
“I am quite sure she will be a-” she stopped, teeth gritted over another spasm of pain, “a-” she had to pause again, eyes ground shut as her entire body shuddered. “She is going to be hell- ah, hell on hooves, if this is any indication-”
And then words were rendered an impossibility as another, larger contraction gripped the mare. Only a lifetime of practice kept Hira from groaning her pain; a female War Lord who showed any weakness, who was not twice as stoic and unflinching as the males, would last about as long as an Onean heat wave. A hiss of pain escaped clenched teeth, nothing more, and even that Hira counted a failure.
And then she thought of nothing, not her fury at Aodh or herself, not her conviction that she was bringing a hell-raiser of a filly into the world, not even that she must forego any show of weakness. She thought of nothing, her world narrowed into the ripping awareness of pain. No regret, no anger, no thoughts- just pain.
And then, abruptly, Hira realized she could hear her own blood thundering in her ears again, could hear her own rasping, wretched breaths. She opened wet, aching eyes and looked blearily around, barely able to lift her own head, but suddenly aware of a stirring at her hooves. Something tiny, wet, and golden was making soft mewling sounds, and with a great effort Hira wrenched her neck up, half rolling onto her chest to regard her tiny palomino daughter. She was small, small even for a pony, and a dark spot marred the newborn’s forehead, the promise of a horn to come.
She was a unicorn.
“Anika,” Hira rasped, the filly wavering in and out of focus. “Anika, you were nearly the death of me.” Weary pride coloured the words, and the War Lord laid her head back down, catching her breath and attempting to still her spinning, tilting vision. “I hope you give this world half as much trouble as you gave me.”
Hira knew she ought to go to the filly, acquaint herself with her, care for her, but she could do nothing but lay prostrate, her sides still heaving and shuddering, the pain not quite distant enough to yet be a memory.
Post 3 | 501 words
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Post by Sasha Arctic on Jan 9, 2017 22:04:33 GMT -6
Brigid || Mare || 13.1 hh || Medic ||
Well...it seemed Anna had gotten off on the wrong hoof with everyone, now she had someone to compete with for 'queen bitch', Brigid was happy to hand over the title and yet it hurt to see the glares awarded to the tiny mare. She loved Anna, her fire and lack of caring about what anyone thought reminded Brigid of herself and become a fast comrade with the mare over such but she also knew Anna could hold her own even among the Valkyries. She moved tentatively to wrap the war lord's pale tail with the bandages, half listening to the conversation and quick jokes being fired from Hira, a soft smile tugged at her dark lips as she made sure to keep clear of their Lord's hooves, using her telekinesis to carefully wrapping her tail. When she was done Brigid turned her attention back to Anna, looking for more instructions when Hira convulsed again with a large contraction, her body taking the reins and forcing her to comply with what was about to happen. The baby was coming, fast. Before she could react properly it seemed a small palomino filly was laying at her hooves, blinking a few times in confusion Brigid quickly composed herself and took a few blankets from Anna and started dotting the foal, trying to dry her off and keep her composure and pride as a Medic. She took a moment to wonder why she was here again if child birth was so easy, was she meant to be the nursemaid? That sounded...unappealing to say the least. Babies were always so small and fragile, the newly dubbed Anika, was even more so. Where Brigid knew she was small Anika was tiny and the medic was afraid she would break the baby girl. "Well that was...sudden, I expected child birth to be...harder from the stories." Brigid took a moment to smile down at the baby she was trying to dry tenderly, "But that was it, a quick 'plop' and onto the floor little Anika is...She's gorgeous Hira, and if we know our War Lord it's safe to say she will terrorize this world and shape it into a better place just like her mother." The tender words surprised Brigid, making her feel like a big softy so she took a moment to huff in a tough manner and shake her head, making her thick forelock drift down to cover her emerald eyes as they greedily took in the new tender life she had 'helped' bring into this harsh world and made a silent prayer to Kaia, asking the goddess to watch over Anika and always protect her.
Post 3 | Word Count: 444
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 10, 2017 1:38:26 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Brown ears, pinned against her neck in great irritation, caught Hjordis' beckoning call and the surly Valkyrie pivoted to join her sheild-sister. Being outside in fresh air with Hjordis might just be the thing to cool her mind and keep it off what was happening within the cabin...
