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Post by kruuja on Mar 30, 2019 6:18:31 GMT -6
WHAT REMAINS
Post Chapter 7
Omar, Taavetti, Asalah, Isolt, Leonides and Ranzir have returned to Bloom after their failed mission to evacuate Hearth.
The day is still young, but too much has already happened.
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Post by kruuja on Mar 30, 2019 6:19:07 GMT -6
RANZIR Hearth was no more. The hamlet had been dead long before the six of them arrived there, but it hadn't been cinder and smoke that had signaled them of the town's demise. Kirins. A foal's blood splattered on the pavement. Locked houses left to rot with their residents' remains perhaps still inside. Their mission had been to warn the townsfolk of the danger - to save them from the Kirin king's cruelty - but all there was left to do was to run away. To warn others and report back to the Crown how Aodh had failed its citizens yet again. Back at Bloom, after everything they could do had been done, silence sat between the tired group who had barely escaped with their lives. Uncertain when they could board the train that would take them back to New Valore, the group had gathered near the station. To rest, to pick themselves up. "You all better rest. It's going to be a long way back", Ranzir murmured halfheartedly, clinging to his soldier persona. The sun was still up, but its warmth felt anything but comforting. The unicorn's knee ached, his left front leg all swollen from the elbow down, his ankle caked in dried blood. A kirin had probably gotten a swing at him during their mad dash to the woods, but the discomfort was a cheap price for his life. He turned to look at the others, his ears pinned back as he added; "I'm sorry it turned out like this."Why he apologized, he wasn't too sure, but he knew it shouldn't have gone like this. Not with the civilians tagging along.
272 words | Post 1 |
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Mar 30, 2019 9:48:18 GMT -6
 Asalah let out a short sigh as the silence between the group was broken by Ranzir. His apology did not ease the tempest inside of her, but his injury had taken most of her attention. She was numb, her heart still heavily beating within her throat, but she couldn't just leave her work behind. Did she have bandages?
She wasn't even sure she had brought anything useful with her to Hearth. Honestly, she hadn't even really done her job as a doctor well, a thought that was beginning to weigh her down a little. "When we get into town, I want to get that set..." Her words felt hollow, as if she was only going through the motions, but now that they were here it needed to be done. Slowly, she made her way over to start looking at Ranzir's leg. The swelling wasn't a good sign, nor was the blood... quietly she side-eyed the others, her stomach rolling as she assessed them all.
This wasn't like the war in Serora. This was worse. A child's lifeless body rolled through her mind as another bought of worry and fear came over her in waves.
She had never been good at fighting. It was all she could do to shield the others and work her way through the danger. She had sustained a few injuries herself, though was blessedly still in one piece.
What was she going to tell her family? Her sisters had children younger than Pel and Cin... and after today, Asalah was beginning to realize that this supposed war was worse than any of them could have imagined.
She wasn't convinced the city was safe enough... but where would she go? It wasn't like Ignacio was an accepted god in most places, as far as she remembered.... and Evalynn had come to this herd because of her blessings...
She pushed the thoughts away, trying to avoid the turmoil that now sat within her. "We should get this wrapped up." She mentioned, pulling some bandages - oh thank the gods, she did have some - out of her small travel pack. "Keep your weight off of it... once we get moving you can lean on me for support. I'd rather you not injure yourself more because we weren't mindful of the injury." Maybe staying in "doctor mode" would make the pain easier to ignore.
She wasn't sure.
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Mar 30, 2019 10:19:05 GMT -6
║⇷ O M A R ⇸║
"As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning."
It happened again. Again blood arched through the air, again that blood landed on the ground, left reflecting his own shattered, horrified face in the blood of an innocent caught in the crossfire. He'd done what he could, he'd bought everyone time to run by sending a wave of shattered, rumbling earth out from their position in all directions, nearly wiping him out from the exertion. And then they simply ran.
It was too much to hope there were others alive. There weren't. He knew it in his gut. So all they had was to try and save the child.
And they still failed at that. It was just a child, someone they didn't know, but Omar saw faces that weren't the child's when he had glanced back at the body, at the kirins. He saw Rona. He saw his daughter, his little pebble, laying there dead, with blood coating her coat. He saw the faces of his family, of his father, of his siblings, who had slaughtered his Ulfhednar like animals and sold him into slavery in the kirins who chased them, trampling the body of the small child as they followed.
