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Post by Quorkbirb on Sept 14, 2018 11:50:59 GMT -6
TAKE A HIKE
Froya - QuorkBirb
Kelby - KeraRose
Delta - BlackBee23
Morrigan - LeviathelSetting:Time: Midday. Mid spring of 1701. Flower Festival fast approaching. Place: Passes and trails of Skeldr that wind trough mountain crags around the base of the great mountain and behind the War Lord’s fortress. Weather: Pleasant, brisk. A cool breeze is blowing through the mountians and clouds plentiful in the sky. They frequently pass over the sun and periodically dump light loads of rain. Special Points:
- Grigori and Alvane have both recently been captured by cultists |
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Post by Quorkbirb on Sept 14, 2018 17:58:58 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
They had arisen early, before the sun, and donned their gear. It was only training, but Froya insisted they all wear full armor and pack ample supplies. Warriors did not march into battle barebacked and they shouldn’t train that way either, else they would never truly be prepared. Besides, a traveler never knew what they would face when trekking through Onea, even as close to the capital as they were. A sudden downpour or rockfall could trap the team and they would be grateful for the extra supplies they had brought. Training missions could go awry (as one with Hira did only two winters previous), and Froya was not keen to be caught unprepared.
When they set out, the world was still drenched with fog and surfaces were bedazzled with dew. The sun was beginning to wink over the crests of distant hills and mountains, spilling it’s light over the farmlands, but the passes of Skeldr were still cloaked in shadow. Occasionally rays would creep between peaks, casting a shaft of warmth onto the misty path and the dewy rocks sparkled like an Aodhian King’s bridle in response. High mountain trails kept cool long after the lowlands had been warmed under Ignacio’s smoldering gaze. Providing a refuge for retreating fog and snow, it was near mid-day when the mists finally succumbed to the growing strength of the sun and the Valkyries no longer had to navigate through a sea of swirling white cloud. Still they passed icy patches of snow, some beginning to melt into puddles that would sink into the thirsty ground.
Finally, after hours of toiling with the mountain’s unforgiving incline, the company reached the highest point of their journey. Emerging from between two natural walls of stone, they had followed a rocky and fairly unstable path that was laid bare to the sky. Each of them had stumbled at least once, despite their skill, and sent rocks tumbling down to rest far below them. The path danced back and forth across the slope in switchbacks and at the top they found a small, flat space nestled against the cliff face. On the opposite side from which they had come, the trail descended less steeply and lead back down the mountain. Here they rested, taking some food and water, and looked out over the vista.
Below them mountain peaks rose in descending ranks. Small pockets of snow decorated the stoney landscape and fog pooled in shadowy hollows. The upper levels of Skeldr town were blocked from view, but the lower buildings were small grey squares. Smaller still were the dots that moved amongst them, like ants going about their daily duties. Beyond stretched the holy expanse of Kaia, the foothills gave way to the farmlands that spanned out into the distant horizon. Rivers cut through the land and sparse woods trailed alongside them as the waters rushed to the far-off sea. Forests of deep green, hazy with remoteness, encroached along the farmland border. Even from here, upon the rocky seat of Skeldr, the Valkyries could see the obscure shapes of the Silverwoods rising like white towers amongst the dark forest, ominous and foreboding.
Presently, Froya was standing near the edge of the overlook. Quiet and reflective, thoughts swelling in her mind as she surveyed her homeland and waited for her companions to finish their rest. Chilly mountain breezes rushed up the rock face and gently tossed her tail about. She could feel beads of sweat sliding through her thick pelt and shook to try and rid herself of them.
Post: 1
Word Count: 591
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Post by kerarose on Sept 20, 2018 20:00:15 GMT -6
KELBYWar-Forged Valkyrie
Saying the climb was difficult was like saying that getting gutted with a sword was painless.
It had been one of the harder climbs in Kelby's life, with her full armor and supplies. They had been determined to not fall behind, however, and even though their flanks heaved with gasping breaths, they had continued on. She greedily drank from her flask, the cool liquid soothing the raging hot insides of her mouth and throat. Once her breathing had slowed, she took time to view the landscape surrounding them. The air was nippy, but not too cold, and the countryside was beautiful.