However, halfway through her turn, in only a matter of few heartbeats, their Lord's struggle had audibly worsened. Whipping back around, Froya watched her leige's body convulse and then begin to gush as if a dam within her had been breached. It was time, and Froya knew she could not stay a mere bystander. The Valkyrie rushed to Hira's side, but it was all over faster than one could imagine. Truly it had to be the quickest birth Froya had ever witnessed, or even heard of. Beneath her was a crumpled foal, sleek with fluid. Her small head, dotted with a tiny, black youth of a horn, wobbled as she began to experience life for the first time outside the womb. Froya reached down, taking in the scent of the child, new and unique, into her breath and in that moment knew she would die for the filly, just as she would for her honorable mother.
This newly awakened feeling within her caused all anxiety and doubt to flee her mind, and Froya snatched up a blanket from the nearby pile like an automaton set to task; apparently thinking Brigid was not performing the duty appropriately (or perhaps she did not think of Brigid at all, it was hard to tell). Froya settled herself beside the filly and almost knocked the smaller medic from the way.
She rubbed the towel against the foal's coat roughly, and yet with a certain gentleness, as if she was trying to instill life into the newly born child. Many times she had done this with Apana lambs, but never with such fervor. With her telekinesis she whisked away any fluid from the filly's mouth and nose and soon enough, the foal was nearly dry from Froya's quick work. Here then, she picked it up and placed it gently near Hira's belly where she could reach her mother's teats... and then Froya remained still, staring at Anika; the new child of the War Lord, in quiet, sober awe.
No apology found its way to Brigid for her rough handling, no further venomous glance was shot in the direction of Anna, and Hjordis was left by the door, her beckoning long forgotten by whom she called for. The Valkyrie stayed upon the floor, curled in a comfortable position, her head up and eyes upon only the War Lord and her filly.
A devote basking in the glow of a Madonna with her child.
Post: 4
Word Count: 455
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Post by posy-punch on Jan 10, 2017 19:06:54 GMT -6
Anna Berk
War-Forged Medic / Resident Dick
▼It was with another heave that the filly was brought into the world, and Anna made quick note of Brigid's wonder. "Foal birth is easy so long as the mother is well enough. However–" The mare trailed off as she watched Froya bustle in to dry the foal properly. She felt a twinge of interest. The mare was in fact very familiar with what to do after a birth. Then Anna turned her chocolate gaze towards Hira again. Something was... off. The child was quite small, even for a premature birth. She shook her mane and then glanced at those that moved the newborn closer to her mother's teats. As soon as this was done Anna knit her eyebrows and spoke.
"Move the child away for another few minutes. I'm not certain but," The medic pressed her muzzle to the War Lord's flank, pushing ever slightly and waiting. It was a tense minute that followed before there was a small nudge back; Anna blinked. "Yes, keep the foal away from her for now. I don't want her to accidentally kick it when the second one comes." She said ever so slowly.
"Alright ladies, I'm going to need a few more blankets, a refilled and clean pail of water and a clean towel. We seem to have... another one on the way." Anna grinned. She couldn't ever stay particularly grumpy at a child's birth, one could even say she became quite tender towards the mother and the little ones.
"Froya, since you seem so inclined, why not you go rest with the child while we prepare for the next. It would be most appreciated." The pony mare nodded to the small child before pulling her ever gently away from her still heaving mother. What an interesting predicament. The orange maned mare turned, at the same time doing her hair up into a messy bun. Best to keep her mane quite out of the way. "Hjordis. Might you go refill the pail." And she turned lastly to the still unnamed Valkyrie, Khala. "And you, if you could perhaps get a new towelette and help Brigid with the blankets?"
As soon as she had her supplies she would cool down the mother ever slightly and await the newcomer, though, it was possible that it would not wait. Anna would not be surprised, after all, the War Lord Hira was their mother.
❧ WORDS: 411
❧ POST: #3
❧ HEX CODE: 805c27 |
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Post by RusticForrest on Jan 11, 2017 20:02:29 GMT -6
Khala
[ Valkyrie ]
The eldest Valkyrie hardly took her eyes from her Lord, even as the small medic burst in and many spoke around her. She'd taken the water Froya brought gratefully, and had used it to dab at Hira's sweating fur when the heavily pregnant mare was laying down. However, it was when Hira caught her gaze that Khala's golden eyes finally softened into the maternal instinct that had developed within her so strongly after her own child was born.
