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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 2, 2019 18:22:52 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to War-Forged Plot 701: Portents Team Leader: Irileth Participants: Credence, Taend, Calleigh, Fay, Ritan, Fox, Fijalahr 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: The kirin child Grigori is still missing, the war with Serora has stretched defenses and resources thin, and shifts in the geological activity of Skeldr have all contributed to a tense atmosphere and bleak spirits. Mirroring the herd’s mood, the weather has been tempestuous and unpredictable as spring oozes into summer, and today’s morning has dawned dark and static-filled: clouds continue to gather, and a storm is surely iminent. With several search groups out not just for Grigori but also for signs of the (alleged) beast beneath the mountain, you and several other equines have gathered in Skeldr’s square under the watchful gazes of the gods… or at least their stone altars, one for each of the elements. Many of your herdmates have already left tokens at the hooves of statues. “Alya is angry with us!” a pegasus wails, from somewhere in the crowd, though they are quickly shushed. Indeed, the wind has picked up, and Alya’s shrine stands all but bare of tokens. A nearby merchant is offering cut flowers and river stones for sale, for any who wish to offer a prayer to one of the shrines... Location: Skeldr Town square Time of Day: Mid-morning Weather: Cool, cloudy, and windy, a storm approaches You do not have to wait for your leader to post!
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Post by TinyMinou on Jan 3, 2019 18:44:05 GMT -6
Fay
War-Forged - Medic
... ...
It was a cloudy day when the pegasus landed on the Skeldr Town square. Her golden eyes looked around the crowd as she searched for tokens. The atmosphere was bleak and the moods of the equines around her were damped. A lot has happened the past months. The kirin child Grigori is still missing, the Seroran war is going on and it is rumored that what wrecked Skeldr Town was an unknown beast which lurked in the mountains.
The mare walked to a vendor who was selling cut flowers and river stones. As she was buying a few flowers for the shrines, she heard a pegasus yell from the crowd.
"Alya is angry with us!"
Although they were quickly shushed, Fay understood the anger. The days were grey and barely brought any sunshine anymore. But she still believed in the godess. While holding flowers with her teke, she walked to Alya's shrine. The shrine was bare when compared to the other shrines. It was made of a light grey stone with orange gems which served as eyes. She layed down the flowers and a few tokens in the basin while she prayed under her breath. Her eyes focused on the mountain.
... ... Word Count: 201 Post #1 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Jan 3, 2019 21:55:35 GMT -6
IRILETH
Irileth wouldn’t have felt much at the loss of Grigori if he had not been one of Hira’s. A kirin child was, after all, not exactly a cause for celebration, and under different circumstances it might even have been considered a boon for the child to be lost. But under the circumstances, and considering who the mother was, well… Irileth felt sorrow for Hira’s loss, certainly.
Still, the war and the tunnels they had discovered underneath Skeldr worried her far more. Cultists had always been a problem – although they were getting braver now – but these things were new. Concerning. Quite close to home, even, especially with whatever ate away at the earth under them.
The shouting of the pegasus over the crowd made Irileth’s ears turn, and she looked at the shrine of Alya, barren as it was of offerings. Yes, perhaps the wind goddess was angry. Perhaps all of the gods were, judging by the misfortunes.
She regarded the god’s stone face with some affection, before moving on from her features to the mountain that stood tall, hugged in the embrace of her stone wings.
Irileth’s eyes turned to the large, yet seemingly quite young pegasus mare who had quickly taken up the call for offerings.
Balance, Irileth thought to herself as she watched.
Among mortals and gods alike.
Word count: 220
Post #1
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Post by wulfeneit on Jan 3, 2019 23:03:23 GMT -6
Credence - Weather Witch
The ache in his bones had persisted as the morning wore on. Credence didn’t need the additional warning. He saw it in the grey clouds overhead, could taste it in the tangy moisture in the air with each breath. Eventually, the feeling prevailed over the wisdom to stay indoor and he found himself walking towards the Gods altars in the center of town.
As he strolled through the square, quietly approaching Ignacio’s shrine, Credence couldn’t help but shoot a nervous glance towards the sky. A storm was on its way and the tension was so thick he felt the clouds could burst at any moment.
The shadow of Ignacio’s alter provided some comfort. A sense of warmth eased some of the tension away as Credence gazed into the brass-yellow eyes of the statue. Taking a meditative breath, he knelled, gently placing his tributes in the bowl at the alter’s base. He closed his eyes, ushering a prayer for protection from the God of Fire. And after a moment, extended the plea to the rest of his family and the close friends he knew to be in Ethine as well, directly under the god’s care. Perhaps a little redundant, but he felt better praying for their sake.
Somewhere in the crowd, some one howled. Credence lift his head, searching for the source of the cry but could not pinpoint who it came from. The current weather certainly supported the idea, but storms came and went and Credence preferred to think it was a natural occurrence. He soon put the thought out of his mind.
The clouds were still brooding.
