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Post by notfromthisgalaxy on Mar 21, 2019 21:23:11 GMT -6
A Blessing In Disguise.
Ali and Romulus.
Timeline: Between Chapter I and II.
Location: Torrine.
Time of Day/Weather: Early Afternoon. Sunny and humid.
Romulus
Mercy* | Talori
"You touch me and suddenly I feel a little less war torn.
I'm not sure what peace is supposed to feel like,
But I think it may feel a lot like you."Rising out of bed had become a difficult task. Pushing forward was just as hard. Life had become hard... Yes, that was it.
Romulus -- for a lack of a better word -- was bitter over the whole situation. He was angry. He was disappointed in his nation; who frankly wasn't doing too hot to begin with... From his viewpoint anyway.
Mother Minerva had done her best to calm him down, soothing words falling from her lips. His sister snickered at him, his mother followed his each and every move as he rapidly paced -- back and forth, back and forth, over and over again. And then his sister had broken out into a full on giggle fit, his mother now resorting to shoving him out of their 'home.'
'Romulus -- while I love you and I feel for you -- I think it's best for you to get some fresh air.' Mother had said, forcing him out the door with a false smile, 'Go and help others. Be a Guardian.'
And he had done just that; still with a bitter attitude about him. but eventually it all faded away with each deep breath of air he took.
Helping out where he could, Romulus made trivial chores into better experiences for them all; escorting people from one side of Torrine to the other, grabbing a few supplies where others could not make the simple trip home with.
Calls of gratitude had fallen on deaf ears. It didn't matter to him. He was only doing what he could to help. Oh, how he wanted to do more... But this. This would be a good enough start for now, he supposed.
Sitting back and taking it all in, Romulus felt a pit form in his stomach. His extra appendages -- his wings -- felt heavier than normal, as if they were dragging him down to the ground instead of what they were designed for.
He had never once debated it... But would removing them be a simpler fate? Mother was stuck in here with him and she possessed no wings; she had removed them years ago... There were a few other races stuck in here alongside him, so even the wingless weren't safe from this fate or so it seemed.
Romulus' head snaps from side to side, as if attempting to shake his thoughts from his head. A huff of air slips from his lips, forcing himself to move onward, to look for someone else to aid... Less he falls to the temptation of taking his wings.
*Guardian at the time.
WC: 424 | Post #1 |
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Post by daKisha on Mar 25, 2019 21:28:10 GMT -6
 Ali;Talori | Shoal
Cicadas loudly buzzed in the muggy heat of the day. Salty breezes wafting in from the sea made the temperatures more tolerable. That and the large, deep mud puddle Ali was wallowing in. The cool, wet dirt over her back and her long neck provided some soothing relief while she soaked in the sun. It had been a while since she had felt its warm rays upon her face.
When she had first been put into Torrine, Ali had not come out from her small, designated hut. The pain of facing the reality of the world outside had been unbearable. For days, wailing sobs had racked her chest until it hurt to breath and her voice disappeared. Tears had constantly flowed from her swollen, pink eyes until she grew too tired to cry. Forcefully separated from her Aunt. Alone for the first time ever in her life. Everything familiar and safe, gone. Confused as to why this was all happening.
The words “pegasus sympathizer” had been said to her but their meaning lost. She was friends with all species of horse, feathered, finned, horned, or common, like her. Sure, she knew that many Talorians treated the pegasi as inferior, but Ali had been raised with the beliefs of the goddess Kaia, that all life was precious. Yes, the pegasi shared the same form as Alya but that didn’t mean they shared the goddess’s sins. They were beautiful individuals with colorful forms that could defy the earth’s hold on their hooves. Ali felt herself quite boring in comparison.
As reality had set in and weeks passed into seasons without word or hope of their imprisonment ending, Ali tried to figure out what to do with her days. But there was nothing. Nothing but sleep, motivate herself to eat, struggle to put on a cheery face out of doors, and then-- nothing. She tried to think of what her Aunt would do, but Ali wasn’t terribly clever. She was a florist and yet her skills were of no use here. She wished she could make colorful flower arrangements for everyone here to brighten up their day, but flowers grew sparsely in Torrine, and she had not the heart to pick them. So here she was, taking a mud bath in a puddle she had dug herself because it faced a patch of golden orange marigolds. They were pretty to look at and helped keep to keep the bugs away. She was reminded of a poem she had heard recited once in the entertainment district. Ali couldn’t read or write but was quick to memorize anything on the topic of flowers. Softly she murmured the words, hot tears filling her eyes as she gazed upon the marigolds, chin resting on the ground.