And it haunted him. Every time he closed his eyes he only saw Rona laying dead on the ground, her amber eyes lifeless, open, staring at the sky. He saw Demetrius collapsed, bone thin, harness rubbing open wounds. Things he couldn't stop, things he tried to help, but he couldn't. It wasn't real. It wasn't real. But it was hard to think otherwise when those visions greeted him every time he simply blinked.
He once thought that Ignacio was giving him the chance of a new life. Of a second chance, to do better. The god had said, after all, again but better. But- But- fuck it all, how could he do that when every time he tried, he simply let another die on his hooves? He was trying, he was honestly, genuinely trying, he had accepted Aodh into his heart, he had found kinship with the slaves and the few commoners who he found to be less haughty than their betters, and still, still, it just ended up the same as Onea.
Practically dragging his blade through the dirt, the only thing keeping him from letting it fully fall from his grasp was the gentle whispers of the Ulfhednar, who had crafted the blade for him, telling him to honor the weapon, honor them, tend to it and keep it close. With shaking teke, he lifted it up, sliding it back into its scabbard on his side, flinching from the weight change, his gait faltering for a moment.
Aching legs, bloody wounds on his haunches and back from the kirins furiously lashing out as he tried to buy time and protect the back flank, protect the child. What was one more scar to add to his collection. His other scars he had accepted as part of his identity. He had accepted their stories, known that they were reminders of his failures and he accepted them as such before moving on. But these wounds, they would sting long after they scabbed over and turned into scars to match the rest of his marks. They were reminders that no matter how hard he tried, no matter if Ignacio himself had told him 'again, but better', it would always end up the same.
Innocent blood would always spill, and there was nothing he could do to change it. Heavy head hung low, aqua gaze locked on the ground, he simply trudged forward, one step after another, Jarl slowly walking along at his side, tail flat and lowered. He felt Omar's pain.
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Post by empyre on Mar 30, 2019 11:08:53 GMT -6
Taavetti The child. Why the child? Couldn't Ignacio cease his cruelty for a little filly who had just lost everything? Taavetti hadn't spoken since the fighting, following at the rear of the group, and constantly checking over his shoulder. The repeated motion had irritated the deep gash across his chest, the wound still leaking blood down his front; coloring his deep seal coat a pitch black and staining the once white feathering near his hooves. He was numb to the pain, though, it was an old song and dance to him now. He almost wished it bothered him more, maybe then his mind would stop replacing that tiny broken body with Azel's, Marcello's, Ingrid's, or any number of his siblings, cousins, nephews, and nieces.
He sat with the others now, hair falling out of his braid and into his face. It would normally bug him, having his vision obscured by the sweat-soaked clumps sticking to his face, but he couldn't be bothered to do anything about it. He didn't think he could even manage to lift a strand of it with his teke, anyway, far too exhausted. Lucie was still by his side of course, the doberman ever so loyal, but she had stopped trying to speak to him sometime on the way back to Bloom. He felt horribly guilty for it, but he would make it up to her with some treats or a new toy or something back in New Valore.
His attention was drawn from his own thoughts when Asalah spoke, his eyes landing on Omar when he scanned the group. The older stallion looked, frankly, like shit. Taavi regretted his earlier skepticism of Omar's leadership, now after seeing the man fight, Taavi wasn't sure he'd rather anyone else had been there. Groaning softly at the stretch in his stiff muscles, and the pull on his wound, he stood and limped over to Omar's side.
"You gonna make it, old man?" he murmured quietly, trying for a smirk, but it most definitely fell flat, as there was no teasing bite to his tone; the genuine concern easily read through his cracking standoffish guise.