WC: 263
Post #: 1 |
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Post by Warped-Desire on Jan 6, 2019 3:58:35 GMT -6
Whilst her mother was busy and being sad Calleigh was lucky to have been taken out by her father. The large burnt buckskin made sure his young daughter stayed close to his side, after he adventures afew months ago far far away and face to face with bloody flanks... he was given strict instructions to keep the adventurous fully close. Calleigh didnt pay no mind and skipped along beside him happily, her stuffed shark bouncing on her back as they headed deeper into town. She wanted to buy something nice for her mother to try and make her happy, she didnt understand why her mother cried so much or looked so sad and if her jokes and reading disnt help she was going to find something perfect With her father beside her she ventured into the town square, looking up at all the large and rugged horses that stood around doing nothing. The chill in the air didnt bother her and as the wind tussled her mane a pegasus from nearby called out that Alya was angry. The place fully tilted her head as the wind goddesses shrink came into view... it was completely bare with the exception of afew trinkets and that just made her frown. Maybe her mother was sad partly because Alya was! That would not do!. She marched herself up to the nearest stall of shiney things and bought the most expensive trinket there which was but a small hoof full of shards but to her it was all the pocket money she had, she took the trinket and stomped over to the shrine, gently placing it atop the stone before giving the windmothers figure a kiss on the forehead. "Mommy is sad daddy. Alya will help me fix it!" she proclaimed, her father sighing down at her as he appeared over her shoulder, "I'll tell momma that if Alya is happy she could be happy too. We can buy mommy something going home too". Sebastian gave a quieter sigh, pursing his lips at her declaration, it was sad that she couldnt understand her mother was grieving but it did make him smile just a little that she was trying to help, "Yes little fish. That would be lovely" he told her, gently shaking his head
post: #1 WC: #383 |
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Post by ebbarie on Jan 6, 2019 12:46:35 GMT -6
 Fijalahr;War-Forged | Ambassador
Even in death may you be triumphant.Although it was still early in the day, the sky began to get darker with every minute and the wind blew him strands of his dark mane in the eyes. He knew he should have tied it together before he left his house, but he somehow had been strangely hasty today to get outside. He couldn’t see a reason for his restlessness yet, but if he had learned something over the last years it was to trust his gut instincts.
His steps were energetic and a little twitchy, as he walked over the town square that was already bustling with activity.
The wind increased in strength again and the stallion was more than happy that summer had finally arrived. Until know he had to wear a warming cloak outside to keep him warm, due to the insufficient winter coat he had developed during his time in Aquore.
Right now he had no idea when or if he would ever visit that place again. Even after all that had happened, he would still like to return to it. There was so much potential in each herd, so much to learn from each other…
A children's wail ended his musing for now and he finally paid some attention to the gods shrines. They overflew with the tokens of his desperate herdmates, all but Alya’s shrine. Dolefully he shook his head as he thought what it had brought the Talorians to condemn the sky goddess and her Pegasei. He knew it better. Alya wasn’t the culprit here, at least not the only one.
His gaze wandered further until it met the stony statue of Kaia. The Ambassador let out a sigh and closed his eyes for a moment. Once, he had had so much faith in his goddess. It had been crushed for good. All ties to her had been severed, she would never hear his prayers again.
WC: 315 | Post 1 |
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Post by firebirdfalling on Jan 7, 2019 12:43:41 GMT -6
RITAN  MEDIC Ritan was not one for praying, but he figured he'd come see the statues dedicated to them in the town, as he had heard they were beautiful. Granted, he'd been here many times, praying to each of the gods in turn before Argus finally gave him the gift of sight, both spectral and physical. His eagle, Arii, preened on his back, accustomed to being with Ritan almost 24/7 nowadays. Ritan's blessing had grown to the point that he could use it almost all the time, his brain now used to the bright blasting colors that came with seeing. Out of habit, he was still feeling around with his teke, though he wasn't using it as much now. He could see who he was talking to now, instead of having to guess all the time. Nowadays he just needed to asked Arii to turn and look at something, which was even easier now that he could telepathically communicate with him. Despite having his new blessings, earned back to back with little to no warning, Ritan was not happy with the gods. They did not speak to him after giving him the blessings, nor did they show any interest in him at all. If anything, receiving those blessings seemed like a slap in the face more than a gift. Like he was an afterthought. As he reached the square that housed the statues of the gods, a voice called out, speaking of Alya and anger. He immediately looked for the statue of the winged goddess, spotting the tips of her wings first before moving downwards to see what they spoke of. The shrine was empty of gifts and offerings, and as he observed, the wind seemed to pick up as well. Ritan snorted, frowning slightly at the statue. Serves them right. They wouldn't be getting any prayers or wishes from him today. And probably never again. He'd had enough of empty promises and life long curses.
WC: 325 | Post #1 |
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Post by tarriedsea on Jan 7, 2019 14:30:14 GMT -6
 The square containing the shrines always had a strange pitch of volume, Fox surmised from her many times here. Today no different. There was regular chatter among silence and stillness. Fluid, moving bodies among still ones and kelt ones and stone ones. The air rang with holiness- and exhaustion.
War made her pray more.
It felt like eons ago that Kaia had blessed her with the ability to hear the earth's shufflings. The goddess had not spoken to her so plainly since then- and since Fox lived in constant motion, she had grown apathetic to the deity over the past year or so. She bent her head where appropriate and she swore her loyalty to the earth mother almost daily.
But pious she was not.
From her high study in the Fortress, she'd noticed a dark figure leaving the grounds this morning- Fijalahr, her impromptu teacher, heading toward the town square. Using the sighting as an excuse to take a break from reading, she smoothed her hair and left her room to follow suit. Maybe grab something to eat in town, visit with a friend, before returning to her studies.
But as if on a string, she was drawn to the square. The crowd shuffled restlessly. The sky loomed in shades of gray and blue, threatening to pitch a storm down at any second. It gave her an ominous feeling. Maybe make this a quick trip.
She had felt the tremors that plagued the town. She felt them at night, waking up in a hot sweat to the shuddering rumbles of something below the Fortress. She knew what the earth felt like, how it slid and settled. This was not it.
She purchased two tokens and two bundles of flowers. She wordlessly sidled up to Fiji, glancing at him before tossing a token and flower bunch into her basin. His eyes were closed. She longed for his devotion.
Turning slowly, she bit her lip at the appearance of Alya's shrine. The pegasus deity had never suffered the neglect she wore now. She had been praised and respected in Onea, but superstitions ran deep. Public offerings to the enemy's god was a skeptical move. Fox knew for a fact that some of her peers worshipped the goddess as they always had, but quieter now.
And now Fox bore the mark of ambassador to the enemy herd. Swallowing hard, she gently placed the last token & flower bundle into Alya's empty basin. The goddess's still, glowing eyes stared aimlessly over her head, and Fox shivered. |
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Post by Spectre on Jan 8, 2019 20:56:01 GMT -6
T A E N D
❅War-Forged | Stationary Merchant❅
Taend didn't like this war. It stretched his herd to thin and sunk its teeth into the marrow of every herd member and sucked them dry of everything that they had. He himself had been run ragged by all the orders for weapons that had come his way. He didn't understand why his herd had to go to war with Serora -Alya's children- over a petty squabble that the Adoh herd blew out of proportion. It rubbed him the wrong way, this war seemed pointless and threw the whole entire continent into chaos.
