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Post by Svantanon on Jan 10, 2019 22:37:47 GMT -6
Kimiko Post 3 | WC 358
Kimiko was still holding onto the stone as tightly as their little knees could squeeze, giving the Blue horned unicorn another condemning side-eye through the mess of mane falling from their forehead. Mama was trying to tell them that he would help, and that Iggo liked him, too, but the green man said…! The… the green man said… The foal looked around for him, hoping he was nearby, that he could explain to Mama why Blue was bad and wanted Iggo's presents, but it was like he’d disappeared. And the longer it went without him, the more confused Kimiko started to feel. He… he couldn’t be lying. But… Mama didn’t lie, either, ever. So who was right? Why was Blue bad? There was… a reason, right? Did he do something wrong…? Kimiko… didn’t remember. But as their huffy protectiveness subsided in the wake of confusion, they grew more aware of their surroundings, again. The grown-ups in the room weren’t really staring, but some of them did look. One of them looked mad. Another looked like they were about to laugh. And the realization that Kimiko had been loud, something that they never ever ever liked doing because being quiet was so much nicer and easier and themself, made their ears feel hot. Why had they done that? Now other horses were probably mad at Kimiko, and that didn’t feel good at all! Was Mama mad at them, too? Spotting Pel crying sadly by the nice looking man made Kimiko feel worse. They stood clumsily and pushed their forehead against the back of their mother’s leg, not wanting anyone to see their face anymore. “M-Mama, scayl… hesaysBluewantsit… and… I dunno…”“M’m saurry,” they whimpered. Now the hot feeling was in their ears and their eyes. “Don’tlikeloud. But now Iamloudsaurry… and P-Pel has ouch? Pel?” They dared, for just a moment, to look up and find their cousin’s face. There was Pel’ciri, but where was his ouch? O-oh, and… the rock scale… Kimiko kicked it carefully between their hooves, feeling too upset to try carrying it with their glowy grab, anymore. |
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Post by hey-stardust on Jan 11, 2019 3:19:20 GMT -6
 CLARKE | WAR-FORGED | AMBASSADOR
Don't you go and get it twisted forgiving is not forgetting, no, it's not forgetting.
When the snake disappeared from view, Clarke's gaze was drawn to a skinny teenager who had made his way to the table and was steadily making his way through all the banquet had on offer.
A loud chuckle escaped her as she watched platefuls of sweets be swept into the enormous satchel that hung around his neck or shoved forcefully down his gullet, and again when the kid faced off with the overweight pygmy dragon, Tytus, and lost.
It was the most genuine laugh she'd had in a while.
As the Sanctum's procession begun, her teke moved instinctually towards her own offering: a collection of humble, dried flowers from Onea's fleeting Spring. They had been pressed carefully into a soft, leather-bound journal, lovingly preserved and a strong reminder of home.
She gravitated to line up with the others, swaying and waiting patiently for her turn at the altar- only to be distracted by a flurry of hooves and a hearty wail...
And quickly decided her gift could wait.
Jarred out of her drunken reverie, she made to comfort the sniffling child, going down on her knees to talk at eye level - trying to pull him away from breaking down into total hysteria. "Hey, hey... That's a pretty neat drawing you have there, did you do it yourself?"
She looked briefly towards the flames that flickered and lept around the statue of Ignacio and gestured towards it with a jerk of her head. "Ignacio's pretty cool huh? Just between you and me though, I prefer Cascade."
And with a wink, she called forth her own blessing, eyes flaring with a sudden intensity. A pale blue glow began to circle around Pel'ciri's leg, swirling around it like a gentle stream of water, rapidly removing the heat from the surrounding burn.
2 | 298
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Post by hydrus101 on Jan 13, 2019 11:42:44 GMT -6
 A H S I N• Aodh | Sanctum Attendant •
“I once would horde children like pretty trinkets to show the world. I would polish them till they gleamed, but in their brightness I saw only misery.”
In reply to the unicorn’s question, the foal sniffled, his little ears pinned back against head. Then all at once, he launched into a long ramble, short and choppy and dashed with tiny sobs. Ahsin didn’t understand much of what the child said, but he listened anyways, trying his best to piece together what had happened, though he didn’t get far. The best guess he could make is that the little one had burnt himself on the flames up by the statue, if the singed drawing he held was any indicator.
Nodding along slowly, the attendant waited until the colt had finished and put on his best healer’s voice, quiet and soothing. “You have a twin, hm? My sisters are twins as well.” He smiled slightly at the colt. “Let me see the burn please.”
Examining the wound, Ahsin was relived to find it wasn’t severe. It was rather small actually, but he knew first hand how bad even small burns could be. Slowly lifting his head, Ahsin stepped back to give the colt room. “It must hurt a lot, hm? We will find someone to help, come with m-“
Suddenly, a brown haired mare appeared next to him and knelt down in front of the child, a blue aura swirling around the wound.Ahsin let a small sigh of relief slip between his lips. Thank Ignacio she had been there to help. Truthfully, he had no idea where he would’ve gone to find a medic in this Sanctum, it was so unfamiliar to him.
Whispering a quiet “thank you” to the mare, he turned back to the child, head tilted slightly. “Does that feel any better?”