post 1 // 355 words |
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Post by Waterdrup on Mar 30, 2019 16:18:58 GMT -6
Leonides | Merchant Leo felt the skin on his shoulder twitch, a reaction to the itch of sweat in his light coat. His breath was still a little faster than it should be, not unlike his heartbeat, but with good reason. Although the merchant was a stubborn and somewhat proud stallion, his self-preservation had taught him long ago from which fights it was better to run. And run he had. In an attempt to help and protect Asalah, Leo had stayed close to the mare. Only to discover she was far more capable at protection them, using her shields. Actually, in the end, Leo had felt a little useless in the whole ordeal. He only knew some basic combat to defend himself, seeing others use their Blessing made the young stallion consider trying to get one too. The blond dunalino blinked up at the sun. It was strange how the world continued no matter what. The weather still so pleasant and no one even aware of the disturbing things he and his companions had just witnessed not long ago. He had noticed this once before. Earlier, the foal they found had hinted at memories of his little sister and after a bloody death at the hooves of Kirins, those memories found a way to flood back. Leo tried to catch his breath, still hearing Elisa’s high pitched screams of agony as the fire claimed her life and their parents. Everything he knew then was gone, but the sun rose all the same. Leo shook his head, determined in refusing those dark thoughts to take hold. He couldn’t help considering Algren though, the spark probably just a few years older than that foal had been. Nope, he would not go to the ‘what if’ scenarios. Breathing out deep, Leo closed himself off again, pushing back his tangled forelocks. War was upon them then. The young stallion looked at Bloom, having fallen in love with the city, he worried for its future now. At least Valore would be safe, even from those merciless Kirins, he was certain of that. Straightening up a bit, Leo looked around the group. Most of them looked terrible, he seemed to be the only one who got away with minor scratches. One less patient for Asalah anyway, she had her work cut out for her and the poor hybrid looked pretty shocked. Leo watched as the doctor started her work on Ranzir. “Can I help with that?” The merchant asked, leaving it in the middle which of the two he was addressing.
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Post by mariahwhy on Mar 31, 2019 12:49:11 GMT -6
Isolt | Labor Slave
The slave did not dare to complain, but she was extremely glad when they stopped to rest while awaiting the train. Her previously broken leg, while not re-broken, ached terribly, making her limp even more pronounced than it had been. The only other pain that rivaled it was the pounding headache from having her ear ripped. She wasn't exactly sure how it had happened - a sword or antler, who knew - but one of her long ears was now split down the middle. It had bled a lot at first, but had stopped at some point along the way. It made her light-headed, and the dried blood gave her a rather grisly appearance, but she paid little attention to it. The injuries and exhaustion were little different than what labor slaves often felt at the end of a long work day. Instead, she was more focused on her anger.
The slave kept looking back towards the direction of Hearth, though it had long been out of sight. She kept expecting to see the kirins again, thinking that they would have followed them, and at the same time wanting to go back to find them. She wanted to finish the job. It bothered her that the threat to Aodh still remained. But she understood why they had to run. The odds had largely been stacked against them, and it was amazing that they had all escaped in the first place. Particularly herself, having been without any weapons or blessings whatsoever. Had it not been for Asalah's force fields she would probably be dead.
But next time she would not be unarmed.
Isolt looked over Omar as he brought up the rear, looking just as worn down as the rest of them. Before the vindicators had released the labor slaves she had never considered citizenship. Not once. She had loved her job. She had felt extreme pride in keeping Aodh a beautiful, working city. But then her home, her actual home in the Dark District, had been blown up. The mare had failed to stop the threat then, and spent the next month healing in the Sanctum, wondering what she could have done differently. When she was put back to light work, she saw that the city had begun rebuilding without her. Other horses had taken up her spot, and the city moved on. And though she tried to get back into the routine, she had realized that her leg would slow her down. She would never be able to do the amount of work that she previously had, which was one reason she had been allowed to go on this trip. And once again she had faced a threat to the city, and failed to stop it.
The only way she could help her city now was to not be a slave. It was time for her to be more.
This was blasphemous, and only her anger at the kirins (and and all other threats, such as the Vindicators) allowed the thought to even pass through the well-trained slave filter that had kept such thoughts at bay. She at least had the tact not to say anything aloud. She had no clue what steps she might have to take to make this a reality, and she wanted to ask Omar. He had done it. He had overcome his position. But she could not ask here. Not with the others listening. Despite being a faithful servant on the trip, it would still be a grave mistake to speak such things in front of chevaliers and citizens.
(Post 1: 593 words)
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Mar 31, 2019 15:49:06 GMT -6
║⇷ O M A R ⇸║
"As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning."
Almost there. He was almost to the others gathering at the train station. Focusing on only putting one foot in front of the other, he almost didn't hear Taavetti speak. Ears twitching, catching it halfway through, he could make out that he was being asked if he'd make it. Looking up to the younger equine beside him, he studied him for a moment. Hm... He himself was getting older, he'd dealt with the pain before, and while it might not make it hurt less, he might be able to deal with it and recover more easily. This kid though...