"Alya is angry with us!"
Taend snaps from his thoughts, he sucks in a breath as his mismatched eyes bore into the eyes of Alya's visage. He doesn't want it to be true. He hates this war, he holds nothing but neutrality towards the Serorans, he just wants his friends to come home. But the worship of the Air has been ingrained to him since birth, so he really pays no heed to the lack of offerings and calmly walks up to the shrine with an offering of his own- a simple silver-forged feather with an amber stone at the base. Simple and beautiful, like his herd and the Air. He sees a painted mare step forward and put flowers at Alya's feet, he rides up next to her and soundlessly places his pendant down and joins her in prayer.
The world may be messed up and he may have his doubts, but like hell was he going to falter in his faith now. |
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Post by ThatDenver on Jan 9, 2019 6:40:18 GMT -6
IRILETH
Irileth observed the new offerings with a smile. She noticed a few familiar faces in the crowd – some of these equines had been stuck with her in the hole in the ground just three months ago. Other were familiar only by association; she remembered seeing them around town before now but had never spoken to them in person.
The wind was picking up. Clouds were coming in fast. She eyed the weather with vacant curiosity – he skills had grown rusty after leaving Sunken Hoof Bay. Irileth hardly ever watched the skies anymore, her mind was on the ground, with battles and futures to be made.
Still, that storm was coming on quite quickly now.
A crack of lightning lit the sky. It shone back from the orange gem eyes of Alya, proudly reaching towards the sky. A few equines in the crowd quickly turned to head inside, get out of the rising weather before they would be soaked.
Crack.
The storm was on them now. A few droplets of rain fell, but the rain front seemed to be behind the storm. The wind howled angrily, but the pegasi who called for offerings to the wind god had left.
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning hit the great stone statue of Alya, piercing her through her clouded wings. The energy of the bolt cracked the stone. The crack snaked down the wing, splintering pieces off, until the crack turned into dozens of streams.
They gnawed at the statue. They shattered it.
Pieces of light grey stone crumbled to the earth like dust. Pieces of Alya fell across her altar, crushing the offerings beneath.
All that was left were the two back legs, firmly attached to the base. The rest of the god was gone. Wind took hold of some of the dust and threw it across the town.
Someone screamed out in horror.
Irileth blinked her eyes at the utter destruction. Then, feeling like she needed to, she asked: “Is anyone hurt?”
Word count: 330
Post #2
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Post by ebbarie on Jan 9, 2019 13:43:49 GMT -6
Fijalahr;War-Forged | Ambassador
Even in death may you be triumphant. The clattering of hooves came closer and he felt that someone stood next to him, but he kept his eyes shut for just a moment longer, until he heard the dull sound of something hitting the water's surface of within the basin.
His expression became softer at the sight of the mare. Fox had been a nice company over the past few months and sharing his, in his eyes still limited, knowledge about the life as an Ambassador, had been a most welcome distraction. He had no more reports to make and a return to Aquore was out of question for the duration of the war, or at least as long as the Talorians supported the Seroran’s.
A few weeks ago, the stallion had finally started what he had planned to do all along. Writing down everything that has happened. And not only an executive summary, like in his reports, the whole story. It wasn’t a really good one, nor did he liked to actually remember most details, but to him it was important to do that.
Not only had this journey challenged his whole beliefs, it had also shown him how unprepared he had been. Even studying for years, couldn’t prevent him from making one mistake after the other during his first foreign assignment. He intended to learn from them, so that they hopefully wouldn’t repeat…
Finally, the sound of another token being placed into a basin put an end to his swirling thoughts.
He hadn’t even noticed that the mare had moved on to the next shrine. It was a rather atypical choice, to pray to the wind goddess, at least at this point in time. Fijalahr waited a moment for her to take a step back, then he approached her.
“Good morning Fox. I see you could tear yourself away from your studies for a while.” His voice held a slightly amused undertone and a smile appeared on his face.
Only moments after that a bright light blinded him for a moment, that was shortly after followed by an almost painfully loud thunder.
The sky had already looked unpleasantly grey when he woke up this morning but the Ambassador hadn’t anticipated that the storm would form so quickly. Before he could even think of suggestion to get back inside, another lightning illuminated the market streets. Within the blink of an eye he was surrounded by dust and falling stones. Instinctively he jumped to the site, pushing Fox, and himself, out of harm's way. Some smaller stones still hit his back and neck, but he almost didn’t felt it.
The stallions heard raced as he looked back to where the statue had been standing only seconds ago. Now the only thing left where to stony legs that pointed towards the sky. It looked almost comical. Almost.
“Is anyone hurt?”
A single voice broke the silence. He recognized her immediately, Irileth. His ganze turned away from the destroyed idol and back to his fellow Ambassador. “Fox? Are you alright?”
Some parts, where the falling stones had struck him, felt sensitive, and his coat was covered in a fine layer of dust, but otherwise he was alright.
WC: 527 | Post 2 |
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Post by wulfeneit on Jan 12, 2019 15:52:57 GMT -6
Credence - Weather Witch
A hollow click of hooves signaled the arrival of more equines. He recognized a few now, as those that had been trapped beneath the earth with him, only a few months ago now. A thought which Credence quickly pushed out of his mind. It lead to growing concern for the movement under the mountain, a questionable paranoia; could he not trust the ground beneath his hooves? Could not he not trust Kaia, her very earth he would live his whole life on? It felt like sacrilege.