WC: 277
Post: 3
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Post by houndflash on Jan 14, 2019 22:19:12 GMT -6
Cin'ciri|Aodh|Commoner
Cin'ciri barely noticed as the sparks left his hooves and flew to burn his brother's side, and hardly looked sideways when Pel ran off before Cin placed his gift at the alter, but when Cin turned around to tell Pel that it was his turn, the absence of his brother was very noticeable to the small child. The kirin glanced around frantically, all but screaming the name of his twin, not seeing neither his brother or his aunt and cousin. As another came to take his place in the front of the statue, Cin bolted off in a random direction that he assumed his twin would be in, "Pel? Pelly? Where is you?" He continued to cry, as he darted in between legs searching far and wide.
Eventually he saw his brother, being comforted by two older horses, the drawing that he drew for Iggdad slightly burnt. "PEL!" Cin called out rushing to his brother's side, nuzzling him barely noticing the other two that were around Pel. "Why did you leaves? You were gonna give your present to Iggdad, and then I turnt around and you were dissapeared, like smoke in Auntie Ev's forge. Poof! I was so scared, I thoughts you were gones. I didn't burns your picture, did I? I sorry Pel. I didn'ts mean too!"
Post #2 Word Count 219
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Post by inke-ri on Jan 16, 2019 9:21:08 GMT -6
Pel'ciri
Aodh Commoner
[600 words | Post III]
Pel'ciri nodded, and tried to stay still as the unicorn looked at his leg, taking deep breaths. He was gentle, but it still throbbed a lot. " Being twins is great." He muttered, voice wavering, as he tried to be strong. It wasn't a lie, since he didn't know what he would do if he didn't have Cin. Unicorn's sisters were lucky too. His eyes clouded, though, when he mentioned how that must hurt. It shouldn't hurt. It shouldn't even be hurt. But... It was. He was pulled out of his thoughts, which were spiraling again, by the appearance of a mare. There was something... Different, about her. Pel couldn't quite figure out what. But she leaned down till she was looking him on the eye, and his curiosity got the best of him for a second. Ignoring the bit about Iggdad, because thinking of Iggdad made him sad, he focused on the other part of her words. Cascade? Mama talked about Cascade a lot. She was the one who took care of water... Then he gasped, as something cool and soothing involved his leg. It was extremely relieving, as he really wanted something cold to put on on it. When she was done though, the pain was gone. Pel looked down at his leg, shocked to see the burn gone. Cascade could do that? Well, it made sense since Mama worked as a doctor and she liked Cascade, but seeing it himself was... Pretty cool. Maybe Cascade wouldn't mind that he wasn't a kirin... " PEL!" Pel'ciri froze. His leg was hurting so much and he didn't notice (or care, at that moment) that Cin wasn't with him. " Why did you leaves? You were gonna give your present to Iggdad, and then I turnt around and you were dissapeared, like smoke in Auntie Ev's forge. Poof! I was so scared, I thoughts you were gones. I didn't burns your picture, did I? I sorry Pel. I didn'ts mean too!" Oh no, ohnonononononono... Cin couldn't know he wasn't a kirin! He didn't know that Pel had gotten hurt, thanks to Cascade's mare who healed his leg, but Pel had never lied! Especially not to Cin!! But if he told him he had gotten hurt, Cin would know that he wasn't a kirin and he'd be sad too, and Pel didn't want to see him sad! " It's okay!!" He blurted out. Maybe he didn't have to say to Cin that he had gotten burned. " I got... Hurt. But I'm better now!! Cascade miss helped me!" He shot the mare a quick smile that probably looked weirder than he thought it was. "Picture got a little burned but it's ok, Iggdad likes fire, right?" And without looking back, Pel grabbed the crumpled drawing and raced under some of the horses' legs. He heard Auntie Rita ask Mop to come check on him, and yelled a " I'm better now!! It's okay!!" at them. He heard some grunts and "hey!"s as he ducked around the horses, put his drawing on there, and raced back. He didn't want to think about what Iggdad would think of it anyway. He'd probably think it was stupid, because Pel was no kirin after all, so Pel's drawing was stupid too. Huffing, Pel plopped down next to Cin and before the nice unicorn and Cascade miss. " See? It put it there for Iggdad!" He beamed a way too bright smile at Cin. " I got hurted, but they helped me." Pel explained, then looked shyly up at the two horses. He hadn't been polite like Mama taught him to be! He didn't even thank them! " Sorry for running off... Thankyou, missters...?" Pel paused. " Oh, I'm Pel'ciri, and this is that twin I told you about, mister. Cin'ciri. What are your names?" |
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Post by SaintPumpkinMuffin on Jan 16, 2019 13:26:11 GMT -6
Gil | Commoner Gil was surprised to get such a strong response from the quiet shrouded mare. It was a curious reaction. Gil said nothing more. He moved out of her way as she pushed past him on her way to the alter. For a minute, he believed his power of persuasion hadn't taken hold. But as she tossed her expensive gift into the fire, it took all of Gil's strength not to curl his lips in a malicious and satisfied smile.
A few more people moved up to deposit gifts on the alter and Gil watched them. The children were a mess all their own, and Gil thanked Digend he was never unlucky enough to be burdened with one of those creatures. Ironically, Gil's own son (unknown to him of course) also stepped up to the alter, and it caused his smile to fade. A green scale tail lashed uncomfortably. The resemblance was... uncanny. For a split second Gil let the prospect of their relatedness cross his mind. But Gil was very good at ignoring unsettling things. Of pushing them down and convincing himself of their falsehood. It was so second nature by this point, Gil hardly believed he was born of slave blood, or that this street urchin could be his nephew... or worse.
