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Post by akitapup on Sept 10, 2018 21:25:48 GMT -6
ULRICH
It felt like a century ago since Ulrich had seen the sun. He squinted, blue eyes cast up on the piercing light, while the morning made way for an array of color, like a splatter of ink on a surface. The past weeks’ weather patterns became boringly predictable; rain, rain, rain. If it needed some variation, there was a splash of fog here or there, or maybe a break from the drizzle and just a plain gray day. Typically, the beautiful sky would be a comfort, but it did nothing to lighten Ulrich’s mood.
Perhaps he had spent too long in his head, mulling over his mistakes, seeing what he could have, should have changed. Even worse, he could not stop the onslaught of verbal abuse that came from his own mind. Ulrich felt plain stupid, his blood going hot when he thought back to the incident. The memory of Ansgar, forcing him to stand down- Ulrich struck his hoof out at the ground, dirt and flowers falling in a broken lump.
Glancing down at the camp from his spot in the hills above it, he cursed at the air. He wanted to make his teacher proud, to show him he wasn’t cocky and dumb as a rock. And furthermore, though he hid his guilt well, he despised that he had made Synn look just as foolish as him. And poor little Signe- it was never his intention to place her in danger! He considered her a sister of his, and Ulrich would barrel through anything that meant to cause her or Keldan harm.
He watched the siblings frolic in the field, Signe nipping at her brother’s ankles. The roan stallion huffed and laid down, his hefty body settling in the chill of the grass. In the distance, he spotted Cerys, silent but eyeing her children like a hawk. His heartbeat quickened and he frowned. Though she was Ansgar’s wife, she seemed more comparable to a ghost or a spirit; quiet, always there, always in the background. He didn’t know much about her, in all honesty, other than she once was a lowlander, bartered off. What would that even be like? He did not want to.
Though his pride screamed no, he figured he owed the mare an apology for his actions back in Holmsa. Whether or not he would get up right away depended on how ready he was to get off his ass.
Word Count: 404 Post #1 |
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Post by hey-stardust on Oct 1, 2018 5:16:54 GMT -6
 CERYS | BLOODY FLANKS | MERCHANT
We’ll never get it back, but we’ll try
some things are best left behind.
The scare at Holmsa had rattled them all for a few days, keeping tensions high and tempers short - especially as they had managed to retrieve next to nothing from the dilapidated town, other than lost time and a hostile welcome. But, even that could not prevent Signe from eventually reverting back into her usual, rambunctious self; forcing them all to remain on high alert, keeping a keen eye on the horizon (and her overly ambitious antics).
With the rain, came eventual respite; allowing them time outside of the cramped tents that had been hastily propped up for the duration of their stay, and the heavy cloaks that usually covered their hides. Signe and Keldan had bolted from their beds at the first touch of sunlight, laughing and cavorting beneath the snow-laden trees while a familiar, ghostly canine trailed close on their heels.
Cerys had risen with them, remaining on watch, a shepherd to a wayward flock. As the hours whittled by and her children's energy slowly ebbed, she spotted the young Raider and her husband's protege, Ulrich, cresting one of the numerous hills that surrounded them.
Splitting her attention between the twins and the stallion, she took note of his uneasy state; eyeing his frustration as he struck out, seemingly at war within himself. It was a familiar sight and in turn, feeling, though she had had what felt like years more practice to conceal the same sentiments at her own situation.
Her limp was still evident, but she began to make her way slowly up the hill, pausing here and there to nose at the sleet that lay across the ground; her newfound blessing aiding her in finding fresh, young shoots of grass to pick at until she reached the slumped figure. Glancing down, she regarded him with a kindly air.
“Ulrich… May I join you?”
Her words left him with the opportunity to walk away, aware that not all she travelled with were willing to part with what darkened their minds or made them grit their teeth in anguish; Ansgar alone was proof of that.
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Post by akitapup on Nov 13, 2018 11:17:48 GMT -6
ULRICH
He startled to his feet when the mare approached, her gentle eyes regarding him with neither hatred nor regret. Ulrich had fully expected anger, rage, hell, anything but kindness. All the mares in the Flanks were jaded and angry, save for Astrid and, of course, Cerys. Ulrich didn't expect that much of a difference from the unicorn. He put her children in danger, after all. If he was a father, he'd fight tooth and nail against anyone who had put them in danger.
Except it was he that put them in danger.
"Oh- yeah, of course," he said. He shuffled awkwardly, grass stuck to his underside and dirt plastered to his knees as he made a space for Cerys to sit.
Glancing away from her face, his gaze landed on her hooves, where the grass and flowers bloomed where she stepped, fresh and livelier than the growth around it.
“I just wanted to apologize,” he mumbled, pursing his lips. His throat tightened and he thought of the way Ansgar had charged, huffing and snorting- did Cerys feel the same way? Angry at himself, mostly, he bowed his head and sighed. “What I did. . . It wasn’t right of me to put everyone in danger, especially you and the kids. I’m sorry.”
Sorry. A word that took great strides for him to vocalize it out loud.
Word Count: 224 Post #1 |
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Post by hey-stardust on Dec 20, 2018 7:27:59 GMT -6
 CERYS | BLOODY FLANKS | MERCHANT
We’ll never get it back, but we’ll try
some things are best left behind.
Taking Ulrich's awkward greeting and invitation in stride, Cerys knelt down, landing with a soft thump onto the muddied ground. She stared out over the horizon, watching keenly with one ear trained on him as he agonised over personal failings and stumbled over an apology; all the while making firm and assertive eye contact with the ground.
She reviewed his misgivings patiently, teasing her blessing over the strained tundra as if in thought; watching curiously as dull shoots of grass began to fill with colour, straightening out despite the erratic patches of snow that gently attempted to resist their efforts.
Lifting her head, she looked deep into his eyes and locked her gaze with his, demanding his attention. "We all make mistakes," she started, thinking back over the previous months and what might have been avoided, had she not been with them. "You could say the first was Ansgar refusing to leave me behind with the others..."
Perhaps it had not been the wisest thing to rush into the unknown, but could she really say she would have done any different, had she been trained to wield a blade and hoist a shield?
"You did no more than I would have, if I were able."
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Post by akitapup on Jan 11, 2019 20:21:50 GMT -6
ULRICH
The piercing stare of Cerys' ice blue eyes straightened his back, and he gulped down his doubt and fear.
She was certainly right on that part- it was completely foolish and idiotic of Ansgar to keep his pregnant wife with him when they started their journey- did he really think it a bright idea to not leave her with Gidal, Faust, Ualda and the others? It even left Ulrich doubting Ansgar's judgment on that decision. That said, the company of the children brought a smile to his face. They were a reminder that they deserved to inherit a free Onea, they were proof of a better tomorrow. They are who we fight for.
"Perhaps," he agreed, sitting himself down next to Cerys- not too close, not too far. "Don't tell him, but it definitely wasn't very smart on his end."
He looked down at Cerys' feet, his eyes catching the flowers and grass blades that pushed their way out of the remaining snow and mud. They danced around her, like drunk men swaying to a song. He didn't say anything. The plants were proof enough of a blessing. With a soft huff and a smile, he rested his head in the grass.
"I'm glad you aren't angry. I was, y'know. At me," he said. "I'm just glad the kids are safe."
Word Count: 226 Post #3 |
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