At Hira's announcement of her pregnancy, Khala could hardly suppress a kindly chuckle. "I am sorry to say, dear friend, that you had none of us fooled. Least of all me." Though her tone was light, her heart was not. Within her a grumbling sense of the need to protect and curiosity was growing. She sincerely wished to kick the stallion that had managed this between the fork of his legs where it counted. But, at the same time- she was eagerly excited, anticipating the moment when Hira's child would enter this world. Surely it would be doted upon. Khala at least would see to that. If she was half as strong as her mother- for Hira seemed certain it was a girl- she would be blessed and loved dearly.
The first glance she took away from Hira was to glare firmly at Anna, pinning her ears slightly and growling a quick, "Khala," in response to her inquiry. Now was not the time for pleasantries.
Once the contractions were coming closer and closer, growing ever shorter in relaxed time, Khala's muscles tensed with sympathy. Time stretched as the group of mares watched over the War Lord, and for Hira it must have been agonizing. But soon, the struggles paid off, and beside an exhausted and panting Hira, was a small palomino filly, the tiniest tip of a black horn present in the center of her forehead. It was as if everything within her melted, and tears came to the Valkyrie's eyes, which she struggled to blink away as she viewed the glow about the War Lord, and the happiness that radiated from the filly and mother. Hira named her Anika, and it wasn't long before the babe was searching for it's first meal. "Hira, she's beautiful. Kaia has truly blessed you." Smiling, Khala turned to the rest of the mares present, exchanging her happiness with each of them. This was a beautiful moment, and she felt ever so fortunate that she was one who was able to share in it.
It was not to last for long, however, as Anna ever so gracefully announced that another child was on its way. "Two?!" the surprise was evident in Khala's voice. With her jaw hanging slightly open, the chimera turned to Hira once more. "Well, you never were one for subtlety." An ear turned back when Anna ordered a blanket be brought, and another glare was fixed upon the pony. Khala was not one to be ordered about; her prideful side flared at most anyone aside from Hira, and she certainly did not appreciate it coming from a small pony who thought herself to be in charge. Wrinkling her muzzle into a not-so-subtle scowl, she moved to get clean blankets (because despite wishing it weren't so, they were quite necessary) and brought them back quickly, using her telekinesis to quickly open and close a chest, picking the softest of the pile to lay for receiving the next child.
"Just a little longer," she murmured, preparing to wet another cloth in the bucket of cool water.
WC: 590
Post #: 2 |
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Post by Wolf-mask on Jan 11, 2017 20:49:32 GMT -6
Hjordis
Inside the cabin Hjordis could hear her Lord go into labor. It was a crucial moment to keep up her duty at this point. The mare had thought that Hira would start screaming in pain from pushing the little foal out, but surprisingly, none came. All that came out was a hiss of pain. She shouldn’t have expected anything less from Hira honestly. It was more than likely that Hira had kept herself from screaming out in pain on purpose, out of some sense of pride. Hjordis couldn’t blame her honestly. Only more admiration for the older mare sprung up in Hjordis’s heart. When the noise of Hira’s labor died down, Hjordis took a risk and glanced inside to see the newborn and her mother. At the sight of the little palomino filly, Hjordis’s heart swelled with pride, affection, joy, and protection. Hjordis would die for this little girl, just as much as she would die for Hira. Both of them would be protected, even at the cost of her life. In the sudden quiet of the cabin, Hira named the filly Anika and Hjordis gave a grin to the newborn. From her spot by the door, Hjordis murmured a short prayer to the gods for the filly, “Welcome to the world, little Anika. May Kaia and Alya both bless your path.” She resisted going to her Lord’s side, watching as Hira laid exhausted on the pallet. “May Kaia and Alya bless you too, my Lord. You’ve worked a lot today.” she muttered with mirth. Her attention switched from Hira to Anika thanks to a small commotion. Said commotion was Froya shoving Brigid out of the way and taking up the job of cleaning Anika of water and womb fluids. A frown was directed at the other Valkyrie, rolling her eyes at her friend’s antics. Just as she went to scold Froya for acting so rudely towards the one of the two medics in this room, who was only trying to do her job, Anna spoke up again. The dun looked at the tiny medic with a dumbfounded look. “Two!” she cried incredulously. Her gaze snapped back to Hira, heaving on the pallet with Khala readying blankets behind her. “By the gods.” Hjordis muttered to herself, shaking her head in disbelief. “You were truly blessed by the Kaia and Alya my Lord,” the mare laughed before switching her attention to Anna “I’ll get right on that Ma’am.” Using her telekinesis, the mare picked up the bucket, and trotted away from the door. If she remembered right, there was a brook not that far from the cabin, carved naturally by a steady run off of melted ice. She’d still need to be alert though. It was possible that there was still a danger out in these woods, ready to pick off a lone equine. Paying careful attention to the woods, Hjordis didn’t notice that she’d come upon her destination. Quickly, Hjordis re-filled the bucket before practically running back to the cabin door. “Here you go, Anna.” the Valkyrie quickly gave the small medic the bucket, setting it by Anna.