He forced a small smile onto his face, "I've been through worse scrapes, kid. Take a lot more than that to do me in." He gently nudged Taavetti with his shoulder. "Thanks for the concern. You did good out there, kid. Shit happens." He rumbled, finally catching up with the others who were tending to their wounds. He stepped around Asalah and Ranzir to simply find an open spot nearby to slump down to the ground with a thud, a rough grunt leaving his throat when he sat down. Exhaling heavily, he reached up, pulling his hair tie out and letting his blond mane fall over his neck.
Jarl came and sniffed over Taavetti's familiar, the doberman, making sure she was also okay with a soft wag of his tail before trotting over to Omar and also plopping down beside him. Omar watched the wolf before looking up to the others again.
"...When we get back to Valore, anyone who wants drinks at the closest pub I can find after getting off of the train is free to get them on me." He called out. He was still trying to save up his money to get a better apartment, but gods be damned, this wasn't a time to be frugal... He needed to retain his sanity. And if that was done by blocking out some of the pain with some ale and wine, then so be it. Rona was safe and being cared for by Demetrius and Tiresias, she could wait a little bit for him to get some drink, and maybe help anyone else with some as well.
"Hell, I'd even let the kid get some drink too even if I had to sneak it to him." He added with a soft snort before pulling his mane back again into a messy, loose bun to try and manage the sweat soaked, blood speckled hair somewhat. This was everyone's first time dealing with shit like this, he was pretty certain... Working his jaw slightly, he sighed. He supposed he had better just shut up about his own feelings and make sure everyone else was okay. He could vent to Tiresias or Dem later...
"...I want everyone to know you all did good. Even those who didn't know shit about fighting." He said in a softer tone.
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Post by kruuja on Apr 2, 2019 15:37:31 GMT -6
RANZIR Ranzir turned to look at Asalah, his blank gaze lowering to the bandage the mare was holding with her teke. "It's not even broken," he muttered a soft rebuttal - as if the fact that his leg was still in one piece somehow made the wound any better. Yet, the unicorn obeyed without another word. He gave a quick glance at Leonides, only replying with a wince and a huff as he sat down. It was an awkward sight with all the armor tacked on him, felt just as awkward too, but he didn't wish to make the hybrid's job any harder. Holding out his left leg towards her, Ranzir raised his eyes back to the dunalino who had joined the two. There was an uncharacteristic, hesitant look painted on the redhead's face, but before he could refuse Leonides' offer, Omar's voice called his attention. The scarred stallion was in a horrible state. Barely paying attention to their words, Ranzir stared at the unicorn, his gaze lingering on their fresh wounds he had only dared to glimpse at on their way back. Thank Ignacio that at least the younger Chevalier looked a little better, but... Whether it was due to the memory of their desperate escape, or the many injuries their group had sustained, or both, the encouraging words felt little more than hollow. Unable to force a smile, the unicorn replied to the man resting on the ground. "If only there had been something left to fight for." His words were blunt, tone bitter, and it didn't take long for the Chevalier to regret his choice of words. Ashamed, he quickly sought Isolt's gaze, ears remaining pinned back as he prompted her; "Anyway, Omar's right. A lost fight or not, you better get treated too." His tone wasn't any warmer than before, but his words were genuine. Isolt was just a slave, sure, but not even a slave deserved to go through all of this. Also, the redhead didn't need Leonides fussing over his leg too with others looking just as bad, if not worse. "Or else your ear's gonna drop off before we reach Valore." The Chevalier didn't care to bring up the lack of a bridle on her. Not now.
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Post by Waterdrup on Apr 3, 2019 10:11:34 GMT -6
Leonides | Merchant The smell of sweat and blood hung heavy in the warm air. Asalah busied herself with some supplies while Ranzir sat down to make her work easier. Leo raised his eyebrows as the Chevalier looked up at him but didn’t reply. Their attention got caught by Omar, who had lowered himself down with a grunt. The heavy built horse grumbled something about offering them a drink once they got back to the city. Leo felt the corner of his mouth twitch up, he could definitely go for one of those today, preferably something strong. "...I want everyone to know you all did good. Even those who didn't know shit about fighting." Those words of praise surprised the young stallion, but he offered Omar a nod in agreement. Ranzir, on the other hand, sounded bitter and Leo rolled his eyes at the retort. Sure their mission had been messed up, but at least they still had their heads! The merchant just wanted to get back to Valore and let some real soldiers handle this situation. He considered that thought for a moment longer, suddenly realizing the Chevaliers would be much more frustrated with the failure of their mission. Leo let out a small sigh as he adjusted the leather bracers on his legs, he needed to work on his empathy. "Or else your ear's gonna drop off before we reach Valore."
