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Post by posy-punch on Mar 1, 2019 18:55:54 GMT -6
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!
- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'D
Prompt: The Divine has sacrificed both of her wings to the sea, a symbolic act of remembrance for the sacrifices long before. The crowd is left in an almost shocked silence. The Divine urges you onwards. You ought to celebrate the release of the souls in the Shallows. You ought to celebrate the new Solstice. The city is in the streets, there are plenty of vendors afoot. There are also plenty of clerics around that may offer a word of wisdom regarding the Divine's actions if you're a little shaken by the display, but all in all, you've been turned free to enjoy all that the herd has prepared to share amongst each other.
Location: Inaria
Time of Day: Mid-morning
Current Weather: Sunshine and intermittent clouds that keep the sun from getting too hot on your backs.
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Post by Mad-Manx on Apr 8, 2019 19:37:46 GMT -6
Tzilia | Geminus | Mare
Tzilia's head was spinning as she stood, unmoving, at the edge of the crowd. The Divine had always been a familiar sight during the time of the solstice; though never like this. Never with wings fluttering across her back, or, only minutes before, wings that fell to the depths that had claimed the lives of many a pegasi over the years.
She wasn't sure what she had expected. There had been a building anticipation surrounding the event since the coronation of Empress Thalassa and the changes the crowning had wrought. Her own life had changed in at a dizzying pace in the few months since she had been appointed to the position of Geminus, and even now it sometimes felt as though the past few months were nothing but a dream. A nightmarish one at times, Tzilia shuddered as she thought of the events that had taken place within the Princess' labyrinth, but a dream all the same.
The shock that had settled over the crowd began to hesitantly dissipate as their Divine urged them to go forth and enjoy the events the solstice had to offer. Numbness still bit at her mind and radiated through her legs, but Tzilia gave her head a firm shake to clear it. Hushed whispers had broken through the silence that had settled over them, and the movement of others broke through her trance. Still rather distracted, Tzilia turned her about to catch a glimpse of anyone she might know the in crowd, her hooves carrying her forward somewhat unconsciously. ___________________________________________________________________Post #1 | Word Count: 256
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Post by notfromthisgalaxy on Apr 8, 2019 20:11:48 GMT -6
Nefertiti
Grand Cleric | Talori
"From somewhere behind the clouds,
I heard the Goddess laugh.
And I knew."   
Nefertiti stood strong.
It is as she has done with all of the Solstice celebrations. Well, save for when a child had been lost... But, still, she had stood none the less. Though, things were different this time around. Wings met the embrace of the water below, but no body followed.
The Divine had sacrificed herself in a way, life-water stains her coat.
As Nefertiti watches, a hefty weight settles on her heart. A strange mixture of happiness and shaken nerves mixed together. The newly appointed Grand Cleric feels as if she can not breathe, her breath locked someone in her throat.
Though, she hates to admit it, Nefertiti has been waiting with a baited breath to see how things turn out in the end. As she tells herself to relax, to breath, she can't help but wonder how far is the end? How many more months? Or, perhaps, even years?
Her shock dissipates, well about as much as it can, as the Divine sends them onward. As she tears her eyes from the makeshift 'sacrifice', the Grand Cleric finally finds her first real breath of air in a long time.
This wouldn't turn out to be so bad, would it?
Her neck straightens, her eyes soften. Whispers and mummers in the growing sea of people calm her nerves; though their words are lost to her. She's mindful of others, as she always has been; stepping around groups, a warm smile pulling at the corners of her lips.
The Grand Cleric finds herself a comfy spot to sit and watch the growing celebration; making herself readily available for anyone who had any... Pressing questions.
WC: 276 | Post #1 |
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Post by Svantanon on Apr 8, 2019 21:56:00 GMT -6
 Oh, gods.
She was going to be sick.
Belle had never seen a sacrifice this close up. Her mother had sheltered her from much of it in the years before, keeping their family farther back in the crowd to distance her children from Talori’s most heinous tradition, even before they realized how evil it was. Even when they thought it was what Cascade wanted. Cinnamon had always found the whole affair too violent for children, at least hers, whom she wanted to protect from the worst of it until they were of a more appropriate age. Perhaps an age when she could finally-- gently-- explain to Belle that the pegasi didn’t swim back to shore with fins. When she could at least begin to understand the brutality behind her childish fantasies.
Her mother hadn’t kept to the midst of the crowd, this time. Probably because no one was expecting bloody sacrifices.