Where some he recognized from the pit, others he had only seen in passing. Officials of the herd, faces he had not spoken to but knew as vague impressions of his herd. A foal and a stallion he could only assume to be the foal’s father, approached Alya’s shrine to offer prayer and tribute. They were soon joined by others. Credence saw passing glances in the crowd and wondered if there would be repercussions for praying to the Goddess whose people they were at war with.
A heavy raindrop fell on his nose, effectively detailing that line of thought.
He was already regretting the choice to come into town, when the heaven’s growled.
He only realized what a mistake that had been, when a thunder bolt struck the Goddess of the Wind. The strike had been so sudden, and the clash so loud, his body reacted on it’s own accord and he leapt. A shrill undignified noise building in the back of his throat. A noise that was highly embarrassing, that he would later pray no one present had the grace to hear. The statue splintered; what started as a spider’s web turned into the crawling fingers of a rift. And then the statue burst. Mounds of rock jettisoned outward. A large piece of the Goddess crushed the offerings beneath her.
It was a poignant statement if ever he saw one. With wide eyes and heart thundering like the very heavens above, Credence swallowed the tremor in his veins, staring in abject horror through the cloud of dust. Equines had been standing there, praying to Alya just moments ago. He could not tell of any of them had been hit.
It brought to mind, in a way that made his skin crawl, of the fissure that had opened in the middle of town just a few months ago. He had been there, and he could still remember vividly gravity pulling his body downwards, as cloven hooves slipped over cascading rock- Down. Down. Down. A shrill ringing in his ears.
Credence shook himself, sucking in a breath as he the implications of this raced through his mind. The strike felt too deliberate for chance. Lighting and fire he knew to be Igancio’s element, in this way, he felt the God of Fire had made a statement. A vindictive one.
“Is anyone hurt?” A vaguely familiar voice asked.
“If anyone is hurt we must move them inside quickly.” Credence found himself saying, searching for anyone who might find themselves struggling. The wind lashed through his mane with enough strength to sting, it was not yet a true gale but he had the feeling it would be very soon.
WC: 532 Post #: 2 |
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Post by Warped-Desire on Jan 12, 2019 20:50:52 GMT -6
The statue of Alya was beautiful and all Calleigh could do was stand there and admire it as other horses gathered around them, her father gently nudged her in the flank before speaking up over the hushed voices, "I just have to get afew things nearby for your mother, stay here where I can see you and I'll be right back". The large stallion only got a slow nod in return as he moved away, pursing his lips as his daughter sat by the statue. Calleigh hummed quietly and pulled her shark from her shoulders, tossing him in the air after times before catching him in her teeth The thunderstorm that rumbled over head caused her to flick her ears back and stand, casting her gaze upwards as Sharky hung from her mouth. The horses around her started to scatter and before she knew it a great bolt of lightening struck the Alya statue causing it to explode into tiny little bits. She was knocked back from fleeing equines but when she opened her eyes again blood dripped down her shoulder, the large pieces of stone that had been blown off Alya had cut two gashes in her shoulder and when the pain finally came to her she wailed loudly! Clutching sharky tight to her where she lay as her father's fading voice called to her over the crowd
post: #2 WC: #230 |
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Post by tarriedsea on Jan 15, 2019 10:59:48 GMT -6
She didn't register what happened until Fijalahr asked if she was all right. Panting, eyes glazed over, his voice trickled into her ears as if they were underwater. Her head buzzed. She stared at the dark stallion and blinked a few times before answering. "I... think I'm fine." Cautiously she gathered her feet under her and rose. Dust and stone chunks rolled off her sides. Her shoulder burned where she had been thrown to the ground, but Fiji had preserved her from injury instead of causing it, and she dipped her head at him in gratitude.
She couldn't help but wonder if she caused this. Was her offering not enough? Was her attempt to be a mediator between the opposing herds received in disgust? Or maybe Alya was just weary of bending an ear to the herd that was currently slaughtering her kin. The wind goddess was never known to be subtle in her accusations.
Perhaps divinity harbored disdain for them after all.
The air still rang with electricity, and the smell of charcoal filled her lungs. Alya's shrine was crumbled around her, only the rear legs comically left upright.
A nearby child's cry broke Fox of her thoughts, and on instinct she shuffled through the rubble to where a pale child wailed and clung to her stuffed toy. Because of the filly's bright crimson mane, Fox didn't notice the blood until she saw the dark red dripping onto the ground.
"Who do you belong to, little fish?" Her voice was more frantic than she wanted- she wanted to calm the child's wails with a soothing tone- but the shock of adrenaline made her talk too fast and too loudly. She whipped her head around to look for a parent figure. She noticed the weather witch Credence similarly investigating for any injured.
"Here!" she called. She coughed- dust was still settling and it coated her throat. Wind brushed her forelock into her eyes and they watered. The sky seemed to grow darker every second, though she couldn't trust her own judgement in the frenzy.
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Post by ThatDenver on Jan 17, 2019 17:48:43 GMT -6
IRILETH
A few voices trickled in. Many left the plaza altogether, spooked by the storm or the destroyed statue, perhaps both. Rain fell now, but the storm was drier than one might expect – the rain was more of a drizzle than a torrent.
The wind was another matter, but Irileth was not scared of the wind. She wasn’t really scared of whatever had destroyed Alya’s statue either, even if it had caused quite significant damage. The other statues seemed unharmed, however. Not one piece of stone had chipped their perfect visages, so there they stood, whipped by the wind and wetted by the rain, as they had for years.
There were more important matters to tend to. The was an injured child – Irileth could see the small form through the moving bodies, and quickly reached it, cheating a bit in making her way by utilizing her blessing to make the path faster and smoother for her than it would have been for others.
“We need some pressure on the wounds”, Irileth said, nabbing some clean fabric off of one of the now abandoned merchant basket, and pressed it into the cuts.
“Fijalahr?” she called over the noise and commotion. She remembered him from last time, had seen him in the crowd. He had been there when the young pegasi hurt his wing, and Irileth had gotten the sense he’d done something. Somehow helped.