“Great Sun above me in the sky,
So golden, glorious, and high,
My petals, see, are golden too;
They shine, but cannot shine like you.
I scatter many seeds around;
And where they fall upon the ground,
More Marigolds will spring, more flowers
To open wide in sunny hours.
It is because I love you so,
I turn to watch you as you go;
Without your light, no joy could be.
Look down, great Sun, and shine on me!”
(Poem Source)
WC: 459 (Not including poem)| Post 1 |
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Post by notfromthisgalaxy on Mar 26, 2019 20:34:41 GMT -6
Romulus Mercy* | Talori
"You touch me and suddenly I feel a little less war torn. I'm not sure what peace is supposed to feel like, But I think it may feel a lot like you."
A handful of people pass him by; a few thank him here and there for his help. His keen eyes don't miss the few that toss him a sympathetic gazes. Sympathizes. While he could understand why he was tossed in here to rot, he just couldn't wrap his head around why others had been chunked in here alongside him.
"Excuse me -- Guardian."
Romulus snaps to attention, swiveling his head around to the sound of the voice -- his job title startling him just a little. A small Pegasus mare stands to his side, peering up him with worry in her eyes.
"I know you've been very busy," she says, keeping her voice low and soft, "But there's a woman over there who looks like she's in distress. I was wondering if you could check in on her."
There is no hesitation in his movements. Nodding, Romulus is already off in the direction he has been pointed in, "Of course I can."
As he approaches, the feeling of his heart sinking into his stomach takes him over. She was of Common breed -- clearly not one of his people -- and here she was, having to suffer like the rest of them.
He could only assume she was what they called a sympathizer... What a bad stroke of luck to be found out for.
Romulus could make out the sounds of his mother fussing at him for not stepping in sooner. And his sister would have his head if he didn't do something soon.
(His mother raised a gentleman and his sister didn't stand for having a fool as a brother.)
"Excuse me, Miss," Romulus keeps his head low as he approaches, making his steps sound louder than normal, "Are you alright? I've been asked to check on you.
"I'm a Guardian, by the way." He quickly tacks on, hoping he hasn't startled her too much.
*Guardian at the time.
WC: 320 | Post #2 |
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Post by daKisha on Mar 30, 2019 18:55:48 GMT -6
 Ali; Talori | Shoal
As she finished reciting the poem, Ali’s ears swiveled to her left at the sound of an approaching horse. She slightly turned her head, her cheek pressing against the cool ground. Gods, was the smell and feel of the earth comforting.
Her grass green eyes shifted upwards to see a black pegasus. Or perhaps he only looked black because he was silhouetted by the sun above him. But then he lowered his head and Ali could see that he was truly black. In stunning contrast, white markings streaked downed his face from red eyes filled with concern.
“Are you alright? I’ve been asked to check on you,” he inquired. She wondered by whom. His face was unfamiliar to her, and his features were unique enough that he wouldn’t have been forgotten easily if she had known him. Ali may have had a tendency to forget customer’s orders, but she NEVER forgot a handsome face. Normally, she would have been charmingly flustered to receive such direct attention from an attractive Guardian, as he said he was. But her depressive state had made her uncharacteristically calm.
The corners of her mouth pulled back into a small smile, and Ali craned her neck up towards the sun, eyes closed. “Nothing a lovely mud bath under the warm sun can’t fix!” she replied in her light, airy voice. “There’s nothing quite like it. Very hydrating, relaxing, and great for the skin. I’m no cleric, but I would even say therapeutic. Ever tried it?”
WC: 249| Post 2 |
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Post by notfromthisgalaxy on Apr 16, 2019 12:10:46 GMT -6
Romulus Mercy* | Talori
"You touch me and suddenly I feel a little less war torn. I'm not sure what peace is supposed to feel like, But I think it may feel a lot like you."
Romulus' brow bone cocks up in wonder at her. A little taken aback by her question as well as her cheerful attitude. But who was he to complain? How long has it been since he ran into some who wasn't moping around? Or was she just masking her two feelings?
"Ah, no. I can't say I've ever tried it," he speaks, his head tilting lazily to the side, "Though, my sister's a Cleric, I may have heard her speak of it."
Squinting at the mud she's laid in, Romulus decides that now might not be the best time to have his first mud bath. Besides what kind of example would it give off if he was found rolling around in the mud? Probably not a very good one, he supposes. He could already imagine the pain it would be to get the mud out of his feathers.