Of course, Kelby would never admit this, because she didn't like to acknowledge that she had been born wealthy and able to appreciate the finer things in life. No, all they wanted was to blend in.
So it came as a surprise to Kelby as their hooves carried her over to Froya, to stand alongside her and look down at the world. Froya shook, causing Kelby to turn their head, as she had been ignoring the highly irritating droplets cascading down her flanks. Now she wished nothing more than to shake themself as the droplets grew almost too annoying to ignore. With the slightest gift of willpower, inherited from Mama, she ignored it once more and turned to speak to the mare.
"Have you enjoyed working us to death, Froya?" she asked, the smile blatantly obvious in her tone. Teasing others, always meant in good fun, was one of the few things Kelby was good at, and enjoyed. "Making us climb up the highest mountain wasn't enough, was it? Oh, no, we have to carry twice our body weight on our backs and keep our faces smiling as we suffocate. Would you like us to walk up backwards the next time? Oh, wait, I've got it! How about we balance huge rocks on our heads or carry fine china between our teeth?" They then began to bow to the other Valkyrie, making a silly face each time. "What comes next, oh brave and valiant warrior? Oh wise one, oh fearless leader?"
Kelby couldn't hold back all of the giggles that wanted to break free, so she settled for letting a few escape at the end of their teasing. They gently bumped the other mare with a hip, looking out over the scenery, a smile stuck on her face, a few giggles escaping from their lungs.
Post 1, WC: 409
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on Sept 21, 2018 21:28:31 GMT -6
 The hike wasn't nearly as bad as she had thought it was going to be. Good news is at least Jeremy managed to get some flight time and fresh air. The small Pallid Bat had been practicing his flying more and more. Delta would often watch him proudly, looking forward to the day when he could keep up with her while airborne.
She trotted up the rocky path briskly, her sides heaving and sweat rolling down her neck. Her cleated iron shoes left faint scratches in the stone as she power-housed up a mild hill. Slowing to a stop beside her Sisters, Delta broke out into exhausted laughter, “By the Five Gods, Kelby! Shut up!” she shouted with a wide smile, placing a mental hand over the smaller mare's mouth, “You're gonna give her ideas!”
She laughed with her Sister a while longer, before taking a much-needed drink from her water flask. The dappled mare's draconic armor was heavy, to say the least, and most would wonder why a Hippocampus would choose a dragon as the theme. The brushed gold details caught the light in ways that it seemed like it was glowing,
“Mum! Mum!” came a child-like voice from above her. Delta's ear flicked to the voice, yet to anyone without the talent, it would sound like nothing but bat squeaks. She turned to acknowledge the small bat as he landed on the top of her head,
“There are pretty sparkly rocks over there!” Jeremy shouted, crawling down the front of the mare's helmet and clumsily pointing around the bend of the level clearing. She gave him a confused frown as he flapped off and landed somewhere out of sight, “Sparkly rocks?”
She walked over to where he had pointed and saw the rocks. She took a step back and stared in shock at the mountain of jagged quarts and garnet. She flicked her left ear back to her Sisters, “Uhh... hey guys! You might wanna see this!”
As she felt her fellow Valkyries at her back, she watched as Jeremy landed on a section of black stone which she quickly identified as solid carbon and iron. Scanning the area, she noticed that there was a rather massive outcropping of those carbon stones and that they didn't fit in with the mountainside at all.
“Mum! The rocks are alive!” Called the tiny bat. This shocked Delta even more, “What do you mean the rocks are alive!?”
As if on cue, the gems and stone pitched, moving on their own accord. A deep, low rumble filled the air as if the entire mountain was falling. Delta watched in awe as a massive arm and claw grasped the edge of the cliff. A hulking head lowered itself to their level, garnet eyes scanning the four Valkyries.
It examined each one, making only the smallest of shifts. When it's eyes passed over Froya, however, there was a stall, and a spark of recognition crossed it's stone features. It starred at the brown mare for a moment, then slowly nodded to her. It wasn't quite a bow, but the way the Lindworm had done it made it seem equally respectful.
It gave them all one final glance and then slowly crawled down the mountain, the sun refracting through the hundreds of sharp, spiked gems along it's neck and shoulders. Delta peered over the edge and watched as it simply pushed into the mountain and vanished.