So the kirin hybrid sauntered through the masses, his already tall form sticking out further thanks to his golden rack upon his head.
His teke grabbed at the satchel around his side, his gift tucked inside. He cleared his throat, strangely polite for someone of his ominous appearance. But Gil was a master manipulator. His voice could soothe a braying crowd at a fight club, or scare a drunken attendee into sobriety. He didn't earn his place as a former Chevalier captain for nothing. Say what you would about the man, but he had an enrapturing presence.
"The past few months have been stressful for us all. They have taken much from us, I know that personally..." Gil began drawing his gift from the bag. "As this is what was taken from me." With a wave of bravo, Gil's teke dragged out an object wrapped in white linen. As he unwound the fabric, it was revealed to be a charred limb, contorted at disgusting angles at the joints. It was his own leg, preserved and kept for these 3 long months. Gil kept it was an intent to use it as a memento, or some sort of vile trick to Sarim, the horse who lit him ablaze in the first place. But Gil couldn't resist using it here instead.
He held it high for the crowd to see. "And now I'm finishing the job." And with a dramatic swish, tossed it over the more demure gifts and into the brazier, where he could see the bridle burning white hot.
"This gift giving isn't about Ignacio! Just like the slaves and peace we were robbed us was not about Ignacio either. Open your eyes! Can't you see, fellow citizens?"
Gil took a pause, focusing his blessing even harder, dropping his hold on those he had spoken to previously in order to reach the masses. Disrupt the status quo. Let's see just how interesting this could get.
"This is a show to make the people docile and forget about transpired here not long ago. This isn't about Ignacio. The Sanctum doesn't want your gifts. They want you under their tutelage! The State wants you under their tutelage! But it has been in disarray for over a year now. When will it stop taking?"
And then Gil dipped his head, the all too familar smell of searing flesh on his nose, and stepped away down the altar and towards the exit.
Post 3 | WC 627 |
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Post by kaiyacksoda on Jan 16, 2019 14:38:35 GMT -6
Newt & Cricket
onean farmers
Newt was surprised when Saleh took their comment with an amount of heart and trudged up to the altar with a look that bordered on miserable. Their dark brow quirked as they watched the unicorn meander forward with a low head, and then trip back down. Newt cringed when they did. Teeth gritting and eyes squinting in a way that only seemed to settle when Saleh rebalanced and huddled back to their side. "Nice one." Newt scoffed while attempting to temper an amused grin. Cricket's face contorted to a look balanced between concern and astonishment at Saleh's graceful return. Allowing his ears to lop sideways awkwardly in his own discomfort.
"All done here, then?" Newt's voice rang quietly between the three. Their hazel eyes flicked around the crowd momentarily, head held high enough to stretch out their back and spot anything-- or anyone-- that would obstruct their exit. After all, they'd delivered Juliet's gifts and they were eager to return back to their room at the Sanctum... Their mellow disrespect to their own Sanctum going unnoticed, as neither twin seemed very eager to stick around for lectures on Ignacio. Cricket's posture shifted as he followed Newt's eyes. "'suppose so." He mumbled before the stage seemed to ignite with flames.
Both of the twins' heads shot up, quick enough to strike Cricket's forehead with a familiar tinge of pain as their vision began to veer from the fire to a slinking green figure who approached the altar. The look of the man made Newt's brow quirk oddly and feel a certain unease rush past their spine. When the unknown kirin lifted his donation, Newt's ears struck forward instantly as Cricket's head lowered in further surprise. His voice, cool and chilling, seemed to slither through the crowd to deliver a pressure on Newt's skull and a pound between Cricket's ears.
Yet, soon it faded. And Newt's gaze turned to settle passively on the unicorn next to them as the kirin took his leave. They didn't care about Ignacio or what he wanted. Yet it was quite easy to pick up on the Aodhians' sense of... living. Saleh looked timid and fragile in a way that reminded them of their brother, and they'd never want him bound with a bitted bridle. Newt chewed on the inside of their cheek before their posture shifted forward, slightly, and almost unnoticeably, to place themself only a step ahead of the unicorn. Their lip curled with the spell of unease they received from the kirin and the display of flames, and their head ducked downward in an attempt to veer both Cricket and Saleh toward the back of the crowd, "best be going then."
447 words, post 3 |
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Post by Disastercorn on Jan 17, 2019 18:30:28 GMT -6
S A L E H Male | Servile Twin | Aodhian
Of course Newt would rub salt into the wound. Eyes flickered to the other head of the twins, but already the Unicorn was way out of their comfort zone. Head lowered again, giving a small nod to Newt's comment about leaving. They couldn't exit this fast enough. The gathering crowd was too much for the twin, missing their stronger and more protective self. It was hard to even stay focused on Newt and Cricket. They just needed a calm quiet place to recoup.
That was until a Kirin took to the alter and forced everyone to look at them with their booming voice. Saleh's eyes widened, watching in shock and unease. The kirin's words fluttered over his mind with a cold chill, driving home the words as if they were their own. As if Saleh had thought the same thing all along. With head lifted, eyes wide and long ears forward, the unicorn slave watched as a charred... LIMB? came out from the speakers voice. Legs froze, body tense and chilled. Fear scored through them. None of this was ok... Body started to shake when the equine took his leave down from the statue and Saleh pressed harder into Crickets side, chest heaving. The limb... The words... Was this all a ploy to really keep them under control?