Again, Leo felt the corner of his mouth twitch up at the change of atmosphere. The dunalino was dying to lighten up the mood himself. He looked over at Isolt, who’s ear seemed to be in a terribly painful state. Then he noticed something else. “Isolt, isn’t it? You still have your bridle in your saddlebags?” Leo frowned at the wounded ear again. “Maybe better to leave it off until we reach Valore though… what does the doctor say?” He asked, giving the mule a wink before turning his head to look back at Asalah.
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Apr 3, 2019 14:47:45 GMT -6
Ranzir's comment only ushered a soft tutting from the mare as she continued to bandage the wound, eyes and ears so focused on her duty that she nearly missed Leonides' question. She was pretty sure she had missed the question at first, the only reason it even sunk in was because he had shifted his location to be nearer to her. She sighed. "Yeah, if you can hold... this in place for me..." She trailed off while mentioning the bandage, her teke quickly working to apply what herbal remedies she could find before moving on to the bandage.
Omar caused her to stop, for only a minute as he mentioned the nearest pub, drinks being on him. She nearly let out a short snort, but held it back. "Already forgetting about the casino you were a body guard for?" Though it was meant to be kidding, she noticed her voice held a little too much harshness to it. Quickly, she cleared it and shook her head. "Sorry, that sounded... less rude in my head. I'm ready for more than a few drinks if anybody else is up for it. A round at the nearest pub and then maybe even a few more when I get back home sounds...." She paused, taking in a short breath as Leo's teke kept the bandage firmly in place. It was awkward working with somebody that wasn't more skilled than she was, but the help was still welcome. As she tied the last bit into place she straightened herself. "... Like a plan."
It was funny, before this ordeal Asalah would have only claimed to know Omar in passing as a member and worker at the casino before he had struck out as a champion. Now the entire group felt like old friends. Maybe nearly dying together did that to you... Quietly, she eyed the group, listening to Omar ramble on for a bit before Leo mentioned the bridle. Asalah frowned, not at the thought of Isolt still having it off, but at the location of it altogether. It had been attached to her back not placed in it, right?
Well, if it was lost, it wouldn't be hard to replace. She still had some left over bridles from her time as a merchant... and even if she didn't her sister more like than not did. For a moment, she mused about how it seemed she had something for every occasion, the casino, bridles, the medical know how...
Things were a lot different from how they were a few years ago.
"...I want everyone to know you all did good..."
"Omar's right..."
"...What does the doctor have to say?"
Keeping the sentiment about the lost bridle at bay, she smiled back at Leo as warmly as she could. "It's not hurting anybody either way, honestly." She quietly worked her way towards Isolt, knowing full well that Ranzir was right. Her ear needed to be tended to. Quietly, she dug through her bag, quietly glancing at the others.
"If any of you need anything to ease the pain in the up and coming days, let me know. I can get you some medications to help out once the adrenaline passes..." She added, moving away from any conversations of slavery and the issues that Aodh was now dealing with.
Her stomach was still doing flips, but the group was helping ease that. "Or even just a drink... I think we'll... all be in need of the company in the weeks to come."
A part of her was already worrying over the future, but those thoughts didn't need to be voiced at this point in time.
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Post by empyre on Apr 3, 2019 18:58:09 GMT -6
Taavetti
Omar's words struck perhaps deeper than the older stallion intended, and Taavi found himself almost leaning into the shoulder nudge. He returned the gesture with a light push of his own, a soft laugh escaping him. "I'll pay for a round as well. Better use of my money than anything else at this point." He joked, remembering well the days when he was a colt following his mother or even the courtesans of the Pearl around on shopping sprees. Those carefree times seemed long gone now, but if he could use his allowance to bring some joy to these people he had fought alongside, then he sure as hell would do it.
He frowned when the slave's --Isolt that was her name, he would have to remember that-- bridle was mentioned, though relaxed when Asalah requested it remain off. He had noticed it was missing on the way to Bloom, but had turned a blind eye to it. Honestly if Isolt had turned tail and run away from them he wouldn't have followed. He wouldn't have blamed her either, he sometimes wished he could run from it all as well. His family was too stubborn, they would stay in Valore as it burned around them in dragon fire, and he had seen enough of them die to rather be far away than witness more of it. But, and there was always a but, he would sooner die himself than go down without a fight; even if it was a fight he never wanted.