She’d had mixed feelings when the Divine had first stepped forward. It was hard for Belle to look at her at first, with what she now knew... but her wings were a glaring reminder that the gods hadn’t been blind to the mare’s deeds. She had become what she had persecuted for years. If Cascade deemed this enough atonement for Eve’s past, then it would have to be enough for Belle. The tenderfoot tried to look her in the eyes as the Divine spoke, wanting to give her an open heart and mind. Eve had-- in her own way-- been reborn. It was only fair that she be treated as a new person… right?
And then, without so much as a warning, Eve sliced off her wings.
She hadn’t been prepared for it, and Belle shrank back with a small noise of traumatized disgust as she turned away just a little too late from the sight of blood and bone. She fought the urge to retch as she squeezed her eyes shut and pushed her face into Krein’s side. She could faintly hear Eve speaking, and her reasoning for all this made sense, and in a way Belle could respect such a great act of self sacrifice but for Cascade’s sake! That was terrible to see!
The Divine’s urges to go forth and celebrate after all this felt almost incredulous, because yeah, you all just watched me butcher myself but by all means, you should still have fun! But even then guilt stung in Belle’s chest. It was a remarkable way of taking accountability for all the lives lost. It was a great sacrifice, for Eve to give up the sky when she knew she no longer even had the sea. Reverence battled with churning nausea.
“Can w-we go,” Belle mumbled as she pulled away from Krein, keeping her eyes firmly on the ground while the bloodstained Divine was still in view. She wondered how many equines had caught her embarrassing reaction. It must have been so obvious how “new” she was to this whole thing. “I, I’d like to see the vendors.” Just not the food ones. I’m not hungry anymore.
Post #1 | Word Count: 521
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Post by ebbarie on Apr 8, 2019 23:08:04 GMT -6
 Naasir;Vagabonds | Harbinger
But hidden in his coat is a red right hand
A revealing glitter underneath his well-placed fabric revealed to everyone that the Commander wasn't here to celebrate.
He had tried to look as civil as possible, yet the armament was obligation for him and his Guardians. They hadn't forgot what happened on the last solstice celebration. A shield was tied to his side, as well as a glaive. The daggers however were hidden underneath his cloth and he tried to make a relaxed impression.
His watchful eyes scanned the place, over and over again. Nothing would go wrong today. He wouldn't allow it.
They all, Commanders and Defender had discussed together how many Guardians should be placed among the crowd today. After all they didn't wanted to create the appearance that anyone was in danger today. On the other hand...no one knew what would happen. Everything was possible and Naasir preferred to be prepared.
For a while his considerations got interrupted by the actions on the cliff. Momentarily he was thrilled by the events.
His ears twitched as many around him held their breath in horror. He had no understanding for the many shocked reactions. Of course this action hadn't been announced in any way, yet this was the core of the celebrations. A sacrifice, a small one but a sacrifice nonetheless. Pegasei were cutting their wings for ages to show their devotion for Cascade. He already had wondered why the devine had taken so long to get rid of hers.
Naasir watched the colorful feathers sinking to the ground, then he concentrated again. Now it was time for everyone to leave this place and start the celebration.
He would celebrate as well, although with one eye always scanning the sky above them.
WC: 283 | Post 1 |
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Post by houndflash on Apr 9, 2019 7:07:04 GMT -6
Krein|Talori|The Shoal-Philosopher Krein could only stare in awe at the events that just occurred before his eyes. Cinnamon had told the kirin to go to the festival without the cleric after, whatever by the name of the Smoldering Sun that was. It was nothing that any of his books, or any of the tales that Cinnamon or Dawson had recounted to him. It only made him feel more out of place within the water loving herd, that one would despise one element so much they were willing to brutally maim their own body of their god given gifts. It was beyond him. Though Krein figured it would be beyond others too, as Belle leaned her weight on the kirin’s leg. “Of course, kindling.” He smiled down at the small child, guiding her away from the scene. Moments like this made the kirin glad he now had his past memories back, he had experienced similar situations of discomfort with his nephew, as well as his baby sister. Distractions utilizing more enjoyable past times were the most effective strategy. “I overheard a few crafters in the city the other day boasting about the goods they were preparing for this day. Perhaps we could find you some more supplies?” He continued to walk forward, keeping his stride slow so that the younger fish-horse could keep up with him and not lose Krein in the crowd that had gathered. He didn’t even want to consider his gracious host’s wrath if he had misplaced her daughter, as protective as she was.