Voice stammered out. "P-please... C-can we go home now..." It was all too much without Sontar here.
POST 3 | WORD COUNT 235
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Post by inke-ri on Jan 17, 2019 22:01:38 GMT -6
Airita
Aodh Commoner
819 Words || Post III
Kimiko still seemed upset, much to Airita's worry. She looked back at Pel, worried. There were horses with him. She muttered a quiet plea that this one wasn't a creep. From his demeanor, she assumed he worked in a sanctum. There was something about those people. Temporarily satisfied that Pel'ciri was being tended to and that Cin was going to join him, Airita looked back down at Kimiko. She ran her teke down her daughter's back, leaning down to look at them. " Hey baby, it's okay now. No one is mad at you." She still wasn't sure what made the foal think Blue- the flamen, she believed- would want to keep the stone, but her child was crying, and that still mildly terrifying, and the urge to fix it was so so strong. When Kimiko mentioned Pel, they both watched as another mare joined the little group and seemingly healed his leg. Airita sent a mental thank you to Cascade. " Well... It seems like he doesn't anymore!" She watched as Pel raced to the altar and placed his charred doodle down. Airita wondered if bringing up the offerings would make Kimiko upset, but decided to give it a shot. " Hey... Tell you what: why don't we go there so Mama can put her gift to Iggo in the altar? You don't have to put yours, okay?" She searched their eyes, ruffling their hair a little so the third, hidden purple one was briefly visible. " If you don't want to we can give it to him at home." With a small smile, she kissed the bridge of their muzzle, which was where she settled for mommy kisses given their forehead's eye. With some semi-grudging agreement from the foal, both mares waited in line to give their offerings away. Airita removed the necklace from her neck, took a deep breath, and let it there, the fire catching some of the stones from the geode, making them sparkle like stars. Please, sir. She begged. I just want to understand why. She didn't elaborate on the whys, even mentally, but there were so many of them, pressing down on her heart. Why had he started the Gods' War? Why didn't he say he did not agree with the war with Serora? Why wasn't he doing anything to stop King Soleil? ... Why was he leaving them all alone to be crushed on all sides? Did he just not care? Opening her eyes with another sigh, Airita looked at Kimiko again. " Hey, remember what I said, okay? You don't have to do it here if you don't want to. Iggo won't be mad." She waited a bit to see her daughter's reaction, then both stepped away from the statue... Right on time, it seemed. The kirin creep took the stage, and spoke, and presented them all with a disgusting offering. Airita instinctively moved to be in front of Kimiko, hoping they couldn't make out what exactly it was. Ah, yes. She remembered him. Wasn't he there when Deidra (and the rest of them, she admitted to herself) started the riots? Damn, so the fire from the overdramatic one did cost him his leg. Curling her lip, Airita glared at him. His words did not impact her so greatly, simply because she already believed them. For all most horses seemed to prefer Isador over Amadeus, she believed him to be just as incompetent, making foolish choices and overall not being able to control his nation, as well as wasting his time in a pointless war when there were much bigger problems at their doorstep. As for the Flamens, just like she rolled her eyes at Lucerys' speech, she rolled them at his. It was pretty damn obvious they were just trying to patch holes in the tapestry that was the herd, but Airita was past the point of thinking it had any chance of being good again. It was rotting and disgusting, and she genuinely didn't think someone would be able to fix it. But still, no one, especially not this jackass, did something like that in front of kids. She spat out at him. " Even if so, what gives you the right to say so or be a frigging drama queen?" The kirin didn't respond, and as she was still close to the altar, Airita was able to catch him just enough to whisper, too low for Kimiko to head. " Pull a stunt like that in front of children again and I swear I'll burn the other leg off." Without waiting for a reply, Airita held Kimiko close with teke and guided them away from the statue. She grunted, attempting to keep her emotions under control, and turned to Kimiko with a small smile. " Don't mind him, okay baby? He's just looking for attention that he doesn't deserve. Would you like to eat something?" She pointed at the table of food and drink before them.
[[Note: Kimiko agreeing to follow Airita was something done with permission from Svantanon!!]] |
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Post by redspaceboyy on Jan 18, 2019 19:05:10 GMT -6
 Chianti
Aodhian Servile Slave When things went from bad to worse, the mare only watched with dutiful silence. Many of the equine had begun to prepare their things and leave, of which her eyes shifted to the suspicious scaled stallion whom had waltzed his way to the alter with his disturbing gift. But within the past months she felt she had seen far worse, met far worse.
The words he called over the crowd hardly allured her, the words he spoke already something she had grown familiar with in her beliefs. The scar that lay against her right shoulder seemed to sear like the day it was bestowed upon her. The King and his horses had stolen something from her that the Scoundrel could never get back; freedom.
But with a dry clear of her throat, she backed away, retreating toward the exit with sliding steps. Perhaps Jasmine wouldn't notice? She could simply walk out. Cover up the brand with her mane or some mud. Flee to Sedo or Aquore, somewhere that they couldn't find her.