Post: 4 | WC: 521
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 13, 2017 3:03:20 GMT -6
Hira | War Lord
Too tired to do much more than lay in the lingering aftermath and haze of pain, Hira listened as the others moved around, looked in on young Anika. She wished to see her daughter herself, but her eyes were heavy, her neck a veritable boulder, and she was tired, she was so tired. Too tired to even enlighten young Brigid on just how easy she thought it had been. But she saved her breath, instead remaining quiet and simply enjoying the relief afforded by Khala’s gentle care. Yes, she would just remain quiet for a few more minutes, get her strength back, ignore what sounded like Froya running roughshod over the others…
Then Anna (of course Anna) shattered Hira’s somnolence with her wry words.
“Two?” Hira mumbled, cracking an eye to look at Anna as the medic palpated her. “No, no I don’t think so. I- I refuse. It is not something that I-” she grunted, eyes shutting again, “something that I will be… be participating in.” The defiant sentence ended somewhere between a moan and a snarl, however, and rather rendered the sentiment void. “This does not feel like a blessing!” Hira growled in response to Hjordis’ words. “This feels a lot more like a whole basket of regret shoved up my-” her colourful words broke off into a hiss of pain, and the pony’s energies were devoted solely to the “blessing” going on in her mid-region.
Anika’s birth had been, if not painless, at least brief.
This was not.
This was a long, excruciating passage of time that Hira hoped, in the one part of her mind that was not on fire or otherwise screaming, that she would never remember. She was not afraid of pain, not afraid of death- but she was afraid of failure. Of dying in foalbirth, like any common housewife. She would not die like this, she would not-
And so it was with a shout edging into a scream that the War Lord forced her second, larger child into the world. Lights burst before her eyes, bright spot of fire that flickered and danced in time the roaring in her ears, as blackness crept across her vision. Nauseous, light headed, weakened beyond anything she’d ever known, Hira forced her dilated eyes to look, to see the child that had nearly finished Anika’s work. Hira blinked once, slowly, an effort to clear her vision because what she saw was not right, could not have come from her.
Scales, muted and mottled with all the colours of the earth.
“That,” Hira said, or maybe only thought, as the earth rose up to catch her as she collapsed, “that had better be a lindworm golem.” A pause, and then, with great effort, "Grigori."And then the War Lord lost consciousness, while the kirin colt, much larger and healthier than his sister, stirred with soft, plaintive sounds.
Post 4 | 479 words
While not dying, the War Lord is certainly losing blood and needs quick medical attention!
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 13, 2017 6:04:01 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Upon Anna's proclamation of a second child and orders to remove the first already nestled by Hira's flank, Froya promptly swaddled Anika in a blanket and carried her in it like a sling. She settled near the War Lord once more, though safely away from her thrashing hooves, and cradled the filly between her front legs and firmly against her breast. She looked on with severe apprehension as Hira seethed with fury and pain. Gently, and quite tenderly, Froya snuggled Anika with her muzzle. If she could not do anything for her mother now, she would at least ensure that her firstborn wouldn’t be uncomfortable or cause a fuss…
And then the cabin was filled with a terrible uproar. The shaggy pony ground her teeth and tried to concentrate on the baby instead of the scene unfolding before her, but it was a difficult task. Her muscles were stiff, she wanted to go to her liege, ease her pain, help her in any way she could, though she knew there was nothing she could do now. That duty fell to Brigid and Anna, but it became too much when Hira's wails intensified as the event continued to drag on and Froya found it harder and harder to distract herself by simply tending to Anika. Her eyes began to focus on the midwives rather than the filly, and they were brimming with a fierce fire.