“See you later!” called Jeremy in his cheerful voice as he landed on Delta's head. Looking back at the trail, she was amazed to see that the path only had a few chunks missing, but nothing so major that would render it unusable.
For something so big, it had been incredibly careful. The dappled mare turned to gawk at Froya, “What the hell was that?!”
638 words || post 1
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leviathel
Nebula
Beautiful avatar by Queerly
Posts: 3 
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Post by leviathel on Sept 29, 2018 6:07:45 GMT -6
Morrigan
Valkyrie
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When Morrigan had agreed to join Froya on her trek up Skeldr mountain, she had been thinking of a relaxing, if minorly challenging walk while the warming rays of the afternoon Ignacio's burning eye shone down upon their backsides. Of course it was only after she had agreed, when she had been awoken early in the morning with instructions to don her full armour that Morrigan had realised that she had not spoken to Froya in a while nor walked up Skeldr. And neither were likely to go easy on the unsuspecting pegasus.
Throughout the entire walk Morrigan had been struggling. She never fell behind but harsh huffs of cold air whistled through her clenched teeth as she pushed herself farther and farther. Her burning muscles screamed at her with every step and the sweltering furred skin under her armour was at odds with the frigid leather of her wings and back that could only put up feeble protest to the cold. Since joining the Valkyries Morrigan's physical ability had improved in bounds and she felt stronger than ever. But that did not mean she was immune to the struggles of intense exercise, especially when she had begun foolishly winding down in preparation for the glorious days of the flower festival. Figures that Froya would pick now of all times.
Despite her protests and attempts to bribe him with strips of tough jerky, Morrigan's familiar Ravi, had been determined to join the Valkyries on their journey. Following her out of the barracks and making strange whimpering noises when she tried to shut him inside, she had only relented after receiving some dirty looks from the more animal-orientated of her peers. She couldn't be bothered to hear their speech on animal cruelty, today of all days. During the climb Morrigan frequently looked at the snow leopard in envy, young as he was, he was able to traverse the rocky ground with an unwavering confidence, and his thick coat of multi-tiered fur kept him warm and happy. How cosy his fur would be as a pel-. Her thoughts were cut off as the familiar turned his head and gazed up at her with wide eyes and the cutest expression. The tough Valkyrie was forced to look away as sharp guilt flooded her. Damn that cub, he has no right to look that cute. She focused her eyes on the path and instead focused on how better to arrange her armour for more heat. Said armour was a mess of boiled leather, scraps of bronze and various animal pelts, light and rigged in such a way to allow her to use the ability of flight with a decent amount of protection and warmth, though the former was not applicable in such harsh conditions as today. Some would argue that she was being ridiculous and indolent wearing such armour but they had obviously never experienced the risky activity of flight.
When they had reached the small and questionable path that marked the last leg of their upward journey, Morrigan had been just as on edge as the others. She might be in possession of wings, but they were curled against her body, numb and stiff. Even if she was able to unfurl the draconic appendages in time gravity was working against her, and it would be virtually impossible for her to do anything but be bashed against the steep slopes, rendering her wings useless or even completely torn off. So when she stumbled that first, second, third, time, her heart raced as her system was flooded with epinephrine. At one point a wild, ragged laugh was even let loose from her lungs.
When they finally arrived at their destination Morrigan was alight with relief. After shucking off the extra bags she was carrying on her flanks, she gratefully took a long, desperate swig from her flask of water, only breaking away when her lungs demanded air. Even Ravi had collapsed in exhaustion and was napping. She glimpsed her sisters gathering at the edge of an overlook and headed over, curious to see what they were up to. Her gait was sluggish and slow, savouring the feeling of flat ground and no supplies strapped to her back. Morrigan glanced at Froya, the eldest in their party, and someone whom the pegasus respected, not for their age, but for their experience and wisdom. In truth she had even harboured a small crush towards the horse during the earliest years of her time as a Valkyrie. But the feelings had been borne out of a desperation and reverence when Morrigan had truly been struggling to acclimatise. She had crossed that hurdle many years ago. Turning to the view, Morrigan had to admit it was beautiful despite the fact she rarely appreciated these sort of things. It was partially due to the brilliance of the site and the rush of some inexplicable feeling that one felt after overcoming some sort of difficulty, such as scaling this damn mountain.