"Are you sure you're doing okay, ma'am?" He quizzes, taking the tiniest step forward. He knows what its like to feel cornered, with nowhere to run to, so he keeps his distance from her. For now, at least, till he is welcomed a bit closer. "Do you want some company? Is there anything I can do for you?"
*Guardian at the time.
WC: 213 | Post #3 |
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Post by daKisha on Jun 19, 2019 14:54:34 GMT -6
Ali; Talori | Shoal
"Are you sure you're doing okay, ma'am?" the Guardian asked, taking a small step towards her.
Ali's smile faltered at his concern and kindness. Her carefully placed mask of cheerfulness weakened. No, she was not. But admittedly, she was in a better space emotionally than she had been not even a month ago.
"Do you want some company? Is there anything I can do for you?" he gently offered.
His sympathy struck a cord and a hot tear escaped her defenses and down her cheek. But she quickly shook it away with a smile and a small sniffle as she rose to her feet and responded, "No. I'm sure there's lots more important things that a Guardian needs to look after than an unimportant florist like myself. I don't want to keep you from your duties." Then she giggled, thinking about the title he had called her by. "No one has ever called me Ma'am before."
The wet mud began to run down and tickle her sides and Ali shook her neck side-to-side while her body violently quivered to shake off the excess mud, which flew off everywhere. It splattered the grass. It splattered the marigolds. And it splattered the Guardian, much to her embarrassment.
"Whoops! Oh gods, I am -so sorry! Did I get any in your feathers? How do you keep them clean, by the way? They're so white? I can never keep anything white clean. It's like the color attracts dirt and stains. And tomato sauce! Don't get me started on white things and tomato sauce." she prattled on, as Ali tended to do in any social situation but especially when her nerves were a bit rattled. She reached out with her pale teke to help him clean off.
WC: 292 | Post 3 |
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Post by notfromthisgalaxy on Sept 10, 2019 18:06:59 GMT -6
Romulus Mercy* | Talori
"You touch me and suddenly I feel a little less war torn. I'm not sure what peace is supposed to feel like, But I think it may feel a lot like you."
"Ah, everyone's as important as the last." He mutters,. He takes a small step backwards as she stands, hoping to give her some room. If one thing was for certain, he didn't like it when other's over crowded him, so why would he do the same to another?
"Besides I finished my round of 'duties' for the da-"
A small flap of a wing, his brows falling together in thought. It was fine. Really. Dirt came with things. It would come out at some point. Nothing a quick bath wouldn't fix in the end. That was if he ever got the chance to take one. Red ghosts out to wipe away at a blob that had smacked his noise, the teke slinging to the side.
"Don't worry about it -- it's fine. Truly." He mutters, soft tone counteracting the grumpy expression his face hold. "It happens -- all the time, in fact."
One wing flutters a little too aggressively, sending mud splattering in different directions. It seemed to do enough to get the majority of it off -- he could fuss over the rest later. There were other things to worry about than his wings.
But then again, maybe he should be worried about his wings.
"It'll eventually come out. It always does." He says, eyeing her carefully. "Besides there's other stuff to worry about. Are you sure there's nothing I could do for you?"
*Guardian at the time.
WC: 240 | Post #4 |
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Post by daKisha on Sept 10, 2019 22:37:34 GMT -6
Ali; Talori | Shoal
Here she was, being the one making a mess of things, and he was asking if he could do anything for her.
"I just want to be useful," Ali finally shared with an exasperated sigh. She looked over to the marigolds gently waving in the breeze. "My talents as a naturist and florist seem almost silly in here."
Her smile returned to her face as she stepped closer to the flowers to breathe in their scent.
"I love flowers. They're such pretty, colorful things. It's amazing how perfectly symmetrical they grow, everything so neatly ordered and placed. I love how they ignite the air with their perfume."
Then she looked back to the Guardian, straight into his eyes, her own sparkling. "But the thing I love most about flowers is watching how much joy they can give someone. But why? They're just plants, after all. And yet, there's some connection that we make there. Flowers are an important part in the birth and growth of nature. A symbol of new beginnings! And with each flower I send out to my customers, a new memory accompanies it. A nervous first date. A romantic wedding. A ceremony of dedication over a newborn."
Just talking about it made her excited and her heart felt light and airy for a brief moment. She almost reached down with her teke to pick one to show the Guardian how perfectly arranged all the golden petals were. But then she stopped herself, remembering why she had left them alone. And just like that, the smile once again disappeared from her face and the light in her eyes faded.
"But who needs frivolous things like floral arrangements when we're all struggling. Besides, there's hardly any flowers growing inside these walls and I don't have the heart to pick those that do."
WC: 303 | Post 4 |
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