Post #1 Word Count 265 |
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Post by kerarose on Apr 9, 2019 10:23:30 GMT -6
Kaimana // GeminusInteracting with: Tzilia, Open! Blood. Slicing blades, falling feathers. A grimace of pain, hidden, but Kaimana could tell. Her Divine, Eve, who had been through so much, had given yet another sacrifice- the final sacrifice, if one was to be believed. Kaimana smiled at Eve's brave actions- she doubted that she would be brave enough to do the same in this circumstance. Now, more than ever, Kaimana was glad that she was not born of wings and feathers. No, she was common as could be, with only her spotted coat making her, perhaps, less common. Still, she knew her Great Mother smiled upon all of them this day- the sun was shining, but not too warm, the breeze bright and playful, the sound of the sea lapping on the shore coming from below her. It was perfect.
Turning her face away from the life-water of the Divine running down wingless shoulders, Kaimana glanced about for anyone she knew. There- she spotted the orange and blue fins, the tobiano of Tzilia, another Geminus. Walking over, a strut in her step, she greeted the mare with a warm smile. "Hello, Tzilia," she said, her face brightening at seeing a familiar face. "The Great Mother smiles upon us today. Are you enjoying the Solstice Celebrations?" She studied the mare's face, pretty as always, perhaps noticing a hint of discomfort. "Would you mind if I walked with you?"
Walking alongside the mare, she gazed at her, while looking around for any more familiar faces. Perhaps she would see more friends on her way around the Celebrations.
Post #1 // WC: 268 |
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Post by foalish on Apr 10, 2019 8:50:14 GMT -6
Faris
Talori Conparis
He’d heard the stories of the past. He’d swallowed his distaste and horror, and read anything he could have about the sacrifices. He’d joined the nation under the assumption that they were of history, that views were shifting, that there was progress, be it slow.
That the violent solstices were a thing of the past; that foals would grow up under tales horrific past celebrations, not having to witness them.
He was not prepared to witness the show; to feel the tightening of his stomach as he realized. As blades were taken out, as there was a Pegasi on the stones. Blades to their wings. The Devine herself.
He could not stare as he heard the slicing sound. The thump of limbs hitting the bottom. As he slowly grew the courage again to look up and see bloodied knives and a wingless Pegasi. As his first solstice was just like the others.
He backed up away from the sight, turning quickly, disappearing into the crowd before others were dismissed. Before a ceremony could be finished. His own feathers ruffled, wings held alarmingly close, fins raised in some resigning shock.
He had been struck in place; unable to move as it happened. But the moment it was over, he was left in a daze of flight, light headed and queasy from a sight he didn’t have the courage to witness. A panic was rushing through him, one he didn’t take a moment to digest.
Here was the Devine, using the solstices as an excuse to maim herself. To rid herself of the so called sins that were laid on her shoulders for respect. An excuse laid out, claiming retribution for her actions, a flimsy disguise for another sacrifice, to cast away symbols meant to represent the people she’d harmed again and again. A weight she didn’t want to carry, instead choosing to maim herself just so she didn’t have to.
His fins were new; a gift as a hybrid. He treasured them, embraced - not cut them off and cast them away in shame.
He stood in a crowd now, wings drooping, tail sagging on the ground. His eyes looked sunken in. The friendly expression he normally wore was completely gone, replaced by a shell-shocked, horrified look.
WC: 376 - Post 1 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Apr 11, 2019 4:20:24 GMT -6
GIDEON
Gideon had known what was coming, but that didn’t necessarily do much to soften the actual act when it came to pass. He mostly felt dull pain, as if something had been cut off of his own body. The shock, that had already worn off, as this was no unplanned action.
There had been discussion. Negotiation. Assessing of risks and the trying to value the importance of the ritual against the potential of another violent uprising.
He could feel the tension in the crowd. Some seemed pleased, others merely confused. A few appeared to be extremely touched – presumably traditional Talori who knew this ritual well in its simpler form and had lost someone in the fighting. And then there were the horrified ones, the ones from whose face all joy drained the moment that blade found purchase.
Gideon’s heart clenched in his chest as he looked at Eve. She had been so insistent. She was sure she would save the souls stuck in the Shallows, and Gideon could do nothing but believe her, for she was the Divine.
That didn’t mean he had to enjoy watching his friend hurt herself. Good cause or not.