Chianti found herself bumping into a pair of equine who seemed to be readying to leave as well. "Shit- sorry-" she breathed, glancing over her shoulder. She could only blink in surprise, as she had run into the hippocampus twins in her retreat. "Uh... y-yeah, my bad."
wc: 218 | post #3 |
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Post by Svantanon on Jan 20, 2019 1:45:08 GMT -6
Kimiko Post 4 | WC 661 Kimiko felt so much better when Mama stroked their back. It felt nice and reassured the little foal that all was still well with the world, and it made them lean into her even more. Mama said nobody was mad at them. And Mama didn’t sound angry either, so it seemed like things were going to be okay. They were also happy to see that Pel was looking better. It seemed like the bad feelings had passed now, and wouldn’t be coming back. They giggled a little as Mama tousled the hair on their head and planted a kiss on their nose, a tiny “hee!” escaping them as they sniffed for the last time, wiping the remaining tears away with a knee. They still weren’t sure what they should do with Iggo’s scale, but walking to the pretty statue with Mama sounded like a nice idea, so they remained glued to her side the whole way there. Mama was giving away a necklace-- the prettiest one she had. Kimiko watched as she laid it gently among the other gifts, wondering if Iggo would ever wear it. They hoped so. They were sure that it would make Mama happy… They walked in front of Mama, then, holding the rock-scale carefully in their teke as they glanced over all the other presents everyone had left. That same nervous feeling from the green man from earlier was still there, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as it was before, and as their teke lifted the stone-- with effort-- up to the statue, they felt that… maybe, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to-- “And now I’m finishing the job.”Kimiko huffed in bewilderment as Mama suddenly pulled them away from the statue, the stone nearly slipping from their grasp. The foal instead reached out to grab it between their teeth before it could fall, again, holding onto it as tightly as possible. Standing in front of them was the same Green Man. Only this time, he was talking to everyone, his voice even angrier and more frightening than before. Kimiko stared at their hooves, more than content to stay right behind Mama as their ears pressed flat against their skull. There were so many things they didn’t understand about his talking, and yet they felt scared, and worried, as though something big was wanted from them, something they weren’t able to give, and why did everything have to be scary again? Mama shouted back at him before dragging the kindling away to the table from before-- the table where Cin and Pel had been. She used the word “attention” for the Green Man, and from experience with their aunts and cousins, Kimiko knew that could mean one of two things. Either the Green Man was ignoring what his parents were telling him to do, or he was being bad and loud so other horses could look at him. Either way… both of those made sense. So Kimiko just gave their mother a shaky nod before pushing their forehead against her leg, again. Their safe place. They carefully placed the stone between their feet again, pawing at it forlornly as they looked between Mama and the statue. Something told them that Mama wasn’t going to back there… and that she wouldn’t want Kimiko going either. This would probably have to be put on the sha… the shine at home… even if it would have been nice to put it next to Mama’s necklace… Letting out a small sigh, Kimiko nudged at a particularly yummy smelling cake on the table. It had pretty colors on it and looked like it would taste good, and they would like to try it. Cake would make them feel a whole lot better. The thought of cake already put a small smile on their face, and they tried to show that smile to Mama to assure them that they weren’t going to cry, again. |
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Post by LaBelleAnni on Jan 20, 2019 7:04:09 GMT -6
Aeschylus
Aodh | Commoner
Everything had gone fine, with the exception of her confusion of things. She stepped away from the alter just when her offering was cast to smelt in the fire, blazing and reflecting off of the bright light that His flames flickered against the statue. It should have been a beautiful sight, and for a moment it was. However, when the strange kirin started to speak, she felt somewhat different about it. She felt as if she made a mistake, had done something wrong. Was giving her gift up that way… incorrect? No, she mustn’t have been misguided. But… why did she feel guilty. The kirin spoke at the altar, speaking out to the crowd and washing a sense of discord over them. One by one equines were moving to leave, and as soon as she noticed what Gil had pulled out of his bag, her eyes widened. There was a feeling in her throat that caught, something vile. This was vile, he was vile. She felt faint by the image he showed, of dropping this disfigured body part near to her dear Caecilia’s old bridle, which wasted away in the fire. It was supposed to be a symbol of letting her go to Ignacio to live by his side, now tarnished by a mangled appendage, grotesque and cracking in the flames in a horrific manner. She could feel her insides churning, trying not to lurch or to have her pass out. Instead, Aeschylus turned her head away, leaning a small amount of her weight against Caster’s shoulder. Her eyes squeezed shut, pushing out a held back tear. This couldn’t be real. Caecilia… her bridle, it was gone and ruined. Would her soul be safe? Ignacio protect her… Ignacio protect me. If she had true frontal legs her knees would have been shaking. Though now she stayed upright, the fragility of her frame depending on those metal legs to keep her from falling over. Caster, the poor soul, dug her head into the appaloosan bay’s side. They both needed the comfort, and surely it could just be seen as aiding one another in the crowd.
Aeschylus’ breath hitched in a brief moment of silence, seeming to cut through the murmuring crowd. Tears began to creep down her cheeks. Where were the guards? The chevaliers? Why weren’t they here? What was going on? She looked up upon the face of this horrid man, her veil clothing her contorted expression, though the only thing it didn’t cover was the quiver in her lip. “How dare you.” She cried out, her voice shaking. It was all she could manage to say before choking up on her own words. A quick breath sucked between her teeth before she cowered away, afraid of the message he spoke, and afraid of him. A prayer crossed her mind, something she prayed as she shied away, hoping to the gods that it would be heard.