Eventually, with Froya's heart pounding and leaping into her throat, another foal fell out onto the floor and blood came with him. The metallic scent swirled into her nostrils and engulfed the cabin. It was too much, this was more of her Lord's blood than Froya had ever wanted to see... even in childbirth, and the Valkyrie knew that all was not right.
Immediately she stood up, Anika swaying in her sling, and strode over to the new arrival. Snatching up blankets yet again, she bundled the child into them, for the medics needed to focus on Hira, and not him. Before she turned to carry the child away however, her eyes bore into the two mares and she growled through gritted teeth. "You will not fail."
The threat in her voice was evident, but she did not pause to listen to any retorts that might come. She had no doubt their medical expertise was sound, especially Anna’s, and thought her own words to be rather unnecessary, but Froya could not have held them back at this point. With the air thick with the War Lord's blood and herself full of tension, guarding one’s tongue became the least of her concerns.
"Hjordis, come, help me." she beckoned her peer.
She settled in the same spot as before and it was not until she had begun to unwrap the colt that she noticed his oddity. There was but a moment's pause as she stared down upon the newly unveiled kirin, taking in his glistening scales, still wet from birth. Starting quite suddenly, she handed Anika off to Hjordis and began administering the same treatment to Grigori that she had to Anika. He was dry in almost no time at all and when he was swaddled and cradled between her legs, like his sister had been, she allowed herself to pause again. For what seemed like an eternity, she just looked at him. Turning to face Hjordis, no words left her lips, but her eyes spoke to her sister-in-arms. What does this mean?
Post: 5
Word Count: 574
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Post by tarriedsea on Jan 13, 2017 6:37:55 GMT -6
Shortly from the womb, the equine race is known for its tenacity to stand on wobbly legs and greet the world with wide, receptive eyes. But even among us, incredulity reigns over whether birth itself can be remembered. It's a blind process of blood and labor and pressure and licking little faces clean. It's a sensory overload for a brain who only knew warm darkness for months.
When do memories begin? In the darkness of the mother, or only once outside light touches our skin for the first time? When our soft downy hair begins to dry and fluff? When we stand, taller than we've ever been, searching for that warm belly we were once a part of?
I don't know. I don't know if I truly remember that day, or if retrospect has colored my vision to create things that weren't there. Many say my confidence of memory is foolish, that I was too small and weak to have any cerebral lingerings. But I refuse to believe the moving images in my head are creative fantasies. Maybe Kaia in her mercy has relayed that day to me in dreams. Maybe she has bled the experience into my head where I had gaps in the sequence. I don't know.
I remember a hard floor.
I remember heat, and blood, and a smell like old copper.
I remember my mother's soft rump, my first view of her, some far-away words she spoke to me.
I remember a rush of activity, my mother's hoarse cries, time drifting wearily around me in a fog, and suddenly I remember him.
My brother.
In plain view for my first time, my eyes still cloudy and blinking. He glittered like a gem. Slightly out of focus, in light for the first minute of his existence on Kaia's green earth. But to my bones, he was familiar. We'd shared a home for months and been nourished from the same source- I could not forget him.
The witnesses there that day- the mares my mother assembled for this private affair- have to fill in the gaps where my mind fails. They said there was a hush. That he was different. That he carried change on his back.
I never noticed, of course. In context he was as new as every other figure standing over us.
They say our first memory defines how we view ourselves. I came into this world small and plain. I had no idea that my brother was different, or what his glittering meant. But in hindsight it was all so apparent- he carried the weight of the attention in the room. He had every gaze upon him.
Today I can look out among the vastlands and feel Kaia's lips in the sunshine, her mane tossing in the wind. She was with us at our birth, and her step has not faltered since then. We were loved.
From blood we are born, from birth it races in our veins. Such similarity between the beginning of life and its end. Such similarity between our entrance to the world, and how it receives us. Kaia is funny in the way she orchestrated cycles of existence. Similarities and paralells that evade us must be so apparent to her.
We were small. We were still wet.
We had our whole lives ahead of us.