His herd was worth fighting for, though, he had forgotten his passions perhaps; but these people --this ragtag team of volunteers and soldiers-- had fought and lived against the kirins. Perhaps Ignacio had abandoned them, but some other god was surely looking out for them. He nodded in agreement to Asalah's offer before looking back to Omar. He had used a blessing of the earth against the kirins, using the ground beneath their hooves against them. Taavi had never thought much on Kaia before, but... maybe he could learn a thing or two, Omar had come from Onea after all. He would ask over drinks later, now did not seem a good time to be asking about the past.
post 2 // 373 words
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Post by mariahwhy on Apr 4, 2019 20:35:12 GMT -6
Isolt | Labor Slave
Though tired, Omar's words made Isolt stand a little straighter, head a little higher. Perhaps his words were not directed at her, but instead to the rest of the group, but she wanted to think that she had done a good job. The slightest smile eased onto her face, even as Ranzir commanded her attention. His words sealed in the idea that maybe she had done something right. Something helpful. "It'll be ok," she murmured, glancing up as if to look at her ear. She couldn't see it, but it did throb painfully with each word, and the dry blood cracked with the movement. The mare wasn't worried about it though. Losing an ear would not stop her from doing her job. "Maybe if it does I'll just finally have a regular length ear." The joke was uncharacteristic and quietly told, but the familial atmosphere was getting to her as well. Leonides dropped her mood immediately, however, at mention of her bridle. Her stomach fell, and she whipped her head around to look at her saddle bag. How could she forget such a thing!? She'd worn it for so long, but in just a few hours of walking around without it with these free citizens suddenly she didn't remember it? Who did she think she was? She had become brash and silly, and now her bridle was lost somewhere back in Hearth. It was not just in her saddlebag - she very clearly remembered hanging it on the pack. A dumb move in retrospect. It would have fallen off sometime in the fight or escape. She did not answer the stallion, but instead dropped her head to hide the panicked, guilty look on her face. His and Asalah's suggestion to leave it off brought some relief, but not enough. Who should she tell that she lost it? When would she have to tell them? What would the punishment be? Isolt, tense once more, kept her head low as the doctor moved to examine her ear.
(Post 2: Words 334)
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Apr 5, 2019 10:05:45 GMT -6
║⇷ O M A R ⇸║
"As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning."
Omar met Ranzir's gaze until it left him and moved on. Mh. He didn't hold the words against him. Wasn't his fault. It was hard to see what was left to fight for... He wouldn't push the subject. Gaze flickering to Asalah, he barked a rough laugh. "You know I don't give a shit if it sounds rude or not, Asalah." He chuckled. "That was mild compared to the drunken shouts from the people I had to kick out. Let me treat all of you, I promise I ain't trying to turn a blind eye to my first true job."
He didn't mention the bridle comment. He'd much rather prefer for it to stay off of her head. So he just nodded quietly when Asalah agreed that it could stay off. "Ah, I'll sure as hell need something other than just drink," He added, gesturing to his wounds. He could dull the pain out for now with adrenaline still lingering in his system, but hell, that would hurt in the morning.
"Ah fuck." He hissed, closing his eyes and tilting his head back. The wounds wouldn't hurt half as much as Rona scolding him and getting upset at seeing him hurt. Dem too. "I'm gonna get my ass handed to me by a baby for comin' home like this." He could only imagine what Rona and Dem would say. Fuck.
Even more reason to stay at the pub for a while before going home. "I'm good to stay out as long as possible. I am not looking forward to my daughter cussing me out for getting hurt," He gave a small, half snort. He'd told them he'd stay safe, and that this wouldn't be that dangerous since they were going to get there before the kirins got there... What a load of apana shit that had been. Damn. He probably should go home sooner rather than later, but still, he wasn't looking forward to the scoldings...
And he wanted to make sure the rest of them were doing alright before they went home. That was a big part of it.