Ignacio forgive me, I am weak. I cannot be strong. I have wronged my dearest Caecilia. Bless us all with your comfort, oh Father of Flames.
WC: 512 Post #3
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Post by manabuns on Jan 28, 2019 15:02:43 GMT -6
♛
INot all celebrations could run smoothly, Lucerys knew that for a fact. There would always be something, from the smallest scrape to even a weeping reveller in need of a tender hoof. But it seemed the higher powers were testing him today.
Especially when the man dressed in scales approached, after the others had presented their gifts. Some chose to burn them, and the unicorn wondered if they were beginning again. Ridding themselves of memories and greviences of yesterday. Others placed them and uttered their reasonings. Ones that were silent, he assumed there's were more intimate, or perhaps they were too scared to share.
He didn't mind that, each one left with the Flamen's look of hope and encouragement.
The look dialled itself down to one of neutral curiosity, as the charred limb was produced. Given the climate, and his own hardships as of late, Lucerys was hard pressed to be moved to disgust and terror. Eventually, a breath punctuated by embers exhaled from dark lips, head cocked in polite amusement.
His own partner had been there when Soleil rose again, his own sanctum had been graced by ignacio. A slave freed by the Gods own Hand, he himself had for a fleeting moment seen the starscape and it's impossibilities. In this moment, in the wake of ruin and rubble of riots. He and his attendants had rebuilt Fernos after sacking.
The flamen had been blessed, and his faith was unshakeable. Gil would sooner move mountains than him.
"This very Sanctum, and those invited today have known the hardship of what transpired. We have been wounded, laid low and torn from what we know." Lucerys says, gently, so that all are forced to train their ears should they wish to hear. "This is not about nobility, about how the higher powers of the mortal plane wish to keep you. It is about finding strength in the aftermath, celebrating our ability to rebuild. To be better. Stronger. More compassionate. To show all those that would look to us and scoff, that we are a family." He echoes, once the man has stopped talking. "That we will endure, as the flame would, when the rains come to try and extinguish."
368 | post: 3 | !! ulla |
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Post by SagaWolf on Feb 8, 2019 11:06:38 GMT -6
Chip
Scoundrel
Chip's feasting has slowed down enough that he was only nibbling on two treats now, one savory, one sweet, alternating between the two and a glass of juice. He paid half a mind to the equines dropping their gifts before Ignacio, letting his mind and eyes drift across the congregation. All walks of life represented; bits and bridles and flashing jewels and fancy outfits, enough to make the scoundrel's nose wrinkle. If it wasn't for the green Kiring suddenly drawing everyone's attention to him, Chip's face would no doubt have curled in on itself with bitterness. But Gill's words had him light up with interest instead.
There was... something about that sharp cheeked face, an odd resonance within Chip as if he ought to know this creature, and that in itself was enough to invest his attention. Who and what was he? Noble? Commoner? A visitor from far away? Whichever it was he had guts, and Chip was soon grinning at the speech and then he was gagging as the limp was revealed. Washing down some juice helped him regain his composure, but didn't help him suppress a wild shudder that made small feathers drift to the floor.
Gill carried on speaking and his words were so very, very true! He was echoing what Chip had been saying for months (far away from others of course, with the safety of his Ratlings) and it stirred a flame in the scrawny pegasus. He felt himself straighten out of the slouch and lift his head high, a small sneer curling onto his lips.
"Finally someone sayin' it how it is! " he huffed, much louder than he had intended, stomping a small hoof onto the floor.
"Scale-face is right! Some rebuilding you do! What if ya took the time an' effort and directed it to tha people instead, huh? I think ya'd make a much clearer declaration of 'family' if kids weren't starvin' in tha streets! But what do we get? A shineh new statue and some cake ter shut us up! "
Chip sneered the word 'family' as if it was something disgusting curled up on his tongue. The kirin's words had clearly gotten to the roan pegasus, firing him right up!
Word count: 369 | Post: #3
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Post by SaintPumpkinMuffin on Feb 11, 2019 15:13:50 GMT -6
Gil
As Gil made his way down the steps and away from the altar, he didn't pause to pay any particular individual mind. The Flamen spoke up, spouting an antithesis to Gil's own speech. Spectators rallied to either side; some with Gil, most with the Flamen. Simpletons. Lucerys' words make Gil want to roll his eyes.
Gil for a moment was about to escape the scene uninhibited. He made his way like a snake through the crowd. He only stuttered in his steps when the strange, two headed horse, and some meek little creature who's brand (if not pathetic personality) gave them away as a slave. The slave's eyes followed him despite scuttling after the freakish two headed teen. As Gil drew near, they stopped all together... Blocking the alright tight and body-filled area, and Gil's attempted exit. Gil could keep his composure through almost anything. He was a master manipulator, and that entailed he be in control of his mind over emotion at any point. But slaves always brought out this boiling feeling in his gut, a buzzing in the back of his mind. Now to have this whelp writhing pathetically at him fed into the feeling. The fear was blatant in Saleh's eyes.
It fed Gil's vigor.
"Step aside, slave," he rumbled. His sharp teeth poked from his mouth as he enunciated each word. "Out of the way, where you belong."