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Post by Wolf-mask on Jan 13, 2017 18:42:11 GMT -6
Hjordis
Hjordis let out a chuckle at the War-Lord’s retort to her congratulations on having twins. Of course the older mare would make a retort while writhing in pain on the pallet. Though when the mare was cut mid-sentence, Hjordis became worried. Before, with Anika, Hira had been able to finish her sentence. The mare looked over her shoulder, feeling a sudden shift in emotions in the air. She could see the pain slowly carving through Hira’s cool façade. Her eyes flickered to Froya when Anika was taken away from her mother’s belly. Then a scream was ripped from the belly of Hira and Hjordis practically jumped at the haunting sound. Never before had the Valkyrie heard her fearless leader cry out with pain. Frozen on the spot in fright, Hjordis watched as the War-Lord’s flanks convulsed with contractions, attempting to pull the next foal out of the womb and into the harsh world. Breath held, she watched as the foal spilled out onto the ground behind her. Something was wrong with Hira, more blood coming out more than there should be. Wanting to help, Hjordis took a couple steps forward before catching sight of the younger foal and stopped dead in her tracks. Scales, there were scales on the back of the young colt’s back and legs. Through the thick mane she could catch sights of two small bumps between his ears. “By Kaia and Alya.” She muttered to herself. This isn’t by the goddesses though, is it? A kirin…they’re of Ignacio! How…How did this happen. Hjordis thought to herself, eyes stuck on the sight of the foal. “I don’t think that’s even possible, My Lord.” Hjordis muttered to her leader. Her stupor was broken when Froya moved into action, ushering Anika and then the newly named Grigori into swaddles. She watched as the other Valkyrie threatened the medics, rolling her eyes and striding over to Froya when she was beckoned by her comrade. “Please don’t frighten the medics, Froya.” The silver dun murmured to her friend. She settled down beside the mare, watching as Froya unwrapped the colt. The Valkyrie almost jumped when Anika was suddenly pushed over to her in favor of looking at Grigori. Hjordis settled the tiny filly by her chest, in-between her legs. She wanted to offer some protection and warmth to Anika, despite having absolutely no experience taking care of foals, only apana calves. Hjordis looked at Froya when the other mare looked at her with wide eyes. A questioning look that Hjordis could read and she had the same question in hers. “I don’t know, but I suspect the gods. They’re up to something.” The Valkyrie whispered to her sister-in-arms. Hjordis cradled Anika close to her chest, looking between the foals. I pray they keep you both safe. You're both so young.
Post: 5 | WC: 484
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Post by Sasha Arctic on Jan 16, 2017 13:43:44 GMT -6
Brigid || Mare || 13.1 hh || Medic ||
Froya...the mare was anything but soft as Brigid was quickly bumped to the side and the tiny baby she had been rubbing down was snatched from her, the mare felt a burst of anger threaten to erupt but when she saw that a Valkyrie was doing a better job than her at being a Medic she instead moved to Anna's side, almost sulking as she chewed on her cheek more angry with herself than the pushy mare now. She felt so out of place here, she was no good with children or childbirth and it seemed everyone else had more experience in the matter than her, why was she chosen to be here again? Just when everyone, and Brigid, seemed to be settling into an air of relief over Anika Anna's words broke through the calm, Two?! Brigid couldn't believe her ears as her head snapped up from the foal to meet Anna's chocolate eyes and quickly readied herself for yet another bundle with more blankets from the cupboard. This birth wasn't as easy as the last one, Brigid was used to screams, cries of agony begging for the pain to stop but the sounds that burst from Hira were far from those, a shiver crept up the small mares spine as her teeth ground together, trying to drown out the sounds of her leader until the fateful moment when the second child escaped the womb and with him came blood...even if she hadn't experienced childbirth before Brigid felt in her bones that was too much blood. Waiting for the child to be out of her way Brigid was stiff with fear, this was her expertise, before she could get to work Froya snatched up the second child and said but a few simple yet threatening words to her and Anna. Brigid puffed at the challenge, a sly smile upon her dark lips and a spark in her emerald eyes, "I might not be good with childbirth but that is because, as I said earlier, I'm a battlefield medic. I'm the best chance Hira has now so please, let me work in peace." Moving past the mare with her own huff Brigid knelt down beside Hira and started to work, applying pressure to stop the bleeding and reaching for her own pouch, Brigid had an herb or salve for almost every occasion in there and she could think of more than a few that would help now. Agrimony and raw Honey for wound closure and disinfectant, then she would use her Comfrey salve once the blood clotted to promote quick healing with minimal scarring. Her mind worked quickly under pressure and she was already planning the wound care further than she meant to, first to stop the bleeding and aid the blood in clotting with bandages dipped in a honey and Agrimony mixture...but her bag with such things was too far to reach. She grunted in anger and looked to Anna for help, knowing all too well the tiny medic had her own tricks up her sleeve.