With the deed done and celebrations now underway, he Defender kept his eyes open for trouble, and headed for the first face he recognized, and that was filled with horror and shell-shock.
He was not surprised Faris would feel that way. He did not know the Conparis, not really, but they had come here from Serora, and Gideon could understand how for the uninitiated, this could seem horrific.
It even seemed a bit horrific to Gideon, but that was due to personal attachments.
“Faris”, he said, voice gentle with the slightest hint of insistence.
“Perhaps we should get to clearer air. Less crowded. You look like you could use the chance to breathe deep”, Gideon went on, calm and even, listening to the skies even as his eyes looked into Faris’.
Word count: 325
Post #1
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Post by Prismaticlysm on Apr 11, 2019 10:14:16 GMT -6
Ilhuicaatl | Talori Philosopher  She didn't know what to expect. Actually, she kind of did. She knew what she wanted to happen. The Divine renouncing the old ways and accepting her new self, for starters, would have pleased Lulu to pieces. She never believed there was anything wrong with Pegasi and, perhaps, that was due to her first and only love. She knew better than to say much on that fact though. So when the Divine had spoken and sliced off her wings, Lulu gaped in shock just like everyone, well, mostly everyone around her. Her brain ceased to function as she listened to everything that the Divine suddenly spoke and, for a moment, Ilhuicaatl was unsure how to feel. Her immediate thought was extremely negative. This was all a lie, a ploy, to pity the once finned Divine. What happened before her eyes seemed like a slap in the face to all those who had suffered before, and technically still suffered from those who still held them with little regard. How many had fallen to those waves, just as the Divines wings had suddenly gone? And how many wings would still follow on their own accord because of this apparent martyrdom? It felt like this was the beginning of some ominous new era. If the Divine could sacrifice a piece of her own self, was that not encouraging pegasi to continue to do the same? Was this all just a farce? Did the Divine learn nothing in her transformation? And was she, Ilhuicaatl, being too harsh in her youth? The tiny hippocampus shifted uneasily on her hooves. There was murmuring all around her, she could make out approval and disapproval, though she couldn't tell to the extent of each. It felt like yesterday when she, Daemyn and Stormcry pulled the golden orb from Kiephis. And she did not yet know what became of the child Cinnamon and Gyda had attempted to rescue. The Wave-Mother had guided the small group of equines into the toxic depths. Yet Lulu found herself yearning for some kind of sign as to how to deal with what was occurring right now. It was just a different kind of toxicity, and one a bubble around her head wouldn't fix. But the seething bubbled down to a simmer, a simmer that logically began to pick apart the scant moments that it took for Lulu to become and cease being angry. Did the Divine learn something in her transformation? She had stated that her own sacrifice was to release those who had been sacrificed before. Was there truth in it? Were those many, many deaths finally realized as something terrible? Were Pegasi really free now? Was this not some kind of trick? Ilhuicaatl wondered if she was just being cynical. Who knows. Lulu could only hope. Yet as she had always done in the past, seeing a Pegasi bleeding from the lingering stubs of what was left of their wings did not sit easy with her, she turned away. If there was a shred of hope that Talori was indeed reborn to embraced finned and feathered alike, then there was a reason to celebrate. She trotted through the crowd, intent to find something delicious and sweet to eat. As she passed a pegasus, she spoke, but did not linger. "Embrace your wings, do not denounce them."555 Words OOC: Feel free to claim that pegasus that she spoke to.  |
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Post by tealtea on Apr 11, 2019 11:15:40 GMT -6
Anima | Talori | The Shoals
Things were changing faster than she could keep up. Some of it was frightening, some of it was just...different. One thing that wasn't changing was the fact that these celebrations always left her feeling nauseous. It was a
constant reminder of what she had done. There was a light at the end of the tunnel. At least, that was the hope.
Anima watched as numerous horses began to gather around her. Somewhere in the mix, she had lost track of her
family, but that didn't bother her all that much. She had always been the odd one to run off on her own. Still, she
felt like a stranger here. Inaria was feeling less like home. Sure, she had Amico and her family but...something
felt off. She looked around at the intermingling of other horses. The way things had gone had, in her mind,
changed for the better. She hadn't really understood the treatment of the pegasi; even as a foal, she had felt it
was unwarranted. Perhaps they were not created by the same gods but weren't their gods siblings? And, through
that, didn't that make them our brothers and sisters? That had always been her thought and, to view them any
differently would be an insult to Cascade. Sure, they had their differences, but they were still relatives. It was the
exact same as Anima and her siblings. While they bickered and argued and didn't get along, they would still,
always, come together.