Post 4 | 235 Words |
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Post by redspaceboyy on Feb 11, 2019 16:45:35 GMT -6
Chianti
Aodhian Servile Slave A snarl had actually acclaimed the mare's lips as she watched the kirin migrate toward the exit. She had just been standing a few feet from the dual-headed horse and their accompanying servile slave, and thus had caught every word the creature uttered.
There was something protective within her that caused her to step forward. She wasn't sure what, but she was definitely not going to led some lizard talk down a living being without doing something. She hadn't been a slave for long, but it was long enough to sympathize with them.
With the equivalent of a rough shove toward the older stallion, she shot him a glare. "Ever heard of going around?" she snapped, ears pinned to her neck. She knew she was chomping at the bit--quite literally--and she would receive and ear-full from Jasmine for her actions. But since when did Chianti actually think before speaking?
"He ain't doin' nothin' wrong. Go rub your scales with people who actually deserve it." The dun huffed, throwing her head up despite her smaller height. Even with the crimson and gold bridle she was able to speak with venom on her tongue.
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Post by hey-stardust on Feb 16, 2019 6:41:59 GMT -6
CLARKE | WAR-FORGED | AMBASSADOR
Don't you go and get it twisted forgiving is not forgetting, no, it's not forgetting.
Her eyes softened at Ahsin's words of thanks, bobbing her head in acknowledgment. When Cin'ciri ran to his brother's side, she returned to her full height and looked down to study the pair, the ghost of a smile was still evident on her lips as they ran off - seemingly no worse for wear despite Pel'ciri's brief scare...
but it would fade quickly at the sight of a severed limb, and she felt her stomach turn at the stench of burning hair and flesh.
Despite the dramatic display however, she did find some truth in the kirin's deliverance; for the system that held Aodh together was indeed archaic --barbaric even-- but it felt wrong to speak out of turn here, not when her own herd were partially responsible for the trade that kept the city running, supplying bodies to appease the masses.
A small part of her wanted to leave, to follow the crowd outside after a heinous display of truth, but instead, she drifted to the Flamen's side, seeming unmoved by the dissent in amongst his Sanctum.
"Are your gatherings always this... colourful?" She queried, curiously.
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Post by manabuns on Feb 17, 2019 16:02:14 GMT -6
♛
Given the current state of things, Lucerys truly, at heart couldn't blame the others that threw their voices into the frey. However, he could blame the one who started it. The one who threw their leg into the fire — who in Ignacio did that — and began to weave a dramatic defamation of their city. Someone with malice on their mind, there were other ways to draw the masses. Burning of lost limbs were not it.
Tytus lands with an audible thump on the Unicorns back, nestling within the thick cloth and fur the Flamen was adorned in. Warming his scaled hide in the soft candle glow, he patted at a bare, dark flank in some awkward attempt to sooth.
A Sanctum Attendant bustles over on quiet hooves and produces, him a frankly alarmingly sized glass filled with rose, and disappears again into the crowd to tend to the damage, another braves retrieving the burning limb from the fire with an expression borderline mortified, and hurriedly disappears behind the thick curtain at the back of the Sanctum. His gaze remained steady on the scaled figures retreating back, and he exhales embers.
The grey sabino, who is not one of his own, he realizes. Lucerys is good with faces, he remembers nearly all who come through his doors. Her question is met with an elongated pause, punctuated by the sound of him sipping wine before he responds. If his face is a ludacrous expression of deadpan, well.
"Usually, sometimes they're a little more spicy. Normally there's more wine to deal with it, for a start." He admits with a wistful sort of amusement, taking another sip of the pale colored wine. "Would you care for some? You're going to need it."
289 | post: 4 | !! ulla |
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Post by inke-ri on Feb 17, 2019 20:37:45 GMT -6
Airita
Aodh Commoner
post IV || 189 words Airita couldn't help but smile at her foal's rather upset expression. She wasn't happy about it of course, but being a young mother was such a novelty that at the end of the day, she would happily ignore whatever mess Gil was causing this time to watch Kimiko again and again. Sometimes she still couldn't believe she had created this tiny ball of fluff with legs. "Iggo doesn't care for sparkly fire or special statues, little one." She whispered in their ear, hoping she was using simple enough words Kimiko would understand. Was she even doing this right? Ah, well, she was trying anyway. "He loves us the way we are. He'll love your gift no matter how or where you give it to him." She laughed as Kimiko smiled at her and focused on the cake. Fear still gnawed at her belly, fear for what could happen to her child and to her. Her eyes drifted to Ignacio's statue again. Ah, how she wished he could be here. Still, it Gil's rambles aside, it was a beautiful night. She would enjoy this bubble of peace while it lasted. |
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Post by inke-ri on Feb 17, 2019 21:08:43 GMT -6
Pel'ciri
Aodh Commoner
post IV || 238 words
Being a child, it was easy for Pel to get distracted. While the adults talked, his eyes wandered over to the rest of the Sanctum. The scaly man was still causing a ruckus, but Pel'ciri just couldn't focus on what him and that other pegasus kid were doing. He kept thinking about his drawing. How silly he had been, thinking he was a kirin! Iggdad would probably just laugh at him. The nice lady who had healed him-- did he really get burned minutes ago? His brain refused to accept it, it felt like ages already... But he couldn't forget it-- caught the attention of the Flame. With his big candles and weird voice, Pel shrunk a little next to Cin'ciri, eyeing him warily. He seemed to know a lot about Iggdad tho, so maybe he could tell Iggdad sorry for him... Maybe Iggdad would listen and not laugh at Pel's silly beliefs. At the end of the night though, Pel ended up silent. He leaned over Cin's back and tuned out the grown up talk, his eyes reflecting the flicker with the flames of the Sanctum as he stared at Iggdad's statue. He could never blame Cin for hurting him, but he also couldn't tell him yet. The little colt ended up pulling his brother close with his head, hugging him, hoping to bury the night's events so deep in his head he couldn't remember them anymore. |
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Post by houndflash on Feb 17, 2019 23:07:56 GMT -6
Cin'ciri|Aodh|Commoner
Cin happily bounced around the other two adults that were with him and Pel, as his twin went to put his gift over by Iggdad's statue to make him happy. While Pel was coming back, Cin's small attention span already wavered enough to barely notice the other kirin's more... interesting gift, or the words that followed. To the toddler, all that was happening was another loud person talking about how devout they were to Iggdad, and all the great things that they got, or whatever. Cin was a bit too self-centered and sheltered to really care.