Post 4 | Word Count: 510
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Post by posy-punch on Jan 20, 2017 22:19:38 GMT -6
Anna Berk
War-Forged Medic / She's Almost Warming Up to Y'all
▼Now, it was not easy to truly shock Anna. After all, she had many a dealings with the most impossible-seeming injuries and situations and still... she had never felt that rush of pure confusion and then momentary sickness as she did when she saw the foal that quite literally tore from the War Lord. It was with her words, "Grigori," that the child was named and quickly the mare's head flopped back down. Anna spluttered for a mere moment.
"A-a kirin? Of all it could be, by Kaia –excuse me?– a kirin, War Lord?" She got out uncremoniously as she instantaneously leapt to action. Although her mouth had not caught up, her years of training directed her well enough to the bleeding and Brigid's sudden ease. A battlefield medic, and perhaps for once, Anna would stand down to allow her to do the angel's work of helping her War Lord. Then Froya was hissing at her and by the gods, you could almost see the fury burn in Anna's eyes as she turned almost seething towards the Valkyrie, her own thinly-concealed venomous words being hissed forth, "Warforged Medics do not fail." And with that she looked again at the scene.
She noticed the medic's sudden pause and instantly turned to fetch both her bags and Brigid's. She knew well enough that without her packs she could only do so much, exampled by the events of a few months before (though her flunking on that journey was largely in part due to the insufferable twat that was Icabod, she says) when she was without enough materials to truly treat the Vagabonds they had come upon.
"We have a life at stake now, no fooling around." She said softly to Brigid as she chose a place out of the way of the other medic whilst also blocking the view from the two Valkyries and the foals. She looked up, her warm eyes finding the small cluster. "Check the children again. Grigori seems much stronger and it's making me worry for Anika. Keep her warm and be mindful of how she's breathing and the like." Her voice was softer now that the children were about, but it still held an ounce of authority. She may as well use it while she had it.
Then she turned to the task at hand with Hira and pulled a white container forth from her bags. "Perhaps the only thing Aodh is truly good for, this can be used once the bleeding is stopped. I have a few more things as well," She placed the salve off to the side and pulled forth a few more medical imports whilst Brigid worked to stop the bleeding, the soft tutting of her tongue becoming one of the only sounds in the cabin other than the little snorts of the newborns and huffs of those present. Now was the other medic's time to work, and Anna would respect it and aide with her items where they were needed.
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❧ POST: #4
❧ HEX CODE: 805c27 |
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Post by RusticForrest on Jan 21, 2017 21:15:58 GMT -6
Khala
[ Valkyrie ]
The eldest Valkyrie's surprise was shared with every mare present, and, how could they be to blame. The War Lord hadn't been pregnant for long, and she was early. By the size of her, one could hardly have been able to guess that two children had been within. As Hira's labor became worse once again, Khala glanced at Hjordis, her concern evident. Her Lord quickly descended into the second round of labor, this far more arduous.
A sinking feeling steadily grew within the pit of Khala's stomach as she watched Hira attempt to push the child into this world. Anika's birth had been hard enough, and now- now this second child was proving far, far more difficult. With each passing second she prayed to Kaia, asking for her help and wishing there was some way she could step in and intervene. For what she could only imagine was an excruciatingly long time for Hira, the second foal was born and named. And it was he that held her attention.
Down his back were earthen colored scales, softened colors of the rainbow, and on his forehead were two tiny nubs, where antlers would, eventually, grow. He was a kirin. "Hira. . ." But she had collapsed, and the loll of her head told that she'd lost consciousness. As the foals were swept away to be kept safe by Froya and Hjordis, wrapped securely in blankets, Khala turned her full attention to the War Lord, and cursed her ignorance of medicine. For it was apparent that she needed it desperately. The bucket of water and clothes seemed utterly useless. Desperately Khala watched on as Brigid came forward and spoke, rebuking Froya's stern comment. It wasn't long before Anna joined in and the two were pulling salves and herbs from their bags and all she could do was stand and watch.