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Post by kruuja on Apr 6, 2019 17:19:55 GMT -6
RANZIR Ranzir looked at his now bandaged leg, humming a wordless thank you after Asalah as the mare moved onto her next patient. The bandage did little more than keep the wound getting any dirtier than it already was, but the Chevalier could appreciate the doctor's effort to stay on top of things. Even if it wasn't much help, it made him feel a little bit better anyway. As the lack of bridle was suddenly brought up by the dunalino with a playful remark, the redhead simply rolled his eyes - yet he led the suggestion slide, again. A slave should always have a bridle on, he knew this to be right and true as there was no trusting them with too much freedom, but... It wasn't important right now. It should've mattered more, he knew that much, but instead, Ranzir moved his quiet gaze back on Asalah, mulling over the hybrid's offer of company. Seeing though that Isolt's ear was still in need of her attention, Ranzir turned back to Omar and Taavetti. The big unicorn's words made the stallion scoff, only to be followed by a fleeting smile. "Your daughter? She..." She should be glad that you return at all, the Chevalier thought but couldn't bring himself to say after all. As if he would've ever wanted a child to learn about such horrors - Gods forbid, he didn't wish for even his elder sister to learn of this mess. "Hope she's in good hands, because sounds like none of us are in a hurry here." The unicorn replied instead with a lighter note. The ache in his leg might not agree with their ever-expanding plans of alcohol-induced amnesia but damned if he didn't wish to distance himself from today's events. He could carry the weight of their failure tomorrow too. Not forgetting about Taavetti's generous offer, Ranzir retorted back with almost a relaxed tone, though the wound on the younger Chevalier's chest worried him: "But you, offering drinks? It's the greenhorns who are meant to get treated, not the other way around, you know. Suppose I better pitch in too then."
351 words | Post 3 |
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Apr 8, 2019 20:07:27 GMT -6
Quietly the mare continued her work, thankful the others were feeling the jitters that still rang in her hooves. The split ear, the bad leg... Asalah was more than certain her own body was bleeding or injured as well, but she hadn't really taken the time to assess herself. She didn't feel any pain, which was good at least.
She shook her head lightly for a moment, clearing the thoughts that strayed and refocused. Again, her work was much more important than the chaos of her thoughts. The split wasn't as bad as it could have been, the bleeding mess of fur needed cleaning, similar to Ranzir's own injuries.
"I can pitch in a pie or two, too.." She muttered. "While we're cooking and getting some drinks, it'd give us a chance... well, me a chance, to clean up these wounds so we can keep infection from coming up..." She paused, listening to others so more as she quietly pulled out the bandages again and began to do a quick job of cleaning.
She chuckled lightly at the joke that rumbled from the slave. "I'd rather keep it to where you don't lose any of the ear, personally." She glanced towards Leon and Taaveti out of the corner of her eye. "What about you two? Anything that needs to be looked at or taken care of? I'll deal with the old man after."
If only because Omar was the only one that she trusted to manage on his own the longest.
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Post by Waterdrup on Apr 10, 2019 8:39:18 GMT -6
Leonides | Merchant Leo listened to Omar complaining about being scolded by his daughter. The dunalino told himself he was glad he didn’t have anyone waiting for him in worry, it was one of the perks of living the single life. He glanced up ahead, trying to spot the train that would take them back. Several people were now offering to pay for drinks, which was fine with Leo. He looked around the group again. “I’d be happy to see any of you at the Coffeebean Café as well. First drink will be on the house, of course.” The merchant added generously and with a slight air of pride. Asalah mentioned pie and Leo realized he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast. When the mare asked him if he needed anything looked at he had to bite his tongue, knowing this wasn’t the time for a flirtatious comment. “Nah, I’m fine.” The stallion stated quickly. “But I could eat.” He breathed, noticing his hunger now that they found themselves in relative safety. The ‘fight or flight’ energy had retreated and as the adrenaline seeped away as well, smiles had appeared. Leo couldn’t help but grinning brightly himself. “Looking at this from the sunny side though.” He started. “We did our best, we have some intel at least and we all still got our heads.” He exclaimed proudly before a frown blinked into place. “Except, of course, for… eh…” The stallion quickly cleared his throat in unease, avoiding eye contact before barrelling through. “Well, I’m sure the Spark is with loved ones on the other side now.” He stated, straightening up. “And at least it’s not raining, right?” He tried with a determinate smile, faking his confidence while still not quite meeting anyone’s eye.