Even so, she still didn't much care for these events. It was a painful reminder of the sacrifices that were made in
the name of Cascade. They were never something she enjoyed and, after coming home, she had come to detest
them. Couldn't they have a celebration without someone dying? Hopefully that would be the case...
The Divine appeared and a curious hush reverberated among the crowd. Anima focused on the mare, focused
intently as the blade appeared. There was no one around her... No, there was no way she would become the
sacrifice! She watched as the blade sliced at her own wings, watched in horror as she did it again to the opposite
side. Watched as her wings fell into the water below. And she listened with just as much intensity as the Divine
spoke. This was the new solstice. It was a new beginning. Anima looked around at the horses around her,
each one with a different emotion written on their face as they began to disperse. For now, Anima decided to set
aside her own shock and began to walk through the crowd. Maybe this would be the last time blood would be
shed during these events. Maybe this was a new beginning for the pegasi within the herd. Maybe it was time for
her to do the same. Maybe it was time to come out of her shell, too?
Post I | 479 Words
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Post by Svantanon on Apr 13, 2019 12:43:38 GMT -6
“Of course, kindling.”
From his voice and smile, it was easy to see how much Krein still saw her as the little foal he'd first met in the rainforest. These days that kind of treatment occasionally gave the preteen a knee-jerk sting of indignant personal offense, but in this particular moment it was comforting. She nodded with a small smile of her own, gladly following the kirin out of the crowd.
She was even more grateful for their mutual decision to move onto new subject matter almost immediately. Her ears perked at the mention of crafters, already feeling cheered by the reminder that she did have some more shopping to do.
"That'd be great," Belle responded with a nod. "Some of my brushes are getting kind of old, and I've been wanting to try working with a bigger canvas. Maybe they'll have some on sale..." she trailed off as her eyes drifted down to her hooves, mentally going over her delightful mess of a makeshift studio (the best and worst half of her bedroom) and any colors she recalled to be running low. She could use more purple...
"...I kind of want to look at any masks they might have, too... for a thing... Oh! What about you? How's your carving tools right now?"
Post #2 | Word Count: 214
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Post by mariahwhy on Apr 13, 2019 23:03:28 GMT -6
Seven | The Shoal
To say that Seven had mixed emotions about this day was an understatement. As the solstice had approached, he had felt that old excitement. It was a response he had been trained to twice a year since birth. The wonderful sacrifice, the food, the fun. But as the day neared he began to remember that things were not the same. The sacrifices had been stopped, so what would take its place?
When the day finally arrived he woke up nervous and fearful - emotions fairly uncommon to the colt. Walking outside among the crowd he could only remember the last sacrifice. The child - that beautiful filly who was supposed to be reborn. The gasps of concern. The uprising. The Flight. It had been the last time he'd seen his dad, but still he could not stop himself from looking for the stallion among all the other guardians keeping their eyes on the sky. He was jumpy, and kept a wary watch above him as well. Should they even be having this festival? A deep sadness for the loss of the old celebrations, the joy of those days, tugged at him. His chest hurt and his stomach churned, and he finally approached the edge of the crowd with apprehension eating at him. Yet almost from instinct he began to push through the legs of the crowd to get a front row seat, finding it harder than it had been. He did not realize he had grown so much since the last solstice.
He watched, almost empty, as the Divine stepped up to the table. And as she spoke, tears brimmed his eyes. Not by her actions. He had seen many a wing being cut off, and some small part of him still found it a blessing for the Divine to regain some of her higher status by shedding her feathers. But her meanings sank deep within him, severing the last small chord of childhood that he had been holding onto.
The terrible implication that those given to the waves were not truly reborn had been growing in his mind over the months. Piece by piece, the thought had become whole, but he had vehemently denied it. When it arose, he would immediately push it aside, focusing on something else. But the Divine's sacrifice and its subsequent release of the trapped souls verified it. This meant many things that he could not yet comprehend. Many things about the sanctity of the sacrifices before that suddenly seemed... off. But what he did know it meant was the death of his brother. He had held on to the hope for so long that he was reborn in the waves. But if that wasn't how any of this worked, then that could only mean one thing. He had simply drowned. He was dead.
The tears slid unchecked down his white cheeks, eyes blind to the blood dripping down the Divine's own shoulders. The weight of everything that had happened since the last sacrifice suddenly hitting him all at once. On top of that, the grief he had not felt at the loss of his twin all those years ago was now uncovered. He hardly even remembered the other colt, but he remembered everything his memory had meant to him.