“It’s gonna be okay”, Irileth told the child gently, and then forcefully stomped the earth, bending it to her will – the rock base under them responded, quickly forming a small makeshift den to shield the child from the rain and the worst of the wind.
Word count: 277
Post #3
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Post by ebbarie on Jan 18, 2019 1:50:18 GMT -6
Fijalahr;War-Forged | Ambassador
Even in death may you be triumphant. When the dust settled he noticed that Fox had been fallen to her knees and he felt immediately sorry, yet there hadn’t been enough time to better dose the strength of his push. He acknowledged her answer with a short nod before he started to look around. It seemed like no one had been standing as close to the statue than Fox and him, yet some equines started to gather around a small figure.
The Ambassador couldn’t spot any other severely wounded, but after a few moments he still decided to scan the area with his blessing as well. Earth magic arose at his will, and the stallion instinctively took a discreetly look at the undamaged statue of Kaia. The thunder started to roll again and to him, it felt like it come from the goddess personally. As if she was angry at him that he still used her magic, after all that had happened.
He shook his head in frustration and ended what he began. There were a few bones he had sensed, old bones, no fresh corpses.
Relieved he looked up and pricked up his ears as he heard Irileth calling out for him. “I’m coming” he shouted back, but his words were carried away by the storm. He walked against the wind that blew his aggressively teared on his mane. Once he reached the small stony tent that the Weather Witch had built, he took a second to take a deep breath, now that he was protected from the wind, then he looked down at the small child. His brows furrowed as he noticed the thin stream of blood that was running down the tiny body and he nodded towards Irileth. He had understood while the mare had called him here.
Entering the child’s mind was easy, she was too distracted from her pain to fight him, and even if she had tried, it probably wouldn’t had hindered him.
“Little one, listen to my voice.” It was a mere thought in her head, unable to be heard by anyone else. “It’s gonna be alright, there is no need to cry. We are helping you.” He tried to sound as soothing and certain as he could. Simultaneously he started to temper with her senses. First, sight. He took the image of blood flowing from her shoulder and erased it from her mind. While the shoulder was still bleeding, she wouldn’t be able to see it anymore. In her eyes, the bandages Irileth pressed on the wound were white, not soaked with blood.
Second, the sense of touch. This one was a little harder, he tried to only turn off the receptors that sense the pain in her wound. It took him a moment, then he saw how the little face relaxed visibly.
The magic should hold, as long as he was around and able to keep his concentration up. Again he nodded towards Irileth, to show that he was done, then he took a few steps back to make room for the other helpers.
WC: 506 | Post 3 |
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Post by wulfeneit on Jan 18, 2019 15:20:54 GMT -6
Credence - Weather Witch
A voice cried out, his ears swerved, searching for the source of the call. Over the howl of the wind and the resulting commotion, he struggled to find the exact direction the voice came from. He was not the only one to hear the cry. Irileth, the same Weather Witch that had been trapped with him in the pit, moved through the crowds towards the sound of the voice. Credence followed her line of sight. A mare, the Ambassador to Serora and a pale foal, the later who was in some distress. Irileth reached the pair before he did, smartly constructing a makeshift tent of stone to shelter them from the storm. He winced as he saw the child’s wound, but she was in good company. While the older mare dressed the filly’s wound a familiar stallion, Fijalahr, soothed the filly. He could not tell how the stallion managed the feat without words, but he somehow he did. Seeing this eased the rapid beating of his heart. He sucked in a deep breath through his nose and let it slowly. For the most part the situation here seemed under control. As Credence considered what to do next, he noticed the mare who had been comforting the child. “Take deep breaths,” he told her. He was still feeling jittery himself but it helped to have something to focus on. "she is in good company."
WC: 229 Post #: 3 speaking to Fox |
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Post by Warped-Desire on Jan 19, 2019 2:34:22 GMT -6
Calleigh's ears laid flat against her head as she weeped into sharky's soft pillowy fleece, she was afraid and in pain and just wanted her daddy... but he was nowhere in sight but her thoughts shifted as a pretty red mare appeared before her, trying her best to shush her and keep her calm but in all honesty, she looked just as scared as Calleigh felt. She sniffed quietly as the mare asked her question, "Daddy was right here... S-Sebastian". She peered around as she said his name, her lip quivering just a little bit more when she couldn't find him close by, "But he's gone now and... Alya is mad at me for trying to help mommy" She held sharky close as another mare appeared before her, this one not even asking anything before she pushed some kind of cloth into her wounds. At the same moment she squeaked in surprise and a bit of shock, was this one trying to help with her boo boo like her mother always did?... she stared up at Irileth with large eyes searching for any kind of comfort or reassurance, what she got was some soft quiet words and a strange tent made of stone that was pulled over her. She looked at and Irileth in wonder, she was blessed by kaia! It had to be true What came next however was a whole lot different, a larger blue stallion pulled himself over to her and forced her attention, his horn and golden accessories sparkled like the stars in the sky and for the longest time that's all she could focus on. That was until a deeper older voice, unlike her own, filled her mind, it was soothing and soft and she couldn't help but reach out for it as her eyes stared right up at his handsome features, "your in my head!" she spoke back to him but he was gone before long and once he was she pulled her ears forward, wiping her tears away with the end of sharky's fins. Once the painted stallion with curled blue horns joined her and the others she felt no more pain, and from what she knew that blood from before had never even been there, all she could do was smile wide at the gathered adults and innocently introduce herself in the most polite way she could muster, "Hi! I'm calleigh! What's your names?"
post: #3 WC: #407 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Jan 23, 2019 11:32:35 GMT -6
IRILETH
Fijahlar came. Irileth did now know nor understand how he did what he did, but clearly it was… Something. It was a good something, it made the foal change demeanor almost completely, as if the injury had never happened. Of course it was still there, but her calmer heartbeat made the bleeding a lot easier to handle.
Irileth shot a wordless ‘thank you’ with his eyes in the Ambassador’s direction, before doing her very best to dress the wound with the fabrics she had stolen for the purpose. It wasn’t exactly the prettiest way to tie a wound, and Irileth was certainly no medical professional, but there was a certain swiftness and deftness to her movements regardless.