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Post by mariahwhy on Apr 16, 2019 19:24:12 GMT -6
Isolt | Labor Slave
The longer the conversation strayed away from her the more the slave relaxed once more. The doctor's work on her ear wasn't so much painful as it was just a constant pressure, and it was easy to allow the conversation of the others to relieve her mind of the medical attention. It was nice to listen to their lightened moods peeking through, weaving a picture of everyday civilian life. The relief of coming home after a long days work - even one that might have gone terribly wrong - to drinks with friends and a warm meal with family. Sure, she didn't mind being a loner, but they made the fellowship sound nice. Of course the offer for drinks and pies did not include her - it did not even need to be mentioned. Slaves were simply not invited to such things... but she wondered what it might be like to be a civilian. What useless but lighthearted things might they talk about around a dimly lit bar table before each of them headed of to their own abodes? A distant gleam lit her eye, a smile just barely beyond sight. As the Merchant finally brought up a positive spin on their day Isolt nodded. She couldn't understand their sadness about the foal. It was a shame, but she had been unknown to them, and no longer had family. But she agreed that they had done a good job regardless. The mare was proud of her work, anyway. But thinking back on the kirins... she frowned. Lifting her graze, she looked around them. "Do you think they will attack Bloom next?" she asked quietly.
(Post 3: 271 words)
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on May 2, 2019 14:33:16 GMT -6
║⇷ O M A R ⇸║
"As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning."
Omar's gaze flicked to Ranzir once he started speaking. He raised a single brow, waiting for him to go on. He had a small hunch of what he was going to say, but he didn't pry, and was pleasantly surprised to hear a different set of words. He gave a soft huff of laughter. "Mh. She is. She's either with my boyfriend, Dem, or with the Palasa Sanctum Flamen. Both of them I trust with my life, and with her. She'll be fine with me staying out late." He gave a slight groan while laying down a bit more and closing his eyes. He felt Jarl come and lay down over his legs, a light smile crossing his face.
"Boy, you better let us treat you, Gods above know you need it, but one day you'll be the one paying for us, give it some time," He huffed lightly in addition to Ranzir's statement. He was finding himself growing fonder of this little group the more they talked. Once he would have loathed the lot of them. Walking about free in Aodh, unaware of the cruelty they fed. But... He was seeing they weren't all bad. None of them seemed to want to put Isolt's bridle back on, a thing he very much appreciated to hear. Hm. Not all Aodhians were the kind he loathed.
Ears flicking, he sat back up, looking over to Asalah, a wide grin on his face. "Old man?" A bit of a roaring laugh left him, Jarl's tail starting to wag while he also looked back and forth. "I ain't that old!" He laughed. "There aint' a single grey hair on my head yet! That's the day you can call me an old man!" He chuckled, looking to the others who spoke.
"Never visited that cafe, but I'll be sure to check in soon enough, even if it's just to see how you're getting along." He nodded to Leonides, tilting his head while he continued speaking. Ah. He just tilted his head down in agreement. "Indeed. Might be a morbid thing to say, but it may be a better place for her. Going on without her family, after seeing such things, I do not know how she would have recovered. She is with loved ones, and in a place without pain or suffering." He said, his mood sobering slightly.
Listening to Isolt, he set his jaw, eyes closed in thought. "Perhaps." He said. "They may, or may not. They could try, but if they're smart, I doubt they would, especially since we got free and can warn those in Bloom to be ready for them. If they do, they will be waiting and preparing to try and have the resources to attack. That is, if Aodh can muster the firepower to protect Bloom with the war down south. By Gods, I hope they care about their own people more than that fuckin' war."
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Post by kruuja on Oct 8, 2019 11:37:40 GMT -6
RANZIR "... We can hope", Ranzir muttered, sighing at the very thought of their herd's messy situation. Serorans had made a grave error when they chose to defy the Crown, but the sand dwellers felt like the least of their problems after today's events. By Ignacio's grace, the King would realize this too sooner than later, but the unicorn didn't dare to hope for much. After all, if the King said 'jump', he certainly would - just as was expected of a soldier. A sudden whistle of a distant steam engine caught the unicorn's attention. Cautiously he stood up, switching his gaze between the group and the nearby train station. Looks like their ride would be here soon. "But before they do, I guess we better go and catch that train. I surely don't plan on skipping free drinks and treats", the stallion flashed a dry smile, masking both his discomfort as well as tiredness with it. The thought of Bloom turning into an ashen ghost town was a terrifying one, but in that moment, while he was surrounded by all these equines who had already cheated death with him once, the fear felt less real. Less there. If it were to happen, Bloom or New Valore, perhaps he could cheat fate for a second time.
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