Turning, he pushed harshly through the crowd, running down the street. He wanted to go down to the beach, down to where he had spoken to his brother's memory many a time, but he would have to pass through many of the festivities on the way.
(Post 1: 589 words)
((Sorry to be a downer! Feel free to intercept or have him run into your character or whatever.))
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Post by daKisha on Apr 14, 2019 13:44:36 GMT -6
 Ali : Talori | Shoal
Ali could hardly contain her excitement; it was the morning of her wedding.
Despite all of the delicious smells wafting through the air from the food vendors at the solstice celebrations, she absolutely couldn't stomach to eat anything; her stomach was flipping and twisting with anticipation. Her body felt so light, she felt as though she was walking on air. Today, she had her long forelock pulled back with a small bunch of white, star shaped stephanotis flowers, the rest of her dreadlock mane hanging down freely. Gods know how long her Aunt Phoebe was going to put into styling Ali's hair for the wedding later.
Despite her stomach trying to turn inside out, she did buy her favorite mango kale smoothie to sip on to keep hydrated. A cup of iced chamomile or chrysanthemum tea probably would have been better for calming her stomach though.
"How about you, Romulus?," she gazed lovingly at her very soon-to-be-husband standing beside her. "Would you like something to drink? Another hair growth potion perhaps" she teased with a giggle, thinking back to a story he had told her about his childhood a few days ago.
Romulus and Ali had planned enjoy a bit of the morning's solstice celebrations together before they had to begin their separate, lengthy preparations with their families for their wedding ceremony that afternoon. She kept to his right side. A habit she had started to develop over the dates they had had since their pairing with the matchmaker. For she wanted to be his eye, his ear, a support for his bad leg if he needed it. His literal other half. Not that they had stood this close to each other before, his white and black wings occasionally brushing up against her sides, leaving behind little tickling sensations that made her smile and blush.
Even though large crowds of equine surrounded them, Ali took no notice of any of them. She was oblivious to murmurs of the Divine's sacrifice on Pegasus Leap. Oblivious to the friends walking past. In this moment, only he existed. Her Romulus. Was this day even real? Were they really going to be married in just a few short hours?
WC: 367 | Post #1 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Apr 25, 2019 15:43:26 GMT -6
 Rycaron;Talori|Sage
The Sage stood amongst the other government officials during the ceremony, gaze centered steadily upon the figure of Eve. A mask of solemn calm was worn easily, never shaking, though a deep, even breath filled his lungs as the Divine took the blade to her wings. He had known it was coming, and while it wasn't easy to watch her inflict harm onto herself, the stallion felt a wave of pride for his soul's sister.
Rycaron dipped his head to the mare as she moved past, back toward a place of peace where she could bandage herself and recover. He would visit later, but for now, he knew he was needed more within the public's view. With a sigh, he shifted to stand beside Naasir, remaining in a companionable silence for a while, watching the crowds of people.
He could easily read the varied reactions, knew many of thoughts whirling through the minds below. Some would be in shock, disbelief, but relieved and awed. Some would be cynical, pessimistic, unbelieving.
And he himself?
Rycaron really wasn't sure.
Eve was a good person, a pure heart who really was doing what she thought was best. Rycaron didn't think he would have been able to do that, he would most certainly have had the strong motive to simply perform the ceremony out of a desire to rid himself of the appendages he'd been forced to bear (and he frequently had nightmares about such a thing), but he would have done it in a similar way, to encourage the people, guide them down the path Cascade had told them was best. But then, he was a manipulative being at heart, unlike Eve.
A gentle shifting brought his attention back to his surroundings, where it shouldn't have wandered from. They weren't necessarily safe, but then, that was why he'd settled next to Naasir. Rycaron could feel his feathered serpent shifting where she lay in the folds of his cloak, between his folded dorsal fins. The fabric also hid the dagger he'd become accustomed to wearing, thanks to the nagging of both Gideon and Naasir. They were right, of course, but the stallion simply wasn't a fighter and the weight was odd, if still vaguely reassuring.
Gaze caught the Defender and a rather shocked looking Conparis, but it seemed Gideon was lending the former Seroran support.
"How do things look?" The Sage finally inquired, one ear rotating toward the Guard Commander beside him, though his gaze remained upon the herd below.
WC:416 | Post #1 |
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