It betrayed her experience in the war, the time she had followed the army and helped with all kinds of tasks, including these unpleasant matters of blood and flesh.
With the wound tied up so that the worst of the bleeding subsided, she rose and looked at the now happy foal. It wasn’t a great dress on the wound, but it would hold until she had a chance to see a medic.
“It’ll do until she can see a professional - if any of you have the skill, carry on where I left off”, she nodded at the other adults, before turning back to the child, and smiling. She reminded her of her own children, when they were that young.
“I am Irileth”, she introduced herself with a slight nod, and then looked around them at the plaza. It reminded her of a war zone, with the pieces of the statue littered all over and the emptiness of the scene. The blood from minor injuries that soaked into the ground didn’t help the impression.
Irileth shivered slightly.
“What do you make of it? The strike of lightning?” she asked the others, looking at the sad sight of the destroyed statue of the wind goddess.
Word count: 320
Post #4
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Post by wulfeneit on Jan 28, 2019 0:20:27 GMT -6
Credence - Weather Witch
His heart ached for the child. It was unfortunate the filly had gotten caught up in this event. Credence searched his memory for this- Sebastian, but could not recall ever meeting an equine of that name. Granted he did not make a habit of socialization, rather he preferred to actively avoid it, still it was possible he could have met the stallion at some point.
The filly brightened, like the spark of a light candle. The change was abrupt enough to startle. Almost alarming. She asked for their names, Irileth introduced herself first and Credence followed suit. It was only polite and may give the child a sense of security to know who she was with. “My name is Credence,” he gave her a gentle smile. “Do you recall where your father went, or the direction at least he may have gone in?” Credence didn’t want to rock the water, but felt it important enough to risk asking.
Credence lifted his head, quietly following Irileth’s gaze as it landed on the ruined statue. “Call it superstition, but that bolt had unusual precision.” His gaze swept over the plaza. The breath he took and the sway of his tail betrayed his nerves. “Originally the storm did not feel unnatural to me, now I am second questioning that judgement.”
WC: 217 Post #: 4 |
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Post by tarriedsea on Jan 28, 2019 9:41:09 GMT -6
Fiji's strange effect over the situation made Fox squint. He appeared to conduct the aura around them with a fragile, foreign directive. The stallion was never one to be forthright with her about his personal abilities or skills- their time was student-mentor, nothing more. But now Fox's curiosity ebbed at her conscience, and she made a mental note to ask him about it later. She stepped back to allow Irileth to work her magic.
“Take deep breaths. She is in good company."
Fox smiled and a shaky laugh bubbled up from her throat. "I'm only glad she's not seriously injured. That was.... a shock."
Irileth asked what they made of it. The fact that she didn't offer an explanation meant that the elder mare, in all her experience, had no idea what this was about.
It wasn't comforting.
Fox glanced at Fiji before speaking up after Credence. "Unusual precision is... accurate." She didn't pose the possibility that this was somehow her fault, though the guilt gnawed at her. She squinted at the sky. Dark boiling clouds hovered over them. Would Alya come for her next?
Becoming the ambassador was a choice she made in earnest compassion, volunteering the role of linchpin that could hold the herds together after the conflict... if Serora would even exist after all this. But maybe she was foolish to claim solidarity with the desert herd while she sat here in Onea useless and implicitly onboard in the slaughtering of the enemy.
Alya would have every right to loathe her.
She stuffed the suspicion down. |
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Post by TinyMinou on Feb 3, 2019 16:12:18 GMT -6
Fay
War-forged - Medic
......
The mare looked at the statue before her, eyes a little gloomy as she looked at the stone statue infront of her. Flowers around her who were normally blooming, started to decay a bit. Fay had noticed a few others stood by Alya's staue, but she did not feel as she had to say anything to them.
Fay was ready to take-off back to home when the wind picked up and clouds darkened the skies. The mare was worried a bit, maybe it was better to walk. She didn't want to get caught up with a nasty storm mid-flight. But before she could walk away, lighting struck behind her. She felt pieces fly around, small pieces even hitting her on her back and wings. The mare turned around. A face which was first filled with melachony was now filled with shock and horror. The statue, it was gone. the only thing standing were Alya's legs. The mare ran towards the statue, tears softly running down her cheeck. Why did this happen? Was this a sign of Alya herself?
But there was not much time to worry about the statue. She had heard a soft scream behind her and a lot of hooves going towards it. The mare also strolled towards the group. If anyone was hurt, she could help.
The amount of equines standing around made her a tad bit nervous, but duty calls. "Is anyone hurt? I'm a medic so maybe i can help?" Her voice was trembeling. She was still shaken up what had happened just a few moments ago.
... ... Word Count: 262 Post #2 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Feb 5, 2019 20:53:57 GMT -6
IRILETH
Unusual precision indeed.
”I agree. It did not seem random”, she replied to Credence, nodding at the introduction as well. The storm had not felt unnatural to her either, to be honest – but the bolt, well, it was peculiar.
Then again, strictly speaking she supposed that Ignacio could do as he wished with storms, so if it was that, it was hardly unnatural.
Next spoke the red mare, Fox, an ambassador. Irileth knew her by looks alone. Unlike Fijahlar, she did not remember talking with her before, but she supposed she might have, at some point.
“We suspect Ignacio, then?” Irileth asked out loud, voicing what the others must also have been thinking. What other being could have done such a thing? She knew that powerful individuals blessed by the god could summon lightning at will, but somehow she doubted that was the case here.
Another voice piped in but seemed to be discussing something else entirely. Irileth turned to face Fay and nodded towards the child.
“Her wound could use the touch of a Medic”, she said, before turning back to the others.
“I suspect it could be Alya, displeased about the war… But she doesn’t control lightning”, Irileth added, in a more pondering tone. Surely if it was Alya, she would have made it obviously her doing. A wind goddess could ground a statue to pieces with her winds, there was no need for a masquerade.