Feeling helpless was not something Khala did. She'd always been the one to hold it together in the hard times, and many times she needed to for her own child's sake. Moving to stand nearer to Hira's head, she lowered her muzzle. "Don't leave yet my old friend, this herd needs you." The words were soft, and if the medics heard she didn't care. "You have two beautiful babies, and a room of mares who love and respect you." Touching her muzzle to Hira's sweat coated forehead, she silenced herself and took a single step backwards, looking to the medics. "Is there anything I can do?"
WC: 415
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Post by Wolf-mask on Jan 21, 2017 21:51:36 GMT -6
Hjordis
Hjordis watched in amazement as Brigid went straight to work. It amazed her how fast the other mare got straight down to business. She gave a small smile, happy that the other mare finally got her chance to shine. They would definitely need two medics working on their Warlord now. Hjordis gave Hira’s unconscious form a brief, worrying eye. Kaia and Alya, let my lord survive through this. She’s been good to us all. We need her. the Valkyrie prayed within her thoughts, looking upwards as if the roof over the cabin wasn’t serving as a barrier between them all and the sky. Then Anna rushed in and Hjordis could practically feel the determination rolling off from the small, sassy mare. A smile game to the mare’s rough attitude. She liked Anna and her tough determination, hissing right back at Froya after the other mare had threatened her. The small medic had guts that Hjordis praised. Though she’d never want the small mare to work on her. Anna would kick her ass, since Hjordis had a tendency to not listen to medics when it concerned her own health. “I’ll keep a good eye on her! Good luck, you two. May Kaia and Alya be with you.” She called to the small medic when Anna commanded her to look after Anika. Honestly the Valkyrie worried for the tiny filly as well. She looked so fragile, like one wrong move and Hjordis would break her. Hjordis tensed at that thought and kept still. Lacking any sense of maternal instincts made the mare worry. She was a warrior, not a baby sitter. Hjordis had no idea how to take care of a baby. Well, I better get used to it. the mare thought to herself, staring down at the palomino filly resting up against her chest between her forelegs. From the corner of her eyes she watched Khala murmur to Hira. Hopefully the older mare had a better grasp on what to do in this situation than she did. After all, Khala had a filly of her own. She’d seen the youngest Valkyrie around the Barracks. Shyla was a good foal. Half of Hjordis wanted to ask Khala for help, the other, more independent half, urged her that she should be able to do this on her own. I can do this, how hard can taking care of a foal be. It’s like taking care of an Apana calf…right?
Post: 6 | WC: 415
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Post by posy-punch on Jan 21, 2017 22:05:54 GMT -6
Anna Berk
War-Forged Medic / Sometimes-Mom
▼Khala's words made Anna close her eyes softly, the deep chocolate pools disappearing underneath thick brown lashes. Her voice was low and meant only for Brigid to hear, and the Valkyrie addressed. "Khala, should we alert the Stone Circle? Will the foals need to be hidden? Will they need to be protected and brought into the open?" She said softly, reopening her eyes and casting a glance at the Valkyrie. It was a question nagging at Anna. It seemed as if any answer was going to be tough.
"Hira, I'm sure is going to be fine," She said again as she began laying the salve upon the War Lord, working where Brigid had already stopped the bleeding and provided a clear working space. She worked efficiently even as she spoke her fears with the other mare. If the children, if they needed to be hidden, Anna could always offer her home right outside of Skeldr. After all, she already had a young filly living with her, and Nimhera was at the cabin for her training, plus it was nearby the War Lord if she wished to visit.
"I worry for her," She dropped her voice even lower, her voice softer than a whisper, and she was unsure if anyone heard it. Now, she rose though, finding that she'd spread the salve behind everything Brigid had already worked upon. "Hjordis, Froya, Hira will be fine... but please, when she comes to." Anna trailed off as she walked towards the meager kitchen, setting a pot upon the gas stove and lighting it. She would make a soup for those present, but then looking up, she spoke again, authority clear. "Do not bombard her with questions and let her see her own foals." Anna gave a little smile and looked at all present.
"Hira is the mother after all."
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❧ POST: #5
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