Cin felt his brother's weight on his side as the adults continued to talk above them, Pel more quiet, even for the quiet half of the twin pair. Something seemed to be wrong, but Cin didn't really want to bring it up here and now. Pel would bring it up to Cin if it was super important, probably around Mama or when they tried to sneak into Auntie Ev's or Auntie Moon's forges later. The young kirin looked around for Auntie Rita, since it seemed whatever was making everyone excited was calming down now, which probably meant it was time to go home and nap, or eat, or nap THEN eat. Or eat then nap.... He would have to discuss with Pel the which way was more important, then they could talk to Mama and Cass about which they wanted to do. And the entire idea that something was bothering his brother was entirely shoved out of his head.
Post #3 Word Count 255 |
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Post by brittlewren on Feb 17, 2019 23:23:32 GMT -6
 ÉTAÍNEyes grazing over the selection of offered beverages and assorted treats, her shimmering teke had scarely curled round a wine glass when someone cleared their throat obnoxiously loudly. She recognised that voice. Of course it was him. She threw her head back in disgust, ears pinned, and dared to peer over her shoulder at the slumlord before the shrine. A black, wrinkled limb was drawn into the light, and her lips peeled back in disgust at the wretched gift. Even more so when it was thrown into the fire, the acrid stench wafting through the great hall.
At first, the kirin's speech fell on deaf ears. She didn't want to hear his petty monologue. Didn't want to waste her headspace, really. There were more important things to think about. But when he brought up the slaves, she couldn't draw herself away. She turned to stare at him through narrowed, hateful eyes as he spoke of all that had been taken from them. Their King had done nothing but take from them- from her. He had fucked with their livelihoods, and he knew it. He exposed his own weakness by allowing the people to buy them back - shown them that he was weak, and easily swayed.
Gil's tail slithered back into the crowd, and the Flamen spouted some rebuttal to try and calm the people. This rage would not be taken from her too. She clung to it, recalling it from the riots, and smashing her glass over the table she spun, bee-lining toward's the stallion's golden antlers. She wouldn't have reached him if he hadn't gotten caught in a confrontation with some slaves, who were accompanied by a strange two-headed horse. Shouldering the last few steps to the kirin, she spared a venemous glance at the slave filly. "Run on back to your master, before someone else beats you to it." The woman's warm brown eyes turned icy as she stared into the filly's own. "I don't dare think about what kind of trouble you'll be in." The buckskin didn't care that she was shorter. She didn't need to be taller for people to respect her. She flaunted her wealth. They wouldn't amount to anything, and if they tried to act out against her- ha, well, she need'nt worry. Teke brushing over her concealed dagger, she turned to Gil. "Speak with me outside. I'd like to discuss some riveting matters with you."
WC: 401 | Post #3Art by Ecliptic-Kase |
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Post by redspaceboyy on Feb 18, 2019 0:46:11 GMT -6
Chianti
Aodhian Servile Slave She was just about to snap another response to the kirin, but a unicorn had charged through the crowd with a scornful look in her eyes.
Already fueled by irritation, Chianti's rage switched over to the mare speaking to her. "My only masters are the gods themselves, and even they fail me," she replied, voice clipped and crude. Enough so to even take a threatening step forward, though one eye was always on the scaled stallion standing nearby. Quite a show he would have, she thought to herself.
In the fray of chaos that had ensued, the rose-dappled mare exhaled a long, drawing breath. It was an attempt to calm herself, but even that seemed to fail and she violently threw her head up. It what appeared to be a fit.
"Don't you dare consider me a lesser being because I bear a damned dragon on my coat--" Her anger turned into distress, voice clearly breaking. "You're nothin' but talk. That's all you fucking Aodhians do." Chianti shook her head, turning back to Gil, who had likely forgotten her sharp remark earlier. "And you want nothing more than to watch your people burn. So let them." She turned to the bitted unicorn she had pushed her way in front of, huffed, then glanced back. "But leave us out of it."
wc: 220 | post #5 |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2019 19:50:36 GMT -6
20 AP and 20 CS to Lucerys, Ahsin, Aeshylus, Airita, Kimiko, Cin'ciri, Pel'ciri, Chianti, Etain, Gil, Chip, Saleh, Clarke, Newt, Cricket |
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