Word count: 238
Post #5
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Post by Jennycallie on Feb 9, 2019 16:40:55 GMT -6
 There was something… off, about Kaia’s statue.
Had anyone been looking at it presently, they might have noticed a certain blush of colour along the aged stone, or perhaps the way that the delicately carved strand of hair seemed almost to move. Subtle details, that could be written off to nerves or tricks of the light. Any anyway, most of you had other things to look at than Kaia’s statue. Like the smoking remnants of Alya’s, or to your own mortal injuries. Understandable, then, that the first signs of something other might have been missed.
Harder to miss was the second CRACK that echoed around the gathering… or the fact that following it, the statue of Kaia didn’t so much as crumble as it… shivered, shaking off the ancient stone and paint and general debris of several decades.
When the dust settled and the air cleared, the statue was gone... and a god made flesh stood in its place. She stood tall, towering over your group with a horn that seemed to absorb the stormlight, and eyes that whirled molten, and hair that didn’t seemed to quite grasp the nature of gravity. She was the Earth Mother, ancient, immortal, unknowable.
She also was looking quite confused.
The god moved off the pedestal with deceptive swiftness; one moment she had stood so still she might still be hewn of stone, and then the next she had changed positions in less time than the blink of an eye.
Kaia did not immediately look at you mortals gathered before her. Her eyes were fixed on the remnants of Alya’s statue, and she had gone very, very still again. It was a stillness that no mortal being could achieve; it was as if the universe continued to move around her, but without touching her.
And then Kaia’s head had swung around, and those swirling, infinite eyes were moving over each one of you, a piercing, knowing look that lasted half a heartbeat but spanned the entire history of your being. Only with Fijalahr did the god blink, hesitate. Her eyes widened, flared almost white-hot- and then she had blinked, looked away. It might not have even happened.
I should not be here. The balance is shifting, is wrong. What has happened, mortals mine?
Each of the words arrived in your head without the necessity of speech; the words simply appeared, heavy with the weight of ancient stone, living earth, delicate flora. They were also tinged with uncertainty, a discordant note that lent the words an uncomfortable edge, a splinter that would not be ignored.
And overhead, the storm continued to gather.
You may interact with Kaia!
Badge by Chipo-H0P3
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Post by wulfeneit on Feb 9, 2019 20:09:28 GMT -6
Credence - Weather Witch
“I believe so,” Credence agreed. “It is his element after all.” Another mare joined their group under the makeshift shelter, Credence stepped aside to allow her move space. A medic it seemed. Her presence reminded Credence that Calleigh had mentioned her parents and he wondered where the filly’s mother was. Irileth voiced her thoughts and Credence nodded in agreement. “To reject an offering is one thing, but to destroy one own’s effigy is quite another. Could she not have swept away the offerings in a gale? Or, why not express her displeasure by disrupting the offerings to the other gods instead?” He shook his head. “I will not claim to understand divinity but I do not believe this was-” He never got the chance to finish the thought. Crack.
Credence nearly jumped, his hackles raised, every inch of his body braced. Expecting the earth to fall out beneath him, his gaze shot downward but the cobblestone pavement stood firm under his weight. Guided by some unknowable instinct, his gaze swept upward, catching movement out of his periphery as Kaia’s statue... shivered.
Stone came to life with unfathomable grace, and he stood still, breathless. Her eye swept over them all, knowing, intimately as she had known them all their lives. He felt very small. She spoke than, without words. Confusion and uncertainty, palpable in every sense of the word and it only served to reignite his own anxiety. Yet he knew, her question could not go unanswered. Without thought and a tremble in his veins he spoke. “Earth Mother,” Awe and reverence. “a bolt of lightning struck Alya’s statue. We... we suspect this was a deliberate act,”
WC: 275 Post #: 5 |
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Post by tarriedsea on Feb 9, 2019 20:19:57 GMT -6
She only felt it a moment before the emergence.
A deep roar under her hooves and something clattered into their dimension, shaking off the dust of the stone icon and stepping onto solid earthen ground. Fox's hooves suddenly burned with a phantom pain. It threaded her to the new presence like an electric shockline, and she knew who it was before she even turned.
Kaia's eyes stared into her. Galaxies and molten earth wavered in her eyes.
And suddenly Fox felt like she was being birthed again, clawing and crying and freefalling into a new eternity. Staring into a wormhole she wasn't supposed to know. Her skin stripped of its carnality, her essence laid bare. Bloody and dirty and mortal. Her goddess knew her, knew her, always knew her, never forgot her. And what had she done in the years since her blessing?
Her knees crumpled. Her feet continued to burn.
Doubted that divinity cared and grew apathetic at the goddess's gifts. So concerned with her own preoccupations and stupid transient life. What was she but a vapor, and Kaia the ocean.
I should not be here. The balance is shifting, is wrong. What has happened, mortals mine?
Then this wasn't just a coincidence- the Alya statue, the lightning- something was wrong in the otherworld. Kaia was tugged into their dimension. Had they transgressed? Were they at fault? Why else would Kaia need to appear?
Few things remained that rendered Fox speechless, but staring face-to-face with her goddess was one of them. She envied Credence who mustered more courage than her to address their Star so boldly. Her own heart withered in its chest.
But best to be preemptive with asking for pardon, if they had anything to atone for in rocking the divine world.
"Forgive us," Fox whispered with tears swimming in her eyes. No additional words could creak from her throat.
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Post by ebbarie on Feb 10, 2019 0:56:32 GMT -6
Fijalahr;War-Forged | Ambassador
Even in death may you be triumphant.
After working his magic, Fijalahr had remained discreetly in the background and persistently ignored any questioning glances. He was rather certain that Irileth was too polite to sound him out. Fox however was a different story and he’d better sooner than later come up with how much, or less, he wanted to let her know.
With the second deafening crack all his worries were blown away, or, to be more precious, simply replaced with a far more serious ones.