Morrigan turned to head to Kelby as she approached, the contemplative mood that had taken hold of her sliding away like a second skin as the young mare began to heckle the older Valkyrie about the choice of activity. A sharp smile settled on Mor's face as she listened in, and as Kelby's speech came to an end she let out a harsh laugh. When Delta arrived and interjected Morrigan smiled before glancing at Froya. "She does have you down to a 't' Froya, are you sure you don't want to take down any of those ideas? I particularly like the fine china one, maybe it would encourage Kelby to learn a valuable skill, called silence" Morrigan shot a look at Kelby as she uttered the last few words, but there was obvious amusement dancing in the older mare's eyes.
When Delta called out to her fellow sisters Morrigan's gaze shifted to where the hippocampus stood. She furrowed her brow in confusion, but her expression quickly turned to one of both awe and aggression as what she perceived to be a Lindworm Golem emerged from the rock face. Quickly she unsheathed her two swords, which she knew would do jack all against a creature such as this, but perhaps if the owner was nearby they would have some chance of survival if they were able to strike them down. However it appeared Morrigan's worry was unneeded as the golem merely gazed at them all, in particular nodding a Froya, before crawling away down the slope. Running over to the edge Morrigan's jaw was slack as she searched for the beast but her eyes turned up empty. Slowly sheathing her weapons she, like Delta, turned to Froya. "Froya I think we need to have a talk about the kind of people you hang out with" The joke was a blunt and crude way to deflect from the shock running through Morrigan's veins.
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Post: 1 Words: 1153 |
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Post by kerarose on Oct 3, 2018 15:01:12 GMT -6
KELBYWF Valkyrie Kelby smiled widely at the teasing of their sisters-in-arms. A light chuckle escaped from her mouth as the rest of the gang continued to tease Froya. Eventually, Delta called their attention to a seeming pile of rocks.
Only, they weren't rocks at all.
A Lindworm emerged from the pile, staring at each of them in turn. Kelby, as fond as she was of the Earth Mother, she had to admit that she hated, and perhaps even somewhat feared, her earthen creations. There was something just... wrong about them that gave Kelby the creeps. Gods knew they couldn't explain it. So when that garnet gaze landed on her- she froze, her muscles locking her joints and limbs into place, and she had no choice but to stare back. Then its gaze left her, and she couldn't help but breathe a small sigh of relief, almost inaudible, as her muscles relaxed. She saw the creature nod to Froya- was it hers? Certainly not. Perhaps she knew whoever it belonged to. That must be it.
As the creature left and went on its merry way, Kelby stared wide-eyed at their friends. "Does someone mind explaining what that thing was doing, and why on Kaia's green earth it was up here?" She then turned to Froya, her ears flicked back, close to her head. "Do you know that Lindworm? Whose is it?"
Kelby hoped that Froya could answer her, for she wanted to avoid the Lindworm at all costs in the near future.
WC: 252 // Post 2 |
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Post by Quorkbirb on Oct 31, 2018 15:07:29 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Quiet brooding was interrupted as Froya sensed Kelby draw up beside her. Tilting her head to regard her peer as she spoke, Froya shook her head in less-than serious disapproval and released a heavy sigh as Delta and Morrigan joined in the exchange. The teasing was light and well intended, Froya didn’t mind it in small doses as long as it didn’t derail Valkyries from their task at hand. It distracted her and reminded her that not every moment was to be serious and calculated, something she had struggled with in the days following Grigori’s capture. The failure had spurred a slight resurgence in her old habits of over-analysis and over-working. Her comrade’s more relaxed demeanor would benefit her and break the somber mindset she adopted.
“You’ll thank me one day, when enemies are on your heels and you’ll have to race them for your life.”
The group seemed recovered enough and ready to continue, so Froya made ready to move on, but stopped as Delta’s familiar began to chitter wildly. Watching as Delta was led by her companion to overlook a drop off, Froya came forward as the hippocampus called them and a deep, earthly rolling filled the air. Peering down the cliffside, the Valkyries watched a chain of black rock unfurl itself. A massive carbon head lifted to patiently regard the mares. Chirin’s face flashed into Froya’s mind, his green horn twinkling, and she nodded slightly as Gaster’s eyes left hers and the creature began to descend the mountain.