The stallion whirled around, expecting to see another ancient statue destroyed. He was a fool and he wasn’t prepared. No one could ever be prepared for something like this.
The look that was “offered” to him made his blood freeze in his veins. Even if he had never seen the goddess before, there was no doubt that it was Kaia, in flesh and blood. Her presence was clear, too overwhelming for any mortal. His legs began to tremble and instinctively he clinged to the little spark of earth magic he possessed. It was the pathetically try to hide what he had done. By now he really should know better.
Enthralling, ancient eyes glanced over the little group and even though he felt like his whole body was shaking, the stallion stood completely motionless. He was trapped, like a deer caught in the glaring headlights, knowing that something terrible would happen yet unable to turn away.
When her eyes fell on him his heart skipped a beat and Fijalahr had no idea how he was still standing.
She knew it.
Of course she knew.
Suddenly the horn on his forehead felt heavier than ever before and a subtle shiver went down his spine. Abandoning her was the most difficult decision he had ever made, but he was still certain that it had been the right decision.
Anger, bitter disappointment and feelings of guilt swept over him in a rush.
Her voice was painfully familiar, yet the content of her words stirred him even more than her actual appearance.
>> I should not be here. <<
He couldn’t agree more. But why was she? If she knew she shouldn’t? His ears twitched slightly as Credence and Fox spoke, the stallion rather bold, the Ambassador almost submissively.
And he himself? Fijalahr remained silent. There was so much he wanted to say, asking for forgiveness, screaming at her for letting her mortals down, but he couldn’t, doubted that she would even listen. The star was too far away, like her siblings, out of reach, yet so much of a presence for their mortals that it harmed them. It had been this realization that had opened his eyes.
WC: 4 | Post 442 |
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Post by Spectre on Feb 10, 2019 10:51:18 GMT -6
T A E N D
❅War-Forged | Stationary Merchant❅
 It was absolute chaos.
One breath he was praying peacefully alongside his fellow herd member, the breath lighting struck Alya's visage down and he was knocked back, harsh stone hitting the side of his head. His vision blurred and his ears rang, Taend let out ragged breaths as rode through the waves of pain. His ears twitched as he heard the wailing of a child and whipped his head around to see the foal.
When the others came forward to help the filly he stepped back and tried to shake the blurriness from his eyes. While he focussed on his senses, he failed to notice the life in Kaia's statue.... or the smoking remnants of Alya's.
But he did notice Kaia's entrance- and the way her stare stole the breath from his lungs. He went to bow, only to still at her words.
"I should not be here."
His head shot up and he stared openly at the confused god before him. His ears flicked to the others as they spoke. He then gathered up what little courage he had and stepped forward. "As my fellow herd member said Earth Mother, lightning struck down your sister's statue. We know not why, but it seems deliberate."
He spoke quietly and kept his head low. |
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Post by Warped-Desire on Feb 13, 2019 2:57:50 GMT -6
Calleigh really had more time for things then she realized, the pain she had felt was completely gone and she was now surrounded by so many horses that she was more then happy to smile sweetly at anyone and everyone. Her ears perked when two of the horses in her company spoke up, offering their names to her, Irileth and Credence, "Hi! Those are both great names!" She replied nodding, pulling sharky closer to her as she slowly rose, her head felt a little light and her body a bit shaky but she had no idea what all that was about. "Daddy was right here next to me and Alya when the lightening happened... but he's gone now", she peered around the older mare and a few others as she searched for him but unfortunately he was nowhere to be seen She was startled suddenly from her search by a loud CRACK. This one not as scary as the last one but just as loud. She looked to Fijalahr and Fox for an explanation but before either could give her one the Earth mother herself broke free from some kind of stoney prison and stepped down of the pedestal with grace only a God could have. As she stood there in a pause Calleigh hid beneath the nearest adult which just so happened to be Fijalahr. She listened to their God for the longest time before skipping out to stand before her. She was glorious and Calleigh instantly felt her heart start to race, she felt scared and brave all at once but what came out of her mouth was the bravest thing she had ever done. "Mother Kaia. Alya's statue has been destroyed", she used her muzzle to motion to what remained of the great goddess which was comically just her legs. "I know you would never have done so. We aren't afraid Earth mother. Sharky and I we aren't afraid. So you can't be either okay?". The small filly smiled up at her God, one of the gods she had grown to love with all her heart, she took slow steps forward before she was right before her God, then to the shock of everyone she and sharky leant forward and offered the ethereal mare a great hug but before the hug made any contact she was yanked back, pulled far far away from the goddess and up to someone's side. She was a little taken aback and frowned up at her attacker only to be surprised that it was her father, she was not happy in the slightest with Sebastian but she tried to push the frown away and return her smile, glad he had finally returned to her side. She looked back to Kaia and offered her a few gentle words, "Itll be okay, you dont have to know everything. No one can"
post: #4 WC: #481 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Feb 13, 2019 17:06:49 GMT -6
IRILETH
She was ashamed to admit that she had paid little attention to Kaia’s statue amidst all this.
Even as she nodded along to what the others were saying – how they too suspected the god of fire of the act.
Then, a new voice joined them. New and ancient.
She knew that voice well. It had spoken to her twice before, both occasions ones where she had found great comfort and confidence.
Yet the peace and calm, the serene knowledge in her own strength and the balance of all things, was gone from that voice now. The mother sounded confused, like someone jostled awake from deep sleep to answer difficult questions.
Irileth turned to look at her, and her eyes widened in wonder at the mortal form of the goddess. For she had never gazed upon her in more than stone and carving. Only heard her, felt her. It had always been enough, but now, she felt strangely complete.
Many voices rose to answer the Earth Mother’s question. Some confident, others not. Their attitudes as different as their personalities.
She noted Fijahlar’s complete silence even as the others were eager to corroborate on the story Credence had offered.
“The skies are as if overcome by anger”, she observed simply, raising her eyes to the sky, for it felt too glorious, and yet too painful, to look at their god.
The storm felt wrong. The balance was wrong.
Word count: 236
Post #6
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