“A golem,” she stated factually “and no harm to us. They wouldn’t attack a child of Kaia, but that one is more harmless to us still. It’s allied itself with someone close to me. Curious how far they wander … You should consider yourselves lucky to see one, they’re rare and tend to keep to themselves.”
With a flick of her head, she gestured for the group to follow her down the opposite path. This path was more earthly than the previous, fewer stones were strewn along it. A furrow was carved down the center of the trail, where snowmelt would rush in a stremelette in the early spring. Now only a trickle ran through the small channel, curling around pebbles half sunken in the soft ground.
“If you’re lucky and Kaia favors you, maybe one of you will find a golem stone of your own.”
Post: 2
Word Count: 397
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on Nov 30, 2018 20:53:48 GMT -6
The Hippocampus could do nothing but stare after Froya as the mare led them up an earthen path. The hell could she just shrug off a Lindworm Golem?!
She'd have to question her about it more when they got back to the Fortress. As the four of them climbed the slight hill, she let her mind wander, wondering what Jushiro and her mother were doing. The Kirin was probably still sleeping or was already enjoying his morning peacefully. Her mother had been up hours ago, she knew that.
Finding the silence boring, Delta thought of something that would.... probably make Froya hate her. But she was a little shit, so the hell with it.
“Hey guys... so I've been thinking... I wanna retire.” she paused a bit, just long enough to let that statement sink in, “I'd rather clean mirrors for a living. I's just something I can see myself doing.” She couldn't help but smile at her own joke.
“Mountains aren't just funny, they're HILL-arios.” oh this was gonna be fun.
“Morrigan, I know I'm a Hippocampus and all, but Aquatic mammals make no sense. I mean, what porpoise do they serve?”
She was on a freaking roll.
“Hey Froya, what's blue and not heavy at all? --- Light Blue.”
She stopped for a good minute. Just enough time to make the others think she was done.
“Hey! Anyone know what Mothballs smell like? Yeah me neither. It's pretty hard to get their little legs apart.”
She laughed at her Sisters' reactions, “Okay, Okay, I'm done now I swear!” she said with a giggle, “But for real now, You guys been doing anything decent lately, other than Valkyrie stuff? Anyone meet anyone interesting? Any new relationships I should know about?”
292 words || post 2
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Post by kerarose on Dec 24, 2018 8:24:14 GMT -6
KELBYValkyrie
After their brief rest, Kelby wearily rose to her feet again, to continue on after Froya. Her head hung lower than normal, that is, until she heard Delta's laughter and jokes. Finding a new burst of energy, she pranced ahead to pull alongside Delta.
"Y'know, Delta, I was just diagnosed with colorblindness the other day. It came right out of the purple." At the groans of the other mares, she chuckled and went into their pun-telling mode even harder. "Hey Froya- I boiled water the other day, and it vanished. Rest in peace, water, you will be mist."
They pranced up to Morrigan, then, barely holding back laughter. "So, Mor, I heard that claustrophobic equines are more comfortable thinking out of the box. What do you think?"
She went to Delta then, giggles escaping her. "Hey Delta- before my uncle died, he had his back covered in lard. After that he went downhill fast."
Barely holding it together at this point, she ran to the front of the group, and began to walk backwards, facing Mor. Looking at her leopard, she had the perfect line come into her head. "Mor- why did the leopard start a charity? I don't know, but it's fur a good cause!"
Kelby lost it then, a cackle escaping from their lips, followed by a loud, nasal snort, before she collapsed into a fit of giggles, falling onto their side, then their back, as her legs went straight up into the air. She knew that she was probably blocking the path, but their laughter just would not stop!
Finally, they straightened up at Delta's question. "Not much here, Dels," she said, still sitting on her haunches. "You know I refuse to date War-Forged stallions. They're all a bunch of tight-laced, misogynistic, stone-brained idiots. Half of them still try to call me Elizabetta. Gods, how I hate that name. Or they always call me 'she' or 'her'. Sure, I do it sometimes, but I also use 'they,' y'know? Gods, what a bunch of idiots."
She snorted again at that, and rose to her feet. "But if someone from Eithne or Sedo or, heck, even Briem came along, maybe. Although there are plenty of pretty mares here too." A small wink, and then she was up and ready to continue on once more.
Post #3: WC 387
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